Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Epilogue

Aubrey

A few months later

The sun dips low in the sky, painting the horizon in soft hues of orange and pink as I lean against the balcony railing. The castle grounds stretch out before me. The gardens are in full bloom, and I can hear the faint sound of Max’s laughter in the distance as he runs away from one of the maids and darts behind the fountain. The sound of his laughter makes me smile. I finally feel like I can breathe again, which makes me excited. Excited because I see a future I never could have imagined for myself. One where I don’t have to question if I belong, I finally found a home.

“Max!” shrieks Mary as she tries to catch him. He reaches`in, flicking water from the fountain at her.

“Oh, you little brat! Don’t make me get your uncle,” she tells him, and Max cheekily sticks his tongue out at her before splashing her again.

“That’s it, young man, you’re in for it now.” I chuckle at his antics, and despite Mary’s firm tone, I can see she is trying not to laugh at Max herself.

Warm, strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against the broad chest of my husband. Soren rests his chin lightly on my shoulder, his breath tickling my ear as he presses a kiss just below it. “You’re smiling,” he murmurs, his voice low and content. “It looks good on you, my queen.”

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Epilogue

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I tilt my head back to look up at him, meeting those piercing blue eyes that have seen so much, endured so much, and yet still hold a softness reserved only for me. “I’m smiling because, for once, everything feels. right,” I whisper, and his arms tighten around me.

After everything we’ve been through–the lies, the betrayals, the bloodshed–it feels almost surreal to have this moment of peace. Something I didn’t think was possible, especially after all the drama of Rhett, the family secrets, Alaric and Clyde. It just makes all these quiet moments more important, more valued.

The days following the wedding were utter chaos. The trap Soren set for King Alaric during the reception worked, and his crimes were laid bare for all to see in every paper the next day. While Alaric thought he was sipping champagne and enjoying the celebration, Soren’s men were dismantling his entire kingdom.

The raids Soren organized were swift, and every one of Alaric’s compounds were targeted simultaneously, leaving his people no time to warn him until it was too late. His army barracks were stormed and shut down with the help of the supernatural council and the human governments. The trafficking victims Alaric had hidden away were rescued, many of them trembling and broken but alive.

massive part of the cleanup, ensuring that Alaric’s human collaborators were arrested and prosecuted along with

left but ashes of the empire he’d

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Epilogue

be watched over. They wouldn’t

massive overhaul. After Alaric’s crimes came to light, it was clear that the council needed to be restructured from the ground up. Trust in its leadership

was appointed as the temporary head of the council. Under his watchful eye, the remaining seats on the council were filled. No one connected to Alaric, Clyde, or Rhett was allowed anywhere near a position of power.

but only long enough to see the council

for his bath. Max whoops excitedly, thinking he won, until Damian comes up behind him and

time?” Damian demands, looking at his nephew, who is still upside

this afternoon, I think it’s all those chocolate chip cookies your mother fed him. He’s full of sugar.” Mary

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Epilogue

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sprouts for dessert tonight

his tiny

him over his shoulder and marching back toward the

beneath us.

day, I am going to make you scrub toilets!” Max declares to his uncle.

dunked in one since

freezes, turning stiff like

brush. He can use that as his toothbrush for his

to your future king like that!” Max states as Damian starts climbing the steps leading in. I chuckle when Maribel appears at the open

washing out with soap?” she demands.

Your Highness. He is refusing-” Mary starts, but Max cuts her off.

to