Page 155 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Can you deal with them?” Elden asks.

“You mean to ask if I can get rid of them without anyone noticing?” Calvin wants to know. “Sure, no problem.”

Vincent stares at him. “I am sure the alpha meant something else.”

“Oh.” Calvin looks a bit disappointed before nodding. “I can wipe their memory, then forge a criminal incident, blame it on them and drop them on the human police.”

“You could do that?” Elden asks. “You can wipe their memory?”

“No, but I know a witch that can,” he admits.

Elden frowns. “That’s interesting. Do you mind getting me into contact with said witch, eventually?”

“Sure, I can actually get you into contact with a couple of covens,” Calvin promises. “Witches are very useful to have as allies.”

Elden nods his agreement. “Make sure to blame them for something that will put them behind bars for many years,” he says, his eyes narrowing to a glare again.

“Got you,” Calvin says.

“Can you do it now and on your own?” Elden asks. “I have important business to attend to.”

There is an air of anger around him all of a sudden; anger and pain. Calvin gazes at him thoughtfully, but doesn’t push for answers. Instead, he promises us he has it under control and asks us to send one of the warriors to him with a car, before we leave. Once outside of the cottage, I take Elden’s hand to hold him back.

“Elden,” I say sadly. “I am so sorry. I don’t know what to say… I… Fuck, it’s so fucked up.”

“I knew it,” he says quietly. “I had a feeling the moment I heard you weren’t supposed to get hurt. It was too weird. And then…” he pauses. “I used my gift and found proof.”

Vincent has followed us, but remains quiet, just listening to our conversation with slight confusion.

“I just-“ Elden pauses, looking so hurt it almost breaks my heart into pieces. “-I thought he cared for me at least a little bit, but now I know for sure that he doesn’t. He never did.”

“Wait,” Vincent says. It clearly starts to dawn on him what we are talking about. “No way…”

“It’s the truth.” Elden straightens his shoulders, his voice sounding much more controlled now. There is no hint of him being hurt anymore, just to me, as I can feel it through our bond. “And it’s time to settle it once and for all!”

forty-nine

The Downfall

*ELDEN*

Ican feel it again. There is this knot in my chest that seems to be burning, like it did when Regis and I were searching for Flora. I am still not sure what it is. It doesn’t feel like normal anger, it’s so much deeper. Vincent is driving while Flora tries to keep the conversation as light as possible, but none of us is really feeling it. The realization of what happened with Flora and Janice- and why- is weighing too heavily on everyone.

Vincent halts the car in front of the pack house. “And now?” he asks quietly.

“Simple,” I say shortly. “I don’t even need to think twice.” With that, I get out of the car with Flora and Vincent hot on my heels.We are already expected by Samuel, who looks surprised and relieved when he sees Flora.

“You found her!” he exclaims.

“Yes,” Flora smiles. “I am sorry for worrying you.”

“But what happened?” he exclaims.

“Where is my father?” I ask.

Samuel looks at me, stunned, before tossing a gaze back to where Geneva has appeared from. Our voices must have attracted her. “I saw him briefly,” she says with a frown. “He wanted to talk with some of the elite warriors.”

“Good,” I say. “That’s actually perfect.”