Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 34

As the afternoon sunlight slowly fades, the castle’s stone walls take on a warm, reflected glow. Max slows his swinging, eventually stopping, and hops off to chase a red and gold leaf spinning in the light wind. His laughter echoes through the courtyard, bringing life to the silent stone surroundings.

Suddenly, I feel the sharp chill of being watched and turn to find King Soren entering the courtyard.

“My King,” I acknowledge before turning my attention back to Max. I follow Max who has chased the leaf taken by the breeze into the rear of the castle where a massive tree sits as

the centerpiece.

“Did you finish your meeting, my king?” I ask as Soren as he catches up with me.

He nods. “It wasn’t a meeting, just my parents checking in on me,” he says with a faint smile on his lips when I notice one of his maids coming out of the doors behind us.

“Afternoon tea is ready, my king,” a servant announces, approaching us with a respectful bow.

Max dashes toward us hearing his father addressed, his energy seemingly endless.

“Can we have a picnic with Brielle?” he asks his father, his eyes shining with hope.

I start to excuse myself. “Max, I should get home…”

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Chapter 34

“Or you could join us?” King Soren interrupts, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

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tugging at my hand with those big,

but then I must go, Max. I need to check on Granny,” I relent, feeling a mix of guilt and warmth.

toward a huge tree in the rear yard. We settle down on a patch of grass under the large tree, with a picnic spread out in front of us.

but mostly content

walls, his curiosity never–ending. I try to answer as best as I can, without giving too

listens intently, occasionally offering his own stories from his childhood. I am surprised by how natural and easy

hide–and- seek and King Soren joins in. As they run around the courtyard, laughter filling the air once again, I

begins to climb it and then looks down at me.

“Come on, Bree!”

Chapter 34

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“I’m not a cat, Max. I’m no good at

“C’mon! It’s easy!”

as he watched our interaction. “He thinks we can all do anything,” he explained, before suddenly standing and extending a hand

help you,” he offered, and I felt a sudden rush

I agreed, glancing hesitantly at his outstretched hand. After a moment’s hesitation, I placed my hand in his larger one and allowed him to guide me to the base of the massive

for such a large and powerful man. His hands were gentle

cheering from above

my neck on my own?” I tell him. He laughs, taking a seat back on the picnic rug and

this

look where he is perched on a branch high above then back at