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."

voice strong but I can feel the pain of his loss lance through my heart, my eyes turning up to look at him as he

why I did it." Elm breaks into the conversation. He looks remorseful, his head bowed in shame as he walks over and

disappear into my hairline as I stare at him, shocked. I glance up at Merikh, unsure of what to

I do?-I think in my mind and I nearly crawl out of my skin when

What do you

I hear his laughter filter through

-This feels weird-l admit.

need to devise 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 looks

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

my father, who

adds in thought, his own interest clearly rising as

I ask, looking up at Merikh. "Like the red-eyed

mutters to

come down in order to help Percy heal, as his healing was affected." "So someone was able to topple it. Make me beat your gamma

Caspian mumbles. "So it is not

it happened is no matter to me," Elm says, bowing his head again. "I wish to atone for my hand in

him. "Elm, if you were coerced in any

isn't what is illegal."

when they are protected under my watch spian bites Johannes puts his hands up in defeat, pacing over to the window that

Merikh asks Caspian

"No."

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 of things. Elm doesn't recall it, so punishing him feels

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

Johannes scoffs and I feel a trickle of pride filter from Merikh. "That is the punishment I

but he tilts his head and frowns. Then he sits back on his knees

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

not. Your mate is more innocent than you in the matter, and I am convinced you are equally not at fault."

you back onto the council. That is

"I accept and I attest to the fact that I would have voted for you before you asked this

Merikh says his name and the vampire hisses at him, as he turns to look at him. "Who was

it would be bad for

"I do not think

is not up

bites out. "Down in the

presence," Caspian says, bolting up. "I am sick and tired of your blatant hatred. You caused your

so much of a look back

one speaking of eradicating your kind," Elm tells us. "There are

back of his neck. He meets my gaze and then his

know," I whisper. He

He agrees. "Being a fae, I can feel other elements. Earth is my specialty, but I can sense the water in you. It's in your veins, melded into

told anyone else?" Merikh asks, his protective nature coming on strong as his voice sounds like a