His beloved witch

Chapter 21: A powerful ally

-Andre-

“Your Highness, Miss Blanche wants to tell you about Leon!” Adela's mind linked me.

“I know.” I have dodged it successfully until now. I did not want to explain Leon was rotting in a dungeon for treason, waiting for trial. And now it might be too late.

“Your highness, delay it will only make it worst.”

I try to look composed, but the voice of Adela in my head is distracting. Especially because I know she is right.

“Please, fix this. You have done a lot already and still gained Miss Blanche’s understanding." Adela can be my conscience sometimes. “It will only create an issue between you two.”

I wish I can huff or act annoyed, but I cannot.

“Blanche, there is a lot to talk about. Unfortunately, we need to manage this first. Please, be patient with me.” I told Blanche, and she nodded. “And I want to say I am sorry in advance.”

“I apologize in advance, too.” She giggled as a mischievous expression appeared on her features. I could only smirk at the thought of what she can do.

Blanche walks by my hand on the red carpet to be greeted by my father, his mate, and ten instead of eleven ministers of my government. It amazes me how confident she looks and the regal pose she held.

I can tell she is looking for a familiar face that is not there as I focus on her hand in mine to dissipate my irritation. The beast inside me growls in jealousy, hating the constraint. I want her eyes on me, only me.

“Welcome to the family.” My father told her sincerely, bowing lightly his head as it is traditional. “I am Eleazar Carvalho, a retired King, at your orders.” Before my father could see Blanche this close, he seemed to be nervous, even worried, but now… The former King blushed, looking at her amber orbs.

“I am Blanche Lebrun. Nice meeting you, Your Majesty.” Blanche curtsied to my father.

My witch is astonishingly beautiful, and her mesmerizing eyes have an inexplicable pull, even to my father. She is nothing of what he imagined.

“This is an informal meeting.” I could not believe my ears when I heard it, or my eyes, when my father offered his hand to shake hers. He even greeted Blanche with a kind smile.

“Welcome to our family, Miss Lebrun. And to our beautiful kingdom.” Cara said. She could barely hide her hate when looking at Blanche and me.

I am not entirely sure of what Cara hates the most. The fact that... no one will bend to her wishes as Queen anymore now that my Queen is here; or that I cut most of the business deals of her family in the Kingdom. They had so many undeserved privileges until I ascended to the throne. In all senses, I had stripped Cara of power and her family with her.

One of Cara’s assistants approached Blanche with a bouquet of roses. I halted the actions on the spot. Adela got someone from my team to inspect it before the hands of my mate touched the offering. Poison or dark magic… I expect the worst from Cara.

Blanche noticed and just smiled politely. My father did not complain about my actions.

The bouquet passed the inspection. So, it can have the honor of being in the hands of the new Queen of Lycans.

“Thank you. I love flowers.”

Cara did not offer a handshake, and the smile on her face was fake.

My ministers bowed before us as we walked to the limo waiting for us at the end of the red carpet. I would hold formal introductions with them at the dinner organized by Cara at the palace. I did not want to have this today. Cara messed with my plans.

“The news about you finding your fated mate spread between our population.” My father informed me by mind link. “And our Lycans feel blessed by Moon Goddess, considering as a good omen for your reign. There is even a big number of loyal Lycans outside that came to show their support. It is amazing! You were right, son.” Eleazar Carvalho has admitted I was right. Even though my father did it by mind link, I enjoyed it.

The vehicle left the airport surrounded by guards keeping the population away. I could hear the good wishes, blessings, and cheers from them.

“Since we are alone.” Why do you want to tell me, Blanche? I would prefer to leave this conversation for after one month after our mating ceremony.

I am the King of Lycans. I am the one who picks fights and raises conflicts with the rich and nobles of my Kingdom, but I am freaking out about discussing one specific topic with my witch.

Maybe, I should have asked my father to come with us, but it is not appropriate, and Cara would have come. No way. I prefer to keep Cara away from Blanche.

“I used to date your Minister of Defense, Leonard Walls.” Blanche had her hands on her lap. The flowers were by her side.

Silence.

It was inevitable. However, I did not expect the jealousy that invaded my thoughts and my body when the name of another male came from her lips.

“You keep mentioning this Lycan you used to date… Is he that important to you? Do you still have feelings for him? Did you expect him to be waiting for you at the airport?” I vomited my words without thinking.

I turned to look at Blanche, truly concerned that my tone or my words could have offended her.

“Did you know that when you are angry is when you are the most honest?” Blanche placed a hand on my thigh. The beast inside me purred delightedly. "I wanted to warn you in case things got out of hand. My relationship with Leon ended a few months ago, but he wanted to get back together. We disagreed on that. He insisted and… Here we are. I am dating his boss… His King.”

I hated the way she pronounced his name; I could not look at her.

“Just think about it.” Blanche placed a hand on my face, making me turn my face to her. “He is an angry ex. What if he does or says something to upset you? But more importantly, what if you make a mistake because of that?” Blanche never stops surprising me. “I sensed daggers coming your way from your stepmother and her staff. You have enemies here, Andre.”

Blanche cares about… me.

“You are a new King after all. I do not care about scandals or my reputation.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But you do.”

“Does it mean you just wanted to warn me…?”

"Yes, I do not want you to fall under any provocation. It can cost you at this time of your reign."

“Were you trying to protect me?”

"Do you always ask for obvious things?" Blanche chuckled and looked at the black window, but she could not cover the soft blush on her cheeks or the raise of her pulse.

Blanche was avoiding my gaze. She tries to overlook the connection between us. She is not aware that our mating process has begun.

"I apologize for my outburst." It is hard to admit it, but… "I was jealous. I have been jealous of the start."

“Why? Because I have a past?”

"No. Because at some moment in your life, you loved him." I do not need to be angry, to be honest with her. "I want to be the only one you love."

“Love is a big word at this stage, my King.” Blanche looks flustered and tried to change the subject.

“You will face difficult times just for bringing me here. I am witch… I do not want to add to your problems.”

“You are not adding problems." I kissed her hand, and she looked at me, confused. “In fact, our mating has earned more supporters…” I pressed the button on my other side to clear the window.

Blanche can see my lycans with banners on the streets, supporting us. The number is impressive even for me. Besides, some buildings had a gigantic photo hanging down on our way to the palace.

In some banners, Blanche looks at me with tenderness while my hands rest on her hips. In others, my hand is on her lower back while I gaze at her intently; Blanche has her eyes closed and seems to rest her head on my shoulder.

I should reward the photographer and Stefan for leaking those photos. Blanche and I seemed to be the main characters of some romantic novel. It is amazing publicity for my witch; I could have not planned it better.

“I cannot believe it!” she exclaimed. Blanche gaped.

“You already know how much a fated mate means for us.”

"Yes, but…" She pointed to the photo in the building's banner. "When did they take those photos?”

“I know neither. At some moment during the mating party?”

Blanche was worried and even a little nervous.

                “I am not sure to understand the way Lycans think. This is too much.” She pointed again to the window. The supporters were increasing in number on the streets.

"Let me tell you a story…" I want my mate to know. "My mother was a commoner. My parents met each other at a gala. Damara -that is the name of my mother- was serving at that gala. My father said that his beast fell in love with her the moment he laid eyes on her. They both told me it was love at first sight. Even fairies have told the story for decades, changing things here and there, but the end is the same. The Prince Heir took as his mate, a beautiful commoner. That was their love story."

My witch was listening attentively to the story between my parents.

                “It is a pretty love story.”

                “Yes, but it also meant hope for the population. My father did not know how to manage that expectation…” And did not know how to protect his mate. “However, my mother did. We would disguise on commoners' outfits and visit different places. She provided help and hope where my father failed, sometimes without showing her identity."

“She sounds remarkable, Andre. Yet, I am still a witch… a foreigner in your Kingdom.”

“You, being my mate, also mean a change. A new plan from the Goddess for us. We can be paired with other species...”

“According to legends around the Moonlight pack, there were interspecies mating.”

“I did not hear about it. I would love to talk to Stefan about it. Because if omegas can be destined mates of Alphas, why not a beautiful witch like you be mine? I learned from my mother the struggles my people suffered. Privileged assholes took advantage of the weaker and more vulnerable… You have no idea how many times I had to intervene to prevent an injustice… I have worked very hard for my people since I was young. My Lycans can see our mating as a reward for my hard work.”

“A reward?”

“I am the first King to ever have a fated mate.”

“Andre, we are not sure…”

“I am.” I stopped her, pulling her to my lap. “I need you, Blanche Lebrun.” I buried my nose in the gap between her neck and shoulder.

Blanche is my safe place, my garden, my heart. “Stay by my side... No matter what, just stay with me.”

She held my face with both hands and kissed my lips softly with closed eyes. Her lips were soft and warm against me, and I craved to deepen the kiss. Yet, I pulled back the Lycan and let my witch control the intensity of our kiss. This is the first time she kisses me first.

Blanche breathed out after our kiss, still on my lap and resting her forehead on mine. Her arms around my neck.

“You got yourself someone more in your corner, my King. You can count me as your ally.”

I could not hold it in me, and I did not want to either. I kissed Blanche with all in me, to welcome her as my most powerful ally in the Kingdom.