Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

Apparently, it is easy to be upset with a dead man, or rather, a dead siren. My anger surges as I scoff and pace away over to the large bay window in my office. Zale remains silent behind me, Colette also unmoving as she waits for a response.

Caspian started this when we were enemies, back when he wanted us gone and never in the council again. Had he been planning and plotting against us all along? And when we reconciled our differences, why would he not have mentioned something like this? Would it not have been wise for me to know, for Colette to know?

"Merikh..." Colette says my name in a gentle, concerned manner.

I suck in a huff of air and exhale loudly, my hands finding my hips as I spin to face them. Every part of me screams it's okay to be angry, but when I look at Colette, I can see the worry on her brow. The thought that perhaps my opinion of the man who fathered her might suffer from this.

The Caspian she knew is much different from the one who started this act of war on us. Yes, he changed, but he has placed us in a place of danger, knowingly. Even with Colette being half siren, even with her royal blood, what if five hundred years down the road things change? We are left open to any kind of attack from the sirens, and how does a dog fight a fucking fish?

"After this war has ended, I want to know every damn route taken to make it to this pack." I say, trying to steel my anger. Zale doesn't look surprised or pressed about my words. Instead, he drops his head and nods in agreement.

"I do believe that will be for the best, Alpha." He says.

"And I want that route protected. To ensure nothing harmful can make it here. The last thing I need is a fucking shark attack in a lake that had always been fresh water until now." I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Zale chuckles and I snap my annoyed eyes to him.

"That is not quite how things work," He explains before he stops and sighs. "Of course, we will always have it protected. Colette is family. We protect our family."

"Where are they? What side of the lake I mean?" She asks, her throat bobbing as she swallows roughly. "How many are there?"

There is a spark of excitement in her, a reigniting of that part of her she thought she lost. When Colette lost her father, she thought she had lost all ties to the world that she just found. I'm not saying I think her grief will be less or her mourning easier, but it feels like it is one less thing to mourn for her. A connection that she will always be able to find to her father.

"They await you near the cliff's edge. It is nearest to the inlet from the ocean and thus better for them. And there are...a few," He says, his eyes skirting between us.

"And when do they expect to meet her?" I ask him flatly, trying not to sound so upset at the thought of her just running off with the new siren king to meet a family she has never seen.

"Whenever she is ready," he says with a gentle smile. "They are also mourning the loss, so they understand it may be a lot for her to handle. But, sooner would be better if you ask me. The condition of this treaty is they wish to meet her first."

I watch the way he seems disappointed and I realize the reason they want to meet her isn't just for mourning, but to verify. They don't believe Zale, which means Caspian wasn't as straightforward with them about Colette as he made it seem.

"They didn't believe you?" Colette asks, her brows pulled together in confusion as she tilts her head to the side.

Zale clears his throat and shifts in the chair uncomfortably.

just that... There was a rumor that Caspian could not have kids. He never took a siren mate, that is true, but there was

huffs and chuckles dryly. Then she shakes her head, like the whole

with those people? I mean, he told my mom that he was

Zale shrugs.

wish to see your skills. I was under the impression everyone knew of you Colette. Though he never spoke of you in

says, a sadness

he lost you. Caspian was so proud to be your father when he realized you were his once thought

go meet them now," she says,

rise in

my chest, her dark eyes looking up at me.

to not give in when she looks at

looks over her shoulder at

like to see only her, Alpha.

I snort. "Do you

Merikh, you have my word that nothing will happen

scoff, shaking

I am going."

don't like it

my cheek. "But this is my family. Just like you need to speak to Hayes alone, I need to go speak to

she could make me do anything in the fucking world for her. I groan,

give you a few hours. After that, I am fucking

shakes her head and laughs at my words, as if I don't

eyes narrow

the hurdles I will jump through to always get to you." I say in a low, threatening voice.

can do, Alpha." Then she winks, taking a step back. "You can speak with Zale

nod, sticking my hands in my pockets.

a respectful nod

them out

Hayes. Usually when Colette leaves my side I feel anxious and worried, but this time it feels different. There is no nagging feeling that something terrible is going to happen. Instead I feel a sense of

is open, revealing Hayes's half distorted face. That feeling of content melts away like his flesh had, and I want to reach out to hug him. But that cheery brother who would let me is

your behalf." I say flatly, and he blinks at me,