Page 188 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince
Before we leave, Elden motions me to the side. “Watch him for me, please. I’m worried.”
I nod with a reassuring smile. “I promise.”
Again, we drive in silence. There is not much to say right now. What do you tell a person who just came face to face with their tormentor? Nothing can ease these wounds or heal them but time. However, I’m really proud of what Marius has done today, and how he’s worked on dealing with his trauma. Previously, he lashed out against everyone, now, he’s trying to accept his pain for what it is and face it.
I’m ready to help him in any way possible.
I stop on the way to grab us something to eat, neither of us wanting to join the dinner at the pack house. Once we’ve arrived, we head directly to Marius’ apartment, carefully avoiding everyone along the way. He prepares us some tea, while I grab the plates. It feels natural to do this with him, which should probably scare me, but it doesn’t.
We sit down on the sofa in his living room that’s right next to the huge windows, opening up to a beautiful night view over Red Claw’s pack lands.
“I’m so glad it’s over,” Marius says, finally breaking the silence.
“I’m proud of you,” I tell him honestly.
His cheeks flush, “What for?”
“You were incredibly strong tonight,” I point out.
“I didn’t do anything,” he mutters. “You’re the one who boosted my confidence down there and punched him. Without you, I would have either curled up in a ball and cried, or ran away, giving him the satisfaction of seeing me broken.”
“But you didn’t,” I point out. “There is no use thinking about the what ifs. The fact is, you faced him, and that alone takes incredible strength.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he points out. “To think, how crappy a mate I was to you, and yet you’re still here, helping me through my shit.”
I consider Marius’ comment. “Marius, today you asked your father to draw a line underneath what happened. I would like to ask you the same. We both know what happened between us and your subsequent reaction to discovering our mate bond. Let’s not bring it up anymore. I have forgiven you. I may still be a bit guarded around you sometimes, but I would like us to move forward.”
His eyes are glassy with unshed tears, but he nods his agreement. “Thank you,” he says, opening his mouth to say more, but then he hesitates. “Thank you, Celine. Thank you.”
I take his hand into mine, offering a little comfort as he stares out the window, trying to compose himself. “He will never hurt anyone again.”
“We got rid of one monster,” he says quietly. “But how many are still out there? I wish I could do something more.”
“But you can,” I tell him. “I know you dropped out of college, but there are still so many opportunities for you. Why don’t you find an area to work in that helps victims?”
I see the wheels of his mind turning. “I could do that,” he considers. “I like that idea, but I want to think about it for a little longer.”
I nod, glad that he’s at least considering it.
“Celine, I’m not going to lie to you… down there in the dungeons… as much as I truly hate Calvin and want to make him suffer, I realized I can’t do it.”
“Can’t do what?” I urge softly.
“I can’t hurt anyone, not even him,” he points out. “I’m not talking about hurting someone in a fight or during an attack. I have no issues with that. Just… I don’t feel I have it in me to torture someone. I just can’t.” He sounds bitter. “The alpha blood in me isn’t strong enough.”
“But you don’t need to torture anyone,” I say, surprised. “You don’t even need to question anyone. You have your own strengths to rely on. I know you will be a great help to Moon Blood and to me.”
He turns to look at me. “You think so? Really?”
I nod and smile, feeling my heart skip a beat. “Of course. I for one, lack basic social skills sometimes. It’s incredibly difficult for me to be patient and understanding toward pack members with smaller problems. I suck at pep talks, or relieving heavy tension, or even just finding the right words to make someone open up.”
“But you’re so patient with me,” he points out.
I smile. “I think that’s because we’re mates,” I admit. I have never shown anyone my vulnerable side, he is the first.
“Does this mean I’m seeing a side of you, hardly anyone else sees or knows? I must be doing something right,” He beams. His words warm my heart. It no longer bothers me that I’m starting to like Marius. I think he’s always had it in him to be a great mate. He was just so hurt by Calvin that he hid everything that was good about himself. He was so defensive and angry before, and now… he’s completely changed.
He’s putty in our skillful hands,Danica chimes in.He treats you like the queen you are!
