Fractured (Josie)
My Wolf 314

Chapter 314

**Luke's POV **

I thought I was more recovered than I am, but the short walk to the bathroom from where we had ported in the bedroom had felt like a brisk hike up a tall mountain through thin air.

I don't think anyone realised how close I was to letting go and letting my body fall into eternal rest. Every time I had made peace with the decision to leave this world, I'd gotten a sign from one of my bond group. Either their words or strength would come to me just when I needed them most to keep fighting and hold on for a little longer.

It was Mason who finally convinced me that I shouldn't give up. I had heard his words clearly in my mind. "I've got you, Brother, let's fight this together," are words I will never forget.

Josie helps me into bed and I want to protest. I want to see the kids and spend time with everyone as a family because I almost just lost them all, but I do need to rest. I may have recovered from whatever drug that psycho Mandy had given me, but it has depleted my energy to do it. Every one of my joints aches in a way I have never experienced before.

Deacon leaves to pick up Harper from his parents and Josie goes downstairs to make me a coffee. Theo and Axel leave to go and help out with the kids, and I am left alone with Mason, who sits at the end of the bed with his back

to me.

"Are you okay?" I ask him, it's clear something is bothering him.

Mason remains silent for a few moments and my anxiety grows. Has something else happened that I'm not aware of?

"I'm sorry, Luke," Mason finally says.

"For what?" I ask when he doesn't expand on his apology.

"The last entry from our group in the spark-boned journal was about one of us disappearing. He could no longer be felt through the bond and the group thought he had been taken or, most likely, killed," he explains.

"That sounds familiar. What happened? Did they get to him in time?” I ask.

I have a feeling that although the disappearance starts the same as my story, the

outcome has been very different to what had happened to me.

"He was alive when they found him. He was working with the rogues," Mason says, and I suck in a breath.

"And you all thought it was happening again," I nod.

I won't deny that it hurts that they would think for a moment that I would betray them, but at the same time, I can understand why they might have thought that.

"No, Josie and Axel never doubted you for a second. I'm not sure about D and Theo, but I did; Luke, and I'm sorry for that," he says.

I take a moment to think about it. If Mason was the one to have been taken, and I had the knowledge he did, I can't say for certain I wouldn't have thought the same as him.

"What else did the journal say? What happened when they found out he had betrayed them?"

"One of the group, Lucius, killed him in a fit of rage, which they believe then led to Amara dying of a broken heart," he explains.

"Did you plan on killing me if I had betrayed you?"

Mason blows out a breath. "Honestly, I don't know. I didn't plan on it, but I can't say I wouldn't have. Not when I know how much it would devastate Josie and the kids. I'm not sure that I could control my temper if someone hurt them like that, even if it was one of us," he admits, and I nod.

"I guess I can understand that. I can't say I wouldn't do the same," I sigh.

"But we should be stronger than that, right? We shouldn't even have to think about such a thing because we should have 100% trust in each other. I think I'm the weak link in this group, the one that has the most potential to destroy us from the inside," Mason says in a tone that concerns me.

"I think it's normal that we all have our moments of weakness and doubt at some point. Right up until the moment I saw you hold Harper, I kept thinking you might run. I almost confronted you about it a few times, but then I would remember how hard you fought to bring Josie home when she was trapped in the human realm, and I realised you wouldn't do all that, just to up and leave," I admit.

"That's the thing though. I never stopped to think about everything you had done to be with her previously. You risked your life to be with her all those years ago, you were even willing to leave everyone here behind if it meant you could live with her. I was so blinded by what was written in that journal that I forgot everything else," he sighs,

"You came through for me when it mattered, so I forgive you. You should forgive yourself too,” I tell him, closing my eyes because staying awake is becoming difficult.

"Thank you, Luke. I'll work on it."

"Do we need to hug it out?" I say with a smirk.

"Hell no," he scoffs as he moves to lie in the bed, making sure to keep some distance between us.

I begin to drift off with a smile on my face. Mason may be the least trusting and show the least affection, but after what he did to save me, I know he will always be there when any of us need him the most.

"Luke?" Mace says, his voice sleepy.

"Hmm?"

"If I wake up with you cuddled up with me, I won't hesitate to kick you in the nuts," he grumbles.

"Noted," I chuckle before sleep finally claims me.