Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 22

Everly POV

The following day, I thought I had made it. I was on top of the world with the celebration. I thought I could go the entire day. without dealing with mate dramas. Once he realized I was his mate, and after his persistence yesterday, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I would be hearing from him. Valen didn’t seem like the type that was used to being knocked back by a woman. But he had to get used to it. There was no way I would allow my son to be taken from me.

Stepping out of my office, I groan when I see him again. My heart stops in my chest. He is walking down the corridor toward me and was going to turn in the opposite direction to escape out the side door and back to the safety of my apartment before having to retrieve my son from preschool.

“Everly.”

“What? Alpha Valen, I am busy,” I call over my shoulder. He jogs after me.

“Too busy to speak with your mate?” he asks.

“Yep, definitely too busy for you,” I tell him, continuing toward the door that led outside and refusing to make eye contact

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with him.

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“Hmm, so you hire liars here because that cleaner just told me you should be going on your lunch break right now and that you aren’t busy,” Valen says before gripping my arm. Sparks rush up my arm, and I jerk away from his touch as I turn to face him. Valen growls at me, and I glare at him.

“Geez, what is your problem? No need to act repulsed by me,” he snaps at my reaction.

“I never said you repulsed me, but thanks, I will add repulsion to my list of reasons for hating you,” I tell him, though that was a lie. I didn’t hate him, his arrogance and the fact he couldn’t remember me irritated me, but hate was too strong of a word for my mate.

Everything in me was calling me to press against him, to touch him and mark myself with his scent, some primal urge to claim him. But I shove it down, ignoring it. He had my hormones and brain all muddled when he was near, and I wanted to run from him, disliking the feelings he brought out of me. How could I detest and long for someone

simultaneously irritated me?

why do you hate me? Because of Ashley?” he asks, and I

when I start to walk away from him. He grips my arm, turning me back

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only tightens.

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eyes change and turn black. His wolf side. presses forward at the warning in my voice, he clearly didn’t like being challenged by his mate, or was it just my refusal to bow down to him. Or maybe he was butt hurt that I wasn’t tossing myself at him like the rest of the

to touch, mine to mark, you are mine to claim, and I will claim you,” I swallow and try to take a

my jaw to my neck. The sharp points of his teeth grazed my skin, and my eyes shut, my breathing

know who you belong to, and you do belong to me,” he says, his breath fanning across my neck, and I inhale his addictive scent. My own gums tingle with

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around me. Valen moves closer, his entire body against mine, and a deep thrum from his chest vibrates against mine as he purrs into me. Yet my body gives into his calling, the urge to let him take me, overriding common sense. He’s using my own instincts against me. Usually, she–wolves are unable to resist the call of their mates. The sound calls me to give in to my mate on some instinctual level, like a sedative that made my brain suddenly stop working. He nips at my neck, and much as I hate what he’s doing, the thought of him marking me also excites me on some level. The experience was bringing forth feelings for him I thought died long ago, reminding me of the urge to nest when pregnant. The hatred was replaced with a longing or compulsion to do what came naturally but also felt uncontrollable

against my skin before grazing my neck where his mark should be with his teeth again. I shiver when I feel his lips press

blouse. I gasp at his touch, and my hands feebly clutch the front of his shirt. I didn’t know if I wanted to pull him closer or shove him away, my brain and body fighting with each

the outline of his abs hidden

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eyes jolt open at the noise I make. Valen’s hand moves higher before he squeezes my breast through my bra and growls softly before nipping at my jaw. I want to

sound of someone clearing their throat makes me jolt back into reality, and I jump while Valen growls menacingly. I push him away from me instantly, the fog lifting. As soon as his touch is gone, I miss it. Looking down the corridor, I see Macey and my cheeks heat, and she raises an eyebrow at me before tapping her fingers on her wrist. My brows furrow, and I quickly

and she

to get,” she looks at

should be back soon,” Macey says carefully, letting me know Zoe was grabbing Valarian with Casey. I let out

you, Macey; I will be down soon. I just need to deal with

back to whatever you were both doing, but keep it PG, this is a hotel,” she chuckles, and I glare at

Chapter 22

cheeks flush.