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.

and I feel she is holding something back, so I

seat, speaking with Johannes about potential problems and what we anticipate while I pin her

did Caspian choose not to come?" I ask her, and she grows rigid. Her hands twist at the seat belt before she fiddles with the

to hide her face, but she is too much like Colette, looking

lied," I say, my tone harsh and I watch her throat bob as she swallows. "There is no

coming separately because we can't be 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 all this time he never once thought that perhaps we weren't

upsetting exes." I

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

scoff and force back a disdainful chuckle. She convinced him to stay away because it's painful? Life hangs in the balance and she is more concerned with her own

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 through the

I ease her worry with a smile. I motion for her to crawl back with me and she grins, slipping over the armrest

rubbing gentle circles over my heart before exhaustion takes over and I slip away into a deep sleep. There is nothing

a fish finally hooked by an eager fisherman on the shore. My lycan tries

while doing nothing but merely existing with my mate in my arms. Until that hum of the bond is gone, ripped from my mind and body as panic settles

me as if it is struggling to separate me from the very life I ever refuse to step away from. My lycan howls loudly in my head, a distorted, distant sound as pain

blood venom that was forcefully put inside of me? Then a fluttering blossom in me at my cheek,

and find Colette's tear-stained face.

raging burn down the side of

I croak, looking around in shock, taking stock of everything. "What the fuck

weren't waiting for us to talk or discuss things. It was always

who still feels miles away. All I did was fall asleep. For what? Fifteen

I

She frowns. "Eight hours,"

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

me," Johannes says, a smirk on his

you were stuck, so I crawled back into try to free

my eyes wide as I force myself to sit

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

hand off my shoulder and forcing myself to sit up. Her hand grips to mine, and