Lycan's Affection

Eleanor held on to Alpha Alexander's arm, as their small caravan was loaded. They only took supplies for their journey, and an omega accompanying them to carry the load.

It was a short preparation. As the last thing Alexander wanted to do was keep Conaan waiting, especially after such a hearty acceptance of their request.

The entire pack came to witness their departure, most of them with dark, grim expressions. It was almost like they were seeing the leaders of their pack walk straight into the lion's den unarmed.

Alpha Alexander smiled at it, his belief strong that he would be able to foster peace. He also would be the very first alpha to.

The journey soon began quite smoothly, and it would take approximately half a day, especially with their speed.

"Your highness,"

Conaan sighed, then raised a brow. "Speak."

"Alpha Alexander and his beta and delta, just crossed our borders. They are being checked right now."

A small pleasant smile spread Conaan's lips. "Prepare a large feast and trinkets of gold and silk as gifts."

"Yes, your highness. Is there anything else I should do?"

"Of course. After they pass the border, lock it firmly, and give my previous instruction. No one can come or leave. And after they step foot here, have my biggest assassins close in."

The lycan nodded. "You do not intend on peace, your highness?"

Conaan smiled. "I do. But everything in the world comes with a price." His dark green eyes thinned as humor danced like shooting stars around it. What would the price be?

Alpha Alexander, Eleanor and Matthew followed the lycan who slowly directed them to the grand palace. It was an astronomical tower, and Eleanor shivered a little from the cold. The entire city was dark, almost like they had no sun, only covered by white snow and eerie fog.

A wolf would not brave this weather too long.

To their surprise, however, the large hall had been made warm for them, large torches lit up every corner.

The hall was empty, however, except for the subtle scent of pine.

They stood uncomfortably in the hall for a few seconds, each oblivious of the next thing to do.

"His highness is coming. Pay your respects."

Alpha Alexander brought his hand to clasp in front of him, and the rest immediately followed.

A subtle scent of Patchouli followed Conaan's dominant, slow strides, his smile small.

"I have been expecting you, Alpha."

Alpha Alexander was about to give a small bow when Conaan slowly closed the distance and wrapped his arms around him.

Alpha Alexander was surprised, and his wide eyes did not thin even after Conaan let go of him.

"Why do you look so surprised? We are both kings, Alpha. A king's head should never bow."

Alpha Alexander immediately relaxed, his smile wide "Thank you for your hospitality, Your majesty."

He simply smiled, then shook Matthew's hand. Slowly, he crossed over to Eleanor, and his smile changed. It turned almost wicked, his eyed thin with underlying meaning.

Slowly, he took her hand, then gently brought it to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. "It is an honor to meet you again, Eleanor."

Eleanor's brows furrowed. "Have we met before?"

Conaan smiled. "I do believe you once hunted me down, but that is in the past."

He turned away, and a lycan ushered them to the large round dining table. It was filled with delicacies of every kind, and all mostly native to the werewolves.

"You did go the extra mile with your hospitality, your majesty. This is all food that are native to us."

Conaan smiled. "Of course. Why would I serve you food that you can not eat?"

They slowly started to eat, Alpha Alexander taking about the wars, his distress and how he believes he has indeed made the right decision to come here.

Conaan never said a word, or ate, in fact, as he just leaned back, one hand dangling on the chair's armrest, the other twirling a cup of wine.

His eyes occasionally reflected on the glass, and he smiled, his fangs on full display. He wore a black gold embroidered robe, his silky black hair falling back on large curls, while some fell across his right eyes, covering his scar.

Eleanor squinted her eyes at him. He seemed largely disinterested in Alexander, but apart from that, there was something strange about him. He did not see. as kind as he had made himself out to be, and for some reason, she felt like there was a catch. She knew there would be a problem somewhere, she just did not know where.

A lycan walked in with three medium sized trinkets of gold and silk, and then presented them to each of them.

"They are little gifts from me. I hope you take delight in them."

Eleanor slowly caressed the trinket, resisting the urge to open it.

"You are nothing like the rumors say," Matthew said, his smile big.

Conaan nodded. "I am glad you think that way. I just hope I do not disappoint you."

They had finished eating, and they slowly followed Conaan to a bigger hall, decorated to receive guests. The large fur carpet was fitted with large cushioned pillows and Conaan effortlessly sat on the rug, stretching his legs as his hand rested on the pillow.

He looked royal, almost like the lycans had evolved before the werewolves. The three sat upright, even though Alexander's nervousness was far gone.

"I am happy this was such a fruitful visit, your highness. Peace should be something we should enjoy, regardless of what sort of animal shifter we are."

Conaan's smile grew, this time wickedly. The entire meeting had been an extreme bore, but it was going to get interesting real soon.

"Peace?" he asked, raising his right brow slightly. "Are you here to talk about peace?"

Alexander's smiled slowly diminished. "Of course, your highness. I thought you had already accepted our notion of peace."

Conaan laughed, his fangs popping on instinct again, before slowly growing back to his canine. "Oh, alphas. I did not quite realize. I simply thought you had come to pay a visit."

Eleanor's brows furrowed. "What do you mean? Alpha has spoken of peace throughout the entire meal."

Conaan shrugged. "I do not listen to anything spoken over a meal, Delta Eleanor. It is simply disrespectful."

"Then why did you not say so?" Matthew asked, his expression confused from the sudden change in atmosphere.

"It would have been hypocritical of me to, do you not agree?" Conaan laughed again, then adjusted. "Let us talk about peace, Alpha."

Alpha Alexander cleared his throat. "I actually came here to foster peace between the lycan empire and the werewolf packs." He swallowed, everything he had memorized falling straight out, but not through his mouth.

"True. Very thoughtful. But at what price?"

Alexander's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Conaan shrugged, then pulled a small knife from within his robe. Eleanor gasped, as Alexander struggled to keep calm. It did seem like he had walked into this one.

He pointed the sharp blade of the knife to Matthew. "Who is this to you, Alpha?"

Alexander swallowed. "He is my brother and beta."

Conaan nodded with a smile, then slowly moved the knife to Eleanor. "And her?"

"She is...my delta and wife to be."

Conaan nodded then dropped the knife. "Choose the one you love more, and leave the other behind."