Page 193 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

I link Anders to join us again to help with his ideas. He has a calm approach and tends to look at things from all sides. Freya is out today with some warriors to organize a few things in town, so she can’t join us. Soon the four of us are discussing the project, not noticing how the time flies by. That is, until I hear my stomach grumbling. I can’t believe I’ve missed lunch. I link Ludovica, as she organizes the kitchen crew, and ask her to have them prepare some sandwiches for us.

Ten minutes later, she brings us the food herself, much to my surprise. When I see her, my eyes widen in surprise. “I’m so sorry, Alphas, Beta Anders.” Ludovica sighs. Parts of her face are covered in flour.

I look at her amused. “What happened?”

“Frankie thought it would be a good idea to hold a baking competition with the younger orphans,” Ludovica sounds something between annoyed and amused. “Suffice to say they didn’t bake anything.”

As if she knew we were talking about her, Frankie chooses this moment to burst into the room, a group of kids trailing behind her. She is covered in flour from head to toe, the kids giggling behind her. They are equipped for war, holding spray cans of whipped cream and more packages of flour in their hands.

Frankie looks only slightly embarrassed that she torpedoed a meeting. “Sorry, Alphas, but we are looking for a hide-out.”

“We can see that.” Liam grins. “Who is after you?”

“Group Butterwaffle,” Frankie says seriously.

“And you are?” Dad asks, brow quivering with interest. “Group…?”

“Fancypants.” Frankie and her kids scramble through the room. “Look for a good hideout, guys. I have your back.”

I grin at the scene before me and toss a smirk at Anders, who has been watching his mate with a mixture of endearment and anxiety. “Frankie, sweetheart,” he whispers. “Don’t you think—”

“Oh, you can help us!” She beams.

“But he isn’t part of the group,” one tiny girl whispers.

“We can announce him as my assistant,” Frankie says. “He is bulky. We can hide behind him!”

“Oh Goddess, Frankie.” Ludovica groans and laughs at the same time.

Her laughter seems contagious because the group of kids bursts into giggles.

Liam gets up with a grin. “I love this. I can become an honorary member if you want to. I have lots of experience.”

Frankie tosses a can of whipped cream toward him. “You have?” she says seriously.

“Absolutely. You could say I’m a pro at food wars and hide and seek.”

“A deadly mixture,” Frankie says seriously.

I grin. “You are aware you’re not really going to war?”

“This is war,” Frankie whispers.

“She is right,” Liam smirks at us. “You haven’t seen what these little monsters are capable of.”

Dad roars in laughter. “You think you have seen it all? With your two kids? Boy, I had six!” He brushes through his hair. “Let the master help you!”

“You sure you’re not a bit rusty by now?” Liam asks sweetly.

Dad raises his eyebrows. “Not rusty enough to not be able to whoop your ass.”

“We’ll see.” Liam smirks.

Anders and I can only stare at them in disbelief. What’s going on? Is it Opposite Day today? To see these two stoic men getting excited over a silly food war, that’s… well… new. But then, why not engage in some fun, I suppose.

“You know what I think, Anders?”

“What do you think, Alpha?”

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