"It's just slang here." Ella waved him on with a grin. "It means beautiful lady."
“Then both you and Elena are major hussies.” Louis smiled as if he was proud of himself.
"No, Louis. It doesn’t mean ‘beautiful lady.’" Mason rolled his eyes and cringed. "Are we sure she has to come?"
"She’s my mom too." Ella placed a hand on her hip. "So, yeah, I do."
"Of course, she’s coming." Even though they bickered, they loved each other dearly. "She's my girl."
She then pointed at Louis. “And it does. He just doesn’t like you calling us that since you’re a foreigner and all.”
“What? No.” Mason’s mouth dropped in surprise. I thought I may even have to close it for him.
"See.” She arched her eyebrow at Louis. “Sisters before misters." Ella wrapped her arm around me and bumped her hip into mine. "I found her first, so she’s mine."
"She's not a fire hydrant," Mason growled. "You can't just pee on her and claim her."
"Wanna bet?" Ella raised her eyebrows and lifted her chin. "I'm not above it."
"There will be no peeing." For some reason, I could totally see Ella doing it. "Seriously."
"Americans pee on each other?" Louis's mouth dropped open again. "In human form?"
"Yeah, we call it a golden shower." Ella mashed her lips together. "That's what hussies go for."
Before I could correct her, Teague appeared with a small black bag hanging from his shoulders. "You said we're staying there for one night, right?"
"We are, but if you’d rather come back here tonight, I'm sure we can arrange it." I didn't want to make Teague or Louis do anything they may feel uncomfortable with. After all, they were my guests.
"No, I'm perfectly fine staying there." He nodded his head and stopped when he took the last step. "I'm here for a few days, so I'll still have time to come back and visit after we're done."
"Then, let's go." I walked over to the elevator and pushed the down arrow. I hated getting into the elevator, but that's how the house was built.
The doors opened, and the six of us climbed in.
Mona pressed the button for the ground floor, and soon the doors shut, and we were descending to the garage.
As we loaded onto the plane, I found myself still unable to get over the fact that this was mine. Even though my uncle had spent a lot of money, there was still plenty left. It felt, to me, like a crime to be this well off. But I was beginning to understand why luxuries like this one were important.
There was a lot more space in this airplane with one leather seat on each side of the aisle. A couch was even placed in the middle of the cabin, along the wall.
I chose to sit on the couch where I thought the television might distract me. I needed all the help I could get after I freaked out on the last flight. Yes, we were shifters and durable, but that didn't mean we were bullet and crash-proof.
Are you already stressing? Mason's concerned voice entered my mind as he sat next to me, placing his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his side.
Still not used to flying, but I’d better get a handle on it. I won't be able to meet all the packs otherwise. I leaned into him, placing my head against his chest. The comforting sound of his beating heart and his earthy scent surrounding me made me feel safe … loved.
The flight attendant appeared and smiled. "Do you need anything before we take off?"
"I'd love some beef jerky and a beer." Ella plopped into the seat nearest me.
Beef jerky, to wolf shifters, was the equivalent of peanuts to a human.
"Anyone else?" She asked.
If I ate something now, there was no telling what my stomach may do. "No, thank you."
Finally, Mona and Kassie boarded and shut the plane’s door.
I had to force myself to take deep breaths. I wasn't quite sure, but something in my gut felt off. I didn’t know what it meant and hoped I was only being paranoid. I guess, in time, we'll see.
Chapter Four
We arrived back in South Carolina within three hours. Traveling fast was one nice thing about taking a private flight; no connecting flight or layover.
Within minutes, we were on our way to James's pack. The eerie feeling inside of me seemed to strengthen the closer we got to home. For better or worse, this place felt like home, and that was why I’d paid off the house that I essentially grew up in. It was one place where I had pleasant memories, and I couldn't part from it.
"Wow. This place is quaint." Louis sat in the back of the Suburban and had his face pressed against the window. "I love it."
"It's a college town." I looked over my shoulder at him, Ella, and the healer. "It's got a very small-town vibe, which I love."
"It's drastically different from New York." Louis nodded.
"If NYC had a forest attached to it, something larger than Central Park, it wouldn't be bad at all." Ella was squished between both large men in the back. "It'd be like having the best of everything."
"Maybe." Mason tilted his head slightly. "There is something about all the cement though. It's a little unsettling."
"NYC isn't made for earthy supernaturals." Kassie was driving as usual, and her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. "That's why we are there."
"That doesn't sound right." You'd think we would want to be based in more of a nature setting instead of a place so urban.
"But it does." Mona turned in her seat. "The royal family's job is to keep the balance over each race. Of course, each race has its own leaders. Except wolves had taken the role of protecting their own and protecting the balance between the others. Demons, vampires, and the list could keep going. They all enjoy the city because of how many human residents live there. That's why we're there, to ensure those types of attacks don't experience a surge."
"But they are surging." Mason frowned and settled back in his seat.
"Only because that douche, Darren didn't give a shit." Kassie's hands clutched the steering wheel, causing her knuckles to turn a shade whiter. "He made deals to further his own personal gain and ignored everything else."
No wonder some races were particularly unhappy with the change. I had to right the wrongs of my uncle. I had a feeling it could take a lifetime to set it all right again.
"It's a very good thing you have an alpha mate." Mona turned to stare into Mason's eyes. "She's going to need everyone close to her to stand beside her."
What is that all about? That was oddly direct.
She thinks I need to have a more defined presence next to you. I'll tell you more later. He took in a deep breath. "Maybe, but everyone should still respect the queen the most."
Honestly, I had felt the same way. He was trying to stand quietly beside me.
Mona arched an eyebrow and huffed. "But, that doesn't mean you should push everything off on her."
"I'm missing a big something here." Ella's eyes landed on Mason and then Mona. "What the hell have I missed?"