“Got a killer headache. Other than that, I’m fine.” His eyes caught sight of the blood trickling down my arm. “But she’s not.”
“I’m fine.” I smiled and looked at the wound again. “The bullet just nicked me. All I need is a bandage until it heals on its own.”
“A bullet?” He grabbed my waist and pulled me into his arms. “I’m going to kill them.”
“Like we just talked about, let’s wait until we figure out our next move.” I was going to have to make a choice.
“Here you go.” A man in his thirties handed me both mobile devices. “Let’s get them out of here before the bald guy wakes up.” He leaned down and grabbed Bruce, who was still passed out.
The other guy, who had to be only a few years older than us, grabbed Chad’s injured shoulder and led him to the door. At the last second, Chad turned and glared at me one more time.
That’s when it hit me. My worst fear had come true. Darren knew about me, and there was no hiding anymore. I either had to step up and be the queen that the wolves deserved or die. I wouldn’t be escaping death a second time.
Chapter Eighteen
A car screeched into our driveway, causing my adrenaline to pump once more. Maybe they had back up.
“Why the hell did you guys leave me?” Ella shouted the question as her footsteps kept moving toward the house.
When she walked in, her eyes wandered the whole room. “What the fuck happened?”
“Language.” James arched an eyebrow at her.
“Shit, sorry Dad.” Ella took in the carnage around her. “What happened really?”
I felt bad. Out of everyone here, she was the one left in the dark. I had planned on telling her, but between finding out and mating with Mason, life had gotten in the way. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“No shit.” Ella placed her hands on her hips and stared me down. “Spill.”
“Now listen here…” James’s jaw clenched, and he took a step toward Ella. “The last thing we need is more people involved.”
“She should know.” Even though I should have respected the wishes of my alpha, I couldn’t. Not now. As soon as they linked Mason to me, none of his family members would be safe, and they all deserved to know.
“You decided to join my pack. I make the rules.” James's eyes flashed with anger as he swung them my way.
“You’re right. I did.” But this was bigger than him whether he liked to admit it or not. “But we both know how this may go down. Her not knowing may get her killed.”
“Dad, she’s right.” Mason slowly climbed to his feet and wrapped an arm around me. “The more we know, the better.”
“Uh… yeah.” Ella passed her dad as if she didn’t see him. “And telling me now would be better so I don’t throw a temper tantrum.”
“There was a specific reason why I tried to keep my distance from you at the beginning.” I was glad Mason’s arm was wrapped around me right now. I needed all the support I could get. “I’m Elena Hawthrone.”
“Yeah, no shit.” Ella tilted her head. “I’ve known that since day one.”
“The Elena Hawthrone.” Mason emphasized the name. “As known in the wolf shifter community.”
“Your King Darren’s kid?” Ella’s forehead wrinkled and she shook her head. “You’ve got to be shitting me. He wouldn’t come and visit us when he was supposed to a few years ago.”
As a leader, it was a royal decree from long ago that the person in charge would visit every alpha’s pack within a ten year period of time. In those days, it wasn’t too tough to visit them all. People stayed in bigger packs and within a closer proximity to one another. But as America grew and expanded, so did the packs. “How could he not? That’s royal doctrine.”
“Well, when you’re the king, you can change things.” Kassie’s voice was filled with disgust.
“I’m still trying to understand this.” Ella took a step closer to me and stared into my eyes. Something flickered on her face. “Are you the beloved princess that died at six?”
“Yes, but I’m not actually dead.” Great, now I was being socially awkward again.
“Honey, we know that.” Mona took a step closer to me and patted my arm.
“So that’s what your big secret was?” Ella flinched like I slapped her. “Why didn’t you tell me? It seems like they,” she said as she pointed to Mason and her father, “know.”
“It hasn’t been for long.” This was what always scared me. Getting close to someone just to lose them. “Mason learned the night after his fight.”
“Fight?” James's eyes flashed to Mason’s. “I thought I told you no.”
This kept getting better and better. “And your dad found out shortly after. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’d planned on telling you.”
“When?” Her hazel eyes became glassy, and she held my stare as though daring me to continue. “When were you going to tell me?”
“As soon as we were alone again.” She had to believe me. “I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
“And you fought the bond with Mason because of this?” Ella took a deep breath and lifted her chin.
“Yes, see what just happened.” I pointed at Mason’s head and then to Kassie and Mona. Kassie had cuts on her arms and Mona had two black eyes. Their wrists were raw from where they’d been tied and had tried to get out of their bonds. “I never wanted this to happen.” My voice cracked at the end.
“You did nothing wrong.” Mason grabbed my other arm and turned me so I faced him. “This is not your fault. You were trying to protect everyone, but you can’t keep that burden and expectation on yourself.”
“Look what it cost you all?” My fingertips touched where the blood clotted on his head. “I could have lost you.”
“No.” Mason used his pointer finger and thumb to tilt my head
