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

choosers," I

You don't

I shouldn't

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

1/4

Chapter 24

and grabbing him by the collar. "Hayes, it is my job to take care of this pack My job to finish what father tried

she wanted to carry my pups. It wasn't Hayes who had to step up and keep his shit together to lead a pack that was broken and

in all of this. Lauren had planted seeds, and they bloomed into black blossoms of doubt overnight after being

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

backstab you, while you use her to get your

her, and for me." I grit out. "I need to

that is the real reason." He whispers, looking disappointed in me. "You wanted her

wouldn't have

his hand over his

done so much for our pack and you are sacrificing so much to do what you think is

late." I mutter

over before your committee meeting" He

do you suppose I do

her why she is so important. Tell the poor woman who

can't risk her knowing her past." I bite out.

You don't want to tell her all of that yet? Fine. But the oath is already

seeing more and more of dad in him every day. Hayes has the heart of our mother and the wise words of our

my hands in my pocket. "Okay,

eye grow wide and

responds. Do you think she will slap you?" He teases and I frown. From a wise father like figure to idiot brother in ten seconds flat. Might be a record. I chuckle, giving

pouting in my mind, still angry with me for doing what I did. Maybe if

Chapter 24

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

moment before gently pushing the door open. Colette looks up at me from her spot on the ground, sitting with her back against the bed and her eyes red and raw. There are no tears anymore, only the residue from the ones that have fallen and

you." I swallow, "If you allow

I have a choice?" She

her the ability to push me the way I have

do you need?" she asks, her

oath will break when I mark you. If you want me to mark

know what a blood oath is. I may have been raised as a maid, but I

there are loopholes," I remind her

But that would entail me finding my second chance mate, and

can find you." I swallow,

She furrows

the pull, didn't you? How strong it