Page 160 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

Are you going to be mad if I say no?I ask carefully. She has just started talking to me again, and I don’t want to lose her by closing off.

Not at all,she says to my surprise.I will never pressure you into revealing anything you’re not ready to show me yet. You just tell me at your own pace.

I am sincerely shocked at her words.I don’t deserve you,I mutter, feeling the good old self-hatred hitting me again.

Maybe you don’t. Maybe you do. Maybe we deserve each other,she says evenly.I am here, nevertheless. I’m not sure why, but I can’t let go either…

Please don’t feel guilted into accepting me,I tell her,I’m not an obligation you have to endure.

You’re not an obligation,she tells me.It’s just… I can’t take losing another person who’s close to me. So, I’ve promised myself to at least try.

I smile at her honesty.I am sorry I woke you up.

Oh, I wasn’t sleeping yet. I’m still working.

I glance at my clock, telling me it’s way past midnight.Wow, you need to go and get some sleep.

I don’t sleep a lot,she admits.

Wait, did she just hint she isn’t sleeping well either?Great,I state dryly.We are a real match made in heaven.

Seems like it,she says, sounding amused.

I’ll go to sleep now if you do,I tell her.

She seems to ponder it for a moment before…Alright, that’s a deal.

See you tomorrow,I say.

Tomorrow? Wait… you are coming to the pack meeting? I thought it was Liam.

I smile a bit.No, I asked him to send me.

Alright,she says after a while. She doesn’t sound angry or displeased though.I am intrigued.

I’m happy I managed to make her look forward to meeting me, even if it’s just for work.Sleep well, Celine.

You too, Marius.

I promised Liam I would put more effort into mingling with the pack, and I intend to keep that promise. Which is why I’m up early despite my nightmare, and I kinda feel refreshed, much to my surprise. I assume it has something to do with the little midnight chat I had with Celine. I quickly shower, dress in my usual clothes, and head down to the ground floor to have breakfast with everyone.

Normally, I would arrive late to avoid seeing many people. Arriving this early means the place is crowded, but I don’t mind. I make a beeline toward the alpha’s table and wish everyone a good morning.

If anyone’s surprised by my greeting, they don’t mention it. I really am blessed. Who else would be so lucky to have their family, colleagues, and fellow pack members treat them with respect, even after they’ve been actively alienating them for months, and, in some cases, years. I chat for a bit with Annie and Liam, who look relaxed today. Annie’s body seems to have adapted well to the pregnancy, and it shows in the way she is glowing.

Aryanna and her mate Jazz join us. I recognize Jazz from the attack at the school—and from the hundreds of photos Aryanna showed me when she visited me in the hospital. Jazz is a true beauty with her radiating smile, dark brown eyes, and natural afro, which she has tied back. She recognizes me too, because she points at me excitedly. “Marius! You saved my life,” she blurts out. “I’m Jazz, by the way. We haven’t been introduced officially yet.”

“Nice to finally meet you. I am Marius. You showed some guts there at school,” I grin and elbow Aryanna, who is sitting down next to me. “Jazz, huh? So, she’s the hot mate you were talking about non-stop?” I look over at Jazz, “I’m not kidding, Aryanna was talking my ear off about you constantly, and I mean… Every. Waking. Second.”

As always, Aryanna is not embarrassed to be called out for her affection toward someone. She reaches out her hand to touch Jazz’s cheek affectionately. “Yep, no denying that. I got myself a hot little half-witch.”

I wiggle my brows. “Cool.”

“I said the same,” Ella says with a grin. “She got herself a kickass cool mate. Pity, I’m so normal in comparison. Poor Dante.”

“You are not normal at all,” Dante intervenes on cue. He takes her hand in his, they are always very subtle about showing they are a couple.

Goddess, these men are whipped.