His beloved witch

Chapter 17: One, two, three…

 -Andre-

“Nice to meet you, Adela, and thank you,” Blanche said, after receiving her purse from my assistant.

“You are welcome, my Queen.” My Assistant smiled and bowed before Blanche. “And thank you for accepting our King and move into our Kingdom.”

"I am not your Queen, Adela. I am giving your King a chance, although he misbehaved by threatening me with a war against my friends." Oh, sweet witch. "It is hard for me to overlook that just because he is a child of the Moon. And I am indulging his conduct because this mate bond might be real.” It is real. She is mine.

“We can develop a good relationship if you learn to be better than pushing and threatening others to get things your way," Blanche warned me. Such a powerful female... facing me, challenging me... looking thru me.

“It might happen sooner than anyone expects,” I stressed the word sooner.

Blanche’s glared at me, but Goddess… Everything she does seduces my Lycan and me, even when shrugs her shoulders and smiles.

“We will see...” My heart quickened its pace when I looked at her coquettish smile.

“Therefore... dear Adela, just call me Blanche.”

“But it is not… appropriate.” Adela looked at me and then at Blanche.

“Whatever makes Blanche happy,” I mind-linked Adela. She nodded nervously to my witch.

“I do things my way, Adela.” My assistant looks worried, while I want to laugh. This is perfect. My witch is more than beautiful; she is sharp, direct, fearless! “Do not worry, I will respect your laws and try not to disrespect your traditions,” she told us. “But remember that in case of a conflict between my values and an irrational, old Lycan tradition, I will act according to my values.”

“It is fair warning,” I declared joyfully.

“I guess…” Adela replied shyly. She knows I also hate some Lycan traditions. I want to make big changes, and Moon Goddess granted me the right partner for it. Blanche Lebrun is my perfect match. Adela better braces herself for it. 

“I expect nothing less from my Queen," I said against the skin of her hand. A kiss on her palm and Blanche shivered.

“I will go to the bathroom,” Blanche said, retrieving her hand from me. She eyed Adela, who had her mouth hanging open. My assistant knows me; I do not behave like this, ever.

Bathroom, right… Yes. Blanche’s lipstick was smeared on her face and even her neck; her hair was a mess. And I smelled it. Her panties were soaked, while my scent was all over her. Damn it, I enjoyed every freaking moment when messing her up. My little beautiful witch hungers for me as much as I do of her.

Even without the mate bond, my Lycan and I would be head over heels for her... This fire inside of her calls me.

“I can go in by myself, right?” What is that sarcastic tone? Is she testing me?

“We have an agreement.” And my beast is calm. She is here.

“It was a sarcastic question, Andre.” I just wanted to remark that I trust her word because we have an agreement. Is it not obvious my intention?

Blanche walked into the bathroom, swinging her hips at every step.

My mate looks beautiful in that tight dress that hugs her body like a glove, marking her curves, showing the skin of her back for my hungry eyes.

Our intense make-out session aroused me and my Lycan. I had the urge to rip her dress off and f**k her at Stefan’s office. Only thought of her death made me strong against my instinct... Yet the seductress wants me in pain as if containing my lust was not hard enough. Damn promise!

Adela better helps me to find a way out of that witch's promise. All agreements have a weakness, a way to work around them without breaking them. I want my mate so much that it hurts.

I remembered that Blanche’s hair was up in a high hairdo while marching sexily and confidently with her head high. Luckily, Blanche marched alone to the altar as Princess Clara’s maid of honor, or I would have killed the male next to her before claiming her in front of everyone there, ruining the mating ceremony of Clara and Joshua. Probably, I kind of did when the warlock touched her earlier. He should be thankful that I controlled the beast.

“Your highness…” Adela handed me some wet tissues, pulling me away from the memory and all potential scenarios of what could have happened.

"You look so happy, your Majesty," Adela told me, holding a little mirror to see myself and clean the stains of lipstick. “Everything went better than I thought!” Adela squeaked. “And we did not have to…”  

“I am changing the strategy.” I interrupted her. Blanche might listen, Adela realized and stopped talking. “Mind-link, Adela.”

“Miss Lebrun is a gift for our Kingdom, your Majesty!” It pleased me that others could see her worth, too. “Everyone here loves her!” I narrowed my eyes at that statement. Everyone loves Blanche. Does it include Elias Bourdieu?

Leonard was burning in jealousy when he talked about that warlock. I can control my jealousy because Blanche did not mind Elias getting hurt after I threw him away. He must not be important to her; although I will ask her once we are in my territory.

“And you have a supporter, your Majesty!”

“A supporter?”

“Yes, Luna Queen Silvia is cheering for you two to be happy together, Your Majesty,”

I smirked. The Queen of Stefan even interrupted my conversation with Blanche. I appreciated the gesture because it is evidence that my mate has loyal friends and nothing more. I will not give her up.

The beast reminded me of the pain of her absence; I doubted for a moment my claim on Blanche, and I have paid dearly. The hole in my chest without her only grows; I have learned my lesson. I will never make the same mistake. 

“She even gave me her phone number.” If Blanche’s friend wants to help, I accept. I need all the help I can get to gain Blanche's trust and affection.

Adela is gathering all the information she can about Blanche. I need to know more about my mate’s life. I will not start a war to conquer the female I was made for without a plan. Only a well-developed strategy can secure my victory… The total surrender of her heart.

Blanche misunderstood my words, but it is better that way. She understands the extremes I would go for her.

I looked at the watch on the wall. Blanche is taking her time inside of the bathroom and I can feel my anxiety grow.

Thank the Goddess, I can sense her there. The sweet aroma of my mate keeps me sane, aroused but in control.

Finally, the door opened. Blanche had another tone of red on her lips and her silver hair was loose over the shoulders and up to her waist. Her hair is beautiful, I wish I could touch it.

“Ready!” My mate said, glowing with a smile on her lovely face. She intertwined our fingers, making my Lycan purred, delighted because she took the initiative.

“Not yet,” I told her.

Adela opened the black velvet box of the present for my future Queen. One of the most meaningful from all those I have prepared.

“My first gift,” I told her as I offered her a torque necklace of gold. A family jewel.

“Oh, my dear Mother Nature!” Blanche exclaimed. “It is so beautiful!” Her eyes shined, but Blanche hesitated.

I wanted to urge her to put it on, but I need her to decide for herself. It must be her decision.

“It would be very meaningful if you wear it, Miss Lebrun.”

Blanche glared at Adela playfully, but it was to remember her that she wanted to be addressed by her first name. Adela understood, then. “Besides, it would look amazing with your outfit, Blanche.”

Yes, I will take all the help I can get.

Blanche smiled at Adela… My Goddess, I do not get enough of her smiles; I need more, and I need her close.

“I cannot accept it as a gift because I am not fully accepting you, Lycan. But I can wear it and give it back if things do not work for us.”

                “I am sure things will work out between us, Blanche.” I am confident. Moon Goddess gave a mate for a reason.

Blanche lifted her hair and turned around, allowing me to put the necklace on her.

“Thank you, Andre.” At the mention of my name on her lips, I felt the need to kiss her nape while my fingers stroked her delicate skin. 

The pull gets stronger the more I get to know and interact with Blanche, and she feels something for me, too, I can tell. She shuddered... her body reacts to my every caress. That is why she made that stupid rule of not touching. Blanche wants to resist me.

I kissed her neck again and then... once more in the place where I left a hickey earlier. She did not ask me to stop.

"Behave, King," Blanche warned me to stop and stepped away from me. I permitted her. 

She was a vision. Her long silver hair was like a silver mantle on her shoulders and back. Yet, her makeup neither her hair could cover my love bite.

We left Stefan’s office holding hands. Adela followed us silently with the rest of my guards.

Probably Stefan or his Luna Queen arranged the disposition of seats for Blanche to sit with me. Royals do not share a space with others unless we are relatives; we have our own space. Our staff and guards are around monitoring and take shifts for Royals to be always guarded and taken care of. Thus, if I were not with Blanche, I would have eaten alone.

The conversation between Blanche and me went smoothly during the meal. She loves coffee and hates cooking. Champagne, vodka, pisco, tequila… She likes them all, although her true favorite is wine. The wine we had was good, and Blanche smiled when I told her. The company founded by her and her coven made it. She was no longer in the business, though.

We left our table without asking for dessert to approach the newly mated couple; Blanche giggled when we stopped the server. I wonder what an inner joke was the cause.

There are many guests already mingling around, some already in the lounge, dancing. I greeted the King of fairies, who was with another female fairy, not his Queen. How distasteful and undignified for a mated Royal! The interaction between them was too much friendly for decorum. 

They sat Clara, looking at the dance floor. She greeted us, but Blanche hugged her despite the problem the pregnant belly represented.

“Nice meeting you, too, Princess Clara.” I did not touch her.

Royals do not touch each other unless they are relatives, and even though Josh is my nephew, I kept my distance

 and so did he.

 “Joshua, it has been a while. The last time I saw you, you were asking help from my father for a search.” His Alpha’s aura is more mature, even stronger.

I do not want Josh or any male to touch my unmarked mate. Josh stayed next to his mate, noticing my sour expression. Possessive much? Yes.

“Yes, and I appreciate the help granted,” Joshua grinned brightly, looking at his mate. “As you can see, I found my treasure."

“And I see you found yours.” He told me, regarding how Blanche took my hand. Joshua eyed the necklace on Blanche. He must know about it and what it means for Lycans. It is his heritage, after all.

"I did," I responded frankly, only to turn and stare at Blanche before speaking again, "I am very lucky, indeed.” I almost laugh. The female that has a smart, sassy answer for everything, blushed. I am the one grinning widely this time.

Luna Queen Silvia and King Stefan finished their dance and joined us.

Adela was not joking about Luna Queen Silvia supporting our mating. The she-wolf was thrilled, looking at Blanche by my arm. I

At this distance, I see her better. Luna Queen Silvia looks so young, barely a couple of years older than her daughter. But what can I say? My mate looks like a teenager.

Luna Margaret and Alpha Richard approached our group then.

The werewolves hired professional photographers for the event, so they would release only photos selected. Only the mating ceremony was public, not the party.

I allowed pictures of us at every angle because I wanted the press to know I have the perfect female as my mate. Everyone should know Blanche is mine.

“More mates found each other here!" Luna Margaret exclaimed after congratulating Blanche and me. Before my witch could correct her assumption, she kept talking. “This mating ceremony is a blessing for so many!" Margaret commented. “Clara, you are going to be happy about this! Do you remember Rose?”

“Of course, I remember her!”

“Rose Waters is alive Clara! Luna Michelle brought her here.”

“Oh, my dear Moon Goddess!” Clara’s eyes watered at the mention of who I suppose is a close friend. “And where is she?” She looked around for this person anxiously.

“Hugo is her mate!” Margaret beamed. “They found each other earlier today, and now they are… talking.”

Clara looked at Josh, who was probably comforting her thru their bond. Pregnant females get very emotional.

"No tears today, young one... Today is a happy day," my mate told her. Blanche truly cares for Princess Clara.

Another she-wolf and her Alpha mate approached us. She was identical to Luna Margaret. Her twin... They greeted us as well. She was Michelle Van Ryan, former Luna of Blood Moon since her son Mason took over the pack despite being mateless.

"Luna Michelle!" Clara stood up to hug her. "I have heard the wonderful news!"

"Maggie! You ruined my surprise!" The thin redhead complained.

It was entertaining to watch them; I could see that Blanche was also having fun. It is not proper to chuckle, but who cares when my mate enjoys this that much. 

The bickering between the sisters was playful. It was easy to tell. They all wanted to make Princess Clara smile.

Blanche came closer. “These are my friends, Andre.” She whispered in my ear. I placed a hand on her lower back possessively, pressing her against me. She made a sound of pleasure and someone took a photo of us when my witch leaned more on me.

Her scent was driving me crazy. If I had only arrived earlier at that club, I would have stopped her from making that promise to the fairy. s*x would have eased my path with her, but it is fine. I can make it happen. Things will work out.

Probably, any other female would gladly take me as a mate with no hesitation, but not Blanche. She resists me despite the mate pull, not because she does not feel it -I can tell how our bodies crave for each other- but because she does not trust me.

“Since they are close to your heart, and you live in mine… I will care for them, too.” I said in her ear.

I might have made a mistake by letting her think I was threatening her with a war against Stefan. I was going to explain, but Blanche angled her face to me, offering me her cheek. I stopped thinking and kissed her cheek, but she pulled apart. Blanche enjoys feeling me close yet has better control of herself.

Not long after, we walked to a group of witches, also her friends, her coven. I asked Adela by mind link to investigate them, too. I might need more allies in the future.

Everything went well. They were nice, and we even laughed. Until the witch named Morgana asked Blanche to talk somewhere else outside. I had to let her go while the other witches tried to distract me.

Blair has a fairy named Andy as mate or lover. I did not understand the difference. Either way, they were working on portals using the work made by no other than Elias. I could not keep listening. My Lycan did not let me focus.

Is there a potential threat to my relationship with Blanche? I focused on my mate. She was on a balcony with a view of Royal Gardens. It was not far away, a few steps closer, and I could listen.

“Is he coercing you into this?” The other witch asked. Damn witch, what does she want? I held my breath. Is she going to help Blanche run away from me?

"Kind of…" Blanche admitted. s**t! I f****d up. "But it is fine." She sounds amused. Oh, sweet relief. “I am giving him a chance. This mate bond might be real.”

“I can call your father for help..."

"Do not bring him into this. You know I can take care of myself… Besides, Charles will never intervene. He does not care." Charles Lebrun, I assume.

"Do not be so sure. I think he is the one who eased our path to set our coven despite our age.”

"Do not get him involved, Morg. It was hard to forgive you for taking Kassandra's money. Do not act behind my back ever again.” Who is Kassandra?

“I admit I did that wrong. Peace, sister."

“Peace.” My mate agreed.

“Your highness!" Who dares to interrupt me? I am Royal! "It is a pleasure to meet you!" I looked at the female in front of me, who was offering her hand for a shake. What is wrong with this werewolf?

Blanche and Morgana kept talking, but I could not focus. Damn she-wolf!

 “I am Marie Buggerfell, Luna of Golden Towers pack, Your Highness,” I nodded and tried to focus again on my witch. “Please let me introduce you, my daughter…” The disrespectful female tried to shove her teenage daughter at me. Do I not look scary to her? 

The young shewolf giggled nervously and looked at me with interest. Her perfume was disgusting.

"Nice meeting you, Your Highness. I am…"

"Guards! Adela!" I mind-linked my staff.

I am the Lycan King for Moon Goddess' sake! If one of those females were my mate, I would have claimed her already, and I did that with Blanche. Why is that not publicly known? Or do they not believe she is my mate?

Stefan sent some of his guards to help to keep the females away from me. Because my guards would have hurt them.

Freaking distraction! I missed what Blanche and her friend were talking about!

When I focused again, panic raised in my chest... Her scent was gone. Did she run from me? No, she promised me! Then someone took her from me...

"Stefan…" I whispered, looking straight at him across the room. Only the King of werewolves could listen to me. “Blanche is missing..." I told him. I was shaking already; even breathing was hard.

Oh, Goddess forgive me! But I will kill each and everyone here if my mate is not back into my arms in one, two, three…