Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir #3) - Jen L. Grey Page 0,26

the all-clear."

The worker glanced into the back as if trying to figure out who we were but apparently knew better than to ask any questions.

He was probably at a loss as to why we were getting treated in such a manner.

I opened the door and climbed out with Mason and then Mona close behind me.

"I'm running inside to get the room keys. Kassie will stay out here and continue security sweeps." She rushed past Tommy and headed toward the front desk.

The rest of the crew got out, and soon we were all heading inside. Mason stood close to me on one side with Kassie on the other.

It appeared as if we were all on high alert after the aircraft scare. Luckily nothing horrible had happened, just a mind game.

When we walked into the huge lobby, it kind of surprised me that no matter how nice the hotel was, it had a similar feel to any other. Yes, it was nicer than the ones I used to stay at before becoming Queen: golden touches, nicer furniture, and a fancy chandelier. Except, it still had the same feel, a huge open area where we could see all the way to the back of the building.

Mona walked away from the front desk and nodded at our group. "Let's move. The elevator is over here.”

We walked in the middle of two sets of large stairways that led to the second level. It was the same sort of style that we had back in the old NYC apartment where we used to live.

Following Kassie's lead, we turned toward the elevators.

Let me know if you smell or see anything weird. Mason held my hand even though he was so close to me that our arms brushed with every step.

Nothing seems out of sorts. At least, for now. The last time we were at a hotel, his best friend Alec had gone missing courtesy of the vampire prince. It was a long, drawn-out process to save him. And even when we did, he had been so severely injured he still wasn't back to his old self.

As all seven of us crammed inside the elevator, Ella let out a huge breath. "Was it only me who was ready for something to jump out or grab one of us the entire way in?"

"Don't jinx us," Kassie snapped as she turned her head in Ella's direction. "We haven't made it to the room yet."

Mona reached over and ran the key over a scanner and pressed nineteen. "Calm down, everyone. Whoever it is wants us on edge. We'll be able to relax in a few minutes."

It wasn't long before we reached the presidential suite. The elevator doors opened to a large foyer that led straight into a huge living room.

"Stay here," Mona instructed the four of us while the guards checked every room.

"This is almost as big as our house back home." Ella snorted and shook her head. "It sometimes puts things into perspective how the rich people don't understand the common middle-class people."

"That's what makes them so unique." Louis pointed at Mason and me. "They know and understand."

"Yet, we've been focusing on the alphas that didn't understand." Maybe we'd handled everything wrong. Brent was one of the same alphas in question, and he wasn't a fan of ours. Granted, that probably had more to do with his self-worth. He was the alpha over Atlanta, one of the largest supernatural hubs in the world. It was the third-largest.

"That's how the game is played, unfortunately." Louis glanced around the place. "It's weird; I've always grown up in places like this. Yet, the place you all consider home feels more comfortable for me as well."

"Hate to break it down for you, buddy, but it's your home too." Ella arched an eyebrow. "You're my other half, which means it's a damn good thing you like it."

"Duly noted." He chuckled.

We need to be super careful here. Mason wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. I could feel the tension in his whole body, and our bond was flooded with worry. I can't let another bad thing happen to you.

The same for you. I'll never forget what it was like right after we had completed our bond back home in South Carolina. The vampire prince had just found me, and I was working at the Flying Monkey, which was a trendy bar on the outskirts of town. I'd worked there as the dishwasher. Mason had come to do some of his college homework and keep