Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

Book Two: To Love a Broken Beta CHAPTER 1

*Kyra*

It's so strange being back here, the place I used to call home. Everything is so different. There is hardly anything I recognize here any more. Other than the lake that reflects the trees to my right in the distance.

I pull the blanket tighter, hugging it close as the breeze trickles through my hair. The moon is high above me as I wrestle with the decisions that led me back here. It was stupid to come here, thinking Hayes would be over what happened to us. But when the Lycan King calls for you and begs for help, you do as he wishes.

And it's not like I have anything keeping me from going on this mission. I have no family anymore, no mate to run home to. That may be the only thing Hayes and I have in common now. What we lack rather than what we had in the past.

"You should have said no," He says coming up behind me. My body shivers at the sound of his icy tone. Was it so terrible, what I did to him back then? Was I the problem, or was it always him?

"Merikh is my Alpha, Hayes." I say in a flat tone, hiding the distress being near him puts me in.

My eyes remain on the sky, unable to look at him. Not because his disfigured faces grosses me out. But it is all I can do to keep from breaking down at his hurting. Even after all this time, after the way he treated me, hurt me, it still is near agonizing to bear witness to the pain he wears every day.

"Oh, what did he order you to do this?" He snorts, his disdain for his brother not even remotely hidden.

"No." I say simply, flicking my eyes to see he stands next to me with the good side of his face in my line of vision. "He asked, and I said yes."

"You forget I know you, Kyra. And I know for a fact you are a shit warrior and a worse tracker." His words are vile and intentionally mean. This is who he is now. Anger poisons the heart, and when the heart is already broken, well...it's sometimes the only thing that holds the pieces together.

I inhale sharply and shake my head, unable to hide the sarcastic laughter bubbling up in me. In eight years, he didn't think I might change? After knowing me for eighteen years, he thought I couldn't grow up from the whimsical girl who wanted a fairytale? How quant that he thinks I lived a life of fucking cupcakes and rainbows. He can change, but I can't? What an arrogant dick.

do NOT know me now. Other than my face and my name, I am not the same girl who followed you around laughing at your shitty jokes." I give him a snarky smile as he turns and glares at

same," He barks out and I roll my

that likes to make a fuss of it." I turn my whole body to look at him, my hands on my hips, waiting for another stupid comment from him. Instead, he says nothing, turning to look out at

red-headed fairytale land you hide in up in

way his skin smelled when they found him to the horrific way he lost his

"Did you come out here

jeans and his solid black henley top with rolled

you we don't want you." He snaps, crossing his arms

I was almost convinced you wanted me here with all that smiling you

did you become a smart

time

I learned from my mate Tyler, it's

net ove

warrior and tracker in the

go tell Merikh you don't want to go anymore." He says, sighing heavily as he pinches between his eyes like I am annoying him. Clearly he has

that. Act like the big boy you are and deal with it, Hayes. I am the best tracker and warrior there is. You need

he asks between heaving breaths of laughter while my frustration grows by the

with a

the best." He says as a pain

cry. I have come so far. I can talk about him all day, discuss how great he is...well, was. But to tell someone that he is

I whisper, unable to stop a rogue tear coming down my cheek. My hand swipes it away as I sniffle and clear my throat