Page 136 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“I will come to the point immediately,” Samuel says. “The Council wants to plan Elden’s and Flora’s inauguration ceremony for Friday, in two weeks.”

My heart almost skips a beat at hearing the date. Fuck, it’s getting real.

“What?” my father exclaims. “Without talking to me first? Elden is not ready yet!”

“He is,” Samuel says calmly.

“He has not reached his full potential yet!”

“That doesn’t matter,” Samuel argues. “He is only eighteen. He is young, yes, but he has been prepared for this rank his whole life. As for his full potential… he will gradually become stronger and easily reach it.”

I am only remotely wondering what kind of potential they are talking about, but when Samuel tosses me a gaze, I nod at him. “I am ready,” I say shortly.

Dad looks frustrated. “You are not ready.” He looks at Samuel. “He is not ready!”

“I have marked my mate, now,” I tell him. “I feel the bond to my fated mate fully, and it makes me stronger. It’s the way it should be.” I emphasize on the word fated, noting how something in my father’s eyes flashes. Frustration, anger, a hint of shame even.

Interesting.

“I also have people who can guide and help around me,” I say. “And I have my two betas, one of them even to your liking.”

“Your son is right,” Samuel says. “He fulfilled his part of the deal. He has two betas, marked his mate, he has finished school and has trained and studied relentlessly. By now, he is the strongest warrior of this pack. He also proved to be a good leader when the pack was attacked not too long ago. The pack respects him even more, after leading them so well through the attack.”

Dad is angry. It’s obvious by his scowl. I used to be terrified of this expression, because usually it meant he would lose his temper and hit me, but now he doesn’t look terrifying to me. I look at him, scanning him from head to toe. He doesn’t look as tall anymore, as strong and bulky. When did that change?

You changed, you idiot, not him,Regis grunts.

“I am still the alpha,” Dad snarls. “The decision when Elden takes over is mine!”

“No, it’s not,” Samuel says before I can even open my mouth. “It’s not your decision, Caelum. It’s Geneva’s and mine, and the Council’s. You were the interim alpha until Elden would be ready to take over. Silverlake is his birthright, and his royal heritage and being born into the position has made him easily surpass you. The pack needs him, and we want him in this rank sooner than later! Neither Geneva nor I are asking for your approval, we are merely informing you.”

Goddess, he is not taking prisoners today!

“How dare you!” Dad snarls, slamming his hands on the desk.

“How dareyou!” Samuel retorts. “You have put disgrace on this pack, your rank and your family. You were married and mated, while you had a mistress in Paris. You took a chosen mate, and then betrayed her too. You lied to us constantly, and I was a fool to believe you for so long. The pack doesn’t respect, nor like you, and I can see why. You are barely around, and you don’t care for the pack members. Your son is only eighteen and already a much better man and alpha than you ever were! I am giving you the chance to retire with dignity, which is much more than you deserve.”

Dad looks furious, but even he knows he has no chance against an Elder from the Council. “You will regret this,” he snarls before jumping up and leaving the room in long strides. I watch him leave before turning my gaze to stare at Samuel. “Goddess, you were actually pretty cool today,” I say.

Samuel looks amused. “I never dreamed that I would ever hear those words out of your mouth.”

“Neither did I,” I say. “When you said we would have this talk, I thought you wanted me to take it up with my father, which I would have done. I am not scared of him anymore. It’s the first time I noticed that he isn’t as strong as I always thought he was.”

“That’s because we now know he was never born an alpha,” Samuel says. “You however were born as one, as a royal alpha on top of that. You trained and grew stronger.” Samuel looks amused. “Your father didn’t argue more because he knew he has no chance against you anymore. Must be quite the humbling experience for him.”

I snort. “You are really out for blood today.”

“I needed to be,” he says. “A lot of Caelum’s antics were my fault. I asked you to accompany me today, not for backup, but to finally make things right by you. I protected him for way too long. To put him in his place was my task today, which is the reason Geneva didn’t accompany us either.” He sighs. “I know we walked quite the rocky path,” he admits. “And I protected your father for far too long, but I believe everything I said: You are ready for this task, and you will be an amazing alpha.”

“I am not sure what to say,” I admit.

“I was a fool,” he says. When I stay quiet, he looks at me thoughtfully. “Saying nothing is also an answer.”

“I know, I just didn’t want to add insult to injury.”

He snorts. “You have grown so much more confident.”

“I think lack of confidence was never my issue,” I say. Lack of self-worth, frustration and anger were, but I don’t say the last part out loud.