Page 176 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince
Her lips quiver. “Luna,” she mutters. “Goddess, Annie, I’m so glad!”
I hug her immediately and tell her the truth she desperately needs to hear. “It’s over, El. It’s over. Your parents, they weren’t traitors.”
“They had no chance, though,” Ella mutters.
“Maybe, but they tried to do what was right, and in the long run, they put everything into motion,” I say, thinking of what Flora told me before, the metaphor about the rock and the water.
Ella smiles down at me through her tears. “Yes,” she says. “Maybe.”
“We will make this place our new home,” I promise. “I think everyone here is ready for a change and eager to make it work.”
“Let’s do it,” Ella smiles. “You have my full support. You will be a wonderful Luna.”
“And you have mine,” I promise. “But you know who else would be a great Luna?”
“Who?”
“You,” I state.
She laughs. “Oh, Annie, you always hold me in high regard.” She grins. “But girl, you know I hate people! I would never want to be anyone’s Luna.”
“You like me,” I point out. “And Dave.”
“True, and Finn, Celine, and a very few selected people,” she pauses. “Truth is, it never occurred to me that I should save Red Claw. Sure, I decided not to run away and help the victims here, but before that… I couldn’t have cared less. Every time I came to the pack grounds, I closed my eyes to what was happening. It's true, I didn’t know, but it’s not like I made an effort to look properly.” She pauses. “I don’t like this pack, Annie, not yet. And my wolf hasn’t talked to me in years. Dante and I have so much on our plates that we can’t handle another thing.”
I consider her words for a while. I still think she is a lot better than she gives herself credit for, but I can also see where she is coming from. Some wounds need time to heal, and Dante and Ella deserve it to walk their own path and make their own decisions. “All right,” I sigh. “Then let’s work hard together to make this pack flourish again.”
“Absolutely,” Ella exclaims.
Jun nods as we talk, carefully walking closer now that he sees our private moment is over. “It’s been years that they celebrated like they did tonight,” he says. “They will throw themselves into work tomorrow to turn Red Claw into a good and welcoming place again.”
I return his smile. “We will go into details tomorrow once Liam is awake and has turned into the Alpha of this pack. I will need yours and Emmet’s help for sure.”
Jun beams at me. “Eager to help, Luna!”
“Me too,” Emmet smiles softly. There is something in his eyes, relief… joy… He seems to be close to tears when he looks at me. “We are putting our faith into yours and Alpha Liam’s hands.”
“Luna Annalise,” one of Elden’s warriors, steps forward. “We are ready to help! Tell us what you need.”
I nod, going to work immediately. I send them out together with Jun to gather tables and seats. I want to make sure everyone can gather outside tomorrow for breakfast. Celine, Jace, Dad, and Harmony join them to help keep them focused. I haven’t taken a look through the packhouse yet. I don’t know how this place is organized. That will wait until tomorrow.
Then I grab my phone and Liam’s credit card before calling a few restaurants in town. It’s very short notice, but the name Alcott weighs a lot, and I manage to organize having breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered for the next few days. I make a mental note to have the kitchen up and running again. Flora helps me organize everything, giving me helpful advice about setting everything up. We even head to the kitchen together, going through some of the cupboards, before deciding that we will need to have plates delivered for tomorrow.
Once that’s done, I turn to face Aryanna and Ella. “I have something else to ask of you two specifically.”
They exchange curious glances.
“Please walk around the pack and see if anyone still needs medical attention, particularly the women and kids who were imprisoned. Liam already sent some of them to the infirmary, but I’m unsure if everyone got the message. I think they will trust she-wolves more, so I need you two to do it. Tomorrow I will inspect the pack and the infirmary myself.”
They both nod eagerly. “Of course,” Ella exclaims. She seems to be happy to be allowed to do something so important. Also, she is slowly bonding with Aryanna, which is great. By the look Dante throws them, he thinks the same.
Two hours later, when I’m sure that everything is settled… at least enough for us not to be greeted by chaos tomorrow, I mind-link the whole pack, telling them that breakfast will be ready for everyone tomorrow from 8 AM to 10 AM and that Alpha Liam and I will be happy to meet with them all.
Now… finally I can return to Liam’s room… or rather the guest room we chose for Liam. The place is ugly and looks so uninviting. Another thing we are definitely going to change around here. There will be a lot of work to do, but I’m eager to make it work. And I know Liam is equally motivated.
Elden nods at me approvingly before giving me a short hug. “Watch out for my stubborn son, will you? I’ll return to Silverlake now, but Flora will stay until tomorrow.”
“Of course,” I promise.
