Chapter 4: Jericho
I could tell Mason was a bit agitated, so I tried to leave him alone for a while. I didn’t want to bother him by asking what was on his mind, especially since I didn’t think he would tell me the truth anyway. I decided to try a different approach.
“So,” I said, plopping down at the table while Mason ate lunch. I reached into the well-stocked snack bowl in the middle of the table and popped a pretzel into my mouth. “This job thing. What kind of work were you thinking about?”
Mason shrugged, not taking his eyes off the food that he was currently shoveling into his maw. After swallowing, he said, “I dunno. I haven’t really thought about it. This is the first time in my life I’m actually allowed to have a job.”
That annoyed me so much. I couldn’t believe how ass backwards Scarlet Ridge pack was from everything I’d heard about it. But I didn’t want to let my negativity show on my face - I forced myself to keep a smile.
“That’s okay. We can look for one together.”
Unfortunately, Mason didn’t look thrilled about my suggestion. He didn’t refuse my offer, though, and once we were done having lunch, we headed out into town.
A few pack members must have noticed Mason wasn’t a familiar face, because a few of them turned to stare curiously. But every time someone did that, Mason grew increasingly agitated. I tried to walk a little faster to get past them. Mason kept stride with me.
“Why’s everyone staring at me?” he muttered.
“You probably still have a hint of that Scarlet Ridge smell,” I said. “It’ll fade soon enough.”
He didn’t look pleased about that, but he didn’t say anything. We walked on and I let Mason set the pace. He stopped every once in a while to look at the storefronts, then shook his head and kept moving.
“What about the ice cream place?” I said as we passed it. I was half-hoping Mason would relent and we could go in for a quick bite, but he looked the storefront up and down before shaking his head again. I sighed. “Maybe we should’ve left the house with a game plan.”
Mason prickled. “Sorry. I don’t know this pack very well, if you recall.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, scratching the back of my head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
We had left the main road and were now exploring the entertainment district - or at least, that’s what everyone called it. There was a movie theatre - humans had come in to build that one - and a club for lonely alphas and omegas.
“Wanna take a look at the theatre?” I offered.
Mason shrugged. “Sure.”
But to get to the theatre, we had to pass by the front of the club. Even though it was midday, a low beat still thrummed from inside its walls. There was no downtime for shifters in search of a mate, I guessed. I briefly toyed with the idea of going there later by myself. Iwasa lone alpha, after all. But then I remembered Mason was staying with me right now, and it probably wouldn’t be the best idea to bring some random omega home. I wrote off that idea for now.
As we passed the front, the alpha bouncer protecting the door stepped out of position and cut off our path. With curiously raised brows, he looked down at Mason.
“Well, I’ve never seen you around before,” he said. “What’s your name, little omega?”
“None of your damn business,” Mason snapped.
The alpha’s eyes widened.
I recognized him now. He was a guy named Shadow. He put up his palms to show he wasn’t a threat. “Whoa, now. Fiesty little guy, aren’t you?”
Mason glared at him. Then I noticed something else. It was minute, and probably only noticeable to me because I’d spent time with Mason, but a slight sour tinge of fear radiated off of him. He wasn’t just angry - he was afraid.
“Shadow, hey,” I said. “I don’t know if you remember me. Jericho? I’m part of the hunting guild.”
He paused for a moment, and then a big grin spread over his face. “Jericho! My man! I haven’t seen you in ages.” Suddenly he gasped. “Oh, man, this isn’tyourmate, is he?”
Mason’s jaw dropped. Even though I didn’t say anything, I flinched anyway. He looked angrier than I’d ever seen him. I knew I had to diffuse this situation, and fast.
“No, no,” I said quickly. “He’s definitely not my mate. Just a - “ I paused. “A friend.”
I wasn’t even sure if we werefriends, to be honest, but right now it was better than nothing.
“Oh,” Shadow said before turning back to Mason. “Then how come I’ve never seen you around before?”
