Elara POV

I adjust my blouse and fix my hair one last time. I am as ready for this party as I ever will be. After my talk with Mason last night, he has been polite but distant. Honestly, I have no idea what to make of it. Either he has finally accepted our situation, or he is plotting again. I can only pray that he is not planning on taking off with his kids again.

Even though I seriously doubt it. It is much too dangerous. And say about Mason what you will, he will protect the people he loves.

I kiss Stella goodbye before grabbing my handbag and walking to the living room.

“I’m ready,” I smile at Mason. “We can go.”

“I have the gift,” he holds up a bag. “Her favourite wine and chocolate.”

“She’ll love it,” I nod, and follow him to the truck.

Mason gallantly opens the door for me, and I thank him as I get in.

“So, are you looking forward to the party?” Mason makes small talk as we drive.

“A little,” I admit. “But it’s going to be weird seeing everyone again.”

“As long as we stick to the truth, we’ll be fine,” he smiles.

“Stick to the truth?” I raise my eyebrows. That is the worst idea.

“Yeah,” he shrugs. “We took a vacation in a cabin in the woods. Adjusting to parenthood. We get along perfectly, but we’re no longer a couple.”

“Yes,” I look at him, surprised. “That’s good.”

“And the truth,” he grins, parking in front of Quinn’s house. “Well, mostly, anyway.”

I laugh softly and relax a little. Maybe Mason finally did accept our situation. We get out of the truck and follow the sounds of music and laughter to the backyard.

“Katie!” Quinn calls excitedly when she sees us and comes running to us. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for inviting us,” I smile.

“And happy birthday,” Mason adds, handing her the gift.

“Let’s get you guys something to drink,” Quinn points to a tiki bar in the corner.

“Yes, please,” I grin. “I haven’t had a drink in like ... a year, or whatever.”

Mason POV 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“Is Asher around?” I ask Quinn before she and Elara head to the bar.

“He’s around here somewhere,” she replies. “But fair warning, he’s still pissed at you.”

“For what?” Elara frowns.

“For whisking you away, what else?” Quinn shrugs, takes Elara’s hand and drags her to the bar.

“Ah, shit,” I mutter under my breath as I walk towards the house to search for Asher. He will just have to get over it. Besides, it is not like I have Elara anymore.

“Asher,” I call when I see him on the deck, and his beer freezes midair to his mouth.

“What’s up?” I ask jovially, walking towards him.

“Nothing,” he replies in a bored tone, tipping the bottle to his lips.

Okay. So, Quinn was not exaggerating, and he is not going to make it easy for me.

“Can we go somewhere private to talk?” I ask, motioning towards the house.

“Nah, I’m good,” he replies. “Go on and enjoy the party.”

“Dude,” I keep my voice low. “Are you going to be an asshole about this?”

“Me? The asshole? That’s rich.” He drains the bottle and tosses it with a clatter of glass into the nearby trash barrel. “Fuck you, man.”

Asher spins around, storming into the house, and I go after him.

“Look,” I say, following him. “I know I have some explaining ...”

“Fuck. You,” Asher hisses, turning around to face me. “Explaining? You make it sound like you stepped on my toe when we were taking ballroom dance lessons. You took the girl and fucked off without a word.”

“I’m sorry.” I try again.

“Fuck you and fuck your sorry,” he growls. “I wasn’t mad about Katie, it was her choice, but leaving like that? You’ve been telling anyone who wanted to listen you’re going after your brothers, and now the treaty is broken. Nobody knows how or by whom, but a war is looming, and you go missing. I was worried sick, man. Friends don’t do that.”

“I was at Constantine,” I blurt out. “And I know who broke the treaty.”

“Wait,” Asher pales. “Did you do that?”

“No,” I say urgently. “But I know who did, and I need your help.”

“In here,” Asher opens a bedroom door and pulls me inside.

“An ancient vampire killed Orion,” I explain hastily. “I was there, and I got Orion’s alpha powers.”

“Did Kane and Axel lose their powers?” He asks, stunned.

“Nope, we’re sharing,” I grunt. “It’s a long, complicated story for another time, but for now, I want to annihilate them. I want their title, I want their pack, and I want their Luna.”

“Whoa,” Asher says in a tone so cold it raises the hair on the back of my neck. “It’s all about you, isn’t it? All of this is supremely fucked up.”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” I sigh. “I should’ve been in touch, but there’s been a lot of shit going down, Asher. I’ve been a bit fucking busy, okay?”

“You’re a selfish prick,” he lashes out. “I supported you from the very beginning, and then you pull a stunt like this. Now, you’re here with a weak-ass apology, and expect me to jump on board as if nothing has changed. Fuck you, Mason.”

“You’re right!” I shout. “I’m the asshole. I don’t blame you for being pissed off with me. Hell, you don’t even have to forgive me. But I need you to listen to me, let me tell you what’s been happening, and then, if you’re still angry, you can tell me to fuck off again.”

“You have five minutes before I punch you in the face,” he grunts, crossing his arms.

“Remember Alice?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he frowns. “Kane and Axel stole her from you.”

“Worse,” I growl. “She was pregnant with my kids, and they kept it from me.”

“You’re shitting me?” Asher’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Unfortunately, not. Also, a vampire broke the treaty,” I continue. “And the old bastard is friendly with my brothers. Because of the three of them, we’re all in danger. I want to expose them, okay? I know where they are hiding, and I want to hand them over to the Council before a war breaks out. But I’m going to need your help doing it.”