Page 29 of Lycan’s Hunt

“It’s late,” he protests gently. “You shouldn’t be leaving in the middle of the night.”

“I know.” I pause for a moment as doubt creeps in. Part of me wants to stay, to avoid reopening old wounds and facing the past, but the thought of not being there if the worst happens outweighs my fear.

“I can’t just sit here, Soren. I need to see him, to try and make things right; besides, I promised my mother I would come.”

“Come where? I thought they shunned you.”

“It’s my father. I won’t be far, just a few hours away, in Blackwood Pack,” I say, avoiding giving any more details. “I need to do this, Soren.”

“You can’t just go by yourself, Bree!” Soren snaps.

Finding my old car keys, I sigh in relief, glad I won’t have to try to catch a train there. It would take far longer. I turn away, “I have to go; I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be back soon. I’ll call you once I get to the hospital.”

Soren follows me, grabbing my arm. He snatches my car keys, looking at them. “You have a car?” he asks.

“It’s in the barn behind grandma’s old place.”

He shakes his head in disbelief before gritting his teeth. “You are not walking to your grandmother’s place in the middle of the night,” Soren insists, his grip on my arm firm but gentle. “Take one of my cars. Just promise me you’ll call as soon as you get there so I know you’re safe.” He leads me to his garage, where an impressive lineup of about twenty different cars awaits.

“Pick one,” he says, gesturing to the vehicles with a resigned smile, knowing he can’t stop me but wanting to help in the only way he can. I step into the garage, my eyes widening at the sight before me.

The polished marble floors gleam under the soft overhead lights, and the walls are lined with tools and equipment. Each car more expensive than the last, from a stunning red Ferrari to a sleek black Lamborghini and a classic silver Aston Martin. I hesitate, the thought of taking one of these fills me with anxiety. What if I scratch it or, worse, crash it? The cost of even a minor repair on one of these could be astronomical, far beyond anything I could afford.

Yet, the urgency of seeing my father pushes me forward, and I find myself moving toward a more understated but equally elegant electric Audi, figuring it’s the least conspicuous choice and hopefully the least expensive. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I’m enveloped by the smell of fine leather and the subtle hum of the advanced electronics. The interior is immaculate, with every button and screen within easy reach.