Page 21 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

We all stare at her. “Who is arriving?” Ella asks in surprise.

“You forgot?” Annie raises her brows in amusement. “All of you? Liam? Marius? You too?” When we continue to look at her dumbfounded, she laughs. “Your cousin from the Royal Council,” she chuckles. “Prince Eric is coming with his beta and a few bodyguards. I’ve made sure to prepare the guest suites for them.”

“Oh goddess,” Liam rubs his forehead. “Is that already this weekend?”

“I can’t believe I forgot that too,” I say in disbelief. The Council is located in Paris, and as royal lycans, we are connected to them. Lycan alphas like Liam and my father have to pledge loyalty not only to their pack, but also to the Council. They are both in line for the throne.

“Slipped my mind entirely,” Dante admits.

The others nod. “Same here.”

“Right,” Annie grins. “Just be glad you have me to spare you the embarrassment of having them camp outside with only some measly bread and butter to offer. Marilou and Renata have already planned the menu and have a whole team helping them. Renata’s going to handle most of it in case you have questions about the menu. Marilou is still in school, and I want her to focus on her studies.”

“Renata?” I mutter.

“The head of the kitchen staff,” Ella says shortly.

“You don’t need to go above and beyond to prepare something great for Eric,” Liam says. “It’s just Eric. He’s mine and Marius’ cousin. It’s not an official royal visit, it’s a family visit.”

“You never know,” she shrugs. “He is also a Prince of the Council; he might have official business to discuss.”

“Still,” Liam smiles slightly. “It’s Eric. He likes us. You don’t need to stress too much over it.”

“I know. But he was so friendly last year when we visited him in France,” she points out. “I want to return the favor.”

“What?” I ask in disbelief. “Eric? Friendly? You managed to befriend Eric, that arrogant dunce?”

Annie blinks, looking confused. “He was very nice to us and made sure his people showed me Paris. We even hit a few bars with him and his friends. And I had a personal tour of the Council chambers, even though werewolves aren’t normally allowed. But Eric said, as Liam’s wife and mate, I’m welcome everywhere lycans are allowed to go.”

Liam nods his agreement, so apparently, it really happened like that. He looks down when his phone starts ringing. “This is important; I need to take the call. Just continue without me for a few minutes,” Liam says as he steps out to answer his call.

I’m still confused, though. What the fuck? Eric doesn’t care for anyone outside of his closest friends. He is the typical stuck-up rich kid with a superiority complex. Ever since he was born, he was one of the chosen ‘golden’ children… already guaranteed a position on the Council; a bit like Liam, only Liam isn’t involved in politics yet. But Eric, being an active member of the Council, is a young, strong lycan prince devoted to their cause. I’ve heard that now he is an adult, his opinion weighs so much that he has a major say in the laws they establish for both werewolves and lycans.

And Annie befriended him? How the fuck does she always manage to do that? I rub my temples. “That’s ridiculous. Eric is not one to make friends,” I grumble. “Maybe he was messing with you? Gullible people are always an easy target for him.”

Ella furrows her brows. “Don’t make it look like Annie is an idiot. She’s just polite and welcoming towards people like your mother is. She’s our Luna and she behaves accordingly. Annie gives everyone a fair chance, which is why people naturally respect her, unless they are sociopaths.” Wow, she’s pissed. “I’ve another question: Is there anyone YOU actually like? Because to me, it seems, you don’t like anyone at all.”

I frown, feeling pissed instantly. She has some nerve. In a far corner of my mind is this nagging voice telling me she is right, but I shove it aside fast. Of all the times I’ve spoken to Annie, Ella’s chosen this one to finally blow up in my face. I wasn’t even trying to insult Annie. “I don’t care for your opinion, Ella. I don’t need to like anyone, and no one needs to like me. If you want to follow your luna like a tail-wagging pup, I don’t care. To me, you are nothing but—”

Dante rises instantly, his eyes flashing in an unusual spout of anger. “I would be very careful what you say next,” he hisses towards me.

“Dante, don’t,” Ella takes his hand to squeeze it. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve never cared what others call me.” She turns to me. “But just so you know, Annalise is my best friend. We were friends far before Liam came into the picture or anyone from your family. She had the backbone to stand up to my bullies despite being a 12-year-old omega she-wolf. So don’t act as if you know me, or her, or anything about what we are to each other!”

I shake my head and furrow my brows. “You’re being ridiculous.”

Jun opens his mouth, probably to say something. To my surprise, Annie chooses this moment to interrupt us. “That’s enough,” she says, and her tone brooks no argument. “We’re just going to say more hurtful things now. So, let’s leave it at that today before we say things we might regret.” Her gaze softens a bit when she looks at Ella, smiling at her. Ella returns the smile and nods.

It’s a clear order coming from my luna this time, and even I’m not stupid enough to ignore an order like that.

Annie falls into silence before she gazes toward me shortly.

She shifts her eyes away, probably to ensure that no one knows she is going to link me.No one will be able to help you if you keep everyone locked out.

It’s just the way I am,I say evenly, but my heart picks up its pace, fear filling me. She is far too attentive.

She looks a bit sad all of a sudden.You’re trying very hard to make everyone believe that,she says quietly.

I’m not sure what to say.