Page 197 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

The others at the table glare at him.

“Don’t argue,” I smile. “I’ll open it.” I carefully pick up the box from the table, turning it in my hands to examine it. It looks like a jewelry box, but I doubt Marius would make such a fuss if it were just some jewelry… not that I wouldn’t appreciate it though. It’s not wrapped in paper either, but then, he did say he hates wrapping gifts. “He said he had help with getting it,” I murmur as I open the box. “I wonder what he meant by…” My voice trails off as my eyes take in the object lying perfectly placed on a tiny velvet pillow inside the box. I’m so shocked I almost drop the whole thing.

Dad looks at me concerned. “Celine?”

“It can’t be,” I breathe out, carefully touching the pendant. There’s a little card next to it.

Celine,

I spent days thinking about what to gift you with. Wondering what I could give you that would show how much you truly mean to me. I’m bad with words, and I don’t know how to express myself, or how to tell you how thankful I am that you gave me a second chance. The day you agreed to date me, you made me the happiest person ever. In return, I wanted to give something to you that already rightfully belongs to you. With the help of Eric and Annie, we managed to trace it back to an antique shop in Germany. I hope this will provide you with the closure you deserve to have.

Love Marius

PS: This is the first gift card I ever wrote.

No way, no freaking way! I take the pendant out of the box, open it and look directly at the old picture of me, Dad, and Mom. She’s holding the teddy bear in her hands, a symbol for little Connor. She insisted on holding it, so there was a part of him with us in this family photo. My eyes fill with tears.

He returned my mother’s necklace to me.

Dad looks at the pendant and then at me, his eyes widening in realization. He obviously recognized the item immediately. “Goddess, Celine,” he murmurs. “I don’t know how he managed to find that. I looked for years, and…” He has tears in his eyes. “It’s a miracle that he found it. He must really love you a lot.”

I stand abruptly. “I need to leave,” I say.

Dad nods his understanding, flashing me a warm smile as I rush away from my own party. Fortunately, I still have the presence of mind to call ahead and announce my visit to Liam’s pack. Once I have his okay, I start running.

Together

*MARIUS*

Thereisaconstantknocking on my door. “What!?” I huff. “It’s midnight! What’s so important? Did one of you guys run out of condoms or something?” I yank the door open to look directly into the deep blue eyes of my gorgeous mate.

She’s staring at me with a swirling mixture of emotions dancing across her face. All of her defenses are down, and I can sense her determination through our bond, but determination for what? Then suddenly, without warning, she’s wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a heated kiss. My hands find their way under her shirt. I am so eager to feel her all around me, my mind is going crazy.

Please tell me I’m not misinterpreting these signs.

Tell me she wants me too.

“Marius,” she pants as she draws back slightly. “I… to be honest, I forgave you long ago, and I don’t want to fight this anymore.”

I pull her into my suite and close the door behind us. “You want me? Is it true?”

“I’ve been certain since we went baby clothes shopping,” she admits. My heart skips a beat at her revelation. Does that mean she has accepted me as her mate? Does it—

“I, Celine Anderson, accept you, Marius Alcott, as my mate,” she blurts out before grabbing some strands of my hair and tugging me into another kiss.

My eyes close, feeling the bond between us growing stronger until it snaps fully into place. Now that she’s accepted me, I can feel her so much clearer in my mind. “You are stuck with me for life,” I whisper against her lips.

She smirks. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“Never,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around her. I hold Celine as we sit down on the sofa, feeling her straddle my hips while flashing me a smile. Shit, that’s hot.

I tighten my arms around Celine’s waist as I drown in her alluring scent. She’s so close to me right now, I can’t believe my luck. I’m about to start removing her clothes when Cyrus chimes in.

But I can’t help falling in love with you…

I stop. Seriously!?Did you just start singing Elvis Presley in my head!?

“Is something wrong?” Celine asks, sounding worried. “Did I trigger you in any way? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped you like this. Marius, we don’t need to—”