Page 184 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince
Some of the other victims come forward and share parts of their stories with us.
I don’t tell them about Liam’s plans for improving the pack. I don’t make promises or anything alike. They don’t need promises. They need action. Only time will help them heal. But I’ll have a few therapists here to help with the trauma. I know Crescent Moon has a therapist who survived, and I’m sure we will be able to hire one from Jace’s pack. It’s not unusual for pack doctors and specialists to visit other packs. And if one of these women wants to move packs to start anew, I’ll make sure to help them.
As we are about to leave, Renata approaches me again. She takes my hands into hers, her eyes glimmering slightly with tears. “Thank you, Luna Annalise,” she says quietly. “What you did today for these girls… It means a lot to me. I think we can finally start looking forward to a brighter future.”
When Ella and I step outside, neither of us says a word.
“Everything all right?” Jun asks us.
“I…” Ella’s voice trails off.
I nod towards her. “Go and look for Dante,” I tell her. “He’s planning the funeral for the fallen victims. He… probably needs a break.”
Ella nods, relief flashing in her eyes before hurrying away.
“Luna Annalise?” Jun asks nervously.
I force a smile on my lips. “Everything is fine. Let’s go and have dinner, Jun.”
*LIAM*
Dante and Ella are skipping dinner. Dante linked me a short while ago saying he would eat with Ella privately. He really deserves this, I think.
Annalise is sitting next to me. She rests one of her hands on my knee. A subconscious gesture, it seems like she’s seeking my touch. She’s not her usual chatty self. She smiles and answers everyone, talks a bit, but she can’t fool me.
I link Jun.Did something happen?
Nothing I know about, Alpha.
He sounds sincere but also a bit confused. He’s probably too young to read between the lines. I decide to change tactics.What did you do today?
Luna Annalise and Beta E… and Ella talked to Marilou. Luna set up a plan for the upcoming week with your mother's help. Then they prepared muffins, tea, and coffee and brought them to the infirmary. They spent some time with the she-wolves and children there.
I nod, allowing myself a moment to dwell in my thoughts. I shift my gaze to look at my mate. When she looks at me, I give her a warm smile. For a moment, the tension in her body seems to melt away. She leans into me a bit.
I turn my head slightly to look at my mother. I can’t mind link her anymore, unfortunately, but I hope she understands anyway. She looks confused before she finally gets the hint, nudging Rosalee slightly. The two women nod at each other before entirely shifting the conversation to themselves.
Mom suddenly starts telling a ridiculous story about how my father almost got into a fistfight with another dude many years ago because he thought the man had hugged her. Mom instead actually stumbled, dropped half of the vegetable stall on the poor soul, and then landed on top of him.
Rosalee tells us about how she and Brian met. They were childhood friends who turned out to be mates. So cute. Judging by Steve’s surprised look, he didn’t know. The way she describes how clumsily Brian courted her is hilarious.
“When he asked me for my hand,” Rosalee laughs. “He accidentally dropped the ring into his bowl full of soup.”
“At least you got a proposal! Elden is the least romantic person in the universe,” my mother giggles. “He just said: I think we should marry”. Like he was signing a business deal.”
The distraction works well. No one pays attention to Annalise and me, and I can keep rubbing her leg soothingly.
Finally, after everyone has finished eating, Annalise gets up. “I apologize, but I think I need to take my leave for tonight,” she says with a smile. Again, the others buy it easily. “I need to sleep. Tomorrow there is a lot of work waiting for us.”
She bends forward a bit, kissing me softly, before heading off to our living quarters.
Mate needs us!Fenris exclaims.
I know. I’m leaving in a minute. I don’t need the others to get suspicious.
Why do we care about the others!?He exclaims.Mate needs us.
He has a point…
