Lycan's Affection

"What?" Eleanor said, not moving from her position. Her eyes widened, and she let them dart across both of Conaan's, her mind going blnk.

Conaan moved a little, then brought his hand to gently move hers. She moved back, her eyes never leaving his, her chest slightly heaving.

"Matthew, Alexander's younger brother is in my private chambers. He was found completely void of blood earlier, and he has been brought here."

Her brows furrowed, but he could see the conflicting emotions. They ran across surprise, hurt, confusion, across many others he could not name.

"How is that possible? I mean...he has to be with his brother, right? Did some lycan..."

"No. We suspect that his brother did it to him. I am not sure why. He looked like he was strategicallly dropped here."

Her eyes filled, turning her bright blue almost fluid. "But..."

"Eleanor."

"I need to see him. Please.. He is...he helped me escape. He gave me that poison to show you Alexander's plans. He has been the one..."

"Eleanor. I have already taken him. And I have given him a healer."

She swallowed, then slowly stood up, her hand passing through her hair. He watched her, his eyes expressionless, his lips drawn in a straight line.

She paced around for a bit, her head shaking, then suddenly went back to the clothes. Her hand trembled as she resumed arranging the clothes, her eyes blinking rapidly as she tried to fight the tears.

Conaan watched her, his breaths slow, the tears that stood in her eyes feeling like little nips on his skin.

Without a word, he stood up, then slowly covered the distance. Going on his knees so he was close to hear height, he pulled her into his safety, granting her the room she needed.

For a while, she was silent, but he did not let go, keeping her in place, his grip around her tight.

Slowly, she started to break down, and she held on to his robe, her body shaking, as the tears fell in torrents.

Conaan said nothing to comfort her, letting his presence wrap around her like a warm blanket against tthe stormy nights that never seem to pass.

After some time she pulled away, sniffing her hand coming to her face.

"I am sorry, Conaan. I am crying about another man in front of you. It is just..."

Conaan shrugged. "The boy is not competition. I will take you to see him."

She swallowed, closing her eyes. "He helped me so much. Especially after Alexander got mated. I swear, he was always on your side."

"And that may be why he was abandoned. Come with me."

Eleanor nodded, then turned to the clothes. "I have not..."

"The servants will follow your orders and finish it up. Come with me."

She swallowed, as he pulled her up, and she let his hand wrap around her wrist. She followed behind him to the door, as he stopped.

Brandon was in front of it, apparently the person who had knocked.

"Did something happen?"

Brandon nodded. "Can I have some time with you, alone?"

Conaan's brows furrowed as he turned to Eleanor. She forced a smile, and carefully removed his hand from hers.

"You said he is in your private chambers? I can navigate it on my own."

Conaan seemed a little displeased, yet he said nothing. He watched as she walked away, her head law, her hands occasionally coming to wipe her face.

"What is it?"

Brandon swallowed. "I could not tell you in front of her because it is sensitive, Your Highness. I heard some gossip from Lucas's chief omega."

"Who is Lucas?"

Brandon swallowed. "The highest council member."

Conaan gave a rather flippant look, showing he didn't care either way.

"He had a secret meeting with Anderson and the rest of the council members last night."

Conaan raised a brow. "I thought Anderson was well guarded?"

"He is. I am not sure. How...."

"Then he is not, Brandon. If he could have a secret meeting with that amount of people, then he is not as well guarded as he should be."

Brandon swallowed. "I will reinforce the security. But, I heard that they have proposed a right of continuity to show to you."

Conaan said nothing and Brandon continued. "This right, simply means that if after a King is mated, the people have the right to demand an heir to continue his bloodline. Especially if it has been three years."

"And?"

"And if after these three years, there is no heir, the king is obligated to take a breeder."

Conaan's eyes only hooded more, till they were tiny slits. He gave a small laugh, then shook his head.

"I, Conaan, take a breeder?"

"I am afraid this time, you will not be able to refuse it. It is not like Anderson's scroll. But...you can drag it out with your trip. You don't need to wait for them also, it isn't confirmed yet."

Conaan swallowed, briefly closing his eyes. "Keep an eye on them. I have to leave tomorrow."

Brandon nodded. "I will take my leave now. I need to..."

"Brandon."

Brandon looked up. "Yes?"

"If by any chance Matthew wakes up before I come back, keep an eye on him. We still don't know anything concrete on why he his here."

"Do you suspect him?"

Conaan said nothing, but Brandon could read the atmosphere. Conaan would probably never be able to trust a wolf.

Jamie rolled his eyes at Jenna as she slowly dabbed around Eric's face, her lips forming an O as she gently blew on the wounds.

"I don't recall you being so caring."

She rolled her eyes. "Can't you see? He is injured."

"It didn't seem to matter as much to you all those times I was injured."

"Don't fret about it. Jenna is just being hospitable. And he is sstill unconscious."

Jamie turneed to Kol, their father, then gave a small sigh. He had noticed Jenna's rather obvious dreamy eyes once Eric's face was washed. He just hoped it wasn't what he expected, or there would be a tug of war.

He, was a wolf after all, and he hoped he wasn't putting his loved ones in danger by bringing him home.