Traded To The Lycan King

My wolf wars with me, whining and reminding me he was telling the truth. We are mates, truly and whole fated to be together. Him as my Alpha, me as his Luna. But fate doesn't erase the lies and the hurt he has brought me. Trust is more than love and mating.

It's showing up for each other, its expectations being met and open communication. How am I supposed to forgive him for failing to meet two of the three requirements? I know in time, the feeling of betrayal wil fade and the bond will nearly erase it along the way. But I need him to fully grasp how it felt to be branded as not only untrustworthy but set up to fail when he wanted to trust me.

"Are you okay?" Merikh asks, his hand sliding up my arm as he rubs it lovingly. His warmth oozes into through the bond, the purity and the depth of his emotions both terrifying and beautiful. "Let's just see what is going on," I say, avoiding the question.

me

"Letty," he says, his voice dropping low as he stares into my eyes. I am certain he can feel my inner fight, just as I can feel his glow of warmth.

"Now is not the time, Merikh," I tell him firmly and he frowns, then he nods. I push the door open, Caspian looking up, an unusually icy look on his face, and I look around the room, seeing Johannes in the corner with Elm.

"You just invited yourself in, huh?" Johannes snorts with disdain. I roll my eyes, really sick of this asshole's snide remarks.

"We were invited, so I assumed he would be expecting us." I retort, and his eyes widen, a little shocked by my annoyance. The fact that he is here, along with Elm, makes me think that one of the two men were involved in trying to hurt my gamma. A gamma I happen to care very much about.

"Knocking is respectful," my dad says and I bite back another annoyed response, instead of realizing that he is right. I can be informal when it is just us, but in front of the others we are putting on a show. No one can know, not yet anyway, who I really am.

"I apologize," I sigh, bowing my head in respect. "You are correct. I am just eager to have some answers."

"Our gamma is important to us and when we heard there was an update, we got a little excited." He says with an air of authority. "We meant no disrespect."

"I can understand that tensions are high, especially after what we are assuming was an attack." Caspian says respectfully, but I see a glimmer in his eyes, the hidden tenderness he has for me, and I give him a soft smile.

"Thank you." I say, then I look around the room. "May we sit down?" I ask.

"Yes," He clears his throat. "Please take a seat. These two have something to share."

"I hardly think being here is necessary for me," Johannes complains, but Caspian silences him with a glare.

"Are you not at fault for Percy's incident?" Merikh asks, choosing to stand behind me as I take a seat.

"You think it was me who did it?" He snorts. "Typical."

"You have a history with our kind."

"Yes, I either screw them or I kill them. I don't beat on barely of age children and leave them for the hell of it." His comment clearly makes him feel proud as he flashes and big knowing smile at Merikh, but I don't feel the hatred I thought I would from him.

"Enough bickering." Caspian groans, rubbing his temple.

"It was me." Elm clears his throat, his eyes finding mine as I blink at him in shock. I look at the man with a usually calm demeanor, recalling our conversation.

"Why?" Merikh asks and I can feel he is feeding off my emotions. I don't believe Elm was the one who attacked Percy and Merikh is feeding off of that. "Does one need a reason?" Johannes scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Why are you here if it wasn't you?" Merikh snaps at him and Johannes' nose twitches as he tries to keep from saying another smart ass remark when Caspian glares at him.

"I overheard him discussing it with another council member." He bites out, then he glowers at Merikh and me. "Look, I know I am an unforgivable dick. But rules are one thing I follow. No violence on council grounds. That is something I take seriously."

pain of his loss lance through my heart, my eyes turning up to look at him as he keeps his

don't know why I did it." Elm breaks into the conversation. He looks remorseful, his head bowed in shame as

as I stare at him, shocked. I glance up at Merikh,

I nearly crawl out of my skin when I hear Merikh's voice in my

What do you

want to do?- He asks me. My skin goosebumps and I hear his laughter filter through me and it warms my chest. Our mind link

-This feels weird-l admit.

a punishment for Elm.- He says, bringing me back to the issue at

elaborate on why you don't know." I say to Elm, who

in pain and using the earth's energy to heal my wounds. Truthfully, I had no idea what I could have

my brows looking at my father, who seems to

powers before the attack happened...” Johannes adds in thought, his own interest clearly rising as we all

it possible he was controlled?" I ask, looking up at Merikh. "Like the

wolves?" Johannes mutters to

down." Merikh offers, ignoring Johannes, "But it was supposed to be up at that time. It should have only come down in order to help Percy heal, as his healing was affected." "So someone was able to topple it.

mumbles. "So it is not entirely your fault,

is no matter to me," Elm says, bowing his head

my head as I look at him. "Elm, if you were coerced in any way, it is

isn't what

is when they are here and when they are protected under my watch spian bites Johannes puts his hands up in defeat, pacing over

Merikh asks Caspian who rubs

"No."

focus on Elm, watching him as he doesn't move a muscle waiting for his punishment while the other three discuss and try to get a better understanding

I turn, looking up at him. He gives me a tight smile, showing me

say, making the room fall silent. Johannes

His mouth falls open to speak, but he tilts his

beat me or my mate?" he asks like either would have ever been

is more innocent than you in the matter, and I am convinced you are

to...blackmail him into voting you back onto the council. That is not how

Elm says gratefully. "I accept and I attest to the fact that I would have voted for you before you asked

vampire hisses at him, as he turns to look

talking to Florence." Elm says. "She told me I should not come forward, that it would be bad

"I do not

not up

be eradicated." He bites out. "Down in the dirt beneath my feet, where they

bolting up. "I am sick and tired of your blatant hatred. You caused your own downfall,

much of a look back at us,

kind," Elm tells us. "There are also rumors of a hybrid amongst the

room and then rubs the back of his neck. He meets my gaze and then his eyes

know," I whisper. He

during our real talk." He agrees. "Being a fae, I can feel other elements. Earth is my specialty, but I can sense

asks, his protective nature coming on strong as his voice sounds like a threat