Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 41

~Aubrey~

A couple of days later.

The sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room filled with memories of Granny. I’m on the floor, surrounded by papers and old photographs, each item a reminder of the loss that stings and aches like a fresh wound.

Granny always said she wouldn’t leave me with any burdens, but now I’m left with the burden of figuring out how to pay for her cremation. I had just found out that Granny didn’t have funeral insurance. She never wanted to be a bother, one she could hardly afford, but also always insisting on living simply and said just to toss her to the forest yet I don’t think she realized I can’t just dump her body at random. So in her passing, she left me with a heavy weight on my shoulders.

As I sift through her belongings, I’m desperately trying to find anything of value, anything that might help cover the costs. I come across an old shoebox, worn and yellowed with time. Inside, I find a stack of letters tied together with a faded ribbon. I recognize Granny’s handwriting immediately.

Trembling, I untie the ribbon and my stomach sinks further when I realize they are all letters to my mother that had been returned to sender, unopened my mother just sent them back.

I trace the delicate contours of the crumpled envelopes, their creases marking the passage of time and the pain Granny must have felt. Every one of them unopened…never

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Chapter 41

read…returned like a slap on the face.

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known about the estrangement between Granny and my mother for as long as

knot tightens in my throat as I gently unfold the top–most letter. An ache fills my heart as I read the words from Granny meant for my mother, filled with hope and heartache in equal

letters…it’s all too real. Each attempted reconciliation, every plea for understanding, it twists at my

sorrow and then suddenly, outrage. It’s like a dormant volcano that had been

been reaching out to

I let out a choked sob. The tears come hard and fast,

my tears with the back of my hand as I walk towards the door. My heart

He begins but trails off as he takes in

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his voice soft yet firm, as he peers

King, standing outside Granny’s little house in this tiny town… I stare at him wondering why he is here before looking for Max

I come in?” He asks politely,

quickly squash it down; that’s not love, but more

by losing Granny. “What

asks, his voice betraying his kind nature.

weak smile, “Just trying to sort through Granny’s things. Why are you

she said you haven’t come in. I thought you might have fled. So

“What are you looking for?” he inquires,