Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 35

I glare down at him, noticing Max’s giggling on a lower branch.

“You could have said you were afraid of heights,” Soren laughs. I look at the ground, a wave of fear washing over me.

“It’s not the height I’m afraid of, it’s the fall,” I reply, watching as King Soren tips his head back, his eyes shining with laughter. He’s enjoying this too much.

“Don’t worry, Bree. I’ll catch you if you fall.” His words are light and teasing, but I feel a pang of warmth at his sentiment.

Determined not to let myself get carried away with all these strange emotions swirling inside me, I begin to make my descent.

“You’re taking forever,” Max whines from a lower branch waiting for me. I glare at the boy who sticks his tongue out at me when Max leaps from the tree, and Soren catches him effortlessly. “Are you sure you’re not part monkey?” he asks Max, tickling him while I try to unlodge my heart that leapt into my throat at his actions.

Max laughs and wriggles free and peers up at me.

“I think she is stuck,” Max snickers.

“I’m not, I am calculating where to place my feet.” I tell him though right now I have become one with the tree, my hands not wanting to let go of my current branch, the ground seemingly getting further away.

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careful,” King Soren calls up. “And remember, if you fall… try to land on

I am not even halfway down

aren’t you?” Soren chuckles, looking

at me.

am?” I call down, trying not to fall

you want me to come up and get

laugh. “You, come and get me? And risk hurting your

playing on his lips. “Suit yourself then.

attempt to descend, Max and Soren laugh at my expense. But then, as I step onto a branch, Soren suddenly yells, “Bree, not that

way. I fall my hands scrambling for something and I just manage to grab a branch lower down leaving me dangling, my heart

go, I’ll catch you,” Soren calls

my king. Maybe get a ladder?”

catch you.” Max calls

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in horror when I see the boy start climbing the damn tree with a mischievous grin on his

climbing towards me. “I think you’re right, he is part monkey,” I say, watching him approach

King Soren nods his

father gets a ladder!” I shriek when he starts walking along the