Lycan's Affection
Different Shades of One Night

Anderson gave a long sigh, his fingers working around his temple. He extended his hand then grabbed the wine and pushed it down his throat in one gulp, his eyes closing to savor the burn. It did nothing to quench the fire in his heart, however, and worked to only flame it harder.

"The meeting was a complete disaster, and you should know better than to approach Conaan like that. He is even more ruthless than his father."

Anderson nodded, looking up to Lucas, who seemed to be his exact opposite. He was rather relaxed, except for the fine line between his brows.

"I thought he would cower with just the scroll. I mean, father and son always saw eye to eye in everything so much they could complete each other's sentences. And is it not normal to hate that vixen since King Javier died only a month after she did what she did? Is it not normal to want to punish her for it?"

Lucas gave him a long stare, then suddenly adjusted, his hands resting on the table between them. "Tell me something, Anderson."

His brows raised. "What?"

"Did King Javier really write that scroll? It was not plausible even to me, and to the majority of the council. I mean, look at this. Beta Grayson and King Javier were beans in a pod and then suddenly, he wants to favor your daughter? Everyone knows just how influential the throne of the queen is, especially beside King Conaan. You forged it, did you not?"

Anderson looked him straight in the eye, his grip on the cup tightening. "I swear, he wrote it himself. You know I would not lie to you, Lucas. You are on Esmeralda's side too."

"I do not understand how. What did you use?"

Anderson went quiet, his fingers roaming around the cup. "Just trust me. If his father's words mean anything..."

"You can see that it does not. He does not even care. Everything pales for him in front of Eleanor. We will have to come up with something else."

Anderson swallowed, his frustration getting to him. It showed in how his veins popped, the way his hand tightened around the cup till his knuckles went white.

"I heard they scheduled a new meeting for next month too," Anderson said, turning to Lucas with a meaningful look.

"I will let you come," he said simply, pushing a grape into his mouth. "But do not pull the stunt you did the last time or we might all end up dead or in the dungeons. What I do not understand, however is, why do you keep this up? Esmeralda is most probably dead if as Ben said, she saw Conaan last. Why do you keep your hopes up?"

Anderson swallowed. "I did not deal with king Javier only to be subdued by King Conaan, Lucas. I will replace Esmeralda even if I go to the ends of the world. Or I will take drastic measures and not only Eleanor, but Conaan will suffer it."

"What are you..."

Lucas trailed off, as Anderson's eyes widened. They both turned sharply to the door where the noise had come from. There was no one.

"Who is there?"

There was no answer for a while and Anderson grabbed a knife, his eyes squinted. Slowly, he started to stand up, his hand coming around the robe he was wearing.

"Greetings, Lucas."

He stopped, then turned to Lucas, who looked just as surprised. Brandon walked in, casting a small glance and a nod towards Anderson.

"I hope I did not interrupt, but here is the official invitation for the King's birthday banquet." He dropped the scroll on the table, then moved away, his hands clasped behind him.

Lucas forced a small smile. "I am honored, as always."

Brandon nodded again, then slowly walked away, his head held high.

Anderson dropped the knife, his hand coming to his hair. "Do you think he heard anything? Do you think he knows what I want to do?"

Lucas' brows furrowed. "I do not think he did. Brandon is way too loyal to Conaan to not even put a sword to your throat, especially since you suggested dealing with King Javier."

Anderson looked majorly unsatisfied, his eyes thin. "I have my doubts."

"You are scared."

"What if he reports to Conaan?"

"What if you are being paranoid?"

"Keep an eye on him for me, Lucas."

Lucas finally met his eye. "And then what? You will kill him if you realize he knows anything?"

"Would you not support that?"

"No," Lucas said sharply. "I do not particularly like Esmeralda, I just hate Eleanor more, and to me, every eligible lycan woman can take that place. Do not drive me to an edge. If you and your daughter want a war with Conaan, I will not be part of the losing team for sure."

Anderson swallowed, but said nothing, a small fear crossing his eyes. Lucas looked at him, then turned away, his eyes closing as his hand came up to massage his forehead.

Eleanor made her way slowly to the cookhouse. She could hear the noise from the place, and she knew it was in preparation for the banquet tomorrow.

"Excuse me," she said to the first woman she saw, a small smile tracing her lips.

"Yes?"

"I...uh...I want to make the traditional sweets for His Highness."

The woman nodded. "We will bring it to your room immediately."

Eleanor shook her head. "I want to make it myself."

"Sure. I will get everything ready for you."

Eleanor nodded, then stepped back, watching as the woman walked inside, then started to prepare the ingredients for her. A small smile crossed her lips as she thought of Conaan again, heat brewing in her stomach.

"You can come now," The woman said, cutting off her train of thoughts.

Eleanor immediately nodded, then followed, excitement showing in her steps.

"Alpha, I have news."

Alexander looked up from the journal he was writing, then grabbing a shirt, hauling it over his head just as his acting beta, Miles, walked in.

"News? From where?"

"The lycans," Miles answered. "Apparently, it is King Conaan's birthday tomorrow."

Alexander's lips immediately curled up. "And here I thought I would have no chance to see him till we finally go to war."

"Do you plan on attending?"

"Definitely. Why would I miss his birthday? Besides, I need to see how dear Eleanor reacts to seeing me. I would love to see the defeat in his eyes when she can't resist me."

Miles nodded. "I will make the arrangements. What of Matthew?"

Alexander went quiet for a while. "Let him be there. He still hates me."

"He will only continue to hate you if you keep him there."

Alexander glared at him, and he immediately lowered his head.

"Make the necessary arrangements, and gifts too. I believe we have to be there early for the royal banquet."

"Yes, Alpha."

Alexander stood there, long after Miles was gone, a small smile playing on his lips.