My first reaction was to tell him where to go, but I could only imagine what he was going through right now. "I didn't do anything that warrants your hatred."
"Like hell." His father's European accent became extremely thick. "I thought he'd finally see things if he stayed here for a while. He was supposed to learn how our packs were stronger and respect everything our family has sacrificed. Instead, he submitted to you." A growl laced his final words.
"Though my reign is new, my packs will be stronger in no time." I got that he was upset, but he had no right to come in here and insult me. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure I protect my own."
"From what I've heard, you've had vampires attack and almost died a month ago." His gray eyes seemed to slice through me. “Some strong leader you are.”
"But what you may not have heard is that because of her dedication and willingness to fight, she's already had the major alphas in the larger cities submit to her." Mason appeared back in the room and stood beside me, facing the king. "It's insulting that you'd talk so poorly of us when we're doing everything we can and even hosted your son here for over two months. One more word about my mate, and I’ll personally make sure you’re kicked out."
"Did you force him to do this?" The color in the king's face resembled the same shade of red as a tomato. "And I actually had thought you might be better than your deadbeat uncle. At least, with him, he'd betrayed me to my face and not behind my back."
"I did not betray you." I could only be sympathetic to a point. He was now overstepping a boundary. "If you keep accusing me in my own home, I'll have my guards kick your ass out."
"And now, both of you have the audacity to threaten me?" He lifted his hand as if he was considering slapping me.
Mason stepped in front of me, his back brushing against my chest. "I'd put that hand down before you do something you’ll regret." Mason's words were almost indistinguishable, given how thick his growl had become.
"Dad, stop." Louis finally walked over and stood next to me. "She had nothing to do with this."
"Bollocks!" The king yelled so loud it echoed against the walls. "A prince doesn't submit to another royal without something being held over their head." He pointed his finger in Louis's direction. "Your mother is beside herself with grief. It's time for you to come home."
"I am home." Louis took a deep breath and stared his father down. "You know Henry is better suited for the throne anyway."
"It doesn't matter who I think is best fit." King Adelmo took a step into Louis's personal space. "Destiny chooses the next heir. What are you going to do? Live with them,” he said as he pointed at Mason and me, “the rest of your life?” He waved his hands. "Get your shit. We're going."
This wasn't going to end well.
"Why don't you back off?" Ella got to her feet and rushed over to stand between me and her mate. "He doesn't want to go."
"This is what's wrong with you." The king's eyes landed on me. "You blackmail my son, the next in line to be king, and you let some pack member speak to me so rudely. Your father would be ashamed."
Those words were like a slap to my face. It hurt me deep within my soul.
"You arrogant asshole ..." Ella started, but Mason raised a hand.
"You come here unannounced, and yet my mate allowed you in." Mason's voice grew soft ... scary. "She allowed you to act in anger, understanding that you are hurt, and then you purposefully say the one thing that would cause her pain." He stepped right into the King's face and stared him straight in the eyes. "Get the fuck out of this house now. You're not welcome back. If you want to talk with your son, call him. Until you apologize, you aren't welcome here any longer."
"Now you listen here ..." The king started to back up but was cut short when Tommy, Kassie, and Mona passed by me to surround him. "You can't be serious. Do you know the repercussions of kicking me out?"
I couldn't allow him to think I was weak even if he’d ripped my heart out. "Do you know the repercussions of coming into my house to falsely accuse me and my mate of extortion?" I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. "Like the King said," insisted as I pointed to Mason, "get the fuck out now. If you don't, our guards will make you."
Realization seemed to settle on him as he stumbled back a step and blinked a few times. "Louis, get your things now."
Louis reached out and took Ella's hand. "I've pledged my loyalty to them ..." He paused and glanced right at me. "To her. This is my home now."
"What's wrong?" Kassie's voice had a hard edge. "Didn’t you want him to marry an American anyway?"
When he first found out I was alive, that was the expectation that he had set. That Louis and I would marry.
"I can't believe this." He turned on his heel and headed to the front door. He glanced over his shoulder. "I'll find out what you're using in order to keep him here. You're obviously using her," he said as his eyes landed on Ella, "but there has to be something else too. He wouldn't do this for a quick lay."
“You don’t get to talk about her that way.” Louis's shoulders stiffened, and his nostrils flared as he stepped in front of Ella.
"Get out now." Mason took a step in the king’s direction. “This is your last chance or I’ll personally kick your ass out in the next second.”
The king harrumphed and opened the door, slamming it shut in his wake.
Are you okay? Mason turned to me and pulled me into his arms.
I couldn't cry. Not right now. Yes, all of these people were my family now. Yet, I was afraid if I started crying, I wasn't quite sure when I'd stop. I'll be fine.
"My dad’s an ass." Louis frowned as his eyes scanned over me. "He's a difficult person to understand. Hell, I never understood him."
I tugged myself out of Mason's arms and narrowed my eyes directly at the prince. "He sure meant every word he said."
"Gotta side with her on this one, babe." Ella shrugged and let go of his hand, standing closer to me.
"You do know you don't have to step closer to her to take her side, right?" Mason arched an eyebrow at his sister.
"It's better for theatrics." She winked at me. "It drives the point home better."
"I just need to make sure." I took a deep breath and stared him down. "You don't feel like you have to stay here, right? Because of Ella." Even if we hadn't meant to blackmail him, what if he was afraid of our reaction if they left. He didn't want to take her away from her family.
"Honestly, it might be nice to have a little bit of a break from her, at least from time to time." Mason leaned over and placed his chin on the top of my head. "So maybe you could reconsider."
"No, that's not it." Louis sighed and took a deep breath. "It's that the two of you make amazing leaders. You're not even half my father's age, and you both understand what a true leader is. It's not asking someone to do something you aren't willing to do yourself." He huffed and shook his head. "Dad never goes out on reconnaissance or takes part in any fights that we have against witches or vampires. He stays safe, sitting in his castle."