“Ella,” James muttered as he grabbed the hand she used to hold my face and forced it down.
“No, she needs to hear this.” She jerked her hand free from her father’s grasp. “Your uncle doesn’t help us. He let packs go hungry and refused to help our ill. Is that okay with you? You can make a difference. This isn’t about power. You can make a difference in a way none of us can.”
She was right. Maybe I’d been looking at this the wrong way the entire time. If my uncle was not holding up to his end and taking care of his duties and responsibilities, I realized I should challenge him. “But I’m not cut out for it.”
“It’s in your blood.” Mason slid one arm around me and placed his lips close to my ear. “Look.” He pointed to both Mona and Kassie and then back at himself. “You saved us. You’re strong, both physically and mentally.”
“If you hadn’t averted your eyes when you did the other day, you would’ve been over my pack.” James chuckled and winked at me. “I’m not kidding.”
“The fact that you don’t want it makes you the perfect person.” Mona reached over and patted Kassie’s arm. “You’ve always been strong, and we’ve been proud to watch you grow into the woman you are today.”
All my life, I was afraid of this moment. The pivotal one where I had to decide whether I would follow the footsteps of my parents and lay claim to what was rightfully mine or reject everyone I loved and run away. And now that it was here, it was blatantly clear what I would choose to do. Would you be okay being King?
I’d do anything as long as I’m beside you. His thumb began to rub on my waist.
“Then it sounds like the operation to take back the crown begins tonight.” Now we had to figure out what the hell to do.
Kassie sniffed and straightened her shoulders. “All right, let me go grab my board.” She stood and passed by Ella and James to go up the stairs.
“What are you doing?” Maybe they hit her in the head or something.
“Ever since I had the dream, I’ve been preparing.” She disappeared at the top of the stairs and a bedroom door opened.
“This isn’t unusual.” Mona waved her hand at the others. “She’s always battle-ready.”
“Okay then.” Ella laughed and plopped on the couch next to Mona. “So, are you like her moms or something?”
“Ella,” James growled her name. “What have we talked about?”
“Dad, give it up.” She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I’m almost nineteen. I’m who I am. Embrace it.”
I loved that girl. “I think she’s pretty fantastic.”
“See.” She pointed at me. “The future queen is a fan.” Her hand dropped, and her nose wrinkled. “Ah, shit. I’m not calling Mason King.”
“Oh, yes you will.” He chuckled. “I can’t wait for it.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” There was no guarantee this was going to work. “We still need a plan.”
“Which I have.” Kassie’s bedroom door shut again, and she came down the stairs, holding a huge chart.
She moved over to the recliner and set it up to lean against the back.
It was an outline of the upper northeast of the United States. She had New York City dotted, the Hamptons, and then some spot near what appeared to be Albany.
“What’s this?” I wasn’t quite sure where this was heading.
“It’s some kind of chart that she made.” Ella shook her head. “It must be the stress.”
“No, smartass.” I couldn’t keep the grin completely hidden. “I mean, I get NYC and Hamptons, but what’s the other dot representing?”
“That’s where your uncle is hiding.” Kassie circled. “I got enough out of dick shit before he revealed his true colors.”
“So you knew and didn’t tell me?” Mona took the cold tone she reserved for when she was about to throw down.
“No, I didn’t know.” She held both hands in the air.
Kassie may have been the one who came off gruff and strong, but Mona could probably have kicked her ass if it came down to it.
“He said something about his boss heading to Albany. I was going to ask more, but that’s when things went south.” She huffed and shook her head. “Anyway, I remember your father talking about a family house that was supposed to be shared between him and Darren, but Darren claimed it for his own after their parents died. He showed me a picture once. It’ll take me a minute, but I have a general idea of where it is.”
“How long do you think it’ll take to figure it out?” Right now, time was not our friend.
“Give me thirty minutes.” Kassie walked over to the end table between the recliner and couch and opened the drawer. She pulled out the laptop and opened it up. “I’m pretty sure I remember at least part of the address.”
“I’m going to head back to the house and make sure those two are properly taken care of.” James strode to the door. “Ella, why don’t you come with me?”
“Nope, I’m going with them.” She nodded her head in my direction. “They’re going to need all the wolf power they can get.”
“We need to hit it hard.” Kassie glanced at Mona. “Go buy us tickets for the flight out from here to Albany. We’ve gotta get there and fast.”
It seemed a little too surreal. In less than twenty-four hours, I’d be facing my uncle, and there was no telling what was going to happen.
Chapter Nineteen
I fidgeted as I tried to close my eyes. We’d been up all night and were on the last leg of the flight to Albany. My stomach was upset, and I wasn't quite sure if it was from what we
