Traded To The Lycan King

"Where is Colette?" Hayes asks as I we exit the massive white mansion, heading into the back garden, the sun. high in the morning sky.

"She is with Caspian," I mutter, looking around to be sure no one is listening.

"It's interesting how...not upset she is with you." He furrows his brow.

"Hah!" I snort. "I get the feeling that no amount of remorse will save me from my life of groveling."

Hayes smirks and shakes his head.

"You groveling does sound pretty entertaining. If she is smart, she will drag it out for as long as possible." He pauses as I frown, then he continues to stare. His heavy gaze unearths my brotherly annoyance with him, and I exhale heavily.

"What now?" I grit out, and he chuckles.

"Oh, I'm just curious what you plan to do in your 'groveling! Will you get on your hands and knees while begging? Lavishing her with presents? Making every promise in the world to make her stay?" "Shut up, Hayes," I grumble and look away.

I'm not quite ready to admit to him I've already done my begging. It feels like a betrayal of that intimate moment between her and I. But truth be told, begging is the beginning of what I will do. I meant what I said when I told her I was at her mercy and I will be sure she knows it every single day.

"Fine, then. Let's discuss the issue of her not being marked yet." He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest as he turns to look right at me.

"It's none of your concern," I sigh and he scoffs.

"As your brother, it is my concern winces. It's your mate, and as your Beta, it is even more my concern. She is our Luna, Merikh. She must be protected, and your misconceptions can't keep you from protecting her."

1/5

My anger flares, my blood boiling as I press my lips together, trying to calm myself. He is down playing the shit I have done. All the ways I have given her nothing to trust in me. I may be his brother, I may be his alpha, but I am fallible, just like anyone else.

"I lied. I betrayed her trust: Don't try to downplay what I did. You of all people know the depth at which a lie can burrow in and destroy even the most pure of things." I say with measured frustration.

"I am well aware, Merikh, of exactly how you fucked up. And I get a lie is a lie, but tell me, when were your lies malicious? When were they intended to harm her? I mean, truly harm her."

I suck my teeth, reminded why I am the alpha and not him. Hayes is wise, and he is a formidable beta, but that he can't see the issue is one reason I am the alpha. Other than my birthright. "Intent means nothing when the end result is just as painful." I frown at him and he looks defeated.

get it. You fucked up. We all did. The point remains that how you feel about her isn't a lie. Your reason fo keeping things close to the vest

I brought him out here. We need to discuss the pack, the things

there been any more reports of the red-eyed wolves?" I ask him. I can feel the glare that the back of head. Hayes is a big communicator. Someone who likes to discuss things,

completely quiet now," he says, but I can hear his

my

this news, more that I'm unsettled over not knowing what their next move is. There is no doubt they are after Colette, and for now she is safe. Or so we hope. What are you thinking?" He asks, a tilt

hasn't figured out who

but would they be that bold?" He frowns, looking like he doubts the

the person who has

he says with a teasing grin. I give him a shove and he

Percy calls from behind us, and I turn quickly, surprised to see him striding over to us

I smile at him

back on duty

fully healed?" I ask him, and

am healed enough to protect and fight, alpha." He says, his

prove that this attack was a

what you witnessed? What happened?" I ask him, and his

to fight back, their hood was up. But I can say if they are one of the committee members who doesn't heal like us, there would be marks on their upper arms.”

kind of marks?" I

marks," he smirks. "I didn't go down without

eyes?" Hayes asks and

It was like looking into a black hole. Nothing but darkness." He then looks disappointed. "I should have tried harder to remember it

look. "Go back to your

excitement as he rushes off to find Colette and

in the pack?" I ask Hayes as we watch Percy disappear into the

stuffing his hands in his pocket. "They are eager to have their

at each other or nod, I do know that Colette sees the pack as home. Those people are here people now, and she

shake my head. "Caspian is aiding us in every way he can. So hopefully when we come Home we have the protection we need from those wishing to cause us harm." A loud crashing sound comes

as we both step closer, knees bent and hands up, waiting for an ambush of some