Page 73 of Doyle

While it was true that I still had nightmares when I was with my dad, I had a feeling Liliana had left a trigger inside me that was meant to target Doyle and members of his pack only.

It was safer for everyone if I stayed away.

"Sure, Michael. Stay as long as you want," my dad said.

"I'll see you soon," I said, my voice trembling. "And... thank you."

"Of course, son. You'll be here around dinner time, right? I'll make us something special," he said, ending the call.

As I approached Oak Meadow just as the sun was setting, a familiar unease settled in my chest.

I turned into the neighborhood, my eyes scanning for any signs of danger.

When I saw a familiar brown car parked in my dad's driveway, my heart sank.

Panic surged through me. I killed the engine and immediately rushed out of my car, thinking my dad was in danger.

My breath quickened as I sprinted toward the house, fear gripping me.

The car was unmistakable—it belonged to Morgan or one of Liliana’s other cronies.

I reached the front door, my hands trembling as I fumbled for my keys. Finally, I managed to unlock it and burst inside.

"Dad!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the house.

I reached the front door, my hands trembling as I fumbled for my keys. The metal felt cold and slippery in my sweaty grip.

Finally, I managed to unlock it and burst inside.

"Dad!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the house.

I rushed into the living room and froze. My dad was tied to a chair, a gun pressed to his head. Bloodied and bruised, but alive.

Morgan and two other witches stood there, smug satisfaction etched on their faces.

"Michael, I'll make this simple for you," Morgan said, smiling. "Come with us, and we'll leave your dad alone."

My heart raced as I debated if I could fight them. My fox surged within me, ready to attack, but I realized it was futile.

If I tried, I might just end up losing my dad. So I urged my inner fox to be patient.

"I'll come with you," I whispered, hating the tremble in my voice.

"That's a good boy," Morgan said, and I clenched my fists by my side.

"Liliana can't wait to see her favorite pet," he added, his tone dripping with malice.

As we were about to leave, Morgan shot my dad in the shoulder. The sound echoed through the room, and I screamed.

"No!" I yelled, but one of the witches shoved me forward, towards the front door.

"I'll be okay, Michael," my dad uttered, but I wasn't so sure.

They marched me out of the house and into Morgan's car. Morgan sat in the back with me, while the two witches took the front seats.

"Now, don't do anything reckless," Morgan said, his voice sickeningly sweet. "I might just end up killing you by accident, and we can't have that."

"What does Liliana want with me now?" I demanded, my voice shaking. "Why take me to her now, when you let me go the last time?"

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