**GWEN**


    I lingered a little until I was certain Ashton was gone hence I opened thepartment I was hidden in and climbed out.


    Tyler still standing by the door apparently confused, swerved around at the sound and exhaled in relief when he saw me. “I thought as much!” He earned nearer. “How was it possible he didn’t even know you were there? His Lycae could have sniffed you out.”


    I dusted my hands and stood erect. I was shocked too. Thepartment I hid was directly below the wardrobe. It was ast-minute decision to try to hide from my irksome mate.


    When I heard him ascending, I had no choice but to seek a ce to hide. I couldn’t leave the room knowing he could easily catch me. I also knew my scent was profound in the room and gathered he would know I was there. So, I opened the window as a form of distraction to make him think I left. Then, rummaging around, I found thepartment and thanks to my smaller physique,pared to them, I was able to fit in.


    I sighed and sat on the bed. “I guess he was invested in wringing your neck that he missed it.” I looked around the room with everything scattered. “Now I have to clean.”


    “No, you don’t have to. I have a maid thates in to clean every day. She will arrange the ce.”


    My ears perked. “A maid?”


    He understood my worry. “Right. She can’t see you.”


    I waved my right hand in the air. “Don’t bother, Ty, I will handle it. I used to clean my room back home before I came here, it’s nothing new.” My eyes were still skimming about.


    Then something urred to me. “Tyler?”


    “Yes, dear.”


    “How did he know I was here?”


    He shrugged, his expression portraying his oblivion. “I was wondering too.”


    I nodded and stood, patting my dress down. “Can we go down to eat now? I’m starving.”


    He led the way out.


    “Did he say something else to you after he left here?” I asked, tenser now that I knew my hiding ce wasn’t so hidden. If he hade here immediately it meant he suspected my presence here and seeing my stuff, that was it. I have to leave here.


    Albeit, the look on Tyler’s face was strange as if he was hiding something from me. He smiled and shook his head. “Nothing much just normal threats. Why asking?”


    “I want to know the extent of his resolve that I am here.”


    “He doesn’t know anything, Gwen. From everything, he said I assume he came here because we are friends and he knew we are close and thought you had confided in me of your whereabouts. Yeah, he suspects you are here and seeing your stuff kinda sealed that, nevertheless, it’s nothing to worry over.”


    We entered his kitchen. It was not that big, but for a bachelor, it was more than sufficient. It was simple and ssy. Like I would want my kitchen to be if I was single too. Everything is in white and ash.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    “Sit over there while I make you something.” He pointed to the high cab with chairs behind it. I obeyed, sat and watched him cook. It would help distract me while I think of my next line of action.


    There was a knock at the front door and our eyes swept there at the same time the front door hissed open and closed.


    I jumped down, my eyes scanning the kitchen for where to hide.


    “Hello!” What! Abby? “Tyler?”


    “Shit, how did she know my ce?” Tyler whispered, searching my face.


    “Go, go and distract her.” I waved him off.


    “What should I tell her? I will be nervous I might flop.”


    “What? I thought… I thought you didn’t like her? I mean romantically.”


    “I don’t. But right now with this, it might show that…”


    “Is anyone in here?” Her voice carried in the house.


    “You have to do something, Tyler. Anything.” There was no hiding ce in the kitchen. So I pushed him to the door, opened it and left him with no choice but to leave.


    I stered my right ear to the door to eavesdrop on their discussion.


    “Hey,” Tyler greeted, virtually close to the door. “What are you doing here?”


    “Have you seen her?”


    “S-Seen who?” He stuttered. Tyler stuttered. He was indeed nervous! My palm creased. That was when I knew our game was up.


    “Leave the way,” she ordered, moving past him. “I can smell her in there, Tyler. I can’t believe you two would pull something like this.”


    “Wa-stop, she’s not in there…” There were shuffling sounds as though they were struggling with each other.


    “You know Gwen won’t appreciate you manhandling me,” She said in a smaller tone. It was maniptive, that much I could tell. “Gwen, I know you are in there, is this what you want?”


    I pinched the middle of my eyes with a loud sigh, pushing off the door. There was no need to hide from her anymore, seeing as my cover was blown. She was one of my close friends and yes, I was hiding away from her because I didn’t want her to try to convince me to get back with her brother.


    I unlocked the door and stepped out. Tyler huffed, red at her and moved to the side. “You are so stubborn for a Princess.”


    “And you are too mouthy for a rogue!”


    “Hey, c’mon, Abby,” I intervened before hell was let loose.


    Abby’s eyes dimmed. “I can’t believe you will side with him over me.”


    I maintained my neutral gaze, my hands across my chest, waiting for her to do the needful.


    Seeing as we had her cornered, she rolled her eyes with her hands waving over her head. “Fine, I’m sorry, Tyler. That was insensitive of me to say. Asshole!”


    “Great,” Tyler hissed, moving past me into the kitchen. “I have to finish breakfast.”


    Abby reached me, taking my hands in hers. “What happened? Why are you here?”


    “This is my new temporary residence, Abby,” I informed her, sagging my shoulders forth. “I need a break.”


    “But you could have easily done that in the pce, not here.”


    “I don’t want to see your brother, Abby. He is driving me insane.” I fisted my fingers to portray my anger. “If I had spent one more minute there, it was either he killed me or I did the honour.”


    “Gwen…” She tapped her feet, purring in a sultry voice. “Are you that unhappy with my brother?”


    I couldn’t say a word lest I busted into tears. From my countenance, I trusted she couldprehend.


    “But staying here is risky,” she proceeded. “Anyone could see you. You are the Queen and tradition…”


    “That’s the problem, Abby.” I nabbed my hands back and turned to trek into the kitchen. There was a sizzling noise as Tyler poured the tomatoes into the pan. “Since I married your brother, it’s tradition this, tradition that. What about me? What about what I want? Do you ever think about that? I am human, and I have feelings.”


    “We can sort it all out…” She touched her forehead, “Duty, Gwen,” Her face thrust forward. “Once you are a Queen, people assume you have everything in control. They don’t care how you do it as long as youe out every day strong and bold.”


    “That’s not me, Abby,” I said with a sad smile. “I grew up with love… Agreed, my life turned upside down at eighteen, albeit, I don’t think I can ever shirk all the love and care I experienced from my parents. Where Ie from, my people do not see the Alpha and Luna as omnipotent. We share in their pain and go through it with them. That is what is called unity.”


    “So,ing to this ce and seeing as everyone expected me to suffer silently, walk with my shoulders high and pretend to be okay when my world is falling apart is very hard for me, Abby. I am still eighteen and your brother is way older than me. If he can’t love me now in my prime, when is he ever going to?”


    “It’s a process.”


    “I understand that and I have been patient. I was invariably willing to be stoic, but I guess I’m not that strong.”


    “You can’t stay here.” Her eyes glided to Tyler. “You have to make her understand that.”


    Tyler turned off the gas and came forward, imitating my former gesture with his hands enfolded in his chest. His broad biceps flexed, hisrge veins, evident in his skin. “Why not? She is weed into my home if she wants and since your brother is dickhead enough not to cherish her, you think I will turn my back on her?”


    “She’s your Queen!”


    “And my best friend.” Hearing him dere me that made my heart swell. “I will protect her. Like I told your brother, anyone who is against her is against me.”


    Abby simply stared, ultimately dumbstruck. From the light flicking on and off and casting amazed shadows in her pupils, I knew she was on the fence.


    “If my mother gets wind of what is going on in the pce right now, she will flip. She will not take it lightly with either you or my brother. I am also trying to protect you.”


    “Then, she doesn’t have to know. Everyone believes I am still recuperating. Let them keep thinking so. Give me time to recover, and never tell your brother you saw me. Please.” It was my time to take her hands and squeeze. “I have to decide if I can continue in this sham, Abby. You are my friend and have to help me.”


    Tears shimmered in her eyes. “My brother is suffering.”


    “He is deceptive. He only wants me back to keep tormenting me.”


    “What did he do this time to make you so resolute?”


    I let go of her hands. I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t tell anyone about Julian. They already know about Tyler and that should be okay. “It’s something I don’t think I would want to recount to anyone.”


    “Okay then, two weeks, Gwen. I give you two weeks to recover. In these two weeks, my brother will suffer, and I will keep you updated about the games and ptial happenings. You have to make up your mind, Gwen. For the sake of the Kingdom and my brother, I beg you.”


    It saddened me that she cared for such a horrible person. But her cooperation gave me courage. In two weeks I should have decided if I was to continue with Ashton or leave this Kingdom and find my fate elsewhere.


    That would be adequate.


    “Two weeks it is.”


    …