My mind was already elsewhere. I started to turn toward my room to hide the certificate before going to see Mason, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“Alpha Mason requested I escort you directly to the grand hall,” he said.

I frowned, my voice sharp. “I can get there on my own. I just need to grab something from my room first.”

He didn’t move. “He ordered me to use force if necessary.”

I stared at him, incredulous. My wolf growled low in my chest, but I waved it off with a sigh. “Fine. But don’t touch me.”

I turned and began walking toward the hall, the warrior trailing me closely. Strangely, I wasn’t even angry. It didn’t matter.

It would all be over soon.

And Mason was in for one hell of a surprise.

The grand hall was dimly lit when I got to the entrance and I glanced around but Mason was nowhere in sight then her scent hit me before I even saw her.

Claire.

She was sitting in the Alpha’s chair, her legs crossed casually, her lips curved into a smirk.

“Finally,” she drawled. “You made it.”

I stopped in the doorway, glaring at her. “What’s the meaning of this? Where’s Mason?”

“He’s not here,” she said, rising from the chair with deliberate grace.