Lycan's Affection

"Eleanor," Alexander said, surprise filtering into his voice. "You are on his side now? Do you even know what he did to me?!"

His eyes darted up to Conaan, who had a small smile on his face. He looked thoroughly amused, and not even the dances had left him so entertained.

One glance behind him revealed the long line of guards meant to protect him.

"You know the only time I will not be on his side?" Eleanor asked, her eyes wide. She was looking at the eyes of the man she had once sworn to love forever, but now felt absolutely nothing for. It was liberating to know that now, at least, she could have a clear head. A head that wasn't soiled with her obsession of the werewolf. "When he does not punish you for this and for everything."

"Eleanor!" He yelled, taking a step further to cover their distance.

Before he could even stop to look properly in her eyes like he wanted to, Conaan pulled her away to him, making her let go of the sword.

Alexander too did not have a good grip on it anymore, and it came clattering to the ground.

Conaan safely tucked her away behind him, then covered the distance like he wanted. All amusement was gone from his face, and he looked almost livid.

"What were you going to do just now?"

Alexander met his eyes, anger blazing in them. Behind that anger was solid helplessness, and not only did he know it, everybody who had stopped the night just to watch knew it. He never stood a chance, and most probably never will.

Suddenly, Conaan's fingers closed in on his chin, his nails pressing down on the other man's cheek.

The treatment was degrading and Alexander felt it would be better to get swallowed by the earth itself.

"What were you going to do?" Conaan asked again, his voice laced with darkness.

Eleanor watched, her eyes cold. She did know she could never achieve Conaan's sort of ice.

Alexander still said nothing, his chest heaving, his eyes darting between Conaan and Eleanor.

Suddenly, Conaan let go of his cheek, but it was only for a moment. Before Alexander could even realize he was free, a deafening slap landed on his cheek, Conaan's heavy rings sending him reeling to the floor, his head low and right at Conaan's feet.

The alphas gasped, the lycans looked as proud as ever.

There was nothing quite as disrespectful, nothing quite as humiliating, and Alexander wished he would just die.

He moved, the corner of his lips bleeding as he met Conaan's eyes again. Slowly, his hand started to move towards the sword.

He didn't quite reach it however, as Conaan's shoe stepped on his hand, with heavy force till he felt like the bones would break.

Slowly, Conaan reached his height, sheer elegance in the way his robe fell behind him, and the way he let his hand dangle off his knee while conveniently stepping on Alexander's hand. The small smile was back on his face and with a single finger, he propped Alexander's face to meet his eyes.

In them was humiliation, embarrassment, the kind of feelings he wanted to see Alexander feel.

"You are lucky my queen can not handle gore," he said, his eyes as cold as anything. He was like dry ice, beautiful, yet just as deadly. "But the next time we encounter each other, Alexander, I will strap your fallen head to your mate's waist as she dances to the traditional tune of the lycans."

Alexander's blood ran cold, his body trembling with both shame and anger. Suddenly, the crowd erupted in a loud cheer, the lycans clapping and shouting praises.

It was like another victory. Another conquest.

Conaan slowly stood up. "I do not believe Alexander is in the right frame of mind to continue with the banquet. Maybe he should be escorted home so he can see the glaring fact of the weakling he really is." Two guards came from behind Conaan, then dragged Alexander roughly to a standing position.

Pained tears filled his eyes as he was dragged away, Miles following closely behind.

"Wait," Conaan said, as Brandon came by his side. "The beta stays behind."

"Conaan, You can't...."

"He should prove his loyalty by accepting your punishment for you. Lead him out."

Alexander didn't have a chance to protest as he was half dragged on the floor and out of the hall of convenience. The guards did not stop, till they were outside the palace, and the lycan territory itself, before dumping him on the floor like a piece of dirt.

Eleanor walked towards Conaan, her hand coming in his shoulder. "What are you going to do with the beta?"

Conaan looked up to Miles, a small smile lifting his lips. He then stretched his hand out to Miles, who suddenly broke into a smile too, then bowed, covering the distance.

"Thank you, Shadow."

Brandon smiled too, patting the man's back, a small laugh erupting between the trio.

"Wait, he is..."

"My most skilled spy. Shadow."

Eleanor's brows furrowed. "But if he was here, then how..."

"Maybe you should not worry your pretty head about it, Eleanor."

She sighed, her eyes darting to Miles who had now taken a glass and joined in the resumed celebrations. Somethijg felt light inside her, like she had paid a debt, or collected one.

She gave a small sigh, just as Conaan came up beside her.

The banquet resumed, and everyone went back to the feast, enjoying the night.

"Eleanor."

She looked up, then gave a small smile. "You could have killed him if you so wanted."

"Until the day you give me permission, I shall not. You have your reasons, and even though I do not know them, I know they are strong enough."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you. Did this...ruin the celebrations for you?"

"It made it even better," he laughed and she could see the humor dance in his eyes.

He then met her eyes again, admiration filtering into his gaze.

Slowly, he took her right hand. There was only a small indictation from the blunt side of the sword on her palm, and he gently ran his hand across the length, his eyes meeting hers again.

"It was such a beautiful sight, Eleanor."

She smiled, the sincerity in his eyes warming her heart. She had not even thought about it before doing it, but seeing the appreciation in his eyes and the admiration, she knew even if that sword had sliced her palm in two, it would be worth it.

She shuffled closer to him, and Conaan let her take her place within his arms, her face burying in his chest. He was warm, he always was, and it made her heart flutter even more that she knew just how cold he was everywhere else.

His fingers patted her hair gently, smoothening it down her back. Slowly, she moved away, then smiled up at him, trying hard to keep her breaths in control.

"I will retire to my chamber now," Conaan said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I look forward to you joining me."

He started to move away, just as her hand wrapped around his, stopping him in place.

"There is something you need to do before that, Your Highness."

His brows furrowed, as his head tilted to the right. "What?"

The word barely left his lips when the chord was struck and the band started to play a slow tune. Eleanor moved, bringing his right hand to the small of her waist as she covered the distance.

"May I have this dance, Your Highness?"