I grin. “Isn’t it too soon to say that?”
“With the way my son looks at you?” he smirks. “Doubt it.”
Before I can answer, I hear Aurelia calling out to us. “Where are you, Annie? Dad? Let’s have lunch.”
Chapter twenty-seven
Chapter 27 Marius
*ANNALISE*
Finnandthetwinsjoin us once we return, while Liam and Elden retreat to the other side of the room for a moment, probably to discuss something pack related. I’m back to my usual self. The little sightseeing tour with Liam, Aurelia and Alpha Elden really helped to calm my nerves. I feel relaxed around Aurelia and Finn and curious to get to know the twins better. Felix is a charmer; he will be a heartbreaker in his later teens. Dario is indeed introverted, but he is friendly toward me and warm. He immediately awakens my sisterly protective instincts.
Marius has joined Liam and Elden at the other side of the room, the discussion getting more heated all of a sudden.
“Again?” Finn mutters, sounding displeased.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Aurelia rolls her eyes. “Marius likes to bitch around.” When Finn shoots her a glare, she shrugs. “That’s the truth, and you know it.”Finn shifts around, feeling uncomfortable when he notices my questioning glance. “Recently, Marius has been critical of Liam all the time. We don’t know why.”
Marius’ voice gets louder while Liam just shakes his head and remains calm. I’m impressed by how he carries himself. Others would have snapped already, but I assume he doesn’t want to allow himself to be provoked.
Elden, however, looks like he is about to snap any moment.
“Really, Liam!?” Marius huffs. “Do you really think you are so above it? What about your mate!? She is so fucking plain. Isn’t she just an Omega? Are you sure she is good enough for you?”
Finn’s eyes widen. He looks pissed. “He didn’t just say that.”
Elden and Liam stand tall at the same time. “What did you just say?” Elden shouts, raising himself to full height.
Liam grabs Marius by his collar. “What right do you have to insult her like this?”
Elden furrows his brows. “You heard your brother,” he commands. “Answer him!”
“Drama,” Aurelia mutters breathless next to me. “It’s bad enough to piss off one of them, but you definitely don’t anger both.” She pauses. “I’m so sorry, Annie. Don’t listen to Mari. He is just acting out. Not one of us cares about your rank. Please believe me.”
"She is right," Finn says firmly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Flora stepping into the room. Her eyes are sharper now. She seems to have lost that air of sweet dizziness around her.
“Ten bucks that Liam will hit him,” Felix says. “He insulted his mate.”
“Not betting against that,” Dario mutters. He looks extremely uncomfortable and guilty like it was him who said something mean to me.
Aurelia shrugs. “Would serve him right.”
“I would like to beat him up myself,” Finn agrees.
Okay, the last thing I want is for them to start a fight over me. I can feel Liam’s emotions through the bond. He feels angry, disappointed, and hurt.
I move cautiously towards Marius, Liam and Elden.
Finn doesn’t seem too happy with my actions, but he lets me proceed. I can see his eyes getting glassy for a moment, and wonder who just mind-linked him. When my gaze shifts to Flora, I notice the same look in her eyes. It has to be her. Why? She has tilted her head, looking at me with interest, before nodding at me encouragingly.
Is she testing me to see how I handle the situation? I decide to shrug it off for now.
“Liam,” I say softly as I reach him, touching the arm clutching Marius’, . I can see something flicker in his eyes. It’s… helping. He turns to look at me.Stay away from here, Annalise.