Page 45 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

Leah is shivering in anticipation of being allowed to roam freely. I can feel her getting more and more restless. I take a deep breath, allowing my feelings to calm down before allowing my wolf to take over. When I shifted for the first time, it hurt. So much I thought it would rip me apart. But it didn’t. Like every other wolf before me, I made it through and found my closest friend.

Now shifting is like a second nature to me.

Leah is a normal-sized wolf; she is on the stronger side of an Omega wolf. Her most stunning feature is her fur. It’s brown, but not the dull kind of brown. It’s a shiny chestnut color, almost a bit reddish in the sun. Her eyes shine in the same color.You are funny, Annie.I can hear Leah laugh.You fawn over me like I am the most special wolf out there, yet you always belittle your own looks. We are the same person, dear.

I know, it’s stupid.I can’t hide my laugh. She is right. Yet, when I’m in my human form, I feel so much more insecure. As a wolf, everything seems to be so much clearer.

I allow my senses to become one with my surroundings, enjoying how the leaves rustle. I hear distant footprints of some of our pack members.

I turn to face my siblings. Steve’s wolf is dark brown, almost black. Harmony’s a bit lighter but bigger than his. Before Harmony takes the lead, we nod at each other, allowing her wolf to dash forward.

Steve and I follow swiftly.

Midway on our run, I let my thoughts run free, connecting them to Liam. I’m not sure if it will work, but I try to take him with me on the run to let him see what I’m seeing. I wonder if he likes it, hoping I’m not interrupting something important, but at the end of the evening, when Harmony, Steve and I return, he is still with me, and I could swear the pounding of my heart is stronger than usual, almost like a second heart beating with me.

“Now that felt good,” Steve stretches while slipping back into his pants and shirt. For wolves, nudity is not much of an issue for us, but I still don’t like to get fully naked in front of everyone. I know it’s the same for Ella. Whereas Harmony and Steve don’t really mind.

Everyone is different.

Once dressed, I wait for Harmony to go back inside to help our mother before approaching my brother. “Steve, would you train me a bit?”

He blinks at me in surprise. “What? You mean a workout?”

“No, I mean actual combat training. I need a bit of… refreshing.”

Steve looks at me warily. He never likes hurting me in any way.

I make huge puppy eyes. “Please.”

“All right,” he sighs and gives in like he always does.

When he grabs his towel, throwing it over his shoulders, he looks at me thoughtfully. “Annie,” he starts, bending down at eye level with me. “Is everything all right?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I don’t know, but you… asking me to train you just like that, out of the blue, it’s unusual.”

“I’m the mate of a Lycan. I need to get stronger.”

“I can understand, but…” he pauses. “You look haunted.”

I don’t get it. Steve is normally not one to catch on fast. How come he does so now?

The few days I spent with my family was just what I needed. I was able to recharge my batteries and return with newfound resolve. I will not allow anyone to pressure me, blackmail me or threaten me in any other way.

I’m stronger than them, and I will show them just who I am.

As always, it’s Steve who accompanies me to the pack border. “I could drive you,” he points out. Suddenly he looks like my little brother again, who can’t let go… who hates goodbyes.

I shake my head softly, resting my hand on his forearm. “Thank you, Stevie, but…” A blush crawls over my cheeks. “Liam is picking me up.”

Steve looks at me and rolls his eyes. “Of course, he is. Overprotective male wolves, as always! Alphas in particular!”

“You are aware that you are one of those, too,” I tease. “A male wolf? An overprotective Beta?”

He pouts. “You are not playing fair.”

I chuckle and wrap my arms around him. “I promise I will visit regularly. Mating with a wolf from another pack doesn’t mean I can’t see you anymore.”