Traded To The Lycan King

"When did you become a smartass?" Merikh asks with a frown, but I see the glimmer in his eye. The one that says he is amused even if he is still upset with me for coming when he demanded I not.

"I've been taking lessons from Penny and Percy." I say with a smirk, the mention of my sick gamma bringing me back to the reality of our situation as abruptly as someone flicking on the light in the dark. Merikh is injured and not just a little bit. He hasn't even tried to move his arm that looks to be broken and he isn't putting any weight on his other leg. Not to mention all the blood and bruises over his exposed chest and abdomen. My hands shake and my eyes water as I reach out to touch him, so afraid of causing him more pain.

"Where is Percy anyway?" He asks like he is in no pain, but when I press my icy fingers to his heated flesh, he hisses.

I flinch, pulling my hands back in shock, and he grabs my hand with his good arm and drags me closer. My eyes meet his and my mouth goes dry, the world falling away around us as he places my fingers over his heart and then removes his hand to wrap his arm around me as he pulls me close.

"Your touch is the only thing that doesn't hurt me," he whispers, leaning down and rubbing his stubbled cheek against my smooth skin. My eyes fall closed, craving his touch, my skin needing the contact just as much as his.

"Merikh..." Hayes says behind us, the uncertainty and quiver in his voice one that puts me on alert and I pull back, looking at him. His eyes are focused on his older brother, a plea within them as he seems to dance between his two feet. He reminds me of an anxious child waiting for permission to use the bathroom at school.

"Go," Merikh says with a nod. Hayes spins on cue, sprinting through the trees like he was just given an alphas order he can't resist. "Where is Percy?" He then asks again. Penny clears her throat and straightens her shoulders.

"He is locked in the bathroom." She says. He looks down at me, confused, and then back at her.

"Which bathroom?" he asks.

"Ours," I say. He seems to think for a moment before he nods and sighs heavily.

"Good. At least we know where he is. We need to get back to the mansion." He says, groaning as he limps past me, his hand latching onto mine, tugging me along beside him. "Should you be moving?" I ask him and he chuckles. "Maybe you should lie down for a bit?"

"In war, staying still will kill you. Moving is the only option."

"But you are injured." I say, shocked.

"Correct, injured, but not dead or dying. Which means we need to move." He says, taking another step forward.

Caspian moves to his other side, sliding Merikh's arm over his shoulder as he provides stability. Merikh groans as they take a step forward, and then another me at his other side, holding his hand. "My arm and leg will be mostly healed by the time we make it back," he assures me.

"Can we discuss what the hell happened now?" Caspian asks, anger and concern in his voice.

"They were expecting us. We were ambushed." Merikh explains as he hobbles along with my father. Penny falls in behind us, and I look over my shoulder at her, only for her to give me an encouraging smile. "Who ambushed you?" Caspian asks, and Merikh scoffs.

"The fucking red-eyed dickheads, only this time they brought a whole other species."

"You were only supposed to be looking around," my dad says with a frown. "Not fighting." Merikh sighs heavily and shakes his head.

lycans were being repressed somehow. That is when we turned back and ran into a group of red-eyed wolves. They were easy enough to defeat and then the fucking

sent Hayes for reinforcements." I say on a breath and he

not you," he grumbles, frustrated. "He

panic and though I am interested in why he

"Hayes told me to stay, and I told him no," I say with a shrug, not caring if Merikh gets mad about it. He left me and swore he would come back

frowns as he hobbles along with my

for him. That doesn't negate the fact that he put his Luna

then I felt your distress. When we tried

is smart,"

now about me coming to help. I may be weaker and still training to fight, but damn it, I actually did

I can look past my anger and still come to save your stubborn ass." I

and stops, leaning heavily on Caspian as he looks

you are lucky they didn't capture you. You walked right out into

think twice when it comes to ensuring you come back alive. Plus, the enemy was hanging out in my room all along. You ran off and left me with them." I hiss, stepping into his space, glaring up at him, enjoying the

says, confused, looking between me and Penny. "What do you mean,

compromised." Penny whispers. Merikh's eyes snap to her, wide and full of

do you mean?" he demands and Penny looks at me, begging me to explain.

I can see the

tell him, and he seems to stumble a little into

"Fuck,"

that's how we

to get back." He says suddenly, a look of determination set on his brows. He hobbles, Caspian moving with him as he looks over his shoulder at

silence, the speed steady, though slow, and I can sense his growing irritation with every passing minute. Then he stops abruptly with an annoyed growl and looks

Switch spots with Caspian." He demands of me, racing out and

"Why?" I ask.

make him do anything they want, including attacking other council members to prove their point that we are

but he ignores me as

talks over me, discussing things with Penny as my dad steps away and urges me next to Merikh. Before I can even try to get a word in, the two are sprinting off, leaving with Merikh. I look up at him, frustrated that

took charge

me to the

care of." I grit out, finally getting his attention. He furrows

hardly taken care of. You don't think he