Page 42 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess
Time to Take a Stand
*ARDEN*
I’m still reeling in everything that happened yesterday. For the first time in a long while, I had a relaxing sleep and woke up refreshed, looking forward to meeting my mate. Aurelia, who wants me despite knowing I can’t hear well, who didn’t ask any intrusive questions like others usually do.How did it happen? Why can’t your lycan hear? Why didn’t he heal you?
Why? How? When?
She showed interest and let me explain things at my own pace, just asking questions here and there to understand everything better. Yet, I realize I wouldn’t mind telling her everything. She can ask any question she wants, and I wouldn’t hesitate to answer them.
I get up early the next morning and, to my surprise, bump right into my brother when I‘m on the way to the dining hall. Our father is nowhere around, so I assume he is with his new affair partner. Not that I care.
“Arden!” Vander basically jumps at me, beaming. “You came home late, and you were humming.”
“What are you?” I mutter. “My stalker?”
“Almost.” He grins. “I am your sibling.”
“Alright, come.” I wave for him to head back with me to my room. “I have something to tell you. I want you to be the first to know, anyway.”
He eyes me curiously, closing the door behind him. “That has to be a good secret. Please don’t tell me you made up with Coralie.”
“Why would I?” I ask.
He shrugs. “You are nice, and while I don’t know what she did to upset you, I know she is a weasel.”
“Don’t diss weasels,” I say. “Weasels are cunning, but they are also smart and very skilled. Climbing, swimming, running, and they are territorial. So—”
“Are we really going to talk about weasels, now?” Vander interrupts me.
“No, and I did not make up with Coralie,” I say before lowering my voice to a whisper. “I met my mate.”
“WHAT!?”
“Vander, keep it low!”
“Then, don’t hit me out of the blue with this news,” he argues, but then he breaks into a bright smile. “This is amazing! It is, right? She is cool, and you like her, and that’s good news?”
“It is,” I reassure him.
Vander jumps forward and hugs me. “I’m so happy for you.” He pauses. “Are you going to tell Dad?”
I completely forgot about that, suddenly remembering that Aurelia said she would pick me up today… at my pack. I completely forgot that I have my asshole father here. Oh shoot, I didn’t even warn her! I’m sure my father won’t pull any shit with a lycan princess, but you never know. He generally thinks he is above everything and everyone, especially she-wolves.
And in my joy yesterday, I didn’t even get her number!
I guess I could call Prince Eric and make sure he warns her or maybe even accompanies her, or better yet, tells her to wait, and I will pick her up. While still in my thoughts, I can feel my father’s aura approaching. He is somewhere in the pack house.
“Arden?” Vander asks.
“What’s the time?”
He glances at his watch. “Seven a.m.”
Oh fuck! “I have to leave,” I blurt out. “She is coming here to pick me up. And Dad is here too.”
“Wait!” Vander yells, dashing out of the door to follow me. “I’m coming, too.”
My heart almost jumps out of my chest as I rush out of the alpha suite and downstairs towards the entrance hall of the pack house. Cato is on full alert, too, both of us taking in our father’s alpha aura, but the tugging in us, getting stronger the closer we get, is the one thing truly worrying me. Her scent fills my nostrils, and I find myself jumping over the last couple of steps and skidding into the entrance hall.
