Page 158 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

Silence stretches around us.

“We’ll discuss more of these matters over the next few days,” Flora promises. “But rest reassured I won’t let anyone here get hurt again.”

I notice how Ludovica and the others watch her in awe. She is a mesmerizing elf-like woman, but I assume part of their fascination comes from her being a luna. Blood Snow hasn’t had a luna in a long time. Also, some female warriors who fought earlier today receive curious glances from the crowd.

“They let girls fight?” Gina whispers.

“Everyone who wants to and has the drive or talent can become a warrior,” Aurelia answers with confidence.

This raises even more curious whispers and questions. It’s not too different from my own reaction not so long ago. It feels like it’s been years since I left Blood Snow, but it’s only been two weeks.

“Lord Elden.” Leila looks at Elden with her beautiful dark eyes, her whole stance dignified and full of grace. “Arman and I don’t know anything about our heritage, but your son, Lord Finn, told us we are lycans, not wolves.”

“I can verify that,” Elden nods. “You’re definitely of lycan heritage.”

Leila keeps looking at him. “There is something else but I would like for Arman to be here to discuss it.”

Elden nods. “I agree because there is also something I want to discuss with you both.”

“Will it be possible for me and my brother to connect with our roots?” she asks.

Elden smiles at her. “Of course, my child. Also, I’ve heard you’re an oracle. The Council will be eager to meet you, and they will answer all your questions and help you dig as deep into your past as you want.”

His answer seems to have pleased Leila because a warm smile spreads across her face.

Everyone continues to chat for a while. It’s cold outside, and now that the adrenaline rush of the battle has subsided, some shiver slightly. However, no one wants to return to the pack house or continue their work; everyone is too excited by what happened. More and more pack members arrive. People I’ve never seen before, as they probably were of lower rank and not allowed around the pack house. There are also a few guards and warriors who helped our allies during the battle.

I’m relieved to know that not all of the warriors have been corrupted. Just like Arman and Leila, some supported the pack members in secret.

Eventually, Arman and Finn return. They seemed to have made a little detour to get dressed properly. Now they look at the expectant crowd. Finn smiles slightly. “Colton did not survive the fall,” he says.

Cheers erupt into the sky.

fifty-one

Family

*FINN*

Istilldon’tknowwhat I expected from this battle, but I certainly didn’t expect the slaves to break out of the ties that bound them and chase Colton down the mountain.

Arman and some of his allied warriors, who had been secretly helping the pack as best they could, are being a great help now. There is a lot of work to do. Easily one-third of the members of Blood Snow are criminals, and the other two-thirds are either slaves and omegas or she-wolves and lower-ranked warriors.

“Are they lower-ranking because their skills are not good enough?” I ask Arman while he tries to update my father and me on the basic information about the remaining pack members. “Or—”

He snorts, interrupting me. “Colton didn’t give a shit about anyone’s skills. He was all about rank and hierarchy, which is why his warriors were so awful. He didn’t even allow she-wolves into the pack house for regular meals. Colton handled his warriors by grooming and rewarding them. If he wanted to, he could be very charismatic.”

“It was all for show,” Dad mutters. “The slaves easily overpowered him. It shows how dangerous a single person can be without having many strengths. Did he have a gift?”

“I think he was good at persuading people to believe him and do what he wanted,” Arman says. “But I don’t know if that was truly his gift or just years of practice.”

“Could be both,” I say. “He was like a cult leader, and most cult leaders have to be charismatic to pull people in.”

“It’s not your fault, Arman,” Dad adds. “I hope you know that. Colton was a master of manipulation, and his pack believed he could communicate with the Goddess.” He pauses. “He surrounded himself with people who enjoyed the power and the position, and would have done anything for him to keep it.”

Arman sighs but doesn’t say anything.

“This pack has a rogue problem, right?” I try to shift the topic.

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