Page 176 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“Yes, she is fitting in well there. It got me curious,” he admits. “Listen, Aurelia,” he says after a while. “I know I haven’t been easy to be around the last couple of weeks.”

“Arden,” I mutter before he can continue. “Don’t do that.”

“I want to,” he says. “I… just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you were at my side throughout it all. You were so patient and understanding, and just there. It meant more to me than words can describe.”

I let his words sink in before snuggling up against him. “I love you, Arden,” I say. “You are my mate. I told you a while ago already, I am here to stay. It was completely out of the question not to stay at your side through these dark weeks.”

“I hate to be a burden,” he says quietly.

“You were not a burden,” I assure him. “We will face many challenges throughout the rest of our lives, and I know we will always be able to rely on each other. I don’t see it as a burden. If roles were reversed, would you?”

“No, I would never view helping you as a burden either,” he admits. “I might need you to be patient with me for a while longer,” he adds. “Vander’s birthday is approaching, and I’m already terrified of the date.”

“Why don’t we celebrate his birthday?” I offer. “I don’t mean with a party or anything. But why don’t we do something in memory of him? Something he would enjoy? We could do that annually to keep his memory alive.”

Arden stares at me, his eyes glistening, but he smiles. “That’s a beautiful idea.”

It’s another couple of weeks later that we wrap up Arden’s last belongings here. We have already sent a couple of boxes to Silverlake, but it’s been far more than anticipated. Also, I wanted Arden to be able to say goodbye properly.

“Is this your mom?” I ask Arden while we go through one of the last pieces of his parents’ belongings. For weeks, he hasn’t been able to look at any photographs of his family, but he’s slowly starting to face certain memorabilia again.

“Yes.” He smiles as he scoots closer. “That’s shortly after Vander was born.”

“Then, you are the little boy next to her,” I say. “Aw, such a cutie. Look at that little pout of yours.”

Arden smiles. “I wasn’t happy at first about having a little brother,” he admits. “But, once Mom and Vander were back home, I fell head over heels for him.” He shows me a photo of all four of them—his father included. “Happier times,” he mutters while he looks at the picture thoughtfully. “Why did you have to ruin everything, Dad?”

“Have you heard anything about him?” I ask quietly.

Arden shrugs, pretending like he doesn’t care. “Eric said his trial is up ahead. He fucked up big time, that’s a fact. Eric told me Dad didn’t want any of us to die and that he is devastated by having lost Vander. He just wanted to get back at the Council, which is why he started to help Night. But I still don’t understand. Sometimes I want to go to his cell and ask him why he did what he did. Why he hated me so much, and why it wassuch a disgrace to him to have a child with a disability. I have so many questions.”

“If you want to face him and ask him,” I say, “you know that both Eric and I would stand one hundred percent behind your decision.”

“I have thought about it,” he admits. “But I don’t think I will do it. I don’t think there is anything he will tell me, or at least nothing of value. What kept him going until Mom died was the mate bond, but once that was severed, he just saw us as a burden from his former life. I tried to excuse and explain his behavior, but the fact is he was already a narcissist when Mom was still around. He would constantly berate her for smaller things, pretend any argument was her fault, made promises he didn’t keep, and always saw himself and his own feelings first. He hated it when Mom, Vander, or I cried because he thought we were manipulating him with our tears.” He shakes his head. “The funny thing is how shocked he was when Vander died. He never thought that his action would have such severe consequences.” He takes my hand. “I think I’m better off not visiting him.”

I lean my forehead against his. “I understand where you are coming from,” I say. “Promise me you will do what feels best for you.”

He nods. “I think living the best life possible will piss him off the most.”

“Then let’s make sure we piss him off as much as we can,” I say.

Before we can continue our talk, Beta Jules knocks at the door. He has a difficult standing in the pack at the moment, but I have to give him credit for working his ass off to lead them until a new alpha takes over.

Eric is already looking at several options. Many alphas have more than one child, and with only one of them being able toinherit their own pack, there is a lot of potential in the younger siblings.

“Do you have a moment, Arden?” Beta Jules asks.

“Yes, of course.” He turns to me. “Excuse me for a moment.”

“Sure, I wanted to give my parents a call anyway,” I say. I want to set a date for Arden’s and my return to the pack with them and see if I missed anything on my checklist for Arden’s move.

To my surprise Dad doesn’t pick up, which is unusual because it’s his working hours. I try Mom next, but she doesn’t answer either. My last resort is Beta Vincent, who finally picks up.

“Aurelia,” he says, sounding breathless.

Maxima’s senses are on alert instantly. “What happened!?” I ask.

“Listen…” Beta Vincent blurts out. “I… okay, it’s just recent news. I don’t want to unsettle you.”