Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir #3) - Jen L. Grey Page 0,15

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.