Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 240

Aubrey

Max’s soft snores fill the quiet of his room as I gently pull the blanket up over his small shoulders. His toy soldier is still clutched tightly in his hand, even in sleep, his little fingers curled protectively around it. His cheeks are streaked with the remnants of tears, and his eyelashes are still damp. My heart clenches as I lean down to press a kiss to his temple.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, afraid to disturb the fragile peace of his sleep. He shifts slightly, nuzzling into his pillow, and I smooth a hand over his dark curls before standing.

The soft light from his bedside lamp casts a warm glow over the room, but it feels heavy in here. Suffocating, almost. As if the weight of everything that just happened still lingers, curling in the corners like shadows. I flick off the lamp and quietly slip out, leaving the door cracked just enough to hear him if he calls out in the night.

The hallways are silent as I make my way back to our room. My bare feet make no sound on the cool stone floor, but my mind is anything but quiet. I can still hear Max’s desperate sobs, his cries for Soren not to hurt Mavis. The memory makes my chest ache.

I push open the door to our room and step inside, closing it softly behind me. The dim light from the bedside lamp illuminates Soren sitting on the edge of the bed, his broad shoulders hunched, his head in his hands. His usually

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Chapter 240

presence is gone, replaced by a man who looks. broken.

of him like this sends a pang of sadness through me. Soren, who always seems so unshakable, so strong, looks like he’s carrying the weight of the entire world–and in many ways,

quietly, my feet barely making a sound against the plush carpet. He doesn’t look up as I approach, his fingers digging into his hair, his elbows braced

his scalp. His entire body tenses under my touch, his

I whisper softly.

my breath catches. I’ve never seen him like this. His blue eyes, usually so clear and focused, are rimmed red, glassy with unshed tears. His jaw is tight, his lips pressed into a thin line, but the way he’s looking at me–like he’s

say anything, he reaches for me, his hands gripping my waist as he pulls me into him. His

feel his entire body shake against me. My arms move, wrapping around his shoulders as I hold him close. My

my chin lightly on top of his head,

okay,” I

on me tightens, as if he’s afraid, I’ll disappear if he lets go. His tears soak into the fabric of my shirt, but I don’t care. All I care

known,” I tell him.