Page 98 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“It’s despicable,” Flora says bluntly.

At that, the others full-heartedly agree.

“Tell me something,” I say. “Anything. I need to get my mind off this.”

“I wish I had something to tell,” Vincent says. “But I just barely made it through school. There was no time for anything else.”

“You did awesome,” Flora applauds him. “And you really shut everyone up by graduating.”

“I know,” he grins. “They didn’t believe I had it in me, aside from Elder Geneva, of course. She is the only cool one.” He gazes at Jace. “What about you?”

“I will graduate with pretty good grades,” he says. “Fortunately.”

“We know that!” Vince chuckles. “That’s not what I was asking about.”

Jace stays quiet. “I know,” he finally says.

“What happened?” I want to know.

“Listen, today… it’s your day, and I am not going to make this about myself,” he says.

“Are you an idiot?” I ask bluntly. “I’d very much appreciate it if you’d make it about yourself!”

“I just don’t want to throw a pity party now, of all moments,” he admits.

“Seriously, Jace, you are our friend, and you are my best friend. You can always share anything with me. There is no bad moment.”

“Another parent of the year story?” Vincent asks.

Jace sighs. “It’s Mom… she has started to introduce me to ‘fitting’ she-wolves. Girls, she deems worthy of the luna position. There is one in particular Mom adores. She is called Sybille and seems to be the daughter she never had. She is obsessed with her.”

I can’t believe what I am hearing. His parents are absolutely insane. They even manage to make Dad look good. “Oh no, that topic again?”

“Yes,” he says. “I think she is picking girls she would have loved to have as a daughter.” He looks at Vincent. “I am not really a wanted kid,” he explains. “My parents wanted a daughter. After me, they couldn’t conceive anymore. So, there’s that.”

“But your dad is alpha,” Vincent says, surprised. “Aren’t they usually all about having an heir?”

“They don’t like children,” Jace explains. “And think boys are rough, loud and uneducated. That’s why Mom wanted a daughter. The plan was to have a girl and then find a fitting mate for her who could take over the pack.”

“That’s what it was like for my mom,” I say quietly. “And she was miserable.”

“I am actually glad they didn’t bring a girl into this world,” Jace admits. “Their potential favoritism aside, I still think I am safer than she would have been.”

“Are your parents fated mates?” Flora asks.

“Unbelievable, but they are,” Jace admits. “My plan is to procrastinate. I will study economics at college. I made sure to get into a tough program.”

“Didn’t you say youdidn’twant to study that?” Vince wants to know.

“It’s boring, and it doesn’t interest me at all,” he admits. “But it will get them off my back for a while. I can play the card that I am too busy to date and that I want to finish my studies, before I meet a woman. It buys me time.”

“I see,” Flora says. “It makes sense. We will support you in whatever you are going to do,” she assures him.

“You can always retreat to Silverlake,” I back her up. “There is a place for you when you want to hide or, I don’t know, pretend you are busy. Or even if you want to leave your pack behind. You are not forced to take the path your parents chose for you.”

“Thanks,” he says with a smile. “I like my pack, though. I don’t want to leave them hanging. It’s just… I don’t want to take a mate my parents chose for me.”

“What do you want?” Vincent asks. “If you could choose, what would you want?”