Page 116 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“So, they might know which coven she’s from?” Harmony asks.

“More likely what her powers are.”

“Why can’t Desmona tell that already?” Garret asks. “She was with us when they attacked at Jazz and Valerie’s birthday party.”

That’s something I had wondered for a while, but Jade explained it to me. “Desmona said everything happened so fast that day, and let’s not forget that the witch remained hidden until the end.”

“And now?” Garret wants to know. “What’s the plan?”

“I don’t think we can cover all the possible eventualities,” I say. “We are going to prepare for the most likely emergency scenarios, but then we have to head out.”

Elden nods in agreement. It’s not wise to rush into any situation blindly, but at the same time, we will never be prepared for every possibility, and I can’t let Valerie stay trapped much longer.

We are just arriving at the pack grounds when my phone rings. Recognizing the number, I answer it immediately. “Hello Liam.”

There is a short pause before… “No…” I can hear a quiet, rather weak voice. “It’s me, Marius.”

My heart stops beating for a moment. I just did not expect him to call me. I’m not sure what to say, so I stay quiet.

“My phone got crushed during the attack,” he mutters. He sounds tired. “I just woke up… and asked Liam to give me his phone. The rogues who attacked the kids and me…” Another pause.

Wait, he’s calling to give me information? Does he remember something? “You know who they are?” I ask.

“No, but I saw their tattoos. Like a pack tattoo.”

“What did it look like?” I ask.

“I will draw it and send it to you now,” he promises. He sounds so tired. I can’t help but worry that he needs more rest. But at the same time, I need that picture.

“Look after yourself,” I say quietly.

“Yes,” he answers awkwardly, and then after another pause. “Thank you, Celine. I know you didn’t have to… Thank you.”

When I hang up, I feel really conflicted. A part of me knows I shouldn’t care and that it’s just the mate bond making me feel this way. But another part of me knows that the mate bond exists for a reason, and it is true.

I still don’t know what I’m going to do about the whole issue with Marius, but saving Valerie comes first.

Grief

*VALERIE*

IgentlyrubCiara’shand, hoping the gesture will reach her soul and ease her pain. I don’t even want to imagine how haunted she is or how devastating it must feel to be stuck in limbo, trapped between life and death with no escape. I need to find a way to release her from this dark magic.

My arm still hurts from earlier.

I am sorry I can’t heal you faster, my dear,Ailia whispers.

Don’t be.I shake my head.You are so strong and blessed me with so many gifts. I don’t feel inferior anymore. It is as it was meant to be.

You’ve come a long way, Val,she says softly.

Because of you, and because of my friends who have accepted me the way I am. And my parents. But Luca and Ciara… they have no one except for their insane father and their cruel brother.

They have no one. Poor Luca, in particular. He has been forced to live in this place for who knows how long, watching his sister’s living corpse deteriorate while his brother continues to beat him senseless. Every time I see him, he has new bruises and cuts on his body. This morning when he brought my breakfast, there were welts on his shoulder from a whip.

Luca’s brother has left me alone though, probably too afraid of his father, and what he would do to him were I to get hurt.

I keep rubbing my thumb over Ciara’s hand. There is no wolf for me to connect with, but If I try to reach out to her with my mind, I can sense that there is a small fragment of her soul stranded deep in the abyss of nothingness. I don’t know what I can do to help Ciara; I would need Alpha Liam or Alpha Elden to guide me. I can heal a few cuts and slightly bigger wounds but guiding a soul… that’s nothing I’ve ever touched upon.