Page 83 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

I turn to look at Anders.

He flinches. “I told him it was a bad idea.”

“Tattletale,” Finn mutters.

“As far as I’m concerned, you can literally plaster your whole body with whatever you like. But last time you came home with that tongue piercing, I thought Dad would rip your head off. I don’t get it. Is that some sort of coping mechanism for being a middle child?”

“No, I just like it!” He argues, but I see his cheeks flush. “I'll just tell Mom and Dad it was an accident.”

“An accident?” I deadpan. “Like: Hi Dad, I fell on a needle, and it tore a hole into my face?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the human kid, Dave, can barely hide his amusement. My adorable mate grins too. I didn't expect anyone to laugh at something I said. If I’m being honest, I hardly ever make jokes. I’m just not funny.

“I thought you could tell them?” Finn offers.

I stare at him, my disbelief only growing.

Next to us, Dave is finally doubling over laughing. Ella laughs too. “I can’t believe you are using your older brother as a shield,” Dave gasps for air. “God, you two are adorable. I wished I had younger siblings.”

“Me too,” Ella agrees eagerly.

“Want me to trade you one,” I mutter.

The others continue to laugh while Finn looks at me sourly. “Very funny.”

Just like that the ice is broken.

“Your Apha is hot,” Dave says to Annalise. “And he has a nice ass in those jeans- “

“Hey,” Annalise frowns cutely. “Hands off my mate!”

“Uh, sorry, I forgot…” He bends forward. “Sweety, who knew you had such claws? It’s the wolf stuff, isn’t it?” He straightens his back. “As I was about to say, since one hot brother is not available anymore, we need to give the second one a go. Ah, Finn, that sassy emo punk-rock pseudo image. It gets to me every time. I’m too weak to resist these dramatic boys.”

Finn rolls his eyes. “You notice I’m sitting right next to you!? Goddess,” he sighs. “Come, let’s go outside a bit. You need to sober up.” He waits for Dave to stand up and then tugs him outside. Anders follows them.

Celine chuckles. “I will get some fresh air, too,” she says before following the others outside.

“Maybe we should order something to eat,” Ella says. “I forgot Dave is not a wolf. Obviously, his body can’t digest as much alcohol.”

Annalise squeezes my hand under the table. She nods. “I was caught up in our talk too. I could order us some nachos.”

“Fabulous idea,” Ella says.

I’m about to offer to go order them when I note Ella’s gaze boring into mine. So that’s what it’s about. We have reached the point. I reluctantly let go of Annalise’s hand and wait for her to be out of reach before looking at Ella expectantly. “Is this the moment you give me a warning?”

Ella looks at me completely unfazed. I can’t help but commend her for it. I like brave wolves and when they dare to tell me their opinion, especially when I know their courage comes from the right place. “Annie is Omega,” she starts, her voice wavers slightly when she looks at me. She is clearly scared of angering me but swallows down her fear to tell me what she needs to get off her chest. She truly is a Beta’s daughter though. She would probably make a fantastic Beta herself. Yet when we were kids, she befriended the she-wolf with the traitor blood, who got bullied in school and who would get into trouble all the time. And then she befriended the gay boy who was avoided by everyone like the plague. I don’t think I need to tell you how brave she is. She took a major risk concerning her own reputation, her rank and her pack, and she didn’t even think twice about stepping in and standing up for us. Neither Dave nor I asked her to. We never expected anyone to stand up for us. But she did. And she didn’t fear the consequences. That’s how awesome she is.”

I’m not sure why she is telling me all of this, but one thing is for sure, my love for my mate is only growing. “Are you telling me all of this because you think I would disapprove of what she did? In fact, I believe she is wonderful, and her courage amazes me to no end.”

“No, I know how you look at her,” Ella says quietly. “But she is really important to me. Dave and I love her, and we don’t like many people. I… please don’t hurt her.”

“I have no intention of hurting her,” I say evenly, a little annoyed that she would even imply it. “I will always treat her with the love and respect she deserves.”

Ella looks relieved.

I scan her from head to toe. Bullied, she said. Traitor blood. Trouble. I wonder if she knows how much she gave away about her pack right now. “You are from Red Claw, aren’t you?”

She nods, slightly surprised by my change of topic. “Yes. Why?”