Traded To The Lycan King (Colette) novel Chapter 183

*Hayes*

My heart pumps fury through my veins as I enter pack territory, soaring through the trees, waiting for the border warriors to catch my scent. I have looked for six long days and there is nothing of Kyra anywhere. Nothing but the memory of her and the little moments I stole. And now I have reached a level of desperation I never knew I would find.

I shift as I reach the pack house, swooping by the dead stump for a pair of basketball shorts and a shirt. The second I tug them on, I hear the warning from the border about my intrusion and frown to myself. Have things here truly been that bad?

I stride toward the pack house doors, letting myself in as I make my way down the hall and straight to Merikh’s office. It’s eerie how quiet it is in here, no warriors guarding the door or workers preparing breakfast like they usually would at this time. What has my skin prickling is the lack of noise or movement, especially with the alarm going off informing everyone of an intruder.

I spin around, looking up and down. The floor is clean, and there is no dust, so someone must be keeping the place up. But the question is, where is Merikh if he is not rushing out of the house to protect his pack? When I make it to his office doors, I hesitate, thinking about knocking. I decide against it, though, when I lean forward and smell a hint of coffee.

I shove the double doors open, stepping into the well lit room, Merikh sitting at his desk, his eyes on me expectantly. He looks tired, damn near exhausted really, as he motions to the steaming mug of coffee sitting on the edge of the desk nearer me. It seems he was expecting me.

“Brother,” I start and he seems shocked to hear the title come from my mouth.

“I felt you enter the territory.” He smiles softly, again motioning for me to come and take the mug and have a seat. “I just brewed that cup for you.”

“You can still feel when I enter?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“Hayes, you are my brother and my true beta. The pack only feels right when you are in it.” He says, then he leans forward and drags his hand down his face.

“I need your help.” I whisper.

“I know.” He nods as he places his hands on the desk and stands, pacing around the desk and stopping in front of me. “Kyra is missing, yes?”

My brows furrow and I tilt my head to the side, watching my brother’s expression as he tries to hide something from me. How the hell could he possibly know that she is missing? Unless…she is here? Or has Teiran made a demand for her return?

“Kyra was kidnapped by Teiran.” I say slowly, watching his demeanor as he exhales heavily and looks away from me and out the window. I get the feeling he knew that. Somehow, he knows everything I know and more. I can sense it in the way he tries to avoid me. “But you already know that, Don’t you, Merikh?”

He slowly nods his head.

“Yes, I knew that.” He admits. “I have been waiting for you since we received word.”

It feels like another betrayal, but instead of allowing my anger to take hold of me like I have done for too long, I shove my hands in my pockets and step into his space, making sure he has to look at me.

“I think I need to know everything you know,” I grit out, and he meets my demanding gaze.

“You will not like it,” He frowns. “And truth be told, I am tired of hurting you, Hayes. All this time, everything I have done has been to protect you from yourself, but once I share with you what I know…I am afraid it will break you.”

I chuckle darkly, taking a step back.

“You can’t break what’s already broken,”

His eyes grow sad, his brows drooping as he looks at the ground and then looks back up at me.

“With a mindset like that, you are sure to be ruined.” He says with a frown.

“I don’t have the patience for this.” I growl, growing irritated with every second I have to wait for more information. “Kyra is my mate and I need to find her.”

“So you can reject her?” Merikh asks. “Or do you plan to have her experience your death without rejecting her first?”

“I need to make sure she is safe.” I grind out, unsure of how to answer his questions. Truth be told, I haven’t thought about what is next. All I know is I need Kyra, and I need to know she is okay. The rest will fall into place.

“She is safe.” Merikh says, again, looking away from me when he says it.

My eyes narrow as I laugh bitterly.

“She is safe? I will determine if she is safe when I can see her, touch her.” I tell him, my voice raising as he frowns and again drags a hand down his face.

“All you need to know for now is she is safe. I have had word from her and Teiran–”

“And you trust that fucking asshole?” I roar, no longer able to keep my cool. “He stole her from me. Just as things were getting better, just as she was healed and I was realizing…”

I immediately scoff and roll my eyes.

“Dragons are not safe. They maim, burn, and kill anyone who thinks or acts differently. The war may be over, but they are still the enemy.”

Colette takes a few steps toward me, that same look of sympathy and pity on her face. Then she reaches out, taking hold of my hand, her thumb running over my scarred skin as she closes her eyes and shudders before a tear slips out.

“She will be here in two days for the ceremony.”

“What ceremony?” I ask, my mouth dry as I force myself to play stupid.

“Teiran is to be the king, and his mate of choice is the one the child imprinted on….” She says calmly, watching me as it all hits me.

“Kyra…is…she is taking him as a mate?” I whisper the world, feeling bleak and cold again. It feels like I am being consumed by the grief again, the small bits of me I used to be that have only just resurfaced, trying to face away into obscurity.

“I will fix this, Hayes.” Merikh says, suddenly rushing over. “There is no world where I will allow you to lose another mate. I know you blame me for Leandra, but this…I will not stand for it. There must be a way around it all.”

“She is coming here?” I whisper, looking up at them.

“Yes, the ceremony is meant to be one of unity and peace. A union between a Lycan and a Dragon, first of its kind.” Colette explains. “It might be best if you aren’t here for it.”

“I will stay.” I tell them, clearing my throat. “If she wishes to truly do this, she will need to tell me herself and reject me.”

“Hayes,” Merikh says, his voice soft like a father who is trying to console a child who is hurting.

“I can live happily if I know it is her choice, one she makes freely and not because she feels she needs to.” I tell him.

“And if it’s not her choice?” Colette asks, but I can tell she knows the answer.

“Then I am taking what is mine, and I am keeping it.”