Page 79 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

“Babies,” Annie corrects Eric with a smile.

Babies? She’s having more than one?

Eric blinks. “Wait… what!? You are carrying twins? Or triplets?”

Annie’s look of horror is kind of hilarious. “Thank the stars, no triplets,” she laughs. “Twins are enough. Lycan twins on top of that, which is why my body has difficulty adapting.” Her smile falters a little as she continues. “I’m sorry for letting everyone down recently.” I feel surprised at her words. Who’s she letting down?

Liam immediately slides an arm around her waist and pulls her into his arms. “You’re not letting anyone down. You are gifting me two babies, that’s a miracle.” He peppers her head and face with kisses until she laughs and struggles to pull away.

“Two Liams are growing in there?” Eric asks, pointing at Annie’s belly with his eyebrows raised. “It’s no surprise you’re feeling the side effects of pregnancy.”

“We haven’t revealed their gender yet,” Annie giggles again, and Liam looks relieved at her sudden change of mood. Seems like she is already having these infamous pregnancy mood swings people keep talking about. While I watch her going from happy to sad to happy again, I wonder how Celine would be if she had our baby. I blush a bit at my own thoughts. Way to get ahead of myself. So far, we haven’t even talked properly.

At this point, me saying hello to her and her answering without punching me would be a major milestone.

Liam stands and looks around, eyeing all of us. “Ready to get going?”

Liam and Annie take one SUV together with Ella and Dante. The rest of us take the second car. I notice how Jun barely even looks at me as we get in; Aryanna, however, acts normal.

I sigh inwardly. This is going to be a great family dinner… my parents invited all of us, and I’m dreading it already… it’s going to be a disaster. Liam’s barely talked to me since our altercation. He’s also making sure I stay away from his mate, which surprisingly hurts, but I can’t exactly blame him for it.

How do people make up after an argument? I have no idea.

I suck at understanding people. And at social interactions.

Aryanna’s words still ring in my ears. Why didn’t I just talk to Celine and be upfront about my doubts like the adult I’m supposed to be? In all fairness, I think Annie was right. I did sabotage my own happiness.

The drive to Silverlake doesn’t take particularly long, as we are neighbors. Oh well, time to get this show on the road. If only Cyrus were with me, but he is still hiding somewhere in my mind, and for the first time in many years, I’m left to fend for myself.

We’re barely out of the cars when my mother skips down the pack house stairs and spreads her arms like she’s going to hug us all at once. It’s always funny to see Mom squeeze Liam, like he’s still a little boy. She’s tiny compared to him. When it’s my turn, I just let it happen. There’s no point denying my mother… it’s impossible. It’s like a crime against humanity.

“You’ve grown a beard,” she beams at me. “It suits you!” She pumps her fist in the air. “You look so mature with it.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say evenly, noticing Aryanna grinning at us.

Thankfully, my mother soon loses interest in me and my looks and makes a beeline for Annie. “Say it, say it,” she begs. Here we go…

Annie chuckles, “Prepared to become a grandmother?”

My mother squeals so loud that my father and Finn come running out of the pack house. “What happened!?” my father yells in panic.

Aurel, my mother’s gamma, turns to look at them. “Nothing out of the ordinary,” he says calmly.

“Elden!” my mom blurts out, completely oblivious to the fuss she’s created. Dad stares at her in confusion, but still on alert. “You won’t believe it.” She tugs at Annie’s hand. “Say it again, please, please, please.”

Annie smiles brightly and looks at Liam. He puts his arm around her shoulders and smiles proudly. “Annie is with child.”

“Fucking finally!” Finn blurts out.

Mom glares at him. “No cursing in front of the soon-to-be baby!”

He grins. “Sorry.”

My father’s eyes light up too at the news before he engulfs Annie and Liam in a hug. Then his attention shifts to me, squeezing my shoulder softly. “Good to see you too,” he smiles. “It’s been so long, we almost forgot what you look like.”

I’m not sure how to reply. A bit surprised he is greeting me so warmly. I thought he would be tearing my head off. This can only mean that Liam hasn’t told him anything yet.

“Ready for the next part of the news, Flora?” Annie asks with a grin.