Traded To The Lycan King

"Merikh

POV

"Okay, what do you have to tell me?" Colette asks. She turns her body to face me, a look of worry on her brow as he tilts her head and prepares herself.

The only problem is I don't know that this the right time to tell her. To explain to her that the whole reason she is here with me is entirely because she is the one and only hybrid to ever exist.

My choosing Leslie as a mate was no coincidence. I had every intention of leaving her before the ceremony and kidnapping Colette if need be. Fate clearly had other plans, but the fact remains. Colette is my proof that the only ever hybrid was saved by my family. Not only is she that hybrid, but the only child of Caspian.

She takes my hand, turning it over so my palm is facing up, and then she gently lifts it, pressing it to her lips. There's no fighting the shiver that runs through me, the desire that has been there and doesn't seem to go away rages against my barriers. I have thrown up time and time again to protect myself.

"You can tell me later, if it's easier." She whispers. "You seem exhausted and tomorrow you have the second meeting."

I stare at this timid, beautiful woman and my heart aches. Guilt riddles me, every day wreaking havoc on my heart and in my mind and my lycan...my lycan fights me tooth and nail to claim what is ours, what we have hidden away to keep us in check. I want to speak to her, to tell her everything, but trust is as elusive as fucking smoke.

The moon goddess has failed me once before. And though I punished myself for my part in everything, the way I turned a blind eye to Lauren's misgivings in the name of the mate bond. I don't think I can trust the moon goddess again, and that makes it impossible to know if I can trust in Colette the way I yearn to.

"I-"I try to speak but I say nothing, only staring at her, hating myself more with every passing second because I am weak. So fucking weak and though I tricked her into the oath, even though I don't deserve her.

I crave her. My soul begs to be one with hers, constantly fighting me, tearing at my conscience. Shit. I don't know what to do with her anymore. Shit, I know I have to tell her something. I can't just hide from he forever like I have for the last week.

"I am ready to hear what you have to say about Grady-1 offer, swallowing roughly as I allow her to play with my hand before entwining our fingers. She watches me closely, assessing my response, waiting for me to pull away from her like I always do.

making sure her eyes meet

"Yes," I nod...

mad." She says, again waiting for me to run away like I always seem

she looks skeptical. Colette sucks in a deep breath and

and comfort me when I would cry. I had a crush on him, no...I loved him. She pauses to look at me as I fight my anger, every bit of jealousy in my body looks for a way out but I bite it back, forcing it away and focusing on the

I assure her through gritted teeth. I notice a small smile tugging at her lips, but she

hurt the most because she always took such joy in causing me pain. I

was wrong of me," I admit. "I see that

are second chance mates like you said

are," I state firmly, and she gives me a

that claim.” Her words are brutal and blunt, but it's what I need. It's the delivery I need. It feels truthful and honest and I have

the words out, my ribs aching from restraining myself and fighting my nature to argue back,

had made you a promise and I keep promises, but I fell for you after the second week and then I feel hard, so damn hard and knowing about your past...it let me see you in a different light. I can be patient, Merikh. But it won't change my mind. I chose you and our pack. I chose you the day of our mating ceremony and I

in two. There is so much to hear in there, but all I can do is feel it. She has not tried to run from me, even when

bond, but with Colette it is different. My heart is nearly bursting and it feels lik I am going to burn up just sitting here. "I

one I realize she won't find because damn it, somehow between my lack of trust and my temper

of a bond or because it would make our reign easier. I fell in love with her because of her patience, her kindness and how gentle she is, and that growing snark adds

stares at me. Then she stands, moving in front of me. Colette reaches out, dragging me up with

I did not kiss him back. Ask me, ask me to tell you the truth under the oath and I will tell you the

lips slam into hers, unable to stop myself as my heart thuds painfully against my ribs, begging to leap into her hands and let her have control of it.