Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“The council can fall apart, but the mission lives on. I now work in the face of unity, like the council did for many years.” He says, and now it’s my turn to scoff.
*You think it is that simple? Just say some flowery words and I will believe you?”
“Colette, enough.” Caspian says, walking toward me, now back in his human form.
His silver streaked hair and slicked back with the water and he looks so much healthier. The light in his eyes is back, and he frowns at me. I never thought I would want a frown from him, but I am overwhelmed by how well he looks and I throw my arms around him.
He hesitates, before I feel him pat me on the back and the rumble of his chest as he chuckles.
“I’m so glad you are feeling better.” I tell him, and He takes hold of my shoulders, pushing me back with a soft smile.
“Me too, kiddo.” He murmurs before looking over my shoulder at Ezrah.
“Ezrah, go and take over for Brent. I want to speak with him as soon as possible. Elm as well.” He bows and sends me a sly smirk as I scowl at him.
“No. I don’t trust him.” I demand and Ezrah’s smirks morphs into a grin.
“Good.” he says, but he doesn’t sound c c k y or demeaning. He sounds like he is genuinely impressed with my statement, and I furrow my brows.
“What?”
“You do not know me well enough to trust me. I would expect nothing less from a Luna. Especially in this situation. But I will tell you I did not bring down the barrier. Someone else did.”
“But Brent said….”
“The barrier fell right before Giselle planned to harm you.” Caspian explains. “She stalled until she felt it fall, then she struck.”
didn’t feel it,” I tell him.
“You don’t know what to look for to open yourself up to it yet,” Ezrah explains. “It takes time to understand it, to feel it.”
drag my hands through my hair and take three deep breaths. Why is there so much to freaking know about all of this? Why can’t it all be easy?
“The person who brought down the barrier did it from the outside, not from in the room with us.”
Inod, thinking hard, and I meet Caspian’s eyes, like he is trying to guide me, figuring it all out.
“The red-eyed wolves, whoever is using them.” I whisper, and he nods.
“You saw it too, then? The glimmer of red right before she attacked you?” He asks.
“ts she being manipulated too, then?” I ask, and he shrugs.
“Maybe.”
“You don’t think she is?” I ask, confused.
“No, I think she is working with someone who wants to make her seem innocent. I get the feeling Giselle isn’t quite who or what we think she is.”
“I believe Giselle, like those trolls I hear you all encountered earlier, is using magic to mask what she truly is. Which is why she did not have a dragon of her own but rather was carried out.” Ezrah explains.
“The issue now lies in figuring out what she is and what her ultimate goal is.” I say, following what they are saying.
*Merikh My muscles twitch, first my fingers itching to move. The lycan in my head whining and forcing my consciousness awake. Each second, I become more and more aware of the searing sensation on my back. My skin tingles, pins and needles pinching and stabbing my back as though I had been numb for too long.
I try to inhale deeply, but the agony of my injury forces me to stop, taking only short, quick breaths as I force my groggy eyes open. The world is blurry, my pain overwhelming as I blink away the fog.
I want to move, to get up and stretch my stiff muscles, relieve my chest that aches. But my back is on fire, the waves of heat and pain ebbing and flowing as if it were a hot coal exposed on a windy day.
“Merikh.” I hear Hayes‘ surprised voice as he rushes over, gently pressing me back down as I try to make my way to my hands stomach. and knees. He fights my efforts, winning out as my body gives way and I grunt, collapsing back into my “I want up.” I rasp out, my voice dry and painful. The room seems to move, swirling from side to side as I try to focus and fail. I blink over and over again until Hayes comes into focus and everything comes flooding back in.
The meeting from hell, Giselle going berserk and trying to kill Colette. I choke on the panic as I tear myself from the bed before Hayes has a second to stop me.
“Brother, you need to rest.” He insists.
“Where is Colette?” I demand, ignoring his request. “Is she okay?”
“We can talk about it in a second, but you need to lie back down.” He says. “You are going to undo all the bandages and herbs that are healing you.”
“Where is my Luna?” I grit out, trying to force myself to stand on my own.
Hayes sighs, scowling at me, and my stomach falls, the worst thoughts climbing up from the dark place in my mind. Did I not save her! Was I too late? Or had my being injured left her exposed and open for another attack she couldn’t fight off?
I can hear Hayes speaking to me, but the anxiety and pain from the thoughts is enough to send me off the deep end. , had I failed her? Had I unknowingly broken another promise to her? I try to turn toward the door, releasing the bed as I take a step and tumble forward with a cry of agony. My body falls forward, but not before Hayes catches me.