Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir #3) - Jen L. Grey Page 0,32

make it sound like you believe him." Her tone was neither warm nor cold; only factual.

"Didn't you notice the tension between him and his father the first night at the NYC apartment?" It was strange even back then, how father and son had reacted to one another. It was almost as if Louis wanted to provoke his dad in every way he could.

"Yeah, but it could all be an act." She pointed toward the door. "And it pisses me off that I still love him." Her words broke off into a sob.

"Of course you do." I ran my hands through her soft, silky hair. "And honestly, I think he's telling the truth."

"But he could be manipulating you." Ella sounded like she wanted me to prove she was wrong.

"He could be." I didn't want to lie and be wrong, but I thought he was being truthful. "But there is no magic in the world strong enough to fake a mate bond. He is yours whether you like it or not."

"So you think there is a chance he really was scared?" Ella wiped the moisture from under her eyes. She stared at me like a child full of hope on Christmas morning.

"I don't think we should write him off yet." I wanted to be reassuring, but I didn't want to be overly optimistic either. "Think about how you'd feel if you learned something so horrid about your father and then get dumped off into another country with three people who weren't accustomed to royal life. You wouldn't want to start singing all your secrets, sharing them with complete strangers. And then, you find your mate, and what if your father's past actions define who they think you are."

"I hadn't thought about it that way." Ella chewed on her bottom lip. "Ugh, I'm so not this girl. I don't pine away for some guy, especially one who’s messed up royally."

"Royally, huh?" I needed to make her smile.

"Stop it." She still snorted. "I didn't mean it like that. But you're right. I could see where he would really struggle with it."

"Yes, the truth has a way of coming to light." Even if it took close to thirteen years to do so. "Let's be cautious and see what happens."

"I don't think I can go back to acting normal with him though." Ella took a step back and took a deep breath.

"That's fine. You don't have to." She needed to realize her feelings were just as valid as his. "It might be good for all of us to calm down for the next day or two and see how everything plays out. Making rash decisions in a moment isn't good for anyone."

"You're right." Ella nodded. "I'll sleep wherever Kassie and Mona are tonight. Even though I love him, I need time."

"You do what makes you feel most comfortable with your decisions and your relationship." The last thing I wanted to do was push her into a decision that she might wind up regretting. "There is no right or wrong answer here."

"I'm so glad you're my best friend and my sister." She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "I don't know what Mason and I would do without you."

"Well, you'd be leading a normal life, going to parties and underground fights." I winked at her. "You'd probably be studying for some exam right now too, which would probably be better than here."

"Life may be crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. And you make my brother happy, so I can't complain about that."

"Food’s here!" Mona yelled from down the hall.

"Are you ready to eat?" I needed to be upbeat and light for her.

"Do I breathe oxygen?" Ella arched an eyebrow and grinned despite the sadness still reflecting in her eyes.

"Then let's go." As I opened the bedroom door, I couldn't help but hope I was right. If Louis proved to be on the other side, I wasn't quite sure my best friend would survive, let alone her heart.

Chapter Ten

I'd tossed and turned all night. Between the bombshell Louis had dropped and my anxiety from not knowing what to expect at tomorrow’s breakfast, sleep was impossible.

I squirmed away from Mason's body and rolled so I could glance at the clock. It said five in the morning.

Great. I wanted to get up but didn't want to wake him or the girls.

After the awkward dinner, the girls decided to take the pull out sofa and couch to guard the elevator while Louis took the other