His beloved witch

Chapter 42: Touch me...

-Andre-

Before taking our leave, Blanche and I walked towards my father and Tricia to say goodbye. Cara didn’t exist before our eyes. Her last scheme failed miserably, and tomorrow, I will run a full investigation into her wrongdoings and what happened to Elba.

My father was proud, looking at Tricia; even I could not hide my smile.

The song and the dress Tricia wore stated her political beliefs and open allegiance to my regime. Did I trust my sister now? No, not yet. I needed to know the content of Elba’s letter, so I mind-linked her. Tricia must come clean of everything she knows.

I glanced briefly in Chloe’s direction on my way out with Blanche. The teenager was standing next to Rafael, her father, Tricia's Amauta. Her older brother was standing there, too.

Maya didn’t attend the party. She has avoided me once again, and it didn’t surprise me. In consideration of Rafael, Maya hasn’t seen me over the years. However, we might need to talk.

According to Blanche, Chloe and Tricia are something more than friends. I don’t judge, but Tricia is too young and has not interacted with males. My father hasn’t allowed it, so this could be just a phase.

In the Lycan society, homosexual relationships exist, but our hypocrisy is knowing, not talking about it. It could be your uncle, or granduncle, who rarely visits the family and lives with a companion. No one asks... no one tells.

I'm only worried about our lineage. Only our blood can rule the Lycan Kingdom. Fortunately, I have two more sisters, so I can breathe some relief.

Once in our room, I braced myself for Blanche’s enraged questions about the incident in the garden and… freaking Leon.

“Tom hasn't escorted us. What happened?” Blanche asked me while undressing.

In our last disagreement, Blanche talked and talked for several minutes before calming down, but now... Her voice was not angry, and I got worried.

“Tom’s mate is in labor,” I informed her. "He had to go."

Blanche asked me to help her with her dress's zipper, and once I finished, I took a step away from her to stay focused. The sparks from the light touch were unbelievable. We both shivered.

“Derrick has taken over both teams besides coordinating the security of the palace during the party," I acknowledged. He deserves a raise.

“I warned Tom about the full moon.” I looked at her, confused. "The full moon induces pregnant females to deliver earlier," Blanche explained to me like a child. “I told him this would happen," Blanche said, stepping out of her dress.

All my blood went south, and I stopped breathing when I saw her in a sexy white lace bustier, a suspender belt, and a thong to dive into and die!

“I told Tom to go home earlier,” I sensed Blanche’s irritation and where this conversation was going, “but he didn’t listen.”

In Tom's case, she was right, while in mine…

Her perfume marries so well with her natural scent... Her body is emitting an alluring heat at the nearness.

Wait, what was I saying to myself? Oh, Goddess… All I know is that Blanche was standing close to me, and her soft fingers pinched my chin, making me look at her.

“Instead, Tom wasted precious time being with his mate and left us in a hurry. He didn't listen, and his mate started a painful process alone, and here… a break in our security system happened, or am I wrong?” She walked away from me, showing me her back. It didn’t help!

I closed my eyes and focused on our conversation.

"You noticed the shadow," I said after clearing my voice.

 Blanche glared at me.

Of course, she did!

It's not only Tom's fault. I have failed...

I was so lost in Blanche's arousal, imprinting my scent in her, my body was preparing for marking... I did not detect the threat on time. 

The aroma of Blanche's perfume and her scent made my mouth water once more.

Her body calls mine… I want to mark my mate.

“My Lycans are doing some damage control as we speak.” I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “Someone of my trust is investigating that damn shadow in the garden. Besides, the party is not over yet. The trace is fresh. Derrick will find whoever it was.”

However, someone overheard that damn female talking about Leon and Blanche’s past. I must monitor that stupid female and whoever she interacts with from now on.

I thought Leonard didn’t have relatives alive, and that female was just a friend. I should have dug deeper into Leonard's past! f**k, what would cost me this slip?

“You didn't recognize that scent, or you would have chased it immediately.”

Blanche has me figured out, but that is not the only reason.

"You know me so well, my love," I smirked. However, there was another reason… A powerful one, driven by Lycan instinct. It was physically impossible to leave her alone in the garden, so I ordered my guards to do it.

“You think?” Blanche's voice implied an accusation, and I winced at such venom. Yet, I stayed focused on her amber orbs, or I would lose control of the beast. He is screaming at me to claim what is ours…

“I’m not a fool, Andre.” She stepped closer again and my body buzzed by the electricity.

I licked my lips.

Suddenly, I felt like drinking.

I need something to burn my throat. Next time, I will have a stock of whisky in our room…

Next time? Well, there will be more times like this between us. Here... we will fight, confide, argue, make love... sweet, sweet love…

My hands are in tight fists as my nails pierce my skin to contain me. Or I would pounce on Blanche to mark her since our bond has matured and my Lycan feels it.

“Andre," she called my name, and the reel of lustful images of her in my thoughts stopped, “there must be a misunderstanding about Leon. I know Leon would never commit treason. Leon…”

"He did it!" I stated out loud without yelling because I would never scream at my mate.

However, I was seething. Those lips should say my name only!

“Andre…” Blanche pressed her chest against mine. Is she not aware of my pain right now? Between my anger and her delicious body… It gets harder and harder!

"You are tempting me," I explained, but she didn't move. "Please, Blanche…”

She knows she is pushing me to the edge, so she walked away with a slight frown.

I flopped into the closest armchair as Blanche went to the walking closet. I opened the buttons of my shirt to breathe and release some steam.

A Lycan is a beast hard to control. I hungered over her; I wanted to mark her and mate.

I saw her coming in the soft pink nightgown I love on her. My Lycan almost overpowered me this time.

My nails elongated, piercing the furniture I was sitting on. I kept myself glued to the chair, a leg over the other.

I looked calm on the surface, apparently relaxed.

“Now is later, Andre.” She sat across from me, the coffee table between us.

I thought I would have some time before the scandal of Leon’s treason struck us, but I miscalculated it, and now I have a mate with questions I do not want to answer yet.

“Talk to me… I love you, and I trust you, Andre.” Blanche’s words restarted my breathing. That thing about holding your breath without noticing is real. “Please, tell me what happened so I can help.”

“Help?” Him or me? I even heard the bitterness in my voice, and I was glad I did not ask.

Jealousy is like poison burning in your veins.

The Lycan demands to mark her to appease his emotion.

“I need a drink." She looked at me, but I stood up, avoiding her gaze.

I mind linked Adela to send whisky to our room. No ice. I hate ice on my whisky.

I paced from one side to another like a caged animal, waiting for my whisky. Blanche didn't lose her patience with me.

“You are jealous. I get it,” she told me, and I stopped.

"Was I so obvious?" I said with half of a smile.

“Have I given you a reason to doubt me or my feelings for you?"

I almost lose her. One mistake is all it takes to lose it all…

“I know,” I f*****g know! I closed my eyes a second to control the Lycan. "It's not that... or not only that."

I have never felt so many emotions or insecurities before.

My life was under control, and I had one goal only, but now… Now, there is more at stake, and I no longer feel in control as I used to.

Suddenly, Blanche's scent clouded my mind, her arms wrapped around me, pulling me to a very much-needed soft kiss. Her warmth disarmed me. The sparks were what I needed.

“I love you,” I confessed to her, swallowing a lump in my throat. Her amber eyes shined. "I love you like I've never thought I could. And I am afraid… " I hugged her tightly, and she corresponded.

 "I can't lose you."

"You will not... We have a plan. My friends came here to protect the palace, too. Your known enemies are under our surveillance, and we will be ready for their attack. But you must trust in me. I can give you what you ask, but I will not give you what you need unless you open with me."

I pulled Blanche to our bed.

I need my mate close to me. She placed her leg on top of mine, her head on my shoulder, looking straight into my eyes.

"He betrayed me. You must believe me…" I asked her, and Blanche did. "After I ordered Leonard as my minister, I asked him to look for a witch in Saint Isabella. We found your clothes and showed them to him. He recognized them as yours, but he hid it and then misled the investigation team and me…”

I told her the entire story.

“Leon made several mistakes and lost your trust in him. Trust is something hard to earn, easy to lose… almost impossible to recover.”

Exactly!

“Leonard will face trial for what he did," I confessed, and it felt right.

Only Leonard's lawyer would have access to him to prepare his defense.

“I’d like to hear Leon’s side of the story.”

"No," I expressed firmly, as the one who enforces and obeys the law.

“Andre!” She snapped her head to meet my eyes.

“It’s the law…” Blanche didn’t fully believe me, and I tried not to show it hurt. “Trust me, it’s important to keep you out of this.”

She tried to understand, but Blanche was... Blanche. It's her way or none.

“I am the reason he made those mistakes." Blanche was regretful, and I disliked it.

“Why would you be guilty of his decisions?” I asked her in disbelief.

Who am I fooling? Blanche always takes the blame for everything.

“Because I am partially responsible, Andre. I should have heard what Leon had to say instead of blocking him and running from him like he was a plague. It would’ve solved the issue earlier.”

I allowed myself to smile at her words and kissed her furrowed forehead.

"Do you think?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Absolutely! A conversation with him should’ve been enough.” She argued.

Innocent! Does she know males at all?

“Leon wanted you for himself so badly that he went against my orders.” I squeezed her, and she gasped.

“Maybe, but that is not important, because if I had known that you were looking for me…"

“You would have been at my coronation as my mate and Queen.” I completed what she was saying with a flirty smile.

“No!" Blanche giggled. "I would’ve run away and hidden from you!”

“What?” I was shocked! “Why?” Is she joking?

“I didn’t know you,” Blanche shrunk her shoulders cheekily. “And you scared the s**t out of me! The night I met you, I used a magical portal to run to my hotel. Then I hid in my hotel but ended up fleeing the territory. In my rush out of the nightclub… I threw away my phone, left my clothes behind… I'd never got my number back. I changed it and lost contact with everyone for a while there… Anyone could have easily believed I had stolen something in Saint Isabella!” She laughed it out as if it was a good joke.

“Oh, but you did it, my beautiful witch!” I moved, keeping my weight on my elbows, caging her, pressing her under me. “You stole my heart,” I kissed her cheek, “and my soul.” I kissed her neck, making her laugh louder. 

“That tickles!” She laughed harder.

"I think I found your tickle spot!” I laughed, kissing her there again and brushing my chin on it since it was raspy at his hour.

Blanche didn’t like to lose control. She pushed me playfully and flipped me, making me lay on my back, to straddle me the way she likes it, using my hands as support.

“You found me at the right time… Not a minute earlier or later." She told me with bright amber eyes.

“I did.” I agreed, nodding affirmatively, and Blanche pecked my lips quickly.

We stared at each other for a while without kissing or touching, yet our breathing accelerated.

A soft blush on her face made me smile. Blanche broke the spell, moving away from me. A feeling of void nested in my stomach at the lack of contact with her.

I know Blanche is just guarding us against escalating our desire, but I want to mark her. My heart began its song for her. Blanche loves me… not him, not any other male… me.

“Andre…” She called my name, standing in front of the bed. I laid my back on our bed's headboard, appreciating her figure. “Was it Leon’s case that you were hiding from me?” She guessed, narrowing her eyes at me, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

I hated it, but I admitted.

“Why can’t you tell me more?” Blanche questioned.

“I need the element of surprise,” and I need control of the plan and the variables.

“I can be a wonderful actress!” Blanche put her hands on her hips.

"You don’t lie!” She wanted to argue against it but pursed her lips. “But it's not that." I don't want her to know how twisted I can be... to achieve my goals.

“Then… why?” Blanche asked until her eyes widened in realization. “You are going to use Leon… Aren’t you?”

My Queen is so intelligent.

It's not like I don't know who my enemies are, but I cannot go after them out of the blue or without firm evidence.

I need to catch as many as I can to rule in peace, or I will be on top of a bomb ready to explode, who hid their intentions or supports a coup against my government... in silence.

“Andre, I don't agree with this.” I knew how she would feel. “They find out Leon is loyal to you; they will kill him.”

“It is a possibility, but we can help him if needed." Leonard is still my subject, and if he is loyal, I will extend my protection. Blanche loves me, and if Leon plays his part in this plot and helps me, I will pardon his life. But if he tries to betray me again, I will kill him myself. “We have ears now. Don’t we?" I winked at her.

"Yes, we do. Francisco is monitoring them.” She sounds even offended by the question. Besides, Adela is placing spies where I need them to be. I am not taking things lightly. “But there are limits that shall not be crossed, my King. For example, we respect privacy, the alarm to review the recordings will activate if they mention something specific. If there is a threat against us, technology and magic will help us, and no one's life will be in danger."

“Yours is,” I want her to be safe and happy by my side and my Kingdom developing and growing into a better society with more equality.

“No, Andre. I can take care of myself.” She promised me, and I surprised her with my speed. My mate was in my arms.

“I know.” I kissed her forehead. Lycans are fast, powerful, deadly…

"Andre, if you offered Leon a deal to save his life. Then there must be a way out for him. If so... don't risk his life. Please, let him go. He is loyal to you and your projects... The Lycans that served under him, his squad of inspectors, his unit from the army... Everyone knows it. Even that girl risked everything to beg for his life. Leon is loved by others, not me. Be wiser, Andre."

Blanche keeps the beast calm.

“Promised me to consider it.” She held my face between her soft hands.

I didn’t want to. “I have a plan set in mind.” If I changed it, I wouldn't have had enough control of the outcome. And I don't want surprises…

More variables, more possibilities of mistakes.

"It's not fair to discuss this matter when we should talk about our mating ceremony." I want a much bigger event than Joshua and Clara's mating ceremony.

"You are trying to distract me, aren't you?" Blanche kissed me, biting my lower lip playfully, and giggled. "It works because I love you. And I know you are a fair King. I wouldn't have fallen in love with someone less than that."

“So... You are saying I am worth it.” I joked.

“More than worthy, my King… If you learn, listen to your female,” Blanche kissed my lips. It was just a peck, and only to entice me.

“My Queen…” I purred while crashing my lips against her.

I have wanted to devour those sweet lips for a while. Blanche parted her lips for me, and I entered her mouth to explore her. The heat between us raised as her body molded against mine.

It didn't take long for us to get back in our bed, rubbing against each other.

"Can we try something?" Blanche whispered in my ear, under me. “I want you to touch me…”