Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 88

Soren

I lean against the door frame, watching Bree stuff clothes into an old, worn duffel bag with more force than necessary. She seems antsy to leave; she is wearing loose clothing,

comfortable and easy for her to escape when she needs to shift. The full moon is tonight, so Bree is heading to her grandmother’s old shack, a house that would be too polite to call it. I’m surprised the place is still standing. It looks like it is one strong gust of wind away from crumbling to dust or being blown away. A knot of worry tightens in my stomach as I watch her. I know she needs the isolation during her transformation, but the dilapidated state of the old cellar makes me uneasy. I can’t shake the feeling that something will go wrong and I won’t be there to help her.

“You don’t have to go,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “It’s dangerous,” I say, my voice full of worry. “I don’t want you to get hurt.” Bree pauses, her hands freezing mid- motion as she looks up at me, her eyes filled with annoyance.

“I appreciate your concern, Soren, but I need to do this,” she replies softly, her voice unwavering despite the tension in the air. “It’s the only way I can control the transformation and keep everyone safe.”

“We can secure you in the dungeons here. No one would bother you down there, you’d be perfectly safe down there, and I would be more at ease knowing you aren’t being taken advantage of if someone does happen to stumble upon you.”

Chapter 88

288 Vouchers.

huffs, clearly annoyed at me harassing her over this, but there is no need for her to leave. We are equipped

get trapped down there? And what about if a male wolf finds you down there?

any condition to defend yourself.” Bree sighs. heavily and

her hands gripping the edge of the bag as she looks up at

being locked away without seeing the moon would torment me for

me.”

outside. Not being out in the elements on a full moon may drive my wolf mad. Plus, I will be more rabid until the next one, meaning I will be a danger to Max.” Her gaze drops for a moment. “The moon’s pull is stronger than you think, and I need to be free to follow

my arms, unconvinced. “A cellar is no better. It’s

softens a bit as if she’s trying to

to a network of tunnels. There’s a Perspex dome I found out about” – she chuckles humorlessly – “which she conveniently forgot to mention. It sits

Chapter 88

the overgrown grass. I’ll see the moonlight, feel its presence. It will be

a dozen different risks, but the hard set in Bree’s posture tells me it’s a lost cause. Her connection to the lunar cycle is something I can never fully understand since Lycans don’t need to worry about moon cycles. However, I respect it enough to trust her judgment. Besides, she will not listen

I concede, pushing off the door frame. “But promise me