Page 183 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

I chuckle as I put on my clothes. We have spent the whole night together, and dawn is setting in right now. “Care for a very early breakfast?” I ask her.

She smiles. “I will so regret not sleeping all night, but yes, let’s grab something to eat.”

We enter the pack house to find one of the chefs is already here, setting up. She looks surprised to see us. “Alpha, I didn’t know you would be up so early. I apologize for not being ready!”

“There is no need to, Helen,” Celine says. “It just so happened that Lord Marius and I had some… work to do. Do you have time to fix us something to eat?”

She nods eagerly. “I could prepare you some eggs and bacon.”

“Fantastic,” Celine nods her approval before leading me to the empty dining hall. It’s weird to be here so early, but Celine and I just chat together, drinking coffee, and eating fantastic eggs with bacon.

The more time we spend with each other, the more I realize I need to ask Celine for a favor. It’s a huge thing for me to ask of her, and the longer I leave it, the heavier the task becomes. I know it is something I have to do, and I need her by my side. Especially after today, after spending quality time together and the progress we’ve made. “Celine,” I almost whisper. “There is something I need to ask of you. Something important. And… you don’t have to agree. By no means do you have to… it’s just…” My voice trails off, leaving me frustrated.

“What do you need me to do?” she asks softly. “Don’t be afraid to ask me.”

“You don’t need to…” I pause. “Listen, I… I know I’m asking a lot from you, and I know I’m being selfish asking you for this, and it’s alright if you decline. It’s just that, I feel better with you around, stronger. You make my mind and body relax just by being present, and it feels like I can do anything with you by my side. I don’t think I could do it alone.” Oh, my goddess, stop whining and just get it out, I chastise myself.

She looks at me, both curious and worried.

“I want to visit Calvin in the dungeon. I think I need to, so I can let go. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I don’t think I could do it without you being there.” I turn to look at her to make sure she knows she doesn’t have to agree on something so difficult. “You don’t have to say yes. I just needed to ask. That’s all.”

“I’ll come with you,” she says promptly. “Of course I will. I want to give that asshole a piece of my mind too.”

“But don’t feel obliged because—”

She reaches out her hand to touch mine. “Marius, I will come with you. Stop panicking.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Alright.”

“Do you want to do it today?”

I contemplate her offer, then I nod. “I might chicken out otherwise. That is, if you can spare the time.”

“I can,” she says. Her strength and resolution always amaze me. Even when she is feeling insecure, she doesn’t waver. She’s agreed to help me because she knows I need her there as my mate, because the mate bond will help me get through this.

What I like the most, though, is that she never looks at me with pity. Even when she saw the scar… she was angry, and maybe even hurt for my sake, but she never looks at me in pity.

“How about we both go and get some rest? Then I need to get some work done. Let’s meet this evening at Silverlake.” She pauses. “Shall I pick you up?”

“Okay.” Old me would have declined the offer because my pride would have gotten in the way. A girl picking me up? No way. Now I’m just so relieved to have her at my side. I love that she’s offered to come and get me so we can drive there together. I think meeting Calvin will shake me up pretty bad, so I am glad I don’t need to drive. “That would be nice. Thank you, Celine. I’ll be at Red Claw all day, getting some training in. Link me whenever you are ready to set off.”

She smiles and nods.

*CELINE*

I am surprised by how readily Marius accepts my lead. Many male wolves don’t like to do that, but it doesn’t seem to bother him at all that I am an alpha she-wolf. I know I can come off as domineering sometimes, but I don’t want him to think that his opinion doesn’t matter. Marius is my mate, my equal, and I don’t want him to submit or feel pressured. I want him to know he can always talk to me and suggest things without worrying that I might feel threatened by him. Much to my surprise though, Marius seems to be perfectly happy with me the way I am. I feel it through the mate bond, and through the connection of our wolves.

I arrive at Red Claw just before sunset to pick Marius up. I can feel his anxiety going through the roof, and it’s worrying me.

I want to say something reassuring to him, anything, but what?

“You don’t have to do this,” I say, inwardly face-palming myself. That’s not reassuring… it’s just… plain stupid, useless words.

“I know,” he says with a smile. “And you don’t have to be here with me.”

“I want to be here,” I say.

He nods. “And I need to do this.” A pause. “Thank you, Celine, for everything. For encouraging me, calling me out on my shit, and for being here now. It really means a lot.”