Page 146 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

Celine arrives right on time, and she looks so beautiful it takes my breath away. She’s so tall and elegant, even in a pair of jeans. She’s wearing a white top, perfect for a warm day in June, and a long golden necklace. Her hair is tied back into a long ponytail. She always emits a dignified, strong aura… her alpha aura is so freaking hot.

“Hi,” she says when she sits down opposite me.

“Hi,” I answer awkwardly. “Thank you for coming.”

She nods in response. Then her eyes spot the plate full of food. “Seriously?” she asks, amused at my obvious indecision.

I shrug. “I started overthinking it. They are having something called maroon theme week, but I wasn’t sure if you’re into maroon-colored cake, so I decided to take the scones too, but then I thought they might be too dry, which is why I ended up taking the cheesecake and apple pie as well.”

“And that one?” she asks, pointing at the piece of the super-healthy sugar-free oatmeal cookie.

I feel a bit flustered. “Well, I felt a bit bad for it… it seems no one wanted it today, and everyone kept ordering everything else. So, I took pity on it.” Wow, awesome, here I am, finally meeting my mate, and what am I doing? Telling her, I felt sorry for a cookie.

“I like oatmeal cookies,” Celine says quietly.

Cyrus puffs his chest proudly, my inward rant pausing at her words. I did something right? Really?

We sip our coffees, and each choose something from the selection of treats. Celine’s chosen the scones and the oatmeal cookie, while I’ve gone for the apple pie. We don’t say anything, not until Celine finally looks up at me, and I know it’s time. “Tell me why we are here and what’s been going on with you. I promise I will listen.”

I shift in my seat nervously, trying to think what to say as I stare at my empty plate.

Celine sighs deeply, looking a little fed up.

I’m panicking again. I can’t afford to blow this. Get it together, Marius! Get it together, now!

“Wait,” I hurry to say, before she can tell me she is leaving.

“Just… don’t play games with me, Marius,” she says, her tone even, but her guard has gone up. I can’t blame her for not trusting me.

“I don’t want you to pity me,” I finally hear myself say. I really don’t… I don’t want her to give me a chance because she pities me. I want her to give me a chance because she wants to. I want her to want me.

“Why would I pity you?” she says, her annoyed expression morphing into one of contemplation.

“Please. Just promise me that whatever you decide… you won’t do it out of pity.”

She seems genuinely confused by my words, allowing them to sink in before she nods. “Alright.” She nods.

“When I was a child…” I shift around nervously.

Just tell her, Cyrus says, his tone for once encouraging. Seems like that little talk we had really helped to bring him back on my side.Being honest is the best you can do now. She will respect you far more for being honest.

“My father’s old beta… you know Calvin?”

She nods cautiously, looking a little apprehensive. “I’ve met him a few times.”

It’s clear she doesn’t like him very much. Is her apprehension over what I’m about to say, or that I’m talking about Calvin? Suddenly, my blood runs cold, and I’m terrified that he’s done something to Celine. Fuck him if he touched her, I swear, I’ll go berserk. “Did he do something to you?”

Celine blinks in surprise. “No,” she says. “It’s just… I had an eerie feeling when I first met him and continue to feel it every time since.”

I don’t freaking believe it! It’s not possible, but I don’t see any other explanation for it. The mate bond must be truly strong if it made her question the man who sexually abused me, even without knowing it. If the bond is this strong, I’m not surprised it almost killed me.

Celine looks worried now. “Why would you think he did something to me?”

I take a sip of my coffee. Alright, here goes nothing. I owe it to her. I owe her the truth.

Just tell her like you would tell a patrol report.Cyrus encourages me.Make it clinical, rational, like you’re talking about someone else. It will be easier for you. Like ripping off a band-aid.

I nod.