Page 124 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince
He flushes. “Thank you, Alpha,” he whispers.
“My sister is going to stay with her mate starting next week,” Marcel says. “My house is big, so you can stay with me, if you like? I’m pretty cool.”
“Cool people don’t call themselves cool,” Garret teases.
I notice Elias approaching Garret, checking him over with a frown. “You hurt?” he asks.
“No,” Garret snorts. “Me not hurt, caveman.”
Elias blinks in confusion while the rest of us chuckles in amusement.
I look at Marcel while the others are distracted. “Thank you for your offer, Marcel. You are truly kind.”
He bows his head, blushing a bit. “It’s nothing.”
*MARIUS*
It’s been days now since I woke up for the first time and drew that tattoo for Celine. I believed I would have recovered by now, but I still feel so tired and weak, and every time I try to get up, I get an earful from my brother, and the doctors… and the nurses… and Aryanna… and literally anyone who walks by.
Mom has spent the last few days here, refusing to move from my side. Dad was here for a while, too. I didn’t hear one word of complaint from him. No accusations, no lecturing, nothing. He was just here for me. He told me everything about the mission to free Valerie, the reasons why she was kidnapped, and how Celine freed her. I thought when he mentioned Celine, he would take the chance to reprimand me for being a shitty mate to her, but again… he doesn’t blame me for anything.
I’m sincerely shocked… is this really my father?
Goddess.
Now that I’m doing slightly better, Mom has left too, promising me she would be back the moment I need her, but I’m actually glad about being alone for a while to sort my thoughts and feelings.
All my emotional walls have come tumbling down, one by one. Every single layer I’ve put up to protect my soul has shattered, and now I’m lying here, stripped bare for the whole world to see. My mate helped Liam save my life, despite how badly I’ve treated her, and my brother saved me even though I’ve hurt him so much. My wolf is still here, albeit weakened and asleep.
I don’t even know why I fought so hard against their love anymore. I’m just so tired of pretending, tired of struggling against my nightmares and memories, tired of fighting against fate.
I’ve felt dirty and sullied for so long. I just don’t know how anyone could love me. I’ve tried to wash the filth away. First, with actual water, trying to scrub it off until my skin was raw and bleeding, then later with bedding random women and drinking alcohol. It didn’t help. Every time I would wake up the following day, still broken, dirty, and unworthy.
However, when Liam connected with my mind and saw the disgusting things he wasn’t supposed to see… he wasn’t immediately repulsed by me. He didn’t dismiss me, even though he knew my dirty secret. He visited every day, and there was never any judgement in his eyes.
And I don’t even fucking know why he doesn’t judge me.
I’m tempted to revert back to my usual habit of hiding in my shell again, but then I remember how it felt to watch my life slipping between my fingers, and to nearly leave this world, never knowing peace. I see Celine’s smiling face in my mind, and the vision of our future children.
That’s it! Enough wallowing in regret! I kick my blanket away, tug the IV out of my arm, and get out of bed. I manage to sneak out of my hospital room and further down the corridor before bumping into a familiar figure.
“Okay dude, you shouldn’t be up,” Aryanna says, crossing her arms in front. “Thankfully, one of the guards just linked me that you were trying to leave without the doctor’s approval. And now you can just turn around and…”
“Aryanna—” I say, reaching out my hand. “Please.”
She stares at me, and lets her arms drop. “What’s wrong?”
“Take me to Liam, please.”
“Mari,” she says softly. “Just link him. He will be here in a minute.”
I look at her. “Please,” I say, not sure if she understands or if she realizes how important this is to me. To my surprise, she grabs my arm and steadies me.
“I’ll fetch you a walking stick,” she tells me. “If you leave while I’m gone, I’ll chase you down and whoop your ass.”
I chuckle, ignoring the pain it sends through my body.
I keep my promise and wait here for her. She returns quickly, and we make our way toward Liam’s office. Thank Goddess there’s an elevator. I’m sweating, and my legs are trembling by the time we reach his office.
