Lycan's Affection

Conaan slowly moved his head, so his face was right at the top of Eleanor's hairline. Slowly, he left a small kiss on her forehead, his fingers smoothening out her hair. There wasn't a lot of pleasure in that kiss for neither, but it felt a lot more intimate, something like the feel of a soul mate.

"I hear the elders will arrive today," he said, his voice soft, like she was a delicate burst of night breeze that would change directions if his voice went any higher.

She nodded, then wiping off the remaining tears, took a step back from him. It felt a bit too cold, and even though she didn't immediately shuffle back into his body, she moved a little closer.

"You should get ready to meet them," he added, his eyes now searching hers.

"I will."

A proud smile took over his lips, and he nodded, then almost reluctantly walked away from her. She stood there long after he was gone, his scent, his warmth, shadows of his promises lingering in the air before her.

She turned to the early morning sun, the message gone, the sky now bright.

Conaan closed his eyes and leaned back as he felt the warm water against his skin, the scent of the soft petals rising with the mist. He couldn't help the small smile that reached all the way to his eyes. He could feel his own satisfaction, and he shook his head to clear off those thoughts.

Those were pleasurable thoughts. The kind of thoughts he could dwell in for a lifetime. A slow knock came on the door and he turned to it, his right brow raising.

"Yes?"

"Your Highness, it is I. I have news."

Conaan peeled himself off his laid back position, then grabbed a robe as he climbed out of the vast bath.

"Come in," he said, wrapping the robe around him and grabbing a dry towel for his hair.

Brandon walked in, his expression calm.

"Your Highness, Good morning."

Conaan nodded an answer to the greeting. "What is it?"

"The renovation of the children's village is now underway, and the locals are actively participating. Shadow has sent a message, and everything is ready now. We will do it when you want us to."

Conaan nodded. "The last day of this week will be just fine for us, you should tell that to Shadow. No mistakes."

Brandon nodded. "Are you giving yourself a birthday gift?"

Conaan's brows furrowed. "What?"

"I mean, the last day of this week will be your birthday. Did you forget again?"

Conaan shook his head. "I have more important things to do than celebrate getting older, Brandon. I do not even remember how old I am."

Brandon gave a small chuckle. "I bet miss Eleanor would care, however. Speaking of that, I disposed of Esmeralda."

Conaan nodded. "Well done."

Brandon smiled. "Yes, your Highness. The last thing, the elders are currently waiting in the grand hall. I have treated them to a feast and exquisite tables, but some..."

Conaan sighed. "Do not let then turn my palace into a brothel. If they can not stay that long, they should not bother meeting me."

Brandon gave a naughty chuckle. "Definitely."

He started to turn away as Conaan dropped the towel on his hair.

"Brandon?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"When are you going to find another mate?"

Brandon swallowed hard. "Well, I think I will soon."

Conaan nodded. "I might just give you a palace to dwell in with her."

"I would be honored to have you come see us get mated."

Conaan laughed. "Surely, Brandon."

Brandon gave a small bow again, then walked away, a small skip to his steps.

Conaan stood there for a while, the small smile still playing on his lips. Suddenly, he felt a liquid drop from his nostril. He grabbed a clean towel to wipe it off, and when he brought it to his eyes, they widened in horror.

The then white towel was now stained with blood.

He swallowed, then brought his fingers to under his nose. They came off slightly stained too. He bit down on his lips. Was it the aftermath of the poison?

"Keep it up," Eleanor said to the servant as she helped her dress her hair. "I think Conaan would like it up."

The servant nodded and started to brush her fiery red hair up. She watched herself in the mirror, her smile small, but evident. This morning had been such an eye opener for her, and she knew for sure, she was ready to be the mate she never let herself be.

She got ready in a black silk dress, then made her way to the grand hall as Brandon had told her it would be there.

She could hear the small voices as she got to the grand hall, and she swallowed, putting a hand over her thumping heart.

She knew exactly what Conaan had meant by an introduction. It would be the first time she would be emerging in front of anyone as his mate, and soon to be queen.

The prospect scared her, but after this morning, it excited her just as much. She turned the knob, then slowly walked in.

The entire council of elders were seated facing each other, a large banquet in front of them. The talks stopped as she slowly emerged, unsure of where to go. Conaan was sitting in an elevated seat, and he turned slowly to her.

A smile lit up his features as he took her in, and she stopped walking, lingering a small distance off, her hands clasped in front of her.

Conaan watched her for a while, just like the rest of the elders. Just the looks were different. Conaan was completely star struck, the depths of his love evident in the pools of his eyes. The elders however, were more disapproving.

"I am...here," she said, her voice sounding surprisingly confident.

Maybe it was Conaan, maybe it was the mate bond, but she sounded a lot more sure of herself than she felt.

Suddenly, Conaan stood up, his dark grey robe falling behind him, his eyes thin with the beginning crinkles of a smile.

The elders became even more disgruntled, as Conaan walked up to her, forgetting them like the part of the hall where they were seated had fallen away.

Slowly, Conaan took Eleanor's hand, then brought it close to him. Instead of lifting it to his lips, he leaned, meeting her hand instead.

Gasps of horror filled the hall, but Conaan did not care, neither did Eleanor. The calm her wolf felt was new, beautiful, addictive.

His lips met the back of her hand, but did not stop there. Quickly, he flipped her hand over, then placed an even more scandalous kiss on her palm. Her palm curled up almost protectively, as if she wanted to encase the kiss in her hands and never let go.

Slowly, he leaned back up, his smile dark, yet beautiful and completely enamored.

"Welcome, Reine."