Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 234

~Aubrey-

A week later

The sunlight streaming through the windows of the grand hall casts a golden glow over the polished floors and high–vaulted ceilings. The air is alive with the sounds of movement–maids. bustling about with fabrics, decorators hanging delicate floral arrangements, and the clatter of silverware being set for the rehearsal.

Normally, I would find the hustle and bustle overwhelming, but today, it feels different. There’s something almost surreal about it–like this strange calm before the storm, even though we all know what’s coming.

The council made the decision to go along with Soren’s plans. To the public, the official story is that they were responsible for the rogue attacks and kidnappings as well as the trafficking and that they’ve been dealt with accordingly. No one is any wiser about King Alaric’s involvement, which means he won’t suspect a thing when he arrives for the wedding.

Everything hinges on that. Damian told us yesterday that King Alaric had accepted the invite to the wedding, which makes

me nervous.

But today isn’t about political plots or secret executions–it’s about preparations for our wedding. And if I’m being honest, a small part of me wants to savor this moment before everything changes again.

D

AO

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arrangements, when I hear a familiar sound, a rapid patter of small feet on the stone floor.

Aubrey!” Max’s excited voice rings out, echoing through the hall. I turn just in time to see him barreling toward me, his little face lit up with pure excitement. Behind

excitement. “I

excitement. “Of course, you can help, Max. What do you want to do?”

tiny hands as if expecting me to hand them

who has finally caught up to him,

someone

insists, puffing out his chest proudly. “I won’t

already asked someone else. How about you help decorate instead? We need someone very important to decide where all these ribbons should go.” Soren and I feel bad not allowing him to be part of the wedding service, but we need him close to his guard just in case things go wrong they need to get him out of the way

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Chapter 2

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lights up at the suggestion. “Really? I

“And Grandma can help you.”