Page 45 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

Something about his confidence seems to speak to Elden. “You seem to be very convinced.”

“I am,” Vincent says. “I would say, top three of my old pack.”

“I kinda want to see that,” Elden muses, his eyes lighting up at the challenge of a good fight. “I recently got bored with my sparring partner.”

Vincent grins. “And the little prince thinks he can keep up with me?”

A malicious smile curls Elden’s lips. “You have no idea what you are getting yourself into. I have done nothing but train ever since I was born.”

Vincent looks surprised for a moment, then beams. “I like a good challenge. Sunday afternoon?”

“Deal.” Elden nods.

“What are you doing as your other job?” I ask. “You said you sometimes work in this area.”

“Oh, I’m an entertainer for children’s birthday parties,” he explains.

At his revelation even Jace and Janice are pulled out of their conversation. “You didn’t just say what you said,” Jace asks, stunned. “You are an entertainer?”

“I dress up as a clown sometimes, or as a movie character. Batman is my favorite.”

To my surprise Elden snorts. “Someone like you can’t be real.”

“Oh, I am very real,” Vincent retorts. “Or does the darling lycan prince have difficulties grasping my manly realness?”

Elden just laughs. It’s been forever since I’ve seen him this way with someone that isn’t Jace or me. He has difficulties opening up to others, but somehow he just clicks with Vincent. I gaze at the young man, allowing the beings of light to spread out and surround him. To my joy they have nothing bad to report; Vincent seems to be genuine.

Jace and Janice return to Emerald Moon together, with Janice obviously being much more comfortable around Jace now, while Vincent, Elden and I return to Silverlake.

“I would offer you a ride on my bike.” He turns to me and says with a grin. “But I doubt the young alpha would let me.”

Before Elden can answer, I smile dashingly at him. “Oh,” I say innocently, opening my eyes up wide to make me look more naïve and innocent. “The only thing I like to ride is Elden.”

Vincent stares at me, his mouth dropping open, while Elden grins. My doe-eyed, little innocent princess act doesn’t work on him, as he is the only one who looks through me, but I think deep down he actually enjoys me playing everyone.

“Erm,” Vincent clears his throat. “Obviously, I… I will… I would never make a move on the alpha’s girl, or on any other taken woman.”

“What do you mean?” I blink. “I can’t shift yet, and Elden and Regis always carry me on their backs.”

“Oh, that’s what you meant,” Vincent stutters. “Well… yeah… that makes sense.” He gazes at Elden. “Dude,” he whispers. “Your girlfriend is-“

“She is, actually, my mate,” Elden corrects him.

Vincent stares at us in surprise. “Wait, the rumors are true?”

“We have known we are mates ever since we were around seven,” I explain.

Vincent brushes through his hair; he wears it long, almost like he got stuck in a hippie phase, but it suits him. “You lot are weird,” he comments before laughing. “But I like you.”

“You are not too bad, either,” I say before turning to Elden. “Right?”

He shrugs. “Depends on how well he does as my sparring partner.”

I roll my eyes, but Vincent happily takes the bait. “I haven’t had a worthy opponent in a while. That could be fun!”

Elden smiles, and with that Vincent drives off on his motorbike. Elden and I watch him disappear down the street before Elden takes my hand and we start to walk next to each other.

“What do you want to do for your birthday?” I ask him. “We need to celebrate!”