Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

*Merikh*

There is a small knock before my office door pushes open and Colette peeks her head in. A smile replaces the frown I had been dawning since receiving the news that other packs throughout the kingdom are being attacked at random.

War has rules, or at least it used to, but now, nothing and no one is off limits to the dragons who seem keen on wiping us from the face of the earth.

"Has Zale arrived yet?" She asks, sashaying across the carpet. My heart leaps with the way she gives me a soft smile, her eyes glittering. Colette is still in deep mourning but to see her smile, of her own accord and without prompting, is so refreshing.

"Not yet." I say, looking down at the small clock on my desk. "But I expect he will be here soon."

"Then you have time to talk about something with me?" Her tone grows serious as she stops beside my desk, placing her hand down instead of continuing over to me. I arch a brow, turning in my chair to face her as I lean back.

"I always have time to talk with you about things, Colette." I say warily. It almost feels like a trap and by the way she looks away and clears her throat, I can only assume it is something she is worried about. Or afraid of the answer.

The thought enters my mind that maybe she wants to go back to the ocean. To either train or meet her other family in the depths of the ocean. My chest grows heavy and I wait anxiously for her to find the words she seems to struggle with.

"It's about Hayes." She mutters, her gaze meeting mine, as it feels like I can breathe again.

"Hayes?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Okay, what about Hayes?" I tilt my head, clasping my hands together in front of me.

"He seems to be doing better." She offers and I narrow my eyes, catching on immediately to what is going on.

"That sounds suspiciously like you are going to try to convince me he can go hunting for a villain." I say, my tone flat and my lips pressing together.

She chuckles and tucks a hair behind her ear. Such a simple and innocent motion as she looks up and quicks a wry smile. Fucking Hayes and his stupid ability to know how to play me. Using my mate against

me.

"Maybe." She shrugs. "But he doesn't have to go alone."

on this suicide mission of his? Hayes is respected, but to ask this

as she steps between my legs, my hands going to her waist as I

lost their mates to join

lycans together on a hunting mission?" I ask

his group wouldn't try to not come back, I would do it. But right now, Hayes is too delicate. He is in that phase that

Hayes lost a part of himself. When he looks in the mirror, he will never see the same man standing there looking back at him. He will see the reminder of when he let Leandra down, in his own words. We all know

kind needs this too? What if we look at it as finding the cause of all of this so we can stop the war? Wouldn't that be a mission any warrior would want to sign up for?"

and suffering, they would do anything. But before I will allow any of that, I need to know that Hayes will

can answer Colette, and

here

will discuss this later," I assure Colette, rising to my full height. Then I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her soft lips.

hand on my chest before she breaks

on in." I call

door opens and Zale walks in, his hair slicked back and his eyes a honey golden as

walking him into

moving to the seat in front of my desk. He looks up and meets Colette's gaze for a moment before she looks away, her eyes filled with tears. A wave of her grief washes over me and I move to her,

stroking her

leave, I will not be upset with you." I offer, but she clears her throat and meets

will be fine." She smiles, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "I

condolences for both of your losses. Not just from me, but from our kingdom, the rest of your family," Zale

give her one

me

my

a seat. She

int

the slightest if it looks strange or

that above all else.

in a stunning jar." He says, indicating he received

does." I sigh, "With the egg of the dragon king missing, he has decided we are the

not?" He asks, confused, as