Traded To The Lycan King

*Merikh'

Colette laughs with her father as I sit in the far corner, watching as she wipes water from her blouse. She looks so happy and at ease as she manipulates the water, trying to get it to shake, rather than splash. Caspian Was thrilled when we arrived, his hands shaky as he tried to tamp down his smile, but it's glaringly obvious he is

excited.

If I didn't know that they were related, I would almost be jealous. Okay, that's a lie. I am jealous, but not of the relationship they are building. She looks at him with wonder and relief. It's like knowing a part of what she is, where she comes from, has brought to life a side of her I may never get to experience. All I get are side ways glances and the occasional scowl.

I mean, sure, when we are around the others I get to sneak little moments and convince myself she feels the same pull I do. It's damn hard holding her hand or kissing her shoulder knowing that to her it's an act. For me, it's a taste of what I screwed myself out of. Like an addict carrying in drug of choice in his pocket with never really being able to consume it.

It makes me itchy and irritable to be away from her emotionally. That barrier she keeps up. The damn thing slides into place the second our bedroom door closes. It goes from equator hot to arctic icy. And it's not like I know how to fix it. Apologizing is all I can do and swear I will never do it again, and that I have no more secrets, but what good is a promise if the person making it has proven they can't keep them?

I sigh heavily, fiddling with the bolting on the edging of the armchair, and then I look up, feeling a heavy gaze. She blinks at me, tilting her head and for a moment her brows furrow, like she might be worried about me. Then she seems to wake up and her eyes harden before she looks back at Caspian.

"I think that's enough for now. I have to admit, I'm tired now." She says. He gives her a soft smile and motions for *her to take a seat.

"Will you stay for dinner with me?" He asks, and she shakes her head.

"The amount of time we spend together will draw attention," I remind him, and he sighs knowingly.

"You have a point." then he looks between us. "Have you two discussed things yet?"

Colette chuckles dryly, looking at the shuttered window and shaking her head.

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"What is there to discuss?" She asks, and her words hit me in the gut. Is this how she felt every time I would refuse to hear her out? "Your mark." He says, giving her a pointed frown. "Or rather, the lack thereof."

"Caspian," she sighs, rolling her eyes, and she chuckles.

get to say that to you."

and Ezrah shows himself in, giving me a courteous nod as he

few visitors," He tells him and Caspian furrows his

recall

Colette seems startled, and looks over at me and clears her throat. "I-um-I believe they are

at her, startled, and then she smiles softly at

grins. "I have showed both Penny and Beta Hayes

looks in my direction and sighs heavily. "I suppose that in light of the recent unfortunate events to your other gamma, another arriving in his stead makes

our sanctuary, and you are entitled to your own safety for that reason." He bites out, looking up

rest my hand on the back of her chair,

and my heart stutters in my chest, her deep brown eyes gaze straight in to my very core. I can feel the slight tinge of heat in my cheeks that her innocent stare brings, but I

and breaking my eye contact with Colette. His words are

heavily.

hand down his face as he leans forward. "Since no magic can be used, he was unable to heal as a wolf regularly would. I had brent

the charms until

wants to say more, to mention things, but with being a messenger, often his opinions and thoughts are disregarded. But in all my years knowing the guy,

are you thinking?" I ask him. And he shakes

Capsian says, and it feels like I was struck across the face

us? Well, I suppose trusting his daughter makes sense. But admitting it to someone else is shocking, to say the least. Colette's hand slides into mine and gives it a gentle squeeze, as if she understands

a brow arched in amusement. Caspian frowns at him before he rolls his eyes, then clears

curious to know your thoughts about all of this. Including my

comment about trusting us.

long respected Alpha Merikh," He asserts and Caspian

am well aware

throat, looking a little

ease, but not without running into things... seeing things." He finally says, looking me in the eye like

do not pretend

together in question and motions for

move to make extinct other kinds." He says softly