Page 30 of Lycan’s Hunt

Chapter 13

• Aubrey •

“I can’t take one of these. What if I...” Soren starts the car and shuts the door. “Do you have one that is less… expensive? What about an old beater car or something?”

Soren arches a brow at me. “A what?”

“Something more durable?”

Soren chuckles softly. “Your driving can’t be that bad. Besides, I have insurance.” I roll my eyes, but he continues. “You’re not taking whatever heap of junk is parked in your grandmother’s barn. Besides, these all have AirTags in them, so I can track where you are.” The thought of being tracked makes me uncomfortable, a sense of being watched that prickles at the back of my mind.

I understand Soren’s concern, and a part of me is reassured by the idea that someone will know where I am in case anything goes wrong, but it also has me worried that Soren is losing trust in me.

Reluctantly, I nod. “Thank you, Soren. I’ll take good care of it, I promise.” He gives me a reassuring nod, and I put the car in gear, pulling out of the huge garage, swallowing my nerves.

As I pull away from the castle, the sleek Audi glides effortlessly down the driveway, the powerful engine purring beneath me. The road ahead stretches out into the night, illuminated by the car’s headlights. Each mile takes me farther from the life I’ve started to build, but the urgency of seeing my father propels me forward.

Hours pass as I drive, the landscape shifting from the lush greenery of Soren’s territory to the bright city lights and then to the more rugged terrain of my childhood. The familiar roads bring a flood of memories—happy, carefree days intertwined with the painful past I thought I had left behind. I grip the steering wheel tighter, the thought of returning to my old life weighing heavily on my mind.

As I approach Blackwood Pack territory, the entrance feels surreal. The once-vibrant banners that hung proudly now look tattered, reflecting the strife that has plagued my family. My heart races as I navigate the winding roads, leading me to the packhouse—a place filled with echoes of laughter and love now overshadowed by the weight of my family’s fractured bonds.

My childhood home stands dark and silent against the night sky as I slow to pass it. The packhouse, once bustling with life, is eerily quiet. Shadows flit across the windows, and I’m hit by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia mixed with dread. I never thought I would come back here, not after everything that happened.

Finally reaching the hospital, I park where I notice my mother’s car, but before I step out, I pull my phone from my pocket and quickly type a message to Soren, my fingers trembling as I hit send.

Just arrived at the hospital. I’ll call you later.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart before exiting the vehicle. I lock the car before making my way toward the hospital entrance. The familiar scents of the surrounding woods are both comforting and haunting.

Inside, the hospital is dimly lit, with fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. I stride down the sterile corridors, the walls closing in on me.

Finally, I arrive in the room. I push the door open and step inside, the reality of the situation hitting me like a tidal wave.

Inside, my father lies motionless, surrounded by machines beeping rhythmically. I fight back tears as I take a seat beside him, holding his hand in mine. He was once a towering figure in stature and presence, whose stern demeanor commanded respect and instilled a sense of awe. Seeing him now, frail and vulnerable, fills me with sorrow and disbelief.

Despite the fear he sometimes inspired, my heart aches for him. My mother arrives moments later, her eyes red-rimmed and weary. The vibrant energy she used to carry has faded, replaced by a weariness that makes her seem unrecognizable.

“Aubrey!” She rushes to my side, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been trying to reach you for months!” She holds me at arm’s length, looking me over from head to toe. “I can’t believe you’ve finally returned,” she sobs, clutching me again, and I awkwardly pat her back.

I pull back, confusion swirling in my mind. “What happened?” My voice trembles as I search her face for answers.

She takes a deep breath, her expression heavy. “Rhett came looking for you at home. He—he attacked your father and was ranting about us keeping you from him; ever since he has been a thorn in our side. He keeps reporting your father’s shipments; this last one must have sent him over the edge because he was fine yesterday morning. Then I got a call saying he had a heart attack.”

My stomach drops. “What do you mean? I thought you told Rhett where I was?”

She looks at me confused. “We refused to tell him where you were. But he didn’t take no for an answer. He threatened your father, he said he’d finish him off unless we told him where to find you. I didn’t, then he learned of your grandmother, I tried to call to warn her he was on his way, but her phone was disconnected. Then yesterday, your father’s export license was taken, and he had a heart attack.”

Guilt hits me like a bullet. “It’s my fault he’s in here.”

“No,” my mother insists, her eyes fierce. “You had to protect yourself. I knew you’d be safe with your grandmother.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself to share the news I’ve been dreading. “Grandma is gone, Mom,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her face paling as her hands go to her mouth.

Her face crumbles and tears spill down her cheeks. “No… no, not your grandmother…” She collapses into a chair, grief washing over her like a shadow.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I—”