Page 198 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince
However, my father’s grudge goes deeper than that. It’s personal. My mother sometimes tries to talk about it, but despite his usual open-mindedness to most topics, my father’s mind is firmly set in this case.
I turn to face Aryanna once we reach his office. “Wait here, Ari,”
Aryanna doesn’t look too pleased. “But-”
“I’m not scared of my father. But he’s angry about having one of his major rules broken. I need to talk to him privately. It won’t help to march in there with backup.”
“I know,” Ari clenches her fingers. “But things are different now. You are not just Liam to me now. You are my Alpha too.”
I nod tentatively. “Trust me,” I show her a smile. “Nothing is going to happen.”
She nods and steps to the side. I knock and enter the room. “Dad?”
My father is pacing around his office, his expression a bit grim but also slightly confused. He halts when he notices my presence. He’s not looking too pleased. “You’re here to defend your brother?” He catches on pretty fast, as usual. “Are you serious, Liam? We’re talking about a human kid here.. on our sacred grounds! I know it’s your grounds in this case, but still, a member of my pack invited him. He used his rank and name to make sure the Council put him on the official guest list.”
I sigh slightly. “I need a drink. Do you want one too?”
“Make it whisky.”
When we sit down on the sofa set, I raise my glance slightly to look at him. “You know I respect you, right?”
He allows himself a moment to consider my question, and then he nods.
“I have the utmost respect for you, our rules, our world and the Council. But if Finn hadn’t invited the human kid, I would have. Finn just stupidly took the blow.”
“What!?” Elden exclaims in disbelief. “Have you all just lost your minds?”
“Finn did it for me,” I explain quietly. “He did it so I wouldn’t have to do it. He probably wanted to ensure that you wouldn’t be upset with me. Anything not to ruin Annalise’s and my inauguration ceremony.” I lean back a bit. “He shouldn’t have done it, though. It was my task to do. I don’t need my little brother to protect me.”
I can feel his stare on me. A mixture of disbelief and displeasure, but also a hint of curiosity. “What’s so special about this human!?”
“Dave is one of Annie’s and Finn’s best friends. He is a symbol…”
“A symbol of what?”
I pause. “Of Annalise’s kindness. Of what she is and what she can do. Our kind has not had many connections to the human world. But she has. It doesn’t matter who needs her help, who they are, or what they are. As long as they are innocent, she will help. She can look right through them and see how lost they are, and she’s never going to leave someone behind who needs protection. She also took Finn in as well when he was lonely, Dad. That’s what makes her so special.” Saying it out aloud finally makes me realize just how special she is. “That’s why she’s going to be the perfect Luna. She’s going to be my perfect counterpart.”
“Goddess, Liam.” My father rubs his forehead. “It’s not like I can’t sympathize. However, a human…”
“You know I respect and trust you. You weren’t only my father but also my Alpha and my mentor.” I look up to see him nod. “Now I’m Alpha of a pack myself. And as a fellow Alpha, I ask you to trust me too. You have prepared me for this task my whole life. You know who I am and how I handle things. I’m not led by emotions when it’s about my pack, I would never endanger it. So, I ask you, please, Dad, trust me as I trust you.”
He takes a sip from his drink.
“I know you’re upset that he went behind your back,” I admit, unable to hide my amusement.
He pauses. “But?”
“But it’s also the first independent action he has ever taken.” I point out.
“Yes, not the smartest one.”
“I know because it was my call to handle it,” I say. “And I’ll tell him not to do it again. However, he took action for the first time, and he didn’t do it for selfish reasons but because he believed it was the right thing to do. That’s something to consider.”
“Are we finally addressing the elephant in the room?” my father looks at me thoughtfully. I am relieved to notice that he looks far less angry now.
“You tell me,” I say quietly.
He rubs his temples.
