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."

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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.

the red-eyed wolves?" I ask him. I can feel the glare that the back of head. Hayes is a big

few days, it has been completely

my

more that I'm unsettled over not knowing what their next move is. There is no doubt they are after Colette,

figured out who

but would they be that bold?" He frowns, looking like he

person who has

"Solid

with a teasing grin. I give him a shove

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Chapter 42

I turn quickly, surprised to see him striding over

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smile at him

want to be back on duty with

and he looks

He says, his voice full of conviction as he meets my

prove himself, to prove that this attack was a fluke and he will never again allow something similar to

What happened?" I ask him, and his cheeks turn pink as he

to fight back, their hood was up. But I can say if they are one of the committee members who doesn't heal like us, there would be marks on their upper arms.”

of marks?" I ask

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

Hayes asks

but darkness." He then looks disappointed. "I should have tried harder to

look. "Go back to your

freckled face lights up in excitement as he rushes off to find Colette and Penny. I feel much safer

Hayes as we

He reports, stuffing his hands in his pocket. "They are eager to have

back home. Mad at each

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pack as home. Those people are here people now, and she cares.

in every way he can. So hopefully when we come 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

closer, knees bent and

watch Caspian sprinting from his balcony as Elm rushes around the corner. All of the council members stop near us, watching as the wood ignites faster than

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 as she looks at Johannes and the

flames come barreling toward her. She inhales them as if she is sucking in a spaghetti noodle,

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