Page 138 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Yes, and I am surprised how nice she actually is. Pity she ended up falling for such a useless douchebag.”

“All the more important for us to make good choices,” I say.

“Well, I know I did,” Flora smiles brightly.

I don’t say anything, but I notice Flora’s gaze at me. Sometimes it feels like her eyes are boring deep into my soul, like she sees and knows much more than she lets on, and certainly much more than anyone told her. It’s even more evident now that she has turned eighteen. I have a couple of ideas where her powers might come from, but I don’t ask, just like she doesn’t ask me about my secrets.

“Oh shoot,” Flora frowns. “I forgot something.”

“Let’s head back to the mall,” I offer.

“I only need some basic things,” she points out. “The mall is pretty spacious and crowded. Let’s head to a smaller shop.”

“There is one on the way back to the pack. We can stop at our favorite café, too,” I offer.

“Good idea. I will just briefly call Vincent, so he knows to pick us up from somewhere else.”

Flora uses the pay phone a couple of steps further to call the young beta, before she returns to me. We came by bike to enjoy the warmth and do a workout. Both of us are used to going to places by our bikes, unless Elden or Jace are with us, then it’s almost always with a driver; nowadays, Vincent or Calvin. We just weren’t confident we could carry all of Flora’s purchases back to Silverlake, hence why Vincent is ready to pick us up.

Flora and I ride in silence until we reach a path leading up a hill. We both get off our bikes and push them the rest of the way. “How are things coming along?” I ask. “I mean, with Elden taking over?”

“Surprisingly well,” Flora says. “His alphahole father is moping around, but no one really pays him any attention.” Shechuckles. “The pack is obviously happy that Elden is taking over. They love him.”

“He deserves it so much!”

“I know, right? He sometimes doesn’t believe he does, but I always tell him that there is a reason he is that beloved, and it’s not just because of the prophecy and the rank he was born into. He is a genuinely good person and a strong lycan.”

“It’s the same with Jace,” I say. “He is so full of doubts.”

“Yes,” Flora agrees. “He is such a great person. I am sure he will be a fantastic alpha and a wonderful mate.”

She sounds lighthearted when she says it, but her words weigh heavily. “His parents are terrible,” I say quietly.

“The moment Elden and I have stabilized and strengthened our power, we will make sure to help him,” she says.

“He knows that, but he wants to do it on his own, and he knows he can’t fully pull you into his drama,” I point out. “Elden is only taking over now, and you both have a huge pack at hand that hasn’t been ruled well for ages. It will take you years to get it running and to have established your rank and position.”

“I know, all four of us have always had trouble with the perfect timing,” she sighs. “There is always something holding us back.”

I take a deep breath. “Jace and I need to fight for our own future,” I say. “Like you and Elden did it for years. Elden fought for years to reach the point he is at now, and we will need to do the same, or we aren’t worthy of the pack.”

“You two are really stubborn.”

“Look who’s talking!” I chuckle.

“Alright, I get it,” she sighs. “I really do.” By now we have reached our destination, leaning our bikes against the wall and stretching our backs. “We reached the shop. Just wait here, while I get everything,” Flora suggests.

I agree, deciding to take the time to scribble a note for Jace. My wolf is so calm and relaxed whenever we think of him, and soproud to be mated to him. She knows this will be a longer battle for us, but she clearly has the endgame in mind. Jace is worth it.

I hear a cough behind me, turning to look at two human men. One of them brushes through his hair, looking at me shyly. “I apologize for interrupting you.”

“Oh, I am standing right in front of the door. Sorry.” I take a step aside to let them through.

“Are you alone?” the other one asks.

I might be a wolf, but even without one I have always known one thing, namely to listen to my alarm bells whenever I hear this type of question. It doesn’t matter if it’s human men or fellow wolves. “Why-“

“Janice?” I can hear Flora’s voice.