Lycan's Affection
The Gift

Conaan's brows raised as he watched the carrier lycans loaded with trunks of gift he had arranged beforehand for Alpha Alexander. It would be a two day stay, and the large trunks that carried his robes and jewelry followed. For Eleanor, there was none.

He slowly looked up to her as she stood, happily greeting each servant that passed by. Her smile was bright, and the just rising sun reflected in her blue eyes, coloring it a light golden swirl.

He felt his heart clench, but he couldn't quite bring himself to take his eyes off her. Suddenly, her eyes turned to him, and she broke into a big smile. One would think they were close friends or lovers with the way she smiled at him.

Without returning it, he turned away, his eyes remaining as cold and steely as always. Eleanor's smile quickly faded, and she walked over to him, her hands clasped behind her.

"Conaan."

He looked up to her, his expression quite neutral. "What do you want?"

"Well...do you not think it is time to forgive me yet? I was an irrational girl in love and that may not be the best combination. I am sorry I did that."

He willed his eyes to soften, but he only felt a little weird. Like she was tossing an apology to him because she knew she had gained an advantage.

He took in a deep breath. "I believe taking you back is an act of letting go."

She nodded. "My father..."

Conaan turned to her. She had not asked about his former beta all though, so he had decided to not tell her. "He forgave you. I was by his side."

She nodded. "Thank you. For everything."

He nodded. "You can...come whenever you wish to see his spirit wolf. I will take you to it myself."

She smiled again, and in as much as he loved to see it, he hated it just the same. "I realized that. I really don't think you are as bad as people make you seem to be. You are quite forgiving."

He gave a small nod, then pointed at a particularly large wolf. It seemed built to function as a ride.

"That is your ride. I will be beside you."

He turned away, but she suddenly held his hand, holding him in place. He slowly turned back to her, his eyes thinned, one brow raised. Without a word, she moved forward, then slowly moved her hand to the back of the bun he'd made of his hair. It was styled so it stylishly covered the scar, then went back up to be pulled into a bun.

She gave a small smile, then pulled all of the hair back, standing on her toes to do it. It left his scar exposed, and she pushed his hair back, her fingers pushing through it and straightening the strands.

Conaan felt his breath hitch in his throat as her face came level with his, her eues slightly raised so she could focus on what she was doing. His lips parted, but no words came out of it.

He felt his hair gently pushed back and then tied in the bun. Slowly, her eyes came to a focus on him as she stood on her toes, and her hands naturally rested on his broad shoulders.

He couldn't tell what she saw within his eyes, but she gave an expression he felt almost matched his.

Dazed, enthralled to the point of hypnosis.

For more than just a moment, she stood there, her breath in her throat as she took in his face.

She sure did a number on him, but not a lot could beat those eyes. Not even the scar she had left on him. Like a bewitched she wolf, her eyes glided down his face, and she swallowed, then slowly let herself down.

He said nothing, and simply stood there, his hand still clasped behind him, his hair now put up in a higher bun than before.

"I...I just wanted to tell you you would look good with the scar and..it is nothing to be ashamed of."

His eyes thinned even more, his rapid heartbeat speaking way more than he could ever trust himself to.

She looked up again, and the tops of her cheek had turned a bright pink.

"I am sorry if that was...a bit out of line. I just wanted to help with your hair and because I feel so guilty. You can always put it down if you don't like it."

She finally let her eyes meet his and for the first time, there was a small tenderness behind them. Not near enough, but also very new so she would take it.

He raised his head a little. "You believe I look good this way?"

She immediately nodded, her cheeks flushing again. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips, turning his eyes to a slightly lighter shade of green.

"Well, then. I will keep it however you want it."

Before she could say a word, he was gone and she swallowed hard. Slowly, she made her way to the ride he had shown her, and a servant went on his knees for her to step on.

Conaan was beside her, holding his own ride by the reins. It was way bigger than hers, and she wondered how they managed to get wolves this big.

"I would rather you lift me up instead of that. I do not want to step on your back."

The servant turned to Conaan whose eyes remained quite neutral, except for the slight twitch on his eyebrows. Every sane lycan knew what that meant, and the servant immediately scurried away instead of answering to her. Conaan was suddenly beside her, however, and her eyes widened.

"What..."

"Permit me," he said simply, then held her waist and gently lifted her up to the ride. His fingers were rather gentle and soft even though the silk of her dress, one that Conaan had gotten for her that morning so she could make the trip back.

Once she was up, he was gone again, and the trip started. Eleanor could not believe just how fast their wolves were, but what should have been a half day trip was suddenly shortened to merely over three hours.

In time, she could see the large and high boundaries that closed off the pack from the rest. Her heart skipped a beat at the familiar places, the alpha's palace towering above everything. It always fascinated her. She remembered how she and Alexander had stood on that balcony and shared a kiss just a day before their trip to Conaan.

She have a small sigh, and Conaan struggled to keep himself in check.

She noticed the rather unusual amounts of people however as the gates opened for them, each very stylishly dressed as they approached closer, she could recognize a few alphas and deltas, and her brows furrowed even more.

"Is there an occasion?" She asked, but no one replied her, a small smile making its way to Conaan's face. The smile, he however wished reflected on his heart, because the simple image of what would happen in a few moments made his heart clench.

He was somewhat glad he had his sword.

They finally got to the large hall, amidst everyone that had gathered in front, previously chatting away stopping for them. They could immediately recognize him.

Conaan. Their current biggest enemy. The celebrations seemed to stop, as Conaan slowly made his way down. Without acknowledging anyone, he made his way to Eleanor, then lifted her down.

She was so distracted that she didn't even notice him getting distracted by her proximity, and not much hurt him as much. She noticed the heavy decorations, and the large buffet. The entire pack seemed festive, and she racked her head to think of anything that could be happening.

She started to walk in front of him, but he held her hand. She turned to him, her heart skipping a beat. She sure hoped it was not another condition.

"Conaan?"

"Stay behind me. You are my biggest gift to Alexander today."

She nervously nodded, then went behind him, his frame conveniently covering her up. The pack went silent as a lycan servent announced Conaan's arrival.

The alpha's were not sure what to do, and most of them slowly came around and exchanged greetings.

Conaan only nodded to it all, and they stood around the large hall where the ceremony seemed to take place.

Suddenly, the hall opened, and Alexander walked out of it. He was wearing. a beautiful white coat, with dark red embroidery designs. His hair was helled back, and he walked over to Conaan, his eyes wide, his lips parted in a big smile.

Conaan's expression didn't change much, especially with Eleanor's sharp, nervous breaths behind him.

"Your highness, Conaan!" He walked forward quick, then started to spread his arms for a hug.

Conaan placed a hand on his chest, stopping him. He stopped, and Conaan turned his hand sideways. Alexander immediately took it, shaking it like he had just met his own stroke of good luck.

"I am happy to meet you again, Alexander."

"Thank you so much, Conaan."

Eleanor's breath hitched with the sound of Alexander's voice, and she could barely keep herself in place anymore.

"What would I miss your ceremony for, Alexander? We have amity between us now, do we mot?"

Alexander laughed, a sound Eleanor missed so much. "Of course. Would you like to meet my luna now? I have personally told her you are a very important guest, and she will come to you first for blessings."

Luna? Eleanor's brows furrowed, and Conaan's smile faltered a little as he sensed her apprehension.

"Luna?" He asked, almost as if he was asking it for her.

"Yes. I found my mate right after we came back. She is the best thing that has happened to me, and has greatly helped me with the pack in so short a time." He smiled widely again, and Eleanor could feel everything crumble before her.

A mate. A Luna. For Alexander. And he wasn't talking about her. Her eyes filled up, reddening so much she could feel the sting to the back of them.

Conaan smiled again. "Hearing this, it seems my gift may be a little out of line."

"As long as it is not war, I guess I will appreciate everything that comes from you, Conaan."

Conaan nodded. "Sure."

Slowly, he moved sideways, bringing Eleanor and Alexander face to face. He turned to Eleanor once he was by her side.

Tears were running down her cheeks in dark torrents, in groups of threes and fours, her beautiful lips parted, her fists clenched beside her.

Alexander's eyes widened as he turned to Conaan, whose head was slightly raised. Whatever happened next would determine the entire pack's fate, and he didn't care if either of them knew it.