Page 163 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“You have always been more like her,” he adds. “Everything about you. The way you look, but alsoyou.You were always too kind.”

“That’s not the insult you think it is,” I point out. “Why did you marry her?” I ask.

“What?” He looks at me in surprise.

“Why did you choose to take her as your mate, when you never wanted her or the pack?”

“I liked the idea back then,” he says.

“And the power,” I add. “The reputation. But not the work and responsibility.” I pause. “Do you have anything to say to me?”

Again, he looks at me and for a moment, I can see a hint of vulnerability in his eyes, but he just turns his head away.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Me neither.”

There is the old familiar sting to my chest, at having verification of what I mean to him, again.

It’s sad.

But I am okay.

Deep inside, I have always known that he never loved me. I knew he didn’t want me, or my mother. He just needed an heir, and unlike my half-brother in Paris, I am a legitimate heir to him, especially by having royal blood and the support of the Council. I was just a tool. On an emotional level it all didn’t matter for him. For a while, I hoped he would have a minimum amount of respect in him. Just a bit. A tiny part that didn’t look down on me. A tiny part that might love me.

Maybe there indeed is a tiny part in him that regrets what has happened judging by the guilty expression on his face. But it’s only a short moment and soon his face is hard and devoid of emotions again.

I have stopped trying to tell myself that it doesn’t matter to me, because I know it does. It hurts that my father doesn’t love or care for me, and it makes me angry. I want some sort of closure I will never get, and justice for my mother, which she will never receive because she passed away so long ago. She won’t be able to start anew like Emilia or my father’s fated mate. All of my mother’s chances, her whole future, were ripped from her. I thought winning over my father would feel like I also brought justice to my mom, but I don’t feel like I did. All I can do is honor her by becoming a much better alpha, mate and father.

I have stopped battling my doubts, fears, and feelings.

Maybe that's the first step to finally making peace with my past.

fifty-two

Happiness

*ELDEN*

Our inauguration ceremony, as Samuel calls it instead of a normal Alpha and Luna Ceremony, kicks off without any further issues. I didn’t notice how tense I was until we finally reached that date. I thought, for sure, that my father would do something idiotic again, but nothing happened. Granted, I had received my powers before that already, but the ceremony is important for me. I want it for the pack, but also for Flora.

My mother was well-liked but she never received the respect she deserved, neither did Emilia. I want all of them to know that things are going to change.

It bothers me that the pack doesn’t know how strong Flora truly is and how unique her powers are, but we can’t tellanyone the truth. However, I made sure that everyone knew she defeated her abductors herself. She didn’t need to be saved.

It’s a much bigger event than I anticipated it to be, but, apparently, me taking over the pack is a huge deal for our world.A royal lycan alpha. A lot of alphas from around the country came, and even some visitors from the Council. Jace and his parents are here, too. So is Janice, but she came on her own, as Flora’s guest. It pains me to see that the both of them have to be so secretive, that they can’t even talk to each other when his parents are around.

Flora, however, makes a big show about Janice being here, and being her best friend, making sure to prance around in front of Jace’s parents. She even talks to them while towing Janice along. Of course, her strategy works, and Jace’s father even tells Jace to make sure he returns Janice safely to the pack and to her grandmother once the party is over. His parents clearly don’t want to lose face in front of Flora by not caring for Janice’s safety.

A hint of a smirk curls Flora’s lips, like it always does when she successfully manipulates someone.

“Man, this is awesome,” Vincent says. He and the other guys immediately approach me after the official part of the ceremony. A long one, with Samuel giving a speech and Geneva leading through it all. “Congrats! Finally official! And may I say that your mate is totally stealing the spotlight today?”

“You may,” I chuckle. “I want everyone to know how awesome she is.” My eyes find Flora, who is currently squeezing Janice. She is wearing her mom’s flowy lilac dress, which makes her look like she is out of a fairytale. Emilia has helped her with her hair, and she looks breathtaking. There is something so alluring about her. It was always obvious to me, but since she turned eighteen and received her powers, it seems like her enigmatic aura andher fairylike, yet confident, presence seem to attract others as well.

“Biggest simp in the history, right Calv?” Vincent teases.

They both laugh.

“You will understand when you find your mates,” I retort. “Then let’s see who has the last laugh.”