Page 80 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“No, I think you read it exactly at the moment you should have,” I say. “Imagine you would have read it as a kid? What would you have done? How would you have tried to find Elspeth or Tobias without alerting your father? Now, you have options and allies.”

He smiles slightly. “As usual, your optimism.”

“You know what else I think?” I ask, smiling when he pulls me into his arms.

“What?”

“That your gift is kick ass,” I say. “It’s amazing. And you just found a new way to control it. Imagine how strong it will be once you have full control over it!”

He stares at me, surprised. “Wait… you are right. I just did it like Samuel said I should. Look at a way around the limits of my gift! I didn’t focus on Dad, but on a path that would lead me to him.”

He looks excited all of a sudden, and it’s so rare to see him like that. He always is so mature and serious that it’s truly adorable to see him so happy. We lie next to each other for a while, until the morning dawns.

Elden makes sure to accompany me to school. I wish I could skip, but I want to graduate too, and possibly with good grades.I am not bad at school, not at all, just sometimes a bit of an airhead, but for this last year, I put more effort into my studies than usual, and it’s paying off much to my delight. Vincent doesn’t skip either, equally as diligent to prove his worth.

Elden goes off to do some paperwork and organize some things, as he has already wrapped up his classes and doesn’t need to attend anymore. He always acts like that is nothing special, like he is just a normal kid, but I wish he would see how smart and gifted he truly is.

He is humble,Celeste points out.I like that. It’s charming. No one wants an annoying show-off who thinks they are a gift to the world.

You are right, I like that about him, too. He never looks down on anyone.

Any ideas for his birthday?

I want to celebrate it in a way he would enjoy,I admit.Invite our friends and do something together.

We should do something fun,she emphasizes.He never does anything fun.

Hiking?

I said fun, she mutters.I have nothing against hiking, but do you think it’s a fun, special experience?

Amusement park?

Better,she agrees.But, maybe nothing too crowded.

A small one, not one of those overly crowded ones, or maybe a place where we could simply do some fun activities. I bet he would love to do some karting or quad biking Oh, and then maybe we could visit his great-aunt.

Celeste raises her head.This woman named Elspeth? Yes! Let’s find her address! I bet Grandma knows where she lives or can at least help us.

With a newfound resolve, I get through the school day although I am bone tired, and then hurry home. As usual,Elden spends the afternoon training and working, which only strengthens my resolution to make him do something fun for his birthday. For that reason, I talk to Grandma.

“Elspeth!” Her eyes light up. “It’s been a long time since I heard her name. She always supported Luna Carolina.”

“Do you know her?” I ask curiously.

“No, Caro was pretty isolated here. I have never met Elspeth.”

“Do you think you could find her?” I ask further. “I mean without stirring up any trouble.”

“You are underestimating me.” Grandma smiles. “When I set my mind on something it’ll be occupied by that one thing, until I solve it. Don’t worry, I am not so clumsy as to alert our dear alpha.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” I say before eyeing her curiously.

“Ask what you want to ask,” she urges me.

“Did you know?” I mutter. “You were the luna’s friend, weren’t you? Did you know-”

“I knew a lot,” she tells me. “Not everything, but a lot. I also promised her to watch over Elden should something happen to her.” Her eyes sadden at this. “It’s the promise I gave her a couple of days before she died. Looking back now, I think she wanted to ensure he was safe and protected. Poor Caro. If only I could have helped her. She deserved so much better.”