Page 13 of Lycan Prey (Little Secrets Duet #1)

· Aubrey ·

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.

Within seconds, we’re surrounded by the King’s enforcers. They emerge from the shadows like apparitions. Their eyes are cold and unyielding, as if I’m prey cornered by a pack of wolves. I instinctively move to shield Spider Boy, even though I know I’m no match for these powerful Lycans.

“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.

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 back, and when he comes at me again my palm connects with his face, his lip bleeding from the impact.

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 our 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, his sharp, piercing gaze falls on me with suspicion.

The King strides forward, and I can’t bring myself to look away from him.

There is something so regal and majestic about him, something different from when I last met him.

Gone is the softer facade of a man, and in his place is a man who commands attention, dominates any space, even an open one like where we stand right now.

His men part, allowing him through and he comes to a stop feet from me. He tilts his head to the side staring at me like he is wondering how someone as small as me caused so much of a commotion and ruined his day.

For a second I worry he recognizes me; then he turns his gaze to his men and their disheveled states. I find myself wanting to look away as he assesses the damage I’ve caused. It’s as if I’m holding my breath, waiting for his command to kill me. It doesn’t come—not yet, anyway.

The guards straighten, clearly annoyed that the commotion I created has brought their king here.

Max squeals and goes running to his father.

The King growls furiously when he spots his son coming from beside me.

Max stops and backs up, grabbing my hand like he believes he can save me from his father’s wrath.

The King glares at Max’s small hand in mine, those same eyes tracing up my arm before meeting my worried gaze.

His eyes flicker dangerously, as he motions with a flick of his wrist for his son to come to him.

“Now, Max.” Two words that have me wanting to beg at his feet for forgiveness when I’ve done nothing wrong.

No matter what, I have his son, it looks bad whether he recognizes me or not.

Max’s hand squeezes my fingers and I remember to suck in another breath as I swallow down the dread thickly.

“You’re not going to hurt my friend, are you, Daddy?” Max asks and I glance at the boy who stares bewildered at his father, yet he is still strong. Max moves, stepping in front of me slightly, like he alone could take on his father to protect me. The King arches a thick brow at his son.

“Do I need to?” he asks his son but his eyes go to mine like he is asking me the question. I quickly shake my head. I definitely mean his son no harm, I was trying to help him. I’m probably fired for leaving work and not returning as it is, I certainly don’t want trouble with the King.

The King’s piercing gaze is locked on me, daring me to give him a reason to slaughter me.

One wrong move and I don’t doubt he will end me himself.

I’m trespassing, a rogue stranger and his cute as a button little boy may have inadvertently caused my death.

I desperately try to think of a way out of this situation.

The King’s eyes flicker to the enforcer on the ground as he moves to stand with a groan then to the one nursing his bleeding lip, his expression a mix of shock and curiosity.

He peers at me again, but there is something different in his eyes.

More like he is wondering how it was possible for someone my size to take on his guard.

No doubt had they been trying to kill me they would have easily.

They just underestimated me for my size and the fact I’m a rogue female.

The King gives me an almost appreciative look as he takes me in, starting at my feet and then up the length of my body.

I want to cover myself, his watchful eye causing butterflies to flare to life in the pit of my stomach despite my fear.

I’m like an insect behind the glass of a microscope while some scientist is debating how poisonous I am.

“You do that?” he asks, and I chew my lip. “You dare to attack my guard?” he asks slowly and I suddenly feel like if I answer wrong it will determine my end. Words fail me for a second as I think of how to answer.

“I thought they were attacking us…”

“Us?” he questions.

“Now why would my guard attack a woman without cause?” he asks.

“She had your son,” Damian steps forward and answers.

“Did she now? Now why does this girl have my son?” he questions.

“He escaped his nanny as you know,” he answers and I don’t miss the bob of his Adam’s apple in his throat as he nervously answers.

“Are you telling me my son not only escaped his nanny but also castle grounds and 140 guards?” the King offers in return, the guards all straighten, and some look away ashamed.

The King’s piercing gaze holds me captive. His eyes are intense and unforgiving. I’m all too aware that he’s a Lycan and I’m in deep trouble.

I try to maintain a neutral expression, but my heart races in my chest, and my palms grow clammy.

The silence stretches on for what feels like an eternity before the King finally speaks. “Max, step away from the girl,” he commands, his voice laced with warning.

“But Dad…” Max goes to whine.

“Now!” The King growls and Max drops his head as his father glares at him.

Max hesitates momentarily before reluctantly letting go of my hand and moving to stand beside his father who turns his full attention to me.

Now with his son at his side, he doesn’t hold back his aura.

It rushes out, flooding every sense and bringing me to my knees.

I gasp, my fingers biting into dirt. Max squeals, and tries to run to me but Damian snatches him.

Max kicks out.“No Daddy, no!” The King casts a glance at his son and grits his teeth, the muscle in his jaw ticking. He drops his aura and motions for me to stand.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” the King demands, his voice low and dangerous, echoing through the forest. I realize he doesn’t recognize me, thankfully, or maybe not thankfully, I am unsure.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to trespass on your territory. I was just trying to help Max,” I say, attempting to keep my voice steady despite the tremor threatening to betray my fear.

The King seems to study me for a moment, his eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity. “Max, is this woman your friend?” he asks, his tone softening slightly.

Max nods eagerly, his innocent eyes wide. “Yes, Daddy. She’s my friend. She helped me when I got lost.”

The King narrows his eyes, focusing on me again.

The surrounding air grows tense, the weight of his scrutiny heavy upon me.

“How exactly did you meet my son? And why was he with you?” He sniffs the air, taking in my scent and his brows furrow, but I’m rogue now, and haven’t been around Rhett’s pack recently so my scent may have changed.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to maintain eye contact. “We met at the park. Max said he was lost, so I was helping him find his way home.”

Damian, the warrior who had accused me earlier, steps forward. “She’s a rogue, Your Highness. She failed to register.”

The King stares at me, his gaze lingering on my face. “You seem familiar. Have we met before?” he asks, his brows pinching. I swallow thickly, quickly shaking my head, but then nod, uncertain how to answer.

“So which is it, we have met or we haven’t?”

“I… um… we met before.” I answer knowing how bad that looks, he probably thinks I’m some stalker.

He stares at me, the fierceness in his gaze makes me gulp.

“How?” he demands.