Black Feathers

2: Attraction

 Unease gripped at Lucian's chest. His eyes looking over the wolves watching him. They were already scared of him as it was, that scene didn't help in the least and now the King didn't want to know if it had frightened Annabelle even more. She hadn't cowered away from him once since their meeting. Lucian didn't know what he'd feel like if she did now, he liked the idea of her. 

 "Whoa..."

 Twitching at the whisper Lucian turned his head, slowly looking down at the woman. No trace of fear. She was awe-stricken, her eyes wide and amazed. Annabelle had always heard stories of the King that ruled in the Kingdom of Beryl. There were stories of all the Kings and Queens, but the Alpha that ruled over wolves without being one himself? A man that fell from the sky. With no past, and strength that demanded submission and loyalty. That was what fascinated Anna. The tallest of the Nobles, the one who stood alone with no real origin. Having just appeared one day. He was one of a kind in this world, Anna remembered the stories as a child and imagining this dark figure that towered over everyone and everything.

 He was so different from the image Annabelle's young mind had conjured, and yet he was exactly as she thought him to be. He indeed towered over everyone, and a sort of darkness clung to him. Black hair, clothes in various shades of grey, even the brightness of his brilliant eyes seemed dark. 

 Nervous suddenly at being stared at so hard Lucian looked away from the woman for a moment as he leaned down to help her up. 

 "I don't mean to question your judgement Alpha, but... If Lord Ortega was willing to cross our borders to get her back don't you think it'll cause a problem if we keep her?"

 Blinking the man glanced at Vitani as Annabelle took hold of his hand. In a fluid movement Lucian pulled the light girl to her feet. Pressing his lips together Lucian inhaled deeply, taking in the woman's smell once more. 

 "Yes."

 At Lucian's short answer Vitani lowered her head. She hadn't been Gamma for long, it was only recently that her parents retired. Still, in this moment it wasn't very hard for the wolf to read her Alpha. He just didn't want to let the girl go. Whatever it was that caught his attention Vitani had never seen King Lucian look quite so vulnerable. Despite the gentle expression on his face as he murmured to the woman, the man was still intimidating. With his cloak not hiding his body it became even more obvious that his height was not his only strong point. He was far from being a twig.

 A small smile touched Vitani's lips as she watched her Alpha leading the woman out of the Great Hall. The Gamma secretly hoped that Annabelle could reach Alpha Lucian. Vitani knew that the man was aching, she just didn't know why nor did she have the ability to find out. 

 The man was a loyal leader, strong and fit to be followed. Wolves were social creatures though, and Vitani found it difficult sometimes to be near her Alpha. A man that everyone knew next to nothing about. The Gamma often wished something, or someone, would crash through his walls.

 Lucian's steps were matched by Annabelle's, however every few seconds hers would slow down a little bit before she rushed to fall back into line with him. Curiously glancing down at her the King watched as Anna's bright eyes strayed to his back, her body leaning to get a better look as her feet faltered. After nearly falling sideways she would straighten up and catch her spot beside him once again. 

 The Angel was very much aware the girl was staring at his wings, but it wasn't a stare he was use to. Reaching up to rub his nose self consciously Lucian turned into the center hall of his castle. It was a round room that opened in every direction, he started up the stairs. Only pausing when he heard Annabelle gasp at tripping over the steps because she was staring at him still.