Lycan's Affection
Loopholes

Brandon stopped outside the large hall, his eyes low. He knew Conaan would be behind it, and at this moment, Conaan was the one person he did not think he had the guts to see. He swallowed, clearing his throat as he finally brought his hand forward, then tapped the door a little silently.

The answer did not come, and pushing the limits of his courage, he turned the knob, and opened the door.

He took a step forward, and raised his eyes. Conaan was sotting in his usual arrangement of padded pillows, the same bloodied archery suit still on his, his face only cleaned off to a barely acceptable level.

"Your Highness."

Conaan said nothing, just brought the glass cup to his lips again, downing the last bit of the alcohol.

"Alcohol is not good for you right now, Your Highness."

Conaan nodded slowly, dropping the cup. He sat up, crossing his legs under him, then pressing his hands in the small space made between his bent knees.

"Sure," he said. His voice drawled a bit, and he was obviously tipsy. "I do whatever you say. I shall do whatever you say. But...for once, Brandon, can I have my way now?"

Brandon swallowed hard, his eyes meeting Conaan's. They were unreadable, despite the obvious cracks in his face, the way his lips curled downwards, but nothing were in his eyes. They were almost soulless.

"Your Highness. I have brought back every resting soldier, and I myself will conduct the search, within and outside the palace for every traitor, spy or assassin. I have also disbursed hundred soldiers to Anderson...."

"Hundred soldiers?" Conaan asked, raising a brow. "When you can just give me his head to have my wine from?"

"Have you forgotten, Your Highness? We need to trace his movements in order to give you the cure."

"If he kills Eleanor for me first, then I shall not need a cure!" Conaan said, his voice raising. He took in a deep breath, his eyes darting across Brandon's.

"I will ensure it does not happen. I swear it."

Conaan said nothing, as he gave a small, tired sigh. It showed in his posture just how tired of the frequent problems he was, how he secretly wished the crown atop his head was a little less heavy.

"I swear on my life, Your Highness. I will protect you."

"No, Brandon. If I had a utopia, you would be in it."

Brandon swallowed, tears stinging the back of his eyes.

"I am sorry. All you ever did was try to protect me. And Eleanor and everyone, you did not even have the time to find your mate."

"I loved every bit of my job. Every single second I spend by your side."

Conaan watched him keenly, a small smile lighting his eyes up. It did not matter what anyone said, Brandon knew that his friend, his brother and his king was not so hard to please. Especially when he already loved him. And Brandon did know Conaan loved him.

"It does get tiring sometimes, does it not?" Conaan asked, gesturing to his side. Brandon immediately went to him and sat, befitting of two long time friends.

"It does get tiring that you are not as happy as you deserve to be."

Conaan smiled. "Do you want to take a week off?"

Brandon's brows furrowed. "A week? But..."

"I know. Take a week off and find your mate. Bring her to me and I shalll bless you both. Bring her on the very night of the festival."

"How about your protection?"

"I cannot be killed," Conaan said, laughing. "But look at you. The affairs of the palace has tired you out so much, you are no longer the handsome lad I used to know."

Brandon finally smiled, then sniffed a little as the tears threatened to fall. Conaan turned to him, pushing a cup of the strong beer in front of him.

"I am sorry, Brandon. For hurting you."

Brandon swallowed. "No, it is..."

"Accept my apology. You are the elder, you can spank me when you want."

Brandon broke into laughter, and Conaan smiled too, his eyes gradually closing. Brandon adjusted, putting his shoulder close enough so Conaan can rest on it.

"If you insist," Brandon said, then slowly pulled at Conaan's cheeks, gently, causing the other man to laugh again.

They looked like the perfect siblings, enjoying some time together, like it was the very last.

Conaan slowly lay on Brandon's shoulder, his eyes finally closing.

"Promise me you will come back safe, Brandon."

Brandon nodded. "Promise me you will be safe when I get back, Your Highness."

Conaan nodded, a small snicker leaving his lips as Brandon hooked their pinky fingers together.

Back at Polaris, Ian stood by the door, waiting for the usual grunt of approval from alpha Alexander before going in.

Once he heard it, he walked in, in his hand a letter.

"Alpha."

"Did you get it to Anderson?"

Ian shook his head. "He is heavily guarded, Alpha. The soldiers guarding him kill everyone on sight. He is not allowed to leave either."

Alpha Alexander's eyes thinned. "There has to be some sort of loophole, a time they go for lunch or something."

Ian swallowed. "There is none. But if you give me permission, I will continue to observe them from outside. The territory itself is not penetrable right now."

Alpha Alexander bit down on his lips in frustration, his fingers tapping the table in front of him furiously.

"Continue to observe. Make sure you get that letter to him no matter what and have him start looking for Matthew. Conaan can not have Matthew no matter what."

Ian gave a small sigh. "You should have just kept him in the dungeons, then."

Alpha Alexander raised a brow, and Ian immediately cowered. "Spur of the moment, but I am hoping he is dead. We removed most of the blood anyway. Besides, his blood alone is not enough. It is just essential."

Ian moved closer. "Essential? For what? Why would Conaan want it?"

Alpha Alexander broke into a big smile, shaking his head. "The very last of the mystical poppy flower is in my brother's blood. It is, the most essential part of the cure for the poison in Conaan's blood. Truth be told, I thought Conaan had recovered, but simply wanted to make sure. Turns out he is desperately grasping onto straws. I mean, who would ever know?"

He laughef again, obviously proud.

Ian gave a small gasp. "That is why you removed his blood?"

"Mhm. Once they dilute it, the essence of the poppy flower is gone. And Matthew...the bastard knows it. That is why I need to find him, especially now that I know Conaan will need it. No matter what."

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