Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 10

Everly POV

We settle in the room, and I wash Valarian down with a wet cloth. It is a little too cold today for me to give him a bath right now. Once Valarian had settled and was napping, I take the longest, hottest shower in ages. I try to wash the memories of last night away.

I found my mate, saw him, and he didn’t recognize me. But worse still was knowing he was with another woman. The agony that it caused as I ran home was heartbreaking as well as painful. When Marcus took me there, I hoped that he would recognize our son and get the help we needed, that maybe everything could be fixed, especially once I realized he was my mate. Allowing hope for the first time in ages, and I caught a glimmer of it only for it to be taken away, and now ! was failing my son once again, that much I did know.

I can’t help but feel like a failure; Valarian would never have a father.. I would never again have mine and how I longed to go home, where I was loved and the cherished Alphas daughter. Instead, I am now ashamed and scum, forbidden to speak to my sister in my father’s eyes. Not even my mother would fight for her grandchild or me. I know she is hurting, but I could never choose anyone over my son, so how could she choose Dad over me?

My life had fallen apart; I didn’t think it could get much worse,

0.00%

+

x+

R

III O

<

Chapter 10

1288 Vouchers

but then it ripped my heart out too. I thought my luck was changing when he stepped into the bathroom. Every piece of me was screaming for him. I truly realized how powerful a mate bond is for the first time. Nothing thrilled me more, well, until I saw the look on his face.

The way he yelled at me and ordered me off his territory will stain my memory forever. Then, I had my father toss me outside in the rain afterward, forcing me to watch my son being looked after through a damn window out of reach because I no longer deserve human decency from my own family. It was too much to process.

I thought I could do this. I thought I was stronger than this, but everyone breaks eventually. Everyone has a breaking point, and I have reached mine, every damn thing weighing me down suddenly becomes too much, and I break. At least no one could see how fucked up I really am while I cry in the shower, letting the shower wash away my sorrow. It washes out the pain I feel until it brings me to my knees. It is sudden and startlingly clear how alone I truly am.

Loneliness is deafening and cold, no one to tell you it would be alright, no one to help you pick up the pieces, no conversation, and I had lost my sense of self. I was no one now, just a mom, just another rogue whore for everyone to look down at. Even though I am not. He is my mate. He couldn’t even recognize me. I realize how small and insignificant I am to everyone except my baby boy.

Hearing a knock on the door, my head jerks up from where it is pressed to my knees. I get up quickly, shutting the water off

11.66%

x+

R

||| O

<

Chapter 10

and grabbing a towel.

“Everly dear, open the door for me.”

1288 Vouchers

just a sec,” I call back, checking Valarian before tugging a shirt over the towel to try to appear presentable.

standing there with a tray in her hands

here. The time must have slipped you by,” Valarie says. I quickly

how much time passed,” I tell her, glancing at the old

would come and be an ear to listen,” she says, and

through the pipes. I keep meaning to get someone in to fix it, but no one wants

didn’t disturb you,” I tell her;

25.55%

O <

Chapter 10

288 Vouchers

the nicest one left and is functional. The place is falling apart,” she says. Valarian starts fussing, and I

him. Isn’t that right, sugar? Yes, I love me some baby cuddles,” she says,

digging through my bag and grabbing some clothes out before rushing to the bathroom. I dress quickly and come back out with my hair wrapped in

boy,” Valarie babbles to him. He eventually

upset? Why the tears?”

too much,” I tell her as we unwrap our dinner from the

bleeding my heart and soul out to her, the pressure lifting off my chest. I didn’t realize how talking to someone who listened could feel so relieving. Valarie also told me she found her mate when she was my

she is an Omega, he didn’t want to tell anyone because it

35.38%

O

Chapter 10

1288 Vouchers

was he never rejected her. Instead, he kept her around, refusing to let

side piece so he would stay strong; rejecting mates weakens us, yet I thought it was disgusting he would force

her son since he was a baby. He doesn’t even know she exists because her mate told him she died during birth. Her story was tragic and gut–wrenching, yet

I ask her, and she

the night,” she tells me with a shrug like

ask her. I needed to know; I needed to know if I would be tortured my entire

me anything, but then I want to ask you something,” she

46.78%

> O III

Chapter 10

11 288 Wouchers

he was with another woman. The pain… I mean, does it feel like that all the time? Will it feel like that every time he is

in her chair, looking towards the window, and she gulps. “You will learn

would I welcome

mate, but I also hate him. Sometimes hating them hurts less than realizing you will never have them. It reminds you to keep on living despite what they do to us. Hold onto that anger because sometimes it is the only thing that will keep you going,” she tells me. “I ́ get a script though, powerful painkillers, they help take the edge off, but if he’s

and wonders why he can’t fuck right,” she laughs to herself, and I snort at her foul language, trying to hold my own giggle. She sighs, and I

next for

back to my car, see if I can get my old job back, though he said

need help here; not that much

57.29%

Chapter 10

288 Vouchers

now,” she

“What do you think? Or do you think it is too much work? I could always burn it?” Valarie laughs again and her