Lily's mind was in turmoil as she left the office, her conversation with Ethan, the Lycan King, replaying in her head. The revelation about her lycanthropic heritage and the prospect of the Elder Council pushing her to have pups weighed heavily on her. As she aimlessly walked the halls, Janet approached her with a troubled expression.
"Is everything alright, Lily?" Janet asked, concern evident in her voice.
Lily sighed, glancing at Janet. "I'm just trying to process everything Ethan told me. It's a lot to take in, and I'm worried about what the Elder Council might want from me."
Janet nodded understandingly. "I can only imagine how overwhelming this must be for you. But remember, Ethan can be rough around the edges, but he means well. Don't take his words too personally."
"I'll keep that in mind," Lily replied, appreciating Janet's reassurance.
"Let's get you to your room," Janet said.
As they reached Lily's room, she found that her room was something out of a 5 - star resort. Lily gaped at the room and turned to Janet. "This cannot be my room. I can go back to where I was before."
"No need. This is your room for as long as you want it," Janet explained. "I am sure this is similar to what you are used to."
Lily shook her head. "No. This is too much. I..."
"No, ma'am." Janet cut her off. She opened the doors to a huge walk-in closet. "Treat this as a vacation as you figure out where you want to go from here."
Janet gestured for Lily to follow her and showed her a collection of elegantly crafted outfits organized by season and color. Her curiosity piqued, she turned to Janet for an explanation.
"Ethan wants you to have dinner with him," Janet explained. "He wants to spend time with you and get to know you better."
Lily hesitated. She knew Ethan's intentions weren't purely innocent; he was trying to seduce her and make her his mate. However, she didn't want to offend him or create any tension.
"My dear, you don't have to accept him," Janet said as if reading her mind. "He is not that much of a brute. He would never force you into anything."
Lily nodded as she reluctantly agreed to the dinner. "Alright, I'll have dinner with him," Lily said, trying to keep her unease in check.
"That's a wise decision," Janet said, offering a reassuring smile. "Just see how it goes. You may even be surprised at what you learn about him."
Later that evening, Lily entered the grand chamber where Ethan awaited her. The room was adorned with rich tapestries and opulent furnishings, creating an atmosphere of regal luxury. Ethan, seated on an impressive couch, exuded a commanding presence.
'How much money does this man have? It makes me want to tell you not to sit on anything!' Dina commented within Lily. Lily agreed. This seemed too rich for her taste.
Ethan chuckled and said, "The design is not my choice. I agree this place is a little gaudy but it belonged to the very first Lycan King. The Elder Council loves their traditions, so I am allowed to make my own changes but most things have to stay the same."
"Makes sense," Lily responded. "I don't like you can just read my mind like that."
"You can do it too. You just have to learn how. I can help with that," Ethan suggested.
Ethan suggesting to train her made Lily think of Garrett. Lily attempted to not show it on her face, but she knew that Ethan already knew. He cleared his voice before saying, "I'm glad you agreed to join me for dinner."
"I was a little hesitant about it, so don't get any ideas," Lily responded causing Ethan to laugh.
"I just want us to get to know each other better. I hope you had time to tour the grounds," Ethan explained.
"No, not yet," Lily said.
"Then, I will give you the grand tour after dinner," Ethan said.
The dinner began, and Lily couldn't help but notice Ethan's attempts to impress her. He attempted to captivate her with stories of his kingdom, describing the majestic landscapes and the loyal pack members who served him. He spoke with pride about his accomplishments in his reign as the Lycan King.
'He sure does like to talk,' Dina commented.
'Well, he's trying. You can't knock him for trying,' Lily answered.
However, despite his confident facade, Lily sensed an underlying awkwardness in Ethan's demeanor. It was as if he was trying too hard to make a good impression, and his gestures felt rehearsed.
As the conversation continued, Lily decided to avoid his accomplishments and shift the focus to his personal interests. "Ethan, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Besides ruling the kingdom, that is."
Ethan's eyes briefly widened, caught off guard by the question. "Ah, well, truth be told, I don't have much free time. Being a Lycan King comes with its responsibilities and duties."
Lily smiled warmly, sensing his discomfort. "Surely, you must have some hobbies or pastimes that you indulge in when you get the chance?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment before a hint of a smile graced his lips. "Well, there is one thing I do enjoy. There is an ancient library within the castle. I spend time reading about our history, learning from the experiences of our ancestors."
"That sounds fascinating," Lily replied, genuinely intrigued. "I didn't expect you to be a bookworm."
"Not many people know that about me and it better stay a well-hidden secret," Ethan responded.
Lily laughed awkwardly not knowing if Ethan was playing or not and said, "I will not tell anyone."
Then, there was an awkward silence as Lily and Ethan continued to eat. As the dinner progressed, Lily couldn't shake off the knowledge of Ethan's intentions. She didn't want to lead him on or give him false hope.
To ease the tension, Lily suggested, "Why don't we do something else after dinner before you give me a tour?"
"Like what?" Ethan asked.
"Video games," Lily suggested.
Ethan looked surprised by the suggestion, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Video games? You play video games?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Lily asked.
"Sure, we can do that," Ethan answered.
Lily's face lit up with excitement, relieved to have found common ground. "Great! I love fighting games. What about you?"
"I enjoy strategy and role-playing games," Ethan replied, the stiffness in his posture gradually melting. "I think I have at least one fighting game."
As they finished their dinner, the tour of the grounds forgotten, Lily and Ethan moved to a more casual setting in the castle's entertainment room. Ethan fetched a gaming console and a selection of games, eager to share this unexpected pastime with her.
Lily settled on a comfortable couch, and Ethan took a seat beside her. The atmosphere felt less formal now, and they both seemed more at ease. Ethan handed her a controller, and they began to play.
At first, Lily was a bit hesitant, as she hadn't played video games in a while. She would play with Tiffany from time to time as she didn't have that luxury growing up. As they delved into the game, Lily was impressed by Ethan's strategic skills and quick reflexes. They laughed and cheered each other on as they completed challenges and battled virtual enemies together.
For a while, Lily forgot about the weight of her heritage and the expectations of the Elder Council. At that moment, it was just her and Ethan, two individuals enjoying each other's company without the burden of their titles.
As the night wore on, Lily and Ethan became lost in the game. They teased each other playfully and shared stories of their gaming experiences.
"You're surprisingly good at this," Lily remarked.
Ethan grinned, relishing the friendly competition. "Well, ruling a kingdom requires some strategy. It seems to come in handy even in video games."
Lily playfully nudged his shoulder. "Oh, don't let it get to your head, King Ethan."
Ethan paused, hoping to feel something from her touch, but just like with other she-wolves he took interest in, he felt nothing. 'A pity,' he thought as Lily would've been a great equal.
As they played, Lily noticed how Ethan's face lit up with genuine joy and excitement. In that moment, she realized that behind the stoic façade of the Lycan King, there was a person who enjoyed simple pleasures like gaming and connecting with others.
Eventually, they decided to take a break, their fingers slightly sore from the intense gameplay.
"Thank you for tonight," Lily said, breaking the silence. "I had a lot on my mind earlier, but this has been a wonderful distraction."
Ethan smiled warmly, his gaze softening. " I admit, I hadn't expected to enjoy video games this much, but it's been quite fun."
Lily chuckled. "You should play more often. It's a great way to unwind."
"You're right," Ethan said thoughtfully.
As they sat in companionable silence, the awkwardness had returned. Lily cleared her throat and said, "It is pretty late. I should probably get back to my room."
Ethan nodded, standing up. "Right. You don't have to be afraid of me Lily. I won't force you to do anything. I just want to show you that you have options.
Before Lily could say anything, Ethan continued, "Good night Lily." He left her on her own to contemplate what he said before she made her way back to her room.