Page 143 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“Maybe you’re someone’s mate too,” Annie muses. “You never know. Considering how well you know our world already, I wouldn’t put it past the Moon Goddess to pair you with a wolf.” Her comment is innocent enough, but there is something in the tone of her voice… like she’s certain that Dave will be someone’s mate.

“Now that would be fun,” Dave chuckles. “But I’m just a human. Does that ever happen?”

“Of course it does. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen,” Annie points out.

I nod my agreement. The fact that Dave and Jun are not mates is heartbreaking, but at least they are both realistic about it. I honestly just want Dave to find happiness too. You never know what fate has planned out for you though… I never thought that my own love story would turn out so complicated.

My thoughts return to Marius while the others are chatting about other things. I can’t help but feel slightly anxious about our meeting. I can’t even tell what I’m hoping for.

*MARIUS*

The talk with Liam drained me like nothing else, but I’m eternally thankful to him for listening, and letting me say things in my own time. He spent hours in my hospital room, and not once did he react impatiently or get frustrated with me, nor did he push me to talk before I was ready. We spent almost a day planning Liam’s next steps and how he would corner Calvin.

Liam kept all his emotions in check, though I could tell he was raging. Cyrus could feel it through the sibling bond with Fenris. Fenris is an alpha wolf, a leader, and he is fucking protective over his family and pack.

Even though it was draining, it also felt so liberating. I was so scared Liam wouldn’t believe me, even after he saw into my mind. But he did, he believed every single word I told him. And I feel fucking stupid now for not having said anything earlier. Even as a teen, he probably would have believed me… and he has his lie-detector gift on top of that! Had he not believed me, I could have just told him to use it on me… and fuck it! I could have ended my misery.

That monster manipulated you,Cyrus hisses angrily.He made sure you couldn’t trust anyone, not your family, not me, not even yourself.

I sigh. Maybe Cyrus is right. And it’s not like I can go back in time to change anything…

Liam told me what happened when he confronted Calvin, how he didn’t give him a chance to lie or think of any excuses. Calvin even admitted to what he did, which I never expected him to do. I’ve had my phone switched off for the whole night, mentally unable to take any calls or read any messages. This morning, I realized that Mom and Dad had written me several messages, so has Finn.

Liam managed to keep his promise to me though, and while they did message me, they haven’t bombarded me with visits or calls yet. I want to deal with everything at my own pace.

I’m just packing my stuff from the hospital room, finally allowed to move back to my apartment in the pack house, when Liam mind-links me.

I’m sorry I couldn’t stop her,he links me.I don’t think anyone could have, not even Dad.

I’m a bit confused.What do you mean?He doesn’t need to answer because the door to my hospital room flies open, and Mom rushes in.Okay, never mind.

I’m sorry.

No, don’t be. It’s alright.

I cut the link to focus on my mother, and suddenly, I’m so glad that she didn’t give a shit about Liam promising to keep any visitors away from me. “Mom,” I say, tears filling my eyes.

She pulls me into her arms. “My baby,” she sobs. “I’m so sorry. I knew something was off with you, but never in my wildest dreams…” she pauses. “I’m so sorry.”

She wraps her arms around me tighter. It feels so good, the kind of peace only my mother can give me. She doesn’t say anything else, and I’m glad she doesn’t. I don’t want to answer questions or explain anything.

“If only my gift would work on family members,” is the only thing she whispers.

“It would still have happened,” I hear myself say. “He would have found a way around that,” I say bitterly. For years Calvin had tormented me, and he was clever and sly and cunning with it. He was able to hide it from my father despite being bonded as his beta. He worked around every obstacle… and it scares me to imagine what else he might have done, and who else he might have… had in his claws.

I swallow to stop my thoughts from spiraling downwards again.

Mom seems to get it because she doesn’t say anything else, just holds me until I feel the tension in me subsiding. Then she pulls back and allows me to start gathering my stuff again. I decide to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere. “Are you staying for coffee?” I ask hopefully.

“I can stay for however long you want me to stay,” she promises.

“I don’t want to steal you from Dad for too long,” I smile carefully, and to my relief, she plays right along, joking with me.

“Oh,” she smiles a bit. “Don’t worry. I know how to make it up to him.”

I grimace. “TMI, Mom, too much information!”

“You haven’t even heard anything,” she chuckles.