Page 94 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

“Do you girls have a favorite dish?” Mom inquires further, and I wonder why she is so set on asking them about food.

Ryllis and Freya exchange a gaze. “Not really,” Freya finally admits. “The warriors always ate a lot, so we just had leftovers. Ludovica, the head of the omegas and slaves, would make sure to put something to the side for us if she could.”

Mom nods. “It’s alright,” she says warmly. “I’ll think of something.”

I can notice how Dad’s gaze has darkened and how Janice stares at them in shock. Apparently, Mom was able to extract more information from Freya and Ryllis in simple conversation than by asking them directly. I take the lead from here, wrapping my arm around Freya’s waist and smiling at her. “Let me show you to my apartment. We can unpack, and you can take a warm bath and rest for a bit.”

Mom’s gamma appears out of nowhere and approaches Steve and Ryllis. “Luna asked me to show you the guest suite. Follow me.”

Steve sighs in relief. “Thank you, Gamma Aurel.” He looks at Ryllis in worry. “Is this alright for you? Or would you rather stay with Elise and Elodie?”

A very rare genuine smile spreads across Ryllis’ face. She carefully takes Steve’s hand and squeezes it. “I want to stay with you,” she says firmly, only to look surprised the moment she says it. Her eyes widen in shock.

“Is there something wrong?” Steve asks in worry.

“I just… I heard my wolf,” she exclaims. “For a brief moment, she was there.”

Steve looks genuinely happy, his eyes lighting up. “You’ll see, Ryllis. Soon she will be much stronger and ready for you both to heal.”

Freya and I exchange a gaze before nodding toward each other. Without needing to talk about it, we leave these two alone to share this private moment. Aurel is there to look after them; they don’t need any more prying eyes.

The only thing we all do before retiring is get a quick check-up in the infirmary, just enough for us to be allowed to rest. The doctor gives the okay but tells us he wants to see the girls in particular again for further check-ups on their wolves.

For now, we all need rest.

I really can’t wait to have my mate to myself. This is going to be the first time we’ll be all alone with each other! We won’t have to mindlink or whisper or tiptoe around anything. We can talk freely, and I can finally focus on her and her alone without having to think about my group, the mission, and the potential danger lurking in every corner. I can finally focus on her scent and the tone of her voice. I can get to know her a bit better.

Freya is in awe when I walk her through the pack house. It’s so different to Blood Snow, and she has never been anywhere other than that goddess-forsaken pack. Our pack house is five stories high, and it’s pretty broad. The entrance hall has a marble floor, and an open staircase leads us to the upper floors. I suggest the elevator to Freya, but she is eager to see more of the building, so I indulge her and walk her through the five floors.

When we make it up to the top, where the family suites are, including Liam’s old one, which is mine now, my eyes catch a well-known figure. Anders is sitting in front of the door to my place, his back leaning against it. He looks tired and drained. “Anders?” I exclaim. I was wondering why he wasn’t around when we arrived, slightly worried that he might be upset with me for having to stay behind.

Anders jumps up to his feet and comes rushing towards us. “Lord Finn!” He pulls me into a hug, which makes me blink in surprise. We have a very tight relationship, but not the cuddly type. I awkwardly begin to pat his back a few times. When he moves back, he looks a bit flustered. “I apologize.” He bows slightly. “I was so worried.”

“I know.” I smile at him. “You must have all been so tense when we went MIA.” Before we can discuss the issue further, I make sure he notices Freya. His eyes widen instantly.

“Is this…”

“Yes.” I smile proudly, pulling her closer. “This is Freya. My mate.”

“I’m so happy for you, Finn,” he exclaims, and in his honest joy for me he even forgets to mention my title—freaking finally.

I turn to my beautiful mate, who is looking at Anders curiously now. “Anders is my beta,” I explain to her.

She looks genuinely surprised. “Why do your people not suck?” she finally blurts out.

It makes me laugh. “I mean, compared to Colton, his warriors, and what’s his beta’s name, it’s not difficult to appear like a good person.”

She nods. “True,” she admits.

“I’m very happy for the both of you,” Anders repeats. “He has been looking for you for so long, Miss Freya. I’m thankful you came into his life.”

Freya looks a bit surprised and touched. “Thank you,” she says. “It’s…I didn’t expect everyone to react so kindly to me. I thought because I am…I was…”

“Lycans really respect and cherish the mate bond,” I explain to her. “It’s very special to us.” I exchange a gaze with Anders, and he nods with a smile.

“I’ll see you both for dinner,” he says before excusing himself and leaving us alone. I lead Freya into my suite, barely able to hide my smile when she tugs free from me and starts roaming around in awe. It’s so touching how excited she is about even the smallest things, like a bathtub or shower. It saddens me to realize how many things she had to live without. They had to live in horrible conditions; all because one man deemed them ‘unworthy.’ How much did they have to endure?

Freya, however, doesn’t seem to linger on these thoughts. She spins around a bit. “Your place is so beautiful, Finn.”

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