Traded To The Lycan King

I am not okay with this, I am not okay with this. I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS.

My insides are screaming, the nerves fueled by the anxiety of what lays below the waterline that is nibbling at Merikh's waist. He moves closer to me, each step measured and eliciting a pained noise from him "I am teasing, Colette. I can manage this on my own." He says with a concerned look. "There is no need for you to stress yourself."

I snap my eyes to meet his and I see he is serious, his hand extending to take the sponge from me. I scowl and hold it tighter. No, I can do this. I don't fight, because I was too weak to train. I do nothing of my a "Could you come and sit on the edge? Maybe there are some stairs...?" I ask hopeful, and he tilts his head to the side.

"The water will be helpful for your leg. You could come in as well." He says like being n*ked with him

isn't easily the most insane idea I have ever heard. He must see the shock and horror on my face as he smiles. "You can keep your undergarments on. I am in no condition to try anything."

"I don't know how to do that with this thing on my leg." I point to the wooden brace still tied to my leg, and he moves closer, stepping up and revealing more of his lower torso without showing me everything. Pa off the marble walls as my heart thuds in my ears.

"You do not have to. I won't force it on you, but it would be good for your healing." He sounds almost convincing. I peek over my shoulder, opening one eye only to find him watching me with a color of amusem Even pale and a little green in the face, he is more attractive than any male has the right to be. I frown but inch my way over to him, where he stands at the edge.

I think it would be best if you soak and I bandage you when you are ready."

"Come," he sighs, sounding like he is struggling with pain, or just patience. I can't quite tell either, though they seem like they could both be fueling each other. "I've soaked for long enough."

Merikh takes another step up and I find myself shrouded in darkness as my eyes and lips squeeze together in an effort not to spy him n*ked. There is a rustling sound and after a moment of only being able to h fingers teasing my chin and I allow my eyes to open.

He tilts my face up, his eyes meeting mine as he stares into my being. My heart pounds in my ears, my lungs struggling to keep up with the steam and, well...

him being this close. I lick my lips and his eyes flash black for a moment before he winces again, and stumbles back a step. I reach out, afraid he might fall, and I wrap my arms around his waist in panic. His b* "I need you to be lower if I have to clean out your wounds." I whisper, feeling parched for water.

His eyes lock on mine as he lowers down to his knees. He gently plucks the sponge from my hand and leans over, dragging it through the water before handing it back to me. Then he twists, exposing his back black veins stemming from two angry red spots near his shoulder blades.

"This will probably hurt," I inform him and he nods, his muscles tense as he readies himself.

"Talk to me?" He grunts as I press the sponge to his wound. "Distract my mind."

"I don't know what to say," I admit, and he flinches away before settling with a shudder.

"Anything will do, Colette." he grits out, "Your favorite color, what you like to eat. Say whatever comes to mind."

"How were they able to poison you?" I ask curiously, pressing harder as I drag the herbal scrub over his bite mark. He quivers and grunts in pain.

the red eyes of the man who stood over me. I had thought I imagined it, but maybe that was real. Perhaps I was looking at a poisoned

were red?" I ask curiously, dragging the scrub down once more. He pauses, looking over his shoulder at me and

noticed that?" He

Emergency calls onlyM

"Yes." I shrug.

eyes were red

were they red?" I ask. "Werewolves don't have red eyes, it isn't something that exists in our kind...but I

elaborate. I frown at his back, releasing

and he again goes silent on me.

you, it's just Merikh." He murmurs. "We are mates now. Call me by my name, not

I say, pausing and biting back a nervous smile that breaks free. "What was wrong with the people who

that way." He says with a small shrug. "But my first guess is that

brows knit together in confusion

I mention trying to find the

chuckles, his shoulders rising and falling

a sense, yes,

powerful pack, the Lycan King who reigns over all werewolves, yet he is attacked regularly

not the first time, no," he

are wolves..." I say matter

yes, these ones were." He says simply, like there are any other possibilities. Unless

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only M

Chapter 8

and he slowly

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you mean humans?" I ask,

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werewolves and humans in the world, do you?" He asks, a twinkle in his eyes. I open my mouth to

murmurs.

like...I