Page 89 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“That’s an easy promise,” Vincent answers promptly.

Elspeth looks happy. One by one, we sit down around the huge table, where her butler offers us drinks, and the maids start bringing the first course.

twenty-eight

Elspeth

*ELDEN*

She looks like Mom; she looks so much like her that it almost breaks my heart. This is how Mom would have looked if she had reached this age. It’s like a mirror being held up to show me a possibility that never happened, a path Mom and I didn’t manage to walk.

“You are a true Alcott,” Elspeth tells me. “Caro always took pride in her heritage, and so do I.” We sit down on the seating area on her porch. The others are still inside, allowing us some privacy. “Caelum Reynolds, however, was always a useless piece of trash.”

“How come he was allowed to marry my mother, then?” I ask.

“Oh, back then, unfortunately, I had only a little say. And your grandfather just wanted to make sure your mother got a mate with a strong reputation, skills and strength. None of these are bad things, but Caelum was just phony. He was able to sell himself well, but under the surface, there was so little it was almost insulting. I saw it, your mother saw it and your grandmother saw it.”

“You couldn’t stop my grandfather?” I ask sadly.

“It was impossible. The old man wasn’t even an Alcott either, your grandmother was, he was just someone who enjoyed the power. He has passed away though, so the power returned to me.”

“And Grandma?” I ask.

Elspeth sighs. “I am sorry.”

“I had a feeling,” I say quietly. “So, Mom and Dad were a political match?”

“Exactly. Your mother comes from a very old lineage of alphas and royal lycans. We are one of the five original lycan families to ever exist, that’s how much her name and heritage weigh. And Caelum, while not even close to being on par with her, comes from a royal lycan branch, too.”

So, it’s really Mom’s side that’s giving me my powers and position. She is the one with the important lineage.

“How come Dad has zero special gifts?” I ask. “I mean, he should have. With his rank and heritage, he should be stronger than he is.”

“Why do you think that is?” she asks me in return.

“Because he is no alpha,” I answer promptly, without thinking properly. It’s then that it sinks in. “He is no alpha!” I exclaim. “Wait, WHAT!?”

“Exactly. He comes from an alpha lineage, but only tested beta,” she laughs. “Hilarious, isn’t it? Caro was so much betterthan he ever was. Fortunately, you inherited your mother’s powers, not his.”

“But a beta should never have gotten the alpha title,” I say. “It’s completely against our rules, and against our nature!”

“You are right,” she says. “But your grandfather hid the truth. It helped that Caelum was an alpha’s son, and despite only ranking beta he was on the strong side. They were both able to hide it well. And your grandfather wanted your mother to wed and mate with Caelum. Caelum got the second branch of your grandfather’s pack – Silverlake – and the truth was sealed.”

“I can’t believe it,” I spat, not able to hide the bitterness from my voice. “Mom was the one with the money, the name, the reputation, and the rank. She was always nice to him, yet he treated her so badly.” I look at my great-aunt. “I am so sorry; I wasn’t able to prevent her death. I wasn’t enough.”

Elspeth takes my hand. “This is not your guilt to carry,” she says quietly. “I know you do, but you need to find a way to let go of it. She wouldn’t want that.”

I remember Mom’s letter and her wishes for me. Logically, I know it’s not my fault and I need to let go, but it’s easier said than done.

“Every adult around you has failed you,” she continues. “With the exception of Hazel. That’s my guilt. I should have been stronger and protected you and your mother. But I wasn’t.”

“You are here now,” I say quietly. “Mom mentioned you in her letter to me. She must have loved you a lot.”

“Oh, Caro,” Elspeth sighs sadly.

“It’s so difficult to understand how Dad never helped her,” I mutter. “And to know that had she had another husband, she might still be alive. I just… I can’t forgive him for it. I could look past the way he treats me, but I can’t forgive him for what he did to my mother.”

“You don’t need to forgive anything,” Elspeth says. “You don’t owe him forgiveness just because he is your father. Caelum could have had it all. A beautiful, kind luna, a strong and smart son, the prophecy, the standing and fame that came with it, and a thriving pack. But he tossed it all away for reasons I don’t understand.”