Lycan's Affection

Eleanor walked around the large chambers, her eyes squinted as she looked for something. She couldn't seem to find it however, and she gave a long sigh, then went to the door.

"Is someone there?"

A woman walked in, then gave a small bow. "Do you need something?"

Eleanor swallowed, then gave a small nod. "Do you, perhaps know what happens on the King's birthday?"

The woman nodded. "It is tradition that he puts up a new structure around the palace. It is mostly as a show of gratitude. On the day, however, the subjects gather in the grand hall of convenience. In the past years, in attendance have been wolves too, seeking to build amity. Even though His Highness does not particularly like it. There is a large banquet, and every lycan home is given a present from the King himself."

Eleanor nodded. "Anything else?"

The woman seemed to pause for a minute to think, before she shook her head. "His Highness Conaan does not throw any of the extravagant feasts that the late King used to. For him, this is it."

Eleanor gave a nod. "Thank you."

She watched as the woman walked away, leaving her to her thoughts again. Her eyes squinted as she walked to the large wardrobe. All her clothes were inside, and she sifted through them, looking for one that would fit.

For some reason, none of them satisfied her. She gave another sigh, her hand coming up to her forehead. She could have had more time had she started thinking of it since last night, but there had been too much on her mind.

She gave another long sigh, pushing her hair back, her fingers clawing.

"What is making you sigh so much?"

She turned to Conaan who was leaning on the door frame, his eyes tender. He looked like he was looking at the single, most precious thing in the world.

"I was...well, nothing. I did not hear you coming."

He nodded, peeling himself off the door frame. He walked slowly, to the bed, then sat on the edge, exactly opposite her. "The omega who could have announced my presence looked scared to see me. Almost as if she had been gossiping about me. I wonder with who, though."

Eleanor's cheeks reddened at his playful taunt, and she swallowed. "I just asked her a few questions."

He gave a playful shrug. "Are the clothes not to your taste?"

She swallowed. "I just..." she trailed off, meeting his eyes.

He watched keenly, his interest undivided.

"Do you know where I could get one more?"

His eyes squinted as a smile threatened to curl his lips. "Just one more?"

She nodded. "I happen to have an occasion, and I want just one more."

He raised his head, then nodded, giving a lopsided smile. "Brandon," he said, raising his voice a little higher.

The door opened, and Brandon stepped in, his eyes taking in the scene before him. They turned a little mischievous before he turned back to Conaan.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Eleanor apparently wants a dress."

Brandon nodded. "Immediately."

Brandon walked away, leaving them both again.

"How was your walk?"

"To be honest?"

She nodded, abandoning the dresses she had brought out, to take a seat beside him.

"It was boring. Excruciatingly boring."

She gave a laugh. "I thought you loved being king."

He looked at her. "I wish there was a balance. Where you can go a little insane."

She laughed. "You did have your share of insanity, Your Highness."

He watched her meaningfully. "Up until last night, you called me by my name."

She lowered her head. "You are His Highness, though."

"Even to you?" His voice went low, and she shrugged.

"Maybe a little differently."

He chuckled. "Differently?"

She nodded, a small glint of mischief circling around her eyes. He mirrored her smile, just as a knock came on the door.

"Come in," Conaan said, turning slightly to the door.

Brandon walked in, behind him a woman who wheeled a large display of dresses. She had grey hair across her light brown hair, but she looked way younger than the grey hairs suggested. She greeted Conaan first, then Eleanor, before she adjusted the dresses for Eleanor.

"Enjoy," Brandon said, earning a glare from Conaan, before he walked away.

Eleanor went through the dresses, sifting through to see which ones looked better. She found a total of eight, then brought them to the bed next to Conaan.

The woman walked away, with the remaining, to wait outside the door.

She picked the first, then brought it in front of her as she stood in front of the mirror. It was a bright red ensemble, with pleated off the shoulder sleeves that would still leave most of her hand exposed.

"What do you think?"

He shrugged. "It is too much red with your hair. And I would like to retain the hair."

She laughed. "You are so peculiar."

He sat up. "I would like to retain everything you really are."

She paused for a bit, swallowing down the heat that rose up her cheeks. Slowly, he stood up, then picked a particular dress from the pile.

It was a black silk, one that would most probably hug her features, then burst into ruffled lace towards her knees, down to the floor.

Pushing her hair away to her other shoulder, he leaned forward, bringing the dress to her front.

She immediately lightened up. It fit beautifully, contrasting with both her eyes and hair, and lighting up her fair skin.

"Do I need to say more?"

She shook her head. "Maybe when I try it on?"

"Be my guest."

She gently collected it, slowly backing away from the mirror. She turned, holding his gaze as she walked backward and away from him. He kept his smile, yet a deep intensity set in his eyes.

It was a lethal combination, one that kept Eleanor's attention until she finally reached the small door that would lead to the much smaller dressing room.

She quickly went in, then leaned on the door, her hand coming up to her chest, a small smile creeping up her face. The butterflies were euphoric, and she found her hands working even faster to rid her of the dress she was wearing.

She immediately wore the one Conaan had chosen, then stopped for a minute, smoothening her hand over the silk, a satisfied smile reaching her face.

She then turned and opened the door slightly. "Close your eyes, Your Highness."

He was sitting again, and he closed his eyes, a small smile reaching them just before they closed. Satisfied, she stepped out, her breath held as she made her way to him.

He still kept his eyes closed, till she stood in front of him, exhaling.

"You can open them now."

He slowly opened his eyes then leaned back, for a minute saying nothing. She swallowed, watching him, a little nervous.

Slowly, a bright smile lit up his features, one unlike any she had ever seen before. "It is perfect."

She nodded, feeling her nervousness dissipate under the cleaner allure of his smile. "Do you really think so?"

He nodded again, letting his eyes drop to her feet, then quickly back up. She smiled, then spreading her arms out a little, twirled around for him to see.

"It is still..." He had barely finished his sentence, when her feet caught in the lace of the dress, sending her reeling forward.

He was just within reach to break her fall, and she stopped, resting one hand on his shoulder, the other on his side, her face a mere inch away from his.

He swallowed, his eyes roaming her face slowly. She felt it like a touch of his hands, like the soft rain against her face.

Unconsciously, she moved even further, and Conaan's breath hitched as he felt the edge of her nose lightly brush his.

His eyes filled with a deep yearning as he slowly brought his hand to the side of her face. Gently, his fingers pushed her hair away, tucking it behind her ear, his eyes only dropping to her lips once.

He looked up again, and her eyes mirrored his. He gave a small smile.

"I will postpone it," he said, leaning to her ear.

Her brows furrowed, trying hard not to close her eyes as his skin brushed her face. "What?"

"The fact that I will eventually fall for your temptations, Eleanor."

She broke into a big smile as she moved away, putting distance between them. It gave him time to stand up, and he slowly made his way to the door.

"Your Highness?"

He turned, a brow raised.

She smiled again, her eyes set in half mischief, half intensity. "I look forward to it."

Conaan's head tilted slightly upwards. "Me too."