Page 192 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“I’m good enough to hypnotize most humans and rogues with weak wolves,” Marius points out.

“So, what did you find out?” Eric asks curiously.

“The attackers of Moon Blood are all dead. Alpha Cedric hunted them down and made sure that no one survived. He did a proper job, however, Annie and I have been tracing a certain item in particular… and it’s led us to Europe.”

“What do you mean?”

“They stole something, and I want it back.” He looks at Eric insistently. “I need your help, Eric, please.”

*CELINE*

I watch my father and Mona do the dishes. She’s teasing him, to which he responds by putting his arm around her waist and kissing her forehead. Occasionally, he smiles at her in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. My heart warms at the sight of the two of them together. He deserves this so much. Mona is a sweet omega woman. She’s kind and gentle but also fun once she lets go of her initial shyness. They both connected through their mutual grief at losing their mates, but now they’re connected by something much deeper.

I like Mona.

And even if we hadn’t clicked, I would have still accepted her. My only real worry was whether Jade and Grandpa would accept her.

However… my worries were unfounded, it seems.

“Are you certain you want a man who can’t even tell a cucumber from a zucchini?” Jade asks Mona.

Grandpa sighs. “Mother, please, leave them alone.”

“Don’t be such a stick in the mud, Justus.” Jade rolls her eyes. “Oh Hecate, allow your mother some fun.”

Dad turns eyeing the two of them, but instead of looking angry or frustrated, he looks amused. “For two people who haven’t dated for centuries, you’re quite judgmental.”

“Uh!” Jade snorts. “Look at that. He’s getting sassy! Typical alpha wolf in love.”

“Celine is in love too, and she’s not sassy,” Grandpa argues with her.

“Celine’s special,” Jade says dryly.

It’s hilarious how they never seem to agree on anything, but at the same time, never really argue about it. Most of the time, Jade states something, and Grandpa disagrees politely, only to be ignored by Jade.

Dad and I exchange grins with each other. He puts his arm around Mona’s shoulder and whispers something into her ear, making her blush. Sitting here with my family feels so weird, yet it’s also fulfilling. A year ago, it was just Dad and me. Now Grandpa lives in the pack house, Jade visits us regularly, and Dad’s gone and found himself a woman he wants to mark as his chosen mate.

My life has taken such a turn. I’m truly blessed.

“Alright, everyone,” I smile, standing, “I wish I could stay longer, but I have work to do. Harmony is already waiting for me.” I turn to Grandpa and Jade. “You two, behave.”

“See,” Jade says evenly. “Sassy.”

I chuckle at her antics as I take my leave. As I’m about to close the door behind me, Mona approaches. She must have followed me to the door. “Sorry, Alpha Celine,” she stutters. “I don’t mean to bother you.”

“You aren’t,” I smile at her.

“I… I just wanted to tell you,” she swallows nervously, “How much it means to me, that you’ve allowed me to be with your father… and to be in the same room as you.”

“Mona,” I take her hand, squeezing it. “I love my mother dearly. But I also love my father, and I wish him all the happiness in the world. I know my mom wouldn’t want him to live a lonely life. I’m happy that you two have found something in each other.”

Her cheeks flush. “Cedric told me you would never do anything to prevent us being together. He always speaks so highly of you. I’m glad we could finally meet.”

Now it’s my turn to be a little flustered. Goddess, what did Dad tell her? It sounds like he made me out to be some sort of angel. “I’m having a get-together for my birthday next week,” I tell her. “With my family. I would be happy if you joined us too.”

Mona’s eyes widen, and her cheeks flush. “I would love to.”

Normally, I don’t like to celebrate my birthday. Year after year, I just went through the motions, as it was expected. I never really saw any point in celebrating the day of my birth, not since my mother and little brother died. But the future alpha of the pack could not skip their own birthday party. So, I did what I was good at. I put on a stoic façade and pretended to be okay with all the fancy birthday celebrations the pack held for me, even though I just wanted to forget all about it.