Page 170 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

I swim faster, and when I reach the surface of the lake in the middle of the pack, I notice Finn there, waiting for me. He looks slightly worried and nervous, but when he sees me, his eyes light up.

“I told you, there is no need to be worried.” I smile while jumping out of the water. My clothes are wet from my fucked up attempts to shift midair, but I have a feeling I will do so much better next time. Aenon and Nen pop up next to me too.

“I just need to get used to our mate bond being stretched like that,” Finn admits. “It feels a bit weird when you’re underwater, but not in a bad way. We just need to get used to it. Just please be careful.”

“I would never endanger Freya’s life,” Aenon tells Finn, bowing his head. “My goal is to keep her safe.”

“I know.” Finn nods his appreciation. “I’m glad she has someone to mentor her.”

He doesn’t seem to mind my wetness and instead pulls me closer to his body. “You’re such a mystery,” he whispers.

I snuggle against him. “When it’s warmer, I’ll take you on a swim with me. There is no real beach here, but I’m sure we can build one.”

He nods. “I’d love that.”

He doesn’t tell me it won’t be possible because we won’t be able to stay here for long. I hate to get lost in my delusion, but I want to cling to it for a bit longer.

fifty-four

The New Alpha

*FINN*

Anotherlongdayoftrying to get the pack running again passes. Arman was right; this pack has problems. There was a rogue attack today, but our warriors were prepared. I wonder who these rogues are, though. Their attacks are way too organized. Something doesn’t add up.

Now time for the next demanding task of the day. I asked Freya to join me for it, my heart feeling lighter when I see her in our room. “Ready?” she asks, pecking my lips.

“As ready as one can be for such a talk.” I sigh. “How was your day?” I ask. “Please tell me as much as possible. I need a distraction.”

Freya eyes me with concern, but heeds my request and starts telling me how she spent the day with the two male sirens, and that they are indeed her cousins. She shows me the picture of her parents, and she is so excited and happy that my heart warms at the sight in front of me.

She stops talking after a while and looks at me. “You are nervous,” she analyzes quietly.

I sigh. “It’s just… this is the talk that will decide my future. I’m not sure what I’m going to do after today.”

“But Finn.” She takes my hand into hers. “There is a lot for you out there in the world, many paths. If you want to hear my opinion,” she smiles proudly at me, “I think you would be a great alpha.”

“But what do you want?” I ask her, realizing that all I’ve been doing was thinking about my future instead of ours. Seems like I’m still a little selfish.

“I don’t have many ambitions,” she admits. “I want to learn something, maybe get my high school diploma. I never had a chance to go to school here. Colton only allowed the slaves to finish primary school. Everything else we learned from Ludovica. And I want to learn more about being a wolf and a siren. I think there is more to discover about both Sereia and me. I think Sereia can do more than be a presence in my mind. I believe there is more to her. The Goddesses called her my guidance, and she and I think they were hinting at something.” She tilts her head. “If you become alpha, I’ll have to be luna. I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I’ve barely even come to terms with who and what I am, but I’ll support you no matter what. If you become the alpha of Silverlake. I will stand by your side—ready or not—and help you as much as I can.”

I look at her for a long while, her words striking something deep inside me. I’ve been so focused on Silverlake and the fact that Liam gave up on his birthright when he took over Red Claw… meaning that one of us other siblings would have to take over after our father eventually, that I never really thought about what I want, what I’m meant to do and what I would like to do!

I’ve lived in my older brothers’ shadows all my life. Aurelia did everything because she genuinely wanted to do it. She became an elite warrior because that’s what she wanted to do. She helped the pack and worked for my father because she had fun doing it.

But I’m different. I’m not so sure of what I truly want. And Freya telling me that she would support me and stay by my side, even if it means putting her dreams aside, shows me that I need to step up my game and think about the path ahead of me.

So, what if the talk with my parents today ends up being a bit of a blow? It doesn’t matter. I have Freya at my side, and we can do whatever we want. So many possibilities, so many options.

I take Freya’s hand in mine and kiss it. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“What for?” She blinks.

“For being you.” I smile. My head’s a lot clearer now as I lead her to Colton’s former office, where my parents are waiting for us and Aurelia. We bump into my sister right before we reach the office.

“Hey, bro!” Aurelia greets me, punching my arm playfully. We enter the office together. “Good job freeing this pack.”

“Good job testing Colton and Benjamin the way you did.” I grin.

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