Page 64 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

Is it? To my surprise, I can see every unmated person in the room nodding, including Aryanna and even some of the staff who have been serving us drinks. Am I really the only one who doesn’t want a mate!? Even Eric, with his playful womanizer attitude, is longing to find his other half.

Drama at the Party

*MARIUS*

Ericisnaturallychattyand easily carries on any conversation, something I have always found difficult to do. Honestly, I’m just not interested in what people have to say, which is why I suck at small talk.

Annie makes sure that our guests are settled in, and we all head off to get ready for the party tonight. I wish I could get out of it, but it’s impossible. Eric is my cousin and a very high-ranking member of the Council. Besides, I like my anatomy where it is.

My brother Finn is coming too, but my other siblings are still under eighteen and can’t attend… lucky them. Mom and Dad aren’t coming either, using the excuse that they’re too old for partying. Dad made a big show at lunch, saying Eric must come to see them tomorrow to catch up. It’s ridiculous. I swear Mom and Dad think the sun shines out of Eric.

An hour before we set off for the party, I’m getting ready, dressing a bit more elegantly than usual with a pair of black dress pants, a white dress shirt, and a tie. That needs to be sufficient. But how the fuck do I tie this stupid tie!? I have no idea what to do with it. I’ve never liked wearing them and never quite bothered to learn how to put one on.

I contemplate what to do for a solid five minutes before swallowing down my pride.Do you have a moment?I link Liam.

Sure, I’m ready anyway. Should I come up to your place?

Yes.

A few minutes later, Liam knocks on my door and enters. When I see that Liam is dressed similarly to me, I feel relieved. He didn’t go overboard either. I strongly dislike these social events. Can’t we just go to a pub!?

Liam immediately understands why I called and spares me the embarrassment of asking for help. He just takes the tie off my hands and wraps it around my neck. “You and your ties,” he teases.

“Well, what can I say? I’d rather burn them all.”

Liam grins. “Me too.”

“Just don’t take advantage of my vulnerability now and strangle me,” I hear myself joke.

Liam grins. “Tempting,” he smirks, adjusting the tie a bit too tightly around my neck. When I scoff at him, he just smirks and loosens it again. When he is finished, I turn to look in the mirror.

“Not bad,” I muse.

“Yeah, when you put some effort into it, you manage to look somewhat presentable,” Liam deadpans.

“Very funny,” I snort. “You’re one to talk.”

Liam just chuckles before leaving me alone again. He says he wants to go and check on the others. I shake my head in amusement. My brothers make me laugh sometimes. I’m about to grab my keys when it strikes me. Fuck, I just joked around with Liam. That’s not me.

What am I doing? I’ve tried so hard to keep my family at arm’s length. I can’t allow this to keep happening. I brush through my hair in exasperation. I just… I can’t have them know. I’d rather have them hate me than have them find out the truth.

The party is being held in one of the penthouses Liam and Dad own. They rent it out to high-ranking visitors or for fancy parties. When we arrive, a lot of people are already here. I can see a lot of pack members of Red Claw, but also Silverlake. There are also quite a few wolves from my father’s and Liam’s allies. There’s definitely Moon Blood wolves here, as I can see Harmony, at least. And my father’s old friend Jace sent some of his pack members to the party too.

My gaze lingers on Harmony. She is currently chatting to Finn. Did Celine not come? I don’t know why, but the fact that she might not be here upsets me.

Finn greets us as we enter the huge dining room, his face lighting up with a grin when he sees Eric. He introduces Harmony to Eric, who obviously has to compliment her looks as he does with every female, it seems. I don’t understand why no one ever seems to take offense to it.

Eric and Finn immediately start bantering back and forth, joking around like they’re besties, with Eric making fun of Finn’s piercings and Finn teasing him for his fancy clothes. “Tore another hole in your face?” Eric grins.

“What can I say?” Finn smirks. “I’d like to go down with style.”

“And my dear old Uncle Elden doesn’t mind?”

“He gave up,” Finn chuckles. “You’re one to talk.”

“Why’s that?” Eric asks.

“Man, the pants are okay,” Finn teases him. Indeed, Eric is wearing simple dark-blue pants. “But that long-sleeved dress shirt and the violet-colored vest… that’s bold!”