Chapter 10
The truth was, she had tried to be indifferent about this mateship, a mere alliance for her blood and her stability. But lately, the fragments of information
whispered by her father, the way her mother’s voice softened when she spoke about this Alpha–it was chipping away at
her resolve.
She sighed, her fingers trailing along the delicate embroidery of her gown. Every word her father had spoken lingered with her: the strength of this Alpha, his understanding of ancient blood, his ability to stabilize her Lycan heritage. Now, her curiosity was awakening, a tiny spark that wouldn’t be extinguished. Who could possibly be this powerful? This perfect. match for the untamable blood that coursed through her veins?
Her mother’s footsteps grew louder as she entered Marissa‘ s room, her face bright
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with a contented smile. “Darling,” she began, her tone soft and knowing, “you seem lost in thought.”
Marissa blinked, turning to look at her mother. “I suppose I am,” she admitted, her voice barely above a murmur.
Her mother’s smile grew wider as she settled beside her, brushing a strand of hair from Marissa‘ s face. “I’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. warmly. “Seeing you so close to finally being… safe. I can’t tell you how much peace that brings to my heart.”
“Safe,” Marissa repeated, the word almost foreign. Safety had never been a luxury in her life. Her wolf, her blood- they had always been wild and untamed, powerful beyond her own control. The idea of finally finding balance, of feeling whole, was both alluring and strange.
“Yes,” her mother replied, reaching over to take Marissa’s hand in hers. “Your
father and I would never have agreed to
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this mateship if we didn’t believe it was right for you.”
Marissa felt the weight of her mother‘ s words settle in her chest, grounding her. “And you‘ re certain… this Alpha will understand?” she asked quietly.
Her mother’s expression softened further, a look of absolute conviction filling her eyes. “He’s the only one who can. We’ve searched, Marissa–your father and I spent years trying to find the best Alpha. But this man…” She paused, her gaze distant for a moment. “He’s unmatched. We knew instantly that he was the one.”
Marissa tilted her head, trying to grasp the enormity of what her mother was saying. She knew her parents‘ love for her ran deep, that they would stop at nothing to see her safe. But the confidence in her
mother’s voice left her feeling both comforted and uneasy.
“What makes him so different?” She asked, her voice soft with curiosity.
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Her mother’s gaze met hers, calm and steady. “He understands our lineage, Marissa. He has a power of his own, something… rare. Your father was certain of him the moment they met. He knew this Alpha would be able to handle even the strongest of Lycan blood.”
A surge of curiosity welled up in her, unbidden and unstoppable. Her mother’s words were like a spark, igniting questions that she hadn‘ t allowed herself to ask until now. Her heart quickened, her wolf stirring within her, restless and alert. Suddenly, she wanted to know who this Alpha was, to understand the man who would become her anchor.
“I never thought…” Marissa hesitated, feeling her own voice falter, “I never thought anyone could be strong enough. All my life, I’ve been fighting against my own blood. It’s hard to imagine someone who could… tame that.”
Her mother’s hand rested gently on her
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shoulder. “He won‘ t tame it, darling. He’ll balance it. There’s a difference.”
A flicker of hope rose within her, mingling with the curiosity she could no longer deny. She had grown up preparing to face this strength alone, resigning herself to a life of solitude even within her own pack. The idea that someone could share that
weight, even lessen it, was almost too much to believe.
“And you‘ re sure?” she pressed, her oice barely a whisper. “You‘ re sure he’s the one?”
Her mother’s eyes softened, a knowing look in her gaze. “I’m more certain than I’ve ever been of anything in my life,” she replied, her voice resolute. “This Alpha was chosen carefully, Marissa. Not just for his strength, but because he understands you–even if he doesn’t know it yet.”
The curiosity that had been quietly simmering within her began to rise,
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growing into a need she could no longer contain. Her mother’s confidence, her father’s quiet certainty–they had begun to kindle something inside her, something she had once believed lost.
“Then, Mom,” she said, her voice tinged. with a quiet urgency, “who is this Alpha?”
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