Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir Book 3) Read online

"Still no clue about who broke your aunt and cousin out of jail?" Louis frowned and shook his head. He raised his hand and rubbed his now healed arm.

  "Not one." Kassie closed her eyes and wrinkled her nose. "But we'll figure it out.'

  "Let's go." Ella had been cooped up in the house all week with the rest of us. She was eager to get out and about. "Dinner is calling."

  Within seconds, we were in the car and pulling out.

  "If anything looks suspicious," Kassie said from the front passenger seat, "we won't be hanging around. You will all leave immediately. Is that clear?"

  "Yes, we know." She'd been lecturing me all morning about not taking unnecessary risks. Apparently, she's on Mason's side about the whole Gabby situation, which doesn't surprise me. At times, she’s more protective over me than him.

  "Relax." Tommy turned the wheel, heading on to the main road, and then brushed his fingers along Kassie's arm. "It'll be okay. The three of us are going to be there to keep an eye out."

  Do the two of them have something going on? Mason turned his head toward me with an arched eyebrow. They are acting more and more cordial.

  I was just thinking the same thing. I'd never seen them get along, so that was odd.

  "All right, we're pulling up." Mona pulled out her gun in the backseat and checked it.

  "Don't point that thing at me," Ella grumbled.

  "It's not." Mona shook her head and put it back in its sheath. "Everything looks good back here. What about up there?"

  "We're good. Let's go." Kassie climbed out of the car and opened the back door so the rest of us could pile out. Her eyes scanned the area, seeking out any potential threats. "Hurry."

  Soon, Mona was out, and the six of us entered the restaurant while Tommy went to park the car.

  Even though it was my second time here, I had almost forgotten what it looked like. The inside was dim with a large bar sitting on the left. It had displays of all of the wines and beers available for purchase. I took Mason’s hand and headed straight to the hostess desk where a familiar young woman resided. Her wolf scent hit me once I got close.

  She bowed her head at me. "Queen Elena." Her eyes then went to Mason. "King Mason." She pulled some menus out and glanced at the rest of the party. "Please follow me." She turned and headed toward a set of stairs.

  Our group followed behind her, and she placed us right next to a window that overlooked Central Park. It was near the same table as last time. "Here you go." She placed the menus on the table in front of the four chairs. "Is there anything else I can get you right away?" Her gaze was directly on me.

  "We have seven tonight." My guards needed a place to sit as well.

  "No. No you don't." Kassie moved so she was sitting at a table next to us, and Mona sat at the table behind us. "We aren't eating, and we are separating to keep an eye out. Tommy will be watching the back door to this place as well.”

  "But ..." I hated that they wouldn't be eating with us.

  "My Queen and King." Matteo appeared at the steps and hurried over to us. His golden eyes shone even more in the dim light and contrasted starkly against his dark olive skin. He had to be at least in his fifties. His eyes then went to Louis and Ella. "And of course my prince and ..." A smile played at the corner of his lips. "Dare I say his mate?"

  "I may be his mate, but I have a name." Ella arched her eyebrow and turned to face him. "And it's Ella."

  "Yes, of course." He smiled and nodded his head at her. "It's nice to see you again, Ella. Hopefully, this time, it’ll be an altogether different experience." He then turned his focus back on me. "I'm glad you were able to make it this time."

  "Me too." And that wasn't an understatement.

  "Well, let’s get your order started. What do you all want to drink? I can get that while you look over the menus." Matteo smiled.

  We all quickly ordered and soon were alone at the table.

  "I'm going to run to the bathroom." I stood, and both Kassie's and Mona's eyes landed immediately on me. "I'll be right back."

  "Let me go clear the area first." Kassie stood and glanced at Mona. "I'll be right back."

  "Should I go with her?" Ella stood right across from me.

  "It wouldn't hurt." Mona turned her head from side to side, keeping track of everything going on around us. Her phone dinged, and she pulled it from her pocket. "Kassie says it's clear."

  "Come on, girl." Ella looped her arm through mine before we headed down the stairs to the bathroom. Kassie stood at the door and nodded as we entered.

  I went straight to the counter.

  "Hey, I thought you needed to use the bathroom?" Ella tilted her head and walked over to stand beside me.

  "No, I just needed a minute." It took till now to realize how freaked out my guards were. Granted, I knew they were concerned, but not to this level. "It feels like I can't breathe."

  "Girl, please." Ella reached over and ran her fingers through my hair. "You're probably the strongest person I'll ever meet. It's okay to feel overwhelmed every now and then."

  "Thanks." She was trying to comfort me, but damn. . . There wasn't much more I could do right now. I had to get my shit together.

  "How about I head out and give you a minute alone?" Ella smiled at me.

  "Sounds good." I needed a minute.

  "All right. Kassie and I will be right outside." She walked out the door. Once I was alone, I took a deep breath.

  I turned the water on and thought about splashing it on my face. Dammit, I'd mess up my makeup. I turned it off and placed my hands on the countertop.

  A stall door creaked open.

  Spinning around, I found that all three doors were open and it didn't appear that anyone was in them. I glanced around, looking for an air vent or anything that would explain the noise. I took a step toward them, and there was no indication that anyone was in the bathroom. I had to be losing my mind.

  When I turned back around to the mirror, my aunt was standing directly in front of me.

  "What the ..."

  Her makeup was dramatic as always; she wore way too much, and it looked thick and heavy. Every time I saw her while growing up, I'd always thought she looked like a lady of the night, but now she looked ... unhinged.

  "Well, well, well." She tapped her pointer finger to her lips, and her dark black eyes sized me up and down.

  If she thought I would stay here without yelling for my guards, she was damn crazy. I opened my mouth, which made her growl.

  "If you scream, Tommy will die." She giggled like a maniac. "Honestly, I hated that bastard, so it wouldn't be much of a loss. The only thing he was ever good for was loyalty, and look where that got us."

  Mason, my aunt is in the bathroom with me. She told me not to scream, but that didn't mean I couldn't alert my mate. She's threatening Tommy, so don't make a scene. I think Richard must be out there with him. "How did you get in here?" I had been alone; the bathroom was empty. This didn't make any sense.

  "Wouldn't you love to know?" She glanced up at the ceiling and placed her hand on her heart. "This is what makes it even more fun."

  "At least, one of us is enjoying herself."

  "Oh, and boy am I." She chuckled as someone tried opening the door to the bathroom.

  "They are way too clingy with you." Debra rolled her eyes and huffed. "But don't worry, we still have time to talk."

  "I'm not interested." I turned and took a few steps toward the door.

  "I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss me ... Queen." She made the word sound dirty. "I had told Darren that we needed to ensure you were dead, but he didn't listen to me."

  "Obviously, you want something." She had to have had a witch spell her or something, but who the hell would do that? Supernatural races usually tried not to cause problems with other races, especially wolves since it was our core responsibility to maintain balance.

  "Of course I do." She huffed and waved me off. "If you want this all to end, all you need to do is declare Richard as King and resign from your pitiful attempt as Queen."

  "Are you being serious right now?" I needed whatever she was smoking.

  We can't get in. Mason growled through the bond. What does she want?

  If I could turn off a bond, then maybe I could open it up more so he could hear everything I could. I tugged deep on it and attempted to push it out.

  "Look, I was against coming here and even giving you an option." Debra stomped her foot like a child. "I told them it was useless, but apparently we had to try. So here I am," she said as she waved her hand dramatically over her body, "trying."

  "That's so nice of you." A nagging feeling pulled at me. I had to be prepared for anything.

  "If you don't bow out as Queen, then we'll have to take the crown from you." Debra smirked, and her dark eyes filled with hate. "Obviously, I'm leaning toward the alternative."

  "What did I ever do to make you hate me?" This is what I didn't understand. This woman had been a part of my life as I grew up. What did a six-year-old ever do to warrant so much hate?

  "It's not about you, stupid girl!" She huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "It's about the position you hold. If we kill you or if you renounce yourself, Richard becomes the legit heir. It all works out."

  "I refuse to let you pervert the monarchy." Did she honestly think I'd just walk away, knowing what type of people they truly are? "I figured out why Darren didn't visit the packs. They'd have known he wasn't king when they weren’t able to submit to him."

  "Maybe you aren't as stupid as we hoped." She shook her head and huffed. "But Darren was a much better leader than you could ever be. He died for no reason."

  "You and he killed my parents. That wasn't a good reason?" Who the hell did she think she was?

  Don't get her riled up. Mason growled, and the door began jerking again as he tried to open it. She's insane, much like that Gabby woman.

  I'd never thought of it that way before, but he was right. "I won't step down. So bring the best you got."

  She laughed so hard she clutched her side. "That's what I had hoped you would say." And then she disappeared from right in front of me.

  It confirmed everything. She had someone with magic helping her. I backed up to the door, refusing to turn my back on the last place I'd seen her. When I got to the door, I opened it easily and found everyone standing there, even Matteo.

  Mason grabbed me as Kassie burst into the bathroom, looking for her.

  "What in the hell happened?" Ella's eyes were wide, and she grabbed my arm. "Both Kassie and I made sure we were alone in there."

  "There was a noise, and I turned to check it out. When I turned back around, she was there." I took in a deep breath and placed my head on Mason's chest.

  "I already told them what was said." Mason pulled back and looked into my eyes. "We're going home now."

  “Tommy was already guarding outside, so he’s getting the car.” Mona stood in front of me, making it so she and Mason surrounded me. Both of their bodies were tense and on high alert.

  “Queen Elena, I’m so sorry.” Matteo's face was pale, and he clutched his chest.

  “It’s not your fault. It could have happened anywhere.” That was the thing; I wasn't sure if I'd be any safer at home.

  Chapter Five

  As we arrived back home, my body felt lethargic. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, I was ready to head to bed. We wound up asking Matteo to pack up our food so we could take it home after what happened.

  Are you okay? Mason slid from the Suburban and lifted his hand to help me crawl out on his side.

  I'm just tired. I may just go to bed. Just thinking about eating almost made me want to vomit. I placed my hand in his, letting him help me from the vehicle.

  You need to eat a little something. He kissed my forehead when I stepped onto the ground.

  Ella, Louis, and Mona scrambled out the other side of the car. Pretty soon, all seven of us were climbing the front steps.

  "I'm starving." Ella carried two bags full of food into the kitchen and laid them on the large island’s light granite countertop. She began pulling out the containers of food. Each one had a name labeled on it. "Look at Matteo go. There's absolutely no question which person it belongs to."

  "Were you trying to steal mine?" Louis grabbed the one with his name on it and turned so she couldn't reach it.

  "Hey, what's yours is mine, and I want half." Ella pulled out a plastic fork, waving it in his direction.

  Normally, I'd find all of this funny, but right now, I only wanted to sleep. I spun around, trying to sneak out, when Mason caught my waist.

  "Just eat a little, and then I'll leave you alone." Mason reached over and picked up the container that had my name written on it.

  "Listen to arm candy." Kassie entered the kitchen and scanned the entire room. "We had some guards sent here to do a thorough check before we arrived. Everything appears safe."

  "It also did in the bathroom." Ella marched over to the large rectangular kitchen table and sat in the chair on the end. "I'm telling you there was no sign of anyone in that bathroom. I wouldn't have left her otherwise."

  “And if anyone is to blame, it’s me.” Kassie frowned. “I cleared it before Elena and Ella ever went in.”

  "No one is blaming anyone." Louis sat next to Ella and opened his container, nudging it toward her. "Here, eat your feelings."

  "If I wasn't so hungry, I'd smack you right now." She picked up her fork and stabbed his chicken parmesan.

  I headed over to the light gray cabinets and pulled out a plate. I had a feeling I wouldn't be eating most of it.

  "From here on out, Elena doesn't get left alone." Kassie grabbed her food, joining both Ella and Louis at the table. "If she breathes funny, we better know."

  Oh, great. This was going to be fun. "Someone can't be with me twenty-four-seven." Please God, don't let someone be with me all the time. There are some things I want to do alone.

  I joined everyone at the table, sitting right across from Ella.

  Mason opened my chicken fettuccine and dumped half of it onto my plate.

  "You said a little bit." I took my fork and stabbed the offending noodles. "This is not a little bit."

  "By shifter standards, it is." Mona laughed as she and Tommy entered the kitchen and went to the island to get their own food.

  "And here I thought, being Queen, you got to tell everyone else what to do." Ella moaned as she took a bite. "Now, I'm not quite as jealous anymore."

  "Oh, that's so sweet." Louis leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Being royal actually means you have everyone telling you what to do. Sometimes even from your own pack members."

  "Now, that isn't an understatement." There were times when it got overwhelming. Like right now.

  "It's only because we love you." Mona winked at me.

  "I get it. Still doesn't mean it's not hard." I took a bite of my food and it was good, but there was an odd taste to it. Sort of bitter. It was probably because my stomach was so messed up. I forced another bite into my mouth.

  It wasn't long before I’d cleaned my plate and stood. "I did what you asked, and now I just want to go to bed."

  "Okay, let's go." Mason stood and took a large drink of water.

  "Don't worry. I'll clean this up." Mona nodded at him. "She looks exhausted. You two go rest."

  "And when she says rest, she means sleep." Ella lifted her finger and wagged it from side to side. "That doesn't mean sexy time."

  "Now I might have to do it just because you said that." Mason glared at her.

  "You should know better." Louis chuckled as he threw an arm around her shoulders.

  "They both like to rag on each other." Tommy shook his head. "They'll never change."

  "I don't like it when people figure out our secrets." Ella frowned and pouted.

  "Hate to tell you, blondie." Kassie rolled her eyes. "It's not a secret."

  Come on, let's get you to bed. Mason took my hand and tugged me toward the den. "Good night, everyone."

  They all mumbled, “Good night,” in return.

  After passing through the den, we made our way back into our bedroom. It was a huge room holding a large sturdy bed with chestnut wooden frames. Not even bothering to remove my clothing, I crawled right in between the soft purple sheets.

  Mason removed his suit pants and button-down shirt before crawling into bed next to me in only his underwear.

  Normally, I'd be all over him, but tonight, I felt defeated. Not only did I not know who was targeting me, but my aunt had caught me completely off guard. To be honest with myself, I was more pissed that her words still hurt despite everything they'd done. Like, how did that hag still have power over me?

  Stop beating yourself up. Mason pulled me against his chest, holding me tight.

  How does it still hurt? I felt like I was that six-year-old girl I used to be, who realized some of her family members wanted her dead. It's stupid.

  When you love, you love with all your heart. Mason kissed the back of my head. Despite everything, you still love them. You grew up with them as your family and didn't realize the hurt they were going to try to inflict upon you. You let them in, and whether you like it or not, they still have a piece of you. They always will. That's one damn reason why you're so amazing. It's not a flaw; it's something beautiful.

  It doesn't feel so beautiful right now. My eyes grew heavy, and I welcomed sleep. I needed to turn my brain off even if it was only for a few hours.

  It is. I love you.

  His words were what I drifted off too.

  "Elena." An unfamiliar scream woke me from my sleep.

  I sat straight up and looked around. It took a second for everything to register. There was a bright light and then nothing. It was the exact same place I'd seen my parents when I'd almost died. "Mom? Dad?"

  I heard a rustling, and soon they were in front of me. There was a wolf in front of them, baring its teeth.

  "Haven't you done enough?" My dad's normal, composed face was lined with worry, and his eyes were filled with hurt. His body sagged in a way I'd never seen before.

  "Stop. Don't hurt him." It took a second, but the midnight black fur registered. That wolf was my uncle. How was he now able to torment my parents?

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