Page 40 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

Imight hate partying, but I love that Flora is having fun. It reminds me that I probably should take her out clubbing more often if that’s something she enjoys doing. Janice seems to enjoy her time too, and the two girls hit it off for real now.

Once we are exhausted from dancing, the girls head upstairs to freshen up in the restroom, Deacon goes to grab us something to drink, while Jace and I go outside, sitting at the dock to catch some fresh air. “I still hate attending this party,” Jace admits. “But with the right group it’s okay.”

I allow my gaze to roam over the lake. A couple of omega she-wolves are arriving, carrying some plates of food into the party house. Music erupts through the area, contrasting the quietnessfrom the pack lands. Emerald Moon is known for its lush forests, hence its name. “Your pack is beautiful,” I tell Jace. “Not as beautiful as Silverlake of course, but still…”

“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” he asks with a chuckle, before turning serious again. “The place itself isn’t bad,” he admits. A pause lingers between us. “Do you want to have children?” he asks me. “I mean one day.”

I’m surprised by his sudden question. “Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“Just something I’ve been thinking about recently,” he admits.

“My dad is terrible,” I mutter. “I know he doesn’t love me, I don’t even know if he ever liked me. He just had me because he needed an heir. And he treated Mom terribly. I… I never want to be that type of man.”

Jace looks at me in shock. “Are you scared about that?”

“It’s statistically proven that sons from abusive fathers can turn into their fathers,” I say.

“But not you,” Jace emphasizes. “There is no one I know who is more aware of his powers and rank than you are. You treat Flora like a princess. Even before you were a couple you already were the best mate to her. You would never hurt her.”

I gaze at the water. There is no movement in it. It looks peaceful. “I never want to hit my children,” I say quietly. “If I have children, I want them to feel loved and protected, and not be scared of me.”

“Is Caelum still such a piece of shit?”

“He hits me less since Emilia is here,” I say. “I don’t know what to think about her, but at least she keeps him away from me and has him in check. So, there’s that I guess.”

Jace is silent. “Mom never wanted a son,” he says all of a sudden.

“What?” I turn to look at him, surprised by his words.

“You know, her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I’ve heard she already had a room full of toys for a girl; clothes, everything. And then when she got pregnant again, it was just me. She thinks it should have been me who is dead, and my sister should be alive.”

“Goddess, Jace, that’s insane,” I blurt out. “Why did you never say anything?” I knew he had a bad relationship with his parents, but I didn’t know that was the reason.

“It’s embarrassing,” he says quietly. “Most alpha couples want an heir, but my parents never really wanted me. Dad doesn’t care about me, he only cares about Mom.”

“Is that the reason they want you to marry within your rank?” I ask.

“They want me to choose a mate that will replace their lost daughter,” he mutters. “The daughter Mom imagines in her mind. That’s so fucked up, isn’t it?”

“It’s more than fucked up!”

“What if I’ll find my mate and she doesn’t fit to their standards?” he asks anxiously. “How high are the chances Mom will approve of any mate that I have… chosen or not? She will only approve of one she will choose.”

I’m stunned, to say the least. At least, my father is just an asshole who beats me to let his frustration out, but most of the time he leaves me alone. This bar is so fucking low that even he looks better than Jace’s parents. “We will find a way,” I tell him. “There is no way I will let you end in unhappiness. If you find your mate, tell Flora and me, and we’ll think of a plan.”

Jace sighs. “If I ever have children, I will love them unconditionally. I won’t care who their mate is, or if they choose their own path. I will have their backs and support them, and love them, even if it’s difficult sometimes. They will never be alone.”

“If I ever have children, I will love them too,” I say. “I will make sure they grow up in a loving and warm home, without having to walk on eggshells around me. I will make sure their mom… Flora gets all the love she needs. And if she, or any of them falls sick, they will get all the treatment they need.”

“Then, we have a plan,” Jace says.

The noise of some glass breaking reaches my ears, and Regis perks up in my mind. What was that? There are more noises to be heard, snickers and then voices. The music is so loud that I can barely make out the other sounds, but with Regis’ help I can focus more. A door is being opened and closed loudly, someone runs towards the forest… and there are more voices. They sound… scared.

“Did you hear that?” I ask Jace.

He stands up abruptly. “Yes.”

A female voice yells for help.