Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“They offered a ransom then?” he asks.
“Something to that effect.” I mutter, pointing the television. “They sent a torture tape and forced her to tell me where she is.”
He looks surprised, his head tilting to the side as he hums in thought. Then he walks over and takes a seat, propping his feet up on the couch in a comfortable position.
“And you invited me to watch the show?” He asks, “If I were still human, I might ask for popcorn for the entertainment.”
I growl at his shitty comment.
“I was just trying to lighten the mood.” He grumbles and rolls his eyes.
“I am going to use you to compel Leandra in order to tap into her mind and see if you can help her unlock the memories she has lost from when she was under Lily’s spell.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
His eyebrows shoot up and he sits up immediately, leaning forward with his hands on his elbows before he barks out a dry laugh. Johannes paces away for a moment before spinning back around and nodding.
“Fine. But it doesn’t come free,” he bites out. I smirk at him, knowing he really doesn’t understand how this oath works.
“No?” I arch a cocky brow and he groans in annoyance.
“Sorry, old habits die hard.” He shrugs.
“But it will be very taxing on not only me, but her.”
“This is our contingency plan. Hayes and her marking each other is the first plan, but I don’t like the idea of rushing their bond. I want them to decide, but I want you to be aware of this option before I spring it on you.”
Job frowns and drags a hand down his face, shaking his head.
“Merikh, for this work I need to drink from her too.” He says, his eyes meeting mine as Hayes and Leandra walk into the room, both of them looking upset with the other.
“I don’t care,” she says, rolling her shoulders back and puffing up her chest. “I will do it.”
“The hell you will. I told you I would just accept you, Lea.” Hayes says in anger, his jaw clenching as he grabs her wrist. She yanks it out of his grip and steps away from him.
“You are the one who didn’t want to do this earlier, but now there is another, easier way and suddenly now you will be my mate?” She snaps at him.
“It was your idea in the first place, but now you have all these feelings about it,” Hayes groans.
“Let’s proceed with the vampire. I refuse to let my mate accept me because he is suddenly jealous.” She says, glaring at Hayes, who throws his hands up.
“It has nothing to do with jealousy, you don’t understand-” Hayes tries to explain.
“There is nothing to explain. This way is for the best. If you can’t handle it, you can leave.” She says, moving over to Johannes. Leandra yanks at her long sleeve and holds her wrist up for him. And he looks at me for permission.
Hayes pleads with me in his eyes, but ultimately it is not my decision to make, but Leandra’s.
“Leandra,” I say, needing her confirmation. She looks at me without an ounce of fear and a soft smile on her lips.
Alpha, I will be fine.” She nods and I clear my throat.
“Do it.”1 exhale.
“Biting two mates from the same family.” Johannes mutters with a smirk directed at Hayes. “Not quite a record yet,”
Hayes launches himself at him, his lycan coming out in full force as Leandra rolls and falls to the ground hard. Johannes slams into the wall, his head cracking against the drywall, splintering the plastering around it.
“Hayes!” I roar, trying to control my beta, but he is locked in as his teeth gnash and try to tear at Johannes, who is hardly keeping him at bay.
“Mine!” Hayes lycan roars before he yanks Johannes from the wall and throws him across the room. Then he bounds over to Leandra.
“Hayes, no!” I yell out, but I am too late as he sinks his teeth into her neck, marking her as his own.
Hayes steps back, his lycan retreating, leaving him in the scraps of his shredded clothing, his back heaving up and down as he stares into Leandra’s eyes.
She looks up at him, shock and fear all over her face as she clasps her hand over the mate mark on her neck. Johannes chuckles to himself as I stare at my beta in equal parts surprise and disappointment.
“Well, I guess I won’t be needed after all,” Johannes says, sounding disappointed.
“Why would you…” Leandra whispers, searching his silent face for an answer.
He stumbles back a step and then turns his forlorn face to me, like he can’t believe what just took place.
“Fuck,” I mutter, dragging my hand down my face.
“I’m sorry,” He murmurs. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Yes you do,” I groan. “She is your fucking mate and your lycan thought you were going to lose her, so he took action without you.”