Page 164 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“For keeping you awake and for being a burden.”

“You are not a burden,” I say firmly. “Goddess, Arden. I can’t even imagine what you are going through. I—I just can’t put itinto words. But, I told you once and will tell you as often as you need to hear it, I’m not going anywhere. Take as long as you need.”

“It doesn’t feel real,” he says quietly. “That Vander isn’t here anymore. That I will never see him smile again or talk to him. That this is it.” He covers his eyes with his hand, and even through the darkness of the night I can see his tears.

I wish I were better than I am now, because I don’t know what to say other than to reassure him; I’m there for him and to help him with whatever he needs.

How is Cato holding up?I ask my lycan.

I’m looking out for him,she reassures me.

When I feel Arden’s breath evening out again, I grab my phone and hide in the bathroom. Without overthinking it further, I ring the first person that comes to mind. It has to be morning for them now.

Mom picks up at the second ring. “Aurelia? Sweetie, I’m so happy to hear from you!” I can almost see her beaming and smiling in front of my inner eye.

The image makes my eyes fill with tears. “Mom,” I whisper.

Mom gets serious immediately. “What happened, dear?” she asks. “Are you alright? Are Nox, Tori, and Lion alright?”

“Mom,” I whisper. “I don’t know what to do.” Then, I just blurt it all out, telling her what happened and how Vander passed away. “I feel like such a failure, Mom,” I sob, unable to hold back the tears. I can’t remember the last time I cried, but I can’t help it now. “I should be there for him, but I don’t know what to say or do. I’m such a bad mate.”

“Sweetheart,” Mom says sadly. “I’m so terribly sorry for what happened. Goddess, Arden shouldn’t need to go through this. Listen, Aurelia, you are not doing anything wrong. Everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. You are there for him, you give him what he needs, you make sure he eats and sleeps,and when he talks, you listen. That’s all you can do. There is no magical way to deal with grief.”

“Are you really sure?” I mutter. “I think I should do something… I feel like I should put more effort into comforting him, talking more, and reassuring him more.”

“There is nothing you can tell him that will erase the pain,” she says. “I thought the same many years ago when your father lost his mom. I tried everything in the book to distract him and to reassure him, but in the end what he needed the most was me being there for him. You are not doing anything wrong.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. Then I nod to myself. If I freak out now, it certainly is not going to help Arden. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll be heading back to bed.”

“Call me when you need something.”

I hang up and make my way back to bed, noticing how Arden moves slightly towards me when he feels the warmth of my body, his arm sneaking over my body to pull me closer.

The next morning starts only slightly better than the night before. Arden has stopped crying and switched his hearing aid on. He looks reluctant about leaving our room, almost like he doesn’t dare to.

“Do you want to stay here?” I ask him quietly. “I can organize something to eat, and we can just stay here.”

“Part of me wants to curl up in bed and not leave it for weeks,” he admits, his voice strained. “But I just… can’t. I can’t run from reality. Vander deserves better from me. He… he always saw the best in me.”

I remember Mom’s words to allow him to handle his grief the way he wants without questioning it. I reach out my hand, taking his. “I know you are not hungry, but if you want to work, we need to eat something first.”

“The funeral is going to be tomorrow. And I want to talk to Léna. That’s the least she deserves. And Eric… and…” he pauses. “Fuck, it just feels so draining.”

“You don’t need to shoulder it alone,” I say. “One step after another.”

He wraps me in his arms. “Thank you,” he mutters.

“I am not doing anything.”

“Yes, you are,” he says. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” He pauses. “I want to talk to Eric first. That’s the easiest.”

We leave the room together, deciding to head right to Eric. To my surprise, he is already expecting us with breakfast laid out.

“How…” Arden mutters.

“I had no idea if you would come,” Eric admits. “I just hoped you would.”

It proves to be a good decision to come here, because both Valerie and Eric have the power to make others comfortable in their vicinity. Arden doesn’t need to hide his grief in front of them and can be himself without any pressure.