Page 156 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“She apologized,” Val adds, shocking me further. “You know, Mom and Dad barely visit her, but they see it as their duty to at least check on her every few months.”

I nod tentatively. I’m not a mother yet, so I can’t truly understand how a parent would feel in such a situation, but I can see why they still feel an obligation and responsibility to at least check on their imprisoned daughter.

“Mom told me that Lauren…” Val swallows thickly. “She isn’t really able to see where she went wrong. The results of the psychological screening told us that, unfortunately, she has sociopathic tendencies. She won’t be leaving the prison ever, I think. However, Mom said I’m the only one Lauren shows worry and concern about.”

“You’re her sister,” I muse. “Lauren never showed it, but she did care about you.”

“She knows I found my mate,” Val explains. “She doesn’t know who it is, but she knows I have a mate. She wrote me a letter, and said she’s happy for me, and hopes he treats me well. She apologized for being a bad sister, and she said she doesn’t expect a reply. She just wanted me to know that she wishes me all the best.” Val pauses. “Is it bad that I feel happy that my crazy sister wrote to me and showed me that she cares, at least a bit?”

“Not at all,” I reassure her. “What do you want to do now?”

“Nothing,” Val smiles a bit. “I’m happy to know that she loved me a bit, at least, but for now, I need to move on. Maybe in a few years, I’ll answer her, but not now.”

I smile at her, feeling proud, as if she were my own sister. I still can’t believe how much she’s changed from being a shy and anxious child to a confident young woman. As for Lauren, I’m not sure what’s truly going on in her mind, but I’m glad she was able to provide Val with the closure she needed.

Cravings

*MARIUS*

Idon’tknowhowLiam did it, but none of my siblings have commented on what happened to me. I’m sure they all know, but none of them treat me any differently. Yesterday, when I briefly visited Silverlake for a meeting with the guards, I heard that Calvin is gone. They told me that my parents were furious with him, something about a major betrayal, and that he’s locked in the dungeons now.

It’s the main gossip of the pack, but they don’t appear to know any details. No one knows it’s because of me.

I’m not sure I want to know what truly went down between my parents and Calvin. Eventually, I’ll need to know… but for now, I just want to ignore that he exists. I’m not sure what my parents will tell the pack, or how they intend to look for other victims. I will have to talk with them one day, but I want to do it at my own pace, and I’m glad my family is giving me the space I need.

After taking my first steps toward getting Celine to forgive me, it’s about time to apologize to someone else, someone I haven’t treated well from the first moment we met. I wander through the pack house, noticing how many pack members actually greet me. Some of the elite warriors from my training group call out to me and ask me when I plan to join them again.

Their kindness is really humbling… and puts me to shame. I wasn’t doing much around the pack before, I didn’t even try to mingle with anyone, yet they still treat me as one of them. For the first time ever, I take this opportunity to greet them back properly and exchange a few words.

I finally reach the alpha suite, knocking at the door before I can second-guess myself. I’m shocked that Dante let me pass him in the corridor just now. I’d have thought he would at least ask where I was going. I assume Liam told him it’s okay in case I came by.

“Yes?”

“It’s me,” I answer nervously. “Marius.”

“Come in.”

I open the door, pausing before entering. “I’m surprised you are allowing me to come in,” I mutter.

Annie rolls her eyes. “Believe me, I would throw a punch at you, but unfortunately, I can’t move an inch.”

She’s sitting on the sofa, her massive belly preventing her from getting up on her own. I scan the room and see that she’s alone. “Why didn’t you call for help?”

“Goddess, no. Ella fusses over me like a mad woman. Aryanna insists on reading tons of pregnancy literature and enlightens me with all kinds of details I never wanted to know. Liam acts like I’m sick. Jun stares at me like I’ve grown a second head, the poor kid, and Dante decided he needs to take a fatherly role and lectures me every chance he gets.” She grabs her walking stick and points it at me. “Just grab the other end and pull me up.”

I smile. “Will I get punched if I do?”

She narrows her eyes. “Help me up, and we will see.”

I approach, grabbing Annie’s arm and helping her to her feet. I’m not surprised Liam is getting nervous; she is really far into her pregnancy now. “If anyone ever tells you being pregnant is fun… don’t believe them. It’s a lie. I’m massive, my feet are swollen, and I look ugly.”

“You look beautiful,” I state calmly. It’s the truth.

“I’m humongous. I don’t walk anymore, I waddle.”

“Should I carry you?” I offer.

“Absolutely. I’m so heavy right now I might throw your back out and put you back in hospital again.” Annie snaps sarcastically, before sighing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to take my anger out on you.”