Page 95 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince

He beams at me. “Really?”

“Absolutely. I know I will never be an actual warrior… but everyone was so nice and tried so hard to make me feel comfortable. And you’re such a good teacher,” I blab along, feeling super excited about something for once.

Garret looks sincerely happy. “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot, Valerie.”

Garret takes me home, where I have a swift lunch with Jazz and Marcel, who tell me all about Celine’s great-grandmother visiting last night before my parents drive me over to Silverlake for my training with Alpha Elden. Recently, my days have become incredibly busy, but I don’t mind. My life was so dull just a year ago, so this is a nice change.

I don’t know what it is, but today I’m full of confidence. “I think I can do it today,” I tell Elden before we can even start properly.

He raises an eyebrow. “You want to try?”

“Yes,” I nod firmly. I’ve spent the last few sessions concentrating on meditating, focusing, and connecting with Ailia. Alpha Elden’s wolf has been a great help. It would be easier if I had a mate… he would strengthen Ailia and me further, but since I don’t have one yet, I have to manage on my own. “Do you have any pack members with a minor wound?”

“Sure,” Elden nods. To my surprise, he takes a knife in his hand and slams it into his palm. “Here.” When my mouth drops open, he grins. “This is nothing for me, child. Also, I heal fast, so don’t overthink it.”

“Okay,” I nod, pressing my hand against his wound. When Jazz was hurt, pain was flooding through me, I acted on instinct, but now…

Healing is part of you,Ailia tells me.It comes naturally to us. Don’t overthink it.

“Focus,” Elden’s voice reaches my ears. “Listen to what your wolf says. Let Ailia guide you.”

Imagine the skin of his hand,she mutters. I close my eyes, only listening to her voice.The bones and sinew stretching along it. Feel it. Feel where the knife cut through, like a string was torn apart. Now, imagine it being lots of little strings torn apart that want to reconnect again.

I do. I imagine the blood vessels, the skin, and how everything should connect. I’m feeling warm, but other than that, nothing happens. I open my eyes again. “I’m sorry, Alpha Elden, I thought—”

He chuckles and pulls his hand away from mine, showing it to me. There is only dry blood on his skin, but the wound is closed.

My mouth drops open. “Did I…?”

“Yes, you did,” Elden says. “You—”

I let out a squeal of joy before throwing my arms around his waist and hugging him. When I notice my father hurrying to the room, worried that something might have happened, I run towards him and jump into his arms. “I did it!” I blurt out. “I healed his hand! And I did it consciously! Goddess, Ailia is the coolest wolf ever!”

Thank you,Ailia says with a broad grin.

Dad smiles. “I’m so happy, honey.”

Elden nods his approval and smiles warmly. “You did really well, child,” he says with emphasis. “You’ve managed to do the hardest step. Now that you know how it works, it will get easier every day.”

“You feel a bit warm, Val,” Dad mutters worriedly while touching my forehead.

“I felt a bit dizzy while healing Alpha Elden,” I admit.

Mom approaches, looking me over with a worried look in her eyes. Once she has thoroughly checked me over, she smiles in relief. “Just a little fever. I will make you some tea and soup later, sweetheart.”

“That’s your body reacting to your gift,” Alpha Elden explains to me. “Never forget that your gift comes with a price.”

I nod at him. “I won’t.”

Scared of Love

*MARIUS*

Iwakeupscreaming,panting heavily as sweat drips down my forehead. That nightmare again, the same fucking nightmare every time. The same eyes, staring at me, haunting me, the voice taunting and vile. And just like then, I’m frozen. I can’t move, I can’t fight, I can’t do anything. I’m just rooted to the spot, horrified and scared like a little child.

The child in me that never grew up.

Standing up, I walk over to the sink and grab a glass of water, finding myself wobbly on my feet. And shit, I feel both hot and cold at the same time. Am I developing a fever? What is going on? Is that yet another punishment I have to endure for denying the mate bond the way I did?