Page 117 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

The doctor bows toward him. “I trust your judgment, Alpha Elden. If you feel it’s necessary to talk to her, I won’t stand in your way.”

My father nods before taking things into his hands again. He turns towards his Beta. “Vincent, call Alpha Cedric and tell him you will be picking up her mother. Take Edward with you,” he commands. He pauses, though, looking at my mother. “You are not going anywhere, darling, right? So Aurel’s protection should be sufficient for now, and we can send Edward with Vincent?”

She nods eagerly. “Of course! Ed is perfect. Take him with you, Vincent. He is young and nice and looks less scary than you.”

For a split second, Vincent looks amused. She is right, though. As my father’s Beta, he is naturally tall and muscular. He has a scar on his cheek, is bald, and his body is covered in tattoos. My mother sometimes jokingly calls him a skinhead. Ed, on the other hand, is a bit leaner, muscular but less bulky. He has a pretty face and wavy, deep brown hair. He is tough, though…but he looks softer and more… welcoming?

Edward nods. “I’m ready to leave anytime.”

“On your way back, stop at Annalise’s apartment and pick up her friend too,” my mother says.

“I can go with them,” Finn offers. “I know Ella well. And two unknown guys coming for her might scare her.”

“That’s a good idea,” I nod thankfully at him. “I’m entrusting you with this.”

“I will call Ella beforehand so she knows we are coming,” Finn promises. “She probably doesn’t know about the attack, and will probably freak out when I tell her about it. She will definitely want to keep Annalise company.”

I wait for them to leave before I stand up, finally allowed to reunite with my mate.

Annalise looks pale, small and vulnerable in the hospital gown, almost disappearing beneath the blanket. Her face looks swollen; it’s covered in bruises, but I can see them fading already. As the drugs have left her system, it seems like Leah’s healing abilities are picking up again.

Still, she looks so hurt. I want to cry.

I carefully take her hand into mine, noting how there is a tight bandage around it. That’s the one she broke while getting out of her ties. “You were so brave, my love,” I murmur lovingly. “Thank you so much for fighting, my brave, beautiful mate.”

I’m not sure she hears anything I say. She is still sleeping. Her face looks mostly peaceful, but sometimes there seems to be a shadow over it.

I keep talking to her, telling her things I think she needs to hear. Things like how proud I am of her and how much I love her. At one point, I remain silent as I listen to her breathe, waiting for her to wake up.

I sent her out with Aryanna alone.

It was my mistake.

“If you frown that much, wrinkles will remain,” she mutters tiredly. “Your beautiful face…”

“Annalise,” I'm at a loss as to what to say, so I just start to ramble on and on. “I’m so happy you are awake. Are you still feeling hurt? Do you need anything?”

I note how she is barely able to open her eyes. “Hm, I heard you talking,” she smiles a bit. “Such a softie.”

“Goddess, Annalise, you were so strong, so strong.”

“I knew you would be coming,” she mutters. “It gave me strength. Your love gave me…”

“Annalise?” I ask softly.

“So sleepy.”

“All right, love, sleep a bit.” I kiss the back of her hand, noting how she smiles slightly.

I decide to watch over her until she wakes up again. The doctor has reassured me that it’s perfectly normal that she feels tired. Nothing to worry about. Her vitals are good. She is recovering faster than the other three because wolfsbane does not affect her.

My mother appears at the door. She looks tired but relieved. She was worried about too many wolves today, and all of them were close to her in some way. I'm not used to her being so serious and quiet, but I hope she can go back to being herself once the stress wears off. She will get on Aurelia’s nerves by staying in her hospital room and chatting with her nonstop, I think, with a smile. “Mom?”

She smiles warmly. “Our guests have arrived. I think it would be better if you greet them today. They are stressed and know you. I don’t want to force them into exchanging formalities with me.”

I nod reluctantly, standing up. “Would you stay meanwhile?”

“Of course,” she beams. “I would love to.”