Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 8

I had to hold my son on my lap in the back as the taxi driver drove us to the train station. We drive past a rundown hotel on the way to the station, and I think I may just have enough fuel to get my car there; hopefully, I did. After spending the entire night in the rain, I wanted a hot shower, wanted something warm in my belly, but most of all, I wanted the safety of four walls, even if it was only for one night.

I tell myself that one night is all I need to let it out, then I can suck it up and figure something out. I hand the taxi driver some cash from the wad my father gave me. I have no idea how much my sister snuck into the bag, but getting my key’s from the baby bag, I unlock my car and climb in, pulling the hatchback down when I realize I no longer have a car seat.

Shit! I think knowing how long I saved for that car seat. I open the bag and empty my pockets after placing my son his box bed. My father gave me $525. I snort. Gee, thanks, Dad. I think to myself. But that would buy roughly 16 tins of formula and four boxes of diapers, so it would keep me out of trouble for a while.

Opening the bag my sister packed for me, I find feminine products, hair products, makeup. Even some black slacks and a blouse and some black flats assuming she placed them here if I managed to get a job interview. I find her old touchscreen phone and a charger before finding an envelope. Opening it and pulling out all $100 bills. I feel a lump in my throat form;

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Chapter 8

she gave me everything she had.

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I know she did. There is nearly eight thousand dollars in the envelope. She gave me all her savings, and I feel a tear slip down my cheek. Turning the envelope over, I see her neat handwriting. ‘You can do this. I love you.‘ It was written on it, and I nodded at her words on the envelope. She is right. I can do this; I can because I had no choice. I would make it work.

Packing up some clothes and refilling the baby bag, I pack a little bit of food to eat later before changing my son. Once he is dressed with a fresh bum on, I grab my umbrella and toss my bag over my shoulder along with the baby bag before scooping up my son.

After locking my car, I start walking, deciding to head to the rundown hotel I saw earlier. I wonder how I had never noticed it before, but even if it was just for one night, I could pretend I am normal. After a decent shower the other night before being tossed aside by my mate and my son’s father, I now longed for a tiny piece of normal. Some dignity, a chance to feel human even if it was for only one night.

The sign out the front hung down, and the neon lights flicker as they struggle to remain on. The lines in the parking lot are faded, and the hotel numbers on the door are barely visible. Reaching the office, a woman sits on the chair

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Chapter 8

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just let me finish this,” she says, holding up her cigarette. She stares at me, watching me, her eyes roaming over my appearance before

yours?” she asks. I nod, looking down at him and

she asks, and

I feel tears burn my eyes at her

is your mate, so why are you here?” she asks curiously, pointing to

leans over to look at Valarian, taking a closer look at him. She appears to be in her fifties with dark hair cut to her shoulders. She has her nose

eyes; reminds me of someone I used to know; amber eyes are usually a family trait. Not many wolves in Mountainview City with eyes like that,” she says. “So, the blood Alpha is your mate and his father?” she asks, clearly putting two and two together. I

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Chapter 8

so why aren’t

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recognize me and kicked me off pack land before

and she nods once before speaking, “My parents thought

I ask her, feeling

his father

are

but a rogue whore? You and I aren’t

is Valarian,” I tell her,

his father,” the woman

you