Page 221 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“It doesn’t matter,” I reassure him. “We had to bring him here personally to make sure he can’t trick anyone.”

Eric smiles at me happily. “Now I’m all yours again, Princess.” He winks at me, and he is my Eric again and not the stoic Prince. “I promise you’ll love the castle.”

When Eric said castle, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the guard drives us through Paris into a more suburban area. There is a large forest and a… little cottage. It’s tiny. I tilt my head, confused.

Eric laughs. “It gets everyone during their first time.”

Emilien chuckles too. “Don’t worry, Lady Valerie. You will soon see what we can see.”

Once we climbed out of the car, Eric reaches out his hand. “Valerie Wright, as my mate, I officially invite you to the Council and the hidden castle.”

I take his hand, for a split-second wondering if he’s actually pranking me. When I shift my gaze back to the cottage though, my eyes land on a massive building. “What…” I’m so shocked that I take a step back. “How?”

The building in front of me looks like a huge baroque castle, almost like the pictures I saw of Versailles castle, just more modern and adapted to nowadays living standards. But it’s massive. I don’t even know how far it reaches. It certainly can host a whole huge pack of wolves.

The massive front gates open for us, and Eric leads me inside.

“It’s a spell,” he tells me. “To prevent outsiders from seeing this place here. It would raise too many questions.”

I nod dumbfounded, and just take in the enormous hall we just stepped into. It’s covered in old frescoes and paintings, looking like a museum. The floor is out of marble. The place itself is buzzing… I can see people running around with folders in their hands, dressed officially.

“These are all ceremonial halls and dining halls to welcome guests. We call them salons in Europe. Further down the ground floor, there are some meeting rooms. There are also training areas on this floor, but not in the segment we’re standing in now. The offices are on the first floor,” Eric explains. “Once we walk past them, there is a staircase leading us through several floors and different segments of the castle. I will show you everything tomorrow, it’s easy to get lost here. It’s like a town on its own. The Princes and Princesses of the Council have the highest floor to themselves. Our suite is waiting for us.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t wait for my friends to see this.”

When we step further inside, a young guy hurries down a gigantic staircase and runs toward us. “Prince Eric!” he exclaims. “Welcome back home!”

“Thank you, Vander. It’s nice to be back.” Eric smiles at the teen. “But don’t run around too much here. You know the elders don’t like it. We don’t want you to get scolded. If you get scolded, then they will scold me too for not teaching you any manners.”

I listen to their exchange curiously. Eric doesn’t have any siblings; I know that for a fact. He just has his father, who he has an estranged relationship with. I nudge him with my elbow.

“Right,” Eric laughs and pulls me into his arms. “I’m sure you heard the news already, Vander, but meet my mate, Valerie.” He turns his head to look at me warmly. “Valerie, this is Vander. He is from one of the lycan packs in France and one of my young trainees for the Council.”

Oh, I didn’t know that Eric has students here. But it makes sense for him to already work with the next generation and with young wolves in particular. So many things I don’t know yet, but instead of finding it scary, I rather feel curious and excited. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“It’s an honor, Lady Valerie,” Vander exclaims. “I hope you will like it here.”

He seems to still be in his teens, sixteen maybe, tall and has a beautiful face with sharp cheekbones and gray eyes. Yes, he’s a heartthrob in his pack, for sure.

There is more noise reaching me from the huge staircase. Another young man is carrying a large number of boxes and bumps against the balustrade. Eric frowns. “Arden,” he calls out toward said young guy. “Be careful.”

To my surprise, the young guy doesn’t react. He doesn’t even seem to notice us. “Vander,” Eric commands. “Help your brother.”

“Of course.” Vander rushes up the stairs. He gesticulates something towards his brother before taking some of the boxes and helping Arden carry them downstairs.

Arden looks a bit flustered when he reaches us. He seems to be a bit older than Vander. He’s taller and more muscular, his eyes have the same gray color as his brother’s, but one is partly blue. His posture looks almost regal and dignified, making me wonder if their father is an alpha. It would explain why they are working here with the Council. “I apologize,” he says, dragging out the words a bit, almost like it’s hard for him to pronounce them.

“What happened to your hearing aid?” Eric asks. When Arden furrows his brows a bit, Eric repeats his words, articulating them clearer this time and using his hands to gesture as well.

Arden nods his understanding. “It broke during training,” he explains shortly, but not impolitely so. I assume he’s just used to using little words. It’s rare for werewolves to have a sickness or ailment… I’m one of these very few, and it seems Arden is too. It makes me instantly curious to learn about his story.

“We’ll make sure to get you a new one,” Eric says while Vander signs what he just said to his brother. “Be more careful next time, okay?” It’s cute how he tries to sound strict, but it’s so obvious how much he cares about these two. This is a whole new side to Eric, and I love it.

Arden nods his understanding. “Thank you, Prince Eric.”

“Did you make any progress while I was away?” he asks Arden.

Arden furrows his brows, his eyes attached to Eric’s lips, then he nods. “I read through all the folders and already dismissed those who didn’t fit the requirements. I sorted through the rest and categorized them.”