Page 14 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“I would like to,” I say.

“I told you I would finance it,” he says. He glances at me. “You already applied, didn’t you?”

I feel my cheeks heat up. How did he know? I did so secretly so that no one would know. “How?”

“I just know you.” He smiles. “I know how much you enjoy learning and studying. I promise no one will stop you from getting a higher education. How did you do it?”

“I got a full scholarship,” I admit.

“And what did you apply for?”

“Philosophy, physics, math, and linguistics.”

“You got into all of them?” Eric asks. “Which one did you choose?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, uncertain as to what he is talking about.

Eric stares at me, scanning my confused expression. “You are doing all of it!?”

“Shouldn’t I?” I mutter. “Is this weird? Prince Eric, is this one of the things I shouldn’t do or say?” Eric has been my only mentor in terms of social cues so far. He is truly a social chameleon and also a very kind person. He has helped me a lot.

“It’s not weird,” Eric says with a bright smile. “It’s amazing. You do you, Arden. There is nothing wrong with you.”

We are still chatting when Cato pops into my mind again, projecting an image of Vander. I allow my senses to come forward, easily taking up his scent. Before he can jump at me to scare me, I grab him in a headlock.

“You need to try harder if you want to scare me,” I tease.

“Oh shoot, I thought I got you,” Vander complains, looking at me through his innocent blue eyes.

Eric laughs, smacking Vander with the folder he is holding. “Your brother is right. Your scent was all over the room.”

Vander grins. “It was worth a try, though.”

I let go of him, shaking my head. “I should let you treat me to dinner, as punishment.”

“But I did so well on my exam this week,” Vander says, making huge puppy eyes at me, which instantly win me over.

“I got it, I got it,” I say. I don’t want to appear like a doting, overprotective brother, but I am really proud of Vander for many reasons. He is kind and strong and is growing into a commendable young alpha wolf. He is very well-liked in the pack, and with his dark-blond hair and current growth spurt, the girls in his school flock to him, too.

Eric looks amused but doesn’t comment on it. “Just have some fun, the both of you. The winter solstice is tomorrow. We will be busy the whole day. Do you have the finalized list of attendees from your pack?”

I nod, handing him the list my father prepared. Vander and I will both attend, so will our pack’s beta and gamma. Our father will stay home to watch over the pack. He is not too keen on joining these social events. He claims it’s enough when I come and, for once, make myself useful for the pack. I think part of him just doesn’t want to spend too much time with the Council. Most French packs like ours are lycan packs and very close to the Council. Dad’s not good at pretending he agrees with their ideals and causes, though, and I believe he is rightfully scared that Eric will look right through him. Meanwhile, Vander and I love it here. Vander is jobbing here besides school, and Eric has already told me he wants me to work here full time.

Eric wouldn’t be Eric if he didn’t look through my father’s scheme, though. He scans the list before shaking his head. “So, the alpha is sending his sons and ranked members but doesn’t want to show up himself? What am I supposed to make out of that?”

Vander swallows thickly, casting a glance at me. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to answer either.

“I think we need to have a talk with him, eventually,” Eric says.

“Please don’t,” I hear myself say. If he does that, Dad will just blame me. I usually try to avoid him as best as I can, unless for training, where he enjoys beating me up. But I don’t need to feel his fist outside of training.

Eric looks at me, the question marks clearly in his eyes. “Is something wrong?” he asks.

Oh shoot, I don’t want him to get suspicious of how awful things are at home and with the pack. “No,” I say.

“You know our father,” Vander helps me. “He is just weird about these things.”

“Is that so?” Eric mutters, casting us another glance.