Page 145 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“Dario?” I stare at her. “Why does Dario feel like a black sheep?”

“I’m not sure,” she looks sad. “But I’ve learned from this experience. Now I realize I would rather push my way into his life and risk angering him, than let him suffer on his own in silence.” She smiles at me. “I bet if you asked Liam, he would say that he felt like he was somehow less than everyone else, the odd one out with his almost untamable beast. He was the one your father pushed too hard and tormented with extra training.” She takes my hand. “See? You’re not the only member of this family with doubts and fears, and if you’re not the only black sheep, it’s less lonely, isn’t it?”

My eyes fill with tears again. “So, I have a place in this family?”

“Of course you do,” she insists. “All of you have a place in this family. Doing things that are unusual or following your own path, doesn’t mean you are a lesser member of this family. You’re just as important as any of your siblings, and you matter to your father and me as much as everyone else. I’m eternally thankful for having you as my son, and I wouldn’t swap you with any other child. I don’t expect perfection from my children. I just want all of you to be happy.”

I didn’t even realize how much I needed to hear this. Me and my siblings… we’re all black sheep amidst a pack of regular lycans due to our royal blood and our extra strong lycans. We all struggle and feel out of place sometimes. And maybe I did step out of line more than the others, but it doesn’t seem to matter. They are my family, and they have my back, just like I have theirs.

“Let’s have that coffee now,” I say, feeling the weight I’ve been carrying for as long as I can remember finally lift off my shoulders. I feel… lighter.

“Would you like me to keep you company for today?” Mom offers once more.

I get flustered as I carry out her cup of coffee, carefully bringing it to her. “I… I would love for you to stay, but… you know… I have a date, or it’s actually not a date. It’s—”

Mom squeals so loud I almost drop the coffee. “You’re meeting Celine? Yes, yes, yes, yes!” She jumps from one foot to the other excitedly, before hugging me.

I sway a bit, unsure how to react while precariously holding the cup away from her, so it doesn’t spill all over her accidentally. “It’s not a date,” I tell her. “I’m not sure if Celine will ever want me as her mate again.”

Mom beams at me. “I think she will,” she tells me. “It might not be easy to convince her, but I’m sure she’ll give you a chance. She is so calm and level-headed, and she knows how it feels to grieve. She will be your perfect counterpart.” She smiles brightly. “I’m so proud of you for finally coming clean with her.”

Her optimism is contagious. For the first time in days, I’m feeling slightly more positive about my meeting with Celine. Maybe Mom is right… maybe she will give me one last chance.

And if she does, I’ll make sure not to blow it!

The Non-Date

*MARIUS*

IguessCelinesuggestedStarbucks instead of another coffee shop because she didn’t want our date… not-date… to feel too cozy. It’s definitely more casual and less personal at Starbucks. I wish we could meet somewhere else, and in better circumstances. If I could, I would just hold her hand, buy her a coffee to-go, then take her on a romantic picnic date.

But it’s not possible for now, and I have no one to blame but myself. At least she agreed to meet me. This is my last chance to convince her I’m mate-worthy, I know it. There won’t be another one.

I was so excited and nervous about today’s meeting that I’m here almost twenty minutes early. I’m not sure where and how I should wait for her, without looking like a crazy nutcase. I feel out of my depth here. I’m not used to a date being so awkward. I’m considering going inside and ordering a few cakes and cookies, but I don’t want Celine to think I’m patronizing her by ordering for her. Shit, why is this so complicated?

Well, you made it complicated,Cyrus grunts.

I can’t even argue with that; Cyrus is right.I need your help here,I mutter.If I start to fuck up, I need you to push me in the right direction.

Yeah, because that’s worked so well in the past.

Listen, I know you’re disappointed in me,I say, noticing how Cyrus is the only one I haven’t really apologized to yet.I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you. I wasn’t a good partner, but I want to do better. So, are you in this with me?

That’s all I wanted to hear,he says, sounding content for once.Just go in there and message her that you’re waiting inside, because you’re making sure you both have a place to sit, so you won’t need to wait for a table. Ask her if you should go ahead and order something.

That’s good, thank you. I can’t believe I need my wolf to give me dating tips.What has my life become? Cyrus needs to tell me how to woo my mate.

That’s because you never dated anyone,he chimes in again.Hitting on a random person in a club is not the same as dating and courting someone. You’ve never actually taken the time to get to know another person before, you haven’t allowed yourself to get close to anyone.

He’s right, I have zero experience… not only in courting a woman, but in any relationship. I decide to accept Cyrus’ advice and do exactly what he said, pleasantly surprised when Celine answers my text asking me to order a black coffee for her and that she’s happy with any cake I choose.

Fortunately, Starbucks isn’t too crowded at the moment, and I manage to occupy a nice little table that feels a bit more private. While standing in line for our coffee, I feel my anxiety rising again. I don’t just want to get any piece of cake, or something that I like; I want to get something thatshelikes! I scrutinize the display case where the cakes and cookies are. All of them look fine to me… there are a variety of chocolate cakes and fruity pies… and off to the side, there’s a lonely plate of healthy-looking berries and oatmeal cookies. It’s like no one has ordered them so far, and my heart aches for them. No one wants them…

I frown at my thoughts. What the fuck am I thinking? I’m about to have the most important talk of my life, where I’ll have to tell my mate that a rapist has broken me to the point where finding her was a trigger that sent me spiraling into a deep depression… and I’m standing here feeling sorry for fucking oatmeal cookies!

The cashier clears her throat, signaling me it’s my turn. I order our coffee, and then take a piece of every cake and cookie they have… just to be sure.

Then I return to our cozy little table, and wait…