Page 163 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“I’ll have what everyone else is having,” I tell him. “Thank you for asking.” I pause. “The pack house is beautiful,” I finally state, deciding to win him over with kindness. Besides, it’s true. It looks like a building you’d find in England during the Georgian period.

Garret beams proudly. “Yes, it’s rare to have such a pack house,” he says, smiling brightly. “Most packs go for fancy or modern pack houses, but ours is a more classically designed building. The building has brick as its main material, as is usual in the UK. We would have gone for a wooden build, but unfortunately, wood is not the safest.”

“I do like wooden buildings and cottages,” I point out, “But you’re right. Wooden buildings have a high risk of catching fire during an attack, which would be devastating to lose such a beautiful pack house.”

Garret nods, looking slightly surprised at my remark. “You really like this place, hey?”

“It’s beautiful,” I say honestly. “There is something so calming about your pack.”

“That’s because it’s close to the forest. There are many trees and a lot of nature.”

“Almost idyllic,” I muse. I never thought I would be one for a lot of nature, but I can feel a certain draw to this place.

Before we reach the meeting room, Garret looks back at me. “Just to give you the heads up,” he whispers. “Retired Alpha Cedric is going to be in attendance too.”

“Oh shit,” I mutter. He is Celine’s dad, and by the way, Garret warns me of his presence, he must know about Celine and me. I feel my anxiety rising, but at least Garret has given me a moment to prepare for it. “Thanks for the heads up,” I say, looking directly at him. “I really appreciate it. Thank you.”

“I don’t know why, but I couldn’t let you go into this totally unprepared.” Garret sighs. “Alpha Celine doesn’t talk much about her private life, but I know you have been meeting… and my gut feeling tells me that eventually, you will join us here.” He pauses. “I don’t know what position you will hold, but you’re the alpha’s mate, and as a gamma…”

“You might be assigned to me,” I continue his thought. “I wouldn’t mind,” I say thoughtfully. I like this guy. I’m sure we could get along.

“Much to my surprise, I don’t think I’d mind either. I thought you would be more of an ass,” he says.

“Thanks man,” I chuckle.

He grins, “You’ll regret the day I become your gamma.”

“Oh really.” I wiggle my brows at him. “Let’s see who regrets it first!”

Garret smirks. “It’s a bet.”

Before I can add anything more to our newfound banter, Celine approaches us. I can feel her presence and her intoxicating scent. The mate bond is pulling me towards her like a magnet, and I wish I could just pull her into my arms. “Are you two already planning on how to make my life miserable?” She teases, much to my surprise.

Garret looks at her in mock innocence. “I would never.”

“Right,” she raises her brows. “Don’t drag Marius to the dark side with you.”

Garret clasps his chest, pretending to be shocked. “Alpha, how could you believe I would ever do that!?”

“Right,” she chuckles.

I’m not sure what to say or do, I’m too scared to break the spell. Something about her gamma being here with us apparently has her letting her guard down. It’s the first time she’s joked with me, and it warms my heart that she’s allowed herself to relax in my presence.

Her smile is truly beautiful.

“I see that you and your warriors arrived safely,” she says to me.

I nod, smiling awkwardly. “I’m thrilled to be here. I hope I can be of help.”

Celine tilts her head. “I’m sure your knowledge as a lycan will come in handy.”

“To be honest, it’s more Liam’s knowledge that will come in handy,” I tell her.

She looks at me consideringly before coming to some conclusion in her head and smiling. “I’m sure you’ve come well prepared.”

Her faith in me further motivates me to give my best. She’s right; I have come prepared. For the first time in my life, I took a task seriously, taking time to brainstorm and research it. I also consulted those with more knowledge than I have on the topic, such as Liam and Dante, to cover my bases.

I don’t want to let her down.