Traded To The Lycan King

Merikh was right. As we approach the mansion, he no longer needs me to help him walk. Our hands are threaded together by our fingers, my skin prickling as we walk closer to the quiet building. There is a fog that has settled around the garden and the rolling green grass. My wolf pacing within me, ready to jump out at any moment to prove her worth.

"It feels wrong..." I whisper to Merikh, who pulls me closer. I can see how tired he is, the quick healing from his lycan taking a toll on his energy. He needs to sleep, and to eat something.

"What do you mean?" he asks, worry on his brow as he glances down at me.

"You can't feel that?" I ask him, "It feels...I don't know."

"Tense," He finishes for me. "The enemy is here, in this mansion, and they know we are aware of them. And those not involved...well they are about to be, whether they like it or not."

We walk cautiously, then I see Hayes pacing back and forth, his hands in his hair as he lifts his head and spots us. He rushes over, panic written all over his face, and my stomach falls. Something has happened, something terrible.

"Is it Percy?" I ask, sounding small, feeling small.

Here I had been so sure that my order would work long enough to keep him safe. Had I been that far off? Did he hurt himself or worse, what if he couldn't get them out of his head so he took drastic measures? What if he...my heart stutters and my mouth goes dry with the thought, tears stinging my eyes.

"He was unconscious when we all got back," Hayes tells me before turning to Merikh. "But he is okay for now."

"And your mate?" Merikh asks, my eyes going wide as I look between the two brothers, shocked.

"Mate?" I ask and Hayes nods, a grim look on his face.

"Her name is Leandra. She is a Lycan." Hayes says and Merikh processes what he says. It looks like a silent conversation passes between them before Merikh seems to nod in understanding. "Is she a rogue?" He asks and Hayes shrugs.

"It was hard enough getting her name from her, but she doesn't smell like a rogue, so I don't think so," He admits. "She won't see me. She-uh...she says she has a chosen mate instead."

Hayes looks broken, his eyes filled with tears as he clears his throat and tries to remain in control of his emotions. His heart is being torn to shreds, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. "We will speak with her." Merikh says, reaching out and tugging his hesitant brother in for a hug. "Things will be fine, Hayes. She has been through a lot, I imagine. Let's first get her taken care of so she can feel like she has control over her own thoughts again. One thing at a time, brother."

"I spoke with the elders, watching over the pack in our absence."

"And?" Merikh looks alarmed.

has been no activity, no red-eyed wolves, no attacks, nothing." Hayes says, and Merikh

is either great news or terrible news," He mutters. I squeeze

ask Hayes, who gives me a curious

too, then?"

Worried? It could be any

off too?" Merikh asks, looking worried between us, and Hayes shakes his

feels like a storm is blowing in, but I don't think he meant the kind of

feels off. I just can't put

I'm looking for answers or maybe I am hopeful I will catch someone spying on us that will give us a single clue into who is behind all

get inside. I need to get cleaned up and you need sleep."

will watch your room tonight so you both can sleep. Penny will be on you tomorrow, so I can sleep during the day." Hayes says and Merikh shakes his

tells him,

I need to give her that

I can hear Florence giggling down the hall, along with a deeper voice chatting and I already

who is still bruised and covered in blood, wishing there was another way to our room where we wouldn't run into

me under his arm,

safe whenever am with him. Florence doesn't even take notice until Johannes snaps his head in our direction as we pass the room

of us, snuffing the air and tilting his head as he looks over Merikh. I expected to find joy there, a sick sense of glee

in the dickens happened to you?" He asks, looking Merikh

his mood shifting into protective mode as he steps in front of me. Johannes looks at Hayes behind me and must see something he doesn't like and be puts his hands up in defeat, licking his teeth before he steps aside. He flits his eyes over

I would be the one to kick your ass." He says as we pass him, Merikh's muscles tense, but he doesn't stop, he clenches his jaw and looks down

us, but Merikh keeps us walking. "What? No thanks for

panic brewing in my stomach. I whip

pounding his head into the wall." Bile rises and my heart