Traded To The Lycan King

"Merikh POV

I lounge back in the chair on the deck, taking in the clear sky above me, showcasing the stars and the waning moon. My whole body feels like it's vibrating with every emotion. Rage, guilt, betrayal. All of them meld together, ripping through my mental state like nothing I've felt before.

"So you did it, huh?" Hayes says, approaching me from behind. I roll my eyes, knowing I should have expected him and his usual confrontations. It's what makes him such a great beta. That and I can't kill him off for his honesty,

"Hello to you too, brother." I grumble.

I ignore him as he takes a seat next to me, sighing heavily, keeping my eyes trained on the sky.

"So how did she take it?" he asks, and I scoff.

How did she take it? Not fucking well. That's for sure. Hell, the more I think about it, the more I try to convince myself I didn't see how hurt she was. How betrayed she was. But I need to get used to that look, and the feeling it carves into my s

"I think.. I exhale, looking over at him finally, "I think I broke her heart."

"Of course you did, Merikh. You took her options away." He says like she ever actually had any.

"What option? Could you explain what exactly I took from her?"

"Well, her choice, for starters.

"We both know that the blood oath is entirely reversible." I grumble. "I took nothing from her, I just delayed it."

"We know that, but she doesn't. How can she when you refuse to tell her you guys are second chance mates?"

"Colette agreed to this. Okay? She agreed to being Luna and take my mark one day." I say, sitting up and swinging to face him.

soul.

"Yes, but she meant being marked. Not the blood oath that you use on a top warrior or someone you have to keep close."

"Damn it, Hayes" I growl. "Without this oath blocking the pull to her, I will lose control! It's intoxicating, SHE is intoxicating. I want to claim her. Shit, more than I wanted to claim Lauren. It's like a festering inside my chest, like a fucking infection that keeps growing. There is no antidote or cutting it out. But this oath, it's a bandaid. It buys me time, it's to keep me sane,"

"Buys you

time for what?" He scoffs.

"To figure out what the hell to do next!" I stand abruptly.

You should have just told her you are second chance mates, so that she knows the oath can be broken when you mark her."

"I want a mate I can trust!" I roar, my chest pinching at the memory of Colette kissing Grady. The moment my trust for her shattered. "How does telling her prove this I can trust her?"

Hayes says softly and I chuckle

choosers," I mutter, annoyed,

are the alpha. You

shouldn't

yet?" Hayes says, his voice firm, like he is fed up

1/4

Chapter 24

"Hayes, it is my job to take care of this pack My job to finish what father tried to fix before MY MATE fucking killed him with her vampire lover." I release him,

traitorous bitch who had told me the night before she wanted to carry

planted seeds, and they bloomed into black blossoms of doubt overnight after being watered with our

the Lycans weaker than we have ever been, and the werewolves exposed

an oath where she can't backstab you, while you use

me." I grit out. "I need

He whispers, looking disappointed in me.

marking her wouldn't have the same

scoffs, dragging his hand over his

much to do what you think is best..But you are on the

I mutter

need to smooth this over before your committee meeting" He says, looking at

you suppose

chance mates. Go tell her why she is so important. Tell the poor woman who she is. She is

can't risk her knowing her past." I bite out.

But the oath is already in place and she deserves to know that when you two are ready, that mate bond will be there for her,

mother and the wise words of our father. The combination always brings me comfort after pissing me off first. So instead of taking his advice into consideration,

I whisper, shoving my hands in my pocket. "Okay, I will tell her what

eye grow wide and then he

you think she will slap you?" He teases and I frown. From a wise father like figure to idiot brother in ten seconds flat. Might be a record. I chuckle, giving

mind, still angry with me for doing what I did. Maybe if he were a more controlled beast, we wouldn't have had

Chapter 24

my chest to hold her. Such conflicting emotions are becoming a

her eyes red and raw. There are no tears anymore, only the residue from the ones that have fallen and

need to speak with you." I swallow,

have a choice?"

the way I have done to her. Instead, she sniffles

you need?" she asks, her

mark you. If you want me to

been raised as a maid, but I know things. I will never get to experience a full bond with

there are loopholes,"