Page 120 of Hunters and Prey

Cailyn’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“Olivia is a shifter. A Spider shifter.”

It seemed that everyone had a secret. What was next?

“Go on,” Cailyn said, her legs feeling weak. “Please.”

“We thought that killing Harrington would end the war between our families.”

“How could you do such a thing?”

“We do what we have to. We are Alexanders, and no one threatens us,” she said, slamming her wine glass into her desk, shattering the glass into a hundred pieces.

Cecilia’s face reddened. Her chin tensed. Cailyn was stunned by the hardness of her mother’s voice. She watched her mother raise her hand, blood dripping onto the mahogany wood. Within seconds, the gash in her palm closed seamlessly, until her skin was smooth once again.

“You’re not a child anymore,” Cecilia proclaimed. “I’ve done all I can, but it’s time you step up and do your part. For Huntley…before it’s too late. He has less than two days left in his curse.”

She came from behind her writing desk and knelt before Cailyn’s feet. Her eyes filled with tears. Cailyn hadn’t seen such tenderness from her mother in ages. Seeing her so vulnerable saddened her. She held back tears of her own and caressed her mother’s head, running her hand through her soft blond locks.

Such sadness tugged at her heart.

Cailyn was afraid to ask the question, but she had no choice. Her chances of leaving Haven Cove were slipping from her fingers with each moment that she lingered in that office.

“What do you need me to do?”

Coming to her feet, Cecilia tucked her hair behind her ears. Her hands clutched into fists. “Go to Connor Prince.”

“What does Connor have to do with this? How can going after Connor save Huntley.”

And so it’s revealed. What was Connor’s deal?

Cecilia turned to the window and spoke to the storm. “He cursed your brother and gave him an ultimatum.”

“What ultimatum?”

“Connor will let Huntley’s body deteriorate from the curse…unless Huntley kills himself or gives you over to him. What he really wants is you.”

Cailyn shot to her feet. “You want me to freaking give myself to him? What the hell does that even mean?” Cailyn was livid. Her heart rate kicked up speed, just thinking of Connor’s nerve.

“Yes. That’s exactly what you must do.”

Cailyn’s jaw dropped. She shook her head, appalled. Cailyn hadn’t cursed since she was a child and her father told her that ladies did not let filth come out of their mouths.

“Fucking unbelievable,” she said, grinding her teeth. Through tears, she glared at her mother. “I’m engaged. Did you know that? Do you know what this whole mess will ruin everything?”

Cecilia didn’t skip a beat.

“I’m sorry, Cailyn. But none of that matters right now. If we do not keep the truce, war will rage between the clans.”

She sniffled, her heart breaking every time her mother opened her mouth. She knew the importance of keeping the peace between the clans, but all she could see was Asher’s sweet face smiling at her when he proposed.

Broken, she pushed that image aside. Cecilia was right.

This was life or death.

“I told you not to fall for the Fox boy”

“Don’t go there,” Cailyn said, shaking her head.

---