Page 90 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“He had a mistress in France,” I tell her. “I have a younger half-brother.”

Elspeth laughs bitterly. “Why am I not surprised? That pathetic fool.”

There is silence between us. “Do I have more family?” I ask.

“There is my brother,” she says. “Your great-uncle. He lives in Africa though, but he is a great man. I will make sure to help you get in contact with him. The rest of the family is basically sprinkled all over the land. There aren’t many of us. You know, the extensive breeding and marriage strategy your grandfather followed almost ruined us. Your mom is not the only one who faced a sad fate.”

“Another asshole,” I mutter.

“He truly was,” she says. “A bitter old man.”

“At least he isn’t a problem anymore,” I say.

“That is true, and I am quite glad about it.” Elspeth looks at me. “Would you mind?” she asks. “Tell me a bit about your mom. I was forbidden to have contact with her while she was still alive. I would like to know her from your eyes.”

“Of course,” I say eagerly. “Would you tell me more about her childhood and how she grew up?”

“I will,” she promises, and she indeed does. First, I tell her everything I remember about Mom, and then Elspeth takes over. She even shows me a photo album with old pictures of my mom and her side of the family. She looked so happy, with a genuine smile on her lips. How I wish she would have been that happy still.

“She really loved you,” Elspeth says all of a sudden. “I wasn’t allowed to meet her and support her after she left, but occasionally… secretly… we talked, and she always talked about you. You kept her going.”

“I wish she was still here,” I admit.

“Me too,” she says. Elspeth looks lost in her thoughts for a while. Despite her age there is something youthful about her, in her eyes. I know that if she had been around Mom, she might still be with us. That thought alone is so painful, it clenches my heart.

“Your mother would be proud of you,” she says all of a sudden. “You have become your own person. You are strong, smart and loyal. You obviously love your mate with all your heart, and you have friends who are loyal to you, and respect you.”

“Do you really think my mother would be content with who I have become?” I ask her. “The last thing I want for her, is to see me from wherever she is and be reminded of my father.”

“You are nothing like your father,” Elspeth says. “Or your grandfather.”

“But you don’t know me. I could be.”

“No, I am sure of it.” She places her hand on her heart, and smiles. With everyone else this gesture might have looked cheesy, but somehow she is so regal, it just looks genuine. “I can feel it here.”

“The Elders want me to become alpha the moment Flora turns eighteen and is old enough to be luna.” I pause. “It’s so soon. I am not sure if I will be a good leader.”

“It really is soon,” she admits. “But, I can see why the Elders are pushing for it to happen. Caelum is not a good leader, and a pack without a leader will only collapse. You and Flora will be fine. You don’t need to be amazing from the first day, no one expects you to. All they want for you is to give your best. The only thing you need to do is learn how to get rid of the chains of yourpast.” She smiles at me. “I see a bright future ahead of you. Don’t be afraid to claim it.”

Elspeth gives me all her contacts before my friends and I have to leave again. For the first time in a long while, I feel a familiar connection again, to someone I didn’t even know existed. I have a family. Maybe not a huge one, maybe it’s only Elspeth and an ominous great-uncle somewhere traveling through Africa, maybe not every member of my family is interested or supportive, but there are two people now who are.

Meanwhile, I have also opened the box with jewelry and Mom’s second letter. Amongst the jewelry, there is one particularly beautiful piece. It reminds me of the jewelry Tobias sent me right after he left. But this piece looks even more beautiful. Mom said to give it to my mate when I am ready to mark her.

I have left the front seat to Janice this time, while I sit next to Flora. She has her head leaned against my shoulder. I know she is tired; everyone is. “Thank you,” I say aloud to all of them.

“What for?” Jace blinks.

“This was the best birthday I’ve ever had,” I say. “And you all made it happen.”

“Don’t mention it,” Vincent mutters. “I swear, big feelings always make me anxious.”

“Aw,” Flora says. “Is the big, bad beta afraid of shedding a tiny tear?”

Vincent grunts in annoyance while we others laugh. “No, seriously,” I say. “Thank you. It was amazing. And I have an aunt, now!”

“I am so happy it worked out,” Jace says.

Janice casts me a smile. “Me too.”