"I may be his mate, but I have a name." Ella arched her eyebrow and turned to face him. "And it's Ella."
"Yes, of course." He smiled and nodded his head at her. "It's nice to see you again, Ella. Hopefully, this time, it’ll be an altogether different experience." He then turned his focus back on me. "I'm glad you were able to make it this time."
"Me too." And that wasn't an understatement.
"Well, let’s get your order started. What do you all want to drink? I can get that while you look over the menus." Matteo smiled.
We all quickly ordered and soon were alone at the table.
"I'm going to run to the bathroom." I stood, and both Kassie's and Mona's eyes landed immediately on me. "I'll be right back."
"Let me go clear the area first." Kassie stood and glanced at Mona. "I'll be right back."
"Should I go with her?" Ella stood right across from me.
"It wouldn't hurt." Mona turned her head from side to side, keeping track of everything going on around us. Her phone dinged, and she pulled it from her pocket. "Kassie says it's clear."
"Come on, girl." Ella looped her arm through mine before we headed down the stairs to the bathroom. Kassie stood at the door and nodded as we entered.
I went straight to the counter.
"Hey, I thought you needed to use the bathroom?" Ella tilted her head and walked over to stand beside me.
"No, I just needed a minute." It took till now to realize how freaked out my guards were. Granted, I knew they were concerned, but not to this level. "It feels like I can't breathe."
"Girl, please." Ella reached over and ran her fingers through my hair. "You're probably the strongest person I'll ever meet. It's okay to feel overwhelmed every now and then."
"Thanks." She was trying to comfort me, but damn. . . There wasn't much more I could do right now. I had to get my shit together.
"How about I head out and give you a minute alone?" Ella smiled at me.
"Sounds good." I needed a minute.
"All right. Kassie and I will be right outside." She walked out the door. Once I was alone, I took a deep breath.
I turned the water on and thought about splashing it on my face. Dammit, I'd mess up my makeup. I turned it off and placed my hands on the countertop.
A stall door creaked open.
Spinning around, I found that all three doors were open and it didn't appear that anyone was in them. I glanced around, looking for an air vent or anything that would explain the noise. I took a step toward them, and there was no indication that anyone was in the bathroom. I had to be losing my mind.
When I turned back around to the mirror, my aunt was standing directly in front of me.
"What the ..."
Her makeup was dramatic as always; she wore way too much, and it looked thick and heavy. Every time I saw her while growing up, I'd always thought she looked like a lady of the night, but now she looked ... unhinged.
"Well, well, well." She tapped her pointer finger to her lips, and her dark black eyes sized me up and down.
If she thought I would stay here without yelling for my guards, she was damn crazy. I opened my mouth, which made her growl.
"If you scream, Tommy will die." She giggled like a maniac. "Honestly, I hated that bastard, so it wouldn't be much of a loss. The only thing he was ever good for was loyalty, and look where that got us."
Mason, my aunt is in the bathroom with me. She told me not to scream, but that didn't mean I couldn't alert my mate. She's threatening Tommy, so don't make a scene. I think Richard must be out there with him. "How did you get in here?" I had been alone; the bathroom was empty. This didn't make any sense.
"Wouldn't you love to know?" She glanced up at the ceiling and placed her hand on her heart. "This is what makes it even more fun."
"At least, one of us is enjoying herself."
"Oh, and boy am I." She chuckled as someone tried opening the door to the bathroom.
"They are way too clingy with you." Debra rolled her eyes and huffed. "But don't worry, we still have time to talk."
"I'm not interested." I turned and took a few steps toward the door.
"I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss me ... Queen." She made the word sound dirty. "I had told Darren that we needed to ensure you were dead, but he didn't listen to me."
"Obviously, you want something." She had to have had a witch spell her or something, but who the hell would do that? Supernatural races usually tried not to cause problems with other races, especially wolves since it was our core responsibility to maintain balance.
"Of course I do." She huffed and waved me off. "If you want this all to end, all you need to do is declare Richard as King and resign from your pitiful attempt as Queen."
"Are you being serious right now?" I needed whatever she was smoking.
We can't get in. Mason growled through the bond. What does she want?
If I could turn off a bond, then maybe I could open it up more so he could hear everything I could. I tugged deep on it and attempted to push it out.
"Look, I was against coming here and even giving you an option." Debra stomped her foot like a child. "I told them it was useless, but apparently we had to try. So here I am," she said as she waved her hand dramatically over her body, "trying."
"That's so nice of you." A nagging feeling pulled at me. I had to be prepared for anything.
"If you don't bow out as Queen, then we'll have to take the crown from you." Debra smirked, and her dark eyes filled with hate. "Obviously, I'm leaning toward the alternative."
"What did I ever do to make you hate me?" This is what I didn't understand. This woman had been a part of my life as I grew up. What did a six-year-old ever do to warrant so much hate?
"It's not about you, stupid girl!" She huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "It's about the position you hold. If we kill you or if you renounce yourself, Richard becomes the legit heir. It all works out."
"I refuse to let you pervert the monarchy." Did she honestly think I'd just walk away, knowing what type of people they truly are? "I figured out why Darren didn't visit the packs. They'd have known he wasn't king when they weren’t able to submit to him."
"Maybe you aren't as stupid as we hoped." She shook her head and huffed. "But Darren was a much better leader than you could ever be. He died for no reason."
"You and he killed my parents. That wasn't a good reason?" Who the hell did she think she was?
Don't get her riled up. Mason growled, and the door began jerking again as he tried to open it. She's insane, much like that Gabby woman.
I'd never thought of it that way before, but he was right. "I won't step down. So bring the best you got."
She laughed so hard she clutched her side. "That's what I had hoped you would say." And then she disappeared from right in front of me.
It confirmed everything. She had someone with magic helping her. I backed up to the door, refusing to turn my back on the last place I'd seen her. When I got to the door, I opened it easily and found everyone standing there, even Matteo.