Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 5 Gritting my teeth, I regain my composure and smooth back my hair, pasting a fake smile on my face. Thankfully, no one witnessed it, and I don't want Rhett to worry about me. It's probably nothing, cto think of it. The full moon is coming up, so it could be that. Not that I had ever suffered such effects from a full moon before. But there is a first tfor everything, and I have found my mate now, so full moons will be more intense.

Passing one of Rhett's friends who also works here, I wave as I usually do. Only instead of waving back, he glares. Him too? Did I kill someone's puppy? Shaking off his strange behavior, I keep walking with my head held high. It's the best I can do until Rhett tellswhat has everyone so frazzled and unfriendly; surely it's not all over this Lycan King coming here? When his office door comes into view, excitement courses throughas I clutch the venue contract in my hand tighter, eager to show him the perfect place I found for our wedding. My fingers tremble, and I feel like all of the excitement is going to burst out of me. I know he'll love the place I picked out.

Bracing myself, I reach for the door handle to Rhett's office and push open the door, ready to greet my mate, when the sickeningly sweet scent of cologne reaches my nose, making it burn.

I push the door open, eager yet apprehensive about presenting the wedding venue details to Rhett, especially now I know he is in a terrible mood and owes the King money.

0 < Chapter 5 14.288 Vouchers "I'm so sorry I'm late, you won't believe what happened on the way here!" I exclaim as I turn and shut the door, only to turn back and have my heart seize in my chest. Tseems to slow down as I take in the heart- wrenching sight, my hands. trembling and my eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"Rhett, what-" The words die in my throat as my world shatters into jagged shards of betrayal, deception, and regret.

Tseemed to stand still as I took in the sight of Rhett at his desk, not alone but with a woman on his lap. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, her red dress rucked up in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Her flushed face and intimate posture with Rhett shattered any illusions I still held.

A faint blush tints Bianca's cheeks, and I can see her hand resting on Rhett's shoulder, her fingers playing with his hair as she bounces up and down on his lap with a look of euphoria on her face.

The surrounding air is heavy, with the sweet scent of Bianca's expensive perfand the musky undertones of Rhett's perfthroughout the room. But underneath it all, there's a hint of something bitter and acrid, the smell of deceit and betrayal. Pain rips through my stomach and heart at the sight, and my hands tremble, and my legs shake as I fight to remain upright.

I have sacrificed everything for this man, chose him over my family, and uprooted my entire life to be here with him. Is this how he repays me? The sight unfolding beforeis a living. nightmare, one that seizes my heart and refuses to let go. I stand frozen, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene. Those jagged shards splinter and pierce through the bond, mutilating it and destroying everything.

27 33% ||| r Chapter 5 I had been so enamored by the fairy tale of finding a mate. Dazzled by the allure of shimmering promises and the warm, electric thrum of the mate's bond- Lured by pretty bright lights, the glittering attraction, and its warm and tingly feelings. The fairy tale was that he would lovein a way no one else could. What a harsh way to learn; not all that glitters is gold.

No one ever warnedabout the dark side of a mate's bond, the heartache, and the devastation that could cwith it too. Mates are painted as sacred, bound by love, and destined to be together for eternity. But they never toldabout the gut-wrenching pain of betrayal. No one ever talks about how bad this can hurt.

In a moment, everything starts to make sense. For the last few weeks, I've felt sick, the spontaneous cramps. Rhett tellingI have a bug or something is wrong with me. Now, the pain. makes sense. It wasn't feminine issues at all; it was the scorching betrayal of his infidelity and his brutalizing of our bond.

The visual is a visceral blow, tearing through the fabric of our bond with the precision of a well-aimed dagger. She moans, his hand moving to cover her mouth as he moves quickly, shoving her into his desk.

Rhett's gaze finds mine as the documents symbolizing our future slip from my fingers, scattering like the shattered pieces of my heart. I try to speak, to demand an explanation, but no words cout. My throat feels tight, and hot tears fill my eyes.

"Aubrey, what are you doing here?" he replies, his tone ||| Chaptet: dismissive and laced with irritation.

His eyes flicker with annoyance as if my presence is nothing more than an inconvenience to him. Blanca quickly pulls her dress down and sits on the edge of his desk.

"Wh-what, do you mean? You invited me," I stammer, the words tumbling from my lips as I struggle to make sense of the situation. I wanted to yet, scream, to attack him, but ! just stood there, the events beforestill registering in my brain. All I can do is step back, shaking my head in disbelief. How could he do this? The man who promised to loveforever and be faithful has betrayedin the worst way possible.

"Did I?" he smirks, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise. "I don't recall sending you any messages." Chapter 6 288 Vouches Chapter 6