Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

Chapter 42 *Merikh*

"Where is Colette?" Hayes asks as I we exit the massive white mansion, heading into the back garden, the sun. high in the morning sky.

"She is with Caspian," I mutter, looking around to be sure no one is listening.

"It's interesting how...not upset she is with you." He furrows his brow.

"Hah!" I snort. "I get the feeling that no amount of remorse will save me from my life of groveling."

Hayes smirks and shakes his head.

zasp

"You groveling does sound pretty entertaining. If she is smart, she will drag it out for as long as possible." He pauses as I frown, then he continues to stare. His heavy gaze unearths my brotherly annoyance with him, and I exhale heavily.

"What now?" I grit out, and he chuckles.

"Oh, I'm just curious what you plan to do in your 'groveling! Will you get on your hands and knees while begging? Lavishing her with presents? Making every promise in the world to make her stay?" "Shut up, Hayes," I grumble and look away.

I'm not quite ready to admit to him I've already done my begging. It feels like a betrayal of that intimate moment between her and I. But truth be told, begging is the beginning of what I will do. I meant what I said when I told her I was at her mercy and I will be sure she knows it every single day.

"Fine, then. Let's discuss the issue of her not being marked yet." He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest as he turns to look right at me.

"It's none of your concern," I sigh and he scoffs.

"As your brother, it is my concern winces. It's your mate, and as your Beta, it is even more my concern. She is our Luna, Merikh. She must be protected, and your misconceptions can't keep you from protecting her."

1/5

My anger flares, my blood boiling as I press my lips together, trying to calm myself. He is down playing the shit I have done. All the ways I have given her nothing to trust in me. I may be his brother, I may be his alpha, but I am fallible, just like anyone else.

"I lied. I betrayed her trust: Don't try to downplay what I did. You of all people know the depth at which a lie can burrow in and destroy even the most pure of things." I say with measured frustration.

"I am well aware, Merikh, of exactly how you fucked up. And I get a lie is a lie, but tell me, when were your lies malicious? When were they intended to harm her? I mean, truly harm her."

I suck my teeth, reminded why I am the alpha and not him. Hayes is wise, and he is a formidable beta, but that he can't see the issue is one reason I am the alpha. Other than my birthright. "Intent means nothing when the end result is just as painful." I frown at him and he looks defeated.

"Look, I get it. You fucked up. We all did. The point remains that how you feel about her isn't a lie. Your reason fo keeping things close to the vest makes sense."

I sigh, shaking my head before I turn and walk away. This isn't the reason I brought him out here. We need to discuss the pack, the things ongoing with the committee. But most importantly, our plan.

red-eyed wolves?" I ask him. I can feel the glare that the back of head. Hayes is a big communicator. Someone who likes to discuss

few days, it has been completely quiet now," he says, but I

my

what their next move is. There is no doubt they are after Colette, and for now she is safe. Or so we hope. What are you thinking?" He asks, a tilt to his chin as he watches me, waiting for

hasn't figured out who attacked Percy." 1

would they be

it's the person who

"Solid

a teasing grin. I give him a shove and he

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Chapter 42

us, and I turn quickly, surprised to see him striding over to

+5

smile at him and he

want to be back on

you fully healed?" I ask him, and he looks away as he clears his

protect and fight, alpha." He says, his voice full of conviction as he meets my

to prove that this attack was a fluke and he will never again

you healed enough to explain what you witnessed? What happened?" I ask

can say if they are one of the committee members who doesn't heal like us, there would be marks on their upper arms.”

marks?"

"I didn't go down without a fight, alpha. You

eyes?" Hayes asks

was like looking into a black hole. Nothing but darkness." He then looks disappointed.

"Go back to your post. Follow in the shadows like

excitement as he rushes off to find Colette and Penny. I feel

Hayes

his hands in his pocket. "They are eager

in understanding. We are both eager to be back home. Mad at each other or

3/5

the pack as home. Those people are here people

Home we have the protection we need from those wishing to cause us harm." A loud crashing sound comes from the trees, startling both Hayes and me as we watch the woods cautiously.. Then it sounds again, this time a feral animal cry breaking through and making the birds flee

Hayes murmurs as we both step closer, knees bent and hands up,

billowing out as I watch Caspian sprinting from his balcony as Elm

from the small creek, funneling into the trees as vines and fresh greenery spring from the earth, wrapping and twisting together over the fire, choking it out. Florence panics, pacing up and down her hands in her hair

petite dragon stands next to elm, drawing in a deep inhale as the flames come barreling toward her. She inhales