Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 163

Leverage. The word hangs in the air, ominous and dark. I don’t know what kind of leverage Rhett thinks he has, but it’s enough to give him the confidence to gamble everything- enough to make him think he can control a vampire king, the council, and the packs. His arrogance is terrifying, the kind of delusion that leaves destruction in its wake, and I realize with sickening clarity that he truly believes he can pull this off.

Something shifts inside me then, a spark of defiance flaring to life. I won’t let this be my end. I won’t let him use me as a pawn in his twisted game. My desperation sharpens into resolve, hard and unbreakable. I’m going to get out of here, and I’m going to stop him, no matter the cost.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and in that moment, I feel it–the faintest prickling at the tips of my fingers, the familiar, comforting ache of my claws slipping free from my fingertips. For a second, I freeze, hardly daring to believe it. The wolfsbane is wearing off.

Without hesitation, I twist my hands, angling my claws against the thick leather straps binding my wrists. The movement scrapes my skin, reopening the cuts that already sting with rawness, but I grit my teeth and keep going, sawing at the restraints with everything I have. My claws tear through flesh and leather alike, slicking my wrists with my own blood and making the metal table beneath me cold and slippery. The pain is sharp, searing, but I don’t stop–I can’t. This is my only chance.

“I know what I’m doing,” Rhett retorts, his voice rising, thick

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Chapter 163

need to

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You think you can just manipulate a council,

this city the way it was meant to be ruled. I’ve sacrificed too much to let anyone ruin this.” I clench my teeth, sawing faster, feeling the strap start to give under the pressure. I don’t have time. I can feel the urgency pounding through me, each heartbeat a reminder

know what I am doing!”

loudly I fear they’ll hear it.

you?” Bianca scoffs. “Because from

it means. The leather finally snaps, and I yank my wrist free, ignoring the sting of torn skin and the slick warmth of blood coating my hand. I quickly reach over to tear at the restraint on my other wrist, breath coming faster as

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Chapter 163