Page 64 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“I think that’s a beautiful idea.”

Elden looks at Vincent with sympathy and understanding in his eyes, and I try to mirror his expression.

“Sorry,” Vincent tells me. “I don’t want to sour the mood by bringing up some tragic backstory.”

“Not at all, I understand,” I assure him, while I couldn’t care less. Pretending to feel sorry and apologetic, or showing empathy have always been the most difficult for me. It’s difficult to pretend I care, when I don’t. Seeing someone hurt, or even dead, just doesn’t do anything to me. However, it’s fascinatingseeing how those close to them react… their tears, their cries. I have seen a mother cry for her baby once, stirring something in me I hadn’t felt before, something I definitely want to see and experience again. When I was just a boy, my mother’s pet bird died in front of me. She was devastated. But that feeling of holding the little bird in my hands, seeing how the air left it, hearing its squeaks, it was the most excited I had ever felt. Since that day, I tried to chase the same feeling of excitement.

I have treaded carefully though, using my gifts to progress in my career and make sure to become the outstanding beta I am supposed to be. I have made useful contacts and acquaintances, bedded women to use them for information, and used my missions to kill and torture to my liking without anyone knowing. My parents are oh, so proud of me.

All of this led me here today.

Finally.

Recently, I have been bored to death. The alpha I’ve been serving up to now is weak and stupid. The only fun I had was using his daughter. She was so easy to get in my bed; easy and boring.

But this here, this is going to be interesting and fun, maybe even a challenge.

I watch Elden talk to Vincent, telling him something about their warrior schedule. He even smiles slightly. He isn’t even eighteen yet, and his beast is already oozing power. At least someone is worthy of my attention. Whoever tries to stand in the way of this young alpha reaching his power and rank will have to go past me. I will ensure he becomes the most powerful alpha on the continent.

twenty

The Alpha’s Gift

*ELDEN*

Ihurry to meet with Flora for lunch between my classes, both to spend some time with her and to get some much-needed rest. Jace and Janice have taken it upon themselves to help Vincent with his studies, so he can graduate this year, which I am eternally thankful for. I know Jace wants to spend more time with Janice, and helping Vincent gives him the opportunity to do so. At the same time, it’s also a great help for me, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Calvin has offered his help also, and to my surprise Vincent accepted. I believe he wants to get to know Calvin better, as they are supposed to work together in the future.

I have worked tirelessly this year, and Geneva used her contacts to get school to allow some exceptions for me, so I will be able to wrap up school earlier than the others. My eighteenth birthday is approaching, and by then I want to be done with my schoolwork. I am already swamped with work as it is now, and it will only get worse after my birthday.

I pause in my tracks, sensing a familiar pain creeping up into my skull again. Not now, please. I had some much-needed peace from my awful headaches for the last week, and hoped I would have been done with it. For a moment, I contemplate ignoring it and hoping it won’t be that bad, but obviously, that would be stupid, especially here in school. So, I do the only thing I can think of and hurry to my mate.

Flora is already waiting for me at the side entrance of the school, smiling first before her gaze gets serious.

“Flora,” I groan, pressing my palm against my forehead.

“Oh fuck,” she curses, grabbing my hand. She reacts fast. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

A rush of pain floods me, so intense that it blinds all my senses. I only remotely feel Flora taking my hand and dragging me somewhere. There are voices around me, but it hurts to focus.

“Elden,” someone says, grabbing my shoulder. “Can you hear me?”

“He is not responding at all,” Flora says. Hers is the only voice I can clearly recognize. “Vince, this hasn’t happened before! Not to this extent.”

I groan at the pain yet try to force my eyes open. It’s a battle against my mind to do so, but eventually, I succeed, my eyes falling on to Flora and Vincent. We seem to be in an empty classroom. Behind them are Jace and Janice, and-

A sudden surge of pictures floods my mind. It’s like a hundred threads are spinning from Janice and Jace, leading from theirbodies in various directions and projecting images to me. More threads are moving from said images to new ones.

What the fuck is happening?

Only when I look at Flora and Vincent do my senses seem to calm down. “I am seeing things,” I blurt out.

“What do you mean?” Flora asks gently.

“When I look at someone who is not you or Vincent,” I mutter as a new wave of pain overcomes me.

“This is not good,” Jace urges. “We need to get him out of here and back to Silverlake. He might need help.”

“Stay with him, Flora,” Vincent says. “I am heading to the secretary to make a few calls. The packhouse has a phone, right?”