Page 50 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“I’m so glad.” Zoé beams. “I think it’s cool that you are mates!”

“I think we all agree on that,” Leila admits, elbowing Aurelia. “Did you tell him that you have five brothers?”

I raise my head. “What?” I ask, shocked. “I wasn’t aware!”

“How can you know everything about this case, every little detail you ever read, and don’t know this,” Leila teases. “Didn’t you do a background check on her?”

“Why would I?” I ask. “She is my mate, not a criminal.”

Aurelia grins. “Don’t worry about my brothers. I can easily keep up with them.”

“Minus the oldest,” Leila adds.

“Yes, but Liam truly cherishes the mate bond. He will be happy,” Aurelia says.

“Right,” Emilien chimes in. He joined us late today because he had to accompany Eric’s guests for a couple of hours. Once he arrived at our meeting, he mainly stayed silent for the talk but now decides to join it, saying something that makes my blood freeze in my veins: “Her father is more terrifying.”

I completely forgot that she is a lycan princess. Her father is the crown prince. He will be king one day. I had this information stored in my mind, but somehow didn’t connect it to Aurelia. She isn’t a powerful princess to me. She is my mate.

“Oh, Emi.” Leila rolls her eyes.

He looks sincerely confused. “What?”

“Don’t let them tease you,” Aurelia reassures me. “My parents are already looking forward to meeting you. My sister-in-law is an omega, and not once did it matter to them. They will love you, too.”

“Well,” I say, deciding to see this from a more rational perspective. “I’m sure I will soon see for myself.” They certainly can’t be worse than my dad.

Thinking about my father makes me remember the other unpleasant talk I still need to have. I’ve dreaded it all day, and only Aurelia’s presence made me forget about it. But now that it’s on my mind, it’s going to stay until I handle it.

I have looked at the folders Aurelia had prepared, my photographic memory saving it to my mind. So, I decide to use the next hour or two, while Aurelia briefs the others, to finally get it over with. “I’m going to meet with Prince Eric,” I tell the others. “Aurelia will brief you on what she found out.”

The others nod, unsuspecting of what’s going on. Emilien looks at me and shows me an encouraging smile. At least that’s what he was probably trying to achieve, though, in reality I just feel like the biggest failure while making my way to Eric. I’m going to tell him that my father is an abusive ass who tried to attack my mate. I, an alpha’s son, couldn’t stop him from hurting my brother and from attempting to hurt my mate.

It doesn’t matter that Aurelia is strong enough to stand up against him. It matters that I was never strong enough.

The whole way to Eric’s office, I try to think of what I’m going to say and how to tell him, only to bump into him in the corridor.

“Arden.” Eric beams at me. “Where are you heading to? Did Aurelia finish her briefing?”

“She is in the middle of it,” I say. “But I’ve read the folders before.”

Eric eyes me curiously. “So?”

“I was looking for you,” I admit.

A hint of understanding flashes in Eric’s eyes before he shows me his signature toothpaste smile. “Let’s grab some coffee,” he says.

The Council has its own cafeteria, just like it has a whole bunch of shops and smaller restaurants. Eric and I target a small bistro a bit further away from the places the other regulars usually frequent. He orders his cappuccino while I settle for an espresso. Actually, a shot of whiskey would have been better.

For a while, we sit in silence.

“Is it true?” Eric finally asks. “What Emilien told me.”

“That’s a rhetorical question.” I hear myself answer. “You know the answer already.”

“I do,” he admits. “But I need to hear it from you.”

“It’s true,” I admit. Just sitting here with him makes my feelings overwhelm me. I didn’t expect it to hit so hard, but suddenly, my eyes start burning, making me hide my face behind my hand. “Oh, fuck.”