Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

I feel like I am floating on air, the high from meeting and being accepted so quickly. Even with the very blunt questions about what it's like to be a dog and if I smell like a wet animal after I leave the water, it was nice. It felt a little like maybe I didn't lose everyone. The loss of mom and dad still weighs heavy on my heart, but I swear they were there with me laughing and smiling.

Merikh comes around the corner of the hall, his head down as he rubs the back of his neck, a huge exhale filling the distance between us. I slip into the little cutout next to our bedroom door, waiting for him. "Alpha," someone calls him.

"Yeah?" He asks, then he seems to make a relieved sound. "Ah, good, you were faster than I expected, Thatch."

"When the Lycan king beckons, you don't leave him waiting." He says with a deep chuckle.

My brows pull together as I try to remember who exactly Thatch is. Not that it is saying much. I have so many names to learn and remember, and my grief has sort of left me hiding away the majority of the time.

"I am sure you know by now the condition of Beta Hayes." Merikh says, his voice soft and disappointed.

"Uh, yes. I have been made aware." He says, sounding unsure.

"I need someone to replace him, just for the time being." Merikh says and my eyebrows shoot up.

"Of course, Alpha. Just until Beta Hayes is well enough." Thatch says, a tone of shock in his answer. "But are you sure that I am the right choice? Or that he won't get better in the next week or so?"

I can hear the panic in Thatch's voice. The way he wants this honor, but respects the man who has held the place he is taking over for so many years. Not that it is at all surprising, everyone respects and deeply cares for Merikh and Hayes. Perhaps it's the way they lost their parents or the way they step up to every challenge. Either way, Thatch will have big shoes to fill.

"I spoke with Hayes about this decision, and we both agreed that you were the only option." Merikh pauses and chuckles lightly. "Hell, it is the only thing we seem to agree on these days."

My excitement slowly bleeds away from my meeting and my chest burns for Merikh. He has not only had to help me in my darkest place, but he has battled Hayes and the demons that have attached to him in the form of terrible thoughts and anger.

Merikh has been bleeding from both sides of his heart and though I have seen it, I don't think I've really SEEN him.

"Then I accept, Alpha. Again, just until Beta Hayes is ready to step back in." Thatch reiterates.

"Sounds good. Now you go and tell your family and I will see you first thing in my office in the morning. I wish there was more of a learning curve for you, but sadly, this will be a trial by fire for you." Merikh says, a yawn taking over. "Try to get some rest for yourself as well, Alpha Merikh," Thatch says with a touch of concern.

Then I hear receding footsteps and Merikh coming my way. Instead of opting to jump out at him, I wait, leaning on the door. As he steps in front of me, his guard down, I see how much everything is breaking him down.

His eyes look surprised when they meet mine, going from tired to sheer comfort and joy as a smile breaks over his perfect lips, one so genuine it melts me.

I reach up, my hand gently sliding up the side of his cheek as he shudders a soft sigh and leans into it.

"You heard it all huh?" He asks and I nod, giving him a sad smile.

"Beta Thatch?" I ask, arching a brow, and he nods.

"Great warrior, very honorable and well liked and respected." He murmurs, his eyes blinking slowly as he steps into me, my hand dropping from his face as I wrap my arm around his body. "Why not Percy?" I ask him curiously.

"Percy is the only person I trust to protect you. After everything, including Penny, I think moving Percy to beta would almost be offensive to him."

"That's fair." I say into his shoulder.

"How was your family meeting?" He

asks as the door opens behind me and he eases us in. Before I can say anything squeal in shock as he swoops me up into his arms and walks over to the couch, laying the two of us down, my back to his chest as he spoons me close. "Well?"

"Well, we have the Siren's as allies." I tell him, my heart thudding at what to say. Under normal circumstances, I would beam and tell him every detail, but right now I'm worried about it.

"Hmm, well, from my office, it looked like you all were getting along." He says, his nose pressing into my hair as he inhales my scent.

"Yes," I smile to myself. "It seems like they want to get to know me. I think it will be nice to have that tie to home."

"Good." He says, giving me a little squeeze. "It makes me happy to hear how well it went, Colette. I could feel your joy radiating and it was so refreshing to feel that from you after so long. Your happiness is everything."

His voice falls off like he is falling

asleep, and I wiggle into him, looking for more of his touch. The room is dark and silent as we just cuddle. And somehow it feels like it's been one of our more intimate and raw moments together. His breathing grows steady, and his chest rises and falls as he falls into a deeper

slumber.

I spin around in his arms; the couch creaking as I turn to face him. Even in the tiny amount of light, I can see how at peace he is and my heart hurts. Not a pain that makes me want to cry. But a pain that comes from being overfilled after so long of being overly aching. "Merikh," I whisper, pushing up on my elbow as I press a kiss to the tip of his nose.

"Hmm?" he mutters, half asleep as I run my fingers through his hair and he moans in approval.

"Can I ask you for something?" I whisper.

"Anything you want, little luna," he

says in a groggy voice, his eyes still closed as I bite my lip. Nerves rush through me as I grow suddenly nervous and shy. Then I clear throat and when I look back up at him, his emerald pools are watching me with a hint of amusement.

"Um..."

"What is it, Colette?" he says, his brows coming together. "You are worrying me..."

I inhale deeply and let out a shuttering breath before closing my eyes and just blurting the words.

"I want to have a baby." I peek through one eye, watching his startled expression before he breaks into a laugh, yanking me to him.

"You want a baby?" He asks.

"Yes. Well, your baby, to be specific. I think...I think now is as good a time as ever and, I thought maybe it would be beneficial for Hayes to have something to hold on to and perhaps it would fill the void="

"Colette," Merikh says, pulling back and smoothing my hair. "I will give you a baby because you want one. But we don't have a child to do anything other than showcase our love. This sweet little gift will have no obligation other than to be adorable and loved." "Does that mean you want one, too?"

"You have known for some time I want one whenever you are ready." He says, grinning. "So you are saying you are ready?"

I nod emphatically, biting my lip. "Yes, I am."

"Good." he grins, lifting me from the couch and carrying me to the bed. "Then we will start right now..."

"I thought you were tired," I laugh, and he shakes his head.

"The second you wiggled into me on the couch I was ready to dive into," he grins, laying me down as he reaches for the waist of my pants. "Guess it's a good thing we enjoy practising as well."