Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“If it will help save Luna Colette, then fine.” Hayes says as he stalks toward her, stopping to say something as her face changes from determination to heart break. I can sense the tears she is shedding the rain washing them away as her fist clench. Then she spins and races after him.
I turn my back on them, focusing on the water as I watch the clouds grow even dark. Another flash of lightning lighting up the water to see a figure fast approaching. I prepare myself, waiting as someone rises from the water, scaly and dark before it shakes its head and Caspian saunters out toward me.
He slicks back his graying hair and nods as he approaches.
You could have waited in the car,” he shouts above the chaotic sounds of nature around us.
*I didn’t want to waste any time.” I tell him.
“Understandable.” He nods, looking up at the sky. “Then let’s move. I have lots to share and I am hopeful you have some information for me as well.”
He moves past me, heading toward the woods. I follow along behind him and once we hit the thick canopy of trees; I grab the bag of clothing for him and toss it his way. In silence, he grabs the towel, drying himself off as I move to the car and climb into the passenger’s seat. Leandra sits behind the stoic looking Hayes while we wait.
The tension is thick, only growing thicker by the second, and I know it has everything to do with her offer. Leandra is right, though. If Hayes and her accept each other, it tethers her to our pack, which means she follows my orders. But that also means Hayes‘ choice in accepting her is gone.
I love Colette. She is my life, my soul, but I can not force Hayes to accept her. It has to be his own decision, not mine, If I get desperate enough, I may force the issue. I know myself just as well as he knows me. Which does nothing to make me feel like it is less forced. Hayes is going to feel cornered no matter which way he goes.
“You two have some things to discuss.” I say after clearing my throat.
“Yes, alpha.” Hayes mutters. And Leandra looks out the window as Caspian pulls the door’open and hops in.
“We all know this is the dragons and whoever is working with them.” Caspian says without hesitation. “But after discussing matters with the vampires, they have chosen to remove themselves from the war and go underground.”
I look at Hayes, who is lost in thought as he pulls down the dirt drive, away from the beach.
“Underground?” I ask and he nods.
“Yes. They are choosing to hide from this war.”
“Naturally.” Hayes grumbles.
One less species in this war is better for us.” I remind him. “And they sure as shit weren’t going to be on our side if they joined.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Hayes sighs.
“I also found something interesting from Elm.” Caspian says. “He has been doing some digging with his sister. There have been a few species that have been thought to die off that might be capable of what is happening.”
“What they are doesn’t fucking matter to me.” I tell him. “I just need to know how to kill them.”
Half of the species around have specific ways to die. Vampires need a stake to the heart or perish in a flame so hot their cold skin melts. Dragons require their flame to be extinguished, either snuffed out or drowned. There are some I don’t even know how to kill. Like the sirens, or the different types of Fae.
“It might not be that easy.” He exhales. “I am leaning toward her being what is known in the fae folklore as a creature of chaos. One made of fire who is immortal.”
I press my head against the headrest of the car and close my eyes, trying to calm myself down.
“Everything has a weakness.” I grit out and he clicks his tongue.
“I agree, and I think we have created her weakness. Colette may be the only person who can kill it.”
“So what exactly is it then?” Hayes asks.
“She is fire.” Leandra whispers, sounding fearful, and I look back at her, her body shivering.
“A Phoenix,” Caspian says. “A creature of fire, one who thrives on burning things down. Figuratively and literally.”
“You knew what she was?” Hayes asks Leandra, looking angry. She looks up, blinking at him in a near catatonic state before she seems to come back to the real world.
“No…” she whispers. “I just…she always felt like fire…”
“That is what Percy wrote on the mirror.” I recall looking back at Caspian. “When he was fighting for control. When we asked him about it later, we all just assumed he was warning us about the dragons, but if the only species he knew to be fire was dragons….then he couldn’t assume it to be anything else but them.”
Caspian muses quietly, his thumb under his chin and his index finger folded over his lips.
“You hate me.” Leandra whispers, and I look over at Hayes, who doesn’t respond.
Instead, his knuckles grow white as he squeezes the steering wheel and adjusts how he is sitting. He is being a stubborn jackass. Just as blinded by the mate bond as I was with Colette. It’s amazing how a gift can feel like pressure to accept something you aren’t sure you want.
“No,” I answer for him. “There is just a lot at stake right now, Leandra. He is the beta, his job is to protect me and our pack at all costs. That includes focusing all energy on finding our luna.”
“I have already offered a viable option to help.” She reminds me, her eyes watching the back of Hayes‘ head.
“One we will revisit, but if I want her back safely, we need to have all the pieces. Not just fragmented memories from a lycan who was possessed.” I explain as quickly and as nicely as I can. She nods, but I see the way her lips quiver as she looks out the window, wiping at her face as her hair falls over her for coverage.
Caspian arches a brow at me, and I clear my throat.
“So a Phoenix.” I say, changing the subject. “What exactly does that mean for us?” I ask him.