Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 16 A mixture of anxiety and anticipation fills my mind the next morning when I wake up early, unable to sleep once again. But I am happy for the early wake up for once because I want to speak with the café owner about the job I saw listed in the window. After getting ready and making sure my grandmother is settled in her favorite chair, I head out, hoping to catch the café owner before the morning rush begins.

As I enter the café, I approach the counter, where a friendly- looking woman with a kind smile and shoulder- length chestnut hair stands. Her eyes are a warm hazel, and she wears a simple apron over her floral dress.

"Hi, I'm Bree," I say, opting for my nickninstead of saying Brielle, trying to sound confident though stealing my sister's nwas bad enough. Using it makesfeel like I am violating her memory. "I saw the sign in the window about a job opening?" The woman introduces herself, "Nice to meet you, Bree. I'm Marianne. So, you're interested in the job?" she asks, lookingup and down.

I nod. "Yes, I am." Marianne raises an eyebrow, curious. "Did you just move to town?" I explain that I'm here to take care of my grandmother, Leila. Marianne's eyes light up with recognition, and she smiles warmly.

0.00% ||| O < 288 Vouchers "Leila? I've known her for years! She used to be a regular here until she got sick. How is she?" I sigh, struggling to find the right words. "She's not doing well. Her health is deteriorating." I tell her sadly.

Marianne's expression turns sympathetic. “I'm so sorry to hear that, Bree. Well, I am short staffed and since I trust Leila and know she needs the help, if you want the job it's yours. Can you start work tomorrow?" Feeling a mix of relief and gratitude, I nod. "Yes, I can." I smile. Well, I guess that is another good thing then about small towns everyone knows everyone and Grandma seems to be known by most here. I'm beginning to wonder if she used to cut their hair when she had her old hairdresser's shop.

As I'm leaving, Marianne asks, "Have you registered your intent to stay with the council?" she asks and I cringe, damn this council must be strict because I am beginning to notice no one wants to be caught in breach by them and I certainly don't want to learn the consequences if I am breached. But the thought makesqueasy.

It takesa moment realize that she too, is a werewolf by her scent, she has a woodsy scent like most wolves that I hadn't noticed at first over the strong scent of coffee beans, but also by her mention of the council, its obvious humans populate this area mostly, but more werewolves than I thought too. I lie and say, "Yes, I already have." Marianne nods. "Good. It's important since the Lycan kingdom is nearby. Most of the werewolves here are rogue, but we all need to register. Rules are: I can't hire anyone without them being registered, too many humans have been 17.67% x+ ||| 0 < attacked over the years, the King has doubled down efforts to stop that, he wants peace in the town and since this is a mixed town he needs to ensure everyone's safety." I nod, wondering how he ensures their safety, and what happens on full moons here, does he force everyone into lockdown, the memory of Granny mentioning the chains Grandpa used to use makesshudder, it's unnatural but necessary, back in the city I had access to suppressants, here I don't without a script.

"If you have tnow, though, while it's slow, I can give you a quick rundown of the place, show you where everything is and introduce you to a few of the staff here?" she asks, drawing my attention away from tumultuous thoughts. I force a smile on my face and nod.

**** The next day, the café is bustling with customers when I notice a group of cars pulling up outside. My heart skips a beat as I recognize the Lycan men from the pharmacy stepping out. Panicking, I rush to the back of the café.

"Marianne, I'm taking my lunch break," I say, trying to sound casual.

"Sure thing, Bree," she smiles, "just be back by two." I slip out the back door, clutching my handbag, and exhale with relief at how close I cto running into them again. As I walk toward the park, I spot a few more of their cars parked out back. My breath catches, and I duck down behind strash cans. I wait for what feels like an eternity before I finally make a break for it.

Once at the nearby park, I sit on a swing, taking out my 40.68% O sandwich. My hands tremble slightly as I try to process the close call. Suddenly, I hear crying. I glance around, searching for the source of the noise, but see no one. The crying continues, so I stand up and cautiously approach the large slide.

"Hello?" I call out. A small gasp comes from the slide's tunnel. I move closer and peer inside, finding a little boy about five years old, at least I think it's a boy, he has a spiderman mask on his face, obscuring his features. "Are you okay?" I ask him gently.

He sniffles and shakes his head and says, "I'm lost." "Con out, and I'll help you find your mom," I offer.

He looks up atwith tear-filled eyes. "I don't have a mom. She died when I was born." I feel a pang of sadness for the boy, and I decide to sit inside the tunnel with him while we wait for his caregiver. "Are you hungry?" I ask, and he nods. I hand him my sandwich, but he doesn't remove his mask to eat which I find odd, his wide eyes peering out at me. "I like your hair," he tellsand I smile.

"You have mermaid hair," he chuckles. I raise an eyebrow at him.

"What's your name?" I ask him.

"Spider Boy," he tellsand I snort a laugh.

We chat for a while, the boy tellingabout his favorite toys and his adventures at school but refuses to givehis name, instead I am stuck referring to him as Spider Boy. As t61.82% O Chapter 16 288 Vouchers passes, I becincreasingly worried when no one comes looking for him. I glance at my phone and realize I'm already late to return to my shift at the café.

"Do you live nearby?" I ask the boy.

He nods. "On the other side of the trees, but I'm scared to go back through them because I saw a bear." Sighing, I hold my hand out to him. "Just on the other side of the trees I ask?" and he nods. I reach for his mask to try to pull it off but he jerks away.

"Isn't that thing making you hot?" I ask him. He shakes his head.

"Con, then. I'll walk back with you."

As we enter the forest, the shadows cast by the trees create an eerie, haunting atmosphere. Theboy clings to my hand, and I can sense his fear. I force a brave smile onto my face and say, "Don't worry, we'll be through here in no time."

The forest seems darker and more foreboding with each step we take, and I can't help but n't help but feel a shiver of fear myself. But I don't want the boy to see that I'm scared, so I attempt to distract him and myself.

The sunlight filters through the trees above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. @dan hear the distant rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds above us. "So, Spider Boy, how did you get lost?" I inquire, trying to maintain a light tone while hoping he tellshis name.

"I was looking for my dad." 81.04%