Traded

Chapter 69

“Colette”

I stare at myself in the mirror, my hair wet and dripping down my bare shoulders as I tilt my head, watching the droplets with intense concentration. My abilities take so much effort and emotion. I try to convince the droplets to float off my body but they don’t move, insteall rolling down like they would any other day before I knew what I was.

-Colette?” Merikh calls, a soft rapping on the door with his knuckles. I sigh, frustrated with the stubborn man who should still be in his bed rest, not walking around the room in search of me.

“Yes?” I call out.

“Caspian is asking to speak with us,” He says, his voice muffled through the door.

I gaze at myself once more, my stomach a mess of knots. Caspian is going to want my answer soon, and with Merikh wanting to leave as soon as possible, I need to decide what is best for me. For my pack.

“Just give me a second.” I mutter, grabbing a towel and drying my hair as best as I can. I toss on my jeans and tank top, yanking on a linen button up as I exit the door and nearly run into Merikh. My eyes fly open wide, stopping in my tracks as he places his hands out to

catch me.

“Woah.” he chuckles before he pulls me close, wrapping his hands around my waist. “Trying to lay me out again?”

“Are you kidding? Keeping you in bed is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do,” I tease, leaning into his chest as I look up into his eyes. There is more spark there, the dark circles under his eyes now gone and he looks good. Damn good,

“There are some easy ways to keep me in bed,” He winks, leaning downL

His lips press to mine, soft and sweet, before my fingers curl into his shirt, tugging him as close as possible. My mouth part, and his tongue teases me, darting out to skim the small opening I provide him. A little needy moan tumbles out and I can feel him smile against my lips before he applies more pressure.

He latches onto my bottom lip, nibbling on the sensitive skin before he overtakes my mouth with his tongue. My hands glide up his neck. holding him in place, afraid he will pull away before I am ready to let him go. I can feel his fingers dig into my hips before they move lower, tucking into the back of my jean pockets.

“We need to go,” he murmurs against me.

“Mhmm,” I agree, not giving him the chance to stop us. He hasn’t been well enough for anything like this, me too afraid to hurt him and his need to be on his belly has really diminished any ability to be intimate. But if he can stand long enough, sit on the edge of the bed. then there are ways we can be together, or close. Right?

Far too soon, Merikh pulls away, a grin on his all too handsome face as he looks down at me.

-We need to go, my little luna.” He whispers, his nose rubbing against mine as he leans down once more, this time stealing a chaste to ensure I can’t ensnare him with another round.

“You teased me first.” I remind him, thinking of all the ways I would like to make sure he stays in bed. It has been too long since we have been together. For a woman who has only just experienced what it is to be fully in union with her mate, it feels like a lifetime.

“I promise to follow through on any teasing, but at a better time.” He says, stepping away from me as he entwines our hands and walks us toward the door. “We will have all the time in the world when we get home.”

I nod in agreement, my heart hurting with the pending choice 1 have to make hanging over my head. Merikh eyes me suspiciously but he says nothing as we walk out the door and down the hallway.

The tension between us seerns to rise with every step. As we approach dining room, we see Hyacinth sitting with Elm who looks bereaved, as if he is mourning someone.

Menkh sprezes my hand, and Hyacinth sends me a soft sad smile before turning back to her brother who she tries to convince to take a bite of avocado toast as he stares at the wall. As we make it to the other hall, far enough away, I look over my shoulder.

“Do you think he will end up choosing her?” I ask, uncertain where the line for loyalty is drawn.

Lily betrayed him and their kind, but he has the choice to forgive her and lead his people down the path she has chosen. Elm doesn’t know me all that well, but we have a mutual respect for each other. What happens when it comes down to love vs. what is right? I can’t imagine the choice he is faced with

12:10PM

Chapter 69

“No.” Merikh says with certainty. “A king’s duty is to their people’s well being first and foremost. What she has done, the predicament. she has put them in, it proves where her heart lies and that is with power. Not her kind.”

“But he loves her-“I say, but Merikh sighs, making me pause.

“Elm is distraught because he has already made his choice. That is why he is grieving his loss.”

“I see I murmur, frowning as we approach my biological father’s door. I reach for the handle, but Merikh pulls me back, making me look up at him with a small frown.

“Wait..” He whispers, inhaling deeply.

“What?” Task

“We need to be on the same page. He says firmly. “We are leaving tonight, heading back to our pack under the cover of darkness.”

“And you are only just now telling me this?” I scoff, frustrated that he is only just now telling me this.

“Percy is doing better, and Hayes feels Leandra deserves a chance and wants to be at home for that. Add in the fact that I will heal faster in our pack than here. It is a logical decision. Heading home is for the best for everyone.” He says with a shrug.

Except he is wrong. How does he know it is the best for me? My strength is untested, unknown. Is it best for me to head home and cower? To go and hide behind my people who will fight for me while I am sitting around, too weak to be at their sides like a good leader should‘

“Ah,” Caspian says, his door swinging open. “I was wondering when you two would grace me with your presence.”

He smiles at us before motioning for us to enter. Merikh leads us in and I release his hand, making my way to a chair, using it as an excuse to not have to touch him when I’m growing increasingly angry with him by the second.

“I have to admit, Merikh, I am very pleased to see you up and moving. You had me worried there for a bit, Caspian says, sounding genuine. Merikh chuckles.

“I am damn happy to be up and moving. Thankfully Hyacinth thought to search for a different way to heal what she could.” He says and

dad nods in agreement

my

“She is an asset on this side of war

“I am assuming you heard we plan to leave tonight,” Merikh asks and I watch as he arches a brow. Caspian nods his head slowly, his eyes skirting to me for a brief moment.

“Yes” He says before he takes a seat himself. “Am I also to assume you will be going with your mate?”

“Of course she is. Merikh answers for me and I lick my teeth, hiding a dry chuckle, unable to hide my irritation. We haven’t even had the time to discuss this yet, Why the hell does he think he has the right to answer when I don’t even know for sure yet what I wish to do?

“Forgive me, alpha, but I was not talking to you.” He says, looking between us. “I was speaking to my daughter. The one I was estranged from for years, the same one I wish to help grow stronger.”

“Daughter or not, the decision has been made.” Merikh reiterates

“I think you should reconsider. Caspian says, looking at me.

I can feel my skin heating, the anger barely restrained as I search for the words to speak but fail.

“Once things settle down, after this mess is all cleaned up, then she can visit for a short time. But right now, it is important that she remain with me in our pack, Merikh answers for me yet again.

I am brought back to everything in our relationship. The way I have never really made a decision of my own. I had no choice but to mate with Merikh, not really. Not that I regret accepting his offer, but I was a pawn to him. And then again, when didn’t tell me who I was, and the way he tricked me with Grady.

And now, after last night, telling him we need to talk about this, he has made his own decision about me and what I will do. He disregarded my feelings about what he thinks is best.

I love this stubborn man, and I know he wants me near him because he loves me and wants me safe. But I can be so much more than another person to protect. There is potential for me to be able to rely on myself. To trust my abilities and not be a burden, but an asset.

“Is that what you want, Colette? Caspian asks, “To wait until after the war r to train and discover your abilities!”

12:10 PM E

Chapter 69

I look at Merikh, and I know he can feel my inner turmoil brewing. I can tell by the way he doesn’t respond to me again. The panic growing in his eyes as I look away and clear my throat, letting my heart do the talking for me.

“No.” I whisper, “No, it’s not what I want to do.”