Page 100 of Lycan’s Hunt

“Will do,” Mavis tells her, and she continues to move toward the castle’s exit when Mary notices us, she stares at us.

“Is everything okay, My King, do you need something?”

“No, Mary, just going for a walk.” I tell her gently. She nods, wandering off back into the kitchen but I see her glance back at the door when she sets the chocolate down.

Upon reaching the large oak doors, Mavis turns around to look at the castle one final time. Her face is calm yet filled with sorrow; there is a defeated acceptance in her eyes that takes my breath away.

“I’m ready,” she whispers.

I can’t deny seeing Mavis like this causes an ache in my heart. However, the damage done was too severe to ignore.

A chilly wind blows through the courtyard where we finally stop. Mavis takes a slow, deliberate look around, as if trying to etch every detail into her memory, when I feel the mindlink open up. All staff in a panic, whispers getting around quickly wanting to know if Mavis is okay. Mavis’s eyes move to the windows of the castle, and I turn to look at the castle, too.

When I do, I gasp, seeing all my staff peering out at us.

Mary comes rushing out the doors, her face tear stricken. She glances at Mavis and then at me, and I know they all want to know what’s going on. I turn my attention back to Mavis, knowing I have to end this. Everyone’s sudden presence makes that incredibly difficult when all my staff love this woman. We all do.

“I loved her, I love Max.” Mavis says, looking up at the moon. “Fear makes people do stupid things. I feared your reaction. I feared losing Max; he is the last part of her,” she murmurs and I nod.

“But it’s okay, My King, as much as I love them, I love you.” she says, turning her attention to me and my lip quivers as I step forward. “That is why I won’t allow this on your conscience,” she murmurs before lifting her hand. When she does, I see her claws are extended, and she slashes her own throat. Mary screams as blood spurts from her neck, and she falls to her knees.

All I can do is stare at the woman bleeding to death in my courtyard. Mavis collapses, her blood seeping into the earth. Her body convulses as life continues to drain from her, but there is no sign of regret on Mavis’s face. Even as she dies, she carries an air of dignity and acceptance that leaves a lump in my throat.

No words come to me. What can be said at this moment? Mary is sobbing, her hands reaching out desperately toward Mavis, but restrained by Damian.

The courtyard falls deathly silent, save for Mary’s muted sobs. Nobody moves; we are all frozen in our grief over the sudden loss of a woman who had always been part of our family here.

Unable to handle the sight before me, I turn to see my mother step out, her hands go to her mouth in horror when she notices Mavis, then her gaze goes to me. I say nothing, instead I walk back inside the castle trying to hold myself together.