Page 36 of Lycan’s Hunt

My mother’s alarmed voice echoes behind me. Her words are a desperate plea for me to stop, and listen, to think with reason but they fall on deaf ears. There is no room in my mind for anything except Bree. The urgency of the situation propels me forward, each stride echoing with a singular focus - find Bree and bring her home. Though, I have no clue what I will do with her once I do.

Shoving the castle doors open, I step outside and rush down the few steps, my guards all glance at me nervously as I move toward the car. The night air is thick with tension, and my heart races in my chest. I pause as I hear Damian’s footsteps behind me, his voice catching up to me. “Wait! You can’t drive in this state!” he shouts, rushing outside and toward me.

I am furious and I turn sharply, frustration bubbling inside me. He is half to blame for this mess, he could have done so many things differently, his constant pestering of the council and her, has driven her to keep these secrets. Had she not feared repercussions, perhaps she would have told me. “I am going to get my fiancée!” I insist, ready to jump into my car. Damian’s face hard, his teeth clenched as he reaches me. He grabs my arm firmly. “Then let me drive.” His eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that cuts through my desperation but I shake him off still furious with him.

“You’re in no state to drive. I’ll take you. Just get in the passenger seat.”

Reluctantly, I comply, sliding into the car as he takes the driver’s seat. My mind races with thoughts of Bree, her safety, and the implications of what might happen if I don’t reach her in time.

As we speed down the road, my thoughts drift to Jacinta, the anguish of her loss creeping back into my heart. I remember the betrayal I felt, how I had failed to protect her from those who sought to do her harm. The pain of that loss lingers in my chest, mixing with my current fear for Bree. I can’t let history repeat itself. Though it feels like it is. I don’t think I would live through another loss like that.

“Do you think Rhett is behind this?” I ask, breaking the silence that hangs heavily in the car.

“I wouldn’t put it past him. How else would that information be leaked?” Damian replies, his voice grim. “He’s ruthless, and now he has the opportunity to leverage your fiancées past against you.”

I know Rhett has always been unpredictable, “And Jefferson’s sudden illness—something feels off about that,” I mutter, remembering how the container’s discovery aligns so closely with Jefferson’s unexplained condition, which worries me to no end now I know Jefferson is Bree’s father.

“What do you mean?” Damian glances at me, curiosity piqued.

“Jefferson has had nothing but issues with Rhett; I thought he was being unreasonable at first when Rhett didn’t meet his contracts. I thought it odd Jefferson was so quick to cut him out when Jefferson worked with his father for years. If he’s incapacitated right now, it raises questions about what he knows and how involved he might be in this situation.”

“You think Jefferson is behind the container that washed up?”

I shake my head. I have no idea where I am going with this. “I’m missing something.”

Damian nods thoughtfully, and the tension in the car thickens as we drive through the night. The road blurs past us, each mile closer to Bree. I will not lose her, not now, not ever.