Page 48 of Mane Attraction
Brilliant,Lev thought grimly.Make it look like I have to choose between my own safety and protecting the council. If I die defending them, I’m a hero. If I hesitate, I’m a coward.
But Lev had already made his choice in a split second. Even knowing the trap, even knowing Christoph deserved whatever fate awaited him, Lev couldn’t let innocent council members die for one man’s ambition.
His shift exploded through him with violent grace, his ceremonial clothes shredding as his massive lion form materialized. Golden fur blazed in the sunlight as he launched himself between the charging rogues and the scrambling council members, his roar of challenge drowning out the crowd’s screams.
The first rogue slammed into him with bone-jarring force, claws raking across his shoulder as they rolled across the stone. Lev’s jaws clamped down on the attacker’s throat, not quite hard enough to kill but sufficient to send the lion limping away, defeated.
The remaining two rogues circled him with predatory patience, their eyes holding an intelligence that confirmed Lev’s suspicions—these weren’t mindless beasts. They were hired killers with a specific target.
Come on then,Lev snarled silently.Let’s finish this.
The rogues attacked in unison, one high and one low, trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Lev twisted away from snapping jaws, his claws finding purchase in his attacker’s flank, but the second rogue was already closing in for what would have been a killing blow?—
Then Benjamin’s golden-brown lion form crashed into the assassin mid-leap, the two beasts tumbling away from Lev ina savage tangle of claws and fangs. Lev disabled his remaining opponent with ruthless efficiency, then spun to help his friend.
“The loyalty test has been compromised!” Christoph declared, his voice cutting through the noise. “This breach invalidates the test.”
The arena erupted in chaos as pride members shouted and pointed. Security guards rushed the stage while the three lions shifted back to human form, Benjamin maintaining his grip on the would-be assassin despite returning to his more vulnerable human shape.
“Actually, I think it validates everything perfectly.”
Xelene’s voice rang out clear and strong as she strode onto the stage, Janice beside her with a communicator held high. The crowd fell silent, mesmerized by the human woman who moved with such confident authority.
“Council members,” Janice announced, approaching the four remaining elders, “I think you need to see these photos of correspondence we found hidden in Councilor Christoph’s office.”
Mason, the elderly councilor Lev’s father had always respected, took the communicator with trembling hands. His face went ashen as he scrolled through the images, then hardened into granite.
“Guards,” Mason’s voice carried absolute authority. “Arrest Councilor Christoph and Crispin for conspiracy, murder, and treason against the crown.”
The arena exploded into shocked voices as security moved to comply, but Crispin had already melted into the crowd, disappearing like the coward he’d always been beneath his bluster.
Mason moved slowly to the front of the stage, his aged frame somehow commanding the attention of every pride member present. “Prince Lev has not only passed his loyaltytest by protecting this council at great personal risk, but has successfully completed the Trial of the Sun. By right of blood, trial, and the evidence of his character, I hereby proclaim Lev Marcan as our rightful king.”
The crowd’s roar was deafening this time, but Lev barely heard it. His attention was fixed on Xelene, who stood watching him with something like wonder in her green eyes. Through the bond, he felt her pride in him, her awe at his choice to protect even his enemies, and underneath it all, a growing certainty that made his heart race.
“My people,” Lev called out, his voice carrying easily across the arena. “Today you’ve seen treachery and loyalty, deception and truth. But most importantly, you’ve seen the courage of those who stood with me.” His gaze found Xelene. “Everything you witnessed today—the uncovering of this conspiracy, the prevention of my assassination, the protection of your future—all of it was possible because of one woman’s brilliance, dedication, and refusal to let injustice stand.”
He stepped toward her, aware that hundreds of eyes tracked his movement. “Xelene Warren is my fated mate. We have completed the mate bond, and I hope—” His voice caught with genuine emotion. “I hope that someday soon, she will choose to stay here and become your queen.”
The crowd’s approval washed over them both, and through their connection, Lev felt Xelene’s walls finally, completely crumble. Her desire to stay, to build a life with him, to rule beside him—it flooded through the bond with such intensity that he nearly staggered.
She hadn’t said the words yet. But she would.
And when she did, Lev knew the real adventure of his life would begin.
THIRTY-ONE
XELENE
The royal vehicle door clicked shut behind them, sealing Xelene and Lev into the leather-scented sanctuary that had become the backdrop for so many pivotal moments in their whirlwind relationship. The adrenaline from the arena still coursed through Xelene’s veins—the roar of the crowd, the flash of claws and fangs, and the moment when she’d thought she might lose him forever to Christoph’s twisted schemes.
But Lev was here. Alive. Victorious.
King.
The word sent a thrill through her that had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the magnificent man sitting beside her, his ceremonial jacket torn from the battle but his eyes blazing with triumph and something deeper—relief that she was safe, that they were together, that the nightmare was finally over.
“Xelene—” he started, but she was already moving.
