Page 53 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

My first stop after this massive argument, and resolution of it, leads me to Flora. She is sitting in the garden of her cottage, doing some homework. We are both eager to soon be done with school, so we try to get as much studying done as possible.

Flora looks at me, beaming with joy before her eyes lock onto my face. “I can’t believe it!” She jumps up and stomps her foot, her eyes flashing in sudden anger. It’s probably not the right timing to think that way, but it’s amazing to see her like that, with her guard down and her showing her anger so openly. “He hit you, didn’t he? Let me go to him.”

“Wait a moment.” I rush forward to grab her before she can turn into a little demon and try to kick my father’s ass. I doubt it will end well. I’m just not sure who. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not!” she exclaims. “It’s not okay!”

“You are right, it isn’t, but-” I pause. “I actually walked out as a winner… or let’s say a winner with conditions.”

My words seem to interest her enough to stop her from seeking revenge. “What do you mean?”

“I told him I want Vincent as my beta, which is what led to the whole drama.”

“No way!” Flora squeals. “You made a decision! I knew you liked him!” She eyes me expectantly. “And?”

“Dad was furious, we argued, Samuel came and added his unwelcome remarks as usual-” At my last words, Flora giggles; she knows I don’t hate Samuel, I just think he doesn’t really understand what’s going on and is too stuck on doing things the way they always were done. “Geneva was there too, and added some welcomed remarks towards both of them. Emilia did the same.” I pause. “Bottom line is, they agreed that Vincent can be my beta… immediately.”

“And what’s the condition?” Flora asks curiously.

“They want him to return to school and finish high school with us. I think Geneva could pull something and add him to our class. But that’s not the real condition. Dad wants to add a second beta, someone he finds suitable.”

“And you agreed?” she asks.

“With the amount of work we are going to face, we will need more help. And honestly, I don’t know who to choose. If the elders find someone with experience who will shut up all the elitist voices of complaints, then I’m not against it. It will also make Vincent’s life easier. And if he sucks, I don’t need to make him my beta.”

She nods. “That way Vincent will actually have time to grow into his role, without being tossed into it when we take over.”

“That’s been their selling point,” I say, disgruntled. “Samuel pulled that card too.”

“Let’s go see Vincent immediately and tell him the news,” she offers.

“How do you think he will take it?” I ask. “I mean, I asked him to become my beta, and he agreed, but… with going back to school, I’m not sure if he will find that amazing.”

“We will just leave the decision to him,” Flora says. “You said it yourself: There is a connection between you two. There is not only a mate bond. Also, a beta forms a bond with their alpha, and Vincent and you already started to build this bond. Have a bit of faith.”

“I’m still learning about the whole ‘stay positive’ thing,” I admit.

“I know,” she chuckles, reaching out her hands to brush through my hair first, before moving to my face. It’s cute because she has to stand on her tiptoes to do that. Her eyes darken when she traces her fingers over my left cheek. “I’m still pissed,” she mutters.

“Yeah, he hits hard.” I shrug. “But I saw it coming. At least there is one thing he can do well.”

“This is not funny,” she exclaims.

“It’s my coping mechanism,” I admit.

“I know,” she says quietly.

“With the elders around, and Emilia, we don’t butt heads that often anymore,” I say. “And he is gone a lot, so…”

“With Vincent at your side, and once I am of age and have my lycan, he won’t even dare to look at you the wrong way,” she mutters. “If he dares to, he will… No wait, I hope he does, then I can finally get my revenge on him.”

“I always knew you had a little demon inside you,” I tease her.

“That or a Goddess,” she retorts.

I chuckle.

“Why are you laughing?” Flora complains, but she can’t help a bright smile. “A girl can dream, can’t she?”