The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin
56. A Heart to Heart

SKYLA.

It's much later, and I am irritated to replace I have to stay at the hospital, but after arguing with Mamaand Dad for a few minutes I was too exhausted to continue and had simply laid down again, givingthem a glare and ignoring them.

I had spoken to Azura, Kataleya and Song on video call earlier, which had been nice. Uncle andWinona had left after an hour, too.

It's been a few hours since I shut my eyes as I pretend to sleep with Malevolent in my arms as Icuddle her. But, I'm unable to sleep, despite how weak and exhausted I feel.

Mama is sitting in the chair beside the bed, whilst Dad is out trying to hunt for clues.

“So want to tell me about him?” Mama asks.

She knows I am awake.

I open my eyes, looking across to her in the room that is only lit by the light coming through theglass above the door.

“There's nothing to say.” I reply softly.

I mean, I slept with his brother. I also thought I liked his brother, who I've been flirting with allthrough the summer holidays...

Urgh

That is something I am going to have to address with Royce... this isn't like the last times that I'vebeen in relationships. There's more to it, so much more to Royce.

“Isn't there? I won't judge.” Mama says, crossing her legs as she leans forward.

I laugh. “Yeah, I mean aside from Dad, did you ever fuck stuff up or, like, fuck with other people thatcould affect things with Dad or others who are important to you?”

Mama smiles softly before she sighs. “Yes... yes, I have. I was pretty reckless at your age, and I actedon emotion. I did something really stupid once... something I never should have and in the process,I did hurt your dad, badly. He didn't make matters easier at the time, agreeing to marry someoneelse and I was hurt and acted stupidly, but it's something I know hurt him for a while.

Wow.

“Now I want to know who you banged.” I say suspiciously.

Mama raises an eyebrow, and I know that is something I won't ever learn.

Dammit.

"So, tell me, why is it complicated with Royce? You two seem very much in love.” She says, rufflingher long hair.

I sigh. “Royce is a good boy.”

I scrunch my nose up, mulling over Royce. My hair falls across my face, but I don't bother pushing itback and Mama smiles amused, as she watches me.

“I never knew you liked good boys.” She teases, reaching over and brushing my hair off my face.

“I didn't either... But he doesn't fear me, he doesn't treat me like I'm a problem and above all, he hasthis calmness around him that...” I suddenly feel emotional, an influx of feelings hitting me as I try tovoice the words that I dare not speak. I take a deep, shaky breath and close my eyes for a moment."When I'm with him, I don't feel like I'm drowning in my emotions, and I don't feel suffocated. I feellight, 1 feel like I can be me, without something bad happening. Like I know he'll be there to fix...fuck.”

I turn onto my back, looking the other way, not wanting her to see my tears. I hear her getting upand adjusting the bed into an upright position.

Malevolent meows before she moves to the end of the bed and curls up once more.

“You love him.” Mama says softly as she sits on the bed.

She isn't asking, she’s stating it.

“No, I don't.” I roll my eyes. “I don't do that shit.”

To my surprise, she bursts out laughing, startling Malevolent, who hisses and jumps off the bed."Oops, I'm sorry Mal.” Mama says, but she’s still smiling from ear to ear as she shakes her head.“Your father also didn't do that... shit.”

I can't help but grin. “Until Mama, his little nympho, came along, right?”

She nods, “Sky... you have always kept up a front, I see it, but I can't break through... Ever since thattime when you were children...”

I know she means when Kataleya was taken, I can see the harrowed expression on her face, knowingthose memories still haunted her.

Those memories haunt me too...

"Yeah. I know what you're trying to say... but I tried to be a big girl... I didn't want anyone having toworry about me because Kat needed you guys. She went through so much more.” I shrug.

Mama shakes her head, tears in her eyes. “No my angel, you needed us too, and until this day youhide your pain... I love you, your dad loves you. Dante... Kat... Alessandra... we all love you.” Shestrokes my cheek.

“I'm fine.” I say, I don't like this emotional shit. “So yeah, Royce, makes me feel good.”

I nod slowly. I know she knows I don’t want to push the topic further, and she doesn't. Instead, shesmiles slyly.

"Oh?" She teases although I know she knows what I mean. “Is he good?”

She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively and I pout.

“Well yes he’s incredible and the best kisser ever, but we haven't done the nasty yet.” I say, pulling aface.

Mama looks surprised at that. “I wouldn't have expected that.”

“Told you he's a good boy.” I grumble. “I'm your teacher. I will never take advantage of my student.”I add in a very posh accent.

Mama smiles. “That makes me like him even more. He sounds like a keeper.”

“Yeah.” I say, feeling my cheeks heat a little.

Damn, is this how Kataleya feels when she talks about Little Boy Hook?

The fear that Royce’s mate would show up one day suddenly enters my mind and I suddenly feelcold.

“Mama... have you ever heard of anyone choosing a chosen mate over their mate? I mean, is itpossible?” I ask quietly.

Mama is silent for a moment. “Often chosen mates are taken when a mate is lost... I know a fewpeople who have rejected their mates because of abuse or simply because they replace them too weak.It's rare but it happens and not always are blessed mates good for us... I'm not saying that's the caseoften, but I remember what Aunty Indigo had become... and although her mate was able to cheaton her countless times, she couldn't leave him.” She sighs heavily.

Yeah, I know about it.

"Yeah... He was a fucking dick who needed his dick grated off, millimetre by millimetre and thenmade into kebabs and fed to him,” I say sombrely.

Mama looks disturbed for a moment before she shakes her head and I smirk.

“Hey, if I was around, I'd have done that shit.” I say with a flick of my long black nails.

“Hmm, I have no doubt about that.” Mama says as she tilts her head and looks into my eyes. “But Ialso know there was one man who was ready to reject his fated mate when she appeared behindhim at the Mating Ball without even taking a glance at her. He was ready to cast it all aside for theone he had chosen. He loved someone so dearly he didn't care to even look at his fated... That manis my father, and he was ready to throw it all away for love.” Mama says.

My heart skips a beat. There's something so beautiful about their love. My grandparents Grandad Eland Mama Red...

"He started to say the words, didn't he?” I murmur softly.

Mama nods. “He did, until Mom ran over and stopped him.” She smiles. “But love and the matebond are two different things. Together they are perfect, but if I had to choose love or a bond, I'dchoose love.”

I nod and lean back against the cushions, mulling over her words.

Maybe Royce might turn out to be my fated mate... I mean, my grandparents, Dad, Mom, and UncleLiam, all fell in love with their mates prior to the bond. What if Royce is made for me?

Just the thought makes my heart skip a beat.

Maybe... just maybe he is.

A smile plays on my lips as Mama kisses my forehead.

"Get some rest, my angel.” She says softly as she pulls the blankets around me and lowers the bedonce again. “I love you.” Her voice is like a soft melody, soothing, gentle, and filled with a warmththat only a mother holds.

“I love you too, Mama...” I murmur, feeling the blanket of sleep enveloping me.

As soon as I can, at the first chance I get... I'll talk to Royce.

ALERIC.

“What was that?" I ask father.

Royce had left a few hours ago with Charlotte and only now am I calm enough to not burn theentire place down

My blood is still burning with anger and... I hate to admit it, but jealousy too.

Royce.

The fucking second born!

How is he able to bend the weather? I saw him not only manipulate the weather, but physicallygenerate lightning.

I know what this makes him, and I don’t want to face it!

“I will not lie to you Aleric, but that - what happened out there, was not to my knowledge.” Dad'sanger is clear too, and there is a storm behind his cold eyes.

I glare at him, but I realise he is staring at the table, his fists clenched.

“So you didn't know he could just generate a storm?” I ask sharply.

“No, but after examining you both, I knew he held far more powers than you do. I know you bothAleric, and I assure you that I do wish that you were the one holding that power. It's wasted on him,but unfortunately, he is the one with that power.”

“Then we need to replace a way to take it from him. This means he’s the Prophesied King! Isn't he?Royce, a king! He's a loser.” I sneer.

"I agree, he would want to run this place like a saint. Selflessly, even if it costs us everything. I havetried Aleric. What do you think I've been injecting you with for the last fifteen years? I've beenworking on a formula using Royce’'s DNA to strengthen you, and it has been successful to an extent.Your power has grown but..."

“But what?" I ask, not liking the “but’ in his sentence.

“It still doesn't match his. The level of Royce's power is... almost double yours.” He says coldly, as hisgaze meets mine.

Anger blazes through me as I glare at him, my eyes simmering, and I can feel the level of heat in theroom rise.

I've never felt more hatred for anyone than I do now towards my brother...

“Is this why you were pushing for me to go to The First Dawn Pack?”

Dad frowns. “Yes, I was hoping that the court would see you and realise you would replace me, butif Royce went over there, they would figure out who he is and then he would become the rightfulKing.”

I stare at Dad, realising why he was always pushing me to go to America.

And with satisfaction, I realise that he is on my side.

“So that...”

“I know my sons, Aleric, and I see myself in you. You may not be the Prophesied King, but you canbecome the head of the court like myself. This is why I need you to win over the Lycan’s daughter.This will win you points with the court, Aleric.”

Our eyes meet, and I nod slowly.

“Do not worry, father, Skyla Rossi is mine.”

"Good, move faster Aleric, the Solarian Ball is coming up in a few months and you need to have herin your claws by then.” He says as he closes his fist, his eyes flashing.

I clench my jaw and nod.

I have had my plan rolling, but it is clearly not enough. I need to do more...

"She will be.”

He nods with approval.

I promise you she will be mine soon enough. I am not going to lose to Royce anymore, and as forhim... well... his time will come.

"Goodnight father.” I say, turning away, my eyes blazing with rage.

For the first time in my life, I hate my brother with every fibre of my being.

I will not lose to him.

He may have the power of the Solaris Alpha King, but I'm no less.

It's time he learned what happens when you mess with a true Arden.

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There are two teeny things I want to clear upas I am having people bombard my DMs on sOcial media as well. Firstly, Winona is two years olderthan the twins, she is 27 and Royce and Aleric are 25; she is not their triplet. Second, Dante's matewill be revealed in his book. Let's get through the books first, people! XD And what I want to say is,his mate will not be mentioned prior to his book, at all. :)

Lastly, don't forget to drop a gem, love you all!