Traded To The Lycan King

*Merikh*

I hold Colette close, knowing that the second we arrive there will be no time to be close to her. There is a very real probability the people we love will die. Not all of them, but some, and potentially one of us.

The reality of that knowledge doesn't go unnoticed by anyone in the SUV as Johannes careens closer to where my pack was supposed to be hiding. It infuriates me beyond all things that I once again was blind to what Lauren might share with the enemy.

Granted, I had hoped the rumor of her existence had been false. The fact remains, I failed my pack again. Little mistakes that could change the tide of any war plague me at every turn and I need to force myself to be prepared for whatever outcome may arise.

"What is the plan?" Johannes asks, his gaze meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

"We need to get to Giselle. Get her alone and piss her off beyond belief." Colette says.

"Care to share why making her angry is so important?" He asks.

Colette launches into explaining the thought process behind it all as I zone out, preparing myself for every scenario.

"Alpha," Melody says softly, grabbing my attention. "Are you feeling up to this?"

Her question is quiet, while Colette and Johannes chat as if they have been on the same side for all their lives.

"I am fine," I tell her, even if it isn't true.

There is no choice but to be fine in our current situation. Yes, we could have taken another day and hoped Giselle would have been patient, but that is not how either me or my luna are. My brother and pack are on a fish string, teetering over the edge, and we are the only ones who can catch them.

"Will you be able to fight?" She asks, concern etched in her face. My gaze skirts over to Ezrah, who is very much pretending to be asleep.

"Of course I will." I frown, "Why don't you just ask what you are really trying to get to? You want to know if I will be able to protect Colette in my weakened state?"

She clears her throat and looks away, ashamed. I lean back on the seat, turning slightly.

"Let me be very clear. There is nothing, not even death, that will keep me from making sure she is safe." I whisper, and she nods.

to the window, and I feel

problems and what we anticipate

her, and she grows rigid. Her hands

told you, you can ask Ezrah too if you like." She tries to hide her face, but she is too much

I watch her throat bob as she swallows. "There is no way he wouldn't be here unless

the same car." She admits, her hand reaching to the back of her neck. "It physically hurts to be near him. To know that all

at stake than upsetting exes." I say

if we were exes." She whispers. "He didn't or doesn't feel the bond the way I do. There was no way for him to feel I was alive, I understand that, but...it feels like home. He feels like home, but that doesn't

him to stay away because it's painful? Life hangs in

brother on his way to come for us. Thankfully, the phone for the Siren's is still in that cabin, and if I

but I ease her worry with

my chest, a finger rubbing gentle circles over my heart before exhaustion takes over and I slip away into a deep sleep. There is nothing in my dream at first, no visions, no sweet memories to relive as it feels like

a constant nagging, as if I am being tugged on like a fish finally hooked by an eager fisherman on

while doing nothing but merely existing with my mate in my arms. Until that hum of the bond is gone, ripped from

away from. My lycan howls loudly in my head, a distorted, distant sound as pain laces through my side. The world falls silent in the dark recesses of my mind as

off the rest of the demon vampire blood venom that was forcefully put inside of me? Then a fluttering blossom in me at my cheek, a wetness under my eyes and the sound of wind barreling through a concrete tunnel grows louder until I cry out in pain, covering my eyes and

I blink and find Colette's tear-stained face. Her look

damn time!" Johannes roars, a raging

in shock, taking

attacked." Colette whispers, "They weren't waiting for us to talk or discuss

out to my lycan, who still feels miles away. All I did was fall asleep. For what? Fifteen minutes at

I asleep?"

She frowns. "Eight hours,"

body, making me shudder. "Feels like fucking forever and that is saying a lot

me," Johannes says, a smirk on his thin

were stuck, so I crawled back

wide as I force myself to sit up a little

We thought she would be safest with him since they don't know he is no longer neutral." Colette

ask, gently taking her hand off my shoulder and forcing myself to sit up. Her hand grips