Page 29 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“Hello, sunny boy—”

I jump up to my feet, spinning around.

“Goddess, Marius, it’s just me,” Aryanna looks at me in surprise.

“Sorry, I was just… thinking about something,” I say, trying to sound composed and aloof.

“No problem,” she smiles. “Good, I found you. Since you’re still alive, you can come with me tonight.”

“What?”

“I said since Liam didn’t beat you or kill you, you seem fit enough to accompany me on a mission,” she deadpans. “Or am I wrong?”

I feel a bit embarrassed by her witnessing my low moment before. Annie acts as if nothing happened. In a weird way, she probably even understands why I reacted the way I did with her scary psychic abilities. This time, however, she didn’t go out of her way to talk to me like she has done before. She probably thinks she’s annoying me. Ella has always kept her distance from me. As for Dante… that one hurts a bit, I have to admit. He hasn’t said anything about what happened, but he’s cold and distant, choosing to ignore me for the most part.

It's not like I don’t understand why. Ella is his second chance mate after his first one died. He won’t just let someone insult her or their relationship. Not even the alpha’s brother.

“Hey, you still with me?” Aryanna’s voice reaches me again.

“Yeah, sorry. So, what did you want, Ari?”

“You’re coming with me tonight,” she grins. “I need a date. But don’t get the wrong idea, you’re not my type at all. Too dramatic and gloomy. I like cheerful guys and girls.”

“Very funny.” I roll my eyes. “How come you chose me? I thought Liam wouldn’t allow me on a mission after everything that happened.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t happy, but we don’t have many other believable options. Jun is not twenty-one yet, and Dante doesn’t fit the club I’m heading to.”

I look at her thoughtfully. “How come you aren’t mad at me?”

“I’m mad,” she says earnestly. “Dante and Liam are my best friends. And Annie is my beloved Luna. So, I’m definitely mad. I’m just not as mad as Liam and Dante, and Ella. That’s the difference.”

“And Jun,” I add.

“Yes, your list is pretty long.”

She isn’t holding back, like usual.

She looks at me. “Let me guess. You didn’t apologize?”

I shrug.

“Thought not. You never do, you never did. However, tonight I need you.” She pauses and grins. “That came out wrong. Cross out the last sentence please.”

I swallow down all the things I want to say to her and instead settle for being professional. “Where are we going and why?”

“Clubbing. Dress casual and sexy. We are going to hit on some witches.”

A club. Goodness, exactly the place I don’t want to be. Before I met Celine and the stupid mate bond hit me, I liked going out for drinks and girls, but clubs are always overcrowded. Neither Cyrus nor I like them much. However, Aryanna asked for help, so I can’t let her down. And I can’t let Liam down again. Goddess! I’m getting whiplash from all of these contradictory emotions and thoughts. But fuck, the way Liam looked at me yesterday when I left his office really imprinted on my mind.

We got along so well as kids, then we just… grew apart, I guess. But no matter how bad things were, Liam always had my back in front of my parents. The least I could do is go clubbing with Aryanna to find some witches.

*CELINE*

I’m in the middle of going through the reports Elias’ tracker team wrote after rechecking the borders when there is a knock at the door. “Yes?”

“We’re going out.”

I look up in surprise when Harmony bursts into my office. “I can’t, I’ve got too much to do.”