Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons novel Chapter 52

Merikh was right. As we approach the mansion, he no longer needs me to help him walk. Our hands are threaded together by our fingers, my skin prickling as we walk closer to the quiet building. There is a fog that has settled around the garden and the rolling green grass. My wolf pacing within me, ready to jump out at any moment to prove her worth.

“It feels wrong…” I whisper to Merikh, who pulls me closer. I can see how tired he is, the quick healing from his lycan taking a toll on his energy. He needs to sleep, and to eat something.

“What do you mean?” he asks, worry on his brow as he glances down at me.

“You can’t feel that?” I ask him, “It feels…I don’t know.”

“Tense,” He finishes for me. “The enemy is here, in this mansion, and they know we are aware of them. And those not involved…well they are about to be, whether they like it or not.”

We walk cautiously, then I see Hayes pacing back and forth, his hands in his hair as he lifts his head and spots us. He rushes over, panic written all over his face, and my stomach falls. Something has happened, something terrible.

“Is it Percy?” I ask, sounding small, feeling small.

Here I had been so sure that my order would work long enough to keep him safe. Had I been that far off? Did he hurt himself or worse, what if he couldn’t get them out of his head so he took drastic measures? What if he…my heart stutters and my mouth goes dry with the thought, tears stinging my eyes.

“He was unconscious when we all got back,” Hayes tells me before turning to Merikh. “But he is okay for now.”

“And your mate?” Merikh asks, my eyes going wide as I look between the two brothers, shocked.

“Mate?” I ask and Hayes nods, a grim look on his face.

“Her name is Leandra. She is a Lycan.” Hayes says and Merikh processes what he says. It looks like a silent conversation passes between them before Merikh seems to nod in understanding.

“Is she a rogue?” He asks and Hayes shrugs.

“It was hard enough getting her name from her, but she doesn’t smell like a rogue, so I don’t think so,” He admits. “She won’t see me. She–uh…she says she has a chosen mate instead.”

Hayes looks broken, his eyes filled with tears as he clears his throat and tries to remain in control of his emotions. His heart is being torn to shreds, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

“We will speak with her.” Merikh says, reaching out and tugging his hesitant brother in for a hug. “Things will be fine, Hayes. She has been through a lot, I imagine. Let’s first get her taken care of so she can feel like she has control over her own thoughts again. One thing at a time, brother.”

“I spoke with the elders, watching over the pack in our absence.”

“And?” Merikh looks alarmed.

“There has been no activity, no red-eyed wolves, no attacks, nothing.” Hayes says, and Merikh nods.

“That is either great news or terrible news,” He mutters. I squeeze his hand.

“Anything else happening?” I ask Hayes, who gives me a curious look.

“You feel it too, then?” he asks.

I chew the inside of my cheek, trying to put into words it is what I’m even feeling. Tense? Uneasy? Worried? It could be any number of things easily equatable to emotions running high or just finally being so exhausted from an eventful evening into the night.

“Wait, you feel off too?” Merikh asks, looking worried between us, and Hayes shakes his head.

“No, but Caspian mentioned it when he checked in on Leandra. He says it feels like a storm is blowing in, but I don’t think he meant the kind of storm that weather brings.”

“Yeah, something feels off. I just can’t put my finger on it,” I admit, looking around.

I have no idea what I am searching for. Maybe I’m looking for answers or maybe I am hopeful I will catch someone spying on us that will give us a single clue into who is behind all of this. I shiver at the thought of being watched and Merikh frowns down at me.

“Let’s get inside. I need to get cleaned up and you need sleep.” He tells me.

“I will watch your room tonight so you both can sleep. Penny will be on you tomorrow, so I can sleep during the day.” Hayes says and Merikh shakes his head.

“You need to be with your mate,” Merikh tells him, but Hayes sighs and shakes his head.