Page 11 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“I don’t have a brother,” Elden argues.

“That’s why it’s a game,” I tell them. “We are just imagining things, dreaming! Grandma says there are no limits to our fantasy.” I look at them curiously. “Do you never play?”

The two boys shrug. “Well, with me you will,” I say.

To my surprise they don’t argue with me, and instead, Jace repeats his invitation once we drop him off. When Elden and I return to Silverlake and halt in front of the packhouse, there is a surprise awaiting us. The luna is standing in front of the main entrance with Gamma Tobias behind her. She is wearing a white, soft cape, and she is so… thin.

Grandma told me once, that she lost a lot of weight and that everyone keeps saying that she used to be such a beautiful woman. Grandma insists that she still is beautiful. I think Grandma is right. Luna Carolina has a kind smile, and her hair is cute. She wears it shoulder length. It’s straight with not the tiniest curl to it, but she wears a bow in it, and it’s the cutest bow I have ever seen.

And she is tall. I hope I will grow up to be tall, too.

Elden and I climb out of the car, and he is clearly stunned. “Don’t you want to say hello to your mom?” I ask him.

“It’s just…” He shakes his head, smiling carefully. Then he gestures for me to follow him. “Mom!” he calls out.

Luna Carolina needs a moment to react, like it takes her great effort to tear her gaze away from the distance and look at us. She puts a hand on Elden’s head. “My boy,” she says.

“That’s Flora,” Elden says, pointing at me. “She is the friend I told you about.”

“It’s been a while, Flora,” Luna Carolina says.

“Do we know each other?” I ask curiously.

“The last time I talked to you, you were very little,” she says.

I smile, completely in awe that she is talking to me.

Luna Carolina takes Elden’s hand. “I want to go for a walk. Maybe my brave prince wants to accompany me?”

“Of course,” Elden says, looking genuinely happy. “I will see you later, Flora.” He hands Gamma Tobias his bag, a proud smile on his lips, that he can join his mother on her walk.

four

Luna Carolina

*FLORA*

“Grandma,” I yell, while dashing into our cottage. Grandma peeks her head out of the kitchen, smiling when she sees me.

“Look who is all happy,” she chuckles.

“I had the best day!” I exclaim. “I made a new friend. Jace. He is nice, not as nice as Elden, but he is a solid second. And-” I wrestle out of my jacket and toss my bag into a corner. “He invited Elden and me to his pack. We will play princess and prince… and second prince,” I beam. “Can I go?”

Grandma picks up my jacket and shakes her head in amusement. “Jace, as in Jace Hearst from Emerald Moon?”

“His dad is an alpha,” I say.

“Ah, he is friends with Alpha Caelum,” Grandma says. “I know who you are talking about. His son, Jace, sometimes comes to visit.”

I look at her expectantly, and she nods. “Of course you can go on this playdate. See? I told you, you will make friends.”

“No one made fun of me today,” I tell her.

She smiles. “That’s good to hear, sweetheart.”

“Say, Grandma,” I follow her into the kitchen, where she has already prepared a sandwich for me, “you said I’m not supposed to use bad words,” I say. “But,” I lower my voice to a whisper, “what about when I talk about Alpha Caelum?”

“Flora,” she says quietly. “You always need to be loyal to the alpha.”