Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

*Hayes*

"You should get some rest too, Hayes." Marcos says.

I know he is looking out for me; he is the healer and someone I would almost consider a friend if I had intentions for friendly attachments. But every time I look at him, I find myself envious where I never was.

Kyra has turned me into someone who cares when she looks at me. How can I both crave and hate her gaze? How can she make me jealous of another man who has nothing? I know the reason. It's because he at least has a fucking face. But the fact that it bothers me so much...that is what's so infuriating.

"Hayes?" Dean says, touching my shoulder, dragging me from my thoughts as I glare up at him.

"What?"

"Marcos is right. You are better use to us all if you are rested. You seem more lost in your head than you usually are."

I sigh, and turn back toward the fire, pinching the bridge of my nose before squeezing my eyes closed.

"Being lost in my mind is preferable to being lost in my nightmares, Dean. You know how that goes." I mutter.

"I can help you sleep, Hayes," Marcos offers, and I look down at Kyra, who pretends to be asleep, his hand gently rubbing up and down her back. The simple, sweet gesture makes me want to rip his fingers off.

"I don't want your drugs, Marcos." I snap at him before I stand and walk over to the door.

"Where are you going?" Kyra's voice squeaks, no doubt, as she spins to look at my back. And for whatever reason, her caring brings a smirk to my face.

"To sleep where a dog like me belongs." I tell her, not bothering to look back before I exit through the rickety door.

Koda looks up from his spot, tilting his head to the right.

"Too stuffy in there, huh?" He asks, but I ignore him looking for a dry enough spot to lie down.

The second I find something remotely dry, I lower myself and stare up at the barely standing roof. It shakes as rain patters down. I wonder just how damn long the clouds sustain this type of downpour?

The moment it lets up, she is going to leave. And knowing how she is these days, she will likely try to sneak off and proclaim it is what she was taught to do. I snort as I turn onto my side, my arm under my head to keep it from the slightly damp, rotting wood. "Hayes," Koda says, more of a question if I am awake or asleep, which I should be.

"What?" I mumble with a heavy exhale..

words are

him peek in through a crack in the siding, then plop down in front of me. I arch a brow in interest. Koda has no problem speaking his mind when he wants to, but this desperation in his voice is different. He never asks before he speaks, he just

is it?" I ask him

He murmurs, looking away for

growing angry like I thought I would in a situation like this, I find myself more open to the idea of

in this group anymore, but I was hoping you would let us stay?" he swallows and I narrow my eyes, pushing

have already discussed this and marked each

shakes his head, then he drags his

that...I know she, well, I..." He exhales. "I refuse to sleep with

fuck is he asking permission if he knows the rules and what is at stake

fine, but the rules remain the same. No mates are allowed in

not like it was

Merikh also suggested. There is

it, no

the life they

mate, chosen or fated, they should be with them, fully and truly

bond with Leandra

between us. If

should remove themselves from the dangers of this

says, sounding disappointed. I frown, feeling the need to

reasoning, right?" I ask him and he

perhaps I will keep her at arm's length until

you both decide what to do

a moment

plan to do with Kyra?" he asks, and I bark out

him frankly and he frowns. "I mean it, Koda. Kyra was a friend once, a long time

see what he might be seeing, and then he elbows me. "Smells like bullshit, doesn't it?" He grins. I opt to glare at him as he shakes his head. "Can I ask what she was like?

and then drop my

like

she is

sweet, and easy to love.