Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“But you will give up Tiago?” He asks, and I press my lips together in annoyance.
“I am choosing both.”
“Not an option.” He grins and I realize I see the real him for the first time. The part of him that is all dragon, clinging to what he has deemed a treasure, and he refuses to give up.
“Wrong,” I shrug. “It seems to me, as his imprinted mother, I have more power in this than you do.”
A knock at the door interrupts us, but the tension in the room remains stifling as Teiran moves to the door and pulls it open, speaking briefly with someone before he shuts the door again before he slams his fist into the door in a rage.
“Is it so wrong that all I wanted to do was care for you?” He finally whispers.
“You have done nothing but manipulate me.” I remind him, and he frowns.
“You were almost perfect.” He mutters to himself.
“And yet, to Hayes, I already am perfect. Can’t you see how much of a difference that makes?” I ask, my stomach twisting in pity as I watch his hand drag down his handsome face.
“The ceremony is about to start. I will see you out there.” He mutters before he exits the door, leaving me alone before a knock follows.
“Yes?” I ask.
“It’s Luna Colette.” I hear her say as she peeks around the door, giving me a soft, genuine smile. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, you know, never better.” I shrug and she gives a gentle frown.
“Well, from what I hear, things will get worse how abouore they get better, so we stir up some trouble?” She winks as she holds up a silk handkerchief that matches the gold tone of my dress. “Rumor has it we have something we need to cover for the time being.”
Her presence calms me the longer I am around her, and she seems to sense me relaxing.
“How is Hayes?” I ask her as she steps closer, reaching around my neck and tying the handkerchief on. She purses her lips together in thought, then she steps back and gives me a nod.
“He is holding it together. I have the kids keeping him busy for now, though he did suggest they stay with Percy in the pack house.” I can see the worry in her eyes, but she hides it with a smile and reaches out, taking my hand.
“Why are you being so nice?” I ask her, “I mean…I know you are my Luna and we all love you, but I may be the reason everything falls apart.” Colette laughs.
“I am being nice because I know and like you. But ham on your side because you will be my sister. Kyra, things fall apart because the net foundation isn’t sound. I have faith in what Merikh and I have built, and I have faith in the moon goddess who gave you Hayes and a second chance.” She says, walking me to the door.
et Tears threaten my eyes as I try to control my breathing and stop from breaking down completely. I have not felt at ease in so long, and yet with her reassuring me it’s okay, it actually feels like things will work out It’s a pipe dream, but one I am putting all my heart in, too.
We walk hand in hand to the community building down the road. The large double door entrance is a stunning display of greenery and glittering gold in honor of the dragons.
My heart skips a beat when I watch Hayes as he lingers outside until he catches sight of me. His face lights up and he blows me a kiss before walking in before me. As we enter Merikh greets us, taking my arm and placing it in the crux of his elbow.
“It seems weird to have you give me to them when your brother is my mate.” I whisper to him, and he chuckles.
“I’m not giving these bastards shit,” he says back before he tilts his head. “Well, I suppose, aside from damn good entertainment.”
“So, what is the plan?” I ask as we move down the long aisle, Teiran waiting for me halfway before the stage.
“That is up to you and Hayes,” He shrugs. “But no matter what happens, you have the backing of all our kind.”
My heart is in my ears, my stomach in my throat as I try to remain calm as Merikh passes me off to Teiran. His warm hand engulfs mine as he walks me to the stage, Tiago sitting at the front, cooing and reaching for me.
“Think about Tiago before you do this,” Teiran whispers in my ear, his hand stroking a loose strand from my cheek. “He needs his mother with him.”
It feels like a dream, the way we glide to the stage in utter silence swimming in the stifling tension between us. My hands sweat, and my pulse races as we climb the stairs and he turns me to face him. Teiran smiles, but it’s not a true smile that says everything is going to be alright. It’s tight and filled with anger reserved especially for me.
In order to escape his gaze, I look out at the crowd, my eyes finding Hayes as if he were a beacon. He watches me, a soft tilt to his perfect lips, showing me a glimpse of a tiny smile. My body physically aches to be with him, my very nerves pinging as if an alarm is blaring an incoming attack. When will he make his move? What is his move?
“Kyra?” I hear my name being called that sounds so far away and I twist my head back to Teiran.
“Hmm?” I hum before I realize he has started the ceremony and his two hands are outstretched for me to take. He nods to them and lifts a brow, trying to tell me to take them without verbalizing the command.
I lift my arms, my fingers quivering in protest as I hover my hands over his. The heat from his skin radiates up as if I am warming myself over an open flame and suddenly I feel weak, overheated, and lost. I linger for a moment before I allow my eyes to fall closed, and I draw in a shaky breath, releasing a steady one. My heart is resolved.
“No,” I whisper, dropping my hands to my side, and taking a half step back.
“Kyra,” He hisses, reaching out and taking my hands by force. “Let Hayes make a scene. Just go with this for as long as you can.”
But I can tell he is hoping Hayes doesn’t interrupt, and when I look back out at the crowd again, Hayes is gone. I narrow my eyes, my lip twitching in disgust as he reads my reaction.
“If he is not here, it is not my doing,” He whispers as low as he can, before he clears his throat and chuckles lightly, looking out at all our spectators from all types of species. “She is nervous about our ‘after’ affairs.”
He teases us about mating in a way that makes my stomach twist as a chuckle erupts from the dragon’s side; the others looking as unamused as I feel. His father sits in the front, looking content as a clam, holding Tiago who continues to struggle to get away and come to me.
“Kyra, before you I stand, the heir to the dragon throne and a beast willing to promise you a life of loyalty and love…”
Love, he wants to promise me love, yet he tries to tear me from the only man who can give it to me. I chuckle, ignoring his words, and reach up to touch my forehead.
“Love?” I scoff, lifting my eyes to meet his.
“Yes,” He grinds out the word and I chuckle to myself again as the door flies open. A very stunning and pissed off Flora stands in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest and a smug smile on her lips.
“Whoops,” she giggles, as she struts toward us, flipping her hair over her shoulder, as she shoots me a wink. “Seems I am late.”
My knees nearly buckle with gratitude as she walks down the center aisle, humming to herself as if she is just walking by herself in the woods. Flora takes her time, pretending to look at seats before she frowns and walks further down.
“Who are you?” The Dragon king stands, demanding she answer him. She halts, not bothering to hide how she looks him up and down from head to toe. Then she lets out a disappointed sigh and bounds up the steps.
“I am the replacement, silly old man.” She grins, moving to my side as she gives me a gentle hip shove and takes Teiran’s hands. “What the fuck are you doing?” he asks her.
“Teiran, baby,” she says as if she is trying to whisper, but her words are clear and unmistakable even for those in the back. “We have one night of passionate lovemaking, promising to mark me as yours, and you didn’t think I wouldn’t come for you?”
“What?” I ask, feigning shock and horror as I clasp my hands over my mouth, mostly to hide the growing smile. It feels awful to admit that after everything happened, I had forgotten about her and what might have happened to her.
“Please don’t be mad, I know your mate is here too and for your kind, to give up your mate-” She rattles off her words faster than I can even understand as Teiran’s dad stomps up the steps and roars in anger.