All Chapters of TRADED TO THE LYCAN KING: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

LyraThe gates shut behind us as we drove into the compound.The car had barely stopped when I saw him.Raguel was halfway into the back seat of a waiting car, one hand gripping the open door while three guards surrounded him. His posture was rigid, and his face was filled with fury.The moment his amber eyes swung toward our car, he literally deflated. He got out, slammed the door shut and strode toward me.Before I could even open the door, he yanked it open and wrapped his hands around my waist, lifting me down effortlessly. His eyes swept over my face first, then my shoulders, and then the rest of my body for any injuries. His nostrils flared as he scent-checked me right there on the driveway.“I’m fine,” I said quietly but he didn’t answer.Instead, he gently took my chin between his fingers, turning my face from one side to the other like he was searching for bruises I hadn’t noticed.“Raguel, I’m fine,” I repeated.Only then did he release a slow breath.“You’re late,” he raspe

RaguelFor some reason, I let Aaron choose the meeting place.There was no point inviting him into my territory when I wanted him so relaxed he’d spill the beans on his own.The café sat on the outskirts of the city, overlooking a quiet lake that reflected the gray afternoon sky. It wasn’t crowded, but it wasn’t empty either. Enough people lingered over coffee and newspapers that neither of us would be tempted to make a scene.Emily had protested when she came back with Aaron’s response.“It could be a trap.”“I wouldn’t know until I get there,” I’d replied her.Aaron was already seated when I arrived. He looked different from the man who had stormed my gates. This time, he was freshly shaved, his clothes were expensive enough to suggest someone had recently taken an interest in financing his appearance.His eyes, however, remained the same—restless, sleep-deprived and wild.He watched me cross the room without standing.I took the seat opposite him.For several seconds, neither of us

LyraMiguel recovered from the shock quickly and he crossed the distance between us in two quick strides. He gently took hold of my wrist, and guided me farther inside before carefully pushing the door shut.“Don’t say anything.” Miguel’s voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “The guards patrol this side of the grounds every fifteen minutes,” he murmured. “If they hear voices, they’ll come in to investigate.”I blinked at him. “You sound very experienced.”He smiled sheepishly. “I’ve had quite a bit of practice.”He slowly let go off my hand, letting out a long, ragged breath.I took my time to look around the building.The dozens of candles filled the small stone chamber with a soft golden glow that danced across old portraits and polished marble. There were two carved memorial stones standing side by side. Fresh white flowers rested before them and the air carried the faint scent of incense.“What are you doing here?” I whispered, my voice shaking.“I know what my brother sai

LyraWhen I regained consciousness, there was a dull ache at the back of my head and a stiffness in my neck. I tried to lift my hands to rub at the spot, but they were tied securely to a chair, the friction of the ropes burning my wrists.My eyes flew open and I blinked.The room was unfamiliar—bare concrete walls, a single light hanging from the ceiling, and a narrow window too high for me to reach.My eyes caught the figure of someone across the room and my breath hitched.Aaron.For a brief second, relief flickered across his face.“You’re awake.”I stared at him.The man before me looked nothing like the husband I’d once known.His shirt was wrinkled, his hair unkempt, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. He looked exhausted.And convinced he was doing the right thing.“Lyra.” He smiled maniacally. “I was worried you’d been unconscious too long.”“What have you done?”“I brought you somewhere safe.”I almost laughed at the irony.“You have me tied me to a chair, Aaron. Ho

RaguelThe silence on the drive back to the packhouse was almost suffocating. Lyra didn’t look at me once during the drive. She stared out the side window, the streetlights painting streaks of gold across her face as they passed, her hands folded tightly in her lap. I kept my gaze fixed on the road, my fingers white-knuckled on the steering wheel. Every time I honked, she flinched.Not enough to be obvious, but enough that I noticed because I noticed everything about her.When we finally pulled into the estate, she didn’t wait for me to open her door. As soon as I killed the engine, she bolted out frantically. I followed at a distance, careful not to spook her. Inside the room, she didn’t speak either. She didn’t even acknowledge I was there. She walked straight into the bathroom and clicked the lock shut.I took a seat on the edge of her bed, studying the room. On the nightstand, there was a framed photo of her in a burgundy gown, smiling like she’d just been handed the world. It had