Page 173 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“I don’t think you give yourself enough credit,” she says.

“I’m just being honest,” I say earnestly. “I have a lot to learn to earn a rank, let alone the rank of a Luna. I wouldn’t even mind just being your mate for a while without the responsibility.”

Celine looks a bit flustered. It’s the first time I see her blush, and it’s so cute. “It’s good to know how you feel about everything, but I would never just introduce you as my mate, and then not give you a rank. It would be disrespectful to you… almost as if you were my dirty secret.”

I grin. “I’d love to be your dirty secret,” I say, wiggling my brows.

She snorts, punching my shoulder lightly before we both fall into comfortable silence.

Eventually, Celine looks back to the grave. “My brother was stillborn,” she finally says. “And my mom died during a rogue attack.”

“I heard. It must have been so hard for you.”

“I was left alone with my father then,” she admits. “Dad is a great alpha, he always was, but when he lost his mate, it took everything out of him. His little remaining strength went into keeping the pack afloat.”

“And he forgot about you,” I conclude.

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Celine,” I say with emphasis. “I am not here to judge.”

She looks at me thoughtfully before nodding. “He’s never mistreated me or anything, he just had to deal with his pain, and that meant I was left alone with mine. I never dared to cry for her or for me. I thought I needed to be strong for the pack and for my father to prove I was worthy of being the alpha’s heir.”

My heart clenches at that confession. She was only nine years old when she lost her mother, yet she never allowed herself to grieve. She copied her father and dealt with her pain alone, the same way he dealt with his. But she was just a little kid and would have needed his love and guidance. I know they get along really well now, but still, it saddens me to know how lonely the child Celine probably felt while growing up.

“Do you have a photo of your mom?” I ask her softly.

She looks a little surprised at my question, but nods with a smile. She takes her necklace off and opens the little pendant, revealing a photo of her mother.

“She looks like you,” I say quietly while studying the picture for a long time. “I am so sorry you had to lose her, Celine.”

“She had the same necklace,” she explains. “With a picture of the three of us. When my little brother died during labor, she was heartbroken. We all were, but it had to be even worse for her. I don’t know how she managed it, but she was so strong for us. We took that photo shortly afterward because she wanted to show that we were still her beloved family. She was holding a teddy bear in her hands, a present that was supposed to be for Connor. She was there for us, despite how traumatizing it had to be for her. And when the rogues killed her, they stole her necklace along with a piece of this memory. It was also the only photo I had which had a tiny piece of Connor. I wish I could get it back.” Tears fill her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, turning her head away.

I watch as Celine’s moment of vulnerability is gradually pushed down deep inside her mind to make way for her more usual stoic demeanor. It worries me to learn that this is how she has had to deal with her pain for years. She doesn’t even allow herself to cry. Perhaps she fears others might see it as weakness.

“Come now, lean on me for a moment and let it out. No one is here to see you anyway,” I say before pulling her into my arms, afraid that she might push me away, but she doesn’t. She just leans into my arms and allows herself a moment of vulnerability. I am such an idiot, I think to myself. I should have been there for Celine from the first moment we met. Having her in my arms and having her trust me enough to let go is a gift, and I tried to throw it away. I look over at her mother’s grave and think,I am not going to do that again, Amanda, I promise.

Celine slowly pulls back from me as she regains her composure, then she is back to being her usual self again. I notice however, that she is looking a little more relaxed now, like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

“Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?” I offer. “I think Annie would really like to see you.”

Oh, Annie would be happy, Annie would be overjoyed!Cyrus mimics me and rolls his eyes.Sure, that’s why we’ve invited our mate. For Annie!

I try hard not to look flustered at his teasing. Celine smiles in amusement too. But to my surprise, she doesn’t say anything, just nods. “Can we stop by the coven before going to Red Claw?” she asks. “I want to drop something off.”

“Sure,” I say warily, feeling nervous about going to a coven, but not enough to chicken out.

I’m surprised to discover that the coven is in an apartment and not some creepy basement or cave. A beautiful woman who looks like she’s maybe in her forties greets us. She could be younger… or maybe a little older. At second glance, it’s impossible to even guess her age. She seems to be the head witch here, or is it the boss witch? The chief witch? I have no idea what to call them. I literally know nothing about witches. Since Celine is a hybrid, I should probably start learning. Celine seems to know the lady, as both women hug each other and start chatting. “Oh,” Celine turns towards me. “Marius, this is Jade. She is my great-grandmother.”

I stare at her wide-eyed, “What…?”

“Yes, that’s the reaction I always receive,” Jade says, amused.

“Jade,” Celine smiles at the witch. “This is Marius.”

Jade nods at me. “You are her mate?”

I nod. “It’s an honor to meet you,” I say, already expecting her to lash out against me for having hurt her beloved great-grandchild. I am preparing myself to tell her that I won’t hurt Celine ever again, but to my surprise, she doesn’t say anything. She is the first one who doesn’t seem to judge me or hate me. Does she know our history?