Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 2

“Are you okay?” I panic, hoping he hasn’t hit his head in the gutter, just as the car tears off down the road, not even bothering to stop to see if I’m okay. I grip his face, checking him over, before realizing we have gathered a crowd.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” His little voice cracks with the weight. of the chaos he had unwittingly unleashed. Tears carve clean paths down his dirt–smudged face, his innocence laid bare in the sun’s harsh light.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I rasp out, my throat tight with having the air smashed from my lungs and my skin burning violently. He has a scraped knee, but other than that, he looks to be okay.

“Are you hurt?” I manage to ask, though my body screams in protest. The pain is sharp, consuming almost, but my wolf will heal me in no time. This little man, however, is too young to have a wolf yet.

His small head shakes, sending droplets of tears flying. I let out a breath of relief and stand when I hear the crowd’s

murmurs before shouts resonate loudly and the crowd of people part, making way for someone.

I hadn’t even regained my footing when he appeared- shoving people out of the way; he was chaos personified in a tailored suit.

“Max!” he stammers, closing the distance in heartbeats, sweeping the child into his arms.

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Chapter 2

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eyes take in the man before me; he is huge beside my 5 foot 3 frame; the man is tall and muscular, towering over me as his dark hair and 5 o’clock shadow give him

wet dream. Though his aura is another thing entirely, everyone scatters to get away from him as it ripples out violently.

a smaller, younger version, with the same piercing blue eyes. His

father’s arms, his small hands gripping onto the fabric of his shirt. My own body trembles at the intensity of the man’s aura, a strong force that seems to emanate from him in waves, and a growl rips out of him when people edge closer; the sound is a deep menacing thrumming, warning those close to back away.

notice men clad in tailored suits suddenly surrounding us; he is clearly someone of importance to warrant this much security. Hearing me whimper under the weight of it, he drops his aura, and I suck in a shaky breath when

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Скаран 2

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intensity of his presence wash over me. The air around us seems to thicken with tension, yet his smile comes slow,

he says; his voice is deep and rich, a perfect counterpoint to the fearsome aura that had just moments before left me trembling. He steps closer so his aura doesn’t affect me as much as those around us, almost like I’m suddenly shielded by it. It’s a weird

cologne, strong and manly, lingers in the air around the man as his aura radiates dominance and danger. I

nod, trying to catch my breath when he pulls back, taking in his

voice deep, each word laced with an intoxicating blend of fear

the trembling boy against his chest, holding on to him like he is afraid

protesting the sudden shift from adrenaline–fueled action to stillness.

sounding foreign to my ears–roughened by strain. A smile attempts