Page 142 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

“Yes, I was tested,” I say, not sure how to explain to them what happened, though.

Finn knows the answer already, while the other two exchange a gaze. “The test didn’t work?” Liam concludes. “You tested without a rank?”

Elden looks at me intensely, like his eyes are searching for something. “Your wolf’s presence is strong, and you’ve told us that you accidentally attacked some of the warriors when they wanted to force themselves on you.”

“Wait… what?” Liam exclaims.

I can feel Finn’s arms around me tightening, the mention of what almost happened making him angry and protective. I lean into his arms, enjoying the sentiment of someone caring about me. “I’m not sure if it was me,” I point out.

“I thought you ranked beta, and just didn’t know your gift,” Elden mutters. “This is… new…”

“Could she be a hybrid?” Liam wants to know.

“Possible.” Elden shrugs. “But the test works with hybrids, too. Celine, for example, tested alpha, despite being a hybrid.” He lets out a deep sigh. “Flora’s been giving all kinds of hints…”

“Oh, Mom knows something,” Liam states dryly. “I’m so surprised… not.”

“Same,” Finn agrees with a sigh.

My thoughts travel back to my afternoon with Flora. There was nothing shallow or sneaky about her interaction with me. She was just warm and sweet towards me. She loves her family and her pack, and I’m certain she would never let someone in who would be a danger to them. She knows something about me that I don’t, but maybe it’s nothing too bad?

For the first time since I heard about the prophecy, I’m starting to feel hopeful… that maybe I’m going to make the right decision.

forty-six

Attack

*FINN*

Itwasashortnight, shorter than the last one, but I spent it with Freya in my arms. Holding my mate helped to lessen the anxiety of the battle ahead. I didn’t plan to go to sleep as we will set out in the middle of the night, but my father ordered all the warriors who would join us today to hit the sack early and to get some rest.

Freya and I both rise at 11 p.m. Neither of us speaks, but Freya wraps her arms around me from behind before we leave our room.

She rests her head against my back, and I touch her hands softly. “It will be alright,” I whisper. “This time tomorrow, you’ll be back in my arms, and it will all be over.”

“You can’t promise such a thing,” she whispers.

I turn around in her arms, taking her face between my hands. “I’ve just found you,” I tell her. “And I know for certain that I won’t lose you.”

She smiles, stretching slightly to reach me while she wraps her arms around my neck. I bend down to capture her lips. I can feel her body grinding against me. Her scent, the feeling of her body against mine, almost drives me crazy. I groan, trying to pull her closer, when she suddenly pushes back with a wicked smile. “I thought you could use a bit of motivation. Better remember your promise,” she says. “And we’ll continue this later.”

I growl at her, both playfully and in frustration, because damn, I want her so much. “In twenty-four hours, we’ll continue this talk,” I tell her with a smirk before I pull her into a heated kiss. When I let her move away from me again, she pants. “Better come prepared.”

“I sure will,” she says breathlessly.

I wish we had more time to play, but we don’t, so I put my urges aside and think about what’s lying in front of me if we are successful. I dress in my warm thermal clothes and a jacket.

At least I know we’ll shift the moment we arrive, so there is no need to go overboard with battle attire. Before we leave, I give Freya a bag with chocolate bars and gummy bears. Her eyes widen. “Is that for me? I can eat all of that?”

“I hope you will,” I say softly. “You and Mom will probably be waiting in the cold for quite some time. Mom will bring hot tea for you.”

“I have the best mate,” she says with a happy smile.

Yep, totally Max’s mate. I need to remember this in case she is ever mad at me. Present her with a good steak and some delicious dessert and, hopefully, she will forgive me.

I peck her lips once more before leading us out of the room. We aren’t meeting the others in the pack house, but at the training arena. It’s the meeting point with everyone involved, and Celine’s witches put the portal there. Freya and I walk hand in hand, and I enjoy feeling her hand in mine. I will never grow tired of having her close, of her scent, the touch of her skin.

When we get to the meeting point, most of the warriors are already there. Some kitchen staff are still up to provide some last-minute snacks for us. They didn’t need to, but they did it to raise our spirits. Most of our warriors are eating, drinking or warming up, while my mom sprays them with something to diffuse their scent. The leaders of each group will also receive a potion to be able to mind link with each other.

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