Page 26 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

Janice looks torn. “I… is this really okay? I don’t want to impose.”

“You won’t,” Jace reassures her, finally back to his silly self. “I mean, I did empty half of my food on you, so technically, you are already eating with us.”

Flora rolls her eyes, grabbing Janice’s hand. “Come,” she beams. “I will show you the restrooms and help you freshenup.” Before they leave, she jumps me though, wrapping her arms around me. “This is Elden, by the way, and he is mine.”

I decide to play along. “And that’s Flora,” I say. “She is mine.”

“They actually mean it exactly that way,” Jace explains to the confused girl. “They are mates.”

“What?” Janice exclaims. “How is that possible?”

“A weird prophecy, and just the Goddess being funny,” Flora chirps, letting go of me and taking Janice’s hand. “Come, I will show you around and then we’ll meet the boys for lunch.” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “I think you and Jace would be really cute together.”

Jace groans while Janice looks completely flustered. Flora, however, seems to really like her new idea and winks at Janice, telling her how much of an awesome guy Jace is and that he is really athletic and fun. Not like one of those typical spoiled asshole alpha heirs.

“Stop her,” Jace begs me, when Flora and Janice disappear through the corridor. “That poor girl is going to think we are nuts.”

“Are you kidding? There is no way I can stop Flora,” I say. “And she is cute, isn’t she?”

“Who?” Jace blinks.

“Janice,” I help him. Jace has dated quite a lot throughout the last couple of years. The fact that Flora and I were mates and committed to each other early on, was something he envied us for at first. He chased a few relationships to find a special someone, too, but eventually stopped this year. He told me he realized it’s just not going to happen that way, and that he doesn’t want to date until he finds his mate.

“I don’t even know her,” Jace says.

“Well, Flora likes her,” I say. “So, I bet youare going toget to know her soon.”

My words make Jace laugh. “You are right. There is no way I can take it up with your crazy girlfriend.”

“Careful,” I warn. “Don’t call her crazy.”

“Man, you call her crazy all the time,” Jace complains.

“That’s because she is my girlfriend,” I say. “I get special treatment.”

Jace rolls his eyes. “Whatever you say,” he pauses. “Are you coming to the party this weekend? You got an invitation, didn’t you?”

“I did. But I’m not sure if I’m going,” I say. “My parents are home for the weekend.”

“Oh, I didn’t know your father was visiting,” Jace says, eyeing me carefully. Every time we talk about my father, he treads carefully. It’s been years since my father left me with Aunt Geneva and Uncle Samuel, who took care of me since. He would only return occasionally, and never to spend time with me, just to see how the pack was running.

One day, two years ago, he returned with a new woman at his side. I couldn’t have cared less. For me, my father didn’t really exist anymore. He was just the man who would occasionally be here, yell at me and maybe slap me when he didn’t like what I had to say, and then leave again. This new woman, though, his chosen mate as he explained, wanted to connect with me, the pack, the staff, and our family and friends.

I wish I could say I hated her, but Emilia never made an effort to replace Mom, she never even tried to be luna, claiming that she was purely filling the position until Flora would take over with me.

Dad never explained how he met her or why he suddenly decided to remarry, but she carries his mark now, so logically speaking, I know she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“I bet if you ask Emilia, she will let you go,” Jace says. “I think she likes you. Didn’t you say she doesn’t have any children of her own?”

I shrug. “It’s a bit late for me to have a mom again,” I say shortly.

Jace shifts around nervously, his gaze wandering away from me to the tips of his shoes. “It’s a party only for high-ranking kids.”

“That’s not making it particularly alluring,” I mutter.

“I know,” he says quietly, “but I have to go.”

My gaze snaps up, finally understanding what he is hinting at. “Oh fuck, they are on it again?”