Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
My heart twisting at all the memories I have already created with the man I lost so much time with.
“Luna…” Penny says softly. I can see it in her eyes that she is going to urge me to forgive Merikh and let him in. And It’s not like I don’t want to. I would love to forget that he betrayed my trust, multiple times even after I have done nothing but prove my loyalty to him. “Promise me you won’t just forgive him.”
I blink at her, then I stick my index fingers in my ears, twisting them like there may be something stuck inside the canal. Something that is forcing me to hear things.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I think I may have missed what you just said.” I say and she sighs.
“Alpha fucked up.” She exhales. “Your relationship, the unsteady ground it is on, affects us all. We need a unified front, yes. But we deserve a Luna and Alpha who understand actions have consequences.” “So you think I shouldn’t forgive him, then?” I ask, hating that thought. Not that I have thought much about forgiving him. He screwed up. He needs to atone for it. But… My traitorous heart doesn’t realize that Merikh lied to us. It doesn’t care that he placed us in a heap of danger. Or that he has a valid reason. Damn it.
T
“No, that’s not what I am saying at all. You need to be a unified front. What I am saying is…. make him grovel. Then make up.”
“Groveling does indeed sound nice.” I admit. Then she smirks..
“Mark each other first, then have him grovel. It might help if you can feel his sincerity.” She winks at me and I chuckle, just as the door opens and none other than the topic of conversation walks in. “What are you two discussing?” He asks, looking between Penny and me like we are plotting his death. I shrug. and Penny grins before mirroring my movements.
“Just girl talk.” She grins and he frowns.
“Why does that feel like it’s bad for me?”
“Well, it’s definitely not good for you.” I mutter, a tilt to my lips and he arches a brow like he is egging me on. Oh the ways this man is going to have to suck up will be fun.
“Where is Colette?” Hayes asks as I we exit the massive white mansion, heading into the back garden, the sun. high in the morning sky.
“She is with Caspian,” I mutter, looking around to be sure no one is listening.
“It’s interesting how…not upset she is with you.” He furrows his brow.
“Hah!” I snort. “I get the feeling that no amount of remorse will save me from my life of groveling.”
Hayes smirks and shakes his head.
zasp “You groveling does sound pretty entertaining. If she is smart, she will drag it out for as long as possible.” He pauses as I frown, then he continues to stare. His heavy gaze unearths my brotherly annoyance with him, and I exhale heavily.
“What now?” I grit out, and he chuckles.
“Oh, I’m just curious what you plan to do in your ‘groveling! Will you get on your hands and knees while begging? Lavishing her with presents? Making every promise in the world to make her stay?” “Shut up, Hayes,” I grumble and look away.
I’m not quite ready to admit to him I’ve already done my begging. It feels like a betrayal of that intimate moment between her and I. But truth be told, begging is the beginning of what I will do. I meant what I said when I told her I was at her mercy and I will be sure she knows it every single day.
“Fine, then. Let’s discuss the issue of her not being marked yet.” He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest as he turns to look right at me.
“It’s none of your concern,” I sigh and he scoffs.
“As your brother, it is my concern winces. It’s your mate, and as your Beta, it is even more my concern. She is our Luna, Merikh. She must be protected, and your misconceptions can’t keep you from protecting her.”
My anger flares, my blood boiling as I press my lips together, trying to calm myself. He is down playing the shit I have done. All the ways I have given her nothing to trust in me. I may be his brother, I may be his alpha, but I am fallible, just like anyone else.
“I lied. I betrayed her trust: Don’t try to downplay what I did. You of all people know the depth at which a lie can burrow in and destroy even the most pure of things.” I say with measured frustration.
“I am well aware, Merikh, of exactly how you fucked up. And I get a lie is a lie, but tell me, when were your lies malicious? When were they intended to harm her? I mean, truly harm her.”
I suck my teeth, reminded why I am the alpha and not him. Hayes is wise, and he is a formidable beta, but that he can’t see the issue is one reason I am the alpha. Other than my birthright. “Intent means nothing when the end result is just as painful.” I frown at him and he looks defeated.
“Look, I get it. You fucked up. We all did. The point remains that how you feel about her isn’t a lie. Your reason fo keeping things close to the vest makes sense.”
I sigh, shaking my head before I turn and walk away. This isn’t the reason I brought him out here. We need to discuss the pack, the things ongoing with the committee. But most importantly, our plan.
“Have there been any more reports of the red-eyed wolves?” I ask him. I can feel the glare that the back of head. Hayes is a big communicator. Someone who likes to discuss things, especially when it’s not easy.
“Only for the first few days, it has been completely quiet now,” he says, but I can hear his frustrations.
my “Hmmm,” I muse. It’s not that I’m surprised by this news, more that I’m unsettled over not knowing what their next move is. There is no doubt they are after Colette, and for now she is safe. Or so we hope. What are you thinking?” He asks, a tilt to his chin as he watches me, waiting for an answer.
‘Caspian still hasn’t figured out who attacked Percy.” 1 frown.
“I mean, it’s possible it was them, but would they be that bold?” He frowns, looking like he doubts the statement.
“My guess is it’s the person who has been plotting all of this.””
“Solid guess, brother,” he says with a teasing grin. I give him a shove and he laughs lightly.
“Alpha…” Percy calls from behind us, and I turn quickly, surprised to see him striding over to us with as much. ease as he is.