Page 46 of Mane Attraction
But through their mate bond, he felt Xelene’s steady presence like an anchor in the storm of his fury. Even now, while she risked her life tracking Crispin through the night, her strength flowed into him, reminding him of the man she believed he could become.
Leadership, restraint, and strategy, not vengeance,her voice echoed in his memory.That’s what a true king would choose.
She was right. Charging off on a quest for blood-soaked justice would accomplish nothing except proving Christoph’s accusations about Lev’s reckless nature. A king protected his people through strategy, not slaughter. A king thought beyond his own pain to serve the greater good.
But damn, it was hard. Every fiber of his being wanted to make Christoph and Crispin suffer for stealing his father from him, and for the years of manipulation and scheming while Lev had been too busy playing the carefree prince to notice the vipers in his own court.
If I’d paid attention sooner,Lev thought bitterly,if I’d been the son and prince he needed instead of running from responsibility...
The guilt was a physical weight in his chest. His father might still be alive if Lev had taken his duties seriously. He would have seen through Christoph’s political maneuvering and put a stop to it.
A sharp knock interrupted his self-recrimination. “Lev, we need to move,” Benjamin’s voice carried urgency even through the thick oak door.
Lev straightened his shoulders, forcing the golden fire in his eyes to dim to their usual deep blue. When he opened the door, Benjamin stood waiting in his own ceremonial attire, his dark golden hair perfectly styled and his green eyes sharp with focus.
“Ready for this?” Benjamin asked, though his expression suggested he already knew the answer.
“As ready as any man can be for his potential assassination,” Lev replied grimly.
They walked through the castle corridors toward the main entrance, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls lined with portraits of past kings. Lev’s ancestors seemed to watch him carefully today, as if questioning whether he was worthy to join their ranks—or if he’d even survive the day to try.
“You know,” Benjamin said, trying to force levity into the dire situation, “most princes worry about failing their loyalty test. You get to worry about someone trying to murder you during it. Really puts things in perspective.”
“Always the jokester,” Lev muttered, but he was grateful for his friend’s attempt to lighten the mood.
The royal vehicle waited in the drive, its black exterior gleaming in the morning sunlight. As they settled into the plush leather seats, Benjamin’s expression grew serious.
“Let’s go over the plan once more,” he said, pulling out his communicator to check the time. “You enter the arena, act completely normal. Greet the council, acknowledge the crowd, and begin the loyalty test as expected.”
Lev nodded. “And then stall like my life depends on it—which it literally does.”
“Exactly. Draw out every ritual, every ceremonial element you can think of, ask stupid questions. Give speeches about your father’s legacy, your vision for the pride, whatever keeps you and Christoph talking, and away from the actual test.”
“While you meet Xelene and Janice to confirm the assassin’s identity and their game plan,” Lev finished. The thought of his mate still out there, having spent the night trailing dangerous men, made his protective instincts roar to life. Through theirbond, he could sense her exhaustion but also her fierce determination.
She’d done this for him. Put herself at risk to uncover the truth, to protect not just him but the entire pride from Christoph’s machinations. The brilliant, controlled woman who’d arrived to fix his reputation had instead become his salvation in ways she probably didn’t even realize yet.
“She’s incredible,” Lev said quietly, more to himself than to Benjamin.
“Xelene? Yeah, she is. Janice too, for that matter.” Benjamin’s cheeks flushed slightly. “They’re both risking everything to save you.”
“She hasn’t said it yet,” Lev continued, his voice thoughtful. “That she loves me, that she chooses the bond and me fully, that she wants to stay. But her actions...” He shook his head in wonder. “She’s already proven herself my queen, Benjamin. The pride would be damn lucky to have her lead beside me.”
“If you survive long enough to become king,” Benjamin pointed out pragmatically.
“When I survive,” Lev corrected with absolute certainty. “Xelene didn’t risk her life gathering intelligence just so I could die in some staged accident. I won’t dishonor her sacrifice.”
The arena came into view, its massive stone structure rising against the Nova Aurora sky like an ancient colosseum. Already, pride members were streaming through the entrances, eager to witness their prince’s final test. Lev could see Christoph’s sleek vehicle already parked in the VIP section, no doubt the councilor was inside preparing his performance of concerned elder while his son prepared for the throne.
“Signal me the moment you have confirmation,” Lev said as the royal vehicle pulled to a stop. “I’ll be watching the stands.”
Benjamin clasped Lev’s shoulder firmly. “You’ve got this, Alpha. You’re twice the king your father was, and he was the best we’ve had in generations.”
Lev stepped out of the royal vehicle and into the roar of the crowd. Pride members cheered his name, their voices carrying hope and expectation. These were his people—the ones Christoph and Crispin would rule through fear and manipulation if their plan succeeded.
Not if he could help it.
He raised his hand in acknowledgment of their support, his smile confident and regal despite the danger waiting inside. Let Christoph think he’d won. Let the old fool believe his schemes had gone undetected.
