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?"

and looks up at the

we chose as we think they will strengthen us and make us wiser. Mates for us is a strategy, one that often ends

brows knit together in

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

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and shakes

have many nieces and nephews who would love to

And

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 not plan to

stare. Does he seriously think a mate is just a strategic act? One that means you have

your house. Somewhere you can go when you are lost inside your head. Someone who keeps you safe just by holding you close." I watch

if he is speaking to a memory, and I watch

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 fated mate that we can know is meant to be ours and not someone else's. Not that I can tell

about Lauren. How she was mated to Merikh and yet, she still chose a vampire over him and our kind. Can cross species children happen from time to time? I mean, if

inquisitive again," Capsian says, sounding

I admit. "I did not know there were any other species out there, let alone this many. Is it possible for a werewolf to mate with any of them?" I

this go that easily. I am intrigued by the thought there could be thousands

not allowed." I ask, making sure to slide my eyes to him, studying his face, hoping to tell if he lies to

not allowed." He says, refusing to

and Johannes..." I say and he

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

is annoyed with all the questions. But I have no

getting excited and he looks away, his body growing stiff

throat and looking away

ask and he clears his throat, stopping where

to create a hybrid child?" His words are

carry my mate's children. I am just curious."

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Chapter 31

too curious. He hisses, again his eyes darting around and