Page 193 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

This year, everything feels different. I’m actually looking forward to it. There will be a huge pack celebration that Harmony, Garret, Elias, and Marcel are organizing. Then, I will have a smaller gathering with my family and a few days after that, I’ll have another one with just my friends. And, of course, there is Marius, who’s already asked me out on a birthday date, and not just a single date.He asked me if I could take a whole weekend off to stay with him at a surprise location. I wanted to chicken out at first, mainly because of nerves, but Harmony convinced me to say yes.

And now, honestly, I can’t wait to see what he has planned.

“Celine, Harmony!” Eric waves as we step out of the pack house. He’s arrived earlier than anticipated. We’re planning on going through some of the basic parameters of our mission concerning Blood Snow pack.

“Alpha Celine,” Valerie beams, obviously happy to see me.

“Val, you’re looking great,” I say, genuinely happy to see her so joyful. “You too, Jazz.”

“Well,” Jazz giggles. “It must be the power of love.”

Harmony and Vincent groan while Eric grins. He pulls Valerie into his arms. “Absolutely, dear Jazmine. The power of love rocks.”

Jazz grins back at Valerie. “Your man understands me, Val.”

Valerie struggles to free herself from Eric’s grasp. “Didn’t you have things to do, Jazz?” she retorts.

Jazz watches her friend struggle and continues to grin, “Yep, but Desmona’s not here yet.”

“She’ll be here any moment,” I say, linking my father and asking him to send Jade out. She might be able to teach Jazz a bit, too. I’ve learned a lot about witches recently, and I know that Desmona and Jade have very different powers. They gather their powers from different elements of nature. Jade, my grandpa, and I are from a coven with offensive powers, gathering them from the earth and the wind. Whereas Desmona and Jazz are mainly defensive witches. They have a strong connection to the spirit world and can chant spells and brew potions. Perhaps if Jade and Desmona work together, they can each learn some new tricks.

“Is that Alpha Cedric’s chosen mate?” Valerie asks curiously as Dad, Jade, Grandpa, and Mona step out of the pack house. They must have decided to accompany Jade down to us. Dad is holding Mona’s hand, and it’s the cutest thing ever.

I’m about to answer her when my eyes catch Vincent’s expression. He’s staring at them in sheer disbelief, his eyes wide, mouth dropped open in shock.

Harmony and I exchange a glance. Oh no, it can’t be… it’s impossible, or is it?

“No,” Jade states once she reaches us. She doesn’t greet anyone, just looks at Vincent determinedly. “No,” she repeats. “Just forget it.”

From the way Vincent is staring at her longingly, I don’t need long to realize what’s going on. Vince is a great guy, but he loves his freedom. He once told me the reason he never looked for his mate was that he loves Silverlake, but he hates the idea of being bound to another person, and he would never willingly leave the pack, not for any mate in the world. He also said he doesn’t want any children. The Moon Goddess must have known that… because…

“No way, wolf,” Jade points out in a matter-of-fact tone. “I have had enough of guys in my life.”

“You have one son,” Dad snorts. “Don’t act like you overworked yourself.”

The glare Jade graces him with would have sent anyone else packing, but Dad seems to be completely unfazed.

Jade takes a deep breath. “The fact is, I’m not going to leave my coven. Your Moon Goddess has a hilarious sense of humor.”

“Mom,” Grandpa sighs. “Please don’t—”

“Mom?” Vincent raises his brows. He must be confused as to why she looks half my grandfather’s age.

“Yeah, see?” Jade nods at him. “You don’t want an ancient grandma. You want a sweet she-wolf who provides you with pups and stays with you on your pack grounds.”

“Fantastic!” Vincent beams. “Does that mean you’re not like that? Because it’s the last thing I want!”

“I have hardly any sex drive anymore,” Jade argues, ignoring Grandpa’s and Dad’s groans.

“Good, because me neither, but tell that to a group of wolves who are constantly horny and could bang each other any time, any day,” Vincent points out. “And the last thing I want is a mate who sticks to me all the time. Goddess, I need room to breathe.”

She stares at him. “What?” she asks in disbelief.

He winks at her. “An older woman, huh? How old?”

“Close to 1000,” she says.

He grins. “Nice. You’d have some wicked stories to tell then.” He reaches out his hand. “I’m Vincent, Beta of the Silverlake pack.”