Page 57 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“It’s my fault,” Oliver mutters. “I made it accidentally sound like Flora was in some sort of danger.”

“Yeah,” Vincent mutters. “The way you said it, I thought something happened too.”

Jace nods. “Agreed. I thought she got hurt.”

Hazel rolls her eyes. “Really, Oli? You should know better than to upset an alpha when it’s about his mate.”

“So, is she alright?” I ask Hazel.

“Of course, dear,” Hazel smiles at me. “She and her friend Janice made dinner for me. I felt tired today, and the girls wanted to help.”

Flora told me that Hazel is feeling exhausted a lot recently, something that worries the both of us. “Hazel, if you need more help, tell me anytime. I will make sure to either help myself or send one of the maids for support.”

“Look at that,” she chuckles. “The perfect grandson-in-law already. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just need to rest my cranky old bones a bit.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Glad you are both okay.”

“Now that the three of you are here, why don’t you come in,” Hazel offers. “I’m sure the girls would be happy. They are currently in Flora’s room.” She nods at me. “You know the way.”

I feel slightly flustered by the way her lips curl into a smirk, indicating she is well aware of how much time Iactuallyspend in Flora’s room.

“We are done studying, anyway,” Jace says, eager all of a sudden. “I wouldn’t mind hanging out with Flora and Janice.”

“Goddess,” Vincent groans. “You two are whipped.”

Jace furrows his brows. “I am not-”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” Vincent buts in, sounding bored.

Hazel interrupts their argument before it can even start, by ushering them inside while turning to Beta Oliver. “We need to have a talk.”

“Really?” he groans. “I swear, I didn’t mean to upset the young alpha.”

“Yeah, suit yourself and grab something to drink,” she chuckles. “I will meet you on the terrace.”

I don’t wait to hear what they are talking about and hurry inside. Flora already expects me, waiting at the top of the staircase. “Elden!” she exclaims, running towards me and tugging me along to her room. “Finally, you are here!”

Her anxiety and excitement remind me of the fact that, initially, Oliver came to fetch me on her demand. “Is something wrong?” I ask.

“No,” she says.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Janice intervenes, when I make it into the room.

“What do you mean?” Jace asks, instantly appalled.

“Just that I’m not sure if there is really no reason to worry,” she points out.

“It’s the flower,” Flora says. “The ghost orchid.”

“The one we saved as kids?” I ask, turning to face said flower.

Vincent follows my gaze and almost jumps backward. “What the fuck is wrong with that thing? Is that some sort of mutation?”

“That one bud is even bigger now than the last time,” I mutter.

“This is kind of creepy,” Jace says.

The bud moves slightly, startling all five of us. “Tell me I’m not the only one who just saw it moving?” Janice asks nervously.