The Council🌶️

Lilac

Hovering behind her mate, Lilac scanned the quiet room.

A long, rustic banquet table stood in the center of the dining room, flanked by a dozen wolves and a few creatures she’d never seen before.

She began to tremble, trying her best not to let any tears run down her face or collapse to the floor.

Lightly pulling the fabric of Kyril’s sleeve, she pressed her face into his shirt and inhaled his scent.

It was her safeguard.

Looking up at her mate, she noticed that his face was completely devoid of any emotion. His posture was stiff as he held his head high with pride. He was projecting his alpha aura.

It was strange to her how different he was in the presence of others.

“Sit,” Kyril commanded his officials.

Grabbing Lilac’s small hand, he led her to the head of the table, where platters of breakfast foods were laid out for her. He pulled her chair out for her as she took her seat.

“As you might have guessed, I have finally found my mate,” he proclaimed, grabbing Lilac’s hand and pressing a small affectionate kiss to her knuckles. “This is Lilac, your Luna.”

All those in attendance smiled and bowed their heads to her.

“There are some things you should all know,” Kyril continued. “The people in this room have been selected to be the first of our pack to meet Lilac. You should all be honored. Lilac will need constant protection and guidance from everyone here.

“She is a very kind soul. I command you not to take advantage of that. You will all treat her with compassion and respect. Any form of mistreatment toward her will not be tolerated, ever.”

Kyril paused for a moment to let his words sink in.

“When I am not with her, I need you to be her protector. However, I do not plan on leaving her side anytime soon.”

During Kyril’s speech, Lilac took a closer look at the other creatures at the table. There were two faes and a siren!

Although Lilac had read about their kinds, she had never met any of them in person. They were considered inferior and unworthy of most packs.

Rarer still was to see one given a seat at the council.

All three were female, the only females in the room beside her, and Lilac felt an immediate warmth and kinship radiating from them.

The faes appeared to be identical twins. Even their intricate wing patterns mirrored each other.

The siren had a severe beauty about her, with features that were sharp and alluring.

The male wolves, on the other hand, were large and strong, radiating intimidation with their every move and muscle. Lilac found it a somewhat comical juxtaposition.

Snapping out of her distracted state of mind, Lilac watched as everyone nodded their heads in agreement. She must have missed what Kyril said.

She felt him wrap his arm around her shoulders and kiss her warm cheeks.

A timid smile pulled at her lips. She was embarrassed by the public intimacy.

“Now, let us eat,” he ordered.

Light chatter filled the air once more.

Kyril grabbed her a plate and filled it with heaps of food. He stacked her plate high with eight pancakes, twelve pieces of bacon, four omelettes, and two bagels.

Lilac knew she would have no trouble eating it. Adapting to Kyril’s mark had made her ravenous.

“Lilac, I want to introduce you to my Beta, Jon,” Kyril said, motioning to the lycan on his left.

Jon had two prominent dimples plastered on his cheeks.

His symmetrical face was defined by a chiseled jawline, perfectly trimmed eyebrows, and a pair of honey-brown eyes that were now staring into hers.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, my Luna,” Jon replied, bowing his head.

“Any luck finding the intruder from last night, Jon?” Kyril asked.

Jon shook his head. “Not yet. But we will. I have my best men on it, Alpha. Anything to protect our Luna.”

Lilac felt overwhelmed by how much care Jon and the others had invested in her.

And grateful that someone was looking for that red-eyed beast. Just thinking about those eyes gave her the chills.

“We’ve been waiting a very long time for this moment,” Jon said, smirking at Kyril. “Some longer than others.”

The corners of Kyril’s lips tugged upwards at the comment, “Jon is an old friend. We’ve known each other for years.”

“Old?” Jon cocked his head. “I’m only twenty-six, still in my prime,” he jokingly defended.

“So we’re lying to each other now?” Kyril taunted, chuckling as Jon rolled his eyes.

Lilac watched the playful side of her mate return, which put her at ease.

“Alpha, there’s something I need to inform you about later,” said Jon. “It has to do with the borderlines.”

Kyril suddenly tensed, nodding. “I know. After breakfast we’ll discuss it,” he muttered.

Continuing down the table, Kyril motioned to the two faes. “These two are the sisters Sapphire and Crystal.”

“Enchanted to meet you, Luna,” beamed Sapphire.

“We’re so excited we might explode!” Crystal chimed, fluttering her wings.

“And to your right is the siren, Rhea, and her mate, Chris, who is captain of my guard.”

“Welcome, Luna,” offered Rhea, her tone more diplomatic than the faes'.

“Great to meet ya,” Chris said, more casual than the rest. “Welcome to the family!”

~Family.~ A few days ago Lilac had been nobody but the daughter of Alpha Achilles.

Now, she had a purpose. And a pack sworn to protect her. Who called her family.

“Come, let us carry on with the meal," Kyril said. "Mate, are you hungry?”

She nodded her head at her mate and watched as he brought a strip of bacon to her lips.

She happily took the delicious meat, satisfied that her hunger was finally being sated.

When Lilac finished devouring her meal, she felt a pair of eyes on her. Looking around, she met the gaze of one of the faes, who was eyeing her from across the table.

The fae smiled brightly at her.

“Crystal, yes?”

“Yes, that is I,” she chirped. “Most people don’t get it right on the first try.”

Lilac wondered if everything the fae said would rhyme. She’d read that faes were fond of poetry. Seeing one up close for the first time was so exciting.

“If you ever need a friend,” Crystal continued. “Don’t be a stranger.”

~So much for rhyming.~ It seemed Lilac’s books weren’t right about everything.

As the fae fluttered her iridescent wings, Lilac admired their luminous sparkle and how they complemented Crystal’s dark complexion perfectly.

To think this stranger, this fae, was offering friendship. This was a new world for Lilac entirely. Her only friends had ever been books.

“Come, that’s enough breakfast for two lifetimes,” Kyril said, standing up.

But as Lilac moved to follow him, Crystal perked up.

“You’ll join us tomorrow, won’t you?” the fae asked.

Everyone turned, hopeful. They really wanted Lilac to return. She couldn’t believe it.

Lilac looked at Kyril. “It’s up to you, little flower.”

She really did feel welcome. Her introduction to the council wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d expected.

Besides, she was curious to find out how the two faes and the siren ended up in the pack.

“Yes, Crystal. I’d like that,” she answered. And the truth was, Lilac really would.

***

When they returned to their bedroom, Lilac felt drowsy again. Her breakfast was settling in her stomach, making her sleepy.

“I think I need to take a nap,” she said, throwing herself down on the bed. “I’m so full.”

“Speak for yourself,” replied Kyril, removing his jacket.

“Did you not get enough to eat?” she asked, sitting up. “We could have stayed longer.”

He sauntered over to her. “I appreciate your concern. Lie back and close your eyes.”

“What? Why?” she said, confused.

“I have a surprise for you,” he answered with a mischievous smile.

She knew he was up to something but submitted anyway, letting herself fall back onto the bed. “And when may I open my eyes again?”

“When I tell you,” he replied. “Remember, no peeking.”

Lilac’s body was tense with anticipation. She felt his hands unbutton her pants and slowly slide them down.

She had never been this vulnerable before.

Perhaps he had a present that he had been saving for her. As her mind ran through what it could be, she felt something brush against the inside of her left thigh.

“What was that?”

“Relax, my little flower,” he returned, his voice seeming to come from below her.

A few seconds passed before she felt the same touch, except this time on her right thigh. It tickled and stimulated her at the same time.

“May I open my eyes?”

“Not yet,” he replied.

She now felt a warmth blasting against her skin, and the tantalizing touch against the inside of her thighs continued, driving her crazy.

The excitement was becoming too much. She had to know what he was doing.

She opened her eyes and looked down to see what was tickling her skin. Staring back at her were a pair of black eyes.

Kyril had his head between her legs. His lips were skimming her inner right thigh while he used both hands to pin her hips down to the bed.

“W-What’s going on?” Lilac stuttered out, flabbergasted.

Her breathing picked up, and a hot shiver ran down her body, making her shamefully clench her thighs against his head. She begged Selene to keep her arousal hidden, but it was too late.

“You smell so good,” Kyril softly growled out.

He had restrained from shifting fully, but some of his primal characteristics had managed to seep through. His voice was rough, and his blue eyes were tinted black.

Lilac was afraid, but the danger somehow intensified the desire that was building between her legs.

“What are you going to do down there?” she asked, nervously.

He smiled, trailing the tip of his tongue against her skin, causing her to shudder.

“I told you I was still hungry, didn’t I?”