Page 131 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Don’t diminish their work,” Emilia says. “I was just watching and helping with smaller tasks. They truly had it under control.”

“It was fun,” Jace says. “Didn’t expect it to be like that.” He raises his head, his eyes meeting Janice’s. “Maybe I should cook more often in the future.”

Elden squeezes my hand. “How does it taste?”

“Perfect,” I say. “Grandma would be so happy if she could see us.”

For the first time mentioning her doesn’t make me cry. I feel a twinge of pain, but not that overflowing sadness I usually feel when I think of her. She would be truly happy if she could see me today. I know grief is a process, and there will be bad days, but I feel like this is a step I made forward.

*ELDEN*

“You need to open your presents,” Janice urges Flora.

We have just wrapped up lunch, and to my relief everyone seems to have enjoyed their time. Samuel was surprisingly chilled and didn’t talk about work. He didn’t even bat an eye at Vince and Calv’s constant funny bickering. I think secretly, he might have been amused by it, and probably relieved that the two future betas get along so well.

Now that the scary part of the day is over and Jace and I didn’t fail the lunch, I can relax too. “Janice is right,” I say. “Time for presents.”

“Wait,” Emilia says. “I want to get the cake first and take photos.”

“Let me help you,” Geneva offers, the two women leaving for the kitchen to grab the cake they both had made. My skills are certainly not good enough to make such a beautiful piece of art.

“It’s Emilia’s gift to you,” I tell Flora.

“The cake?” Flora beams, watching curiously how Emilia carries the huge piece of art into the room. She has gone all out, and made it look like a tree trunk with little leaves growing out of it.

“It’s filled with strawberry crème,” Emilia explains. “And with a soft batter-based biscuit.”

“That’s my favorite!” Flora smiles. “Thank you so much, Emilia!”

“I hope it will taste well.” Emilia returns her smile, before she lets Geneva light the candles. The two of them make sure to take lots of photos of Flora alone and then with all of us. We make a couple of serious pictures before starting to pull faces. Samuel just shakes his head, but Geneva keeps spurring it on.

“I am here too,” a chirpy voice can be heard, and Trixie pops up from literally nowhere.

“Trixie!” Flora exclaims. “You came!”

“Yes, I couldn’t miss my girl’s birthday,” she says, fluttering around Flora’s head before sitting down on top of it, her little feet dangling against Flora’s forehead. A couple of months ago everyone would have still been stunned, but by now they all got accustomed to things being slightly different here with us than somewhere else.

With everyone having a piece of cake and coffee in front of them, Flora finally opens her gifts. She openly shows how grateful and happy she is, but through our bond I can feel how she is constantly battling with tears. She probably didn’t expect everyone to go all out for her. Calvin made an effort also and gave her a beautiful painting. “It’s from my inheritance,” heexplains. “I know you like nature, and that water lilies look like they could be from Silver Lake.”

“Calv, is that a Monet?” I ask, stunned.

“Yes, I got a couple of them,” he says.

Flora’s mouth drops open. “By the Goddess,” she says. “This is too much!”

“No, I will be happy to hand it to the Luna of Silverlake,” Calvin says. “I know my parents approve.”

“This needs to go to your office, Flora,” Emilia says. “Calvin is right. It’s a beautiful picture and a symbol of your status. Don’t hesitate to show it off.”

“Thank you, Calvin,” Flora smiles. “This is unbelievable.”

“Man, you just made it really difficult to up you,” Vincent grumbles.

“It’s not about upping each other,” Flora reassures him. “I will be happy about everything!”

“Then, I hope you will like this too.” He hands her an envelope. In it are tickets for a weekend at a spa for two people. “Take your man with you,” Vincent chuckles. “We all know the workaholic needs it.”

Flora laughs. “I will, thank you! I am so happy about this, Vince!”