Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 85

“Of course, Soren. I am grateful for your… understanding,” he says, though the gratitude seems to claw at his throat on its way out.

“Good.” My gaze doesn’t falter as I fix him in place with a look that brooks no argument. “Then we are clear. Your debt will be settled, and the alliance can proceed without further hindrance.”

“Thank you,” he mutters, the words barely audible.

With a nod, more to myself than to him, I prepare to disconnect the call, knowing full well that while today’s agreement might pause any pack wars for now, it’s the actions that follow that will decide if these two packs ever come to an alliance again.

*****

~Aubrey-

I stagger out of Damian’s car, wincing with each step as if I’m navigating a minefield in my trousers. The raw aftermath of my waxing session makes every movement feel like I’m rubbing sandpaper between my thighs–or what’s left of them. The castle looms ahead, its ancient stones suddenly mocking my very modern pain.

My pants chafe with every step, a cruel reminder of my now too–smooth situation. It’s like walking with two angry, hairless ts fighting in my underwear. With no protective buffer,

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Chapter 85

every seam feels like it’s plotting against me.

Soren is waiting, his smile quickly turning to a puzzled frown as he watches me waddle up the drive. The confusion on his face morphs into shock as I approach, moving like a penguin.

there?” Soren calls out, trying to mask his concern with humor as he takes in

glare in his direction. “Feels like I’ve just ridden a cactus

past him, my walk turning into a bizarre bow–legged shuffle. “What happened to you?” he asks, trailing behind me, his curiosity piqued.

reminder of the day’s atrocities. “Just a brief

happened?” he asks, looking at me with

to a waxing strip, and it took a liking to

winces sympathetically as I make a pained face. “Looks like you’re trying to smuggle

smuggling, the porcupine violated me!” I

sound that, despite my discomfort, makes the corners of my mouth twitch upwards. “I’d offer to carry you, but I fear the porcupines

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Chapter 85

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object,” he teases, opening the door for me as we reach

on a mission for anything cold, my new best friends being frozen peas or, ideally, an entire iceberg I can shove

kitchen, I make a dive for the freezer, fishing out a bag of frozen peas. I press it against my tortured southern region, sighing in relief as the cold

snickers, clearly trying to imagine the scene. “It can’t be that bad.”

look that would burn him alive had I been born a witch. “I

Instead, I storm off, walking like a cowboy who’s spent a

the stairs, praying for a miracle that would numb this pain. Soren’s laughter echoes behind me, only making me boil alongside my humiliation. “I’m sorry,” he says between fits of laughter, “I’ll make it up to you.”

will!” I

in our room, I take a deep breath and brace myself, pulling the denim down