Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 17

One Week Later

Alpha Kalen, Valarie’s mate, stands across from me as we watch her get lowered into the ground at the rogue cemetery. Zoe and Macey hover beside me; Macey’s mother offered to watch our kids at the hotel for. There aren’t many people in attendance, just four people and the tow truck driver. Plus, her lawyer. I did everything I could to avoid a gaze with the man responsible for her death.

We all spoke, sharing our stories with Valarie. Her mate said nothing and remained silent. I wonder what must be going‘ through his head. Did he hate himself as much as I hated him? The fact that he could torture such a wonderful woman, over decades and decades, made my blood boil. The coroner said she died from organ failure caused by the mate bond; there were no other health issues or any explanations.

It pisses me off that he is healthy and alive because he is an Alpha and male, while Valarie was dead because she remained unmarked and female. It felt wrong that women die from neglect of the mate bond. It scared me because my health was already suffering, and if I wasn’t careful, this could be me. When we got the report, Macey and Zoe also voiced their concerns, saying I should just mark and mate someone, so I didn’t end the same way.

The coroner was shocked, explaining that he had only seen

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two cases before because most people keep their mates. He also questioned and asked if we knew who the mate was to inform them. Kalen, Valarie’s mate, and Valen’s father said he had no idea as we sat in the office while giving me a pointed look, warning me to not say anything. That meant he saw me when I would catch him coming and going from the hotel sneaking in like a thief in the night. I couldn’t understand why he bothered coming that day if he wasn’t even going to acknowledge she was his mate.

How did he explain his reasoning for being there? Though I could tell not even the coroner believed whatever bullshit Kalen fed him. I was listed as her next of kin which I was shocked about but glad to get some answers either way.

Shaking the memory away, I listen to the priest, and when the service is finished, I watch as Kalen speaks to the lawyer for a second before turning on my heel and following Macey back to her car when I hear my name being called.

“Everly? Which one of you girls is Everly?” a deep voice calls out. We all stop, and I look back at the immaculately dressed man. He is an older gentleman, around Kalen’s age. Kalen’s lips are pressed in a line as he follows after the lawyer, who is practically jogging over to us.

“I am,” I tell him. He stops holding out his hand to me, and I shake his hand while he catches his breath.

“My name is Joseph. I am Valarie’s lawyer. Do you mind if I speak to you for a second?” he asks, pointing over to a picnic

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sure,” I tell him, wondering what he wanted.

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the bench seat, Joseph pulls some glasses from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, putting them

girl, what does she have to do with anything?” Kalen

Valarie came to see me, to change her will,” Joseph says. My brows pinch together,

for you,” he says, handing me an envelope. I notice Valarie’s handwriting, the front of the envelope read For Everly. Looking back at Joseph, I nodded, thinking that was it,

I tell him, about to leave.

a lot of trouble to make sure her will could not be contested or changed,” Joseph says, looking over at Kalen.

am not understanding,” I tell him. Joseph smiles

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his tie and glancing nervously at Alpha

I am aware of who you are to her, Kalen,” Kalen growls, and

a non–disclosure to not let that information out, Valarie saw to that, but since Everly here is aware of who you are and what you are to Valarie, I have not broken that or intend to, but that is why I must warn you, Kalen. If you contest this, will I have here, Valarie has measures in place that if you fight

feel my throat constrict. This asshole was planning on going after Valarie’s assets after the way

fucking loved her,” protested Kalen, his

enough to look past her being Omega,” I snap before I can stop myself. I

pretend to know

know you, nor do I want to, Kalen.

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character,” I tell him, and he growls at me. Ignoring him, I turn my attention back to

to do with