Page 2 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“Did you dislocate it?” I ask, checking him over with a frown. I nod toward two of the more seasoned guys. “Elias and Garret, help him.”

They both nod, approaching the young guy and helping him relocate his shoulder. He winces, but no other sound escapes his lips. He is new to the training, which is why it will be even more interesting to see him losing to a she-wolf and his alpha on top of that. This is always the most crucial moment for me to see if someone was worthy to put in a higher rank. To my surprise, he grins. “You have one powerful punch, Alpha Celine.”

Garret laughs while Elias pats his head. “You have no idea,” they tease.

I smile at their banter. “You are Marcel, am I right?” I reach out my hand to help him up. He just joined the warriors. He is a young African-American guy, tall and very athletic. He joined Moon Blood a while ago with his sister after the death of their parents.

Marcel nods, obviously happy I remember his name. I notice his admiring gaze. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Harmony grin.Got yourself a new admirer?She links me.

Very funny,I say, but sound amused. With Harmony, I can be myself.

No, no, he is undressing you with his eyes,she teases.Poor guy, having a crush on the Alpha.

Oh, shut up,I chuckle and roll my eyes.

For a split second, I forget that I already have a mate. Yes, my life would be so much easier with Marcel as my mate. Or Harmony’s and Annalise’s brother. Or one of my colleagues at college. Or the waiter at the coffee shop I frequent with my friends. Or the gardener at the public park.

Why… why…? What did I ever do to him? Why doesn’t he want me?

“So, what do you think?” Harmony asks me when we hit our usual bar with the other warriors. Some of the female warriors joined us, and the atmosphere is relaxed and chill. None of these people want to hook up with each other. They see themselves as work relations and friends. I love that it’s so chill between everyone.

“About what?” I ask.

“Marcel,” she clarifies.

“He is good at offensive tactics but lacks defense,” I instantly analyze. “All in all, promising though. He is friends with Steve, right? When Steve is ready, I hope he will join the elites too.”

She smiles proudly. “He and Steve are always playing football together.” Steve is her brother and the youngest of the three siblings. Harmony, Annalise, and Steve have always been a dream team, even when we were all still kids. Whenever I see them, I feel slightly envious. Not the bad kind of envy though. I’m happy for my friend Annie for having such supportive siblings, and for Harmony for the same reason. It just makes me wish my own brother was still alive too. “Did you know Marcel is looking after his little sister all on his own?”

“Yes, my father told me,” I admit. We both always try to be in touch with all pack members and know what’s happening in their lives. “He has to be a good guy to put his own needs aside to look after his teenage sister.”

“Gamma material?” Harmony asks me.

I tilt my head thoughtfully. “I need to watch him for a while, but he might make the list.”

She hands me a glass of gin. I chuckle. “The hard stuff already?”

“You look like you need it,” she muses. There is a pause. “Are you okay, Celine?”

“Yes,” I say automatically. I can’t remember a time when I ever answered this question honestly.

Harmony stays quiet for a while, her brown eyes softening. “Really?” she asks.

I shrug. What am I about to say? You know your sister’s mate, Alpha Liam? His little brother is my mate, and hey, he doesn’t want me.

“During Annie’s and Liam’s wedding, you said you might have found your mate,” she says casually.

I look at her in surprise and slightly impressed. “How did you—”

“Make the connection?” she pauses. “You are more stoic than usual. I figured you were trying really hard to hide what you feel.”

I don’t answer her.

“Did he… well…” she seems not to be too sure how to continue. Despite our close relationship, I’m still her alpha. She doesn’t want to upset me.

“Did he reject me?” I ask, not able to stop the icy tone of my voice. “No, he didn’t. But he doesn’t want me.”

“What!?” she exclaims, furrowing her brows. “Did he say that?”