Page 197 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

Dante nods. Before he can say anything, though, Ella returns. “What are the mates still doing here?”

Dante chuckles and pulls her closer, pressing his lips against her temple. She wriggles a bit but smiles nevertheless. They are making progress, I realize. I’m so happy for them.

“All right, we’re going,” Liam winks at me. “Remember your promise.”

“Like you would allow me to forget,” I chuckle.

“What was that about?” Ella asks me curiously. “How did you manage to make them leave?”

“I have my ways,” I chuckle.

“And how?”

I look at her, one eyebrow raised. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

“Ew!” She exclaimed, throwing one of her books at me. I retaliate by hitting her with a pillow. We both look at each other for a moment and burst into giggles. I’m so happy things are like usual when it’s just the two of us. We’re still Annie and El in these moments, and not Luna Annalise and Beta Ella.

*LIAM*

True to my promise, I visit Silverlake the next day. Stepping foot on these pack grounds makes me feel nostalgic. It was not that long ago that I was still living here, preparing to take over the pack. And now… I’m here as a guest.

Meeting several members on my way to the packhouse almost feels like I never really left. They greet me. Some bow, some wave, depending on how much they worked with me before. I notice that they treat me with even more respect than before. A few even voice their sadness that I won’t be taking over, but congratulate me nevertheless.

It warms my heart. Silverlake is one of the best packs out there, and I’ll make sure that whomever of my siblings follows in my father’s footsteps will get all the support I can offer. After all, it’s still my home and part of me will always feel loyal to them. If they need something, I’ll make sure that my own pack will help them out just like they helped us.

Before I can set foot in the packhouse, I can already see Anders hurrying toward me. I stop instantly, furrowing my brows slightly.

“Lord Liam!” Anders stops and bows slightly.

He’s one of the pack members who always calls me by my royal title. I am used to it by now, though I would prefer him to be a bit more informal with me. After all, he’s Finn’s closest ally. “What happened?”

Anders raises his head to look at me directly. “Lord Finn invited Dave, officially! To your and Miss Annalise’s inauguration ceremony.”

His words leave me speechless for a moment. “Like… officially? Are you sure?”

“Yes, he has already set the whole procedure into motion. Dave is on the official guest list and is already going through all the paperwork. The same procedure they do when witches or other species visit us.”

“And nobody put a stop to it when they found out he is human?” I inquire.

Anders shrugs. “Finn is an Alcott,” he says.

Right, and hardly anyone questions our actions. If an Alcott invites a human, they might be shocked and surprised but wouldn’t oppose it.

“How bad was it? How did my father take it?”

“Bad,” Anders admits.

I take a few moments to consider my options, and then I nod. “I’ll handle this.”

Anders looks relieved but also slightly nervous. “But…”

“I’ll take the blowback if necessary. I won’t even mention your name,” I reassure him.

Anders nods thankfully before hurrying away.

I don’t overthink my next actions and immediately walk to my father’s office. He’s one of the fairest rulers I know, but he has a few rules he hates to have broken. He distrusts humans deeply and would never allow them on his pack grounds unless they happen to be someone’s mate.

Technically, this rule is firmly set for all packs. Humans are not allowed anywhere close to a pack. However, some packs are more lax with this rule and try to work through its gray areas. Humans are dangerous to mingle with, as they don’t have the best track record when it’s about co-existing with those who are different. But I like to judge the individual, and to me, Dave is no danger.