Page 1 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

Chapter one

Titan

*AURELIA*

Itry not to make any noise, quietly tying my shoes, grabbing a jacket, and silently walking downstairs and out of the pack house. The guards greet me politely, but I make sure they don’t make a fuss. Ever since Dad announced me as his heir and my three older brothers left to become leaders of their own packs, it feels a bit lonely here.

I’m used to having my siblings around me.

On the upside, my oldest brother, Liam, made sure I inherited his former suite in the pack house. Dad gave his okay when I turned eighteen and started college. It gives me a bit of privacy. I need my quiet me-time sometimes and it’s nice to have a place to retreat to.

I gaze at my phone, noting how my beta, Nox, has written me a message. He always offers to join me on my morning jog, but I like to do this on my own. He is my best friend and I know he is just being considerate, because my lovely Noctis is many things, but a morning person is not one of them.

I type an answer, telling him to go back to sleep and meet me for breakfast instead.

Ready for a run?I link my wolf.We have a whole hour to run.

Maxima stretches her paws.Let’s take the path through the forest. I love the fresh, cool air there.

I agree. There is something about beginning my workout when it’s still dark and running while the sun slowly rises. It’s utterly peaceful, and so quiet and calm. It’s winter, so it’s cold even for us wolves. I’m dressed in my running gear, specifically made for the cold winter months. Maxima doesn’t mind the cold at all. In a way, we both enjoy it.

I start slow, to allow my body to warm up first until my lungs get used to the cold air, then up my pace and start running faster. I take one of my favorite paths through the forest, leading me over a small trail, first past thick trees, over a clearing, then through a narrow passage that almost blocks all light. Snow is lying all around, my footsteps crunching a bit. Normally I run while listening to music, but today I just want to soak in the sounds around me.

I pass by an old little hut that was previously used as a shed for tools from our lumberjacks, but is now empty as they have a better place to store their stuff.

That’s when I hear it.

He’s here!

Can’t we just ignore him?Maxima asks, completely displeased.

No, we can’t,I say, stopping to approach the huge cat sitting in front of the hut. “Hey, Titan,” I say, kneeling down in frontof him. Titan has been living here for the last couple of months. I try to visit him daily, bring him food, and play with him. He hasn’t always been that responsive, though. For the first couple of weeks, he used to hide away, until one day he allowed me to be in his proximity. The moment I would even breathe too loudly, he would dash off.

However, he always returns to this little hut.

Research showed me he is a Maine coon, and for weeks, I tried to find his owners. He didn’t look too well, hadn’t been groomed in forever, was underweight, and was certainly not used to people. One of our pack members is a vet with a clinic in town. With Nox’s help, I brought Titan there to have our vet take a look at him. Brooke attended to him, vaccinated him, and did his blood work. She also took a picture of him to send it to the various shelters to see if someone was looking for him.

But no one was.

So, he stays here.

Titan stands up, stretching a bit before walking towards me. My heart skips a beat… no way…

Maxima eyes the approaching cat in annoyance, but eye to eye with his innocent cat eyes, she melts too, at least a bit. I reach out my hand, smiling when Titan snuggles against my palm. This is the first time he actively seeks me out.

Great,Maxima mutters.Now he won’t ever leave again. Also, we need to return. There is work waiting for us.

She isn’t wrong. My lycan might be a bit of a diva, but she is also diligent and takes our schedule seriously. Titan tilts his head when he watches us get up. “See you later, bud,” I tell him.

I start jogging off again, taking a shortcut so we will be back in time. There is some rustling behind me. Turning around, I can see Titan running after us. He stops when I stop and continues when I continue. I try to tell him to go back to his hut, but he ignores me. Instead, he follows us until we reach the pack house.It’s only then that I realize how truly majestic he is. The vet reaffirmed that he is a Maine coon, a pretty big breed with thick fur, which is why I named him Titan.

I make it to the pack house, confirming that Titan is still following me.

It’s still pretty early, but there are more pack members up now and going about their duties. One of them is my father, who I pass while walking up the stairs.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Good morning,” my father greets me, pausing when he sees Titan.