Page 73 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“Why can’t he love me?” I ask into the silence, my voice breaking slightly.

Vincent looks up.

“Why does he not have any love for me?” I repeat.

“Elden,” Vincent says quietly, his shoulders dropping slightly.

“I tried so hard. I did everything he wanted me to do, always. I was hoping it would be enough one day. That he would look at me, really look at me and see me, and show me some kind of love. But it never happened. Mom wasn’t enough for him, and I am not enough either.”

“Fuck!” Vincent curses. “That asshole!” He gets up. “Drinks,” he says.

“Yeah,” I agree. “I hope you have something strong.”

twenty-three

Revelations

*ELDEN*

Vincent only has the cheapest booze on hand, but neither of us cares. “I don’t know what to say,” Vincent admits. “Aside from the usual bullshit that won’t mean anything to you.”

“I am sorry for unloading my drama on you.”

“Are you kidding me?” Vincent frowns. “That comes with the job description. Beta, friend, therapist! The only thing I won’t do is fuck you. You aren’t my type, sorry.”

I snort. “Thanks for clarifying that. Very disappointed.”

“For real though,” Vincent says. “Whenever you need me,” he pauses. “And just for the record, your father is an ass and a loser. I bet he has a tiny dick and a tiny lycan.”

“Goddess,” I groan. “Please, don’t mention my father’s penis ever again.”

“Just saying,” Vincent grins.

“I don’t understand why he even married and had a child,” I point out. “He is no family man. I don’t even know him as a person, because we barely interact with each other. I don’t know how he is with Emilia or with his friends. I don’t even know if he has friends, but he must have something about him that attracts people. He got Emillia to take him as her second chance after all. But still… why did he settle down if he hated it?”

“You said he wanted the freedom.” Vincent lets his head drop back and leans against the cushion of the sofa. “It’s a pathetic reason, but it does make sense in a weird and twisted way.”

“Yes, it seems like marrying my mom and taking over the pack that should have been hers gave him the freedom to do whatever he wanted without many consequences. I can’t believe my mom was at home, battling with her depression, and he couldn’t even bother giving her the help she needed because he was embarrassed by her. That’s how little she meant to him. Instead, he went off to his mistress.” I rub over my face.

“He is an abusive asshole,” Vincent mutters.

“I wouldn’t call him abusive,” I say.

Vincent looks up at me. “Are you serious?”

“This was the first time he actually beat me. Usually, he only slaps me.”

“Are we seriously going to have that talk now?” Vincent asks. “Why are you still protecting him? He neglected you, he was emotionally abusive to your mother, he hits you. Regularly!”

“I don’t want to be a victim,” I admit quietly.

“Okay,” Vincent takes a deep breath. “I am not good at this stuff, and I am definitely not going to find the right words now. But your father abused you and your mom, and just because other abusers are worse or more violent doesn’t mean it’s notabuse. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of. He is the one who should be ashamed, not you! From what I can see, you are already doing everything to break the cycle. You alreadyarea better mate than he ever was, and you are trying to think for the pack and make decisions that are good for the pack members, and I bet you will be a much better alpha and parent than he ever was,” he pauses. “I think you are almost doing too much.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You are good the way you are,” he says. “But you are always trying not to burden anyone around you, not even your mate.”

“I just want to show her that I am different,” I argue. “That I am not-“ I pause, “like Dad,” I finish, my voice breaking slightly. “Fuck!”