Page 112 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Why would I be?” he says. “You can always tell me what you need to say and how you feel.”

“It’s more that I don’t want you to feel hurt,” I admit.

“Why? What do you want to do?”

“It’s just, I want to do it alone,” I say. “And I don’t want you hurt by thinking I don’t need you or I don’t want you. But I feel like seeking out my father is something I need to do on my own. The one thing I should do myself.”

“I understand,” he says. “Don’t worry. Just maybe take a guard with you, in case you plan on doing some lengthy travel.”

I feel instant relief settle in. He didn’t sound upset at all. The last thing I want to do is hurt him, but at the same time, I feel like I owe it to myself and to Grandma to do this one thing by myself.

It’s only two days later that Calvin returns, and he goes to work immediately. I hate to admit it, but the guy knows what he is doing. The first thing he does is inspect the borders with Vincent and Elden, and discuss with them how to improve them. He isgood at spotting blind spots and weaknesses in our system. The second thing is talking to the warriors in person. Good thing he does it together with Vincent, because he doesn’t hold back in his judgment, and in general, people react better to Vince’s approachable nature than to Calvin’s cold one. And the third thing, is to present to Elden, Vince and me what he learned in Paris.

“Man, you really made the best out of that trip,” Elden says.

“It was my job,” he says. “And I think it’s good that I did it. I can’t believe a couple of rogues were able to get past the warriors.”

“I agree,” Elden says. “Our borders are incredibly weak.”

“Good thing you were here, Elden,” Vincent says. “I don’t think it would have ended so well without you and your fast decision-making.”

Calvin looks content at Vincent’s words. “Our alpha proved to everyone how strong he is. I knew he was worth my effort.” When we are quiet, he frowns. “Too direct?” he asks.

“Yeah, I mean… you could try to sound less full of yourself,” Vincent says with a grin.

“Then how about: I knew he would be the type of alpha who is worthy of receiving all the necessary support.”

“A bit better,” I chuckle.

Elden just looks amused. “At least you are being honest, Calvin.”

I wait for the three of them to wrap up their talk completely before approaching Calvin with my own issue. “Calvin,” I say. “I need your dirt-digging talent.”

“You need me to find something or someone for you?” he asks, his head perking up.

“Yes, find my father,” I say.

He takes a small journal out of his pocket and a pen. “Do you know anything about him?”

“His name was Gilbert Robertson,” I explain. “He left when I was a baby. Other than that, I just know that he was part of this pack.”

“Hazel was his mother?”

“Yes.”

“Anything known about your mother? He must have met her regularly.”

There is a tug in me, as if my cells are vibrating, a slightly uncomfortable feeling but not painful. It’s like a warning. I realize, that I am about to share a secret. Ersa’s… Mom’s words come to my mind again about the line between mortals and deities, about their secrets and about my own safety. “No, I don’t know much about her. I don’t think she was from this pack, though.”

“Do you have pictures of your father?” he asks.

“Yes.” I hand him the little folder I had prepared. “Here is everything I could find. Grandma had his pictures in the house, and she’d also told me a bit about him.”

“But she couldn’t find him after he left?”

“Unfortunately, not.”

“Did she try to reach out? Or did he reach out?”