Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 73

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Chapter 73 "Good, I'm starving," he says as I lead Max out of the playroom. Max snickers to himself as we make our way to the dining room.

This part of parenthood-the routine, the patterns of raising a child-feels natural. It feels like coming home. No awkward shower encounters, doubts, or embarrassments. Just me, Max, and the everyday rhythm of life, yet I am suddenly craving adding to that routine-no, add someone, which confuses me. As we reach the stairs, we run into Bree, and Max ditches me, running ahead. She barely catches him as he pounces on her, and she staggers back, clutching the railing.

"You trying to givea heart attack," she tells him, hugging him close as she starts down the steps.

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"We are going down for dinner," he tells her.

"That's where I am headed," she tells him, glancing atbefore her eyes go pastto my father. She takes a second look at him and blinks like she is wondering if she is imagining my father's makeover. She presses her lips in a line, trying to stifle the laugh.

"I see we are all dressed up for dinner. You look amazing, King Alaric," she tells him.

"I snuck in a nap; don't tell Maribel, though. I promised to take her into town but ran off with Max instead, saying I was babysitting for Soren." C ||| 0 Chapter 73 "Your secret is safe with me," she tells him, and Max chuckles, covering his mouth with his hand.

We make our way to the kitchen. The scent of roasted chicken. wafts through the dining room as I pull out a chair for Bree. The dinner table is covered in steaming dishes, and my father. moves to the head of the table and waits. Max sits beside Bree as she sets him down.

"Thank you, Soren," Bree says softly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as I tuck her chair in just as my mother walks in with another dish. "I decided to help," she announces, knowing my mother. She probably just annoyed the staff as she tried to take over everything. The woman never stops; she is always busy.

"Everything looks delicious, Maribel," Bree compliments, bringing my mother to life with a pleased flush on her cheeks.

"CallMa, dear. You're about to be my daughter after all," my mother insists, passing the mashed potatoes to Bree. "And you must jointomorrow. There's a quaint little row of shops in the mall that we simply must explore. I also want to find smore lace for the table arrangements.” I watch as Bree nods, a grateful glint in her eye for the distraction.

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"I would love that. Thank you." Her voice is genuine, and it eases a tension in my chest that I hadn't realized was there.

"Of course," Mom continues, her ever-present excitement taking center stage. "A little mother-daughter tcould be just what you need." The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I 36.385 DAO < Chapter 73 19 20 Wouchers

spear a carrot and focus on the patterns in the grain of the wood table, trying to ignore the way myn father raises an eyebrow atfrom across the table. They like Bree, maybe too much, and I know it will kill my mother when she learns we aren't really engaged.

"Sounds fun," I manage to say, offering a small, encouraging smile to Bree. She returns it, though hers is tinged with an undertainty that makeswant to reach out and steady her world. But I don't. Instead, I pass the bowl of green beans to my father. Who also points to the gravy. Max leans over,

handing him the bowl, which my mother catches as he nearly topples on the table she passes it on to my En. father, finally taking in his face. Chapter 74

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Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

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