Heart Of A Lycan King
Chapter 63

I awoke to the sounds of bird chirping, light threatening to filter through the drawn curtains and an empty cold bed. I frowned, allowing my eyes to scan the room for any sign of Aiden, yet there was nothing. I stretched my hand towards my phone resting on the bedside drawer and tapped on it. It was 9 in the morning.

Grumbling, I sat up, securing the sheets around my naked body as memories from last night filled my head. Heat rose from my stomach and fluttered around before it settled back. Now that I thought about it, it was better that Aiden wasn’t here when I had awoken. Because, how in the world was I supposed to face him?

How do you face a man you’ve seen naked? A man you’ve asked to…make you scream? A man who had kissed the scars on your arms and neck while you pretended to be asleep? One you had opened your legs wide for and begged him to take you? How do you face him?

‘You didn’t think about any of this when you were a moaning mess under him though,’ Erin said brightly. There was something completely different about her this morning. She was happy, too happy if I may say, and overly active as well. ‘Perhaps you may want to start by dressing up and finding him for us? I miss him,’ she grumbled.

I sighed, throwing my legs down and moving to the edge of the bed.

‘If you have nothing better to say, then let me be. I have a lot on my mind and…’

‘A lot like the thoughts of what happened yesterday?’ Erin grinned. ‘Bet you’d have asked for more if you weren’t too tired. Which reminds me, I could’ve gone at least five rounds before I fell asleep if it were me.’

‘Erin!’ I hissed, a wave of shyness hitting me all over again.

‘What? I’m just saying what I’d have done if it were me!’ She hissed back, sulking.

I shook my head and stood up, the sheets still wrapped around me as I made my way to the bathroom. Although Aiden wasn’t anywhere close, his scent was the only thing I smelt, and his presence was the only thing I felt. Perhaps, it was the mark?

I stopped before the mirror and stared at the mark, allowing my finger to trace the outline of each shape. A tingling rose at the pit of my stomach every-time I touched the mark, and I couldn’t help the warm sensation engulfing me.

‘I’m so proud of you for taking this step, Nat,’ Erin said quietly after a while. ‘I know this is huge for both of us, but even more so for you than me. You took this huge step by believing in yourself, by believing you want it, and by actually demanding that you get it. No lies, Nat, with each passing day, you surprise me more and more, and I’m here for it. Thank you for embracing love for both of us.’

I sniffed and shook my head in an attempt to clear the mist crowding my eyes, but nothing worked. So, I simply continued to stare at the mirror as I took in the new hickeys Aiden had managed to drop on every part of my body that he could. The best part of it all, was the fact that some of those hickeys covered the silver scars I have.

Damn! I freaking love this man!

‘Your courage and understanding helped me through it all. We did this together, Erin. And I’m proud of our growth.’

She nudged me through the bond, and for a tiniest moment, I felt another presence within me. Again.

‘Erin?’

‘Yes?’

‘Do you think…I did good yesterday? What if I didn’t make it good for him like he did for me? What if he didn’t like it? What if…’

‘Calm down, Nat,’ Erin cut me off quickly, but that didn’t help.

I’ve been twirling with the thoughts in my mind, wondering how bad I had performed. It was nearly impossible not to play with them since yesterday, which was why I pretended to sleep even when all I wanted to do was to stay up and talk to him. But I couldn’t. Because I was scared I may not have been good…enough.

‘I’m sure you were good. His reaction should be enough to placate you. Don’t let those thoughts in, okay?’

I nodded, albeit knowing it would be hard. But I could get used to it, I know I would. So, instead of wallowing in such depressing thoughts, I instead chose to focus my attention on taking a bath and getting ready.

---

I pulled the zipper of the blouse I wore, wiggling around so it would fit before I stopped. I wore a purple colored lace, with touches of sky blue and orange flowery patterns. It was sewn into a skirt and blouse that fitted my frame and pronounced my curves.

Today, for some very odd reason, I wanted to dress traditionally. I’d have chosen to wear a simple knee length gown since I have no plans of going anywhere. But I didn’t. I wore the lace, tied the head gear, securing my hair in the middle and making sure it fits. I didn’t use any lipstick today, nor applied any heavy makeup. I simply lined my eyes with kohl and smeared some l*p balm on my lips.

Then I stepped out to find what to eat, wondering where Aiden had gone to this morning. It was almost 10:15am, yet, there was no sign of him. I was beginning to get worried.

However, as I stepped into the living room, the smell of something burning hit my nose, and I furrowed my brows in confusion. From what I knew, I was the only one at home. I had sent the maids away and told them to return tonight, so who was in the kitchen?

I knew the answer even before I pushed the door. But the smoke that engulfed me as I felt my throat tighten was not something I was expecting. I began to cough loudly. Soon though, the smoke vanished through the door I had left open and I found myself looking at Aiden. He was standing by the work surface, flour on his hands, his hair, even his face. Heck, even the black three quarter shorts he wore and singlet were all covered with flour.

“Aiden, what are you doing?” I asked, unable to conceal the laughter and surprise in my voice.

He caught his bottom l*p between his teeth, staring at me, with his hands on his waist. His eyes darkened for a moment, as a deep growl vibrated through his body, causing a twirl in my heart. Then quite suddenly, he looked away.

“Making you breakfast,” he grumbled, running his flour covered hands through his hair. That explains how he got flour there. “Which seems to be a disaster, as always,” he added, staring at the tiled floor.

I smiled, taking in the scene once more. Plates and knives were scattered around, with a better part of the work surface and gas cooker covered in flour. On the gas cylinder was a burnt pan, with what looked like burnt eggs. Slices of bread were tossed aside, the crumbs scattered around as well.

“I’ll go change,” he murmured, as he began walking towards me. Funny enough though, Aiden wasn’t meeting my gaze.

I soon realized that he was disappointed in himself, and he was allowing it to swallow him. This wasn’t how I pictured our morning. While I may be shy to face him after yesterday, while I may be wondering what he thought of me now after yesterday, I figured I needed to step up now and do something.

I don’t like seeing my man sad. And that was his mood now. Sadness.

“Oh no, big man,” I laughed, walking up to meet him in the middle. Grateful that I didn’t have to stand on my toes, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him lightly on his mouth before pulling back. “Good morning,” I said softly.

His eyes softened, the worried lines that had been prominent a while ago around his eyes vanishing. Before he circled his arms around me, pulling me flush against him. Before I could say anything more, he pressed his mouth against mine, knocking out all the remaining sanity I was holding onto ever since I set my eyes on him.

The mouth that found mine was tender and hungry, all at once. Worshipping me, but restraining himself. As soon as our lips connected, my fingers traveled up the curve of his neck and disappeared into his hair. While his arm was at the small of my back holding me upright, flattening the fronts of our bodies, and oh Nyala, he just devoured me.

His lips pushed mine open, his fingers ran through my hair, and his tongue snuck in deep, invading and setting off flares in my erogenous zones.

And he was moaning.

This huge, gritty man m****d into my mouth like he had never tasted anything so good in his life and he needed to get more. He brought us up for a simultaneous gasp of air, then he went right back to work, his tongue stroking mine relentlessly until I was a moaning mess as well.

I didn’t care about the flour, nothing mattered in that moment except for the man in my arms. It still baffles me how we always k**s passionately, but I wouldn’t want to trade that for anything.

After a while though, we broke apart, gasping. My arms were still wrapped around his neck, while one of his was wrapped around my waist and the other on the curve of my neck.

“Morning,” he said gruffly. “My bad, you’re now covered in flour as well.” He murmured, wiping my cheeks with his thumb.

“Well, that was one morning k**s, My King,” I grinned, using my thumb to wipe the flour from his brows. “I could get used to that,” I sighed, placing my head in the crook of his neck as he wrapped his arms securely around me.

“What else can you get used to, Nala?”

“Everything but your attempt at cooking,” I laughed, pushing back just a bit to look at him. “One day, you’re going to burn this house down.”

He clicked his tongue as he let me go, walking back to the work surface to stare at the mess he made.

“I was trying to make pancakes,” he grumbled, one hand on his waist and the other scratching his head.

“Pancakes? From a dough?” I asked in surprise, walking up to him and looking at the thick dough that had been rolled into smaller circles.

“The YouTube video did mention adding a cup of flour to a mixing bowl, a half cup of sugar and…”

“Wait, show me the cup you used in measuring,” I asked, albeit seeing the answer beside him.

His long fingers wrapped themselves around a tall glass cup he showed me. “I used this. A cup is a cup though,” he said, wetting his lips with his tongue.

“So you measured the flour and sugar with that?” I continued, struggling to hold back my laughter.

He nodded.

“And the milk? How much milk did you add?”

“Well,” he scratched his head before he pinched the bridge of his nose, rocking on his feet. “I kind of just poured a can. You know, just to make it rich and creamy.” He threw his hands around.

Despite my numerous tries to hold the laughter back, I couldn’t. I threw my head back and laughed so hard. “I’m…I’m…oh Nyala!” By now, I was bent over my knees, clutching my stomach in laughter.

“Nala…” he dragged my name. When I looked up, his face was grim and hard, while he crossed both of his arms across his chest.

“Sorry. I promised I didn’t mean to laugh, okay?” I said, knowing fully well I wasn’t about to fool him, cause the laughter was still in my voice. “It was just too much to hold back and I…l…” I trailed off, more laughter bubbling in my throat.

“That is very obvious,” he grumbled again, then turned and began walking towards the door.

Was he…sulking?

I quickened my steps, hurrying after him and caught up with him before he left the kitchen. Without wasting any more time, I quickly hugged him from behind, feeling the way his body went rigid for a moment before it relaxed.

“Are you angry?”

“I’m not,” he puffed some air.

“You are.” I kissed his back.

“I’m not.”

“Pin me to the wall and k**s me if you aren’t mad,” I said the first thing that crossed my mind, while Erin chuckled.

“Nala…”

“What? You can’t? Well, that confirms my theory. You’re angry.”

“I’m not angry,” he placed his hands over mine. “Okay, I am. But not exactly at you. I mean,” he turned to face me now, cupped my cheeks then kissed both of my eyes before he continued. “My anger was mostly directed to myself rather than anyone. More so like a disappointment.”

“Why? It’s okay if you can’t cook. I don’t mind now and I certainly wouldn’t mind ever. So…”

“I should at least know how to make a decent meal for you. I can’t even shatter the eggs.”

It took me a moment to realize what he meant, and I laughed again. “Scramble the eggs, you mean?”

“Oh,” his lips curled slowly. “Is that what it’s called?”

“Yup, My King. See, I’m popping the p too.”

“As you should,” he grinned, capturing my lips in a toe curling k**s before he led me out. “I’m sorry for ruining what was supposed to be a perfect morning. I just wanted to make you breakfast.”

“Oww!” I pinched his cheeks. “My big boy is sulking,” I added, leaning closer to k**s his mark. “The thought alone mattered more, Aiden. Thank you.”

He let his hands roam the expanse of my body as his breathing got heavier. “How was your night?” His voice was tight.

“The best!” I replied, my heart thundering loudly for no particular reason. “And…yours?” I asked quietly.

He led us to the one settee sofa, and pulled me onto his lap as he sat down. I wasn’t straddling him, however, which gave me enough privacy to hide my face on his chest as we spoke.

“You were perfect, Nala. Don’t question yourself anymore. I enjoyed it, I guess more than you did.” Aiden’s voice floated through. “And tell Erin, Leo says he accepts the challenge. Five rounds or nothing when they meet.”

“What?” I pushed back quickly. Aiden’s body shook as he laughed, a deep throaty laughter that filled my heart with so much joy.

My man wasn’t sad anymore.

“How…”

“Told you you still haven’t filtered your thoughts through the connection. I can hear most of them.”

“But how? Don’t I have to mindlink you before you hear me?” I recalled how he heard what Erin said last night as well.

“Not in the case of Lycans. Or me precisely. I can hear your thoughts so long as you let the bond filter through it. I can also catch the conversations between you and your wolf sometimes, but not always. That is because there is a certain bond between you two that our mate bond can only stretch to just a little. But I can put up a barrier, like this,” something snapped in me, as though a strong icy wall had been built, cutting off the connection between us. “If I do this, I can’t hear your thoughts, but you can’t feel me as well. Which is why this isn’t the best way.”

“So…I just need to learn to filter my thoughts now?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “And you can also talk to Leo now without waiting for him to surface up, just like I can talk to Erin if I want to. It’s just like you and I communicate with our wolves.”

“Really?” My eyes widened. “We can do that? But wouldn’t that be confusing and draining? I mean, wouldn’t you and I get exhausted if we do it that way?”

“We could, which is why, advisably, one should take a step back and let the other take over when needed. However, conversations that aren’t lengthy at all can happen, and neither of us can be exhausted.”

“That’s not fair,” I puckered my lips. “Why can’t I hear your thoughts?”

“You’re no Lycan. That’s why.” Aiden said smugly and I hit his chest playfully.

‘I think I like the thrill of coming forth when I feel like it. That way, I know I’m the only one in control in certain situations,’ Erin mumbled and Aiden laughed.

‘Good Morning, beautiful,’ Leo’s voice filled my head. ‘Just here to let you know my sack isn’t as heavy as it was before. I’ll be able to empty it completely after those five rounds Erin promised.’

‘I promised?’ Erin blinked innocently, hitting her front paws. ‘I can’t remember doing that.’ She added.

‘I can remind you if you want me to, My Queen. After all, I’m very good at recalling details like that.’ Just like I could visualize Erin’s reactions, I found I could do the same with Leo.

If wolves could blush, then I’d safely say Erin blushed, then she wiggled her brown butt, flapping her tail around, turned to look at Leo through the bond, licked her snout before she tucked herself into my mind and disappeared. Wow! Seems like Erin has won again.

A deep growl vibrated from Aiden’s body, while he buried his face in my neck and inhaled sharply. After a while, I decided to break the silence off.

‘You scared my wolf off, Leo,’ I laughed.

‘I was only telling her I can meet up to her demands,’ he laughed, leaning into the bond and nudging me softly. ‘You’re special to me, never forget that, Kamla.’ He added before he left.

Wow! This was something new. For wolves, even after mating, it is impossible to communicate with the other wolf this way. But because Aiden is a Lycan, it means that after we’ve mated, I’ll be taking some of his traits. Now, I just needed to filter my thoughts for some privacy.

We spent some minutes in the same position, locked into each other’s embrace before I decided to break off the silence.

“Tomorrow is the council meeting.” I mumbled. I didn’t want to think of that, but as it is, it is something I’ll have to face again. Seeing Matteo.

I wonder if his balls are healed now, or if he has one and a half balls. Hmn, that would be fun though.

“Are you ready?”

“I think so,” I started to say. “No, I am ready.”

He tipped my head and stared into my eyes, while I did my best to conceal my fear and worries. But he seemed to have noticed, but instead of speaking, he locked our fingers and kissed my nose.

“I have two matches slotted before the full moon. I’ll be leaving three days after the council meeting.”

“You’ve missed lots of matches recently. Make sure you make it up to the team. Can I come watch you guys train?”

He grinned. “You want to see a sweaty Aiden?”

“A sweaty Aiden isn’t bad to watch,” I replied, giving him a peck. Goodness gracious! Why can’t I seem to take my hands off of him? “I want to see a sweaty Aiden. And then lick him afterwards.” I murmured, bringing my lips to his in a slow k**s again.

“Mmmn,” Aiden g*****d. “I love a flirty Nala.”

“And I love a flour covered Aiden,” I hummed into the k**s as Aiden deepened it.

You’re in for a long, wild, beautiful ride, Natasha, I thought, slipping my hands into Aiden’s singlet.

---

It was almost 3pm by the time we settled for lunch. After another toe curling moment with Aiden, which surprisingly ended being in the living room with me bent over into the one settee sofa, with my clothes thrown around, and another funny moment of unhooking the bra, Aiden and I were finally having lunch.

No breakfast, just lunch. Simply because we had decided after that moment, it was best to lay on the rug in the living room and cuddle, with the session shared passing as breakfast before we showered, separately, of course. Because I couldn’t imagine Aiden bathing me.

Bathing me? Nope!

Well, I wouldn’t mind if that turned out to be my breakfast.

We were seated in the dining area, and this time, I had saved myself the stress of wearing another lace or ankara, and simply chose a white long dress with no sleeves and wore. My hair was still wet, because I refused to blow dry it, same with Aiden’s.

We prepared lunch together, with him helping me with the minor tasks around. I don’t think I’ll ever want to cook without him in the kitchen now.

“A family dinner?” Aiden asked as he swallowed a spoonful of his rice. “I forgot to ask you about it. I asked Mav if he’d like to have one and…” he paused, empty spoon midair with the phone pressed to his ears.

His wet locks had fallen on each side of his face. He wore grey combat trousers, and a fitting white polo shirt. He looked…yummy. Without even trying.

“If Baba plans on making this an awkward dinner, then I won’t be coming, Mama,” Aiden said with a tone of finality.

Another pause as he listened to whatever Mama was saying.

“Tohmn, shyknn (okay, fine). I also plan to have Mav around during the council meeting,” he said.

I inched closer and fed him some of my rice, as always, I was eating with my hands. Aiden being Aiden though, caught my hand in his, and licked each finger clean, his eyes never leaving mine. All the while still speaking to Mama.

“I’ll see you in two days, Mama.” He said again. “Oh, Nala? She’s here with me.” He replied, letting go of my hand with a crooked smile on his face. He then placed the phone to my ears, while I was still flushed, my body tingling from his antics.

“Mama ina kwana? (Good Morning, Mama),” I finally said after clearing my throat countless times, while Aiden trailed his finger on my lap. Despite the dress covering that area, it didn’t stop the heat from seeping through.

“An tashi lafiya? (How are you?)” she asked.

“I’m fine, Mama,” I said in a clenched tone.

“Now I understand why he seemed distracted as we spoke,” Mama laughed, the warmth causing me to miss my Ummi again. “You were close and he was burning for you.”

“Mama!” I laughed softly, eyeing Aiden as he pecked me on the lips.

‘Stop it!’ I mindlinked him. ‘You’re distracting me.’

He simply grinned, then had the guts to k**s me loudly, with the phone still pressed to my ears.

Dear Nyala! I wished the earth could open up and swallow me when I heard Mama’s gasp before the sound of the call being ended filled my ears.

Oh my! Oh my!! Oh my!!!

“Aiden!” I shrieked, angry and thrilled. “Why would you do that?” I gritted.

“For that reaction!” He grinned, at the same time both his phone and mine pinged with messages.

“I wonder what Mama thinks of me now. I’m sure she knew I didn’t initiate the k**s,” I grumbled as I handed him his phone and picked mine. “But be sure that I’ll make you pay for that trick!” I grumbled.

I tapped on the screen as Aiden laughed, and saw it was a text from Sherneil.

‘Hi! I’ve got the needed information on the goblin. I’m currently in Jaro pack with Ivayne, but we’ll be back in the capital tomorrow. We’ll see you then.’

Excitement tore through me at the prospect that I was getting something out of this investigation.

“That’s weird,” I heard Aiden say, just as I was about to tell him about the text.

“What is?” I asked, taking in his furrowed brows.

“Here,” he passed his phone to me and I began reading its content.

‘I have a gift for you, brother, no, my sister precisely. I mean, I have a gift for Natasha. I’ll present it tomorrow during the meeting you invited me to.’

The message was from Mav.

Somehow, the text filled my guts with excitement. What could Mav’s gift be?