Page 14 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Because I am the beautiful princess,” I say, remembering what Luna Dorothy said. “Thepeculiarprincess. I hope that’s a good word.”

“It is,” Elden reassures me.

“So?” I look at them expectantly.

Jace and Elden exchange a gaze, before they both pick up a stick off the ground. “Let’s go and fight the dragon,” Jace exclaims.

“And save the princess,” Elden adds.

We play the whole day. In between, we have cake and tea, and someone from the kitchen brings us snacks too. They are all so kind to us, especially to Jace. Luna Dorothy comes to look for us once, a tall and serious looking man with her. Jace introduces him as his father, but he doesn’t stay long, and soon he and the luna leave us on our own again.

Once it’s afternoon, Elden and I have to go back to our pack, not without promising Jace to return and continue our adventure. When the driver picks us up again, I am so tired I almost fall asleep instantly. My head rests against Elden’s shoulder. “I am sorry,” I yawn.

“It’s okay,” he says. “You are the princess, and I am the prince. I am going to protect you.”

I nod contentedly, dozing off while we drive back to our pack. Elden doesn’t talk, but I can feel the rhythm of his breath. The tingles are not scaring me anymore, instead they make me feel comfortable and relaxed. I don’t know how much time passes, but eventually, we drive through the gate to the pack and then towards the pack house.

Everything seems to be normal, as usual, until I hear the whispers again.

Flora, Flora, Flora!

I force my tired eyes open while the driver parks the car.What’s going on?

We don’t know. Flora! Flora!

The beings seem to be nervous, fluttering around me like they are crazy. The beta greets us and helps Elden and me out of the car. I still feel confused when I raise my head a bit. There is a shadow looming over the packhouse, as if something is blocking the light. And right in the middle of the shadow, there is-

“What?” I mutter, raising my hand to point at it. “What is happening?”

It’s the beta who follows the direction I point at first. He walks forward a bit, stretching his neck to look further upwards. “No!” he yells all of a sudden. “The luna!”

I don’t know what’s happening, but all around me people start yelling and screaming, and running around. And then, like a leaf, Luna Carolina seems to glide downwards. Some packmembers shift to run towards her, and amongst it all, I can suddenly see Elden yelling.

An excruciating pain fills me, making my knees buckle and taking my breath away. The pain doesn’t feel like it’s mine, yet it’s so strong it almost makes my body give in.

five

Never Alone

*FLORA*

Istand rooted to my spot, just staring at what’s happening in front of me. It feels like I am not really there, like I am floating and watching everything from far above. It almost feels like I am not me.

The luna lies in the green of the grass, the flowers engulfing her as if she is just sleeping, but I know she isn’t. This is a sleep she won’t wake up from.

She won’t wake up.

She doesn’t move anymore. Elden is kneeling next to her, resting his head against her chest, while Gamma Tobias is on the other side, cradling her and crying. The sadness seems to engulf me completely, my own mixing with someone else’s. My chestis being constricted as if something is pressing down against it, making it difficult to breathe.

The beings of light flutter from me to Elden and back, and I know whose sadness it is I’m feeling.

He is so sad! Elden is so sad, and I don’t know how to help him.

“She took wolfsbane before she jumped,” the doctor whispers. “There is nothing we can do.” His voice breaks as he remains kneeling next to Elden and Gamma Tobias. I don’t understand what exactly just happened, but I know it’s bad.

The beta tries to gently tug Elden away, but he doesn’t let go of his mother, and eventually, the beta just squeezes his shoulder and kneels next to him. More and more pack members pool in; whispers and gasps and cries all around us.

Through my hazed mind I see everything so much differently, yet also so much clearer. Everything around me seems to pause though, when I feel the strong radiating power of the alpha coming closer. I look up, noticing how Alpha Caelum arrives. I don’t know him well, and Grandma never talks much about him either. She is… was friends with the luna.