Page 34 of Mane Attraction
They finished breakfast with surface-level conversation about logistics and timing, but the undercurrent of tension never abated between him and Xelene. When Janice and Benjamin finally excused themselves to begin organizing the PR events, Lev found himself alone with Xelene.
He stood slowly, every instinct screaming at him to reach for her, to guide her with his hand at the small of her back, to claim the physical connection their bond demanded. Instead, he forced himself to maintain the respectful distance she needed, gesturing toward the doorway with careful restraint.
“The gym is this way,” he said, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging inside him.
She nodded and moved past him, close enough that her scent flooded his senses and made his hands clench with the effort not to touch her. The mate bond pulsated, stronger than ever, a living thing that demanded acknowledgment even as they both fought to ignore it.
Four more days,Lev thought as he followed her from the dining room, admiring the confident set of her shoulders and the determined tilt of her chin.Four more days to prove I’m worthy of her and worthy of the crown.
The trial ahead would test his strength, wisdom, and loyalty. But the greatest test would be earning Xelene’s trust and convincing her that their accidental bond could become something beautiful—if she was brave enough to let it.
The castle’s gym soon stretched before them like an arena designed for warriors, its polished stone floors gleaming under the natural light streaming through the large windows. Lev inhaled deeply, Xelene’s intoxicating scent mingling with the familiar smell of leather and steel that permeated the space. Exercise equipment lined the walls—weights, combat dummies, sparring mats—everything a future king might need to hone his body into a weapon.
TWENTY-FOUR
LEV
Xelene moved with purposeful strides toward the center of the room, her portfolio folder clutched against her chest like armor. Lev found himself mesmerized by the control of her movements, the way her ponytail swayed with each step, and the determined set of her shoulders that spoke of a woman who conquered every challenge placed before her.
She settled onto a bench beside the main sparring mat and opened her folder with the crisp efficiency he’d come to associate with her professional persona. Pages rustled as she pulled out meticulously organized notes, and Lev caught glimpses of charts, diagrams, and what appeared to be historical records written in her precise handwriting.
“I spent most of last night researching previous Trials of the Sun,” she announced, her green eyes lifting to meet his with laser-sharp focus. “I was able to go back three centuries, cross-referencing the strength, wisdom, and loyalty tests that past kings faced during their ascension ceremonies.”
Lev felt his eyebrows rise in genuine amazement. Most pride members barely remembered the trials from their own generation or even cared enough to research their own history, yet somehow this brilliant woman had unearthed historical dataspanning multiple eras and was thoroughly absorbing it. The depth of her preparation, her relentless dedication to ensuring his success, sent a wave of awe and admiration coursing through him that he couldn’t suppress.
Through the bond, he felt her awareness of his emotional response—the way her breath hitched slightly, and her eyes widened before she quickly looked down at her notes, fighting to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
She feels how much I appreciate her.
“The strength tests have remained relatively consistent over the decades,” she continued, her voice taking on the authoritative tone that made his lion purr. “Combat prowess in both human and shifted forms, demonstrations of raw strength, agility tests, and endurance challenges.” She gestured toward the training mat with a sharp nod. “So, get over there. We have work to do.”
Lev couldn’t suppress his grin as he moved toward the mat, already pulling off his t-shirt and tossing it aside. The woman was incredible when she took charge and put him in his place.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed at his playful compliance.
What followed was an hour of the most intense physical training Lev had experienced since his father’s prime. Xelene transformed into a drill sergeant, barking orders with military precision as she put him through his paces. Push-ups until his muscles screamed. Combat combinations that tested his speed and accuracy. Strength demonstrations that pushed his human form to its limits.
She watched his every movement with analytical eyes, taking notes, calling out corrections, and demanding perfection. When he faltered, she pushed harder. When he succeeded, she immediately escalated the difficulty. Her relentless standards drove him to perform beyond what he’d thought possible, andLev found himself falling deeper under her spell with each command.
This is what partnership looks like,he thought as sweat dripped down his chest.Not some simpering woman who worships my title, but an equal who demands I become worthy of it.
“Excellent,” she said finally, consulting her notes. “Now we need to test your shifted abilities. The records show that past kings have been required to demonstrate hunting techniques, territorial displays, and combat skills in lion form.”
Lev wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, his breathing still elevated from the workout. “The space is designed for shifting. Reinforced walls and extra high ceilings.” He gestured around the expansive room. “And once I’m in lion form, we can still communicate through our telepathic link. Just push your thoughts toward me—I’ll hear every word.”
Her nod was crisp and professional, but he caught the flicker of anticipation in her eyes at testing out their telepathic link. Lev stepped back, giving himself room for the transformation. The shift began as it always did—a warm tingling sensation that started in his chest and spread outward like liquid fire. His bones began to elongate and reshape, muscles expanding and redistributing as his human form dissolved into something far more primal and powerful.
The change accelerated, becoming a rush of sensation and energy that left him breathless. His vision sharpened to supernatural clarity, his hearing became acute enough to detect Xelene’s elevated heartbeat from across the room, and his sense of smell exploded into a symphony of information about their environment.
When the transformation completed, Lev stood before Xelene in his full lion form—nearly thirty percent larger than most shifters, his golden mane flowing like a crown around hismassive head, and his eyes burning with the ancient authority of his royal bloodline. Power radiated from every inch of his frame, from his heavy shoulders to his powerful haunches, marking him unmistakably as an Alpha born to rule.
Xelene’s sharp intake of breath echoed through the training room, and through their bond, Lev felt the wave of awe that crashed over her. Her eyes widened as she took in his magnificent form in such close proximity, her clinical detachment crumbling in the face of his raw, primal majesty.
Beautiful,her thoughts whispered through their connection, unguarded and honest.
Lev’s lion preened under her appreciation, his chest swelling with pride. He’d never cared much about impressing anyone before, but earning Xelene’s respect and admiration felt like the greatest victory of his life.
Ready when you are,he projected back.
