Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 17

The boy’s expression is a mix of sadness and frustration. “He promised to take me to the park after his meeting, but he didn’t come. So, I went looking for him.”

“Well, maybe your dad was just busy. You shouldn’t run off like that; he’s probably very worried about you,” I say, hoping to comfort him.

“All he ever does is work,” Spider Boy sighs, kicking a small rock out of his path. I can tell the boy is lonely, and my heart aches for him.

“Who takes care of you while your Dad is at work?” I ask, curious.

“Blair, my nanny,” The boy replies with a little chuckle. “But she’s old and can’t play. She’s boring, and she smells like diapers.”

I can’t help but laugh at the boy’s description of his nanny, even though I feel a pang of sympathy for the poor woman, it’s clear this boy is a handful. We continue walking, the forest becoming denser and darker as we venture further in. The atmosphere grows heavier, the trees towering overhead, and the undergrowth thickens.

I can feel the tension building in the air as we continue to walk through the forest. My instincts are screaming at me to turn back, but I don’t want to worry the boy any more than he already is.

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As we reach a small clearing, my fears are confirmed when a violent shudder runs through my body. I try to dismiss it as paranoia, but the sickly feeling in my gut tells me otherwise. I recognize it as a warning that I’ve trespassed into another pack’s territory. I glance down at the boy, my heart pounding in my chest, anxiety creeping in.

“Who did you say your father was again?” I ask hesitantly, trying to maintain a calm demeanor for his sake.

The boy shrugs, seemingly unconcerned. However, before he can answer, rustling in the trees can be heard, and I pivot to look at the treeline running alongside us when more sounds come from a different direction.

to me,” I whisper urgently to Spider Boy, trying not to let him see

a loud gasp and clings tightly

was a bear! But there are too many and I suddenly

air thickens around us, making it difficult to breathe. My stomach churns as the weight of the situation settles over me. Before I can process what he just said or come

are cold and unyielding, making me feel like prey cornered by a pack of wolves. I instinctively move to shield Max, even though I know I’m no match

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voice

from the Lycan enforcers as they surround us. One of the guards narrows his eyes at me and demands, “What

he continues, “You… You never registered. We came looking for you today. I

peeks around me. “Uncle Damian?” the boy asks, and the man’s eyes

I wonder, confused.

boy, propping him on his hip, however when he tugs the mask off the boy’s head, my gasp is audible when I recognize the boy, Max Soren’s son. “Your father has half the castle out looking for you! Did this woman kidnap you?” This man Damian passes Max off to someone and growls

the King!” he orders.

a panic, I plead, “Wait… it’s not like that. I didn’t know he was the King’s son. I

step closer. Determined to protect myself, I launch myself

sprawling to the ground. Another enforcer charges at me, but

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