Page 49 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Why are you asking? You already know that…”

“Yes, but I wanted to hear it from you.”

Vincent sighs. “Pathetic, huh?” he mutters. “I’m a dropout.”

“You don’t sound pathetic,” I say. “Just honest.”

“The thing is, I could have done it,” he admits. “I’m not stupid, just lazy.”

“And you never got the support, did you?” I ask.

“Not really. I love my parents; they were awesome, but they never really pushed me or motivated me to study. All that mattered for them, was for me to learn how to fight and get a high rank within the warriors.”

“What’s stopping you now?” I ask.

“What? Going back to school?” he laughs, as if I made the funniest joke ever. When I keep staring at him, he stops laughing. “You’re serious…”

“Yes, if it’s bothering you, then what’s stopping you from changing the situation?” I ask. “It’s in your power now.”

“You are weird,” Vincent mutters. “What kind of seventeen-year-old is so serious like you are?”

“I have always been like that,” I say.

“So, were your parents the opposite of mine?” he wants to know.

“I guess so,” I say. “I was on my own from pretty early on. My mom was a kind woman, but she died early, and even before that she wasn’t able to look after me or support me much, and my father… well… you know the rumors. Most of them are probably true.”

“And the Council members are truly here for your education?” he asks curiously.

“Partly, yes, they are here to make sure I’m prepared to take over the pack as soon as Flora and I are eighteen,” I say. “After my mom died, my dad went off to travel, so they stepped in to make sure the pack was still running. Technically, he is still the alpha, but truth is they made him the interim leader until I’m old enough. I’m sure you heard that already.”

“I did,” he admits. “I just didn’t know it was true,” he pauses. “They love you, dude.”

“Who?”

“The pack,” he says. “They don’t seem to like your father much, but always talk highly of you and your mate.”

“It’s due to the prophecy,” I say. “They are drawn to the power it suggests I’d have.”

“And you are the Crown Prince,” he adds.

“That too.”

“Sucks,” Vincent mutters. “So much responsibility early on. And I bet everyone wanted to have a piece of your success.”

“That’s what I think, at least, but I don’t know it’s true,” I admit. “I only ever befriended Flora and Jace. Everyone else I kept at arm’s length.”

“But you are talking to me,” Vincent grins. “So, either you have the hots for me, or I’m just so great.”

“Yeah,” I nod earnestly. “I’m totally into you.”

He laughs. “It’s my tattoos, am I right? And my awesome styling.”

“That and your hippie hairstyle,” I say.

“What’s wrong with my hair?” he asks.

I gaze at his wild, long hair and raise my brows. “The question is: what’s NOT wrong with it?”