Page 54 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Of course she can,” I reassure her.

“Then let’s go and see Vincent.”

We make our way through the pack grounds. Vincent doesn’t live in the center of it, instead, he has his own little cottage very close to the forest and a bit further away from the moreinhabited area of the pack. We come right at the point when he is about to finish his newest costume for the next kids’ party he needs to cosplay for. It’s Power Rangers themed, and Vincent obviously will attend as a Power Ranger.

“I would die to see you in that costume,” I say.

“Yeah.” He looks up. “You absolutely would. Because I’d have to kill you.”

I chuckle. “With your special Power Ranger move?”

“You bet.” He eyes Flora and me curiously. “Okay, this looks official. Just tell me the news.”

“I guess I officially have a beta now,” I say. “Actually, two, one is you and the other is… whoever my father and the elders will choose.”

“Wait, they agreed?” he asks, shocked.

“Yes, my stepmother and Elder Geneva, actually, spoke highly of you and approved,” I say. “Not that it would have stopped me otherwise, but it makes things easier that way.”

“And the other dude?” he asks curiously.

“We’ll see. I don’t know who they will pick. “The pack is huge, and apparently, royal lycan alphas have two betas most of the time,” I explain.

Flora nods. “They want you to go back to school, though.”

I am so glad she is here to say the things directly. Saves me to beat around the bush.

Vincent looks shocked. “What?”

“You can attend mine and Elden’s class,” Flora says. “Together with Jace and Janice. That’s going to be fun.”

“Impossible! You are almost finishing up things, and I missed one to two years.”

“I guess it’s more for the show of it,” Flora muses.

“What’s their reason for suggesting it?” Vincent wants to know. When Flora and I exchange a gaze, he snorts. “Come on, it’s me. Just be honest.”

“They claim it will make your footing in our political world easier,” I say, deciding to be honest. “Some alphas and packs might look down on you because you aren’t from a privileged family. My father is an asshole and thinks the same. Elder Samuel… I don’t know, he probably just thinks that’s the way it should be. But Geneva and Emilia want you to have an easier start.” I pause. “Listen, I won’t force you. I don’t care if you go back to school and get your diploma or not. I will choose you as my beta anyway, and your worth doesn’t get higher by having a diploma.”

“How can I afford it?” Vincent asks. “I would need to quit some of my jobs.”

“As a beta you get a salary,” Flora explains. “Even before Elden takes over the pack.”

“So, what do you say?”

Vincent looks from me to his costume and then to the pack house. “Well, it’s all in my hands, isn’t it?” he says. “Also, you are right, it’s a calling. Time to get responsible and choose a path, and Beta Vincent sounds kind of cool, don’t you think?”

“Very,” Flora says.

“Not as cool as Alpha Elden,” I joke.

He grins. “Let’s see what kind of second beta they will add to round up the gang.”

“You forgot my future gamma,” Flora says.

“Right, but now that I made my choice, you can have more time to search for who you truly trust and want as your protector,” I reassure her.

“I will miss my Power Ranger days,” Vincent smirks. “But I will get over it.” He looks at me and reaches out his hand. I shake it, suddenly feeling much lighter. I finally made a decision for myself. Maybe it was selfish, maybe I will regret it, but having Vincent as my beta just feels right.