Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

"So what now? Can you actually smell which way he went now?" Nisha asks, for once not in a rude tone but in one of confusion. "Now we wait for Kyra to tell us where to go." I say, meeting her surprised eyes. "You do know where we go from here, right?"

Her bottom lip slips in between her teeth, her slender fingers being wrung by her other hand as she slowly nods. Everyone is watching her and I realize our comments combined with our heavy, expectant gaze must make her feel uncomfortable. I take a step forward, not sure why I feel compelled to calm her, but I do, as I open my mouth to tell her it is okay to take time to process.

Marcos, however, steps up to her side, his arm slipping around her shoulder in a gentle, protective manner. I look away, my tongue gliding over my teeth as I try to keep the strange twisting in my gut away. Marcos isn't being sexual in any way, but fuck does it bother me when he touches her.

"How about we give her some time to think and look around some more?" He offers.

"Time?" Koda scoffs. "More time when we are so close?"

"I agree with Koda," Nisha chimes in. "If we are finally on his tail, we need to keep moving, catch up to him. We could end this within a week."

"The rest of you travel southeast. Kyra, I want to speak with you alone." I say, commanding her attention. My anger quells under her curious gaze and her head tilts slightly to the side like it always has. If I weren't trying too hard to keep a straight face, I would almost smile at the little reminder of her before the world went to shit between us.

"What?" she asks, crossing her arms over her chest, a quick gaze up at Marcos that makes my heart skip a beat before he gives her a tight smile and follows along with the others. Kyra looks almost more comfortable with his arms removed and it gives me such a sick form of satisfaction.

"You mentioned there is nothing left to be done here," I remind her and she nods. "So I must ask you now, in your opinion, tracker, which way do you suggest we head in?"

She blinks, walking directly toward me. Kyra's steps are slow and measured, her eyes focusing on me. It's not until she is nearly pressed against me that she stops, my stare rivaling hers as she reaches up, the heat of her fingers brushing over my cheek as she reaches up and retrieves an item from behind me.

I don't know how it happens, or why my body responds this way, but I lean toward her, my very soul just needing this closeness, craving it for these years as I lower my head. My cheek presses to hers.

The softness of her skin does not go unnoticed as something moves inside of me. Maybe it's the ice around my heart or the rock I have my soul buried under, but it moves, proving that maybe there is life still there.

She gasps, jumping back, her hand on her cheek and eyes focused not on mine, but on my cheek. The scar that had touched her perfect, unblemished skin freckled skin. For a minute, I think it was the shock of our closeness until she clutches her stomach and turns away quickly like she might vomit.

pocket, trying to not let her know she has hurt me. Why the fuck did I do that? Why did

bold and daring but she was kind and always put everyone else's needs before her own. I didn't just

I wanted her.

soul entwined in mine. It had nothing to do with the desire to wrap my hands in those fiery red locks of hair and tilt her head back as I leave a barrage of tender kisses up and down her most

a bond, and I knew it would break her. The mate bond is a gift to those who have never loved, and a stab to those

throat. "There was a rock I was standing

you I saw something in the leaves behind you." She says,

her for her reaction? My

my back to her, trying to calm my anxious, beating

leaves match the ones used for the bedding." She whispers. "Which means he either stood over here or climbed the tree. I was hoping I would be

but I notice she stands on my good side. I can't lie and say that her action doesn't sting a little, but instead of frowning, I find myself smiling. What I need when I am around Kyra is a solid reminder of what I am doing here. And knowing how much I

should have a look up in the tree." I say,

shakes her

say, furrowing my brows, my partially

"He clipped off a whole branch. I

herself. I watch as she glides over the rest of the area, moving back to the ashes and

she seems to finally stand still, her head moving side to side as she scans around some more with a frown. Then she lifts one of her hands and drags it through her hair, pulling it from its ponytail. Red locks flutter down her

she freezes, turning to look over her shoulder slowly. A smirk crosses my lips as her cheeks blush and she quickly lifts both hands, tying her hair up in a

I got caught up." She

nothing else to look for here." I tease her

commit this enough to memory to recall things that are a little

we head, then?"

sounding defeated. "This is his previous camp. Of that I am certain,