Page 128 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

“How likely is it that almost all of the kids and women went into hiding… safely?” Dante wants to know.

There is a long silence before Ella looks up. “I have to do something. I know this pack wasn’t good to me, but I’m starting to realize that I’m not the only victim there. Someone even made sure to keep me out of everything. These enslaved women… I could have been one of them. And if it weren’t for my friendship with Annie, I don’t even want to know what might have happened to me.” She shudders. “They need my help.”

“I agree, but don’t do anything rash,” Elden cautions. “If what we assume is true, I won’t stand by and just watch. I will call our allied packs and see what can be done.”

“Ella,” Liam furrows his brows. “If it was indeed Alpha Marcus who attacked my mate, then I won’t let it slide either. I promise he will face justice.”

I take her hand. “We need to be smart about this. You can’t go rushing in there. Who would it help if you did? You don’t know where everyone is held captive. You don’t know what is going on or who we are up against.” I remember the wolves who were there with my abductors. Those who couldn’t even look me in the eye because of their guilt and shame. Who knows what happened there… why did they even help in the first place?

“She is right,” Elden stands up. “For now, I can offer for you to stay at Silverlake pack. I will talk to Alpha Cedric and a few other Alphas. Liam, Dante, Aryanna, and my own Betas will gather as much information as possible.”

Ella nods tentatively. “All right, I won’t do anything rash,” she promises. “I don’t want to endanger someone. Just please involve me once you have come up with a plan.”

“I promise,” Elden nods.

When the gathering disassembles, Dante approaches Ella. “Ella,” he says softly. "I haven't introduced myself to you properly. I'm Dante."

She blushes a bit, shifting around nervously. “Yes, I know. Annie told me you are Liam's Beta.” A pause. “I'm Ella.”

“May I talk to you? Maybe you would like to accompany me on a walk?”

She seems to be about to chicken out. “Annie,” she mutters. “Didn’t you want me to help you with- “

“Nope,” I say bluntly. “Finn can help me.”

“Oh, awesome,” Finn flashes us a grin. “Two hot women around me end up mating with people close to me. I ran out of luck, it seems. Maybe I should try my luck with Celine? Or hook up with Dave?”

I grin. “I think you would make a lovely couple.”

“Why am I not surprised,” Finn rolls his eyes.

Anders looks at him thoughtfully. “Don’t worry, Finn. You will find your mate.”

Finn sighs. “I know. Good thing I have you around me to remind me not to stress myself too much.”

I exchange a look with Dante, trying to tell him something with my eyes only. Goddess, I can't wait to become a pack member and be able to mind link everyone. To my relief, he understands, though. “I will just go and grab my jacket,” he says discreetly. “Ella, I will wait for you outside at the entrance door.”

When he leaves, I hurry toward Ella. “El,” I mutter. “Talk to him. He is a good guy.”

“It’s not the age difference, is it?” Liam asks in worry. “Dante is thirty-two. He just appears earnest, so he looks older than he is. I know that’s still a lot older than you are, but not that old.”

“I don’t care about the age gap,” Ella says quietly. “I was forced to grow up fast. I feel more on the same maturity level with someone older anyway.” She pauses. “As long as it’s not a creep who grooms me. Like… yuck.”

Finn snorts. “Poor Dante, he has trouble coming his way.” He pauses. “Okay, take it from me, Ella. Dante is not my Beta, so I don’t feel any more loyalty towards him than towards any other normal pack member. He is one of the best guys I know. He is kind and smart, empathic and very thoughtful.”

“Okay, listen.” I take a deep breath. I know Ella well enough to understand her real problem with finding her mate. “Don’t be scared because you are used to people hurting you.”

“But-”

“You don’t need to trust him immediately, Ella. Just give him a chance.” I pause. “You are his second chance mate. You know that? Maybe he needs time too. He is definitely not going to rush things.”

“What?” her eyes widen in worry. “What happened to his first mate?”

I shake my head. “It’s his place to tell you, not mine.”

“Okay.” She takes a deep breath. “I won’t run away. I'll accept his invitation and see where it will lead me.”

Chapter thirty-eight