Page 24 of Lycan Prey (Little Secrets Duet #1)

“What’s the second condition?” I ask him.

“You stop calling me ‘Your Highness’ or ‘My King’.”

I stare at him, perplexed. “What do you want me to call you, then?” I blurt out, unable to comprehend why he would ask such a strange request.

“Just Soren,” he replies with a shrug, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“You want me to use your first name?” I repeat incredulously. “But… you’re a King. It doesn’t seem right.”

“I am also just a man,” he points out matter-of-factly. “And I prefer familiarity over formality.”

Part of me wants to agree, to call him by his name like any other person. But another part of me feels like it would be disrespectful and presumptuous.

“Okay…Soren,” I say hesitantly, testing out the name on my tongue.

His lips curve up into a smile. “And that’s it, no other catch.

I only have to look after Max? You’re not going to expect…

me…” I trail off. I don’t want to be some King’s whore, some side piece for him to dip his wick whenever he feels like it.

I saved my virginity and I don’t plan on tossing it away for a job.

“Expect you to…” my eyes widened and his eyes flicker.

“You know…” I tell him and he tilts his head to the side watching my face change to a deep shade of red.

“I don’t think I do, but by all means explain; I’d love to watch you fumble over your words explaining.” He knows exactly what I mean. Now he is just toying with me.

I feel the heat in my cheeks, hotter than I’ve ever felt before. The audacity of him, toy with me while my self-respect is on the line? Implying those lewd thoughts and playing innocent? He’s lucky I have yet to sprout my fangs and claws. But he’s a King and I’m… me.

“No, I… I won’t,” I stammer, throwing myself into the awkwardness. “I mean… You’re not expecting—”

“Expecting what?” Soren interrupts, his tone still playful. Yet his eyes are serious, watching me closely. It feels like he can see right through me, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“To… to sleep with you,” I spit out finally, my voice barely a whisper.

He’s silent for a moment. A cold wave of regret washes over me as I fear I’ve crossed a line. But then he lets out a low chuckle and shakes his head.

“Do you think so lowly of me, Bree?” he asks, leaning back into his chair. His expression is soft, devoid of any offense or anger. “Do you think I’d use my son as an excuse to take advantage of you?”

“No,” I say quickly. “I just… need to be sure.”

“I assure you, my intentions are purely professional.” If only his eyes didn’t suggest something entirely different.

The conversation leaves me flustered which I guess was his intention all along. One moment he’s the kind-hearted king offering sanctuary, the next he’s a playful tease making my heart flutter dangerously.

“I don’t know if I should feel offended that you think so little of me or that you’d be disgusted to sleep with me because I’m old. I thought I was fine wine,” he laughs.

“I wouldn’t be disgusted, it’s…” His brows quirks. “You’re putting words in my mouth!”

“You just implied I was going to force something else in there,” he laughs again while I feel like I am about to combust from the embarrassment of this entire situation.

“I’m playing, Bree. You don’t have to sleep with me. But just so we are clear, I have perfected that area of my expertise over the centuries, too.” he laughs. Centuries; I try to comprehend being that old but it baffles me.

“What about Damian?”

“Leave my brother for me to deal with, it won’t be an issue.”

“Even when I don’t register?”

“Well, figure that out when the situation arises,” he tells me, standing. He offers me his hand. “Come on.”

“What, right now?” I ask him.

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Yes, now. I’m not leaving you here when you have everything you need at the castle,” he tells me.

“But I need to at least clean this place up,” I tell him, peering around.

“I’ll send someone to do it.”

The idea of living in the castle, in a world so different from my own, is daunting. Yet, peering around at the remnants of my brief life with Granny, I realize I have little left to hold on to here.

With a deep breath, I nod. Soren smiles, a look of relief crossing his features. “Well, come on. We can make the arrangements, but for now, let me get you home.”

I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. As we walk out of the cluttered house, I realize life as I know it is about to change drastically. It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

We step outside into the bright sunlight, and for a moment, I feel blinded by it. Soren leads me to a sleek, black car parked on the street and leads me to the passenger seat, holding the door open for me like a gentleman.

I sink into the leather seat, feeling out of place in such luxurious surroundings after spending days cooped up in the house. Soren slips into the driver’s seat and starts the car. The hum of the engine is smooth as he pulls away from the curb.

“Max will be excited to see you. He’s been asking for you,” King Soren says.

The car eventually pulls up to the large gate, guarded by men in black suits and earpieces. They nod respectfully at Soren as he drives through while Damian rushes out and tosses his hands up in the air in frustration, clearly not pleased about the King escaping his guard.

“I think I’m in trouble,” he snorts, rolling down his window to stop next to Damian.

“And you wonder where your son gets Houdini stunts from,” Damian growls at him before his eyes land on me in the passenger seat. “I should have known,” he mutters under his breath.

“Issue, Damian?” King Soren asks.

Damian huffs. “You know damn well what is wrong. You just up and left while I was loading Max in the car. Stole a car and left.”

“Stole my car, so is it really stealing?”

Damian growls annoyed. “You get killed, who runs the kingdom, the packs?” Damian retorts.

King Soren sighs heavily.

“I should place a chip in you. I’m about five seconds away from putting one in that nephew of mine, both a pain in my ass, I quit.” Damian rages.

“Finally, don’t forget to tell mother you’ve decided to go rogue, she loves some good gossip.” King Soren tells him and Damian glares at him.

“Don’t you dare!” he snarls.

“Well, Mother did go away on vacation. She told me she met a lovely girl, I hear wedding bells,” the King teases.

I love watching their little siblings spat. They are less intimidating.

“I want a raise, and microchips for you and the brat. Now get inside,” Damian snaps at him, turning away and talking into his earpiece.

The King keeps driving, “I think he just sent me to my room for being naughty.” King Soren laughs and I snicker.

“Sounds like it.”

“Maybe I need a nanny, too.” he chuckles darkly.

“Your son is a handful enough, though I hear Blair would fit the position.” I chuckle. He pulls a face.

“I think I’d rather take my chances with my brother. Max is right, she is old and quite strict.”

King Soren pulls up out the front. My eyes widen as I take it all in—the walls made entirely of stone. I’ve been here before, yet it still takes my breath away each time I see this place.

Soren pulls up to the entranceway and hops out of the car to open my door. I step out onto the gravel path leading to the castle, feeling like I’m walking into a dream or maybe a nightmare. I’m still up in arms about that, this could be the new beginning I need or the end.

Inside, everything is opulent and beautiful—silk curtains drape from floor-to-ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers hang overhead in every room. Gorgeous paintings line hallway walls while intricate tile work borders every doorway.

It’s sensory overload, but I’m so appreciative of all King Soren has offered so far. The grandeur of it all makes me a bit nervous. Moving into the castle means leaving my life behind and being at the mercy of King Soren’s whims. But then again, what other choice do I have?

King Soren leads me up a grand staircase until we reach a door at the end of a long hallway. He pushes it open, revealing an elegant suite complete with its own living area and access to a balcony overlooking the surrounding forest.

“This will be your home now,” he says softly. “You’ll have access to anything you need. We have a gym, a pool, even a private theater.”

King Soren must sense something is wrong because he peers down at me.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like the room, we have plenty of others, maybe—”

I shake my head, cutting him off. “No, it’s not that, My King.”

“Soren, you can use my name, Bree,” he chuckles. I glance around the elegant room.

“Whatever you need I can organize,” he assures me, and I sigh, feeling a sense of comfort from his words.

“It’s just that I’m a werewolf.”

Soren nods, his expression patient.

“During full moons, I lose control, and I’m afraid I might hurt Max or any of your people,” I finish, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I understand that,” Soren says, concern crossing his face. “I’ll make sure you have a safe space to shift during those times. We’ll set up a room in the basement that’s soundproof and equipped with everything you need. Or I have the dungeons too if needed. We will take precautions.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling like I might cry from the weight of all the emotions from today. “I don’t know how to repay you for all of this.”

He smiles kindly. “Well, you’re helping me with Max, so you are repaying me.”

His assurance washes over me like a cool breeze, easing my worries. I nod, grateful for his understanding.

A soft knock on the door sounds and Soren’s face brightens immediately.

“I bet that’s Max,” he says, excitement coloring his tone. He strides to the door and opens it.

“Bree!” Max greets me with a squeal that turns into a heart-melting grin before rushing into the room and launching himself at me. His tiny arms wrap around my legs in a tight hug. Laughter bubbles up from deep within me.

“Hello, Max.” I crouch down to his level, brushing stray curls away from his forehead.