Page 62 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

The party is being held in one of their properties in the city. Basically, anyone with a senior rank and name is going to be there. I need to attend. It’s also a good opportunity to meet some of our allies and maybe form some new ones. It’s just… “Marius will be there,” I mutter. “Just what I need right now.”

*MARIUS*

My cousin Eric is arriving today. Liam and Dante left a little while ago with some warriors to pick him up from the airport. He’s Dad’s nephew, and he’s… Let’s just say he grates on my nerves sometimes. I’ve never gotten along with him, but he and my younger brother Finn do since they are of similar age, and apparently, he was really nice to Liam and Annie when they visited him in France.

He has this juvenile, teasing attitude that annoys me to no end. He is sarcastic and seems to take nothing seriously, and wherever he goes, he has women giggling and gushing over him. They’re like moths to a flame. Goddess above, how am I going to survive his visit!?

Annie’s busy planning some welcoming lunch for Eric, and if that’s not bad enough, then there’s a major party being held in his honor tonight!

Ugh. I wish I could bail on it, but Dad called this morning and told me exactly what he would do to me if I didn’t show up. It wasn’t pretty.

The place is buzzing already, and Eric hasn’t even arrived yet. Most of the kitchen staff are already up and running around like headless chickens. For goddess’ sake, it’s just Eric!

To keep some distance from everyone, I’ve retreated into my room, my safe haven. Huge gatherings make me nervous, and without Cyrus around to back me up, it’s even worse. I try to focus on my sketchbook for a while, my hands drawing on their own. It’s like I’m in a daze and my thoughts keep going to places they shouldn’t.

I can see them in front of me again, those yellow eyes, the voice… the person who ruined my life. Fuck! Why can’t I stop thinking about it!? For so long, I was able to blank it out of my mind, but now I’m losing control.

It slips out in my nightmares, and more recently, it’s started invading my daydreams. It’s like I can’t find even a minute of peace anymore.

I groan in frustration before drawing the only thing that gives me at least a moment of peace. Her beautiful face, her bright eyes, the quiet dignity. I stare at the image I just drew, closing my sketchbook in frustration. My scribbling doesn’t do Celine justice.

Marius, Aryanna links me.They are about to arrive any minute.

I sigh, resigned to my fate of having to spend the day in the company of others. Well, at least it will take me out of my head. I throw my sketchbook on my table and make my way downstairs. When I arrive, the others are already waiting.

“Ah, here you are,” Annie smiles at me before turning to Ella. “Liam just linked me.”

Ella rolls her eyes. “I bet he’s going to get on my nerves again.”

“You say that now,” Annie chuckles. “But you love Eric.”

“It’s hard not to like him,” she agrees.

What… even Ella likes him? She doesn’t like anyone, but Eric is in her favor. That juvenile idiot! Before I can even fathom that thought, the door flies open and reveals the person in question. “Hello, everyone!” Eric exclaims loudly, a shit-eating grin on his face as he spreads his arms open in a dramatic gesture.

Next to me, I can hear Aryanna snort. “Eccentric much?” she whispers towards me, she sounds amused though. “Cute, in a way.”

I just shrug. What am I supposed to say!? How’s Eric cute!?

“How old is he?” Aryanna wants to know.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “Twenty, I think.”

“Doesn’t look bad,” she continues to ponder, as usual, succumbing to his so-called ‘charm.’ “Tall, handsome, gorgeous wavy hair, and those masculine cheekbones. Very French,” she analyses. Does she even know what she’s saying?

“I know,” Ella answers, amused. “He truly looks like Prince Charming. The textbook example of a prince on his white horse.”

I snap my head to the side to stare at her. I can’t even believe what I’m hearing!

“Absolutely,” Aryanna chuckles.

I can only shake my head in disbelief.

“Look who is here?” Eric grins and opens his arms towards Annie and Ella. “My two favorite women. Annie, my beautiful rose, come to my heart.”

I can’t believe what’s happening, but my sister-in-law is indeed hugging jerkface Eric, patting his back, and giggling. And my brother just stands there and merely rolls his eyes like it’s normal? When he hugs Ella next, and Dante shows a similar reaction, I’m so close to losing it.

Why the fuck does this guy get away with everything? I know he’s family, and blood-related, but Liam is one of the most possessive guys I know, and Eric freaking hugged his mate. And Dante might pretend to be a nice and kind beta, but no one would dare to look at his mate usually!