They have been almost dying of curiosity,Liam explains to me.
I scan the room swiftly, noticing most of Liam’s siblings' thanks to his descriptions. In front of them, there is a broad, tall man, older than the others. He looks a lot like Liam, maybe a bit more weathered, and there's a scar running over his cheek… and he sports a full beard. I didn’t think it would be possible, but he is taller than Liam. He radiates power and strength. That’s Lord Elden for sure. Before I can feel my nerves again, a sprite elf-like person approaches me, stretching out her arms in joy, and then giggles and hugs me. “I’m so so so happy.” Her laughter sounds ethereal, like a bell.
“Is this your sister, Liam?” I ask quietly, feeling slightly dizzy.
The fairy laughs. “Oh, you! You are such a charm, my dear.”
“Yeah, she wishes,” Finn grins just to get elbowed by his father. “Ouch,” he mock-complains. His grin doesn’t leave his face.
“Flora, my dear.” Elden carefully pulls the ethereal being away from me. “Leave the poor girl alone.”
“Right, where are my manners,” she smiles brightly, her eyes shining in joy. She takes my hands into hers, squeezing them excitedly. “I’m Flora, Liam’s mother,” she states to my utmost shock before letting go of my hands and twirling around. This cute, beautiful fairy is his mother? “Please just call me Flora. No title needed. And that…” She hits Elden’s chest over-enthusiastically. “… grumpy, dark guy is Elden. Don’t worry. He looks dangerous but is a marshmallow inside!”
“I’m not grumpy,” Elden says, sounding amused. Yes, mate bond confirmed! “And not a marshmallow either.” He looks at me with a welcoming smile and shakes my hand. “I’m very happy to finally make your acquaintance, Miss Preston.”
“Please call me, Annalise,” I stutter, slightly starstruck. This is one of the most powerful wolves in the world! And I’m in his presence. A literal no one in front of the almighty Iron Alpha. “And it’s an honor to finally meet you.”
“Then call me Elden.” His eyes shift to my neck shortly. There is a sudden glint of joy in them. For the briefest moment, he looked really content.
“Oh,” Flora beams. “You marked her, Liam!”
“Goddess, mother,” Finn groans. “Please, you don’t need to comment on everything.”
“When did you turn so serious,” she pouts. “Not long ago, you were more fun! You were joking around, taking nothing seriously and teasing your father.”
“Yes,” Elden says dryly. “How about we don’t return to that time and instead appreciate that he is growing up.”
“Exactly,” Finn hurries to agree. “Besides, this is all about Liam and Annie today. Not about me.”
Liam keeps his arm around my shoulder the whole time, his presence really soothing me. “Just to give you a swift warning,” Liam’s eyes sparkle when he looks at his father. He sounds proud. “Alpha aura doesn’t work on her. Not even in her own pack with her Alpha. I can’t command her either.”
Elden raises his eyebrows and looks at me. “Is that true?”
“Well, it seems like it,” I mutter, not sure how I’m supposed to react now.
“Mind if I try it?” he asks curiously.
Flora shoots him an annoyed glare and pouts while Liam shakes his head. “She is not a guinea pig.”
“I don’t mind,” I say, my own curiosity winning out. “I figure if it doesn't work with you, Lord Elden...”
“Elden,” he corrects me with a smile.
“Elden,” I repeat. “Then it’s true that no one will have that power over me.”
Liam and Elden exchange a gaze before Liam nods his approval.
“All right,” Elden rubs his hands eagerly before looking at me. I can feel the atmosphere changing instantly, noticing how the other wolves in the room, Betas and Omegas, wince at the change of mood. I can easily notice that he radiates his whole power, but other than that, it does not affect me. He blinks for a moment, his eyes going back to normal. “Fantastic,” he says contently. “Now that’s what I call a useful gift, Annalise.”
“So, it’s true? That’s pretty dope!” One of the siblings finally intervenes. She’s the only other girl aside from Flora; she has to be Aurelia. For a moment, I’m speechless when I look at her. I have never seen a person so… beautiful. She is tall and very athletic, a beautiful face, and almost perfect features, and has the most beautiful deep brown hair I have ever seen. It’s almost black and falls down her back in long, luscious waves. “Hey, you are staring,” she grins.
“I’m sorry,” I shake my head in awe. “But your hair is fantastic!”
“Really?” She seems to be happy about my words. “Some guys compliment me for it, but it’s different when another woman points it out.”
“It is wonderful, isn’t it?” Flora agrees with a beaming smile. “Aurelia has the most beautiful hair in the world.”
“Now that’s an exaggeration,” one younger guy – judging by his tanned skin and his dark blond hair, I assume he has to be Felix – says with a grin.