Page 191 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

“She just needs to make sure to train hard,” he points out, “then we are set.”

“I’m sure she will do well.”

He smiles at me, his smile telling me this is not the end of our talk. “What else?” I ask curiously.

“A little surprise.” He winks at me, shifting a little and turning me in his arms so I can face his laptop screen. I can see he has scheduled a Skype meeting.

“Who are we calling?”

Finn grins as he hits the green button to start the meeting. I can hear the call being answered, some rustling noises coming through before the other person adjusts the camera. When I see who it is, I scream in joy.

Finn laughs and holds his ear. “That hurt.” He grins.

I ignore him. “Ryllis!” I blurt out.

Amaryllis smiles and waves to the camera. Steve is sitting right next to her, holding her in his arms, and I’m so happy to see them both so relaxed. “Freya.” She is close to tears. “I’m so happy to see you!”

“No, I’m happy to see you! How are you doing?”

Ryllis smiles while Steve kisses the side of her head softly. “Everything’s great so far.” She beams. “Moon Blood is such a wonderful pack. And Mom and Dad, I mean Rosalee and Brian, Steve’s parents, are so nice. Oh, and I already befriended his sister too. Harmony is really cool.” She pauses. “But you have so much more to tell! Some of the warriors returned last week, and wow…” She grins. “Luna Freya! It suits you! You’ll be so great. Oh, and you’re a siren. I always knew there was something special about you!”

She is bubbly and talkative, almost like when we got to know each other before she became Colton’s favorite prey. Warmth fills my heart, and I start filling her in on everything that’s happened here, including Colton’s amazing death by the former slaves and the rogues returning. She keeps asking questions about her friends, and I happily answer them all.

Eventually, both Steve and Finn excuse themselves. Apparently, they both have business to attend to, which I doubt. I guess they want to give us the privacy to talk.

“Ryllis, if you ever want to visit, you can come here anytime,” I say softly.

“I know,” she says as she looks down. “I’m not ready yet,” she whispers. “When Colton’s men raped me that night… I don’t know… it’s just… I don’t think I can face that place yet.”

“You don’t need to explain your reasons,” I say quietly.

“Talking helps,” she admits. “I’m going to therapy, and it helps so much.”

“Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be happy to have you here. You and Steve,” I promise her. “And if you never want to return, I’ll visit you instead.”

“That’s why I love you the most.” She smiles warmly, looks around shyly, then pulls her hair back. I notice it’s so much shinier and healthier than the last time we saw each other. She also seems to have gained weight, and her skin looks refreshed. When my eyes fall on her neck, I squeal. “No way! You let him mark you?”

She nods. “I marked him too, although it took a while for me to be able to do it. We haven't fully mated, though… I’m not ready yet. We are going slow and started with some… easier things.”

“I’m sure he understands.”

“He does.” She nods. “I hope he won’t get fed up with me,” she admits quietly. “Sometimes I’m scared he will just get up and tell me I’m not worth it, and then leave.”

“He will never do that, Ryllis,” I emphasize. “I see the way he looks at you. He loves you.”

She looks a bit flustered, but happy.

“So you can shift?” I ask curiously.

She nods. “I shifted for the first time last week. It was excruciating, but Steve’s parents helped, and Alpha Celine too. It will get easier with time.” She beams. “Oh, and I’m learning how to be a gardener. I love working outside with the flowers and gardens.”

Again, my heart warms. That is the perfect work for Ryllis. Being surrounded by flowers and the sunlight. She will thrive and heal in Moon Blood, surrounded by Steve and the family she longed so much to have.

Our paths are going in different directions now, but it doesn’t matter. Ryllis is my sister at heart, and I’ll always protect her, even from a distance.

sixty

Butterwaffle vs. Fancypants

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