Chapter 17
The boy’s expression is a mix of sadness and frustration. “He promised to take me to the park after his meeting, but he didn’t come. So, I went looking for him.”
“Well, maybe your dad was just busy. You shouldn’t run off like that; he’s probably very worried about you,” I say, hoping to comfort him.
“All he ever does is work,” Spider Boy sighs, kicking a small rock out of his path. I can tell the boy is lonely, and my heart aches for him.
“Who takes care of you while your Dad is at work?” I ask, curious.
“Blair, my nanny,” The boy replies with a little chuckle. “But she’s old and can’t play. She’s boring, and she smells like diapers.”
I can’t help but laugh at the boy’s description of his nanny, even though I feel a pang of sympathy for the poor woman, it’s clear this boy is a handful. We continue walking, the forest becoming denser and darker as we venture further in. The atmosphere grows heavier, the trees towering overhead, and the undergrowth thickens.
I can feel the tension building in the air as we continue to walk through the forest. My instincts are screaming at me to turn back, but I don’t want to worry the boy any more than he already is.
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As we reach a small clearing, my fears are confirmed when a violent shudder runs through my body. I try to dismiss it as paranoia, but the sickly feeling in my gut tells me otherwise. I recognize it as a warning that I’ve trespassed into another pack’s territory. I glance down at the boy, my heart pounding in my chest, anxiety creeping in.
“Who did you say your father was again?” I ask hesitantly, trying to maintain a calm demeanor for his sake.
The boy shrugs, seemingly unconcerned. However, before he can answer, rustling in the trees can be heard, and I pivot to look at the treeline running alongside us when more sounds come from a different direction.
“Stay close to me,” I whisper urgently to Spider Boy, trying not to let him see my fear.
But it’s too late. The boy lets out a loud gasp and clings tightly to me.
“Is it the bear?” the boy asks nervously, glancing around. I wish it was a bear! But there are too many and I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.
The air thickens around us, making it difficult to breathe. My stomach churns as the weight of the situation settles over me. Before I can process what he just said or come up with a plan, howls echo through the woods, sending shivers down my spine.
Within seconds, we’re surrounded by the King’s enforcers. They emerge from the shadows like apparitions. Their eyes are cold and unyielding, making me feel like prey cornered by a pack of wolves. I instinctively move to shield Max, even though I know I’m no match for these powerful Lycans.
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“Who are you?” one of the enforcers growls, his voice low and menacing. “You’re trespassing on our territory.”
I shove the boy behind me, trying to shield him from the Lycan enforcers as they surround us. One of the guards narrows his eyes at me and demands, “What are you doing here?”
Recognition flashes in his cold stare as he continues, “You… You never registered. We came looking for you today. I warned you about not registering.”
My heart races as Spider Boy peeks around me. “Uncle Damian?” the boy asks, and the man’s eyes dart to him.
“Uncle?” I wonder, confused.
“Max? What are you doing with that rogue?” Damian says, stomping over and snatching the boy, propping him on his hip, however when he tugs the mask off the boy’s head, my gasp is audible when I recognize the boy, Max Soren’s son. “Your father has half the castle out looking for you! Did this woman kidnap you?” This man Damian passes Max off to someone and growls at me, I take a step back.
“Get the King!” he orders.
In a panic, I plead, “Wait… it’s not like that. I didn’t know he was the King’s son. I wasn’t…”
“Kill her,” Damian orders and the enforcers step closer. Determined to protect myself, I launch myself at the nearest enforcer, my adrenaline–fueled strength surprising even me.
My fist connects with his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Another enforcer charges at me, but I shove him
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back, and when he comes at me again my palm connects with his face, his lip bleeding from the impact.
My mind is still reeling at who the boy is, because how I did not recognize him is beyond me, to be fair he is wearing a mask but it suddenly makes sense why he refused to take it off. Before more enforcers can jump in, Max escapes his uncle’s grip and throws himself between us. “No, you leave my friend alone!” he demands. One of the guards tries to grab the boy, but Max kicks the guard in the shin.
“I want my dad… you’re not taking my friend!” Max growls, startling me I didn’t know Lycan children could growl, werewolves certainly can’t until we have that first shift.
“I’m right here, young man,” comes a deep baritone voice. The King is a towering figure, his broad shoulders and muscular build hinting at his strength and power and right now I feel every bit of it as his aura ripples out violently. His presence commands attention, and his sharp, piercing gaze falls on me with suspicion and anger.
Chapter 18
288 Vouchers
Chapter 18
