Page 131 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“It’s not your fault,” I tell him. “There were times growing up when I needed someone to blame, that included myself, but we both know that it was no one’s fault. It was just a tragic accident.”

He takes my hand and squeezes it. “She lives on in you,” he says quietly. “Every time I look at you, I see her eyes looking back at me. She will never be gone completely.”

“Sometimes my memories of her seem blurry,” I admit, unable to stop my voice from trembling. “I can remember her smile and the times we spent together, but occasionally it’s like I can’t remember how her voice sounded or if my memories are all correct.”

“Whenever you feel that way, I can share my memories with you,” he tells me. “You are not going to forget her, Celine. You are just moving on, and that’s healthy.”

“You should too,” I tell him. “You deserve a second chance for happiness. Invite Mona over next week.”

He looks at me surprised. “You remember?”

“Of course I do,” I smile. “I want to get to know her too.”

“What about you?” he finally asks me directly. “Who is the guy who hurt you?”

I sigh, but I honestly don’t feel like hiding it anymore. “Marius. Liam’s brother.”

His eyes widen. “What?”

“We are fated mates, but for reasons unknown to me, he didn’t want me. I tried to talk to him a few times, but he would never listen. He wasn’t nice, dad, but I think there is something tragic hidden deep within him, something he wasn’t ready to face or share.”

“And he is ready now?” Dad wants to know. “To share his past with you?”

“He said he wants to talk to me, and tell me everything,” I admit.

“Even if it’s true that something tragic happened to him, it’s not okay how he’s treated you,” he states, furrowing his brows.

“You’re right, it’s not. I don’t even know if I’m going to accept him as my mate,” I admit honestly. “He fought the mate bond for so long.”

“You saved his life, didn’t you? Is this what’s made him change his mind?”

I frown. It’s a question I have been asking myself. Does he think he owes me now that I helped save him? Is it because of a weird sense of obligation? Or is there more to it? “I’m not sure. I think it’s more than that. Me saving him might have made him feel guilty, but I think there is more to it.”

“I hope so,” Dad muses. “At least then, it wouldn’t be a feeble change of mind, because you deserve more than that. Tell me if he hurts you again, and I’ll punch him.”

I grin. “You will punch him?”

“Absolutely!”

“You will punch a lycan with alpha blood?”

“Without thinking twice,” he says.

I chuckle. “Alpha Elden’s son?”

Dad grins. “You think I’d let anyone stop me?”

The thought of my father showing his protective side makes me laugh. “Okay, dad, thanks. That definitely cheered me up.”

He smiles. “No, seriously, Celine, I have your back. If you need me, just say. But knowing you, you’ll probably want to deal with it on your own first. Just know I’m going to respect your decision… whatever it is.”

I nod. “Thanks, Dad.” I’m so grateful for having him by my side, and for allowing me to handle my private drama on my own. “I think I’m ready to get back to the party. Let’s celebrate.”

“Great, with you around, I feel less weirded out by our family,” he jokes.

Again, I have to chuckle. “You mean Jade?”

“Jade and Justus… I can’t help it,” he smiles. “But I’m glad Justus has finally agreed to live with us, and that you’ve found the part of your family that we thought was lost. Although your great-grandmother looks my age. It’s confusing.”