Page 52 of Mane Attraction
Yesterday felt like a lifetime ago. The Trial, the assassination attempt, the exposure of Christoph’s treachery—it had all culminated in this moment of perfect stillness. Yes, fury still simmered beneath the surface when he thought of how Christoph and Crispin had murdered his father and how they’dtried to destroy everything his bloodline had built. But Councilor Mason’s decision to execute Christoph and Crispin for treason and murder brought a grim satisfaction, and Lev trusted his pride enforcers would hunt down Crispin wherever the coward had fled.
Justice will come,Lev decided, his fingers tracing lazy patterns along Xelene’s bare arm.But today is for celebration.
His mind began spinning with possibilities. He’d passed the Trial of the Sun—officially claimed his birthright as King of the Marcan Pride. Xelene had chosen to stay, to become his queen. These monumental victories deserved recognition, and Lev knew exactly how to honor them.
A party. The biggest celebration Nova Aurora has ever seen.
The idea took shape with delicious clarity. He’d throw the kind of legendary bash that would remind his pride why they’d always loved their charismatic prince—the kind of wild, joyous celebration that would become the stuff of stories told for generations. Just because he was king now didn’t mean he’d lost his ability to show his people a spectacular time.
I’ll need the grand ballroom decorated, the finest Sidaii wine from the cellars, music that’ll shake the castle walls...
His mental planning must have stirred something through their bond because Xelene shifted against him, a soft murmur escaping her lips.
“Lev,” she said without opening her eyes, her voice thick with sleep and amusement. “Your brain is spinning so fast I can feel it from here. Stop thinking so loudly—you’re interrupting the most wonderful dream.”
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Whatever you were dreaming about, sweetheart, I can make it reality. I’m the king now, remember?”
Her green eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep but sparkling with mischief. “Such confidence from someone who was just fighting for his life yesterday.”
“Well, you’re awake now, anyways,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that commanding alpha tone that made her pulse quicken. “Which means we can have round two of our reunion.”
In one fluid movement, he rolled over her, caging her beneath his powerful frame. His hands braced on either side of her head as he lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips in a kiss that was both tender and possessive.
When they broke apart, both breathing harder, Xelene shook her head with a laugh. “You’re insatiable. And you’re making me insatiable too.”
He lowered his mouth to her neck, his teeth lightly grazing her sensitive skin. “Which proves the mate bond is true, and growing stronger, exactly like it’s supposed to.”
Her laughter was like music, bright and uninhibited in a way she’d never allowed herself before yesterday. “Good thing I chose to stay then.”
Lev pulled back to look at her, his eyes blazing with love and fierce possession. “Still the best news I’ve ever heard.”
He shifted his weight, preparing to deepen their morning intimacy right there in the bed, but then another thought struck him.
“Actually,” he said, sitting back on his heels, “let’s take a shower. Clean up and have a little fun this morning before I start planning the big bash I want to throw tonight.”
Xelene raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting from desire to curiosity. “Big bash?”
“Oh yes.” Lev’s grin was pure alpha male satisfaction. “The biggest celebration this castle has seen in decades. A proper party to bring our pride together after all the conflict of the pastfew days. Something warm and joyous to remind everyone what we’re really fighting to protect.”
He stood from the bed, magnificently naked and completely unselfconscious, extending his hand to her. “What do you say, my queen? Ready to see how a Marcan king throws a party?”
Xelene took his hand, rising gracefully to stand beside him, equally unashamed of her nudity. “More than ready, Your Majesty.”
Steam still clung to Lev’s skin as he stepped out of the shower, water droplets trailing down the sculpted planes of his chest and abdomen. The past thirty minutes had been a revelation—every touch, every kiss, every breathless moment with Xelene had cemented what he’d known since the moment they met. She was his. Completely, irrevocably his.
God, the way she came apart in my arms,he thought, his lion purring with satisfaction. The intensity of their completed mate bond had amplified every sensation and every pulse of pleasure between them until he’d thought they might both combust from the sheer force of it. Even now, he could feel the echo of her climax through their connection, a warm hum of satisfaction that made his chest swell with primal pride.
He toweled off with quick, efficient movements, his mind already spinning ahead to the evening’s possibilities. The shower had been incredible—Xelene pressed against the stone wall, her legs wrapped around his waist as he drove into her with relentless precision—but tonight would be remarkable.
Tonight would be about celebration, about showing his pride what their new king could offer them.
The idea took shape with clarity as he dressed. He selected dark charcoal trousers that hugged his powerful thighs, followed by a crisp white shirt that he left partially unbuttoned.
Within minutes, Lev made his way downstairs, taking the grand staircase two steps at a time. The castle felt differentnow that he was officially king—more solid somehow, like the very stones recognized his authority. Or maybe that was just the confidence that came from knowing Xelene had chosen him, chosen this life, chosen to stay by his side and rule beside him.
He found Benjamin and Janice in the main living area, both looking considerably more relaxed than they had during the intense days of uncovering Christoph’s conspiracy. Benjamin was sprawled in one of the leather armchairs, his usually perfect posture abandoned in favor of comfort, while Janice sat cross-legged on the sofa with her auburn hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders.
“There’s our conquering hero,” Benjamin said, rising to his feet with a grin that was equal parts relief and pride. “How does it feel to officially be king, Your Majesty?”
