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."

He doesn't?" I ask, intrigued again. "And who will want to go on this suicide mission of his? Hayes is respected, but to ask this task is

nudges my knees apart as she steps between my legs, my hands going to her waist as I lean forward and look at her. Colette's hands rest lightly on my forearms as she chews on the

who lost their mates to join him? Ones

group of depressed, angry male lycans together

come back, I would do it. But right now, Hayes is too delicate. He is in that phase that Percy was in, looking for

never see the same man standing there looking back at him. He will see the reminder of when he

but because our kind needs this too? What if we look at it as finding the cause of all

their honor. To prove their worth, to save their loved ones from future pain and suffering, they would do anything. But before I will allow any of that, I need to know that Hayes will try to come back.

is a knock before I can answer Colette, and Percy's voice calls through

here

later," I assure Colette, rising to my full height. Then I lean down and press a gentle

her hand on my chest before she breaks away from me and steps to

in."

Zale walks in, his hair slicked back and his eyes a honey golden as we walk to each other and shake

him into the room. "Come

meets Colette's gaze for a moment before she looks away, her eyes filled with tears. A wave of her grief washes over me

her upper

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

smiles, though

losses. Not just from me, but from our kingdom, the rest of your family," Zale says. "Thanks," she murmurs, unable to

one more pressing

me a

make my way to my

a seat. She follows

int

the slightest if it looks strange or

that above all else.

me, in a stunning jar." He says, indicating he received the ashes of the bitch phoenix. "But

of the dragon king missing,

asks, confused,