Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 52

Max’s question cuts through the air, his innocence adding to the complexity of the moment.

“Your father is marrying Brielle, Max. How do you not know?“. my mother explains, her voice filled with joy.

“Pardon, I’m-”

Brielle starts to protest, but I silence her by turning her slightly and kissing her, a bold move that surprises us both. My arms wrapped securely around her are the only things that stop her from running; I can feel it in how tense she is. I bite down on her bottom lip, demanding entrance, she makes a sound between a moan and a whimper. But I take advantage of her parted lips, sweeping my tongue across hers to silence her. Brielle’s body tenses under my strong embrace, and I can feel her heart racing against mine.

Oh she is going to kill me. I know that much because she bites me, hard on the bottom lip making me jerk back. My gaze holds hers and her eyes are blazing, yet she must see the desperation in my gaze because when I dip my face back to hers to peck her lips she doesn’t pull away, but also doesn’t kiss me back.

My gaze is pulled from Brielle’s when Max’s excited squeal adds to the surreal nature of the moment. Pulling away from her she looks at me in alarm, and I am glad I turned her so my parents couldn’t see her face.

I sweep her hair behind her ear. “We just haven’t had a chance

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Chapter 52

to tell Max, yet, isn’t that right, love?” I ask her, my gaze holding hers. Her eyes widen but she seems to get the message and she forces herself to relax in my hold.

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gaze not leaving mine and I can tell she is furious at being put on the spot, but a mask slips in place as she turns back

married? l‘ m going to have a mom?” Max squeals, Bree flinches at the word, and Max rushes over to wrap his arms around her legs. She stiffens slightly at hearing him say that, but my fingers squeeze her hip. She nods looking down at him and hugging him back. I can tell it

add, trying to lighten the tension. Max’s eyes light up at being included, and he starts bouncing with excitement. She glances at me, and I see a flash of

focus on my parents. My mother claps her hands together in delight, wiping a tear

we’ll have to start planning right away! This is going to be such a beautiful wedding! I have so many ideas already!” she exclaims, already lost in a

carefully. He may

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Chapter 52

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gaze says it all; he warns me that there is more to discuss later and he knows something is amiss and now I need to convince him there isn’t. But for now, he steps forward and congratulates us,

so often, I catch a glimpse of Bree’s icy stare piercing through me from the corner of my eye; however she

with a mix of celebration and confusion. My parents are full of questions, and I find myself weaving a story that feels both true and false

tell us about yourself,” my mother urges, her eyes

careful yet genuine. But she takes great care in not revealing anything about herself. I watch her, gratitude and guilt mingling within me. She’s playing her part perfectly, yet I know the emotional toll it must be taking on her.

increasingly real especially once dinner is called for. Dinner is a blur of small talk and forced laughter. Brielle plays her part perfectly, deflecting questions and changing the subject smoothly with an occasional side glance

is ecstatic. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s hard not to smile at his innocent excitement. He chatters on about what

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