Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir #3) - Jen L. Grey Page 0,9

soon." Mona patted Louis’s back, and they filed out. As I moved to follow, I noticed that the mate bond link between Mason and me was blocked. A chill ran through me.

As I turned toward him, I confirmed what I already knew. His jaw was clenched, his eyes were tight, and he was scowling at me.

"Mason ..." I'd never seen him look that way at me before.

"No, don't." He shook his head. "Not now. The most important priority is getting Louis medical care since he was injured to protect you."

"I didn't mean ..."

"Save it, Elena." He brushed past me and paused to look at me one last time. "I can’t talk to you right now." He turned his back to me and followed the group, leaving me behind.

Angry tears threatened to pool in my eyes, and my heart ached at the loss of our connection.

A warm hand touched my shoulder, causing me to startle.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Tommy's deep voice brought comfort. "Gabby is locked in and settled into her new room."

"Did she say anything else?" We had to figure out who this new enemy was. Obviously, they knew where to hit me.

"No, she didn't other than her usual crazy mumblings." He gave me a sad grin.

"Okay, thank you." I needed to catch up with the others and make sure Louis was okay. Hell, that prince was growing on me more and more each day. After this, I didn't think I could think of him as anything but family.

"He's hurting."

"I know. Gracie should be here soon to take care of him." I took a step when his hand caught me once more.

"No, I meant Mason." Tommy dropped his hand and licked his bottom lip. "Your father and mother had the same argument at least once a year."

"Really?" I had always remembered them as being happy and loving with one another.

"It's because they loved each other so much." He sighed and stared down the hall as if his mind had gone to another place. "Being a royal, you have to know when to stand tall and when to back down."

"I couldn't back down with her ..."

"Oh, I agree … but I'm talking about Mason." He tilted his head to the side and gave me a huge smile. "Your parents would be so proud of you."

"What?" I hadn't been expecting that.

"You know right from wrong and truly care. Your father wanted his brothers to feel and understand that same sentiment, but they never did. He’d be so proud to see you now.” He took a few steps closer to me and laughed. "You care more than he ever did, and you understand things in ways that he never could."

"And he knew how to rule without messing up every few days." No matter which way I went, someone wound up getting hurt—Alec, Louis, Mona, Kassie, and Mason. They'd all been attacked in one way or another because of me. "I should've never let them get so close. They just get hurt because of me."

"They're the reason you're as strong as you are." Tommy nodded his head toward the door, and we began walking at a snail's pace. "He just needs time. He'll come around."

"Will he?" Even though we were fated mates, that didn't mean we had to be together. Fated mates rarely die at the same time, and the other can still live a normal and happy-ish life. If he wanted, he could walk away. "You know what they say. There is a thin line between love and hate."

"That's what humans say." Tommy chuckled and shook his head. "That doesn't really work with mates."

"You never know." Mason had never been so cold to me before.

"Oh, I do." He opened the door for me and waved me through. "Just give him some time to process. He won't be able to stay away from you for long."

Yeah, I doubted that.

When we entered the apartment, there was a short woman standing in the foyer with Mona.

"Here is Queen Elena." Mona waved toward me.

"Your Highness." The girl bowed her head, causing her carrot red hair to fall, framing her face. "It's so nice to meet you even though I wish it was under better circumstances." When she raised her face to meet mine, her light green eyes stared into mine.

"Gracie." That's the only person I could reconcile with her. At this point, I doubted they'd let anyone else into the house right now.

"She just got here." Mona pointed at the big black bag. "I