Page 97 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

He smiles, putting an arm around me, while I take a cheesy selfie of us in front of the Sacré Coeur, then another one with the both of us taking a bite of a croissant. I send it to my mom, and within minutes I receive an answer with lots of heart emojis and that she wants to hear all the details later.

When we walk through Montmartre, it strikes me that I’m in the city of love with my mate. I met him here. It’s almost cheesy.

“What’s going on inside your head?” Arden asks curiously. “I can almost hear you think.”

I chuckle. “I just realized I met my mate.”

“Good thing you realized that now,” he teases.

I elbow him playfully. “You know what I mean.”

He nods, squeezing my hand a little tighter. Eventually, I notice him fumbling with his hearing aid.

Maxima raises her head, looking worried.Mate’s not feeling well.

We have been out for a while, now, and there are a lot of people around us,I explain to her.You know he and Cato don’t like that.

“How about we walk through the park?” I suggest. “And then, go to the restaurant Alexander wants to meet us at.”

“We haven’t seen everything, yet,” he points out.

“It’s not my last day in Paris,” I reassure him.

He kisses the back of my hand and smiles. We spend an hour strolling through the park while Arden answers all my questions and tells me about all the sights we saw and more facts about Paris. When we arrive at the cafeteria Alexander is supposed to meet us at, Arden looks flustered.

“I talked too much. I’m sorry for boring you. Sometimes, when I start spouting facts, I can’t seem to stop.

“Why do you think I was bored?” I ask, surprised. “I didn’t know much about Paris, but this is your home, and this is also where my roots as a lycan are. Of course, I’m interested.”

“It’s just, sometimes it’s hard for me to read the atmosphere,” he admits. “And I bombard everyone with facts although they haven’t asked.”

“Don’t worry.” I grin. “I’m very capable of putting a stop to someone talking-and talking-if it gets too much for me. Even if it’s my mate.”

He chuckles, pulling me into a swift hug and kissing me. When he draws back, he takes my face between his hands and rests his forehead against mine. I like how he looks at me and the way hetouches me. He doesn’t look at me like I’m just a piece of meat. He is genuinely interested in me, in how I feel, and what I want.

“Come,” he says gently, taking my hand again. “I can smell a vampire.”

I chuckle. “Me too. He is already here.”

We step inside the beautiful café. It’s a bit secluded and looks exclusive. I spot Alexander, instantly. He sticks out like only certain vampires do.He must be full-blooded,I link Arden.

What makes you say that?

An instinct,I say.I’ve met Silas before, the vampire my brother mentioned. He is a full-blooded vampire. They have a special aura.

I know these are not facts, yet Arden nods, taking me by my word instead of pushing for any real proof.

Alexander stands up when we come closer, greeting us politely. He tilts his head while his sharp blue eyes scan Arden and me. “My brother said a female lycan alpha and a prodigy would be coming. Very intriguing indeed.”

“Your brother…” I mutter. “Well, you are a step ahead, it seems. Because we certainly didn’t know that part.”

At that, Alexander shakes his head in dismay. “Not unusual for Silas. He always only shares what is absolutely necessary, but yes, he is my older brother.” He gestures at his table. “Please, take a seat.”

Chapter thirty

Alexander

*ARDEN*