Page 147 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

I’ve never been much on social media, so I’m glad Aurelia handled this part of Tori’s cover, making sure she was as loud and obnoxious about it online as possible. Zoé and Gustave assume Night and his men are scanning social media and their other sources for certain trigger words that alert them. She even posted her fake appointment with the hospital.

The talk you had with Eric. It was about your father, am I right?Aurelia asks me.

I avoid her gaze, feeling how grief is filling me. What I suspect is a secret between the both of us and now Eric.I told Eric everything and asked him to spread certain rumors about Tori in the pack.

Seeing how PJ is dead and no longer Night’s contact in the hospital anymore, we decided we needed to alert someoneelse. It’s the reason I made sure to blab the news that one of my friends with AB negative blood will donate to the ranked members of my pack, well aware that it will somehow reach my father.

Part of me wishes he isn’t the one who sold out Léna and Coralie and that no one will come to trail Tori later this evening. I hope that I’m wrong.

But I doubt it.

I’m so sorry, Arden,Aurelia says sadly.

Let’s get the girls back,I mutter.And, then I can finally move past this.

Aurelia nods before turning her attention back to her friend, continuing to brief her on what she should do in case she indeed gets kidnapped by Night. I step out for a short moment, taking a deep breath. Please let this all work out.

I can’t live with myself if Léna and Coralie get hurt because of me, and if Meg is lost too.

“Arden?”

I turn around to look at my brother. “Hey.” I smile.

“Nervous?” he asks.

“I am,” I admit. “We did everything to make this work,” I say. “But part of it relies on luck. They have to take the bait. They have to seek out Tori.”

“But there is a plan B?”

“Yes,” I reassure him. “You, Gustave, and Emilien have been tirelessly working on the geographical profile, and narrowed down the places the girls could be held at. While Tori is out there, playing bait, Eric will have teams simultaneously looking for them.”

“Thank you,” Vander whispers. “For doing this.”

“Not doing it was never an option,” I tell him.

“I—” he pauses. “Arden, they took Léna because she is my girlfriend.” He looks at me, and to my horror there are tears in his eyes. “Was Dad involved?”

“I—What?” I stumble over my own words, not sure how to answer.

“I’m not stupid,” Vander says. “I saw how you reacted last night when I mentioned him. You are a terrible liar.” He looks at me through begging eyes. “Please tell me Dad didn’t do it.”

I reach out my hand and touch his shoulder before leaning my forehead against his. “We don’t know anything for sure, Vander.”

Vander lets out a shaky breath. “Why did he do that?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been racking my brain ever since I felt he could be involved,” I mutter. “I truly don’t know, but I promise I will do everything to save Léna.”

“I trust you,” Vander says. “I’m so glad you are my brother. At least I have you in my life.”

“I’m happy about having you as my brother, too.” I smile. “You are my best friend and my brother. A double win.” I pause. “And you are truly okay with staying here today? No secret plan to follow us to save your girlfriend?”

“I don’t want to sabotage the mission,” Vander says. “If something happens to Léna because I’m reckless, I’d never forgive myself. I will stay here and help the office team.”

I feel more at ease knowing he understands, and that he is going to be with Gustave and Zoé, who will closely monitor Tori’s movements on their screen and make sure we follow her signal.

Gustave offered for Vander to stay with them to help with watching Tori. I don’t know when I stopped seeing Gustave as my former bully and instead as someone I would call a friend. I’m glad I didn’t let my initial resentment stop me from hiring him.

*AURELIA*