Page 14 of Lycan’s Hunt

“After…” he repeats, his voice smoky and suggestive. I can’t help but laugh, the tension in the room melting away.

“Yes, after,” I agree with a certain shyness, his provoking gaze making my heart race.

We quickly finish rinsing off, our movements hurried, the tension shifting from intimate to practical. I grab a towel, wrapping it around myself as Soren does the same.

“Go, I’ll catch up with you after I dress,” I tell him, trying to ignore the lingering warmth of his touch on my skin. His reluctance is palpable, after one last lingering look, he nods and leaves the room.

Once I’m dressed in something comfortable and ready to face the world again, I find Soren downstairs in the living room. Max is curled up beside him on an oversized couch, engrossed in a children’s book while Soren reads aloud. The scene tugs at my heartstrings -- a picture of domestic bliss that makes my upcoming confession all the more daunting.

I join them on the couch, tentatively reaching out a hand to smooth down Max’s hair as he continues scanning over the pictures. He peeks up at me, his bright blue eyes shining with joy. “Bree!” he exclaims, hitching himself onto my lap and showing me his book.

“I thought you were seeing your mother?”

“She isn’t here, explains why Damian was watching Max. She went into town to see her friend, she’ll be home tonight,” Soren tells me and I glance at the window, the sky darkening as the sun begins falling. I nod.

Finally, after dinner and when Max drifts off to sleep after a movie and several stories, Soren and I tuck him into bed. It’s late when we finally find ourselves alone again in our room.

Soren wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer as we sit on the edge of the bed. “You’ve been distant tonight,” he murmurs, his thumb tracing small circles on my hip. “Is everything alright?”

I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I meet his eyes. “Soren,” I begin, my heart pounding in my chest when a knock sounds at our bedroom door. I quickly climb off Soren’s lap and he moves to answer the door. Opening the door, he reveals it’s his mother.

“Sorry to bother you both. Damian said you were looking for me and your father?” she asks Soren. Soren sighs and glances at me over his shoulder and I nod, slipping under the covers.

“Yeah, just let me get a shirt. I will meet you both in my study.” I give her a soft smile and wave and she wanders off while he grabs his shirt from the closet, Soren comes over and pecks my lips.

“Sleep, I’ll deal with my mother’s tantrums. I’ll be back after she has finished beating me,” he laughs. I giggle and get comfortable.