Mason lifted his hand and knocked on the door ever so lightly. “Mom?”
“Come in.” A strong female voice answered.
As we walked into the room, I found James helping a beautiful, olive-skinned woman sit up in the bed.
Her hair was long and dark, and her jade eyes, which matched Mason’s, landed straight on me. “Oh, you are one lucky man, Mason.” A small smile spread across her face as she took me in. “Hi, I’m Dehlia.”
“Hey, I’m Elena.” This was kind of awkward. I’d never met someone in bed before. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Ah, she has manners.” She reached over and patted James’s arm with her hand. “Maybe Mason will finally start learning some.”
“Mom.” Mason huffed but wore an adoring smile on his face. “I have manners, I just don’t choose to use them.”
“And that’s a worse problem.” She leaned forward and patted the spot next to her. “Elena, please come sit. I’m sorry that we have to meet this way, but this is all the strength I have.”
“It’s perfectly fine.” I slowly made my way to her and sat on the edge. “I’m honored to meet you.”
“I’m just blessed knowing my baby will be taken care of when I’m gone.” Her cold fingers touched my arm. “Mason has always been cold and indifferent to others, but I already see warmth coming back into his eyes. Now we just need to get Ella squared away.”
“Don’t talk like that.” Mason’s voice turned hard. “You aren’t going anywhere. You’re going to be here to see your grandbabies toddle around.”
“Do you have something to tell us?” James crossed his arms as he looked at his son.
“Stop giving them a hard time.” Dehlia waved him off. “You’re embarrassing her. Their bond isn’t completely formed, so we know there isn’t a chance… yet.”
His whole family liked messing with one another. “We’ll find a way to save you.” Even though I’d just met her, I could see such strength and life in her eyes. There had to be a way to save her.
“Oh, dear. It won’t happen.” She patted my hand again. “It’d take getting the European king on board to allow his healer to help me. All I need to focus on is staying strong for as long as I can.”
“Come on.” Mason took my hand and tugged me toward the door. “Let’s give her some time to rest.”
I glanced at his mom one more time. She tried to hide a yawn. If I were Queen, I could help her. Could I allow his mother to die, knowing I could’ve made the difference?
Chapter Sixteen
The day had been incredible. We’d spent it with his parents, and I got introduced to the pack. Meredith’s surprised expression was worth it when her eyes had landed on me.
Even though I wished the day could last forever, it was time for me to go home.
Mason held my hand as he drove me toward my guardians. “Today was one of the best ones of my life.”
“I’m glad. Me too.” I hadn’t realized how much I was missing out on until now. “Your parents are amazing.”
“Yeah, they are.” Mason tightened his hands on the steering wheel. “I’ve got to get another fight in soon. We’re going to run out of time.”
“What are you going to use the money for?” I’d been wanting to ask for a while, but it never seemed appropriate. After meeting her, I understood his desperation.
“Because if I can offer to fly the healer over, maybe that’s all it would take.” He kept his eyes on the road and his jaw set. “I’ve got about two thousand, so I should be getting close.”
Usually, when it came to politics, you had to offer something the other person couldn’t refuse. I wasn’t quite sure that money was the way to go, but I couldn’t deprive him of the hope.
When we pulled into my driveway, I noted that Kassie’s car was gone. “They must have gone out tonight.”
That was one thing they always made sure to do. Go out together so neither of them could get into a bad situation, especially if they were around humans.
My heart wanted to take off when I turned to Mason. “Want to come in?”
He arched his eyebrow and took a deep breath. “Don’t ask me if you aren’t sure. There won’t be any turning back if I go in there.”
His words caused a shiver to run through me. I wasn’t sure if it was a threat or promise, but either way, my body reacted to his words. “Come on.”
“Okay.” He turned the car off and climbed out.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I jumped out of the car and headed straight to the door.
It didn’t take long for me to unlock and open it. Soon, we both were inside. There was a note on the back of the door telling me they’d be out for a while. My body buzzed with anticipation, so I spun around and planted my lips on his.
“We need to go upstairs.” He groaned as I bit his bottom lip.
“Okay.” The stairs were right in front of me, so I climbed until we were the same height.
He growled and picked me up, his lips on mine, demanding entrance. I opened my mouth and wrapped my legs around his waist. He stumbled up the stairs as I kissed down his neck and nipped at the base.
“You’re going to kill me.” He took the first right straight into my room, following my scent.
Once we got into the room, he slammed the door shut and threw me onto the bed.
My skirt lifted so he could see my black lace panties.
I reached over and grabbed his shirt, pulling him down on top of me. The electricity that buzzed between our touching flesh scorched, making me ache for him more.
Moving my hand down to the waist of his pants, I slipped it inside. He was hard and ready, and more need exploded inside me. “I
