Traded To The Lycan King

My muscles twitch, first my fingers itching to move. The lycan in my head whining and forcing my consciousness awake. Each second, I become more and more aware of the searing sensation on my back. My skin tingles, pins and needles pinching and stabbing my back as though I had been numb for too long.

I try to inhale deeply, but the agony of my injury forces me to stop, taking only short, quick breaths as I force my groggy eyes open. The world is blurry, my pain overwhelming as I blink away the fog.

I want to move, to get up and stretch my stiff muscles, relieve my chest that aches. But my back is on fire, the waves of heat and pain ebbing and flowing as if it were a hot coal exposed on a windy day.

“Merikh.” I hear Hayes‘ surprised voice as he rushes over, gently pressing me back down as I try to make my way to my hands

stomach. and knees. He fights my efforts, winning out as my body gives way and I grunt, collapsing back into my

“I want up.” I rasp out, my voice dry and painful. The room seems to move, swirling from side to side as I try to focus and fail. I blink over and over again until Hayes comes into focus and everything comes flooding back in.

The meeting from hell, Giselle going berserk and trying to kill Colette. I choke on the panic as I tear myself from the bed before Hayes has a second to stop me.

“Brother, you need to rest.” He insists.

“Where is Colette?” I demand, ignoring his request. “Is she okay?”

“We can talk about it in a second, but you need to lie back down.” He says. “You are going to undo all the bandages and herbs that are healing you.”

“Where is my Luna?” I grit out, trying to force myself to stand on my own.

Hayes sighs, scowling at me, and my stomach falls, the worst thoughts climbing up from the dark place in my mind. Did I not save her! Was I too late? Or had my being injured left her exposed and open for another attack she couldn’t fight off?

I can hear Hayes speaking to me, but the anxiety and pain from the thoughts is enough to send me off the deep end. , had I failed her? Had I unknowingly broken another promise to her? I try to turn toward the door, releasing the bed as I take a step and tumble forward with a cry of agony. My body falls forward, but not before Hayes catches me.

Tingles ripple through my body, a satisfied sigh breaking from my chapped lips and I look up to see it wasn’t Hayes who stopped my fall but my sweet, perfect Colette. She is on her knees before me, her soft hands on my face, cupping my cheeks as she lifts my eyes to meet hers.

“You’re awake,” she whispers, tears breaking free from her eyes as she lunges forward and pressing her lips to mine. My arms cling to her back, my body protesting, but I ignore the pain. How can I feel anything other than sheer relief when she is okay?

She pulls away, her forehead pressed to mine as she breathes heavily, her hands still clinging to my face, life she is afraid to touch any other part of me. My arms grow tired, slipping down and falling to my side, my body unwilling to respond to my demands any longer.

“Are you injured?” I ask, scanning her face.

sobs, moving as close as possible, just wanting to be near me. I welcome her touches, the sparks calming, the fire burning on my

I murmur, breaking away

She looks past me

get you up and back on the bed.” She says, and I furrow

do not want to be in bed any longer.” I tell her

sadness there, and I frown. My injury must have scared her, hell it scared Hayes, so it must be pretty bad. But I am an alpha, one with

Giselle attacked you?” I ask

once you get on the bed. You are bleeding through

following suit on the other side as they lift me with heavy grunts. I try my best. to help them, using my legs

all the way, and I turn my head to see Colette kneel on the ground beside me. She props her chin up on her crossed arms on the white bedding and a happy smile

through my hair, gently massaging her way through my locks. I moan in satisfaction, happily distracted from the pain

me. Hayes silently exits the room, looking at me once before

in to change your bandages.”

Why not Brent?” I ask, a little surprised. Healing is usually Brent’s realm of things. I can sense she feels my confusion, and

meeting with Caspian.” She says,

chuckle. “I am not entirely

people have taken sides, others have just disappeared.” She shrugs, looking at me

brow. “Who is

Caspian,

my hand reaching up to stop her from her assault on my skull, making me sleepy again. This is important information and

“Joffrey?” I ask, confused.

“He was injured and Elm saved him. He

growing defensive and she laughs. Her smile and the melody of her happiness fill me with hope and I give her a soft

preoccupied.” She admits, her smile fading, and I find it’s like watching the sun hiding behind a cloud.

yourself to get injured. You are the important one,

emotions flow through the bond so she can feel how much I disagree with her. She shoots

you getting hurt, the thought of losing you. My voice breaks and I clear my throat. “You are my strength and my weakness, and I will always protect you without

wipes at them, chuckling to break the serious tone she is

she sniffles. “Ugh, you always know the right thing to