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."

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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.

there been any more reports of the 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 things, especially

been completely quiet now," he says, but I

my

this news, more that I'm unsettled over not knowing 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,

still hasn't figured out who attacked Percy." 1

was them, but would they be that bold?" He frowns, looking like he doubts the

person who

"Solid

brother," he says with a teasing grin. I give him a shove

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Chapter 42

Percy calls from behind us, and I turn quickly, surprised to see him striding over to

+5

smile at him

to be back on

him, and he looks away as he

protect and fight, alpha." He says, his voice full

attack was a fluke and he will never again allow

to explain what you witnessed? What happened?" I

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.” He

marks?"

"I didn't go down

eyes?" Hayes asks and Percy shakes his

Nothing but darkness." He then looks disappointed. "I should

stern look. "Go back to your post. Follow in the shadows

Colette and Penny. I feel much safer having two people on Colette as opposed to

in the pack?" I ask Hayes as we watch Percy disappear into

his hands in his pocket. "They are eager

to be back home. Mad at each other or

3/5

Those people are here people now, and she

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

both step closer, knees

and up into the morning skyline, smoke billowing out as I watch Caspian sprinting from his balcony as Elm rushes around the corner. All of the council members stop

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 two argue back and forth. Ending with

to elm, drawing in a deep inhale as the flames come barreling toward her. She inhales them as if she is sucking in a