by Jen L. Grey
“I think you already said that.” I squatted beside him and looked him straight in the eye. “Next time you call me a name, make sure it’s a little more creative.” I then punched him right in the face, making him fall over unconscious.
Mason grinned as he let my cousin fall to the ground.
A loud gunshot rang in the air.
The others. I pushed my legs, heading straight into the foyer.
Mason was right behind me.
When everything came into view, I came to a sudden halt.
My uncle stood right in the middle with the gun pressed directly into Kassie’s head. Mona was being held by two huge-ass guards to his right, and Ella was being detained by another one on Darren’s left. A third guard held a gun to Ella’s head.
“Well, look what we have here.” Darren’s blue eyes matched my own. The one trait that he and Dad had in common. “I can’t believe that you knew about this place. I must have underestimated you.”
“Well, it was my grandparents’ place.” I wasn’t going to throw Kassie to the wolves. No pun intended.
“Grandparents?” The guard’s brows furrowed in question while holding Mona.
“No, she’s messing with us.” Darren’s eyes glanced over at the guard. “She’s some manipulator.”
It took a second, but I realized who it was. It was my dad’s second guard, who happened to be off the night my uncle executed his plan. Back then, he had solid black hair, a mustache, and was as loyal as they came. The salt and pepper hair threw me off though his presence was still commanding. He and Kassie hated each other. Always in competition for dad’s favorite. I had to play this realization the right way.
“It’s Elena, Tommy.” Kassie’s voice was strong despite the gun Darren jammed into her head.
“I don’t believe you or Mona much.” Tommy’s tone was cold. “You always tried to make me look bad.”
“Restrain her.” Darren nodded at the guard on his other side. “If she makes one damn move, I’ll blow Kassie’s head off.”
Not knowing what else to do, I allowed the guard to come over and restrain my arms.
Stay still. I’m going to knock his ass out. Pure rage was evident in Mason’s voice.
Don’t. I couldn’t lose anyone else that I loved. Not now. They’ll hurt them. Try to stay back. If they don’t see you, we might have an advantage.
Fine, but one wrong move, and it’s over.
I had to figure out a way to give us the upper hand. “He’s lying. I’m Elena, the daughter of King Corey and Queen Serafina.”
Tommy stared at me as if he was considering it. “You do have her red hair.”
“Stop it.” Darren spat the words. “It’s hair dye. You can’t be stupid enough to fall for this. Take her outside and kill her before she causes more grief.”
The guard holding me yanked me toward the door, which made me realize that we had to do something now. I had purposefully acted weak for this instance.
Darren opened the door as a sadistic grin spread across his face. “We have to let people know that manipulators won’t be tolerated.”
Be ready. I’m coming in. Mason ran forward and grabbed the guard’s shoulder, yanking him backward.
As the guard stumbled back, I leaned forward, attempting to balance on both feet.
Mason and the guard sparred as I focused on saving Kassie.
“Look at what you forced me to do.” Darren’s maniacal laugh filled the air as he cocked the gun.
Right before he could pull the trigger, I moved as fast as possible and grabbed the gun from his hand. Just as I was pulling it away, the gun fired, hitting the ceiling right above us.
“Look at what you made me do,” Darren growled.
Mona used the distraction to punch Tommy in the gut and bent her knees, throwing him over her body.
“Get her,” Darren yelled as he wrapped his arm around Kassie’s throat. “She’s a manipulator that’s gone too far.”
As the guard standing next to Ella began moving in my direction, she kicked her leg out, causing him to fall on the ground with a loud thud.
“Someone get her now.” Darren’s face turned red, and suddenly, Kassie reared her head back, head-butting him in the nose.
Blood poured down, and he stumbled back against the front door. “No.”
Kassie spun around and punched Darren straight in the mouth. Right when she was about to put him onto the ground, he blocked one of her hits and kicked her in the stomach, making her fall backward.
I rushed over to help Kassie when Mason’s voice screamed in my mind. Look behind you.
As I turned my body, something yanked on my hair, causing my neck to snap back. One of the guards had moved in from behind and kicked me to the floor.
“Get down on your knees.” The guard commanded as he pushed me to the ground. “I hate to do this, but you leave me no choice.”
“I’m not lying.” I could understand why they wouldn’t believe me. They believed for the last twelve years I’d been dead. “I’m the princess.” I was trapped, and everyone in the house was busy fighting.
“Take her outside and shoot her like the liar she is.” Darren sparred with Kassie despite the blood still flowing down his body.
The guard yanked me into his hold and pushed me through the door.
“If you were who you said, then they would’ve found you.” The guard lifted the gun to my head.
“I’m telling you the truth.” I had to say something or I’d be dead within seconds. “The car exploded, and those two women in there were with me and saved me.”
“I don’t believe you.” He cocked his gun and steadied his hand on my head.
A second before he pressed the trigger, Mason ran out of the house and sacked him, making him fall to the ground as the bullet flew past and hit the dirt.
The guard grunted and rolled over, getting ready to fight Mason.
He wasn’t going to give up without a fight. Doing the worst thing possible, I grabbed my dagger and charged the guy, stabbing him in the shoulder. I didn’t want to kill him but make it so he couldn’t fight.
“Shit.” He screamed as he clutched his arm, and Mason put him in a chokehold until he passed out.
“They need help back there.” We needed to get to my guardians fast.
“Give me a second, and then you come. It’ll catch them more off guard.” Mason ran toward the front door and pulled out his gun. He hurried into the house, charging where I saw Kassie was now fighting someone other than Darren.
Just thinking his name must have summoned him because Darren came from behind the house and growled as he stared me down. He glanced around and realized that it was just him and me that were conscious. “You were supposed to die that day. I guess I’d better take things into my own hands.” He shook his head at the guard on the ground. “You’re like a fucking cat. How many times do I have to kill you until you’re finally dead?”
“What have I ever done to you?” I was a child, for Christ’s sake. What could I’ve done to make him hate me so much?
“You’re a coward like your father. He always wanted to do things for the greater good, not make himself more powerful.” His nose wrinkled in disgust, and he shook his head. “I kept trying to show him the error of his ways, but all it did was get me excluded from the spotlight.”
“Dad didn’t want the spotlight.” I remembered so many nights of him complaining that he wanted to take a day off, and then some pack would need help. He always made sure to help his own kind. “He was doing what he thought was right.”
“Oh please.” Darren’s lip curled upward. “You’re just as pathetic as him. What’s the point of being King if you aren’t the most powerful? At least you got to kind of grow up even though I am curious how you avoided me detecting you for so long.”
I wasn’t about to give him the story. “Let’s say I wasn’t really thrilled at the prospect of seeing you again.”
“At least, that’s something we can agr
ee on.” The front door opened, causing Darren to turn around.
Tommy came outside. “Your Highness, we need to move.”
“Not until I’m done with her.” He held the gun at my head, and I did the only thing I knew to do.
I called my wolf forward. My body grew smaller as I shifted, and soon, I was on all fours.
“She is Elena.” Tommy’s loud whisper filled the air.
“She dyed her wolf.” Darren’s words fell flat. “Obviously.”
“That’s why you are black.” Tommy looked at him and back at me. “You aren’t the king.”
“Yes, I am.” Darren’s eyes lit up with rage. He turned to shoot me as Ella’s wolf came running from the side. She crashed into Darren, causing him to fall.
Tommy raced over to try to restrain Darren just as my uncle lifted the gun and aimed for his chest. The loud gunshot rang in my ears as the events appeared to be in slow motion.
The bullet lodged in Tommy’s chest and he fell backward onto the ground.
Elena, are you okay?
Yes, he shot the guard. I dug my paws into the ground and jumped, latching my teeth into Darren’s arm.
He cried out in pain as he called his own wolf forward.
Ella appeared beside me, and I motioned to the house. They need more help there.
Are you sure? She hesitated for a moment.
Yes, I want to be the one who takes my uncle down.
Let me know if you need me. She took off toward the mansion.
I rolled into his body, making him trip and fall hard on the ground.
As he began to stand, I pushed my legs and rammed into his side. He stumbled again as I went for his throat.
He stood on his hind two legs right when I was only an inch away. As he lowered himself down on me, his teeth dug into my shoulder.
A whimper escaped me, but I couldn’t let my injury affect me. I rolled on the ground so his body became stuck underneath me. As I stood, I turned around, baring my teeth at him.
This had to end. Blood poured from my wound, permeating the air with a metallic scent. I needed to play up my injury.
Darren chuckled in wolf form as a wicked smirk crossed his face.
I limped, hoping to build his arrogance up.
He howled as he rammed into my side, dragging me farther away from the house. He wanted me as far away as possible so I couldn’t get any help.
I dropped my body, forcing him to roll over on me, and I jumped to my feet once more. I lifted my front paws, ready to jump on him and tear into his throat. This asshole had to die. Prison was too good for him. However, I’d damned well make sure Richard and his mother stayed in the dungeon that had been closed for so long. They didn’t deserve the sweet revenge of death.
Are you okay? Mason’s frantic voice echoed in my head. I’m coming out.
As I lowered my upper body, going straight for Darren’s throat, he rolled out of the way, so I landed on grass instead.
He then jumped on top of me. His teeth were only inches from my neck.
I had to move fast or I was going to die. I used all of my strength and pushed myself to stand on my legs, and he dropped to the ground onto his back.
Within seconds, he was back on all four feet. Pure hate shone in his eyes. He crouched down and charged me once more.
I tried dodging him as he came at me from the side, but he anticipated my move. He slammed into me and sunk his teeth deep into my shoulder again. He jerked his neck side to side, trying to tear the muscle so I wouldn’t be able to move.
All at once, my training kicked in. Even though it was going to hurt like a bitch, I dropped back using Darren as my cushion which caused his teeth to dig in deeper until all my weight landed on top of him, making the breath rush out of him, and him to retract his teeth.
I turned my head sinking my teeth into his neck as I rolled my body off of his.
He growled as he threw his leg over my head, tightening it around my neck and cutting off my airway. I stumbled back, choking on his blood filling my mouth as I tried to pull in oxygen with little success.
We were both desperate, and I had a feeling this might be a fight to the death. When he moved to face me head-on, I was finally able to pull in a deep breath.
My legs wanted to crumple, so it was by sheer will that I was able to remain standing on all four feet. I had to at least outlive him. Tommy and my guardians wouldn’t allow Richard to ascend the throne though there was no telling what would happen. However, any alternative had to be better than Darren or him.
Then, I remembered Kassie’s words as they rang in my head. 'It’s better to be on the offense than defense. When you’re on the defense, you’re trying to prevent the attack. When you’re on the defense, you’re only countering and can miss out on opportunities to exploit their weakness.’
I took a deep breath and rushed Darren. I wasn’t sure what the hell I was going to do, but I couldn’t stand here waiting for him to get the upper hand. As I put weight on my right leg, it threatened to buckle, and I almost fell, but I pushed through the pain.
As I went hard for his neck for the last time, Darren stood on his hind legs and pushed me, causing me to fall on my back and knocking the breath out of me.
A low chuckle vibrated from Darren’s chest as he moved toward me.
No. Mason’s growl was deep with anger, but he was too far away to help.
All of a sudden, Darren’s body stopped lurching as a bullet hit him in his chest, and he fell straight to the ground.
I turned around to see Tommy lower his gun.
“I’m so sorry.” Tommy’s voice was rough, and his pain was evident. “I didn’t know.”
Mason didn’t stop until he grabbed my wolf and pulled me right against his chest.
“We need to go in and tell the others to stop.” Tommy slowly sat and placed the gun back in the sheath. “When they see your color, they’ll know.”
If anyone would know the significance of my coat, it would be him.
Please go help Tommy. I licked Mason’s face. He was shot in the chest. He needs medical attention soon.
Okay. He let me go and headed over to the guard. “Let me give you a hand.”
“I’ll be okay.” He clutched Mason’s shoulder as they walked to the door. As soon as we stepped inside, Tommy spoke up.
“Stop!” Tommy’s voice rang loud. “Look. She is the princess.” He motioned for me to come forward. As I did, the guards’ eyes grew large.
There was officially no turning back.
It had been a whirlwind after everyone finally realized I was the princess. The coronation was scheduled to happen next month, so I had time to get situated and ready for my palace life. Thankfully, I was going to be able to bring my tight family of five with me, and a large part of that was being able to save Dehlia. I was in a place where I could actually help her.
Luckily, it was easy for Mason, Ella, and me to drop all our classes for the rest of the semester via the internet. I hated to do it, but my priorities had shifted.
I was back at our house in South Carolina, getting packed up and working out my last day at the Flying Monkey. The shift had gone by quickly, and Mason was sitting with Ella at the same table as last time.
Ella had proclaimed that she needed to be there too since Mason was taken by surprise. It hurt his ego, but it made her feel a lot better about herself.
“Are you two ready to go?” I walked out of the kitchen and grinned at them.
“Yeah, I’m stuffed.” Ella rubbed her belly and sighed. “I’ve got a huge-ass food baby. Maybe me coming wasn’t the best idea.”
“You demanded it.” Mason rolled his eyes. “So stop complaining.”
I’d already told Brad goodbye, so I grabbed Mason’s hand, and the three of us headed outside.
“I had to be here so your ass didn’t get knocked out again.” Ella glanced at me. “It was purely my civic duty.”
“You two behave…” My words trailed off when I saw a simi
lar white paper folded under my windshield wiper.
“What’s wrong?” Ella asked and followed my gaze.
I dropped Mason’s hand and hurried over to pull it out. I slowly opened the letter, and my heart nearly stopped beating.
Elena,
Sorry it’s been a little while since you’ve heard from me. I would normally say congratulations are in order, but I’m afraid you won’t make it as Queen very long unless you’re willing to compromise. Be ready. If we can’t work something out, it won’t be pretty.
See you very soon,
Prince Nicholas
How had they already found out that I was going to be Queen? It’d only come up a few days ago and with the higher-ranking wolves. The public hadn’t been informed. A chill shivered through me, and I scanned the area around us.
“What’s wrong?” Mason frowned as he took the note from my hand.
I took a deep breath and pointed at the note. “I think the vampires have just declared war.”
The End
Mason and Elena are finally together but at what costs? I love these type of urban and paranormal romance stories. If you do too, please leave a review now!
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About the Author
Jen L. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Fantasy genres.