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.

feel she is holding something back, so I press

potential problems and what we anticipate while I pin her mother

Her

tries to hide her face, but

I am asking you why you lied," I say, my tone harsh and I watch her throat bob as she swallows. "There is no way he wouldn't

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

at stake than upsetting exes." I say

way I do. There was no way for him to feel I was alive, I understand that, but...it feels like home. He

Life hangs in the balance and she is more concerned with

brother on his way to come for us. Thankfully, the phone for the Siren's is still in that cabin, and if I am lucky, Calvin will be there, and inform Caspian of what I sent

brows tugging together in a silent question, but I ease her worry with a smile. I motion for her to crawl back with me and she grins, slipping over the armrest and into my arms, snuggling into

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 I toe the line between consciousness and

a fish finally hooked by an eager fisherman on the shore. My lycan tries to break into my

my mate in my arms. Until that hum of the

I ever refuse to step 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

am fighting 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

world around me burns, the vehicle we were in up in flames as I blink and find Colette's tear-stained face. Her

Johannes roars, a raging burn down the side of his pale

I croak, looking around in shock, taking stock

crossed the border, they attacked." Colette whispers, "They weren't waiting for

makes sense as I try to shake my body awake, trying to reach out to my lycan, who still feels miles away. All I did was fall asleep. For what? Fifteen minutes at most

I asleep?" I

She frowns. "Eight hours,"

How long ago?" I ask, pushing myself up, ignoring the pain in my side that ripples up my body, making me shudder. "Feels like fucking forever and that is saying a lot coming from an immortal." Johannes responds, creeping over to us while keeping his head down. “Who

says, a smirk on his thin

I crawled back into try

I force myself to

went to sneak in to where Hayes and Leandra are. We thought she would be safest with him since they don't know he is

taking her hand off my shoulder and forcing myself to sit up. Her hand grips to mine, and she bites