Traded To The Lycan King

"We will not see eye to eye on this matter, I fear." He sighs heavily, shaking his head.

I shrug and keep walking, picking up my pace to get back to Merikh a little sooner. No matter how much he gives me the silent treatment. I crave his presence when I'm not around him.

Maybe it's the supposed second chance mate bond her claims we have. Or perhaps it's because I find I feel safe with only him. Either way, I want this encounter to be over.

"I suppose not." I frown, my eyes scanning the shadows of the trees along the east, looking for Percy. It would be nice to know where exactly he is, to give him a signal that I want him to come whisk me away. "Your friend is still there. I can sense his presence." Caspian says without looking at me. "He is lucky that we allow him to remain here. We could have him dispatched, and you wouldn't be able to do anything about it"

"We wouldn't be here if we couldn't bring him, and touch him and I will rage a war." I snark at him a little sassier than I

should.

"Mmm, I don't recall even inviting your kind here in the first place," He retorts. This king swaps moods quicker than a woman trying on a dress for her first date.

"And yet we found an invitation. You don't find that odd?" I ask him and he refuses to look at me,

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," Caspian mutters, sounding bored.

"Someone at this event wants us to be here." I shrug. "My guess is the person who is trying to hurt me, and Merikh has ulterior motives."

"It is possible." He shrugs, sounding disinterested before he releases a large huff. "Well Letty, it was an interesting interaction but I suppose I should be off..."

"Can I ask you something?" I ask, stopping him by stepping in his way. He Places his hands on his hips and looks me over with a curious gaze before nodding and rolling his eyes.

"You may ask, but I do not promise to answer," he bites out, making sure I understand he is in control of this conversation.. Which means I need to tread lightly...

"Why can't you have a mate?" I ask, and he laughs, caught off guard by-my question. I notice the way the water ripples in tune with his melodic tune, and I realize that is just a small semblance of his true force, his real power.

"Sirens do not have mates, like unicorns or witches," he explains. "Werewolves and lycans are the favored of the species, always the loyal one and you were all rewarded with a love that can not be refuted." I snort. "I've seen it be refuted. Rejection seems to be a rising trend in our community."

"Yes, I suppose you have, considering the story you told us at dinner a week ago. What I mean to say is that it is a soul tie. Something that goes beyond love. It's a completion of your soul. Without it, you are only half a person."

I furrow my brows in thought.

"So then, what do you call your version of a mate?"

at the

a partner. Someone we chose as we think they will strengthen us and make us wiser. Mates for us is a strategy,

brows knit together

ask him and he nods his head yes. "And why

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and shakes

would love to

they are suited for it. And you avoided the real question," I

many of them are not. But I am too old now for a child, so I will choose from them one day. And no, I do not need a mate as I do

mate is just a strategic act? One that means you have

just to have a kid. It's about having a home inside your house. Somewhere you can go when you are lost inside your head. Someone who keeps you safe just by

whispers as if he is speaking to a memory, and I

head for a moment, thinking of the other species and their way to find a mate. Or their own version of a mate. Caspian is so right. How truly lucky we are to have a

I think about Lauren. How she was mated to Merikh and yet, she still chose a vampire over him and our kind.

inquisitive again," Capsian

out there, let alone

won't let this go that easily. I am intrigued by the thought there could be thousands of little

no, it's not allowed." I ask, making sure to slide my eyes to

is not allowed." He says, refusing to

I say and he

Not with a species that is not their own." He explains. "Vampires can choose whatever mate they want because there is no risk of a born hybrid from them." "Has it happened with any other two species before?" I ask, growing more curious by the

pinching the bridge of his nose as though he is annoyed with all the questions. But I have

many times?" I ask, getting excited and he looks away, his body growing stiff and the air around him

clearing his throat and looking

him?" I ask and he clears his throat, stopping where he is before

hybrid child?" His

No. I will carry my mate's children.

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Chapter 31

again his eyes darting around and his