Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

Chapter 24

"Merikh POV

I lounge back in the chair on the deck, taking in the clear sky above me, showcasing the stars and the waning moon. My whole body feels like it's vibrating with every emotion. Rage, guilt, betrayal. All of them meld together, ripping through my mental state like nothing I've felt before.

"So you did it, huh?" Hayes says, approaching me from behind. I roll my eyes, knowing I should have expected him and his usual confrontations. It's what makes him such a great beta. That and I can't kill him off for his honesty,

"Hello to you too, brother." I grumble.

I ignore him as he takes a seat next to me, sighing heavily, keeping my eyes trained on the sky.

"So how did she take it?" he asks, and I scoff.

How did she take it? Not fucking well. That's for sure. Hell, the more I think about it, the more I try to convince myself I didn't see how hurt she was. How betrayed she was. But I need to get used to that look, and the feeling it carves into my s

"I think.. I exhale, looking over at him finally, "I think I broke her heart."

"Of course you did, Merikh. You took her options away." He says like she ever actually had any.

"What option? Could you explain what exactly I took from her?"

"Well, her choice, for starters.

"We both know that the blood oath is entirely reversible." I grumble. "I took nothing from her, I just delayed it."

"We know that, but she doesn't. How can she when you refuse to tell her you guys are second chance mates?"

"Colette agreed to this. Okay? She agreed to being Luna and take my mark one day." I say, sitting up and swinging to face him.

soul.

"Yes, but she meant being marked. Not the blood oath that you use on a top warrior or someone you have to keep close."

"Damn it, Hayes" I growl. "Without this oath blocking the pull to her, I will lose control! It's intoxicating, SHE is intoxicating. I want to claim her. Shit, more than I wanted to claim Lauren. It's like a festering inside my chest, like a fucking infection that keeps growing. There is no antidote or cutting it out. But this oath, it's a bandaid. It buys me time, it's to keep me sane,"

"Buys you

time for what?" He scoffs.

"To figure out what the hell to do next!" I stand abruptly.

You should have just told her you are second chance mates, so that she knows the oath can be broken when you mark her."

"I want a mate I can trust!" I roar, my chest pinching at the memory of Colette kissing Grady. The moment my trust for her shattered. "How does telling her prove this I can trust her?"

"Forcing that trust isn't real trust." Hayes says softly and I chuckle dryly

I mutter,

You

shouldn't have to

yet?" Hayes says, his voice firm, like he

1/4

Chapter 24

it is my job to take care of this pack My job to finish what father tried to fix before MY MATE fucking killed him with her vampire lover." I release him, but I stay in his face, making sure he understands the

who found them. Dad's dead body laying at the feet of the traitorous bitch who had told me the night before she wanted to carry my pups. It wasn't Hayes who had to step up and keep his shit together to lead

my role in all of this. Lauren had planted seeds, and they bloomed into

my mate who fucked our pack over. It was me trusting her, and the wrong people on the committee that have the Lycans weaker than we have ever been, and the werewolves exposed to the fucking other supernatural asstards that can use them how they please. This isn't a pity party. This is me trying to plan out what is best for

you think tricking her into an oath where she can't backstab you, while you use her to

need to trust that she won't try to leave

the real reason." He whispers, looking disappointed in me.

have the same effect?"

his hand over

do what you think is best..But you

late." I mutter and

this over before your committee meeting" He says, looking at me. "I

suppose I

second chance mates. Go tell her why she is so important. Tell the poor woman who

past." I bite out. "We

fake. You don't want to tell her all of that yet? Fine. But the oath is already in place and she deserves to know that when you two are ready, that mate bond will

in him every day. Hayes has the heart of our mother and the wise words of our father. The combination always brings me comfort after pissing me off first. So instead

hands in my pocket. "Okay, I will

and then

waiting for a chat when you are done. I have to know how she responds. Do you think she will slap you?" He teases and I frown. From a

lycan pouting in my mind, still angry with me for doing what I did. Maybe if he were a more controlled beast, we wouldn't have had to take drastic measures, but he doesn't like that

Chapter 24

the ache in my chest to hold her. Such conflicting emotions are becoming a constant in my life and

red and raw. There are no tears anymore,

to speak with you." I swallow,

a choice?" She clips

me the way I have

need?" she asks, her voice

If you want me to mark you." I

I may have been raised as a maid, but I know things. I will never

loopholes," I

that would entail me finding my second chance

you." I swallow, my mouth going

She furrows

the pull, didn't you?