Page 148 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

Nox and I separated from the other groups, which are led by Arden and Eric, to trail Tori on our own. We decided we would do that from above, which means climbing over the roofs. The fact that the hospital is located in the old part of the city helps. Fortunately, it’s winter, and it gets dark early here. Tori’s ‘appointment’ is at five p.m., which means the sun is already setting.

You know,Nox links me while we settle down on an abandoned balcony, both of us with binoculars in our hands.Eventually, you will have to choose a second beta to help with the workload. If you choose one, make sure it’s someone who isn’t as shady as the both of us.

When did it even happen that you pulled me into your shenanigans? I tease.

Excuse me, MY shenanigans?He snorts.Yeah, right. You always had a bad influence on me. How did you even learn how to climb a house wall?

Are you kidding me, Nox? I grew up with five brothers. I can come and go without anyone noticing or asking questions. You should know that better than anyone.

Okay, so they are your brothers, but what about Alpha Elden?he asks.I think he would notice anything.

I grin to myself. Nox has the biggest admiration for my dad. He was originally sent to Silverlake as a child to kill my father. Obviously, it didn’t work, but Dad spared his life and gave him a second chance. Nox has always been loyal to my father and our family since then. Dude kisses the ground he walks on. Not that I can’t understand it.

I learned a lot from Nox, too. He was a trained assassin as a child already, and eagerly showed me his tricks.

I think Dad secretly appreciated that I learned from you how to be sneaky,I point out.He never minded me tricking my brothers. He just never liked it when I tricked him.

I watch Tori walk into the hospital, switching on my mic and earpiece. “Can you spot her?” I ask Arden.

“Yes, two of our men are in the hospital,” he whispers. “Gustave still has her signal, too.”

“Tori, can you hear me?” I ask.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Don’t say anything, just listen. Make sure you stay in the hospital for at least 45 minutes. The doctor we set you up with is one of Eric’s friends. Once you leave, take the side entrance that leads to the side alley and to a private parking lot.”

Nox moves his binoculars to check the parking lot I just mentioned. It’s mostly deserted and owned by the factory next to it for deliveries. He gives me an approving nod.

“It’s the least safe place around here,” I tell her.

Tori doesn’t answer, but I did tell her to stay silent, so I try not to worry too much.

“Do you think she is doing it to prove herself to Lion?” Nox asks quietly once I switch off my mic again.

“I think she is mostly doing it to prove to herself,” I say. “Though he did stir up her insecurities, unintentionally so.”

“She didn’t need to do it,” Nox mutters.

“Of course she did,” I say. “You guys just don’t get it. Let her prove herself. She can do this.”

“Girls are a mystery,” Nox says.

“Not really.” I chuckle.

“Do you think we’ll find them?” Nox asks. “Realistically speaking.”

I let his question sink in before answering. “I think we will find them,” I admit, my stomach clenching nervously. “But I don’t know in what state they’ll be in.”

“Yeah,” he mutters. “That’s what I’m scared of too. You know what scares me as well?”

“What?”

“It could have been me,” he says quietly. “If I had continued living with my father, forced to participate in his crimes, maybe I would have become like Night.”

“Nox,” I say sadly. “You always had good in you. I think Night’s father did enhance his issues, but deep down something was always wrong with Night.”

“Still, my life would probably be a lot darker, and I would have done some terrible things,” he mutters.