Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 119

We sit down in the empty theater, Max between us with his arms full of popcorn and candy, while the king’s guards cover all the exits. The lights dim, and the movie starts, but I can’t focus on the screen. The images blur, the sounds fade away while I am off in my own little world, and all I can think about is the punishment he’s promised if I don’t come back. I know him too well. He won’t just let this go. He’ll come after me–he‘ Il destroy everything if I don’t find a way to stop him. Yet the idea of telling Soren I know will ruin things, either way I am screwed. But the thought of losing Soren and Max, the life I have built with them is soul crushing.

I

I glance over at Soren, who’s watching the movie with a small smile on his face as Max laughs beside him. His silhouette illuminated under the theater’s lights. Everything feels so surreal. How my life has taken a turn but now it feels like it’s spinning out of control so fast and there are no breaks to slow the spiral I am falling into. Staring at Soren, he seems so at ease, so unaware of the storm brewing just beneath my surface. Unaware of the guilt twists in my stomach at having deceived him for so long. Can someone be forgiven for deceiving the person they love for so long. Love, something I never thought I would feel after Rhett, yet I feel it with every fiber of my being when I look at him. I should tell him the truth, but how? How can I admit that I’m the thief Rhett framed, that I’m the one they’ve been discussing all day? How can I admit that I’m the reason everything is falling apart? How do I break Max’s heart when he learns I am not who I said I am, who they believe me to be. He has lost so much but I

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Chapter 110

know Soren will be furious and probably hand me back to Rhett once he learns the truth and that scares me the most.

snapping out of my thoughts, realizing Soren is looking at me, concern etched clearly on his face.

I’m fine. Just tired, like I

eyes searching mine, but I hold the smile until he finally nods, turning back to the movie. I exhale quietly, relieved that he didn’t push the issue while swallowing

hanging over me, not with everything I’ve overheard today. The rest of the movie passes in a blur, and by the time we leave the theater, my exhaustion feels like a weight dragging me down. We pile

comfortable silence, but I can feel Soren’s occasional glances in my direction.

Max to bed, and I slip into our room, closing the door

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Chapter 119

288 Merchan

stare at the screen, my heart pounding in my ears not wanting to turn it on but curiosity gets the better of me. I know Rhett he’ll try to get hold of me, and if I don’t answer, he’ll start something like he already

have a million missed calls and texts. But I only look at the last

if you don’t, Bree, I’ll make sure you regret

as I read the words, bile rising in my throat. I knew this was coming. I knew Rhett wouldn’t just let me go. He’ll never stop until he has me back, until I’m

thoughts and fears swirling inside me. What am I going