Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

*Colette*

I feel like I am floating, my body humming with energy and a shockwave that zips through every vein, screaming for me to wake up. My wolf sighs in relief and the rest of me...it feels refreshed, hydrated.

Someone is murmuring to me, little sweet words in my ear as I come closer to consciousness. Arms are wrapped around me and a sigh tumbles out, then panic takes hold of me. I try to sit up but I am stopped, a voice calming me.

"Calm down, Letty." Merikh whispers in my ear and tears dot my eyes.

There is no way I am alive, and it breaks my heart. My chest aches and my throat feels like it is closing up as I glide my hands over his arms, holding him tight, clinging to the moment. A tiny sob breaks free, as my body shakes with sorrow and his face presses into my neck.

"Don't let me go," I whisper, not ready to leave him or worse, for him to leave me.

"Never," he promises, his lips pressing to my cheek as he pulls back, forcing me to turn in his arms.

Heavens, he is breathtaking, his green eyes soft and swimming with concern as he cups my face in worry. My hands feel over his body, touching injuries that make him wince as I make sure he is here.

"Merikh..." I whisper, my brows knitted together in confusion and a mix of shock. Is this real? He feels real, looks real.

"Were you expecting someone else?" He says, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as I burst into a soft sob again.

"You're okay." I force out, and he nods, leaning down to press his forehead to mine.

"Only because of you." He says, his voice barely audible.

"You were in harm's way because of me." I correct him and he chuckles.

"I could say the same." He reminds me, and I lick my lips, sucking the bottom between my teeth. His hand glides over the back of my head, a trickle of water waking me up to the fact that we are in water. I should have noticed with how light I felt and how easily I moved despite my achy muscles.

"Where are we?" I ask him, looking over his shoulder.

"Blood moon cove" I hear someone come up beside me. I blink at a siren who swims around us in his form similar to my fathers though he is more slender, younger. Merikh holds me close, that tinge of jealousy wiggling through the mate bond and I smirk to myself.

"How is Caspian?" Merikh asks, and the siren gives a courteous nod.

"He will heal, in time." He says to Merikh before tilting his head as he looks at me. "Though I must say you look much better than I imagined you would after such a short time in the water."

"My wolf has a tendency to speed things up." I say, sliding a curious glance up at Merikh.

"This is Zale." Merikh says softly. "He is your long-lost cousin and the next to inherit the throne of your father."

it," Zale offers, but I don't miss the way his eyes narrow, as if looking for some hidden truth that I might want

a throne," I tell him, leaning into Merikh. "I am pleased that

well, as

over there." He

waves cascade over them, spraying the air with the glorious smell of salt and sea. There is only one scent that could ever top this one, and it is coming

everyone else?"

you mother, and everyone

eyes grow wide as I

they will go first. We have to get back, to warn everyone, to move them

taken care of. We have a secondary site

feels hollow at the mention of

he?" I

will discuss this later. Right now, we have things we must

enough to travel now. Let me see my

get there?" Zale asks, his scaly arms crossing over his

board shoulders and the way his face, though far more ocean

kind."

are formidable fighters. Even we have heard of their strength and skills. But Dragons are fire

use my skills." I tell

I am annoyed, tired, in

not

of Death. Me, my father or my beta and his mate. Me, it was all me and my love for him. And I have a love

know? Where were you, huh? Let your king wander around on land without backup or warriors to help protect him, and you

hissy fit cousin?" He asks, "Because the sooner we begin training, the sooner you will be able to leave to save your

more but nothing

needs more time to heal..." Merikh offers, and I

stands to his

sun setting on

water with ease as I reach out and touch his back. He is healing; the blisters disappearing, but the scar

have only grown

emotionally, physically and, most importantly,

taken a lifetime to

when

was able to