The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin
55. Not in my Cards

ROYCE.

I walk over to her, taking her hand and raising it to my lips, keeping my eyes locked with hers, Iplace a soft kiss on her knuckles.

I'm satisfied when her heart skips a beat, her pout fading as she looks into my eyes, not expectingme to do that.

"Goodbye." I say softly before I step back and turn away.

"Bye..." She replies.

Did I just leave her speechless?

I don't think she realised that I'm not scared of her father. I respect him, but it's not the same thing.“I'll see you out.” Alejandro grumbles.

Well, one thing is probably clear. He didn’t seem to mind before, but he probably hates me now.“Play nice, Dad.” Skyla warns.

Alejandro turns back to look at her from the door and both stare at one another and I know they'remind-linking.

I step out and see Charlotte far ahead, walking down the hall sipping on her hot chocolate.

I know she likes the freedom without two guards glued to her constantly. Even if it's just down ahospital hallway.

At home, if we were ever ill, the doctors would come to the mansion, not us going to the hospital.As for Charlotte, she's never allowed out of the pack unless she’s with her guards or Dad, me orAleric are present.

Aleric... I told Mom he’s preying on students... What the hell am I doing right now?

Way to go Royce.

I sigh as I walk silently alongside Alejandro, knowing he'll speak soon enough. We head down thestairs to the ground floor and only then does he speak.

"So care to share what exactly you fucking want?” Alejandro asks.

Your daughter? Although want isn't the word I would use.

“I think that depends on what you mean by “want I reply lightly.

“Don’t play dumb, unless of course you and Sky both decided to get lip fillers in the short fuckingtime I was gone from the room. I know what you two were fucking up to.” He growls and I can’thelp but smile faintly.

Lip fillers?

That's a new one.

But I become serious once again and look at him.

“I actually want to talk to you about that...” I say quietly. “I never meant to abuse the position I wasin... if you see fit, I will step down as one of the trainers at the school.”

He frowns and stops, looking at me, crossing his arms. “Oh yeah? So you're not going to deny shit?”“No. I like your daughter and despite trying to keep my feelings separate from my professional job,after tonight... I can't.” I say quietly, looking him square in the eye.

It's clear he wasn't expecting me to admit it.

He takes out a cigarette, glancing at Charlotte, who is sipping her hot chocolate down the corridor.Lighting the cigarette, he takes a long drag and looks me dead in the eye.

"She's eighteen. She could replace her mate in around two months or even the following Blood Moon.Nothing is going to come of this. You're what, in your mid-twenties?”

“Twenty-five, yes, but age is just a number. I'm not asking for your approval, Alpha Alejandro, but ifyou prefer me to leave the academy, I will. I can continue to train her if she so wishes.”

He frowns, taking another drag on his cigarette. “Train, yeah right. Look, I'm going to be frank withyou... I can't control either of you... and I'm trusting Kiara's and my own intuition that you are notlike your father... but I'm telling you, know that if you hurt my girl..."

He leaves his threat open, and I cock a brow.

“I will not hurt her, I can promise you that. I have a question... If you don't trust my father, why haveyou allowed him on the council?”

His eyes meet mine and he frowns. “Good question, and not one I want to discuss here... you saidSkyla won't get hurt... what if your mate shows up?”

I feel a squeeze in my chest.

“That won't happen.” I say quietly, turning away. If that was the case, I would wish for her to be mymate. I've never felt so strongly about anyone before, but I know she’s not. “Goodnight AlphaAlejandro, let me know what you decide and I will respect your decision.”

He doesn't respond, and I can feel him watching me as I walk over to Charlotte.

“Bye Alpha King!” She says waving at Alejandro.

"Goodbye, I'll see you soon kid.” Alejandro calls back.

She nods and steps closer to the exit of the hospital and the doors slide open.

The rain is still pouring down and I'm actually grateful that someone collected my car from thewoods. I step out and a man walks over to me.

“Your phone, wallet and keys, Alpha Royce.” The warrior of the Luminaria pack says handing me myitems.

"Aww thank you.” Charlotte says sweetly, and I give him a nod.

“Thank you.” I say before I head to the car.

Charlotte waits under the entrance, and only when I hold the door open for her does she run overand gets in as fast as possible.

I shut the door for her and glance back at the hospital.

Sky...

I don't know what we are or what will happen from here... but either way, she doesn't need to worryabout me replaceing my mate... but even then I can't remove Alejandro’s words from my mind.

They remain there as I get in the car and drive out.

"So, what was all that about?” Charlotte asks, sitting back.

“Nothing much...” I reply as I turn some music on trying to clear my head.

Tonight was... crazy.

“You and Skyla... she’s pretty.”

I glance at her but say nothing.

She sure is.

"And that blond Winona, she seems familiar. Who exactly is she?” Charlotte asks thoughtfully.

I frown. “Alpha Marcel's mate?” I say, remembering that odd sense of familiarity I had gotten.

A Solaris...

“Hmm... Yeah, I mean do you know about her family or pack, because I swear she reminded me of afemale Aleric.”

Our eyes met, and I know what she’s insinuating.

“Charlotte-"

“No Royce, I mean, she looks like an Arden.”

I raise my eyebrow sceptically.

“I know you want to replace Victoria Charlotte... but you can't just go around assuming everyone is ourlong-lost sister, besides her eyes were brown.”

She frowns. “Our grandmother on mother’s side has brown eyes. Even if it isn't common for twoblue and grey-eyed parents to have a brown-eyed kid, it's possible.”

We're werewolves, anything is possible.

“But not common.” I say.

"Well, the sooner you talk to Beta Quade... the better I'll feel.”

“Yeah...” I say quietly.

I need to do that... but I also need to talk to Skyla when we have time and are alone.

I'm not one to play... so I need to see where she stands...

If she’s serious... then I will try not to think of her replaceing her mate... I know it can happen... and ifshe does replace her mate, and wants to go to him, there is nothing I will be able to do to stop her.After all, the testaments state that the Solaris Kings were never blessed with mates.

I know who I am, even if I hide it from the court and the world, and with that knowledge, 1 alsoknow my destiny.

I don't have a mate and I never will.

It's simply not in my cards.