The Lycan King & I

Five.

We had been driving for what felt like eons. My tears had slowed when Axle had started the massive car, the loud roar of the engine making me jump. The yelp that escaped my lips had caused both Lycan's eyes to dart to me in surprise, probably confused by my reaction. I was mortified.

The Lycans of the North were rich, they rode in luxurious cars all the time, I bet. The paths that led to the North were empty, no one went North. No one even knew how to get to the Northern Kingdom, but it was in the heart of the mountains. Cold, dangerous, no place for a human. 

The King sat in the same row of seats at me. The car was so large, it felt silly to say he was sitting next to me. On the cold leather, he was at least three feet away. But I was hyper aware of every molecule between us, it felt.

I hadn't looked up from my shoes once, though the sun's high gaze in the sky was dancing towards twilight now, nearly sinking below the horizon. Though I hadn't moved once, I was aware of every action of the Wolf next to me. I felt his eyes on me, occasionally.

The car was so silent. I could hear the small squeak of the leather every time Axle turned the wheel. The King had told me early in the ride that it would be a long drive to get to the Castle.

The leather of the car had chilled an hour or so earlier, and the air of the car became biting. There was no air movement in the car. I was too petrified to move. I knew both men were watching me, so I sat still as a statue.

"Alpha Benjamin," Axle speaks later, not too long after the car had lit up a bright green in the darkness. We had begun going slower, the car was frigid. We weren't in the South anymore. "Wells has our spot for the night shortly ahead. He's asking if he should pitch an extra tent."

We were stopping? I look up in surprise, matching eyes with Axle in the mirror, and look away quickly. Did he always look so displeased?

"Tell him yes." The King says, and grumbles out a low, "And tell them to cover their asses."

"Yes, Alpha."

I expect that means we were stopping soon, but it's still a while before the wheels stumble to a halt. It's hard to see outside where we are, the windows are so high and tinted.

Wells makes his reappearance later around the fire of our campsite. There's only two tents erected out of canvas. Then it dawns on me, as I hear a not too distant howl, that the rest of the guard traveling with us are all sleeping in their furs.

"Your dinner, my Queen." He presents me.

I close my eyes in the heat of the fire, as I take the plate from the Lycan. I don't recognize any of the food on the plate, but it's a lot of it. I let it sit in my lap, reveling in the warmth, untouched. The three Lycans- the king, Axle, and Wells, all seated around the fire with me. I can tell they are the leaders of their pack.

Next to me on my log is the King, sharing the seat. He is an arms length away, but I still feel the hairs on my neck stand on end by his proximity. His presence exuded anxiety for me.

The three talk as they scarf down their plates in record time. They speak fast with their Northern accents. I can't hear what they are saying, with the wind beginning to howl. I am frozen, my casual dress. The fabric was stiff, I knew that there would be snow soon in this journey.

"Expect snow by tomorrow night," I hear Axle comment, confirming my suspicions.

"I'll get some snow tires tonight," Wells comments, "The last village before we cross the border isn't too far from here."

The men hum in agreement.

"Eliette," The King clears his throat loudly. Eyes down, eyes down. "We are resting here for the night, and we will leave once Wells returns from the nearest city in the morning."

My ears perk up at that, Wells was going to town? My clothes were from the South, I needed a jacket to keep warm. Or at least socks. I put the plate next to me on the log, keeping my head down. There's another long moment until he sighs, "It's okay if you aren't hungry right now. Would you like to rest?"

The wind lets out a particularly loud howl.

"How about I show you your tent? You can freshen up there." The king continues, "Your trunk is waiting for you."

More wind.

"S-sir, W-Wells?" I stutter, a shiver runs through me. I reach into the pocket of my dress, pulling out a handful of coins. My hands are shaking in the cold. "W-will you b-buy me a coat, p-please?" 

There is a long pause.

"Of course, my Queen." Wells nods dutifully, and I look up to meet his eyes finally. They are glazed over, and I look to Axle quickly. His eyes are glazed as well. I'm too terrified to look at the king, but I know the three of them are speaking through their pack connection.

"Roger that, I'll be off." Wells says after their inner conversation is over, standing up.

I stand up from the log and shuffle over the the large Lycan. I hold out my hand to him, the coins in it clinking. "F-for the c-c-coat." I clatter the coins into his large, warm hand.

"Perhaps some gloves too." Wells notes when my hands touch his, his eyes are studying me. He shoots the King a look I cannot read, before turning and stalking off into the darkness. I can hear my money jangle in his grasp.

"Let's get you out of the cold, Eliette." The King stands at once. I follow behind him dutifully into a canvas tee pee, and am happy that there is a small fire in the center of the tent. I'm still cld, but it's more comfortable than outside. The tent is bare, except for a cot and my trunk.

And I'm alone with him. The King.

I'm all too aware of his presence. I'm all too aware of this situation. He's bringing me North... what was I supposed to do once I was there? A human didn't belong in the Lycan's land. Hell, a human didn't even belong with the Shifters in the Middle Kingdom.

I can't think about that in this close space with him. That energy is back. The frisson between us, though we stand on opposite ends of the tent. The best way to describe it is a static current in the air, gaining more charge by the moment. It feels like if either of us were to move, we'd be shocked.

"You will be safe here tonight, my guard is station outside." He assures me, I can see in my peripheral vision he is fidgeting with the rings on his hand. "My tent is next door as well, I will be listening."

I feel uncomfortable knowing that he can easily hear my every breath, move, and heartbeat without strain.

"Little one," He tries, taking a step closer to me. I notice that his voice has a touch of huskiness to it. "You do not need to lower your gaze with me."

I still do not raise my eyes.

"Look up," He commands. And this is different from the tone he has been using. He is ordering me, as the dominant being in our dynamic. I am compelled to obey. I look up from my shoes finally, and meet his gaze.

His indigo eyes. Indigo wasn't even the right word to describe the color of his eyes.

He cracks a shy smile, his eyes seem to have something behind them. "I have your eyes, how about I hear that voice of yours now too?"

But I am speechless, trembling. From fear?

"Here," my eyes widen so large in alarm that it hurts. I am stone as the King unfastens his black cloak, before taking a step even closer and wrapping it around me tightly. I revel in the warmth of it. He is closer to me now, and my breathing increases. I can hear my heart in my ears as I look down.

He reaches his hands up quickly. I flinch.

My hands shoot to cover my face. I cower automatically in fear of being struck, before a second passes. Oh, he was just going to button the cloak.

His eyes are no longer dazzling. They are troubled, a look of disappointment covers his face. I lower my hands shamefully. I have offended him.

"Right then." He nods shortly, letting his arms fall to his side. "I will leave you."

I feel the frisson in the air has dramatically changed. It feels frigid, but in a way that is different from the howling winds outside. The Kings demeanor has changed in a way that I sense he is unsettled.

I no longer feel welcome to meet his gaze, so I drop my eyes back down to my feet. The action of this makes him stiffen.

The feeling I am left with as he dismisses himself through the folds of the canvas is one that I have disappointed him. I have disappointed myself. And soon, the whole North will be able to see me plainly for what I am.

Nothing but an Underling.