Page 146 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Could it be?” Jace asks. “I know, you just said it because it came to your mind, Elden. A spontaneous thought. But could it be a nasty prank to mess with us?”

“We need to discuss this with Vincent and Calvin,” I say. “I think their input here would be valuable.”

All three of us take it as a cue to leave the hut. It’s clearly uninhabited, as there is nothing here and no sign of anyone living at this place. Dust covers the little furniture that was left behind. “Vincent,” I say when I spot my beta looking at something on the ground. “Check who this hut belongs to, once you are done with whatever you are doing now.”

“Got you,” he says. “And I am taking prints of a car wheel. I saw how Calvin did it and thought it might be a good idea.”

“Right, Calvin.” I take out the clunky mobile phone, fumbling a little with it until I find the contact list. It still feels unintuitive for me to handle such a phone. It’s a weird technology, but seeing how I can connect with someone who isn’t around, makes it a truly useful gadget. I am not the reigning alpha yet. Once I am, I will be able to reach out to all my pack members even through longer distances. Now, I could only do it with Flora… if she only answered.

Calvin picks up on the second ring, telling me he has finished his work, and will meet us back at the pack house.

It’s now night, and I doubt we will be able to achieve anything by running around mindlessly. Finding Janice and seeing she wasn’t harmed puts my mind a bit at ease. If it’s true that there is the order not to harm Flora, then at least I know she is safe. As safe as she can be.

I just hope she isn’t scared.

At that, Regis snorts.Mate isn’t scared of anything.

I am sure she is,I say softly.

Some mean humans won’t scare her. I would bet my left paw on it.

You have a point. Flora wasn’t even scared to deal with our father, and he was the alpha. She wasn’t scared of the bullies at school and played everyone around her like a violin. She knows how to manipulate those around her.

See?He says before his eyes turn even darker.But I still want to kill someone! No one steals my mate away from me, even when it’s supposed to be a stupid joke!

I am fully with you on that.

“Would you come with us?” I ask Jace and Janice. “I know you’d probably like to return to your pack and get some rest, but I really need your help.”

“Of course, I will come with you,” Janice says promptly. “Flora is still out there. And I want to help find her!”

“I agree,” Jace says, much to my surprise. I thought he would push Janice more to go home and rest, but he wouldn’t be her mate if he didn’t know the type of person she was.

With that, we drive back to the packhouse, where not only Calvin but also Geneva, Emilia and Samuel are awaiting us. All of them are looking equally worried. I feel a small sting at not seeing my father anywhere, not even in such a moment, but I probably shouldn’t be surprised.

Geneva’s eyes light up when she sees Janice. “You found one of the girls,” she exclaims and hurries to her. “Come dear. Let’s go inside. Then, you can have some warm tea and something to eat.”

“Thank you,” Janice says. “But I promise, I am really okay.”

“She didn’t get hurt at all?” Calvin asks promptly. “Nothing? They didn’t hit her?”

I can feel Jace tensing at his words, his expression getting annoyed. “No, fortunately, they didn’t!”

“No sexual harassment?” He continues and faces Janice. “They didn’t touch you? Or at least try to rape you?”

Jace scoffs. “Listen, you-“

Before he can continue, Janice interrupts him. “It’s okay,” she says. “I understand where Calvin is coming from. Let’s not pretend none of us was wondering the same.” She looks at Calvin. “Nothing like that happened.”

“Janice heard them say that there was an order not to hurt anyone,” I add.

Calvin looks flabbergasted. “How does that make sense?”

“It doesn’t,” Emilia adds quietly. “But Geneva is right. Come inside first. Let’s go to Caelum’s office and have some tea there. You can fill us all in once we are there.”

“Talking about, where is he?” I ask, annoyed.

“Beats me,” Samuel says, equally annoyed.