Nebraska was sitting on her bed completely immersed in her thoughts, while a box containing different stones rested on her thighs. They were not just any stones, they were the last legacy that her family had left her and that she had inherited from Priscilla when she turned five years old.
At first glance they were simple stones but nothing could be further from the truth. Inside each one was hidden an enormous power of protection. She thought at first that they were simple tales of generations, but her mother had told her that each stone was made up of the crystallized blood of each omega as it died.
She remembered that she had cried when she had told her that, grieving that she too would become a rock when she died. Her mother had embraced her and laughed at that conclusion, which was not entirely false. Only the blood that spilled from the eyes of the deceased bodies became a piece of red quartz like the ones she had inside the chest.
I had never touched them directly. In a way he was afraid of those stones as beautiful as they were, but he could never throw them away. The day Priscilla saw them she was fascinated, her eyes sparkled and not only her eyes, the stones resonated when they were touched by her. Nebraska knew that somehow they were in better hands with Priscilla.
She closed her eyes. It had only been a short time since she had spoken to her daughter, before Hades had carried her and brought her to the room to rest. She remembered that her mind had gone completely black and a space like when she was trapped in her subconscious was projected. Everything completely black, empty and calm.
She took NO steps. She felt safe in that place, instead of that time when Liam was also there. And more was her happiness when the body of her daughter started to materialize in front of her.
-Priscilla,- she couldn't help but smile. She was still in awe of how he looked so much like her and yet so much like Hades. Her husband was beautiful, Priscilla had inherited that from him.
He reached over and embraced her. Pris's arms soon wrapped around her waist and she smiled. Nebraska blinked quizzically, not at the fact that the younger girl was smiling, but at the way she was doing it.
-Priscilla, your smile, it's more real than before. What happened while you were gone?
The she-wolf took a step back.
-Just a few things mother, but I can't take too long, talking to you this way is a bit tiring for me,- she stroked Nebraska's cheek, -I promise I'll give you all the details later,- she said.
-And how is it going with Layan? Is he treating you well?
Priscilla took a few seconds to think about her answer.
-I'm doing well, he's a little slow for some things but I'm sure he'll fall for it soon. He can't hold out on me for long.
Nebraska sighed.
--Don't force him too much either and then he'll hurt you if he doesn't agree Pris. I know you declared him as your wolf but I'm worried he won't want to be with you and your heart will be broken. You know how your father would be if you're crying for him afterwards-
-Mother, I really don't know if you're on my side or his...
-What do you think? Layan is a very good friend. We owe him a lot and I love him but you are my daughter and if I have to pull every hair out of his body I would do it without hesitation- -Priscila blinked.
Priscilla blinked slowly.
-If my wolf knew what you say about him he wouldn't think so much of you,- this time her smile was a little wistful.
Nebraska stroked her cheek and let Priscilla rub it against her palm.
-Layan is just a friend and he will realize in time that this is the way things are. I know his feelings well but I can never return them. I am attached to your father and I love him. He is the only one for me. Layan is a stubborn wolf but he is not insensitive. The connection between you is strong, I could feel it too, just give him his space, he will surely succumb in the end. After all not just anyone can have my beautiful daughter behind him-.
If only her mother knew that she had already made an important decision. Layan had taken a back seat for the moment. There were more important things.
-Mother,- she changed her tone of voice, -I need a big favor. Remember the stones you gave me for my birthday. The ones you didn't like but were special- he saw her nod- could you send them to someone you trust? I need them.
Nebraska wanted to ask what for, but she didn't want to get involved in her daughter's business, especially when she had asked her with that tone that she wouldn't say anything else.
-I'll talk to your father so he can send someone reliable with them.
-Thank you, Ma. Now I must go, I think I'm already past my limit- her eyelids were heavy- Give my regards to my brothers and Pa that he doesn't work too hard- -The first I can- -The first I can.
-I can do the first. The second thing, your father is also a stubborn alpha, you got that from him and partly from me, so unless I get him out of the office to do something more instructive I don't think he'll put his work aside.
Priscilla thought he looked like Layan, especially when he locked himself in his study but didn't mention it. She felt she couldn't stay in that place for long. So she gave her mother a quick kiss before disappearing completely.
Sounds at the door brought Nebraska who had almost fallen asleep reminiscing about the conversation with her daughter out of her thoughts. She got up putting the box away and opened the door next. A soldier was standing in front.
-What is it?
The guard bowed.
-Queen, the alpha requests your presence in his study. He says it's a matter concerning one of his sons and it's urgent.
That made the omega almost run in the direction of her husband's office and open the door. There was panic on her mostly neutral face, but when it came to her children she couldn't calm down. But she was surprised when she found not only Rodrigo, but also Leoxi sitting tensely next to her and in front of them, intimidatingly Hades. The latter patted his side for her to sit down.
Nebraska still didn't understand the situation so when she sat down she looked at Hades.
-What's wrong?
The alpha raised an eyebrow without taking his eyes off his brother and his adopted son. They weren't related by blood, but that wasn't exactly what worried him.
-Something very interesting, my wife. It is a story that I need you not to get upset when you hear it.
Both Rodrigo and Leoxi sweated. If Hades was unpredictable when he was upset, Nebraska was even more so.
...
Priscilla opened her eyes and felt so dizzy she had to hold on to one hand to keep from falling over the sleeping body behind her. Forcing someone's subconscious was a pretty hard thing to do, especially for her after making herself trained to shut it down to trap Liam. Plus her mother was far away and that complicated things.
She found herself panting slightly and her body covered in a light layer of cold sweat. She swallowed dryly and tried to regulate her breathing but was interrupted when a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back onto the bed.
Layan's weight was placed between her legs leaning back on her hips and he raised himself up on his hands on top of Priscilla. She looked directly into those two unfocused orbs and raised her hand caressing the wolf's cheek.
-You've woken up, perhaps a little late,- she said to a growl.
For at that moment she was not talking to Layan consciously, but to the wild beast that he was.