Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 48 – part 1

It feels strange having Valen under my roof, awkward. Everything I usually did for Valarian, he suddenly asked his dad to do. Like cut up his food. I was suddenly no longer needed; he asked for his father when it was his bath time. Most of my afternoon was spent twiddling my thumbs since I only had to heat dinner up. Yet, Valen never once complained and seemed to enjoy his son’s constant attention.

Even as I went to put Valarian to bed, he asked if his father could tuck him in. I know it was childish, but nights were the only time I got to spend with him, really, so it bothered me more than it should. I was so used to juggling things between Zoe and me that it felt unnatural having someone willingly helping us, ruining our usual routine, I suddenly had time on my hands, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

Once Valarian was tucked in bed, Valen returned to the living room. He scratched the back of his neck before looking at the empty spot beside me on the couch.

I rolled my eyes before moving over, and he smiled before coming to sit next to me and draping his arm across the back of it.

“Finally, Casey is down for the night,” Zoe says, coming out in her pajamas while braiding her hair. I had always been envious of how she could do that, I had tried and ended up only making a knotted mess, yet she did it so effortlessly.

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Chapter 48 – part 1

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Zoe comes over and sits down on one of the kids‘ bean bags, the bag almost swallowing her petite frame as she sinks in it.

“I’m so damn tired,” she yawns, covering her mouth with her

hand.

“Ah, and tomorrow will be worse. We are down three staff in the kitchens, one in the children’s playgroup. Two waitresses and have a full house,” Zoe sighs.

“Emily must also have the bug. She never showed up for work tonight,” I tell her, getting up off the couch and walking over to the bookcase for my folder.

“I already checked the rosters for tomorrow,” Zoe tells me. I sat back down with the folder going to the events diary.

“I know, we will have to manage. I can work the lunch and night rush if you can handle the kids in the morning.”

“Sounds like a plan. I will wake you at eleven. If we are still down the next day, we can swap. Macey already pulled doubles two days in a row,” she says, and I nod.

Zoe glances at the diary, “What are you looking for?”

“We need to find a date to move the Alpha meeting forward,”

I tell her, but the earliest date I could make work would be one week head, so instead of three weeks, it would be two.

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Chapter 48 part 1

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looks over my shoulder, flicking through the pages before scrubbing his hand down his

he asks while

am not sure I can get supplies in

The rest I will organize from one of my hotels and have it

it over and done with.

go unseen for a few days, but two weeks, two weeks, the media will come looking for me,” he tells

already, I am surprised one

they are family, we are all family, we stick together,” she says, and Valen sticks his hands

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are the most aggressive

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48 -part 1

11 288 Vouchers

flicking through the pages before

he asks while

six days away, it wouldn’t be enough notice, and I am not sure I can get supplies in early enough,” I tell

in. The rest I will organize from one of my hotels and have it sent over. You still want to announce it,

get it over and

I can go unseen for a few days, but two weeks, two weeks,

I am surprised one of your staff haven’t sold the story yet,” he says, and Zoe glares at him.

she says, and Valen

Macey are the most aggressive

met, geez,” he says.

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part

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grabbing Casey’s school jumper off the ground. I also yawn, my eyes feeling like sandpaper, and I regret taking my pills earlier now that I had to

wash it,”

before sniffing it. Her brows pinch together before she suddenly buries her face

she says to no one in particular. Valen raises an eyebrow at her and twirls his finger beside his head, and I chuckle

You smell it then,” she snarls, tossing it at his

want to offend you by sniffing your daughter’s jumper,” he mocks, and she rolls

thanks for making me get a whiff

smell it?”

Valen says, rubbing his nose. I take

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