Page 46 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

I look over at Anthony, who shakes his head at me before approaching his brother. Their eyes gloss over as they mind link. After a minute, he successfully managed to lure Henry away from this repetitive task.

“We are going outside for a walk,” Tony tells me.

“While you’re doing that, check out the local area a bit,” I tell them. “The warriors have been non-stop talking about a party all day today. Maybe you can get more info.”

They look surprised that I’m giving them a job, but Anthony finally nods before tugging a confused Henry along. Meanwhile, I grab my phone and decide I need to provide Liam with the newest update on what has happened, and he needs to know there might be a change of plans.

“Sorry for the drama guys,” I tell the others once they return to the room.

Elodie shrugs. “It’s getting better. At least they’re trying.”

Out of everyone here, I’m surprised Elodie is the first to defend the twins. She’s always seemed to dislike them the most.

“The weird thing is,” Marcel chimes in, “I was at the tracker exercise with Henry. And while he is certainly not talkative, he was quite easy to work with and well-prepared and focused. It’s only when we’re in a group that he has these weird spouts of assholy behavior.”

“I know you all think I’m naïve,” Steve points out. “But I don’t think Henry and Anthony are all that bad. Maybe they’re just not used to being around a group of people, or maybe they’re worried about something. Yesterday, when we went for a run with Arman, Henry gave me some of his chocolate to boost my energy, as he calls it. You know, to avoid low blood sugar. He said something about the nutritional value of the food here being crappy.” Steve shrugs, “I’m just saying they are okay guys, but probably just have issues with communicating.”

“Spoken like a true beta.” I smile at him. “And none of us think you’re naïve.”

He looks flustered. “It’s not…I’m not good enough to be—”

“You come from a strong beta lineage,” Elodie interrupts him in her usual direct manner. “If you stop putting yourself down constantly, you might see how much you bring to the table. I’m sure your alpha is already considering a special rank for you. Your lune is a royal lycan, and as of now, he only has a gamma. Royal lycans usually have one or even two betas at their side, a bodyguard or even advisors.”

Steve stares at her in shock. “You really think I’d be good enough for a rank?”

“We all think that,” I answer before Elodie can. I smack his shoulder. “It’s time to grow up and leave your insecurities behind because you are pretty awesome.”

“I almost blew our cover today,” he points out.

“No, youandAnthony almost did that,” Marcel points out. “And the urge to defend those weaker than you, that instinct, further proves what Elodie said. It also proves that Anthony is probably capable of more than he gives himself credit for.”

A smile curls at Steve’s lips as we watch a new sense of motivation and hope fill him.

Finn,Elodie links when the others are busy discussing the topic further.I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others. I doubt they’ve noticed.

Noticed what?I ask.

Henry has OCD,she points out, much to my surprise. I knew she was smart. I assumed she’d already noticed his obsessive compulsive disorder, but I thought she simply wouldn’t care.I think I know what triggers it, but that’s not what I wanted to tell you. OCD often comes in combination with sensory processing difficulties. I think Henry has SPD too.

So, does that mean he has problems processing sensory information?I ask.

I can’t say for sure, but Marcel mentioned he gets defensive and turns into a prick when we’re all together. It might just be overwhelming for him when we all talk as a group.

I tilt my head, allowing what she’s saying to sink in. The times Henry has lashed out most was when we were stuck in the car or the room together. She might be right. It still doesn’t make it okay to say what he does, but he probably lacks the proper strategies to deal with his emotions at those times. I know his father, Jace, would have gotten him help if he knew. But I’m guessing Henry hides it very well. Regardless of his condition, if that’s what it is, he needs to find a way to deal with it. He is going to be alpha and while no one expects him to be perfect, he certainly can’t keep lashing out against others. He needs proper strategies to fall back on when he is overwhelmed.

“Finn,” Marcel says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Hm?”

“I have an awful feeling,” he says. “I think you’re right, and we should grab your mate and disappear as fast as possible. Then we can regroup and come back with reinforcements.”

“And how are we going to disappear without them getting suspicious?” Elodie asks, ever the realist that she is.

“What if we tell them there has been an emergency call to return to our pack?” Steve asks.

“That’s an option.” I nod. “But what about Freya? I’m not leaving without her!”

“We could make it look like she ran away.” Marcel tilts his head. “She looks stronger than the others, there is something about her…”

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