Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

I slip on my still damp clothing, sliding an annoyed side eye over at Kyra. There is no way her clothing is even close to dry yet if mine is still this wet. I don't say anything. I already have to be wary of what I say now that she overheard me and Koda talking. Not that I didn't say anything I wouldn't say to her face. Well, maybe I wouldn't say all of it to her face, but the point remains the same. I didn't speak any mistruths.

"Remind me again why we are leaving now?" Nisha mumbles, unhappy about not staying out of the rain longer.

"Because we need to catch up to Ezrah.," Kyra says with a heavy sigh. "Do you guys even want to find this guy, or is this really just some cover to avoid helping with the war?"

"The fuck did you just say?" I Koda growls, his head snapping up as he glares at her. "You think this has been a damn picnic for us, sweetheart?"

Kyra doesn't even flinch as she reaches out and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

"No, I questioned exactly what you all have been doing out here for two years. I never said it was easy, just that it seems like you guys are trying to avoid-" she says, gripping the strap tightly, the only show of her nerves.

"He heard what you said, Kyra." I break in, giving her a stare that pleads with her to shut up. The last thing we need is a group of pissed off lycans and werewolves at our backs. I know for a fact they will protect me, but I need to know they will protect her, too. She isn't making it all that easy.

"She makes a point," Marcos says, and Koda scoffs, shaking his head.

"Of course you would try to agree with her, you want in her pants," he grumbles.

"Marcos is right, Koda." I say, reaching for my bag. Koda scoffs and chuckles dryly. "Or do you think I want to get into his pants?"

He frowns at me and shakes his head as if this whole conversation is unbelievable.

"No, I don't get the vibe you want in Marcus' pants." He says finally.

"We should be jumping at every opportunity to get Ezrah. We have become complacent in our failure. Clearly, we have forgotten what it is like to have a lead." I remind everyone, looking at Nisha, Dean and Koda especially.

"It's just rain," Dean says, trying to break the residual tension.

"Yeah, nothing like a wet dog," Nisha grumbles to herself as she slides a glance at Kyra and Marcos.

"Enough." I say, my voice low but firm. "This bickering and bullshit is done here and now. Do you understand me?"

Nisha nods like a child who has been scolded, and Koda mutters in agreement. Dean throws his hands up like he has had nothing to do with all of this while Marcos looks around, also trying to appear innocent. When my eyes land on Kyra, she is chewing the inside of her cheek, her face flushed and her grip tighter on her strap.

"Sorry," she whispers.

"Good. Now-"

says, cutting me off with raised eyebrows. "What

look around at everyone, annoyed to see almost all of them

about me?"

problem with all the bickering and stuff...no offense." Dean explains. I snort a

am the leader. I

crossing her arms over her chest. "How are we supposed

angry monster as I slide my tongue

I grit out as they nod. "I trust Kyra with my life and yours. If you doubt her, then you are doubting me. Do you doubt me?" "No,

attitudes are gone." I

hinges snap and the door falls to the side as I realize I might be a little more frustrated than I

as Kyra guides us along with the point of her hand. I try to avoid her, lingering in the back to make sure I don't bicker or make a scene. After all, Nisha makes a point. My constant arguing with her does no one any good.

he frowns at me. My brows pull together and

little more specific?" I ask him,

you told me your goal was to find Ezrah and

rain for

meant it." I say, giving him a

say, like there is something hidden between the words, a reason for his curiosity that

catch Ezrah and ensure

I say, feeling

before. He seems to weigh my answer, his mouth opening and closing before it presses together in a tight line of indecisions. "Dean, Why

die, Hayes? At the end of all of this, is your goal to die in this battle and leave us with the remains to deliver

hips as I shake my head and look

have. "Merikh set you up to this, didn't he?" I ask, my chest burning with an unfamiliar feeling of regret as my self hatred grows. Dean clears his throat and looks away as I lift my gaze and scowl at him. "Alpha Merikh...expressed concerns," he says after a moment and I dryly chuckle, pacing away from him

time, all along, you have been what...? Ensuring I don't find Ezrah because you

full of truth as I realize

for him? Hmm? Make sure I don't

one will make eye contact with me. Nisha rubs the back of her neck

find Ezrah has always been there, but the urgency has only recently come. "We have never done anything to keep us from finding him, but it worked in our favor when you didn't want

our kinds sake. That is the mission. That is all any of you need from me." There is a silent stare off between everyone and me before Kyra

that way." She says and after a long moment, everyone seems to agree as they turn and walk in

stay behind, collecting