Page 51 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

She’s right.

My guilt is almost devouring me. They thought I was an omega she-wolf. I’m a beta, yet I come across as so meek they didn’t even consider me anything else. And Marilou got dragged into this nightmare because of me.

I really need to change. I can’t continue to live like this.

After an hour, we can both leave, much to my relief. I hate hospitals. I spent half my childhood in one. Just the smell now gives me the shudders. Aurelia makes sure I get to see Jazz first though. She’s sound asleep, but she looks fine.

Luna Flora is here with us too. She’s the cutest being I have ever seen, and there is just something so surreal about her. “Okay, Jazz and Tori need their rest,” she says while fluttering around us. Marilou giggles a bit. “And you girls need something proper to eat and something warm to drink. We are going to the dining hall so you can eat something.”

“Are you girls ready to meet the others?” Aurelia asks. “We really need to know what happened so that we can catch whoever attacked you.”

Marilou and I exchange a look of panic.

“I know you aren’t ready yet,” Luna Flora says softly. “We fully understand, we don’t want to push you, but I’m scared they will—”

“They told us they would kill everyone we know,” Marilou blurts suddenly. “If we tell anyone.”

Something flashes in Aurelia’s eyes, something dark and angry. I have never seen her wolf on the surface before, but I’m sure she has to be kick-ass strong. “Listen,” she turns to face us. “They are a bunch of pathetic weak wannabes. None of what they did today indicates they have any strength, allies, or even much intelligence as a group. They’re just bullies who said that to scare you and make sure you won’t talk because they know we will find them otherwise.” She frowns. “Goddess, I’m so pissed! I’ll make sure they get punished for this.”

Luna Flora pouts. “You are truly your father’s daughter.”

However, something about Aurelia’s confidence seems to be contagious because I find myself nodding. “I’m ready,” I say. It’s the least I can do. If nothing else, I can make sure this piece of trash doesn’t touch any of my friends.

Marilou and I follow Aurelia and the Luna to the pack house. Halfway there, I can see Marcel, he’s running towards us. “Valerie!” he yells. “Goddess, fuck, no way… Jazz?”

“She’s in the infirmary,” I tell him immediately. I can see how worried and pissed he is.

“Whoever did this is going to pay,” Marcel growls.

Aurelia nods. “I’ll make sure they pay.” She makes sure to have someone accompany Marcel and lead him to Jazz before walking us to the dining hall.

I half expected it, but I’m still a little surprised to see everyone of high rank in here. Alpha Celine and Beta Harmony are here along with Aurelia’s father, Alpha Elden, and his beta. I turn to see Luna Annalise coming in the door behind us.

“Marilou,” Luna Annalise hurries to my friend and hugs her, and I’m so happy she has someone here for her. I know, being an orphan, she’s used to being on her own, but having her luna come in person just to make sure she’s alright is truly heartwarming.

Before I can savor the moment, however, my father’s voice cuts in. “VALERIE!” he yells and pushes past the warriors surrounding the group and rushes towards me, my mother right behind him. They hug me so tightly that I have a hard time breathing. But it feels so good. As much as I loathe being touched by strangers, being hugged by my parents always sets me at ease. I pull back a little and look down at my clothes. I’m so glad Aurelia gave me something else to wear. Especially since my father’s eyes had immediately darkened at the sight of my bruised face, I can’t even begin to imagine what he’d do if he saw what they did to my clothes.

They reluctantly let me go when a servant server brings some food for Marilou and me. I can see Alpha Celine exchanging a glance with Alpha Elden, who nods at their unspoken conversation, both of them looking pretty angry. I wonder what that’s about.

Luna Flora comes over to me and presses an ice pack to my face.

“The wolfsbane must be slowing down the healing process,” Alpha Celine explains quietly, and diplomatically. She could have just told everyone the truth that even without wolfsbane, my wolf and I struggle.

“I’m sorry. My wolf and I are so weak,” I admit.

“Everything has a reason,” Luna Flora says calmly, looking at me with warmth in her eyes. “You might have suffered from poor health while growing up, and maybe you and your wolf are still healing from those days, but it doesn’t mean you are weak. Strength comes in all forms; you only need to find yours.”

I can see everyone hesitating to start the questioning because of me. I take a deep breath. “I’m ready,” I say. “I just don’t know where to start.”

“Start with the guys hitting on you,” Marilou nudges me softly.

I nod, telling them about the evening and how they circled me and tried dragging me away. I can see Nox’s eyes widening. He’d saved me from them that time, but he didn’t know the whole story. He thought it was just a bunch of guys being a bit too pushy.

“I knew it,” Aurelia mutters under her breath.

“Yes,” Alpha Elden tells her. “Good thing you went with your gut feeling.” He nods at me, and I can see him trying to soften his expression a bit. “I apologize, please continue.”

Marilou and I tell them about how we spent time with Terry and Lionel and about the drinks we’d had.