Page 145 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

“I really like her. She is a princess of the Council; yet she welcomed me with open arms,” I smile. “It's hard to keep up with her sometimes, but she is fantastic. And she is so genuine.”

“That’s because she cares deeply for her family,” Ella concludes. “You can’t buy or force love, and she is definitely loved.”

I nod. “Say, talking about family…”

“Yes,” she agrees instantly, as always able to read my mind without actually doing it. “Any ideas?”

“I feel so bad not being there for Dave,” I sigh. “Let’s at least Facetime him this weekend. I really miss him.”

“Celine, Finn, and Anders are trying to be with him as much as possible,” Ella points out. “They promised me he will never be on his own. It’s easier for Celine because their laws are less restrictive than those for Lycans.”

“I know.” I tilt my head. “Silverlake really doesn’t like humans much.”

“You think something happened once?”

“I’m sure of it,” I admit. Elden is one of the most reasonable leaders I have ever met. Sure, he might be short-tempered and stern, but his decisions are well thought through and fair. The fact that he loathes humans and has strictly forbidden them to be on the pack grounds unless the human is a mate says a lot.

“Maybe you will be able to make Alpha Elden reconnect to the humans,” Ella muses. “If anyone can do it, you can.”

“We’ll see…” I mutter, uncertain. I’m not even Luna yet, and changes like these are always difficult to achieve. It will be a long-term project, but I won’t give up. “I can’t wait for everything to be over so that we can meet again,” I sigh. “I miss our casual meetings.”

“Do you think it will ever be back to like before?” Ella asks.

I shrug helplessly. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I… I don’t think it will be exactly like it used to be, but we will make something new. Let’s just fulfill our promise to be there for each other.”

We walk in silence again before I decide it’s about time we address the one thing Ella has been tiptoeing around for days. “Say, El. Do you not feel comfortable here?” I ask softly.

She looks at me, clearly surprised, before blushing slightly. “You noticed?”

I link my arm with hers. “You can tell me, you know? I know everything has changed around us, but we are still just Annie and El.”

She chuckles softly. “You will always remain my cute Annie.”

“And you, my fierce El.”

“It’s not like I’m not feeling happy here,” she says after a while. “Everyone is nice. I thought they would despise me because it was Red Claw and possibly Alpha Marcus who attacked you, but then they took me in as a refugee. I mean, obviously, Liam’s gift did help to diffuse most doubts about me. But still, they were respectful.”

“But?”

“It’s… it’s not my home,” she admits. “I... Red Claw doesn’t feel like home either, but now that I know how many victims still remain, I realize… I’m not the only one. Goddess, Annie, I don’t have any idea how to feel. I don’t know what to do,think or feel anymore. I grew up hating my pack, and I just wanted to leave, but now… I’m so confused.”

“You don’t want to run away,” I conclude.

“You are not mad?”

“Why would I be?” I blink. “I can understand. I can sympathize that you want to prevent a terrible fate from happening to the other victims at Red Claw.” I pause. “I won't let you deal with this alone.”

“Comes in handy that they abducted the future Luna and almost got the current Luna as well,” Ella points out dryly.

Finally, she is back to her sharp tongue and sass.

“I would have tried to help you nevertheless,” I say with conviction. “Liam was looking into Red Claw before we even found out we were mates.”

“I know,” she admits. “A certain Beta told me.”

I look at her thoughtfully. “Have you thought more about Dante?”

She looks down at her fingers before rubbing her forehead in exhaustion. “Shit, Annie, what am I going to do? He sees Liam as his younger brother, as his protégé. He is so loyal and kind.”