Page 31 of Lycan’s Hunt

“Stop,” she interrupts, wiping her tears. “We’ll mourn later. Right now, we need to focus on your father.”

I nod, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and I squeeze my father’s hand tighter, wishing for a miracle.

“What are the doctors saying?” I ask her and she swallows thickly looking at my father. “The doctors decided to put him in an induced coma. His heart was under too much stress, and they needed to give it time to heal. By keeping him in a coma, they can control his body functions and reduce any further damage while they stabilize his condition.”

After a few moments, my mother stands. “I’m going to get us some coffee. I’ll be right back.” She walks out of the room, leaving me alone with the steady beeping of the machines.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to find Soren’s name on the screen. I answer quickly, needing to hear his voice. “Bree?” he says, concern lacing his tone.

“My dad is in an induced coma,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

“What hospital?” he asks, urgency creeping into his voice.

“Blackwood Hospital.”

“I will head there straight after my meeting tomorrow,”

I sigh. “No, I’ll be back in a few days. Then we need to talk, Soren. I have to tell you something.”

“Okay,” he replies, his voice calming me even amidst the chaos.

As I hang up, I focus on my father, hoping for a sign of life, a sign that he’ll pull through.

• • •

I’m sitting on the edge of the couch, the flickering light of the television casting shadows in the dim room. The living room is filled with familiar yet distant memories, the worn-out floral wallpaper and creaky wooden floors like stepping back in time.

Being back here after so long feels surreal, like stepping into a forgotten chapter of my life, where everything seems untouched yet strangely unfamiliar. I feel like a stranger in their own childhood home, a place that once held warmth and comfort now feels foreign and distant, as if it belongs to someone else’s past, not my own. For so long, I craved coming home, and now it’s like it was never my home, to begin with. I don’t belong here; this is no longer home; home wasn’t with Rhett either.

My mother sets down a plate on my lap. “Thank you,” I tell her as she falls onto the couch beside me and flicks on the news.

“The Doctor should call soon with news of your father,” she tells me, and I nod, picking up my fork. I eat the dinner she made me. It used to be one of my favorite dishes, but now it tastes bland. Isn’t it strange how something can lose its taste when the memory of it changes or becomes tainted? In the background, the news anchor’s voice drones on, a constant hum in the background, until suddenly, my heart drops when I hear King Soren’s name mentioned.

“Did they just say Aubrey of Blackwood Pack?” I whisper, turning to my mother, my fork frozen mid-air. She frowns, glancing at the television.

“It can’t be,” she mutters, as the news anchor continues, “King Soren is not only engaged to Aubrey Jefferson but she is believed to be the fated mate of Rhett Miles.” My pulse quickens. “This can’t be happening,” I breathe, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. My mother places a reassuring hand on my arm, her expression mirroring my shock.

My face appears on the screen, framed by bold letters that scream my real name.

“—suspected in the robbery of Alpha Rhett Miles pack, authorities are searching for this woman, who is also believed to be involved in a violent altercation—”

Footage rolls, showing chaotic scenes from the day I left Rhett. I see myself, wild-eyed and desperate, caught in a moment that feels like a lifetime ago. They’ve painted me as a madwoman, a criminal who attacked and robbed the very people who had once been my family. My stomach twists, and I feel bile rise in my throat.

The camera zooms in on the news anchor, her expression grave and serious. The screen behind her is filled with dramatic images of the altercation in the elevator.

My heart races as I watch, dread pooling in my stomach. The anchorwoman continues, her voice steady but filled with urgency.

“Sources confirm that Aubrey has been living under the false identity of her deceased sister, Brielle. This deception raises serious questions about her intentions and her true background.”

“We are left to assume that she has not only betrayed her own mate but has also been a catalyst for the conflict between Alpha Rhett and Alpha Joseph, two packs on the brink of war. This unfolding situation has left many wondering how this woman could be a potential future queen.”

Images of my father in a hospital bed flash across the screen, tubes connected to him as the anchor’s voice grows somber. “Wait, how did they get those photos!” my mother exclaims angrily.

“Adding to the urgency of the situation is the health of Aubrey’s father, who is currently in critical condition following a heart attack attributed to the stress surrounding his daughter’s actions. It has been suggested that the family has been torn apart by these events.”

The report continues, showcasing footage of me saving Max from being hit by a car. “Now we are left wondering if everything was a lie. While some may see her as a protector, others question her motives and if this was her plan all along. Is she truly innocent in this, or is she merely playing a role to gain favor within the royal family?”

I glance at my mother who stares at the screen horrified.