Lycan's Affection

Conaan lay in bed, his eyes wide open as he watched the light dance around the white ceiling, his chest constricting painfully. He closed his eyes, but every single time, he heard Eleanor, each time the words hurting a bit more, each time sounding more and more accusatory.

He never even looked at another woman. Not before or after her. He swallowed, vaguely remembering the woman who could have replaced Eleanor back then, a week after the then king, his father, realized Eleanor had run away from home.

It had been his own timely intervention, or the beta wouldn't have died of natural causes like he did.

Naturally, his father was furious, especially with the scar, but Conaan had been able to keep things under control. And despite that, he had stayed with the beta as he took his last breath, then kept his spirit wolf close to his own father's.

He turned towards the window, his eyes squinting at the sound. He had tried to ignore the shuffle of feet around the quiet palace, but it seemed he was letting his guard down too much.

He flicked the night lights on, then sat up as he tried to gauge where the sound was coming from. Once he heard it again, he grabbed his knife, then kept it carefully hidden in his robe, right within reach.

He walked slowly out of the room, keeping the lights off. It was dark, middle of the night, and he knew none of the servants would be making such a ruckus, especially since none stayed within the palace.

Soon, he made his way to Eleanor's chamber, then carefully opened the door. She was lying beneath the sheets, her eyes closed, her hair sprawled on the pillow beneath her.

He flicked his gaze around the room, then gently closed the door. Slowly, he made his way down the long hallways, the sound of rapid breathing reaching his ears. He reached the sealed off portrait room at the far end of the palace, where the portraits of the late kings, including his own father were.

He stayed outside for a while, and he could hear the slight cackle of fire, like a match was lit, then a small slapping sound.

Without opening the door, he moved to the opaque glass window. If he entered, he would be on the defensive. He would rather have whoever it was fighting for life in his hands.

He knocked on the window, the knocks coming rapidly, at an almost inhumane speed. He heard the gasp, and he went back to the door, his eyes squinting at what would come forth.

There was no other exit, and he knew sooner or later, they would emerge.

The knob started to open slowly, and he waited, his eyes growing thinner and thinner till they were mere slits.

Suddenly, the door opened, and in a flash, someone started to run out at top speed. Conaan was faster however, and he caught her by the neck, his lips parting with the slight pain in his stomach.

His eyes squinted at the woman who had a cover around her lower face, offering him only a view of her eyes and hair.

Without a word, he brought the other hand and peeled off the cover, leaving her face bare to him.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, and his grip around her neck loosened a little, but he didn't let go.

"Can I not come see you anymore?" The woman said, her light brown eyes widening a little in a questioning stare.

Her arched brows were slightly raised, her small, pale pink lips pursed a little.

"You do not belong here, Esmeralda." He let go of her neck, then started to turn away, slightly relieved he had no use for his knife.

"Why? Are you still waiting for the woman who broke your heart and tore your face in two? Is that really what you want?"

He didn't reply immediately as he turned, his eyes taking her in.

"Then, who do you suggest I wait for? A woman who as quickly as anything tried to jump in bed with her cousin's mate and tried to hold him down to her because she broke her own mate bond? Were any of those on my orders?"

"But King Javier...."

"King Javier is dead. Only King Conaan remains. And I do not have a place for you. Never have."

Esmeralda swallowed, and she brought her hands to wipe off the tears on her face, pushing her fiery red hair away in the process.

"Conaan...I know what happened, I know how this all looks like, but it's been years. I deserve forgiveness. You deserve a mate. A woman by you who will love you, take care of you. You need a woman who will...."

"Wouldn't that be me, Esmeralda?"

Conaan turned to the new voice. Eleanor was standing behind him, her eyes thinned. Her hair was the kind of out of bed untamed, and he swallowed, trying hard not to lose focus.

"Eleanor?" Esmeralda said, then lifted her eyes back to Conaan. "Eleanor is back? Here?"

Eleanor swallowed, her fists lightly clenched as she walked forward, passing by Conaan. For some reason, he felt a little drowsy, and he wished the entire thing would just end.

He didn't want Esmeralda or any other woman in his home, and he liked things to be brief and concise.

"Hello, Cousin."

Esmeralda's eyes thinned. "Why are you back? You left on your own."

Eleanor gave a small smile. "And guess who brought me back. I don't think it has been that long."

Conaan's brows twitched with restrained humor.

'Why would you go through all of that? She does not own me like you do.'

But he wouldn't say it. He left that thought to himself alone.

Esmeralda swallowed hard. "Uncle Grayson died cursing you. Father would never accept you back into the family. You are the reason even King Javier could not recover. The beta, the king, everyone died because of you!"

Eleanor didn't reply immediately, her mind reeling. Nelson was her father's brother, and Esmeralda's father. She had, caught in the entire thing with Conaan, forgotten about her own family. She turned to Conaan whose expression remained largely neutral. Slowly, she turned back, determined to not let Esmeralda realize that she had just revealed a new piece of information to her.

"That isn't yours to worry about, Esmeralda. I will take care of my family, and my mate too."

Esmeralda took a step forward, towering a bit above Eleanor, her gaze menacing. Eleanor wasn't the one to back down either, and she covered the last remaining distance, her gaze just as menacing.

"We'll see," Esmeralda said, then lifted her eyes to Conaan who was struggling to keep his eyes open.

"We'll see," Eleanor echoed, her voice lowering dangerously.

Without a word to either of them, Esmeralda grabbed the cover she had used on her face, then started to walk away, her steps stiff.