Page 172 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince
A Vulnerable Alpha
*MARIUS*
IgulpatCeline’srequest. I’ve wronged her so much in the past, yet she is here with me now, having such a great day. And now she wants me to accompany her to her mother’s grave, which is possibly her most sacred place on earth.
Don’t mess it up, pisshead,Cyrus snaps at me.
Did you just call me a pisshead?I raise my brows.I thought you were trying to sound more sophisticated for Danica.
For Danica, yes. Not you!
She wants to show me her mother’s grave,I explain.It’s such an honor. But I don’t feel like I’ve earned it.
Stop overthinking it and go with her,he groans.If you decline, she will be hurt. And when she gets hurt, you’ll come whining to me again. Do you want her to get hurt? No! So, stop overthinking it and go and say hello to her mother!
Wow, I think to myself. Cyrus isn’t holding back. I can’t really blame him for it. I almost got us killed while jeopardizing his mate bond for him. Yet, he is still here. And I’ve asked him to make sure I don’t mess up again… so I guess that’s what he is doing now.
I look at Celine. “Yes, of course,” I say. “I would be happy to accompany you to meet your mother, if that is what you would like?”
Her big, beautiful blue eyes probe deep into mine. Celine always manages to see everything as it is, and every possible eventuality beyond. She has a sharp mind for sure, and I love that. “But do you want to?” she asks.
I nod. “It would mean the world to me,” I admit. Inviting me to meet her mother is a huge step toward commitment from Celine. She’s letting me into a part of her world she has kept hidden, not just from me, but from many other people too.
She is trying to trust me.
She smiles and looks relieved. Cyrus was right. It’s a good thing I didn’t let my insecurities get in the way. “Then let’s go.”
I offer her my arm, and she takes it before we head to the cemetery in companionable silence. Her mother and brother are probably buried on the pack lands, but many of us also have memorial plaques in the city cemeteries nearby, simply to not alert the humans or raise suspicions.
We make our way through the cemetery until Celine stops in front of a gravesite. Celine spreads a blanket for us to sit down on it. “Hi Mom. Hi Connor,” she says while lighting a few candles. “I’ve brought someone with me today. It’s time for you to meet my mate. This is Marius.”
I swallow. “Hi,” I squeak nervously before clearing my throat. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mrs. Anderson… and Connor.”
“My mom’s name is Amanda,” Celine smiles. “Connor was my little brother.”
“Amanda,” I nod.
“Very difficult guy,” Celine says to her mother and brother as she sits down next to me. “We had a dreadful start, Mom, and I wished you’d been here for me throughout it. I could have used some advice. But now… I don’t know anymore… I think he’s not so bad once you get beneath that tough exterior.”
“I won’t hurt her,” I say.
“He already did,” she says towards the gravestone.
“I won’t do it again,” I promise with emphasis. “I promise to protect Celine with my life and to follow her on her journey through life. I will respect her both as my mate, and my alpha.”
Her eyes widen as she stares at me. “Did you just say you would accept me as your alpha? Just like that?”
I shrug. “You are the Alpha of Moon Blood, and in the off chance I manage to woo you and win your heart, it won’t change who you are, or your position as alpha.” Her relief is so evident that I am surprised by it. “Did you think it would be a problem?” I ask, shocked by her assumption.
“Of course I did,” she admits openly. Celine hardly ever lets go of her stoic demeanor, but I understand it more now. As a she-wolf, it must be hard to be in her position. She’d be constantly scrutinized and judged by her fellow alphas… despite being so obviously lethal and strong. She’s half-witch too, which just makes her even more dangerous.
I misjudged Celine because of her imposing and formidable attitude before, without understanding her. “I have a responsibility towards my pack. I can’t just give them up, not even for my mate,” she explains quietly. “I’ve pledged my loyalty to them.”
“Celine,” I say earnestly. “I know I might have said some negative and hurtful things about you when we found out we were mates, but none of it was genuine. I was just trying to find excuses not to be with you. But the truth is, I really don’t mind if you become my alpha and I become your luna, or whatever the male version of that is. I literally couldn't give a shit about it.”
“But you’re a lycan, with alpha blood,” she points out.
I shrug. “So what? I’ve never really bothered to train much, and I barely have control over my gift because of that. Why do you think my father never even considered me for the position of alpha at Silverlake? It’s embarrassing to admit it, but I don’t want the responsibility of being alpha. Talking in front of others terrifies me. I hate politics and could never lay down the law like an alpha needs to do. I’d get an anxiety attack even thinking about having to step up as alpha. I’m honestly not even sure if I can do the job of a luna.”
