Page 102 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

Thudump. Thudump. My heart is beating so fast, it makes me feel slightly dizzy, and a wave of nausea hits me. Flora reaches out her hand and takes mine into hers. I try to focus on her warm hand in mine and on the gentle calmness she seems to send my way. It usually helps, but this time I have difficulties focusing on anything other than my frustration and anger.

I don’t hear what the others are talking about, I am just glad they aren’t paying me any attention and let me deal with my brooding thoughts. Vincent makes sure to drop off Jace first, before driving back to Silverlake.

When he halts the car, he turns to look at me. “Are you okay? Do you need me for backup or something?”

“No, it’s okay,” I say. “I just have someone to talk to.”

“I will join Elden,” Flora says more to Vince than to me.

Her words seem to put him at ease, but he still looks worried. “Just link me before you do something rash, like challenge your old man or something.”

“I am not going to challenge that loser,” I say. “He isn’t even here, anyways.”

“Then who are you going to rough up now?” he asks curiously.

“One of our beloved Elders,” I say, not able to hide the bitterness in my voice, before finally getting out of the car.

Flora briefly says something to Vincent, but I am too preoccupied with my anger to hear what she is saying. She catches up to me easily and follows me to Samuel. I know where he is. This man works like a clock. His schedule is always precise, and around this time of the day he is usually in our private garden, either reading or walking. He looks up when he sees me approaching. Before he can even greet me, I interrupt him. “I quit,” I snarl.

“What do you quit?” he asks, confused.

“Becoming alpha,” I snap. “Being my father’s heir!”

“What!?” Samuel exclaims. “Are you insane!?”

“No, I have never been clearer in my mind,” I say. “Everything about this sucks. I am sick of it. I am sick of our society, I am sick of my father, I am sick of the pack.”

“Your pack-” Samuel huffs. “It’s not just your birthright, it’s also your duty!”

“My duty?” I snort. “Don’t make me fucking laugh, Samuel!”

I have never addressed him in such a disrespectful manner, and it seems to shock him slightly. “What’s gotten into you?” he asks. “That’s not like you to take the easy way out.”

“The easy way-” I am speechless at his words, feeling how Regis is slowly getting riled up. He is getting more and more dominant daily, and it’s moments like these where I have difficulties holding him back.

Flora grabs my arm.

“Make him see sense!” Samuel demands from her. “You are his mate. It’s your responsibility to both pander to your alpha and also be a good influence on him.”

“Her responsibility is not to pander to me,” I spit. “She is only responsible for her own decisions.”

“I agree with Elden,” Flora says, surprising me by backing me up. I never had doubts she would stand with me anytime, but this here is different. This is me challenging an Elder. “I am disgusted.”

“If our laws are only on the side of those with power, I am done.”

“You can’t just run from your responsibility. The pack needs you,” Samuel exclaims.

“Thepack,” I yell, feeling my anger overwhelm me, and something clawing in my mind.

Let me out,Regis hisses.

“The pack didn’t save my mother, the pack didn’t care for her, they didn’t care for me, and certainly not for Gamma Tobias or for my father’s fated mate.”

Samuel stares at me. “What did you just say?” he whispers.

“You heard what I said,” I say bluntly.

“Listen Elden,” he sighs. “Your father’s errors aren’t mine. They-”