Kyra’s POV

I couldn’t stay passive any longer. Being trapped by Mason in this strange mansion was unthinkable. I needed to take control of the situation immediately.

Without hesitation, I snatched the gun from Nathan’s hands and pointed it directly at Mason’s chest. My hands trembled slightly, but my eyes remained locked on his face.

"Don’t," Nathan whispered, placing his hand gently on my arm. "Let’s find out what’s going on first."

I ignored him, tightening my grip on the weapon. "Put your drink down, Mason. I won’t hesitate to shoot."

Mason froze, his glass of whiskey halfway to his lips. He stared at me with an unreadable expression, neither afraid nor angry—just blank.

"Put the gun down, Kyra," he said calmly. "Someone desperate enough might pull that trigger—"

"I am desperate enough," I cut him off. "And I will pull this trigger if you don’t answer my questions right now. Why did you bring us here? What are you really planning?"

Sylvia stirred within me, alert and ready. "Be careful, Kyra. He’s hiding something, but I don’t sense immediate danger."

Matt stepped protectively in front of me, though not blocking my aim. Sarah continued sobbing on the couch.

With infuriating casualness, Mason took another sip of his liquor and settled onto the couch across from us. His relaxed demeanor only heightened my anxiety. The way he lounged there, completely at ease, made me wonder if he was just as evil as his father.

"I wronged your friend. I’m the reason Emily got hurt," he finally said, gesturing vaguely toward Matt. "Consider this my way of making amends."

I shook my head, not buying it. "Then why is Sarah Foster here?"

Sarah glared at her nephew with pure hatred, looking ready to attack him again at any moment.

"I don’t owe you explanations—"

"Yes, you do!" I shouted, anger burning through me. "You brought us to this place. You absolutely owe us an explanation! Tell me why we’re here and what you’re planning to do. Are you going to kill us?"

"If I wanted you dead," Mason replied with a cold smile, "I wouldn’t have rescued you from those rogues in the first place."

"Then why are we here?" I demanded, my finger hovering dangerously close to the trigger.

His forehead creased with irritation. "You have no choice but to trust me, Kyra. I’m the only one who can help you right now. Your mate’s warriors are probably stiff and cold by now."

The callous way he mentioned the dead pack members made my blood boil. "Just answer my damn questions, Mason!" I nearly screamed. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I believe you now!" he growled back, suddenly erupting from his calm facade. "Happy?"

My lips parted in surprise. I glanced quickly at Matt, who was staring at his twin brother with wide eyes, then back to Nathan. He gently took the gun from my trembling hands and pulled me close to his side, his arm protectively wrapping around my waist.

"What?" I asked, confused by Mason’s outburst.

Mason clenched his jaw, looking pained. "I... discovered the truth he buried long ago. At first I didn’t believe it, but I couldn’t deny the evidence. It was him. It was definitely him."

"What did you find?" Matt asked, his voice tight with tension.

Mason drained his glass and set it down hard on the table. His eyes were cold and dark when he turned to his brother. "The recording you kept. I found your phone... in Dad’s car."

The room fell silent. I stared at Mason, speechless but silently thanking whatever forces had finally opened his eyes to the truth. Despite everything, there was still good in him.

"How did you find it?" Matt pressed, clearly skeptical. He lost that phone when he was caged by his father. Emily bought him a new one.

Mason ran a hand through his hair. "I was looking for some documents in his car yesterday. The phone was hidden under the seat."

"And you looked through it?" I asked.

"I was curious why my father would hide someone else’s phone," Mason admitted. "When I heard his voice on that recording..." He trailed off, swallowing hard.

"You heard him confess," Matt finished the sentence.

Mason nodded, looking sick. "I always thought he was a good man. Strict, yes, but honorable. I defended him against everyone who said otherwise." His hands trembled as he reached for the bottle to refill his glass.

Nathan tightened his grip around me. "What exactly did you hear on that recording, Mason?"

"Enough to know he killed Kyra’s mother," Mason whispered, avoiding my eyes.

A painful lump formed in my throat.

"That’s why you brought us here?" Nathan asked. "To protect us from him?"

Mason nodded. "This place blocks mind-links. I also used scent masking spray. He can’t track us here, and the rogues won’t find it either. It’s the only safe place I could think of."

"What about Sarah?" I gestured toward the woman who had fallen quiet, watching our exchange with red-rimmed eyes.

Mason looked at her with something like pity. "She discovered something she shouldn’t have. Dad was planning to kill her too."

Sarah let out a small, broken sob.

"I still don’t understand," I said. "Why did you change sides so suddenly? You’ve been loyal to your father for years."

Mason’s eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw genuine emotion in them—pain, regret, and something like determination.

"Because I’m not a murderer," he said simply. "And I won’t let him turn me into one."