Page 127 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

Mom catches Ryllis’ curious gaze and explains it to her. “Lune Marius, Annie, Flora, and some other lunas came together to build a center for women and children who need shelter.”

She has explained it in a way that won’t trigger any of Ryllis’ memories. The center’s primary focus is to help them escape and heal from abusive relationships and give them a place where they are protected from sexual assault.

Ryllis understands what Mom is saying, though. Her eyes cloud over for a moment, but then she smiles sadly. “It’s good that such a place exists.”

“The Council is finally becoming more active,” Marius says in a light tone. “It’s about time those dusty old men and women get moving. Eric also finally got the okay from them to establish a base here.”

“So it’s set now?” Harmony wants to know.

Celine nods. “We have had a few Skype meetings this week as they asked for Marius’ help. They have already started to set everything up.”

“Alright.” Mom smiles. “Enough talk about politics. Who wants cake?”

Obviously, everyone wants cake. Mom further provides us all with coffee before talking to Harmony about going out to buy some plants next week. They ask Ryllis to join them, which she happily agrees to.

“Lune Marius,” Ryllis says after a while. “You are Finn’s brother, right?”

“Yes.” Marius smiles. “I’m one of his older brothers, the second, to be precise.”

“Oh!” She beams as she connects the dots from what Finn told her before. “The one with the whip!” She clasps her hand over her mouth, her face turning red like an overripe tomato.

I have no idea what she is talking about, but Celine grins and Harmony bursts into hysterical laughter. Marius looks confused and slightly skeptical. “Babe.” He looks at Celine through furrowed brows. “Is there something I should know?”

Celine pats his leg playfully. “If you behave, I might tell you.”

“It’s a surprise?” Marius wants to know, raising one of his eyebrows. “Will I like it?”

“I’m not sure. I think we still need to put that to the test,” Celine answers innocently.

Harmony chortles into her glass of water, and even Ryllis has to giggle slightly.

I have no idea what the heck this is about, but I couldn’t care less. My only concern is that Ryllis is sitting here with me and holding my hand. She is laughing with my family and friends, and I can see her opening up every day a little more. Moon Blood is a peaceful place. With time, I’m sure Ryllis’ wounds will heal, and I hope she is someday willing to share her past with me. I’ll make sure to be prepared and be there for her whenever she needs me.

forty-one

The Human Friend

*FINN*

Myfatherhasprovidedus all with drinks for the lengthy meeting. Jace and his sons arrived a few minutes ago, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m happy to see Anthony and Henry again. We might have had a rocky start, but I see them as close friends now.

“Alpha Celine called me and told me that Moon Blood is ready to strike anytime,” Dad tells us.

“Marcel called me a few hours ago and told me the same. He will lead the warriors from Moon Blood once we attack.” This mission was originally Moon Blood’s idea, so they are particularly eager to participate. Their gamma’s mate, Elias, was the only Blood Snow pack member who was able to leave the pack in a long while, and it took him a couple of years to overcome his trauma and talk about what happened. So it’s personal for Moon Blood because their gamma pair is involved. However, due to me meeting Freya, freeing Blood Snow has become a personal matter for me too. “Will Elias join the fight too?”

“Seems like he is eager to fight,” Dad explains.

“Elias…” Freya’s voice trails off. “He is the one who started it all,” she says quietly. “The one and only person who ever left Blood Snow. I told you I was too young back then, but I still remember the stories about him. He was like an urban legend to us. The one who started as a slave but became a warrior, and the one who got away.”

Jace shakes his head at her last words. “Unbelievable what Colton pulled off.”

“I’ll be joining with our warriors,” Dad says, not to my surprise. However, his following words do surprise me. “Flora will come too.”

I stare at him. “Mom?”

Mom pumps her fist in the air. “Time to kill some bad guys again!”

I have a hard time imagining her on a battlefield. Liam once told me she is deadly, but I can’t quite imagine her fighting. Dad, however, seems to be ready to let her join, and who am I to question his judgment.

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