Page 93 of A Female Alpha for the Lycan Prince
He raises his eyebrows. “Oh, you were talking about now?”
“Well, I hate procrastinating,” I smile. “Let’s get it over with.”
“Alright,” he nods. “Actually, I’m looking forward to seeing your grandfather again.”
We chat happily together as he accompanies me to my office. On arrival, we head towards the comfortable sitting area where one of my kitchen staff has placed some tea and apple pie. Harmony is already here, waiting with my grandfather.
“Cedric!” Grandpa exclaims. They haven’t seen much of each other over the years due to my father being constantly busy and attending to pack business, while my grandfather chose to live in the middle of nowhere. In the past, they only ever saw each other briefly during the holidays.
“It’s good to see you, Justus.” Dad smiles and exchanges a half-sided hug with him.
“Listen, Cedric,” grandpa starts immediately. “I never meant to lie to you or hide stuff from you, but back in those days…”
“Please forget it, Justus,” Dad sighs. “You gave me the biggest gift I could ever ask for: your daughter. Had my father known she was half-witch, he would never have let our relationship happen. I would have feared for her life.”
“I know,” Justus said seriously. “That’s why my lovely mate kept me hidden from the pack too. A werewolf without a wolf is still better than a witch.”
I don’t interrupt their little encounter, glad how smoothly it is going. My father is an intelligent man, and I know he connected all the puzzle pieces together pretty fast. It makes me happy he doesn’t hold any grudge against Grandpa for having to make such difficult decisions.
There is a knock at the door, interrupting their chat. They eye me curiously while I just smirk at them.
“Come on in,” I say, standing up.
“Are we expecting someone else?” Dad asks.
“Yes, we are,” I smile slightly when the door opens. “Jazz is accompanying our guest.”
“Is she?” Dad looks at me curiously, and eyes the door where Jazz is standing now. She has started training to learn some witchcraft with Desmona and will mainly learn about herbs and potions. She will stay in Moon Blood until she graduates high school, then she plans to move to Red Claw with Aryanna.
“Alpha Celine,” she beams at me. “Marcel and I picked up your guest. She’s here.”
I nod. “Let her in.”
I’m barely able to hide my grin when Jade enters the room, spreading her arms out wide to hug me. She looks her usual self: regal and dignified. “My dear!”
“Great grandma,” I chuckle. “Jade.”
Grandpa looks at us in shock. “Mom!? What are you doing here?”
“Oh, sweetheart, Justus.” Jade turns towards him, her eyes wide. “What a lovely surprise.” She approaches him swiftly, pulling him into a hug. It’s a bit weird to watch because she looks so much younger than him, but I assume they are used to it.
Harmony and Dad, however, stare at the scene with their mouths wide open in shock. “Mom?” Dad mutters. “Did you just call her mom, Justus?”
“Wait… you’re truly related?” Harmony inquires.
Jade lets go of Grandpa and looks at them. “I’m Justus’ mother. I’m a witch, we age slower than humans. And even slower than wolves.”
Harmony nods tentatively while my father still needs some time to grasp the situation. I decide to load his plate full of pie. Eating always helped Dad distract his thoughts. After the second piece of apple pie, he looks calmer, carefully asking Jade and Justus questions about their life before Justus met Grandma, and why he’s aging, but his mother is not. He also asks questions about me.
It’s getting late, and my father looks at Grandpa insistently. “You will stay here, Justus,” Dad says in a matter-of-fact tone. “I know you’re not my father, but as my beloved wife’s father, I want to protect you and have you around. Do you truly not like being in a pack, or did you just hide in the forest out of fear of discovery?”
“I like the forest,” Grandpa answers warily.
“Oh, please,” Jade rolls her eyes. “You don’t like the forest so much that you want to live there on your own, having nothing to do. Times have changed. Come back to the pack. Your granddaughter and your son-in-law live here.”
“That’s right,” I decide, adding fuel to the fire, “And you would be a great help.”
“Really?” he asks me, slightly skeptical.
