Page 157 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“No, please be my guest. I deserve it.”

“It feels good to lash out at someone.” She sighs dramatically.

“What’s wrong with Liam? I bet he’d happily take your anger.”

“That’s the problem. He doesn’t even bat an eye at my insults. He just takes it all in stride.” She furrows her brows in annoyance. “Seriously, it doesn’t matter what I say or do, it’s all…” she pauses, lowering the tone of her voice. “Mate needs us.”

I laugh at the way she tries to imitate Fenris.

“You are going to be wonderful parents,” I smile at her, my gaze shifting towards her belly. “Twins, huh? And you still won’t tell anyone the gender?”

Her eyes glint in mischief. “It’s the only power I have over everyone.” She pats my arm. “So, make me some tea, then you can sit down and tell me what’s happening with you and Celine.”

“Don’t you want to hear my apology first?”

She smiles. “I don’t need an apology, I get it. Look at me just now,” she looks a bit flustered. “Being super bitchy, and I’m only pregnant. I’d be lying if I said that I fully grasp the horrors you’ve been through,” she admits. “No one who hasn’t experienced abuse can truly understand it, but I’m so proud of you for facing your past and working hard to overcome your trauma. This takes true strength, and I know you’ll be a good mate to Celine now.”

That is so like her to say. I nod, thankful for how easy she’s making this for me. “I will try.”

“Oh, and before you go, give me your chocolate bar. I can smell it in your pocket.”

“I’m pretty sure that was on Dante’s no-go list,” I muse.

“Don’t argue with a pregnant woman, and give me that freaking chocolate bar, now!”

I hand her the chocolate bar with a chuckle. “How about I get someone to bring us lunch?” I offer. “I haven’t eaten anything, and Marilou told me on my way up here that the kitchen is making wraps today.”

Her eyes light up at the idea of lunch. “Really?”

“Yes, what fillings do you want?”

She tilts her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, how about chicken, cucumber, pineapple, broccoli, and gorgonzola… oh, and M&Ms.” I must have looked at her horrified because she suddenly bursts into giggles. “You should have seen your face just now. Liam looked the same when I did that to him the first time.” She laughs. “No, I don’t want anything that crazy. Make it chicken, broccoli, and gorgonzola for me. Tell them to heat up the gorgonzola though, just to be safe. Oh, and maybe some nachos… and olives, definitely olives!”

Still weird, I think, but wisely don’t comment on it. I link the kitchen staff and ask them to bring lunch upstairs. They are super keen to pamper their Luna, so not even ten minutes later, two guys are at the door with our food. They also brought some freshly baked apple pie for us. “We just made this, Luna,” one of the young guys beams at Annie. “We thought maybe you would like it.”

Her face lights up with a bright smile. “That’s so sweet of you, Toby.”

He beams at her before leaving with his colleague in tow. “I have no idea how you remember everyone’s names,” I point out, impressed.

“I learned that skill from your mother,” she starts munching on her wrap, sighing happily. “Flora always told me it’s important to mingle with the pack, know what’s going on and treat everyone as individuals. She said it’s important to connect with them.”

“Smart woman,” I state dryly, making Annie giggle slightly.

We sit down to eat together in companionable silence. After a few minutes, Annie looks contemplatively at me before saying, “You know, you can talk to me if you want to, Mari. If not, that’s fine too.”

I decide to go for it. Annie knows about my past, and the fact that she is not judgmental at all makes this so much easier. I don’t say much about Calvin, and rather focus on Celine and why I was so scared of the mate bond. I keep my eyes on Annie as I talk, noticing how she nods here and there. Sometimes, she subconsciously touches her belly. I’m reminded of that one vision I had when I thought I was dying, something I haven’t told anyone. “You know, when I almost died,” I tell her, “I always thought that my death would feel like a relief, a comfortable and warm numbing down of everything, but it was the exact opposite. I felt cold and dark. And then I had this dream…or vision.”

“What of?” she asks me softly.

“I saw Celine,” I admit. “We were on a beach together, and she was smiling. You know, she doesn’t smile a lot, but this smile… it was real. And she was holding a little boy by his hand.”

Annie stays quiet, just listening.

“It showed me what could have been if I hadn’t fucked it all up,” I admit.

“No. It showed you what can be, if you don’t fuck up again,” she corrects me.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” I ask skeptically. “I know Celine’s agreed to talk to me, and she said she’s willing to try and build some kind of friendship. But going from here to… there…”