Page 159 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

*MARIUS*

Hisfaceishoveringabove me, fingers clasped over my mouth. “You don’t want to scream, do you?” he whispers, one of his fingers brushing over my cheek. “What would your father say if he saw you like this? His own son.”

There is a car approaching the pack house, the light of the car flashing into my room and, for a moment, illuminating his eyes in an ugly yellow.

Calvin’s normally calm face contorts into a nasty smirk when he sees the terror in my eyes. Not again. Please, don’t do it.

I thought this was over. I stupidly believed he’d lost interest in me.

I was just starting to feel a bit confident again.

“You are so pretty,” he whispers in my ear, making my body convulse in disgust. I go to scream for help, but no sound escapes my lips. It’s like something is physically stopping me from being able to move or talk, only my thoughts are left free to run wild.

Please let it be over fast.

His eyes turn to slits at the smell of my fear, like a predator hunting its prey.

I wake up gasping for air. Get out of my head, get the fuck out of my head! Why is he still haunting me in my dreams!? I try to calm myself down while my wolf keeps repeating to me over and over, that I am alright, I am not weak, and that I was just a child. His soothing mantra reminds me that Calvin manipulated me into believing I had nowhere to go, no one to ask for help. He lied.

I stand up, making my way to the kitchen, and pour myself a glass of water.

Suddenly, I hear another voice in my mind. One I didn’t expect to hear at all.

Marius, what’s wrong?

Wait!? Celine? She must have felt my terror through the mate bond.

Marius? Talk to me!

Fuck, what the hell am I going to do now? This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. She was never supposed to feel or see my nightmares. I start to panic again. Maybe if I stay quiet, she will believe I’m asleep and—

Talk to me, or I will call Liam and tell him to go and check on you,she threatens.

I take a deep breath, remembering the advice Liam and Annie gave me earlier. Especially Annie’s words about Celine fearing abandonment again strikes something deep inside me. It’s like my own fear. I can’t lock her out.

You would send my brother to check on me, but you won’t come yourself?I ask, mainly to say anything.

No!

Why not?

It’s a one-hour run to reach you,she says, her voice hoarse.I’m fast, but I can’t fly. I need to make sure you’re ok now, and not in an hour.

Her words make me smile a little. She sounds so raw and worried. Is this her wolf talking through her? It’s very direct, even for Celine. I sit down with my glass of water, finally noticing how I am calming down again. I hate that she felt my panic, but I can’t deny that hearing her voice is helping me.I have a recurring nightmare,I admit.

There is silence.Oh,she mutters. Her voice softens, and I can hear a hint of Celine returning and less of her wolf. Did her wolf push through because she was worried for me? If yes, then not all hope is lost for my future with her.I’m so sorry, Marius. Do you want to talk about it?

I debate with myself.How much did you see?

Not much, just his eyes…she admits.I felt your pain through the bond. It was like… it felt like you were being attacked, but not really.

Probably because my pain wasn’t physical,I muse.You instinctively knew something was wrong, but at the same time, could tell that I wasn’t really being attacked.I pause.That’s what I was afraid of…

That your mate would feel and see your nightmares?She asks, and I am shocked she made the connection so fast.

Yes. I never wanted anyone to see or know.

I think I understand you better now, and your reasons for avoiding me,she admits.I wish you would believe me when I tell you that you did nothing wrong. None of what this monster did to you is your fault, and I would never think you’re weak for what you had to endure,she adds quietly.But I realize that no matter how often I say it, your mind hasn’t accepted it yet.She pauses.Do you want to talk?