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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please,” Max begs, tugging at my hand with those big, pleading eyes.

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

pumps the air and drags me 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

joining in the conversation but mostly content to watch his son’s

questions about my life outside the castle walls, his curiosity never–ending. I try to answer as best as

offering his own stories from his childhood. I am surprised by how

game of hide–and- seek and King Soren joins in. As they run around the courtyard, laughter filling the air once again, I can’t help but feel grateful for this unexpected afternoon

it and then

“Come on, Bree!”

Chapter 34

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a cat, Max. I’m no good at climbing trees.”

“C’mon! It’s easy!”

at my side, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched our interaction. “He thinks we can all do anything,” he explained, before suddenly standing and

you,” he offered, and I

moment’s hesitation, I placed my hand in his larger one and allowed him to guide me to

tender for such a large and powerful man. His hands were gentle as he helped me find footholds and

Max cheering from above

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

this

he is perched on a branch high above then back at the ground, was high