Lycan's Affection
Manipulation

Eleanor's eyes went wide, her chest slightly heaving with anticipation. Her knees threatened to fail her as she slowly accepted the journal, the scissors she was using falling out of her hand.

"I will leave you to it, then. I need to..."

"Wait," she managed to say, her voice coming out like a croak instead. She turned to the journal, the base of her eyes already filled to the brim with tears.

Slowly, she opened the book to the page Brandon had kept marked, her eyes widening at the content.

"There is nothing quite as powerful as the union of two friends against one standing outside. But when that one turns them against each other, the maximum profit, the maximum strength belongs to me."

Eleanor felt her body tremble, and she sat, rather clumsily on the edge of the bed, her chest feeling constricted.

"What did they think? That I would let then strengthen their bonds with their children's marriage? They have made me an outcast even though we grew up together, they snatched up the higher positions and left me bare. And tonight, tonight, they still want to marry that little witch to the prince?"

Brandon gave a sigh. "Can you really handle it?"

She didn't reply, her eyes widening more as she turned back to the journal. Her hand trembled, her lips quivered, and she found it hard to concentrate. Hard to breathe.

"Grayson, my very own brother is so easy to manipulate. A little push here and there, and there! I wish I had done this earlier. I can't tell anyone of the utmost pleasure I felt seeing him poison Javier by himself. That old geezer should have died years ago. He should let a new generation take that power. Is his refusal to die not an act of selfishness?"

Eleanor closed her eyes tight, and let go of the journal, her hand coming over to her face, her body trembling.

"Beta Grayson wouldn't have done it for just anything. And I know Beta Grayson realized a little too late. Your father was a good man, and the right hand of King Javier."

Eleanor swallowed. "So that scroll..."

Brandon nodded. "King Javier really wrote it. It was a double edged knife. King Javier will definitely feel betrayed at that point, because I know Anderson would have told him about the poison and backstab Beta Grayson. And that is why he severed your mate bond and left that scroll instead."

She looked up, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. "But up until I ran away, he was fine so..."

"He collapsed that night itself. He never got back up. I do not think the poison was meant to kill him immediately. It was meant to kill him, but preserve him long enough for Anderson to get both the scroll and that severance. He thought he would be able to use it on His Highness."

Eleanor closed her eyes, rage and sadness building up in her chest. She found it hard to breathe, her eyes thinning.

"Lady Eleanor. This was years ago. I know it will hurt, but right now, both are dead. Beta Grayson died regretting that particular action. His Highness Conaan stood by his bed until he took his last breath. Just like his very own father, His Highness Conaan held the funeral, and kept the two week mourning phase. I know it is hard but..."

His voice trailed off as she suddenly stood up, then walked to the large dresser. It had rows and rows of lockers, and she started to open them one after the other, looking for something.

Brandon said nothing as he watched her, realizing he had felt the same surprise when he had first read it, and he truly was not as strong as he tried to lead her to believe.

It was hard to believe that Beta Grayson could have let Anderson take control of his mind, and do something like that. It made him feel weird deep inside.

He watched as she searched the lockers before she finally stumbled on what she wanted. Rows and rows of knives were arranged in the locker, and she grabbed one, bringing it under her eyes.

"Lady Eleanor..."

"Take me to Anderson's place." Her voice was steely, the emotions in it lacking gravely.

"His Highness will be livid if you do something like that."

"He will be livid if I leave the palace without knowing where I am going to, Brandon. Take me to that bastard's house."

Brandon swallowed, but did not even have the time to talk about it as she started to walk in front of him, not bothering to wear any shoes for her feet, nor even anything else at all.

Conaan sighed as he read the last of the petitions, feeling his wolf give a small growl inside. He squinted his eyes as he pushed the scrolls away, then sat up.

"Anyone there?"

A servant walked in and immediately bowed. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Bring Eleanor to me, and a spread of sweets."

The servant hesitated for a bit before she answered. "Your Highness, Lady Eleanor and the royal assistant left the palace some time ago. I will bring the sweets however. "

"Brandon amd Eelanor?"

The servant gave a polite mod, her eyes trained on the dark red carpet on the floor.

"Do not bring it. Leave."

"Yes, Your Highness."

His eyes thinned as he tried to think about it. Where would Brandon and Eleanor leave to without telling him? It didn't make sense.

He made his way thoughtfully to his chambers, his hand clasped behind him. It felt weird knowing Eleanor wasn't there, seeing how she never left for the past months.

With a small sigh, he walked forward, his eyes falling on the scissors on the floor. He turned to the vase and he could see a few nipped buds here and there.

Slowly, he picked the scissors, his eyes catching a dark skin book that was lying on the ground, open as it faced downwards.

He walked to it, then slowly squatted, picking it up to see.