Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“Training is for the entire day,” He says, like the answer was so obvious. My eyes slide down to my throbbing leg and I muster a fake smile.
“Of course, let’s go.” I say, brushing past him, losing my balance for a moment before I clear my throat and straighten myself up.
Merikh seems to saunter behind me, either trying to keep from laughing at me or he is worried I will try to turn. around and run. I push on for a little while; the pain creeping up my thigh and into my pelvis before my side aches and I realize not only is my injury pretty severe, so is my lack of fitness.
“Stop,” he says finally, his voice clipped and an edge to it. I frown, disappointed as I turn to look at him and he tilts his head, looking me over from top to bottom. “How bad does it hurt?”
“It’s fine,” I assure him, but he frowns.
“I do not tolerate lies. In fact, I punish for them.” He steps forward and my eyes grow wide at the simmer of anger I see there.
“I-I’m sorry. It’s a habit…I didn’t mean to lie. I’m just used to having to work through my pain.” I admit, as he watches me closely. Merikh sighs, his anger melting as he shakes his head.
“Not here, not with me. If you feel pain, I want to know. I care about your well being. Have I not made that clear?”
“I’m sorry.” I mutter.
“Stop apologizing and be honest. How does it feel?”
“It hurts.” I whisper. “Walking is still…hard.”
“Good thing we won’t be walking for training today.” He says, passing me and taking the lead. I scrunch my nose,
confused.
“Then what kind of training will we be doing?” I call to his back, but it falls on deaf ears as I struggle to catch up with him as the dirt grows to sand and we trudge to the waterline. Merikh stands there, his eyes w “Take off your brace,” he says, pointing to the contraption at my hip that runs down my outer legs to just below my knee. I wince at the thought of losing my crutch, but I quickly unlatch the buckles and velcro relying heavily on my other leg for support.
“Okay, now what?” I ask, and he smirks.
“Now you swim.”
My eyes nearly bulge from my face, my mouth falling open to protest, but nothing comes out. I don’t know how to swim. Hell, I swear I told him I’ve never even had a bath. But now he expects me to just… wade into the dark unknown and prove I can swim? What monsters lurk in the water that I can’t see? Aren’t there all kinds of fish that can bite me?
“Um.” I tilt my head and look at him, then down at myself. “I don’t think Penny gave me the appropriate clothing for swimming…” I try to reason with him, but he simply smirks, only pointing at the water like he demands me to go in like this.
I whine as I slide my shoes off, wincing as a jolt of pain travels up my leg and to my chest, but I bite it back, refusing to let him see me as any weaker than I’m certain he thinks I am. My bare feet toe the water and a shiver. runs through my b*dy as a squeal arms and he trudges into the rips from my lips. The next thing I know I am scooped up in Merikh’s powerful arms and he trudges into the water as I cling to his n*ck, not wanting to touch the frigid water with anything more than my feet.
My hair flies into my face as my heart soars to my throat and fear grips me. I am floating through the air, hitting the cold water first with a sharp inhale before I am plunged under into the darkness of the water.
my y back I flail as best as I can, my legs tearing through the icy waves and my arms reach for anything to help me get my head above the water. The water muffles his laughter, but I know exactly what it is which only fue surface and squeal.
“Just stand,” he says with a smug look and I go still. My feet hit the ground, my b*dy settling and going upright as I balance easily on my good leg and I find my center. My eyes find his not bothering to hide my “I almost drowned.” I mutter, and he shakes his head.
“You are standing just fine.”
“I’ve never been in water like this before!” I squeal, my anger and embarrassment taking over my thoughts as my wolf simmers below the surface. Merikh wades closer to me, stopping just before touching me. “Your wolf is stronger r now that you are here. It is okay to trust her, rely on her as she continues to grow and heal with you.”
“It’s not her I am having trust issues with,” I mutter and his lips twitch, trying to hide yet another smile.
“How does the water feel?” he asks, tilting his head, watching me curiously. I give him a side eye before looking around.
“Uh, wet…?” I say and he waits for more from me. “And cold. Why is it so cold?”
I
“Do you like it?”
“No.” I bite out as a shiver runs through my b*dy. It grips me tight, making it nearly impossible to keep my balance as I lean forward and into his warmth, my wolf and b*dy seeking the heat he seems to radiate.
with a quiet laugh and I look up to see him shaking his head.
the “You are becoming more comfortable,” he says finally, smiling down at me. I don’t want to admit it, but yes, longer I remain in the water, the more my b*dy adjusts to the temperature and I become comfortable. “It feels better on my leg, the lack of pressure.’
“Now,” he says, taking a slight step back and to my side. He grabs hold of my hand, and I swallow roughly as he gives it a squeeze. “We will walk in the water to help you strengthen your leg again. Each day, w “How long do you think that will take?” I ask curiously, and he shrugs.
“A typical werewolf? Maybe a week or two. With you I expected it being much longer, but you seem to be getting stronger I
relatively fast now that you are here.” I know it is a statement, but I can hear the question in his voice, the way he is saying it, in hopes I might have some insight to offer.
“Is that because I am mated to you?” I ask him and he hums in thought.
“Could be. But we aren’t fully mated. We have accepted each other, but the mate bond hasn’t been fully…”
“We haven’t marked each other yet, hmm.” I finish for him in thought. I furrow my brow, my brain running rampant with thoughts, and then it hits me. Maybe it’s not just the bond, perhaps there is something her “You are thinking again,” he mutters and I frown, stopping as I look up at him.