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 patch of grass under the large tree, with a picnic spread out in front of us. Max chatters away, pointing at the

mostly content to watch his son’s happiness.

Max bombards me with questions about my life outside the castle walls, his curiosity never–ending. I try to answer as best as I can, without giving too much information away. I don’t need them prying more into my past.

stories from his childhood. I am surprised by how natural and easy

As they run around the courtyard, laughter filling the air once again, I can’t help but feel grateful for

and

“Come on, Bree!”

Chapter 34

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a cat, Max. I’m no good

“C’mon! It’s easy!”

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

I felt a sudden rush of nerves.

hesitation, I placed my hand in his larger one and allowed him to

large and powerful man. His hands

Max cheering from above when I realize King Soren was

him. He laughs, taking a seat back on the picnic rug and watching.

this

out. I look where he is perched on a branch high above