Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 76

I can’t see them, but I picture Bree’s gentle and kind face as she sits on the edge of his small bed, the way her hands must smooth the covers. My fingers curl into fists at my sides; I’m frozen here in the hallway, trapped between wanting to rush in and reclaim my place and telling him he only has one mother and the knowledge that Max deserves all the love he can get.

“Max,” she starts cautiously, “do you remember your mother?”

There’s a pause, filled only by the sound of my own ragged breathing.

“No,” he admits, so quietly I almost don’t catch it. “Is that bad?”

“Of course not,” Bree assures him. “But… is that what you’re asking? If I’m your mother now?”

“Can you be?” His voice is hopeful yet uncertain.

“Max, I care about you a lot,” Bree says, the weight of her words palpable even through the wooden barrier of a door between us. “But I can’t replace her. Your dad loved your mom very much, and it might make him sad if we pretend I’m someone I’m not.”

I press my forehead against the cool wall, closing my eyes against the sting of unshed tears at the thought of my late wife. Bree’s refusal is right, respectful even, but it twists something fierce inside my chest. The ghost of my wife seems

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Chapter 76

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calm me, even as another part of me yearns for

you not want to be my mom?” he

complicated,” Bree responds, her voice filled with tension and pain I’ve never heard before. Bree pauses, and I can almost hear her collecting her thoughts. “Oh, sweet Max,” she sighs. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just… I can’t replace your mom. It wouldn’t be

continues gently, “what I can promise you is that I will look after you, care for you, and love you like my own… as long as your father and you are okay with

night. Relief and sorrow, gratitude

after a moment, and I imagine he’s nodding in acceptance. “It’s

Max. As long as you want me around,” she promises.

I want to move away from the door but

door closing. She doesn’t see me at first, her gaze fixed on the floor as if the weight of her

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Chapter 76