Page 32 of Lycan’s Hunt

“Many are now questioning if King Soren is aware and how he can consider her a suitable fiancée when she has deceived him and her own family?”

As the report fades and the anchor’s serious expression lingers, I feel the weight of the world crash down on me. My life is now a public spectacle, painted as a criminal hiding behind a royal title. They even made out that saving Max was a setup to get closer to the King via his son; my nanny title certainly didn’t help that rumor. I sit in stunned silence, realizing the truth of my identity is no longer mine to control. I’ve been unmasked; with it, every fear and doubt rushes to the forefront.

I can only imagine what Soren must think—his fiancée exposed as a liar and a criminal. I feel my heart sink deeper, panic creeping in as I try to process what this means for my future, for the life I thought I could have with him.

“Aubrey?” my mother whispers, and I turn my head to look at the woman who birthed me. “I heard the rumors of you being engaged to the King but thought they were rumors, especially when they kept referring to you as Brielle,” she murmurs, her eyes turning glassy.

“I’m sorry, I... panicked.” My mother shakes her head, “I think we are all sorry. This isn’t just your fault; you should have just come home,” she adds. She rises to her feet and clutches her hair. She paces the living room, her dinner long forgotten. “Aubrey, you lied to a king,” she murmurs like that alone is enough to order my death sentence. I hang my head in shame, knowing I have done wrong. She steps closer to me and places her hand on my shoulder.

“He loves you right?” she asks and I blink up at her. “The King?”

“Momma, I don’t think that will be enough, not after this.”

“It will be enough. It has to be. He’ll understand, you just need to explain your side. This can be turned around.”

“It’s not that simple,” I say, my voice trembling. “This is a matter of public scandal now, and the council will pressure him to make an example out of me. They won’t let this go unpunished.” My mother sighs heavily, her optimism fading as she realizes the gravity of the situation. She falls back into her chair, her face etched with worry, understanding that I’ve dug a hole too deep to climb out of on my own.

“If that is the case, then you can’t stay here. They’ll come for you. He will come for you. You need to…”

“I’m not running, not from Soren. I’m done running.” My mother nods slowly, and I can see her fear for me on her face as tears brim in her eyes.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“The right thing; I will let him go and hope he doesn’t punish you or Dad for it when he comes for me.”