The Dinner And The Bond - Levantus POV

The council keeps droning on about finding the hunter Odessa and her wolf. They aren’t overly pleased that she is a woman or that I brought her into the castle before knowing if she is an enemy or an ally.

My fingers drum the table I sit at as I let them discuss their thoughts and opinions. It’s been over an hour already and they’re just circling the topic.

“Enough. She is already here, already within our walls. You would think that my judgement of her would mean something. I do not sense any threat from her or her wolf companion. In fact, I sense the exact opposite. Instead of continuing this same conversation in circles, perhaps you will acknowledge my acceptance and let me continue. I’ll apprise you of any new developments and promise to have her closely watched.”

The elders of the council murmur. Elder Marious speaks up.

“Yes, your majesty. We leave it in your care, for now.”

I arch a brow at his words before we all rise and the meeting is finally concluded. I leave without looking back, letting the door to the room slam behind me.

I can’t stand their need to have their noses in everything. They’re advisors, not the leaders. Have my instincts questioned makes my lycan growl lowly, wanting to slash at anyone who doubts us.

I’m lost in my thoughts that are fueled by my frustrations when I can feel my lycan stirring inside me. There’s a scent that makes my steps falter and slow.

I tilt my head before closing my eyes and taking a deep inhale. This smell is of milk, honey, and lavender. Intoxicating and alluring, calming and exhilarating.

I can’t stop myself from quickening my pace, following the traces of this smell, trying to figure out where it’s coming from. Within a minute I am walking into the loud dining hall. My men and women are enjoying their meal, loud in their conversations.

All the scents in here are mixing and blending, but I can still smell that scent in tracking amidst it all. I take another deep breath and turn. The next thing I know, I’m standing right next to Odessa and Arius. Jasper giving me an amused look as I find myself inhaling her scent with my nose close to her head.

She is tensed, frozen to the spot as I grip the back of her chair. The discussions around the room have ceased and all eyes are watching me.

Regardless of the attention, even logically knowing what I’m doing is bizarre, I cant help myself. My lycan rumbles low in my chest, my fingers grasp some strands of Odessa’s hair gently as I breathe her in.

Before I can stop myself, one word comes from my lips breathlessly.

“Mate.”

I can feel her shiver as my fingers graze her neck before by nose. Everything about her scent captivates and excites me. Being almost thirty-one and having no mate has been quite a topic, but now she is here.

I have to blink a couple of times and drag myself away, trying to be coherent. I clear my throat and clench my fists.

“I… I apologize, I didn’t mean to lose control like that.”

Odessa remains tense, though she relaxes just a fraction when I step back. I’ve messed her braid up a little bit. She looks a little breathless herself, but then… she had to have recognized me before. Right?

She is blushing as she smiles.

“I can understand, it took quite a bit for me not to react similarly on the battle field.”

Her voice is quiet and a little sad instead of excited. What does that mean? Why is she said. Before I can say more, she motions to an empty chair.

“Are you going to join us?”

How can she be so calm and cool? Do I not mean much as a mate to her? Why does this matter? The confusion swirling through me has me frozen a moment. Not to mention, my lycan is wanting to force himself forward, to mark her as ours.

“Yes, yes I am.”

I finally say as I take the seat beside her. There is no royal dining table in this room. I’ve always preferred to eat amongst my men and women as an equal. It doesn’t matter who is who on the battle field, why should it matter where someone eats?

I clear my throat after I’ve fixed my plate and someone pours me some wine.

“Were you able to get some rest?”

Her proximity is driving me crazy and comforting me all at the same time. Even without makeup, she is beautiful. Her blindness doesn’t bother me as I already know it isn’t a weakness. Even with their dull color, I’m captivated by them.

She laughs a little bit and tilts her head in my direction after adjusting her braid. I’m dying to loosen it and feel the strands of her hair in my fingers again. Down boy.

“Yes, the room was nice. I haven’t slept in a comfortable bed like that or taken a luxurious bath in quite some time. Thank you, your majesty.”

I frown, brow furrowing as I watch her face. I sip my wine before answering.

“Call me Levantus, titles hardly seem necessary between the two of us now, don’t you think?”

Everyone in the room has already turned to their own discussions again at this point. So, only Jasper, Arius, and those really close to us can hear. I watch as Odessa frowns and pushes food around on her plate before responding.

“I would prefer to call you by your title for now, if that is ok. I’m trying to… deal with some things in my head. Allow me some time?”

I stare at her, understanding hitting me. She’s as confused about us as I am. She’s trying to think logically, which is smart. Then again, I can’t help how it stings. I want to be seen as the person beyond my title. With her, she should be able to do that.

“Very well, my lady, titles for now it is.” After stating this, I growl a little though it isn’t a threat. My lycan close to the surface now as my fingers brush against her arm. I can feel warmth and sparks flying as our skin touches. “But know that I and my lycan lack patience… we had lost hope in finding our mate. To have her here now… it is difficult not to just act.”

She shivers and lets out a small gasp, her body automatically leaning into the touch. It warms me to physically see that she isn’t immune to this. The longer we are in each other’s presence, the stronger the bond will become and the harder to ignore.

“Yes, your majesty, I understand. Let us get through the meal and the discussion behind me first. Then we can see where we stand.”

I frown, reluctantly pulling my hand away from her arm. She needs distance for some reason, I can give it to her for the time being. The relief comes in knowing that she isn’t rejecting me and what we could have.

“Fair enough.”