Page 43 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

Steve blinks. “Huh?” he says.

For a moment, I contemplate my options. “When are mom and dad coming home?”

“Any moment,” Harmony says. Her gaze is still pinned to me. She looks curious and thoughtful. Gladly not upset, though. But she is catching on fast. She probably already guessed that my mate has to be… special.

Our talk gets disrupted by a well-known loud voice. “Look at that,” Dad’s loud voice rips through the silence. “My two beautiful daughters and my boy, all in the same place! Is it Christmas already?” he laughs loudly. “Must be so. Just so you all know, I won’t let you leave until tomorrow.”

I can’t help a grin spreading over my face. My father can lighten up any situation with his humor… and his loud voice. Both of my parents are wonderful. I know I’m really privileged to grow up in such a warm house. It means more than any money or rank… or, well, beauty. Whenever my confidence is the lowest, I try to remember my family and how much they love me. How hurt they would be if I belittled myself.

Before any of us can react, my father pulls all three of us into a hug. He is taller than Steve and even bulkier. I laugh while Steve complains about being too old to be hugged by his father.

“You are never too old for some tough love,” Dad says, and I can almost hear his smirk.

Eventually though I can hear my mother approaching. “All right, Brian, you got them for long enough. Now it’s my turn. Move aside, my big man.”

As always, when it’s my mother, he turns into a helpless little pup. “Anything for you, Rosalee,” he beams at her and lets go of us. He presses a very sloppy kiss against her forehead before letting her walk past him.

My mother is tiny; both Harmony and even I are taller than her.Steve always jokes that mom is the family’s Pokémon. My mother has always been my biggest role model. Mom might not be the most beautiful woman out there, but no one would ever question her or her inner strength. She is so nice and charismatic. Wherever she goes, she draws attention just because she was so genuinely gracious and warm.

“Mom,” I sigh happily when she pulls me into her arms.

My mother smiles brightly at me. I have always been thankful for her strength and her unconditional love and loyalty toward us. “So, what gives us this honor?” Her smile grows when she looks at me. There is something in her eyes… like she knows. “I can't wait to hear from Annalise what kind of news she's been hiding these past few weeks.”

She can’t possibly know, right?

“Must be good if she needs to tell us in person,” Harmony grins and winks at me.

My mom laughs.

“Why?” my father asks curiously. “What’s there to hide?”

“Oh dear,” Harmony sighs slightly.

My father frowns, his frown only growing when my mother elbows him playfully. “You didn’t notice the change in her?”

Harmony grins. “She has that aura, Dad. That’s a wolf in love.”

When my father throws Steve an insecure glance, the latter just shrugs. “I don’t get it either. Must be a woman thing,” he admits before grinning proudly at my parents. “But I already knoooooow you won't believe it,” he chuckles.

They turn to look at me expectantly. So… here goes nothing. “Okay,” I take a deep breath, just get it over with. This has to be the most embarrassing moment of my life yet. “Mom, Dad, I found my mate.”

My mother just nods and smiles warmly. She knew. She probably sensed it all along and knew it for sure when she saw me.

“No,” my father’s eyes widen. “Not my baby!”

“That’s what I said, too,” Steve blurts out. “It can’t be Annie!”

“So, it would be okay if it were me?” Harmony asks sweetly. Toothache-inducing sweetly.

My father quickly back peddles. “You are different,” he blurts out.

“You are not Annie,” Steve agrees.

“Goodness,” Harmony rolls her eyes, throwing me a gaze of pity. “Everyone is always obsessing over you, sis.”

“What do you mean?”

Harmony chuckles softly and shakes her head. “Nothing, forget it.”