Page 72 of Lycan’s Hunt

Chapter 32

• Aubrey •

His calling knocked me out, and Goddess only knows how long I’ve been out for. When I come to, it’s to him muttering under his breath. ”I’m half tempted to cut it off and use it as a feather duster.” he snorts and my eyes flutter open to see him swat at something. He is propped up on his pillow, reading beside me.

“What are you reading?” I ask groggily, rolling over. I reach for the bottle of water I know is always on my bedside table.

“Trying to read, though I’m not getting much reading done,” he mumbles as I unscrew the cap. My mouth is dry and I drink the entire bottle in two gulps before huffing that I need to get another. There comes a sharp tug on my tailbone.

I growl, turning to find Soren has my tail which is eagerly smacking his face. An embarrassing squeak leaves my lips as I jerk away from him. He lets my tail go and I grab the bastard of a thing, it has a mind of its own, I swear. I snatch it with two hands and the tip swishes from side to side while I growl at it.

Soren shakes his head. “Your tail is quite fascinated with smacking me in the head.”

I sigh heavily. “Why does it keep doing that, I’m not even shifted!” I snarl angrily at it.

Soren snorts. “I think it’s cute but annoying when I’m reading.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Yes, until I put on a dress and it decides to flash my ass to everyone!” I smack my tail and it then smacks me back, making Soren snicker. The angry snarl that leaves me as my teeth elongate is savage but before I can angrily chomp on it, Soren’s hands grip my face.

“No biting!” he tells me and I scrunch up my face.

“I want to chop it off!”

“That also won’t be happening. You’ll learn how to control it eventually. Now leave your tail alone. If anyone is lobbing it off, it will be me,” he laughs letting me go. I growl and reluctantly let it go from my death grip.

“I was thinking tonight we can go for a run?”

“A run? Isn’t that a bad idea after today?” I ask him.

“Only way to control your urges is to shift as much as possible. I can’t have you do that during the day or around Max, so I’ll take you for a run tonight. I’ll have Damian push the guards back further, you’ll be perfectly safe.”

“I’m not worried about me, I am worried about…” I start to complain when he speaks over me.

“You can’t hurt me.”

I know that, I’m worried about what would happen if I escaped him and ran into someone else.

“And you won’t get past my guard either so no more excuses, we’re going.”

I huff, slightly annoyed that he has answers for all my excuses.

“And what if I don’t want to go tonight?” I try, giving him a tired look.

Soren merely raises an eyebrow at me, “Aubrey, don’t be stubborn. This is for your own good. I will drag you there kicking and screaming if needed.”

I sigh in resignation, a part of me knowing he’s right. My grip on shifting is slippery at best, and dangerous at worst. If I don’t gain control soon, there will be repercussions.

“Fine,” I give in, only to have him chuckle in response.

“Now get dressed, we need to go have dinner soon, you’ve slept the entire day away.”

“I wonder who’s fault that is.”

He smiles. “Get dressed.’

“Can’t I eat up here, I don’t want to go down and have everyone stare after today’s embarrassment.”

Soren sets his book aside and rolls on his side to stare at me. “Everyone here has been where you are, they understand. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Now put some loose clothes on, we leave after dinner,” he tells me. Reluctantly, I force myself up and head for the closet, finding a loose fitting, airy dress. I slip it on, and groan when I notice in the floor length mirror my tail trailing behind me.