The Alpha Princess

CELINA

I push my aura on my father. “Dad, please take me to the infirmary.” My voice is sweet but firm.

Every lycan and wolf in the room straightens, instantly on edge. Unfortunately, I’ve caught the lycan king’s attention now too. Xander is slightly submitting, as is my mom. Even Ruben strains his neck, trying to resist me.

Christopher has his eyes closed, most likely trying to calm his beast. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gotten that reaction. The strange part is that he’s moved his hand to his heart.

Finally, Dad steps back, unclenching his fists. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Highnesses, it seems my daughter needs me.”

I allow him to lead the way out the door, and we head to the infirmary in silence.

He walks next to me, head down. I can feel his embarrassment. It’s not just because he submitted to me—that’s a conversation neither of us is ready for. It’s because he lost his cool in front of the lycan king.

I just wanted to prevent a potential war.

He stops when we reach the stairs. “Celina, I know what you were trying to do in there. I know you’re not hurt enough to require my help. Please, do me this one favor and return to your room. Your mother and I have things to discuss.”

“Dad—” I start, but he cuts me off with a look.

“Cel, now,” he growls, surprising me.

Xander steps in, grabbing my arm. I didn’t even realize he followed us from the room.

“Cel, we should go get ready for the ball,” he says.

I sigh, relenting, and let him lead me away, still shocked by my dad’s behavior.

Xander takes me to my room and gently pushes me onto my bed. I give him a puzzled look as I run my hands over the comforter. He quickly closes the door and the blinds.

“What are you doing?” I ask as he starts sniffing around my walk-in closet.

“Cel, you were attacked.”

I hold up my arm. “Really? I had completely forgotten.”

He gives me a stern look before continuing his search. “You were targeted. We need to be vigilant until you’re mated.”

“Until I’m what now?” I glare at my brother.

He softens his voice as he approaches. “This is going to hurt my ego, Cel, but your power makes me look weak as fuck. It’s already stronger than Dad’s. With you as a mate, they could easily overpower the lycan king and alpha king.”

I open my mouth to argue, then close it, then open it. “So, to save us all a lot of trouble, I have to be mated?”

Xander blushes. “Sort of. I mean, I don’t want you to mate someone for the hell of it, but I’m only telling you what I’ve been told.”

“I hate being a girl,” I groan and lie back on the bed—then suddenly look up. “Wait, what do you mean what you’ve been told?”

Xander sighs. “Yeah, about that… Dad got a letter from the council. They informed him that if you remain unmated after the Claiming, they’re going to assign you a mate.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” I screech as I get to my feet. “Please, tell me you’re lying.”

“They feel like someone of your status should be mated to continue a strong line,” Xander says. “And with the threat to the thrones, I imagine they’re only going to be more insistent.” He gives me a comforting look. “It’ll be okay, Cel.”

“But that stupid rule only applies to lycan royals!” I say, fully whining now.

“Well, after you killed your lycan mate, it kind of applies to you too…” Xander says, giving me a sheepish look.

I growl, throwing a pillow at him. He catches it and tosses it back. “Stay here, take a nap. Jenna will probably come by later—”

“Wait, Jenna is coming?” My frustration abates at the thought of my best friend, but it’s tainted by curiosity. “She told me that she and Eddy were touring wedding venues this week.”

Xander gets a strange look on his face. “Um. Yeah. She’s coming. I’ll let her tell you. Just sleep off the rest of that wolfsbane, then you can get ready for the ball. I’ll leave a guard by your door, just in case.”

“Yeah, whatever…,” I sigh and flop back onto my bed as he leaves.

He has a point. Not only am I still recovering from wolfsbane poisoning, but I’m also still shaking off jet lag. My body is begging for a break.

However, I don’t get more than three hours of sleep before my phone’s ringtone jolts me awake.

I groan, answering without bothering to check the caller ID. “Hello?”

A dark voice croons, “Wakey wakey, Celina…,” causing me to sit up straight. A knot of unease stirs in my stomach.

“Declan,” I say, glancing around my darkened room. “How did you get my number?”

“Doesn’t matter. Just wanted to tell you I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Claiming.”

“Declan, let it go. We’re ~over~,” I snap, rising to my feet. “Leave me alone.”

“I proposed to you, Celina! You shouldn’t even be participating in the Claiming.”

“I turned down your proposal,” I retort, my temper flaring. “I’ve been telling you for six months, Declan. I don’t want to be your chosen mate!”

“Well, after tomorrow, you won’t have a choice.”

The line goes dead. What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

I groan as someone knocks thrice before opening my door.

I spin around, ready with a frown, but instead I squeal. “Jenna!”

I rush over to my auburn-haired best friend and envelope her in a tight hug, then pull back to take her in.

Her hair is twisted into a messy bun, and she’s dressed in turquoise sweats. Her beautiful jade eyes scan me from head to toe. She’s just an inch shorter than me and the daughter of Beta Logan.

She points at the phone still in my hand. “I heard you shout. Who was that?”

“Just Declan,” I reply, tossing the phone onto my bed. “Guess I need a new number—again.”

Her brow furrows. “You guys broke up six months ago. Shouldn’t he be over you by now?”

“You’d think so.” I shake my head. “Forget about that. I wasn’t expecting you to be here tonight. Xander told me you’d be here. What’s going on? Is the wedding still happening on graduation day?”

She follows me to the couch, a small smile on her face. “Actually…he broke up with me.”

“What?” I stop, staring at her. “When did this happen?”

She grimaces. “Monday. Can you believe it?! He said he only proposed to avoid the Claiming! He wasn’t planning on marking me after graduation. He was just…~using me~.” Jenna’s anger gives way to hurt, and she begins to sob. “Now I have to take part in the Claiming!”

I wrap my arms around her, letting her cry. Unfortunately, her situation isn’t unusual. If you declare your intent to mate in front of the council and become engaged, you’re exempt from the Claiming.

Jenna is turning twenty-two next month, which would make her ineligible for the Claiming. Eddy could have waited; he was just being a jerk—especially doing it the week of the event.

I’d love to start a manhunt for Eddy, but that would make Jenna an accomplice. Maybe I can send a dozen snakes to his dorm instead…

My phone rings again, the ominous ringtone indicating a call from one of the councillors. I glance at the screen and see it’s Councilman Geoff. I ignore it, letting it go to voicemail.

Speaking of ominous… “Jenna, I know this is the last thing you need right now, but we need to get moving. We’re due at the ball soon.”

She groans and flops onto my lap. “I don’t want to go.”

“Here’s the deal. We show up long enough to appease my mother, then we come back here, binge on junk food, drink the good wine from my dad’s office, and watch terrible rom-coms.”

She sniffles. “Really?”

“One hour, two tops.”

She sits up and wipes her eyes. “Can I get ready here?”

“Of course. You’re staying the night too,” I say, giving her a peck on the cheek. “We’re about to be hunted through a dense forest—a sleepover is mandatory.”

“I’ll go get ready, then,” she says, returning my kiss. “I’ll come back to drop off my stuff.”

“I’m going to shower. Let yourself in,” I tell her as she leaves.

As soon as the door closes, I groan as my phone rings again. I stomp over to my bed. “Stupid, bloody old micromanaging man with nothing—Councilman Geoff, how can I assist you?” I ask in a sickeningly sweet voice.

His rasp is smooth and composed. “Princess Celina, I heard you were attacked.”

“Yes, I was. I was assaulted by a rogue lycan while investigating the attack on the Moon Dune Pack.”

“A lycan? Are you injured?”

He knows about the attack but not my injury? “Yes. I got a deep scratch that was poisoned with wolfsbane. I killed him before he could do worse.”

“I see. And will you still be able to participate tomorrow?”

That’s his concern? “I, uh, yes. I should be able to. It’s almost healed.”

There’s a pause before he responds. “Good. Well, I wanted to inform you that if you happen to be without a mate by the end of the Claiming, you will be assigned a chosen mate by your twenty-second birthday.”

I swallow the bile rising in my throat. “In that case, I look forward to hearing from you.”

His voice holds a frown. “You’re not going to let another bite you, are you?”

“Nope. Goodbye, Councilman.” I hang up and toss the phone onto my bed before heading for the shower.

CHRISTOPHER

Ruben strolls into my room uninvited, leaving the door wide open. His face resembles someone who’s just been slapped with a wet fish.

He plops down on the pristine white couch, burying his face in his hands before letting out a muffled scream. I can’t help but roll my eyes. My younger brother has always had a flair for the dramatics.

“Is there a particular reason you’re disturbing my peace?” I ask him, tearing my gaze away from the computer screen.

Despite our change in location, work never ceases. The fact that I’m obligated to be here is a bitter pill to swallow—and being assigned to princess duty doesn’t make it any easier.

She’s gorgeous, I’ll give her that, but nothing special enough to garner my attention. Besides, I’m not looking for anyone to just pass the time with. I’m done with that lifestyle. Now, I’m looking for my mate.

I shake my head, remembering Father grabbing Ruben and me after the bratty princess’s departure. He almost broke our necks, forcing us to submit to his order.

“You two will protect the princess tonight and tomorrow. She mustn’t be marked under any circumstance.”

“That alpha princess,” Ruben groans, fiddling with his tux. “My beast is drawn to her power. I’ve tried flirting with her, and during our morning meeting, she barely even looked at me. Am I not good enough for her or something?”

I roll my eyes again, but my wolf Rajin growls, confusing me slightly. He seems irritated that Ruben is attracted to the princess. I don’t see it. Besides her beauty, she doesn’t have much else going for her. Her pride and abrasiveness overshadow her looks, in my opinion.

Refusing to engage with my brother on that topic, I ignore him and refocus on the reports of missing lycans. “From what I gather, she’s not much into dating,” I mutter.

“Do you think she’s not into me?” Ruben muses, completely ignoring my response. “Nah, that can’t be it. I’m everyone’s type. Maybe she’s gay.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, if a woman isn’t into you, she must be gay.”

“Thank you,” Ruben says, clinging to the slightest agreement, even if it’s dripping with sarcasm. “Why are you even working? We have to be downstairs in five minutes.”

I give him a stern look. “Someone has to figure out where these rogues are coming from.”

Ruben rises from the couch. “Chris, you’re about to attend a party with hundreds of unmated females. Live a little!”

“Aren’t we supposed to be babysitting?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

He grins at me. “I’ll handle that.”

“You’re going to stalk that poor woman, aren’t you?”

He leans in. “I prefer to think of it as performing my civic duty to protect the alpha princess.”

“She’s going to kick you in the nuts,” I warn him as I stand up and close my laptop lid.

“That may be so, but you’ve felt this girl’s power. Are you telling me that you didn’t want to submit to her?”

“A lowly she-wolf? You’ve got to be kidding me,” I retort, stepping out of his reach when he tries to slap me on the shoulder. “Even as an alpha princess, do you really think she’s worth my time?”

“If you see her legs, you’d change your mind,” Ruben counters, guiding me toward the open door with a hand on my back. “Relax for one night. It’s the season for mating. Dating. Fucking. Whatever you want it to be.”

He nudges me out into the hall. “Just have fun.”

“Fun?” I question, donning my black wolf mask. “How do you do that?”

Ruben gives me a puzzled look. “Did you do anything in London?”

“Not really. Mia kept me pretty occupied when I wasn’t working.”

Ruben snorts. “That bitch? Did she even have time when she wasn’t fucking someone else?”

My fists clench as I suppress the fiery rage produced by that comment; it isn’t Ruben I’m angry with, but his tactlessness doesn’t help his case.

“She managed to find the time, I guess,” I mutter and shake my head. “Fifty years wasted.”

Ruben gives me a mischievous smirk. “Maybe you can make up for some of that time tonight.” He waggles his eyebrows and nudges me playfully.

I give him a slight shove, surprised by the warm feeling coming from my beast. “Maybe I could do with one night of fun.”

Ruben laughs. “Now that’s what I want to hear. Just dance, chat, and—for the love of the Moon Goddess—drink. Relax,” Ruben emphasizes again, tying a kerchief around my neck. “Seriously. You’re the first prince, not the first bore.”