Page 130 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince
Eric doesn’t say anything but hugs me tighter. Great, we’ve only known each other a few hours, and he has already come to my rescue because I was kidnapped, saw me hurt, and now I’m sobbing into his chest.
“Eric,” I mutter, suddenly feeling insecure again. “I don’t heal very fast. I’m not like other wolves. I can’t… shift. My arm was broken on my first day at Henrick’s castle, and it still hasn’t healed fully.”
“And?” Eric asks, obviously confused, and he pulls back slightly to look at me.
“Is that going to be a problem for you, me not having a strong wolf?” I mutter. Please say no, please say no.
He stares at me for a while, then he bursts into laughter. “Okay,” he laughs. “Let’s get you to the infirmary, and then I’ll show you how I feel about you when we are alone,” Eric wiggles his eyebrows at the mention of being alone together.
I blush. “I’m being serious.”
“Yes,” he nods, looking earnest now. “Be glad I’m so head over heels for my princess that I don’t answer your question seriously now.”
My cheeks flush at his tone. Wow, he’s kinda hard to read, that’s new for me. It’s difficult to tell if he’s angry, upset, or just teasing me. I look up at him, enjoying how tall he is. I love tall men, it seems. Tall French men, apparently. I think I’ve found my type. I grasp his shirt between my fingers, pulling him down while standing on my tiptoes. He’s surprised, but follows my lead, his hands cupping my face and pulling me into a soft and gentle kiss.
He nuzzles my nose with his and chuckles. “I have no resistance against you.”
I smile.
“Come, Valerie, let’s get you checked over, and then the pack wants to celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
He looks at me, amused. “You being back, I guess,” he states. “The fact that the threat is gone. Us. Also, I heard your and Jazz’s birthday party was crashed, so this may or may not be a second celebration for you girls.”
I’m surprised. “Really!? Thank Goddess you told me, I’m not good with surprises.”
“I had a feeling,” he grins.
“I hope this time nothing will happen…” I mutter.
He squeezes my hand. “Nothing will happen,” he says with emphasis. “No one will ever lay their hands on you again, as long as I’m here and breathing.” Before I wonder if he’s just being a typical proud and overprotective alpha, he adds: “Besides, the Council takes the protection of special wolves very seriously.”
“Oh.” I nod, because I have no idea what else to say. Then it suddenly strikes me. Eric lives in France. The Council is there, and he’s a Prince of the Council. I don’t know how I feel about moving. I love my pack and my family so much, but at the same time I can feel Ailia in my mind, relieved by the knowledge I’ll be somewhere safe. A pack can’t ensure our safety. The way Eric spoke about the Council hinted at there being more special wolves there. Perhaps I could mingle with them and find out more about myself in the process.
I push these thoughts aside for now. I don’t need to make any difficult decisions right now. I do decide to immediately go on birth control though. It’s good timing, as I’m heading to the infirmary anyway. I do want children one day, but not now.
*CELINE*
Normally I can run on a high energy level for a long time, but I admit I feel tired now. Today was long… first saving Valerie, then dealing with the aftermath of Henrick’s actions and having him escorted to the prison. Not to mention, getting together with Elden and Liam, making sure Ciara could finally rest in peace. Then there was the situation with Luca, talking with everyone… and finally, Marius’ call.
I’m not sure if I did the right thing by agreeing to meet him, but I have always gone by the credo of at least allowing someone to explain themselves, even when they’ve fucked up majorly. I don’t like running from difficult talks, and I don’t intend to start now.
But I feel exhausted.
“Here.” My father hands me a glass of his favorite gin. “You look like you need it.”
“Thank you,” I mutter and clink glasses with him. “Just a bit tired after a long day.”
“You’ve done well,” he tells me, his eyes full of pride.
“I had a lot of help,” I point out.
“Help you wouldn’t have received without such strong allies. You’ve gathered a lot of strong people around you, Celine, and that’s something to be proud of. You’ve accomplished a lot in a really short time.” He smiles. “And you happen to be even stronger than I thought you would be.” He pauses. “Celine, even if your brother would have been alive, there is no way anyone else, but you could have become alpha of this pack. You were never the reserve solution.”
I smile at his words. “I think I’m starting to understand that now, Dad. Thanks for telling me, though.”
We stay silent for a moment. “Not a day goes by that I don’t miss your mother,” he tells me. “And I blame myself for not protecting her better.”
