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“You will not be disappointed,” I promise.

There is another point on my list, something I have to do before everyone arrives. Of course, technically, it can wait, but I don’t want to prolong it any longer. My feet lead me to my father’s office. “Come in!” he says before I can even knock.

When I open the door, I see curiosity in his eyes. It’s not often that I just come to his office like this.

I sit down on one of the chairs in front of his desk, folding my fingers and letting my fingertips tap against each other. “Dad, Annalise is immune to wolfsbane, silver and an Alpha’s aura. To any Alpha’s aura, even mine.”

He nods tentatively.

“How can she be of Omega rank then? Aren’t these things considered gifts?” I have asked myself the same question over and over again. I strongly believe in the tests we hold. Normally, even the tiniest gifts get tracked there. It’s normally bulletproof, but that doesn’t mean it can’t ever be wrong.

“She has strong defensive assets,” my father agrees, frowning deeply. “Here and there, I tried to test her a bit myself.”

“So, you have an agenda?” I ask, a bit amused. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“It’s hard to tell, Liam. She is an Omega wolf. I tested her aura and the aura of her wolf. But her talents are definitely not what an Omega normally has, and that’s something to consider too.”

“Do you think the test was wrong?” I want to know.

“There are many possibilities,” he muses.

“Like what? What are you considering?”

“For one, of course, the test could be wrong. Just because it has never happened before doesn’t mean it can’t be wrong. There is also the possibility that she is an Omega, but with gifts. We never had that before either. She could have developed these gifts because she is mated to you, but this is a very vague theory too, as the Council hasn’t blessed her yet. However, no matter the reason, her gifts are further enhanced by her confidence, wit, and empathy,” he adds. “And you don’t need any specific rank to have these three characteristics.”

I frown a bit before looking at him in amusement. “So, the bottom line is, you have no clue either?”

“I have no idea,” he admits. “This will need more time to uncover.”

I wasn’t really worried about the family get-together with Annalise’s family. The only concern is that Annalise was abducted on our pack grounds and that her dad was already so worried for her to begin with. I hope he doesn’t hold it against me.

But I shouldn’t have been worried at all. Brian and Rosalee are their usual friendly selves. Only Harmony is a bit more guarded, but I assume part of it is because of her new job as Celine’s Beta. The only one missing from this family gathering is Marius. I don’t know what excuse he came up with. I just know that my father was still fuming just half an hour ago. If it weren’t for Annalise holding me back, I would have looked for him personally, just to drag him back here.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Brian blurts out when he greets my parents. He smiles at my father before looking at my mother twirling around him. “Who is that charming young woman?” he asks with a bright smile. “You must be Liam’s sister.”

My mother smiles happily. “No, silly,” she laughs like she and Brian have known each other for centuries already. “I’m Flora, Liam’s mother.”

“Who would have guessed!” he smiles broadly. “What do you say, Steven?”

“Me?” Steve mutters. “I’m dying inwardly.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see how the twins and Aurelia exchange a gaze. They immediately take a liking to him. It makes me happy to see them interact with Annie’s brother. They are around the same age, and Steve is such a nice guy.

Rosalee is more composed than Brian, radiating her usual calmness but as usual, also slightly amused. While my mother and Brian joke around, she shakes my father’s hand. They both exchange a knowing gaze when they turn to look at their mates. “Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha Elden,” she says warmly. “Also, thank you for taking care of my baby.”

“Please don’t mention it. We are very happy to have you here. You can visit Annalise anytime.”

Meanwhile, my mother turns her attention to my father and Rosalee. Her eyes are wide. “Can’t we ask them to join our pack? Please, Elden!”

“But Flora,” my father is at a loss for words. “We can’t just go around and randomly recruit people. Also, they are very happy in their pack.”

She stands with her hands slightly akimbo. “But he is tall and strong and funny. And Rosalee is so sweet, plus they are Annie’s parents.” She twirls around. “We could be a big happy family!”

“Aurel, please smile”, Mom says flittingly. Aurel’s lips tug slightly, but other than that, he doesn’t say anything. He just nods politely. “I’m sorry for not being fun, my Luna.”

She pouts. “You could at least try!”

Brian elbows Aurel and laughs loudly. “Well, you got yourself into a tight position, young man. A flower needs to be cherished.”