The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin novel Chapter 66

SKYLA.

My heart clenches wondering why she didn’t come forward. Her friends died, and she didn’t care to even speak up or even pretend to care?

Like why?

I wonder what their families are going through.

“Is that her?” Royce asks, leaning down, his shoulder brushing the back of my shoulder.

He can see from afar, but having him move closer is comforting. Something I need…

I nod, glancing at him, as he crouches down beside the chair I’m sitting on.

“Can you call for her, Headmaster?” He says, his eyes cold as he looks at Rivers.

Rivers nods as he glances at the girl’s image before he turns.

“Ah, of course… I will… she has been in school… for her not to say anything is troubling….” He mutters.

“Maybe yeah… but we’ll fucking find out why.” Dad says, completely ignoring the no-smoking policy of the school as he lights up a cigarette.

Rivers excuses himself from the room. The door shuts behind him and I sigh, running my fingers through my hair.

“I’m assuming you shifted, and she saw you?” Dad remarks.

I nod.

“Obviously, I had to give it my all.” I mutter, closing my eyes as the pressure in my mind increases.

“That’s fucking understandable.” Dad says, smoking his cigarette.

Royce cups the back of my neck, his thumb caressing my cheek, and I lean into his touch.

“I just don’t get why she didn’t come forward. I specifically told her to call for help. To make a call, I told them both, but…” I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “I just don’t get how anyone can leave anyone else behind. Wouldn’t you give your all to help others?”

“Not everyone thinks the same way. Survival instincts… Can make one selfish… She probably thought saving herself would guarantee her life more than if she saved the other girl.” Dad says quietly.

I can hear the guilt in his voice, and I know it’s because of what happened when we were children.

A long time ago, we were attacked, and Kataleya was kidnapped… to save Dante and me, Dad had to let her go and until this day he feels guilty about it… He had to turn his back on her so me and Dante could live, a choice no father should have to face.

“Yes… but this was just about herself… I don’t know, I’ll never get not putting others first.” I mutter. “And I’m not even a nice person.”

“Yeah right.” Royce says, amused. “You just like to say that. We know you would risk anything for others and you did.”

Our eyes meet, my heart pounding as I try to squash the turmoil of emotions in my chest.

Leaning forward, I press my forehead to his for a second, taking a deep breath and inhaling his intoxicating scent. His hand wraps around mine before he kisses my cheek softly.

“You did your best, you risked your life for them, and you almost died. This is not on you.” He says quietly.

I nod, before I hear footsteps and move back.

I glance at Dad, but despite him watching us with those sharp eyes; he says nothing, his face unreadable.

Royce lets go of me smoothly just as the door opens and Rivers enters with the girl from the woods.

She scans the room, looking a little fidgety before she pales upon seeing Dad and me and takes a step back.

“It’s ok Heather, we just want to talk to you about the attack in the woods… Why didn’t you come forward?” Rivers asks her gently.

Her heart is thundering as she stares at us, all staying glued to the entrance.

“She did it! She killed them!” She shouts suddenly.

“What?” My eyes fly open in surprise.

Dad frowns as both he and Royce look up sharply.

I stare at Heather, trying to understand how she even put me in that situation.

“You… you were the one in the woods! You’re the one who killed them… Please don’t kill me, I won’t tell anyone… please…”

“I was trying to protect you? The fuck?” I ask, my gaze snaps to Rivers who, to my fucking irritation, looks uneasy.

Heather looks between Dad and me, almost as if terrified of being killed.

“No one will hurt you for speaking up.” Rivers says quietly.

Wait, is he believing this shit?

“There was nothing else there!” She cries. “You changed into a monster…”

She backs out the door, her heart thumping before she turns and runs.

“This is serious Alpha Alejandro, if the coven hears of this-”

“It’s fucking lies! My daughter is not a killer?” Dad snarls, standing up.

“We know what she is capable of, we have seen-”

“That’s not true. I was there, and I can vouch that she had nothing to do with it. She was fighting that thing. I’m the one who killed that thing, and it’s no secret that we have been facing monster attacks.” Royce says, his voice dangerously low as he stands up,

“I thought you didn’t want your old man to know you were involved…and he will if you fucking vouch for her.” Dad says quietly, glancing at Royce.

“It’s necessary. I’m not letting her be accused of something she had no hand in. Heather, think clearly, or you know there is magic that can be used to probe your memory.” Royce says.

Heather turns and runs, and Royce sighs before he glances at Dad. Their eyes meet, red against blue and I feel like there’s this silent exchange of understanding between them.

Who would have thought Dad would approve of my choice? In his own grumpy unapproving way.

“You saw it?” Rivers asks sharply.

“He just fucking said that he saw that shit.” Dad growls and I realise he’s pissed.

“And Headmaster Rivers, why would Skyla end up in the hospital if she was the attacker? Think the facts through before jumping to assumptions. I think it’s high time the Academy students are made aware of the attacks.” Royce says, frowning.

“But without that serpent’s body, will anyone believe it or even fucking appreciate being told after it’s dead and no longer a threat to us?” Dad questions.

“People have known of the attacks; we just need to make it clear the thing was caught and killed.” Royce says, “We’ve had samples of its poison. That’s proof enough.”

“But people can also say she was behind all those attacks, Alpha… I am not trying to cause problems but stating my concern.” Rivers says quietly.

‘The coven can probe my mind, too.” I say, frowning.

“And mine.” Royce adds. I look up at him, feeling fucking grateful for him.

I frown, wondering if that’s how badly everything thinks of me?

They continue to discuss, because I’m unable to control my emotions… because of my temper, people have been pushed to fear me…

The sound of a pair of footsteps approaching from the open door reaches my ear, and I look up. Aleric’s familiar scent, along with another scent I don’t recognise, fills my nose.

Royce moves away, putting extra space between us, just before two men enter through the open door, giving Rivers a nod as they pass him.

“I do apologise for the intrusion; I hope you don’t mind.” The Alpha accompanying Aleric says, both men are watching Alejandro and suddenly I make the link between the older man and the twins.

Blond hair, icy blue eyes, and an aura that is impressive.

I know who this is before Dad even speaks.

“Kenneth, what a fucking surprise.” Dad drawls, as I turn and glance at Royce, whose eyes are cold, as he watches the two men who had just entered…

The man smiles, a smile eerily similar to Aleric’s.

“Not as surprised as I am to see you all here…” He says as his eyes flick from me to Royce and back to Dad, but it’s that second longer that they linger on Royce that tells me that there’s definitely something not right between them…

Aleric steps forward as he walks over to the table, giving me a smile that makes my blood boil.

Don’t you dare fucking smile at me.

He’s nothing in comparison to Royce, fucking twat.

“Well, look what we have here, the other Arden princess. Good to see you aren’t keeping them locked away any longer.” Dad drawls.

Aleric doesn’t react to Dad’s mockery, instead offers his hand.

“Alpha King Alejandro, what a pleasant surprise, it is an honour to officially meet you. I am Aleric.” Aleric says and I can’t help but glance up to observe the exchange.

I’m seeing him in an entirely different light now. Dad’s watching him intently and after a second, he takes his offered hand.

“Good to fucking meet you too…” Dad says. “Although I’m surprised that you two are here. Are we fucking partying or some shit?”

“Well, we were concerned too, and well, we heard what happened to the princess.” Kenneth says.

Sly cunt.

“I’m not a princess.” I say, unable to stop my voice from sounding harsh. I hate the way those words sound on his lips.

Dad smirks slightly as Aleric looks at me, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.

“Are you alright Skyla? I was worried.” He says.

“I’m sure you were.” I say, forcing a sarcastic smile.

He seems confused but simply smiles smoothly.

Slick fucker.

“Well, don’t stop on our behalf, do continue.” Kenneth says, gesturing to Rivers.

‘Wait, he can stay?’ I ask Dad through the link.

‘He’s on the board of governors… I can’t kick him out.’ Dad replies sounding irritated as he glances at Royce, who remains emotionless despite seeing Aleric and his father there. He’s doing a way better job at hiding his irritation than I am.

“Well, do take a seat so we can continue.” Royce now says icily, as he glances at his dad and brother, although he himself is simply leaning against one of the desks.

Dad smirks, looking at the intruders. “You heard him. Sit the fuck down. Class has fucking commenced.”