ã€ŠLycan Kingâ€™s Nemesisã€‹


 Chapter 1

    GWEN

    Today was prom; the most anticipated day in the werewolf kingdom.

    Today, every werewolf of the mating age was supposed to assemble at the pack house at 10 pm and when it was midnight we were going to shift to our wolves after which we would scent out our mates, and together head out to prom.

    To most people, meeting their wolves made it special for them, but to me, it was not just about meeting my other half, it was even more important because finally my best friend; Julian, and I get to scent out each other as mates and he would ask me to prom.

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    I jerked up from the bed I was lying on and threw the book I was reading to the side as I rushed to wear my slippers. ¡°Yes, Mother!¡± I hurriedly left the room for the door.

    ¡°What are you doing? it¡¯s almost time,¡± She bickered, looking edgy as she gestured with her hands from the foot of the stairs.

    ¡°I just finished bathing, Mother. I was about to dress up,¡± I lied through my teeth.

    ¡°Okay, hurry up so that your father can_¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­ that won¡¯t be necessary, Mother. Julian will soon be here to pick me up.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± My sister stuck her head out of her room to ask, a mischievous smile on her face.¡±I will go with you guys, Gwen.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you have to go with Dad. This might be thest time I spend with him. I can¡¯t share.¡± I crossed my hands on my chest defiantly.

    She red hard. ¡°Very well, soothe yourself.¡± she mmed her door in irritation.

    ¡°Hurry on, Gwen. I don¡¯t want any of you goingte.¡±

    ¡°Yes, mom,¡± I said and went back into the room.

    I hurried through my arrangements not caring about makeup because after all, by the time we shift, everything would be a waste. What¡¯s the point?

    I ran down the stairs at the same time a car honked outside. I knew it was Julian.

    ¡°Bye, mom, dad! See you at the pack house,¡± I squealed, not waiting for any of them to catch up with me lest they give me one of their pitiful baby kisses and assurances.

    ¡°Hey.¡± I jumped into the open door, going to peck Julian on the cheek. I hesitated for a good three minutes to wash my eyes over his too-handsome features.

    ¡°What?¡± His sharp brown eyes crinkled in confusion at me.

    I let him go. ¡°Nothing,¡± I sighed and rxed back. ¡°Are you nervous?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he said sharply. ¡°Why should I be?¡±

    I looked at him, still trying to look cool. But the truth was that I wasn¡¯t. I had always had a powerful crush on my iing Alpha and best friend, Julian. I mean who wouldn¡¯t? This guy was more like a ticking bomb. Every girl in this pack probably jerked off looking at his dashingly hot pictures every night.

    Unfortunately, I knew he might not feel that way towards me. To him, I was just Gwendolyn Hills, the Beta¡¯s first daughter. His best friend, train mate and confidant. Nothing more.

    ¡°Are you¡­ are you anticipating the new change in our lives?¡± I dared to ask.

    ¡°Of course, Gwen. I¡¯ve always been ready for this. You ask like you don¡¯t know this day has been drummed into my ears from the day I was born. So¡­ I¡¯m not freaked.¡±

    Yeah, maybe I am being selfish here. Today was not just about shifting and mating¡­ to people like Julian, the responsibility of the pack would automatically fall on his shoulders whether he wanted it or not. I felt for him.

    I wish I would be the one to stand by his side during this period. I obsessively hope so. Instinctively, I reached out and wrapped my hand around his forearm, and leaned into his warmth. ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine, Jules. You have me with you all the way.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡± He whispered.

    We didn¡¯t speak again until we got to the pack house and together walked into the big mansion where he resided.

    We greeted the Alpha and Luna as they asked about my father, the Beta before Julian took me to me to his room to rest and wait for the other pups to arrive.

    Then it was midnight. By now other pup had arrived and we were all congregated outside. Even our parents were here and everywhere was humming with pack members.

    I was standing close to my parents with my sister watching the podium where the Alpha, his Luna, and Julian were standing and¡­ waiting.

    Julian was the first to shift to a giant grey wolf turned and howled to the moon.

    Then the others began transforming close to me.

    I was still watching in amazement when my sister fell on her knees beside me and began her transformation. That was when I became worried. I looked at my parents. ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m not feeling anything,¡± I said in an agitated hushed tone.

    ¡°Calm down, Princess,¡± My Dad said in his usual soothing tone. ¡°Don¡¯t think much about it, let yourself go.¡±

    I did what he said. I even closed my ears from being distracted by the numerous howling and cracking bones around me. Nothing.

    My marrows chilled in nervousness, sweat starting to break out. ¡°Dad, Mom, what¡¯s going on?¡± I looked at the moon. Nothing was happening.

    ¡°Baby_¡±

    ¡°Dad!¡± I whisper-yelled, telling him with my eyes not to patronize me. I have a Beta blood running inside me, I am supposed to be among the first to transform after Julian. Even my sister had transformed and right now my mother wasn¡¯t even paying me any attention because she was running her fingers through the furs of my sister!

    I looked at the moon, willing it not to retire because that would be the end. But the moon seemed to be going in, little by little.

    I looked around, everyone had transformed. Even the parents had already transformed! Everyone, including Alpha Kai and Luna Bet. Only me and my parents were still standing.

    Then the moon finally disappeared into the dark clouds, bringing an end to the shifting time, and at once, everyone started howling with their nozzles to the sky, in obeisance to the moon goddess.

    But I couldn¡¯t. It finally dawned on me. I didn¡¯t transform. I was still human. I won¡¯t be considered the same without a wolf.

    As these thoughts whirled through my head, I didn¡¯t notice my peers had started scenting out their mates and were going to them.

    ¡°Baby, it¡¯s going to be alright, maybe you are ate bloomer_¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, father! I am not ate bloomer! What is happening to me?!¡± I left without waiting for the answer. I had to see Julian. Only he could give me the assurance I desperately needed right now.

    But I couldn¡¯t find him anywhere.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    Where was Julian?

    ¡­

 Chapter 2

    GWEN

    I scouted through the entire pack ground in search of the distinctive giant grey wolf among the crowd. But I didn¡¯t see him.

    Where did Julian go? I knew I saw him on the podium with his parents and then in the snap of my eyes, he disappeared. There was no way he went inside.

    Retreating back to where my parents were standing, I didn¡¯t see them too. By now, my panic was climbing, bitterness taking arge position in my chest.

    I stood still, running my eyes about as some of my peer groups came out from dressing up and walked to their cars with their mates. I didn¡¯t have any. No wolf. No mate. I was the person that anticipated this day more, but now, I was the one without any. And my best friend is no where to be found.

    Nor my family.

    ¡°Hey, freak!¡± I jumped and turned about, my eyes nearly falling out of their sockets when they fell on my three friends, Crayon, Barley and Dolly.

    Did Crayon just call me a freak? I chose to ignore that and stered a fake smile to disguise the hurt in my heart. ¡°Hey, did you see my parents or Julian?¡±

    Dolly sashayed forward, acting weird. ¡°So, in case you haven¡¯t noticed, Queen bee, the world no longer revolves around you. It appears the moon goddess has decided to punish you by making you the new freak in town. So, Gwen, get the fuck out of our faces, and don¡¯t you ever talk to us again!¡± She spat at my feet and then the others followed, and soon theyughed loud at me before walking away.

    I was frozen to the spot, hot tears descending down my face. These are my closest girlfriends. Since we were kids they haven¡¯t ever spoken to me like that. Hell, no one in their right senses would ever have spoken to me like that.

    Shaking my head in disbelief,  I hurried in the direction of Julian¡¯s car to pick my prom dress, ignoring the numerous look of pity I got from people, including those that pointed at me in disgust.

    I didn¡¯t understand. In just one night my life was falling apart. My entire fucking life was nned out, but now, I didn¡¯t know what was going on. Was there any werewolf that didn¡¯t transform at eighteen? Then what made me a she-wolf if I couldn¡¯t transform? This was strange.

    Thankfully I had the keys, so I rushed to hide in the car and banged my hand repetitively on the steering wheel as tears cascaded down. Where was Julian? He was supposed to be here with me consoling me.

    Did he not see what happened back there? We are supposed to be a team. I was always there for him. However, something like this had never happened to him.

    Collecting myself, I hastily changed into my prom dress and left the car to look for him inside the pack house. I¡¯ve been avoiding going in there because I didn¡¯t think I could bear the look I would get from the Alpha and Luna.

    What if they decide to demote me to an omega? Or even banish me from this pack. I was a disgrace. A beta female without a wolf. Unheard of.

    It was taboo in the werewolf Kingdom!

    ¡°Freak what are you doing here?!¡± Screamed Joan, Julian¡¯s twins.

    ¡°Joan, what are you saying?¡± I asked in a hushed tone, embarrassed as everyone in the room turned to look at me.

    ¡°I am saying you are no longer weed inside my father¡¯s house, freak show!¡±

    I snorted a false chuckle, looking everywhere but at her parents who didn¡¯t say anything or try to stop her from what she was doing. ¡°Joan, I am Julian¡¯s best friend. I¡¯m here to see him.¡±

    ¡°Not anymore!¡± She bit out, straight on my face.

    Where was Julian?

    I managed to look up and skimmed my eyes around. He wasn¡¯t there. I looked at her, peacefully. ¡°Okay, I will go. At least let me see him for once¡­ I have to collect something from his room. My stuff.¡±

    ¡°I won_¡±

    ¡°Let her go, Joan,¡± Alpha Kai ordered in a still voice. She growled, stomped her feet, and sauntered off outside the house.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I sighed and shared a grateful look with Alpha Kai before I turned to make my way up, but what he said next stopped me.

    ¡°If I were you, I will just go to prom without him, Gwen. Or better still go home. Your parents were looking for you a while ago.¡± Why was he saying that? Julian is my best friend I just wanted to see him. Was that too much to ask?

    I tried on a patient smile. ¡°I won¡¯t be long, Alpha Kai, I promise.¡± Maybe he wanted me out of his packhouse and was only trying to be civil because of my Dad and my rtionship with his son.

    He nodded once. All this while, the Luna just stared. Wordlessly.

    I took the stairs two at a time to the hall where Julian¡¯s room was located and without even knocking, I pushed it open. I froze for the second time that night at the sight that greeted me.

    There on the bed, Julian was making a loud growling sound as he pumped steadily into a girl whose loud moanpeted with his as if they were in a fight.

    It was as if a bucket of ice was doused on me that I didn¡¯t even know when I said, ¡°Julian.¡±

    He stopped abruptly and jerked away from the girl. My eyes dted as the face of the girl became apparent. Unfuckenbelievable. ¡°Theresa?¡±

    Both of them didn¡¯t make any move to move away from each other, and neither was there any form of remorse on their faces. Instead, Julian seemed embarrassed and went to block my sister from me. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± He asked coolly.

    ¡°Julian!¡± I shouted, taking a step forward. ¡°I-i was looking everywhere for you,¡± tears fell. ¡°I was unable to transform, I was unhappy and needed you now more than ever only to see you making out with my sister and now you are sitting there with her, asking me if I was okay? What kind of person are you? Do I look okay to you?¡±

    ¡°Just stop, okay?¡± He said impassively, narrowing his eyes at me. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault that you failed at the one thing thates naturally to every werewolf. I found my mate. Do you expect me to leave her toe cuddle you?¡±

    ¡°Goodness!¡± I staggered back, my body shaking. Theresa was his mate? But how? That was impossible. Have they been sleeping with each other behind my back all this while?

    I didn¡¯t want to ask because I didn¡¯t want to hear the answer. So the moment my back hit the door, I flung it open and ran blindly, not caring where I was going as far as it was out of there and the packhouse.

    ¡­

 Chapter 3

    I sped down the road recklessly with tears pouring without restraint as I headed to the house, finally heeding Alpha Kai¡¯s wish to go home. There was no way I was going to that prom without the love of my life.

    Julian, with my sister? I still couldn¡¯t believe it. My head was blurred in confusion that I escaped being hit by another car, or hitting a truck before I finally got home. I rushed out, meaning to hide away in my room and cry my eyes out but the moment I reached the door and was about to push it open, I overheard my parents bickering and rapidly came to a halt to listen in.

    My parents hardly ever quarrelled, which meant this was something serious.

    ¡°¡­ you caused it, Kent. If we had told her all this wouldn¡¯t have happened. We should have prepared for this!¡± My mother red in a precarious tone.

    ¡°I was only trying to protect her, Salome. What do you think she would have done when she found out, huh?¡±

    ¡°At least she would know¡­ Now I can¡¯t even live with myself knowing we lied to her all this while.¡± What are they talking about? Lied to who?

    ¡°We love her, Salome. We don¡¯t even need to tell her. She is ours for crying out loud. As I said she¡¯s just ate bloomer, it means nothing_¡±

    ¡°Or, she is human! Have you considered that too? Don¡¯t forget we picked her in the border between_¡± My heart lurched, my feet wobbling at that statement. Picked. Picked who? Me?

    Wait, I was not¡­ These are not my real parents? I touched by heart that was starting to pound thunderously in shock.

    ¡°¡­ her parents might have been hum_¡±

    I was already sprinting back to the car, not wanting to hear the rest. I was picked. I was picked. That was all that reverberated through my head.

    I didn¡¯t  even belong here. I was human?

    ??

    The Chronicles. Homes of the giant Lycanthropes.

    Ashton¡¯s pov

    ¡°All women are the same and there is nothing you can say that would shake my perception of them,¡± I drawled cooly, my eyes pinned calctingly on my opponent, my legs apart aiming for the perfect time to strike at him.

    Williams, my Beta grinned wolfishly and shook his head and deeply I knew he was of the same mindset as me when it came to fencing. Aiming for my head. ¡°For someone who is on thene to seal the knot with his chosen mate, I will say your sense of humour is quiet¡­ ominous.¡± He licked his lips at the same time he reared and attacked.

    I leapt to the side, and dodged, whirling in full force to take advantage of his diposure and spun at him but he was fast to tilt to the side but not fast enough before I gained on him, with my sword keeled on his neck. ¡°Surrender.¡±

    His grin broadened, his two hands lifting to let his sword crash to the ground. ¡°You win, sourspot. Spare me the disgrace before the great beauty, your sister.¡± He nodded towards Abigail my younger sister who was looking all red as though I just cut off his head.

    I moved slowly back, rolling my eyes. They must think me a fool if they think I don¡¯t see what was going on between them. I dropped my sword and my salutary footman hurried to pick the swords and retire in their shealth. ¡°That was a fair fight I must say. But I noticed you were distracted.¡± I wiped my hands on a napkin as my sister approached. ¡°Could it be because she is here?¡±

    William snorted in denial. ¡°Stop fooling around.¡± I was almost going to ask something else, however, my sister reached us on time.

    ¡°Brother, I must say you have outdone yourself on this one. Well done,¡± She twirled on her feet.

    I nodded once, and turned to leave when she said, ¡°Mother said you are to dine with her this evening. It¡¯s concerning the finishing touches to the approaching wedding.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m supposed to be there for such trivial matters. Tell mother I give her permission to indulge in whatever would make the asion sessful. I have meeting to attend.¡±

    ¡°I can precede on your behalf, Ashton.¡± My Beta fell into motion beside me and I shook my head.

    ¡°I still want to go, so what¡¯s the point? It was her idea for this marriage to happen in the first ce. I leave it to her to do the nning. Mine is to attend in a suit and after that, put in the heir and that¡¯s all. She can as well maintain my bride.¡± I didn¡¯t waste time increasing my stride after that, not wanting to engage in the discussion any further.

    Everything that has happened to this point has been my mother¡¯s infuriating unbeseeched intervention. I had told them I was not willing to wed. Women are not to be trusted and are the least of my worries.

    Left to me, I don¡¯t mind impregnating one of my mistresses to bear me an heir. But my mother had insisted that was an abomination and prime scandal and had gone ahead to make me propose to my female Delta because ording to her, the girl was a formidable force when it came to defense and would make a good Lycanqueen to the Kingdom.

    Every effort I put into stopping her had been in vain so now I was leaving her to do as she wanted. At least it would make her stay away from me while I did other things that delighted me.

    For instance, visiting my favourite brothels.

    Thinking of it now, I already resolved where I was spending my evening today. I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. I¡¯d been too long away from there. All in the name of maintaining a good face to the people.

    Reaching my room, I ripped my training joggers and vest from me and headed for the bathroom. I was already feeling mmy and needed to feel the chilling water to calm my raging nerves.

    It¡¯s been a while. Since the engagement ball, I have been restricted in these dull halls doing nothing but fencing, riding, and looking at the drab faces of my elders. Today, I was leaving to see my favorite girl. She had been trying to link me but I had been severing her links. I knew she would be worried because I hardly stayed away this long before going to see her.

    But I had to do what needed to be done, for my family.

    Coming out, I went to look through my wardrobe amongst the dresses already arranged for me by my valet. Wrinkling my face, I decided to look casual this evening. I picked a pair of in jeans and a striped shirt.

    It didn¡¯t take me long to be fully dressed, thanks to my rapid ability. I looked at myself once in the mirror, shared a conceited smug smile with my image and then turned to leave. The evening was highly anticipated for.

    Reaching my garage, as my chauffeur made to run to the car, I reached it before him and shook my head. ¡°I go alone,¡± I said, and jumped in.

    Soon, I was speeding out of the long driveway, shutting off every link I had with the pack so no one could contact me throughout this evening. It was my evening. Just a day of freedom.

    I was speeding at such a high speed along the highway that I flung every caution to the wind. Call it one of the Lycan strengths and curses; the speed ability. Sometimes we tend to get so carried away that we forget the safety of others.

    I swear I didn¡¯t see it; the car crossing to the other side. Hell, I didn¡¯t even know I was already at the crossroad. It was toote but then, before I realized it, I had already rammed straight into a sleek ck SUV and saw it fly up with such force as I used my power to bring my car to an immediate stop.

    I knew the upant of that car was surely going to die.

    Holy fuck!

    I just killed someone.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡­

 Chapter 4

    Gwen??

    When I left the house, I didn¡¯t know what I was doing or what I was going to do. All I knew was that I needed to be far from there. From my pack. Everyone.

    They all betrayed me. Including the moon goddess. She gave me everything I wanted and then in just one day, in just one night, ripped everything from me.

    I had entered my car-Julian¡¯s car precisely and had zoomed off.

    I didn¡¯t even know where I was going. I just drove. I drove until I reached the border between us and the humans but instead of driving there I reversed to the left and made for the formidable border we shared with the Lycans.

    They were a no-story when it came to the werewolf n. We avoided them as much as we could because just as we were enemies to the vampires, we were more of an enemy to a Lycan.

    To be honest, I didn¡¯t know what brought about the enmity, but the little I snatched from gossip, a Lycan Prince was once betrayed by a werewolf Alpha female on the night of their wedding. They had nned to marry and unite the two Kingdoms but the werewolf Alpha female dumped the Lycan Prince and married another werewolf. Since then, the Lycans forbade any dealings with the werewolf and killed anyone they met at sight.

    In fact, crossing into their border, you be nothing but a rogue and prime suspect. And that was what I wanted. I wanted death. Someone to kill me.

    As I crossed, my heartbeat increased, and so did my driving. I was speeding in such full force, expecting a pack of Lycans to attack me but nothing happened. That was strange. So I drove on.

    I saw a crossword ahead and was speeding to cross to the other side, my heart still bleeding, and even tears were blurring my vision.

    Then, boom, I started flying. I grabbed tightly to the steering, my eyes dting in fear. Is this what death felt like? It was abrupt. I saw people in white. They were smiling, then my eyes started drooling close. Then everything went ck.

    .

    .

    .

    ¡°Do you think she will make it?¡± I heard a distant voice ask. Is that the moon goddess? Who is she asking if I can?¡­ Wait, that¡¯s a male voice. It¡¯s supposed to be female_

    My eyes snapped open in such full force, I winced, my hand flying to my head that was aching so badly. It was as if I was smacked with a big rock.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s awake, your highness.¡±

    Your Highness? What the fuck?

    ¡°Goodness, fuck!¡± The man cursed, and from my periphery I saw them approach, too pained to even turn my neck. It seems to be in a bandage. Even my legs were hanging!

    ¡°Hello.¡± The woman smiled charmingly at me. But not the man. He was scowling darkly. Like he had something against me. His eyes were captivating though.

    Concentrate, Gwen! Men are not to be trusted!

    Thedy cleared her throat, gaining back my attention. Instantly, I made to stand, but her hands shut out to pin me down. ¡°I know, sweetheart. You must be feeling like you are all sprung up to be barbecued, but trust me, it¡¯s for your own good. How do you feel?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± My throat was dry. All parched up. ¡°I feel¡­ just like that. Water.¡± She nodded, her mouth twisting as she made to leave.

    The man came close, his eyes narrowing at me. ¡°Who are you and what are you doing in my Kingdom?¡±

    Is that even what he was supposed to be asking me in this condition? His Kingdom? Is he like the chief or whatever the Lycans called their head? Is he that selfish? A motherfucker from his so-called Kingdom hit me and this is what I get. Just great.

    Calm down, Gwen. We¡¯ve got this. ¡°I deserve justice.¡± Was the first thing I said.

    His brows arched to the top of his head in an intimidating manner and perhaps it was in my head, but I saw his eyes lower a bit before that evil glint returned.

    ¡°Your kind entered mynd without my permission, what makes you think I will grant you one?¡± Whoa! He knew I was a werewolf? Why was I still alive again?Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I was hit!¡± I winced once more, starting to cough. This man must be aplete asshat! How could he interrogate me when I just woke up from almost losing my life? To say I almost mistook him for the moon goddess. Wait, they even share the same attribute. Selfish, selfish fellows. Only out to hurt people!

    ¡°I do_¡±

    ¡°Your highness, I think she needs rest. Even rogues deserve reprieve when in this condition.¡± The nurse, or doctor, materialized, still serving her sweet smile. But it was twisting my guts. These people are truly callous. Ain¡¯t everyone?

    ¡°Very well. But you must give me a minute to confide something of prime significance to her after which I will be gone for good since she is already awake.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± The woman handed me the opened bottle of water and scampered out. Whoever this man was, I daresay he held authority. Where I came from, ordinary people do not exude the kind of energy I smelled from him, nor do they give orders that are quickly adhered to.

    Once the door shut, he reached the side of the bed where my head was sprawled on the pillow and leaned in until our faces were merely apart, his breath fanning across my face hotly as he took in a deep breath as if sniffing my scent and then he lifted off a little bit, overpowering me with his distinct colour of eyes before he opened his mouth to say. ¡°I know you are a werewolf.¡± He expressed coolly, ¡°¡­ and I know why you came here, but if you think I am going to ept you as my mate, then be rest assured that you have failed. So I am going to make this simpler for both of us. I will reject you, and make sure that you are properly taken care of. But once you are fully recovered, you must leave my Kingdom back to your pack and never return.¡±

    ¡°W-what are you saying?¡± Is he crazy? Mate?

    He went on impassively, ¡°I, Newton Ashton Montgomery, King of the Chronicles, hereby reject you as my fated mate. You are free to find love wherever you desire with whoever you want. But not here and never with me!¡± His eyes became stonier and scarier, my heart beat already picked up, a new pain started to build in my chest.

    Is he serious? He is my mate. And he is rejecting me?

    ¡°Say something, dammit!¡±

    What does he expect me to say? That I ept his rejection?

    I was on a hospital bed with my legs hanging. I didn¡¯t even know if I was going to be able to walk again after being hit by one of his psychopath pack drivers and he wanted me to ept his rejection. If I thought this guy was crazy, now I think he needs asylum. ¡°No, I will not ept your rejection, King.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 5

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± He asked me in a cool voice containing steel.

    I shifted on the bed, my eyes skithering to the door in case he tried anything foul. ¡°I-I said I am not going to ept your rejection.¡±

    He scoffed, loomed closer as his fist flexed as though he had it in his mind to squash me, then after an eerie silence, he let out a dark smirk, turned and hurried to the door.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked, tried to lift my head but fell back in pain. That was my mate walking away. I lost the love of my life only to find my mate and now has was only going to reject me and walk away like that? ¡°Come back here!¡±

    The door had already smacked on my face and two minutester, thedy from before came barreling in. This time she wasn¡¯t smiling. ¡°What did you do to the King?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°He was very crossed and ordered you were to be cared for and discharged immediately.¡± She took my wrist and checked for something I didn¡¯t care for as my mind was elsewhere.

    ¡°Is he your King? Like the over all King, like the Alpha King?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and no one, absolutely no one in there right mind infuriates him. He¡¯s as short-tempered as the bull and easily flips.¡± She dropped the hand and once more the smile returned. ¡°You seem to be making a quick recovery.¡±

    ¡°And my legs?¡± I dangled my hanging legs and she nodded too.

    ¡°The physiotherapist wille in this night to make sure you are checked out. Don¡¯t worry, you are in good hands. You should be happy the King left you alive. Not many of your kind have crossed our border and left alive.¡±

    As if that was supposed to pacify me. Why did he leave me alive if he was going to reject me?

    ¡°Where does your King live?¡±

    She wiped her hands in a napkin, her piercing blue eyes pinning on me. ¡°He lives in the centre of the town, Miss. You are quiet an inquisitive one.¡± Because he¡¯s my fucken mate, I wanted to yell. As though I would care if a Lycan meowed like a cat.

    ¡°I think I need be alone, thanks.¡± I sighed.

    ¡°Alright, I wille_¡± Our attention went to the door as it swayed open and two hefty men stood there. They shared a look with each other, nodded, and went out.

    The woman looked at me this time with worry. ¡°Who do you say you are again?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Those are pce guards. The King never send them to guard anyone except someone close to him. I¡¯m merely surprised to see them here considering you are what we Lycans call, Salusas¡­¡±

    I wrinkled my brows. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    She patted my shoulders as she made to leave. ¡°It means, outcasts.¡±

    Oh. Well, technically since I was not a werewolf, maybe I won¡¯t be considered a Sal.. sandy¡­ Whatever she called it.

    The thought of that brought tears to my eyes. I looked away. What was happening now back at home? Are my parents searching for me? Do they miss me?

    Well, they ain¡¯t even my parents. They would be relieved to be rid of me. After all, I was not one of them. If only they told me the truth, I would never have had to go out there to be disgraced in front of everyone.

    Now, not only do I have to think of the betrayal of my best friend, Julian, I had to think of their betrayal as my supposed parents.

    I was all alone in the world.

    ??

    Some dayster, I was feeling better ording to Nurse Cynthia as she asked me to call her. She said I recovered too fast more than she anticipated. What I didn¡¯t tell her that I have always been like that since I was a kid.

    I had this tendency of recovering too fast that even my parent at a time said I was going to be a very powerful werewolf. Too bad all those things has merely been a sham.

    I kicked my legs and then I eased out of the bed, reached for the needle injected into my wrist and removed it at once. It stung so badly that I winced and lifted my head until the pain ayed, then I searched for my slippers and wore them.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    I was in the hospital blue gown, so I looked around if they helped me bring in my bag from the car. That was if they saw it. Nothing.

    I intended to leave here today, and there was nothing that would stop me. I had to look for that obnoxious King and have him take back his word.

    He couldn¡¯t reject me. I had nowhere else to go. I couldn¡¯t go back to my pack because I couldn¡¯t bear the shame, and I couldn¡¯t even go to the human kingdom because that will be a waste of time. I hardly knew anyone there and knew nothing about how to live a normal life.

    I peeped through the door hole, the two hunky men were standing there. Fuck!

    I raked my head on what to do. Something struck.

    I skimmed my eyes around the room, until my eyes closed on the flower vase by the window. I went to pick it up, came back to the door, and then I hauled

    it across the room towards my bed.

    It crashed loudly on the floor and broke to pieces, creating a loud noise that drew their attention. Then I cried, ¡°Help me!¡±

    In the snap of an eye, they came barreling into the room.

    I hurriedly hid at the back of the door that as they went further into the room, they didn¡¯t see me sneak out and ran with every strength I could muster down the hall, and hid in the first room by my left. Luckily, it was empty.

    I waited.

    ¡°Did you see a petite girl with blonde hair?¡± I heard one of the guys ask someone.

    ¡°No,¡±

    ¡°Hey, you, have you seen your patient? The blondie?¡±

    ¡°What? Gwen?¡± Oh, poor Cynthia. She sounded shocked. ¡°No. What happened?¡±

    Her feet receded as she hastened towards my former room.

    Soon, I didn¡¯t hear any of their voices. I counted to ten and then as my eyes took in my environment, I discovered a pink dress hanging by a rack. I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly changed into it.

    Five minutester when I came out of the room and matched down the hall straight for the front door, I could swear none of those men would recognize me if they passed me; I was looking totally different with my face mask on and my hair in a white bo.

    Now, I go in search of my mate.

    ¡­

 Chapter 6

    Escaping the hospital might have been the easiest mystery for me, but now that I was out, knowing where I was going was the greatest challenge.

    As I stood by the corner close to a small bush overlooking the road watching people milling to and fro from their destinations, I was lost, my heart beating fast.

    I knew what would happen next. Those men will inform their King I had escaped and then he would dere me a rogue to be killed on the spot. Of course, he said it clearly, he didn¡¯t want me in his territory.

    Such hate that was reticent in his eyes. And he was supposed to be my savior. My mate.

    Tears stung my eyes but I reeled them in. This was not the time for this. I had to look for how to change out of this ¡®gothy¡¯ uniform I was wearing and look for something else that couldn¡¯t get anyone¡¯s attention easily.

    However, as much as I wanted that, I knew it couldn¡¯t be possible. Unless I wanted to risk being caught.

    I bit my lower lip, wishing I still had Julian¡¯s car with me. As the car came to my mind, so did its owner and subsequently every other thing.

    How did my lifee to this? Just in a day, everything disintegrated. Was this how it happened to others or was it just me? How does one live in this life with the level of pain I felt now and still survived the day? It was simply unimaginable.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I sniffed, realizing a stubborn tear had slipped out. Perhaps, if I had my wolf I would have mind linked my parents and told them where I was. Unfortunately, I didn¡¯t. Thank the moon goddess for that because I couldn¡¯t bear their lying faces or to be taken back to face those treacherous people called my pack members. I will rather die here trying to win the heart of my mate. Or¡­ nothing.

    I was snatched out of my thought by the loud shrill of a bus horn and scurried farther towards the sound from where I was hiding. It was indeed a bus! A red and white trolley bus.

    I ran out and was waving my hands about as I jumped to catch the attention of the driver. ¡°Please, stop, please, stop,¡± I pleaded, still jumping.

    I thought he ignored me and drove past me until the bus suddenly lurched forward and came to a stop, releasing arge gust of air that nearly choked me.

    ¡°Harry up, wench, I have no time to waste!¡± The driver barked as I inched closer and climbed the rusty stairs into the bus. There was no one inside. I looked around and merely survived flying back outside as the driver pitched forward roughly without a care if I wasfortably inside.

    ¡°H-Hy, Sir,¡± I scooted closer to the driver¡¯s side and tapped the divider. He didn¡¯t say anything. I swallowed. What if he was one of the guards? Or even a serial killer out to hunt for virgins.

    Jeez, get your head in one ce, Gwen, I schooled myself and tried once more with a forced smile. ¡°Hy, Sir. I am heading towards¡­ your King¡¯s pce. Can you take me there, please?¡±

    There was a loud grunt and then like the first time, the bus came to an unexpected stop. The loud growl that followed made me think twice if I said the right thing and why he was acting that way.

    He snapped his eyes at me, his blue eyes slowly turning ethereal. Then he sniffed the air, his mouth opening to show hisrge fangs. Of course, I had to meet a bloody Lycan and it had to be when I was still a bloody human! Without a wolf.

    I jumped back with my hands up, suddenly panting, with my eyes scooting all over the bus as if looking for escape. ¡°I am innocent, okay? You don¡¯t have to be defensive. That asshole found out I was this mate and then he rejected me. Can you believe that? Who rejects their mate without even caring to know them?¡±

    As the words gushed out of my mouth in panic I noticed he had stopped growling and was looking at me curiously. He sniffed the air again and then tilted his head to the side intently scrutinizing me and when he opened his mouth once more, it was to ask, ¡°You, my King¡¯s mate?¡±

    My hair scattered in different directions as I bounced my head. ¡°Yes, I swear it. He-he dumped me at the hospital after he found out and now I am going to meet him. You see, I know your kind hate my kind and¡­ viceversa but I am not like the rest.¡± I chuckled nervously and when he didn¡¯t say nothing, I proceeded. ¡°I am not a betrayer and I definitely don¡¯t lie. And most importantly, I believe in the sacred bond that mates share which is why I will forgive your King and take him back even after his wickedness to me.¡± I said thest part slowly and throatily, not wanting to garner his wrath further.

    Then, like magic happened, the man busted outughing. Loudly. He pped his hands and faced the steering wheel, beating it repeatedly as his bulky form shook with mirth. Are they all thatrge and weird? ¡°I will take you to him. Only because I like you. I really don¡¯t hate werewolf, yunoo. Just been keeping the bloody tradition!¡± Then his bus was off, my butt hitting the ground as I totally forgot his driving style.

    The drive was long, my back starting to ache and my mouth itching to ask if the King lived at the end of the earth. However, he soon made a sharp mad U-turn and faced a driveway that led to the tallest gate I had ever set my eyes on.

    ¡°That is the King¡¯s fortress. Thergest in the universe. It shows how majestic he is above every other King and the weight of his supremacy iparable.¡± The man was saying, my awed eyes were skimming the length of the driveway, mesmerized beyond words with what I was seeing.

    He seem to have slowed down as he approached the gates, and soon some men came into sight, looking like the biblical giants cast off the heaven.

    ¡°Those are the King guards. It will take the devil himself to subdue them. They are called Deltas. They fight to death to protect the King and his family. One of them is bing the King¡¯s chosen mate soon. So, I wish you luck winning the heart of the King. Because like I see, you have no idea what you are getting into_¡±

    ¡°Wait, what did you just say?¡± I snapped out of my fantasy and lurched at the divider to talk to the man. Did he just say chosen mate? My mate rejected me and now he wants to marry someone else?

    ¡°Oh, little werewolf, I see you don¡¯t know that. Sorry.¡±

    ¡°No, tell me. He is getting married to another?¡±

    ¡°The wedding is already close. She is the strongest female Delta this Kingdom ever knew. Not a marriage of love of course, but for the interest of the Kingdom. Former Queen¡¯s making.¡± He reached his head out to speak to the men outside in anguage I couldn¡¯t understand as my head swarmed with questions toppled with anxiety.

    This was getting scarier than I envisaged. If he was already getting married to another bride that meant I didn¡¯t stand a chance. One thing I knew about Lycans was how audacious they were. And their strength will be multiplied by three whenpared to the strength of an average werewolf, not to mention one of the royal bloodlines.

    As I looked outside of the bus, I caught the snide looks the men were giving me causing ripples of fear to spiral through me. If the King didn¡¯t want me, who else will? And this was his people, they follow in his footsteps.

    Was I jumping from frying pan to fire?

    ¡­

 Chapter 7

    When the giant guards let us pass through the giant gates, the bus soon came to a stop not far from the gate and in the snap of a finger, men dressed like soldiers ran in an orderly manner to stand in front of the bus, barricading it from moving any further.

    My heart skipped a beat.

    The driver died the engines and slowly turned to face me. ¡°As much I would like to see this one through, Lass, I beg your pardon but I don¡¯t think I have the effrontery toe face to face with the almighty sovereign.¡±

    Why was he making it look like the man was some god? Wasn¡¯t it the same man I saw the other day? Or, was there another King apart from that one?

    I shook my head and tried to concentrate, panic in my voice. ¡°Look, you can¡¯t leave me to¡­ these people!¡± I  craned my neck through the window to catch a glimpse of the men whose heads were almost reaching the louvres of the car. How could they be so huge?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lassie. But I have to go. Please go down.¡± He concluded and reached his head out to say something in the samenguage I overheard him speak to the guards outside the gate with.

    I exhaled loudly and looked about, fast-growing distraught than I have ever been. Here I was thinking this man would take me to the King_

    The door swung open with pressure and soon two men appeared, their hawky eyes piercing at me as their mouths positioned in a manner that looked like they were almost baring their fangs to rip me apart if I tried anything silly.

    I lifted my hands in surrender. ¡°Look, I¡¯m not here for trouble, okay? I-I just want to see your King.¡± I  nced at the driver hysterically. ¡°Tell them.¡±

    He shrugged casually. ¡°I already did, Lass. These are the salutaries. There is no way you can see the King¡¯s personal Deltas without them. They will take you directly to the King guards who in turn will take you to the King. Call it security measures. Your kind are¡­ not trusted around here. Plus, the full moon is around the corner. A rogue can lie to be the King¡¯s mate and yunoo¡­¡±

    I scoffed audibly. As if. What would they possibly want to do with the ass of a man? I nodded. ¡°Fine.¡±

    I have to go through thousand men just to get to one man. Well, it¡¯s not like I have a choice. I made my way down. ¡°Thank you, Lycan!¡± I called over my shoulders as the men¡¯s hands sped me and started dragging me off.

    ¡°Wait, is this necessary?!¡± I careened, trying to look back where the bus was starting to reverse.

    ¡°Quiet, Ms. The pce is a very solitary ce and the Queen will not tolerate any form of disquiet.¡± One of the men said in in Scottish ent. It wasn¡¯t news the Lycans being close to East, most of them were of Scottish origin.

    ¡°Can I at least walk properly? I am a Beta¡¯s daughter where Ie from. I deserve some respect!¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter here, Ms. Your position here is more or less the position of a scurrily maid!¡±

    My heart twisted. Me, a scrurrily maid?Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    I didn¡¯t open my mouth again after that insult nor did I know how long they dragged me before we got to the entrance of the building where they stopped and let me go roughly that I staggered forward and fell to the ground.

    I stood up abruptly and dusted my messy hands. ¡°You people will pay for this!¡± I threatened as the door burst open and three men came strolling out like ck Panthers, their shoulders higher than anything my eyes have ever seen.

    I jumped back and collided with one of the men who grabbed me to steady me. Goddess! Are these men or had there been any form of biological mutation that made them look so extraordinarily big?

    One of their eyestched on me like a ma, taking me in with a look that spoke disgust. ¡°What did you say she said?¡± He asked no one in particr.

    ¡°She said she is the King¡¯s mate.¡±

    Like the best joke of the century was cracked, the man busted outughing, and soon the others joined. Out of their own volition, my eyes trailed down to my clothes which were rumpled and shredded in different directions. Was it why they wereughing? Because I was looking like

    I escaped from a madhouse?

    What effrontery. I was a Beta¡¯s daughter! I was the belle d¡¯monde of my pack. The cheerleader, the queen bee! Julian¡¯s girl!

    I stopped, realizing how my body shook with rage, but deted at once as I realized all these aplishments were all in the past and lest I forget, all sham!

    ¡°Bring her!¡± The man ordered as hisughter receded, and walked inside.

    No sooner was the order made was I grabbed by one of the men who tossed me over his huge shoulder and was skating through the pce¡¯srge doors.

    ¡°Let me down, you brute!¡±I pounded his back which was a waste of time.

    ¡°Shu!¡±

    ¡°I will kill you with my bare hands if you don¡¯t bring me down, you dickhead!¡±

    ¡°I said, shoo!¡± The man pped my ass and I saw red.

    ¡°You have the guts to tap your King mate¡¯s ass? I wi_¡±

    ¡°What is going on here?¡±

    The men stopped abruptly, and so did I as I heard an elegant sultry feminine voice behind me.

    ¡°My-my Quee_¡±

    ¡°Who is she and why are you holding her in such a callous unrefined manner?¡± The woman asked.

    ¡°She said_¡±

    ¡°Bring her down at once!¡±

    My legs touched down at once and I quickly red at the man hence I rotated 360 to locate the woman with such voice of a goddess and indeed I was rendered dumb at seeing her. It appeared everybody here was either too huge or too beautiful. ¡°H-hi,¡± I said shakily, mesmerized by her person.

    ¡°She made an obnoxious statement of being the King¡¯s mate, my Queen,¡± one of the men was finally able to speak. I saw the way they looked like they wanted to shit their pants. They couldn¡¯t even look at her.

    There was no mistaking her distinct eye color which was the same as that of the obnoxious man from the other day, nor the brown hair color for that matter.

    As gracefully as she could foster, her eyes took a thorough look at me before stopping at my face. Then she lifted her right hand and waved away the guards without even looking at them. I saw them hesitate but at once these bulky men all scurried off.

    ¡°Come,¡± She said and began moving away. I didn¡¯t need a soothsayer to tell me to run after her. And that was what I did.

    ¡­

 Chapter 8

    Ashton??

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible to have thepany opened before the full moon?¡± Williams asked me, grazing his hand on the fine breeds that we came to check out at the stables.

    He came to inform me ten minutes ago that the fine stallions I ordered to be trained for my uing ranch business just arrived. It was one of the best news to be heard today because I had been looking forward to their arrival for weeks now.

    This was one secret between me and my Beta. My horse business. It was unheard of and can even be considered sacrilege for a King to be involved in the business ofmon people. Particrly, fickle-minded people like my mother. I will be toasted.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I think I can handle it. Perhaps, after the wedding.¡± I shifted to the next stallion, a ck Arabian striker. I patted the ears, earning a face rub from the horse. There was something about this creatures that applied to my inner senses and seem to calm me. It reminded me of the little werewolf from the other day. I haven¡¯t told Williams about it because I didn¡¯t trust him not to pull the guilt trip on me.

    ¡°If you say so.¡± There was stretched silence between us. ¡°What will you do if you find your mate before your wedding, Ash?¡± He suddenly asked me.

    I swallowed hard and began walking outside the stables with my hands behind my back as I revelled in the scrunching sound produced by my boot on the winter-dried grass. I made my way towards the pce, requiring William to march after me. ¡°I will reject her,¡± I said what I have already done.

    ¡°Hmmn, don¡¯t you think that is too brash?¡±

    ¡°But what is necessary.¡± It was as if I was trying to pacify my conscience.

    ¡°You know I won¡¯t support you though.¡±

    ¡°I know, Will. I know.¡± My attention was drawn towards the doors where one of the guards was walking at full pace towards me. I had blocked them off intentionally as I didn¡¯t want to be distracted while with the horses or for them to know where I was. Guess he sniffed me out.

    ¡°Well, fortunately that won¡¯t be the case now. And I hope it doesn¡¯t happ_¡±

    ¡°My King, there is a problem.¡± The guard called Spider, stopped before me to ry. There is a reason he was named that.

    I discontinued walking, my brows arching to the top. ¡°What?¡± I despised unnecessary disys of emotion.

    ¡°A girl.¡± He pointed towards the house. ¡°A girl just came in. She said she is your mate_¡±

    He didn¡¯t need to finish before I stormed past him, hastening to the mansion. I felt it! There could only be one reason why I had a terrible dream of making love to that girlst night. It was not often I have wet dreams. I suspected something foul had happened. Plus, I haven¡¯t gotten any report from the guards I posted at the hospital to watch her.  ¡°When?¡±

    ¡°Just now.¡± He matched my gait, same with my Beta.

    ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°With the Quee_¡±

    ¡°For fuck sake!¡± I halted at once, my right hand going to drag through my brown hair. ¡°I am going to kill that_¡±

    ¡°What are you saying, Ash?¡± Will asked beside me, driving me back to realize I had said that loud. I gave him one look and moved to cover the remaining distance to the mansion.

    The guards bowed as I droned past them and threw the front doors open, looking left to right and then sniffing the air to catch my mother¡¯s scent and at once I was heading to her private parlour.

    I was there on time to hear the little twat saying,¡±¡­ he didn¡¯t give me a chance before he wickedly rejected me, ma¡¯am. I was heartbroken!¡±

    Oh, the hell! Did she need to tell my mother all that? Me, wicked? Werewolves, all evil maniptors!

    I flung the doors open without preamble and my eyesnded on her, biting. A loud growl left my mouth as I beheld her sitting there beside my mother, whose eyes expanded at my uncouth behaviour and gave me her disapproving glow which I wasn¡¯t recipient of at this point. The girl looked so pathetic. So, innocent, yet, devious.

    All werewolves were as far as I was concerned.

    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t believe a word of what she said to you¡­ It¡¯s all lies.¡± Even as I said it, my wolf; Fangs, dragged his paws through my heart to leave an audible pain which I gritted my teeth to hold from showing on my face.

    ¡°Well, son¡­¡± My mother slowly stood up and came towards me one step at a time as my eyes remained pinned on the girl who was crouched in one corner now, peeking at me from hooded eyes so innocent-if not for my present displeasure-I will go there, grab her and pour out all the frustrations my groins have felt since we met her.

    Thanks to Fangs.

    ¡°¡­ let¡¯s see how true your theory is.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, m_¡±

    ¡°Come here, child.¡± She wagged her red-painted nails at the girl whose eyes expanded in confusion, skipping between my mother and me. In fear, of course. ¡°Come here.¡± She jumped up and scurried towards us and stopped directly in front of me and at once I knew what my mother wanted to experiment.

    I jerked back, shaking my head. ¡°No, mother. I won¡¯t _¡±

    ¡°That means you have been lying to me, son. I know how much the idea of finding your mate repulses you, but I didn¡¯t know you will go to this extent!¡±

    ¡°I am getting married,¡± I reminded her. ¡°Was that not what you wanted?¡±

    ¡°Because I thought you will never find your mate. You are 35!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not old, mother,¡± I snarled. ¡°She is a werewolf!¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± my mother¡¯s sultry voice teased me to madness, stepping around me as I and the little weasel glowed at each other. It appeared she still had the balls to look me in the eyes. ¡°I see the problem now. You rejected her because she was a werewolf¡­ And there I thought my son is the wisest man alive. Look at her, son!¡± She surged, waving her hands at the girl whose head swelled so big like a pumpkin. ¡°Such a beauty.¡±

    ¡°Beauty is not enough, mother! What happens to Merit?¡±

    ¡°She will understand.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair, mother.¡±

    ¡°Coming from someone like you, I doubt you care one bit more than I give a fuck about meatballs.¡±

    ¡°Mo_¡±

    ¡°You would rather marry Merit because you know you don¡¯t love her and could easily neglect her, but with your mate you know that is something you can¡¯t. The bond_¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe in bonds, mother,¡± I lied, knowing she was right. My mother was of course a snake.

    She chuckled lightly as her hand came to touch one of my shoulders lightly. ¡°The wedding is cancelled, son. Prepare to get married to your mate. That¡¯s my final decree.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 9

    Gwen??

    An eerie silence existed between us as the door clicked close after his mother. I froze, only realizing then that I should have left with her instead of leaving myself at the mercy of the dangerous man before me.

    I expected him to attack me abruptly and beat the hell out of me as is typical of most mates when they don¡¯t desire you. What I didn¡¯t expect was for him to calmly stroll to the couch and copse on it, exhaling in defeat as he hunched forward and wracked his long fingers through his brown shoulder-length hair.

    I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling guilty. Is it that bad? Perhaps, I shouldn¡¯t have told the mother all that I did. I was left with no choice when she asked if what I said to the guard was true. As though she charmed me-more like an entrancing spell that made me divulge everything to her-including the ones she didn¡¯t ask me.

    ¡°Are you happy now?¡± He asked in a brisk breezy tone that caused the air to stifle around me. Possibly, he could hear the sound of my heartbeat from there.

    I stepped backwards until my back was t on the wall beside the door and then softly flicked my eyes to him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡± He stood, I panicked. ¡°Of course, you should be sorry because today you have signed a pact of suffering and believe me, by the time I am done with you, you will regret the very day you stayed in my territory after I rejected you and told you clearly that I wasn¡¯t ever going to make you my Lycan queen.¡±

    ¡°I am your mate!¡± The words flew out of my mouth before I could hold them back. Where the boldness came from, I couldn¡¯t tell.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need a mate, little werewolf.¡±

    ¡°I am not a little werewolf.¡±

    He took one step, then another and soon I was ttened on the wall and he was standing one foot from me, as giant as he stood, making me look like a baby to him. He was intently taking me in, his unique blue orbs just like his mother digging deep into my soul as if he could discern my very breath. He was trying to intimidate me, like back in the hospital. I knew it.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t move or do anything to inform him I couldn¡¯t be easily ruffled. Not with his aura engulfing me, his scent too prominent that my whole body like a ma wanted something, something possessive. Like a spiritual force, I was drawn to him in ways beyond this world that instead of hating him, I yearned for him. Every fibre of me longed for him.

    ¡°I,¡± he lifted his finger and paused halfway to my face as my chest rose and fell down in a thunderous thud. ¡°¡­ will make you pay dearly, little wolf.¡±

    I should say something! Open your eyes, dummy! I snapped my eyes open and that was when I saw it. He was there. In front of me. When did he cover the remaining space? I think I¡¯m gonna die.

    I opened my mouth to say something at the same time his fingers grazed my temple and traced it to my chin which he grasped with the tips of his fingers and willed to his face, his head craning low until we were breathing the same air.

    Putty. That was what I was right then. I shook and trembled, begging the goddess to feel him in the most minimalist way possible. Was this what it felt like to be with your fated mate?

    ¡°Say something, little-¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°I-I am not little!¡± My voice shook. Of course, I was little standing close to him. In fact ever since I stepped foot here, literally all the men I met have made me question my five feet-seven height. I looked like a dwarfpared to them. Even his mother.

    He was rubbing. Unintentionally. I knew it because his eyes color was now growing dark. Like midnight. He didn¡¯t know what he was doing. Like me, he was spellbound by the mystical power of the bond.

    ¡°Brother_¡± The doors swung open and someone came in, causing the man before me to growl lethally and flinched away from me, his eyes color shifting back to normal as he pointed to me with the ugliest scowl possible.

    ¡°She¡¯s a witch!¡±

    Ady with identical eye colour, looking like a younger version of the woman from before,  came in and quietly closed the door, her sceptical eyes trailing from him to me, possibly confused about the situation. ¡°What are you saying, brother?¡± She leaned on the door and asked, her eyes still on me.

    He was heaving, pacing the length of the room like a caged animal. ¡°She is a witch! There is nothing else that could have made me do what I just did. You are a witch!¡± He faced me, standing opposite the table.

    ¡°I am not a witch!¡± I lunged back, my shoulder going forwards. Now he wasn¡¯t close, I could think straight and won¡¯t let him lie against me. ¡°You are just being a coward.¡±

    ¡°I am not a coward,¡± He growled, shing me his fangs. ¡°No one who cares to stay alive calls me that. I won¡¯t hesitate killing you despite you being my_¡±

    ¡°Mate?¡± I crossed my hands on my chest and shared an amusing look with him. ¡°Say it. Mate. You won¡¯t die, trust me.¡±

    ¡°I will never ept you.¡±

    ¡°But you will marry me.¡±

    ¡°And you will die in this halls lonely as though you were a rogue in the wild.¡±

    I was seething with rage, wanting nothing but to delve at him and drag my fingers through his ruggedly handsome face. But instead, I smiled to taunt him, inclining my face to the side as I asked, ¡°Does that mean you don¡¯t intend to father any heir?¡±

    The loud growl from his chest reverberated through the room. ¡°So, that¡¯s your n. You are just like the rest of them; selfish, airheaded whores!¡±

    It pained me. It did because I was a virgin who hadn¡¯t even gotten her first kiss. Yet, this man called me a whore. I craved nothing more than to refute his usation, however, in anger I said, ¡°Yes, I am a whore, and guess what, this whore is here to stay. Deal with it!¡±

    ..

 Chapter 10

    Thedy that came in turned out to be his younger sister as I suspected. She has been the one to stop our verbal brawl and had informed him their mother asked her to take me to my new chamber and get me settled.

    And the brute had punched the wall close to him which dipped under the force of the sh. But he didn¡¯t show any form of hurt as he whipped past me and mmed the door.

    It was happening like in the movies. One I didn¡¯t recover from even as thedy guided me out of the house and led me through several halls and a spiraling staircase until we stopped in front of a brownish-ck door and she pushed it open and led me in. ¡°This is going to be your bedchamber¡­¡±

    ¡°Gwendolyn,¡± I provided, understanding she didn¡¯t know my name. ¡°Gwendolyn Hills.¡± I finished.

    ¡°Wow, you have such a beautiful name, Gwen.¡± I smiled, looking about. This room was gorgeous. Everything about this ce screamed riches, fortune molded in plenty. Yet, I felt nought but abject emptiness.

    When I was a pup, my mother once told me about an Alpha that rejected his mate and even went further to kill her just to set himself free. But before his mate died, mother said she suffered a lot from his rejection. It was one of the saddest stories I have ever heard.

    Now, it was my turn. I often sympathized with that girl from my mother¡¯s stories, I didn¡¯t know someday it will be my pain.

    ¡°Gwen?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I looked at thedy, noticing now that her eye color wasn¡¯t really like it seemed in that other room. It was more green than blue. It was magnificent too. ¡°Sorry, did you say something?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I was saying whatever you need you can inform thedy that will being in provide everything you need.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need anything.¡±

    She beamed. If made her look more ethereal than real. ¡°Everyone needs something, Gwen.¡± She walked towards the window and yanked the curtains wide apart, letting in evening light into the room. It cast a certain glow to her face and made her brown hair look gold. Her face shown a bright golden hue too. ¡°If you are going to be my brother¡¯s bride, then this week is going to be very stressful for you.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    She faced me, hugging her arms. ¡°It¡¯s the King¡¯s marriage. It¡¯s going to be a traditional marriage. So buckle up. This is what it entails to be Queen; rituals, assorted weddings, ying dress-ups, shopping sprees, entertaining visitors and all that.¡± She demonstrated with her hands as she made her way to me. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be easy, considering you are a werewolf.

    ¡°Why do you people hate werewolves so much?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not my story to share.¡±

    ¡°But you are one of them. You sound like¡­ like you despise me too.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t despise you. Why should I? After all, you are my brother¡¯s mate¡­¡±

    ¡°Even if he doesn¡¯t want me. Finish it.¡± I could hear it in her voice despite not saying it. Tears were stinging the back of my eyes but I couldn¡¯t let them out.

    It was enough they hate me. I couldn¡¯t add weakness to the equation. He even called me a whore. What was I doing?

    She didn¡¯t say anything which confirmed what I said. Soon she bowed lightly and walked away, her pzzo sweeping the floor.

    I watched the doors close behind her and at once there I was standing I pooled to the ground and shook with tears. What was going on? Everyone hated me here. Everyone, including the very person that was supposed to care for me.

    Very soon a knock came on the door very gently. I stood from the floor and dusted my body, going to throw the doors open. It was a girl with an orange hair which acted like a canopy to shield her face from me. And she was really tall.

    ¡°Can I help you?¡± I asked, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

    She lifted her bowed head and looked at me for the first time. She had a really lovely eyes, even if she was frowning. ¡°My Queen mother said I should bring these clothes to you and prepare you for dinner.¡± She indicated a basket on the floor which caught my attention for the first time.

    ¡°What are they?¡±

    ¡°Clothes.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need them,¡± I deadpanned. ¡°I am not hungry.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a tradition that everyone dines at the same time in the pce.  Especially dinner.¡±

    ¡°I am not yet married to your King.¡±

    She shifted on her feet. It meant she wasn¡¯t going to yield to me. I rolled my eyes and left the door open, going back inside.

    ¡°She said I should inform you not to be vexed about the state of your room. I will return in the morning to clean up and bring in scenting flowers to give the ce a good smell and your linens and curtains vacated and reced.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need this_¡±

    ¡°Not like we need you,¡± She said under her breath.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡± Her eyes bore ferociously at me before she huffed and sauntered in the direction of a door I suspect to be the bathroom. Did she just talk back at me? I was fast growing angry.

    I wanted for nothing more than to beat the hell out of her. To show her I wasn¡¯t to be trifled with. I am no mere werewolf. Despite being lied to by my parents and probably hated by my pack members now, my supposed parents brought me up as a brave female Beta. No one, absolutely no one will look down on me in this ce.

    But, I huffed and hunched my shoulders in resignation. They already despise me. I couldn¡¯t give them more reasons to.

    By the time I finalized scrubbing myself top to down, my skin pores felt alive, and soonest, I was fully dressed in an olive-green evening gown she chose for me,bed my hair and secured them at the top of my head in a neat ponytail, touched my lips with a little lipgloss to make it plump and applied the cologne I found on the vanity table.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I looked like me now; Crested moon pack queen bee, now going to be whatever-this-ce-is-called Lycan queen.

    Easy to say, but not as easy as I imagined.

    ¡­

 Chapter 11

    The days passed by in haste that in the blink of an eye, the wedding day arrived.

    These days I hardly know what I am doing. My life seem to be spiralling out of course, a course I didn¡¯t have any control over.

    From the second day,  just as Abigail informed me, preparationsmenced and because it was a fast wedding, the normal pace required to n the wedding was skipped. Even the wedding nners had to live in the pce so that they don¡¯t have to leave as they had to work overnight to get everything to be sessful on the Dday.

    I was excited but mostly frightened. The former was because I was getting married to my mate as I have always dreamt of, but on the other hand, it wasn¡¯t to the love of my life, albeit, to a man who I haven¡¯t seen with my two eyes since that very day he promised to wreck hell on my life.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t back out now. I was a pussy, afraid to go back to my people but rather ept every nonsense that would be hurled at my face in this ce where I don¡¯t belong.

    ¡°Hurry with the flowers, Kora, make sure you have the ck soot rubbed all over her legs and her hands,¡± My mother-inwmanded my new maid who grumbled a reply and stood and went to retrieve something as I continued darting nkly at my braided hair from the mirror.

    I was beautiful nheless still felt unfulfilled.

    ¡°My dear child.¡± I looked at the woman who hardly knew me but hasn¡¯t stopped showing me love since I came here. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my son. After today, he will have no choice but to fall under your enchantment. Just do all that I said to you.¡± She leaned down and looked at me from the mirror, her resolute eyes holding me down. ¡°Men are not as hard as the make us think.¡± She was rubbing my arms,¡±¡­ you just need to know his weakness and use it. Don¡¯t yield to the temptation ofshing back when he tries to test your patience.¡±

    I nodded and fought back the tears in my eyes.

    Many hourster as evening finally came, I emerged from the decorated car that brought me to a hall somewhere in the city where the wedding would hold and walked down the carpetsid for me to walk to my husband-to-be as he stood impably dressed in a mourning ck suit with no sign on his face to show happiness. My heart thumped, my mouth drying up as my head asked me to do the right thing.

    However, I¡¯m a stubborn woman, after all, so I finished what I started.

    ¡°Y-yes, I do,¡± I responded after the shaman, my eyes not wavering from my husband, then hesitated before I went on with my vow. ¡°I will worship you with my soul and spirit until death do us apart. Goddess help me,¡± I added under my breath, earning a sharp look from the old shaman before he looked away and recovered a ring from his servant which he handed me and I slid into the long fingers of my mate.

    Ashton snatched his hand back and without waiting to profess his vow to me, took the ring from the shaman, took my finger and thrust it with such force my finger hurt. I hissed in pain and dropped my hand, the tears finally surfacing.

    Everywhere was quiet, people obviously wondering why he was acting that cruel to me. Today was supposed to be our happiest day. Despite our differences.

    ¡°In the name of the goddess of Abyshama, I dere this union blessed and fruitful and the King and his Queen many years of happiness. And So shall it be. You may kiss your mate.¡± At the words from the shaman, my husband¡¯s chest rumbled with a loud growl of objection. He turned and walked out of the hall, not caring one bit that I was still standing there.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± His mother rose from the pew and ran after him, and so did his sister.

    I was standing there, my body frozen like ake, unable to look elsewhere but at his back as he left the gathering and soon, I saw a ck car whizz away. My mate is gone, leaving me at the altar.

    That was when the tears came. I tried to will them back but I just couldn¡¯t bear the shame. I fell to my knees and finally let out all the agony I have been feeling since the day I left my pack.

    I thought today will be my day. I had waited for this all my life, the day when my parents will give me away to my mate. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this.

    Someone help my back. ¡°A Queen doesn¡¯t lose her serenity in public before the people she rules.¡± My mother-inw berated me. ¡°Rise, let¡¯s go. You have to prepare for the night ritual.¡±

    My teary eyes eventually skid to her. ¡°Night ritual?¡± I stood and followed her amid the judging sounds of gossip from everyone around us, throwing curious gazes but not bold enough toe close.

    ¡°This is just the beginning, my dear. Your husband has to prove to his people that he married you a virgin and that he will fulfil his expectations of producing an heir.¡± She helped me into the open car and came after me.

    The front door mmed close and when I looked up in rm as a result of what she said, I met the sympathetic face of Abigail. I looked away. ¡°You are kidding, right?¡± I broke out into hystericalughter. They looked at me like I have grown horns. ¡°Your son despises me. How do you think he will agree to touch me?¡±

    ¡°He has no choice. It¡¯s the only way the people will ept your marriage.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    I fell back on the leather couch, my hands falling away from my white gown. This is fucked up. What have I gotten myself into? It all seem like a nightmare. An endless nightmare.

    When the car stopped in front of the ptial building and the doors flew open, the Queen mother hurried into the house while I was left with Abigail who smiled and assisted me out. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I am on your side.¡± She said infort.

    ¡°You hate me.¡±

    ¡°I wish¡­¡± She sighed as we ambled into the house crowded with several people that it scared me. As they noticed me, I could feel their entire eyes on me. In abject pity. Some in resentment.

    I proceeded upstairs with my head held down, wishing to wake up soon in my soft bed at home and realize everything that has happened so far was indeed a bad dream.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked in a panic, my brows patched at the top of my hairline.

    ¡°Your new chamber.¡±

    ¡°But_¡±

    ¡°You have to share the same chamber with your mate henceforth, Gwen. That¡¯s what traditions demand.¡±

    I gulped back fear and tightened my palms as we reached the front of the room and she pushed the door open to an empty space.

    She stopped at the door and held me by the shoulders to look at her. ¡°My brother is not all that a bad person. He is one of the kindest people I know.¡± She slouched as her eyes focused ahead of me in contemtion. ¡°It¡¯s just that he-he was hurt badly by someone. Just do whatever he ask you. Don¡¯t fight him.¡±

    I nodded once and entered the room, not caring to hear what else she had to say. I am the one being hurt, yet, everyone keeps telling me he is this, he is that. What happens to me? I was hurt too. No one has cared to ask how I came to be here in the first ce. Just what to do to please that asshole called my mate!

    I tore off the disgusting white gown which seemed cursed to me now than a blessing. When I was in nothing but my pant and bra, I went to fall on the bed in agony to wait for my dear husband.

    What else could he do more than what he did to me back there?

    ¡­

 Chapter 12

    Iy there for a long time listening to the constant soundsing from downstairs from those celebrating as they waited for the evidence of my virginity.

    Meanwhile, my mate was nowhere to be found. I smiled sadly and stood, going to stand by the window and utched the locks, throwing the curtains wide open to let inrge gusts of evening breeze. It calmed me. For some odd reason, it reminded me of home and made me feel perhaps, my people might not be here, but the wind from home is here tofort me.

    The door rattles and at once, I became startled. A dark figure loomed by the entrance, his head dipped to the floor with his hair falling to his face as he regarded me. Lustfully.

    My heartbeat started spinning out of control, my hands behind me holding on to the window b, returning his gaze.

    He started striding towards me, one step at a time. ¡°You tricked me into marrying you, you good-for-nothing woman.¡±

    I swallowed back the odiouseback at the tip of my tongue and just watched him.

    ¡°You think I am going to love you?¡±

    The door was till open.

    ¡°I will never love, want or desire something as you. You disgust every fibre of my being and I want nothing but to make you suffer. Watch you cry in pain as I wreck you.¡± He was standing two feet away from me,rge, still observing me from the hood of his eyes. In resentment.

    In contrast, I was shaking where I was, shamelessly desiring him the more he said those callous words to me. It seemed as if the more he said them, the more my body reacted to him in ways it wasn¡¯t. I opened my mouth to say something, but it died at the back of my throat.

    And to add to everything, his scent was too much, weakening me and making my head swoon. I want my husband. But he doesn¡¯t want me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you talk?¡± Hepleted the distance, towering over me. ¡°You are suddenly dumb because you have my ring now don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut up, and don¡¯t ever talk when I am talking.¡±

    What! I thought he said I_ ¡°mmmn¡± I hummed in excitement when his hands found my chin and tugged not so subtly to meet his hot gaze. That was when I saw it. My mate was drunk. Dead drunk. Howe he isn¡¯t reeking of alcohol? I sniffed, but still perceived nothing.

    ¡°I hate you¡­¡± His face wasing down, down, down, until it grazed mine. ¡°But I can¡¯t resist you.¡± He kissed me softly, pulled away and looked intensely at me, his wolf eyes taking charge. I know what was happening. His wolf was possessing him.

    ¡°I hate you so much but¡­¡± he kissed my nose, my body fastening against him at such speed that a soft cry of pleasure left my lips. His finger skimmed my back to my ass which he palmed like his possession and I lost my senses.

    ¡°Please¡­¡± I begged shamelessly, not even knowing why I am this drawn to him. It¡¯s not like I have seen my wolf.

    ¡°Shut the hell up, bitch!¡± He pushed me away and walked towards the bed, brushing his fingers through his hair and then his shirt was ripped off him. ¡°On the bed, now,¡± He ordered, pointing at the bed, and like a robot, I obeyed and hastened to the bed to fall on it. ¡°Open your legs for me, whore.¡±

    I bit down on my lower lip and stifled the cry of shame choking me. Whatever he was doing to me, it was surely working. Because the real Gwendolyn Hills will never allow no one talk to me like this.

    He fell on the bed and grabbed my breasts and started fondling them roughly, making animal sounds down his throat. He slid up, left my breast and in a swift move ripped my bra off me.

    He captured my lips and kissed me like his life depended on it. I lifted off the bed, struggling between staying sane and letting go.

    He suddenly stood up, taking me with him. He flipped my front to the bed, lifting my ass up. I panicked. What is doing? I tried to look over my shoulder but his hand came to pin my head down to the bed, not giving me room to breath as though he ns to kill me.

    ¡°St_¡± I pped my hands about.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up,¡± He groaned. ¡°As a whore, you must know how to please a man.¡± His hand was fiddling with his pants, his hard cock rubbing against my ass.

    ¡°No, please stop!¡± I managed to lift my head but he pushed it back down, nudged my legs apart and the next thing my pant was gone. ¡°Please, stop.¡± Tears gushed down, my hands digging into his hand to break free.

    His cock was now at my entrance trying to make an entrance.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I shook with sobs, not believing what he was doing.

    ¡°You will do well never to use my name, whor_arh!¡±

    ¡°No!¡± We said at the same time as he thrust into me, letting go of my head to hold my waist instead. ¡°Yeah,¡± He mumbled, increasing his pace.

    I went stiff to withhold the pain, fear and embarrassment coursing through me. It was so painful. My body fought to adjust to hisrge manhood but instead of getting better, the difort overpowered me, making me let go in defeat.

    ¡°Yes, whore. Just like that.¡± He continued pounding from behind, yanking me up each time my knees gave up. All I prayed was for this nightmare to be over very soon. ¡°Oh my¡­ arh!¡± He shook above me, and soon fell away, pushing me to the side.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°That was great,¡± He sighed drowsily. ¡°Well, I never expected less from a whore.¡± I was shaking on the bed in tears as hemenced his wicked assessment. This man just took my virginity without my consent and he still calls me a whore?

    ¡°Stop the noise, woman! I thought werewolves were supposed to be strong. Howe you¡¯re behaving like a weakling?¡± He hissed, stood up, hefted up his trouser without sparing me a nce and then his shirt was swung on and before I knew it, he strolled to the door, passed and mmed it after him.

    I can¡¯t tell much of what happened after that, the only thing I recalled was being lifted off the bed and then ced back before the kind hands of darkness imed me.

    ¡­

 Chapter 13

    Ash??

    ¡°I feel like killing you right now, dickhead! How dare you do that to her? She is our mate!¡± Fangs whined, jumping about in anger as he tried to unleash but I reined him in, standing at my favourite spot over the cliff that overlooked the wide expense of my Kingdom as I looked on aimlessly.

    I knew I had gone overboardst night with what I did to our mate. But I will never feel guilty over it. I warned her. I gave her a chance to back out. Toe to me and ept my rejection. But she was stubborn.

    What was she thinking? That I will change my mind? I scoffed and took a swig from the bottle of ck Whiskey I came out with. ¡°You keep whining like an old crow but it won¡¯t change nothing, Fangs.¡±

    ¡°I hope you choke on that substance and die!¡± He has never been this mad. But I understand.

    ¡°This is just the beginning,¡± I ventured, not even trying to pacify him. He growled and tried once more causing me to stagger back, my eyes changed colour but I gritted my teeth hard and shook my head to gain back control. ¡°Stop it, Fangs. Don¡¯t forget who¡¯s in charge.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want her, I want her. If anything happens to her I will never forgive you.¡±

    ¡°She is a werewolf, does that mean anything to you? Her kind broke our heart years ago, how could you forget that?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s years ago as you said. Besides, I never wanted that wench! She wasn¡¯t our mate.¡±

    I rolled my eyes and was on the verge of taking another swig when my ears caught the sound of horse hooves galloping towards me, my nose immediately sniffing out my Beta¡¯s scent before he came into view.

    I gave him a bored nce and was about to continue my sightseeing when Williams¡¯s voice came forth as he jumped off the horse. ¡°What did you do, Ashton?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I scratched my hair strung in different directions.

    ¡°How could you?¡± He came and pushed me to the side to face him. I bared my fangs in warning, fast growing mad.

    ¡°I will not allow you use me to defend yourself, coward!¡± Fangs said and started withdrawing. ¡°Fight for yourself.¡± And then he went silent.

    ¡°You can try to intimidate me all you like but I won¡¯t back down in telling you the truth. You crossed the line,¡± Williams continued, baring his fangs in return.

    ¡°She deserved it.¡± I batted him off and took another swig. ¡°I told y¡¯all I don¡¯t want her.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s your mate!¡± He thundered. ¡°You fucked your mate against her will, do you know what could happen to you? Do you want to earn the wrath of the goddess?¡±

    ¡°Like I give a fuck about the goddess anymore,¡± I snorted. ¡°She caused all these.¡±

    ¡°She has a reason for everything. Have you thought about that perhaps, Emma wasn¡¯t the one for you?¡±

    ¡°Then why did the goddess allow me meet her?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­ many peoplee into our lives but they are just for a season. They are not meant to go through life with us. There was a reason for that which only the goddess knew. Don¡¯t allow that bitterness make you throw away something good.¡±

    ¡°Then I will dly lose it, my friend,¡± I concluded, my eyes drowsy by now. I have been here since the wee hours of morning drinking and watching dawn descend on us, hating myself for my action, still, refusing to feel remorse.

    I hate her. I hate that I feel attracted to her. To our bond. I hate that everyone thinks I am a bad person forgetting that her kind hurt me first. They stole something from me and now just like every other thing in my life, they want me to ept this one like nothing bad ever happened to me.

    ¡°Ashton,¡± William sighed seeing as I wasn¡¯t falling for his guilt trip. ¡°I know you are still hurting, but it¡¯s been years now. You have to let go. That woman never deserved you. I told you from the very day you brought her here but you refused to ept counselling.¡±

    ¡°Now, I am bitten and I don¡¯t intend being bitten twice.¡±

    ¡°Gwen is your mate.¡±

    ¡°And I will never ept her. I might have wed her but that is as far as it shall go. She will never have my heart. Now, I am no longer interested in this conversation.¡±

    ¡°What are you going to do then?¡±

    The question seem to delight me. I smiled roguishly, only one thought in my mind. ¡°I am going to live, Will. I will continue living my life. If she thinks I will honor her, then she is even stupider than her nsmen.¡±

    I moved towards Striker, my horse, and patted his manes, preparing to swing up but as though he was also against me, he whined and shifted away. ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon, not you too.¡± He kicked his feet and neighed so loudly.

    Now, that¡¯s it. I touched him and used my power to keep him still and climb, then yanked on the reins to take off. ¡°See you at the council meeting, Williams.¡± I gulped down the remaining substance and threw away the bottle as I jerked harder at the reins to increase the gallop.

    I was disappointed when I saw the familiar gates of the pce and at sighting me the guards threw it wide open to let me in with their heads bowed in subservience. I nodded and moved on, albeit now in a slower trot.

    I ambled towards the stables, jumped down from the stallion and brushed back my hair that was scattered further by the wind and tried to look presentable. There were still visitors around the pce after the wedding and I didn¡¯t want them to see me looking pathetic.

    As tradition demands, the wedding guests are supposed to stay in the pce for a week with the newlyweds until we are fully settled in.

    If only they know.

    ¡°Hey, Ash¡­¡± I stopped at the voice of Merit walking in her usual powerful gait towards me from the left side of the building as I was about to go in.

    I smiled. ¡°How are you, Merit?¡± I crossed my arms on my chest.

    She shrugged indifferently ¡°As you can see I am fine. Where did you run off to this morning? I thought being married to your mate, you will be ying husband roles this morning.¡±

    I could smell the sarcasm. My smile fell. ¡°Well, some of usck in that aspect; being good husbands. Thank your stars you escaped that punishment.¡±

    She assessed me intently and then came closer to stop in front of me. ¡°You don¡¯t look happy, are you?¡±

    ¡°I am happy,¡± I was fast to deny. Of course, Merit knew me. I also know her and knew she has always wanted that position as my Lycan queen. I knew it must have pained her dearly when she was informed about the change of ns and not having the power to do anything about it.

    She was my friend and trained with me in the same regiment before I was pronounced King by myte father. I liked her. But merely because I admired her good training skills and how strict she is when ites to duty.

    And perhaps, I do regret not marrying her because then I would have been free to do what I wanted without anyone breathing down my head, particrly the animal in me; Fangs.

    Her right hand lifted up and touched my face. ¡°I know you are not, Ashton. I know you.¡± By now the breath from her mouth was fanning my face. ¡°I also know you despise her.¡±

    ¡°Me_¡±

    ¡°That girl deserves to suffer for everything her kind did to you, Ash¡­ everything.¡± She took my left hand and ced it on her left cheek. ¡°And I am here to help you make her suffer.¡±

    I smirked, liking her insinuation.

    She leaned into me, with her right hand grabbing around my neck, her upper body rubbing into me as she whispered into my left ear, ¡°What other way can you make a woman suffer but by fucking another woman right under the same roof a day after her wedding.¡± She pulled away, grinning invitingly at me and then before I realize what she was going to do, she ced her lips on mine.

    Someone cleared her throat and impulsively I jumped back, my eyes going to the door to see my young-looking mate, her face ashen as she regarded me sadly. Her throat moved as she swallowed and looked down at her intertwined hands.

    She looked miserable.

    ¡­Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 14

    Gwen??

    When I woke up this morning, it was Kora shaking me awake rudely to tell me that the former Queen had asked me to dress ande down with my husband to greet the guests.

    I had looked to the side of the bed to meet it cold and empty, only the changed sheet evidence of what took cest night-my virginity had been mercilessly stolen from me by that cruel man.

    Instead of crying, I had nod my head and told her I wanted to be alone. Fortunately, she was d to oblige, leaving me to myself to feel pity for the life I had sessfully plunged myself into.

    I didn¡¯t cry, not even tears budged to spill as I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and looked at myself. It seemed after yesterday at the altar, something changed about me. I lost my courage. I became a new person. A scared person.

    I should have fought him harder, kicked and cried until he let me go, but I couldn¡¯t. Instead, there Iy and watched him desecrate me and then left without even a constion.

    When Iter finished dressing in the blue ankle-length sophisticated gown provided by my maid, I gathered the wit to leave and look for him. I can¡¯t possibly go down and tell the people that my husband had left me alone after taking away the one thing I hold dear to me. On my wedding night. I couldn¡¯t.

    That was what led me directly to the door where I met the butler and asked him about the King and he told me he left that morning. I decided to look for him outside only to be greeted by the horrible sight of him kissing another woman just outside the pce door, not caring if anyone saw him.

    I cleared my throat, pushing down a lump hung on my windpipe. ¡°Your mother asked me to look for you at the stables,¡± I lied smoothly. ¡°She said we are to host the guest this morning at breakfast.¡±

    His lips were on a straight grim line, his brows knitted together as he scowled, unfazed by me. Then he nodded once and gave thedy one look before he made his way to me. Thedy was smiling in victory, then winked at me before walking away.

    He grabbed my hands fiercely and dragged me inside. I yelped and tugged to free myself but he didn¡¯t flinch, ignoring the rmed look on the butler¡¯s face as he pushed me into the hall at the corner of the foyer. ¡°I am going to say this ones, and I won¡¯t say it again. Don¡¯t you ever, ever, look for me again. Or look at me like that.¡±

    ¡°H-how?¡±

    ¡°I know what you are doing,¡± he hedged, letting go of my hand to step away. ¡°You think you can make me feel guilty, huh?¡± He chuckled in mockery. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you get everyone in my pce to feel bad for you, but I will still not notice you.¡±

    ¡°Yesterday was our wedding.¡± My face contorted in pain. ¡°What did I do to you to make you mock me so? What if another person saw you with her?¡± I was striving so hard not to break down in tears.

    I thought I saw remorse on his face, then it was gone. His finger grasped my neck and mmed me on the wall, his mouth hovering on my ear. ¡°I will not hesitate to kill you if you say that again. I will dly fuck any woman where the entire pack will see us if only it will give you so much pain that you will beg me to reject you.¡±

    ¡°Why?!¡± I finally broke, my body shaking by now. I held his hand and closed my eyes, unable to bear looking at the extent of hatred in his eyes. ¡°Why, Ashton? I just want to be a good mate to you. Please, give me a chance.¡±

    ¡°Urgh!¡± He ripped away, and because I wasn¡¯t prepared for it, I staggered backwards and was about to fall when I encountered a wall of muscles. My entire being froze from the electricity that passed between us, the fear I felt from thinking I would fall releasing at once.

    Then as fast as it happened, it was gone as Ashton pushed me away and took a step back, saying something in theirnguage that I couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Come to the room and wait for me. Tradition demands wee down together. Hand in hand.¡± He spat and walked away.

    I stood watching him go, still striving to gather myself from what just happened. I think I¡¯m going crazy. Yes, only that will exin why that man will treat me with so much contempt and the next thing I am a sweating pot of nerves when he touches me.

    And him too. One minute he is threatening to kill and then¡­

    ¡°Are you okay, your highness?¡± I looked up at once to see the butler looking at me with deep concern.

    I nodded and bent my head instantly to conceal my tear-stricken face from him. The former queen made it in I should never let my people see me in my weakness. ¡°I will go now,¡± I said as I walked off after my mate.

    I entered the room and closed the door softly, leaning on the door to take a deep breathe. In that process, I caught arge whiff of the scent of my mate emanating from the bathroom as he took his bath. It was so intoxicating. So, enchanting that soonest, I was standing by the bathroom door, my nose stered on the door taking deep breathes. This feels so good. ¡°Mmm¡­¡±

    Time passed, the sensation spreading through my body that I didn¡¯t hear the shower stop running nor the doorknob turning until I fell in. Into him.

    He caught me, his body going rigid at the contact with wide eyes. ¡°What the¡­¡±

    ¡­Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 15

    Instead of fleeing, I did the unthinkable, I ced my nose on his bare body and Inhaled deeply. It was like an elixir, casting unknown spell on me. ¡°Mmm¡­ smells so good.¡±

    His body vibrated with the thunderous rumble of his growl and before I knew what was happening, he smashed me on the door, grabbed my neck and obtained my lips in a heated kiss.

    He kissed me so hard that my knees wobbled, my hands going on an adventure of their own in hisrge frame. Soon I was flying up tond on his waist, looking so small aspared to hisrge frame.

    I wracked my hands through his hair, unable to contain the hunger I felt inside me. My hips was moving, grounding on his as I felt hisrge manhood prod me from under. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I sighed.

    In my euphoric daze, I didn¡¯t see him move out of position until I was colliding with the softness of the mattress and himing on top of me to continue devastating my lips with his sumptuous ones.

    ¡°Arh!¡± My chest lifted up from the bed as his hand found the heat under my gown and covered thempletely to start rubbing slowly. Sweet torture. That was all I could think of at that point until_

    ¡°Your majesty,¡± He bounced off me like he was pulled by a strong force, stood over the bedpost and his eyes that were ck from hunger soon turn to that of raw hatred as they took me in.

    Instinctively, I shrunk back under the covers, refusing to be the recipient of such sight. He looked away in the direction of the door and said in a stale voice, e in.¡±

    The door swung open and his Beta peeked in, his eyesnding on me first before travelling to his King standing at the edge of the bed. I saw conflict in his eyes.

    ¡°Sorry to disturb your private moment, Ash,¡± the man began, ¡°the Queen sa_¡±

    ¡°Tell her we are on our way down.¡± He picked up the towel from the ground where it fell during the frenzy and wrapped it around his lean waist.

    ¡°Okay,¡± William muttered and closed the door after him.

    I sat up from the bed to go and prepare when my mate¡¯s grunt got my attention. He was still standing in the same position he had been and was looking at me with death in his eyes. He said, ¡°you are a witch and I don¡¯t think I can live in the same space with you.¡±

    ¡°I. Am. Not. A. Which, Ashton,¡± I took my time to say it as a result of how his usation irked me. ¡°If I were a witch believe me you will be dead by now.¡±

    He scoffed, swaying in my direction as he jabbed his finger at me. ¡°You will leave this chamber at the end of the week when the guests leave, you understand? There is nothing you say that will save you.¡±

    ¡°Your moth_¡±

    ¡°Is wrapped around your evil fingers.¡± He was smirking as he said it, apanied by pping his hands in mockery. ¡°Enjoy casting your spell on her¡­ but it won¡¯t work on me.¡± With that, he walked to the wardrobe,  threw them open and began dressing.

    By the time we managed to endure each other¡¯s stifled auras andpleted our dress-ups, it was almost noon, still, we walked down the halls to the biggest dining room I have ever seen where the guests were still seated waiting for us.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sorry to have kept you waiting for long, everyone,¡± My mate said as he helped me into a seat by the side of his chair at the head of the table. ¡°My dear queen and I were upied with ¡®couple matters¡¯. It appears we can¡¯t get enough of each other sincest night.¡± I blushed crimson at how fluent of a liar he was. And to add to my embarrassment, the gathering howled inughter.

    They believed him.

    Don¡¯t they have eyes? After what happened yesterday at the altar who in their right sense would believe this marriage was anything born of love if not hypocrisy? I shook my head and picked up my spoon to eat.

    We ate in silence, starting with appetizers and then the main dish, before we ended with desserts. It was a quiet breakfast except for the random sh of the cutlery against the china tes.

    ¡°Now that we have a new Queen and I will no longer be needed here,¡± Madam Felicia, Ashton¡¯s mother began, breaking the silence. ¡°I may be retiring to the queen¡¯sir on the seaside. I want to live the rest of my life doing everything my husband and I dreamt of doing together when my son finally found his better half.¡±

    ¡°Mother,  you know that¡¯s not possible,¡± Ashton countered beside me. ¡°You and I know the woman I married knows nothing about us talk more of ruling_¡±

    ¡°She is your mate and wife, Ashton,¡± She proceeded, her wless smile stered on as she wiped her hands as elegantly as a queen bee, then a maid hurried to take the soiled clothing from her hand, dropped it by the side of the table and then picked up a ss of red wine and served her. ¡°You will teach her all that she needs to learn to be a true queen. Not just to serve as your breeder and bed mate ¡±

    ¡°I never_¡±

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± She breathes. ¡°You will not disgrace me before my dignitaries.¡± She sighed and sipped from the ss mildly. ¡°I have ruled with my husband. I also have dreams and aspirations that I left for my people. Now, don¡¯t be selfish and deprive me of living them.¡±

    ¡°As you wish, mother,¡± He grunted and everywhere was once more plunged into another round of eerie silence.

    If anyone here listened intently, they could hear my heartbeat. I wonder what they will think of me now? My husband has already called me ipetent. How will his people see me?

    I stood up abruptly, fed up of pretending to be unfazed. ¡°Pardon me, but I think I have lost my appetite.¡±

    ¡°Sit down at once.¡± Hemanded in an icy done.

    ¡°Ashto_¡±

    ¡°Now.¡±

    I didn¡¯t need to be told twice before my ass touched down on my chair, my hands starting to quiver on myp in outrage. I snatched a ss of wine and tossed it into my mouth and went to pour another one when the maid rushed and assisted me. I tossed it in again and when I went for the third one, Ashton¡¯s hand shot out and grabbed my hand, took the ss and lowered it on the table and leaned into my ear to threaten in a low tone, ¡°embarrass me any further and this will mark yourst day sitting beside me to eat.¡±

    I grew frost and without a thought, reached out and pushed him away. His face registered shock at once.

    His mother came to the rescue. ¡°Ashton!¡±

    No one said anything again until breakfast was over and the guests who have all watched the scene in meek quietness began dispatching one after the other.

    Once we were left alone, Ashton¡¯s face snapped to me about to vent once more but his mother didn¡¯t give him the chance.

    ¡°Your father will roll in his grave, Ashton Newton, Montgomery. Can you see how you have allowed bitterness to start ruining everything we worked so hard to preserve for you? Imagine what will happen if the people rebelled against you because they no longer respect you.¡±

    ¡°I told you I didn¡¯t want her, mother.¡±

    ¡°And I did what I always do for you,¡± She stood up, ¡°fixed your problem. I helped you keep her because I see what you don¡¯t see in your vain quest for revenge. I married her for you.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t love her.¡±

    ¡°But you will live with her. Make peace with that.¡± She sashayed out, gracefully.

    Goddess.

    ¡°You will regret this, little wolf. I will make sure of it.¡± He mmed his hands on the table and left the room.

    I exhaled audibly, rubbed my temper to ay a growing migraine and looked left to right to smile fauxly at the omega¡¯s as they hurried to pack up. But once they cleared the table off and left,  I bent over the table and wept hard.

    You don¡¯t need to say, Ashton. I already regret this.

    ¡­

 Chapter 16

    ¡°This is your morning gown, and this is for the afternoon and then this¡­ is your evening gown in case you and the King are__¡±

    ¡°I want to be alone, Kora,¡± I sighed, finally fed up with pretending to listen to her even though my mind was elsewhere.

    ¡°It is part of my duty to make sure you are in the right clothing at every point of the day¡­ your highness.¡±

    I shook my head from side to side, noticing her hesitation to use my title. This woman thinks I don¡¯t know how much she resents me. How can I allow someone like her to work with me when she might easily poison me and I will be unaware of it? I decided to confront her. ¡°Look, Kora. You don¡¯t have toe here and do anything. I know you hate me and that¡¯s why I don¡¯t think¡­ this will work.¡± I indicated both us.

    ¡°Only me agreed to serve you,¡± She uttered curtly, looking at me pointedly. ¡°Others said they will never serve a werewolf. ¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s because?¡± Anger was building inside me.

    ¡°Because¡­ the King hates werewolves.¡± She said with indifference.

    ¡°But your King married me.¡±

    ¡°Because he was forced by the Queen mother.¡±

    ¡°So, you disrespect me because you think your King was forced to marry me?¡±

    ¡°I try my best to obey you,¡± She grumbled, going to move the draperies aside as the evening approached. ¡°It¡¯s my obligation.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need you anymore, Kora. Thanks for epting to work with me. But I don¡¯t want you here if you don¡¯t want to be. Just go.¡±

    ¡°The queen_¡±

    ¡°Where I came from, I am not a nobody, I am the daughter of a Beta and when I speak, people like you obey. So, I am not going to ept your ill-treatment because you think I should. Go.¡± I stood and pointed at the door at the same time it opened and Ashton walked in.

    She bowed her head and scurried out with a low huff that didn¡¯t escape my ears.

    I blinked rapidly to contain my anger before I fell back on the bed. Why is he here? I thought he will avoid me till night and thene and force himself on me again until I carry his heir.

    He didn¡¯t speak to me. He went in the direction of the closet and started undressing. Like a fool, I started drooling. It was as though this man had a spiritual hold over me. It makes me sick.

    Well, if he won¡¯t speak to me, I will speak to him. I want peace, yeah?

    I stood and went to sit down on the couch by the firece so I can have a good view of him. ¡°I-I am sorry about breakfast, Ashton.¡± I slurred in a sultry voice.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Look, I was only mad at the way you made it look as though I am ipetent to those people. Imagine what they will think of me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Such a dickhead,¡± I mumbled under my breathe, flicking my nail.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± I jerked, my eyes dting as my head swung to him.

    My shoulder bounced up and then down. ¡°Nothing. Just saying I know you hate me, but can we not fight in public?¡±

    He threw a ck shirt on and began buttoning up. All the while, his biceps flexed under the shirt. My mouth went dry. He looked up at once and caught me. I looked away and scratched the nape of my neck.

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I stood and made my way to him. He became alert, stopping what he was doing to pin me with a stern look. I stopped three steps away, tottering on my feet. ¡°I want us to give this a try, believe me. We don¡¯t have to tear out each other¡¯s throat for something the goddess herself had ordained.¡±

    His lips stretched in a dubious smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t even begun and you are already shaking.¡± He zipped his trouser which he had to adjust his manhood before it would agree to zip through. ¡°You will feel my heat soon. Just wait till the guests are gone.¡±

    ¡°Ashton_¡±

    ¡°It is ¡®your majesty¡¯ to you, understood?¡±

    ¡°I_¡±

    ¡°Understood?¡± He asked calmly, but the danger underneath couldn¡¯t be misced.

    ¡°Yes.¡± I swallowed the bile forming in my throat, turned and walked out of the room.

    I didn¡¯t know where to go so I just walked out of the pce and just kept walking. I walked until I got to the gate and stopped. ¡°I need to run errands,¡± I said to the guards when they didn¡¯t open the gate.

    ¡°You have to leave with the guards, your highness.¡± The chief of the guards said.

    ¡°I need to leave the pce at once, I am not your prisoner.¡± I was fast losing my patience.

    ¡°That¡¯s the King¡¯s order, mydy. Only him can give us an adverse order before we will let you go.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m the Queen.¡±

    ¡°Only in name.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡±

    That was when the arrogant pisspot looked at me and then he took two steps to stand in front of me, bowed his head until he was within an inch of my ear before he said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mydy, but the King only married you. Until you drink the blood of the red moon under the bright light of our goddess; Abyshama, we won¡¯t ept you as our Queen. It¡¯s tradition.¡± He moved back.

    I was aghast. So, there are more rituals to be performed and no one told me of this? What was Ashton thinking not carrying out the ritual? And what kind of people are these with so many rituals and traditions? Since I came here it¡¯s tradition this, tradition that. How many more before I lose my mind?

    ¡°Argh!¡± I pivoted and walked out of there back to the pce. I think I need to see the Queen. I have questions to ask. I believe she is on my side, therefore I deserve to know everything to be done so that these people can finally give me the respect I deserve.

    The front door mmed as I hastened in, the butler hurrying from wherever he was and I waved him off before he will say a word, then stopped and turned to him. ¡°Where is the King¡¯s mother?¡±

    ¡°In her private chamber.¡±

    ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± I was about to climb the first step, then it urred to me. I don¡¯t even know her private chamber. I turned once more. ¡°Can you take me there¡­¡± I don¡¯t even know his name.

    ¡°Mousy.¡±

    ¡°Mr¡­ Mousy.¡± Mmn¡­ what a name.

    ¡°Of course, your highness.¡±

    When we reached in front of her door, he bowed and left while I knocked once and waited. Soon, I heard a soft voice from behind the door and pushed it lightly and walked in.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Gwendolyn,¡± she quibbled at seeing me, her excellent smile branded on. She looked¡­ different. Possibly because I am seeing her without her total getups.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, your highness. Pardon my disturbance.¡± I bowed and when she waved me on, I went to seat down.

    ¡°I hope my son has not been too unruly?¡±

    I chortled lightly, cing my hand over my mouth to quell the sound. ¡°It¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t handle, you_¡±

    ¡°Call me, mother, Gwendolyn.¡± She stood up and made her way to sit down beside me on the couch. ¡°I know you feel so out of ce here, and also, I might not be your real mother, but consider me one. I don¡¯t know why you came to this ce from your Kingdom, but I believe it was all the n of the great moon goddess and I want you to feel at home.¡±

    ¡°Mother_¡± I choked with tears at her kind words.

    She shifted close to take me in her arms. ¡°You have to fight your way to my son¡¯s heart, child. And to be the Queen these people deserve.¡±

    ¡°Howe you don¡¯t hate me?¡± I¡¯ve been meaning to ask that.

    She sighed and rxed back. ¡°I don¡¯t even know, child. From the moment I saw you, I just knew you are the one for my son. Call it motherly instinct.¡±

    Hearing her say those words to me died every question I came here to ask to be reced by courage. She was on my side. To me, that was enough.

    Well, that was what I thought for the remainder of the week as we hosted the guests. I smiled more often,ughed at everything the King or any of the guests said. I just pretended to be unfazed. I wanted to make him believe I was immune to his antagonistic attitude towards me. That I owned my emotions.

    But the day the guests left the pce, I was struck with what might be the biggest challenge of my life in this new Kingdom.

    My husband left the pce with his female Delta.

    ¡­

 Chapter 17

    It was Saturday morning and I couldn¡¯t wake up fast due to the intense cold weather. Normally, I would have woken up earlier and left the room for my newly acquired habit; running, after tossing and turning throughout the night as my mate hardly acknowledged me whenever he came into the bedroom.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    These days, hees in veryte in the night when he thinks I am deeply asleep and then very early, he will leave the room when he thinks I am still asleep. Unknown to him, I was very much aware of every one of his movements, enduring it in agony and wishing most times that I could give in to my natural instinct and touch him. Most times I even wake up in the middle of the night and just stare at him in abject longing, my heart breaking at having something so precious, yet, suffering in loneliness.

    ¡°Your highness,¡±

    I flipped my eyes towards the bedside where Kora stood smiling down at me. Forcefully. I didn¡¯t even hear her enter the room.

    ¡°What?¡± I sat up from the bed and tossed the covers, sliding to the edge to climb down. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I haven¡¯t seen her since thest time I asked her to leave.

    ¡°I-I am here to a-apologize.¡± I walked towards the window and pushed them open to take a long gaze at the bright blue sky, taking my time to admire the morous ssh of white and blue palls across the heavens. I was intentionally ignoring Kora who kept looking at me from where she stood, muttering words of apology.

    Once I was satisfied, I made my way to the wardrobe to pick out my morning dress, when Kora intercepted me, her face cast downward and her hands sped together in an appeal. ¡°I was a fool to have judged you wrongly. I was only trying to be on the side of my King. But_¡±

    ¡°Stop, Kora.¡± I halted her with my right hand up, ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with you. If you are here to work with me, then you do. But if not, then please, leave. I am going through enough, I don¡¯t want to add to my stress.¡± With that, I went to the wardrobe to remove a simple blue nnel gown and a pink ribbon to tie my hair and then came back, tossed them on the bed and went to the bathroom as Kora hurried about arranging the house.

    ¡°Where is the King?¡± I asked as I came out of the bathroom, wiping moisture from my face to look at her.

    ¡°He left with the Beta this morning in his riding garters. I deduce they are possibly out for their riding habit.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I mouthed and went to apply my body lotion. After that, I wore my dress and left for breakfast, already anticipating another day of eating alone in thatrge dining hall as the Queen mother had moved out yesterday evening after all the guests left.

    I have never felt lonelier in my life.

    Entering the room, the maids scurried about sampling assortments of dishes all of which I didn¡¯t feel any form of enticement to taste.

    I heard a sound and like a ma, my eyes were drawn to the entrance anticipating my mate to walk in. But it wasn¡¯t him. It was his Beta.

    ¡°Your highness.¡± He bowed slightly and came to sit down directly opposite me at the table.

    ¡°Williams,¡± I returned, my eyes wandering to the door expecting Ashton to walk in next. The door closed. I looked at Williams who seem to be anticipating my obvious query as he quickly said¡­

    ¡°The King left the pce for a little¡­ reprieve.¡±

    My blood went cold, my heart clenched in dismay.

    ¡°How? But, we haven¡¯t even gone for our honeymoon.¡± What am I saying? Honeymoon? ¡°What about the blood ritual? We are supposed to conduct it immediately. How could he just leave like that?¡± And he didn¡¯t tell me.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness.¡± His face fell. The way his mouth moved and wavered informed me that he had more to say but was withholding.

    I didn¡¯t want to prod, and neither did I want to eat again, so I stood up abruptly. ¡°I think I will have to pass. I have lost my appetite.¡± I stepped out as a maid hurried to push the chair backward.

    ¡°But you haven¡¯t even touched your food.¡± William stood up, his two hands on the table as he took me in with a hint of worry in his eyes.

    I blinked rapidly to hinder the tears in my eyes from falling. I am trying so hard to be rational. To be patient and wait for my mate to be reasonable. But with every dawn of light since the day we wedded, it appears he is taking my softness for granted. I looked away and swallowed. ¡°Thanks for your concern, William, but I¡­ I don¡¯t think anything can go through my throat at this moment.¡± With that I sauntered out of the room steadily.

    When I reached my chamber and shut my door, Ipped against it and lifted my face, my hands holding the sides of the door to take in steady breathes. Once I was done, the moment I opened my eyes, Kora was standing close to the bathroom gazing at me intently.

    I looked down and sniffed, reaching up to wipe at a tear that had escaped my eyes, forcing a fake smile to cover up. ¡°You are still here?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± She wiped her hands on a napkin as she ambled my way and I walked in, going straight to the chaise lounge by the firece to sit down and exhale loudly. ¡°Are you alright?¡± She inquired in a voice I haven¡¯t heard her use with me before.

    ¡°Yes, Kora. Don¡¯t you have somewhere else to be?¡± I wanted to be left alone.

    She looked around and shook her head. ¡°I have nought else to do. Apart from you, I only go to attend to the female delta and former chosen mate of the King, but now that she left with the King, I am left to attend to you_¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± I was up from the chair swiftly.

    rm registered on her face. ¡°The female Delta left with the King. She is usually in charge of the guards whenever the King leaves the pce in any_¡±

    ¡°Where did they go to?¡± I was already marching to the door, tension building in my guts. So he left with his female Delta? He didn¡¯t care about me and dared to do this to me?

    ¡°The Mands,¡± She replied and I nodded, went to grab my bag and left the house.

    Ashton has gone too far this time around.

    ¡­

 Chapter 18

    Ash??

    After a long day of meeting with the men from Asia to negotiate for a new batch of Arabian Strikers, I was worn out and mentally stressed.

    It hasn¡¯t been easy these past few days and right now, all that my body desires is a woman¡¯s touch. The delicate care of a woman¡¯s tender attention.

    I groaned, my right hand instinctively finding it¡¯s way to my crotch to rub mildly as the cold water sshed angrily from the shower host. As I shut my eyes without meaning to, the first person that crossed my mind was her.

    My mate. Gwendolyn.

    I snapped my eyes open, grunting in displeasure. Damn her! Damn that cursed creature foring into my life to suddenly cause chaos where there used to be none. I used to be happier with my life. Alone. Without having to desire anyone in particr but the willing warmth of any woman my cock finds wet at the point of pration.

    ¡°Arh!¡± I sighed, throwing my head back as a sweet hot sensation hit myher nerves, and I increased the pace of my stroke, her face teasing me to an endless ride of delight.

    However, my pleasure was short-lived as the sound of the bathroom door opening made me let go and whipped my head there to see Merit walk in. Completely naked.

    My Wolf went into an uproar inside of me, knowing very well what that sight meant to me.

    ¡°Hey,¡± She purred, hinging her sizable hips to the side of the wall in obvious flirtation.

    ¡°Hey,¡± I turned off the shower, my eyes not leaving her. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°What does it look like?¡­¡± She crossed the distance and swung the cubicle door open to step in, her sharp hazel, drawing me in.

    ¡°Stop!¡± I howled inside as Fang dragged his paws through my chest. I tentatively touched there, enjoying the very sight of this woman in front of me who I know what she was doing was uneptable, yet, I couldn¡¯t tell her to leave.

    Not when she fell on her knees right in front of me, those eyes not leaving me.

    ¡°You are a wretched lech!¡± Snarled Fangs. ¡°Think of mate! Think of how much you will hurt her! Don¡¯t do this.¡±

    Merit hands started from my toes to trace a feathery light touch slowly towards my thighs, and then to my cock. Her lips parted to stick out her tongue and dragged her lower lips gently in and let it bounce out.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I hissed as she took my flesh in her hand and started caressing it at the same time she broke eye contact with me and shifted closer until her breath was fanning the tip of my cock.

    How can I resist this? It¡¯s been a damn week! A week of ying husband to a woman I despise. A week of enduring a bond I never wanted. A week of watching the rise and fall of her ample bosom, her pink soft pouty lips while she slept, craving to take her hard like on the first night, nheless unable to.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Once Merit¡¯a mouthpletely covered my cock and began sucking passionately, I knew there was no holding back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Fangs. I really need this,¡± I told him apologetically as I stuttered on jittery feet, reaching out to grab Merit¡¯s head andmenced pumping steadily into her mouth.

    I filled her until I hit the back of her throat, slowly retreated and hit at once, enjoying watching her choke on me, hold my thighs for stability and fight to please me. ¡°You like my cock, don¡¯t you, dirty whore?¡± I was pumping harder, repeatedly, not caring that she was tapping my thighs, begging for breath.

    As I looked at her, all I saw was Gwendolyn. I imagined it was her and this is me making her pay for all the mental torture I¡¯ve been going through because of her.

    ¡°Ash_¡± I mmed into her mouth once more, not allowing her finish whatever she had to say.

    ¡°Say you like it, whore¡­¡± I pulled back gently and when she opened her mouth to say something with her apprehensive eyes up in a plea, I plunged in, hitting her vocals. Lud, this feels so good.

    I was almost there. I could feel the powerful veins in my cock trying to survive bursting from being so hard. Yet, I wasn¡¯t getting the satisfaction I craved.

    All because of her.

    ¡°Say it, whore!¡± I tightened my hand on her hair that I nearly pulled away her scalp as my waist pped into her face, producing a squishy sound from plenty saliva.

    Then it wasing. Finally. I spread my legs, closing my eyes to let go, when my state of euphoria was wiped out by the rapid opening of the door.

    Someone fell into the bathroom, t on the floor.

    I vaulted back, Merit falling back on the floor in the process, holding unto her chest as she coughed profusely. But my attention wasn¡¯t on her. It was on the person lying across the ground outside the cubicle, pain written all over her face as she took rapid deep breathes.

    Gwendolyn

    I stepped out, shameless about my state of undress and stooped to push her to her back to look at her. But at once, she pped my hand away and scooted away from me until her back was against the wall, still making aeback.

    It was working. She was suffering. Just as I wanted. It made me feel good. That my n was working. I don¡¯t even care about helping her. I wanted her to suffer more until she can¡¯t take it and will have to grovel for my rejection.

    ¡°Why, Ashton?¡± She asked as she looked steadily at me, tears shimmering in her moonlight eyes.

    Perhaps, I felt a tinge of guilt. Or, maybe it¡¯s my Wolf. He was the one whimpering inside from seeing her in so much pain. It affected me too, nheless, I had a goal to achieve and I won¡¯t let her maniptive words and actions get to me.

    I stood up at once, wearing back my armour of wickedness. ¡°Because I hate you, and I will not relent until I see you grovel for my rejection. So, a piece of advice, stop trying so hard to gain my attention.¡± I moved in the direction of the door, stopped and look back. ¡°And stop following me about. This will be thest time youe to me without my permission.¡± With that, without any feeling of remorse, I mmed the door, leaving both women inside the bathroom.

    A slight smile grazed my lips. I think my life is about to be more interesting.

    ¡­

 Chapter 19

    Gwen??

    As the pain stopped I gradually stood from the ground with my eyes still on the woman I caught fucking my mate. She stood there, haughty, a strip of guilt not on her face. If anything, from the slight steep of her mouth to the side, I could see she felt victorious.

    It was the same woman from the other day. My mate¡¯s mistress.

    ¡°He is married to me,¡± was the first thing I said, bncing on my feet as anger rocked my body. I wanted to leap across and tear her to pieces. Shred her until the ground would be littered with the messy nuggets of her nothingness.

    But, I contained myself. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± I held back tears. Never cry in front of your subject, the former queen said. ¡°He chose me, not you. ¡±

    ¡°Yet, he seeks my warmth,¡± she said proudly, taking a single step forward. I saw red. ¡°He will always chose me, irrespective of marriage to you¡­¡±  She dragged the marriage in mockery as a mocking smile spread across her wless face. It pained me more because she was beautiful. More attractive than I can ever be.

    ¡°You will regret this,¡± I threatened despite knowing she might not. ¡°I will make sure you pay_¡±

    ¡°That is after I made sure that you paid for snatching the love of my life away from me, you wretched stupid werewolf!¡± She spat and at once she was on my face. ¡°What were you thinking, huh? That a little piece of shit like you cane here and gain the heart of my man?¡±  She snorted. ¡°You are dumber than he stated.¡±

    ¡°He said that?¡±

    ¡°What do you think?¡± Her smile morphed into a senile frown.

    Fury twisted my guts, leaving me empty and defenceless. ¡°I am your Queen, I deserve your respect. I can send you to the dungeon for_¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± She pushed me. My back hit the wall, my bag falling to the ground. I gasped in shock. What gives this girl the effrontery to think she could act like this towards me? My rmed eyes found hers and held. Her brows were arched up radically.

    ¡°How dare you?¡± Driven out of spite I lifted my hand to p her, but in the next second, her hand found my neck and mmed me against the wall over and over again, the tightness digging deep into my windpipe to the extent of suffocation.

    ¡°Sto_¡± I patted her hand in panic, my skittish eyes running to the door as if seeking for my mate to bust in and save me. The girl was bigger than me and could easily kill me. And maybe Ashton wouldn¡¯t care.

    My hands stopped patting her hands and reached out to w at her eyes, wishing more than ever that I could shift to my wolf. My finger scraped through her face and she gasped and let go at once.

    ¡°St_op.¡± Inded in a heap on the ground with my hands to my neck, in a coughing spree.

    ¡°Stupid bitch!¡± She staggered back, holding onto her face while I used the time to recover. Everywhere around my neck and body hurt. And I thought I was strong enough after all that training with Julian.

    I didn¡¯t waste time to stand up and rushed out of the room before she will revive and do worse. It¡¯s obvious she wasn¡¯t just a mere Lycan, plus Lycan¡¯s were spirited than werewolves.

    Ashton wasn¡¯t in the room. I looked about haphazardly still rubbing my neck.

    Seeing as he wasn¡¯t there, I went in search of him and found him in the study nursing a bottle of a dark brown substance by the window. He looked troubled. ¡°Ashton!¡±

    He didn¡¯t look my way. And there I was thinking maybe he was remorseful. Maybe he regretted what he just did to me. For nearly killing me. What have I done so wrong to bring this chronicle of bad luck lined up against me?

    ¡°Ashton, I deserve a proper exnation for what happened back there. Right now!¡± My voice shook. ¡°You-you slept with her!¡±

    That was when he looked at me. Expressionless. ¡°Point of correction. She sucked me.¡± He scoffed. ¡°You stupidly brought an end to my pleasure so don¡¯t use me wrongly.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± Is that what he has to say? Tears formed. Yeah, he wasn¡¯t my subject. He was my fucken husband. My mate. ¡°Ashton, whatever I must have done to you, is it too bad that you can¡¯t forgive me? I-I-¡±

    ¡°Spare me your pathetic tears, little wolf. I didn¡¯t ask you to be here in the first ce. I was perfectly fine with my life and yet you went ahead and influenced my mother to make me marry you.¡±

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t.¡± I shook with tears, my shoulders sagging in defeat. ¡°I desperately needed a mate, Ashton. I found you in my most vulnerable moment that I couldn¡¯t envision not living without you. Without a mate. I swear I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you, I did_¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Seriously, I don¡¯t give a fuck. You wanted this, so deal with the consequences of your action.¡±

    ¡°We have a Kingdom to run.¡±

    ¡°I have a Kingdom to run.¡±

    ¡°You are married to me. As your mate and queen it is also my responsibility. Can you stop acting like a child and man up?!¡± My voice rose.

    He snapped his cold eyes to me, his mouth shifting to the side in evident displeasure. He raised his hands and jabbed his finger at me. ¡°The next time you raise your voice at me, I will make sure you are duly punished for that.¡±

    ¡°What will you do?¡± I was scared of him, I was very much scared of this monster in front of me, still, my wide mouth opened to ask that. I wanted to test the extent of his hatred for me. What was the highest he could?

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± He hedged.

    ¡°What will you do if I raise my voice at you, Ashton?¡±

    Perhaps, it was in my head, or maybe, that was how fast a Lycan was, but in the next second, the front of my body hit against the table, and bent over, his backpping behind me. His mouth hovered over my right ear as my body struggled with my face in panic to break free.

    ¡°I told you never to test me, little wolf.¡± He sniffed and licked my ear, his voice turning dark and husky. ¡°I am not a patient man, everyone with sense knows that, and those who disrespect me, pay the price.¡± With that, his hand came down very hard on my bare ass.

    ¡­

 Chapter 20

    His hand came down hard on my ass, eliciting a guttural noise from down my throat as I fought to restrain the pain that sizzled through my lower region and at the same time refrain from sighing in pleasure from enjoying every bit of what he was doing to me.

    Smack!

    ¡°Arh!¡± I buckled forward, at the same time noticing how hard and huge his cock that was pressed behind me had grown. It was disturbing feeling him like that. ¡°Ash_¡± Smack!

    ¡°I told you it¡¯s ¡®your majesty¡¯ to you,¡± he spat as his hand came down hard once again, and again until I felt my backside burn and by now I know it must be crimson. ¡°Will you flout my rules next time?¡± He demanded hoarsely but I was too carried away to understand as my body ached severely and the point between my legs swarmed with so much need.

    Suddenly he stopped and moved away, releasing me and I sagged against the table in shameful defeat; bodily and mentally. I bit my lower lip hard to force back the tears that tried to escape my eyes but I couldn¡¯t no matter how much I tried. My body shook there on the table. Mostly from embarrassment.

    He grasped my right forearm and gave me a single yank back to my feet but the pain from my ass stung harshly that I staggered and would have kissed the ground if not for his hunky body that acted as a shield to hold me up.

    ¡°Arh!¡± I cried as he lunged my back on the tabletop and his long fingers sped my chin and tilted up until my watery eyes met his smirking sunshine orbs.

    ¡°You see that I have the final say, little wolf?¡± He sniffed the air and smirked devilishly. ¡°Oh, little wolf,¡± he sang. ¡°I see you are such a rotten, rottenss. I could literally smell the wetness of your honeypot and yet you pretend to be in distress!¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡± I struggled to release my hand but he was too assertive for me. ¡°Please.¡± Instinctively my legs joined together to hide my shame despite knowing it was useless. This man could read me like an open book.

    He grinned wolfishly. My favourite part about him. Even if it was to mock me, yet, it did things to my inside. Flip-flop, my heart pounded. ¡°What are you doing here, little wolf?¡± His tone was slurred but I knew it was all a facade.

    I struggled and steadied my senses. ¡°We have to go home.¡±

    ¡°That ce can never feel like home with you around.¡±

    ¡°I am you_¡±

    He let me go with so much force I had to grab the edge of the desk to steady myself from falling, whilst I missed his warmth. Gosh! Gwendolyn. You are such an idiot. Even with his cruel treatment you still long for him. I feel more ashamed of myself. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare finish those words, or I might be tempted to kill you!¡±

    ¡°How does that make you feel?¡± I croaked out and sniffed, reaching out to hastily wipe tears from my face. ¡°How does it make you feel living in denial and running from what is inevitable?¡± I was talking rapidly now. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how you treat me or how much you try to live in denial, Ashton, I will still be here. It won¡¯t change anything.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Then you are going to die lonely and wretched, Gwendolyn!¡±

    ¡°And I know you will be delighted, your majesty. At least, then you can have the liberty of bedding your mistress without my unwanted presence!¡± I hissed, my shoulder thrusting forward in fury. ¡°The sooner you get off your spoilt brat nature and ept what is happening, the better for you. How long?¡± I don¡¯t know what gave me the effrontery to even challenge him, maybe because he was standing away from me, by the window. That would surely be it. ¡°How long are you going to live like this?¡±

    ¡°Until you die, Gwendolyn.¡± He asserted, narrowing his eyes at me with his hands now on his leans enticing waist. ¡°I will keep living my best life while you will do nothing but remain the good old mate, dying slowly from everything I am going to put you through.¡±

    ¡°Then you will leave me no choice but to seek the warmth of another lover!¡± I said rashly, not thinking. It was as if I pped him. His facade muffled into something very dark and dangerous, his fangs baring out at the same time his eyes colours changed to ck as though he would attack me anytime.

    I regretted at once. Why am I letting him get to me?

    My hands found the desk behind me and dug into it in fear. If he attacked me, there is no way I will survive it. That I know.

    ¡°How dare you?¡±

    My eyes found the floor in submission, meaning only one thing. He used his Lycan pheromones on me. With the werewolves, an Alpha¡¯s aura weakened even the toughest of wolves beneath him. With the Lycans I know the effect would be doubled.

    ¡°Stop, Ashton!¡± I cried as pain ricocheted through my body cells and I fell to my knees, my hands finding my chest to w at it. ¡°Please¡­¡± I started coughing, falling further to the ground and coiling up like a snail into its shell.

    ¡°You will never in your life dare to say that again if you care to see another day, you hear me?¡± He sted in a cold, animated voice, containing nothing short of raw fury.

    I was nodding because I couldn¡¯t speak. I didn¡¯t need to be told twice because this pain was too much for me to bear.

    At once just the way it started, the pain stopped. I remained there not moving. That was when it eventually dawned on me. Ashton truly despised me. Except I am exaggerating, in our world, it is rare for an Alpha or Lycan to use their chief auras on their subjects as a result of its numbing effect, not to mention their mates. Yet, Ashton used it on me without thinking twice. Not even a warning.

    I was still in shock when unexpectedly,  I feltrge hands engulf me there on the floor as I was still shaking in panic. I was lifted gently and soon I was ensconced in a bear hug, against a wide expanse of the chest which from the rapid mechanical response of my body to it, I knew it was my mate.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, little wolf,¡± he was whispering a soothing sound as I drooled numbly, unable to speak as this seem like a dream. I couldn¡¯t even say a word as I was still in shock from what happened minutes ago. ¡°¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have done that,¡± he was saying. ¡°¡­ I was just¡­ nothing can excuse what I just did now. I am not that kind of person, hell, I haven¡¯t used my Lycan pheromone on anyone before. Not even an enemy. It¡¯s just that you bring out the worst in me.¡± He stroked my right arm, his words like a luby.

    Slowly, I moved up from his chest to look at him through the blurry haze of my tear-stricken eyes, taking cognizance of how my eye fluid had wet his shirt, sticking it to his body and exposing that part of his skin. I looked away from it and swallowed audibly.

    The moment I opened my mouth to ask him why he hates me so much, the door cracked open and the other woman walked in.

    ¡­

 Chapter 21

    Ashton pushed me off him so fast that I staggered forth but rapidly retained myposure and pivoted to re at him in rm. Is this the same man that had held me so tenderly just now, saying he was sorry for using his Lycan pheromone on me? Or did something posseses him that made

    him do that?

    His soft regard has slowly morphed into a dark scowl, his lips askew in disgust as he took me in. ¡°Leave¡­¡± He brisked, nodding to the door.

    ¡°What- what do you mean by_¡±

    ¡°You heard him clearly, fuck off this room now.¡± The other girl snarled, stumping into the room, looking very angry. ¡°You are such a shameless whore.¡±

    ¡°Merit!¡± Ashton voice rang in the room. Cold. Commanding. ¡°Stay out of this.¡± He reached me, grasped my hand and started yanking me towards the door. When he noticed the girl made to follow us, he paused at the door and whipped around to say, ¡°stay here.¡±

    By the time we reached the foyer and was heading to the front door, I was yanking my hand, furious. I can¡¯t let him kick me out like that. I am his mate. His wife. His queen for crying out loud. ¡°What are you doing, Ashton?¡±

    He made a throaty sound as he opened the oak door and swung me out,ing after me. ¡°You will go back to the pce and wait for me. And don¡¯t question my order.¡± He lifted his finger to stop me when I opened my mouth to refute his order. ¡°Now.¡±

    ¡°Ashton, please, don¡¯t do this to me¡­¡± My chest was heaving, tired from quarrelling. I am not like this. Hell, I have not even had a proper boyfriend before and didn¡¯t know how a man was supposed to treat a woman in romance. All I had was Julian. And he respected me. Well, so I thought.

    All I am trying to say is, this whole new feeling, it was alien. And I am scared. I don¡¯t know what I am going to do? Fight him? Beg him? Which would repulse him and make him harder and despise me the more? From the way his chest rose and fell as he watched me like a predator about to pounce if I did anything foolish, I knew my shimmering eyes were not softening him, instead, they seem to harden him.

    I looked down at once and sniffed in, nodding my head. ¡°Fine, I will go.¡± My lips warped in a long stretch backward as I kept nodding, twisting towards the car that had pulled up in front of us and the doors were open for me.

    I moved towards it wordlessly. My body was moving there, but my mind was still here. Wondering what my mate was going to do with that other woman when I¡¯m gone.

    And it remained like that even when I got home. I went straight to my room, and started pacing. I paced from back to front and back. I was restless. If there was anywhere I wanted to be right now, it was with my mate and not here in this sted pce. It has never felt more like a cage to me like it felt now.

    I huffed and stopped pacing, strolling to the window to peer out. Out there in the grasnd, there were giant horses, they looked so beautiful. I don¡¯t know much about horses, but I admire them when I see them on screens. Seeing them physically now, they looked even more magnificent than the ones on Tv.

    Maybe someday I will learn to ride one. I sighed and left the window meaning to change out of the confines of my gown. It was starting to itch.

    I swung the wardrobe open and at once I got a certain feeling. I don¡¯t know why, but then, I moved to my mate¡¯s side of the closet and threw them open.

    Empty.

    What is going on? I panicked.

    I mmed it close and stepped back, my mouth wide open and several thoughts cascaded through my head. Why would his closet be empty? I looked around, finally picking out the missing details.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    The Hibiscus flower has been moved. The artwork on the wall was no longer there. The couch has been reced. Everything was reced!

    I bent abruptly and swung out the drawer that contained his shoes. There were gone. Suddenly my throat choked with tears. I can¡¯t take this. I can take anything from him, maybe anything but not sleeping away from him. This is the only moment I get to see him, feel him, and feel close to him. He can¡¯t take that too away from me.

    I hurried out of the room in search of my maid. I reached the kitchen in no time, the maids scurrying to gather together to look at me in stupefaction. I never came here before. ¡°Where is she? Kora?¡± I asked, skimming my eyes about.

    ¡°I-I-¡± The most elderly stuttered, her head to the ground, unable to meet my gaze. ¡°Your highness_¡±

    ¡°Where is she? I don¡¯t have time for dawdling!¡± I snapped.

    ¡°I am here, your highness,¡± Kora matetialized from the back. I arched my brow in irritation. Why was she wasting time toe out before?

    ¡°Come with me,¡± I pivoted and left the kitchen.

    Once we were out of earshot, I whipped around. ¡°Where are my husband¡¯s properties? His clothes, shoes, everything! Where are they?¡± My voice was shaking but I worked so hard to stay stable.

    She looked down, her town hands entwined in front of her as she tottered on her feet.

    I balled my fists. I don¡¯t have time for all this! ¡°Koraaa¡­¡± I groaned loudly.

    ¡°He-he ordered that they were moved to his other chamber by his valet before his return.¡±

    ¡°And you had the effrontery to move my husband¡¯s properties without my permission?¡±

    ¡°I had nothing to do with it, your highness,¡± she defended, lifting her face at the same time to show her creased forehead. ¡°I tried to stop him but he silence me with a p. I am sorry.¡±

    ¡°He pped you?¡± I was growing more pissed.

    ¡°Yes-yes, your highness. It won¡¯t be the first time since I turned down his advances.¡± I shook my head, biting into my lower lips for mild temperance. I am going to skin that idiot alive for daring toe into my chamber to take my mate¡¯s stuff-even if he ordered such rubbish-I deserved to know.

    ¡°Take me to him now,¡± I said in the most tranquil voice I could ever muster. Since he wants to be an idiot, I will help him be one.

    Ashton thinks he could move out of our shared chamber so he could have the liberty of sneaking women into his room to do with them as he pleased, meanwhile, he was out of his wit when I threatened to have a lover.

    I have to stop acting wimpy and start taking actions. He is my mate, and I won¡¯t allow that wench, Meredith or whatever she called herself, to nab him from me. Nor, will I allow him to make a jest of my power in the pce.

    I have to do something

    ¡­

 Chapter 22

    Ash??

    I assumed going away was going to solve my problems. But it seemed wherever I go, my mate will always be there. If not physically, then she torments me mentally. Not to mention the natural torture from my wolf.

    Since the other day when I nearly fucked Merit andter used my pheromones to subdue her, Fangs has retreated. He no longer trust me or wants to speak with me.

    So, instead of the two weeks I intended to stay away, I woke up today and made up my mind to go back to the pce. Perhaps, to be intimate with my mate will bring back the trust of my wolf. He might be sassy as fuck and annoying many atimes, still, he is my best buddy and I can¡¯t be a proper Lycan King without him.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should stay some more?¡± Merit purred, pouting her plump lower lips. I spared her one look and sumbed to her charm of beauty to regard her closely.

    She was beautiful, no denying that. But she wasn¡¯t my mate. I just enjoy using her as a distraction. And to make my mate jealous, but that is all there is to it. I don¡¯t want her to grow too attached, or feel entitled.

    I knew what she did in the bathroom with my mate. I would have killed her for it, but then, I will have to look for a new lover to irk my mate with and bringing them into the pce won¡¯t be that easy. ¡°No, we have to leave,¡± I drawled, stood from the bed and went towards the bathroom.

    Sex with Merit was great, but fucking my mate would be greater. I knew from the first taste. I had to force her through it, nheless, it unleashed the inner demon in me. Imagine what would happen if she was willing.

    As I was dressing, I got a link from home. It was Williams. ¡°Hey,¡± I chimed eagerly, having missed his nosy behaviour.

    ¡°Hey, Ash,¡± He said boredly. He sounded like he was in bed with someone. I hope it¡¯s not my sister. ¡°I have some good news.¡±

    ¡°Shoot.¡±

    ¡°The man for the sport just called, he said they are transporting the equipment here by next weekend. The disbursement needs your signature as soon as possible.¡±

    Yes! My heart leaped with joy. ¡°I¡¯m on my way home. I can¡¯t wait.¡±

    The link was quiet for some time, during the time I heard another sound in the background. But right now I am delighted with the news I heard. I wouldn¡¯t want to prod.

    ¡°There is something else.¡± He broke the silence.

    ¡°What?¡± I glimpsed myself in the mirror and turned to leave, not sparing Merit a look as I made it out of the door.

    ¡°I got a hint the hunters are starting to draw close again.¡±

    I growled. ¡°They can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°They are not supposed to due to the treaty, but I heard they have a new leader and he is a scientific bloke.¡± He faltered, his breathe audible through my head. ¡°From my source, I heard he is in search of a powerful bloodline for their sick experiments.¡±

    I smiled. ¡°Then he is weed to my territory then.¡± I entered the car and shifted to the left as Merit joined me. ¡°I will be d to rip his guts out just the way I did with his predecessor. If the humans wants war, then they should better grow fangs and ws, because this time around, Lud knows I won¡¯t be merciful.¡±

    ¡°We have to be very careful, Ashton.¡± He admonsihed lightly. ¡°You and I know you are the most powerful Lycan presently and your head is what he is after. We have to tread carefully and¡­ you need your mate now more than ever.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone, Williams. I am King and I am untouchable.¡±

    ¡°I know, still¡­ without your mate, you are less of everything. You and I know that. You need her support now more than ever and to protect her too so the humans don¡¯t develop ideas. She is a werewolf, imagine what would happen if we have her on our side in case the humans connived with her kind against us.¡±

    I grunted, anger looming in my chest. If that little twat hadn¡¯te into my life, I won¡¯t have to be dealing with this shit of protection. At least I will have myself to protect, not some weak little werewolf who from what I found out, hasn¡¯t even shifted.

    ¡°I will talk to youter_¡±

    ¡°Also, you have to brace yourself, Ash¡­ she is wrathful.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°She had your valet beheaded this afternoon.¡±

    My teeth girtted. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ everyone was shocked too. Said something about being taken for granted in the pce by everyone and needed to show her dark side to be taken seriously.¡± He scratched his beard. I heard the sound. ¡°From what I found out, the chap moved your stuff_¡±

    ¡°I ordered him to!¡± I growled, fury resonating inside me as I thought of what to do to make her pay for what she did. Beheaded my Michelin? That Lycan was one of my best valets.

    ¡°Now, you know better to consult with your mate before you send some unfortunate fellow to his early grave. Ash¡­ you are married now, act like one.¡± With that, the link severed.

    ¡°Urgh!¡± I mmed my hand by my side, jumping as a cold hand touched me. I forgot Merit was here.

    ¡°Are you alrig_¡±

    ¡°Just shut it!¡± I cut her off. ¡°Pretend like I am not here.¡±

    Getting to the pce, I was taking the stairs two at a time to reach my cham_her chamber. I wanted nothing more than to punish that little minx for crossing me. Thwarting my order and making ridicule of me in front of my subjects!

    I told my mother this girl was just like every other werewolf. They are all the same; evil, innocent-looking maniptive critters! There is no way you can find a genuine werewolf. Not in this life.

    And now, it¡¯s not even two weeks from our wedding, and she is already showing her true colors.

    The same way Fabian showed her true colors to me after two years of courting. Two years of wasting my love, my efforts, my everything! She ripped away my heart without a thought of my sanity. A thought to how I fared after. All because of some useless werewolf vermin!

    I will rather die than let Gwendolyn do that to me again. I will have to tame her, to show her who was in charge in this ce.

    Little piece of shit. Three days ago she was looking so vulnerable and pathetic that I felt guilty for hurting her. I couldn¡¯t live with myself for cheating and then using my power on her. I even lost the love of my wolf. Now, look at her!

    I barged into the room without knocking and wasn¡¯t prepared for the sight that greeted me. There she was like a siren, standing stark naked in front of the mirror, and swung around once I entered to give me a glimpse of her big pointy breasts.

    I smacked the door closed instantly, incensed words dying in my mouth as my eyes swept through her curvy loveliness.

    Goddess of mercy.

    ¡­

 Chapter 23

    Gwen??

    ¡°Pervert!¡± I screamed, grasping my robe on the bed to swiftly wrap around me. I red at Ashton who was still standing by the door quietly, his face seemingly clouded with an intense emotion I couldn¡¯t decipher.

    For the first time.

    I knew why he was here, and I was ready for him.

    As fast as-as if it didn¡¯t happen, his expression normalized and he fully came into the room in giant strides and lurked in from of me. His eyes narrowed, his mouth shifting in a snarl as he calmly demanded, ¡°you call me a pervert for seeing what rightfully belongs to me?¡±

    I eyed him and crossed my arms over my chest. ¡°I don¡¯t belong to you, Ashton. At least not yet.¡± I shifted back, hitting the table behind me.

    He was looking at me intently, his glossy eyes prating my being as if he was seeing through the thick woollen robe around my body into my soul. Then his Adam apple moved and the sound of his gnashing teeth reached me. ¡°I see you are growing wild, little wolf.¡±

    ¡°Ashton, I don¡¯t want any trouble with you,¡± I mumbled, his strong aura amplified in the room. It reminded me of the day he used his pheromone on me. I don¡¯t want to go through that pain again, so I looked away. ¡°I just want to dress and go for my evening stroll.¡±

    ¡°You are going to stand there,¡± he jabbed his hand at my face. ¡°¡­ and you are going to exin to me what you did to my valet and what gave you the temerity to carry out such an order without my permission.¡±

    ¡°You started it!¡± I red. ¡°You were the one who caused it by cing him in danger. Why would you want to leave our matrimonial chamber, Ash_¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± His hands lifted above his ears as his face squeezed deathly to demonstrate his displeasure. ¡°You had no right, Gwendolyn. You had absolutely no right to order the death of one of my kind. Is that why you are here? To finish what_¡± he faltered and staggered back, eerie silence flooding the room.

    ¡°Finish what?¡± I asked tentatively, somehow feeling that he was about to say something very personal to him before he regained himself.

    He shook his head. ¡°You are going to pay for what you did.¡± He was nodding repeatedly to send home his point. ¡°I am going to make sure of it.¡±

    ¡°Then get ready to watch every one of your servants die if you order them to do anything idiotic, Ashton.¡± I dared him, despite being terrified. I have to learn to stand up to him if I am going to survive his cold attitude. ¡°And make no mistake, Ashton. If you continue to break your oat to me, or don¡¯t agree for the bloodmoon ritual between us to seal our bond, then you are giving me the permission to take another lover when you_¡±

    He grabbed my arm and twisted me around in a hurtful vicelike grip as he mmed me against his rocky chest, and his mouth hovered over my right ear. ¡°Don¡¯t forget who you belong to, Gwendolyn. And don¡¯t forget how much I can make you suffer if you dare go against me even for a second.¡±

    I gasped, my eyes wide in apprehension yet bing still at the low sound of his voice, his strong scent and his powerful aura. It was like a euphoric cloud over my head, nulling all my senses and recing them with a heated need.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    I felt his chest rumble with low chuckle, obviously in mockery. He knew what he was doing to me. He had a new weapon to wield over me. Of course, he would rejoice. ¡°I see you are suddenly dumb, little wolf,¡± he husked, teasing my face with the tip of his forefinger. He traced it to my mouth and with his thumb pushed my lower lip downward until his finger was grazing my lower teeth.

    My chest was heaving steadily, the sound from it possibly heard from outside by anyone standing close.

    ¡°You are going to be submissive to me, little wolf,¡±he hedged hoarsely, still toying with me. ¡°You know why?¡± My eyes fluttered, purring lightly at his feathery lip massage. ¡°Because you are my property. I make the rules while you have no choice but to respond. You have no power here and will never. Here, my order, my voice, my ordinance shall be thest. Do youprehend?¡±

    His hand started travelling lower my neck, lower, lower, and stopped at my pulse, rubbing lightly as if in a threat to snap it, if I wavered in agreement.

    ¡°Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Ye-yes,¡± I croaked, choking on my saliva from excess longing. My legs quivered as heat pooled between my legs, begging for him to go lower to the very spot I yearn for him the most. Lud, how can I be  able to challenge him when I can¡¯t even withstand amon touch.

    ¡°Good.¡± He abruptly pushed me off, and strolled to the window and with one struck, yanked it close.

    I touched my face in shame, regaining back myposure fast. I turned to face him and saw him moving towards the closet, it brought back the main bone of our present contention. I panicked. ¡°You can¡¯t leave, Ashton.¡± I deadpanned.

    He continued throwing his clothes on the bed like I didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°If not¡­¡± I thought of what to use to threaten him with. ¡°If not I will tell your mother.¡± I dered, biting down on my lip as my eyes pinned on his back to show how serious I am.

    The sound of the clothe hangers ttered against each other as he forcefully dropped the clothing he was holding on top of the others on the bed, and walked in my direction once more.

    I moved, straight to the door, meaning to flee in case he meant to do anything absurd. However, before I arrived there, he was standing in front of me with a condescending smirk as he took me in.

    I paused in shock, still yet to get used to his Lycan speed. I stepped back.

    He swung the door open. ¡°You can have it your way,¡± and grumbled. ¡°as if this will stop me.¡±

    ¡°It shall, Ashton!¡± I shouted after him. ¡°You must_¡±

    The door smacked and he was gone as he came. I stood there in my robe seething in vexation, wanting so much to bring out my anger on something right now.

    ¡°Argh!¡± I screamed loudly and flung the robe off me, heading to the wardrobe to change into a dress I can spar with. I¡¯vested too long without training. Perhaps, that¡¯s why I am angsty. If I get busy, I won¡¯t have the time to be nosing around my mate or getting more irritated with everything going on around me.

    As I walked to the door, hoping to find the maid and inquire about the training ground, it snapped open and Abigail loomed in front of it, a wide smile spread across her face as she saw me.

    ¡°Surprise!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 24

    ¡°Abby?¡± I acknowledged cheerfully as she walked into the room and shut the door, all smiles.

    I was conflicted. Thest time I saw her was the day the former Queen left the pce. She said something about apanying her to her new dwelling to help her adjust before she returned to join us. Plus, it wasn¡¯t like we were the best of friends. After all, like her brother, she despised werewolves.

    Albeit, I share a genuine smile and closed the distance between us, hesitating if to hug her or not. ¡°Hey,¡± I mouthed and before you know it, she engulfed me in a tight hug.

    ¡°How have you been, Gwen?¡± She asked and as if a dam of tears was unscrewed, my arms tightened around her as my body shook of its own volition. Do not cry before your subject admonition be damned. ¡°Shhhh,¡± she stroked my back gently.

    ¡°I feel so lost, Abigail,¡± I admitted, still trembling. ¡°I feel like I-I ran away from one problem and plunged myself into yet a bigger problem.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­¡± I huped. ¡°Your brother hates my guts. He would stop at nothing to destroy me.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t let him do that to you,¡± she was still stroking my back. ¡°That¡¯s why I came back. Mother said she could feel your soul is restless in addition to someone informing her my brother left the pce shortly after we left.¡±

    I pulled away, sniffing as my head bounced. ¡°He wants to kill me, Abby.¡± I shook my head. ¡°I thought- thought finding one¡¯s mate was supposed to be the best thing yet to be. I thought it was the greatest miracle to happen to me, but now¡­ now I must admit I have been wrong all along. Having a mate sucks like hell.¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡± She grabbed my shoulders and yanked to get my attention as my eyes locked in misery, still shaking from too much pent-up emotions. It was as if the goddess sent her to me this evening knowing how wretched I was feeling inside. ¡°The goddess never makes a mistake, Gwen. I know that my brother treats you badly, but believe me he isn¡¯t like that.¡±

    ¡°You keep saying that, yet, that¡¯s not the impression I¡¯m getting. Your brother left me here in the pce and went to sleep with his mistress, what punishment could be greater than that, Abby? And you say he is a good person?¡± I could see the shock register on her face, her mouth opening and closing at once.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t do that.¡±

    Of course, it¡¯s something very hard to believe. I mean, no one in his right sense would do that if not a man with so much spite for his mate. That mate happens to me. He hates me so much. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, he used his power bomb to subdue me. I will save her that part.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I am learning to live with it, Abby.¡± I kept going, using the nickname I have quickly developed for her. ¡°I ced my self in this predicament. I am going to suffer the consequences.¡± I smiled sadly, wiping at my eyes. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like I have a choice.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°Why so?¡±

    I lowered my eyes to my hands. ¡°You won¡¯t understand, Abby.¡± I began ambling back to the door, stopping as I turned the knob. ¡°I am off to begin my training. I think it¡¯s because I have been too idle that I notice every of his cruelty. Perhaps, if I¡¯m upied in being a good queen like your mother asked me, I won¡¯t care much about what he does around here.¡±

    Her expression was marred. In pity. For me. ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to be like that, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Yet, this is what the goddess think I deserve.¡± I passed through the door into the hall. ¡°I will have to manage.¡±

    ~

    ¡°Ashton!¡± The door snapped open, causing me to jump off my chair in force, in the process, upset my legs that were hung on top of the desk as I looked outside through the  open window at my horses as they grazed openly.

    To every other person, my love for horses was why I had so many of them. Especially the giant ones, but to me and Williams, we knew the major reasons for this breed and why I had plenty of them. I was looking forward to my trade. ¡°What?¡± I grumbled, slowly bringing down my legs as I gawked at my sister.

    ¡°How could you?¡±

    ¡°I have warned you to always knock, sister,¡± I drew abstractly, slightly peeved she would barge in like that. Why if I was with one of my mistresses?

    ¡°That is not the point,¡± She moured, her hands iling. Okay, she¡¯s furious. ¡°Ash, I thought you had a gentle soul in you.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Princess, enough of the puzzles,¡± I huffed. ¡°You know I suck in them.¡±

    ¡°I am talking about your mate, Ashton,¡± She snarked, her shoulders pulled in my direction in obvious angsty. ¡°You are hurting her for something she has no clue about.¡±

    I simply stared. Here I was thinking it was something serious. So the little werewolf was already wagging her tongue? Interesting.

    ¡°Your mistress?¡± She continued, unaware of my thought. ¡°You left the pce to go to your mistress after your wedding, Ashton.¡± No reaction. Indeed, they¡¯ve had a lot of catching up in such a short time. ¡°Mother will be so disappointed.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± that¡¯s it. I¡¯m bored already. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± I stood, grabbing my coat by the chair. ¡°If you are done lecturing me,¡± I peered at my Rolex. ¡°I think it¡¯s time to go see one of my mistresses, sis.¡±

    ¡°Are you even listening?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I opened the front door, sharing a mischievous smile with her. ¡°Are you just taking notice?¡± I shook my head, touching my beard tentatively to piss her off. ¡°Since you have turned her spokesperson, sweetheart, do well to share myfort to my mate on her impending suffering tonight.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± She rushed to me as I walked off down the hall, choosing to ignore her, but then a strong kick from Fangs inside me, infuriated me and I decided to make him more furious by going overboard.

    I stopped at the front door, disregarding the presence of the butler.

    I repeated, ¡°I am going to see one of my mistresses, sis, do you know what that means for her?¡± As a look of shock registered on her face, I grinned widely, throwing the door open and striding to the blue BMW parked out waiting for me.

    I waited for it.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± My sister screamed from the house. My grin widened as I mmed the door shut.

    ¡°Take me to Sonatara.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 25

    Gwen??

    ¡°Arh!¡± I cried sharply, holding my stomach as my body convulsed in raw pain that spread all over. ¡°It¡¯s so painful, Kora, I can¡¯t help it.¡± I fell to my knees from the bed, shaking as Kora tried tofort me, whispering soothing words in a voice that seemed like she was in distress with me.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness, I don¡¯t know what could be the cause of this. What can I do?¡± She skimmed her eyes about frantically, grabbing the water on my bedstand to hand me after popping the cover. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not your time of the month?¡±

    I wiped another batch of tears that fell down my face and gulped down the water ravenously. I didn¡¯t want to confide in her the reason for my pain. It has happened before. The very day I caught that slut sucking my mate¡¯s dick. He was at it again.

    ¡°I-I want to be alone, Kora.¡± I made to stand but the pain intensified with every move I made, as though he was fucking two women at once. I tried, I tried so hard to hold it in but the more I tried, the more the pain unleashed like fireballs on my body, razing through my hormones like a furnace. Not even the cold liquid could tame the burn.

    ¡°I have to call the doctor_¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I grabbed her hand as I continued trembling. ¡°I will be fine. Just-just goooo¡­. Arh! I can¡¯t do this, oh, goddess help me.¡± Tears kept tumbling down my face.

    ¡°I have to look for the King.¡± Kora severed her hand from me, scooting far as I tried to stop her. I never thought it would be this painful. I never thought Ashton could carry out his threat of cruelty. If I don¡¯t die today from this pain, I don¡¯t know if there¡¯s anything that could kill me.

    ¡°Kora!¡± I shouted as the door swung open and she left. ¡°P-please¡­e back.¡± I smacked the ground repetitively as my sob amplified. ¡°Ashton, please, have mercy. This is-¡± I began coughing fervently, my fear peaking when I saw blood drool from my mouth to the floor.

    It all started after I came back from my training and went to freshen up. The minute I removed my towel to wear my evening gown and ready for dinner, a sharp pain shot through my body that elicited a loud cry from me. It drew the attention of Kora who just came into the room and she hurried to me with apprehension on her face, and it hasn¡¯t stopped since then.

    It¡¯s almost 30 minutes.

    The door flung open and two footfalls fell across the floor before I felt warm hands engulf me in a tight hug, lifting my face from the ground to them.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    It was Abigail. ¡°Gwen, stay with me!¡± She shook me as darkness started pulling at me. I can¡¯t take the pain anymore. ¡°Gwen, please!¡±

    I lunged forward as an agonizing cough wracked my body, the burn in my heart increasing tenfolds. ¡°Wa-water¡­¡± I reached for the empty bottle which Abby snatched from me and reced another bottle in my mouth, forcing me to open up and drink.

    After I was done drinking, I moved my head away as the droplets of water trickled down the side of my mouth, still panting.

    Then at once as the pain has started, the pain stopped. I sat up abruptly, looking around as my hand touched my chest tentatively. ¡°It stopped,¡± I acknowledged, sighting Abby who exhaled with her orbs rolling up in relief.

    ¡°No more pain, your highness?¡± Kora questioned in a voiceced with relief.

    I was nodding as I made to stand from the floor. ¡°Please, run me another hot bath, thank you.¡± I went to drape across the chaise lounge as fresh tears stalked my eyes. I couldn¡¯t speak. At least not now.

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡± Abby fell beside me on the sofa as I shook my head to stop her from discussing it. I will rather not.

    ¡°Your highness, your bath is ready,¡± Kora hastened out to say, her sharp eyes skipping to Abby who was hovering over me with a worried look.

    ¡°Kora, have a cup of chamomile prepared with a little portion of wolfbane.¡± I snapped my eyes to her but she stopped my fear by adding, ¡°it¡¯s to heal your inside. Trust me, it won¡¯t kill you.¡± She waved Kora along.

    When we were alone. I breathed out in despair, falling back on the couch with her head up. ¡°For how long am I going to endure this, Abby?¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°Till he kills me?¡± I shifted my head to the side as a single tear fell down my face. ¡°Till I_¡±

    ¡°Shhhh¡­.¡± She took my right hand in her bigger ones and massaged softly. ¡°I promise to talk to mother about it.¡±

    ¡°And achieve what?¡± I sniffed loudly. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea.¡±

    ¡°But, you need help, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I caused this.¡± I was still shaking my head. ¡°This is my reward.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong, Gwen.¡± She sneered sadly, leaning closer. ¡°My brother might not see it now, but you two deserve a chance. Yes, I shared his sentiments about your kind, but after a few days with you, I already knew you meant well. My mother would never have approved of you if you didn¡¯t.¡±

    None of that was making sense to me. All I knew was that Ashton was determined in making me suffer in this marriage to him. ¡°I am a loser, Abby.¡± I bulked forward and started bawling like a kid, forgetting my position as the Queen, and who was before me. ¡°I have been a loser since I turned eighteen. It¡¯s as-as if the goddess has been waiting to punish me for something I did in the past.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°What am I going to do to have the love of my mate, Abby?¡± I couldn¡¯t control myself. ¡°You are his blood, perhaps, you can tell me. It¡¯s just a week, but I fear. I fear that Ashton would never ept me.¡±

    ¡°He would, Gwen.¡± She grabbed my two shoulders to keep me straight. ¡°You have to be strong.¡±

    ¡°Until when?¡­¡±

    The door opened, not giving her the opportunity to respond as Kora stepped back in, her expression looking sullen. ¡°Your highness,¡± her voice carried as she dropped the cup containing a caramel substance on the small stool in front of us. ¡°The King just returned. He asked for your presence downstairs immediately.¡±

    ¡°My brother is downstairs?¡± Abby inquired in a stern tone.

    ¡°Yes, Princess.¡± She stood in front of us with her hands entwined in front of her, her head bowed. ¡°It appears the pce has a new addition.¡±

    ¡°Addition?¡±

    ¡°The senior female Delta. Del. Merit. She is to move in with her family by morning in the words of the King.¡±

    I didn¡¯t know where the strength came from as I shot up from the chair in hysteria. ¡°Where is he?¡±

    ¡°At the dining hall.¡±

    I moved promptly.

    ¡­

 Chapter 26

    Gwen??

    If there was anything I disliked about this pce, it was the staircase. It was as long as it was curved with a glossy surface that shadowed your steps.

    I guess when they built it, the spiralling shape was supposed to be the point of its beautification, but then in moments like this when I am hurrying to reach down with the amount of anger simmering through my blood, I felt nothing short of irritation towards the architect.

    At thestnding, I literally hopped down, followed by Abigail who was at my heels right from the room. Thankfully, she wasn¡¯t trying to hold me back nor did she stop me.

    ¡°Good evening, your highness. Princess!¡± The butler rushed to open the dining hall doors for us, the guards standing there bowing their heads once we passed them.

    I slowed my pace as I stepped into the massive room, my red-rimmed eyes pinned at Ashton who sat at the head of the table with a broad paper perched in his hands-obviously the daily kingdom journals- as he returned my intent perusal with no hint of guilt in those eyes.

    ¡°Mate,¡± he smirked, dropping the paper by the side to pick up the cup of tea the maid filled for him with a grey content. ¡°I am d you responded to my summon immediately as it was a matter of urgency.¡±

    ¡°Ashton,¡± I acknowledged him, stopping a few feet from him, and lifted my eyes to the maids and at once they all began filing out of the room. Once we were alone with just his sister who was now seated on the other side of the table sharing disapproving darts at him, I took a deep breath and pulled my seat away to sit down. ¡°We need to talk.¡±

    ¡°We have nothing to talk about, little wolf, apart from listening to what I have summoned you for,¡± he dropped the teacup and gave me rapt attention.

    ¡°You hurt me, Ashton. Again.¡± I went ahead to say shakily, ignoring his nonchnce.

    A shadow of guilt passed over his visage, but he was fast to cover it up with a devilish smirk. ¡°You should begin getting used to it, little wolf. We already had that agreement.¡±

    ¡°Ashton, show some sympathy!¡± Abigail snarked, her handing in mant contact with the table as her eyes shed red. I knew she was angry, but not as much as this.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Ashton pushed off the table, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he conveyed uneptable regard to his sister who didn¡¯t back down. If I was the one he was looking at with such intimidating scrutiny, I don¡¯t think I would have have the braveness to withstand him. ¡°I see mother has appointed you her spokesperson in her absence to monitor me. Which has given you the temerity to talk back at me.¡±

    ¡°You are not of sound mind, bro, and tradition demands that I bring you back to your senses as the spare to the throne.¡±

    The rumble in his chest heightened as he heaved forward, baring his fangs in warning. To my amazement, Abigail returned the gesture to him, her red eyes sparkling as a result of the dim light in the room.

    It appears they were digressing from the point of contention. When I came down I was furious, but seeing him now, all I needed was peace.

    I cleared my throat as my hand climbed up the table and with morale touched Ashton.

    Like a coal of fire was ced on him, he snatched his hand away, a grunt escaping his lips as he snapped his eyes to me. They held fury. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch me!¡±

    ¡°I-I-Im so-sorry.¡± I meowed, retreating my shaky hands fast to myp beneath the table. I looked down, unable to meet his hateful stare. Icked the appetite to eat, so there was no need to force myself. ¡°Wh-why did you summon me?¡±

    He shifted in his seat and pushed the objects in front of him away, creating an audible grinding sound. At the same time, the massive entrance doors flung open and the other woman walked in. My husband¡¯s mistress.

    The fact that my neck did not dislocate from my body with the force I whipped to look at Ashton and back to her as she sashayed to the seat beside me and sat down, it was a miracle.

    ¡°What is the meaning of this, Ashton?¡± I asked, the quiver in my voice disappearing all of a sudden. ¡°You brought your mistress to our food table?¡±

    Lazily his neck twisted to me. ¡°That was what I was about to discuss with you.¡± He nodded towards her. ¡°Merit here is my Delta and personal guard. Henceforth, she will be living in the pce with us.¡±

    ¡°Ashton,¡± barked Abigail. ¡°How can you bring her into the pce? She was your former chosen mate, what were you thinking?¡±

    ¡°I am thinking of marrying you off to any noble gentleman that shows the slightest interest in your uncouth self, as I may not be able to condone your condescending behaviour anymore if you do notport yourself before me!¡±

    There was a loud gritting scrape of the chair legs against the pce granite floors as Abigail pushed them off and stood up. ¡°I will not sit here and watch you desecrate the dining table of the great house of the chronicles! If you think you can intimidate me with those low words, think twice, Ashton. And don¡¯t think mother won¡¯t hear of this.¡± With that, she stormed out, preceding the ferocious look emitting from Ashton as he gawked after his sister.

    ¡°Do you also have anything to say concerning my decision, Gwendolyn?¡± His eyes trailed to me, holding within them fireballs of unspoken threat.

    I stood up. ¡°I will retire early as I cannot bring myself to stomach more of your haughtiness, Ashton.¡± I raced after Abby, not waiting for his response.

    My head was spinning. Everything was happening at once it looked like I was just a bypasser in this thing called life. I hardly knew myself anymore.

    The kind of bullshit I was taking from Ashton, they are the things I swore I was never going to take from any man. No even my mate.

    I prayed so much all my life for a mate. Julian specifically. The goddess deprived me of the love of my life and gave him to my sister.

    I dropped down on one of the staircases in concession and shook with emotions I couldn¡¯t hold back. No tears fell down my eyes, but inside me, I was overwhelmed by my predicament that I couldn¡¯t proceed.

    His Delta was his chosen mate and mistress?

    ¡­

 Chapter 27

    ¡°Julian?¡± I called, surprised to see him sitting down in one of the red-plowed daisies in the pce¡¯s massive elegant living room with his eyes taking me intently in as I ambled towards him in unmistakable shock.

    How is it possible that he came to be here? I reasoned, stalking closer with my right brow arched high on my forehead unable to hide my astonishment.

    He was still the same. Nothing new. Only this time his hair seem to have grown an extra inch from thest time I saw him. And also, he was still seating down rather thaning to engulf me in his familiar papaish hug that I havee to miss.

    And he wasn¡¯t talking. Just grinning.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I stopped directly in front of his syed legs, happiness bobbing through my body at his very presence. To say I have missed him would be an understatement. And that was exactly what I told him.

    Still, he didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°What is going on_¡±

    The great ptial doors swung open, gathering my attention at once as the words died in my mouth at seeing who came in. Theresa. What the_

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    I scooted away as I jolted off the bed in anxiety, realizing at once that it had been a dream. They weren¡¯t real. Julian wasn¡¯t here with me. Must have been my subconscious teasing me with thest of my memories before I went to sleep.

    However, the shock from my dream was heightened by the person hovering over me. Even in the dim light room, his glossy Lycan eyes twinkled as a result of the moonlight slithering in through the open windows and his sharp jawlines were distinct as he regarded me in the darkness and slowly, I returned back, hissing as I made to adjust to the other side of the bed.

    I must have taken up the entire space.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± I muttered, touching my forehead as I felt cold there from umted perspiration. ¡°Do you want me to leave?¡± I further asked, seeing as he wasn¡¯t climbing into the bed. ¡°I could¡­ use the couch if you will feel more_¡±

    ¡°Stop being pathetic, Gwen,¡± he hedged and stood to his full six-foot-eight macho height. It was so intimidating, mostly in the darkness. ¡°I-I was worried when you kept thrashing in your sleep.¡± He admitted, then he huffed and sat down, the smack of his slippers across the floor resonating as he shifted and climbed fully into the bed. ¡°And you cany down properly. Stop acting like some terrified mouse.¡±

    I was still recovering from the dream where I saw the love  of my life, now to the bane of my living. And he is telling me toy properly? I thought¡­ I thought he would want to stay with his mistress. ¡°Ash_¡±

    ¡°We have to start trying for an heir.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°You heard me.¡± He pivoted to his side to face me, his face holding no form of amusement. ¡°My mother made us get married singly because she wanted us to produce an heir for this Kingdom as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°But-But you said you_¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°What I said in the past doesn¡¯t make any difference.¡± His eyes were like a volcano of fire, raging blindly across the little space separating us and threatening to roast me. ¡°If I am going to be rid of you sooner I have to obey my mother¡¯s wish and birth an heir. That way my people will know I didn¡¯t marry a failed woman.¡±

    Laying close to him was like cing two functional mas beside each other. Of course, you know the result. But the words oozing out of his mouth, they made the entire connection deplorable. It made me feel filthy that while he saw me as an object to prove a point and a breeder, I was busy lusting for him. Even with his coldness, my body was yielding, and I knew even if I hated this man across from me, my body longed for him.

    Which was why when he lifted off the bed and slid towards me, I stiffened in anticipation and my breath quickened at once.

    My mind numbed out all the echoes of what happened downstairs. His mistress under my roof, his callous words. Even his condescending words a minute ago.

    And all I could think of was what was going to happen now.

    Maybe, I am filthy.

    He grabbed my left thigh and yanked forcefully and I bulked and fell on my back, my hands falling beside me as my eyes found his and held.

    ¡°You are nothing but my whore, Gwendolyn¡­¡± His two hands found my nightdress and in one tug rented it into two, exposing my flesh to his eyes which are now turning a darker shade of hue. ¡°¡­ I will use you as I see fit, when I want, and how I want.¡± He nudged my legs apart and settled between them, his hands trailing down my thighs to my cunt to palm me and at once like I was electrocuted, I gasped and my spine lifted off the bed to sigh in unexpected pleasure.

    He must have found me wet, because he growled like a wild beast and began rubbing me roughly, without an iota of mercy.

    ¡°Ash¡­¡± My eyes fluttered and my handsmenced searching for what to hold onto as the weight of this excitement became unbearable for me.

    ¡°Filthy thing.¡± He hissed in tight voice, his hardness pushing at me as his hands became more frantic.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I moaned as he slid two fingers into me and pumped repeatedly that I was shaking, my thighs widening for him. I wanted more, craved nothing but more of his fingers, his hateful word and everything in between.

    I was so close. So close to something I didn¡¯t know. And he didn¡¯t give me the chance to know because while I was still trying to decipher that feeling, I didn¡¯t notice him sliding off his sleeping trouser until I felt something huge at my entrance and then without warning, he mmed into me.

    I winced, with a cry of pain emitting from my mouth as my upper body moved off the bed but then it appeared my movement made him mad. He pulled off.

    ¡°You stupid, stupid slut!¡± He flipped me around to expose my ass to him and as I made to acknowledge what he wanted to do, his hand came down hard on my ass.

    Another round of pain looped through me.

    ¡°Shut the hell up!¡± Another smack.

    ¡°Please¡­¡±

    Another smack

    ¡°Ash_¡± Smack!

    I buried my face in the pillow to quell another cry from departing my lips, to avoid another one of the stinging spanks. My body was shaking by now. This was totally embarrassing. It betrayed every reasonable ideology of coption, yet, as I cried there, my pussy got wetter that it dripped down myp.

    ¡°Fucken hell!¡± He crooked his arm on my belly and lifted my waist up until my ass was suspended and then I felt his face down there.

    I panicked at first, the act seemingly too bizarre for my liking. How could he_Fuck! Another sensation itself reced the first, especially when his two big palms massaged my ass cheeks as he started eating my pulsating pussy.

    ¡°Arck! Ashton¡­ yeah¡­¡± I went from crying to moaning, incapable of containing the euphoric sensation.

    One of his hands came to my front and soon he was rubbing my clit not gently but also not roughly and by this time, it was as though the animal in him was fighting toe loose. Ashton was all over the ce, hisrge grunt echoing as his finger worked me up.

    Once more I was chasing that feeling, so intense that the moment hisrge cock found my sweltering hole and pounded into me like a mad horse on heat, it didn¡¯t take time and I started convulsing.

    My knees failed me, but Ashton grasped me tight and continued thrusting, harder and harder until he followed, his cum spewing inside me that the feeling itself caused me to release for the second time before he pulled away from me and fell on his back on the bed.

    I copse face down, deprived of every energy to move.

    We remained like that, with the jagged hum of our breaths the only sound in the room.

    I was starting to dose off when I heard him slid off the bed in his full glory, grabbed his trousers and began putting it on.

    I opened my mouth to ask him where he was going but he shut me up as he said, ¡°that was the driest sex I¡¯ve ever had.¡± My mouth went dry in shame. ¡°Better sleep, we have a meeting tomorrow by eight. It¡¯s time you meet the head of the other twelve Lycan packs.¡±

    And like that he strod off.

    ¡­

 Chapter 28

    ¡°That was the driest sex I have ever had.¡±

    The mockery kept ringing through my head as I sat close to my mate the next day at the meeting, watching as one of the Lycan Alphas contributed to something they were deliberating on which I was apparently not interested in.

    It is all I have been able to think of. My failure as a woman to please my husband. I thought that day I watched every teenage wolf in my pack shift while I couldn¡¯t was the greatest embarrassment of my life, but yesternight, till now, each time my wandering eyes met Ashton, I feel myself turning red all over again in afresh fluster.

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    I blinked severally as I came to, looking about until I faced Ashton who was observing me as though expecting me to say something. Did he say something?

    I cleared my throat while I readjuested on the chair, striving to remain poised. ¡°Y-yes?¡±

    He nodded towards the others and at this point I realized the entire room has gone quiet. That was when slowly I twisted to face therge men, my mouth fell open. The entire room of powerful men eyes were pinned on me, waiting for me to answer a question I obviously didn¡¯t hear.

    I smiled. ¡°Sorry, c-can you repeated your question?¡± I asked no one in particr.

    They shared a look of incredulity, one that probably said, what kind of Queen drifts off in the middle of a deliberation? Well, this is me. The shunned Queen.

    One of them, an orange-haired bald man, with a porcupine face-and when he opened his mouth I discovered a room of brown tobo discoloured teeth. He said, ¡°we merely desire to know when we should expect an heir from you, your highness.¡±

    What! Seriously? I snapped my head towards Ashton. He allowed them to ask me such an abhorrent question. How am I supposed to answer that? It¡¯s not like we have been actively fucking since our marriage nor I am some seer that could predict when I¡¯m to fall pregnant.

    I smiled. Once more. ¡°Eh¡­¡± I was still looking at Ashton. And he was gaping back at me. ¡°I will like to think that-that is left in the hands of the goddess to choose when to bless us with¡­ a pup.¡±

    ¡°That is true,¡± the same man continued, ¡°yet, as the woman, you are bound to know when to expect a pup. Here in our Kingdom, we look forward to having something to hold onto. Something only you the mother of the anticipated heir to the throne can give to_¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t fucken know!¡± I red, smacking my right hand on the table. I nched and took a deep breath. The room was dead silent as a graveyard. I took another breathe and slowly let it out to be followed by an apologetic beam. ¡°I am-I am sorry for using such a tone with you. I am just¡­ just upset that you will think I should know of something like that when my husband here_¡±

    ¡°That will be enough!¡± Ashton cut me off abruptly as he shed me one of his warning nces. It was the type that told you to shut the fuck up or suffer the consequencester. If it was anything likest night, then I might be very willing to trod on his authority if only I get to be fucked in such a dehumanizing manner once again.

    I bit down hard on my lower lip and looked down at my fingers on myp. I tightened my legs as I felt wet under there merely by the reflection.

    ¡°Your majesty, the King, with the power vested in me, I will like to dere this meeting adjourned as it seems everybody is already past their cups and would like to retire for the day.¡± It was Williams speaking and his voice held a hint of consideration. ¡°I will also like to apologize to the Queen on behalf of the council. Please, temper justice with mercy.¡±

    I nodded sternly and gave him an agreeable smile. The little time I have spent in his presence, he seemed a level-headed type. Nothing like Ashton. I wonder how they are friends when they¡¯re totally different.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    Once the meeting was over, I was sprinting fast out of the room in the direction of the stairs- to escape my mate¡¯s wrath- when a hand shut out through a door, grabbed my neck and ripped me into the room.

    I was choking. I grabbed the hand and tapped continuously with gagging sounds emitting from my mouth. ¡°L-let go!¡± The hand was holding my back to his rocky chest, but the scent didn¡¯t escape me. ¡°As-As-Ash-t-on, please-¡±

    His chest vibrated as he rumbled in a thunderous tone. ¡°You think you have the nerves to talk back at a member of my council, you filthy wench!¡±

    ¡°S-stop.¡±

    ¡°I will show you what is going to happen now¡­¡± He reced his left hand that was grasping my neck with his right hand and then his leg kicked my legs apart as his left hand set to explore my private corners.

    Corners I crave to be explored.

    If only he knew.

    Does he smell my wetness? Is he going to do what I think he is¡­ arh! Fuck! His hand travelled down to seize the hem of  my purple re gown and roughly yanked it up until he was grazing the side of my vulva, then he shifted my thong and grabbed that very spot that was already swollen with need and he began rubbing it.

    ¡°You filthy whore¡­,¡± he slurred huskily in my ear. ¡°I haven¡¯t even touched you and you are already dripping all over yourself! Were you fantasising about this the whole time in there? Tell me, do you imagine me fucking your dirty little pussy with my fingers like this¡­¡± he plunged his middle finger in andmenced finger-fucking me in a manner that my core tightened into a painful bud I couldn¡¯t hold back and shuddered in unexinable euphoria.

    His hand around my neck has loosened now and the point where my ass found his hip was so hard and swollen that I could feel him poke me and longed for nothing but to touch him back. To make him feel what I was feeling right now for him.

    ¡°For every sin youmit in this Kingdom, Little wolf, for every defiance from you, I shall make you pay tenfolds for it, you hear me?¡± I was close, so close, so so close that as his thumb mistakenly skimmed over my nub, I let go and fell forward with an audible cry, my hands grasping his and holding still as I rode out the storm that tried to overpower me.

    ¡°Yes, yes, yes! Oh, fucken yes¡­.¡± I fell to my knees, epting this new sensation with everything in me.

    ¡°Face me, little wolf,¡± Ashton grabbed my hair roughly and pivoted me around until I was facing him-directly his cock. ¡°Remove my trousers gradually and worship my cock like the submissive whore you are.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 29

    Ash??

    ¡°Yes. Exactly like that, my little whore.¡± I pumped steadily into her mouth, relishing every moment of watching her plump lips wrapped around my cock and struggling to please me.

    I see it in her eyes. In her actions. In every of her body movement.

    Sincest night she hasn¡¯t been herself and I know why. It all amounted to what I saidst night after our passionate lovemaking even if I didn¡¯t mean it.

    This she-wolf wasn¡¯t like any I have ever met. Not even the sly she-devil I was involved with in the past. This one had a lot of passion to give. She had love. It was there trying to suffocate my every move to break her.

    I had intentionally brought her to the meeting with me today because I knew the people were going to choke her with unconventional questions. I have been avoiding those questions myself and had used her as a shield.  And forgive me, also as a means of further threatening her.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I groaned as my release approached. I tightened my right hand on her hair and tugged as I increased the speed of my thrust. The visible veins around my cock were protruding right now, threatening to burst if I don¡¯t offload the monsters searing closer. ¡°Yes! Yes!¡± I trembled, the weight of my orgasm sizzling through in such a way that I saw stars shooting in my vision and everything within blurred into grey nothingness.

    It was like never before.

    Slowly, I stepped back, my hands letting go of my mate who heaved a restrained sigh and fell back on her hunch, looking ghastly.

    My ass touched the edge of the table behind me and I rxed there to catch my breathe. It was then the realization of everything that just happened began flooding back.

    I closed my eyes and reached out tob my fingers through my hair in incredulity. What is going on with me? ¡°You have to leave.¡± I said calmly, trying to hide the disgust in my voice.

    ¡°Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Now.¡± I didn¡¯t want to see her face. If I did, I might lose the control over my wolf and jump her once more. Fuck!

    ¡°I just want us to talk¡­ like adults. Please¡­¡± She used that voice. The voice I despised most. It was maniptive. Just like her. Emma. They are the same. No difference.

    ¡°Get the fuck out!¡±

    Her body shuddered, and then she stood and scurried out, brushing her hands through her rumpled gown. She looked just the way I wanted her to. Well-ravished.

    I shook my head. It was happening all over again. I was losing my guard over a werewolf again. I was being foolish.

    I was supposed to be mean, insensitive and brutal to her. Only taking but never giving. I was supposed to be keeping to my word of making her life miserable. Sending her in the direction of madness until she can take no more and give up, falling on her knees before me to beg for my rejection.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    By then, I will send her back to her people to inform them that I, Ashton, King of the chronicles, had thestugh.

    So, why am I falling for her maniptions? Why am I finding myself relishing how she responds to my touches? Her purr, her moan, her tremble, her fears, and the smell of her wetness each time I jump her? I think I am_

    ¡°Ashton!¡±

    I jerked, shing my eyes towards the door to snap at whoever dared to interrupt me. It was Williams. Of course, only him would dare call my name like that. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I have called you five times, five good times and you were far away in your head that you didn¡¯t hear me.¡± He closed the doorpletely and took a step closer. ¡°What is the problem?¡±

    ¡°How did you find me?¡± I rolled my eyes at my own question, already knowing the answer.

    He replicated my act, crossing his warrior arms in front of him as he jabbed his head my way. ¡°How else, if not your scent? As if it can be easily concealed.¡±

    I pushed off the table and adjusted the holds of my trouser in shame that he knew what I just did. ¡°I just wanted to be left alone.¡±

    ¡°With your mate?¡±

    I gritted my teeth. The son of a bitch knows. ¡°So, you saw her, so what?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see her. I smell her scent over the ce which means she had been here.¡± His brow arched  in the air, his nose stuck up. ¡°Mind exining what is going on?¡±

    ¡°Like hell,¡± I sneered, nning to leave and go about my business. I have to check on the horses to make sure they have been fed the proper quantity of their hay today.

    I already passed him when his voice stopped me in my tracks. ¡°I think you should think properly about whatever you are doing, mate. I know you are mad at what Emma did to you¡­ and I also think Gwen is different. She is¡­ dedicated.¡±

    ¡°Emma was.¡±

    ¡°Yet, she never showed up on your ritual day.¡±

    ¡°Williams¡­¡±

    ¡°Emma was a cowardice. And if you tell me you still love her after these years, I will say you are a coward. And I say it as a friend, not your Beta.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t fucken love her anymore!¡±

    ¡°Nheless, you still carry the burden of her betrayal in your chest that you have failed to see how you are afflicting another badly with your heartache.¡±

    ¡°I hate her.¡±

    ¡°And yet, you fuck her.¡±

    ¡°Williams,¡± I took my time to face him, very close that our breath was on each other faces. ¡°What I do with my mate is none of your business.¡± I jabbed my finger into his chest. ¡°As long as I live, I will make her pay for forcing her way into my life. Besides, if we have to produce an heir soon, we have to be active.¡±

    The corners of his lips pushed to the side impishly as his hand extended to touch my left shoulder, holding my gaze. ¡°Again I am going to say this, Ashton. Don¡¯t be the reason you remain in the endless pit of wretchedness. Life is too short to live punishing yourself over worthless things when you can very well live. Happily. Gwen has so much to offer and epts all your unkind attitudes with a touch of patience. Don¡¯t lose her as a result of your foolishness.¡± He stepped back, bowed and sauntered out of the room.

    I stood there, watching the shut door, heaving steadily in renewed anger. He was right. I am the very cause of my prolonged misery. I have continued to harbour this pain from ten years ago, refusing to let it slide. Refusing to ept that my chosen mate left me. Dumped me at the altar and doesn¡¯t deserve any more of this pain.

    And that is the very reason I am even going to make Gwendolyn pay. She must pay dearly for this unhappiness upying arge part of me.

    This unforgiveness in my heart that no matter how much I want to let go, had refused to budge. It would be unfair that I hurt alone. Someone had to hurt with me.

    And that is where my little wolfes in.

    ¡­

 Chapter 30

    Gwen??

    ¡°Gwen?¡±

    I wavered, about to deliver a strong blow to the dummy in front of me, and sighed as I pivoted to face Abigail who just walked into the training ground.

    ¡°Abby.¡± I lowered my hands by my side, striving to control my ragged breathe. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    She shrugged, her two hands syed out. ¡°This is obviously a training ground.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I have gotten used to sneaking here for the past week to train alone that I almost forgot it wasn¡¯t just private property. They had a private one for the King and Queen but thest thing I needed was bumping into my mate, so I deliberately avoided there. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°I should be asking you that.¡± She readied herself in front of another Wooster dummy, stretching her ankles which lengthened the ck training ck she was on and tautened her round bum. ¡°What¡¯s going ontely? You have been detached.¡±

    I nodded, suddenly losing interest in my training. Perhaps, I need to practice with a real person. ¡°I am growing scared, Abby,¡± I admitted.

    ¡°Growing scared?¡± She punched the dummy, flexed her fingers and went for a stronger blow. All the while her facial expression portrays seriousness. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s almost a month already.¡±

    ¡°And so?¡±

    ¡°I am not pregnant!¡± I snapped, starting to pace as my present worry clouded my mind. I have been trying to avoid thinking about it, but I can¡¯t anymore. Ashton hasn¡¯t said anything yet, but in every day he enters my room in his usual dominant manner and ims me, I see it in his attitude. It¡¯s as if he is saying something even without uttering it.

    Abigail stopped, now heaving like I was some minutes ago. She grabbed the bottle of water on top of the duffel bag she came in with, took arge gulp, cocked it back and threw it to the floor. ¡°Girl, you need to chill out.¡± She touched her forehead, closing her eyes as a sign of taming her wild breath. ¡°This is the exact reason why you haven¡¯t taken in.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked in confusion.

    ¡°This,¡± she indicated me. ¡°You are taking the entire thing too seriously. You have to calm down and allow the process to take its course without unnecessary anxieties.¡±

    ¡°Your people need an heir,¡± I reminded her. ¡°May I also remind you that your brother hates me and won¡¯t hesitate using this as a means of kicking me out to rece me with that¡­ that woman.¡± I snarled, the thought of my husband¡¯s mistress under the same roof with me still too upsetting but I couldn¡¯t do anything.

    Abigail sighed as her hands went to her waist. She must see me as a burden by now.  ¡°I keep telling you to stop thinking too much about my brother¡¯s misbehaviours. He won¡¯t do anything topromise your marriage, trust me.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Someone who already did. Have you forgotten what he did the week after our wedding?¡± My shoulders were inclined towards her. ¡°Do you also remember his mistress presently upies a room two doors away from ours? Can you also remember that your brother never sleeps in the same bed with me?¡±

    ¡°That is because he is still confused, Gwen. He was hurt terribly, you have to give him time.¡± I sat down on the grass, shaking my head. ¡°He knows how much this union means to him, to this Kingdom. To my mother. He would never garner her wrath by doing anything that would provoke you. You have to¡­¡± She trailed off and then took a step my way as she proceeded. ¡°¡­ you have to try to win him back, Gwen. You have to prove to him that you are nothing like¡­¡± She faltered once more, swallowing loudly as she looked ahead of me.

    ¡°Nothing like who?¡± I asked sharply. ¡°Talk to me, Abby. About the woman who broke his heart in the past whom he is punishing me for?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡±

    ¡°Then it¡¯s like what?¡± I was getting angrier. Here I was talking about not conceiving yet when my mate and I has been fucking almost every night since that day his council asked about an heir and she was talking about gaining his heart.

    How can I gain the heart of a man who doesn¡¯t want his heart to be gained? I just want to produce an heir for him, and his people so that I would earn their respect. I vowed to be a Queen to Ashton, his people and I have to keep my promise.

    I have to give him an heir.

    But I am terrified. The day I got my period for this month broke my heart. I thought I was going to fall pregnant immediately, but it seems the goddess has other ns for me.

    I stood up. ¡°I think I need to go see the healer.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, something is wrong with me.¡±

    ¡°Nothing is wrong with you, Gwen. You just need to rx. It¡¯s only a month.¡±

    ¡°People get pregnant in a week.¡±

    She exhaled in defeat, lifting her hands. ¡°I am only saying as a friend, give it time. Nobody is ming you for anything.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    I was chewing my lip tissues as my thoughts teetered in different directions. Maybe, I should give it next month. I have to rx, train more often, and stay positive. ¡°Okay,¡± I replied softly.

    ¡°Good.¡± She smiled cheerfully, lifting my spirit. Abigail has been the only person that understands me in this ce. The only friend I have.

    I don¡¯t know what would happen if she sides with her brother someday and deserts me.

    She faced her dummy furthermore. ¡°Give me two minutes to finish then we will go in. The Beta said we are having a guest from the Woond pack. He was the former chief guardian of Redtwinklers but was banished after he was discovered to possess a cursed blood.¡±

    ¡°Cursed blood?¡± I wondered.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ sometimes a Lycan can be born under the red moon and end up bearing the cursed blood.¡±

    ¡°Howe he has been alive then if he is considered a taboo?¡±

    ¡°Well, most times their curse are hidden by their mothers at birth. My brother doesn¡¯t believe in the curse though. That was why when the Lycan Alpha told him that his chief guardian was discovered to be a Krakken, and was to be either executed or banished from his pack, my brother asked that he be sent here. I think he wants to keep him among the armies.¡±

    ¡°Hmmn,¡± I hummed, pondering about it. Well, even though I am supposed to be mad that my mate would take in someone into the pce without consulting with me his Queen, I was delighted that he was kind enough to take the poor man in. Whoever he is. Let¡¯s just hope he doesn¡¯t harbour any ill in his heart or endanger this Kingdom in the future. ¡°When is heing in?¡±

    ¡°This evening.¡±

    ¡°This evening?¡± My eyes dted. ¡°That soon?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she gave me a certain look. ¡°I thought Ashton would inform you. As the Queen, you have to give your eptance at the dining this evening. So, I think it starts with making sure you prepare the eptance dinner.¡±

    ¡°eptance dinner?¡±

    She stopped finally. ¡°Gosh, what does Kora do if she doesn¡¯t teach you these things? My mother does that for any guests that enter the kingdom for the first time. It¡¯s tradition.¡± She picked her bag from the floor. ¡°Let¡¯s go, you have a guest to wee.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 31

    Smoking hot.

    Those were two words to use to describe the man sitting across from us that evening at the giant dining table, directly opposite me.

    ¡°So, Tyler, I and the entire pack wee you to the pce,¡± Ashton proimed beside me, referring to the new guy. ¡°Feel free. And what were you need, do well to reach out to the¡­ queen here,¡± he nodded in my direction.  ¡°She will provide you with it.¡±

    I smiled as the shining obsidian eyes of Tyler-the new guy- shed at me. I could swear I detected something mischievous in there. Or maybe, it was my beclouded mind that saw it. My beclouded lonely mind.

    Ashton¡¯s handnded on mine on the table and I shivered, and hastily regained myself, looking up at him. He was smiling down at me, but it was only in his eyes. At a closer look, you will discover there was no truth in them. It wasn¡¯t from the soul. ¡°As it¡¯s expected of the Queen, you are to show your eptance before the humble men of this table, that you ept our new guest into the pack.¡±

    My smile was still in ce. However, on the inside, I finally understood what this was about. Ashton nned this. Just like every one of his childish gimmicks since I moved here. He knew I wasn¡¯t aware of this part of his Kingdom¡¯s tradition-that was before Abby told me-so, he neglected telling me because he wanted me to flop before the numerous notable men and women gathered at this table this evening. Of course, he had members of his council around to wee the guest.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    All tradition.

    Cool. I twisted around until I was facing our fine-looking new guy, enjoying how poised and collected he looked. He wasn¡¯t even looking like someone they just banished from his territory.

    We are almost alike. The only difference being that while he was banished, I banished myself. And while he was wanted here, I wasn¡¯t wanted. All the same, we are strangers in a newnd. I cleared my throat. ¡°Errr¡­ Tyler. Am I permitted to call you that?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±He replied in a deep timbre voice that beat the word ¡®dominant¡¯ in every sense of the word. Except for my mate¡¯s.

    I nodded. ¡°To be honest this is my first time doing this and I might not even know what I am doing but nevertheless, I am delighted to have you here. And from the depth of my heart, want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this. I wee you into the home of the King of the chronicles and whatever you need¡­ and I mean anything, do well to approach me for it.¡± Was it just me, or once more I just saw a devilish glow sh across his fine visage?

    I shook my head, looking down at my te as my face tinged. I am behaving like some silly little girl.

    ¡°Thank you so much, your highness. I truly appreciate.¡± His voice was so smooth.

    I didn¡¯t look up as I nodded and picked up the ss containing red wine in front of me and gulped down at once.

    ¡°You see, Tyler,¡± Ashton drew, malice in his voice. ¡°don¡¯t be deceived at all by the Queen¡¯s appeal. She can very well be a rattlesnake underneath this whole¡­ charm.¡± I red right there. What is he saying? Trying to make me look bad to the new guy?

    His former n didn¡¯t work and now he wants to paint me the devil? My eyes found him, but he was still facing the guy and totally ignored me.

    ¡°All the same since the Queen has wholly weed you and you will be residing in the pce prior to the time your new home is arranged, she will see to it that all your needs are provided for and make certain that you are adequately taken care of before you can properly stand on your feet.¡±

    What is he saying?! ¡°I-I thought that is supposed to be the work of the omegas?¡± I asked slowly in a way only he could hear.

    He picked up his ss of wine and swirled as he appraised me, smirking like the devil. ¡°Well, I say so. And¡­ this is the Lycan Kingdom. Here we refer to those as salutary and not fucken omegas!¡± He spat coldly and swung down his wine in a sweep.

    The effrontery.

    What is wrong with this man? Does it kill for one to behave well even for a second?

    Just like every other time, he couldn¡¯t even hide our differences before the very people whose opinions about me matter in this Kingdom. Or, at least consider the presence of the new guest.

    I looked away sharply and down at my quaking fingers. I could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on me. Including Abby. I knew she was seething right now and I wouldn¡¯t want to risk both of them blowing off before our guest who was just dining with us for the first time. So, I bottled up my pain and put on a brave front as I nced around the table, avoiding the look of the new guy. ¡°Please, let¡¯s eat up before the food grows cold.¡±

    Thirty minutester, I mmed the door to my room closed and began pacing. ¡°Urghhhh!¡±

    Ashton is killing me. He is testing me, pushing me to my very limit. I balled my fist and screamed into them as I bent over and bit down on my lips until I tasted the metallic nibble of blood.

    I caused this. I forced myself on him. I left my home. Left my people and came here to throw myself at a man who doesn¡¯t want me. A man who despised the very ground I trod on. It is all my fault.

    I grabbed my new rosemary essential oil by the vanity table and sauntered off to the bathroom, poured all the content of the bottle into the hot tub before disrobing and jumping into it.

    I stayed there until I could cry no more, washed up, came out and towelled myself dry. I thought the oil would soothe my pain but like every other thing right now, it failed.

    I found my new nightdress by the dais close to the hearth, picked it up to size it. A translucent silky elegant red lingerie with shimmering frills at the edges.

    This one would end up in the trash by morning. If hees. Like the other ones. I haven¡¯t worn one past the night since I met the monster called Ashton.

    This night, I felt so miserable and lonely that I needed to feel close to home. Close to someone who mattered to me. So, I took the bracelet Julian gave me on my seventeenth birthday, and wore it as Iid down to sleep.

    It wasn¡¯t long, like my soul found sour with the bracelet, I soon dozed off.

    ¡°Mmmm,¡± I hummed, feeling tingly as the impressive vision of a man floated before me. I touched his face. ¡°You came.¡±

    His hand trailed in a feathery light touch to my belly button and stopped there. As if he was hesitant to proceed.

    I sat up, looking deep into his eyes. ¡°What is it, Julian? Don¡¯t you want this?¡±

    He went stiff. I felt his hand muscles tense.

    What is the problem? I thought he wanted this. I can forgive him for cheating on me with my sister if he would im me instead of her.

    ¡°I am ready, Julian. I am not afraid. You know I always wanted this. I always wanted you. I love you.¡±

    In the blink of an eye, he was off me, off the bed like a wounded Panther.

    ¡°Julian?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 32

    ¡°Ashton?¡± I eximed as I was roughly awoken by my growling mate, his long canines pointy as he scowled at me. Even in the darkness the distinct lethal spark shooting through his now ethereal orbs doesn¡¯t escape me.

    I looked around the bed in confusion. What did I do now?

    ¡°Come here!¡± Hemanded as he wandered to the ck dais by the hearth to fall plush on and wagged me to him. I looked back as if expecting someone else to emerge from behind me but when I faced him again, he was still fixed on me, his head down in a predatory manner.

    I gulped down heavily. Did I do or say something in my sleep?

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time, woman!¡± Heshed out at me, sitting up from the chair with his two hands by the armrest. I cowered and scurried off the bed to the edge to go to him.

    ¡°On your knees.¡± He brisked, his eyes not faltering from me. ¡°Don¡¯t make me say it again.¡±

    I opened my mouth to say something. Anything. Raking my head to recollect what happened before I went to sleep or during it. Of course, nothing came to mind. Its not like I have some power of knowing what happens in my unconscious state. So, to avoid any unnecessary squabble, my knees connected with the rug, reaching down to grasp the hem of my nightwear.

    Ashton was still regarding me.  He started from the crown of my hair to trail his eyes slowly down to my bosom and lower until he reached the point my knees touched the Mahogany wood red rugs and he looked up and appraised me the more.

    There was something else in his eyes now. It was always there but today, it seemed to have more significance.

    Repulsion.

    But why?

    If anything, I should be the one who should be repulsed by his behaviour during dinner. He embarrassed me before the new guy and his elders. Yet, here he was snarling down at me.

    ¡°How many men have you been with before I met you, Gwendolyn?¡± Ashton asked in the gentlest yet daring voice possible.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I narrowed my eyes at him in askance. How dare he ask me such a degrading question when he had not-so-kindly taken my virginity on our wedding night?

    Swiftly his face tilted in my direction until our breath mingled as he grunted. ¡°When I ask you a question, you fucken answer me!¡±

    ¡°I-I-have been wi-with no man but you,¡± I stuttered, my eyes not leaving his face.

    He further inclined his head to the side-heaving audibly-as though he didn¡¯t believe me. Where is all thising from?

    I sharply looked down at my ground, the first thing my eyes fell on being the bracelet. Without thinking, I let my hands move backwards despite knowing there was no way he would know who the bracelet came from.

    He sat up, and rxed back. ¡°It¡¯s time to carry out your duties as a submissive wife to me.¡± He shifted his waist upwards to my face.

    I was aghast. Does he even listen to the words that emit from his mouth? It¡¯s time to y my dut-do I look like his fucken ve or something? As much as my body craved him. I won¡¯t allow him take advantage of that to enve me. ¡°I-I¡¯m not in the mood, Ashton.¡± I fell on my hunch, pouting my lips defiantly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about what you want, little wolf. I am the King and what I say is_¡±

    ¡°And I am the Queen, Ashton. I am your fucken Queen. You married me before your-your priest. Do you remember or do you need a rain check?¡± I couldn¡¯t catch my breath.

    His chest rumbled with a disapproving groan. ¡°You have grown wings.¡±

    ¡°You have to respect me.¡± I vented, not allowing him win this time. ¡°I am not your ve. If you need a ve, you get one.¡±

    ¡°We have to produce an heir.¡±

    ¡°Then, let¡¯s go over to the bed and do what parents do to produce pups.¡± I made to stand up.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare walk away from me, Gwendolyn.¡± He spat and grabbed my right arm. I shuddered vigorously. I¡¯m sure he saw it. ¡°I forgave you for embarrassing me before my elders this evening and now¡­¡± his eyes danced in their sockets from the glow of the moon cascading into the room from the open windows. It gave the side of his face a shadowy sheen as he skimmed me. ¡°You are a whore¡­ I always knew it. There is no way in hell you could have been perfect.¡±

    ¡°You took my virginity!¡± I cried, tugging at my arm which he held captive.

    ¡°This won¡¯t work on me,¡± he used his other hand to begin unbuttoning his cks. ¡°You can¡¯t whore for other men and deprive me of my right.¡± He tugged forcefully and I fell over, grasping hisp for support. ¡°I need you to suck me off, and you will be a good wife and do your duties. And don¡¯t make me repeat myself, little wolf or you will regret it.¡±

    My chest was rising and falling from rage and so was his. While mine was from apprehension, I didn¡¯t know what his was from. ¡°I-I am sick, Ashton.¡± Imenced dragging his ck down hisp, my burning eyes pleading with him.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I needed him but not like this. He was mad about something I don¡¯t know, but this was not the way to settle it. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about whatever it is.¡±

    It appeared he was impatient and the next thing, he pped away my hands and finished removing his pant. The next was his mini brief which he pushed down to release his huge cock that bounced out straight at my face.

    I swallowed.

    Instantly my body came alive¡­

    He fastened his hand around my right hand and tugged me forward until I was holding him and began stroking himself, back and forth.

    I opened my mouth to protest but the rocky feel of him against my bare hand did crazy things to my head and before I knew it, I lifted my eyes to look at him and forgot what I wanted to say.

    Those eyes.

    Those eyes that looked lethal were now vulnerable as he took ragged breaths repeatedly, increasing the strokes of my hand on him. I looked at his pulsating manhood and nced back at his eyes. My legs drew together tightly as I felt my pussy churning with hunger.

    ¡°Suck me off, little wolf¡­¡± Ashton beckoned huskily, taking my other hand to join the first. ¡°Mmm, yeah

    .. like that.¡± He became rougher. Damn, at that point I was possessed by something alien. I desired to please him. To give him satisfaction. I wanted to make him happy, hoping he would return the favour.

    I lurched forth and took over. My lips docked on the tip of his cock and licked like the little whore he called me. I repeated it over and over and Ashton fell backwards covering his face. I was relishing in this.

    I grabbed his root and tightened my hold as my hungry tongue took a swirl upwards and travelled downward. When I drove up once more, it was to capture him and suck him in, hence proceeding to shove him down my throat until I gagged and then I lifted up to moan. All this while I was massaging his root, but stopped to take his balls and kissed them.

    ¡°Oh, Goddess, who taught you that, my little wolf? Fuck, yea! I like that. I fucke¡­¡± he gasped as he sat up abruptly, nudged me backwards and grabbed my neck. His eyes were staunch ck. Must be his wolf trying to take control of him. ¡°You are such a little whore, you know that?¡±

    I nodded. For him. If it makes him happy to call me that.

    ¡°Say it.¡±

    I choked, opened my mouth but nothing came out.

    ¡°Say it, little whore.¡± His fingers became tauter.

    ¡°I-¡± I tapped his hands around my neck and held them with my two hands. ¡°I-I am your little whore.¡±

    ¡°Good girl,¡± he smirked. ¡°Now you will act like my little whore, little wolf.¡± He breathed and in a sh ripped the front of my nightwear to expose the white flesh of my bosom to him. ¡°Look at those nipples. You want me to touch them, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± I dered too quickly, meaning it. My breasts ached, but mostly my nipples. They were so hard as a rock and needed more than just his touch. ¡°Please¡­¡±

    ¡°Then, please me.¡± He gripped the remaining part of the lingerie and tore it off me. I was now stark naked.

    He was smiling devilishly as he drew me closer by my neck and jerked me in the direction of his standing cock where his thumb gently pushed my lips apart and shoved him into my mouth.

    That was the only feeling I knew for the next five minutes. Mouth-fucking my mate¡¯s junk.

    ¡­

 Chapter 33

    Ash??

    Gwendolyn was like an open book. She was so predictable that I could easily infuriate her without trying so hard.

    And that was something I triumphed over doing. I enjoyed seeing her humiliated. Watching her left speechless, and those chubby cheeks stain with a deep shade of red in embarrassment each time she is caught off-guard.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    But, today at dinner my n didn¡¯t seem to go as I intended. I intentionally ignore telling her about the traditional eptance speech offered to any new guest that came into the pack, especially the pce. Because just like every other time, I wanted to reveal how inadequate she was as my Queen to the public.

    Just to see her break.

    However, it crashed back into my face. Much to my distaste. It appeared someone had informed her about the ritual and that someone I suspect to be my sister. Only her could ruin my ns.

    And to add to my anger at a failed n, I caught her blushing to something the guest said.

    It dealt a blow at me. Reminded me of Emma and how much she was revered by the other men and how much it left a deep void inside me. Yet, I trusted her and didn¡¯t think much about it. I trusted her so much that I didn¡¯t think she would ever leave me for another man. What a fool I was.

    And right there in front of me, my mate couldn¡¯tpose herself before our new addition to the pack. Tyler.

    The guy was a promising guardian-the only reason I allowed him resident in my pack. Of course, it was a risk. The red moon curse was abhorred since the 1920s when the first cursed breed massacred an entire pack when he lost control of himself during a full moon. Nheless, I am a King with arge heart. A heart wide enough to give my protege  enough room and chances.

    Today, it was tested. One, I easily forgave.

    After dinner, I wanted to go to my study and have a drink or two while going through the recent inventorypiled by Williams as well as reflect on the uing horse race that would hold in the summer; the logistics and personnel.

    On my way to the study, my wolf became restless and began wrestling to take control as he has been doingtely since Gwen came here. So, I instantly knew she was the cause of it. I would have ignored it yet I found myself retracing my steps in the direction of the stairs.

    I came to halt as I encountered Merit sashaying down the rungs, changed from the former blue chiffon evening gown she wore to dinner to the Delta uniform. She looked solemn for business.

    She seemed shocked to see me but fastly rearranged her features. She stered on her charming smile and took a single step down, her eyes fastened on me.

    I had no choice but to pause at the foot of the step to return her regard. ¡°Hey,¡± I mouthed. We haven¡¯t been alone since we returned from our little shadow chase in the woods.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you,¡± she purred, skimming her eyes about me in a flirty manner.

    ¡°That is because I was justing from the study. Off to the camp?¡± As the chief Delta, she was expected to check on the other Deltas thereaftering back to the pce for her daily rounds.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± She crossed her hands over her subtle boobs, stopping three steps away. ¡°Off to bed early?¡± It was a questionable affirmation.

    I didn¡¯t respond. I owed her nothing. Like I owed no woman. ¡°We will see tomorrow, Merit.¡± I began ascending.

    She blocked me. ¡°You asked me to move in, your majesty.¡±  Suddenly, the title sounded insulting on her lips.

    I smirked. ¡°Right. Let¡¯s keep it that way.¡±

    Her right hand arose to touch me, but I was apt to catch and held it taut, away from me. ¡°Behave, Merit,¡± I hushed, sternly. ¡°Good night.¡± I dropped the hand and pushed past her in full force. She knew better than to try and stop me again.

    I knew fucking Merit was going to be a bad idea as she was supposed to be my chosen mate, but even more so because I knew she always had a crush on me since we were pups. For fuck sake she used to whisper how she couldn¡¯t wait to grow up and be my mate.

    And yet, I fucked her.

    me it on my ego; the one that wanted to spite Gwendolyn.

    Now, I have yed into her trap and she seemed likely to be a leech. And that was exactly what despised. Unwanted leeches. Like my mate.

    That was the state of mind I was in when I entered my chamber-the one I shared with my mate-and found her moaning out in her sleep.

    Gradually, I drew close, thinking it was all in my head. As a result of my delusional mind for the past few days. Albeit, my mate was moaning loudly as her left hand caressed her private part and when I thought that was the hottest thing I am yet to see, she did the most despicable thing:

    She moaned out the name of another man in her sleep.

    In the entire thirty-five years of my life, I never thought I could be jealous of another man.  The debauchery of downstairs, I could discount, but this, calling another man¡¯s name repeatedly in her sleep while she experienced something only I was privy to give to her, ruined me more than I expected.

    Back to the present. She was pumping me into her mouth steadily like the whore she was, my rock-hard cock yielding under pressure threatening to dibobte from the heavenly euphoria spasming through me.

    I was close, so close that soon I was jerking repeatedly as I experienced yet another best orgasm of my life.

    By now, the room reeked of our sweats mixed with the pungent smell of her wetness, not to mention my cum. The very thought that I made her wet even when I haven¡¯t touched her turned me on once more and soon I stood up from the lounge, picked her off the ground and pulled her in the direction of the bed where I pushed her on it, standing tall to sample every part of her delectable curves.

    This was not part of the n.

    I didn¡¯t want to think it lest I changed my mind.

    I needed to fuck her so hard that all she thinks about henceforth is nought else but me. Recalling the name of the guy on her lips while she slept, infuriated my wolf once more and I stepped out of my pants and climbed the bed.

    Julian.

    After today, her brains would be too upied with my name that she would have no room to think of that shithead, whoever he is.

    Fury, bitterness, and jealousy became mypanion as I devastated my mate¡¯s pussy that night.

    ¡­

 Chapter 34

    Gwen??

    I nced outside at the dissipating morning fog through the giant pirs supporting the pce walls,  as I hurried down the hallway leading to the room of our guest: Tyler.

    Every part of my body ached from the tremendous adventure ofst night. An adventure Ashton intended to use to punish me which unknown to him, I revelled in.

    Up til now, I can¡¯t tell what possessed himst night as he had left as soon as he cummed in me. And when I woke up this morning, the side of his bed was cold and deste as if he was never therest night. But the dull tremor between my legs proved otherwise.

    I decided instead to reflect on what I am going to say to Tyler when I meet him. ¡®Hy, Tyler, I hope you are settling in fine?¡±

    No.

    ¡®Hy, Tyler, I see you are settling in nicely, it is breakfast.¡¯ eww.

    ¡®Hy, Tyler, you look hot as hell this morning.¡± As if.

    I suck at being Queen. This is a simple thing that came naturally to someone who was gifted to be Queen but here I am sweating it up.

    I was almost at his door when it swung open and the there he was. The giant god. Absentmindedly, I faltered in my step as my mouth went dry and my eyes pinned on him so intently that I must have looked like a fool.

    How is possible that when I thought I have seen it all, a man like this, pops in to destroy every resolution I had pertaining to men in this Kingdom? He was too good-looking to be true.

    Slowly, I repeat, slowly, without meaning to,  my eyes started a journey from his stylish cocoa-brown locks which were shaved at the back, leaving a massive bunch at the front which fell slightly to the side of his face, to his straight nose with a dip in the centre. It was supposed to be a deficiency, however, it gave him an angled look that made him look like something straight out of an Asian magazine.

    Did I mention his lips? I will kill to have such generous pink lips pressed hungrily against mine. If I was his woman. And his body, it was simply art. Call it the Coleman artwork crafted out of a bohemian soft wood. No, it¡¯s definitely hardwood. Yeah, only that would be the reason why it was CHISELED.

    ¡°Your highness.¡±

    Two fingers flicked in front of my face and the action had me sted back from my homnd of forbidden fantasies,  my cheek turning green with shame. When did he reach here? ¡°Hey¡­ I mean, Tyler?¡±  Seriously? I gazed into his captivating obsidians.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked me in that soft-hard voice that made my pant soak up. I looked around if anyone noticed me acting stupid in front of the new pack addition. Someone that could rat me out to Ashton. None. Thank goodness.

    I cleared my throat deeply. ¡°Yes, I was¡­ confused.¡± Oh, Lud.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I see.¡± He touched his beardless moustache and licked his lower lip with his head hung to the side. Is he-is he flirting with me now?

    I smiled sheepishly. ¡°I-I just wanted to know how you are doing and to inform you that breakfast was ready.¡± There, I said it.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to.¡± He started moving, requiring I lulled after him. ¡°A salutary already informed me.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± I turned redder. ¡°It¡¯s also my duty. Your heard the King say that yesterday.¡±

    ¡°You mean, your husband.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± I said instantaneously and looked away sharply. It¡¯s as if he was reminding me I was married and acting like a love-swoon teenage stalker. ¡°Well, since it¡¯s my duty to take care of you, I have to take some measures to make sure you had everything you need and on time too.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± His strides were increasing. ¡°I appreciate everything you guys here are going for me. I don¡¯t deserve it.¡± Gone was the boyish yboy tone to be reced by something sad.

    ¡°Sorry about your pack.¡± I wanted to add ¡®and also your curse¡¯ but at a second thought, I mped my mouth shut. I didn¡¯t know how he would feel about that and didn¡¯t want him thinking we gossiped about him in closed doors.

    Ashton said I am to make himfortable and that¡¯s what I shall do.

    After breakfast-which wasfortably silent-Ashton offered to tour him around the pack and introduce him to the guardians whom he would be working with.

    I was delighted that he was helping take the job from my hand as I wouldn¡¯t want to be with Tyler more than was necessary, but that was until Merit suddenly dered, ¡°I will get ready to go with you, then, your majesty.¡±

    My possessive tentacles became alert. What in hell? ¡°I will go too.¡± I intoned assertively, not in suggestion.

    ¡°I think you will have better things to do here in the pce than to join in vain quest.¡± Ashton was grinning as he said it, but I knew he was again trying to upset me.

    ¡°You elected me to take care of the guest yourself and unless you are freeing me from the responsibility, then I will be going.¡± I was adamant, relishing in the furious glint that shed in Ashton¡¯s facade. ¡°Besides, I need a tour too. What better time than now?¡± It was my time to beam, looking towards Abby who was watching quietly. ¡°Abby, you need toe too.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± Ashton began fuming. ¡°This is not some family fun ride in the park, it¡¯s specifically for the guest. You two can go on your own if you want.¡±

    ¡°And leave you with_¡±

    ¡°Hold your peace, Gwendolyn.¡± I dragged in my breath and slowly let it out. I was losing myposure over something so subtle.  In front of the guest, just like yesterday.

    ¡°Fine,¡± I submitted. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want. I and Abby shall go on our own tour while you go with your¡­panions.¡±

    Thus few hourster, we found ourselves making our way out of the pce in an open-roof BMW converter, just immediately after Ashton left with Tyler and Merit.

    ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to sweat this, Gwen,¡± Abby worried, not liking the idea of us going after them.

    ¡°I need a tour too¡­¡± I shrugged, craning my neck to keep Ashton¡¯s car in view. It was a in lie, but I don¡¯t want to be talked out of it. Merit thinks she can sink her ws into Ashton in the name of being his personal Delta. I have to stop that.

    ¡°I can smell your untruths.¡± Abby¡¯s hand grasped my arm and pulled to get my attention. ¡°You have better things to do than stalk him.¡±

    ¡°What good would that do, huh?¡± I tilted my head downward as their car took a turn in a cornered direction. I tapped the back of the seat of our driver. ¡°Hurry. We can¡¯t miss them.¡±

    ¡°What if I tell you that my brother would know that you are after him if he chose to?¡± She asked casually. I exhaled and rxed back. I can see the car ahead clearly now.

    ¡°I have to try, Abby. You won¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°The only thing I understand is that you are making a fool of yourself. After all, there is no way my brother and her would do anything with Tyler present.¡±

    I wound my teeth on my lower lip in thought. Well, I didn¡¯t think about that. It seems with every sex I had with Ashton, I lose a piece of me. It made me do things unreasonably for fear of losing him. To that wench. With her under the same roof with us and going with him to ces I can¡¯t.

    ¡°Shit!¡±

    ¡°What?¡­¡± I lurched forward and grabbed the seat to stable myself as the car came to a screeching stop.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°What the fuck.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness,¡± the agitating driver stuttered. ¡°I didn¡¯t see the deer cross the road.¡±

    That was not my problem. It was the fact that the car in front of us was gone. I craned my neck in search of it but it was nowhere in sight. Instead, different colours of other automobiles whizzed past us. And a bleeding deer was lying in front of us.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I smacked my hand on the leather in apparent defeat.

    ¡­

 Chapter 35

    ¡°Hurry up, Gwen, we are alreadyte,¡± Abby howled from outside as Kora finished wrapping my hair in a tight neat chignon bun at the top of my head where she finally secured it with a fine peacock pin.

    I twisted my hair from side to side with an agreeable smile and nodded at her. ¡°Thank you.¡± I stood up and patted the fine emerald green gown that Kora provided for me this evening. It was soft against my skin and hardly puckiah as many other gowns I¡¯ve worn. ¡°Sorry, Abby. I¡¯m done here.¡± I picked up my small purse from the bed and walked to the door to meet her. ¡°Kora, let me know when the others return.¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± I closed the door.

    ¡°You took the entire day.¡± Whined Abby, looking beautiful in her symbolic olive girdle wear that adorned her curvy body. Sometimes I envy her ethereal beauty. Made me look in and insignificant. But, I liked her.

    ¡°Sorry, I was carried away in the shower.¡±

    ¡°Hmmnn.¡±

    Truly I was. Today was one hell of the saddest day of my life. After what happened in the morning, we had returned back to the house and since then, it has been so dreary for me. What do Queens do around here by the way? Maintain ptial serenity, organize balls, carry out pack tour and visit the sick and what have you.

    All these things I mentioned  were things I knew the Lunas did in the Werewolf Kingdom. But here, I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not like anyone has given me a prospectus of what to expect. The Queen had left the pce abruptly after the wedding one would think she was desperately waiting for that moment all her life and couldn¡¯t wait to snatch it.

    ¡°So, what are we going to do at the temple?¡± I asked as I wrapped a lighter shade of green shawl around my neck. It¡¯s already getting frigid outside.

    ¡°Pray, of course.¡± Abby increased her steps. ¡°It¡¯s approaching full moon and at this time of the year, the temple is frequented, to seek the face of the great goddess.¡±

    ¡°Err¡­¡± I bit into my lower lip in wonder. We didn¡¯t do this back home. ¡°Is this also tradition?¡±

    ¡°There,¡± she agreed, as the hint of a smile touched her plum lips. ¡°I see you are catching up fast.¡±

    I wiggled my head from side to side, striving to match her gait. We busted outside the pce as the butler threw open therge doors and the guards bowed their heads. The air was denser here. Naturally, my eyes slithered in the direction of the gate where a ck Tundra plied from.

    ¡°Williams¡­¡± Abby sighed absently,ing to a slow strut. It was as if the driver wanted to put up a show as he did a mad reverse and stopped directly in front of us. Truly it was Willims.

    ¡°Hey, beauties.¡± He winked at us. But, somehow, maybe it was in my head I would have sworn I saw him give a particr form of attention to Abby. She also blushed crimson and twirled from side to side.

    Is there something I¡¯m missing here?

    ¡°Hey, Will,¡± she purred like a cat and moved at speed towards the other side of the car to speak to him in a soft tone. I wish I have my wolf yet, then I would have been able to spy on them.

    I cleared my throat. They stopped and Abby like a robot, waved at him and came to my side to grasp my wrist and pulled me away.

    ¡°What was that?¡± I couldn¡¯t wait to ask.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Spill it.¡±

    ¡°Spill what?¡±

    I tugged my hand off hers to cross over chest. I lowered my head to dart at her through my dark thick longshes. ¡°You think I am a pup or something? Look, I have eyes.¡±

    She groaned and thrashed her legs. ¡°Fine.¡± She looked around. ¡°Williams and I are kinda into each other.¡±

    ¡°I knew it!¡± I red, doing the ¡®do-dee¡¯. ¡°I saw it in the way you two behaved back there. Does Ashton know?¡±

    Her eyes widened. She took my wrist once more and dragged me on. ¡°He doesn¡¯t and you must never tell him.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°He would not approve.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡± She faltered, stopping in front of the temple. ¡°¡­ because Williams is his friend.¡±

    I wasn¡¯t understanding at all. Williams is his friend. And so fucken what? I shook my head with my eyes askew to show I wasn¡¯t grasping her point.

    ¡°Williams lost his mate during a rogue attack some time ago,¡± she proceeded. ¡°He has been¡­ miserable since then. Then I became hisforter and you know, shit happened and we fucked. Ashton and Williams are on about the so-called brother code shit. So, none is supposed to date the other¡¯s sister not to mention fuck. If he finds out, he would kill Williams and marry me off instantly.¡±

    Oh, now I get. Even back in my pack, I know stuff like this happens.

    I exhaled loudly and squinted my eyes. A few pack members passed us and bowed their heads in recognition before hastening into the temple.

    ¡°I get you, Abby. Still, you guys have to tell him someday if you truly like each other.¡±

    ¡°Of course, we will. Just not now.¡±

    ¡°And you said Ashton knows everything.¡± We started walking again. ¡°I have been with you in like an hour and already knows and yet his oblivious.¡±

    ¡°That is because when we are around him, we are good actors.¡±

    ¡°You think.¡±

    We sank to our knees in prayers.

    ¡°I think_¡±

    ¡°Shhh.¡± Abby made a signal with her finger to her lips. ¡°No talking in the temple.¡±

    Yeah, right.

    Well, since we are here I might as welly my burden upon her, despite being angry with her.

    I closed my eyes to mimic Abby. Her mouth was moving. I guess this is the entire prayer mode. I will just pray to my own goddess. I haven¡¯t done that in like forever. I didn¡¯t think I can. All the same, I closed my eyes and drifted off.

    ¡®Dear goddess, I don¡¯t know what I did to deserve all the wickedness I am dealt these days, but whatever it is, please forgive me and show me your mercy.¡¯ The more the words flowed from my heart, I got drawn away to this peaceful ambience. It was as if I was no longer in this world. As if I was talking directly to her.

    ¡®I have found my ce with Ashton, make our home. Give us an heir to bless our marriage and take away every obstacle standing in the way of our peaceful union. I am broken. Mend me.¡¯ I was suddenly weeping.

    I didn¡¯t know how long I was there, I didn¡¯t even know I was trembling and didn¡¯t stop until I felt a soft caress on my arm. That was when I came to.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    I sat up and wiped my eyes. It was Abby. She was smiling at me infort. I understood.

    ¡°The King is here.¡± She muttered and my head snapped in his direction. I wrinkled my nose as his scent reached me.

    The ce was in grave silence.

    Our eyes met and my breath caught. I was like in the movies with the male lead hypnotizing his woman with his eyes that she turned to mush like a spell was cast on her.

    ¡°Everybody, leave the temple,¡± Merit said as she preceded the party. ¡°It¡¯s the King¡¯s time to pray.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Ashton countered in his deep authoritative vocals, looking away.  ¡°Everyone can stay. Today, we pray together.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 36

    When we arrived at the pce that evening, I felt better to an extent. I don¡¯t know why. Perhaps, because I had spared the goddess another moment of hope by unburdening my heart to her at the temple, or because of the presence of Ashton.

    Albeit, by the time I entered our chamber, I fell on the lounge by the hearth and gobbled the spring water shared by the priest, while I stared into the crackling fire nkly.

    There was a slight knock and when I answered, looking back, Kora entered, bearing a bundle in her hand.

    ¡°Kora?¡± I twisted fully, with my brows arched. I didn¡¯t know she didundry on Thursdays too. She said it was only on Fridays, unless on emergencies which were rare. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°The new guy,¡± She handed the bundle to me. ¡°He said I should give it to you.¡±

    I was even more astounded. ¡°Tyler?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± She shifted on her feet, her hands in front of her as she, like I observed the package. I unfolded it gradually to reveal a small box inside the bundle which I further unboxed to reveal a beautiful gold bracelet. Another bracelet?

    ¡°Hmmn,¡± Kora mumbled beside me. I almost forgot she was there. ¡°Quite a gift.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I removed it and sampled curiously. It was beautiful. Why would he get me something this elegant? I looked up. ¡°Where is he?¡±

    ¡°Thest time I saw him he was walking in the direction of the Mega halls.¡±

    I nodded once and rxed back to y with the gift. It¡¯s been a while I got those. Thest gift I got was from Julian and my family. On myst birthday. I was supposed to get another gift on Prom. From Julian. But, the bad omen deprived me from all that. I lifted the bracelet and only then noticed that there was a scripted pendant on it. It said¡­

    ¡®La Pita.¡¯

    I closed my hand around it at once. What does that mean? Is that hisnguage?

    ¡°W-will you be needing anything else, your highness?¡± Croaked Kora and I jerked forward a little.

    I keep drifting off.

    I shook my head vigorously. ¡°No, Kora. You can have your day off. Till tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you, your highness.¡±

    I forced a smile as she walked away. Then as she opened the door, something urred to me. I abruptly heeded to my thought. ¡°Kora?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness?¡± She paused with her hand on the door handle.

    ¡°This should be between us.¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± She was gone.

    I stood and went to the mirror. I ced the bracelet around my wrist beside the one Julian gave me and studied it in the mirror. I was so engrossed in admiring it that I didn¡¯t hear the door open.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    I spun around, the bracelet dropping to the ground in the process. I acted put of instinct and snatched it off the ground. ¡°H-hey.¡± I concealed it within my palm and ced my hands behind me on the table to face Ashton. ¡°You¡­ are back.¡±

    ¡°How did you get that?¡± His head was craned to the side trying to see my acquisition which was impossible .

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°Who gave you that?¡± He jabbed his hand towards my hidden hand.

    ¡°This?¡± I braved it and showed him, shaking it as if it meant nothing. ¡°I-I bought it.¡±

    He scowled, pining me down with a disbelieving look. ¡°You didn¡¯t go out today.¡±

    ¡°I-I¡± I swallowed loudly and pushed away from the table. ¡°It¡¯s not your business how I got something, Ashton. If you care so much about how I get stuff, perhaps you should get them for me.¡± I snapped my mouth shut. Why will I say that? It will look like I¡¯m begging him to buy me presents.

    He smirked and stepped forward. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were a gold digger too.¡±

    I exhaled. I have to control my emotions to avoid spewing more rubbish. I nodded and looked to the side. Then, I moved to the closet. ¡°I have training and to check on Tyler. I don¡¯t have time for this.¡±

    ¡°You will do well to remember your ce in this pce, little wolf,¡± he was stilling close and I didn¡¯t want that. So, I snatched the first pants my handnded on and a top and fled the room towards the bathroom.

    ¡°You are the Queen and shouldn¡¯t act like some cheap slut.¡±

    I mmed the bathroom door. I won¡¯t speak to him. I don¡¯t care what he thinks of me and I won¡¯t give him the freedom to shake me. I know what he is looking for. A fight.

    I changed sharply and came out and he was still standing there.

    ¡°Gwendolyn.¡±

    ¡°I have training, Ashton.¡± I hurried to the door. Any minute I give to him, he will have me where he wanted me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you_¡± I was out of the room, literary sprinting out. I didn¡¯t have any desire to train this evening but if I have to escape him, I very well will.

    I reached the training ground and slowed down to breath. I stood with my hands to my waist in front of a dummy, taking in deep breaths. Goddess, give me the fortitude to endure this union and Ashton¡¯s meanness.

    I never dreamt of running from my partner, my mate. However, this is my new reality. Living a nightmare.

    ¡°Whoa!¡± I jumped forward, touching my chest.¡±What are you doing here?¡±

    I rounded on Tyler. ¡°Don¡¯t jump on me like that.¡± I snapped.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think anyone would be here, not to mention you. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I bit out. I just wanted to be alone. Now, it seems that won¡¯t work. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Im just¡­ I just wanted to be alone.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I can leave.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I wagged my hands at him and sighed. ¡°You can do your thing, don¡¯t mind me.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± He went to pick a sword and stood in front of an automated fighter dummy. He positioned but I saw him sparing me nces from time to time.

    I punched the unfortunate dummy in front of me. My attacks are feeble as I was solely distracted. I shook my head and wobbled back, letting my hands tumble beside me in irritation.

    ¡°Hey.¡±

    I met Tyler¡¯s disturbing look. ¡°Hey, how was the tour?¡±

    ¡°It was educative.¡± He grinned broadly, the creases beside his lips heightening his loveliness. ¡°However, I think you are¡­ unhappy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±

    He bent his head to the wide. Still, grinning, though softly. He don¡¯t believe me. ¡°Look, it¡¯s not my business, but I deduce you are good person and seeing you like this is kind of disturbing. Is about your husband?¡± He lifted his hands. ¡°I¡¯m just being your friend. Nothing sketchy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Tyler.¡± I insisted. I saw his eyes stop on my wrist. I looked at it. ¡°I¡¯m just very tired and kinda distracted.¡± I faced him now, forcing a smile. I lifted my right hand, with the bracelet. ¡°Why did you get me this?¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°For appreciation.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Fair enough. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Do you like it?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡± My smile was genuine. ¡°What does the inscription mean?¡±

    Hepointed at my wrist. ¡°My protector.¡±

    Okay, that might be some deep shit. Politely, I nodded and looked away, something else urring to me. ¡°Hey, while you were touring was there anything unusual?¡±

    ¡°Like?¡± He arched his brow.

    ¡°I mean, like¡­ were you with the King and the¡­ the Delta?¡±

    Somehow he found my question hrious and began chuckling. He was wagging his hands on my face. He looked surreal. He looked magnificent even while he frowned, not to mention now that he wasughing. I became dumbstruck.

    I looked down at my hands. I have to control myself.

    ¡°Look, I get it.¡± Hisughter receded, his right hand extending to touch my shoulder as though we were friends. ¡°You are jealous.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    ¡°I saw it at breakfast. The way you instantly wanted to go out with us because of the otherdy. I get it.¡±

    ¡°You don_¡±

    ¡°You are more beautiful though if you ask me. And¡­¡± He held up a finger when I tried to cut him off. ¡°They didn¡¯t do anything. I was there.¡±

    I rxed my shoulders. I didn¡¯t know I was holding my breath until he said that. ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°You are one hell of a helion, I must say.¡±

    ¡°Why do you say that?¡±

    ¡°I saw you guys behind us, right before your husband did his thing.¡±

    ¡°Did his thing,¡± I repeated his words. ¡°What thing?¡±

    He shut his eyes and sucked in his teeth as he twisted away. It must have slipped. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not supposed to say what he did.¡±

    ¡°Tyler.¡± He shed me a grin, and this time it was worse. Maybe because of the angle his face was tilted, arge hole formed in his left cheek. His Obsidians sparkled as he howled with aughter again. Lud, does he likeughing this much?

    ¡°Tyler!¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± He was nodding. ¡°He was the one that caused you guys to hit the poor deer. He was mad that you were stalking.¡±

    I bunched my fingers. That piece of shit! That¡­

    ¡°Hey,¡± He tapped my left shoulder. ¡°You didn¡¯t hear it from me.¡±

    ¡°You were an aplice.¡± I had to say, narrowing my eyes in slits. ¡°And you say you want to be my friend.¡±

    ¡°I am your fr_¡±

    ¡°What is going on here?¡±

    We both did a 360 rotation in the direction of the entrance of the training ground where the hunky bane of my life stood, scowling.

    ¡­

 Chapter 37

    ¡°Hey, Big Wolf!¡± Tyler hollered, taking a step close to Ashton whose brows were now furrowed in confusion. He skidded them from me to Tyler and back.

    ¡°What are you two doing here?¡± He asked as if it wasn¡¯t obvious.

    I rolled my eyes and twisted to continue my initial quest, not still in the mood for his grumpy behaviour.

    ¡°Well,¡± Tyler might have decided to tame the tense atmosphere. ¡°We are training.¡± I saw his hand skip from him to me. ¡°I met her here.¡±

    ¡°No one is permitted to train with the Queen except me. Unless I asked one of her guards to watch.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Tyler was bouncing in his foot now. I stopped tackling the dummy in front of me, my throat beginning to burn from dehydration. Why can¡¯t I train today in peace? ¡°I will leave then.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± I intervened. ¡°I will leave instead.¡± I looked around as if looking for something, still trying to avoid looking at Ashton. Or Tyler. Both men were simply two sinful creatures from the depth of hell and could easily burn me if I don¡¯t take time.

    ¡°But you just got here,¡± Tyler gestured, his face spotting a smile. He was too carefree for my goodness.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ still I think this ce is no longerfortable for me. Besides,¡± I swished my hand towards the entrance. ¡°I have to go make sure dinner is ready. Queen duties.¡±

    ¡°The ma_¡±

    ¡°Do I not have a freedom to decide where I want to be anymore, Ashton?¡± I huffed as I cut him off and made my way out, totally ignoring them.

    I almost crashed into the butler at the front door whose face was a mask of delight as always as he saw me. ¡°I hope you enjoyed your training, your highness?¡±

    ¡°Is training meant to be enjoyable?¡±

    ¡°Of course, your highness. When done in the right mindset.¡±

    ¡°Have a nice day, butler.¡± I ran the entire length of the stairs and almost collided into Abigail hurrying down. She was also surprised to see me.

    ¡°Where have you been?¡± She asked. ¡°I was looking for you.¡±

    ¡°Any problem?¡±

    ¡°I saw my brother dashing out of the pce and he was looking suicidal.¡±

    ¡°Uh.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, Abby. I am sweaty as you can see. I need to use the restroom.¡±

    ¡°But, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I am okay, Abby,¡± I grumbled, mounting the flight of stairs.

    I could feel her worried gaze pierce my back until I disappeared down the hallway that led to my chamber.

    Inside, I removed every clothing on me as they felt mmy on my body and went to shower.

    I came out of the bathroom and instead of wearing the gown that Kora dropped on the bed for me, I decided to go for something unconventional instead. Something I knew would rile Ashton up. I knew how much he fancies this ¡®queenly¡¯ thing.

    So, I grabbed a pair of jeans and a body con sleeveless and afteryering my body with lotion and oils, donned them, packed my hair and left the room.

    I didn¡¯t want him to meet me there and engage in another round of ruckus.

    By the time I was through and went down, to my chagrin, everyone was already seated at the table. Including Ashton and Tyler. Howe I took so much time?

    I sat down on his right side and a maid rushed to fill my te with fresh asparagus. From the sweet aroma emitting from it, my stomach rumbled. Next was themb stew and then finished with a spray of peppermint. I wrinkled my nose and reached out to pick my spoon.

    ¡°What is this you are wearing?¡± It was Ashton, in a hushed tone.

    ¡°What does it look like?¡± I hushed back. From the corner of my right eye, I spied the others digging into their meals and not paying us any attention.

    ¡°You know the dress code for dinner.¡±

    ¡°I am a person and unless its some oundish form of dress code, I think I deserve the right to wear whatever I deem fit at any point in time.¡±

    ¡°Our traditions are not oundish!¡± He snarked, still in a hushed tone.

    ¡°You are making a fool of yourself once more in front of our guest, Ashton.¡± I put on the best smile possible and ced my left hand on the table and focused on my meal.

    ¡°You will pay for this.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°What¡¯s new?¡±

    ¡°Gwe_¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Abby¡¯s voice suddenly resonated, stopping Ashton from finishing whatever gibberish he was about to utter. ¡°Since everyone in the pce is here, I think if my brother isn¡¯t going to say it, then I will.¡±

    Her eyes skidded about and stopped on me. ¡°Our games would soon start as it¡¯s due annually by this time of the year. But we are yet to start any preparations.¡±

    ¡°That is because this year we have a new Queen who as it seems, don¡¯t know her duties in the pce.¡± Ashton¡¯s voice was calm. But they burned deeper than fire.

    ¡°Well, brother, as your Queen, I will like to think that it is your duty to direct her.¡±

    ¡°I never asked for a dummy as a m_¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s enough, everyone,¡± Williams spoke up. It was the first time he was speaking up in any of the brawls. ¡°Let¡¯s respect the sanctity of what we are doing. Thank you.¡±

    Nobody said a thing again. Instead, it was me who was fidgeting in her seat from shame. Is it just me that is not doing the right things or this is just Ashton making me feel this way?

    After dinner, all I desired to do was to escape from there to my room. However, as the caretaker of Tyler, I couldn¡¯t leave. I had to stay behind and wait as he was listening to Ashton who was telling him about his new role which would start the next day.

    After enduring that phase, we stood to leave.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened back there,¡± Tyler said softly as we climbed the flight of stairs.

    I forced a smile to hide my sadness. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m used to it.¡±

    ¡°No one deserves to be treated like that.¡±

    ¡°I deserve it.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to discuss it, Tyler. Let¡¯s just say I brought this upon myself, so this is my penitence.¡±

    ¡°Hmmn,¡± he hummed and stopped because we have reached the front of his door. ¡°Thank you for apanying me despite your present mood.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty, Tyler. You heard him, I have to learn my duties around here and from what Abby said down there, I think I have a load of theming up.¡±

    ¡°I can help with anything you need.¡±

    ¡°You are a guest, Tyler.¡± I was almost whispering, afraid Ashton might be lurking around to listen in. He might be that childish. ¡°Besides, you are expected to resume with the others by tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Still¡­¡±

    I racked my head for how to dismiss him but then a better idea sprouted. ¡°What if I need your help with something better?¡±

    ¡°Speak away.¡±

    ¡°You see, in my former pack, I used to train with my best friend. I thought I was a Beta and needed to be best at what I do, someday.¡± My eyes lowered as my voice, in recollection of my awry past. ¡°It¡¯s a long story but the thing is I will like to resume my training. Can you help me with that?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I can. If that¡¯s what you want.¡±

    I smiled. This time it was genuine. ¡°Fine. Have a good night¡¯s rest, then.¡±

    ¡°You too.¡±

    I waved at him, veered around and left. I perceived he was still watching me and it caused heat to burn at the back of my neck and disrupted my footsteps. Nheless, my heart felt lighter and I was already anticipating tomorrow.

    ¡­

 Chapter 38

    ¡°Howe you don¡¯t talk about your wolf?¡± Abby inquired as we meandered around the pack¡¯s vast arena with raised tforms on the four sides of it. That¡¯s supposed to be where the spectators would watch from.

    Early this morning, Abby had sent her maid to inform me to prepare beforeing down for breakfast as we are supposed to leave from there to survey the ground where the games would be held.

    It was a relief to me as I didn¡¯t look forward to being cooped up in the pce doing nothing but noticing the grumpy old face of Ashton or being an object of his transferred aggression.

    I had quickly gone to inform Tyler of my absence for the day, and met his quarters empty. So, I left.

    ¡°I-I¡­¡± I scratched the nape of my neck in embarrassment as I didn¡¯t know how she would take the news of my wolflessness as I haven¡¯t confided in anyone about it here. ¡°I haven¡¯t shifted yet.¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    I was expecting that. What will she do now? Report me to her brother or call me a freak show? ¡°That¡¯s¡­ strange.¡±

    ¡°I know, Abby. Do you think I don¡¯t know?¡±

    Her brows knitted together as that familiar look of pity smeared her lovely face. ¡°Well, that means you are not far from being one of us. I mean, here, we shift to our Lycae at twenty. Nevertheless, I know that won¡¯t make you feel better as a werewolf who is expected to shift anytime from fifteen.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­¡± I chewed on my nail. ¡°It was part of the reason I came here.¡± I strolled towards a podium holding a dumbell that was suspended and touched it. ¡°I was lost after I found out and several other things that happened that night that all I needed was to die. So, I came here.¡±

    ¡°And you found my brother.¡±

    I turned to meet her gaze, looked down and nodded, sucking my lips in. ¡°It¡¯s as if the goddess has something against me and just wants to keep punishing me.¡±

    ¡°You can never tell what are her ns for you. This is your home now and Wolf or not, I like you, Gwen.¡±

    My eyes watered. ¡°Why, though? I can¡¯t still wrap my head around it. You hated me the first time.¡±

    ¡°As I said before, I was a fool. I realizedter what a bitch I was and no one deserved that.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Abby.¡± I let a tear fall. ¡°You gave me a ray of hope and I pray I don¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    She snorted and waved me forth as she boosted her step towards the stairs that led to where I fathom to be the throne for the King and his entourage. ¡°We all have our skeletons, Gwen. You already know mine, I will like to think this is my turn to return the favour.¡±

    I let a chuckle leave my mouth as my eyes hovered over the throne. ¡°What kind of a man was your father?¡±

    Her simr sharp blue eyes she shared with Ashton shed at me and crinkled with subdued delight. ¡°My father was the best father anyone would have. I miss him so much.¡±

    ¡°How did he die?¡± I know their Kind had the longest life more than us werewolves. They were the goddess¡¯s favourites, after all.

    ¡°He was poisoned. And to date, no one knows how.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± That was strange.

    ¡°You guys didn¡¯t bother investigating?¡±

    ¡°My mother was torn in grief and demolished every ongoing investigation. She wanted to mourn him in peace and forget about him. She feared keeping him and all that investigation would make his soul restless and by that, he won¡¯t rest in peace and our family won¡¯t find peace too.¡±

    I felt bad for her. For them. Perhaps, that¡¯s the reason Ashton is the way he is.

    As if reading my mind, she said. ¡°My brother has always been like that.¡± She went to sit down on the throne and her eyes became ssy. She was linking with someone. Soon, they turned to normal. ¡°He is carefree and wasn¡¯t ready before the throne was plunged into his arm. Plus, his heartbreak.  Everything made him detached.¡±

    ¡°Can you tell me about her?¡±

    ¡°I hardly knew many things about her myself. I was still a pup when she came to visit and my brother would parade her about. I have never seen himugh as much as heughed then. He was often happy. She took all that away.¡±

    My heart hollowed in bitterness on his behalf. He must have passed through a lot. I can rte too as I felt the same way that night I saw Julian with Theresa.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I always tell you to be patient with him. He is a very good person. He is just¡­ still grieving.¡±

    I nodded, sniffing as I felt something sticky gush down my nose. I didn¡¯t even know I was crying.

    We heard a noise down the tform and Abby stood and rushed forward, demanding I  follow. It was a group of people all in the same pink uniform.

    She chuckled. ¡°That asshat. I asked him to send a few salutary and he sent the entire pce maids.¡±

    I already knew who she talked about. Williams.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s time to do Queen duties.¡± She grabbed my hand and tugged me along. ¡°Gwen, these games are one of the best things that happen in this pack. It is the duty of the Queen to make sure that everything is carried out orderly if not in perfection.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about organizing big parties, Abby,¡± My voice was shaky.

    ¡°This is no party, Gwen.¡± She chuckled. ¡°There are five mighty games and it¡¯s inter-pack. This means every pack in this Kingdom will send representatives except people this pack.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°We are the hosting pack and of course, being the King¡¯s pack, they are at an advantage. It would be cheating to let them participate.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°So, as the hosting pack, we are to make sure that everything works out perfectly. Also, my brother said he is introducing a new game this year.¡± We stopped in front of the people who instantly began gathering in front of us.

    ¡°Address them.¡± Her mouth hovered over my left ear.

    ¡°What!¡± My eyes widened.

    She massaged my wrist softly. ¡°You have to do it, Gwen. You are their Queen.¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°But, I don¡¯t know how.¡±

    ¡°You know.¡± She moved away, leaving me alone. I started perspiring.

    I cleared my throat. ¡°H-hello, everyone.¡± Imenced, shooting a lethal look at Abby who was smirking from the back. ¡°Today, we are going to begin the formal set up for uhm¡­ the games.¡±  I balled my fist. Goddess, I have to do this. Never fret in front of your subjects. ¡°All hands must be on deck as everyone will look up to us for nothing less than perfection, being as we are at the top.¡± Abby gave me a thumbs-up. It boosted my morale. ¡°I need you all to work with us to make this work. And I promise to do my best to make sure we arefortable through it all.¡±

    To my surprise, they all started pping. My face turned beet red. I started smiling too. Abby joined in. I mouthed ¡®I will kill you.¡¯ and she flipped me the bird.

    ¡­

 Chapter 39

    I was very tired when the car dropped us off at the pce that evening. It was an eventful day. However, I enjoyed every minute of working with those people at the arena. As I stepped into my room, I was already anticipating the next day toe.

    I removed every ounce of dress on me and made my way to the bathroom where I quickly showered in a cold shower, from head to toe, ridding myself of every dusty grime acquired in dirtying my hands while at work.

    When I came out, I thought of going for my training but my body was weak so I opted to rest first hence I went out to check on Tyler for his promised training with me.

    The moment I wore my grey robe and hit the bed, the door opened and Ashton strutted in. I changed positions on the bed to look at him as his scent drew closer-gauging if to speak to him or mind my business.

    He didn¡¯t spare me a look as he strolled to the closet to begin removing his ck garters. Recently, I¡¯ve noticed he wore those a lot. Must be his favourite ensemble. I watched intently as he gradually removed the shirt and tossed it into the hampster, followed by his trousers. It wasn¡¯t long before the bed covers rustled with his weight as he sat down facing away from me.

    I could sense something was off.

    I lifted my hand to touch his back, hesitated and let it fall back on the bed. I don¡¯t know how he would react if I asked him what was going on but despite everything that happened downstairs, I couldn¡¯t just ignore him like that.

    ¡°Ashton?¡± I dared to ask. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°What do you care?¡± He grunted, his wide shoulders hunched over. I could literally feel the hostility oozing off him. Once more I lifted my hand tofort him in a way to prove that I cared about him. If only he would give us a chance instead of this continuous sh between us.

    However, I dropped my hand and cleared my throat. I wasn¡¯t that brave. ¡°If it would do you good to know, I actually care.¡± I fell on my back and faced the ceiling. ¡°Unlike you, I am dedicated to this union and would never do the kind of things you do to me in front of other people.¡±

    He shifted until I could see his solemn expression. From this angle, his jaw was taut and sharp-angled. Like, he was gritting his teeth. Albeit, I knew he wasn¡¯t. It was just his usual whenever he was with me. It reminded me of what Abby said about himughing before. Is he ever going to show me that aspect of him someday?

    ¡°You have no idea how much youring into my life has messed things up for me.¡± He spat. ¡°I was happy until you came along. I had my life, doing what I wanted when I wanted. Then, what did you do?¡±  I just observed him quietly, hoarding my emotions from hurting from his statements.

    ¡®Give him time¡¯ was what Abby said.

    ¡°I am only trying to help, Ashton. Don¡¯t be mean,¡± I let out when he stopped talking. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if¡­ I wasn¡¯t what you wanted. I thought-¡± I swallowed my next words and looked down, his orbs bing too intrusive. ¡°I will just¡­ let you be.¡± Imenced looking up at the white ceiling, already knowing that my evening rest was ruined.

    He looked away sharply and the next thing he climbed on the bed. It earned my attention once more. What is he doing?

    ¡°Time is ticking fast,¡± he hedged. ¡°The elders will soon ask what is going on. We need to put more effort in producing an heir.¡± He grabbed the white quilt covering half my leg and yanked it away.

    ¡°I-¡± I sat up on my elbows,cking words. I recoiled from him. Not from repulsion. But afraid he would see what was happening since he sat down there. My body was ready for him. The medium between my legs was fully wet merely by his presence. ¡°We-we can do it at night.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡±

    ¡°This-¡± He nudged my legs apart and settled between them, taking the hem of my robe to lift up. When I made to twist away, he stopped and pinned me with an outrageous look. ¡°I have training to go for.¡± I finished in a feeble voice, already growing weak.

    ¡°You can always go, Gwen.¡± I blushed as his hand palmed my butt cheeks and his eyes lifted in awareness at finding me bare.

    ¡°I-I just wanted to sleep a while before going down for training¡­¡± I gasped as he pulled my leg forcefully and I fell back, his hands arresting my arms above my head. Why did I feel the need to exin myself to him?

    ¡°Ash_ Arh.¡± My spine shot off the bed as his fine fingers cupped my cunt and massaged me. ¡°Let¡¯s talk_Yeah¡­¡± His stroke was bing intense and his eyes that were nted on me turned darker.

    Instinctively, my legs fell wider apart to give him room for more of that sweet administration. His thumb grazed over my clit once and twice and my head plunged into the pillow as my moan amplified.

    ¡°What do you think you are doing with Tyler?¡± I suddenly heard him ask.

    My head was clouded with the sweet sensation in my pussy that every other thing seem dizzy. ¡°I-I.. yes, like tha_¡±

    ¡°Answer me!¡± He stopped and flipped my front on the bed to expose my ass to him. Next thing his hand came down hard on my ass in a loud smack. ¡°Do you think he is better than me?¡±

    ¡°No-stop,¡± I cried as the sweet sensation was reced by a sharp sting. Not again.

    The smack came harder this time. ¡°You think you can disgrace me by whoring yourself to a lower member of my pack.¡±

    ¡°St-stop, please¡­ I will never do that.¡± I attempted to thrust my waist to the side, trying to free my hands that he still held captive. Everywhere was starting to ache. And still, my pussy got wetter.

    ¡°You pretend to be a saint, little wolf, but I know what you are trying to do.¡± He whispered huskily in my ear, hovering like a giant dragon over my smaller frame.  ¡°But, let me tell you something¡­¡± his fingers reached under and found my perky bud and yed with it. It was a mixed feeling of shame and pleasure.

    I wanted to push him away from me and at the same time, I needed him to bring me to that unfathomable height.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°This¡­¡± he pinched my super-sensitive clit, ¡°¡­ and every part of your body belongs to me, and only responds to me, little wolf¡­¡± I was convulsing now, my eyes starting to roll back as I shoved my ass steadily into his body, encouraging his rapid stroke. ¡°Only I can give you this amount of pleasure and if you defile me, I will make sure I peel every skin off his body and make you watch it. His blood would be in your hands.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± I shuddered like an earthquake as the feeling hit and stayed. ¡°Yes, Ashton, yes.¡± Fuck it.

    He pushed me away and I fell t on the bed. My chest was rumbling with heavy pants, sweat pouring from every part of me.

    ¡°Clean up and go for your training. Just remember my warning.¡± I heard the bed rustle as he climbed off, not carrying forth with his initial quest of making babies.

    I craved to beg him toe and finish what he started, however, before I will regain myself fully to ask, he donned his Jmia and banged the door closed.

    ¡­

 Chapter 40

    (Two weekster)Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Are you sure what you are saying?¡± I asked the pack doctor in a panic, as he revealed something heart-depleting to me. My pulse stirred even as I felt Abby touch me in sce.

    It¡¯s been one month plus and still, nothing positive has happened. Just fucks. No pups to show for it. It urred like that day I heard my parents say they picked me. I came to be afraid.

    I had issues with my respiratory system?

    ¡°So, Doctor, what can be done about this?¡± Abby inquired on my behalf, seeing as I was still reeling from the terror of the news.

    ¡°I think this is something between the King and Queen to decide.¡± He sat forth with his hands entwined on the desk in a thoughtful stance. ¡°From what I saw, I think it¡¯s mostly as a result of dissimr genes. Since the Queen is a werewolf, performing the ritual of purification and full transformation might help alleviate the problem.¡±

    ¡°What kind of transformation are you talking about, Doctor?¡± I examined him in anxiety, fright reticent in my voice. Does this have to do with me not having a wolf? ¡°I-I¡­ this is not the time for this. I have to produce an heir or the elders would-¡± I sniffed, wiping the tears that stalked my lids. ¡°My ability as a woman would be questioned and I might_¡±

    ¡°Let it rest, Gwen.¡± Abby stopped me. I can¡¯t even think straight. How could he say that? My mother didn¡¯t-shit! She isn¡¯t even my biological mother.

    What am I going to tell Ashton? Fuck, I can¡¯t even tell him.

    If what I¡¯m thinking is right-that I might not be a werewolf-then what is going to be my fate?

    I looked at Abby abruptly in rm, grasping her hand tight in mine. ¡°What am I going to tell Ashton? He¡¯s going to kill me.¡±

    ¡°He would understand, don¡¯t say that.¡±

    ¡°He can¡¯t!¡± I wiped another round of tears. ¡°Have you forgotten he-he hates me?¡± I huped, snorts slipping down my nostrils but I didn¡¯t care.

    Abby grasped my right hand. The one holding hers. ¡°We have to tell him. My brother is very understanding. Or, if you like we can keep it from him until after the games.¡±

    ¡°The games? What if the doctor informs him?¡­¡± We were talking in hushed tones. Well, that was useless,  as their senses were triple that of an average werewolf. I could swear with my life he was hearing everything.

    Abby sat up to give the doctor a small smile. ¡°Doctor Philips, I will like for this to be kept between us, for now. Can you do that for me?¡± She narrowed her eyes at him. When I nced at the Doctor, he had an odd expression and his pallor altered to white.

    ¡°Yes, Princess,¡± he quickly agreed. ¡°Whatever you say.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Abby picked her bag from his desk and tugged my hand to stand. She opened the bag and pulled out a napkin which she handed to me to wipe my face. ¡°We will discuss more about this, Doctor Phillips. Don¡¯t forget you owe me.¡± She winked at him as we left the office.

    ¡°I¡¯m scared, Abby.¡± I went ahead to say as we reached the hospital¡¯s hallways, resolving to neglect the peculiar scene I witnessed between her and the doctor. I knew there was something that must have transpired between them, seeing as he readily agreed to her demand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be, Gwen. You are fine. Perhaps, it¡¯s because you are too anxious and looking forward to it that¡¯s why.¡± We rounded a corner that confronted the reception door and walked faster. ¡°You need to rx.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t understand.¡± By now I had gotten a grip on myself but my eyes were still red. ¡°Ashton keeps repeating to me each time we¡­ we do the thing. He keeps talking about an heir. Now, now, I feel like a total failure. I can¡¯t even give him this one thing he yearns for. What kind of Queen am I?¡±

    ¡°You are a good Queen, Gwen, stop all the undue theatrics. Ashton isn¡¯t much of a pup person and yes, this Kingdom needs an heir but the responsibility of making one falls on you two. You have to remember that.¡± We busted outside and waited as the silver BMW approached from the left side.

    My inside was in an uproar because tonight if Ashtones to me like he does every other night,  I don¡¯t know how I will look at him knowing I was the reason why we haven¡¯t formed a pup yet.

    If only he would give me a break. With the way he fucks me these days, I can¡¯t help but wonder if this is still all about making a pup.

    ¡°What about the new guy?¡± She bumped my shoulder to gain back my attention. She stepped onwards as the car doors swung open to let us in. I was the first to go in and then she entered and closed the door hence the car drove away.

    ¡°He is adjusting very fast and he isn¡¯t much of a disturbance for a newbie.¡± I honestly said, sighing back against the leather couch. Tyler has been a good friend. This past week, we have trained endlessly and for once since I came here, I feel like I have another Julian with me. Even if we weren¡¯t romantic.

    I think he likes some pce girl. He keeps including her in our daily discussions. It¡¯s more like an obsession. And the funniest part was that the girl he likes doesn¡¯t even know as he hasn¡¯t spoken to her. She was a salutary.

    I find it weird.

    ¡°Ashton says he is excellent with the rapier and has top-notch defence skills,¡± confided Abby, slouched against the couch like me. ¡°He is thinking of recing Alexander, the pack¡¯s chief of warriors.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± I twisted on the seat. ¡°He didn¡¯t tell me. Why will he do that?¡±

    ¡°Alexander has been faultingtely. More like he has been distracted with something.¡±

    ¡°But, I¡¯ve seen him fight, he isn¡¯t that bad.¡±

    ¡°He was once the best hand here after the King, his Beta and Delta.¡± She chuckled softly, recollecting something. ¡°Merit hates him.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°She hates anyone who challenges her capabilities as the best Delta female.¡±

    I rolled my eyes in pure jealousy. ¡°She wants to remain close to my mate like some fucken leech.¡±

    Abby spared me an amusing look and snickered. ¡°Ashton doesn¡¯t notice her. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    I wish.

    He took her for some gutsy getaway during our ¡®supposed¡¯ honeymoon and she said he doesn¡¯t notice her. A lie for the blind. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to care, Abby. I have to make an effort to produce an heir so your brother doesn¡¯t¡­ fling me out of the pce. I have nowhere to go.¡±

    ¡°He would never do that.¡± She brushed my shoulders lightly. ¡°Trust me.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 41

    Ash??

    ¡°Yah!!¡± I moured, tightening my fist around the reins as I kicked the stirrup of the ck giant Striker and the resounding p of my Lunge Whipnded on his ck thick skin.

    The act ignited its energy as it lifted off its front hooves and came down hard, thundering towards the barrier the linesmen had ced subsequently for this purpose, leaping over it smoothly and onlying to an end at the other side of the rope.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Good boy.¡± I chuckled softly, releasing my hold on the reins to let it glide to a slow strut. We have been at it since early morning when I came out of the pce.

    With the gamesing up and the race being included, I was doing everything possible as well as investing into this to make sure it turned out excellently. This was the first time a game of this nature would be carried out in the Lycan Kingdom and I anticipate that after this game, hopefully, my subjects would enjoy it so much that they would take an interest in horseracing.

    I fell in love with horses as a pup. My Dad-Goddess rest his soul-would often ce me on my favourite mule-Dopsy-as I called her. Then he would guide the mule through the back fields while I¡¯m atop it, telling me all the pleasures this creature brought him in his loneliest moment, growing up in the dark halls of the great Mongomery.

    My father thought I didn¡¯t hear him. However, unknown to him, despite still being a pup then, my love for the creature mounted just as his. One day, he said he stopped being close to them after he lost his favourite gallop to my grandfather¡¯s cruel means. From what I heard, my grandfather was a no-nonsense man and had less tolerance for time-waste.

    After what he did to my father¡¯s horse, he decided to forfeit that side of himself for a greater purpose.

    Something I have found very hard to do. Secretly, I have nursed this part of me, hiding it away from the world and my family as I wouldn¡¯t want to suffer anyone¡¯s unkind judgement. And slowly, I think my ns areing to pass.

    ¡°How do you see it, your majesty?¡± Asked Timothy, the head of the stablehands in the pce.

    I nodded, my face still stretched in happiness. ¡°You did well with this, Tim. I must say.¡± I released the reins as I positioned to jump down, copsing my Hessians against the des of the afternoon shimmering grasses. ¡°Does this mean they are ready?¡±

    ¡°Of course, your majesty.¡± He seemed over the moon too. ¡°I told you we will have them ready anytime you need them to get to work.¡±

    I was still nodding, my eyes narrowed now in thought. ¡°Very well, Tim.¡± I patted the muzzle of the Striker as I walked in Tim¡¯s direction. ¡°I have never been more tense as I am right now.¡± He was the first hand employed for the horses training. He came with a full package, being in the business for a long time and knowing his ways around it.

    If this works out, I think I have found my miracle charm. He understands the goal too.

    ¡°Two years ago, this was merely an imagination, your majesty. I think it¡¯s time we do this.¡± His eyes skipped behind me at the same time that William¡¯s knowing scent loomed in the pristine air.

    I gradually pivoted about as he neared us, his eyes swimming the entire length of the field in awareness. This is the reason I trusted him with his secret of mine. He shared the same satisfaction as me.

    ¡°I see this is where you are, mate.¡± He stopped in front of me. ¡°How are the breeds groominging on?¡±

    I syed out my hands. ¡°What do you think?¡± There was undiluted delight in my voice. ¡°Timothy said we can do this, Will. My dreams are finallying to pass.¡±

    He patted my shoulders. ¡°Your old man would be proud of you, Ash¡­¡±

    I let my hands lower beside me, the reminder tainting my mood a bit. ¡°I wish he was here to see this. I don¡¯t know how he would react, but I know it would have definitely not been like mother¡¯s.¡±

    At that, we all busted outughing. My mother took this royal business too seriously. To her, nothing came before or even after it. It was after the Kingdom doings, still came the Kingdom doings. I missed her somehow. Albeit, I was happy she was far from here, possibly doing the things she loves.

    ¡°The elders were at it again,¡± Williams drove me back from my small drift. ¡°They were mad you were absent.¡±

    I sighed and took a step in the direction of Kenya, one of the biggest Stallions I have-if not the biggest. He was chewing fresh hays that when he noticed me, he merely spared a second to sniff my hands for treats and at noticing none, let out a loud snort and went back to chewing. ¡°That is how things would be in a long time if they don¡¯t stop pestering me about making pups,¡± I said lowly, already fed up with the nagging old goons. ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯s our fault the pups aren¡¯t here yet. My mate and I are¡­ active.¡±

    The thought of her had my crotch getting tight in my work trousers. If there was anything sweeter than my mate¡¯s pussy, I think it¡¯s air itself. I despised her, but right now,pared to staying a day without embedding my cock inside her wetness every night, I will choose to continue enduring her unwanted invasion into my life.

    Williams drew closer. I knew what he was up to through his eyes even before he opened his mouth to say, ¡°you mean you two do it every day?¡±

    I red at him. ¡°Fuck you.¡± I bent to pack a batch of hay and delivered it across to the other side so as to circte the hay among the horses. Here, everyone worked. No body is higher than the other. Except for the gossip monger beside me. ¡°That¡¯s my private business.¡±

    ¡°As if you have ever concealed any part of that lifestyle away from me.¡± He grumbled.

    ¡°We are trying to make a baby, Mate.¡± I stood to dust my hands. I squeezed my face as the sun shone brighter in the sky, casting down stinging rays. I think it¡¯s time we adjourned. ¡°My mate is dedicated to the course.¡±

    ¡°I definitely agree with you.¡± He hollered and stepped back, his eyes spotting mischief. ¡°You know for someone who disgusts you so much, I will think you carry out that duty maybe¡­ once in a week.¡±

    ¡°What good would that do?¡±

    ¡°It will still produce the same result. Unless you have something you ain¡¯t telling me, mate.¡±

    I scoffed, seeing no reason to proceed in this kind of discussion with Williams.

    He might be right. Slowly, irrespective of how much I yearn to make Gwen suffer in my hands, it appears I was doing the direct opposite. And each time my mind cascades back to how she purrs and scrapped her nails through my back as she pleads for me to take her, once more-just like now- I want to go back and have my wicked ways with her.

    Is that still hatred?

    I shook my head and looked ahead of him where the men were busy brushing the horses. Williams was putting stupid thoughts in my head. I will never see Gwen anything lower than a weak werewolf. A maniptive and deceptive wench only here to take my heart and wreck it just like Emma and I will never allow that.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to retire for the day, everyone.¡± I started moving. ¡°Tomorrow we meet at the same time. Tim, make sure the horses take plenty of water by evening and take them on walks before bedtime.¡±

    ¡°Yes, your majesty.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the evening prayers at the temple by 5.¡± With that, I increased my pace, hoping to find my mate in the pce. My cock was already raging for brutal attention.

    ¡­

 Chapter 42

    Gwen??

    ¡°Let¡¯s take a break, everyone!¡± I bellowed, bending over in quick pants from exhaustion. ¡°I think we should retire for the day.¡± I checked my time. ¡°The sun is already bing too hot.¡±

    ¡°I thought you will never say that,¡± Abby spoke up, ambling towards me. Like me, the awry lines on her forehead showed how tired she was.

    We have been here since we returned from the clinic. Working endlessly at the arena. Today, we came for weeding. It appears sincest year when they used it, they didn¡¯t put it in order. So, the ce was messed up.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I took so long.¡± I put on a ghost of a smile. ¡°I thought we will be able to beat the time and finish up before the sun¡­ sted.¡± We began making our way towards the podium to pick our stuff as every other person made preparation to leave.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°It will take a week to get everything together before calling in the logistic team to finish up.¡± While she spoke, her eyes roved the yard.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy we have done a lot.¡± I ced my right palm over my mouth as I indulged in a small yawn. ¡°I need a warm bath and sleep.¡±

    ¡°Me too,¡± she concurred. ¡°After having my afternoon shepherd¡¯s pie. The cook would see hell if I don¡¯t have it ready once we get home.¡± We snickered the remaining way to the car.

    Getting home, we got out of the car and made it to the front door that flung open and we entered, exchanging pleasantries with the rotund butler. He behaved just like his name.

    At the intersection that led to our different chambers, I kissed Abby goodbye and hurried to my room. My eyes were heavy with fatigue and I just needed to rest before I will do any other thing today.

    Hurling the door open and going in, I rxed against it with my eyes closed and my head up to exhale. I still have to train today. And observe the God-damned temple prayers.

    Argh!

    My nostrils tingled, the air returning back, bringing with it the pungent dose of a familiar pheromone. Ashton. My eyes snapped open with force, skimming about in search of him as my ears caught the rushing sound of water gushing in the bathroom.

    Fuck!

    Couldn¡¯t he have chosen a better time toe here? I have gotten used to seeing him only at night. Howe he was here by this time?

    I pushed off the door and made my way to the closet, with mixed feelings. On one hand, I was disappointed he was here.  Because now I can¡¯t freely observe my rest-not with his prominent addictive scent everywhere-not to mention when I see him. I  can¡¯t. Then, there inside me, I think I¡¯m delighted he came here today. Perhaps, he is starting to change.

    Did he miss me?

    My hand was rapidly flipping the clothes in my side of the wardrobe to fetch anything appropriate. An act to keep me busy so I don¡¯t look at him when he emerged from the shower.

    I didn¡¯t notice he hase out of the bathroom, as quiet as a predatory cat. He cleared his throat, and I stiffened, my hands on the hanger freezing. I gulped down an ¡®unpresent¡¯ bile. Why am I behaving like this is my first time seeing him? He came in the other evening too. But, not this early.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± The baritone of his timbre vocals made me tremble. It has always been deep, Gwen. Get ahold of yourself and stop acting childish. This is why he hardly takes me serious.

    I dropped my hands and faced him. Boldly. ¡°I¡¯m on my own side of the wardrobe.¡± I indicated my clothes. ¡°You can pretend like I¡¯m not here.¡±

    He scoffed. ¡°You act so stupid.¡± He spat out.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± I veered to continue looking for something that was hardly there. As if.

    ¡°Where did you go to?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of-¡±

    ¡°When I ask a question, you fucken answer me.¡± Heshed out icily like he was talking to a pup.

    My pulse increased as I began seething inside. Gone was the pleasant anxiety that I felt mostly as I recollected how he smacked my ass the other evening, to be reced by the metallic taste of contempt in my mouth which made me want to bite him. To attack and vent out all my frustrations on him. ¡°The arena for the games won¡¯t clean itself.¡± I bit out, instead.

    I came to rest, now this.

    ¡°Look at me.¡±

    My hand wavered, my teeth gritting. Why can¡¯t he talk to me normally? Like his mate. Rather than ordering me like his ve. I crossed my arms on my chest and slowly shifted to face him.

    And froze.

    Howe I didn¡¯t notice before?

    An ash towel was wrapped loosely on his lean waist, hanging low to reveal the tautest V-line my eyes has ever seen. Not like I have seen many. Still.

    I forgot myself and the anger raging within as my eyes trailed from the V-line, upwards to his ten-packs-his abs almost ripping out- his budded nipples, his biceps that red. Every part of this man was¡­ a sin.

    My eyes flew back to the V-line and spiritedly prayed for the towel to fall off so I can look at what was concealed inside. I have sucked it, and felt it inside my pussy but at this point, I think I would cum merely by seeing it pulsate for me.

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    I jerked back, my hands falling off my chest. I touched my forehead in shame and looked around. Just two seconds. Two seconds and I couldn¡¯t control my wanton behaviour. No wonder he sees me as a trash. My behaviour is utterly repulsive.

    Would you me me? Even knowing that, I still wanted to look again.

    I blinked repeatedly. Then, braved looking at his curious hypnotizing blues. He was smirking. This monster knew what he was doing. He did it intentionally.

    I opened my mouth to ask ¡®what¡¯ but was caught off guard as I abruptly found myself t against the wardrobe door, my left leg suspended on thep of Ashton as he pressed into me.

    ¡°How could you look at me like that, little wolf?¡± He whispered. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even mask your hunger for me.¡± Fuck, Ashton was a like drug. I hated it, yet, my existence depended on it.

    I gasped feebly, my hungry eyestching unto him in a plea not to let go. I touched his stomach tentatively. It was hard as a rock.

    His animal growled, fighting to be set free.

    ¡°For making me hard, I¡¯m going to fuck you the way Lycae desires.¡± He groaned and shed his lips on mine.

    ¡­

 Chapter 43

    Gwen??

    At first, I was dumbstruck by the knowledge that Ashton kissed me. He hasn¡¯t done that before. This evening it looked as if something had taken possession of his body and was making him do questionable things.

    Albeit, my nerves cascaded skittishly in different directions, my stomach knotting tightly at the euphoric sensation of feeling him on me.

    His left hand held the back of my neck in ce, his fingers digging severely into my skin. It was painful butbined with the heady sensation spiralling through my body, made it bearable.

    In a sh, I was plucked off the wardrobe and hurled across the room towards the chaise lounge where he pushed me and I fell backwards until my ass touched the soft leather, my hands going to the two sides for support.

    I tipped my head up to peer directly into his eyes as tiny gusts of ragged air elicited from my mouth. Up and down, the stato beat of my chest thundered. Softly.

    At first, he was standing in front of me, watching me through the hood of his ck-wingedshes. Calcting, like a panther observing its prey before making a kill.

    Then his hands went to his towel and flung it off. It was as good as gone, anyways. I breathed out jaggedly as I was confronted with the best imagery ever: His extrarge cock.

    He stepped back to give me a better view of him-the oaf was prideful.

    I was still sitting there, tilted halfway back taking him in.

    His body was chiseled like a perfect saber beaten to perfection by the best bricyer. ¡°Beautiful,¡± I found myself saying, losing control of my tongue.

    ¡°Say it again,¡± Hemanded hoarsely, raising his arm like a superhero, to show me his powerful biceps as they flexed hard.

    ¡°You are beautiful,¡± I replied shamelessly because only a proud person would withhold that. As I havee to learn, with this man, Ick shame.

    ¡°Look at me.¡±

    This voice was the softest I have heard since I met Ashton. Still, I wasn¡¯t willing to look away from the bewitching vision in front of me to pay heed to that order. I wanted to be drown in this privilege which he was giving me for the first time because I never can I what the next moment might bring for me.

    With Ashton, one can never tell.

    ¡°I said look at me.¡± It was still gentle, however, there was an edge to it now.

    Like a spell was cast on me, gradually I lifted my hungerdden eyes to meet him. He was wagging a finger at me, drawing me to him.

    I stood and began making my way to him. A step after the other until I was standing before him, looking very small.

    He touched my hair and tugged and at once my bound hair left its bondage to flow down my back in waves. He brushed his fingers through them to my scalp and the act itself was heavenly and caused me to purr like a cat into his hand.

    Goddess, am I dreaming? Ashton has never been this gentle with me. With him, it has always been forceful, taking and brutal. And despite enjoying every bit of it, most times I can¡¯t help but wish to glimpse this side of him.

    ¡°You are so beautiful too,¡± he whispered in my ear, his fingers still massaging my scalp. Without meaning to, I leaned into him, feeling his powerful muscles against my softness, and relishing in the soothing warmth emanating from him.

    This was what they called bonding. Two souls joined as one. We didn¡¯t need to speak again, but somehow, with the harmonious beat of our hearts, I knew we spoke the samenguage.

    Could it be that Ashton has changed his mind towards me?

    I hate suspense. Because even now in his arms, savoring the moment, my mind was still in chaos, wondering if this was it for us.

    ¡°Ashton?¡± I couldnt wait to ask.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say a word,¡± his vocal cords vibrated in my breast, his hands skidding down to scoop my ass cheeks and pulled me deeper into him to leave no room for even a breath. ¡°Just stay quiet and listen.¡±

    And I did.

    We remained like that for a long time, twirling slowly to unknown music with his arms wrapped about me that I wasn¡¯t aware of time flying past. By now, Ashton¡¯s manhood has swollen up to its full length as it was hard and poking into my stomach.

    It made me more horny, increasing my pulse, desiring nothing more than having him inside me, even if as brutal as he liked it.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I tried again, unable to hold myself as my legs started quivering.

    He pulled away, and took my two cheeks in his palms to tilt my head up. The encroaching darkness made his eyes ominous as they twinkled in the dim light. ¡°You have a problem with listening, little wolf.¡±

    My eyes blinked rapidly from the intensity of his stare and as I made to look down he uttered¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± And then, perhaps, it was in my head or maybe not, the next minute, his soft lips found mine and stayed still, suckling.

    I stiffened.

    I didn¡¯t want him to stop so my hands went up to grab his neck and deepened the kiss.

    Imenced pushing him backwards until his back was t against the wall by the window and I was kissing him as if I wanted to eat him.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I heard him swear, grasped my arms and hurled me away to rece me against the wall where he joined me to further ravish my lips to stupor. ¡°You taste so good, little wolf,¡± he was saying.

    That wasn¡¯t enough for me, so, I hopped on him, wrapping my legs around his lean waist to grind on his cock that was standing so tall as if it wanted to make an entrance. An entrance I would willingly grant.

    ¡°Please,¡± I tore my lips away enough to say. And grinded harder than before. ¡°Just a litt¡­¡±

    ¡°Shhhh¡­.¡± His fingers travelled between my legs to stroke me there, thereafter he shoved my thongs apart and inserted a finger inside me and holding me against that wall began thrusting steadily into me.

    I was trembling, pushing into him repeatedly and insatiably our kiss boosted and his thrust sent me overboard. As I lost touch with reality and shook there against him, squirting hot fluids against his hand, I couldn¡¯t hold back from holding his neck tightly and the next thing, I made a statement that once more destroyed this beacon of hope I had.

    ¡°I love you, Ashton. You are everything I want and more.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 44

    Gwen??

    ¡°He is refusing to talk to me through the link, Gwen, I swear it.¡± Abby responded worriedly for the second time.

    ¡°But it¡¯s been three days,¡± I eximed. I¡¯m losing my mind. It¡¯s been three days since we made out in my room and I made those statements. Since then, Ashton left the pce.

    I was in my super high that I didn¡¯t know when I said them. However, the instant I said them, Ashton had dropped me hard on the floor, the reverent gentility leaving him to be substituted with the cold animal I hade to know.

    When I tried asking him what the problem was, he loomed above me like the devil Salsa as he wagged his forefinger in my face, his face like death as he spoke with no emotions, ¡°you are nothing but a fuckmate to me and if you think what we did would change anything, then you must be stupider than I thought.¡±

    He had stepped back to pick his towel off the floor, marched to the wardrobe to quickly dress up and the next thing he stormed out of the room, leaving me there gawking after him in wonder.

    What did I say that was wrong? Was it wrong to profess one¡¯s feeling to one¡¯s mate? I knew he despised me, but for once I was delusional to think

    he had changed. That he realized his mistakes and wanted to give us a chance. And thenbined with what he made me feel right then, I forgot my reality and said it.

    And till now, he hasn¡¯te to the room. Not even the pce.

    ¡°I think he has gone back to that cursed ce with his mistress again.¡± I voiced the suspicion I¡¯d had since he disappeared from the pce. Because the female hound called Merit was also unavable and yesterday when I asked Tyler if he had seen her during their joint training, he replied in the negative.

    Abby snorted. ¡°Just because they are together now that he is missing doesn¡¯t mean they are doing anything awful.¡± She made her way to me and sighed, looking ahead of me where the salutaries were dutifully busy washing the tform seats. ¡°If they had as much as touched you know that you will feel it.¡±

    I looked down at my hands, wriggling them. I agree with her. Thest time Ashton did something like that with her, I felt it. It was like a knife was pierced straight into my guts. The pain_ ¡°Arh!¡± I bent over, grasping my stomach.

    ¡°Gwen?¡± Abby fell on her knees before me and grabbed my shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s happening.¡± I shook my head, the pain escting. ¡°He is_arh! Abby, it¡¯s Ashton.¡± I was saying, tapping the grass.

    ¡°Someone get me water!''¡± Abby howled, and not long I felt a bottle of water shoved into my lips and started drinking. Nheless, the pain didn¡¯t leave. Instead, it was increasing. Ashton was cheating on me. Again. He was cheating on me with that daughter of Jezebel!

    I fell t against the body of Abby and wept, refusing to hold back. It was no longer about the pain anymore. It was the grief from knowing Ashton had the nerve to still cheat on me.

    For once, I thought he wanted me. Only me. He made love to me like he was obsessed with me. Like there was no other woman for him. Just yesterday I professed to him how I loved and wanted him. And he did this to me.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gwen,¡± Abby was saying, stroking my hair softly.

    Sometimeter when he stopped what he was doing and I regained myself, I saw no need in staying back there to pretend everything was fine after the maids saw me fall apart, so I excused myself to go home. Abby left with me.

    Iy in bed in agony, staring outside through the window when I heard a little chaos outside my door. I didn¡¯t bother listening or going to find out what was the problem. I had more troubles bothering me that even though they said there was an attack, I would haveid down there until the enemy came to kill me.

    ¡°Get the fuck out of my way, little bitch!¡± I jumped up from the bed at the fierce sound of Tyler¡¯s voice as the door swung open. I met his gaze. ¡°Oh, my¡­ pumpkin!¡± He rushed forward, as Kora moved after him, spitting fire.

    ¡°I tried to stop him, your highness,¡± she ryed in fear as my eyes skated between them. I waved her off.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Kora.¡± I mouthed, took the small napkin on the bed and wiped my face. I had stopped crying a long time ago but I knew there would still be traces of tears on my face. ¡°Hey, Tyler.¡±

    After hesitating for sometime, Kora bowed and left.

    Tyler was standing by the bedside, confused whether to swoop in and hug me or stay at arms length to console me. ¡°I was worried when you didn¡¯te down for your training. What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Tyler,¡± I lied, looking away, so he doesn¡¯t see the sadness in my eyes.

    I should have known better. ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°Please, Tyler¡­¡±

    He sat down, damning the consequence. He took my left hand in his calloused ones. ¡°You are starting to look horrible.¡± I snapped my face to him. He was smiling.

    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d that got your attention, pretty bird.¡± He was massaging my fingers. ¡°I heard what happened in the arena.¡± He was nodding his head when I pried with my eyes. ¡°News fly.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°I was¡­ sick.¡±

    ¡°He cheated.¡± He sted straight up.

    ¡°How?¡­ that¡¯s not it.¡±

    ¡°You might want to live in denial but we Lycans, we recognize a sudden ailment from an imposed one.¡±

    I fluttered my head and tugged at my hand. He held tighter. ¡°What can I do, Tyler? I¡¯m tired.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve that asshole, if you ask me.¡± I grinned sadly, finding humour in his insult of his King. We have be good friends as we train every day, and if there was one thing about Tyler, he seem not to give a fuck about many things. ¡°You need to cheer up.¡±

    ¡°But how?¡±

    He stood and tugged at my hand. ¡°Dress up.¡±

    He nodded in the direction of the wardrobe. ¡°No training today. We have to make this pain go away. I have the perfect ce in mind.¡±

    ¡°Ty_¡±

    ¡°Go,¡± He urged, ¡°No excuses.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 45

    Going out again wasn¡¯t in my n today, albeit, when Tyler insisted-saying we were not training today-I knew I had no choice but to go out with him.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked for the umpteenth time as he drove at a high speed through the busy highway. From his radio, the soft rhythm of Billie Eilish and Khalid ¡®Lovely¡¯ drifted off, conveying from me an incessant urge to cry.

    It was so emotional. As if connecting to my current dilemma.

    ¡°I told you to be patient.¡± He winked at me impishly and swung to the right, causing me to grasp my seat in panic and tossed him a death glow.

    ¡°Do you intend to kill me, Tyler?¡±

    A rich sound resonated in the car from him as he stabilized the steering and nced briefly at me. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, werewolf. I am a Lycan, I have speed naturally.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you should be reckless.¡± I blew a stray hair off my face and further reached out to shove it behind my ear.

    ¡°Do you realize this is the slowest eleration in the history of a Lycan?¡± He asked, making another turn that led to a less busy avenue.¡±¡­ and it¡¯s because of you.¡±

    I tutted. ¡°Just be careful, Tyler, that¡¯s all I¡¯m saying,¡± I grumbled and rxed back on the couch, and looked outside the window at the flitting tall trees. The only reason I allowed Tyler to convince me toe out for this hangoutwas to take my mind off Ashton. Where is he, who he is with and what he might be doing.

    And I am going to do that.

    ¡°Gwen¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I shifted until I was fronting Tyler.

    ¡°Tell me about what happened.¡± I shook my head. ¡°Hey.¡± His right hand came on top of my folded ones on my chest, not too close to my breast. ¡°Talking about it eases the pain.¡±

    ¡°There is nothing to talk about Tyler,¡± I said honestly. ¡°The only thing I know is exactly what you know. My mate cheated on me, I guess.¡±

    He pinned me with a pitiful look for some time and then looked forward. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± I sighed. ¡°So, have you spoken to your girl?¡± I tried to divert the discussion.

    A light beam fell on his face. ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten the courage yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh,e on, Ty.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°Thest time we met you said you will speak to her.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ And I will.¡± He rounded a corner and soon he stopped in front of a Fishsquare. I looked at him in question.

    ¡°What are we doing in some freaking Fish square, Ty?¡±

    He bumped me with his right shoulder de as his grin broadened. ¡°I wanted toe herest week but pushed it to this week¡­ Actually, I have been thinking of bringing mydy love here, but then, since it turned out you need it today, why not?¡±

    ¡°To do what?¡± I climbed out of the car, squinting my eyes to look at the expansive billboard in front of it. It read, ¡®TEE¡¯S SWIMMERS¡¯ ¡°To watch some lowlives feed some swimming monsters?¡±

    He grabbed my left wrist and began dragging me on. We passed a cage-like gate and came out the other side with a field and he didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°Slow down, Ty. I have to catch my breath.¡± I was getting agitated already.

    So, here is the thing. I have the fear of fishes. I don¡¯t know if that has a name but anything slimy literally scared the shit out of me. My mother_I mean my former mother used to use it to tease me when I was a pup. She will often make me touch them, so as to repress my fear.

    Till date, it didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°Trust me, you are going to enjoy yourself, Gwen,¡± Tyler appealed. If only he knew.

    I swallowed. This part of me was a part I hated telling anyone. It was so sickening and shameful to tell someone I was afraid of fish! Some motherfucking fish. Who fears fish?

    I don¡¯t even know how or why I do. I just do.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Tyler asked, sparing me a concerned stare as we reached the gate where twodies stood, handing out a green card written ¡®wee¡¯.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°C-can we reschedule?¡± I squeaked at the same time thedies eyes expanded and the next thing there heads were bowed.

    ¡°Wee, your highness, we didn¡¯t know you will being today.¡± The firstdy by the right with a paler skin colour and bright blue eyes said. I like her shiny blond hair.

    ¡°Well, that is because the Queen just wanted to have a little fun without being ¡®a Queen''¡± Tyler intoned buoyantly. He was nodding as he was saying it, with a sheepish smile as he looked at me to approve.

    ¡°Ye-yeah! Of course. I just want to¡­ see the fishes!¡±

    Oh, Lud. I don¡¯t like this.

    ¡°Very well, Queen, enjoy your time here. A little tip,¡± she added, peering directly at Tyler. ¡°The Queen might like to see the Dolphins. They are out today.¡±

    ¡°Dolphins!¡± I screeched, my eyes like saucers. ¡°Dolphins.¡± Again.

    ¡°Yes, your highness. You will love them.¡± She turned to continue attending to a man that came behind us.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is a good idea, Tyler.¡± I shook my head as we ventured inside a craty-building. It reeked so much of fresh fish. It was in good shape, clean and all that, still, one could easily tell the ce was used for fish business.

    ¡°I thought you will like it, here, Gwen. Everyone loves it here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I do, but¡­¡±

    ¡°You wish you came with the King¡­¡±

    I skidded my nervous orbs at him, appalled he would think that. I was more concerned about embarrassing myself here than thinking about my stupid mate who was the cause of my bad mood today. If I wasn¡¯t mad, we should have been exchanging rapier now thaning to this dratted fish house.

    I chuckled dryly. ¡°You know what? Let¡¯s do this.¡±

    .

    .

    .

    ¡°Yay!¡± A thunderous cheer went up in the air as we busted outside the building to arge body of water, vertically stretched out endlessly to the other side.

    I was so carried away with acknowledging the presence of so many people there that eventually when my eyes skated to the water tond on the biggest Fish my eyes has ever seen halfway outside the water on its tail dancing, with ady in front of it, kissing its face, I became paralyzed with shock.

    ¡°Tyler?¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Tyler?¡± I was anxiously tapping his hand but Tyler seem to be carried away watching the scene before us that he wasn¡¯t paying me any attention. My skin was turning a darker shade of red and goosebumps was rising from them. ¡°TYLER!¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± He flickered his obsidians to me in askance. ¡°What i_ Gwen?¡±

    ¡°Please, take me out of here.¡± I was shaking my head, my eyes closed from seeing the gory scene further.

    ¡°Why?¡­ Gwen, open your eyes. What¡¯s going on?

    ¡°I have a fear of Fish!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 46

    Ash??

    ¡°I told you this wasn¡¯t supposed to happen again!¡± I roared in unrestrained rage, punching the wall to leave a big gash in the aftermath. ¡°Do you know what you have done?¡±

    Merity on the bed, uncaring, One of her legs crossed over the other seductively trying to lure me back. It was tempting I must say, however, this was something I didn¡¯t want to pursue. For her own good.

    ¡°You didn¡¯tin earlier when you were thrusting fervently into me like your life depended on it, Ashton.¡± She drawled casually as she climbed off the bed and sashayed in my direction. She didn¡¯t care that we weremitting an atrocity and that infuriated me. ¡°In fact, you repeatedly called me the best woman you have ever fucked and would never get tired of me or my pussy.¡±

    Then that was a lie. Even now as she said, I can feel my skin crawl in irritation and denial, wondering how I might have said such an abhorrent thing, if ever I did say it.

    ¡°You have to get out,¡± I said slowly. Not looking at her. I saw her fingers hesitate halfway from reaching out to me, the heat radiating from her bodybating to burn me. ¡°I have to think.¡±

    Yesterday was like the day before, as it has been since the day I left home and came here. I was angry. I was mad that suddenly, things I used to do in the twinkle of an eye without thinking about them, I now feel guilty even thinking about them.

    It was all because of her.

    After Gwendolyn proimed her love for me, it reminded me of the very things I worked so hard to keep buried for years. The lies, the deceit, the heartbreak. Everything!

    Emma said the same words. She loved me and wanted me. Yet, she left me cold and dry. She left me on our fucken wedding day!

    And now, like the goddess wanted to mock me, she sent Gwen, a fucken werewolf. She just like the first, was full of sweet words, good at maniptions and deceit, with a sweet honeypot no sane man could resist.  Only for her to say the same thing.

    I didn¡¯t mean to do it. But I had to leave the pce to avoid hurting her, unleashing all this anguish inside of me, that hasin buried, begging for a channel to vent.

    ¡°As_¡±

    ¡°GET OUT!¡±

    And here I found myself. With tenacious Merit.

    I merely desired to stay here in my penthouse in town for a few days to calm down before I go back. Then yesterday, I was overwhelmed with grief, and drank. I drank so much that when Merit came to me, all I was seeing was her. I recall saying Gwendolyn¡¯s  name and the next thing, I was fucking her.

    And she said she liked it. In that sweet sultry voice.

    I staggered back, regarding the mark I made on the wall furiously, sweating profusely.

    I fell back on the brown sofa by the side of the wall and looked down at my bruised knuckles that has healed abruptly, leaving faint marks. ¡°I hate you, Gwendolyn. I hate you so much I want to kill you.¡±

    I lifted my head to look at the tousled bed as I felt a linke through. It was Willimas.

    ¡°For fuck sake, Mate, you can¡¯t bail on me like this.¡± He hissed.

    ¡°But, I did¡­¡± I hedged like a pup. I haven¡¯t spoken to him in three days. Nor anyone. I intentionally severed every link from reaching me.

    ¡°What¡¯s the deal? I thought you were dedicated to preparing for the uing games? and then you are nowhere to be found.¡±

    ¡°I just needed a few days away.¡±

    There was a small silence. I knew he could tell I was lying. ¡°It¡¯s about Gwen, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t lie to him. This is the reason I didn¡¯t want to talk to him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious.¡±

    ¡°And you bailed.¡±

    ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle,¡± I persisted. ¡°I will be back soon.¡±

    ¡°You could have just spoken to me about it, the elders are worried about your absence from the council for a week now. They¡¯re threatening to tell your mother.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°What!¡± I jerked off the chair and swore under my breath as my toenails scraped the floor. ¡°What the fuck is their problem? I don¡¯t owe them shit.¡±

    ¡°You are their King, Ashton.¡± There was an annoying sound in the background. He was eating walnuts. I know. He does that whenever he was bored. ¡°Unfortunately, you owe them your life. And you owe yourself, a lovely royal family. But, I¡¯m not sure about that, especially, when your mate starts meandering around town with the pack¡¯s new chief warrior.¡±

    Fangs was starting to pace restlessly. He would soon use me of being the cause and remind me what an asshole I was and how I deserve to rot in the deepest part of hell. ¡°That¡¯s a lie.¡±

    ¡°I saw her myself, dude.¡± I could smell the usation in his tone too. ¡°You are driving her away. Soon, she will fall for another man and then what? You go back to square one. Don¡¯t forget you caused this. YOU NEED YOUR QUEEN! I can¡¯t over-emphasise the importance of this.¡±

    ¡°She is a slut!¡±

    ¡°What a childisheback.¡±

    ¡°Dude, whose side are you?¡±

    ¡°Who leaves his mate without a trace of his whereabouts and runs off with his supposed chosen mate and expects her to always sit around waiting for him toe back for her to y the goody-two-shoes mate?¡±

    ¡°She deserves it!¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ I thought you said you can handle it.¡±

    ¡°I am handling things.¡±

    ¡°I keep telling you, Ashton. You have to grow up.¡± His voice was muffled now. He was chewing nonchntly.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill him, Williams.¡±

    ¡°He is doing for her what you obviously can¡¯t do. Don¡¯t be selfish.¡± He was trying to rile me up.

    ¡°He is sleeping with her. I know it.¡± I lied, looking for a means to justify ripping Tyler¡¯s throat apart. I brought him here because he is a good watchman and fighter. However, the ungrateful wretch wants to steal my mate under my watch. I am going to kick him out of the pce at once.

    No wonder she was happy to attend to him. Who knows if both of them are not nning to run away and start a life somewhere else? Or, even cause greater havoc.

    ¡°I have to go, Ash,¡± William scoffed, not falling for my usation. ¡°When you are done lying to yourself,e home and be the King we need.¡± The link severed.

    I flew off the chair, heading to the closet. I won¡¯t sit here and allow those two to traipse around town, making a caricature of me.

    Not while I am alive.

    If Gwendolyn is going to live under my roof, she will have to abide by my ordinances or she might as well pack her things and go back to her people. And here I was feeling guilty about what I just did.

    ¡°Merit!¡± I roared through the link I shared with her. ¡°We leave for home in ten minutes!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 47

    Gwen??

    ¡°Oh, Tyler, today was totally amazing,¡± I let out amidst tiny giggles, alighting from the car to m the door. I held my small ck bag with my two hands as I waited for him to join me. ¡°Though, it started with a little¡­ skirmish, but in the end, I enjoyed myself.¡± We began making our way in, Tyler¡¯s smile stealing the breath away from me.

    ¡°I¡¯m d I was able to make up for my fuck-up.¡± He shrugged casually, giving a thumbs-up to the guards as we entered inside.

    The butler was not there. Thank goddess. I didn¡¯t have the energy for his superfluous pleasantries. Most times I feel they are fake. Or not.

    ¡°Really, Ty, you are an amazing person, you know that?¡± His dark brown hair fell over his face as he inclined his head to mock-wink me. ¡°Everyone here is already cuddling up to you.¡± And that was the truth. Just a few weeks here, you will think he grew up in this ce.

    It all proves how humane he was.

    After we left ¡®TEE¡¯S SWIMMERS¡¯, he felt very bad for not putting my initial anxiety into consideration and forcing me there. He felt so guilty that he had refused to bring me home and had instead opted to take me to another ce.

    He was sceptical at first-like a lover-wondering if I will like the new ce. It was heartwarming to see how much he cared about my feelings.

    Graciously, the new ce had been a bum. It was a game house. Not something I was used to, but then, when he put me through the games, I soon learned and acquainted with the new pass time.

    Right now, I am beyond exhausted and just want to rest. I might not even being down for dinner.

    We reached the interaction that led to our different hallways. He stopped, seemingly confused. Me too. Am I supposed to apany him to his quarters? It¡¯s something I do usually-since I¡¯m still his caretaker- however, I am tired now. And for some odd reasons, nervous.

    ¡°Should I apany you to your chamber?¡± He queried, the sides of his eyes creased as his fine orbs crinkled at me.

    I giggled louder. ¡°C¡¯mon, don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯m the one supposed to apany you. Don¡¯t forget I¡¯m your_¡±

    ¡°Caretaker?¡±

    Ourughter rang down the hallway. Tyler was so much fun to be around. I can hardly recall what even irked me today that led to our hanging out. He had that charm around him that seemed to drown anyone by merely being in his presence.

    I stoppedughing and cleared my throat. I am crossing the line with my stray thoughts. ¡°I have to go, Tyler.¡± I swerved on my foot to leave.

    His hand shut out and grabbed my forearm and dropped back by his side instantly. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry, your highness, I didn¡¯t mean_¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Tyler.¡± I looked at the point he touched me. It burned like fresh coal was just ced there. ¡°I will see you at dinner.¡±

    ¡°Ye-yeah¡­¡±

    I was stepping back, maintaining a goodwill smile. ¡°Don¡¯t forget what we discussed about yourdy love¡­¡± I wagged my finger at him.

    ¡°Definitely.¡±

    ¡°And Tyler¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± He said too sharply.

    ¡°Call me Gwendolyn.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an order.¡± I moved at full speed, my head swimming with bedazzled reflections. What was I thinking demanding that from him? He was my subject and all my subjects are meant to acknowledge my title. What is-

    ¡°I see you are having a st.¡± I jumped back almost, colliding with a pir behind me. I blinked, touching my chest to slow my panic.

    ¡°Abby,¡± I looked around. ¡°You startled me.¡±

    She was grinning. mischievously. ¡°That is because your mind was somewhere¡­ You didn¡¯t tell me you were going out.¡±

    ¡°I was-¡± I licked my lips. ¡°It was impromptu. I didn¡¯t n to. Tyler wanted me to apany him out, so¡­¡±

    ¡°He seem too interested in you.¡±

    I eyed her, and continued on my way. She followed. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Abby. He¡¯s my friend and partner in training.¡± Just like Julian.

    ¡°I know.¡± Her shoulders were touching mine. And from the way her eyes warped at me, I knew she was being sarcastic.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    I reached my door and pushed it open to enter. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Abby.¡± I flung my bag on the floor and went to push open the curtains. Moonlight flooded in. ¡°Tyler insisted on taking me out to cheer me up after what happened.¡±

    ¡°Unless you are hiding something from me, you don¡¯t need to exin to me, Gwen. I know you will never hurt my brother.¡± Somehow, those words sounded quirky and infuriating to me. Abby was my friend, I can¡¯t lose my temper on her.

    I bit my tongue. ¡°Of course.¡± I threw off my shawl and my clothes came next. I needed a cold shower. ¡°How was your day?¡±

    ¡°I read throughout in the library, andter, I want to look for Wiiliams. The hands said something about him being on an errand for the King.¡±

    I nodded once. I saw a sad light flicker in her eyes, I didn¡¯t want to entertain it. Ashton was an asshole, and I won¡¯t let him wear me down. Not today.

    ¡°I told them to make your favourite. Lasagna with Goatmeat.¡± She intoned cheerfully.

    ¡°What!¡± I was only on pant and bra. I folded my arms on my bosom. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡±

    ¡°But I did¡­¡± She stood and pped her hands. ¡°I think I should_¡±

    The door bashed on the wall and the viin walked in. He looked like he was fuming. The nerve of him to look at me like that after what he did. He pointed at his sister. ¡°You, get out!¡±

    ¡°Ash_¡±

    ¡°Now!¡±

    Abby shuddered, gave me a brief nce and scampered out of the room. I reached out to grab my white robe hanging by the wardrobe wicket and shrugged on. My eyes didn¡¯t leave him.

    ¡°You whore¡­¡±

    I tilted my chin high, my blood boiling, but fear didn¡¯t let me speak. I bit down on my tongue hard until I felt it split, my eyes still not wavering as he stalked closer.

    ¡°You had the guts to disgrace me by cahooting around town with amon rogue!¡±

    I didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Say something, this minute, stupid!¡±

    I trembled and stepped back, holding the wooden frame of the wardrobe for support. Sweat broke out of my pores, hot tears prickling the back of my eyes.

    He didn¡¯t even feel any remorse for what he did. He was worried that I went out with another man after he nearly killed me by fuckening another woman!

    I regret it. I regretted the day I epted to marry this monster. I regretted walking down that aisle and making a caricature of myself. Allowing these people spread the sacred linen of my virginity out to the public in the name of tradition.

    I regretted not epting Ashton¡¯s rejection!

    ¡­

 Chapter 48

    Gwen??

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± The words slowly left my mouth. I didn¡¯t mean to speak. I didn¡¯t even want to pay any attention to him, however, emotions overtook me and left me bare.

    He came closer and stopped directly in front of me, his chest heaving fervently. His gaze was like broken ss shards scraping across my skin and leaving bleeding sores. I could feel the angry heat radiating from his body to show how mad he was.

    Still, my treacherous hand yearned to extend and touch him. I wanted to feel him. At the same time, I longed to p, kick and make him feel this pain I was feeling inside. Does he not see what he is doing to me? What he is doing to us! We have a chance. Yet, he was ruining it.

    ¡°You defiled me an_¡±

    ¡°You fucked another woman!¡± I shoved at his chest and stepped around him to the other side. ¡°What is wrong with you? I try¡­ I try so much to tolerate all the wickedness you show to me. And still you hate me! What do you want from me?¡± I was shaking vigorously as the tears gushed down my face like a fountain.

    ¡°You want me to go, go where? I have nowhere to go to, Ashton. I am sorry. I know I forced you into this union but it was because I had no choice. I came here out of despair, seeking for death and then I found you. I found you, Ashton. I am your mate, don¡¯t you see it?¡± The words were pouring without restraint.

    I haven¡¯t told him this because I haven¡¯t had the opportunity. I need him to grasp the weight of what he is doing to me and to know that I am nothing like HER.

    ¡°I was lied to by my own family. The goddess disgraced me before my pack members and-and right now, I don¡¯t even know what I am.¡± I was saying it. I was opening myself to him, risking a chance with him. Nheless, I didn¡¯t care anymore.

    What was the biggest thing he could do to me, anyway? He had done everything. What was left was the emptiness, the void of nothing, and as it stands now, I don¡¯t even know where I stand with him.

    ¡°I am wolfless, Ashton¡­¡± More tears descended. ¡°I don¡¯t have a family to call mine. My best friend, the one I thought was going to be my mate, fucked with my sister and my parents, the people I thought gave birth to me, turned out to have picked me from some fucken border!¡±

    My chest hurt from the memory. It was as if a hot de was pierced into it. I was burning deep within. My eyes does not leave his as I took him in and he did the same.

    His eyes that were cold before were slowly easing to something-I can¡¯t tell.

    ¡°That was why I came here that day. I didn¡¯t n to. It was a coincidence that we met and¡­ everything happened.¡±

    I waved my hands about, finally looking away. I sniffed and wiped my face sharply, grabbing the robe tightly about me as if for dear life.

    ¡°I know you hate me. I know you want me to ept your rejection and set you free. However, think about what I just told you. Think about your people, they need a Queen. A Queen I am willing to be. And you need an heir too. I am giving myself to you¡­¡± A ghost of a smile flickered on my face as I braved up and strut closer.

    He was intently appraising me, not saying a word. I stopped in front of him and after hesitating for a while( to think my action through), I lifted my hands and copped his squared jaws into my hands. ¡°Please, give me a chance, Ashton. I beg of you. Allow me to¡­ love you.¡±

    He tensed, that darkness immediately returning. As he made to change positions, I held tighter and ttened my body into him, hugging myself against him. ¡°I forgive you for everything. I want to believe you didn¡¯t mean to do it. Just-just don¡¯t continue treating me like this.¡±

    His powerful arms came to my both shoulders and held me and began ripping me off him. My hands didn¡¯t move from around his waist. ¡°Gwendolyn¡­¡±

    ¡°I will never do anything to hurt you¡­¡±

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    He had me at arms length. ¡°Stop¡­¡± He snapped, bending to look deeply into my eyes. ¡°You sound pathetic.¡±

    I bit down on my lips.

    Was that how I looked to him now? After everything I just revealed to him? Pathetic?

    ¡°Dress up properly ande down for dinner. This madness has to stop.¡±

    He stepped back, not breaking nce with me as he made it to the door, opened it and left.

    I stood as he left me, shrouded in shame. What have I done? I am such a fool! What was I thinking? That he would suddenly change towards me? That he would stop despising me and embrace me?

    Only a fool would think like that.

    A pathetic desperate fool!

    And do you know what pained me more? The fact that right now, it looked like a spell was expelled from my eyes and I can see better.

    How can I go down to dinner after the ridiculous feat I just pulled?

    I wriggled my hand on my way down, every eye, every move seeming like the world was watching and making mockery of me. Like they knew what I did.

    My head was down when I entered therge room. When I managed to lift it, everyone was seated around the long table. Tyler smiled and winked at me.

    I gave him a brief sad beam and hurried to sit beside Ashton, not meeting his eyes.

    After an aromatic dish of peppered chicken and potato sauce was served, and everyone ate quietly till thest drop, we had desserts and flushed it down with tasty white wine.

    I was thinking the suspense was over and I could escape when Ashton abruptly cleared his throat from beside me. It got my attention rapidly, having my eyes sauntering in his direction.

    He looked at Tyler. ¡°It hase to my attention that while I was away, you and my Queen was traipsing around town shamelessly without a care to what the public will think. Not to mention neglecting your duties to the pack¡­¡±

    ¡°Your ma_¡±

    Ashton smacked his hand on the table, having the wares clinking in disturbance as his lethal visionnded on Tyler. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever interrupt me in your life if you care to see another day.¡±

    Tyler bowed his head in submission to show his regret.

    Ashton proceeded. ¡°For that, I have decided you are to move out of the pce to a better dwelling that has been prepared for you as the chief of the warriors. A cottage has been made closer to the border, so as to keep you closer to your job and have the Queen concentrate on the most important things. It appears you are now very familiar with your new surroundings. She is therefore relieved from her service of taking care of you.¡±

    ¡°As it pleases you, my King,¡± Tyler consented. ¡°I am most grateful for your hospitality towards me.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Ashton stood, and shared a look with me. He extended his hand to me. ¡°Dinner is over. My Queen and I will have to retire now before the night gets old. We have duties to uphold.¡±

    If only shame was a person.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡­

 Chapter 49

    Gwen??

    Ashton guided me out of the dining room by the hand, partially dragging me out of the dining, requiring I double up or risk stumbling after him like a pup in their early lotive stage.

    I endured it until we crossed the dining hall entrance and headed towards the stairs. Once we have missed watching eyes, I snatched my hand away from him and stepped ahead of him with a disgruntled huff.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He asked behind me. I didn¡¯t stop, I walked faster. Because any minute, I will just shout down these halls without caring if the entire Kingdom of the bloody Lycans heard me.

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± I flipped, my hands lifted above my ears defiantly as I rounded on him, my eyes in murderous slits as they shed daggers at him. ¡°I will not let you treat me like that next time, you understand?¡± I tilted my head his way. ¡°You are such an obnoxious bastard who doesn¡¯t put others into consideration but yourself!¡± I shook my head unbelievably. ¡°What did I see in you, again?¡±

    I didn¡¯t let him reply, swerved and stomped off.

    I could hear his fat steps behind me. But tonight, somehow, it looked like something was added to that drink ¡¯cause right now, I feel possessed. I am seeking for a means to vent and if Ashton provoked me further, I am going to do something I will regret.

    How could he do that in front of everyone? Tyler had been nothing but kind to me. Something Ashton finds abominable to do. Is he that averse to seeing me feel any form of happiness?

    I flung the door wide open and hastened to the wardrobe, snatched the first dress my handid on and dropped it on the bed, followed by others. Turning back, I caught a glimpse of something yellowish on the chair and nced that way. It was supposed to be my night dress. I went to grab it and tossed it back in the wardrobe.

    Kora sure knows how to produce the most scandalous lingerie for me every night. Lingeries that have done nothing positive for me but exposed me to more of Ashton¡¯s sexual injunctions in the name of fulfilling duties.

    Still, no results.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    Sex, no child.

    Sex, without feelings.

    Sex, without love.

    Sex, in hatred.

    I scrapped my hand on the side of the wood in the process of yanking out my underwear from inside one of the drawers and hissed in pain, tears choking on my throat.

    The door opened. I knew that it was him. ¡°You will not dare raise your voice at me next ti¡­ what are you doing?¡±

    I banged the wardrobe doors closed too loudly and started stashing the clothes I dropped on the bed into a bag. ¡°I can¡¯t stay in this room anymore. I can¡¯t find sleep in here.¡± I managed to say.

    ¡°We have a duty to fu_¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m on my period.¡± I didn¡¯t let him finish. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ how?¡±

    I paused, anger seething inside me. This evening it seemed as though a demon was working with the forces of nature to unleash this thing I have been hiding within for so long. Why would he ask me that? I am a person. Not some tool. The fact that I have allowed him and his people dictate how my life has been here was because I thought he would see me.

    However, after baring my heart to him today and he tossed it back at my face, I don¡¯t feel like it anymore. I am bitter, I am angry and if time is not taken, I will snap.

    I shook my head. It¡¯s not worth it. ¡°I already told you, I can¡¯t. That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°Are you trying to run away from your duties?¡± He wasing closer. My movement slowed as I monitored his mobility through the corner of my eyes. Alert.

    Normally,  when he approached me like this, the connection dulled me and makes me vulnerable. Not right now. Instead, I feel like attacking him by all means.

    ¡°You will stay here because there is no other ce for you to run off to, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that,¡± I shot up so fast and red at him. ¡°My name is Gwendolyn and that is the only name you are permitted to call me. As for your other statement, you can¡¯t force me to stay here, Ashton. I am a person not some fucken doll. And if you try to be handy with me, I will shout so loud that your entire fucken Kingdom would assemble here and I will tell them what an asshole you are and how you raped me on our wedding night.¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t care¡­¡± He smirked devilishly, unfazed.

    I shivered in rm at his audacity. He was standing so close. My chest was rising and falling. Not from attraction. But, repulsion. ¡°Then, try.¡±

    There was a stare-down. I was literally saying everything with a half-wit, as well as overwhelmed by vexation. I knew he had the upper hand. It was my word against his and knowing this is his people, I knew they won¡¯t bat an eye to support him over me.

    Still, somehow I harboured that hope that despite how much he hated me, Ashton won¡¯t hurt me.

    ¡°He is leaving,¡± he heckled, the wicked glint in his eyes reced my sheer mockery which cast a defining glow to his expression, making me thirst for him. ¡°If that is why you are pissed, then deal with it. You have a bloody game to n, focus.¡± He lifted his finger and jabbed at my chest. ¡°And don¡¯t forget, we have babies to make. An heir to prove to the people that we are not wasting our time every fucken night.¡±

    I looked away, took my bag from the bed and made to leave. I will enter the next room or the next, anywhere away from here. He doesn¡¯t sleep here, but the awful memories here are already choking me.

    ¡°You can use the Queen¡¯s chamber by the left if you want¡­¡± His voice sailed to me.

    I snatched the door handle and pulled open, turned to him and said, ¡°you are despicable.¡± Bad banged the door.

    My heart was heavy, I was stumbling and thest thing I needed was to allow anyone see me like this. I needed my space, to be left alone.

    So, when I heard footfallsing from the front, I pushed the first door by the left open and entered, shut the door and ttened on the door with my head high and eyes closed. I let my bag slide to the floor to wrap my hands around my shoulders.

    Slowly, I glided to the floor and shuddered as silent sobs wrecked my body.

    Mates were supposed to be our best friend, our confidant and protector. They are not supposed to allow anything happen to you because anything that goes wrong with you directly or indirectly affects them. That is why rejection hurts like hell.

    Why does Ashton hate me so much? Why must I suffer like this for someone I know nothing about?

    Tears cascaded down my face as I tentatively touched the shimmering bracelets on my right wrist. One from Julian and the other from Tyler.

    Does Julian think about me? If only he was my mate, would my life have turned out differently?

    I stirred as I heard the door to the room I came from m before Ashton¡¯s scent flooded my nostrils as he walked past my door. Away from me.

    ¡­

 Chapter 50

    Ash??

    I was overdoing it, I knew that. Yet, I couldn¡¯t stop. I was hurting her very badly and knew despite all the brave front she was putting up, deep inside Gwen was breaking apart. That knowledge wasn¡¯t lost on me.

    Call me a bad person, an insensitive arrogant asshole. I am all that and more. It¡¯s hasn¡¯t been easy on me either as Fang has abandoned me without giving a fuck about how I am faring without him. He has even fully withdrawn and hasn¡¯t spoken to me nor given me his signature kicks of displeasure each time I made our mate hurt.

    It all started since the other day when I fucked Merit.

    Today, I and Williams resolved to switch our leisure period to go for recruitment for the uing games.

    ¡°So, the Queen has been doing an amazing job with Abby,¡± Williams spewed raggedly as we galloped into the metropolis on horseback. His skin looked too white right now from to much exposure to the scorching sun. And red freckles were starting to make a debut around his aquiline nose.

    I slowed down my trot to fall beside him, squinting my eyes from the sun. ¡°Have you been there?¡± I asked interestedly.

    ¡°Of course,¡± he looked ahead. ¡°By now, I¡¯m certain the ce is ready for the games. They did a terrific job there, you need to see it.¡±

    ¡°Mm-uh, that¡¯s¡­ good. I trust Abby was behind it, she is fond of the games, after all.¡± I said even if I knew Gwen must have put in more effort. My sister wasn¡¯t one for too much stress. Unless she had a motivation.

    I yanked on the girdle of my gallop to increase the pace. We have to make a significant mark by today.

    ¡°Abby, yeah¡­¡± The hooves of his horse pounded after mine. ¡°But Gwen, she took it too personal.¡±

    I scoffed and wished right now I hade alone. I knew where this was going.

    ¡°Are you two still at bow and arrows?¡± He asked. I rolled my eyes. He couldn¡¯t even surprise me.

    ¡°I am too civilized for that, mate,¡± I replied nonchntly. ¡°Gwen is still a child. She might be my mate, however, it doesn¡¯t excuse that I am almost a decade older than her.¡± I nced briefly at him, hissing at the heat. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s an insult to beef with her?¡±

    Williams was smirking. I hate when he does that. Makes me sound like an idiot. More like he was making mock of what I said. ¡°Whatever you say, mate. Whatever¡­¡±

    ¡°Wil_¡± He fled before I will finish calling his name, the wind pping his hair about and giving it a tanned hue. He thinks he can irritate me and escape¡­ well, I will prove to him who is the best horseman here.

    We carried out what took us to the city that by the time we were returning home that evening, I was in a gaily mood. There had been a massive turn-up for recruitment.

    The pce stable hands had gone ahead of us to talk to the pack members, which helped hasten the process by the time we got there. All we had to do was round up from them and have the names of the new recruits as well as assigned the date the training was supposed tomence and the location it would be held.

    The pce training ground, of course.

    After, I decided to enliven the rest of the show by dering a mini-party for the boys, and you know what they say about boys and parties¡­

    ¡°I have to say this, mate, I didn¡¯t really like the manner you handled the Tyler issue yesterday¡­ Was really uncalled for.¡± Williams stated on our home.

    I grimaced, my teeth gritting. These days I don¡¯t know my friend anymore. What is he saying? Was I supposed to pamper the bastard for trying to steal¡­ whatever.

    ¡°I did what I had to do, bud, and I don¡¯t regret it.¡± I jumped down from my horse and handed the reins to a stable boy who ran forward as we entered the stable grounds. ¡°Don¡¯t forget you lodged theint of their misbehaviour. I merely handled it the way a true king should.¡±

    ¡°By kicking him out?¡± His gait matched mine.

    ¡°He is lucky I didn¡¯t break his neck for such an audacious feat.¡±

    He opened his mouth to say something as we were entering the pce, but ceased when the roar of a car speeding down the driveway stopped us in our tracks.

    It was the border patrol car. Something was definitely wrong.

    Vuga, the second inmand to Tyler, in charge of the patrollers, hopped down from the car and reached us in two giant strides. ¡°Evening to you, your majesty, Beta.¡± He bowed his head. He sounded agitated.

    ¡°What is the problem?¡± I asked as calmly as possible.

    ¡°There had been another attack on the Eastern border this afternoon.¡±

    My nerves ticked, my legs moving in the direction of his car behind Williams who was already on the move. ¡°Who were those at the border and how did this happen?¡±

    ¡°They put the men to sleep and came in before we got linked and intercepted them.¡± He entered and powered the engine. ¡°They had a new weapon. This one is three times more powerful than thest one.¡±

    I bunched my fingers in rage. The humans. These are our creature¡¯s greatest enigma. They hunt us for experiments and see us as objects to be used to amass trophies for their heartless heroism towards the eradication of the supernatural.

    I have been hankering for war against them for as long as I can remember. My mother kept saying that won¡¯t be necessary, albeit, my mother is no longer here and I must say, the humans are earning my attention once more.

    And this time, I won¡¯t show mercy when I bring war to them. If they as much as touch a hair on any member of my Kingdom¡¯s head, I won¡¯t be that rational. I don¡¯t care eliminating them from the surface of this earh if it would give me the peace they have refused to yield to me.

    ¡°Any severe damage?¡± It was Williams that asked.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    He hesitated hence he stammered out, ¡°they took the wife of Ezra,¡± he divulged. ¡°They left a condition if we want to see her back alive.¡±

    ¡°What was their condition?¡±

    ¡°That the King is toe to them alone for negotiation of the terms of her release.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 51

    Gwen??

    The pack has been in silence with everyone shaken by the recent events that have been taking ce. For the past three days, it has been calm and people tend to walk around in the shadows.

    I haven¡¯t been able to see Ashton as he has been so engaged with finding the miscreant that took the mate of one of the guardians. He is angry, I know. Everyone is talking about it.

    I wish to speak to him because from what I heard from Abby, he seems to handle matters too rashly. I don¡¯t know the history they share with humans that would warrant them taking one of them, or instilling this amount of fear in the almighty Lycans, but one thing was for sure, returning violence with violence can never be the way out.

    Back in the werewolf Kingdom, due to my rtionship with Julian and my fathers as the Beta, I was privileged to hear most of their deliberations. When things like this happened, there would be a talking-stage to find out what the other party wanted and a path would be created for negotiation and settlement.

    Albeit, here is the Lycan Kingdom and from everything I have learned so far, everything about them was different from ours.

    Today, I intend to go in search of Ashton to ask him what next. I am his Queen and despite him needing space to himself, to an extent I believe I should be present in whatever meeting they are holding as well be able to offer my opinion in any matter that concerns this pack. As his mate and Queen.

    ¡°Yeah, I like this one,¡± I said to Kora with a small smile as I observed my hairdo from side to side. ¡°Thanks.¡± I stood quickly and looked around the vanity table to pick my scenting oil and dab on both sides of my ears. ¡°You can inform Abby I won¡¯t be joining her for breakfast and also, inform the dressmaker I will be needing a new pair of training garters.¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± Korea bowed tentatively, turned and left.

    I gave the mirror onest nce, snatched my purse from the bed and left. This morning I had opted for a simple blue nnel gown with a low bodice. At this time of the year, the weather bes chilly, leaving the skin patchy.

    And apart from that, I am feeling nervous. I haven¡¯t seen Ashton for a while, I want to be able to breathe properly when I am close to him, and not get suffocated either by his charm or his coldness.

    ¡°I can do this,¡± I recited as I hastened out of the room for the hall that will lead to his private study where I hope to find him.

    I took a deep breath in front of the door, lifted my hand to rap on the door, stopped and wagged my fingers in anxiety. I looked from one side of the hall to the next, biding my time.

    Once I lifted my hand to rap once more, the door swung open and Merit stood there. With my hand still suspended, my soul was crushed. I rapidly swept my wet tongue over my dried lips and let my hands fall by my side.

    ¡°He isn¡¯t open to seeing anyone.¡± Merit¡¯s hands were crossed over the white polo of her bosom as she notified me haughtily. Her eyes were so lethal as they pierced me as if she wasn¡¯t speaking to her Queen about my mate!

    I stepped back, and looked down. Trying to quell my hurting feelings. ¡°Tell him I¡¯m here¡­¡± I¡¯m not here to fight.

    She stepped further, shutting the door, to tower over me. Perhaps, it was her form of trying to intimidate me into cowering before her. Inside, I was afraid. Of many things actually. However, I didn¡¯t let my sight waver from hers. ¡°I said, he is not receptive to seeing anyone right now. Go away!¡±

    ¡°Me_¡±

    ¡°I am his Delta and I know when he is open to seeing visitors. Come back next time.¡±

    My blood boiled. I wanted to push and fight her even if I knew she was more powerful. But what would that achieve? Is he not hearing my voice? Or perceiving my scent? But he is in there allowing this bitch talk low at me.

    I nodded once. ¡°Fine,¡± I sighed. ¡°Tell him I came.¡± With that, I swerved and walked away.

    I went back to the room in despair, changed into my former training wear which was bing too tight and left the room again. I can¡¯t stay here or¡­ I dunno.

    Instead of going to the pce training ground, I signalled to the pce chauffeur who drove the car to me and stopped. I hopped in. ¡°Take me to the guardian¡¯s training ground.¡±

    ¡°Yea, your highness.¡± He drove off.

    I haven¡¯t seen Tyler since he left three days ago. I miss him already. I know I am not supposed to be around him after what happened, still, here I am going to him. I feel like venting out my pain somehow and he is the best person to do that with.

    We arrived and I trudged to the ground, praying to find him there. I didn¡¯t need to search as I sighted him fully involved in the mega-vent expulsion as he delivered clean punches and kicks to an unfortunate dummy by the end of thend.

    I stopped behind him with my hands on my waist. ¡°What has that unfortunate dummy done to warrant this, Ty?¡± He paused, twisted in my direction and at once his face warped into that soothing pant-shifting smile of his as his Obsidians found me.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± His lips contorted to the side as he beheld me, adjusting the straps of his ck hand gloves. He removed his earbuds and ced them back in their holders. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I will see you anytime sooner.¡± He drawled, as he stepped towards me.

    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯te sooner.¡± I morphed my face into a poppy apologetic look. ¡°I am so sorry about what Ashton did. I-I totally caused it.¡±

    He was still grinning whimsically. ¡°You didn¡¯t. I should have been more cautious¡­ And I am not mad at you for noting sooner.¡± He tilted his head straight at my face, pinching his orbs together due to the rising sun rays. ¡°Are you okay?¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Truthfully, I wasn¡¯t. Recalling what had nded him in the beef with Ashton, I covered up with a smile and bounced my head back and forth.

    ¡°I am¡­¡± I passed him on my way to stand on the other side of him. ¡°I just want to train, Tyler¡­ I need to take my mind off many things.¡±

    ¡°Does this have to do with the abduction?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t. Well, somehow, but among many things. So, I replied, ¡°yes, exactly that.¡±

    ¡°I am too,¡± he sighed as he grabbed his bottle of water from on top a stone by the side and gulped down smoothly, letting droplets of it trickle down his stubble-grown jaw. The sun cast a golden glow at it, and from my angle, he looked cherubic.

    I shook off the dark thoughts. ¡°Have you gotten any substantial news?¡± I asked to distract myself.

    He shook his head as he lowered the bottle. ¡°Though, it¡¯s left to the King to agree to their condition or give us the go-ahead to attack.¡± As he said that, his eyes sparkled more like he was delighted with thetter. Does he like bloodshed?

    Wait¡­ what did he just say? ¡°What condition are you talking about?¡±

    He positioned and wagged me to him. ¡°The humans asked for the King toe to them alone if he wants the abducted woman alive. And you know how risky that is.¡± He faltered, his eyes narrowing down at me. ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡±

    Fucken hell!

    ¡­

 Chapter 52

    Gwen??

    After what I just heard Tyler say, I didn¡¯t hesitate to leave the training ground, telling him I will call on him next time as I had suddenly lost the zeal to train, to be reced by an urgent need to speak to Ashton, hook, line and sinker.

    I stormed into the pce, ignoring the butler¡¯s annoying pleasantries as I spun and made my way towards his study. I know Merit will still be there and Lud help me, I will do something drastic if she dared to stop me.

    Without knocking, I grabbed the knob and pushed in, realizing then that the door was locked from the inside. My guts red. I banged loud on the hard wood. ¡°Open this door this minute, Ashton!¡± I knocked, pulled, knocked again. ¡°I demand you open this door this mi_¡±

    The door yanked open unexpectedly, resulting in me to stumble in as I lost my bnce and hold of the knob. Merit once more barricaded the entrance, her body a wall on front in me. ¡°The King_¡±

    ¡°Get out of my way!¡± My two hands connected to her midriff, sending her flying halfway across the room straight at the wall. I wasn¡¯t expecting that. My mouth opened in shock, my eyes wide open. Where did that strengthe from?

    ¡°How dare you, little bit_¡±

    ¡°Merit!¡± Ashton¡¯s brisk voice rang in the room, returning back my senses. I flickered my eyes in his direction, recollecting what had brought me there. I will think about what just happenedter on.

    ¡°She is not supposed to be here, Ashton.¡± Merit replied, using his first name without a single fear.

    It irked me deeply. This shows the level of their intimacy and for her to disy it in front of me, means she knew they will bear no consequences.

    ¡°Leave at once,¡± Ashton drawledzily, sitting up from the chair, his eyes gradually travelling in my direction.

    As she walked passed me, she gritted in a hushed tone, ¡°today might have been your lucky day, bitch.¡±

    I watched until she shut the door before I exhaled and faced Ashton-the fact that we were now alone in the room dawning on me. I cleared my throat, trying to remember the reason I was here in the first ce. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about the human¡¯s condition to see you?¡±

    He grunted, picked up a ss containing a thick brown substance and swirled it in his hand as he regarded me intensely. His shirt was unbuttoned midway, revealing some of the dark strands in his chest region. It made me envious that he allowed another woman that wasn¡¯t me to behold that.

    ¡°I already told you that matters about my Kingdom are none of your business. Why bother?¡±

    My eyes bored holes into him, my hands itching to p some senses into him, perhaps to restructure his brain and make him understand that as his mate and   Queen, anything that concerns this Kingdom was as important to me as it was to him.

    However, I was here for something significant and acting out of impulse and irrationality, won¡¯t solve anything but make us banter and end in him trying to bully me more.

    Just like his mistress.

    I tried on a peace-enchanting smile. ¡°I understand if you think so, Ashton¡­ Still, involving me won¡¯t hurt a thing. I feel ashamed when outsiders are the ones who tell me stuff I am naturally supposed to hear directly from you. Not to mention you hardly even took me to meetings.¡±

    ¡°That is because you are only my partner in name.¡± He mmed the ss on his desk, spilling some liquid over the papers strewed on it. I shuddered and stepped back. ¡°You still don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± He narrowed his eyes at me. ¡°You don¡¯t belong here. And you thinking I will take you to ces and showcase you to my people when your days here are numbered, is absolutely ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I croaked, my throat bing patched. I wanted to tell him that was unfair, but he ignored me and proceeded.

    ¡°You want to know why I didn¡¯t tell you about their condition?¡­ Well, it is because I don¡¯t think you deserve to hear! Just like those humans who wants my head, you and your kind are no different!¡±

    ¡°I care about you, Ashton, you know that.¡±

    ¡°Liar,¡± he snarled and stood up abruptly, kicking his chair backwards. ¡°Should I tell you the only thing you are good for¡­?¡± He approached menacingly, requiring I shuffle backwards until my back was against the door.

    He appeared in front of me, his fingers fastening to my neck and tilting it to the side. He leaned in and sniffed my neck. ¡°Just for fucking¡­¡± He husked.

    I was melting, pooling like ice before his feet just the way he wanted. I knew it. But I didn¡¯t want it. To be his puppet.

    His tongue sneaked out and rolled along my neck as his finger tightened, cutting off air from flowing freely into my lungs. I panicked and grasped his hands. ¡°Let go¡­¡±

    ¡°So, if you want to be useful to me,¡± hemenced his condescending statement, ¡°go back to the room, bare yourself and ready for me to fuck you. Because as long as I live, and as long as you refuse to leave, that is the only good you will do for me.¡±

    I didn¡¯t mean to do it. Hell, I didn¡¯t even know where the courage came from, but the next thing, my right hand connected soundly to his cheek, making him stumble away from me, his hand breaking off my neck.

    I pushed off the door holding my neck and coughing repeatedly.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°How dare you?¡± He growled in front of me. That was when fear set in. I was intoxicated with fury that I finally acted out of impulse. Now, that it is done, I knew I was done for. My pulse quickened.

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t mean to do it.¡± I reached out to touch him and Ashton stepped back, his right hand to his cheek and his lethal eyes shooting daggers. ¡°I swear it¡­¡±

    ¡°You are just what I thought you are. Everything! You are even worst than her.¡±

    ¡°I am not!¡± I shouted back. How could hepare me to someone I didn¡¯t know? ¡°Ashton¡­¡±

    ¡°Just get out.¡± He pointed at the door.

    My feet shifted, unable to move. ¡°What about the woman?¡±

    ¡°I know that¡¯s why you came. You care about another more than you care about me. I know you want me to go so that I can be killed. But, you know what? If losing one member of my pack would save me from the trap of those vermins, then so be it.¡±

    ¡°There can be another way¡­¡±

    He scoffed derisively. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even deny it.¡±

    ¡°Because I have no use to deny, Ashton. It¡¯s all in your head, can¡¯t you see it? I am sorry for hitting you but we need to join heads and think this through. We have to save her.¡±

    ¡°And have me killed?¡±

    ¡°No one has to be killed. What if they just want to talk? You might be the one overthinking it.¡±

    He snorted out and indicated the door once more. ¡°You are even dumber than I thought. Get out.¡±

    Seeing as the discussion wasn¡¯t heading anywhere, I nodded my head, twisted the knob and once the door opened, I took onest look at him and left.

    If he wasn¡¯t going to involve me in this, or think I am too dumb to urge for diplomacy, then, I will have to seek another means of reaching the humans.

    That woman has to be saved. I will prove to him that I am not as dumb as he thinks and that werewolves aren¡¯t horrible as he imagined.

    ¡­

 Chapter 53

    Gwen??

    Heading back to my room-my new room- I tossed off every iota of dress on me, flung them in the hamper and went to sprawl on the sofa in exhaustion. Mental exhaustion. From all the stress I¡¯ve been through today.

    My mind was like a windmill spinning wildly in contemtion of what I am going to do. It contributed to the migraine that rocked my head, making me wince. I looked towards the door as I heard a sound of fast footsteps that soon walked past. It must be Kora.

    Sadly, I don¡¯t feel like going to tell her I won¡¯t be staying in that room until my mental state feel up to it again. Particrly not after what I saw downstairs. Even after our fight earlier, Ashton didn¡¯t try to emancipate himself before me.

    I huffed and stood, going to the bathroom.

    The next time I came out-like the cold water had worked a severe magic on me-I suddenly knew what I was going to do.

    Flinging the closet doors open, I scanned my eyes through the few dresses hanging there, picked out a ck long gown and dropped on the bed hence I opened the drawers to pick out a red thong and bralette which I hastily wore.

    Done, I went to the window and looked outside. Dusk was fast approaching and the birds had begun gliding their way back to their different nests wherever they may be.

    I looked back at the wall clock. 5:54.  Then back outside at the sky. The weather was dull this evening. I hope it doesn¡¯t rain as that would ruin my ns for the night.

    Tossing the curtains back closed, I made my way back to the vanity table and picked up the onlyb I saw lying there. It was too small to endure a hair as massive as mine. But, I will manage. Whoever might have used this room before must have had a thinned hair.

    Thoughts of that had my eyes scaling around the enclosure through the mirror. So much I don¡¯t know about this ce. I will do well to ask Abbyter on.

    Talking about her_

    ¡°Your highness?¡± Kora¡¯s tiny voice squeaked from outside the door. I rolled my eyes. How did she know I¡¯m in here?

    ¡°Come in, Kora.¡± I moved away from the mirror after securing my tresses with a ck bunny hair pack.

    The door hissed close as she came in. ¡°Your Highness. Why are you here?¡± There was an obvious note of wonder in her vocals.

    ¡°Because, henceforth, this would be my room, Kora.¡± I rummaged around the room with my eyes-not in search of anything in particr, just to avoid meeting her eyes. ¡°How did you know I was here?¡±

    ¡°Your scent,¡± She admitted. ¡°It unconceble. I was worried that you weren¡¯t back yet when I checked you in the former room, when I came outside the door, your scent hit me and I followed it here.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± For a notch, I was spooked by her question. Not because she is wrong in asking but because Kora is the least person who I expect such a query from.

    I have gotten used to her standoffish behaviour towards me. As far I am concerned, our rtionship was strictly one of servant and mistress. So, this is new.

    Albeit, I forced on a small smile and bobbed, finally finding the courage to look at her. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. I just need to clear my head a bit.¡±

    Her forehead creased with worry as she sighed and came closer. I knew she had more to say. ¡°I know you might think I don¡¯t care, or that I don¡¯t like you based on our past,¡± she was looking down as she spoke. ¡°However, you are wrong. I told you before and I will say it again, I care about you. I know you hurt from everything the King does¡­ and I know I shouldn¡¯t poke nose.¡± She hurriedly added. ¡°I just hope someday you will find happiness here with us, your highness.¡±

    This might not concern her. In fact, where Ie from, an Omega won¡¯t dare speak to her Luna in that fashion unless they had a cordial rtionship. Nheless, I was moved by her words.

    I nodded slowly. ¡°Thank you, Kora. This means a lot to me.¡±

    ¡°You are wee.¡± She was about to twist around and as though something urred to her, she paused and pivoted back. ¡°The Princess looked for you before. I told her you might have proceeded for training and she left. Maybe you should check on her.¡±

    ¡°I will, Kora. Thank you.¡±

    She hastened to the door and opened it before something important flicked through my mind. I called out to her. ¡°Kora,  can you do me a favour?¡±

    She looked back eagerly. ¡°Anything, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Will you help me provide a hooded dress?¡±

    A dark shadow flitted past her face to show her perplexity which she rapidly masked and bounced her shoulders. ¡°Okay. I will bring it up in no time.¡± She left.

    I paced about the room as I waited. I thought of going to visit Abby to ask her if she visited the arena today. With the gamesing up, and the attack, it seemed more like a sh of interests. And that¡¯s not good.

    I decided against it. I will see her by tomorrow.

    It wasn¡¯t long, there was a single knock and Kora came in with a bundle which she handed me. There was still that question in her eyes. I smiled my thanks.

    I went to deposit it in the wardrobe and faced her. ¡°That will be all for tonight, Kora. I will sleep in tonight and won¡¯t make it for dinner. Pass that to the King in case he sought me.¡±

    ¡°Yea, your highness,¡± she bowed and shared a look of understanding with me before she left.

    Soonest, darkness covered. I grabbed the hoody and wore over my ck gown and used the hood to cover my head, making sure every part of me that could easily give me away was concealed, then, I left my room.

    I knew the pce well now, including the back doors and it came in handy tonight. Instead of using the front door and risking meeting the nosy butler, I found my steps through the back doors which led me straight to the pce stables.

    By this time all the stable hands had retired to their quarters.

    I wasn¡¯t good with horses, neither was I that bad at them. They skittered about and made way for me as I approached, roaming my eyes until itnded on a ck one I knew I could manage. Even if it flings me, hopefully, I won¡¯t die.

    I guided it out, whispering sweet words of gentleness, including bribing it with an apple I grabbed from my room. ¡°You will be a good boy, yeah?¡±

    It neighs in response. Good boy.

    I struggled to mount and seeded. And made my way out.

    I hope this works out.

    ¡­

 Chapter 54

    Ash??

    Gwendolyn was like a wild me and I was her moth. I just can¡¯t stay away. I tell myself I loath her and want her gone by all means. But in reality, I see myself drawn to her.

    I have to break her, everything that makes her. I aim to make her beg, grovel for me before I will reach my brink. Before I will feel the satisfaction thates from getting my revenge on her kind. For everything Emma did to me.

    But with every day I spend with her, it looked like I was bing a shadow of myself. I was doing the exact opposite of what I wished for. All because of the curse of the bond.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    I mmed the bottle of alcohol in my hand on the desk, stood and staggered to the window and pushed the curtain away to sniff outside. It was a windy night, stipting rain beckoned. But, there was something else. A familiar scent.

    Why am I perceiving her scent outside? I racked my head, then shook it and dropped the curtains to step back. It might be a trap of the mind. I was bing too captivated with her that my mind is starting to conjure things that weren¡¯t there.

    Knowing her fully well, after what happened a few hours ago, she will be in that sted room hiding away, shrouded in misery. She needed mepliant, lovely and the perfect husband. Things I wanted to be and more, but what would that make me? A weak man. A yed man. For the second time. By the same people.

    Never!

    Tentatively, my hand slid down to myher region to cup my shaft and massaged gently. With the scentes the need to go upstairs and im her, whether she wanted it or not. Though, I doubt she will protest. That was possibly my downfall. The way she was int in my arms. All I needed was to graze the tip of my fingers in her body to have her shivering, and her arousal smell flitting to my nostrils.

    Without meaning to, the knowledge made me grin, my shaft turning very hard. I was massaging, my head thrown back in twisted hunger as I imagined the dark things I can make her do for me. If I so desired.

    My sweet imagination was brought to an end as my ear caught the faded footfalls padding across the boards towards my study. I quickly rearranged myself, already knowing who it was.

    There came a knock and then the door threw open. Williams¡¯s tall frame upied the entrance. ¡°If I don¡¯t know you too well I will say you are a very busy man who takes pride in keeping the ledgers clean.¡± He shut the door, arching his brows questionably. ¡°When did your study suddenly be your favourite ce because I know you hated it here.¡±

    ¡°Since I married the wrong woman,¡± I grumbled, walking back to my chair to fall on it. I took the bottle and poured a generous amount of Malbec into my ss, tipped and downed it at once. ¡°Cheers to my forever unhappiness.¡±

    He was appraising me through hooded eyes, reeking judgmental. ¡°You have been drinking too much, my man.¡± He grabbed the bottle and went to deposit in the minibar, came back and snatched the ss before I knew what he was up to. ¡°We are in the middle of a dilemma just before the most important time of the year and you drink? We have the gamesing up, and we have an attack from the cursed humans, demanding to see you and right now is not the time to bury your head in the damned bottles.¡±

    ¡°What should I do?¡± I shifted, getting irritated with everyone talking bout the same thing. ¡°You want me to go too?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. We have to be rational, deliberating on what to do. The boys are worried you haven¡¯te to check on the new recruits. They need your encouragement. You can¡¯t hide in here forever.¡±

    I grinned. Sheepishly. ¡°Okay¡­¡± I was tipsy, I know. And fucken horny. ¡°I wille tomorrow. Happy?¡±

    ¡°What hase over you?¡± He slumped in the chair opposite me. I wiped my face and clicked my tongue. ¡°Talk to me, man. Is it about the woman that was taken or is the games season overwhelming you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon¡­¡± I waved off his worry. I have handled those games since I was enthroned fifteen years ago. Why would he think that? ¡°It¡¯s Gwen.¡±

    He rolled his eyes. ¡°What did she do now?¡±

    ¡°She is slowly prating my resolve, winning in her maniption and I hate that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you, Ash. You torment her and yet you are the one looking miserable.¡±

    ¡°That is because that is what she wants you people to believe. That she is tormented¡­ Have you forgotten? Her kind is like that. Deceptive.¡± I was getting mad that everyone was on her side. They don¡¯t seem to see my pain.

    ¡°You are your own problem, Ash,¡± Williams deadpanned. ¡°I just wish you will see that. Gwen is a sweet girl, you are the one who doesn¡¯t see it because you have refused to.¡±

    I gritted my teeth, getting fed up. ¡°Is that why you came here?¡±

    ¡°No, I came to tell you toe to dinner. And to make sure you are good. As your best man.¡±

    I nodded and stood. ¡°Fine.¡± I looked around as if in search of something. ¡°I think you win. I will just have to supper and go to bed. Everyone thinks I¡¯m crazy.¡±

    He scoffed and heaved off his chair, leading the way.

    My mate didn¡¯te down for dinner. Like a fool, I kept looking at her vacant seat, my blood boiling that she will miss it. Craving her presence yet unable to ask anyone why she was absent.

    I couldn¡¯t wait to finish so I could go up and see her even if we will end up fighting. I must make sure she came back to our chamber and if she thinks the new ce will keep me away from her, then she must be joking.

    Somehow, inside of me-or perhaps, because Fang was restlessly pacing-I felt something as off and I could wait to find out what.

    ¡­

 Chapter 55

    Gwen??

    The ride to Tyler¡¯s cottage was not an easy one mostly because the horse galloped too fast which resulted in my nearly falling off it twice as a result of not being a trained horsewoman.

    When we eventually got there, I couldn¡¯t wait to jump off the horse, giving it an aggressive re which I quickly turned to a smile when I remembered it is this same horse that will take me home. Why didn¡¯t I just look for one of the drivers to bring me here?

    Good idea, only that in the next minute, I know the same driver will notify Ashton and I don¡¯t want to think about what that will achieve.

    The door to Tyler¡¯s cottage flung open and a giant ck creature stood at the entrance, its piercing sunset-yellow eyes drinking me in. I shuddered, taking a giant step back.

    This is the first time in my life I saw a real life Lycan. It looked so scary and big. It took a step forward.

    ¡°Tyler, if you are the one please don¡¯t do that.¡± I looked back where the horse stood, and like me, it seemed to have be afraid because the next thing, it reared its head North and took off. My nerves escted. ¡°Tuler,e on, you have just chased away my only means of transportation.¡±

    The creature stopped in front of me, bending forward to sniff me. My heart beat has never been this loud. Not even when Ashton touched me. I was so afraid. I will surely kill Tyler for this stunt.

    That is if he is the one.

    ¡°Ty_¡±

    It moved away and then turned and started making its way back to the door. I looked behind me and around deciding if to hit him or not. Seeing as I had no other choice, I raced after him.

    Inside the house, he disappeared into a corner wordlessly while I stayed back in the foyer, trying to recover from the shock of the past few minutes.

    I looked around the massive room, taking cognizance of the crackling fire under the hearth. The ce wasn¡¯t that big, but it was homely. And well-maintained.

    Tyler soon appeared, wearing loose joggers that hung on his waist and a vest that did nothing to hide the wide expanses of his shoulders.

    When he came into the light, his face was spotting his signature smile. I red. ¡°I am going to kill you for that stunt, Ty.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I just wanted to ruffle you up a bit.¡± He made circr gestures with his hands. ¡°Please, sit down.¡±He indicated the couches.

    ¡°I have never seen anything like that before. It was so¡­ big and scary.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°You should ask Ashton to show you his Lycan. You will be amazed.¡± He sat opposite me, still smiling. When am I ever going to catch Tyler not smiling? ¡°Why are you here by this time of the day, Gwen? You are lucky I perceived your scent the minute I opened the door. It¡¯s very risky what you did.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± I wiggle my fingers. ¡°If the situation was not dire, I wouldn¡¯t havee here.¡± I stood and went to sit beside him. ¡°It¡¯s about the woman that was taken.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­?¡± I could see the question in his eyes as he appraised me. ¡°What about her?¡±

    ¡°We need to save her, Tyler.¡±

    ¡°Ash_¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like he is going to save her, Ty. He said something about the humans wanting his head on a tter.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± He stood up and went to the fridge standing the dinning read at the left side of the room, he opened it and grabbed a bottle and ss cup, came back and dropped it by on the table before me. He served me a ss. ¡°You should withdraw from this matter, Gwen. Ashton knows what he is doing?¡±

    ¡°How can you still trust him after what he did to you?¡±

    ¡°Because he is my King and can easily kill me if he wants.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Uiu think so.¡± His eyes were bright from the glow of the fire, reminding me of the creature from before. ¡°Ashton can be very dangerous when you get on his bad side. Always remember that.¡± His words echoed together with the fireballs that went off at that moment.

    I know Ashton was mean, yet, hearing another say caused goosebumps to rise in my skin. I swallowed. ¡°You have to help me, Ty. I riskeding here because I trust you.¡±

    ¡°He will kill me this time if he finds out you came to me by this time, not to mention if I help you with anything crazy.¡±

    I scooted close and cupped his cheeks, looking deeply into his eyes. ¡°I am going crazy everyday. I stay with a man that doesn¡¯t want to breathe the same space as me, Ty. All I ask is to help this woman who might be going through a lot in the hands of these wicked humans. See it as a stretch of duty, just that this time I¡¯m the one giving the order.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    He looked at me for a long time, the smile finally leaving his eyes. It was so intense I had to let go and shift back. I cleared my throat nervously.

    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± He asked me.

    ¡°I want us to go to them. Me and you, to negotiate in ce of Ashton.¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s dangerous, Ty,¡± I grabbed his ahdjs this time. ¡°Consider it a service to this Kingdom. I want to help that woman, because I know her mate might be going through a lot without her and right now, having angry warriors is the least of what we need.¡±

    He shook his head, refusing to meet my eyes. ¡°We need to discuss this with the King.¡±

    ¡°And achieve what?¡± I wasn¡¯t giving him the chance. ¡°He-Ashton is going through a lot now. I want to help him as his mate and Queen.¡± Is obsidian bored into me, worriedly, making me think of a little rabbit.

    ¡°You will be the death of me, Gwen.¡± He huffed and rxed back in the chair.

    I smiled. He has agreed. I stood. ¡°I have to go, Ty. I only came to brief you on it so you can be ready. We will make our ns discreetly until we are ready.¡± I made my way to the door. ¡°I have to get to the pce before dinner is over.¡±

    ¡°I will take you.¡± He was beside me.

    ¡°No,¡± I pushed at his chest. ¡°Ashrin must never smell    you.¡±

    ¡°I can handle that,¡± he insisted ¡°I will never be at peace knowing you left on your own.¡±

    Not wanting to waste more time arguing, I agreed. He took me in his car back to the pce and when we were at the gate, I turned to him. ¡°I will go in alone, Ty. I don¡¯t want to put you in any trouble.¡±

    Thankfully, he agreed.

    I hurried back into the pce, using the pathway I used to go out. I reached the door of my new room, removed the hood and folded in my arms as my eyes looked back and forth. Certain no one was there, I turned the knob and went in. I know by now they will be rounding up with dinner. I am on time.

    ¡°Where have you been?¡± I pivoted from the door with so much force, I stumbled forth in a jaw-dropping stagger.

    Ashton was standing by the window, his legs crossed as his hands as he intently scrutinized me.

    ¡­

 Chapter 56

    Gwen??

    ¡°Ashton?¡± I gasped, startled to the marrow. ¡°You scared me.¡± I closed the door and gazed around the room. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t -don¡¯t you dare evade my question.¡± He gritted, narrowing his eyes at me. ¡°Where are youing from?¡±

    ¡°I went strolling.¡± I lied fluidly. ¡°I needed to think and I wasn¡¯t hungry so I decided to skip and go¡­ strolling.¡±

    He drank me intently, his lips in a straight line, and his eyes unreadable. I didn¡¯t walk closer, afraid he would smell Tyler¡¯s scent on me. Werewolves¡¯ sense of smell was potent, not to mention a Chief Lycan.

    He huffed irritably and moved away from the window, to cross his hand over his massive chest. ¡°Are you still on your¡­ period?¡±

    ¡°Period?¡± I questioned, then recalling my initial lie, I abruptly nodded. ¡°Yes. In fact, uhm¡­ I have cramps and want to go to bed early.¡±

    ¡°Are you lying to me now, Gwen?¡± I was shaking my head at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to get pregnant?¡±

    I looked away rapidly, my mind travelling back to what the Doctor said. It made my heart skip a beat. What if the doctor informed Ashton of my condition? That will certainly be the end of my stay here. What use will I be here when I can¡¯t produce an heir?

    ¡°I-I need to rest, Ashton.¡± I reiterated and made my way to the closet. As I passed him, he sped my forearm and drew me back to him. I stopped breathing. To avoid perceiving his scent.

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± his voice fell a notch. ¡°Is it about earlier? Sorry.¡±

    I snapped my head to him, my blood starting to boil. I wasn¡¯t even thinking about that but the fact that he will say ¡®sorry¡¯ emotionlessly just because he wants to fuck me, made me snatch my hand away and finish the trip to my wardrobe.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about that, Ashton.¡± I spoke up, ¡°I don¡¯t really care if you sleep with the entire women in this Kingdom anymore. I just need to sleep. I can¡¯t FUCK you tonight.¡± I emphasize the fuck because that is all I feel when he is inside me. No passion, no feeling, just the intermittent p of skin against skin.

    There is no pleasure in the act at all. While Ashton is busy taking pleasure, all that kept me going is the euphoria derived from the pull of the bond and my natural attraction to him.

    That is definitely not love making.

    ¡°Is that how you see it?¡± He demanded, his ego seemingly bruised. ¡°Just fuck?¡± He demonstrates with his hand, scrunching his face.

    ¡°That is how it is, Ashton.¡± I red at him. ¡°You only fuck me because you want an heir. Yes, I am working so hard to get you one, but then I can¡¯t help but wonder what will happen after that.  Will you stille to my bed or will I be just your mate?¡±

    His eyes dimmed just enough to make me more confused about what was going on in his head and then they were back to cold. He took a step forward, stopped and sneered,  ¡°You are very ungrateful.¡±

    Just what I thought. ¡°I am the one who is ungrateful?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you, Gwen. What more do you want from me? I made you my Queen. I allowed you privileges and now you deny me of my right all in the name of being in your period?¡±

    Such a crybaby.

    My head was exploding. What is wrong with this man? He hates me, yet, he can¡¯t sleep without crawling into my bed. Is this all about the heir or is there more to this?

    I crossed my hand defiantly and clicked my tongue. ¡°You need help, Ashton.¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Oh, yeah? I need help, yet, you are the one who stalks me everywhere I go.¡±

    ¡°If you think me seeking you out for Kingdom matters makes me a stalker, then Ashton, I overestimated you. I thought you were sensible.¡± I lost control over my tongue. ¡°The Kingdom is under attack and what do you do? You and your mistress hide away to engage in rubbish instead of standing up for your people.¡± I made my way close. ¡°I helped you, I stepped in to cover your shameless ass and you think I am stupid?¡±

    ¡°I never asked for your hel_¡±

    ¡°Because you can¡¯t see what is in front of you, Ashton. What did she do to you? Is it a spell?¡±

    ¡°Stop rambling.¡± He swayed his hands. ¡°Merit is not like that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you defend her.¡± I let out a sardonic chuckle. ¡°Fine. Then go be with her, Ashton. I don¡¯t care. You can even produce an heir with her.¡± I waved him off and threw my wardrobe open to pick out my night dress. I can¡¯t break down again tonight. I can¡¯t allow that.

    I¡¯m already spotting a migraine.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I mean it, Ashton.¡± I coursed softly. ¡°If you think I will keep running after you like some sick puppy, then wake up. I promised your mother to be by your side and be your Queen. I will do just that.¡±

    ¡°You also promised to give the Kingdom an heir.¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t!¡± I shrieked, out of impulse. ¡°I-I don¡¯t think I want to continue sleeping with a man that fucks around with different women.¡± I quickly inserted.

    ¡°You are insane.¡± He reached me in a sh and grabbed my neck closer. I struggle, hitting at his chest.

    ¡°You are my mate and will not deprive me of my conjugal right.¡± He breathed close to my ear.

    ¡°Get away from me, sick fool!¡± I pushed away from him. He seized my two hands in his rightrge one and pinned them above me. He was ttened against me, making it difficult not to inhale his scent.

    Lud, why will Ashton be doing this to me?

    ¡°I know you want me, Gwen. You are just ying hard to get.¡± He kissed the weak spot by my neck. I sighed like an idiot, struggled some more and melted like ice. ¡°I have to touch you for my sanity, don¡¯t you get it?¡±

    ¡°You-you d-don¡¯t want me.¡±

    ¡°Who said so?¡± He left baby kisses down to the side of my lips and then bit into my lower lips, acting like he was possessed. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep tonight if I don¡¯t feel you, Gwen. Don¡¯t punish me so.¡±

    ¡°You slept-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it.¡± His finger found my drawers and pushed it aside to finger my pussy. My head fell back against the wardrobe, my waist grinding into him. He matched my momentum, his big bulge fuckingly hard like it wants to burst through his pants.

    ¡°Tell me you want this¡­¡± He sucked my left nipple and managed my pussy more. ¡°Tell me, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I-yeah¡­ I want you.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 57

    Ash??

    ¡°There is no other way, my elders,¡± My authoritative voice rang in the room as I addressed my elders. ¡°We shall take war to the humans.¡± I dered with an air of finality.

    We were in a meeting, a normal routine every Friday to talk about the general welfare of the pack.

    The only difference today is that we have matters of urgent attention. One is the attack and the other being the games.

    ¡°I think we should think this one through, my King,¡± Ebenezer, the oldest of the elders advised. ¡°I know this might be the only way, considering their condition, yet, like your father will always say, tough times don¡¯t always require tough measures.¡±

    I snorted derisively, waving away thement from Ebenezer. ¡°That is my father and this is me. I am the King now and unless you are still loyal to my father, this is what we are going to do.¡± The elder lifted his hands up to demonstrate his submission. ¡°For long I have been ignoring the caprices of the humans as they keep trying to step on the foot of our people,¡± my eyes skidded about, ¡°but not anymore.¡±

    ¡°But your mo_¡±

    ¡°My mother has nothing to do with this. And will never have.¡± I added thest part as a warning. Everywhere went quiet, the elders merely exchanging nces. They knew I  can be strong-headed, which is why they dare not try to challenge my decision.

    We talked about the games and also deliberated on other things that concerned our pack before I  released them to go about their day, except my Beta that stayed behind.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should sleep through this decision?¡± Williams asked me, standing up from his chair to make his way to the mini-bar where he grabbed a bottle of Maltec and two sses,ing to drop them in front of me. He uncorked the bottle and deposited the red content in the two sses, handing the first one to me.

    ¡°You can¡¯t change my mind, Williams.¡±

    ¡°Like I haven¡¯t seeded in doing these days.¡± He sipped from his ss. ¡°Perhaps there is something I might have done wrong that you are keeping from me and it will do well if you will enlighten me because the Ashton I know listens to my guidance.¡±

    For some reason, I had to grin at his sillyment. It wasn¡¯t a lost knowledge that Williams sulked like a pup when things don¡¯t go his way. However, as we grew older I thought he has outgrown it. It seemed I was wrong. ¡°We are no longer pups,¡± I reminded him, picked my ss and swirled the content.

    ¡°Still, that doesn¡¯t mean you will not listen to me. Then, what is my use as your Beta?¡±

    ¡°Exactly, Will. As my Beta you should know that for the good of this pack, the entire Lycan Kingdom, we have to teach the humans a powerful lesson. If not for anything, to preserve our decaying reputation. If they fear us, they won¡¯t dare show their stupid faces anywhere near our borders.¡±

    William seem to weigh my opinion heavily. Then when he opened his mouth, it was to say, ¡°I never for once thought you will be egotistic to this point, Ash. Nheless,¡± he dropped his ss, rose and wiped his hands on his denim jean trouser, his eyes not wavering from me. ¡°We have to still think this one through. If the Quee-ex-Queen finds out we are nning a war, I can¡¯t imagine what will be the oue.¡±

    I scoffed and downed the remaining of my drink. He was right. My mother will be mad if she found out about my ns which is the reason it must be kept a secret from her.

    This is my reign, theirs were over and now things must go my way. To prove a point, she made me marry Gwen hoping to indirectly keep me in shackles. Well, theugh is on her. The poor girl is paying the price for her rash decision.

    Yesterday¡¯s make-out session shed in my mind and my cock swelled. With the reminder, came the realization that my mate was sneaking around with that rogue called Tyler. He is lucky that I am in the middle of a dilemma. If not, I will make sure I make her watch me take off every one of his fingers before I finally shred him apart for daring to touch what is mine.

    The effrontery of them to sneak around in the night and then she lied to me. I shook my head and focused on what Willins was saying presently.

    ¡°I have to go now, Ash, to the training ground.¡± He said. ¡°Are youing?¡±

    ¡°No, help me guide the boys. I have a few things I need to handle.¡± I stood and we left the conference room, my next destination being the study.

    As Williams headed outside the pce and I veered in the direction of my study, I almost collided with Gwen. She seemed in a haste.

    ¡°Ashton,¡± she said, out of breath. ¡°Is the meeting over?¡±

    I eyed her. ¡°So, let¡¯s say you are actually invited to the meeting, this is the time you wille for it?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t informed about it, Ashton. Kora just notified me as I was preparing to leave for the arena and I had to cancel that toe.¡±

    I shook my head, tucked in my lips and bypassed her, continuing my walk.

    ¡°Ashton, is the meeting over?¡± She asked again.

    ¡°It is over, woman, let me be.¡±

    ¡°You should have told me this morning.¡±

    ¡°And I told you to stay away from matters that concern my pack.¡± She didn¡¯t reply.

    We reached the door of my study and I halted, twisting to face her. ¡°Go away, I need private time.¡±

    Her brow arched to the top of her head. ¡°Do you even listen to the words thate out of your mouth, Ashton? I am your Queen for moon¡¯s sake. I should be in the meetings with you.¡±

    ¡°And I said I need my privacy.¡±

    ¡°Fine!¡± She shouted in my face. ¡°You are so insufferable.¡±

    ¡°And you too.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Our eyestched in a tight-fistbat which was broken by steady footfalls that ambled in our direction. We both turned at the same time to see Merit approaching. Gwen hissed, her right hands going to her forehead to touch tentatively as if to quell a migraine.

    Merit stopped in front of me. ¡°Are you in any form of difort, my King?¡±

    ¡°It may appear I will be needing my privacy for a few hours, Merit, I believe you can handle it.¡± I said through my teeth, making sure my eyes were pinned on my mate to ry the message.

    ¡°You two are just so stupid!¡± Gwen hissed and shot Merit a condescending look before she stomped away.

    At the end of the hall, she veered around and shrilled, ¡°You better stay away from my room tonight for your own good, cockface. Or better still, sleep in her damn room!¡± She disappeared down the hall out of our sight.

    Howe she is bing so mouthy? I shared a look with Merit and as she opened her mouth to say something I raised a finger to stop her. ¡°Just stand outside the door. Don¡¯te in.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 58

    GWEN??

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, Tyler, Abby told me herself before I came here,¡± I said as I attacked my dummy, wrapping the material I used to protect my knuckles and went in again. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he would want to do that.¡±

    ¡°Well, he hasn¡¯t given us the order, yet,¡± Tyler said. ¡°As their chief, he will confide in me first before going ahead with anything.¡±

    I was breathing hard by now qns my head is starting to swim. I faltered and nodded at him. ¡°Have you gone to the pce today?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then, that¡¯s why. I came here immediately after I left him.¡±

    ¡°I will be going there in the next,¡± he looked at his time, ¡°¡­ ten minutes.¡±

    I nodded, and picked my bottle. ¡°What¡¯s the next thing on our ns?¡±

    ¡°I have all the itineraries ready. I have to ask the King his course of action before we leave this evening.¡±

    ¡°Okay, we have to get there on time, speak to them and be back before dawn. Ashton won¡¯t being to my room tonight so he won¡¯t notice.¡±

    ¡°How did you know that?¡±

    I hesitated as the scene from earlier shed through my head. ¡°Let¡¯s just say we had a little squabble in which I specifically warned him abouting close to my room.¡±

    ¡°Oh, still in the fight?¡± We started walking out of the training ground.

    I looked at my hand as I removed the band. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡±

    ¡°I understand.¡± He stopped when we reached the car that brought me. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you need a break from him?¡±

    I flicked my eyes to him. His hard was matted to his skull from heat, and his eyes narrowed due to the sun. His skin looked like bronze and the obsidian now seemed darker.  Tyler is my friend, I have to keep reminding myself that. He might be too sweet and kind, still, I can¡¯t see him as anything beyond my friend. I am not like Ashton. I intend to keep you the vows I made to him.

    I looked away as the driver approached from his training. ¡°I can¡¯t, Tyker. I made a promise to his mother to be the Queen to these people and also took a vow before the priestess to love and be loyal to him. Until I can¡¯t take it anymore, I intend to try.¡±

    He nodded and handed me my bag he had helped me take at the training ground. ¡°Whatever you need, whatever it is, just let me know.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Will we seeter?¡±

    I looked towards the driver that greeted us before entering the car, I came closer to him and whispered, ¡°I will meet you at your ce by twelve midnight and we will go from there. Be ready and wait. And make sure to ask the King a lot of questions when you meet himter.¡±

    He nodded wordlessly and helped me into the car that was open, shutting the door after me. He waved at me as the car pulled away.

    I rxed back, drinking once more from the water bottle.

    After I left Ashton, I met Abby on my way to my room and she told me Ashton had decided to wage war against the humans. I didn¡¯t like that as I have never liked anything that has to do with violence

    The season is just beginning and we have a game ahead of us and if the Lycqn time corrtes with ours, not sooner thanter, we are to approach the full moon. Putting all these into consideration, I can¡¯t just stand and watch him go into war.

    Not when it can be solved with diplomacy.

    I hear that humans are chaotic and can be unreasonable most of the time due to their behavioural limitations. They are not like us that are endowed with abilities that help us achieve certain things. This makes them act out of emotions and sentiments most of the time as adverse to logic.

    I will talk to them. Tyler had the lead to the people that took the woman. As I found out humans are always hunting for supernatural creatures for experimental purposes and that is why I have to talk to them. We are notb rats and deserve respect just as much as we respect their existence.

    As long as I have lived I have never heard that any member of the supernatural family hunted for humans. This is why I don¡¯t support Ashton¡¯s decision.

    I entered the pce and went straight to my room. There is no need going to him anymore since he won¡¯t listen to me, not to mention he had his mistress with him.

    ¡°Gwen, are you there?¡±

    That was definitely, Abby. ¡°Abby?¡±

    ¡°Are you in the shower?¡± She queried,ing close.

    ¡°Yes, just hive me a minute.¡±

    I quickly rinsed off the bubbles and came out of the bathroom. ¡°Abby, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I came to bring you down myself after you misseding down for dinner yesterday.¡±

    I grinned. ¡°I was going toe down by the way.¡±

    I changed and we made our way down.

    ¡°Have you spoken to Ashton?¡± She asked.

    ¡°No, and you?¡±

    ¡°K went to see him and he asked that bitch to kick me out, can you imagine that?¡±

    ¡°Your brother asked Merit to kick you out?¡± My eyes were wide. ¡°I said that she cast a ck spell on him.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to cast any spell on him, Gwen. My brother is very stubborn and doesn¡¯t listen to anyone. Only my mother bend him.¡±

    I already know that. Big I don¡¯t want us to involve the Queen. She will think I am incapable.

    I sighed as we neared the dining room. ¡°I have a n, Abby, I didn¡¯t want to tell you, but I will only because I am trusting you to be loyal to me and not tell your brother.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    We hung back outside the dining room doors and I faced her. ¡°I and Tyler are visiting the human territory tonight to negotiate for the captive¡¯s freedom.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 59

    GWEN??

    After dinner and everyone had retired to their different rooms and I was certain Ashton would not show up in my room that night, I wore the ck hooded cardigan Kora brought me in a simple pair of jean trousers and sneaked out of the pce.

    I went to the stables like the other night and saw that same horse that betrayed me at Tyler¡¯s ce. I decided to give him a second chance when he neighed at me and use him once more. I enticed him outside with an apple I saved from dinner, and made sure he didn¡¯t make any sound to attract the stable hands.  When we were distant from the stables, I struggled to mount him, happy he didn¡¯t panic and run off on me.

    ¡°Good boy.¡± I patted his neck, grabbed his reins and kicked his stirrup to increase his gallop. I was alreadyte and won¡¯t want Tyler to think I changed my mind.

    When I got to his cottage, he was already waiting for me outside his house. I jumped down from the horse, tied it by a post and went to join him in his car.

    ¡°I nearly came to the pce to pick you up,¡± he said as we drove out.

    ¡°Thank goddess you didn¡¯t. I had to convince the patrollers I was going for a run. That wouldn¡¯t have been easy with you around. Plus, I wouldn¡¯t want them exposing me to Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He gave me a brief nce as we hit the highway and he aced his eleration. ¡°You look pale.¡±

    ¡°Of course, I will be pale, Ty.¡± I sighed audibly. ¡°I just sneaked out of the pce in the middle of the night with you, on a mission I don¡¯t even know if we¡¯ll make it back alive. What do you think?¡±

    He snickered lightly. ¡°We will be alright. I really admire your strength, your highness. If only King Ashton knows what he has by his side.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    I merely replied by rxing back on the seat to look outside. No matter what happened tonight, I am d I did this. It is better than to sit down and watch them kill an innocent woman.

    It was a long ride but atst, we reached the borders that separated us from the humans and Tyler spoke to the Lycan guards, while I slid down the car to prevent them from seeing me.

    By the time we reached the house of the human hunters, it was already approaching dawn. Tyler turned off the car engine in front of the gate, our senses bing alert. I smelled danger lurking near even before some humans dressed in total ck attires began jumping out from different directions to circle our car.

    ¡°What are we going to do, Tyler?¡± I panicked, looking around at the men wielding silver knives as slowly they crawled closer to our car as if they were getting ready to attack wild animals.

    We were animals, yes, still, that doesn¡¯t make us wild.

    ¡°Stay in the car, your highness, let me speak to them,¡± Tyler spoke in a hushed tone, his eyes not leaving them.

    I shook my head. ¡°No, Tyler. I am going to speak with them. This is my mission, I only asked for you to apany me and I am not going to allow any harm toe to you.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± His voice was stern and conclusive. It is the first time he is raising his voice at me. ¡°I am the guard here and you are the King¡¯s mate. If anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself. So, I say, stay. in. the. car.¡± When his shady eyes met mine -even though briefly-I understood the resolution in them.

    He looked away as he opened the car door, with his hands above his head, he stepped out. I strained my ears to hear what they were saying as their mouths started moving.

    ¡°Say your name and what you seek here!¡± A man with a ck Chinese kungfu hat who seemed like their spokesperson barked, extending his sword, that the encroaching sunset light made the des sparkle.

    ¡°Ie in peace,¡± Tyler uttered, his hands still in surrender. ¡°I havee in peace from the Kingdom of Chronicles, home of the Lycans. Please, low_¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± That same man cut him off to ask. He shared an awry look with his brethren and then when he looked back at Tyler, his lips twisted to the side in contempt. ¡°You are an animal and you darede into ournds? What made you think we will listen to whatever you have to say when our leader specifically states our condition?¡±

    ¡°Like I said_¡±

    ¡°Apprehend him!¡± He ordered and at once as the other men veered close, I perceived I had to do something because, at that moment, I knew the predator in Tyler would want to rear its head and I wouldn¡¯t want that. We came here for peace and that is what we will maintain.

    I instantly disobeyed Tyler and intervened.

    ¡°Stop!¡± I careened, bringing a halt to all their movements as I exited the car. Tyler growled, shing me a disapproving re. I shook my head at him, lifting my own hands as I stood beside him, looking at the men.

    ¡°My name is Gwendolyn Mcgregor, mate and wife to Ashton Mcgregor, King of the Lycans.¡± There was a unified hiss among the men. From the way their faces hardened more, I knew they wanted nothing but to kill me abruptly. To them, they already had their target but I didn¡¯t stop. ¡°I understand you want my husband and not me, unfortunately, my husband is very upied and therefore had sent me on his behalf to negotiate.¡±

    ¡°We will not listen to amon woman! Bring them to the cage at onc-!¡± The man was not relenting.

    ¡°You can keep me and free the woman!¡± Tyler¡¯s face whipped to me. That wasn¡¯t the n, but if this is what it will take to have their attention, then I am willing to do what it takes. ¡°Please.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tyler asked in a hushed tone.

    ¡°I know what I am doing,¡± I said through tight teeth, still darting at the men who were whispering among themselves now.

    Their spokesperson shook his head vigorously. ¡°I know what you are doing, woman. We know how maniptive your kind can be. We will not fall for it. We will keep you people until your husbandes to us as we have demanded.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°You have no idea what you have done bying here. You have given yourself as a free sacrifice to be used to lure that wild beast to us. Bring them to the cage!¡± His voice reverberated through the yard as the men leapt forward at us.

    Tyler¡¯s defence rose but I was fast to hold him and shook my head. ¡°Be calm,¡± I said as they grabbed me, and subdued me on the floor, doing the same to him.

    ¡­

 Chapter 60

    ASH??

    I¡¯ve been in the study all day attending to the stacked ledgers that were submitted by the Pack secretary, waiting for me to sign off on the billspiled by the different segments in preparation for the uing festivities.

    I have been ignoring them for days now because of the attack and other distractions but today, I had persevered to finish assenting to the most relevant bills, especially the welfare team for the games.

    Once done, I stretched my arms to pop my stiff joints and circte blood that had clogged at some points. After that, I stood and went to the minibar to pick up a bottle of Madeira and a ss, going to the window to look outside after I poured the drink and took a sip.

    It was approaching Fall, the season of festivities and procreation. It was in this period that the supernatural¡¯s experienced mass birth due to the cold weather which in the long run brought along heat for the females. For us, Lycans, the red blood moon would enhance all our abilities and made them potent as well as make us vulnerable to the moon. During this season, our savagery invigorates as a result of the effect of the red moon.

    I gulped down thest of the drink as the air altered, the crescendo of the grasses amplifying as they danced to the billowing wind, tickling my ears. I smiled.

    I loved this period. It reminds me of my father and how much he loved to sneak out by this time to go riding in the mountains. That was when I was little anyways. It changed as I grew older and he slowly turned into a shadow of himself, bing too serious with everything.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    I looked away from the window, certain of two things: it was going to rain cat and dog tonight and I needed my mate.

    Lowering the bottle and ss on the desk, I grabbed my coat and wandered from the study just as the first sound of raindrops resonated on the high roof.

    Merit had left some time ago after she realized I was not letting her into the study. What a pesky cunt. Yes, I enjoy using her to irk my mate, but I can¡¯t help but acknowledge how leech-y she can be.

    Getting to the door of the chamber that my mate now upied in her bid to show her rebelliousness, I knocked once, touching the zip of my trousers as her scent wafted through the rinks of the wood, assailing my nostrils. Like a fool, I inched closer and took a deep breath, raising my knuckles to knock again. Gently.

    No sound.

    ¡°Gwen, open the door,¡± I said, not in the mood to entertain her games tonight. The rain has intensified by now and so did the tenth building beneath my waist, below my brown knickers.

    ¡°Gwen, I¡¯m serious, open the door or I swear I¡¯m going to break this down _¡± Wait, was she serious about her earlier warning? I scowled at the reddish-brown oak door in anger-as if it was the cause of my misery.

    I am the man, the King and no woman would give me a ridiculous condition not to mention my own mate. I grabbed the knob to force it open with one of my powers when the door threw open immediately and standing before me was not my little wolf, but her Doe-eyed maid.

    I snarled, ¡°Where is she?¡± I bypassed her before she responded. ¡°Where is Gwendolyn?!¡±

    ¡°Sir-My King_¡±

    ¡°Answer me!¡± Has she gone to see that jerk again?

    ¡°My King, she has gone missing!¡±

    I stopped. ¡°Gone missing?¡± Fang jumped inside me in agitation and began whimpering. He jumped from end to end, pping his tail nervously. ¡°What do you mean by gone missing?¡±

    ¡®You have finally sent her away, cockhead!¡¯ Fang gingered, ¡®I told you you will scare her off but you didn¡¯t listen. Oh, my, what are we going to do without our mate?¡¯

    ¡°Calm down, Fangs, this is a joke. She can¡¯t escape.¡± I told him, trying to wrap my head around what the little maid said. She was saying something but I was no longer listening. I searched the room, went to the bathroom and flung it open, but she wasn¡¯t there.

    I raced to the wardrobe and threw them open. Everything was intact. I sighed. At least she didn¡¯t take anything. Meaning she didn¡¯t leave. She can¡¯t leave without picking a thing, right?

    ¡®Then, where is she, cockface?¡¯

    ¡°Maybe we can fashion that out when you stop fuckening cursing at me!¡± I sneered in a cold voice, getting fed up with his arrogant ass. ¡°She has nowhere to go. You heard her say it the other day. This ce is her everything. We are her everything.¡± I faced the maid. ¡°When was thest time you saw her?¡±

    She was shaking, sweat glistening on her body to show her fear. Oh, she should better be. Because if truly my mate escaped under her watch, I will have her head hanging by a silver stake at her homestead.

    ¡°I-I- She-she-¡±

    ¡°Fucken be audible!¡± There was a knock at the door. We both looked there at once. In anticipation.

    Abby came through, her eyes wide. There was something fishy in them.

    I hurried to her, grabbing her hands to look into her eyes but she looked away to avoid my eyes. I knew that act. She always had it when she did something mischievous since we were little.

    ¡°What do you know, Abby?¡± I asked in a small voice, working hard to control my rage. ¡°You helped her to escape, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Her frightened globes reached me in a sh. ¡°Escape?¡± She shook her curls. ¡°She didn¡¯t escape. She went to the human¡¯s territory with Tyler.¡±

    My heart skipped.

    If I am to be honest, I have never felt my heart flip like that before. Not even when Emma left me. ¡°She did what? With who?¡± That good-for-nothing devil¡¯s foot! What did he say to her to convince her to go with him on such a death trip!

    ¡°I swear I was shocked when she told me,¡± tears shone in her blue eyes. ¡°I thought she was joking but then I couldn¡¯t keep it to myself and had to tell you. When I didn¡¯t see you in your study I had to c_¡±

    ¡°You. had. the. entire. evening. to. fucken. tell. me, Abigail,¡± I thundered, dropping her hands to step back. ¡°Do you know what you have done?¡±

    ¡°I am so_¡±

    ¡°I swear in the goddess name, Abigail, If anything happens to her, I will never forgive you.¡± I moved to the door, stopped and faced her. ¡°Prepare to get married.¡± And then to the maid. ¡°Your head will hang, believe that.¡±

    I stormed off.

    ¡­

 Chapter 61

    GWEN??

    Tyler and I were thrown into the same room. It was a dark and cold room. There was no window, and the only source of light was a yellow flickering bulb with fading light that at the moment wasing and going off.

    I think there is an oing storm as a powerful lightening shook the walls, the angry howl of the trees outside, very audible in here.

    ¡°Are you okay, you are shivering,¡± Tyler asked, dragging back my attention to him. I looked at him, his Obsidian now very sharp in the dim light. I knew he was mad at being caged. Comes with his nature as a Lycan. They hate confined spaces. Yet, he cared about me.

    I nced down at my feet. ¡°I am not, Ty. I brought this upon you.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡± He took a step forward and faltered as if thinking his action through. ¡°I failed to protect you. Do you know how that makes me feel?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡± I red at him. ¡°On this trip, it¡¯s a peaceful one. No violence and as far as I am concerned, each of our protection lies on us..¡± My voice dipped. ¡°I feel so bad these people are not being reasonable. I need to speak to their chief.¡±

    He exhaled loudly, twisting around to touch the wall behind him. ¡°I don¡¯t think they will allow that. It¡¯s up to us to try to escape from here, however we can.¡±

    ¡°Can we? How, when there is no window or anything to indicate where we are?¡±

    He moved past me, skimming the walls on both sides of the room with rapt concentration. What is he doing? I opened my mouth to ask him when I heard loud footfallsing down the hall. He stopped and in a sh, he was by the door. Damn Lycans!

    ¡°Stay behind me,¡± he ordered. ¡°As the chief guardian, it is my duty to protect you. Do as I say.¡±

    ¡°No violence, Tyler,¡± I warned. ¡°Under no circumstances are we to attack them. Please.¡± I added thest part, obeying him to stand behind me as the keys to our cage rattled and soon, the loud iron doors pulled open to reveal a brief man with a red long moustache. He was muscled, I must say, but that was the only significant thing about him.

    Thin lips, fading sunset-receding hair, puny brown eyes and short fingers.

    I nearlyughed. The humans are so humorous. So, they think if we want to subdue this man we can¡¯t? I sized him up. Just a tweak of my finger and the man will die. Like a rat.

    But no, I am here for something important. I have to try and remain calm.

    ¡°The chief is back and has ordered for two of you to be brought before him for questioning.¡± And yeah, he had the weirdest voice ever. Squeaky.

    ¡°Good.¡± I stepped to the side of Tyler, crossing my hands over my chest. ¡°Because I would like to speak to him too.¡±

    He stepped to the side, gesturing to us to move out. Tyler led the way.

    We walked through severalplicated halls full of sickening graffiti works and garbage ck bags packed by the corners before we emerged in a hall that swayed with human noises. And at this point as a werewolf, I can¡¯t help but feel choked by their diverse aura.

    It is a werewolf thing to feel suffocated in the midst of other creatures, especially humans. I am slightly not feeling overwhelmed by it-as many werewolves would do-because I haven¡¯t shifted yet.

    As for Tyler, I can¡¯t really say. If he was ufortable by these fes, he didn¡¯t exhibit any form of expression to ry that.

    We passed a lot of bitchy gawking people and then a squeaky-man stopped in front of a brown oak door and rapped once. The door was thrown open, a woman-a grown-ass woman with her boobs looking like they were about to escape from their binds-hissed and walked out.

    Is this ce a brothel or what?

    We went in where a middle-aged man also looking somehow funny sat at the back of his desk, sipping a ss of a dark brown substance. I looked at Tyler and back at him. Why is his hair spiking at the ends like he was a descendant of Naruto Shippuden?

    ¡°My mates told me we have the most special visitors from thend of the animals.¡± He stood and came to stand in front of the desk, crossing his big arms in front of him, with his legs. ¡°What a pleasant surprise I must say.¡±

    I stepped forward and when Tyler tried to stop me, I smiled at him to be calm. ¡°Hello, Sir, I am Gwendolyn Mcgregor and I am the wife of King Ashton which makes me the Queen of the Lycans. My partner and I havee to speak to you about the recent kidnap of one of us. We don¡¯t want troubles ju_¡±

    He busted outughing loudly, cutting me off in a rude manner. ¡°You,¡± he pointed at me, ¡°are the Queen of the Lycans? The wife of the very man we seek?¡±

    ¡°I came on behalf of my husband, the King,  to negotiate for the release of your captive.¡±

    He sat up and spat on the floor in disgust. ¡°You must be very stupid if you think we will listen to animals like you. What do you think we need him for?¡± He syed his hands dramatically. ¡°We need him for special experiments and now you have brought yourself as a sacrifice to us we are going to use you to lure that bastard in. Tiga!¡±

    I looked back as the door opened and the short man returned, bowing his head.

    ¡°Take them back to the cage and lock them up. I think they are exactly what we need.¡± He started striding towards me and I consciously stepped back, bumping into Tyler who steadied me, came forward and blocked me from him, letting out an angry growl.

    I touched his left nk.

    The man continuedughing. ¡°You-you can¡¯t even hide your true nature for once, yeah! Take them away from here until our targetes for his mate. He surely will.¡±

    I panicked. ¡°Please, we can sort this out the better way. The Lycans don¡¯t war with you. You can¡¯t survive it.¡±

    ¡°Take them out of my presence!¡± He waved us out, going back to his seat.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    When we arrived back at the room, I began pacing back and forth in annoyance. This isn¡¯t working as I nned and by now I am certain Ashton already knew I was away from the pce. He is surely going to let hell loose particrly when he finds out Tyler is missing too.

    What will he think? That I escaped with Tyler? He already suspects something foul about us, now is the perfect time to solidify his ims. Not to mention we have to leave here soon so I can warn him about the human¡¯s vile ns towards him.

    I can¡¯t let anything bad happen to him.

    ¡°You have to calm down¡­¡±

    ¡°They want my mate,¡± I hissed, wagging my fingers. ¡°Besides that, Ashton will kill us when he discovers we are both missing from the pack.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± He said casually. ¡°Just calm down.¡±

    I was getting more irritated. I don¡¯t want to be told to calm down. ¡°Stop acting so unperturbed, Ty. Ashton already suspects us. He-he thinks we are seeing each other in secret.¡± I searched for the right words to use to portray what I meant. ¡°Like, like, we are¡­ intimate.¡±

    He didn¡¯t make a sound. I bit into my nail until it irked before I lowered it. ¡°I don¡¯t want to put you in more trouble, Ty. I can bear him hurting me but I don¡¯t want him to hurt you.¡±

    He reached my side in seconds and took my two hands in his. I rolled my eyes. I will have to tell him to control his abilities when with me. He nearly gave me a heart attack. ¡°Thank you for your concern, your highness, but, don¡¯t worry, I will be okay.¡±

    I sighed, wanting nothing but to believe him. Before I knew it, his hands came behind me and pulled me in for a hug. At first, I went stone stiff but then slowly, I rxed into him, needing this now more than ever.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Ty.¡±

    ¡°No worries, I am happy I¡¯m doing this with you.¡± He mumbled and pulled me away by the shoulders. ¡°And next time, let me handle these people, okay?¡±

    I nodded.

    He pulled away and went straight to the wall opposite us and touched it, as he was doing before.

    ¡°What is that?¡±

    ¡°I feel a vibration and my ears have been picking up sounds. Kind of a woman sobbing.¡± He ced his right ear on the wall. ¡°Close your eyes if you don¡¯t want to see this.¡± He said as his hands began to shift to his Lycae, his huge long ws pushing out. I watched it all. He scraped at the wall until it revealed a light. He turned to look at me. ¡°I think there is a passage here.¡±

    I reached him on time, eagerly. ¡°What!¡±

    He was scratching fast now. ¡°We have to get out of here and find her. That is if she is alive. Then three of us will leave here as soon as possible.¡±

    When he created a big hole wide enough to contain us, I passed first and he came after me. We bust out in a new location, a hall. We looked left to right, and when we saw no one, Tyler took my hand and we ran in the left direction. ¡°Follow me, the voice ising from this way.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 62

    GWEN??

    We reached the end of the hall and it had opposite hallways adjacent to it. Tyler made to run in the right direction and suddenly came to a screeching halt, instead making for the closest entrance beside us, and dragging me inside.

    ¡°What the fu_¡±

    ¡°Shhhh¡­¡± He ttened my back against his rock-hard front, palming my mouth with his extrarge hands. ¡°There are humansing this way.¡±

    I nodded, my pulse quickening from our close proximity and the fan of his breath on the side of my face. Fuck, like me, the stato beat of his heartbeat was hammering at my spine in rapid session.

    Now, I can¡¯t lie, I like Tyler. My body¡¯s reaction each time any part our bodies touch, all hees close to me, or I even see him, proves that.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    However, it is mere infatuation, nothing serious. Any girl could feel that, seeing as he is very hot.

    I can never allow myself to dwell on these scandalous thoughts knowing very well how much trouble it¡¯s going to bring me. By the way, Tyler liked someone else-even if he hardly mentioned her these days- and I have a mate. The King of our pack and I am his Queen.

    Tyler¡¯s Queen.

    Every time I am with Tyler I can¡¯t help but notice the contrasting difference between him and Ashton. He was so kind, considerate and friendly. He smiled at me all the time and was so amodating to a fault. And to add to all these qualities, he was dashingly handsome like the devil.

    But reflecting on all these will do nothing but make me more miserable and wish for things that will never be. Things like if only he was my mate. Sadly, we are just friends and I have to deal with that.

    ¡°They are gone,¡± He grunted.

    Air flushed across my face as he moved away, not meeting my eyes. I blushed and pretended to pat invisible dust from my dusty clothing as I moved farther away from him, ncing around. That was when I noticed the room was a packing store or something.

    There were cleaning objects around the floor. And a table of hangers.

    ¡°We have to go,¡± Tyler¡¯s muffled voice made me look away from the hanger and dared to look at him.

    ¡°Yes, we should.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay? You have¡­¡± He reached out to my face, hesitated and then gently pushed a strand of hair behind my left ear, in the process caressing me. I became redder.

    I bounced my head. ¡°Yes, I am. Are you?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he chuckled dryly. ¡°Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡± I fluttered my head, stepping front and stepping back as I waited for him to go first.

    ¡°Sorry, I took you by surprise.¡± Is he shy or what? He is acting bizarrely.

    I also chortled and boldly darted at him, to see his captivating eyes gleaming and I was instantly drawn to it. I sharply peered at my hands and cleared my throat. ¡°We have to go, Ty.¡±

    ¡°Yes, about that,¡± he opened the door and waited for me to pass. In the process, our bodies brushed and horny blood surged to the sensitive areas in my body. Gosh, it¡¯s the heat period that is doing this to me.

    In the werewolf Kingdom, by now it will be the full moon and there will be massive mating among the wolves. As well as births.

    It is at this moment I need my mate the most. If only¡­

    ¡°This way,¡± Tyler grabbed my waist and hurled me forward. ¡°The voice is getting clearer now, I swear we are close.¡±

    ¡°T-The person crying?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Can you hear it?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I jerk my head, sad. This is one of the times I hate myself for being ate bloomer.

    We bust out into an open yard and opposite it was another big building with a ck big gate locked with the biggest locks I have ever seen. Could this be where the woman was kept?

    ¡°This is certainly where she is and we have to take her and leave as fast as we can.¡± He answered my inner question.

    ¡°How did you know that and how are we supposed to go through this?¡±

    ¡°Stand here.¡± He moved forth and touched the key, closing his eyes, and from the angle I was, I saw his Lycae eyes peek through in sharp yellow shards and his mouth twist to the side before the locks snapped open. He dropped it, grabbed the doors and flung open. He turned to me. ¡°Stay here, I will bring her out.¡±

    ¡°Okay, go ahead.¡± I was beaming. I can¡¯t believe we did this. Where are the humans? Howe everywhere is deserted and this is so so easy?

    Tyler walked out, carrying a body in a bridal style. The woman looked very fragile and her head hung to the side as if she was asleep. I just hope she didn¡¯t die.

    I rushed forward to meet them, concern written on my face.

    ¡°She is asleep. I hypnotized her so that she can conserve her strength,¡± Tyler informed me. ¡°They must have fed her silverweed portion to provoke her Lycae and make her show her true nature. Angie is powerful from the little time I have seen her train. I think she resisted.¡±

    I touched her forehead, hurrying along to match his fast gait. ¡°Will she be okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, if we make it back quickly.¡± He stopped and sniffed the air and then looked back at me. ¡°We need to shift and speed for the border.¡±

    My hands fell to my side and my eyes too. I stepped back, touching my neck awkwardly.¡±I-I can¡¯t.¡± When he didn¡¯t say anything, I exined. ¡°I haven¡¯t shifted yet.¡±

    He was about to say something when we heard a deafening bell nging somewhere around. It was very loud. Tyler¡¯s head snapped there. ¡°We have to find a way out of here. Come with me.¡±

    As we left that corner and rounded another corner not even knowing where we were going-though I trusted Tyler¡¯s instinct- we came face to face with the spiky-haired man from behind the desk and three other men. He was pointing a modern ck long rifle at us, with an evil smirk on his face.

    The dude strided forward. ¡°When my men reported you escaped your cell, I knew you woulde here. So, now that you have finally seeded in ruining my evening of hardcore pleasure, don¡¯t me me with the next decision I have taken to replenish what I have lost. ¡± He nodded at one of his men who took two giant steps towards me.

    Tyler made to barricade me but spiky-sir aimed his rifle at him. ¡°Mm-mm, Lycan, in here contains Silver nitrate bullets of 50g which in my calction will bring down the toughest of a Lycan in say¡­ 1 second.¡± He twists his lips sarcastically to the side, with his eyes up in thought.

    ¡°So, think of your next action wisely unless you wish to die before you get a chance to save your dearest fairdy. Bring her to me.¡± The man grabbed my arm and yanked me in his direction.

    He stunk. Like shit. I mean Spiky. His hands circled above my neck to tten me against his chest as he sniffed my hair. ¡°Mmmm, just as I imagined you to smell¡­ Glorious ¡±

    ¡°Take your filthy hands away from her or I swear I will kill you!¡± Tyler seethed. Even though I was scared, I shook my head at him not to try anything stupid. I can handle this. If we pretend to cooperate we will sort this out.

    Spiky¡¯s palmnded on my left boobs and palmed it forcefully, causing me to gasp, fearful tears gathering in my eyes. ¡°Not only am I going to touch her, but I am also going to make sure I maim her with my cock so hard that the next you see her, she will be walking on jelly feet.¡±

    His hand sped around my forearm and thrust me forth. I blinked away the tears, giving Tyler another warning nce.

    Tyler looked like any second he would explode. The veins in his forehead were protruding out, all looking red and his pupils had gone from Obsidian to charcoal ck. If they shoot him, I will never forgive myself.

    As Spiky led us into the house at gunpoint, I gasped at the sight of dead bloodied bodies that were shredded everywhere on the floor. The ce was as quiet as a graveyard. It was obvious that there had been an unnatural circus there, as the scene looked gory.

    Like a rabid creature was here.

    I nearly puked but held myself in.

    ¡°The animal is here.¡± At full speed, Spiky¡¯s hand came around my neck and pointed the neck at my head. ¡°I told you he wille, caramel.¡± He whispered in my ear. It was so disgusting.

    ¡°We can talk this through,¡± I tried to reason with him.

    ¡°That will be after I have his guts on the floor, bitch.¡± He was shaking. It was evident he was terrified, but was still trying to y macho. All for what?

    It terrified me too. If he shot at Ashton, he would definitely die. And that will shatter my heart. ¡°Please¡­¡± Tears fell down my face. ¡°I can talk to him for you, but please, don¡¯t shoot him..¡±

    He chuckled derisively and tightened his hold, cutting off my air channel. ¡°Shut the fuck-¡±

    ¡°Long time no see, Sweetbaby.¡± I felt goosebumps scatter on my skin long before therge form of my mate materialized from the steel door in front of us, looking as nonchnt and pristine as if he hadn¡¯t just killed an entire host of humans.

    ¡­

 Chapter 63

    GWEN??

    ¡°Hello, King of animals, it¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± Spiky said behind me and my stomach clenched first from the bad breath oozing from his alcohol-stinking mouth and second from the presence of my mate here.

    I might not say it more often, or maybe because we are often at war or because majority of the time I was hating him and wishing he paid for all his ails towards me, but then, looking at my mate now-even in the middle of being killed which I knew I will die anyways-he seem to have grown more handsome, masculine and attractive in thest few hours.

    ¡°Is this the best you can pull?¡± Ashton asked him quietly, nodding at me as he crossed his big arms over his chest, causing his biceps to flex and my stomach twisted like my guts was about to rip.

    Wait, did he just ask him such a question in the middle of everything that is going on? I am about to be fucken killed by this stinky breathe for fuck sake! ¡°Ash_¡±

    ¡°Don-don¡¯t say a word.¡± His eyes squinted in anger as he bent his head to the side to send home his point. I knew he was mad at me for leaving the pce without telling him.

    How did he even know I was here in the first ce?

    ¡°Yo.¡± Williams suddenly busted out from the same door he did, holding onto a human whose neck had dislocated from his body. Upon seeing us, he dropped the body and dusted his hands. At the same time, I caught the remnants of his ws retracting. ¡°What do we have here?¡­¡± His eyesnded on me. He touched his forehead and released a sigh. ¡°Thank goddess you are alive, my Queen.¡±

    Spiky started shaking like he was electrocuted and when I shifted my head to the side to nce at him, I caught himughing. ¡°That will not be for long,pdog,¡± he screamed at Williams, making me wince. ¡°Your King had the guts to touch my men. I asked him toe here alone but look at what I have here¡­¡± His hands grasped my neck tighter and from here, I heard Ashton growl aloud like he was about to lose it and charge at us.

    I closed my eyes, knowing this will be myst day on earth. There was no way Ashton would save me. He will be happy that this man wants to kill me and finally rid him of my disgusting self. I only wanted to help the poor woman still sleeping in the arms of Tyler who I notice hasn¡¯t said a word since the appearance of Ashton. He must be going through shock like me.

    ¡°Whoa, slow down, Sweetbaby, he is here as you asked. There is no need to be rude to my Queen. Please, stop what you are doing.¡± William was grinning sheepishly and making the ¡®calm down¡¯ gesture with his hands as he spoke.

    ¡°Tell your King to restore the damage he has done or I swear to God, I will rip out the throat of this whore.¡± I squealed, reaching up to hold onto his hand as my lungs became too constricted inck of air. But that doesn¡¯t stop me from hearing the thunderous groans of Ashton.

    ¡°Please, stop this. We can resolve this amicably,¡± I tried again. Why do men have such fat irrational egos?

    ¡°Let her go, Sweetbaby.¡± Ashton stepped one foot forward, his fingers balling together. ¡°I am not going to say it again. Let her go.¡± He emphasized the words.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Or what are you going to do? Weep at my feet?¡±

    ¡°Sweetbaby¡­¡±

    ¡°My King.¡± Williams suddenly stepped in front of Ashton, acting as a fence between him and us. ¡°Let¡¯s be reasonable befo-¡±  He didn¡¯t get to finish his sentence as Ashton veered past him in such speed of light that I didn¡¯t even see him move until I was stered on his body and as I turned in the direction of spiky, he was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡± Ashton pushed me to Williams and took off back to the ce we came from.

    ¡°Wh-where is he going?¡± I panted, asking in a state of wonder.

    ¡°After Sweetbaby. The bastard was lucky the King wanted to save you by all means if not his guts will be sshed all over the ce by now.¡±

    ¡°We have to stop him. We have to lea¡­.¡± I staggered back, bing dizzy possibly from the manner Ashton snatched me from Spiky. In a sh I dashed outside and puked until my throat was a patch of nothingness.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Tyler asked above me. I nodded, patting my chest. Goddess, today has been eventful. I just want to go home and rest. It¡¯s already taking a toll on me.

    ¡°I am fine, Ty.¡± I stood and smiled at him. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    He smiled and reached out his hand towards me when from the back thunderstruck. Only that it wasn¡¯t the actual thunder but the voice of Ashton.

    ¡°Get away from her, you vermin!¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I cried out in horror.

    Ashton¡¯s face was a mask of death as he wagged his forefinger at me repeatedly while storming forward. His mouth was moving like he wanted to curse me out and at the same time was thinking about it. ¡°You are a disgrace to me and the entire n of Lycans, Gwendolyn. How dare you disrespect me by going on such a foolish venture with this bastard?¡± He reached us, grabbed Tyler by the cor and mmed him at the nearest wall at full speed.

    I ran there, held his waist and pulled him back. ¡°Please, stop, Ashton. You will kill him.¡±

    ¡°I will kill him because he has proven to be a problem to me.¡±

    ¡°He saved me.¡± I was crying by now, tears pouring down my face in tides. I looked back looking for Williams and saw himing inthe gait. ¡°Please, let him go. I¡¯m to be med for this.¡±

    ¡°No, I am to be med my King, punish me,¡± Tyler croaked and my eyes widened. Why will he take the me for something I made him do?

    ¡°Ashton, stop!¡± Williams grabbed him by his left arm and dragged him off. I surged forward to cup the cheeks of Tyler who was bleeding all over his face from Ashton¡¯s aggressive attack.

    ¡°I will kill you if you don¡¯t stay away from my wife,¡± Ashton growled, pacing about with his arms akimbo. Hot anger was oozing from him. ¡°He nearly killed her! Imagine if Sweetbaby had been in one of his stupid moods.¡± I heard him saying but wasn¡¯t paying attention as I helped Tyler off the wall.

    Ashton snapped his head at us, in two strides he clutched my arm and yanked me away, leaving Tyler staggering back. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever touch him again, and you,¡± he snarled at Tyler. ¡°She is my mate and your Queen and if you think fooling around with her will make you her favourite,¡± he chuckled menacingly, ¡°then think twice. Once we get back to the pack, you are grounded for a fortnight and if after you still encourage herscivious behaviour, then get ready to be fed to the vultures.¡±

    With that, he dragged my appalled self all the way to the car and dumped me inside. Went round and entered and as Williams joined us, he zoomed away from the yard.

    ¡­

 Chapter 64

    ASH??

    I¡¯ve never felt more humiliated or angrier than I felt today. Firstly was from that spineless human, Sweeybaby and the other was from the rogue, Tyler.

    Sweetbaby as they poprly called him, was a disgusting human who fed from experimenting with supernatural beings.

    It was a family business and I found out from my father that for decades they had been running the enterprise. I think it¡¯s from their great grandfather who was a mad scientist and was bent on proving something to his kind. Something that had to do with discovering the strength and weakness of a Lycan or if they could use specimens from us to create another creature of more powerful ability.

    Since then, the family¡¯s hunting legacy has spread in the East, garnering more allies and a few top hands in government who gave them the go-ahead to do their dirty work. Mostly, the high-ranking Lycans like me. We were after all, pure blood.

    However, what they didn¡¯t know was that they weren¡¯t the only ones out in this dirty game. The Lycans, since noticing our heads were staked at a high price, had also set out to hunt them. Especially the Mckenzies, from which came forth Sweetbaby. I don¡¯t even know how he came to own that nickname. I just knew that from the first encounter I had with him twenty years ago, his obsession with me had led him to tell me the name in mortalbat that nearly cost him his head.

    Then. Today, my dear good mate, Gwen, decided to sell herself on a tter of gold to the bastard. She didn¡¯t know what that meant. That dude ate women for breakfast!

    Not to mention she dragged me into it. Thank goddess, there were no traps.

    I mmed the bathroom door, striding into the hotel room we rented for the night. I had asked for us to stop along the way because I hated night trips! ¡°Do you understand what your recklessness nearly cost us today?¡±

    She stood at the corner of the room, her lips puckered, not in the least looking remorseful. ¡°You would have killed him, Ashton!¡± She defended the rogue. I growled.

    It irked me more that Fangs found her behaviour adorable and wanted nothing short of putting her in her ce for her misbehaviour. And that was what I was going to do.

    ¡°You are very stubborn, little wolf,¡± I said softly, shocked at my calm disposition. I applied an ointment I carried with me anywhere I went to, dropped my towel and somehow I was overjoyed at seeing her sinful eyes widen and look away.

    ¡°This is not the time, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°At least be grateful I saved your ass,¡± I huffed, making my way to her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you with him again. I¡¯m serious.¡±

    ¡°And since when do you think I take orders from you?¡± She inclined her head forward. Boldly.

    I nearlyughed out loud. Is this me? Or is it Ashton the other night who needed my mate so much that I was so shattered when I thought I had lost her? This woman I despised so much yet can¡¯t think straight without her. ¡°I am going to punish you. Now.¡± I cringed. What am I saying? Definitely Fangs.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± She moved back, but I was fast to catch her and pped her against my front, my groin thickening at once at the contact. ¡°Ashton¡­¡±

    ¡°You are my mate.¡±

    ¡°You only remember that when you want to fuck me.¡± Fuck, must she use that word? Does she even know what she does to me?

    ¡°I_¡± In a sh, I swung her around to face me, further amused at the level of blush her face was spotting. I knew she was scared of me. This is what I never wanted my mate to be. Yet, Emma turned me into this and now I can¡¯t even trust any werewolf. Not even one as lovely and endearing as this one.

    ¡°Cat got your tongue? You know I¡¯m telling the truth.¡± Her voice was so silky. So¡­ husky.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t had sex for days now. We owe the pack an heir.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t have our first child in a hotel room, Ashton.¡±

    Oh, how she says my name. It was like a song on her sweet lips. I shook my head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter where we have him, as far as we do it.¡± Gosh, did I just literally agree to her usation. ¡°Look, little wolf, stop putting words in my mouth, okay? Look here,¡± I grabbed her left hand and ced it on my hard dick. She winced but I held her tighter, feeling hot blood spurt through my cock that it became so painful and hard to breathe. ¡°That¡¯s how you make me feel, little wolf. Can we not quarrel now, please?¡±

    I could see the look of confusion on her face. Yes, I was always mean to her, but on nights like this, I could grovel if she wanted me to.

    Slowly, very slowly, I kissed her. Her eyes fluttered, bing dark. Fangs groaned, wanting to get our mate naked and moaning for us. I kissed her again and this time held onto her lower lip until her eyes shut down. I walked us backward and fell on the bed, me naked above her. ¡°Gosh, you are so beautiful, little wolf.¡±

    She moaned, ¡°Am I?¡±

    ¡°You have no idea.¡± My moves were urgent now, licking down to her neck and taking the point where I am supposed to wholly mark her on the night of our red moon ritual. I sucked at it repeatedly until she was pushing against me, begging for me to take her.

    My right hand travelled down to her trouser and I unzipped it, dragging the trouser down her legs, and then I sat up and ripped off her shirt. The damn hoodie!N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Once in her pants and bra, I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off her as I took my time admiring the wonderful creation of the goddess. The creation which happened to be mine now. ¡°No man is ever permitted to see you like this, little wolf. No man!¡± Calming my raging nerves, I fell back on the bed, supporting my body with my elbow and tracing my finger to her pussy, watching her every movement and action closely.

    I parted her folds, smeared my finger with her juice and softly caressed her pussy lip. When she grabbed my wrist I shook it off and proceeded to drive her crazy. I held her legs apart with mine, working her up with intense attention to how she cried my name. Yea, baby, only my name is licensed to be on your lips like that.

    ¡°Yes, Ashton, ye-oh my, I¡¯m going toe. I¡¯m going to cum. Fuck!¡± I removed my hand at once, sat up and positioned myself between her legs as I ripped her pants, followed by her bra. I sucked her red titties so hard that by the time I mmed into her wetness, she convulsed and she hit the blissful aftermath. Yet, I didn¡¯t stop.

    I fucked her from every angle, every position, d she took it. She took me. All of me. Over and over she came for me. Just for me. My little wolf. I was thoroughly sated and spent by the time I fell across the bed, taking her with me.

    Somehow inside of me, I was d we were away from the pce. By tomorrow when we get back, I will be ready to get back to work.

    ¡®Cause, there were so many of them.

    ¡­

 Chapter 65

    GWEN??

    The next day, on our way back to the pack, it was a quiet ride with Ashton withdrawing back to his usual coldness as ifst night didn¡¯t happen. I wasn¡¯t surprised at all nor did it sadden me the way it used to in those earlier days. Instead, my mind was focused on the responsibilities thaty ahead of us when we get back.

    The games at the foremost. Abby has been of great help during this entire time I have been distracted. Thest time, she informed me that the arena was ready for use now and the rest of the activities were supposed to be carried out by the men, in terms of the type of games to be organized and their participants.

    If it were back home, I would have wanted to engage in one of the games, like sparring. It was something I was good at and has improved over the time with Tyler helping me with my training. I miss Julian but not so much anymore. Thank goddess the guardian¡¯s mate was back, things will to an extent back to normal.

    We reached the pce early and Ashton left with Williams, not sparing me a single nce. I might say I don¡¯t feel bad, albeit, deep inside I couldn¡¯t help but feel like a vessel of pleasure and of course, a container for children.

    The first, I was capable of carrying out, but thetter, I didn¡¯t know if I was. The diagnosis of the Doctor¡¯s words a few weeks ago still gave me jitters.

    ¡°Gwen!¡± I veered around from watching Ashton and Williams walking off down the field, to Abby dashing down the stairs with her arms outstretched to me. She hugged me. ¡°Please, don¡¯t ever do that again.¡±

    ¡°You spilled the beans on me,¡± I said, realizing at once how Ashton knew of my disappearance. ¡°Abby.¡±

    She pushed away, her mouth pouted petntly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it, Gwen. Do you know what Ashton would have done to me if I didn¡¯t tell him and heter found out I knew all along?¡±

    I sighed back, nodding my head. ¡°How are you?¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s say my brother had threatened to marry me off when he got back, so, I can¡¯t really say how I am untilter.¡± She grabbed my hand and led me up. ¡°If he carries on with his threat, I will have no choice but to leave for Bath to meet my mother. I can¡¯t let him treat me like that.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t, Abby. He was just mad. Besides, you can¡¯t leave me here alone with him.¡±

    We entered my room and Kora was there. Upon seeing me, she sharply dropped the dresses on her hand on the bed and faced me, with mixed reactions on her face. ¡°Your highness, you are back! Thank goddess!¡±

    ¡°Kora,¡± I greeted. ¡°How are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, your highness. I¡¯m better now knowing you are okay.¡±

    ¡°Ashton vowed to kill her if anything happened to you,¡± Abby said by my side. My forehead creased. Was it the same pigheaded Ashton they are talking about or another one? The man that couldn¡¯t stand me. The one who fucked mest night and kept a straight face this morning. Was it the same man?

    Now, I¡¯m truly worried. Since the day he cast Tyler out for merely being with me, it made me feel the man is sick in the head. He hates me, yet he is threatening to kill someone after he found out I was gone. Hmmn.

    ¡°Kora, tell the kitchen hands to make a hot porridge for our Queen. After that, bring up a cup of mentto tea for stress relief.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Princess.¡± Kora left us.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    I fell on the couch with my hands on both sides. ¡°Yes, Abby. How¡¯s the arrangementing?¡±

    ¡°Going fine, I guess¡­ So, Williams told me something¡­¡± She sang, her face morphing into a full-blown smile.

    ¡°What?¡±

    She neared me. ¡°My brother is introducing the horse race in this year¡¯s games! Can you believe that?¡±

    I cocked my brow. Wait, was that why there are so many big horses in the stables? No wonder I often see those horses being paid the utmost attention to. ¡°Wow,¡± I mouthed. And he didn¡¯t tell me.

    ¡°Oh, Gwen, I feel so bad I¡¯m the first to tell you.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I touched her arm softly. ¡°On the contrary, I¡¯m happy you did. Maybe, Ashton didn¡¯t tell me because he felt I would not find the topic interesting. You know horse topics are not that rampant.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    She cleared her throat, her eyes falling a notch. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to tell you a secret, Gwen.¡± She went on. ¡°Horses are very dear to my brother and one topic he doesn¡¯t often like a contradiction on. The very reason he is introducing the race now is because mother is no longer here. She hated the poor things, and one of the reasons both of them never really got along.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±

    Another wow. So, the scowling buffalo actually had something he held dear to his heart? Horses? That¡¯s¡­ incredulous. ¡°Thanks for telling me, Abby.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Gwen. After all, you are family now.¡± She stood up, looking too happy this morning. ¡°I¡¯m going to go now.¡±

    ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Uh-uh¡­ out.¡±

    ¡°Where?¡± I syed my hands in askance. Her cheeks tinged red.

    ¡°Not your business.¡±

    ¡°Abby!¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay. I want to go prepare for my outing with Williamster.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡± I wagged my brows mischievously. She screamed and raced to the door.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare tell anyone, Gwen or I swear I will kill you.¡±

    I made the ¡®zip it¡¯ gesture with my hand and smiled after her. I knew there was something between them. Are they mates or just crushing on each other?

    Kora came in with the medicine and I took it and slept for a while after refreshing myself. Then, I left my room and went to the temple.

    It was quiet when I entered; one of the reasons I likeing here. It wasn¡¯t something we did in the werewolf Kingdom, so I am d I have here to hide away for a few minutes sometimes when I want to be private.

    ¡°Dear goddess,¡± I prayed. ¡°I have nowhere else but here. Bless my union with Ashton. Heal his heart from whatever hate is consuming him. Turn his heart to me. Heal me of whatever might cause me to be unable to bear children for him. I want my own child. Please.¡±

    A tear fell down my face and I quickly wiped it.

    When Iter left the temple, I felt better and whole. I went to the parking lot and signaled for the driver to pick me. I had to go for pack tour to check on the pack members so they know we are back, check up on thedy that was rescued, and then I will drop at Tyler¡¯s to make sure he was okay now.

    The games begin this weekend. I have to make sure everyone is in the right frame of mind for it.

    ¡­

 Chapter 66

    GWEN??

    The night before the set off of the games, I stood in front of my back window, looking outside at the chilly sky, my arms securing a ck shawl around my shoulders. If one thing was sure tonight, it¡¯s the fact that it was going to rain heavily as it has been doing for the past few days.

    My earnest prayer is that it stopped early. I wouldn¡¯t want anything that would hamper the sess of the beginning of the games by tomorrow.

    However, the rain wasn¡¯t why my mood was foul this evening. It¡¯s Ashton. Again. Since that night we had sex in that hotel, the only time I¡¯ve seen him was during dinner time.

    And that was on rare asions.

    Breakfasts were usually between me, Abby, his Beta-sometimes and then the sour-faced Merit. I have noticed the manner she red at me when she thinks I¡¯m not watching. But she¡¯s not my problem.

    I know Ashton might be upied and I also moved from the room we share because that room held so many bad memories for me. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but miss his absence. I have thought severally¡­ could it be because he found my sex wanting? Yes, he hadined in the past of mecking in that area, but each time when we had sex, the manner he groaned, the way he teased me, touched me, and the things he said to me, didn¡¯t connote that of a man who didn¡¯t enjoy himself.

    That was why I have decided tonight to go look for him wherever he has been hiding. We need to talk. Fight. Whatever, as far as I get to see his face even if for once. I am mad he hadn¡¯t yet mentioned about his horse race to me, but tonight I will try to remain civil around him.

    I turned and walked to the door.

    When I reached the front of his study, I lifted my hand to knock but paused when I heard voices. As though engaged in an argument.

    ¡°I have made up my mind, Williams, I¡¯m finding her a suitable chosen mate during the games, ¡± Ashton said casually, and then a sound followed like he flipped the page of a book. ¡°There are no two ways about it. Abigail is no longer a pup.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t do that. What if she has a mate?¡± Williams¡¯s voice was restrained showing his inner apprehension. I bit my nail, realizing what was going on. Ashton was carrying on with his threat of trying to marry off Abby. And Williams, her true mate, doesn¡¯t want that to happen. Why didn¡¯t he tell Ashton, then?

    Ashton scoffed. ¡°Stop kidding, Williams. My sister has passed the age of mating. If her mate is supposed to find her, he would have done so already. Can¡¯t you see what boredom is doing to her? She is bing unruly due to loneliness.¡±

    ¡°And you?¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±

    ¡°No, I mean you are mated yet, when was thest time you went to your mate?¡± Williams was turning haughty. ¡°You sleep in here every day, drenching yourself with endless booze just to pretend like you don¡¯t miss her. How are you any different?¡±

    ¡°This is not about me, Williams.¡± Ashton mmed his hand on his desk, ensued by an ugly growl. I became restless and notfortable with listening in on them anymore. What if they scent me out? I twisted to leave but the curious side of me was in conflict wanting to know how this ended.

    ¡°Fine, just leave her be, okay?¡±

    ¡°I know what this is about, you like my sister.¡± It was usatory, yet, iniquitous. ¡°You think I don¡¯t see how you two look at each other?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Williams let out a half-hearted chuckle and denied at once. ¡°You know that¡¯s not true. Abby is like a sister to me and you made it clear you will never allow your sister to end up with any of your friends even though they were mates. So¡­¡± He pped his hand. I felt bad for him. Why would Ashton say that? Why would he deprive other people of their happiness just because he was unhappy?

    ¡°Better for you, Williams. Because the minute I perceive any sneaky behaviour between you and my sister, I will kill you. Mark my words.¡±

    ¡°Of course, my King.¡±

    I decided to make my debut. I knocked and entered.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ashton snagged abruptly.

    I pointed outside hesitantly, nced at Williams who seemed very miserable and then when I looked back at Ashton, at first, it looked like I saw longing in his eyes, but by the time I blinked, it was gone to be reced by a scowl. ¡°I-I was¡­ I mean, I am here to tell you that¡­ Abby just told me that she found her mate.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± Both men echoed at once, sharp contrasting orbs fixed at me. I forced a smile and waved my right hand casually, closing the door. ¡°It¡¯s a secret though. I am not even supposed to say it.¡± I made a pretentious guilty face. ¡°Please, for now, let¡¯s not ask her anything about it.¡±

    Ashton was up from his seat. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh?¡±

    ¡°WHERE IS SHE?!¡±

    ¡°Asleep,¡± I let out the first thing that came to my head. ¡°She is super tired from today¡¯s hassles. She literally sang the entire revtion to me. I will advise that we don¡¯t wake her for something like this. Can we?¡±While talking I darted intently at Williams, hoping he would grasp that I was trying to help him here.

    ¡°Y-Yes, I think so too,¡± he quickly inserted. ¡°You know Abby hates being woken from sleep, Ash. Meanwhile, I think I will have to retire too.¡± He yawned. But it was fake. ¡°Good night, my king. My Queen.¡± And he left.

    I stood there, reality hitting now. Now that I have lied to Ashton-technically, I didn¡¯t but you know what I mean- I have to look for a way to make sure my lie doesn¡¯t put me, Williams and Abby in more trouble. I have to hastily inform her.

    ¡°I have to go too,¡± I turned to leave.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Stop.¡± I halted, panic rising in my throat . What if he didn¡¯t believe me? Or saw through my facade.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I beamed once more as I twisted about to face him.

    ¡°Was that just what you came to do?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± My eyes rolled up in thought of why I even came here. ¡°Yes. And also to check on you to make sure you were still up on your feet.¡±

    He regarded me intently, his eyes squinted lightly in a way that scared me. But, I didn¡¯t blink as I returned the gesture, my hands tightening on my skirt.

    ¡°As you can see I have been fine.¡± Are you sure? Sleeping in the study? ¡°What about you?¡± His voice was very soft and his eyes were still intent on me.

    ¡°Me?¡± I snorted. ¡°Fine as a fiddle.¡±

    ¡°Good. Because tomorrow marks the beginning of a great event in this Kingdom and as the Queen, it will be required of you to be up on your feet and never disappoint me.¡±

    I wanted to ask him how I was supposed to do that when he didn¡¯t even tell me the simplest of things like about the horse race. I opened my mouth, shut it and sucked in my teeth. Again, I smiled and nodded. ¡°Have a good night, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Have a good night, little wolf.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 67

    GWEN??

    The next morning, I woke up very early and went to bathe and prepare,  not waiting for Kora to wake me as she does every other day. I wanted to hurry Abby to inform her of the lie of yesterday-that is if Williams hasn¡¯t told her yet.

    TI arrived in front of her room, knocked, and waited. There were unhurried footfalls against the granite floor before the keys of the door rattled and it flung open to her sleepy self, moping at me. ¡°Gwen?¡± Her eyes fully opened. ¡°What are you doing here so early?¡±

    I smiled. ¡°May Ie in?¡± When she hesitated, I looked side to side in the hall in agitation. ¡°I have something urgent to tell you before we leave for the games¡±

    ¡°Sorry,e in,¡± she said, stepping aside for me toe in. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for letting you stand out there. I was still surprised to see you.¡± She pointed me to the seat to sit down. ¡°Hope there is no problem?¡±

    ¡°Not one we can¡¯t fix, Abby.¡±  I entwined and de-tangled my fingers nervously. ¡°So, yesterday, I kind of eavesdropped on Ashton saying something that might have led to me saying something else that involved you in a not-so-cool kind of way.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± She was very interested now. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°He ns to carry out his threat of marrying you off.¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    ¡°Williams stood up for you and then while they were arguing I thought he needed help so I came in and told them or literally told Ashton that you have found your mate.¡±

    Her forehead creased further in obvious displeasure. ¡°What! Why did you tell him? And yeah, what is wrong with Ashton? He knows I¡¯m never going to agree to such nonsense, why even try?¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ And to your second question, I don¡¯t know,¡± I syed my two hands out to her. ¡°But one thing is for sure, you have to y along for me, Williams and you! Okay, I know it¡¯s true that Williams is your true mate and I know you two are scared of telling him because you are scared of his reaction which was why I intervened. So, imagine he now thinks you have a mate but doesn¡¯t know who that is. This is why you have to make sure he believes so.¡±

    ¡°Until when?¡± She was starting to pace by now.

    ¡°Well, until you are able to tell him.¡±

    ¡°That is the problem,¡± she hissed, turning paler. ¡°We don¡¯t even know if we can ever be together.¡±

    ¡°So what? Are you two going to reject each other on cold feet?¡±

    ¡°You have no idea who my brother is and what he is capable of, Gwen.¡± She stopped pacing, looking very distraught. ¡°He will kill Williams if he ever finds out we have been seeing each other behind his back, do you get that?¡±

    I blinked back, rmed to the least. Why is Ashton this way? It stemmed farther than the fact that he was hurt in the past. There is more to this. I got the bro code that said friends should never date friends¡¯ sisters but this is more than that. They are mates for goddess sake. ¡°I wish I can help you, Abby.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± she fell beside me with a loud huff. The couch was a long one. ¡°I can handle this, trust me. We have a n. And I can¡¯t tell you for now but with time when we have all the ns mapped out, I will let you know, I promise. I will just have to¡­ y along in this truth-lie you have somehow gotten me immersed in. I know Ashton, he will surely want to know who it is.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,e here.¡± I hugged her and kissed her hair.

    There was a knock on the door and when it opened, her maid stuck her head in. ¡°It¡¯s time to prepare you for the games, princess.¡±

    Abby lifted off me. ¡°Yes, Khosi,e in.¡±

    I stood and wiped my hand down my blue simple morning gown. ¡°I will go prepare too. See youter.¡±I kissed her left cheek and left.

    ??

    One hourter when the car pulled in front of the massive arena, I was amazed at how the ce was totally transformed from thest time I was there and even more amazed by how everywhere was already buzzing with Lycans, most of whom were milling about.

    Some of the Lycans in their full forms were ced in strategic points possibly for security reasons and when my eyes travelled to the position for the King and Queen, there Ashton sat in his full glory, looking as godly as every time, making my breath catch.

    And at this juncture, it wasn¡¯t only his regality that hypnotized me, It was also his blue eyestched at me. Intently. Taking me in as if I was the only one existing in the arena. I felt my heartbeat peak as though he was right beside me. How did he know I was here? My scent, or was it that he was missing me and easily felt my aura when I arrived?

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Gwen.¡± Abby grabbed my right hand and pulled me along. ¡°I can¡¯t wait! OMG, it is finally happening.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± I snorted a nervous chuckle, my pink cheeks slowly returning back to their normal colours. ¡°I pray this goes smoothly, Abby. It is my first time experiencing this and the people will be waiting for the werewolf Queen to fail by all means.¡±

    She patted my hands infort as we neared Ashton who was addressing the crowd now. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Gwen. These people love you more than you give them credit for. You have no idea.¡±

    ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°I know so. And these games¡­ it¡¯s going to be sessful, you will see.¡±

    ¡°¡­ so, rx, and be ready for your mind to be blown away, because this year, this is going to be a game to be remembered in the history of time.¡± Ashton finalized, and his speech was followed by a roaring bang of hands shing together and Lycans howling fiercely in respect to him.

    I sat down close to his throne and Abby by my side as he came to sit down and gave me a one-off unsmiling regard. ¡°Why are youing by this time? Do you realize as the Queen the people look up to you to lead by example?¡± He hushed in a stern tone.

    ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry.¡± I was beaming while whispering in a way that an onlooker would think we were having a normal chat. ¡°I woke up veryte after sleeping verytest night.¡± I lied. Again.

    He huffed and looked away as I turned towards Abby and noticed she was deeply immersed in a conversation with Williams who had somehow joined us in the mix. I waved at him and faced the crowd, spotting Tyler und with nothing but a piece of cloth guiding his loins.

    I swallowed loudly, watching his biceps swell as he showed off as if knowing the effect he was having on anydy who was watching him at that moment.

    Ashton suddenly stood off from his throne, letting out a ferocious growl that had me looking away in another direction hence I slowly flicked my eyes back at him to see him glower at me and looked into the crowd. At Tyler. Did he see me staring at him like a sex-deprived whore?

    Ashton didn¡¯t say a word as he marched off down the stairs, straight at Tyler. I shared a look with Abby in worry but she was still speaking to Williams; they didn¡¯t even see what transpired.

    W-Where is he going? Is he going to hurt Tyler? My heartbeat skyrocketed in seconds knowing once more I¡¯m going to be the reason Tyler suffered.

    ¡­

 Chapter 68

    GWEN??

    Once he disappeared into the crowd below, I didn¡¯t see him again. Somehow while I watched him go, he managed to delude my vision, and it turned out he wasn¡¯t even going after Tyler.

    I exhaled and rxed back, taking in deep breath with my eyes closed but they soon snapped open when some minutester, arge cannon blew and the crowd let out a massive noise, apanied by horsemen riding into the wide space. Tyler and his crew had disappeared as the horsemen circled on top of their giant gallops. Very giant gallops.

    It was a beautiful sight to behold seeing the men d in ck pantyhose and nothing in their upper bodies, which gave us a sumptuous view of them. I stood up and went close to the baluster demarcating us from the crowd below, my mouth agape in awe.

    While I was admiring the horsemen and their horses, I was not prepared for the next thing that took ce. Another horseman wasing at a thundering speed from far down the left side of the field. As he approached, the other horsemen formed a U-shape from two ends, stopping at the very tall timbers that would serve as what the horses are supposed to jump.

    The horseman didn¡¯t stop, in his helmet as he approached the tall demarcation and in one swing, his horse went flying into the air. My heart caught. I shut my eyes in fear that he would fall. There was no way¡­

    ¡°No fucken way!¡± Someone moured by my side as a loud cheer and p that started off made me open my eyes at once to see the rider slowlying at a trot to the other side of the demarcation, circling it toe back to his colleagues. The cheer was unbelievably loud. He made it. That is the riskiest thing I have seen. What if he broke his neck? I will have to speak to Ashton after this, we can¡¯t allow our men to engage in such games of_

    ¡°Ashton!¡± Abby howled at the same time as me as the rider removed the ck helmet to expose first his shiny hair down to those captivating depths as they crinkled in a triumphant grin. My mate was smiling. I can¡¯t believe I am seeing him smile for the first time ever. Moments like this are supposed to be put into my memory box because of how rare they were.

    It made me jealous. At the same time furious. Why would he do that? What if something bad had happened and that horse tossed him? Does he want to die and leave me a widow?!

    I wanted to p him so hard to bring back his senses. But not as much as I wanted to kiss him right as his eyes met mine for the second time today in that same way only me and him could understand. It held so much passion and deep¡­ longing.

    It suddenly clicked. The asshole. He intentionally did it. He left angrily to show off so as to get my attention away from Tyler. This man! Such an egoistic prick.

    ¡°I see you two are sharing sneaky looks, huh?¡± Abby mumbled into my ear and I blinked down, my cheeks beginning to burn hot.

    ¡°Stop it, Abby.¡± I huffed. ¡°It¡¯s just in your head. He hates me.¡±

    ¡°Keep saying that and one day I might think of believing you.¡± I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°I have been trying to get your attention for as long as I can remember but you and Williams seem too invested in yourselves.¡± I twisted halfway to face her, my hands on my chest.

    ¡°So sorry, I was asking him aboutst night.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± My head swept towards Ashton. He was addressing the other riders. ¡°Don¡¯t you think this game is too risky?¡±

    ¡°Tell that to my brother. And of course¡­¡± She gestured towards Williams but found him gone from where she left him. She skimmed her eyes at the crowd and sighted him whispering something into Ashton¡¯s ear. ¡°Him.¡± She finished, in a milder tone. ¡°He is even more scared of what would happen when Ashton finds out the truth.¡±

    ¡°Hmmn, we just have to find the perfect lie he won¡¯t suspect.¡± I chewed on my mouth tissues in reflection, my face starting to flush from the sunlight. I strode back to my seat, retrieved my sunscreen from my handbag and began massaging into my skin. ¡°While this is going to take time and is a very risky game, one of the reasons I think the former King and Queen didn¡¯t approve of it, I think I find it fascinating.¡±

    ¡°Especially when we have to watch our men show off their wonderfully sculpted body parts,¡± Abby added in a mischievous tone.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    I red at her. ¡°Abby.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± She snatched the sunscreen from me. ¡°You act like you don¡¯t enjoy what you see.¡±

    ¡°I do but¡­¡±

    ¡°But, you are too prim and proper to admit it.¡±

    I have never been more flustered having to discuss my mate¡¯s heavenly heritage with his own sister. ¡°Well, every eye could see that Ashton is well endowed. So are the other men too.¡±

    ¡°You know, right?¡± She winked with one eye. ¡°You see, maybe it¡¯s just me but I think he is intentionally trying to get your attention. See how he is grimacing as you aren¡¯t looking at him?¡±

    I flicked my eyes in that direction and truthfully, Ashton was frowning. At me. You know what? I don¡¯t think I like this game. Imagine how all the women here would be looking at him and I know many of them would be wishing they were his mate instead of me!

    I held my opinion forter. If he wished to keep this game, then as the Queen my opinion would be that they wear something, even though a sack. As far as their bodies were covered. Him in particr.

    ¡°Tomorrow is the sparring game, Gwen, are you going to participate?¡±

    ¡°Can I?¡± I asked eagerly.

    ¡°Of course, if you want to.¡± Abby enthused. ¡°My brother participates in most of the games. It shows more unity and involvement.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait, then. That means I have to see Tyler now.¡± I stood up and looked about in search of him in the crowd.

    ¡°What! Don¡¯t tell me you are leaving me here alone.¡±

    ¡°Thene along. I have to inform him so we can train this evening or something. You can join in too. It will be more fun.¡±

    ¡°Uhm, Are you sure my brother would like that?¡± She skipped her eyes to him where another rider was galloping towards the barrier which was lower this time.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have to know, Abby.¡± I gulped as the ridernded smoothly on the other side of the timber. ¡°We just have to inform Tyler and return before they are done.¡±

    The crowd cheered as the rider circled and came to stand beside Ashton, taking off his helm-wait, is that not Merit?

    ¡­

 Chapter 69

    ASH??

    I couldn¡¯t express how delighted I was that this was happening. My dream was finallying true here in my Kingdom, after so many years of plotting, waiting, and hoping. To say I have been jittery over thest few days about how today would turn out; how my people were going to wee this new development.

    I intentionally made the horse race to be at the forefront during this game event. That way if my people didn¡¯t like it we could easily move on with the other tournaments they were used to over the years. However, judging from the way they responded, as I paved my way back to the shield for the royalties, my heart was appeased. I felt proud of myself more than I have ever been.

    That was until I found the seat formally harbouring my mate empty, and when I touched it, cold. Meaning she has been gone for a while.

    Did she even see me ride?

    Did she see the efforts I put into getting her attention from that vermin to me?

    I couldn¡¯t bear it. So hard I¡¯ve tried to withhold myself from striking the head of my guardians. From being reckless and forgetting my fist on his face, killing the bastard for often stealing my shine in the eyes of my mate. Nheless, I can¡¯t help but say my patience is fast dwindling.

    Especially, after seeing her ogling his bare body without any shame, rancour or fear that I was right here, beside her. It was as though I ceased to exist at that point, with only him mattering to her.

    ¡°Where is she?¡± I asked Williams who was wiping his face with a towel behind me. He paused, his grey eyes scanning the two vacant seats in front of him-one for Gwen and one for Abby.

    ¡°They were here when I left.¡± He looked ahead. ¡°How am I supposed to even know when we were together all these while?¡±

    I snapped my eyes to the royal guards standing tall without a blink at the left side of the aisle. In two powerful strides, I reached the ones by the right, easy to have seen where they went to. ¡°Where are the Queen and Princess?¡±

    The first man bowed his head quickly. ¡°I saw the Queen speaking to the head of guardians a few minutes ago in that corner,¡± he pointed down the stairs at the same time I saw both of them snickering as they made their way to us, stopping once they saw us.

    I tensed, anger boiling over. The happiness I felt from initially, the one that made me want to be nice to my mate even if for today, rapidly evaporated. I covered the remaining space keeping us, snatched her left hand, dragging her away from the crowd down to the royal car.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°How dare you?¡± She yanked her hand off, wincing as she moved farther away from me, rubbing the point I held her tenderly. I might have been too rough, but I don¡¯t care. ¡°How dare you disgrace me so openly before my people?¡± I fumed.

    ¡°What did I do again, Ashton?¡± She hissed, confusion written all over her face.

    ¡°Sneaking off with him wasn¡¯t enough and yet after I had severely warned you against the rogue, you decided to unt my order and go to him. Have you no shame?¡±

    She shook her head, tentatively raising her finger to touch her temple. Is she calling me bluff? Do I sound stupid to her? Or is she truly having a headache?

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t even put up with watching me perform. Was the game too boring for you to endure that you will rather spend time with him than watch your own_¡±

    ¡°Stop,¡± She red up her right hand in the air, her head tilted up at me. Defiantly. ¡°Enough, Ashton. Can you even listen to yourself?¡± She snorted. ¡°I watched every one of your performances. You know that. I only left after the other riders started because I needed to tell Tyler I will be participating in the sparring game tomorrow and needed us to train this evening. Him, me and Abby.¡±

    My anger slowly dissipated, reced by embarrassment. Now she will think I care so much about her opinion. Why didn¡¯t I even wait tillter when I was calm? I wiped my right hand over my face.

    ¡°Come to think of it, before you start acting like you care so much about what I think of your performance,¡± she proceeded in a biting tone. ¡°.. don¡¯t forget you didn¡¯t tell me about the horse race! You act so perfect and call werewolves maniptive and all those names. Have you stopped to think that perhaps you are the bigger problem here? You don¡¯t discuss anything with me, Ashton. Anything. I only hear from either your sister or Tyler who you despise yet is one of the reasons I am still sane with all your shenanigans.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you should be with him all the time.¡±

    ¡°He is my friend. And you have no right to tell me who to keep as a friend when I don¡¯t tell you to stop parading around with your mistress where every eye would see you two without thinking of how that will make me feel.¡±

    I opened my mouth to tell her I wasn¡¯t doing that, but she flipped her hair away from her face and stomped off.

    Well, maybe I overreacted. Now I am starting to act like some jealous teenager. Ugh! I kicked a pebble as I made my way back.

    Throughout the remainder of the horse race, I kept flicking my eyes to my mate and as if she was intent to ignore me she was immersed in a serious chat with Abby. A very interesting one that had herughing most of the time and pping her hands loudly.

    After enduring that phase and another silent phase on our way home-we shared the same car- once we got to the pce, she didn¡¯t allow the car toe to a halt before she flung the door open and walked out.

    Merit who was sitting at the front came to open the door for me. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± she bowed her head. ¡°There will be a meeting with the other Deltas tonight at the santonium. We would be honoured if you will be there to address the new recruits.¡±

    My eyes transited to the front doors where my mate just hiked in, contemting if I would rather try to sort this out or honour the duty of my pack. It was a difficult decision considering what just happened. What is happening to me?

    ¡°I will think about it and give you feedback before the end of the day, Merit.¡± I stepped away from the car. ¡°By the way, you did well back there.¡±

    She beamed brightly with a slight bow. ¡°All thanks to you, your Majesty. The horse race was such a fine idea and I must say the people are impressed with the new addition.¡±

    With a prideful nod, I made my way inside.

    Instead of going to my study as I asionally did, I found my legs moving in the direction of my mate¡¯s new abode. I knocked once.

    ¡°Go away, Ashton, I¡¯m not in the mood for your unhealthy tantrums. I need rest.¡±

    I grinned wolfishly. At least she spoke to me. I knocked once more. I heard hurried footfalls before the door swung open and to my chagrin, she shrieked, ¡°I SAID GO AWAY FROM HERE?¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡±

    Just once I swept my eyes from her head to her naked feet and back to her long hair that was cascading freely over her face, I lost it, took onerge step forward, seized the back of her neck, and shed our mouths together, in response.

    ¡­

 Chapter 70

    GWEN??

    Ashton pushed me deeper into the room whilst still devouring my lips with swooning kisses, his left hand on my waist guiding me back and his right hand holding me hostage by my neck.

    At this point, I was striving to stay sane at the same time I was relishing in the goodness of how sweet he tasted. My hands twitched by my side, not sure of what to do; touch him back or push him away. It kept twitching.

    ¡°Gosh, I have been envisioning this since morning, little wolf,¡± he groaned into my mouth in a bass that reverberated through my body, leaving my head reeling like a fool.

    Is this the apology he owed me for the usations from earlier? So, he was here merely because he has been having visions of fucking me, not necessarily because he wanted me. For me. He wanted my body.

    I tore my lips away, shaking my head. ¡°I can¡¯t do this, Ashton,¡± I purred, still feeling heady as he peppered my neck with unholy baby kisses. ¡°I can¡­ argh,¡± he sucked into the dipped point in my neck, grazing it with his mini-elongated teeth. The action was like an electric shock.

    ¡°You know you want this,¡± his left hand took my hands and ced them above my head on the wall, starting to lick downward in the direction of my cleavage. My head fell backward. ¡°I know you want this more than life itself, little wolf.¡±

    ¡°Ash¡­¡± I sucked in my teeth, my eyes rolling back when he caught my nipple through my dress, tugging at it. My chest shot up, my thighs beginning to feel wet from excess juice jetting out.

    ¡°Let go, my little wolf,¡± he said huskily and yanked down the front of my gown, circling his lips on my right hard pebble and sucking at it with such passion every form of resistance died in my body.

    ¡°Fuck, yeah¡­¡± I was writhing on the wall, my thighs bumping and rubbing together to increase the friction down there. I seriously needed a release. It was like I was high on something strong. On alcohol.

    ¡°Come here.¡± Ashton ripped me from the wall and when I thought he was taking me to the bed to finally fuck me, he pped my front against the wall, his right hand pinning me there as his left hand slid to my zip to drag it down. In a sh, my gown pooled on my feet.

    ¡°I can¡¯t get enough of this, little wolf,¡± he ced his nose at the back of my neck and caressed it slowly lower to the middle of my back. When I came in initially, I had removed my bra, about to go to the bathroom before he knocked. When he knocked I had to shrug back the gown and hurry to him without my underwear.

    My hands were on the wall, willingly, small puffs of erratic air emitting from my mouth and marking the point in front of me as I took it in with hazy eyes. Eyes of passion. I dragged my bottom lips into my mouth, shooting out my bum to him as he reached there, his tongue sliding into my bum split and licking it like a te of his favourite dish.

    He has never done this before.

    His left hand circled my waist and held it down from trembling as he stealthily thrust his tongue in and out of the hole of my ass before licking into my core.

    ¡°Arh, please,¡± I begged, feeling myself about to go. Why does Ashton always choose to torment me like this? He should have just apologized for what he did but his pride wouldn¡¯t let him. Instead, he chose a method he knew despite how much it irked me, he knew it would be hard for me to refuse.

    ¡°Yes, little wolf, you taste so good. So beautiful.¡± Just like that day at the hotel, he was doing it again, saying these words to me that made me think he had changed.

    And I was falling for it.

    He flipped me about in one swipe and as I was working to steady my breath, his finger was next to thrust inside of me as his hungry wolf eyes fixed at me, he began working me up. It was frantic, non-stopping, harsh, forceful, and merciless.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°Yeah! Yeah! I¡¯m almost there, please don¡¯t stop,¡± the words were flowing, my hands finally on his biceps digging into his skin. By tomorrow I¡¯m sure there would be evidence of scars.

    ¡°Don¡¯t close your eyes,¡± he ordered hoarsely, his thrusting not wavering. ¡°Keep looking into my eyes, little wolf.¡± It was hard. It wasn¡¯t every day I could bring myself to look into his eyes. Maybe because somehow in the middle of trying to pretend like I wasn¡¯t fazed by him, inside I was terrified of him. Of what he could do to me in the snap of a finger.

    But right now at the mercy of those fingers, I found myself-however little I can, looking into his stone-ck wolf eyes just as my release hit me. ¡°Fuck, yeah, yeah, yeah¡­¡± he silenced me with a kiss, my waist grinding against him as I rode out the stormy waves. It felt like paradise.

    I have never felt like this in my entire life. Yes, I felt the attraction, the bond, the electricity that came with bonding, but today took it to a different level. Today, Ashton brought my imagination to life; the things I only read beneath the covers of sinful magazines.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He whispered as he kissed my cheek, bringing his fingers up to put into his mouth and as I watched him, licked every of my juice off them, not breaking eye contact.

    I nodded, unable to utter a word. Then he ced those fingers in front of my face and said,¡± Open,¡± and I did. ¡°suck it off.¡± I did. Truly it tasted great.

    ¡°That is what I need you to think of my little wolf,¡± he leaned in to purr into my ear and my stomach twisted with need again. ¡°Always remember that only I can bring you this amount of pleasure. Only me.¡±

    The arrogance.

    The spell fell off my eyes and I pushed at his chest. He was quick to grab my hands between his leftrge ones with a smug smile on his face and led me in the direction of the bathroom. What is he doing now?

    Still, trying to prove to me things he can do that Tyler couldn¡¯t?

    What an oaf!

    As he opened the door and allowed me to go in first. I thought he wasing in, but then he paused there, and that was when it urred to me that throughout he was devouring me, this man was still fully d in the clothes he wore to the games. While I was stark naked.

    As if reading my mind, the sides of his lips pinched in a smirk. A knowing smirk. His eyes shifted to the tub. ¡°Hurry and take your bath ande down for dinner. We have a meeting with the elders this evening.¡±

    ¡°A meeting?¡± I was astonished. ¡°I¡¯m permitted to attend?¡±

    He pushed off the door, his scowl returning. ¡°Being a Queen isn¡¯t only about satisfying my bed desires, Gwendolyn. You said you wanted to be a part of the decision process. Don¡¯t make me wait.¡± With that, he left, the front door mming after him.

    ¡­

 Chapter 71

    GWEN??

    ¡°Thanks for inviting me to the meeting,¡± I said softly as we made our way out of the conference room after the meeting. It was the mandatory meeting done every Thursday to discuss present and futuristic pack activities. The elders were still upset about the recent human attacks and needed Ashton to do something about fortification of the borders.

    I was in support of that too. After thest attack and knowing the reasons behind their obsession with Lycans, I don¡¯t think living at their mercy would be a good idea. Yes, I was happy Ashton didn¡¯t carry out his initial n of going to war with them, albeit I don¡¯t think anything can change his mind if something goes wrong again.

    ¡°You have nothing to thank me for,¡± Ashton grunted, increasing his pace. ¡°My mother did most of these meetings in the absence of my father, and is expected of you if you are going to be a good Queen.¡±

    I bit down on my tongue, walking faster to match his gait. ¡°Still, I thank you.¡± He was back to his haughty form. I¡¯m not surprised. After all, he got what he came forst night; taunting me and reminding me of how much control he had over my body. ¡°I can also do better if invited more often.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to invite you, Gwen.¡± He suddenly came to a halt, causing me to run smack into his broad back. I sneezed in embarrassment and stepped backward, flipping my hair off my face. He merely stared. ¡°You have a maid who should keep you updated with the pack schedules, particrly when ites to meetings where the Queen is needed. Why doesn¡¯t she do that?¡± His brow ticked, his eyes lulling up as if an idea just urred to him. ¡°Speaking of which, I think that maid of yours should be changed. She is lousy and very inefficient.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m notining,¡± I quickly intoned. It¡¯s true that Kora doesn¡¯t give me the necessary information and very true that I am still weary of her, more like I still have doubts about her service despite her pledging allegiance to me, however, the devil you know is better than a sheep-clothing bitchy friend.

    Ashton snorted and resumed his walk up the stairs. ¡°I thought you had practice this evening with the rogue?¡±

    ¡°His name is Tyler and yes, thanks for reminding me.¡±

    ¡°Still, a rogue and in my eyes a vermin.¡±

    ¡°Ashton.¡±

    ¡°I wonder what you see in him. Never mind, I know. After all, they say birds of the same feathers flock together.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I hurried to stand in front of him, my hands on my waist in feigned brevity. ¡°Tyler is a good guy as far I am concerned. Unlike a two-faced prick like you!¡± His forehead furrowed in anger. I held my ground. ¡°So, yes, if you mean we behave alike, then thank you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t test me,¡± He let out a low growl.

    ¡°Or what would you do?¡± I narrowed my eyes still pretending to be unafraid, meanwhile, inside I was trembling. What if he lost control and hit me? Or even worse, hurt Tyler?

    He took a step further, my breath hitched. He stopped right in front of me, tilted his face to mine, so close our breaths fanned and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t forget how fast I can have this feisty behaviour turned into a moan in a matter of seconds.¡± I blushed crimson. How dare he? ¡°I have been desiring for so long to have this mouth of yours wrapped around my cock sucking me off so passionately that¡­¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you discuss the horse race with me?¡± I asked abruptly to divert his attention and goddess help me, save myself from this bodily madness. His mouth went on a straight line, his eyes skimming away as he stepped back, straightening back to his full height.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t important.¡±

    ¡°Your father told your mother everything as_¡±

    ¡°And you have no right bringing my family into our private discussion.¡±

    So, he doesn¡¯t consider me part of his family? ¡°But you want me to be a good Queen to you, to the people. How can I do that when you don¡¯t involve me and then when Iin to you¡­ you manipte me through scandalous ways to forget?¡±

    ¡°That is on you.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± I swallowed down the spittle, flicking my eyes upwards to meet him. ¡°I don¡¯t like the dress code. It¡¯s very inappropriate.¡± He smiled. My stomach flipped. Howe I haven¡¯t seen his lips-sided dimples before now? Made him look so innocent and¡­

    He flicked his fingers in front of my face. ¡°You say I manipte you meanwhile, you easily drift off in the middle of discussions, having very nefarious fantasies. What do you call such forms of temptations in the werewolf Kingdom again?¡±

    I whipped my eyes down so fast, ashamed of my disgusting behaviour. ¡°Don¡¯t deviate from the discussion.¡±

    ¡°Why do you not like our dress code? You were so lost looking at another man¡¯s nakedness, but you can¡¯t bear that of your mate?¡± What is wrong with him? Can he not understand I can¡¯t endure seeing other women see his nakedness? Or that Merit standing so close to him while in such an undressed state made me want to w out her eyes?

    ¡°Please, dress up while riding, Ashton. For the sake of¡­¡±

    ¡°I disgust you that much.¡± There was sadness in his tone.

    ¡°You don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Many women crave and beg to have a glimpse of my body and yet you¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the problem!¡±

    ¡°Helloo, hello¡­¡± Abby¡¯sugh-filled voice wafted from the topmost part of the stairs. It made me unloose my bunched fist and twisted my head up, feigning a smile. She was fully kitted, apparently ready for training. ¡°Gwen! I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you. You ain¡¯t ready?¡±

    Ashton stepped forward beside me, imitating my posture. ¡°Finally, you remind me that I have also been searching for you for a very important meeting. Between both of us. In my study. Now.¡± He ordered at Abby, gave me a brief stiff nce and made his way back the way we came.

    Abby was by my side the next second. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± She whispered frantically. ¡°I have been avoiding him and now¡­¡±

    ¡°Just remember everything we discussed,¡± I took her hand and brushed slowly. ¡°He won¡¯t bite. Don¡¯t ever mention William if you care for him.¡±

    She nodded once and went after him. After watching her back disappear in the left direction that led to Ashton¡¯s study, I huffed and made my way to my room to prepare. Was I too harsh on him? Perhaps, I should have approached the matter diplomatically.

    I didn¡¯t even mean to say it. It just came out as a means of escaping the butterflies that were overpowering my stomach while he said those things to me. And now, I have brought back his former self. Ashton sure knows how to bring out the worst in me all the damn time!

    Anyways, I am not going to allow this to bother me. I have a sparring match tomorrow and have to get ready. I touched the bracelet gift from Julian, a constant reminder of my past with him and a sad smile silently crawled up my face. I hope I perform well, at least that way my rtionship with Julian wouldn¡¯t altogether be a waste.

    ¡°You know you are now my good luck charm,¡± I mumbled to the bracelet, grabbing my water bottle and leaving the room.

    ¡­

 Chapter 72

    GWEN??

    It turned out I had to head to Tyler¡¯s ce alone. After I left my room, I went to wait for Abby outside the mansion, by the car. However, it didn¡¯t take long before one of the maids came to inform me she couldn¡¯t make it and asked me to proceed.

    I was torn between going to seek her out to find out if she was okay, but the maid said Abby was still in a meeting with the King. Therefore I had to leave, promising to check in with her when I got back.

    The training went smoothly, Tyler as usual, overjoyed as he kept talking about his love interest. When I asked when he was going to introduce her to me, he was quick to deviate from the topic.

    Tonight when I came back, I was of the mindset that by tomorrow I¡¯m going to crush it at the arena. I was so tired I fell on the bed, meaning to rest and see Abbyter after dinner.

    The next time I opened my eyes, it was bright light flooding in through the window facing my bed. And when I listened intently, someone was knocking at the door.

    I flew up from the bed. ¡°Come in.¡± I rubbed my eyelids, my throat feeling itchy. Did I sleep in through the night?

    ¡°Good morning, your highness,¡± Kora greeted with a slight bow. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I was unable toe yesternight. My mother fell ill demanding I stay with her at the healer¡¯s ce.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Kora,¡± I stood up and looked around, touching the ck pants I used in training yesterday. ¡°How¡¯s your mother now?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s feeling better this morning.¡± She went towards the wardrobe and began sorting through my clothes. ¡°The King had asked that youe down early for breakfast so that the two of you could proceed to the arena early enough.¡±

    I lingered halfway to the bathroom. ¡°He is breaking fast with me this morning?¡± It wasn¡¯t something that happened every day. I am used to breaking my fast without him every other morning. That was indeed astounding to hear.

    Very surprising especially, after our heated argument yesterday.

    Kora¡¯s head swung downwards. ¡°He was very particr about it, your highness.¡±

    ¡°And Abby? Did you by chance see her?¡±

    ¡°No, your highness.¡±

    With one steady look, I made my way to the bathroom to quickly wash up and clean my mouth. When I came out, a white gown, with golden intricate bassettes used in decorating the midriff and simple stiletto wasid across the now neatly arranged bed.

    ¡°Kora?¡± I massaged my lotion into my skin. Lavender. I am starting to think Ashton liked it judging from the way he acted any time I used it.

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Why do you not inform me about the meetings held in the pce?¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    She sharply looked down at her hands, unsteady on her feet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness. I was of the mind that you might not be interested in such matters by now.¡±

    Or, you think I am not worthy of being in meetings with your kind yet? Does Kora still harbour indifference toward me? Perhaps, she still thought of me as an outsider. ¡°Alright, henceforth I need to be informed of every meeting done in or outside the pce in which my husband the King would be in attendance. Am I clear?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± She bowed once more.

    ¡°Thank you, Kora.¡± I took my thongs whilst dropping my towel on the bed. I wore them, followed by my gown which she hurried forward to help me zip behind. ¡°Help me bring out neat fighting gaiters. I will be sparring today.¡±

    ¡°Sparring?¡± Her voice seemed one of shock. ¡°The King approved that?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± I looked at her through the mirror as I sat down in front of it. ¡°Do you have a problem with that?¡±

    ¡°No, your highness. I am merely concerned about your participation. I assumed you might want to observe first and maybe join in the next game if you¡­ never mind.¡±

    I gritted my teeth together. If what? Does she mean if I¡¯m still here? I have to be wearier of Kora. I am starting to think she is more of an enemy than I envisaged. I might have to consider Ashton¡¯s idea to change her. ¡°Help me arrange my hair in a simple style.¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡±

    When I left the roomter, I made my way in the direction of Abby¡¯s room to be certain she is okay before going downstairs. I knocked. There was no response.

    I knocked once more. No response. Then I heard footsteps approach from my left side and nted my head there. It was her maid. She bowed at seeing me. ¡°Good morning, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Where is Abigail?¡±

    ¡°She has already left for the arena, your highness.¡±

    ¡°This early?¡± I looked at my watch. And she didn¡¯t even bother checking on me. Something must be definitely wrong. What has Ashton done this time?

    ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± I veered around and faced the hall that will lead to the stairs.

    Once I sat down at the dining table, I could feel Ashton¡¯s eyes drilling arge hole into me. So, with a defeated huff,  I shifted my gaze to him. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What a way of saying good morning to your dear mate for the first time you are meeting him in the morning.¡± His tone dripped with raw sarcasm, despite his luminous facade.

    I opened my mouth tosh back, but the door opening got my attention. I looked there. Merit. My eyes narrowed, my blood boiling over.

    I nced back at Ashton so as not to give her the satisfaction of seeing how unsettled I was in her presence. I inched close and whispered. ¡°What did you say to Abby yesterday?¡±

    He was about to sip from his teacup but wavered, his eyes turning cold as he lowered back the cup, his icy orbs fixing at me. ¡°I had nned to skip that tillter, but now that you are asking, I am obliged to address it.¡± What does he mean by that?

    ¡°W-what?¡±

    ¡°I always know your kind to be liars, and maniptive, amongst others, however, I didn¡¯t think that you will stoop low as to hide something that fragile from me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°You are still pretending not to understand?¡± His fingers fisted so tight around the cup I feared he would shatter it.

    I didn¡¯t say a word. What did Abby tell him? Why won¡¯t he just say it and break the suspense?

    He straightened, removing his fingers from the cup and looking around the table. ¡°Abigail is my only sister and as tradition demands, she is to marry into a respectable family. Not to any lowlife, not to mention a rogue with indecent bloodline.¡±

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I tried to smile to lighten the situation. ¡°If you can go straight to the poin_¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me my sister was mated to the chief guardian?¡±

    I let out a loud gasp, air knocked out of my lungs.

    What!

    Tyler?

    ¡­

 Chapter 73

    GWEN??

    The speed of light I used to locate Abby when we got to the arena, was one of dismay mixed with hysteria. From the moment Ashton said those words, I was unable to do nothing else but wish to reach the arena sooner to hear from Abby how Tyler became involved in all of this.

    ¡°Have you seen Abby?¡± I asked Williams, in response to his jovial greeting. Had Abby told him what she told Ashton? I didn¡¯t think so, if not, I¡¯m not sure he would still be in this gay mood as he was now.

    ¡°She was here a few minutes ago,¡± he nodded to her vacant seat. ¡°She left for the female restroom. Said she will be back before the game starts.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ming,¡± I mouthed, using the time Ashton was addressing the crowd to make my way out of the royal booth in search of Abby.

    I found her in the rest room, obviously hiding. She must have sensed our arrival and taken off. ¡°What have you done?¡±

    ¡°I know, Gwen,¡± Sbe grabbed the sink tight. ¡°I feel so stupid that was the best I could do. But I had no choice.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°Abby, there were so many things you could have said but not¡­ Tyler?¡± I squealed out, my hands wild in gestiction. I was pacing inside the restroom, behind Abby still standing flustered by the sink, in front of the mirror.

    ¡°We have to find him and-and inform him of what is going on, Gwen.¡± She appeared in front of me, taking my shoulders to stop me. I flicked my eyes up to her face. She was pale, seemingly very caught up with the situation. ¡°Please, you have to help me, Gwen. Ashton can never know it¡¯s Williams. I love him so much, I don¡¯t want Ashton to hurt him.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know, Abby,¡± I said wearily, overwhelmed by this predicament. ¡°Tyler has someone he is very in love with and can¡¯t stop talking about her. If I, I mean we tell him to y along, what if he disagreed because of her?¡±

    Her eyes were wide with panic. ¡°He has a mate?¡±

    I shrugged casually. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know if to call her his mate as he hasn¡¯t mentioned that part, but from the way he talked about her¡­¡±

    She sighed and stepped back, her appearance bing even more paler. ¡°I¡¯m finished, Gwen. I shouldn¡¯t have mentioned his name. Ashton can¡¯t be easily fooled, he will never believe me if I tell him I lied or, or that it was a mistake. His name was the first to pop into my head because I knew he was your friend and felt he could help make Ashton rx from me. That way Ashton won¡¯t see him as a rival anymore.¡±

    I caused this. My mind was working faster than a wheel. If I hadn¡¯t gone to mention she had a mate to Ashton, this won¡¯t be happening. ¡°This is all my fault.¡±

    Her curls were all over the ce as she fluttered her head. ¡°It¡¯s not, Gwen. You were only trying to help. I¡¯m the foolish one who couldn¡¯t lie fairly to save my life. To save the life of the love of my life.¡±

    ¡°Fine, I will talk to Tyler.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I-I will tell Tyler to y along. To agree when Ashton approaches him about it. Because that is bound to happen.¡±

    ¡°That means we have to tell him now.¡±

    ¡°It would even be more suspicious. Let¡¯s wait till after the games, from the field we will locate Tyler and I will tell him¡­ Lud, I just pray this works, Abby.¡± I uttered, sagging my shoulders.

    ¡°We have to go now, Gwen. Williams said they are pairing sparring partners. It¡¯s about to begin.¡± She came close and took my hand. ¡°This has to work, Gwen.¡±

    I didn¡¯t know if it would, however, we have to be hopeful so I nodded, went into the rooms to change and then we made out way out.

    Half of the gathering was already in the field, each person facing theirbatant partner. I looked up in the direction of our booth and saw Ashton standing with Williams. Like a ma our eyes collided and I felt the chill that went down my body. At this point, with my head loaded with so much if I lose in this game, I won¡¯t be amazed.

    My eyes travelled to my hands and only nced back up when I saw a pair of feet appear before me. It was Tyler, further reason to be agitated. ¡°Tyler.¡±

    ¡°My Queen,¡± My title was feathery in his mouth, making a tight knot form at the pit of my stomach. ¡°I trust you will smash this.¡± He leaned in, his musky scent wafting through my nostrils. ¡°Don¡¯t forget all the secret tactics I taught you.¡±

    I smiled with a slight nod. Even if I forget his, I can never forget those from Julian. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± He handed me a sword, and gestured to my partner, a blonddy; possibly a Delta, from her agile build. As he made to move away, my hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, earning back his attention. ¡°I need to speak to youter.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡±

    With that, I released him, and focused on the female macho before me. If I am going to win thisdy, I have to set aside my present disturbance and concentrate on the present. As the Lycan Queen, it will be unfortunate for me to lose to my subject. Particrly, in a venture I have been trained for since birth.

    I noticed from the corner of my left eye that Abby was saying something to Tyler. I wanted to hear what she was saying, but curse my wolflessness, I didn¡¯t hear much. Only ¡®thank you¡¯ from her.

    ¡°Now, we are going to begin the game for today.¡± Tyler was at the front saying. ¡°The participant with the highest and most unique strikes in this group,¡± he pointed to my group, ¡°would be challenged by any member of the group over there,¡± he pointed to a group by the right, all wearing blue. ¡°It goes on like that until a person is dered the overall winner.¡±

    From the look of things, there are about three groups; my nude group, the RED group and the BLUE group.

    Merit stepped forward from the RED group, a menacing smile on her face. ¡°As we all know, well apart from a few new people joining us for the first time,¡± obviously me, ¡°¡­ this is merely a game for fun. Failure doesn¡¯t mean defeat. So, as we y, let¡¯s keep in mind that we are all one family, and only strive to bring out the best in us. Thank you.¡±

    The crowd cheered, everyone, but not me. I hated that she was standing so close to my friend, smiling cordially with him as if they have known each other since childhood more than we know ourselves. She couldn¡¯t take my mate¡¯s attention from me, and still take Tylers.

    And she was darting pointedly at me.

    And now, she is in RED group. Meaning if I win in my group, I will have to challenge someone from her group. And from the look of things, being the highest female ranked Deltan, there is every probability I will face her.

    ¡°START!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 74

    ASH??

    I swerved in force to the right, imitating the motion of my mate as she swung in full force at her present opponent, twisting her hand in a vicelike grip before bncing behind her and further putting strain on her arms, eliciting a defeated yell from the female, leading to Tyler rushing forward to blow the whistle. Once more my mate wins.

    Somehow my heart swelled inside, even if my sister was presently one of the fallen heroes. I couldn¡¯t believe it myself. My sister was one of the best fighters in this pack, having her share of tricks which she used to her favour and during the fight has employed all of them-however, it appeared my mate was of the mind to mesmerize everyone as she ploughed through the battlefield bringing down all her opponent not greater than five minutes, without breaking a sweat.

    It was as if she was born for this.

    Howe I didn¡¯t know she was this good? To the extent of winning against my female Lycans who were bred to fight, maim and destroy. The crowd broke into a loud cheer as Tyler helped her up, his face a mask of pride, smiling a breath away from her.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Williams reeled beside me. ¡°I knew she was a phenomenon.¡±

    My guts twisted. Deep inside for me, a part of me was proud she wasn¡¯t bringing shame to me while the other part-considering the fact she was wolfless-I was expecting her to flop-call me evil- at least I get theughs tonight. Nheless, the goddess seemed to be on her side, everything was going well, up to now she was about to face the RED group. And that bastard Tyler had to hold her so close like she was his! For goddess sake, he was my sister¡¯s mate, ording to what she said. Howe I have been the only one irritated by their excessive show of emotions meanwhile by sister stood there, grinning from ear to ear, none the least bothered?

    I leaned to my left, where Williams sat hooting in merriment. ¡°Is it just me that thinks there is something fishy about my sister¡¯s im of the rogue being her mate?¡±

    Williams¡¯s face nched as his grey orbs travelled in that direction and when it returned, he was fast to ask, ¡°Why did you say so?¡±

    ¡°Look at her, happy watching my mate and HER mate disying excessive cordiality and she isn¡¯t even moved as is obtainable with one¡¯s mate.¡±

    Williams cleared his throat. From the second I asked that question, his face came off to have paled. ¡°I-i think you are the one overthinking it, Ash. Everyone is apparently involved and delighted with how the Queen is winning to care about such obscenity.¡±

    I grunted and lugged back, huffing, ¡°Perhaps, it¡¯s in my head, it won¡¯t still stop me from having a chat with the rogue concerning his true intentions.¡±

    ¡°¡­ and now, as we have all seen, our dear Queen have proven herself a warlock by defeating every member of the nude and blue group. Now, who among the RED group, thinks she is worthy of facing a woman of this notoriety?¡±  The rogue¡¯s voice drummed dramatically through the air.

    I am tempted to dere an end to today¡¯s match as I could sense my mate¡¯s heartbeat hammering, possibly from exhaustion or is that anxiety? I stood, going close to the baluster, and opened my mouth only to stop as Merit walked forward, her sword unsheathed.

    ¡°I am willing to challenge the Queen,¡± She roared, her eyes pinned fiercely at Gwen. I suspected this was going to happen. And now, everything became even more interesting. I stepped back.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to stop this?¡± Williams queried in a disturbed tone. ¡°You know this won¡¯t end well.¡±

    ¡°Rx, my dear friend.¡± I touched his arm. ¡°The fun just started.¡±

    And indeed it was.

    Gwen didn¡¯t move a foot or bat an eyelid, merely stood there watching Merit through bloodthirsty eyes up to when Merit let out a battle cry and leapt at her. That was when my mate transformed into something totally different from what she disyed in her former fight, throwing rounds of punches and fast to block off all the blowsing from Merit.

    When she vaulted up and kicked Merit on the chest sending her flying ten yards away, I stood up, ambling closer and saw Merit snap her eyes at my mate, zing fire in shock not believing it. Merit was the best female warrior of my Kingdom, not anyhow kind of woman can win against her. So, like her, everyone was amazed at what was unfolding before us.

    ¡°How dare you?¡± Merit¡¯s thunderous mour was apanied by her speedy dash through the air to catch my mate unaware. Somethings she wasn¡¯t supposes to do; use her powers.

    ¡°STOP!¡± Tyler reached to grab her and pushed her away from my mate who didn¡¯t flinch but went after her, kicking and shouting. Anyone within the ptial walls watching now would know this was more than games to them.

    ¡°Stay away from this.¡± Merit bypassed him while he was observing Gwen at the same time her Lycae emerged and she sent Gwen flying across the yard to smash against the bricks.

    ¡°My Queen!¡±

    ¡°Gwendolyn!¡±

    Tyler and I screamed at the same time, him running to her while I took the stairs two at a time. The crowd went into abrupt silence.

    Tyler took her in his arms as I got there, the first sight that greeted my eyes being blood gushing from my mate¡¯s mouth. I ripped her away from his arms into mine and tentatively touched her face.

    She was unconscious.

    ¡°You should have stopped this one time!¡± I screamed at Tyler.

    ¡°And you should have ordered your mistress to behave!¡± He thundered back, tears shimmering in his eyes. I was gobsmacked that he talked back at me and the fact that my guardian was teary over my mate¡¯s unfortunate circumstance.

    ¡°Oh, my, is she okay?¡± Abby dropped beside us. I looked away from Tyler to my mate, lifting her up. ¡°Will, call the ambnce!¡± Abby waved vigorously and Williams who was sprinting to us made a U-turn and went back.

    ¡°Is she going to be okay?¡± She asked me, but I was not in the right state of mind to reply to her. Guilt ate me up. The rogue was right. I let this happen. I should have stopped this instead of sitting there enjoying watching Merit and my mate sh over me. It even saddened me more knowing I secretly wished for my mate to be taught a lesson somehow so as to gloatter on.

    Instead of waiting for the ambnce, I stood and raced to the car, ced her in and without waiting a second, I zoomed off.

    ¡­

 Chapter 75

    GWEN??

    My head was banging, that was the first thing I noticed as I came to, long before noticing the hushed voices whispering in the background. I winced as I tried to open my eyes, my right hand flying to my forehead.

    Why does my head feel like I was smashed with a waterside rock? It hed terribly. I shifted on the bed until I was facing the people standing in the middle of the room, their stance portraying they were presently disagreeing over something.

    First of all, I was lying on my bed, in the same clothing I wore to the arena this morning, and the only light in the room wasing from the window. It wasn¡¯t night yet. I raked my head to recall how Inded here from the arena and why my head ached so badly. Nothing was adding up.

    I sat up slowly, so subtle that the three people; Ashton, Abby and Williams didn¡¯t notice. I parted my mouth about to ask what was going on when like I was sted back from whatever bubble I¡¯d been huddled, I remembered.

    My eyes shed daggers, a soft curse leaving my mouth. I didn¡¯t realise I was audible enough until the three of them stopped at once, two sharp blues and one greytching at me.

    One blue eye was the first to reach my side. ¡°Ohmg, Gwen, you are awake!¡± She sped her soft paws over my cheeks and turned side to side, her knees on the bed that her face was so close. ¡°You scared the shit out of us.¡±

    ¡°How did I get here?¡± I swallowed, my throat feeling dry.

    ¡°Ashton was so worried he had to¡­¡±

    ¡°Excuse us,¡± Ashton cut her off, standing directly in front of us, his face impassive, his hands behind his back. He was still clothed in the same wears from this morning. ¡°Two of you.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡°But I¡¯m her friend and I am_¡±

    ¡°Now, Abigail.¡± It wasn¡¯t vociferous, albeit, the authority contained in it was unhidden.

    Abby seemingly pissed at him, stood with a piercing huff, shared a sad smile with me and dashed out of the room, followed by Williams.

    ¡°What happened?¡± I quickly asked, looking around. ¡°Why did you ask them to leave?¡±

    In a sh, he sat beside me, his hands finding my cheeks. In the same posture as his sister. I was shocked out of my wits. What is he doing?

    He closed his eyes, letting out a relieved sigh. Then like he never did it, his hands fell off my face, and his expression once concerned, instantly turned to ice. ¡°You were reckless, little wolf,¡± he said gruffly.

    I can¡¯t believe I just escaped death at the hands of my mate¡¯s mistress only to be faced with his multiple personality syndrome. How long would it take before I finally run mad from not understanding this man?

    ¡°Your mistress crossed the line.¡± I sneered at him.

    ¡°She¡¯s not¡­ my mistress.¡± His eyes were pinched closed, trying to control his patience.

    ¡°Yet you fuck her.¡± I flung the covers over my legs away and made to stand. His hand held me down.

    ¡°You can¡¯t leave the bed for now.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± I yanked my hand away. ¡°I am not an invalid. Just because I lost my guard for once doesn¡¯t mean I am crippled or something.¡±

    ¡°The Doctor would¡¯ve to confirm you are fit to stand first.¡±

    My brows arched to the top of my head in chagrin. Why do I feel like my mate suddenly cares about me? The Ashton I know wouldn¡¯t care if I fell t to my death. My eyes skimmed him from head to toe with open mouth.

    His eyes didn¡¯t flounder, showing he was dead serious.

    ¡°Fine.¡± I fell back on the bed, my right hand going to flip off my hair and remain at the top of the pillow, shielding my eyes from seeing him. I felt like crying. That bitch had the audacity. The nerves to attack me with her powers. I feel stupid, so low and unworthy all because of her! She intentionally did it before everyone to make them think I was weak and powerless.

    I have never felt more embarrassed over not having my wolf than I felt today. Angry tears pricked the sides of my eyes and I held them in, not willing to allow anyone to see me vulnerable, not to mention Ashton.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gwen.¡± I shivered as I felt his hand on my leftp. Even if I was covered, it didn¡¯t stop the heat from sipping in through the covers to my flesh.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I croaked, my voice failing me.

    He sped hisrge fingers over the hand covering my face and ripped it away, exposing my face at the same time that a tear fell.

    ¡°You are crying.¡±

    ¡°Are you not h-happy?¡± I choked, eventually bulging. My body shook. ¡°That was my first time participating in the games and see the reputation I left all because of her! Y¡¯all promised twas going to be merely fun.¡±

    ¡°I promise you that Merit will be fairly punished for her actions.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if she would be punished or not, Ashton.¡± I shook off his hands, unwilling to be consoled by those filthy words. ¡°I was humiliated before everyone. Do you think they will ever forget? How¡¯s punishing her going to make any difference?¡±

    ¡°Nobody thinks like that, Gwen and they would never ever think so nor will they utter gibberish outside or they shall suffer my wrath.¡± He tried to touch me once more. I didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°You were actually tremendous, little wolf, to be honest.¡±

    I sniffed in, trying to calm myself. Does he mean it or he was only trying to cate me? I sighed, my shoulders slouching forward.  ¡°I want to be happy, Ashton. I just want¡­ I want your people to love me. To see me worthy of the mantle handed to me. Why did you have to allow that woman to see me as a rival than a superior? And to think she carries herself like a goddess, feeling untouchable.¡±

    He simply stared, his face pleated. I thought so. He liked her more than he did me. He gave her the wings to fly and as long as she remained in this Kingdom, under the same roof as us, I will alwayse second if notst. Ashton doesn¡¯t love me and will never, so it is easy to always take her side.

    ¡°I want to be left alone.¡± Iy on my side, facing away from him. ¡°I have to nurse my bruised ego and gather the courage to face the people tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Little¡­¡±

    ¡°Just don¡¯t call me that.¡± I struck. ¡°Go away. One day I hope you realise I meant well for you, for this Kingdom and that no woman would tolerate half of what I have from you. If that¡¯s not devotion, I wonder what it¡­¡± I didn¡¯t finish and broke off, trembling as silent sobs rocked my body.

    His hand nted over my shoulder and it annoyed me the more. ¡°LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE, ASHTON. JUST GO AWAY.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 76

    GWEN??

    ¡°I can manage on my own, Tyler,¡± I waved him off with a slight smile, hoping he would heed to my plea and leave. From the ck bags under his eyes and the manner his cor bones were sticking out, I could deduce he hasn¡¯t been having a proper sleep. Possibly because of the games.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave you here, you know that,¡± He grumbled, and pushed my wheelchair further into the temple yard. I didn¡¯t know if to be grateful to him for being here with me, for being the kind of friend I needed right now or to be irritated by his peskiness. I requested him to bring me with the idea that he would leave once we reached the gate.

    Tyler wasn¡¯t a fan of temples. ording to him, he said he stopped believing in the goddess after she allowed his former pack people to humiliate and exile him. I might not have grown up with Tyler, however, these past weeks we have spent together as friends have given me a beamlight into his history and the kind of man he was.

    ¡°Tyler, you know what will happen if Ashton sees us together.¡± I tried another trick. ¡°Let¡¯s not make him suspect our lie.¡± I needed him to leave, I needed to be by myself. I might not see his face from this angle, but I knew he was gritting his teeth now.

    You see, Tyler had been adamant after I tried to beg him to y along in the lies we fed Ashton. He insisted he didn¡¯t want to be involved in telling an untruth to his King which if found out might lead him to trouble. I know that, and I also know that I will do everything in my power to protect him from Ashton if the need arose.

    ¡°You of all people know I hate this role I¡¯m ying, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Gwen, Tyler.¡± I corrected him for the umpteenth time. ¡°I will soon be forced to join Ashton and call you the rogue if you don¡¯t¡­¡± I faltered, my head wrapping around what I just uttered. ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m sorry, Ty, I¡¯m not supposed to say that.¡± I ced my hand on his right hand in the wheelchair. ¡°That was a silly joke.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s not like it¡¯s not true.¡± He stopped in front of the temple. ¡°I am a rogue and will always be no matter where I go to. No matter what position I am ced in, it is an identity that can never elude me.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t take seeing him so sad. I sat up instantly,ing around to stand in front of him and take his cheeks in my hands. His eyes widened, flickering between the dumped chair and me. I didn¡¯t let him say what was on his mind. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to say that, Ty. And you are not a rogue to me. Besides, what am I?¡±  There was a tinge of sadness in my tone. ¡°I am also a rogue, Ty. So, do you think one rogue has the right to address another by that title?¡±

    He chuckled dryly. ¡°You are the Queen. You are one of them now.¡±

    ¡°Yet¡­ my mate despises me.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a fool.¡±

    The first thing I did was to break down inughter. Normally one could be beheaded for addressing the King like that. However, here I was finding it funny that my friend was calling my mate a fool.

    ¡°I have to go into the temple now, Ty.¡± I parted his right shoulder and gently swerved about. ¡°If you ask me I will say you should join me. You might never know why the goddess brought you here.¡±

    He snorted. ¡°Thanks, I pass.¡±

    The small smile on my face remained until I was inside the temple, proceeding to my familiar spot to knee. Immediately, like rushing waters, memories from the other day came back to me. The day Merit humiliated me, leading to my fractured spinal cord; the reason why I will be using the wheelchair until I have fully recovered.

    When the doctor came that evening, he informed me of the blood samples he collected initially to further expand his knowledge of my reproductive state. It turned out my blood was altered, which was why my body couldn¡¯t harbour another being for now. He asked me if I have shifted yet and when I negated, he was of the opinion that until I shift, he can¡¯t ascertain the true cause of my altered blood and even I might not be able to conceive.

    Recalling it now, made my heart pound. It¡¯s three months gone already and despite not asking me, I know Ashton would be worried. The people are distracted by the games for now, what happens after it. In the next five months, a year, two years¡­ How long would the doctor take before he spilt my secret to Ashton of my inability to bear him an heir?

    I had made him swear not to tell anyone, leaving only me, him and Abby the only people with this secret, but I am so afraid. Why does my blood have to be mixed? Why do all the bad things keep happening to me? Why can¡¯t I shift? What if I am human? And if I am, are human blood altered?

    ¡°Goddess, even if my head went on swimming with questions from now till tomorrow, only you have the best answer. Please, help me.¡± Iy there, tiny droplets of tears gliding from the side of my eyes. I don¡¯t care who saw me like this, all I need is help from the Queen goddess.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Tyler asked me when I came out. I nodded, contemting if to tell him or not, then resolved not to.

    ¡°You know you can always tell me if anything bothers you.¡± He prodded with his eyes fixed at me.

    Though it pained me that I was hiding this from him knowing he meant well, nheless, the less number of people that knew, the better. ¡°Where are you taking Abby?¡± I asked, to digress.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    He buckled the sp to secure my feet to the wheel and stirred it about facing the direction of the pce. ¡°I¡¯m still notfortable with this whole arrangement, your_Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I know, Ty. Please, consider this the best thing you could ever do for me. We will sort this out with time.¡±

    ¡°But when?¡±

    ¡°Soon. I promise.¡± I feel so bad in making him do this. Does this make me truly maniptive? ¡°How is yourdy love?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not that fine¡­ for now.¡± I snapped my eyes to him. ¡°What happened to her?¡±

    He shrugged, not meeting my eyes. ¡°Nothing much. Don¡¯t worry about her.¡±

    I was still worried, albeit I didn¡¯t push it. If he wanted to tell me, he would. He doesn¡¯t hide much from me. ¡°I can chaperone if you want¡­¡±

    ¡°That would be better. I wouldn¡¯t want to be left alone with her.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all, after all, it would give me something to do away from the pce. I¡¯m sick of seeing the dry four walls of my chambers.¡±

    ¡°What about the King?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I haven¡¯t seen him in three days.¡± My tone was tragic. ¡°Probably with his mistress.¡±

    He hummed. ¡°Merit has been suspended as the chief female Delta for now, plus we also forbade her froming to the watchmen guide.¡±

    My ears jerked, liking the news. I haven¡¯t seen her since three days ago, not like I have shown my face where I could see her. I intentionally avoided any ce that would bring us together, as well as anyone in this Kingdom. For now. I don¡¯t think I am brave enough to face them after that major flop.

    ¡°You know you were amazing that day,¡± He said as if reading my mind. He stopped at the pce front,ing in front of me with his hands in his jacket pockets. The wind blew his hair in different directions and somehow the sunlight made his Obsidian look bluish now. ¡°Everyone was proud of you.¡±

    ¡°You are only trying to appease me.¡±

    ¡°You are not going to remain indoors forever. Resume your training. It would help your reflexes.¡±

    ¡°I will think about it, Ty.¡± I propelled my wheelchair forward, striving to escape sooner. ¡°We will be there by five.¡±

    ¡°I wille pick you up.¡±

    I stopped, twisting my neck. ¡°Seriously? You too?¡±

    ¡°You are still my Queen.¡±

    I blushed. When he said it like that, it had multiple connotations. I nodded, not wasting more time wheeling away.

    Thank goddess the over-jovial butler wasn¡¯t there, so at the foot of the stairs, I unshackled my legs from the wheelchair and stood up. I managed to take the first step when like a wind, Merit emerged from the left-hand corner of the foyer, halting when she saw me.

    ¡°And who do we have here?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 77

    ASH??

    It¡¯s been three days. For three days I¡¯ve been hiding away in my study, waiting, hoping that my mate would bulge and summon for me. And for these three days, she had ignored me, not looking for me.

    My wolf was agitating, telling me to go to her, to keep trying to win her, to make her forgive us over what happened the other day. It wasn¡¯t my fault, yet, Fangs expect me to beg. After all, Merit was the nemesis of my recklessness. If I hadn¡¯t fucked her, she wouldn¡¯t have gone rogue.

    And today, when I awoke this morning, I made up my mind to do it.

    Call me stupid.

    My mate was hurt, I shouldn¡¯t care, considering that was what I always wanted. To break her, make her cry every day that she will give in and reject me, leave and never return so I could go back to my former rakish life; a life of excessive enjoyment. Having so much fun without consequences. That was what I have always desired. Until she came along. So, why should I care?

    Then slowly, these past few months of bickering, wing at each other¡¯s faces, and the sizzling nights of tangled sheets after those hateful words spewed, were starting to affect me. Mixed with my wolf making me crazy, I think inside of me, I am starting to care.

    Which was why, when I left my messy couch that has acted like my bed and wardrobe and strode to the window to look outside,  I have never felt so jealous, or the raw urge to murder someone, the way I felt seeing my mate grinning heartedly as the rogue led her back from somewhere.

    My guts twisted. Anger like raw venom seeping through my vein, threatening to burst through and worst of it, Fangs growling ferociously I had to grab the window sills and hold him back from jumping down and attacking him.

    What is he doing with her?

    So, she asked me to leave her alone, but there she was smiling at the rogue like he was the best thing that happened to her! Why is he often with my mate and not my sister?!

    ¡°Brother?¡± I blinked hard and staggered back, rubbing my eyes as it grazed the door where my sister trotted in from.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I sounded so grumpy: an aftermath reaction from alcohol and mncholy. ¡°Why are you always in the wrong ces, Abigail?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°That is what I mean?!¡± My voice has risen an octave, pointing below the window. ¡°Howe you two are not always together like you should?¡±

    Her face flushed, her eyes descending downward. ¡°Well, well, because Tyler is a busy man. Besides we are going on a date today.¡±

    ¡°Busy? Did you just say busy?¡± I snickered, wobbling to my chair to fall into it. I picked up the ss perched on my desk, finishing the half content in it. ¡°You are so naive, Abigail. You say your mate is busy when he is with another woman.¡±

    ¡°They are close friends, brother. What is wrong with them being together?¡±

    ¡°You are not jealous?¡±

    ¡°Jealous? Why?¡± She took a step further, paused and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Then she bit down on her lower lip and the next time she released it, she sighed and looked around. ¡°This ce is messed up, Ashton.¡± She went and began picking things up and putting them in their right ces. ¡°Has your Beta not seen you like this? What of your valet? The maids for goodness sake.¡±

    ¡°You have to start staying with your mate, Abigail,¡± I said what was on my mind.

    ¡°W-hat?¡± She squeaked, her eyeballs as round as saucers. ¡°Okay, you mean like going out often with him? Fine, I mean that was what I came here to inform you that we were going on a date. I was hoping to also ask Gwen to chaperone us, you know so she can_¡±

    ¡°I want you to move in with him.¡± I cut her off. Chaperone? Why does my mate need to chaperone two grown-ass on a damn date?

    ¡°What! I can¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t that what mates do? They move in together.¡±

    ¡°When they are married.¡± She dumped my clothes back on the couch and reached the front of my desk. Her countenance was frantic, her hidden freckles like my mate¡¯s clearly visible now. ¡°I spoke to Mom and she asked me not to move in until he gets her approval.¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Well, I am the King and I order you to move in with your mate.¡± If she doesn¡¯t see that rogue frolicking around my mate as a problem, then I have to secure what is mine by keeping him busy with his own mate. Abigail is a lot and keeping both of them in one house would surely wear him out enough not to have strength for other trivial things.

    She stomped her left leg. ¡°You are my brother and I am the Princess. You have no right to order me out of my father¡¯s house. I respect you, but in this case, I refuse to allow you order me around!¡± She mmed her right palm on my desk, her voice raging like a tornado.

    ¡°I know what this is about,¡± her eyes narrowed at me. ¡°You are so jealous of seeing Tyler with Gwen that you want to push me to him to keep him away from her.¡±

    I scowled, unyielding. ¡°He is your mate.¡±

    ¡°And Gwen is my friend. Unlike you, she doesn¡¯t take pride in hurting others. Look at you, you hide in here, running away from your responsibility as husband and mate, yet, you think you can control my life.¡± She leaned toward me, the Mcgregor fire in her eyes. ¡°Get your life in check first before meddling in mine or I will be forced to tell Mom what you¡¯ve been up to in her absence. I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t want her to hear you have your mistress under the same roof as your wife.¡±

    ¡°You will not dare, Abigail.¡±

    Her face lit up, standing straight. ¡°I¡¯m going to help you sort out your¡­¡± She kimmed her hands in disgust around the room. ¡°¡­ mess. Regardless, don¡¯t tempt me.¡±

    I stood up, pushing my chair back with full force. I was furious and if my little sister thinks she has the upper hand, I have to prove to her I am still the older one. ¡°I am going to speak to Mom that you have found your mate and have my blessings. Whenever she is fit to give her blessing, she can extend it to you in his house. Not in my house. So, dear sister, thank you for your help, unfortunately, it won¡¯t stop you from moving into your mate¡¯s house by this weekend, whether you like it or not.¡±

    As for that mate of mine, we need to have a chat.

    ¡­

 Chapter 78

    GWEN??

    I clicked my tongue and made up my mind to ignore Merit. As I veered to leave, her nextment stopped me, igniting the fire that I had managed to quench inside of me.

    ¡°I see you are still ashamed of your woeful defeat at the arena on Tuesday, huh?¡±

    With speed I reached in front of her, my two hands connecting with her shoulders, sending her back. Unfortunately, she doesn¡¯t fall, it was not as if I did something.

    Her lips quirked to the side in a mocking smirk. ¡°You are such a weakling and I keep wondering what my dear King saw in you in the first ce. You are not fit to be our Queen.¡±

    The more those words flowed, the more my heart boiled, pouring over. I wanted to hurt Merit so bad the way she was hurting me. I needed to make her pay, yet I didn¡¯t know how to. ¡°Are you happy with yourself now?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You should be the one ashamed of yourself hovering over a man that is already taken. What? Don¡¯t you have a mate somewhere?¡± She growled, her Lycae eyes shing at me the same time her fangs protruded, snarling at me. It was my time to smirk. ¡°I see the problem. You haven¡¯t found him, so you think you can snatch my man. You want to have Ashton by all means you couldn¡¯t hide your disdain for me by any means.¡±

    ¡°You started it!¡±

    I tsked. ¡°I started what?¡±

    ¡°You think I don¡¯t know you nned to disgrace me at the games? You im to be innocent now because I won. I beat you at your own game.¡±

    My mouth was sealed, racking my head for the best response. She was right. That day it was more than fun for me. I wanted to hurt her, but only because she dared to challenge me. I figured out she challenged me as apetition and then coupled with my anger at everything she had done to me I lost control over mymon sense.

    And now, it wounds more knowing she knew I was guilty as her. Regardless, I will rather eat my eyes than to concur. ¡°I am not like you, Merit.¡±

    ¡°I know, you are nothing like me, weakling!¡±

    My right hand swept up, about to deliver a fine p, but got suspended in the air as she grabbed it, causing me to stumble. The next thing I was falling back into my wheelchair.

    She tilted onward until her forehead was inches away from mine. ¡°Stay there, bitch, that¡¯s where you belong.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your Queen, Merit! Guards!¡±

    She rolled her eyes casually, crossing her hands over her chest. ¡°You think they will listen to you? I am their family. The chief of the Deltans in case you have forgotten. If you think they will think twice to strangle you if Imand them to, then you are more foolish than I visualized.¡±

    The guards appeared, their eyes skimming between Merit and I.

    ¡°Arrest her!¡± I pointed at Merit.

    They didn¡¯t move. There was a hesitant look on their faces as though they were unsure of what to do.

    Merit began snickering.

    ¡°I said arrest her!¡±

    ¡°What is going on here?¡± Ashton emerged from the direction of the study, the guards bowing instantly as they saw him. Panic shone in Merit¡¯s eyes and then disappeared as she rushed to meet him. ¡°My King it¡¯s your wife, I saw her and only came to show my sympathy as you instructed but then she attacked me. Calling the guards to arrest me.¡±

    Unbelievable! My mouth fell open. How could she be such a liar and so deceptive? Show her sympathy?

    ¡°LIAR!¡± I cried. ¡°How could you?¡±

    ¡°My King you can ask the guards if I did anything wrong to her.¡±

    ¡°Merit!¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Ashton drummed, moving away from her.  ¡°Gwendolyn, you need to be resting in your chambers and as for you, Merit, you can leave.¡±

    ¡°She insulted me, Ashton.¡± I stood up from the chairing closer.

    Merit gave me a triumphant beam, bowed and left.

    I huffed, shared an ugly look with the guards whose heads were still bent and then without looking back, I took the stairs two at a time. I don¡¯t care if the doctor said I need to be careful, I need to rave. I need something to quench this anger inside of me.

    I need alcohol.

    No sooner have I entered my room and banged the door, Ashton was behind me. I was pacing, my left hand on my waist and the right on my forehead. I stopped in front of the refrigerator and as my hands wrapped around the first bottle, a bigger hand wrapped around mine, and I shivered. I snatched my hand away.

    ¡°You need to stop,¡± He barked, shutting the fridge.

    ¡°I need to be alone. I never asked you_¡±

    ¡°But you were with the rogue.¡±

    ¡°Because he makes me happy!¡±

    Ashton growled like I pped him, his brows furrowing tightly. ¡°He has a mate.¡±

    ¡°So, you know? Then, what¡¯s your point exactly?¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°Just leave me alone, Ashton.¡± I stalked away from him to my window, yanked the curtains away and stared outside. The breeze that blew on my face was soothing, and so was the weather I glimpse.

    Just like my soul.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    It was definitely raining this evening.

    ¡°Why are you so mad?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not mad, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Then, what¡¯s your problem?¡±

    ¡°You know my problem.¡± I turned from the window. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you will take her side after everything that happened. You told me you were going to punish her.¡± Why is she roaming the pce freely? I thought.

    ¡°And I kept my word.¡±

    ¡°She attacked me just now and boldly told me she was the chief of the Deltan and the guards will not do anything I ask them to.¡±

    ¡°I think you need to calm down.¡± Is irked more knowing he had to be this soft with me because of her.

    ¡°That¡¯s my problem with you, Ashton. Whenever I mention something thatdy does to me, you think I have no right to. You ask me to calm down. What does she have over you? I am your Queen and yet the guards do not take my words seriously, you do not respect me.¡±

    ¡°But I do.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°If you respect me, then ask her to leave the pce.¡±

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not possible.¡±

    ¡°Why? Because she¡¯s your mistress?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not mistress, little wolf.¡±

    ¡°You asked Tyler to leave, why can¡¯t I ask your mistress to leave?¡±

    ¡± The two cases are different.¡± He took first step forward and stopped. ¡°Why are we even bringing him into this? He is my sister¡¯s mate.¡±

    I blinked rapidly, swallowing my next words. I will soon realize this very lie might be the dumbest thing I ever said. ¡°I need to rest. I think the doctor was right.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have left the bed.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not an invalid.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°The games are going very fine, though it¡¯s different without you.¡±

    My heart flipped. What does he mean? He missed me? If he said that, it would be the best lie told by him because I know there was no way he could have missed me.

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± I walked to the wardrobe and picked my robe. ¡°You can leave when you are done staying. I will be lingering in there for a long.¡±

    ¡°I can take you to the arena this evening if you want.¡±

    ¡°I have an outing with my friends.¡±

    ¡°My sister and her mate can go out without you ying second fiddle.¡±

    ¡°They are notining.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, little wolf, at least meet me somewhere. I¡¯m trying to be good here.¡± I stopped at the bathroom door, steering my eyes from his dishevelled hair to his creased clothes. Why was he looking that way? Perhaps, there had been meetings and once more Kora didn¡¯t inform me.

    There were even visible eye bags like that of Tyler beneath his eyes and his blues seem to have dulled.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ashton. Not today.¡± With that I entered and mmed the door, leaning against it. This was so hard. I needed his attention but after what happened downstairs, whatever emotions my mate disyed towards me looked like he was forcing it, trying to make me forget his shorings.

    I have a date to attend with my friends this evening and it¡¯s all I have to look forward to. Maybe when Ie back my spirit would be elevated and I will feel like talking to him.

    I heard the door open and shut and exhaled, going to turn on the hot water faucet. I soaked inside and poured the remainingvender oil into the water, sitting back with my head on the tub to rx.

    By tomorrow I will be going to the arena. The games would be ending this weekend. I have already missed three days, I can¡¯t miss the remaining. If Merit assumed I would hide away as a result of what she did, I have to prove her wrong.

    This thing she did today, those guards would all pay. Ashton needs my attention, then I have to make him earn it. He has to prove to me that his apology was genuine.

    Else¡­

    ¡­

 Chapter 79

    GWEN??

    By 4:15 pm, I was properly dressed in a burgundy knee-length body con gown to match with a peach slight stiletto heel. I sat in front of the mirror as Kora adorned my hair with silver pins in a simple chignon style.

    ¡°Has there been any meeting these past three days, Kora?¡± I asked her, watching her move from the mirror.

    She shrugged, her eyes meeting mine steadily. ¡°None, your higjness. For now, there won¡¯t be much meetings until after the games.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Is she lying? If not, why would Ashton have those bags and look that way? He had a week load of stubbles on his face and his colour was pale, not to mention his hair and clothing.

    ¡°Besides, with the ball of appeasement approaching, there are bound to be several meetings, most of which would run through the night. So, the elders are trying to preserve their energy for it. Even the King.¡±

    Ball of appeasement? I¡¯ve never heard of that. Instead of asking her-which would seem awkward- I would rather ask Abbyter.

    ¡°Where has the King been sleeping?¡± I inquired instead.

    She moved away, given me ample time to assess her work. My hair was beautiful! The colour shone in the light from the oil she applied to it and despite this being a fake date, I frankly needed to look hot. For reason unbeknownst to me. Maybe I might even see Ashton along the way, so he would see what he was missing.

    Wait, how did he know I went out with Tyler initially?

    ¡°We hardly saw him,¡± Kora¡¯s voice joined in. ¡°Not even during meals. Like you, he had been hiding away, possibly in his study. He strictly gave an order not to be disturbed.¡±

    Hmmn. ¡°And where was Merit?¡±

    ¡°She was about pack business. I saw her mostly during the games as she participated in most of them.¡±

    I wonder if she was truly punished. What kind of punishment did he deliver to her? If truly she was suspended, how then was she wearing the Deltans dress?

    ¡°Kora?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡±

    ¡°In this Kingdom, when someone is suspended from their duties, what are they expected to do?¡± I was dying to know.

    ¡°Nothing. For instance, if the person is a chief, they will continue their duty, but no longer as a chief but a subordinate to an interim.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± So that was it? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s enough. No wonder she hasn¡¯t learned her lesson! In the werewolf Kingdom, when someone is punished they are sent to the dungeon. Do you understand what it meant to dishonour the Alpha or the Luna? Most packs even behead the person as it is viewed as a treasonable offence.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    Why is everything here so different? Because I am not epted. That had to be it. If Ashton loved me, he wouldn¡¯t have thought twice about sending Merit to the dungeon to make her pay for her crime.

    But here I was using a wheelchair while she pranced about like a peacock, turning the people who are supposed to respect me into her pawns to see me as the enemy! The inferior one.

    I gritted my teeth.

    ¡°Are you okay, your highness?¡±

    I sucked in air through my lips and nodded, covering up with a forced smile. Again, I observed the mirror, taking slow motion to stand. ¡°Weldon, Kora. You have outdone yourself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d you approve, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Please, help me tell Abby I am ready_¡±

    The door swung open, exposing Abby. She was fully kitted in a flowing red Tulie gown. She wore ck sandals and her hair was left to fall to her shoulders, cupping her petite face. ¡°You look¡­ stunning!¡± She cawed.

    ¡°Abby¡­¡± I was shy.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, my brother needs to see you.¡±

    My cheeks burned hotter.

    ¡°Go on, Kora, inform the driver we are ready,¡± She waved Kora off,ing closer.

    ¡°Tyler said he would pick us up.¡± I intruded, maintaining my smile.

    ¡°Oh¡­ then, get us chamomile tea. I think I¡¯m nervous.¡±

    Kora bowed and left. I feel Abby is trying to shoo her away.

    Once the door closed, Abby was beside me her face turning frantic. ¡°I¡¯m in deeper shit, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t believe it. Even I can¡¯t still believe that my dickhead of a brother!¡± She squealed, bunching her fingers together to squeeze that her red veins protruded from her skin.

    I took her hands, and led her to the bed, pushing her to it. ¡°Slow down, what did he do this time?¡±

    ¡± He said I am to move in with Tyler! Can you believe it? This is not real¡­¡± She halted, her eyes flying to the door. ¡°You know what? We need to leave, I don¡¯t trust that maid of yours.¡± She sat up and took my left wrist to pull. ¡°By the by, girl, you look absolutely ravishing.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Abby. I feel like I¡¯m taking your spot. I hope I¡¯m not overdressed?¡±

    Are you kidding me? I don¡¯t give a fuck. I had to force myself to do this. Williams is jealous he can¡¯te. He only managed to calm down after I told him you will chaperone.¡±

    ¡°I feel his pain¡­¡± I took my bag and led her to the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we need to discuss thoroughly about what you said.¡±

    Once at the restaurant. Tyler was hyperventting when he heard the news.

    ¡°We can¡¯t do that!¡± He mored.

    ¡°I know,¡± Abby chimed. ¡°I have a true mate that would never allow that. Don¡¯t forget.¡±

    ¡°Now what? You put me in this mess, and you have to sort it out.¡± He poked a finger at Abby. My eyes flew from one to the next, unsure of how toe in.

    Abby snickered tauntingly and pped her hand on the table. ¡°You are such a big baby than I thought. How do Gwen put up with you.¡±

    ¡°Same way I am putting up with your spoilt ass, Princess.¡±

    Okay, that¡¯s it. This wasn¡¯t the date I envisioned. We came out to have fun and have a proper discussion. If they think they¡¯re having a bad day, then they should think about me restricted to a damn wheelchair, feeling like some bloody Mary.

    ¡°Guys!¡±

    They stopped, their eyes flicking to me.

    ¡°I think we need to chill, please.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the one who won¡¯t even listen. It¡¯s not like I wanted things to y out this way. If not for my asshole of a brother, I won¡¯t have been in this mess in the first ce. Now I regreting back from Bath.¡±

    ¡°Can you hear what she¡¯s saying?¡± Tyler motioned to her. ¡°I¡¯m helping her, yet, no form of requisition from her. Why again am I helping her, Gwen?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your highness to you!¡± Abbyshed out at him, her face almost at his. If this was in the movies, I wouldugh and call them cute. Albeit, reality check, Abby was mated and Tyler had someone he was madly in love with.

    ¡°Okay, I take the me. Happy?¡± I syed my hands out to both of them, then back at me. ¡°Look at me here in this dratted chair trying to reason with you two and what do you do? try to kill each other, over what?¡±

    They sighed, reclining back to their seats.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gwen¡­¡± Abby was the first to bulge.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gwen¡­¡± Tyler said, ring hard at Abby.

    I picked up my ss of orange juice and sipped slowly, my eyes on them. ¡°We need to do something¡­ what if we tell Williams to talk to him. They¡¯re besties after all.¡±

    Abby scoffed. ¡°You don¡¯t know that bull. When he decides things like this, no one can stop him but¡­ my mother.¡±

    ¡°Then we need to tell your mother.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± She quickly inserted. ¡°Have you forgotten this is a scam?¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you tell your mother Williams is your true mate?¡±

    Her countenance dropped. ¡°She won¡¯t mind. But Williams loves Ashton so much he would want his blessings. He has a n. He said something about¡­ giving him time and I believe him. We just have to maintain this thing until then, please.¡± Her eyes were pinned on Tyler who was sulking. He was already adorable thenbined with that, I had to look away.

    I bobbed my head and reflected for while.  Since I came to the pce, Ashton had been all about trying to marry off his sister by all means. I can¡¯t rte why, no matter how I think about it.

    ¡°Perhaps, you two can stop seeing often¡­¡± Abby abruptly proposed, bringing me back from my drift.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Tyler hissed, narrowing his eyes like an enraged feline.

    ¡°Yes, so, this morning when I went to his study, Ashton was seething. Obviously, he saw you two from the window and was very jealous. That was why he concluded I have to move in with Tyler to make him stop seeing you.¡± She ended, pointing at me.

    I felt like a bucket of water was dumped on me. So, that was what this was all about? That¡­ idiot! He was jealous? Knowing he felt hostility toward Tyler was different because I thought he didn¡¯t want to see me happy. Not because he was jealous! Oh, so that was it? He had his mistress under the same roof as us, but then he flips at seeing me and Tyler.

    What a fool.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think the King could be that¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± Abby intercepted. ¡°He¡¯s my brother. Watch what you say.¡± She exhaled tiredly, crossing her hands over her chest. ¡°I told him you two were friends and I am not jealous. So, he got mad and said I¡¯m to move in with Tyler.¡±

    ¡°Guys, you know before we came here, I had a n. Despite not knowing the full plot. But now that you said this¡­ its fully hatched in my head.¡±

    ¡°What are you nning?¡± Abby was curious.

    I patted her hand on the table. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my friend. Let¡¯s have fun. You are not going anywhere.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 80

    GWEN??

    ¡°I wille to check on youter, Gwen,¡± Tyler said as he dropped us off at the pce, totally ignoring Abby by my side. I don¡¯t understand why they can¡¯t seen toport, and right now, ¡®someone¡¯ might be watching from ¡®somewhere¡¯. My eyes itched to look upwards at the numerous windows, but managed to control myself.

    I sped my right hand around Abby¡¯s left wrist when she made to leave and then I leaned into Tyler¡¯s car and whispered, ¡°Hey, you need toe out and¡­ you know, even though a goodbye.¡±

    Abby snatched her wrist away with a loud gasp. ¡°Ohmg, I can¡¯t do that. Think about Williams!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡± Tyler simply dered.

    I shook my head impatiently, letting out small curses. ¡°Do you guys realize Ashton might be watching right now from his window up there? Don¡¯t forget that was how he knew I was out this morning with Ty.¡±

    To external eyes, they wouldn¡¯t notice, but me that was closer, I saw Abby stomp her feet, stering on a faux sweet smile as she took a round turn to Tyler¡¯s car window, leaned in to ce a feathery kiss on his left cheek. I looked away, feeling somehow.

    As he eventually zoomed off, I wheeled my chair back, still glimmering. ¡°You see, it wasn¡¯t that bad. Even Will would understand this is for his safety.¡±

    ¡°Can we go in now? I know he¡¯s dying to know how it all went.¡±

    I didn¡¯t want to go inside yet. It was still bright-though evening glow was peeking ¨C and the wind had increased by this time. I craved fresh air and to stroll around the pce. It is a prospect I rarely indulge in.

    But it might not be that fun without someone with me.

    I looked at Abby who was frantic to go in. ¡°Can we stroll outside a bit, please?¡± I gave her poppy eyes.

    She pouted, her face channelling her displeasure with my suggestion. ¡°C¡¯mon, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I need it,¡± I pushed. ¡°What will I do when I go in? Stare at my walls? That¡¯s tiring. Plus, it would be suspicious if you run to Williams a few minutes after returning from your date with your supposed mate.¡± I drive in a low tone.

    The front door swung open and ¡®Mousy¡¯ stuck his head out. ¡°Your Highness, Princess!¡± He bowed. ¡°Do you need helping in?¡± He was referring to me.

    Mousy¡¯ the butler was still his usual self. I couldn¡¯t decide if I disliked him or found him a bit too much, all the same, I will leave my feeling in the middle since he hasn¡¯t done anything too serious except being raucous. ¡°Thanks, I¡¯m still going to¡­ stay outside for now.¡±

    ¡°Okay, your highness. I will wait till you are ready to go in then.¡± He bowed dramatically and went in. The guards standing by the door didn¡¯t bat an eyelid.

    ¡°Fine, five minutes,¡± Abby grumbled, and went behind me about to stir the wheelchair, but I patted her hand, shaking my head at her.

    ¡°I can manage.¡± And we set off.

    This pce was very massive. Though I have never been to the Alpha King¡¯s house in the werewolf kingdom and so couldn¡¯tpare the two, albeit, I don¡¯t think it woulde close to this ce. The pce had a perfect English castle outlook, something crafted out of a Victorian journal.

    When I was a pup, I dreamt of getting married to a Prince. Despite being a pup, I had the high hopes. Who knows, the Alpha King¡¯s son might fall for me. That was my exact thought. As I grew older and Julian and I became friends,  I fell for him, forgetting about my fantasy.

    Those days, I thought the main reason I wanted to marry a Prince was because I wanted to live in a castle this massive. In grade school, the teachers would read stories of giant castles and princesses swept off their feet by Princes, creating unrealistic fantasies in our little brains.

    Look at my life now, it appears I ultimately met a Prince-a King rather- but he didn¡¯t sweep me off my feet. The opposite is the case. Those teachers were damn liars! All of them.

    ¡°What is running through your head, Gwen?¡± Abby asked as we got to a fountain at the back of the castle. It was a small fountain flowing into a river bucket that the fading sunset gave an orange hue, still, it was amazing seeing it.

    ¡°What happens if I don¡¯t produce an heir for this Kingdom?¡± My innermost fear squirted out.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t get why you asked that, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I need to know, Abby.¡± I took in arge gust of air, bncing my head in my right palm as the ethereal presence soothed me. ¡°Because¡­ I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m ever going to be able to be a mother.¡±

    She crouched before me in a second, taking my left hand to squeeze. ¡°Did you go to see the Doctor again behind my back?¡±

    I jerked my head side to side. ¡°Don¡¯t forget he came on Monday. He said¡­ I can¡¯t until I shift. I¡¯m confused, Abby. The other time he said it was from dissimr genes and that purification would help. Now he said from the blood samples he took, my blood was altered. I couldn¡¯t  exactly ce where the problem lies.¡± I didn¡¯t tell her the part where I feared I might be human and if that was the case, it was a major problem.

    Do I need to go in search of my real parents to solve my problem?

    ¡°Look here, Gwen,¡± her voice was soothing. ¡°You need to slow down. First of all, after the uing ball, I will have to speak to my brother for you guys to perform the purification. It might help.¡±

    ¡°You will do that?¡± I asked in a clogged voice, cing my left hand on the one she had over my right.

    ¡°I will, Gwen. You are my brother¡¯s mate, my friend and particrly, a loyal one. Why now?¡±

    ¡°I will be grateful, Abby. I know he would never listen to me, hence why I haven¡¯t asked.¡±

    She nodded. Then her eyes sparked with curiosity. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, Gwen, do you know why you haven¡¯t shifted yet?¡± I went stiff, taking my hand from her as I shook my head.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± It was a partial lie. I can¡¯t tell anyone I might not even be a werewolf. That my identity is still questionable. That is something I can never divulge to anyone. Not Abby or Tyler. Not to mention Ashton.

    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m sorry for asking, okay? Just curious. Maybe we can even try going to the forest and then try to shift. I heard sometimes people do that and it works. Werewolves specifically.¡±

    ¡°I will try, Abby.¡± I was hoping we could change the topic soon. This territory was ufortable for me.

    ¡°Can we go in now, it¡¯s starting to freeze out here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡± I veered my wheel in the direction of the pce. ¡°Thanks foring out with me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, Gwen. On second thought, I believe this was much needed.¡± We giggled as we moved on.

    Mousy, as he promised, came to help me once he sensed us close to the front door.  Immediately I reached my chamber, I bade him farewell and closed my door, walking in alone.

    I fell on the couch with my eyes shut, taking slow breaths to unwind from trudging up, and reviewing the things I discussed with Abby.

    Dear goddess, I pray Abby remains by my side and never betrayed me to her brother. At least until I manage to have a solution to my problems which at this point seem to be umting daily. People tend to solve problems as theye while mine tend to bepilingas the day breaks.

    ¡°How was your outing?¡± I snapped my eyes open to see Ashton hovering above me. He was d in ck Jmia, his hands in their pockets, smirking darkly. How did he get in that I didn¡¯t hear?

    ¡°I¡¯m tired Ashton. Not now.¡± I huffed, making to stand, he beat me to it, falling to his knees in front of me and before I could rte he took my left leg and began massaging.

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t remain in a wheelchair for long, little wolf. The people would think you are weak.¡±

    ¡°Fine, I will¡­¡± I sucked in tough air, his action provoking the wrong response from my brain. ¡°Do better. Can you¡­ stop?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing my duties. Or don¡¯t you want that anymore?¡±

    ¡°You¡­ hate me.¡±

    ¡°Yes, very correct. Which is why I won¡¯t let you bring shame to me.¡± His fingers worked their way up my leftp, pushing my gown upwards. His words hurt deeply, however, his hands made them feel bearable. I sighed, rxing back.

    ¡°Why did you wear such a scandalized gown with my sister and her mate?¡± This question was uncalled for, yet here I am relishing in his jealousy.

    I recollected what Abby said in the restaurant and grinned in mockery. ¡°So, you are truly jealous?¡±

    ¡°What¡­¡± He stopped, I growled. He shouldn¡¯t stop. No matter what.

    He smiled, his eyes squinting into a mischief stance, then he took my rightp and went in. ¡°Answer my questions or you won¡¯t get what you want.¡± He looked away long enough to push my gown upwards and then he flicked his eyes to me once more.

    ¡°I don¡¯t owe you an exnation on how I chose to dress, Ashton.¡±

    For a bit, I feared he was going to snap at me as a result of the angry veins that popped through his face. Albeit, he startled me with his next inquiry.

    ¡°Do you still think about him?¡±

    ¡°Think about who?¡±

    ¡°Julian.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    ¡­

 Chapter 81

    **GWEN**

    ¡°H-how did you know about him?¡±

    ¡°About the man you cheated on me with?¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡±

    He smacked his hands together, stood up and in a sh, grabbed me by my forearm and ripped me off the couch. I struggled but he didn¡¯t yield as he proceeded to the bed and pushed me on. I bounced off to a sitting pushing, my heart pulsating. How did he know about Julian?

    Does he know about my pack? Is he digging into my profile or what?

    While my head swirled with questions, he strolled off to the table and grabbed a bottle of oil. The main bottle of myvender. He went on one knee once more, pouring a little portion into his palm and rubbing them together. ¡°I told you to answer my questions.¡±

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± He clutched my right leg and yanked forward. I winced, eliciting a mild cry. It was so painful.

    ¡°You know that day when I heard you say his name in your sleep, I really didn¡¯t care. I knew werewolves are not trustworthy, and knew how much a light skirt you can be. I thought whoever he might be, you would not bring him into my territory. But over the weeks, seeing as you keep frolicking around that mutt called Tyler, I am assured that you can¡¯t stay a minute without the attention of a man.¡±

    ¡°Ashton, Tyler is your sis_¡±

    ¡°A werewolf believes they can have whoever they want. Does my sister even know what a bad friend you are?¡±

    ¡°She knows I¡¯m not like that.¡± Tears chugged in my throat. Gone was the sensation that built from his massage. I was burning with fury inside of me for him.

    He chuckled mirthlessly. ¡°How many men can satisfy you, Gwendolyn? Because there is Julian, and now my poor sister¡¯s mate, Tyler. Who else?¡±

    ¡°Get away from me!¡± I hit him with the sole of my feet, rambling up the bed. I took a pillow and ced it between myp, shaking in sobs. ¡°You are a monster.¡±

    ¡°You wore this dress to seduce him. Isn¡¯t it?¡± I couldn¡¯t look at him. ¡°So shameless! That was why you insisted on chaperoning them. You can¡¯t bear staying a moment without him.¡±

    ¡°I am not like you!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs.

    ¡°Yet you have so many men around you.¡±

    How am I to tell him Julian was the love of my life taken from me by my sister and the very reason I¡¯m suffering in his hands presently? He couldn¡¯t even ask before judging me!

    ¡°You are going to remain in here until I say otherwise.¡±

    I was off the bed in a sh, reaching the door. He was there before me. He grabbed my wrist and ripped me off, taking me back to the room. ¡°You will not disobey me.¡±

    ¡°I want out. I don¡¯t want anymore, Ashton. Please, leave me alone.¡±

    He paused, red splotches scattered on his face by now. Howe he was this and at me? ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°I say you win. I can¡¯t do this anymore. I want to leave.¡±

    He startedughing hysterically. Of course, he would be happy. I am giving him what he wants. ¡°You think after everything you have done, you can leave like that?¡±

    ¡°Was that not what you wanted? Oh, you want rejection. Fine, I will rej_¡±

    ¡°You will not dare, little wolf. That time is gone. You had all the time in the world but you refused. In the middle of the games, do you think you can escape? Because I¡¯ve caught you in your lies? I finally have evidence and now¡­¡±

    ¡°YOU ARE SICK, Ashton.¡± Tears were pouring from my eyes. ¡°You are very sick and you need help. I don¡¯t know what the former woman in your life did to you, but I am not going to continue suffering for it. You are driving me mad!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say that again?¡±

    ¡°I want out, please¡­¡± I broke down, falling to the ground. ¡± I am too young to go through this, Ashton. I am so broken.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say a thing for a while I thought he was going to agree, but then he fell beside me, sitting away from me, and when I looked at him, he had his hand over his face.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just stop this. You despise me. I can leave, I swear I will leave your pce.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say a thing.

    I staggered forth away from him in the direction of the bed and fell on it. My body was shaking, with pain from my injury, pain from heartbreak and finally realization of what I had just done. If I left my mate, where would I go to go? I have nowhere to go. I was angry at him. I shouldn¡¯t have said that.

    Nevertheless, I must agree that I needed space away from Ashton. I was going mad. And if I stay with him longer than this, coupled with all the darkness swirling around me, I mightnd in a critical state. A psychiatric perhaps.

    I had nned for tonight. To go to him and strike a deal with him over Abby leaving the pce. Now, things were ruined. I can¡¯t even help myself, how can I help another?

    When he left wordlessly, I didn¡¯t stop him.

    I cried so hard, I cried until my body was weightless, and I couldn¡¯t feel my face. I didn¡¯t even bulge when Kora came in. I continued to cry.

    She left and I hurried to look at my door, sliding down to cry some more. Finally, what I feared the most was happening to me. I was leaving the pce for good.

    There was a knock. I ignored. I sniffed and pushed off the door, making my way to the bed to lie down. I folded myself into my duvet and wept harder.

    ¡°Gwen, please open the door. We can talk about it, please,¡± Abby beckoned, and I drummed her out of my head.

    This is meaningless. My husband hates me, I can¡¯t bear him children. So what¡¯s the point? Even if Ashtonter turned around to love me. When he found out I couldn¡¯t bear him children he was bound to hate me anew.

    I have to leave this pce. Anywhere but here. Anywhere but close to Ashton. He can live the rest of his life mourning a woman who dumped me years ago possibly happy with another man somewhere while he withered away in bitterness.

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    I assume along the line, I spaced out. The next time I woke up, I heard a voice, and everywhere was dead silent. My eyes felt puffy and my body felt like I¡¯d been overrun by a trailer.

    I struggled up and wobbled to the window and pushed the blinds open to let in air. It was stifling in here. Cricket sounds were louder tonight as a result of tiny showers that might have urred while I was asleep.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    I went back to the wardrobe brought out a bag and began pushing as many things as I could into it. From my clothes to my shows and the rest. The bag was full to the brim when I finished. I zipped it and carried it to the other of my window they faced the backyard. But in his time the guards would be at the front of the house. So, I dumped it.

    Closing back the window, I went to soak myself in a warm bath. I stayed there a long time to calm my anxiety. Later when I nced in the mirror I was shocked at the image that greeted me. It was an eye out.

    I looked five if not ten years older than my real age. I was so unhappy. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes which I warded off and dressed up in my training garters and if back into the covers after I made sure to set the rm at 5.

    It didn¡¯t take long I closed my eyes, and the rm went off. I left the bed hurriedly and put on my shoes.

    I left my room and jogged out. The guards who saw would think I was going out for my morning training. They were used to seeing me most of the time. Thank goodness ¡®Mousy¡¯ was not at the front door.

    Instead of running for the gate, I diverted in the direction of the backyard. Once at the first window, I took off to where my bag sat frozen with snow, picked it and into the forest I went.

    I circled the pce with my bag until I emerged at the front that led to the gate and then when I got there, the guards looked at my bag uneasily. I smiled. ¡°When the King asks, tell him I left for the arena early. I need to train.¡± I showed them the bag. It wasn¡¯t that big so they easily opened the gate and there came my freedom.

    ¡­

 Chapter 82

    **ASHTON**

    ¡°They¡¯re fucken the same!¡± I downed the third ss of Scotch for the evening as fury sizzled through my body at the thought of Gwendolyn. I was close to believing she was different, that perhaps, she wasn¡¯t like Emma after all. And for the second time, I survived being fooled by the same breed of canines.

    Indeed, I fell into her trap. Like I did to Emma.

    Yesterday after I tried to persuade her not to go with my sister on the outing with her mate, I was certain she was going to agree. She wanted me. I knew that. I saw it in the way she looked at me, endured all the things I did to her, craving for my absolute eptance. Unknown to me, she was a snake, cunningly toiling hard, waiting to strike at the right time.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    It wasn¡¯t up to an hourter, and I saw her leaving the pce dressed like a whore. One would think she was the one whose mate was taken out. That mutt even came to pick them. And I fucken saw the way he looked at her.

    ¡°Stupid rogue!¡± I squeezed the ss between my right palm so tight that it shattered, most of the scattered pieces embedding into my palm.

    ¡°Argh!¡± I bared my palm sharply so the tiny bits could fall off as I stood and staggered in the direction of the mantelpiece to pick up a napkin which I wrapped around my palm soaking up most of the blood.

    When I unwrapped it, the pain was stiflingbined with the difort Fang was creating inside of me, I was on the verge of going nuts.

    I grabbed the bottle of scotch on my desk, uncorked it, and went back to my study restroom to take a bowl. When I came, I ced my palm inside it and poured the scotch on my palm.

    ¡°Arhk!¡± The pain was blinding. With my eyes shut, willing all my healing ability in, I heard a knock at the door which got my attention fast as Fangs whimpered, his ears perked up in anticipation.

    ¡°Come in,¡± I groaned, pushing the bowl away to the side as I flopped down on the chair, my injured hand thrust down the desk to be hidden away from my visitor.

    ¡°What did you do to her?¡± Abigail asked the minute she came in, her voiceced with irritation. ¡°Must you always make her cry all the time?¡±

    My senses were clouded with alcohol and I was going through not just emotional but physical pain and at this point, I could do harm to about anybody. Even though my sister.

    ¡°Get out.¡± That was the first thing I said. There was no room for argument. I was going to punish her thoroughly if she disobeyed me.

    ¡°You have really changed, Ashton.¡± She continued, unfazed. ¡°What hase over you?¡±

    With my head down, I was ring at her hard, waiting for that word that would send me over the top. She of all people should know me better. Still, she doesn¡¯t waste any opportunity to aggravate me. It has been like that since we were kids.

    ¡°Get. Out.¡± I swung my finger at the door and stood up. It was the hand that was injured so as I lifted it, blood dropped, getting her attention.

    She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes growing in size as she rounded the table, reaching me in a second. ¡°What happened to you? How did you_¡± She halted as she took in the bottles scattered everywhere on the floor. ¡°You¡­ Ashton!¡±

    I snatched my hand off and shifted away, my right hand pushing my hair away. ¡°I want to be left alone.¡±

    ¡°Ashton, you need to fix whatever is going on with you. This is getting out of hand, please.¡± Her Iris turned cloudy as she spoke and it was not long after there was another knock at the door which she went to answer and came back with a first aid box.

    ¡°Sit down let me see that.¡± She ordered like my mother would do. I would have ignored her and insisted she left but the pain was worsening and because I was fuming, I couldn¡¯t heal naturally. Plus, there appeared to be bits of sses stuck in my skin I would need help pulling out.

    Slowly she attended to it, finishing off by wrapping a bandage about it.

    ¡°You will need to rest, Ashton.¡± Gone was the former anger to be reced by concern. Gently, she wiped the blood sttered all over my hand, and went ahead to clean out the table and shards on the floor. ¡°Try to control your drinking habit. I must think it¡¯s what makes you do most of the things you do.¡±

    I didn¡¯t say a word to her, choosing to pretend like I wasn¡¯t hearing a word of what she was saying. Once she was done the ce was back to its former clean state, and a maid came to remove all the dirt, leaving us by ourselves again. I wish she would go. I feel like the little one watching her do things I¡¯m supposed to be doing to her. Seeing how she scolded me reminded me so much of my mother; the only person that can bend me against my will.

    I was starting to worry over the knowledge that she hadn¡¯t reached out to me since she moved to Bath. Knowing her, she would have a spy rying to her every event from the pce and of course from me whom she assumed couldn¡¯t function properly without her presence and was likely to fuck up at any time.

    It¡¯s not like I¡¯m doing a great job proving her wrong, nevertheless, like I would like to think, she caused all this. If she had left me without trying to force marriage on me from the start, I would be alone and happy, still indulging in the sweetness of the ¡®free-willed¡¯ women of the brothels.

    Merit won¡¯t havee into my life and as for my mate, taking her out the first time would have been much easier.

    But now¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave now to check on Gwen again,¡± Abigail broke through my thoughts. ¡°I do think you two should amend whatever it is, Ashton. Gwen is a very sweet person if only you get to know her.¡±

    Seeing as I was not going to reply to her, she groaned and left.

    I withdrew from my desk and went to sprawl across my couch, my hand behind my head as I stared at the ceiling, in wild reflection, this time striving to sift through the scene with Gwen. I recalled the fight, the way I acted and how she responded.

    And no matter how I considered it, I found no wrong with the questions I asked. She was only pretending to be miserable to garner unnecessary sympathy to make ite off like I was the one in the wrong. That¡¯s how they behave. Always ying the victim!

    She used me of taking sides with Merit and insisted she was my mistress which I have on diverse asions denied. But, I asked her one question and she wouldn¡¯t give me a clear answer.

    Because I was right, and she was wrong.

    That was why she cried wolf. Saying she was done.

    Who is this Julian? How many other men should I be weary of? Tyler is my sister¡¯s mate albeit, I am ufortable with the manner he looks at my mate. As a man, I know what those looks entailed. And truth be told, it made me shamefully uneasy, particrly as my mate liked him.

    Why will she fucken encourage him if she was not attracted to him?

    Did you see how she was dressed? All her curvy parts were literally a feast for any hungry eyes! Eyes that weren¡¯t mine.

    These presumptions raced in my head that I was unable to sleep throughout the night. By morning when I managed to shut my eyes for a bit, I was roused roughly by an incessant knock at the door.

    I cursed, scratching my chin as I stumbled up from the couch. It felt like there was a contradictory meeting going on in my head, as a result of the bang I felt from my hangover. ¡°Come in.¡±

    It was Kora who came in. She seemed out of ce. Well, she is always that way. Ipetent Dimwit! ¡°Your Majesty,¡± she bent half over.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I was still feeling sleepy and this was not how I needed my morning to go after yesterday¡¯s troubles.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Queen.¡±

    Fangs whimpered, starting to wag his tail vigorously.

    ¡°What about her?¡± I hissed.

    ¡°S-S-She has gone missing, your Majesty.¡±

    Sleep disappeared from my eyes as I stood up abruptly. ¡°What did you say?¡± I looked about, grabbing my shirt which I had discarded sometime in the middle of the night to shrug on.

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t find her in her room this morning, Your Majesty. And when I opened the drawer, I discovered some of her properties missing. Something tells me she_¡±

    I was out the door without letting her finish.

    ¡­

 Chapter 83

    **GWEN**

    Leaving the pce was a premium mistake which I was to learnter that night after crossing the great ptial gates. Agreed, I was furious at Ashton for the cruel things he said to me. It wasn¡¯t the first time he had crossed the line, but for goodness sake, I felt like it was because he knew I was desperate that he was intentionally doing these things. Knowing fully well I was too handicapped to act.

    I detoured into the forest with my bag, having nowhere in mind to go. In the forest, I wandered until I arrived at a small stream, which by now was beginning to rouse from sleep.

    By this time, the sky¡¯s radiant smile started peeking through the dense cloud, giving me a clear direction of the pathways.

    ¡°Phew.¡± I dumped my bag with an audible sigh and followed suit on the floor. The sharp grasses protested under me, letting out a loud squeak. I ignored them. Not them too.

    With my knees pulled up, I ced my chin on it and simply stared at the water, in nkness. I couldn¡¯t even find it in me to cry anymore. I was stranded, homeless with nowhere to go, and here I was ncing at the water which appeared to be sharing in my thoughts seeing as it was tranquil.

    ¡°You better not pity me, I was once your Queen,¡± I muttered sadly, blinking back moisture from my eyes.

    I lifted my head and darted around, realizing I had to move on. Eventually, Kora would discover me gone from the room and I fear she will blow the trumpet. I know Ashton won¡¯t care, in fact, he would be very delighted I finally left. However, he might insist on finding me to punish me for going against him. ording to him, I couldn¡¯t dump him during the game season.

    Not because he cared for me.

    I struggled up, patting my dress. I have to find where to hide for some time to clear my head. If Ashton caught up with me easier than I desired, then I¡¯m definitely going to lose my mind.

    After traipsing around aimlessly, I finally found myself at the front door of Tyler¡¯s cottage. Apparently, there was nowhere for me to go. The only two ces I could have gone to; one was my former pack which I had a resolution never to try and the other was the human territory to search for my true family, and that one was bleak. It will be a death call. The humans won¡¯t hesitate to put me down once they discover me. And even if they don¡¯t, who in particr will I look for there?

    If only I had my wolf.

    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± Tyler shouted from inside after I rapped gently. I waited, my eyes still skimming about. I won¡¯t be shocked if Ashton materialises out of the blue.

    The keys rattled from the other side hence the door hissed and swung open. His eyes went wide at seeing me. ¡°Gwen?¡± He craned his neck outside, ncing from side to side. ¡°What are you doing here at this time?¡±

    ¡°I need your help,¡± I said, having no choice. ¡°May Ie in?¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Of course.¡± He sharply shifted, giving me room to pass. His musky scent wafted into my nose as I passed him. Even though it was early morning, that smell was still prominent. I tried to focus.

    ¡°I need a ce to stay a little while, Tyler, and you are the only person who can help me,¡± I said the moment I was inside. My bag dropped.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± his awestricken eyes flicked to the bag and back at me. ¡°What about the pce? What happened?¡±

    My right hand went below my hair to scratch with my eyes lowered. ¡°I had another fallout with Ashton. I rejected him.¡±

    ¡°You did what?¡±

    ¡°He-he kept using me. He¡¯s caught up in this wide imagination of me being the devil, plus you know the other stories, Tyler¡­ I am tired.¡± My fingers quivered as I spoke, the trauma built again. ¡°I thought I could endure his excesses but every day they seem to multiply. It¡¯s as if he goes to sleep thinking of the next thing to do to make my life more miserable.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡± Tyler strolled to my side, fell in his hunch before me and took my quivering fingers in his big tanned ones. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you are going through this.¡±

    I was shaking my head, tears clouding my eyes which I tried not to let spill. ¡°The goddess hates me so much, Tyler. I don¡¯t know what I did to deserve all the bad things happening to me. Why would she make Ashton my mate knowing he would never love me? I try¡­ I try so much to make him see me. To see that we can work¡­ but¡­ every effort I put in makes him despise me the more. I feel so dejected, so broken I fear I might run mad if I continue¡­¡± I broke down, unable to contain my pain. ¡°Why me, Tyler? Am I such a horrible person?¡±

    He sat beside me in a sh, taking me in his arms to bury my head in his vast chest. I was trembling as I sobbed, my fingers tightening around his loose white shirt. ¡°You are not close to horrible, Gwen,¡± He rasped in a soothing tone, caressing my back infort. ¡°Your husband, my King is such a blind man not to see it.¡±

    I pushed away, not caring how messy I must seem with tears streaking all over my face. ¡°Then why, Tyler? Why is it that all the people I have cared for in my life ended up hating me so much?¡± Look at Julian.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Gwen.¡±

    I shifted out. He was only trying to appease me. I knew it, I was cursed. Only a cursed person would go through what I have been through in these past few months; lost the love of my life, married a man that hates me and can¡¯t even bear a child. What then is remaining of me?

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Tyler scooted closer, taking my chin to angle my face to him. ¡°You are the most beautiful and kind woman I know, Gwen. You ce others before yourself and if those men didn¡¯t see it, then they didn¡¯t deserve you.¡±

    His words shattered my heart afresh, making me dive into his arms without pondering it. ¡°Tyler¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine, I promise.¡±

    ¡°I am so stranded in this world right now, I feel so afraid.¡±

    ¡°You have me, Gwen and I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± I refused to leave his arms for a long time, enjoying the warmth of this best friend I had gotten in a few weeks and hoping to keep it for a long time. With Tyler, I am myself, not trying to please, and not afraid to say.

    It was different from what I had with Julian or Ashton. I might somewhat be attracted to him, but only because Tyler is a hot-blooded male. There is no female alive who wouldn¡¯t be attracted to men like Tyler and my devilish mate, Ashton. It was just that. Nothing more.

    Soon, he showed me to a room and helped store away my bag of clothes. ¡°I know the pce is bigger and better furnished than here, please manage it.¡±

    I beamed brightly. ¡°I don¡¯t care one bit, Tyler. I should be the one worried that I invaded your privacy without prior notice. Thank you very much, my friend.¡±

    ¡°You are wee and I don¡¯t mind. It¡¯s boring out here by myself all the time, so having an extra person would go a long way.¡±

    I jerked my head down, an idea urring to me. ¡°So, now that we are going to be housemates for some time, why don¡¯t you introduce me to your mysterydy love?¡± His countenance fell and he shifted on his feet as he does each time I approach this topic.

    He cleared his throat. ¡°The thing is she said we should keep it low for now. You know, she¡¯s the daughter of one of the elders, and she¡¯s afraid if words got out that she¡¯s dating me, her father might demand marriage and she¡¯s not ready for that for now.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I poked my lips in understanding. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, Ty, whenever she is ready, I shall meet her.¡±

    ¡°Cool.¡± He scanned the room, shifting backwards. ¡°I¡¯m going to make breakfast now: Lamb stew and rice. Hope you like that?¡±

    ¡°I eat everything, Ty. I¡¯m not picky.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­ So, bath, ande down.¡± He was gesticting with his finger as he spoke. He seemed out of ce, his cheeks glowing red, unlike him. Perhaps, he hadn¡¯t lived with a woman before.

    At the door, as he opened it, I stopped him.

    ¡°Ty?¡±

    ¡°Ummm?¡±

    ¡°Thank you. For everything.¡±

    He grinned handsomely and nodded. ¡± And thank you too, Gwen. I will do everything in my power to make you happy while you are here. I promise.¡±

    ¡°Can we not tell anyone I¡¯m here for now? Please.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to tell anyone, believe me. But wait, what of Abby? What am I supposed to do with her?¡±

    ¡°You can go see her at the pce to maintain the farce. Please, Ty, for my sake.¡±

    ¡°I will, but only because of you. She behaves just like her brother; spoilt and sassy.¡±

    Iughed as he closed the door and left.

    For once sincest night, I felt peace. I lugged backwards on the bed and shut my eyes, only opening them sometimeter when I heard a loud ruckusing from outside.

    Who is that?

    ¡­

 Chapter 84

    **ASHTON**

    Women are selfish. I havee to know that ever since Emma broke my heart. Yet today as I mounted Striker and thrust the stirrups forward to make him gallop fast out of the pce, I knew that Emma¡¯s selfishness was nothingpared to that of Gwendolyn.

    She couldn¡¯t have chosen a better time to do this than the period of our game. A time when we are expected to be at the arena cheering our people on to show our maximum support. And now I couldn¡¯t even be there, all because of her irrational behaviour.

    I didn¡¯t think she could carry out her threat of leaving after yesterday. In my head, those were mere words uttered in the hit of anger, in addition to the knowledge that she had nowhere to go.

    She told me herself. This ce was her only hope. So where in hell did she run off to?

    ¡°Yah!¡± I pulled the reins, having no idea where I was heading but somehow I had an inkling that if Gwendolyn couldn¡¯t be found anywhere around the pce and even the so-called arena she lied to my guards to use to escape, then there was one person I suspected knew her ns.

    Not even my dear sister had her trust enough to confide in. Pitiful!

    ¡°You drove her to do this!¡± The using words of Abby like a silver spade drove through my heart. It was heartbreaking seeing as my sister had grown to dote on someone who doesn¡¯t trust her and still, maintained despising her own brother perpetually if I didn¡¯t bring her back.

    In a matter of minutes, I stood at the familiar cottage of the rogue, my eyes burning in anger as I took it in. Everywhere seemed to be tranquil from the outside, the low green meadows well-trimmed and unlike thest time I came here, there were now tulip flower pots used to line the wall all the way to the doorpost.

    But, that wasn¡¯t my business.

    I jumped down my mount and stormed to the door. I knocked three times very loudly enough to wake the dead. ¡°Tyler!¡±

    The door opened and there he stood, maintaining that gut-wrenching smirk that often seemed to make me crave to smash his head in. ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±

    ¡°Where is she?¡±I grunted, towering a good 3 feet over him(A form of intimidating). I was willing to barrel through him if that was what it would take to get to my mate.

    ¡°Who?¡± His left brow angled up in askance.

    ¡°Where is my wife, Tyler? Don¡¯t make me ask twice.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea what you ar_¡±

    I didn¡¯t let him finish and shoved him to the side, stepping into the cottage, my eyes wild in search.

    I could smell her here.

    My mate was definitely here. Her scent was the only perfect decoration in this sham of a ce.

    ¡°This is not right, Your Majesty,¡± The rogue blocked me. ¡°This is my house and I will not allow you to do as you want just because you are the King.¡±

    ¡°I built this house for you, rogue,¡± I spat in his face. ¡°I gave you a life when you were on the verge of having none. I gave you a fucken identity! So,¡± I jabbed my finger at his chest. ¡°¡­ remember that when you think you can now mince words with me or try to take what belongs to me.¡±

    ¡°Gwen is a human with feelings and belongs to no one. She is not a property. Most certainly not to a man who doesn¡¯t know her worth.¡±

    I growled, baring my fangs at his face. ¡°I see she has been feeding you a daily manuscript of our lives. And now you feel like you can challenge me.¡±

    ¡°I can never challenge you and I appreciate you for what you have done for me, Big Wolf, but Gwen is very close to my heart and I will fight whoever makes her unhappy if I have to.¡±

    My fingers itched to surround his neck and strangle him. But I will wait, for now. Gwen thinks she could rouse this dead emotion in me and then turn to this mutt to mock me, so I will let him live until I have my mate wrapped around my fingers so much that killing him would be a delightful feat that Gwen would be too much in love with me she would forgive and forget in only a night of wild passion.

    ¡°Bring her out.¡± I broke our eyebat.

    ¡°Again, like I said, I have no idea what you talking about, Big Wolf.¡±

    ¡°Tyler, I don¡¯t have time for this. Do you realize this is inappropriate and you can be executed for it?¡± I was almost going to beg him.

    He snickered. ¡°You will have no evidence against me.¡±

    ¡°I know the things you can do, Tyler, and that is one of the reasons I still keep you alive and as the chief guardian of my people. Don¡¯t test me. For thest time, where is my mate?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t find her if she doesn¡¯t want to be found. I suggest you leave my house, big wolf. Look elsewhere. Yeah, she was here but only to tell me she was leaving your ass as she had failed to find happiness with you.¡±

    If he was trying to make me feel bad, he seeded. My heart slumped, Fangs whimpers started to go overboard. I swallowed and looked away. ¡°I have to make sure you are telling the truth.¡± My eyed was still revolving around. For some odd reason, I reckon he was lying to me.

    There was no way my mate would have been gone from here and her scent was this prominent. It¡¯s either he was hiding her in there or outside somewhere close. Either way, I intended to find out. ¡°As the King of this Kingdom, I order you to step away, Tyler. If you try to use any of your powers against your King, bear in mind that you would be considered a traitor and trailed ordingly.¡±

    I stepped around him and began tossing things about in search of her. When I climbed upstairs and entered one of the halls, I heard him growl, making to follow me, but one daring look from me and he stepped back. I knew from how ufortable he was that I had my mate. He was restless. This was his n, to have my mate to himself while I suffered.

    And once more Gwen was giving him that power.

    I broke through the first door. I discovered no one there. I left and moved into the others, and yet, no one.

    At thest one, The smell was pungent and I was very certain she was there. Without a knock, I swung the door open. My eyes first went to the bed. There on it were scattered female clothes. Clothes I recognized as my mate¡¯s.

    Then I was inside, pushing everything aside, searching, looking, but she was nowhere to be found. I opened the bathroom and found it empty. My heart sank further. Where is she hiding? ¡°Okay, little wolf, you win. I am sorry, okay? Please, juste out and let¡¯s talk about this. He might seem perfect to you now but I am your mate. I know I can be too much most times andst night¡­ I was so stupid, but I¡¯m sorry.¡± My shoulders sagged in tiredness.

    I looked at my watch, it was 9:00 a. m. The game activity had started by now. I had asked Williams to precede while I was gone. Albeit, I still need to be there.

    As my eyes lifted, the first ce they travelled to was the open windows. Directly opposite me.

    ¡°Shit!¡±

    I was out the door, almost colliding with Tyler.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    I stopped, pointing at him. ¡°When this is over, you will answer to me. I promise you.¡±

    ¡°I told you she wasn¡¯t here, you didn¡¯t believe me.¡± He replied smugly.

    I was gritting my teeth. ¡°If she returns, inform me or I will make sure I send you away into the wild where you apparently belong.¡±

    ¡°You can try, big wolf,¡± He stepped closer to snarl in my face. ¡°Don¡¯t forget I own your secret. I won¡¯t hesitate to blow your cover to the werewolves of your fiendish stunt in the snap of my finger. So, run along, big wolf, you have a wife to find.¡±

    I was seething with rage. I craved nothing short of breaking his neck. But as he said, he had something I couldn¡¯t risk letting out, plus, I had a wife to find. ¡°This is not over.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be threatening me, Big Wolf.¡± His voice followed me as I strolled away. ¡°I could have your wife if I want¡­¡±

    That was enough to kill me. I knew what he was doing and I won¡¯t fall for it. I mmed his front door as I left, jumped my gallop and faced the forest.

    Gwen caused all this. If she could conduct herself properly like the Queen she was, I wouldn¡¯t have to be absent from my games and that runt wouldn¡¯t have the guts to challenge me.

    Tyler is part of a life I chose to forget, the oue of my loss of control. That was why when his Chief kicked him out, I took him in. Everyone assumed it was because of how benevolent I was, unknown to them, we had a secret, a secret that earned him his present position and would ruin me if it ever got out.

    The humans are already my present enigma, I wouldn¡¯t want to add to my problems by inviting the wrath of the werewolves. So, for the sake of that secret, again, I will let the rogue win.

    ¡­

 Chapter 85

    **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.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 86

    **ASHTON**

    ¡°Why are youing thiste to the games?¡± I asked my sister who was twenty minuteste to the arena. Today thedies from the Sarokee Loop dancing group were going to perform.

    The Sarokee was an ancient dance of the goddess performed mostly before the Redmoon to appease the goddess. It was believed that this dance pleased the goddess so much that that night, those who witnessed it were instantly blessed with whatever their hearts desired. I used to believe. But now sitting here watching it alone without my mate, it made me question if truly these spections were true.

    ¡°I woke upte,¡± She answered, sitting in her seat and giving Williams that familiar smile I have noticed was reserved for only him. If not that she already found her mate, I would surely suspect she and my Beta.

    I used to, to be honest. I didn¡¯t want to consider it deeply because I trusted Williams would confide in me if he ever felt that way towards her. And of course, he wouldn¡¯t even dare. It was taboo for any of my friends to desire my sister. When we were little, I would often reiterate to them on more than one asion that if any of them ended up bing my sister¡¯s mate, I would make sure they rejected her.

    I simply found it appalling and something I couldn¡¯t stomach. I didn¡¯t know why.

    ¡°Have you heard anything?¡± She asked me, tipping to my side.

    Four days had gone and yet no news. I had announced to my people that their Queen was on sick leave and when some of them came to the pce to express their condolence, Abby had turned them out, lying that the healer insisted she was kept out of sight and reach for the sake of her ailment.

    Now, the pce is filled with flowers and gifts, from well-wishers and in the evenings, the priest has inserted a few minutes to pray for her recovery.

    At this point, I felt like a fraud. My mate is out there, somewhere, hiding from me. And my greatest fear was that she might nevere back to me. I wish I could rewind the clock back to that evening and redo everything I did. I would never have maligned or manhandled her.

    Again, I acknowledge my foolery.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t. Have you visited your mate recently?¡± I inquired as the dance started, the baritone of the jiggling samba assailing the air and upturning the rhythm of the moment. It was melodious and right then I wished more than anything that my mate was here seeing this.

    You can imagine how ironic life could be. When you had something, you wanted it gone by all means, and then you lost it and you yearned to have it back. I wanted her to see this part of my culture. I could imagine how her dole eyes would light up and if time was not taken, she would stand and dance to it. It was something she could do.

    ¡°Y-yes,¡± Abby tucked her hair behind her ear, clearing her throat. ¡°I was there¡­st night.¡±

    ¡°During the rain?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes! I mean, I was there before the rain and then the rain started and I¡­ had to stay back.¡±

    ¡°You mean you didn¡¯t sleep in the pcest night?¡± Her eyes were wide, her cheeks stained red. She shared a look with Williams and faced me.

    ¡°Was that not what you wanted? For us to bond?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± I rasped. ¡°I wanted that, but you have to be careful. For some odd reason, I don¡¯t trust that mate of yours. I need you to report to me any form of weirdness you discover around him, would you?¡±

    After a silent curious gaze at me, she nodded once. ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± I slid back into the seat, trying to focus despite knowing it was a waste of time.

    After the games, Tyler ran up the stairs, a full-blown smile hovering on his facade. ¡°Big wolf¡­¡±

    I grimaced.

    ¡°Have you heard anything about the Queen, yet?¡± He nodded at his mate, itching closer to wrap his left hand around her shoulder and drew her close. Maybe it was my ears but I heard a growl from the side of Williams.

    Yeah, it was my ears.

    ¡°I¡¯m still searching,¡± I answered in a dry tone. ¡°Any news?¡±

    ¡°Nope. Yunoo, I was wondering if my group could join_¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I was beside him at once, ¡°No one, I repeat no one is to hear about it. To everyone in this pack, she is on sick leave, do you understand?¡± He was still grinning. He was enjoying this. This man knew where my wife was. I could feel it. Fangs could smell it!

    ¡°I totally understand, Your Majesty.¡± He drawled, the title seeming stiff in his lips. ¡°I will be sure to keep that in mind.¡±

    I forced a grin. ¡°How are the borders now?¡± I asked for a distraction.

    ¡°You know the answer to that, my King. I assume you trust my capacity to keep your people safe.¡±

    He let go of my sister and stepped away, sharing a look with Williams. My Beta was looking ashen. He seemed as though he wanted to rip off the throat of Tyler. Most times I hate when he was that protective of me. Of us.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    For fuck sake, I could take care of myself. Tyler might be a Kraken, but I still remain the Lycan King. I was more powerful.

    ¡°Have a nice day, Big Wolf.¡± He bowed and then took my sister¡¯s right hand to his lips,ying a chaste kiss, ¡°And you too, mate.¡±

    My sister¡¯s hand fell to her side as she scrambled back to her former position. All over her body was flushed and those damn freckles were on her face. Something I detested seeing in her but found attractive in my mate.

    For Pete¡¯s sake, where is she?

    Do I need to grovel for Tyler to tell me where she was? There is no way in hell he wouldn¡¯t know. I just knew it.

    Heaven help me, When I eventually saw her, I was going to have up to ten guards watching every of her activity henceforth. She would have to go through me before she could sessfully escape again.

    I didn¡¯t ever in my life imagine I would be in this position where I would have to itch to see her.

    I wanted her gone, far far away from me. To give me back my freedom, my former life. And now that she had given it wholly, I couldn¡¯t deal with it.

    Shame on me!

    Once more I failed. I allowed myself to be felled by a woman. A werewolf!

    There were so many women begging to be with me, even for a second of my time. Merit had been hovering, yearning to be called mine. I saw her everywhere I went. Her eyes followed me in every direction, waiting for an opportunity toy her ws on me. And yet, here I was pining for someone I swore to make her life a living hell.

    What is wrong with me?

    I stood abruptly. ¡°I have to leave.¡±

    Williams stood. ¡°The games end tomorrow, my King, you have to endure the dance to the end to earn the goddess¡¯s favours. Please. The absence of the Queen is suspicious enough, don¡¯t add to it.¡±

    ¡°I have lost interest. My mind is not here.¡±

    ¡°Still. Manage.¡±

    I tugged my lower lip in and stabbed my fang into it until I drew blood. I needed to transform so badly. I couldn¡¯t wait for the red moon to unleash this demon inside me. Perhaps, it would help me settle. And I pray by then to have found my mate. I am going to make sure I had this entire anger channelled into her. We will be so busy that she won¡¯t have the time to think of another man or carry out any more silly conduct.

    I sat back. ¡°Tell the moderator to hasten the dance. I need to start off the day¡¯s search for Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Ash.¡± He stood, bowed and left.

    Later that evening I left the pce and galloped at full speed in the direction of Tyler¡¯s house on my white horse. I had toy siege there. If my instinct said she was here, then until it said otherwise, I will not stoping here.

    I didn¡¯t see anything or any movement up to the time I saw Tylere back and go in. But before going in, he nced around, sniffing the air before he went in.

    That mutt was deceptive. I could tell he caught my scent from the mischievous glint in his eyes.

    Just before I left for home, I saw my sister arrive and went in. I knew I asked her to move in with him, but now I regretted it. I singrly said that out of jealousy not that I meant it.

    As the burnt orange hue grazed the sky, I took my horse¡¯s reins and led him far from the cottage before I mounted and headed back.

    We return tomorrow after the final games.

    ¡­

 Chapter 87

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Tyler, is that you?¡± I asked from the bedroom, loud enough to be heard from downstairs. I knew he was because he was the only one who came in without knocking at the front door. Well, Abby too.

    It was a tactic of deception. Tyler informed mest week that he had sensed Ashton nearby in the bush, watching the house. Though, he was very smart not to let Ashton notice he was aware of his presence. Since then, Abby came here often and during the day when they were away, I rarely left the house or made a movement that could catch anyone¡¯s attention from outside.

    ¡°Yes, blondie.¡± I grinned. Somehow, Tyler thought Blondie would make a fine nickname for me. I stood up from the bed and raced down the stairs.

    He was bearing a package and turned from locking the door to graze me a cheeky smile. ¡°There you are, looking pretty.¡± I stopped in front of him and looked at the package.

    ¡°Is that for me?¡±

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± He eyed it, then gave it to me. ¡°You should check.¡±

    I took it and opened the bag at once, sorting through it. My eyes dted. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You like it?¡±

    ¡°Why did you get me more clothes?¡±

    ¡°I garnered you will be needing a change of wardrobe soon. You have been changing into the same set of clothes and for a Queen that¡¯s not pleasant. So, I thought to get these for you to have other wears to change into¡­¡± He rambled on. I could tell this was not something he often engaged in.

    Without thinking it, I rammed into him, engulfing him in a tight hug. ¡°What would I ever do without you, Tyler.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely nothing, my dear.¡±

    I pped his left arm and shifted off to go through the clothes like a pup when they got a new gift from their parents. ¡°I love them, Tyler, seriously.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not like my usual gears in the pce. These are simple and yet ssy.¡± And that was the truth. The clothes I got in the pce were most of the time confined and made me look older than my real age. But these clothes, they are the kind of clothes I wore back in my former pack.

    ¡°I will quickly freshen up, I have a meeting by six.¡± He said, checking his wristwatch.

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± I closed the bag. ¡°I madesagna.¡±

    His eyes shed. ¡°You cooked?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I am sorry I invaded your kitchen without your permission. I was bored and thought I could make something for you before you got back.¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°You don¡¯t need my permission to use my kitchen, Gwen. I am only worried you had to waste your energy on something I could do for you.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon, Ty. Don¡¯t be like that.¡± We walked upstairs together separating at the top of the stairs to our different rooms.

    After I dropped the bag of clothes in my room, I hurried to the kitchen to microwave a te of food for him and ce it on the dining table. I was arranging the water on the table when he came back, fully kitted in his guardian¡¯s garters; one of the few things I found attractive about him. How he looked in this wear.

    It moulded into his body, exhibiting his muscles and giving him that Herculean look. And again, it was in one of these moments that I mentally chastised myself and tried to focus.

    ¡°Hey, you are ready,¡± I said with a smile, pushing out a chair for him to sit.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± He sat, his scent hitting my face. I shifted back. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do all these, Gwen. You are my guest.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Ty. It¡¯s the little I can do to repay your favours.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t n_¡±

    ¡°Just eat, Ty. You will bete.¡±

    ¡°Then join me.¡± He gestured to the chair beside him. ¡°I hate eating alone you know that.¡±

    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been long since I ate.¡±

    ¡°Still, even though you taste.¡±

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s strike a deal. I will keep youpany while you eat. How about that?¡±

    He squinted his eyes in thought and went ahead to nod. ¡°Fine.¡± He dug in.

    ¡°Any gist from the pce?¡±

    He finished chewing, sipped water and shook his head. ¡°Nothing of importance apart from your mate still searching endlessly for you.¡±

    ¡°And Abby, have you seen her today?¡±I intend to stop by the pce and see her beforeing home tonight.¡±

    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± I tapped my finger on the table. I missed him too. Terribly, to be frank. I hate myself for doing so and my body for yearning for him. However, I couldn¡¯t help it.

    Most of the night, I stayed awake thinking of what he might be doing, wondering if he was with her. Wondering if he thought about me. They said he was looking for me. Was it because he missed me like I do him, or to punish me? He was an egocentric fool and would never be pleased at my defiance which left me at a crossroads of how to feel towards his need to see me.

    I shook my head and nced at Tyler almost done with his food. ¡°This is delicious, Gwen. I never knew you could cook like this.

    ¡°That¡¯s because you have never tasted a food I made and in the pce, it¡¯s a luxury I¡¯m not allowed to indulge in unfortunately.¡±

    ¡°Uh-yeah.¡± He ate thest part and dropped his spoon.

    ¡°Should I bring more?¡±

    ¡°No, I am going for training. I wouldn¡¯t want to get tired too quickly.¡±

    Whilst he spoke, something crossed my mind. I decided to ask. ¡°Ty?¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    ¡°Can you tell me about your former pack? The Nightcrawlers or what?¡±

    His countenance altered abruptly, thick veins throbbing in his veins. ¡°Why asking?¡±

    ¡°We are friends and you know literally everything about me.¡±

    ¡°I hate talking about my past,¡± he dered, peering at me. His eyes held sorrows. ¡°It¡¯s a ce I despise revisiting.¡±

    ¡°What about you? Is it true you were born on the full moon? What does a Kraken mean?¡± The chair screeched loudly as he stood up, his fingers tightening. I could tell he was mad. But why? I was merely trying to know him.

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving. Don¡¯t open the door unless it¡¯s me. And won¡¯t move close to the windows. Goodbye.¡± He turned, picked up his water bottle from the cab and left.

    I stood there with my jaw dropped. I have never seen him that mad. And it had to be directed at me.

    What is so bad about his past that made him not want to discuss it? Was it that bad like mine? Or even worse. Tyler was a jovial guy who despite what anyone does to him, remained collected and hardly lost his control. Today I saw another side of him.

    Urgh! My wide mouth!

    I packed up his te and went to deposit it on the counter. I washed them off, all in a bid to keep myself busy. I was looking outside at the thick forest, something I¡¯m not supposed to do.

    When regained myself, I cleaned up and left the kitchen, heading to the room when there was a jiggling sound outside the door. I paused, my heartbeat picking up.

    Who is that? Did Tyler forget something?

    I couldn¡¯t even ask lest it was someone else. Wait, if it¡¯s not Tyler then it¡¯s Abby. Tyler had to give her keys so she didn¡¯t have to knock when she came to the house.

    The door swung open and it was her.

    ¡°Fuck, you scared me,¡± I uttered, exhaling with my right hand to my chest.

    She looked smart in her pair of jeans trouser and a sunset yellow top. It was on rare asions you ever saw her dressed like this. ¡°I was bored at the pce and had toe.¡±

    ¡°What of Williams?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see him at the Pce. I guess he¡¯s out with my brother, probably grooming the horses.¡± We ambled into the sitting room and I went to get a package of juice and two sses. ¡°Since the game ended, everything is going back to normal and again the pack is quiet with everyone back to their business.¡±

    ¡°What about the uing ball?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I think my brother hasn¡¯t talked about that due to your absence. He is walking around like a corpse. I never knew he was that into you.¡±

    I scoffed. ¡°He is not into me, Abby. He¡¯s suffering from depleted ego. Trust me, the moment he catches me, you will see he hasn¡¯t changed one bit.¡±

    ¡°My brother was actually a loving man until he got his heart broken by that wench.¡±

    I didn¡¯t like talking about her. So, I didn¡¯t push it. If Ashton and I ever got back together, I pray someday he would have the courage to tell me about her himself. At the right time.

    ¡°It¡¯s already two weeks, Gwen,¡± Abby intoned softly. I peeked at her through the rim of my ss.

    ¡°Uh-huh¡­ what happens in two weeks?¡±

    ¡°Our deal? Remember?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you have a thing for Tyler?¡±

    ¡°W-what! No!¡±

    ¡°I think you are lying because I see the way you look at him sometimes and him too.¡±

    ¡°Now you are starting to talk like your brother.¡± I wanted to also add that part of why we were here today.

    She scooted closer, her face an inch from me. ¡°Ashton had learned his lesson if that is what you are trying to prove. He would never behave in his former ways again, I promise you.¡±

    I was about to tell her that I did not believe her when the door suddenly burst open and guess who came in?

    ¡­

 Chapter 88

    **GWEN**

    Ashton would never change. I am a woman holding a whiny thread of hope that my mate would finally see me. That he would forget about his past. About the woman that broke his heart and focused on what he had with me.

    It was ironic that my heart was broken the same as his, yet, here I was willing to try again, while he was doing the same thing my best friend did to me, and even at that, he still thought me the enemy.

    Abby said he had changed, he was going to be good to me. But when he barged through that door like a bull, charging in like he owned the ce straight at me I saw him just the way I had always seen him.

    A bully.

    A monster.

    ¡°Get away from me, you narcissistic bastard!¡± I took off before he would get to me. I couldn¡¯t believe Abby betrayed me. I trusted her and she brought him here.

    I ran blindly with tears falling down my face. I didn¡¯t see my path, all I wanted was to hide away until Tyler got back and saved me. Nevertheless, before I could get to the stairs, huge arms encircled my waist and hauled me against his chest.

    ¡°Please, listen to me, Gwen.¡± His sultry voice whispered into my right ear. At this time I couldn¡¯t decipher if it was as a result of my raging hormones, my overhyped sex drive for thest few weeks or because of the bond, I found myself mellowed by his gentle touch and the apanying soothing voice.

    He knew my weakness and he utilized it to his advantage all the damn time. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you have to say, Ashton. I am done with you.¡±

    ¡°You are still mine.¡±

    ¡°I belong to no one.¡± I got the little strength to thrash in his arms despite him being more powerful than me. ¡°Let me go.¡±

    ¡°Not until you grant me audience, please.¡± There was a tinge of desperation in his tone that got my attention. He wanted my audience, fine I will grant it to him.

    ¡°Then, let me go and I will listen to you.¡± I let out, meaning it.

    He took some time letting me go, all this time taking a bunch of my hair into his nose and sniffing down to my neck. ¡°Gosh, little wolf, you only have to drive a spade through my chest to kill me than put me through this level of suffering again.¡±

    My abdomen clenched. When he said things like that, I was one second away from falling apart. I scurried away fast from him to the other side, my hands over my chest.

    ¡°Is that what you have to say?¡± I asked when I had recovered a little. ¡°I see what is happening here. Because you miss my warmth that is why you look for me. To warm your bed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± He grabbed my wrist before I could escape again. ¡°You have toe back home, little wolf. This is not your home.¡±

    ¡°And that ce ain¡¯t either!¡± I spat, ripping my hand off. ¡°You treat me like an outsider and the others do not respect me and you think I should be happy about that? What kind of man are you?¡±

    ¡°I ept.¡± He lifted his hands. ¡°I was horrible to you and I might not be perfect, still, we are mates and should stay together. Under the same roof. What do you think the people would think when they found out you live with another man?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what they will think. I have rejected you.¡±

    ¡°And I didn¡¯t ept, which means we are still mates.¡±

    ¡°I thought you always wanted me gone, why fighting now? Because you want to fuck me?¡±

    ¡°I could always fuck any woman I want if you think that¡¯s why I¡¯m after you.¡±

    ¡°Then what? You are mad I was the one that rejected you and you couldn¡¯t deal with that? Isn¡¯t it? Fine, go ahead and do it. Reject me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not doing that.¡±

    ¡°What do you want, Ashton?!¡± I thundered, ring my hands. ¡°I can¡¯t continue to be that woman with you anymore. Not when I can have a ce like this with peace, happiness and quiet. I am myself here, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Tyler is my sister¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°And if you have any sense of decency you will recognize that what we have is a tonic rtionship and nothing intimate. Your sister knows that even though she betrayed me.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your exnation, Abby,¡± I cut her off. I didn¡¯t even see her behind him. ¡°I trusted you and you brought him here.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± She shouted. ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°And you still lie to me.¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t,¡± Ashton intervened. ¡°I followed her from the pce and took a chance to see if the door would open and luckily it did. I knew Tyler was out. After all, I have been seeing her sneaking in from time and suspected there must be someone else in here.¡±

    I huffed, rolling my eyes. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, Ashton. I can¡¯t be your Queen any longer. I am nning to move away from here to somewhere distant.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s insane. You can¡¯t survive as a rogue.¡±

    ¡°I am not the weakling you think I am.¡± I threw at his face.

    His lips stretched in a straight line, his scowl returning. ¡°You know what, Gwen? Now that I know where you are Gwen, I¡¯m not going to chase you anymore. I am going to allow you toe back to the pce by yourself, and if you refuse to, I am going to execute Tyler before everyone for hiding you from me.¡±

    ¡°What! You can¡¯t do that. I made him do it.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± His jaw worked.

    ¡°He is your sister¡¯s mate.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. She is an aplice to him and the only reason she is not going to be executed as well is because of my mother. So, it¡¯s your choice. If you think I¡¯m joking, then see if he would return home tonight.¡±

    He turned to leave. ¡°You bastard!¡±

    The door mmed in my face. The nerve of him! He would not dare do that!

    ¡°I am so sorry, Gwen. I forgot to lock the door after I entered. This is all my fault.¡± Abby pleaded, pacing the ground with me.

    ¡°Do you think he would carry out his threat?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Uh¡­ well, yes, Gwen. Ashton is a man of his word.¡±

    ¡°But Tyler is innocent!¡±

    ¡°He wants you to return to the pce. If you care for Tyler then that shouldn¡¯t be too much to ask.¡±

    ¡°You are supposed to be on my side!¡± I stopped tosh at her

    ¡°I am on your side which is why I am asking you to do the right thing. We have to be rational.¡±

    ¡°Urgh!¡± I gritted and stormed off to my room. I needed to think.

    That evening, Tyler didn¡¯te home. I lingered by the door, I went outside, waiting for him. But he didn¡¯t show up.

    I was growing frantic and Abby was nowhere to be found. If only I had my wolf I would have mind-linked her to ask if she had seen him.

    I knew what was amiss. Ashton had carried out his threat. He wanted me back by all means.

    So, I packed my bags. If he wanted me back, I was going to go back to save my best friend, but him, he was going to wish I was never back. It was not by force to be Queen and since he was forcing me, he would live with the consequences of that.

    ??

    **ASHTON**

    The time was ticking on the wall and in my ear, very audible. It appeared Fangs was very alert, awaiting in anticipation when our mate would arrive. By now she must have realized her crush was not returning and would have no choice but toe back to save him.

    That loser!

    I made sure they beat him up for lying to me. The effrontery of him. He thought because he had my secret, he could behave anyhow he wanted and went scot-free. Not where my mate was concerned.

    She said she found peace with him. Did she know how that made me feel? I have lived without peace for almost a decade after my heart was shattered by her kind.

    And she came and despite everything I did to make her leave, she insisted on staying. Eventually, when my walls began breaking apart she decided to turn to that loser. It irked me more that my sister was too blind to see what was happening under her nose!

    What did the werewolf have over her? A spell? It had to be it, because if there was one thing I knew about my sister; she was a jealous lover and never shared.

    The night passed, and she didn¡¯t show up.

    The next morning, I was ready to kill anyone who as much as crossed my part or got on my wrong side. I was deeply incensed and whatever wrong I did today, it will be on my mate!

    ¡®MATE!¡¯ Fangs roused, wagging his tail vigorously. ¡®MATE IS HERE! SHE IS BACK!¡¯

    My heart leapt, the anger dissipating at once to be reced by enthusiasm. I needed to see her. I needed to be sure Fangs wasn¡¯t pulling my legs. I took the staircase two at a time.

    ¡­Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

 Chapter 89

    **GWEN**

    My room felt foreign to me when I entered it. I stood at the door, my bag dumped on the floor, staring emptily. Or maybe the emptiness was from within. I had that ilk that my feat was in vain; one without triumph and that made me feel stupid.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    I hissed, strode to my wardrobe to deposit my bag and went to sit on the bed with my hands covering my face. By now, I was certain Ashton must have heard I was back. Or sensed it.

    I was ready for whatever punishment he had in store for me. All I cared about was for him to release Tyler. The young man did nothing to deserve what was done to him.

    I caught his scent even before he reached my door.

    Ashton.

    The door bounced in and there he stood, all-powerful. And for once I allowed myself an illusion that he truly missed me. Adverse to yesterday, today he looked really awful. His cheekbones were visible and his stubbles were slightly overgrown. ck bags the size of my balled fist were designed beneath his eyelids and his entire carriage was in shambles.

    Albeit, he still looked devilishly handsome.

    I stood,pressing my lips in readiness. He didn¡¯t move at all, merely stood appraising me, as if I was a phantom or he didn¡¯t still believe I was here.

    ¡°A-are you going to continue staring at me like that?¡± I cleared my throat after the wording, moving my eyes to the spot behind him.  ¡°You can call the guards to apprehend me, I don¡¯t care. All I care is that you¡­¡±

    I didn¡¯t finish before I saw my body pressed into a wall of bricks. A human-overwhelmingly-sweetsmelling wall of bricks. My eyes dted in shock. What was going on?

    ¡°Thank you,¡± He purred, stroking my back. His left hand secured me right to him while his right travelled to my hair to massage deeply, the feebly attempted pack I made was gone in a sh. In all these, I was still astounded. First at his speed- which I haven¡¯t gotten used to and secondly, the behaviour he was disying.

    He wasn¡¯t throwing me in the dungeon?

    I gathered courage, lifted my hands lying useless by my side, ced them on his vast shoulders and shoved them. Relentless.

    ¡°Shhhhh, just stay calm,¡± he moaned. ¡°We need this.¡±

    And truly I did.

    I let my hands fall and rxed into him. This was one of the things I dreamt about which I was certain was never going toe to pass. Ashton disying any form of affection towards me. I don¡¯t want to wake up from this one.

    I shut my eyes.

    I didn¡¯t realize when he picked me up from the ground until I was floating. I snapped my eyes loose. ¡°What are you doing? Put me down, this minute!¡±

    He smiled. Oh, gosh, please not now.

    I was hypnotized. Blinked severally and when I opened my mouth to contest another round, he dropped me on the bed, on my back. I sat up, and he dived above me, sending me back on my back.

    ¡°Stay,¡± He ordered, his smile gone, reced by a look that I was familiar with. A look that if he put into action, I didn¡¯t think I had the balls to resist. Now was myst chance to react.

    ¡°Stop,¡± I spoke up. ¡°I need Tyler out.¡±

    ¡°I promise to attend to that, little wolf, just let me feel you.¡± As he spoke he was beside me, pressing into me but partially on his elbows that I didn¡¯t feel his massive weight.

    He took my hair and scrubbed it on his face, sniffing fervently. I candidly watched him, caught in the moment yet uncertain how toe in. With supernatural creatures of our kind, it was usual for things like this to ur particrly when one partner had been away for a while. But it¡¯s mostly with people who are in love.

    People who share heart interests.

    Something I knew was impossible where Ashton was concerned.

    He said it himself, he could easily have any woman he wanted. Why then was he so possessive of me in this manner? Why was his drive to have me this intense?

    He swooped in while in my thought, his left hand grasping the back of my neck, and his now dark hungry eyes-his lycae- took me in intently.

    ¡°Mine,¡± He grunted and kissed me.

    I moaned at the contact, all sense of decency flying through my open window. Our lips danced in protest, each of us trying to show the level of our frustrations while striving to win the implicitbat.

    I sat up with him, my lips thrusting as my fingerstched around his neck and deepened the contact. He also dragged me closer by my neck, fitting my body into his so that my lungs would soon start aching withck of breath.

    When I gasped for air, his tongue was down my throat, teasing, tasting, thrusting and iming. This might be the longest and thickest kiss we have yet to have since the inception of our marriage.

    I didn¡¯t notice his finger go behind me and unzipped my gown until it wobbled at my shoulders, and sagged down demanding I shook it off. That left me in my ck bra.

    He tore his lips away and as he was slipping out of the bed, he was taking me with him.

    He made me step out of my dress, only in my drawers and bralette before he took my waist and draped me over the wall for another round. He kissed my neck, massaged my bottom cheeks and trailed light kisses from my mouth to my neck.

    When he began descending, my bra reached the floor first and Ashton grinned, stopping in front of my two babies to tease them with his fingers. I purred like a cat, searching for more.

    ¡°You like that, don¡¯t you?¡± He questioned me, and I nodded.

    He shook his head and pinched a nipple. I cried out. ¡°I need words.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± I arched my back.

    He flipped his thumb back and forth on my nipple it ached so badly, needing his mouth surrounding them. ¡°Yes, what?¡±

    ¡°Ash_¡±

    ¡°Tell me what you want, little wolf.¡± He began blowing them, that sent me to the edge.

    ¡°Fuck, I need you to suck on them, damn it,¡± I admitted, clutching my hair into my hands to pull back in frustration.

    He granted my wish, his lips first locking on the right like a babe and sucking passionately. I was shaking, only still standing due to the support his hand was giving me. He was on his knees as he sucked from one breast to the other, intermittently massaging while at it.

    Soon, his left traced a faint line down my belly button to my pelvic region, stroking back and forth but not making any attempt to go lower.

    I ground my waist, rting an unspoken message of what I needed.

    When I peered through clouded vision, he was looking at me, a hint of a knowing smile on his face. I didn¡¯t care that the smile somewhat connoted his victory. Yes, he won and so what? I needed him and that was all that mattered. He could say whatever he wanted, and as far as he drove me to the height of pleasure my body yearned for, I was fine with that.

    Inded on the chair and his hands sped around my pants, pulling down my legs to leave me more exposed.

    And my mate was still fully clothed.

    ¡°Rx, baby, I¡¯m going to make sure your body¡¯s fully sated,¡± He croaked hoarsely, adjusting on his knees with his arms nudging my legs apart.

    My pink pussy disyed to him and made me feel awkward, but he didn¡¯t loosen his hold as he intently took it in. When his lips touched there, I bulked and sat up forcefully with a loud moan.

    ¡°Yes, Ashton, I¡¯m about to cum.¡± My waist was grinding faster now, my hands holding his head prisoner to my core. His tongue continuously flicked my clitoris, and that euphoric feeling built so fast I could burst.

    When it came, I didn¡¯t hesitate to let go, squirting my anger, my frustration and all the pain I had been holding into his face. And it didn¡¯t surprise me when he took it all in. He licked me clean before he stood and lifted me up, recing me on the couch and gently positioning me on hisp. His cock was hard rock I felt it would break if I mistakenly sat on it.

    Instinctively, my hand went there and touched him. He groaned and took my hand, shaking his head.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, ¡°I want to feel you too.¡±

    ¡°Is that what you want?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I shook his hand off. ¡°I want to suck you¡­ please.¡±

    We maintained eye contact for some time until he eventually agreed and rxed back.

    I slid off him to my knees facing him and began unassembling his total ensemble, one after the other¡­

    ¡­

 Chapter 90

    **GWEN***

    ¡°Fuck, little wolf.¡± Ashton¡¯s hand sped around a junk of my hair, holding it against him as he thrust into my open mouth. ¡°Yes, baby, just like that¡­ Arh!¡± He went faster.

    I wanted to be in control, despite not knowing the details about these things. I was still learning and I needed it to be pleasing for him. If he was moaning that meant I was doing it right, yeah? At this point, I was literally choking and my lungscked sufficient air.

    ¡°Almost there, almost there, baby.¡± He was thrusting and panting and I took it all in, happily.

    Gone was the initial rage I came in with, here I was striving to please the same man I came to make pay for throwing my best friend in prison and forcing me back here.

    My finger located my clitoris and worked on it whilst still pleasuring him. I was stroking myself, that former sensation building again. I craved to cum, but I needed to do it with him.

    Ashton let out a thunderous groan and spiked his seed up my throat, holding my head firmly down that I had to gulp it down. It didn¡¯t taste as awful as I imagined it.

    Instead, somehow, it was salty and delicious.

    Possibly because it was my mate¡¯s seed.

    ¡°That was amazing, little wolf,¡± he rasped. ¡°Come here.¡± He helped me up back to hisp. I syed across his chest and pressed lower until I was hugging him. ¡°I missed you so much.¡±

    Goodness, if after all these ended up being a dream, I wonder how I was going to survive this round.

    ¡°Next time you want to be rebellious, please do it within these walls,¡± he continued lowly. ¡°You can hate me, do whatever you like to show your outrage towards me but please never leave again.¡± What is going on? Was this the man who wanted me gone by all means? The same man who has been doing everything possible to make my life miserable who is sitting here begging me not to leave again?

    I eased back to peek at him. He groaned like I physically hurt him.

    I pursed my lips, realizing I had triggered the hard nerves behind me. It was still hard and poking at my ass.

    He startedughing.

    I zoned out.

    Okay, Ashton smiled on rare asions. Butughing, that was something I have never ever seen him do.

    And if you think Ashton was gorgeous smiling, then you have no idea how he lookedughing.

    Gosh, this was too much for me.

    I made to stand, his hands grasped around my hips and held me back. ¡°What?¡± He asked. ¡°Did I do something wrong now?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡± I was shaking my head and trying not to peer at him. ¡°I-I just need to breathe. This is too much.¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡± He took my cheeks between his palms and angled to face him. His blues danced, cheerfully. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve already mind-linked the Deltas to set Tyler free. You see, we have the entire time to ourselves.¡±

    ¡°What changed?¡± I had to ask, confounded.

    He simply stared, lowering his gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m confused about you right now, Ashton. You need to tell me what changed. I-I can¡¯t be sure you won¡¯t turn the monster from before and try to maul me once this is over. Who knows, perhaps, you are trying to make mefortable and then strike at me.¡±

    ¡°I will never do that.¡± His eyes held honesty, but I have been through a lot with him I didn¡¯t know if to trust him. ¡°I am messed up, Gwen¡­ I might not be the prince charming you desire but you said you were willing to try with me¡­ You wanted me to give us a chance.¡±

    ¡°Well, that was before.¡± I quickly inserted.

    His eyes narrowed. ¡°That was before? What of now? You no longer love me? Wait, are you in love with Tyler?¡±

    That was it? I made to move and when he refused to let go, I began fighting him, struggling to leave his arms. ¡°You are an insufferable bastard! I knew this was too good to be true.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Gwendolyn!¡± He ordered. ¡°It¡¯s just a mere question.¡±

    ¡°Back to where we came from, huh?¡± I paused to ask. ¡°You use me of things I never did just because you want to justify your wickedness to me. What of your mistress? Is she still under this roof?¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°I told you she is not my mistress and yes, Merit is still here.¡±

    ¡°Then what are you talking about?¡± I inquired inughter. ¡°You are a clown.¡±

    ¡°I am your husband and mate.¡±

    ¡°The only reason I came back here was because of Tyler. Because I couldn¡¯t bear the guilt of sleeping with him in the dungeons. If not I will never listen to a lying male like you.¡±

    ¡°I am lying?¡± He said close to my face. ¡°You say I lie then why is it that when I touch you, you tremble in my arms?¡±

    ¡°That is different!¡± I resumed my struggle. He closed my two arms steadily making my efforts vain.

    Heughed in mockery. ¡°You lie to yourself and then you turn around to call me the liar. Every word I have said to you I have never cloned. I messed up and I admitted it, why won¡¯t you believe me?¡±

    ¡°Because she is here, Ashton. Until you have your mistress out from here, fire all those guards who dared disobey me, I will never trust you.¡±

    He halted, his eyes piercing at me as he gaped hard, in a challenge. That was my condition. Even if I doubted he would grant me those, I didn¡¯t budge. It¡¯s up to him to try to gain my trust if it means something to him.

    ¡°Fine, I will do it.¡± He said.

    ¡°What?¡± I gasped in disbelief. ¡°You will ask her to leave? You will fire them?¡±

    ¡°Granted. If that is what you want. If it will make you trust me.¡±

    It was my turn to gape, open-mouthed.

    ¡°Now, can we have a little truce even if for today, Mrs Mcgregor?¡± I blushed. It was not often I was addressed like that. In fact, I often forget I now bear his surname.

    ¡°Cool,¡± I shoved my hand his way to seal the deal. He took it and we shook to it.

    ¡°Since we have an agreement, I believe in one mind we can agree that this man down here,¡± he nodded to his cock, ¡°and thisdy down there,¡± he referred to my pussy, ¡°have an agreement to fulfil.¡±

    I was about to protest when he lifted me up and in one thrust drove into me. Words died in my mouth substituted by an audible cry. I held his shoulders as he adjusted on the couch with his hands still wounded about my waist and began pounding into me.

    My head fell back, my hip riding up anding down hard. I was floating in space, every protesting part of me yielding to him to relish in the present bliss.

    Ashton and I were like two rough roads, it was with time I would learn that in order for these roads to meet, there were going to be a great deal ofpromises to be made. It didn¡¯t matter who made it, what mattered was he was epting his wrong and perhaps, in moments like this, I was willing to give him a chance.

    Sometimeter, Iid in bed in his arms thinking how we ended up here. I was tired and needed to go and see Abby but my body was telling a different story.

    ¡°We are going to have a ball,¡± Ashton whispered behind me. ¡°Mother would being.¡±

    I snapped about, my eyes like saucers. ¡°Your mother ising?¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, yes.¡± He reached out to stroke a finger down my face. ¡°She informed me two days ago.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ good.¡±

    ¡°Maybe for you, but definitely not for me. She said she wanted to precede over the entire preparation. I guess she isn¡¯t fully ready to get used to the fact that she now has a recement in that area.¡±

    ¡°It would be a great idea if you ask me.¡±

    His finger faltered on my face, his brow arching to the top. ¡°Please, do educate me on how that idea managed to be great?¡±

    ¡°I mean, I am a novice towards nning such big asions, so having someone to guide me won¡¯t be such a bad idea. Not that you will anyways.¡±

    He scoffed. ¡°There¡¯s nothing much to n. You, women, make things appear too exaggerated. Just proper management which of course the welfare team could oversee. You don¡¯t necessarily need to stain your hands.¡±

    I shifted my dishevelled strands. ¡°I am not that kind of Queen, Ashton. I take part in everything that concerns my Kingdom. I want to stain my fingers. So, if your mother shares in my opinion, then rada! I can¡¯t wait to see her!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you are happy my tormentor ising.¡±

    I nipped his chin. ¡°Loosen up, your mother isn¡¯t the way you make her out to be.¡±

    ¡°I will remind you that sometimeter when you will be in my shoes.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 91

    **GWEN**

    I had recently returned from visiting the temple one quiet evening and was preparing to take a nap when a knock sounded on my door. I winced, my face contorting in displeasure at who could be trying to disturb me.

    ¡°Come in,¡± I mouthed, securing my hair above my head as my eyes whisked in the door direction. Kora came in, her face a mask of gaiety.

    She scurried forward until she was standing in front of me before breaking the news. ¡°The former Queen is here.¡±

    My ear ticked, my hand falling down the same as my hair, rmed at the news. Ashton said she wasing, but not this soon. It was just five days ago for goodness sake. And I didn¡¯t even make any proper arrangements for her wee.

    ¡°Where is she?¡± I asked eagerly and set my hair to fall around my shoulders as I picked up the gown I had already discarded on the bed.

    ¡°She just entered the pack and some of the Lycans have already gone to wee her.¡± She couldn¡¯t contain her joy as she spoke. They must really love the former Queen. Something I will work extra hard to earn.

    ¡°Where is the King? Abby?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen the King this morning and the Princess_¡± Abby sprang into the groom, her eyes skimming from Kora to me, in panic.

    ¡°Mother is here and she didn¡¯t even inform anyone of her arrival. My brother is furious.¡± She red her hands.

    I grabbed my ck shawl and wrapped blindly around my shoulders as I made my way to her. ¡°Where is he? We have to go.¡±

    ¡°He was having a meeting with his Beta and Deltan when the guards at the border informed him of her presence. I know Mother did this on purpose. I am on my way there.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s go together.¡± We hastened down the hall, and I had an idea and ceased walking. ¡°Before we leave I have to advise the kitchen maids to prepare something for her. Do you know her favourite cuisines?¡±

    ¡°Mother isn¡¯t fazed by those things, Gwen. She would prefer seeing the Kingdom at its best. That will be the best wee gift. Don¡¯t worry, everything is in perfect shape. You need not fret.¡±

    ¡°Still,¡± I detoured as we reached downstairs, dragging her with me. ¡°I need everything, including the kitchen ready for her arrival. She must be very tired and worn out from her travel. Bath! That¡¯s such a long way from here.¡±

    As we entered the kitchen, the maids scurried around with their faces down in turmoil. It was not every day I came here. I never even came here. I cleared my throat. ¡°Florence?¡± I called the most senior.

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± She hurried forward, her head still bowed.

    ¡°The former Queen is in the pack, whatever you have to do, make sure there is something for her to eat once she enters the pce, please.¡±

    She bowed sharply, her head almost hitting the ground. ¡°Whatever pleases you, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Good, get to it.¡± As she veered around to leave, the present state of the kitchen caught my eye. It was not pleasant at all. ¡°Florence?¡±

    She halted, looking up this time. ¡°Please, make sure you do something about this kitchen. For a ce that assembles the meals we eat, I think it¡¯s an eyesore, no offence. Also, help me ry to the maid in charge of the other cleaners to arrange the pce and wipe the ce down. I will really appreciate that.¡±

    And we left.

    Due to we needed to get there on time, I didn¡¯t want to stop over and look for Ashton. I believe he could easily get there fast. Or he might not even want toe.

    We happened to meet the former Queen halfway to the border. And the car carrying her stopped at seeing ours, demanding we alight and went to her.

    I bowed to her to show my subservience. ¡°It¡¯s been such a long time, Gwendolyn,¡± She sirened. ¡°How have you been coping with my son?¡±

    I giggled, standing tall. ¡°He hasn¡¯t been that much of a burden.¡± Indeed he hasn¡¯t. At least since our recent truce. He has been staying close and acting gentle. Even my escape room was now our present chamber.

    Though, I haven¡¯t seen him today.

    ¡°I knew he would behave.¡± She caressed my temple before her eyes moved to Abby.

    Abby lugged herself at her mother as the former Queen opened her mouth to acknowledge her.

    ¡°I have missed you, Mother. You should have informed us of your arrival, you know.¡± She cried.

    ¡°And ruin the fun?¡± The woman shook her head. ¡°I wanted to see for myself what your brother had done with the pack, and from what I see¡­ it isn¡¯t that bad.¡± As she spoke, her eyes glittered with satisfaction.

    I sighed in relief.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mother, I¡¯m sure he¡¯s dying to see you.¡± Abby waved me to the front seat and took the one next to her mother. I must say, I was d the former Queen was here.

    Somehow, I believed if she was around, there would be little room for Ashton to maltreat me or even go close to his mistress. And speaking of that one, I haven¡¯t seen her for a while. I was hoping to ask Ashton when in particr she was leaving, but now the former Queen was here, I am certain he wouldn¡¯t need my push.

    Getting to the pce, the maids had done as asked, the pce was rebranded in the few minutes we were out and the smell of the sumptuous dishes filtering in from the kitchen, made my stomach growl.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡± We stopped at the stairs as Ashton¡¯s voice sifted from the left-hand side of the staircase leading to his study hall.

    I spun to him. His eyes were on his mother.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think you couldy aside your rebellious attitude toe to wee your mother?¡± She queried him in a calm semnce.

    ¡°I was in a meeting, Mother and you are most wee even though you didn¡¯t ry your earliest arrival to me.¡±

    ¡°Where is the fun in that, my son?¡± She went forth and patted his right cheek so adorably. I could see in her eyes how much she loved him. He was the only one blind to that. ¡°You have done so well.¡± She moved away, her eyes flicking to me. ¡°I told you she was the right one.¡± My skin flushed.

    ¡°Yes, you did, Mother,¡± Ashton was fast to reply. ¡°Now, let¡¯s give you a proper wee home. What do you say, eh?¡±

    ¡°Now you are talking.¡± Her face brightened. The striking resemnce at this point was fascinating. One didn¡¯t need a soothsayer to tell she bore them. Especially the eyes.

    Ashton led us into the living room and the maids rushed out, and soon came back with a bottle of red wine and sses to go around everyone that was present- us and a few pack members that had arrived soon. The drinks were poured and handed around.

    Ashton raised his ss first. ¡°To Mother¡¯s safe homing.¡±

    We reiterated in unison, shed our sses and started sipping the drinks. While everyone was sipping their wine and engaged in delightful chatter, I was seated, sipping my drink slowly. My mind was at work, praying nothing was amiss. The only thing that worried me now was the Queenter questioning why I wasn¡¯t pregnant yet.

    It made me jittery. It was the only thing about the Queen¡¯s presence that made me feel skirmish. I shuddered as someone¡¯s scent hit me and as I bent my head to the side I was to see Ashton behind me.

    His lips grazed my left ear as he whispered, ¡°Come.¡±

    I didn¡¯t waste time to stand and follow him.

    We passed into one of the halls that was secluded and abruptly, Ashton grasped my waist and mmed me against his chest. ¡°Where have you been since morning?¡± He spoke into my lips as he captured them in a rough kiss as if he hadn¡¯t slept in my bedst night.

    ¡°I went into the vige, remember?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± He sucked in my lower lips and drank me in, leaving me dizzy and my feet jelly. I should tell him to stop. Anyone could see us. His mother was down the hall.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I was patting his chest, trying to gather my wits to step back. ¡°Your mother¡­¡±

    ¡°Can wait.¡± He yed with my breast and squeezed my right nipple. I sighed. ¡°I have missed you.¡±

    ¡°Me too¡­ but¡­¡± He cupped my face to deepen the kiss. He lifted me by my waist up to his, trailing kisses to my neck. He sucked in that slop on my neck and nibbled back to the spot he was supposed to mark me. Well, he had marked me, but not fully under the red moon ording to their tradition.

    when I heard the snap of my bra hook, I drifted back and jumped down, separating our lips. ¡°Not now, Ash¡­ Later.¡±

    He grinned. Devilishly. And took a step forward. ¡°You are afraid you can¡¯t stop, yeah?¡±

    ¡°Stop it. It¡¯s not funny.¡± I touched my lips. It seemed swollen. Everyone would know I have been ravished thoroughly. What a shame their Queen can¡¯t control herself around their King.

    ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon,¡± he grunted, trapping me between his arms on the wall. ¡°You are my mate. You don¡¯t have to feel guilty for sneaking off with me.¡±

    My ears tingled. ¡°What! Did you hear my thought?¡±

    ¡°You said that out loud.¡± He dered.

    What! Did I?

    ¡°I have to go. Later.¡± I pushed at his chest to move away, patted my hair back, and with onest look at him, made my way out. There was no way they wouldn¡¯t know. Shit!

    ¡°Later, little wolf. Later I¡¯m going to¡­¡±

    I covered my ears from hearing the remaining of that¡­

 Chapter 92

    **GWEN**

    ¡°I must say you look more stunning, Gwen,¡± The former Queen spoke up, garnering a blush that spread from my face to my arms.

    ¡°Thanks, Your Highness.¡± That was all I could say and proceeded to pick up a yellow material and pretended to admire it. I could kill Abby for being the reason I was out with her mother today instead of her.

    the Queen couldn¡¯t wait and insisted we went shopping for the materials to be used for the ball the next morning. Normally, the agreement was for Abby to go with her. Then this morning, she suddenlyined of having a severe backache which warranted me toe.

    I knew it was a tant lie. But I couldn¡¯t expose her. So, here I was wandering around eggshells around the Queen, and beseeching the goddess for this shopping toe to an end as fast as possible.

    I could still see the hint of a smile on Abby¡¯s face when she suggested I went instead since I had nothing to do this morning. I was about to tell them I had training to attend when the former Queen decided to rope me in, believing I would make a better shopping partner than her daughter.

    ¡°So, Gwen¡­¡± She started conversationally, picking a purple fabric and iling side to side. Her furrowed brow told me she didn¡¯t like it. ¡°How has it been with my son?¡±

    There goes it. The things I feared the most. I cleared my throat, dropping the fabrics in my hand. It began to weigh a ton. ¡°It has been amazing, your_¡±

    ¡°Mother.¡± She cut me off. ¡°Call me mother. I would like to think I have made that impression on you by now.¡±

    I forced a smile with a single nod. ¡°Of course, M-mother.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± She picked another. ¡°So, what were you saying?¡±

    A maid was behind us with a cart. Not so close and not too far.

    ¡°As I said, it has been¡­ adventurous.¡± It was apanied by a nervous chuckle.

    ¡°You have to feel free, Gwendolyn. You are the Queen and right now I am your subject. What was one of the things I advised you about Queens and subjects?¡±

    ¡°That I should never let them see me as timid and weak.¡±

    ¡°Correct.¡± She pulled a sunny smile, silent for some time I almost rejoiced. Until she said the next words that made my jaw drop. ¡°Gwendolyn¡­ I know everything my son has been up to in my absence and you don¡¯t have to cover up for him. He doesn¡¯t deserve that.¡±

    ¡°What? How?¡±

    ¡°I have eyes, child.¡± She tossed in another fabric as we turned to another aisle bearing fabric gems. ¡°A Queen does not only rely on her natural instinct, my love. You have to employ the instincts and eyes of others to get as much information as you can. You can¡¯t tell when it woulde in handy.¡±

    ¡°But I can¡¯t. He would catch me. Ashton is_¡±

    ¡°Men are not as smart as we give them credit for.¡± She faced me, taking me in closely. ¡°Why have you allowed him to ridicule you like that for so long?¡±

    ¡°I was trying to understand him,¡± I cried. ¡°He was hurt in the past.¡±

    ¡°And you? Where you not hurt?¡±

    ¡°W-what do you mean?¡±

    She chuckled. Dryly. ¡°Oh, I love this.¡± She picked a gem to observe and ended up tossing it in the mix. ¡°It would fit your eyes.¡±

    That was not my concern. I was bothered more by what she said. Did she know about my past? About Julian? About my pack?

    ¡°You didn¡¯t expect me to make you my son¡¯s wife like that without doing a proper check on you.¡± She scoffed. ¡°I am not that daft.¡±

    I was dumbstruck, my heart thundering out of beat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± She patted my right shoulder. ¡°You have my heart. I don¡¯t mind that you haven¡¯t shifted yet, or that you were once in love with some dweeb!¡±

    Julian!

    ¡°All that matters is that you have a kind heart and have been an eptable Queen. My son is finally seeing that you are the one meant for him. Do you see how he looks at you? He can¡¯t even help himself.¡±

    If the ground would open and swallow me this minute, I would not mind at all. ¡°He still hates me.¡±

    ¡°That is what you want to believe. But deep in there, I¡¯m sure you know that¡¯s a lie.¡± But it¡¯s the truth. Now that I think about it, I am more certain it was because of theing of the former Queen Ashton¡¯s behaviour towards me chnaged. He didn¡¯t want me to spill all his shorings to her or the Queen to find out I left him. That had to be it.

    On our way back home, for a while the car was silent I was d that the interrogation didn¡¯t continue. My fingers kept twitching as the idea of Ashton¡¯s deceit swirled in my head. I couldn¡¯t wait to confront him about it. The piece was finallying together.

    The former Queen broke my heart by shifting in her seat until she was facing me and asked, ¡°Have you guys talked about having an heir, yet?¡±

    Chills engulfed my body and my fingers started to quaver on myp. I nced up. ¡°I-we have been trying. I mean¡­ trying to talk about it.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ That¡¯s fine. I mean, I¡¯m not in a hurry, you two still have a lot of bonding to do and with the fortification taking ce after the ball, I see no reason why it won¡¯t happen after that. Take your time.¡±

    She is not mad at me? Just like tha_did she say fortification? ¡°Fortification?¡± I offloaded my thoughts.

    ¡°Yes, fortification,¡± she repeated, fixing her eyes on me. ¡°It¡¯s apulsory ritual for royalties. It has been like that since the inception of our bloodline. The only reason I didn¡¯t insist on it after your wedding was because you two needed time and judging from the way your marriage was fixed, I knew Ashton wouldn¡¯t have agreed. And eptance rituals be futile if the couples abhor each other.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t believe that this same ritual I had been yearning for was naturallying to me. I know Abby promised to speak to Ashton about it, but since then she hasn¡¯t given me any feedback on his response. But with the Queen assuring me of it taking ce, I knew I had nothing to worry about anymore.

    The minute we got to the pce, the maids hurried out to pack our shopping bags inside. The former Queen appeared beside me. ¡°I think your hair needs a trim.¡± She took a strand and essed. ¡°It¡¯s spiking at the ends.¡± She lowered it and sauntered ahead.

    I watched her enter hence I dashed after her. My hair was spiked? No one drew my attention to that!

    That evening at dinner, everyone was present; Ashton, his mother, Abby, Williams and me. And of course without shame, his mistress.

    She had the guts toe out of her chamber to dine with us. My mouth itched tosh out at her and ask her to leave.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    I didn¡¯t need to seeth for long as the Queen momentarily cleared her throat and asked, ¡°Merit, I thought the Deltas are supposed to leave outside the pce? What are you doing here?¡± I forgot she didn¡¯t mention her when she told me she had an extra eye telling her everything that went on in her absence.

    ¡°I-I was¡­ The King asked me to move in.¡± Merit stuttered, looking to Ashton to save her. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t bat an eye her way. I nearly choked with augh.

    ¡°Well, my son made certain impromptu decisions that are not healthy for his marriage and of course the Kingdom. You are a Delta and only required toe to the pce daily and even at that, you are not weed inside the pce but outside where your duty demands.¡±

    I dropped my spoon and entwined my fingers as my eyes zeroed in on her, waiting for her to counter the Queen. My ears were alert from our end, assuming Ashton would contend with his mother.

    He didn¡¯t say a word.

    So, it was true? His mother¡¯s word was thew. Ha!

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± She bowed her head. ¡°I shall move out as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Merit. I understand you havee to care deeply for my son.¡± She sipped from her ss, dropped it and shook her head. ¡°But he is taken now as you can see. What we should look out for is the prosperity of their marriage and of the pack. Please, do try to understand.¡±

    ¡°Of course, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    The remainder of the evening meal went smoothly. Well, for others, not for me. I was leaping with joy, unable to contain myself. Merit was leaving! There was no way in hell she would disobey the former Queen. That was for sure. And if she tried to trick her way through, I would inform the Queen of all of her disrespectful feats towards me.

    She wouldn¡¯t dare.

    ¡°I can tell your spirit is high with the oue of this evening¡¯s dinner,¡± Abby said on our way out.

    ¡°You have no idea, Abby. That bitch is finally leaving the pce. Do you know what that means to me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m delighted too. She was starting to act like she was the Queen.¡±

    ¡°Mhhmn¡­ hey, has Ashton brought up the moving-out topic again?¡± I asked her in a hushed tone.

    She fluttered her head, skating her eyes about. ¡°And we even have a bigger problem.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡±

    ¡°My mother. If Ashton told her Tyler was my mate, what am I going to do?¡±

    Fuck, that¡¯s true.

    ¡­

 Chapter 93

    **GWEN**

    Kora wasing out of the bathroom when I entered the room. She grazed me with a smile which Ipensated with a nod. ¡°You can go now, I will take it from here,¡± I told her, strolling in.

    She looked up hesitantly, the smile gradually dropping off her face. Then she bobbed once and moved from the direction of the wardrobe she was situated, to my pathway.

    I pulled the curtains open and was on the verge of sitting on the sofa by the window when I heard her say, ¡°Your Highness, is there something I did wrong?¡± My hands suspended, my head twisting to her.

    ¡°I beg your pardon.¡±

    Her fingers were entwined together in front of her and they were twitching as she spike without meeting my eyes. ¡°I feel like something about me bothers you. It¡¯s as if you are merely tolerating my presence not because you want me here. I thought you had forgiven me from before.¡±

    I exhaled and sat down, crossing my right leg over my left as I leaned forward, my big still fixed on her. ¡°I don¡¯t have any issues with you, Kora. You are overthinking things.¡±

    Her ck hair scattered as she shuddered her head in disagreement. ¡°Please, if there is something you hold against me, I would prefer you scold me or punish me rather than this. I try to please you but I can¡¯t help but feel that you don¡¯t like me.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Kora since you want me to tell you what you did wrong. Why do I feel like you are hiding things from me? You think I don¡¯t like you? Why? I barely even know you. But you, you have every reason to hate me.¡± I gestured with my hands. ¡°You don¡¯t inform me when there are meetings in the pce or basic information supposed to be passed to me making me look like a morose when someone else rys them to me. So, yes, I doubt your loyalty to me.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness!¡± She fell to her knees, her head down. ¡°Goddess knows I will never do anything that will bring hurt to you knowing fully well the King would have my head.¡±

    ¡°Then why am I thest person to know about doings in this pce when I have you, huh?¡± I arched my brow.

    ¡°Because I felt like you were not interested and you didn¡¯t ask me.¡±

    ¡°Because I do not know much takes ce here. Have you forgotten? I am a werewolf and things are different with you guys around here.¡±

    ¡°Then, forgive my nonchnce, your highness. Henceforth I will provide you with up-to-date information about whatever goes on around here.¡±

    ¡°Will you, Kora? I want to know if you will genuinely be loyal to me.¡±

    ¡°I swear by my dead mother, your highness.¡±

    I blinked. Her mother was dead? ¡°Your mother is dead?¡± I voiced my concern.

    ¡°Y-yes, Your Highness. That was why the King epted me to work here. She used to be a maid in the pce.¡±

    My heart reached out to her. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Kora. It was insensitive of me to make you say that¡±

    ¡°No, Your Highness. It was a long time ago, by the by, you didn¡¯t make me say it.¡±

    ¡°Stand up, Kora. There is no need for you to knee.¡±

    She stood and dusted her knees. ¡°Thank you, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Atr you friends with Merit?¡±

    I see her countenance shift, looking ufortable with the question. ¡°Yes, Your Highness. She is the head of the Dektans which_¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Kora. You don¡¯t need to exin. Let me know when she lived in the pce.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± She bowed and veered around to leave.

    I was about to stop her and ask about the uing ball, then I paused, my hands lowering down to myp. There will be no need for that. Let me observe her new loyalty and see how it yed out.

    As the door swung open, Ashton strolled in, resulting in Kora moving back with her head bowed. Once he was inside, she didn¡¯t waste time scurrying off.

    ¡°Ate you okay?¡± He asked me, approaching slowly.

    ¡°Yes.¡± I nced down at my hands, recollection my initial anger at him.

    ¡°Your countenance doesn¡¯t say that.¡±

    I stood abruptly, making my way to the wardrobe. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡± He uttered amid a chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t recall pissing off. What have I done this time?¡±

    With my hands on the door of the wardrobe, I pushed it closed a bit to peer at him. ¡°Did you get back with me because you knew your mother wasing?¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    ¡°Answer me, Ashton. It was all a ploy, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t get you, little wolf. Why will you think that.¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s the truth. You hate me, I know that. All of a sudden you are all sweet with me. Why? Do you think I will not find out?¡±

    ¡°Find out. Find out what?¡± He took a step in my direction and I banged the door, jabbing a finger his way.

    ¡°Don¡¯te close. Stay there.¡±

    ¡°Gwen, you need to stop. I don¡¯t know what has you riled up or what my mother said to you, but you need to stop. We were making progress.¡±

    ¡°Until your cover blew! Tada.¡± I added cheekily, crossing my hands over my chest. ¡°So, if I were you, I would crawl back to wherever I came from because I¡¯m not allowing you to sleep here.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, little wolf, that¡¯s not possible.¡± He appeared beside me, taking my shoulders in his hands. ¡°You are mad at me, fine I get it. But, we can¡¯t sleep separately. Mom will know.¡±

    ¡°And so? How is that supposed to bother me, Ashton?¡±

    ¡°I swear, you are wrong on this one, Gwen. I never got back to you because mother wasing.  I am not that desperate.¡±

    ¡°Then why did you not kick her out like you promised me?¡±

    ¡°I did. I told her but she was adamant about staying. I know I messed up with her, Gwen. It¡¯s all my fault she doesn¡¯t take me seriously anymore and I am d Mom helped me on this one. I swear, I never thought about that.¡±

    I sighed, my eyes flicking close to take a deep breath. ¡°Fine, Ashton. Maybe I was overthinking things.¡± I admitted, pulling away to grab my robe and stride to the bathroom.

    ¡°Can Ie?¡± He asked. ¡°You look tense. You probably need a strong massage.¡±

    ¡°What I need is to think away from you, Ashton,¡± I said, mming the bathroom door.

    Two minutester, the asshole was seated behind me on the tub, massaging oil into my shoulder des. It felt so good and rxing. I shut my eyes andid back in him to unwind.

    ¡°You like?¡± He whispered.

    ¡°I love it, Ash.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d.¡±

    His hands yed in circles down my des towards my cleavage and backwards. In that motion. I could feel the tension building between my legs. So much for thinking away from him.

    ¡°You could always talk to me, little wolf.¡± He husked in my right ear, sending goosebumps riding my entire arms. The water beneath us was hot, yet it felt like I was drowned in chilled water.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to be positive with us,¡± he went on. This time when his finger slid down my front, instinctively, I pushed my chest up, craving him to go lower. My nipples were as hard as a rock and needed to be sucked.

    ¡°I-I-yeah¡­ I mean, I will¡­ fuck, Ash. I will try.¡± My right hand, resting on his outstretchedp began touring. It traced faint lines on his hairyp, steadily climbing up. I felt him twitch, a groan crumbling down his chest.

    ¡°What did Mother say to you?¡±

    He packed my breasts and fondled, moulding and letting go, to repeat the motion. But he didn¡¯t touch my nipple area.

    ¡°Nothing much¡­ please, lower,¡± I begged shamelessly. I needed it. I was bing very wet and at any moment I might burst.

    ¡°I¡¯m the one in charge, little wolf. Don¡¯t order me.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ Im sorry¡­ Oh, yeah.¡± He flicked his thumbs over my nipples and I shot up, giving up on my constraint. I want him so badly. And right now. I flipped about to straddle him, and before he would protest, my hand found his hard cock and grasped it, repaying his wickedness.

    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m not through_¡± I kissed him, shutting him up. My hip ground on him, and when I couldn¡¯t take it any more, I lifted up slightly and slipped down his massive length.

    ¡°Yeah, just like that.¡± I started moving, going up anding down. He took my waist, his ocean blues connected with mine as hemenced assisting my movement.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    The bathroom was foaming with our moans and the temperature felt at the highest. I was on the verge of reaching the brink. I clutched a handful of his hair and tugged tightly as he hit a spot and I came undone with him.

    ¡­

 Chapter 94

    **ASHTON**

    ¡°Are you even listening to what I am saying?¡± Williams tapped the desk in front of me.

    I was jostled from my pleasant thought only to smile at him. ¡°Mmm? What?¡±

    Williams appraised me, his eyes narrowed at me. ¡°Start spilling.¡±

    ¡°Spilling what?¡± I demanded, adjusting in my chair so he didn¡¯t see therge bulge I was spotting. How was I supposed to start telling him that the man sitting before him was no longer the man he used to know? Once more, I was allowing myself to get blown away by a werewolf.

    Scratch that.

    I have an idea that this happened a long time ago. I was the one evading it, pretending to be unaffected when of course I was down the ocean, drowned by the goddess¡¯s own ropes. This is too good to be real.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°Tell me what has you glowing like this?¡± He drew out the chair in front of my desk and sat down, taking the bottle of Madeira to pour arge potion for himself. ¡°I have been noticing it, don¡¯t give me crap. At first, I was like, let me give you some time to confide in me. Since that ain¡¯t forting, I am obliged to ask.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Williams,¡± I took the ss and sipped, clucking my to gue. ¡°Let¡¯s just say my eyes are finally opened.¡±

    ¡°Open? Opened to what?¡±

    ¡°Everything, Will.¡± I reeled. ¡°Everything y¡¯all have been trying to make me see.¡±

    His eyes squinted in reflection. ¡°Does this have to do with Gwen?¡±

    ¡°And I never thought you a nipoop, Williams.¡± Iughed out, pouting my ss at him. ¡°Why did it take you so long to dissect.¡±

    ¡°Ehe, I knew it. I would have sworn it wasn¡¯t in my head the way I have been seeing you looking at her. It had a different fare to it.¡± He quipped. ¡°So, tell me, what changed?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the exact question I have been asking myself, Will. I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess.¡± He tilted forward. ¡°She grew the balls to call your bluff, and then you realized you were about to lose her to the rogue and decided to act fast.¡±

    I grimaced. ¡°The rogue is my sister¡¯s mate. I would never be scared of him stealing my mate.¡±

    He scoffed. ¡°Then what? That has to be it. Have you perchance forgotten mates leave each other for others? Have you forgotten what happened to Gideon?¡±

    A distinct kind of fear settled in my chest. My case can never be like that. Gideon used to be one of our friends growing up. He exiled himself after his mate left him for a lower-ranking Lycan saying she was in love with him. Our friend could not take it and had to leave. He was so much in love with her and couldn¡¯t best the heartbreak.

    ¡°Are you praying for such fate to befall me?¡± I asked with a tinge of grump.

    ¡°I am merely saying you should tell me the truth. It¡¯s only the two of us here, there¡¯s no need to lie.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Okay, you win. I have always liked her, Will. I assumed she was like Emma which was why I wanted to make her life miserable so she would leave.¡±

    ¡°And now?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s different, Will. I didn¡¯t recognize it until I was about to lose her.¡±

    Williams nodded in understanding, taking his ss to chug down the content. ¡°I understand, Ash. You are on the right path.¡±

    ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Yea, Ash. Gwen is a very good woman and a great Queen too. She is kind, tolerant and very forgiving. She is what the Kingdom needs. What you need.¡±

    ¡°I agree with you, my friend.¡± A certain event flickered past my memory. ¡°You know, thinking about it now, she is brave too. Imagine going to the human territory to plead for peace despite knowing how risky that was.¡±

    ¡°That too.¡± He jeered. ¡°I like her.¡±

    I growled.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, mate, not like that. I already have someone I like in that way.¡±

    My ears pricked. Williams was in love with someone and I didn¡¯t know. ¡°Pray, tell.¡±

    He was shaking his head before I wouldnd. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you for now, I¡¯m sorry.¡± He grabbed the sheets that had been lying dormant in front of us and pped them closer to me. ¡°You have to approve that ASAP. Themittee need tomence nning.¡±

    I took the sheets and skimmed through them. Satisfied with the numbers, I took my pen and scribbled my signature. ¡°There, they can go ahead.¡± I pushed it back to him. ¡°Now, tell me who is this mystery woman.¡±

    ¡°I told you I¡¯m not telling you for now, man, I¡¯m serious.¡± He stood up, picking up the sheets. ¡°When the time is ripe, you will be the first to know.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I trust you.¡±

    With a single nod of acknowledgement, he disappeared from my office.

    I stayed there for a few minutes, drolling about my mate, wishing I knew where she was so I could go to her, but then, knowing she wouldn¡¯t like that. She took the pack¡¯s business too seriously and with Mom around, they were a perfect match.

    ¡°Urgh!¡± I swung down the remaining drinks and dumped the ss, sitting up. I couldn¡¯t wait for the ball toe and go so I could have my mate to myself away from Mother¡¯s constant intrusion.

    I left the study. I needed a stroll.

    I made my way to the stables to check in the stable hands and the horses. They weren¡¯t there, meaning they were out for training.

    Save for Striker.

    There he was nibbling on dry hays, his ears perked when he heard me approach. We have grown used to each other presence in a short while. ¡°I see you are having fun, huh?¡± I greeted him, scratching his left ear. He neighed and poked his muzzle on my face. A form of greeting as well as asking if I brought something.

    And fortunately for him, I always have something for the ck good boy. I produced an apple and fed him. While he ate, I went to bring a brush and clench cutter. His hooves are due for cut.

    At seeing them, he neighed in protest, shifting from his position. I opened the shed and let him out, folding the cuffs of my coat.

    I particrly liked the weather. Sunny but not hot. The weather was tranquil like my heart. I wished my mate was here.

    It was not an easy task, but with caution and multiple apple bribery, I was able to get Striker to be still and allow himself to be pampered. I took his front hoof and started the hectic task of vacating the excess hooves. Midway to it, my nostrils caught the pungent smell of Gwendolyn. I stopped, standing straight to sniff the air.

    It was very close.

    And sooner, she materialized with one of the stable hands, speaking in a hushed tone. At seeing me, her eyes dted in surprise then she waved the boy off.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you,¡± She said, cing her hands in her coat pocket. They fit her so well. Brown brought out her eye colors. Fuck, everything fucken does great magic on her. She made a duck designer look smooth.

    And now she had to see me looking like shit.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you either.¡± I dropped the cutter and raved my eyes around her. ¡°You look beautiful.¡±

    She blushed. ¡°Thanks, you too.¡±

    I knew that was a lie, but I didn¡¯t contend. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I was strolling and came across the boys. So, I asked him to give me a tour and you know, tell me the names of the horses. He said the King¡¯s favourite was back here and came to introduce me to him.¡± Our proximity was thin by now. ¡°Can I join you?¡±

    ¡°No, this is not for you. It would soil your dress.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I want to help.¡± She began folding her sleeves. ¡°Besides, you are fully kitted doing it. Don¡¯t you have work clothe or something?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t n to do this. Was an abrupt decision.¡±

    ¡°Cool, then let¡¯s utilize it. It would be an awesome pastime.¡±

    She brushed him while I cut his hooves. And surprisingly, Striker didn¡¯t protest. He tended to bond with her instantly for first-timers. And Striker I knew, was a picker. And very jealous too.

    It ended up I enjoyed myself greatly.

    When we were done, we were sweating profusely. And the evening had arrived.

    ¡°Want to go swimming?¡± I asked her.

    ¡°Swimming? I have never used the Pce pool and undressing outside, it¡¯s kind of awkward.¡± She swept her strayed hair behind her right ear.

    ¡°No, silly.¡± I fitted back all the stirrups. ¡°I meant outside. In a real stream.¡±

    ¡°Is there a real stream?¡± Her eyes crinkled in excitement.

    ¡°It¡¯s a secret I¡¯m only introducing it to you. Which means nobody is allowed to know about it.¡±

    ¡°Deal.¡± She giggled. The sound was soothing.

    I assisted her to climb on Striker and followed after her, and slowly we made our way out of the pce.

    ¡­

 Chapter 95

    **THIRD POV**

    (GWEN¡¯s FORMER PACK)

    There was a steady knock at the front door causing Salome to pause from stirring the flour on the bowl, trying to listen. Was it her ear or someone was at the door? She wondered.

    Her husband couldn¡¯t possibly have forgotten something, did he? He merely left five minutes ago, to get the carpenter for a dent she made in the cab this morning during their quarrel.

    She caught a scent. An unfamiliar scent.

    ¡°Who is there?¡± She called out, dropping the spat and dusting her hand on the apron. ¡°I¡¯ming.¡±

    Theresa had long moved out into the Alpha¡¯s house to be with her mate, leaving her and Kent the only upant of the house. Unless they areing for a visit as they usually do every three days.

    She reached the door and twisted the key to the left the door opened. And a stranger stood there.

    ¡°Hello,¡± Salome greeted, trying to recall where she had met the man before. Nothing came to mind.

    ¡°Hello, is this number 25?¡± He asked, looking around the balcony. He was a very tall andrge man with ck matted hair and sharp gazelle eyes. He reminded her of their Lycan neighbours and of course that was an insane thought as no Lycan would dare cross the border to their own end owing to their lifelong disagreement.

    ¡°Yes,¡± She agreed. ¡°How may I help you?¡± She secretly sniffed him in, her senses clouded with confusion as to why his scent was obscured.

    ¡°May Ie in? I have some important information you would like to hear.¡±

    Salome¡¯s first instinct was to be suspicious of him mostly because he didn¡¯t smell like one of them. He might be an enemy and at this period of the year when the full moon was ripe at them, enemies are known to go rogue.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t let you into the house.¡± She closed the door and stood outside it, ready to attack if he tried anything stupid. Her mate might not be home and if this man thought she was weak and defenceless then she was bound to shock him. ¡°Who did you say you are again?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    He grinned. ¡°I understand your scepticism about me but how about I tell you that I am here because of your daughter?¡±

    Salome took in a sharp breath, her hands twitching by her side. ¡°What happened to Theresa? And who do you think you_¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about your other daughter. Gwendolyn.¡±

    Abruptly, tears gathered in Salome¡¯s eyes. Finally, they are going to destroy what was left of her heart by telling her her daughter was dead, she thought. She was ready for it. After waiting, searching, crying and praying for three months, she had made up her mind that whenever the pack police came with bad news she would be ready to hear it.

    No wonder he smelled different. The pack police were known to mask their scent.

    ¡°Please, doe in,¡± She opened the door, inviting him in. ¡°Sorry, I was just being cautious.¡± She directed him to a couch in the living room. ¡°What may I get you?¡±

    ¡°I am not here to stay for long. I have other errands to run.¡± He looked at his wristwatch before he grazed her another smile that made Salome¡¯s stomach churn. If he was here to break her heart he should just get it over with for goodness sake. What was with the senile smiles?

    ¡°Have you found my daughter? I-is she still alive?¡± Her voice cracked, tears clogging there. She didn¡¯t know she could be this broken until she lost her daughter.

    She could remember that very day. It was like yesterday when the goddess decided to turn her back on them by first depriving Gwen of the one gift granted to every child at Eighteen. They knew the impact would be great, but they never expected her to take things that tough.

    They had made up their mind to go through the process of siding with their darling child, praying and hoping that a miracle would happen. Of course, they didn¡¯t expect it to be easy. There were bound to be several segregations from others; foul eyes, foul mouth and to top it all off, heartbreak for their child particrly when the sister had to be mated to the love of her life.

    They had tried to talk Theresa out of marrying Julian which proved abortive. It appeared their younger daughter had a thing for Julian and was overjoyed with the oue.

    They are even expecting their first child.

    ¡°The Queen is alive and good.¡±

    ¡°The Queen?¡± Salome went to sit down opposite him, her interest piqued. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Mrs Gwendolyn Mcgregor, mated to King Ashton Mcgregor is now the Queen of the Chronicles,  home to the most powerful Lycans in the world.¡±

    Salome¡¯s jaw dropped. Her daughter was mated? To a King? A Lycan? How? ¡°Do you mean¡­¡± She stood and went to pluck a frame containing a picture of Gwen smiling brightly during her graduation. ¡°My child. Gwendolyn?¡±

    ¡°Very well. Of course, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    And now it all made sense, Salome thought. This man was not one of them. He was not a werewolf but a Lycan. Her daughter is now a Queen in the Lycan Kingdom? Tears filled her eyes and dropped down her face.

    Why did she not care to inform them? Did they mean so little to her that she didn¡¯t care about them? She didn¡¯t care about how much they will miss her. Of how her abrupt missing would affect them.

    Her marriage to Kent had suffered a great slop since Gwen went missing. Salome couldn¡¯t help but me her husband for what happened. If only they stayed back to bring her home. If only they did this or did that. The me went on and on, meanwhile, their child was in an enemy territory, living her best life.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was thinking this would be news of happiness to you,¡± The man said at seeing the tears pouring down her face.

    ¡°Did she put you up to this?¡± Salome asked, standing up with the picture clutched to her chest. ¡°Did she send you to us?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± the man stood. ¡°She has absolutely no knowledge of my presence here.¡±

    ¡°How could she? How could she do this to us?!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ma¡¯am, I am only a messenger sent to inform you that your daughter was in good hands. Perhaps, when you meet her someday you can ask her yourself.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this,¡± Salon cried out, falling to her knees her body shook. She had lost weight crying every night, missing her baby girl and praying her eyes out for the goddess to make her see her one day. She even gave up, starting to despise the goddess for taking her away.

    And now, only to realize that she was alive and had hidden from them. She did this intentionally! But why?

    ¡°Salome?¡± A voice asked from the entrance foyer, followed by a loud growl. ¡°Who are you and what are you doing here? What did you do to my mate?¡± Kent charged forward but at the speed of light, Salome stood and blocked her husband.

    ¡°She¡¯s alive,¡± Was the first statement she made.

    ¡°W-what? Who¡¯s alive?¡± He asked her, eyeing the man suspiciously. Kent¡¯s eyes flicked to the picture in her hand, his heart twisting inside.

    His wife would never forgive him. She pretended to see him, but the disappearance of their little girl left a huge dent in their lives that only a miracle could correct.

    ¡°H-he said she¡¯s alive.¡± Sheughed through her tears. ¡°Can you believe that? Our girl is a Queen now.¡±

    ¡°Queen? Of where?¡±

    ¡°The Lycans.¡± She broke into a derisiveughter. ¡°Do you believe him? Our girl left us to be a Queen to our enemies. She hates us. What did we do to deserve that.¡±

    ¡°You have to leave now,¡± Kent said to the man, taking his trembling wife by the shoulders to drop on the nearby settee. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are or what gave you nerves toe here and feed us such unscrupulous news, but you have to leave or I will call the pack guards.¡±

    ¡°Fine, I will leave.¡± The man stood and made his way to the table to drop a card. ¡°Call me whenever you are ready to meet your daughter.¡±

    Salome rushed forward and grabbed the card, but her husband was fast to snatch it from her. ¡°Sal, look at me. He¡¯s bluffing. We are going to find her, you hear me? I¡¯m going to do everything in my power to bring back our little girl.¡±

    ¡°He might be right. She might be there.¡±

    ¡°She would have been shredded apart the moment she set her leg there. It can¡¯t be her.¡±

    ¡°Still, can¡¯t we just hope?¡±She sobbed, holding his two hands. Kent felt bad that his once bubbly wife had to look this way. And he hated the goddess the more for taking their girl away from them.

    Once he managed to soothe andy her in bed, he returned back to finish the food she was making and while at it, he paused in thought, brought out the card to peruse, pondering intensely.

    What if¡­

    ¡­

 Chapter 96

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Slow down, asshole!¡± I careened, tightening my hands on Ashton¡¯sp on the horse, my eyes wide with fear.

    Two times I had ridden this same horse but didn¡¯t experience this level of fear as a result of how quietly I used it. And Ashton thought this was my first time being on it. Ha!

    He cackled withughter behind me, his left hand shooting out to embrace me to him and enjoyed how I was quick to rx, holding no resistance. ¡°Rx, little wolf, I¡¯ve got you.¡±

    I scoffed. ¡°Anything could happen. The wind has done rogue.¡±

    ¡°That is because it¡¯s going to rain tonight, babe.¡± The mount was still galloping fast, not holding a break. I was meant to enjoy it, but with the wind pping my hair about my face and warping my voice, it caused more cold than fun.

    ¡°Almost there.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure we can still swim under this weather?¡± I howled for him to hear.

    ¡°Definitely.¡± He pressed closer to my left ear. ¡°I would want to see you tremble with cold when I have my mouthtched onto your nipples¡± And I trembled. When it was not even time.

    Carefully, I scooted away from him, my hand still not moving from hisp. I wonder why the damn ce was still far for God¡¯s sake.

    After what seemed like forever, we cleared a dense path lined with thick shrubbery and Ashton jumped down, giving me a helping hand down.

    I looked around. ¡°Where is this ce?¡±

    He came to stand behind me and wrapped his hands around me, pressing me into his chest. ¡°It¡¯s my secret. Wait and see.¡± And started pushing me forward. ¡°Come on, Striker.¡±  He called after his horse who neighed and followed grudgingly.

    Dried nts cracked beneath our feet as we moved, the wind somehow slowed by now. The trees were whispering, contemting what we were doing in their territory. As for me, I was gobsmacked, raking my eyes about searching for any blue sign of water.

    And Ashton¡¯s hands on my waist were not helping matters at all.

    Eventually, I saw it.

    Nestled at the back of the billowing trees was arge mass of water, more than what he called a stream. There was a small cottage sitting in front of it and a nk that ran struggle to the river.

    It was breathtaking.

    I loved it.

    ¡°Is this where youe to hide away?¡± I purred in wonder, my eyes not leaving the water.

    It was like something from a movie. A ce I have always wished to be. A cottage by a river. More like a beach house.

    ¡°Sometimes. When I get overwhelmed with ptial responsibilities.¡±

    My mind went to after our wedding. Was this the ce he came with that bitch? My countenance altered, and then I recalled this was supposed to be a fun time and rapidly schooled my sentiment. I had to maximise these moments when Ashton was showing me another side of him. A side I have often desired to see. I shouldn¡¯t ruin it with things that mattered less.

    ¡°I like it, Ash,¡± I whispered, twisted around in his arms and cupped his cheeks. ¡°Thank you for showing me.¡±

    His brows creased as he gave me a smug smile. ¡°I knew you would love it.¡± He pecked my forehead and released me. ¡°Now, what would you say to a swim?¡±

    ¡°In this weather?! It¡¯s cold out here!¡± I giggled and jumped away when he made to catch me.

    ¡°No way are you not entering that stream with me, Mrs Mcgregor! Come here!¡± He chased after me as I ran, my legs tangling with the white sand and making me stumble a few times. My chest ached from excessiveughter and my lungs were starting to hurt from chills.

    I felt something smack my back which sent me sprawling on the ground. I curled on the floor, stillughing as Ashton reached me and bent over me.

    ¡°Must you be stubborn all the time, woman?¡±

    I took a fist of sand and hauled at him and as he dodged I took the time to stand up, but I guess he was too fast for me and was soon pining me to the ground, my back to the ground.

    ¡°Just five, little wolf. Game over.¡± I did, my chest still rising and falling from over-exertion and tension from our close proximity.

    ¡°Fine,¡± I sighed, sprawling my hands out.

    He stood up, shifted away and began undoing his garters, starting from his coat which he dumped on the floor.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I sat up on my hinges.

    He arched his neck to the left. ¡°You don¡¯t expect me to swim fully kitted.¡± His chest was bared. I gulped.

    ¡°Must you do it in front of me?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°I see you are turned on merely by looking at my bare torso. Ain¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Pervert!¡±

    He grinned. Gosh.

    He went for his trousers and I was on the floor. That¡¯s it.

    ¡°What? Escaping? You can¡¯t endure it? Do you need me to touch you already?¡±

    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, Ash.¡± I walked faster away from him.

    When I turned again, he was totally bare and was barreling towards me. I shook my head as he reached me, swung me off my feet and ran down the nk and thump! We went down the water.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I battered his chest with my balled fist, fighting to take in arge gust of air. He surfaced from the water with me still in his hand and I gulped in before we were immersed once more.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to die¡­¡± The statement ended with me dragged down and I wed at him, not wanting to lose him. The chill was too much and his body was the only warmth I had. ¡°Please, stop.¡±

    He let go and I swam away from him, surfacing to catch my breath. ¡°Asshole!¡± I shouted over my voice in a yful feat.

    ¡°I¡¯ming for you!¡± His voice was masked by the water current making it eerie.

    I ran. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Iughed harder.

    I can¡¯t remember whenst I had so much fun.

    His hands came about my waist and mmed me t against him. ¡°You pay for insulting a King, little wolf.¡±

    ¡°The King is a pervert.¡±

    ¡°And you are my prisoner!¡±

    Oh, that sounded so hot in my ear I moaned. He moved from my ear to my neck and kissed it, and I tilted my neck to the side to give him extra room.

    ¡°Look at how pliant you are in my arms, little wolf,¡± he groaned huskily, twisting me about. I peered at him through hoodedshes, seeking more of his masterful inspiration. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want to swim.¡±

    When his teeth grazed one of my veins, I threw my head back at the same time he let go and delved into the water.

    I paled, shame infiltrating my senses and inducing me to turn red. ¡°You¡­¡± I tucked one side of my lower lip into my mouth, plotting in my head the best way to get at him.

    Suddenly thunder sizzled across the sky, decorating to the other side. I jumped, pushing my hair back as I washed water off my face. ¡°Did you hear that? We have to leave before it starts raining.¡± I called out but Ashton was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°Ashton?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. My body tensed. ¡°Ashton?¡± No answer.

    I did a 360 around the water as my eyes scouted for him. Where is he? ¡°Ashton, if this is a joke you better stop it, I am not¡­¡±

    ¡°Whao!¡± He scooped me up and dumped me back with full force I let out a scream. ¡°I knew you would be scared.¡±

    What is this? Is this a child or what? I surfaced and pped his chest. ¡°You scared the hell out of me, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­¡±

    ¡°We have to leave. Rain is about to start.¡± The first drop thudded on my forehead followed by another. ¡°See?¡± While I was busyining, this man held my legs and dragged me down the depth of the water, ignoring myint.

    ¡°This is a good rain, baby,¡± he was saying. ¡°It¡¯s means we should y under the rain.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want that¡­¡± Something touched my leg. I froze. I hope that is not a fish. ¡°Ashton, are there fishes in this water?¡±

    ¡°Well, literally fishes belong to the water so¡­¡±

    ¡°Arh!!!¡± I howled, taking the water byrge strokes as I headed out. Fishes are here! Fishes are here! Was running through my head.

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Ashton was behind me, serenading me in his arms which I dly jumped on, making sure my legs were out of the water, tears in my eyes.

    ¡°I have a phobia for fish, Ash, please take me out of this water, I beg you.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Concern shed in his eyes as he began making his way to the nk. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me.¡±

    ¡°That was why I didn¡¯t want to enter the water.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, little wolf,¡± He vaunted out, circling me in his arms. ¡°I didn¡¯t know.¡±

    I huped. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s not your fault.¡±

    We sat there, rain pelting us as we watched the water calmly.

    ¡°We will pass the night at her cottage. We go back to the pce tomorrow.¡± He whispered sometimeter as he stood and gathered me in his arms to take me inside.

    And with my head on his shoulder, I nodded. ¡°Okay,¡± Imagining what the night held for us in this ce.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡­

 Chapter 97

    **GWEN**

    A loud pelt on the roof of the building was what woke me up the next morning. Very slowly I peeled my eyes open and shifted my head to the side to nce around my surroundings.

    The first thing I noticed was the imprable restriction around my waist which had me looking down at Ashton¡¯s massive naked chest, and when my eyes trailed upward, it was to meet his peaceful facade as he slept. For once, I was enthralled by his lovely sight, my eyes unfaltering from him. What a sweet sight to behold in the morning.

    I was still immersed when his alluring lips quirked to the side as he smiled, causing me to snap back and look away. Unfortunately, he had already caught me as his hands tightened around me when I tried moving away, his beautiful blues split open to peer at me. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you found me this attractive, mate, ¡± he growled lowly.

    I blushed. ¡°Stop feeling smug.¡± I smacked his chest and tried once more to move to the side but the next minute I found myself tumbling to the ground with himing ontop of me.

    ¡°Ash!¡±

    ¡°Shhhh¡­ just a moment.¡± He kissed my temple, encircling my chin to hold it to a spot. ¡°I want to fully take in this amazing sight.¡± Another kiss to my forehead.

    ¡°You tter me too much.¡± I was red all over my body and flushed to the toes.

    ¡°Whatever I say is nothing but the truth. You know that.¡±

    I rxed back and sighed. It was bright by now meaning we had slept into the morning. By now they might be worried about our absence at the pce. ¡°We have to get back.¡± My eyes travelled to one of the room windows, noticing for the first that the room was shrouded in a darkish-purple glow.

    His eyes followed mine, letting out a sigh as me. ¡°I have already informed Williams of our whereabouts. Besides, it¡¯s still raining we can¡¯t leave.¡±

    ¡°Since when did walking under the rain be a taboo?¡± Instinctively, my finger went to his hair to begin massaging. His hair was matted to his head, giving him a boyish look. His eyes were still foggy, wrinkles still delineated on his face; signs of sleep.

    He suddenly sat up in his full nudity and stretched out his left hand to me beckoning me to him. I was still naked too under the duvet. And slightly shy.

    Albeit, I braced up and sat up to ept his hand. He tugged me up from the bed towards the door.

    I giggled. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Come on!¡± He mmed the bedroom door after us and yanked me in the direction of the stairs. ¡°You just gave me an idea.¡±

    ¡°We are naked.¡±

    ¡°Who cares? It¡¯s just us in this ce .¡± We reached the foot of the stairs and and I held his arm to pull him back as my eyes racked through the room.

    Last night when we came in, we were ravishing ourselves that I didn¡¯t take the time to properly assess our location. All that mattered at that point was the lips and hands on my body and the magic that was being curated. An earthquake would have happened and I wouldn¡¯t have noticed.

    ¡°This ce is magnificent!¡± I let out, taking cognizance of the frameworks that lined the walls. My eyes paused in one.

    ¡°I knew you would like it.¡± Ashton¡¯s arms came about my naked midriff and ttened me against his naked one, unaware of my current curiosity.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± I questioned, nodding at the picture on the wall.

    He stiffened, his hands falling away. ¡°We have to go.¡± He took my right wrist and made for the door.

    ¡°Wait, Ashton.¡± He opened the front door to a sizzling thunder that reverberated through the sky. I trembled and hugged him in trepidation. ¡°Whao! That was dreadful!¡± I yelled, momentarily taken aback.

    ¡°Are you sure you want to do this?¡± He asked in my left ear.

    ¡°Do what?¡± I shouted loud enough for him to hear through the rain. I didn¡¯t want to forge ahead with my former inquiry as I recognized he was notfortable with it. Who could that be?

    ¡°y under the rain.¡±

    ¡°What! Are you crazy? Do you want us struck down by thunder?¡±

    ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon. You know that¡¯s never happening. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here to protect you.¡± In one yank, I found myself under the rain dragged after him.

    ¡°Argh! Ashton!¡± I swiped water from my face over and over again, giggling so loud my chest hurt. This felt so good. I have never yed under the rain. It was totally a good experience.

    ¡°What a wild idea.¡± I didn¡¯t leave his side.

    ¡°I knew you will love it. I used to do this with Abigail when we were little.¡± We stopped in the middle of the yard, his arms taking my hips to pull me closer. His cock was as hard as rock as he nuzzled my neck. I was cold as fuck, but with him close to me, his cock poking at my pussy, I felt warmer. I wanted him to do more than stand with me under the rain. I wanted us to make this experience crazier.

    I cupped his chin and shifted it until he was burning me with his gaze hence slowly I pulled his face down and took his lips. I needed him to sear me, brand me with his mark. I wanted, no, I needed this memory to forever remain in my head as vivid as my present.

    ¡°You sure you want to do this?¡± He husked into my lips. My response was to grab his cock and give a solid tug. He groaned like an animal and deepened the kiss.

    Like a moth to a me, my body gummed to his, my hands engulfing his neck and drawing him closer. I couldn¡¯t get enough of him.

    The rain was pelting down on us but we didn¡¯t care, all we cared about was satiating this feeling that was ravaging us. I didn¡¯t know if I was allowed to think for Ashton, but that was exactly how I felt. Too hot, yet so cold.

    I shivered. Ashton tore his lips away, his hungry clogged eyes taking me in. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    I yanked his head down back. ¡°Shut up and kiss me.¡±

    That was all we did. We were naked, under the rain. We didn¡¯t do nought else but kiss. It seemed as if what we couldn¡¯t say to ourselves was much rted through that kiss which went on for so long.

    A long time after Ashton scooped me up and took me back into the house, my teeth were ttering and I was giggling like a baby. I couldn¡¯t recall whenst I was this happy.

    ¡°Sit down there let me make you something to warm you up,¡± Ashton said to me as he ced me on the sofa and wrapped a thick nket around me.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    I arched my brow in astonishment. ¡°You want to make me something? Can you even cook?¡±

    He paused at the entrance to the kitchen and signalled me to watch and see and with a pant-shifting wide grin, went into the kitchen. I was awestruck.

    Is this the same Ashton Mcgregor?

    Oh, goddess if this is all a dream, please don¡¯t wake me from it. First, he brought me here, a special ce to him. And before that, he has been acting adorably. What must have changed?

    Could it be truly because I tried to leave him?

    Or because of his mother¡¯s presence as I initially suspected. But no, he denied that.

    So, what?

    He hates me!

    I didn¡¯t want to be immersed in this new side of him only for him to turn around and go back to his former ugly side. I might finally die from heartbreak.

    ¡°Did you hear what I said?¡± He drew my attention to the door of the kitchen where his head was stuck out from, still grinning.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You want sugar or milk in your coffee?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ milk.¡±

    He snapped his two fingers at me. ¡°I got you!¡±

    Like a surprised dog, my head tilted to the side.

    Soon, I stood up from the sofa and then tightened the nket around me to take a tour. I was bored, and since it appeared we would be spending a lot of time here until the rain abated, I had to get busy.

    The cottage was not all that embellished. Just a few decorations here and there. In fact, it looked like a lot of things were removed as there were still marks on the walls and vacant spaces between furnishings.

    But why?

    I didn¡¯t know why but I felt awkward.

    I inched closer to the artworkid sequentially on the wall at the far corner of the room. It was separated from the others. And when I reached in front of it, instantaneously I felt a stab of jealousy.

    Ashton was smiling broadly while holding a woman..

    The same woman I saw her artwork earlier that Ashton had evaded my question.

    Now more than ever, I wanted to know who she was and what right she had to make my mate so happy.

    Wait, could this be¡­ Emma?

    ¡°What are you doing there?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 98

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Who is this woman?¡± I asked straight ahead, gesturing to the artwork.

    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as his eyes flicked there and drifted to me. ¡°Not someone that is important.¡± Gone was the smile in its ce was a scowl and his voice gruff. This was a danger zone. A topic he might not like to discuss.

    I sighed. ¡°Do you want to talk about it? Her?¡± I already knew who it was. It had to be.

    The veins on his forehead protruded as his eyes lowered to his hands and shook his head. He looked so vulnerable. I have never seen him like that. This woman must have really broken his heart.

    ¡°Look, Ashton.¡± I started, leaving my position to step close to him. ¡°I¡¯m not going to force you to say something. But you should know whenever you are ready to talk about her or anything, I am willing to listen to you.¡± I reached him and took his hands in mine. ¡°That¡¯s what mates are for.¡±

    His downcast eyes lifted to mine and held. Saying nothing in response. I know I should suggest he brought down the pictures of her in order to heal faster, but I didn¡¯t want him to think I was rushing him. It¡¯s a soft process. Slow and steady and I hope we get there.

    ¡°Do you still love me?¡± He asked me, squeezing my fingers. ¡°You said thest time you hated me. Was that because you were mad at me or¡­¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s take the process one step after the other, Ash. And I don¡¯t hate you. I was only¡­¡± Emotions chugged down my throat causing me to halt as I recalled our fallout. My rejection and his response. It was like the same way he rejected me the first time we met and my blunt answer of No.

    ¡°Your food is ready.¡± He loosened up and bent down to scoop me in his arms in a bridal style.

    ¡°Put me down!¡± I quipped, and at the same time the nket fell off and chilly air whipped my skin.

    He didn¡¯t relent until he got to the dining and ced me in a chair and my protest died down abruptly as the aroma of the sumptuous food attacked my nostrils. And before you know it, my stomach rumbled.

    I turned crimson in embarrassment. ¡°Ignore that,¡± I quickly said.

    He let out a rich baritone of chuckles as he drew out the chair next to me and sat down. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will take care of you.¡±

    He served me a te of steaming spaghetti while I savoured my cup of coffee. When I set the cup down, I took my spoon and began eating in earnest. One spoon and my eyes widened in awe. Unbelievable!

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you made this,¡± I uttered with my mouth full, mesmerized by how good the food tasted. Howe?

    He shrugged proudly. ¡°I like cooking, you know.¡±

    ¡°You like cooking?¡± I was taken aback. ¡°How did you learn to cook, then? Literally, everything in the pce is done by others.¡±

    He took his time to reply. ¡°As I said earlier, this ce is myfort zone. Most times when I am overwhelmed by Kingdom duties, I sneak off here to cool off. During those times, I have to fend for myself.¡± I was indeed stupefied. To say as a King he didn¡¯t opt for the service of someone to help him do those things said a lot about him.

    Who is Ashton? Is he truly the man he portrayed to me all these months or as his sister said, he was a good man hurt and now channels that hurt to me to make me feel what he felt from his past lover¡¯s betrayal?

    If only he could confide in me.

    I smiled. ¡°I¡¯m d you learned well.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± He snickered in between eating. Some of the food even left his mouth, but instead of irritating me, I found it enticing. This is the man I want to be with. The man of my dreams. Free with me, and himself without all that King stuff. ¡°You don¡¯t know how to cook?¡± He asked, and then he rolled his eyes.

    ¡°I do.¡± I deadpanned. ¡°I used to assist my¡­ mom in the kitchen when I was back home. In fact, my sister was thezy one in the house.¡± As I spoke, the memories flooded like a river. It brought a sad smile to my face. Talking about it now, I think Theresa had something against me back then. For one reason or the other, she was often snobbish or even had a biting remark.

    At first, I felt maybe it was because I was the popr one, everywhere we went, people tend to rte with me more than they did her. It looked as if she existed in my shadows. However, I never made her feel like that. I loved her, and in everything I did, I put her first, including doing all the chores I knew naturally, she was supposed to do.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    Fuck that, I think it¡¯s all in my head. Theresa is just that kind of person. It¡¯s just her, nothing personal.

    She loved me too, there was no way she couldn¡¯t. We were sisters!

    ¡°Ummm,¡± Ashton¡¯s grunt brought me back, my eyes blinking repetitively at him. ¡°Your family must have been a lovely one.¡± He said thoughtfully. ¡°You care to share about them?¡±

    Usually, I would not want to discuss my family seeing as I was not even sure if they were truly my family, but then,  it woulde off like I was hiding something from him, so I shrugged a yes. ¡°Well, we were like the normal cliche family.¡± I dropped the spoon on the table, having wiped the contents of the te. ¡°My Dad¡­ he was the best Dad in the world. My best friend. Though, I had another best friend I think I was closer to my Dad. He was the Beta of my pack.¡±

    ¡°The Beta? You mean you have a Beta¡¯s blood? Like, a Beta female?¡±

    I nched. ¡°Uh¡­ umm, I can¡¯t tell for now because¡­¡±

    ¡°Because you haven¡¯t shifted yet,¡± he finished.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ that,¡± I mumbled in a weary tone. I was ashamed. This was my present weakness. My Achilles. My greatest fear. When he said it like that it made me feel less of who I was supposed to be. It made me question my existence more and made me realize that maybe the family I thought was mine might end up not being mine after all.

    Then, who am I?

    I trembled as I felt a warm hand ced over mine on myp. I didn¡¯t know I had drifted out until now.

    I gathered the courage to look up and met with Ashton¡¯s concerned perusal. ¡°I don¡¯t judge you. And thest time you told me about¡­ those things about your past, I felt like a bastard for the manner I treated you. You didn¡¯t deserve that.¡±

    Tears stung the corners of my eyes. I didn¡¯t want to shed them so I bit down on my lower lip. ¡°Thanks. But yes¡­ You were a jerk back then. I regretted telling you.¡±

    He chuckled, taking back his hand and facing his food. He liked taking his time to eat, I have noticed. ¡°I deserve that.¡±

    ¡°So¡­?¡± He drawled.

    ¡°Yes¡­ My mother is sweet and kind and very understanding, though I think she favours my sister over me, the way my Dad does me.¡± This time I giggled, recollecting the times when my mother took my sister¡¯s side over mine and how Dad would precede like a wall of Abishama to fight for me. I missed him so much it hurts.

    I wonder how he felt after I went missing. I pray it wasn¡¯t that drastic. He might not be my biological father, yet he loved me so much. It made me feel guilty for leaving like that and felt perhaps, he didn¡¯t deserve that from me. None of them did.

    ¡°So, that day you came here¡­¡±

    I took my ss of water and chugged down and when I dropped it, my hand didn¡¯t leave it. I contemted deeply telling him about my secret. He was my mate and if I desired him to open up to me, then I should lead the way.

    ¡°It was the day I had just found out I was unable to do what naturally was bestowed on me as a werewolf.¡± My voice came off stronger than I imagined. ¡°I couldn¡¯t shift. And that same day¡­ I lost my best friend, the one I thought was going to be my mate¡­ to my sister.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Once more he took my left hand on the table and squeezed infort. It produced a certain sensation inside me, a sensation that made me want to divulge everything to him, including what I overheard my parents saying that day when I reached home.

    It was an overwhelming sensation. It was possibly the bond. Because this was something I swore to take to my grave.

    ¡°Who was he?¡± He questioned unexpectedly. ¡°This person that broke your heart.¡±

    I opened my mouth and closed, snatching my hand back. My mind didn¡¯t go there. How was I supposed to tell him it was the same person he overheard me moaning his name in my sleep?

    He beat me to it. ¡°Julian?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 99

    **ASHTON**

    I was not supposed to feel a stab of jealousy as I watched my mate¡¯s head gradually bounce in agreement with my response. Since that day I overheard the name of that man, it unsettled me, the same way seeing Tyler close to her made me desire to murder him.

    I wanted more than anything to know who that man was, where he existed and how important he was to my mate, and if he still held a ce in her heart. Somehow when she was speaking, he was the first to cross my mind. And seeing the way she sighed sadly, her eyes pitched at the glossy table top, I understood from within that it was an answer obvious to the eyes.

    My mate was still in love with her first crush.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ashton,¡± She mumbled softly, ¡°Julian and I¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to tell me about him, little wolf,¡± I schooled myself to say, forcing on a smooth smile as she managed to gaze at me. ¡°We all have our past.¡±

    ¡°Like Emma?¡± She was fast to add. My hand which had located hers on the table to soothe her, dropped to my side as I nodded my head. It was my time to deem this ache in my heart I continuously felt each time I recalled the first love of my life.

    I didn¡¯t like talking about her because it would do nothing but open old wounds and cause me withdrawals. The first time she left, that day at the altar, for the next 1year, I lived in a delusional bubble I created for myself, believing she woulde back. My mother said I was being weak and not acting ordingly like the King she raised.

    I thought her coldhearted and did not understand the level of pain I was going through. Emma was a woman that made me for once want to be anything else but a King. She made me feel like a human. A real person without the titles and other things. I was carried away by her boisterousness, lively ensemble and too-sweet personality. For once I didn¡¯t think her a she-devil.

    A disaster waiting to happen.

    My mother saw through her and warned me on several asions, but I was in love, deeply, madly in love with her I had refused to listen. Refused to see through the eyes of others believing only in the perfect image I made out of her. I was only 25.

    That was until she left me that very day at the altar, before my people, the very people I wanted her to rule by my side. She tossed all that away, everything we nned together to make the wind, and to date, never returned.

    ¡°Ashton?¡±

    I swallowed, realizing I was allowing her to get to me once again. She was doing it; sneaking into my head and making me want to do hurtful things. Hurt others so they could feel what I felt inside of me. What others don¡¯t see! The monster the little vixen made me into!

    My right fist clenched and unclenched and only froze when I felt a warmer finger on top of them and remained. It was very calming, just like hers.

    ¡°Let her go, Ashton, for your own good.¡±

    ¡°Have you let yours go?¡± I questioned her, somewhere deep praying she had.

    ¡°He was not mine in the first ce,¡± she snickered; a sound that came out stifled. She was ying calm, and I liked her more for that. ¡°He is my sister¡¯s and I respect that. I will forever remember the childhood we shared and everything, however, I have learned to let go.¡±

    Are those words genuine? If the same man was to appear here in my Kingdon and wanted her back, is she going to still speak the samenguage? Or is she going to leave me for him?

    I don¡¯t think I would want that now that I have found her. The one who was going to make me forget the wretched wench, Emma. The balm to heal my long-borne wounds.

    ¡°I envy how swift you are to move on from the very people you im to have loved so dearly, Gwen¡­¡± I stood up and began gathering our tes. She joined me, from time to time flicking those Dole eyes at me.

    It did things to me as well as built a need inside that begged to be assuaged. A raw animalistic need.

    ¡°I have a new family and life to focus on, Ash.¡± She wasposed now. ¡°I told myself a long time ago to learn to move on fast with my present and only learn from my past so that I don¡¯t end up being swallowed up by the mistakes of my past.¡±

    ¡°What if that past is meant to guide you from repeating the same mistakes in the future?¡± I asked as we entered the kitchen and deposited the dirty dishes in the sink. I went forward to slide the window seal down to ward off shower that wind carried inside.

    ¡°We are saying the same thing.¡± She separated the filth from the tes, cing them in the trashcan. Then she proceeded to load the dishes in the dishwasher. I would have preferred we handled it manually, but I paused by the side enjoying watching how she worked. So dedicated.

    Strands of hair fell to the left side of her face and she tried to remove them but ended up causing a handful of others to join the band. She said something under her breath. She was absentminded.

    ¡°¡­ the most important thing is that we have our present and should take advantage of that.¡±

    ¡°What of the wounds that refuse to heal?¡± I crossed my legs, reclining against the counter directly behind her, with my right leg intersecting with the other.

    ¡°Ashton, I understand that your past is very delicate and something you don¡¯t want to talk about possibly as a result of how badly you were treated, but one thing I will tell you is this¡­ if you want to experience a beautiful future, then start letting go of things about her that reminds you of her.¡±

    What is she trying to say? I have nothing of Emma that reminded me of her. I made sure I disposed of everything of her, burnt and eliminated them all. I didn¡¯t want to see her dress, smell her, or an_

    Well, apart from her photos and frameworks. I recollected packing them all away and then I couldn¡¯t do it and had to bring them here. Is that what she was talking about?

    I decided not to tread in that path. The side of my left lip quirked and I nodded once. ¡°I will keep that in mind.¡±

    I pushed away from the counter to her and reached out to pack her hair behind her ears. I secured it so that there was no way it would leave its bound again.

    She trembled as my fingers mistakenly grazed her neck. It made me proud knowing how much I affected her. Even my mere presence had her quivering as if I were some walking bomb.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispered, grabbed a napkin, and wiped her hands as she finished unloading the dishes. I took them from the table to rece them in their cart, careful not to let anyone slip. This felt so good. And so natural.

    ¡°Are you sure your mother won¡¯t be worried about our absence?¡± As she asked, her voice wasced with concern. Her worry was justified. Knowing my mother, she was possibly gnashing her teeth of our absence, particrly at a time like this.

    And that ddened me to the core.

    ¡°No,¡± I took her two shoulders and massaged softly, guiding her to my former spot with her facing outside while I stood behind her. With the rain falling outside, the trees were sagged in defeat, their green dimming from the cold. I almost felt pity for them.

    ¡°Do you think the ball is going to go smoothly?¡± She purred, her shoulders rxing and her head bent to the side.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°I trust that whatever you and my mother organized is something that is going to be one of a kind. So, fret not.¡±

    Her right hand came up to touch mine on her left shoulder, her eyes not leaving outside. ¡°You have no idea how I feel when you say such adorable words to me.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, but I mean them.¡±

    ¡°And that is what makes them even more endearing.¡± She shifted to the side. ¡°Do you have any idea the people to be invited? Mother said it¡¯s not for everyone.¡±

    ¡°Most certainly,¡± I eased. ¡°Mother will acquaint you with our consistent list of invitees to the notable asion.¡±

    Her brow nted in perplexity. ¡°Why do you have to keep having the same people every year?¡±

    ¡°Because that is the tradition, little wolf.¡±

    ¡°Still, don¡¯t you get bored of the status quo? Seeing the same faces every year? If you ask me I will say we invite more people. New people. It will spice things up. Change the menu, the decorations, everything.¡±

    She had a point. But, the problem was, is my mother going to agree?

    ¡­

 Chapter 100

    **GWEN**

    No sooner had I arrived at my room the next day when we returned to the pce, the door busted open and there stood a furious Abby, her hands to her waist ring at me.

    ¡°Is that how it is now?¡± She started, the edge of her mouth quivering, showing how angry she was at me. ¡°You don¡¯t tell me stuff again.¡±

    ¡°I swear it was not nned, Abby.¡± I quickly dropped my shawl and took a stroll to her. ¡°It was a spur-of-the-moment decision orchestrated by your brother.¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have mindlink_oh, I¡¯m sorry I forgot_¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Abby.¡± I didn¡¯t let her finish. I knew as a supernatural creature mind linking was our simplest way ofmunication. Being unable to do that due to my unfortunate situation was none of her fault. ¡°I understand.¡±

    She lowered her hands with a sigh and covered the remaining distance to me. ¡°I was so worried and others too.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ we should have been back a day before yesterday but the rain¡­¡±

    ¡°That too.¡± She crossed me and moved to the chair to sit. ¡°Ohmg, you needed to see Mom. She was fuming. She kept mind linking Ashton and he refused to talk to her.¡±

    ¡°What! He didn¡¯t say that to me.¡± No wonder he was so nonchnt about it. Was he trying to use our situation to rile up his mother? That dickhead! ¡°If I had known I would have made him bring us back even if it required rolling through the storm.¡±

    She chuckled in a lighter tone and waved elegantly at me. ¡°That would be stupid. It¡¯s okay as you guys didn¡¯te under the rain. We were merely worried of your welfare as our King and Queen.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I intoned. I went to her and turned my back so she aided me to zip down. If Kora was to be here it would be her duty. ¡°Has there been any major activity?¡±

    ¡°Not much. Mom has prepared the list of invitees.¡±

    I moved in the direction of the wardrobe. ¡°Oh¡­¡± The gown dropped to the floor and I stepped out, packing it to dump in the Hampster. ¡°Will she let me go through it?¡±

    ¡°As a matter of fact, it is your duty which she merely needed to assist you in. She had to indulge in order to be distracted from your absence but she insisted you must review it as the Queen before it would be sent out.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­ that¡¯s nice.¡± It was followed by stripping from my undies and standing fully naked as I grabbed my robe and threw it on. Then I faced Abby. ¡°What do you think about having a new set of invitees for the ball? New invitees, new everything from what you guys have always done!¡±

    She seemed to reflect on it, her hand tapping on her chin. ¡°I will say that is amazing as far as the people invited are agreeable.¡±

    ¡°What kind of people are invited every year?¡±

    ¡°Just Lycan Chiefs from the other packs and their Betas. And then¡­ the Fairies. And that is only because in the history of our family, one of my grandfathers once married a fairy. So somehow they became a part of our family.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± I went to pick a bottle of water from the fridge and uncocked it, taking arge swig.

    ¡°Uhm¡­ yeah. Why asking?¡±

    ¡°What if we invite the humans? The¡­ Vampires? The were_¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t even go there, Gwen.¡± She was smiling as she said it. My idea sounded ridiculous, I could tell. ¡°These people you mentioned are a no-go area for the people. They will never agree to that.¡±

    ¡°But why? If we want to co-exist in peace don¡¯t you think we should begin by stretching the olive palm?¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard¡­ but I am going to try. I will tell your mother about it before I tell Ashton. If it doesn¡¯t work, I will still keep trying.¡± I concluded, fixing her with my resilient look. As the Queen of this Kingdom, I needed to sleep knowing that we lived in harmony with other creatures around us. I disliked fighting with anyone and hardly slept with my eyes closed if I had a beef with anyone.

    When I was in the werewolf Kingdom, if I happened to quarrel with anyone, I didn¡¯t hesitate to beg despite who was at fault. I let things go and stay happy. At least that way, I know that I have done my part.

    ¡°Okay, Gwen. I see what you want to do and I support you. Personally, I don¡¯t fancy quarrelling with the other creatures too, you know.¡± She giggled, shifting on her seat to look outside. ¡°So, tell me everything that happened there.¡±

    I bulked back in the bed, my body flushing from a reminder of all our ecstatic nights spent rolling under the covers. It appeared Ashton couldn¡¯t keep his hands off me. If not I insisted we leave today, he wanted us to spend one week there away from stress and interruptions.

    ¡°Okay, from those hidden grins, there is no way you are not barring my ears with a lot.¡± She left her space and reached mine in no time. ¡°Start spilling.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing much, Abby.¡± I giggled like a schoolgirl. ¡°Your brother¡­ I sense what you said about him was precise.¡±

    ¡°Which part?¡±

    ¡°That he was cool.¡±

    ¡°I knew it!¡±

    ¡°Recently, a lot has changed about him. He became more attentive, sweeter, caring, everything I can¡¯t even mention. It¡¯s as though I am finally having my dream man.¡±

    ¡°Where did he take you?¡±

    ¡°The house by the river.¡±

    ¡°No, way!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I was confused with her outburst.

    ¡°My brother literally never took anyone to that house. When I say no one. That ce was a secret for him particrly since¡­¡±

    ¡°She left him,¡± I mumbled.

    She sagged away from me, her face contorting. ¡°She ruined my brother in a big way, Gwen.¡±

    From all that has happened, I couldn¡¯t agree less. ¡°I saw her pictures.¡±

    Her eyes were on me, big like saucers. ¡°Those dratted images are still there?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I apanied my statement with a nod. ¡°He didn¡¯t tell me, but I just knew.¡±

    ¡°Everyone thought he had destroyed them. He promised he would.¡±

    ¡°Abby?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°This woman that your brother loved so much, can you tell me a little about her?¡±

    She stood, shaking her head. ¡°That is something I can¡¯t do, Gwen. I¡¯m sorry. Be patient. Someday, I believe my brother will confide in you everything you need to know about them. I know he would.¡±

    I was suspecting she won¡¯t anyways. So, I didn¡¯t push, only nodded and ced my hands by my side, tilting backward. ¡°I pray that dayes.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it would. If you don¡¯t know, I can see you are prating his skin faster than I thought. I see the way he sneaks looks at you when you don¡¯t even know.¡±

    My entire body was on fire. I clicked my tongue. ¡°In your dreams.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious!¡±

    ¡°Daah! How¡¯s Williams? How¡¯s Tyler?¡±

    ¡°Williams is fine, as for Tyler, I don¡¯t know about him. When he came here yesterday to deliver a message to Williams, his countenance looked broken.¡± I was up from the bed.

    ¡°Why? Did you ask him?¡±

    ¡°No, besides he was in a hurry to leave.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± I cracked my brain. Could it be that hisdylove has broken his heart? My poor friend, Ty. ¡°I have to see him, Abby.¡±

    ¡°Then, I will go with you. But before then, I think we need to see Mother, she asked for you.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell me!¡± I went back to the closet to sort for something to don. I settled for an olive-coloured simple afternoon gown since the former Queen forbids me from wearing trousers and tops- and then I grabbed the shawl I dropped before, wrapping it around my neck because of the cold. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    We made it down to her former private study which as custom demands is now mine but is irrelevant to me. I knocked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t panic,¡± Abby whispered to my right ear.

    ¡°Ou, she should be,¡± the former Queen said immediately after the door swung open. I froze. I have heard of how stern she was to people when they crossed her and one thing I had vowed was never to be a recipient of her wrath. But, here we are¡­

    ¡°Good day, Mother.¡± I managed to say.

    ¡°Come in.¡± She entered back, and we followed.

    ¡°As the Queen, Gwendolyn, you have little to no time for joyrides, did anyone ever tell you that?¡± She went straight to the point. No time for pleasantries, I get.

    ¡°No, Mother.¡±

    ¡°Well, that is why I am here now. I realize I was so rapid to leave the pce after you married my son that I didn¡¯t stop to think how you will cope with no one to direct your steps on how to be a perfect Queen.¡± As she spoke, she was seated elegantly with her chest up and her hands neatly ced on the knees of her crossed legs.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother.¡±

    ¡°I am not going to chastise you this time because we had an unfortunate situation which my son must have taken advantage of to irritate me. But next time, I won¡¯t tolerate such indiscipline!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± I repeated in a calmer tone. I have never felt more nervous in my life.

    ¡°Where is the King?¡±

    The door snapped open. ¡°Here I am¡­ Mother.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 101

    **GWEN**

    Have you imagined when two elephants are in the same room? The feeling of those beside them especially if they look like they are going to fight? That was how I felt as my mate walked into the room. And the annoying part of it was hisposure.

    He was grinning. Nonchntly.

    ¡°There is nothingical about the situation, Ashton.¡± His mother was at him.

    ¡°Life is simple, Mother. We make thingsplex for ourselves.¡± He came to sit beside me and took one of my hands. It was a mindless action, from what I could deduce.

    ¡°We have a ceremonying up!¡± His mother snapped.

    ¡°And everything is going to be fine, Mother. We have a team in charge of nning those kind of things. We don¡¯t need to meddle.¡±

    ¡°Is that what you think, Gwen?¡± As she asked me, I could see her eyes flick to our entwined fingers before lifting to my face.

    I shook my head. ¡°I am not of that school of thought, Mother.¡±

    ¡°Then, you see that the Queen needs to be avable all the time to make this work. I had to prepare the list in her absence.¡±

    ¡°Mother, that was not necessary.¡± I noticed his tone was pinched. ¡°That is a duty strictly reserved for the Queen.¡±

    His mother¡¯s eyes twitched as she shifted in her seat ufortably. ¡°Well, I know¡­ I had to do something to stop me from worrying over your absence.¡±

    ¡°You know, we are humans before we are leaders, Mother. Just because we left the pce doesn¡¯t mean we will disappear off the surface of the earth.¡±

    ¡°I know that too.¡±

    ¡°My wife needs to go through the list.¡±

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± I tried toe in.

    ¡°No,¡± The former Queen intervened, gesturing to me. ¡°He is right. You will need to see the list for approval. As a matter of fact, there it is on the desk.¡± She nodded to the deeper corner on top of the desk where piles of files were stacked. I was astounded. I have never used this ce. I was told about it, but I have never cared to be here.

    What was Iing in here to do? No, I will prefer being about than secluded to a spot doing goddess knows what.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if your maid informed you buting in every morning is part of your courtly responsibilities. There are files also meant for the Queen to approve of.¡± She schooled me.

    My mouth opened and shut and I noticed Ashton¡¯s finger tighten on mine.

    ¡°She will go through the file and sign on it, Mother.¡± Ashton helped me to say.

    I cleared my throat. ¡°Actually, I will like to speak to Mother about something very important. Concerning the list.¡±

    Something danced in her sharp blues, and also, the other two as they all looked at me. Finally, the former Queen said, ¡°Okay, I would have liked to listen now but I have an engagement. So, what if we do that this evening when I get back from my outing with my friends?¡±

    The eyes that were in me were soon on her. ¡°Friends?¡± Abby asked, surprised.

    The Queen stood up, squaring her jaws and body motion. ¡°Yes, child. I am no longer a Queen and am bound to havepany from time to time now. I am no ind.¡±  she made for the door, as smoothly as she could. ¡°Have a nice day, children. What happened should never repeat itself again.¡± With that, the door closed.

    Ashton exhaled loudly and slouched on the chair. ¡°That went better than I thought.¡± And I thought he was not fazed.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would be terrified,¡± Abby uttered in a mocking carriage.

    His head twisted to the side to scowl at her. ¡°What are you doing here by the way? Why are you not in your mate¡¯s house? Does mo_¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± I took his hand and kissed the back of it, close to his vein. I heard him groan and focused back on me.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked me, sitting up to cup my chin. ¡°Don¡¯t mind Mother. She can be¡­ too much. You already know that.¡±

    I sniggered nervously. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Abby stand. ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all,¡± I whispered.

    He leaned in and pecked my nose and then hesitated a while before taking my lips. I sighed into the kiss bing oblivious of my surroundings in a second as I was hauled away into fantasynd.

    When he pulled away, I was reeling from confusion, my head clouded with so much need. ¡°You didn¡¯t need to do that.¡± He kissed me again. But this time it didn¡¯tst.

    He stood up. ¡°I have to go now. You can attend to the file.¡± He nodded in the direction of the desk. ¡°I have a meeting with my elders and after that, I will be going for training with the stable hands and Williams.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­ and after?¡±

    ¡°I wille back to the pce. What about you?¡±

    ¡°I will be going to the temple after attending to the files, and then I will be heading to¡­ train. I need to train. With Abby.¡± I intentionally didn¡¯t mention going to visit Tyler. It was a red g for us.

    He bent down and kissed me once more before he left.

    After that, I rushed to peer through the file and the names delineated in them. I didn¡¯t know any of them so it didn¡¯t make much sense to me.

    There was a knock and Abby emerged. ¡°Can we go now?¡± She asked.

    I dropped the file and followed her out.

    On our way, I had the urge to ask, ¡°Do you think your brother¡¯s sudden change toward me is because of your mother¡¯s presence?¡±

    Abby snorted, kicking a pebble out of her way. ¡°You think? Perhaps, you should realize that my brother does not do what he doesn¡¯t want to do. Yes, he fears my mother, still, it doesn¡¯t stop him from being tenacious.¡±

    I desired to honestly believe it was because he wanted to give us a chance. And I am holding unto that. I seriously liked to believe that.

    ¡°I like how you guys are now, anyway.¡± She uttered after a long time, beaming at me. ¡°It¡¯s just like before. He now smiles more often and disys how he feels without caring for who is close.¡±

    Instinctively, my face was stretched in glee until got to Tyler¡¯s cottage. I was feeling fly and another kind of happiness. What if Ashton is falling in love with me? What if he is starting to see me?

    Then another feeling took over.

    Despair.

    If Ashton fell in love with me, it would be a good thing, albeit, what would happen when he found out I couldn¡¯t bear him children? At least for now.

    At three knocks the door to Tyler¡¯s cottage sighed open. And truly he was looking unhappy. Upon seeing me, there was a spark of light in his eyes. ¡°Gwen?¡±

    ¡°Tada!¡± I blurted, with a deepthroatedugh. ¡°Here in flesh and blood.¡± I rushed into his arms. ¡°I missed you. Even though it was just two days.¡±

    ¡°You left without telling me anything.¡±

    ¡°Hello, are we going to stay outside?¡± Abby asked beside me. Tyler gasped.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Princess,e in.¡± The title sounded like a taunt.

    Abby scoffed and bypassed us, going in.

    ¡°She never stops to get on my nerves,¡± Tyler hissed yfully.

    ¡°She is loved that way.¡± We shut the door and went in. ¡°How are you?¡± I queried, looking around. As always the ce was impably clean and everything was well arranged.

    ¡°I am fine. Just busy.¡± He went into the kitchen and soon returned with a tray of refreshments which he ced on the table in front of us in the living room.

    ¡°You look tired, Ty. And you haven¡¯t shaved.¡± I knew he disliked looking unkempt and knew when something was up with him. ¡°Are you having any troubles? With her?¡± I was sure he understood.

    ¡°No,¡± He sat opposite us with a slight wave of hand to dismiss myment. ¡°I am fine, seriously. Work has been¡­ stressful.¡±

    ¡°Are they demanding too much from you? I can ask Ashton to¡­¡±

    ¡°No, Gwen.¡± He interrupted. ¡°It is my duty I am carrying out. Don¡¯t worry, I will shave and I will rest more henceforth. You worry too much.¡± I agree with him. It was part of my makeup. Worrying.

    ¡°Where did you go to?¡± He asked suddenly, his eyes intent on me.

    ¡°You don¡¯t ask your Queen where she went to, Tyler.¡± Abby intruded. ¡°That¡¯s inappropriate.¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­¡± I patted her hand. ¡°We are friends. Here, no titles.¡±

    ¡°Still¡­ well, since he wants to know¡­ she went on a little vacation with my brother. Happy?¡± Her tone was biting. I knew it was animated. They were cool that way.

    ¡°Vacation?¡± Tyler sounded surprised. And when I looked at him, his eyes held hurt somehow. Was it me? ¡°He now takes you on vacations?¡±

    ¡°Nothing serious, Ty. We are just learning to¡­ coexist together in peace.¡± I tried to hide the exuberance in my voice but I could swear it showed.

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°Sorry for not telling you, Ty,¡± I muttered. ¡°It just happened without a n.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Gwen. You are fine, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    ¡°I think I will take a house tour, dears,¡± Abby lowered her teacup and stood. ¡°Soppy makes me cringe.¡±

    ¡°Abby!¡±

    Tyler rolled his eyes and fell back in his chair.

    I stood and went to him. ¡°Tell me about it, Ty.¡±

    ¡°Nothing to tell.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°I tell you everything.¡±

    ¡°If I tell you what is going on in my head, it will ruin our friendship forever. I can¡¯t risk that.¡± He sounded very sad.

    ¡°Tell me.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°Please.¡± I took his left hand.

    ¡­

 Chapter 102

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Honestly, Gwen,¡± Tyler insisted, shifting away from me. From his body movement, I could tell he was lying. I knew there was something troubling him, despite not knowing what. Or perhaps, it might all be in my head. As I said earlier, I¡¯m often worried most time even when there is nothing there.

    So, reluctantly, I acquiesced and apanied it with a smile. ¡°Cool. So, how are you preparing for the uing ball?¡±

    His shoulders bounced up and down casually. ¡°Like every other person. It¡¯s really nothing that special ording to what I heard.¡±

    ¡°It is, Tyler. And about yourdylove¡­ I can secure her an entrance if you want me to.¡±

    His Obsidian settled on me for a few notches I felt I might have said the wrong thing. They were dimmed in contemtion. After a while, the corners of his lips nted downward as he said in a low baritone. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±

    I opened my mouth to insist he divulged to me the object of his unnatural behaviour when a door upstairs mmed loudly. We looked up at the same time.

    ¡°I¡¯m certain she did that on purpose,¡± Tyler slurred and stood. I followed suit. ¡°Let¡¯s see what she is up to.¡± He took my right wrist and tugged me in the direction of the stairs. ¡°How is your rtionship with him now?¡± He inquired.

    My cheeks flushed hotly as my face contorted in a beam as I have been doingtely anytime a topic about me and Ashton is mentioned. ¡°He seem to be changing a great deal, Ty, can you believe that?¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡± He let out a low grumble down his chest. It was so low I could only hear it because I was near. ¡°Do you suspect why?¡±

    ¡°Exactly my point!¡± I eximed, then looking up, I lowered my tone to say. ¡°I am of the same sentiment. I have this inward suspicion that it is because of the presence of the Queen. Since she came he has been that way. In fact, to be precise, it started when he took me from here.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    ¡°And about that¡­ I know I didn¡¯t officially apologize for being the cause of your detention and I am very sorry for that.¡± It appeared I had a lot of things to apologize to him for.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for an apology, Gwen.¡± We reached the first floor and he opened a door by our right to look inside. No one was there. ¡°I¡¯m d you are happy. You only have to be careful around him.¡±

    The words ricocheted in my head. What on earth should I be careful around Ashton for? He might be tricking me with his recent behaviors now, yes, however, if that were to be the case, I would have no choice but to pick up like I always do and move on. That¡¯s all.

    ¡°Where on earth is this vixen?¡± He asked under his breath.

    Directly in front of us, there was a sounding from a room. He tugged me there. Abby would definitely be there.

    He swung the door open, and she jumped back, apparently startled. ¡°Knock, dimwit!¡± She careened anxiety in her eyes.

    ¡°What are you up to, Abby?¡± I looked around the room in examination.

    ¡°What are you hiding?¡± Tyler let go of my hand and made his way to her. That was when I flicked my eyes to her to discover her hands were behind her.

    ¡°Nothing that concerns you.¡± She bit out at him, shifting back until her back was t against the opposite wall. Her eyes were spitting fire at Tyler but one look and I knew she was somewhat apprehensive. Whatever she was holding must be of consequence.

    ¡°You are in my house, hiding something I know must belong to me and you say it¡¯s not my business?¡± His voice held barb. ¡°And I thought you were smarter than that.¡±

    ¡°I am your princess and you must_¡±

    He reached her, grabbed her forearm, and mmed her against his chest, his hand going behind her to take whatever she was concealing. ¡°Last time I checked, you are my supposed mate, and as far as I am concerned mates are equal.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only farce!¡± She made to struggle but Tyler was doing a good job of overpowering her.

    ¡°Guys¡­¡± I sighed, locating the headrest seat to flop down on. ¡°Must you two be at each other¡¯s throat every time?¡±

    ¡°He is the asshole who won¡¯t be deferent,¡± Abby whined.

    Tyler stepped away and I got a glimpse of what he took from her. An Album. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°It¡¯s an Album,¡± Abby mumbled, her countenance muddled. She flexed her arms. He must have over-exerted her. ¡°It¡¯s not even a big deal.¡±

    ¡°Stay away from my stuff.¡± He opened a drawer and threw it inside, banging it afterwards. I winced.

    ¡°Why? Because you don¡¯t want us to see your little whippy self when you were little, huh?¡± Abby was being mischievous.

    Tyler growled, baring his teeth at her. He was mad.

    I snapped my eyes to Abby. ¡°Abby, that¡¯s enough.¡±

    ¡°What? I thought we were friends. Why won¡¯t he let us see his Album? Come to think of it, do you even know anything about him?¡± The more she spoke, the more I saw Tyler¡¯s breath increasing, his shoulders swaying with temper. Any moment and he might dive on Abby.

    I stood up abruptly. ¡°That¡¯s it. We need to leave for the temple, Abby.¡±

    She stuck her tongue out at Tyler, uncaring of his current expression. She must have guts. ¡°I will be back, pea-teeth.¡± She stepped ahead of me.

    I waited until the door closed and went to Tyler to touch his arm cautiously. ¡°You have to calm down, Ty. What¡¯s happening to you?¡± He shut his eyes and tried to even his breath.

    When he eventually did, he opened them and let out a gigantic exhale, cing his left hand on mine. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sometimes I lose control when matters about my past are mentioned. She is overbearing.¡±

    I grinned. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Abby is just mischievous but you know she¡¯s a sweet soul.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes I feel like squashing her.¡± He made the ¡®squash¡¯ gesture with his hands.

    I giggled heartily. ¡°Well, not when I am here. And yeah, she is your supposed mate and you are supposed to protect her.¡±

    He rolled his eyes and led me outside the room.

    ¡°What¡¯s that room for anyway?¡±

    ¡°For nothing significant. Merely a storage room.¡± He secured it with a lock, turned, took my arm, and moved in the former direction we came from.

    By this time of noon, the swishing sound of the branches to the wind could be heard. The full winter season; is a mating season for wolves and Lycans. Usually, it¡¯s mostly calm and cool throughout the day. And during this period, it is bound to rain most of the time. Trees and flowers bloom, the greens glimmering in the light as the rivers swell and ground thicketse to life.

    I wish I had my wolf, I would have enjoyed running in the woods, ying in the river, smelling the air, and watching the yellow sunset go down in the evenings still in my wolf form. Those are things I had in my diary growing up. And the other thing was that I imagined doing these things with Julians.

    Look at me now, none of them came to pass.

    ¡°You are unnaturally quiet,¡± Abby confirmed as we neared the temple ground. Tyler was with us.

    ¡°I am just thinking¡­¡±

    ¡°Of what?¡±

    ¡°Of how life happens to us in the strangest of ways.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s true.¡± She tightened the red shawl she had around her neck. ¡°I suppose I am not the only one that has such thought most of the time, then.¡±

    ¡°Are youing to train in the morning?¡±Tyler asked, away from the matter at hand.

    ¡°Eh¡­ I hope so.¡±

    ¡°Should Ie?¡± Abby moused, giving Tyler a poppy eye.

    He scoffed and looked to the far left. ¡°Like I give two fucks.¡±

    ¡°Now you two are beginning to worry me.¡± We stopped in front of the temple and I took a step further, twisting to Tyler. ¡°Are youing in today?¡±

    His head jerked in the negative. ¡°I will simply wait here.¡±

    As usual. I nodded and walked after Abby who had entered. ¡°I won¡¯t be long.¡±

    The prayer didn¡¯t take time. Today, I didn¡¯t say a thing, onlyy there speaking to the goddess through the heart. I needed a child more than anything right now to seal my marriage. And if she wanted to make me happy, giving that to me would reim all that I have lost presently in my life.

    When we came out, none of us spoke to each other as we made our way to the pce. I thought Tyler would leave at the front door, but he didn¡¯t. He went in with us, and this time, he had his hands around Abby¡¯s waist, with her anxious body stered against him.

    I knew deep inside she craved to skin him alive but had to put up a brave front. The moment we passed the front door, she dashed off, giving him a soul-depriving re that ryed enough.

    Tyler smirked.

    This two.

    ¡­

 Chapter 103

    **GWEN**

    Instead of going to my room, I made my way to the study to attend to the file from before. Of course, I have a meeting with the former Queen to discuss it. I needed to be acquainted with all the names before her arrival.

    As I flipped through the pages, a maid came in to deposit a tray of cookies and tea and even went on to open the curtains and let in the evening light. Then stoked the fire in the hearth. She picked away some objects no longer of importance used by the former Queen and opened the fridge to take off bottles that had overstayed.

    ¡°Your Highness, should I arrange the desk?¡± She asked when she came back from dropping the stuff she took out.

    I nced about my desk.  The ce was in disarray. Nheless, I couldn¡¯t let her do that not knowing which papers or files held water. So, I shook my head. I would do that after speaking with the former Queen. She would be the one to inform me of the files that are now irrelevant and need elimination.

    ¡°I will leave, then.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Yes, thank you. On your way out, help me check if the former Queen is back and notify her of our meeting this evening.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± She bowed and left.

    I was still examining the names when there was a slight knock at the door and the former Queen came in.

    I stood up. ¡°Wee, Mother.¡±

    ¡°I am sorry I kept you waiting, child.¡± She sauntered in and sat in front of me. ¡°I was so tired when I came in I had to rest a while.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, Mother. It has not been long since I came in too.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ Then, that¡¯s better. I felt bad to have kept you waiting. Have you gone through the list?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mother.¡± I shifted ufortably in my seat not aware of how she was going to take my suggestion. This was the first time I was doing this. I didn¡¯t want it to appear like I was trying to alter their tradition. ¡°Mo-mother?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± She took a cookie and a cup of tea and sipped elegantly, her eyes on me. ¡°Any issues with the list?¡±

    ¡°N-no. Not at all. I only wanted to offer some suggestions which I don¡¯t know how you are going to take them.¡±

    ¡°Oh, go ahead. I am all ears. In fact, I hope you wille up with very ssic and promising ideas concerning the asion. I am almost fed up with doing the same things over and over again every year.¡±

    My heart leaped. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ you see when I was married to Ashton¡¯s father, his mother, goddess rest her soul,¡± she made the cue in her chest. ¡°She was such a wonderful person and tutored me about everything on how to rule a Kingdom with my husband. I enjoyed being directed by her as I saw it as a sign of eptance and love, albeit, I was not agreeable with some of her procedures. I wanted something new, refreshing, different from the usual.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°But I couldn¡¯t do anything. I was younger than you when I came here. So, I couldn¡¯t do much or say more. I was a Queen only seen but hardly heard. And back then, as Ashton said, the welfare team handled most of these things. Until I grew older and my mother-inw died. However, by then, it was toote. I was so used to the old things I couldn¡¯t think of anything new. And duties here and there overwhelmed me I had to conform easily when it came to nning for anything.¡±

    She smiled, waving her well-manicured fingers at me. ¡°Don¡¯t let me bore you with dry narrations. Go ahead, what do you suggest?¡±

    ¡°I-I was thinking since the same set of people had always been invited since time immemorial, and the events have carried on in a single predictable manner, we should employ brand new methods; Invite new people, try different delicacies, different dress codes, everything.¡± Even as I delineated them, my expression couldn¡¯t help but light up.

    I saw it in her eyes too that my idea sounded great to her long before she uttered, ¡°I like it.¡± And pped her hands. ¡°As a matter of fact, particrly the food and environment, I consent to the change. I would prefer we use the newly built hall at the East wing than the concave hall we often used in the past.¡±

    I was jotting down as she spoke, my heart beating as I prepared to tell her about the invitees. That was where the main problemy.

    ¡°As for the food, I am fine with whatever change you feel the kitchen hands should utilize. Just make sure that the foods to be on disy are foods that are healthy, bearing ¡®allergy resistance¡¯ at heart.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mother.¡± After jotting it down, I peered up at her. Her head was up in introspection. I knew she was thinking about something.

    ¡°That¡¯s all I can think of for now.¡±  She flicked her fingers and continued nibbling on the cookies.

    Gradually, I dropped the pen in my hand and gathered my courage to ask. ¡°C-Can we invite other creatures to the ball?¡±

    She hesitated from picking the teacup, her hand dropping back on herp. ¡°When you say other creatures what do you mean? Because yes, we do invite other creatures if that¡¯s what you want to know. It¡¯s written there on the files; the other creatures to be invited.¡±

    ¡°The fairies?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s correct! Our doors are always opened to the fairies at our annual balls to show our blood binds to them.¡±

    ¡°What about the others? The humans, the vampires, the werewolves, the-the werebears, the_¡±

    ¡°Our doors are not open to these other creatures I am afraid, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because that is how it is.¡±

    ¡°You are the former Queen, if there is anyone who should have the knowledge of why then it should be you.¡± I was growing bolder. I imagined this was the time to face it. If I didn¡¯t ask now that she was giving me the audience, then I might never.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my child,¡± she said with a deep breath. ¡°We are the Lycans and the delicacy of our existence had made it sacrosanct for us to protect ourselves from these other creatures knowing how much of a threat they see us as.¡±

    ¡°And when is this going to continue?¡±

    ¡°Until Whenever¡­¡± She dropped the cookie in her hand and sat forward with her eyes intent on me. ¡°I understand that as a werewolf you would want your people present and trust me I desire the same. Nheless, it won¡¯t be this year. We have to be prudent.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about my people, Mother,¡± I uttered sadly, tethering backwards. ¡°I didn¡¯t appeal because of them at all. I simply want a situation where we live in peace with other creatures without them seeing us as prey and not seeing them as predators. Lycans are beautiful just like every other creature, they can¡¯t see that if we don¡¯t make them see it.¡±

    She was shaking her head. ¡°I can¡¯t ept that. It¡¯s far too risky. This thing you are asking from me is something no member of this Kingdom can agree to. And for your own good, don¡¯t mention it to Ashton.¡±

    ¡°I am the Queen. I only want what is best for my people. The very people we rule.¡±

    ¡°And as the former Queen I daresay you are making a mistake. One that can cost you your position.¡±

    Is she trying to say I can be removed from my role? Can Ashton allow that? I didn¡¯t speak a word as we stared at each other without blinking. If you ask me when I grew these balls to look back at the fearsome former Queen I wouldn¡¯t even know the answer to that. All I knew was that I had a goal and knew she was in a position to help me achieve it.

    At longst, seeing as I wasn¡¯t going to back down, she looked down with an audible sigh. ¡°Oh, goddess, do whatever you like, child. I have told you my stand on it. If my son epts, then it¡¯s your luck. Hopefully, you will be able to convince the elders and the people too.¡±

    What was it that the werewolves ever did to Lycans to make them hate us this way? Does this all revolve around the so-called heartbreak in the time past? Yes, the humans wanted them for experimental purposes, what of the other creatures? They can¡¯t tell me every creature wanted them for the same purpose. It¡¯s not possible. I won¡¯t be surprised if most of their fears were unfounded.

    ¡°Fine, Mother.¡± I took my pen and made a note of something. ¡°I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your input.¡±

    When I felt her hande on top of mine, I halted what I was writing and studied her through my thick darkshes. She had a perk of a smile on.

    ¡°I admire your ability to want to change the status quo. It shows I made the right choice for my son. Nheless, you have to act with your head at all times. Be shrewd, and never allow sentiment to cloud your judgment. That¡¯s all I have to say.¡±

    As she left, I sagged back against my chair in deep reflection of her words. She was older than me and far more experienced in this than I am. Still, I couldn¡¯t beat past that drive inside of me that believed we could do this if we put our minds to it.

    A harmonious existence with other creatures. Especially the humans.

    It was attainable.

    But how?

    ¡­

 Chapter 104

    **GWEN**

    I concluded what I was doing at the study and went for lunch which normally was carried out in quietude as it¡¯s usually not amunal affair. I ate alone, at therge hall, a simple breakfastprised of soured lemon pie and fresh asparagus.

    After eating, I was driven to seek out Ashton as I was aware he was in a meeting in which I was supposed to be present but not in the mood to be. I needed to take a stroll. By myself.

    And so I did.

    ¡°Good day, Your Highness,¡± Mousy greeted when I reached the front doors. I bowed my head slightly to acknowledge his greeting with a small smile.

    ¡°Hello, how are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, your highness.¡± He said too blithely. ¡°Are you going out for a walk?¡± He went on to ask.

    I nodded, wondering how he knew. ¡°Just around the pce.¡±

    ¡°Of course, your highness. I will ry that to the King if he inquires.¡± With a single bob of my head, I didn¡¯t waste more time and took my leave.

    I stood at the porch for a notch, trying to decide which direction to go. Eventually, I settled to stroll toward the stream I went to with Abby the other day. Such scenery would suit an evening like this.

    With each step I took, I couldn¡¯t help but take easy reflections. Time tends to have flown over time. Just yesterday I came here without an iota idea of what I was going to do. I was helpless. And wanted nothing but to die. Then I met Ashton.

    My face became a mask of gaiety as the activities of our first meeting reyed in my head. I didn¡¯t imagine that I woulde this far with him. Or have a position like this bestowed on me where I had to make decisions. I am the Queen!

    Father would be so proud of me and even more when he heard of my goals of trying to unite the Lycans with the other creatures.

    He won¡¯t be surprised. He often used to tell me how much of a revolutionary thinker I have been since I was a pup. I never relent, believing I could bring about any change I desired. Just that this time, this one was tremendous and I wished now more than ever that Dad was here. He would have advised me on what to do.

    I delicately sat down on a rock and picked pebbles which I rocked in my hand as I stared out into the tranquil waters. The sunset was mounted ahead like a King overlooking the surroundings, set to retire for the day.

    I havee so far from yesterday and despite the troubles that betide me, I have no choice but to count my blessings.

    All the same, was I ever going to transform like a normal wolf? This was my biggest fear because at the end of the day, even if everyone said they didn¡¯t care if I had shifted or not, by the time they found out I couldn¡¯t produce an heir without one, how long would it take before theye for me?

    Before they turn against me.

    I extended my hand and let my eyes trail down the length to my fingers which I flexed. How I yearn to feel those ws stick it, the hairs grow on my body, my bones crack as they experience a transformation for the first time, and the best of it all, meet my other half; the part that gave me my identity.

    Then my heartbeat escted as I dropped my arm, the other fear I tried to suppress rising. What if I am human? That means I may never be able to give birth. But why does my childbearing have to be tied to my gics?!

    Urgh!

    My head hurt.

    I threw the three pebbles in my hand into the water, stood, and began pacing. I have to do something very fast. It¡¯s almost five months and soon the elders might be on my neck once more. I didn¡¯t know how I was going to respond to them if they asked like they did the other time.

    I see it in their eyes at every meeting and how they look at me. With suspicion. Anger. They haven¡¯t fully epted me. And until I give them something to hold onto, I didn¡¯t think they will.

    ¡°If only I know what it is that has you so anxious,¡± I jerked to a stop, rudely startled out of my thought by none other than Merit. What is she doing here?

    ¡°Merit.¡±

    She was standing three feet away from me, her hands crossed over her chest as she intently took me in. Her ck Deltan garters did well to portray her well-built physique to match her position as well as her ck tall boots which gave her extra height.

    She was a soldier without doubt.

    She lowered her hands as she clucked her tongue and made her way towards the water. I followed her with my eyes. ¡°You know, I see through you more than any member of this pack, most especially the people in the pce.¡± She said, brought out a cigarette, lit it, and began smoking right in front of me. ¡°I know you are here on a mission.¡±

    I gasped, my jaw dropping at her audacity. ¡°Merit you may have secret affiliation with Ashton and a well-respected member of this pack, but I will not tolerate any more of your insolence!¡±

    She snickered dryly, still facing the water, her back to me. ¡°I don¡¯t fear you.¡±

    ¡°Neither do I.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± She took a sharp turn, her lips arched to the side with her eyes narrowed in a bid to intimidate me. She might be older than me by a few years, and more powerful too, if I may add, but still, I mean it. I don¡¯t fear her. At least not anymore.

    ¡°Yes, if you don¡¯t stop disrespecting me I will have to report you to the former Queen.¡±

    At that she burst into a humourless feat ofughter, covering her face with the left of her hand. ¡°You are such a wimp, your highness.¡± She drawled my title sarcastically. ¡°You can¡¯t even handle your own battles. You run off to report like the baby you are. You might be dressed in expensive silks and granted a lofty title, but baby girl, trust me, you don¡¯t have the balls or what it takes to lead this Kingdom.¡± She appeared in front of me at the speed of light I staggered back, fortunate to have enough bnce otherwise I would have tumbled to the ground.

    ¡°You disgust me.¡± She spat at my face.

    ¡°Merit¡­¡±

    ¡°Ashton was going to marry me, seal my agelong dream of being by his side, as his rightful bride, and from nowhere you came. You were never supposed toe here.¡±

    ¡°I am his mate!¡± I shouted when I finally found my voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t have any control over that. Have you stopped to think that perhaps-perhaps mying here was fate?¡±

    ¡°Fate.¡± She let out in a low tone, taking a puff of smoke as she peered up in thought. ¡°That is a facy. In my life, I believe in taking what I want when I want, and trust me, Gwendolyn, not a little twat like you is going to stand in my way.¡±

    ¡°What are you going to do, then?¡±

    She tsked as she took one step forward, not breaking eye contact. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± She asked and stopped directly in front of me, towering over me. ¡°I have asked myself that question a thousand times. In fact, since you came here, I have been thinking about that almost every night. Then Queen Charlotte came and made a caricature of me in front of y¡¯all and the fact that youughed at me made me even more restless, desiring beyond nothing but to make you pay.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I lifted my hands to push her away from me but she caught my two hands in hers. I struggled to take them back, she didn¡¯t yield.

    ¡°I am going to kill you, Gwendolyn.¡± She uttered boldly, followed by an eerie chuckle. ¡°I will make sure not even your bones will be discovered by anyone by the time I am done with you.¡±

    ¡°Let me go this minute!¡± I moured, starting to grow agitated. From the manner she said it I was certain she didn¡¯t know what she was doing and could very well carry out her im. What would happen then? Nothing. She is one of them, they couldn¡¯t possibly execute her or imprison her. I will be forgotten and Ashton might even marry her.

    I wearily skimmed the woods before returning to struggle more.

    Herughter grew with the wind around us. ¡°I see you are scared.¡± She leaned into me until her tobo-ridden stench was on my face. ¡°As you should be.¡±

    In a dash, I was flying in the air and the next thing, Inded in the water with a thump!N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    I panicked andboured through the water to the surface at the top. She was there at the bank, grinning down at me. ¡°You seemed a little too anxious when I came, so I garnered you might need a little dip to calm your nerves. Your Highness.¡± She deemed a mock bow and disappeared the way she came.

    If awestruck was a being, it would be me right then.

    ¡­

 Chapter 105

    **ASHTON**

    I was worn out and needed profound rest when I made it out of the meeting conference room. The moment we rounded up, I informed Williams through the mind link to conclude with them whilst I took some fresh air.

    Goddess, these elders were stifling. The guts of them to ask me why we haven¡¯t dropped news of an heir yet. We just got married for goddess sake. It was not like babies were plucked from trees or anything.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    However, I have been having this gnawing feeling to inquire from Gwendolyn if all was well. It was not as if I was putting pressure on her, I mean we were in this together, which was why I should ask her how she felt and if there had been any signs. That way we know the way forward, if to see the Doctor.

    It will be five months soon.

    I was so deep in thought I didn¡¯t hear the sound of footstepsing from the other side of the hall, nor my mother¡¯s scent until I nearly collided with her.

    ¡°Son!¡± She righted herself fast and stepped back. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yes Mother,¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I peered around the hall leading to my study. I had wanted to grab a drink or two which from what I see might never happen.

    ¡°I was on my way to your office to see if you were done with the meeting. I didn¡¯t want to send the maids seeing as you were literally avoiding me.¡±

    Internally, I rolled my eyes and continued on my way, albeit in a slower step as she was behind me. ¡°Mother, what now?¡±

    ¡± Don¡¯t be silly, son. Can¡¯t I check on my boy to know how he was fairing now?¡±

    I could no longer resist rolling my eyes as I halted in front of the door and reached out to turn the knob.

    ¡°Rolling your eyes at your mother is an offence punishable by death, you know that.¡± I closed my eyes, forgetting how she figured out every one of my actions. It was irritating to be in her presence most of the time.

    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s nothing serious.¡± We entered and I went straight to grab a bottle and two sses. Instead of my traditional gutsy Scotch, I went for something milder. A Coache. Though, my mother had the head for bottles, nheless, I wasn¡¯t about to encourage her. ¡°So, spill it, Mother. I can manage.¡± I flopped down on my desk, prepared for the attack.

    As elegant as the peacock she moved the chair in front of me and sat, taking the ss I filled for her. ¡°Oh, Ashton. You know me so well.¡±

    I shrugged. ¡°What choice do I have?¡±

    She cackled coquettishly as she ran her eyes around my space. ¡°You know whatever decision I have forced you to make was for your good, son.¡± Her voice held emotions. ¡°I don¡¯t want you seeing me as your enemy.¡±

    ¡°I never had, Mother.¡± I was ying with the edge of my reflector still on the mahogany table.

    ¡°You say that, but remember I gave birth to you¡­ your father, goddess rest his soul, would never have forgiven me if I had let you waste away.¡±

    There we go again.

    ¡°I had to take up the mantle at a younger age, with two children without a whim as to how I was going to cope. Do you know our positions were threatened because the elders thought I couldn¡¯t handle it and you were too younger and wayward to carry on the mantle?¡±

    ¡°Mother¡­¡± I didn¡¯t know that.

    She lifted her hand to mute me. ¡°I hid all that from you to protect you. I didn¡¯t want you going after them in anger and in the long run, proving them right that you had no control.¡±

    I slouched back in my seat, feeling guilty for the first time. I never knew this. I always thought Mother was too hard on me for reasons I couldn¡¯t fathom. I thought it was because of my disobedience to her guidance when I went against her to court Emma.

    ¡°Mother, you should have told me.¡±

    ¡°And then what? You were young, in love, and believed only in your own rmendations. I was once in that position so I understood. I knew that girl was up to no good, and when you disregarded my bidding and went after her, I had to take charge.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t need your apology.¡± She sipped the contents and when she dropped the ss, her eyes were pinned outside the window. I wondered what was going on in her head. ¡°I am happy for everything I did for you. I only pray you handle them the way you know I would want you to.¡±

    ¡°I am trying, Mother.¡±

    ¡°I know you are, son.¡± The oceanic blues we had acquired from her settled back on me. ¡°I need you to try harder. Why is your mate not yet pregnant?¡±

    I took a deep breath and exhaled. I should have seen this oneing. ¡°Mother, that is a matter for the goddess to decide.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ I understand. Still, we have to do our best and leave the rest to her. I know you two have been busy at your end, even the blind could see that.¡± I flushed from herment; an action only my mother could emanate from me. ¡°But if your best is not working, then try other methods.¡±

    ¡°What other methods are you talking about, Mother?¡±

    ¡°The rite of eptance. You have to carry it out immediately after the ball. It shows you ept her. That way the goddess knows your heart is in this and will bless the two of you with an heir.¡±

    I took the ss and chugged down the entire content. The ritual of eptance was something I had totally forgotten about. I never believed in it. For some odd reason, everyone assumed it paved the way for miracles. Something I was sceptical about. I mean I had done it with Emma even before our nned wedding day, and that didn¡¯t stop her from dumping her.

    What was the guarantee that this time would be different?

    As if Mother was reading my thoughts, she reached out her hands and took mine in her soft ones. I was forced to look at her. Heartwarming and motherly. ¡°She was the wrong person. This¡­ this is home. Gwendolyn is the right one, where you belong. I have never been more certain.¡±

    Mother was right and for once for a very long time, everything she said today was perfectly right. Particrly that one. With Gwen, everything felt different. I felt different.

    I was nodding even before I realized it. ¡°Thank you, Mother. I am so sorry for everything.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. Show me.¡±

    If performing the right was what she wanted, then, I was willing to go through with it again. Not because I wanted something from the goddess, but because I couldn¡¯t wait to show the world how much my mate meant to me. I was more than delighted to have her by my side.

    And to Gwen, to prove to her that I was a fool for the hurtful things I did to her in the past. No fool was greater than I.

    As my mother was leaving my study, I was right behind her to search for Gwen. I couldn¡¯t wait to bury myself inside her sheath to seal this promise over and over and over again.

    Mother detoured in the direction of the library, saying something about wanting to read, while I made for the staircase. As I was about to climb, the butler appeared beside me, beaming from ear to ear as usual.

    ¡°Your Majesty.¡± He bowed. ¡°I hope you are well?¡±

    ¡°Very well, and you?¡±

    ¡°I am good, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Is there any problem?¡±

    ¡°None at all, Your Majesty. Only wanted to ry to you that Your Highness left a few hours ago for a ptial stroll.¡± I stepped down to his level, my eyes squinted in thought.

    ¡°Ptial stroll?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. She was of a gay spirit, I must say.¡±

    ¡°Okay, thank you for the information, Mousy.¡± I patted the padded shoulders of his white uniform and made my way out with my nose in the air to sniff out her whereabouts.

    I would have checked the stables but a disagreeable whine from Fangs proved that she wasn¡¯t there. So I beelined in the direction of the woods.

    It was not long before I caught her scent and with a soaring enthusiasm hurried there.

    I saw her. In the water.

    I paused to admire her. She seemed in far thought, her forehead furrowed as if immersed in the raging course of the mind. If only I could sneak into her mind to know what she was thinking about.

    Without contemting I took off my suit trousers and ck shirt, tossed them to the side, ran, and dived in. She shrieked and made to flee, but I reached her on time and ensconced her in my arms. ¡°It¡¯s me, my love.¡± I purred in her ear.

    That was when she rxed and before I could rte her tiny limbs gave my chest a p. ¡°You startled me, dickhead!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I grabbed her face and began peppering her with kisses. ¡°What had you so distracted you didn¡¯t see me?¡± I asked between kisses.

    ¡°Nothing¡­¡± She breathed out, trying to get her breath. ¡°Just¡­ enjoying the calmness.¡±

    Fangs whimpered inside, which proved she was lying. There was something up with her. Something she was not sharing with me.

    ¡°Gwen,¡± I took her by the shoulders, noticing now how cold her body was. Has she been in the water for long? ¡°Tell me what bothers you. Why are you in the water?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 106

    **GWEN**

    I didn¡¯t know how long I was transfixed to a spot in that water after Merit left. I just knew that for a moment I didn¡¯t know how to react to her threat and just as I was about to leave the water, I felt something like a shadow pass over the water and became motionless at once.

    I thought Merit was going to do something heinous to me, the water being the least of my problems, but when I saw that shadow, I knew I was going to die for sure.

    Then boom, someone was inside the water, snapping me out of my shock and I recovered, my first instinct being to run. Run to where? I didn¡¯t know, merely striving to try my best.

    ¡°It¡¯s me, my love,¡± Ashton said, and I have never felt the level of relief I had at that point which I concealed by pping at his chest.

    ¡°You startled me.¡±

    He didn¡¯t let me finish and covered my mouth with a scintiting toe-curling kiss that had my head spinning that I forgot about my fear, my body engulfed by his heavenly charms. He appeared excited this evening. But why?Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    Then he pulled away, his observant eyes pinned on me as he asked me what the problem was. That was when the scale fell off my eyes and I recalled the very reason I was in the water in the first ce.

    Merit.

    And the second reason.

    A shadow in the water.

    Instinctively, my arms went about him tightly, tilting my head to the side to peer around. ¡°I think there¡¯s something in the water. Fishes, of course. It¡¯s the habitat and I am merely an intruder. We, if I may add¡­¡± Ashton took my chin between his fingers and steadied it on him, not letting me move as he said, ¡°You are rambling, my little wolf. There is nothing here.¡± His head swept from side to side in imitation of my former gesture.

    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah.¡± My legs intercepted over the other as I forced a smile on. ¡°Perhaps, because I feel cold. May we leave the water now?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± He bent and picked me up from the water and carried me to the bank to deposit as gently as he could. And was out swiftly.

    It was only then I became aware of the weather around me. Quickly threw my hands about me as my teeth began chattering.

    Ashton appeared beside me and went to pick up his shirt which he wrapped around me. ¡°Hold on there let me dress up.¡± He was saying as he hurriedly put on his pants.

    When he was done, he picked me up bridal style and began making his way out of the forest. I was trembling from the cold, but my head was swooning from being in his arms and staring at his broad naked torso.

    And to make matters worse, he was smiling down at me, the dusky gold in his eyes seeming orange now due to the shadows cast from the evening disappearing glow. His brown hair appeared darker as a result of its wetness. I craved to run my hand through it so desperately that I was unknowingly squirming on him.

    ¡°What?¡± He asked as we passed the awe-eyed butler and made for the staircase. Thankfully he only bowed rapidly but didn¡¯t utter a word. I guess he had his moments.

    ¡°Nothing.¡± I flushed.

    His face turned smug like he knew what I was thinking. But luckily he didn¡¯t taunt me with it, merely kept smirking.

    We reached the door to my room and he opened it without a single stress despite holding me up. We entered and it mmed after us.

    The moment my legs touched the ground I hurried into the bathroom to run a bath at once. I was very cold. Thanks to Merit.

    ¡°What were you doing in the water? You didn¡¯t answer that question.¡± Ashton repeated the same question I was d he didn¡¯t push for a response back at the river. He was in the bathroom with me, disrobing from his pantsto join me in the tub.

    ¡°I was¡­ swimming. What else?¡±

    ¡°I literally had to force you into the water thest time we were at the beach house. I don¡¯t buy that.¡±

    I was backing him which gave me an edge to distort my face as I thought of my next usible response. I couldn¡¯t tell him about Merit. It was a problem I was resigned to handling on my own. She called me a baby and telling Ashton about her threats would only prove me that.

    She was a pest. And from what I saw today, it is evident that she was obsessed with Ashton and I have to take care of that. Without the help of anyone.

    ¡°I thought about it and decided if I have to ovee the fear of fishes then I have to learn to exist in their space.¡± The lie flowed from my lips quickly for someone who nearly peed her pants when I saw the shadow in the water earlier.

    He hummed. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ brave.¡±

    ¡°I think so¡­¡±

    There was a suspicious silence as he picked up the water dish and began scooping and pouring water on my hair. They were unbound and flowing down my body, gratefully powered by him. For some odd reason, he was taken with my hair.

    The next was my bar of soap which he took andthered all over my body with. I rxed against him with my eyes closed to relish in his care.

    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± He suddenly asked, massaging the soap on my shoulders softly.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡±

    ¡°Bear in mind that I ask only because I care, not to pressure you, but as your husband, I merely want to know.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ go ahead.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ Have you noticed any signs?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ Signs?¡± I purred lowly, peeking through the foggy clouds of the hot water. ¡°What signs?¡±

    ¡°We have been having sex for some time now¡­ Have there been any changes to your body? Pregnancy changes?¡± I became alert abruptly,ing to be stiff at the question.

    Finally, the time was here.

    Yet, I didn¡¯t move.

    What was I supposed to say? My fingers began twitching as I racked my head in 360 fast degrees for the most reliable answer to that question. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± I bidded for time.

    ¡°Nothing. As I said I was merely asking as your husband.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Gwen?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± I sat up, entwining my hands in agitation. I knew this day woulde but I was not expecting it to be sooner. ¡°I haven¡¯t to be honest. But once I do you know I will tell you.¡±

    He took my two shoulders and tugged me down to his body, shifted my hair from my left shoulder, and leaned into it. ¡°If there¡¯s any problem, you know you can always tell me.¡±

    I nodded once. Only that inside me, I knew I couldn¡¯t. The problem I had was indefinite. It would be stupid of me to confide such in him and risk losing him. Not now that I finally found him. ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°We can always see the Doctor.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± My answer was fast. I bit my lower lips, sat up, and twisted to the right to nce at him. ¡°I-I am totally fine, Ash. I think we should give it time. Look, I know it¡¯s the elders, they are disturbing but when it¡¯s time I believe the goddess would bless us.¡±

    He cupped my cheeks and ced a short kiss on my lips then proceeded to hug me. ¡°You are absolutely right, little wolf.¡±

    My hands went about him inhaling his deep masculine fragrance that tended to soothe my inner turmoil. What was I going to do?

    After we separated, he rinsed off my body and took his bath and we left the bathroom. We entered the room to change for dinner but every other thing I did was done in confusion as I couldn¡¯t focus anymore. I have to see the doctor soon.

    I looked at the time, contemting if to go today, but that is unlikely. When I looked back at Ashton, he was staring at me, smiling.

    ¡°Do you want us to go for a ride this evening?¡± He asked as he finished donning a pair of jean trousers and a white polo. The well-defined contours of his abs were ripping through them.

    ¡°Did you think about that after dressing?¡± I inquired, nodding to his garters. ¡°Last time I checked that isn¡¯t riding wear.¡±

    ¡°I can change. And yes, I thought of it after dressing.¡± He ended with a snicker.

    I needed something to take my mind off my present chaos so I didn¡¯t hesitate to agree. Instead of the former ck gown I wanted to wear, I settled for ck leather trousers and a ck polo. Simple riding wear. I packed my hair in a ponytail and took my hand gloves.

    We left hand in hand, my heart soaring for this new bond we are creating and yet fearing for all the obstacles that might hinder it fromsting. Or even destroy them.

    ¡­

 Chapter 107

    **GWEN**

    The entire pce was busy with people milling about, engaged in one activity or the other. It was the interior decor team that arrived to prepare the venue where the ball would be held.

    With every day they broke, I was astounded by the level of importance that was given to this very asion.

    Earlier this morning, I had woken up early as Kora came in to arrange the gowns I would be using today, and being that I had informed her to leave attending to me in the mornings when I rose to ask her out, I discovered Ashton was gone. And Kora went on to notify me about the ptial engagement today.

    I went training with my friend after that, where Abby said Ashton asked her the other night why she didn¡¯t hang out all the time with Tyler. I could see that Tyler was growing uneasy every day with this herculean task plunged at him, and I was very happy he was willing to help me. As always.

    Now, here we are, doing nothing but standing close to the former Queen, nodding, waving, and smiling at the decor team as a form of encouragement.

    ¡°Maybe we should get a drink or something,¡± Abby said in a hushed tone close to me.

    I turned to her, my face half-smiling and nodded eagerly. Anything to rest away from the former Queen. It was one thing being here with these people by myself or with my friends and another thing doing it with her. It was exhausting.

    ¡°Where are you two off to?¡± She asked as we took the first step.

    ¡°To get refreshment, Mother.¡± Abby signalled to the tables at the far corner that held the different shades and categories of eateries. Merely watching it my stomach grumbled reminding me that I haven¡¯t hadn¡¯t had anything that afternoon, and it was fast approaching evening.

    Queen Charlotte as I havee to know her name, shrugged, nced at the work party singrly, and when she looked our way once more she waved forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go then, I guess I will need some respite too.¡±

    I was close to sharing a look with Abby which I managed to withhold as we all matched down to the table.

    Since it was already evening and I would be having dinner sooner, I settled for orange juice and brownies. I havee to relish in the brownie skill of whoever made this particr one. Once arranged in the tray, I carried it to another table under a canopy that was put in for a scenario like this and dropped it, about to go back and help Charlotte when I saw hering with her tray.

    I reached out but she waved me off.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget I am your subject,dy.¡± She teased with a cheerful smile, dropping down at the first chair.

    Quietly we ate, still watching those working. I liked the colours they were using for the outside. Deep creamy gold materials, and ribbons with silver balls.

    They ran the entire length of the ptial pirs using it to form artificial roses and strands that fell from the middle of the roses creating something like hair inside golden roses.

    And I was sure by night when they turned on the lights, the balls were going to glitter. In fact, we didn¡¯t need light. Moonlight itself would give us the effect. I was anticipating that.

    After the outside, they will go ahead to decorate the inside. And by this weekend, the magic would be unveiled.

    This was one thing I loved about the supernatural world; the unity. The same way the interior decor team was doing this reminded me of back at my former pack, and how we handled everything within us, fostering a spirit of togetherness. Well, that was until I needed them and they turned their backs on me.

    ¡°Ashton told me you have found your mate, Abigail,¡± Charlotte said, startling me out of my drift.

    Abby¡¯s eyes found mine for a second before making their way to her mother. ¡°Uh-yeah, I mean, he might be right, Mother.¡±

    ¡°Might be?¡± Charlotte dropped her ss of juice and the cookie to smack the crumb off her palms. ¡°How so? Have you or have you not?¡±

    Tricky question, I thought.

    ¡°Mother if he said I have, then, that¡¯s the truth.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you, youngdy.¡± She let out a slight chuckle at the end of her statement. ¡°I was angry that you didn¡¯t see it necessary to confide in me about it and now that I decided to ask you, you still speak in parables?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t speak in parables, Mother. Okay, Yes, I found my mate but I didn¡¯t tell you because for now, we are still getting to know each other and deciding if we want each other.¡±

    Charlotte simply stared. I stared too. I was not expecting her to ask and didn¡¯t know Ashton would inform her about it. When did he suddenly start cuddling up to his mother about stuff?

    ¡°Who is this young man if I may ask?¡± Charlotte looked toward the table where a maid was standing packing up some berries possibly for the workers. Her orbs turned ssy and not long she focused back on us. ¡°I hear he is the chief guardian.¡±

    The maid approached us with a jug and teacups in a white which she dropped on the table, served Charlotte a cup, bowed, and left.

    ¡°Mother, if he was going to discuss me behind my back then he should have given you the full story.¡± Abby was getting irritated I could tell.

    I seriously wanted to intervene, however, I held my mouth. This was family business and despite Abby being my friend, I had to keep my peace. Though she was not handling this well.

    As if fate was working with Mother Nature at this moment, I saw Tyler. He was entering the pce. At the same time, I saw Abby¡¯s eyes widen, flicking to me as she saw him.

    She stood up, out of impulse. ¡°Mother, I am sorry about that. Yes, he¡¯s in the_i mean, he¡¯s the chief guardian and yes, we are¡­¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Charlotte asked with wrinkled brows, her eyes sweeping the yard. ¡°You seem out of ce.¡±

    Abby peered at me once more but looked off as soon as she did. ¡°Yes, mother. That is because I have something important to take care of inside. This minute.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Abby was pointing in the direction of the pce¡¯s front doors. ¡°I have to go now, I¡¯m sorry. I will tell you everything you need to knowter, I promise.¡± She hurried away.

    ¡°Am I the only one who noticed that she was acting awkward?¡± Charlotte asked me, watching her daughter go.

    My head was swinging side to side in denial. ¡°Not at all. That¡¯s Abby whenever she needed to use the restroom. Always, always in a haste.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice before¡­¡± Her voice faded away.

    I was uneasy too. Why was Tyler here? Such a timing. He never mentioned during our training that he would be here today.

    ¡°Have you approved the new list for gifts?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mother.¡± I tried to concentrate here. ¡°I have sent it to the financial secretary for disbursement. Though, I felt there were some duplicates.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and I thought I was the only one. Nice one.¡± She nced in the direction of the front door once more before taking her teacup to sip.

    She was not the only one wondering what was going on there. I wished I could perform magic and disappear from here to there. To distract me, my eyes travelled in the direction of the worker at the right time to see a little girl cing a purple material a month the golden ribbons.

    I stood up abruptly. ¡°I have to check this out, Mither. Excuse me.¡± I bowed and strolled to them.

    ¡°Why are you putting that there?¡± I pointed at the purple material that was obviously off-colourpared to the other designs.

    The girl, looking too young than the rest, blushed crimson and was about to say something when I heard a sound behind me and twisted. A woman was running to us.

    She waved at the girl. ¡°Get down immediately!¡±She bowed to me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness. My daughter came to visit me, I didn¡¯t know she was up to any mischief until I began searching for her and saw her up here.¡±

    My heart soared, my eyes finding the smaller child whose eyes were wide as she made her way down. At this point, I think I was the awkward one. It felt so good seeing mother and child like this, and it made me wish I could have a child to run the pce looking for what form of mischief they were up to.

    I looked down my idle hands by my side and shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing at all. She can have all the fun she can get, just be careful.¡± I stepped back. ¡°Beautiful eyes by the way,¡± Imented, referring to the girl¡¯s unusual topaz orifice.

    Instead of going back to sit with the Queen, seeing as my mood was about to be ruined, I made my way forward to inspect their works and from there sneak off somewhere quiet to help me rx.

    Children are the natural gift of every woman, I wonder why mine had toe with absurd narratives.

    Just like every other thing in my life.

    ¡­

 Chapter 108

    **GWEN**

    There was something definitely going on in the pack that I was not aware of.

    The night before the day of the ball, Ashton was nowhere to be found. I expected him to be around as he had been scarce these few days. It was either he was in one meeting or the other, or off to train with the horses. He was never around.

    I dismissed it easily mostly as I was often fatigued at the end of the day myself and as soon as my head hit my pillows, I was off to Llnd. But each time I woke up in the middle of the night or in the morning, I could tell he was never going into my room. Kora confirmed this yesterday when I asked her if she had seen my mate and her response had been a fierce ¡®NO¡¯.

    ¡°Your Highness,¡± Kora came into view from the wardrobe, bearing a shimmering turquoise gown intricately woven with diamonds from head to toe. From the waist went down on a smooth fishy slope that I was sure when I wore it, would magnify my waistline. One couldn¡¯t help but stare open-mouthed at it. I haven¡¯t seen the gown before.

    I had intended to wear the red gown Charlotte picked up herself for me thest time we went shopping.

    Not this.

    Where did ite from?

    ¡°The King sent this to you,¡± Kora finished as if reading my mind. She gently dropped it on the bed. I was up from the chair I was sitting on in front of the vanity table, hurrying to stand in front of the gown. I reached out to touch and withdrew my hands sharply as if I were electrocuted. I was still in shock.

    Ashton got this for me? My inquisitive eyes found Kora, catching her facial expression in a smug smile. ¡°You hid this from me,¡± I used.

    Her shoulders bounced up and down in an agreeable pose. ¡°I was sworn to secrecy by the King. He said he would have liked to watch you wear them, but I guess the ptial duties held him from being here. Quiet unfortunate.¡±

    I grabbed the concealed short sleeves of the turquoise gown and carefully lifted it up, cing it over my body. Lifting it higher I made it to the front of the mirror and disyed it in front of the mirror. It was totally magnificent! I have never seen a gown like it. I have never imagined I would be opportune to wear anything close to this.

    My eyes watered uncontrobly. Ashton did this for me.

    If only he was here, I would have almost choked him with kisses.

    ¡°I love it, Kora.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ I fell in love with it myself at first sight.¡±

    I sniffed. ¡°When did you even sneak it in here without my knowledge?¡± I was still shifting from side to side to view it from every angle. Well, she could easily have done that in my absence.

    Her response was a throaty chuckle as she made her way back to the wardrobe. ¡°There are still more, your highness.¡± She scurried beneath the closet.

    My eyes were pinned there. ¡°More? He bought more stuff on top of this?¡±

    ¡°The King is very generous, your highness.¡± She came back with a ck big box which like the gown she tentatively ced on the bed and proceeded to open and I beheld assortments of essories neatly arranged inside; a silver shoe with sapphire encrustment at the top, a smaller ck box of earrings, a ne, a bracelet andstly, a matching ring.

    There was noise at the door and as we flung our faces there, Ashton stood there in his full glory observing us. He looked very worn out like he wasing from abat.

    ¡°Leave us,¡± He said singrly, matching inside. I nodded at Kora who scampered out without a word.

    As soon as the door was closed and Ashton was within an inch of me, he engulfed me in his embrace. And without stopping to think, my arms went about his waist to feel his warmth. ¡± I have missed you so much,¡± I said.

    ¡°You have no idea how it¡¯s been for me.¡± His hands tightened. ¡°I thought you would be mad at me.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, I was worried,¡± I stated. ¡°I checked you everywhere, including the stables but you were nowhere to be found.¡±

    ¡°Pack duties.¡±

    ¡°Why was I not invited to the meetings?¡± I queried. ¡°Kora informed me of them.¡± I shifted away from him, but not out of his arms.

    His head bent down as he took me in. ¡°There was no meeting, little wolf.¡± His head twisted to the side to take in the items on the bed. ¡°A lot has been going on and I didn¡¯t want you to be worried which was why I made sure no one informed you.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I adjusted further, arching my brow. My head was to the side, looking up at him. ¡°Tell me what?¡±

    Ashton let out a loud exhausted sigh, his right hand going up to scratch the nape of his neck. ¡°There has been another attack,¡± He said while at it.

    I gasped. ¡°Another attack? When?¡±

    ¡°On Wednesday, the guards found a pregnant woman dead close to the border. That was in the morning, by evening they found her husband beheaded together with the little pup that resided with them. They hung their head in the hideous ce where they knew the patrollers could see.¡±

    My chest was pounding, and my head spinning from the gory information. They beheaded someone? Murdered a pregn_who in their right senses wouldmit such an atrocious crime? That¡¯s pure wickedness!

    ¡°Hey,¡± Ashton was by my side, taking my two shoulders to steady me. I was not seeing him clearly as tears welled up in my eyes. I was already imagining the level of pain this woman must have passed through at her point of death. Her family. Who would have done this? ¡°You need to breathe, okay?¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± That was the foremost word I said. ¡°Why would they do this? Who could have done this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no other than the humans.¡± He took my left forearm and led me back to the sofa. He sat down, pulling me down on hisp. ¡°I told you they are that mean. They are vicious andckpassion.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure they¡¯re the one?¡± I didn¡¯t know why I asked but something just told me that maybe another creature might do this and we won¡¯t know because we already have a suspect.

    ¡°They are the one, little wolf. In the history of Lycans whenever the red moon approached, the humanse snooping because they know this is when our true nature reached its full potential. I know what they want.¡±

    ¡°To anger you?¡±

    He nodded, nuzzling into my neck to kiss there. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I can handle this. I have already sent out mercenaries to the human kingdom. I need Sweetbaby dead or alive.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, we shouldn¡¯t just kill him,¡± I reasoned. ¡°Why don¡¯t we bring him here for questioning? From thest time I went there, I understood he was obsessed with Lycan blood, still, there must be a drive, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Ashton was not having any of that. He shook his head. ¡°The only thing I understand is that anyone who touches my own had dared me. Sweet baby has been daring me for a long time, it¡¯s time I end this all. He should be d I am not bringing war to his people. Thanks to my mother.¡±

    I was about to try to convince him to be reasonable when he stood with me in his arms and dropped me in front of the bed. ¡°Do you like the gown?¡±

    I blinked severally, recollecting the object of my fascination before his entrance. The gifts. ¡°I love them all, Ash. You should have told me.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Then, I won¡¯t see this sparkle I see in your eyes now, would I?¡±

    I fingered one of the diamonds on the gown, agreeing with him.

    ¡°Come here,¡± He took my face between his big paws and kissed me boldly on the lips. ¡°Today is going to be very active. Lots of peopleing from different ces. Mother said the invitations this time were massive.¡±

    I cleared my throat and looked down. About that, I might have done something I was not supposed to do yet. And I was not about to tell him knowing what his response would be. So, I simply smiled.

    ¡°You might have to wee the guest with Mother and Abby while I take onest tour to make sure everything is fine. But I will be on time for the opening dance which we will have together.¡±

    I giggled as he pecked the side of my left lip. ¡°You didn¡¯t even ask me if I could dance,¡± I said in between giggles.

    ¡°That¡¯s because I knew you could.¡± He flipped me around to face the mirror while he watched me from behind, massaging my stiff shoulders. ¡°We will be the talk of the day. You and me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± My brain was bing clouded by his hand actions. ¡°You and me.¡±

    I saw his eyes turn ck. ¡°I need you to dress up for me before I leave¡­ Please.¡±

    My mouth went dry.

    ¡­

 Chapter 109

    **ASHTON**

    I had intentionally concealed the recent happening in the pce from my mate knowing how she would have reacted if informed. I saw how she was engaged, running about the ce nonstop trying to make sure today was a sess.

    It was something I didn¡¯t think anyone could do apart from my mother. From the way I saw my mother watching her every movement closely with small smiles mindless smiles etched on her face, I knew she was proud of her.

    Don¡¯t be mistaken. I was not fine with it. Normally, the Queen was not expected to carry out these things as they were the major works of the welfare team. However, seeing as she had insisted and my mother had adamantly supported her, I knew there was little to nothing I could have done about it.

    And I liked it.

    It only irked me as I was not often around most of the time to enjoy watching her from my window up there as she talked to someone, wiped sweats off her brows, mumbled things I craved to hear to herself- thinking no one was seeing her-and a bunch of other stuff she did which oddly, I found fascinating.

    I was not supposed to be here-having taken a minute excuse from my Beta to ride around-which at the long run I had given up on my restraint and found myself heading here. I thought I was going to die not being beside her for three fucken days.

    Since the day Tyler came into the pce to give me the rotten news three days ago.

    And now, here we are, five minutes turn twenty and from how my body was aching, my cock in particr, I didn¡¯t think I would be returning to the squad for now.

    ¡°Help me zip down,¡± Gwen requested, her hazy eyes conveying information that may or may not have been properly interpreted in my head.

    My hands on her shoulders slid downward to her neck still maintaining eye contact as gradually I located the iron object and began tugging lower. When my finger grazed her back, I heard her take in a sharp gust of air, and my Lycae came alive. I felt Fang¡¯s arousal and the need to take our mate hard. We were not supposed to as there was no time but then, if I didn¡¯t do this, every other thing I did today might as well be a waste of time. I have endured enough for a few days.

    ¡°Fine here?¡± I asked as I got to thest stop, further teasing her by bending lower to breathe on her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered close, her front teeth capturing her sulent power lip in an act I envied so much.

    That is my right. Something I was supposed to be doing.

    ¡°Step back.¡± Was her next word as I was about to carry out what was in my head.

    Of course, I did. The ball was in her court. As I did, my cock betrayed me, fully standing erect building an embarrassing tent in my trousers. I covered my face at the sight of her Dole eyes raking me in. ¡°Oops,¡± I said.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± She whispered. ¡°I didn¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead.¡± I indicated her dress, my right hand finding the front of my trouser to push my cock down. I held it between my legs to endure watching her finish undressing.

    The sleeves of the in evening dress she was wearing fell down her creamy arms until the gown was a pile of white at her feet. With a seductive glow in her eyes, she took a step out, then another, away from the gown, further away from me.

    I hissed in displeasure. No, baby, not so fast.

    I took a step in her direction, she backed away.

    Oh, she wanted a chase. I smirked. Then, you have my full attention, little wolf.

    Like that she was soon backed into a corner, her back pressed against the wall, forming a nted bend with her chest upwards. The C-cupped bra containing her breast eased at the middle, the right hand falling slightly to review the milky skin underneath up to the orange nipples.

    My favourite part.

    Once I reached her, I didn¡¯t waste time leaning down to kiss her chest. She made to touch me but I rapidly caught her arms and pinned them above her head. With her hands there, I thoroughly kissed her cleavage, using my teeth to pull down the bra. Once I hooked the back with my other free hand, the flimsy thing danced to the floor, leaving my mate¡¯s butter-full moulds a feast for my eyes.

    I didn¡¯t have time to admire them as I took one peaked bud in my lips and kissed it. Then like I was possessed by something, the hand holding her left and joined the other to grope the other breast to fondle deeply, sucking passionately as if my life depended on it.

    As a matter of fact, my life depended on this.

    I sucked from one nipple to another, my mate¡¯s mom filling the room as she wed at my hair, dragging them until my scalp hurt. I thought I was going to go bald, nevertheless, the nipples I was savouring didn¡¯t let me think about the pain.

    My left hand travelled under her panties to flick her clit, back and forth. She squirmed, grinding against me, begging for more, crying for me to take her. I was not ready. I wanted her at a certain point and I was confident she hadn¡¯t reached there.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    By the time her milky juice was pouring out of her the manner I desired, in a sh I had her thong on the floor, my legs nudging her legs apart to station myself between her.

    I knew she was ready for me. Ready to receive my cock. This was a hasty affair which I intended one as fast as possible before someone came.

    I flipped her around, taking her hips to position for me. I lubricated my cock enough before cing it at her entrance and while she whimpered, poking her ass out to be ravished faster, with a full unexpected force, I thrust into her.

    I predicted she was going to cry, beg me to stop, saying I had hurt her. But my mate tends to have grown rougher since thest time. Shed be a badass, a cock hungry badass. She took everything in, trying to match my gait as we chased our encroaching release.

    I was mming from behind, while she reciprocated with moans of encouragement, crying for more as though I was not doing enough.

    I took her from the wall to the sofa where I bent her over, tilting her ass further up. This time I was sure I would hit the G-spot. Again, I thrust into her and with my left hand, took her two hands and held them behind her back at the centre of her ass where I could see them. I held her right hip with my right hand while pounding continuously into her.

    ¡°Yes, baby,¡± She purred, ¡°¡­ give it to me. Oh, I fucken love it. I want more.¡±

    I was going toe soon, but I couldn¡¯t until I was sure my mate was satisfied. As we shifted closer to change positions, there was a little rattle on the door, and before I could say something the door flung open and Abby poked her head in.

    ¡°Oh, for fucksake!¡± She mored, docking back. ¡°Who does that a few minutes before the arrival of the guests? The King and Queen!¡± She continued bickering outside.

    I cked behind my mate as we chuckled together, tumbling to the floor. I was still inside her. But we couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that my sister was right. We were supposed to be ready by now. At least her.

    ¡°We willmenceter?¡± I whispered in her ear, kissing beside her left ear.

    She nodded, the sweat glistening on her skin causing me to want to damn the uing event and proceed with what we were doing. She was beyond imagination lying with my dick inside her still panting and her pussy still very wet and ready for me.

    ¡°I am still waiting!¡± Abigail hollered.

    I rolled my eyes and gently pulled out, taking my mate as I stood down the room to the shower. ¡°You cane in if you want,¡± I said before we entered the bathroom.

    I heard the door open and shut. ¡°The entire room reeks of sex!¡± Sheined. ¡°And mother was about toe. Ohmg the poor woman would have swooned if she saw this.¡±

    My mate was smiling, and so was I. I was happy to be here and there was nothing the little vixen would say to change that.

    ¡°What do you want, Abigail?¡± I asked from the bathroom.

    ¡°Mother is going mad downstairs from the guest that just arrived.¡±

    ¡°Which guest?¡± I had to ask.

    ¡°The Vampire King just arrived.¡±

    I was out of the bathroom as fast as light. What the fucken hell!

    ¡­

 Chapter 110

    **GWEN**

    The moment I heard Abby¡¯s statement, my ears perked up, my body tensing, knowing it was my handwork. I came out of the shower, grabbed the white towel on the hanger by the wall to wrap around myself and followed Ashton who was apparently fuming.

    He snatched his clothes from the bed and made for the door, not sparing either of us any nce.

    ¡°The vampire King is here for real?¡± I asked to be certain, drawing closer to Abby who was just turning back from staring after her brother.

    She nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m surprised too. What gave him the nerves toe here?¡± As she spoke her facial expression ryed her disgust.

    I sharply looked away, choosing to make my way to the wardrobe to pick up my undies and start preparation. It appeared I would have to go down as soon as possible since the guests were already starting to arrive.

    ¡°Gwen?¡± Abby¡¯s voice drawled suspiciously.

    ¡°Mmm?¡± I wore my bra, picked up my thongs and wore, not looking her way.

    ¡°Why do I feel like you have a hand in this?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± I eventually gathered the nerves to face her, done with my underwear. I would need help with the gown because the back had twines to be fastened rather than a zip. ¡°W-why do you think so?¡± I stuttered, arching my brow. I maintained a neutral expression.

    ¡°Gwen!¡± She wed. ¡°It¡¯s you! I should have known. No member of this family would dare invite members of the forbidden creatures. No one but¡­ you!¡± She was in front of me at once, her eyes wide. ¡°My brother is going to be so crossed with you, what have you done?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± I finally bucked, picked up my gown, and checked for how to wear it. The door opened and Kora walked in.

    ¡°Your Highness, the guests are starting to arrive and there is a little uproar downstairs as¡­¡±She paused, contemting how to say what I already knew.

    ¡°Come help me, Kora.¡± I waved her forward.

    ¡°Gwen_¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to handle it, Abby,¡± I cut her off. ¡°I invited them as the Queen and I intend for them to stay. As for your brother, I will address him. The pack members would rx once they see their King do the same.¡± I was searching around, grabbing anything I could to put on to assist Kora.

    I had wasted too much time already. Thanks to Ashton.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a part of this one, Gwen.¡± Abby was starting to pace. She was not even dressed.

    ¡°Perhaps, you should go dress up ande help me wee the guests. Let me deal with it, please.¡±

    ¡°Mother_¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s going to be alright, I tell you.¡±

    She howled and stomped for the door.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Hurry!¡± I hollered after her.

    ¡°Your Highness, are you sure you can handle this one?¡± Korea queried after the door closed. I was doubting myself too, to be honest. When I invited those people, it was because I wanted them toe, to stretch out an olive palm. Still, I was sceptical that they would ept it.

    To me, I envisaged them dumping the invitation letters in the trash and cursing us out. And now they¡¯re here.

    It meant the goddess was in support of this. She made theme because it was the right thing to do. And I am going to make this work.

    Once done with prepping and priming, trying all the knots that left me tardy breathless, essories and other necessities, I only took my purse and left, telling Kora to keep my shawl close and also stay near wherever I was in case I needed them.

    I left the room and as I was turning in the direction of the staircase, I saw Abbye out of her room, fully dressed in an almond-shaped hazel ball gown. I was skittish, my mind doing a 100-degree full spin, nevertheless, I couldn¡¯t help but admire how it brought out the loveliness in her.

    ¡°You look absolutely dazzling, Abby.¡± I waited for her to reach me.

    She blushed and took my right hand to draw me close. ¡°You too. I must confess, chaos aside, I have never seen a more beautiful Queen.¡±

    ¡°Am I?¡±

    As we took small steps down, her eyes were wide. ¡°I will assume you merely ask to tease. Even the blind could see that.¡±

    I looked down to make sure I didn¡¯t misstep and go tumbling down the stairs as a result of my jittery nerves. Ashton made me this beautiful tonight and now I had ruined everything. I knew he was not going to take it lightly.

    He might be sweet to me nowadays, still, I couldn¡¯t help but recall how mean he could be when he was not himself.

    We got to the first wing that faced the foyer and I stopped to pinch my cheek for extra colours, putting on the best morous smile I could evoke and with my hand slightly on my friend¡¯s, we faced the front door.

    Once out, Mousy was there, fully fitted in a new white officer¡¯s garter that was an improved version of his former uniform. It was nice seeing him in this. At seeing us, his head nearly hit the floor in prostration.

    ¡°Your Highness, Princess!¡±

    ¡°Mousy,¡± I looked on with a smile as a couple approached, hailed us, and left after bowing. ¡°How¡¯s the evening going?¡±

    ¡°Very well, Your Highness.¡± He shifted to the side, to create enough room for people to pass. The door was wide enough for all of us. ¡°If you would permit me to say, you look stunning, your highness,¡± He mustered.

    ¡°Thank you, Mousy.¡± I flipped an escaped hair to the back of my left ear still smiling sheepishly. I was growing more nervous because there was no presence of Ashton. I hope he was not in the main hall causing havoc. We had to check. ¡°We have to go now, Mousy, keep an open eye down here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness, Princess.¡± He bowed once more as we made our way out.

    ¡°The man seems to like you a lot,¡± Abby admitted on the way.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know why. In fact, I personally used to be appalled by his over-excitement but not anymore.¡±

    We reached the main hall, and from the outside, it was already buzzing with different creatures. Some of the creatures were in their forms roaming about. There were the werebears traipsing around, their huge forms intimidating as they watched from the sides, almost seeming threatening.

    I looked away to see Abby watching me.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I hope you know what you are doing?¡±

    ¡°Abby_¡±

    ¡°Fine, I am with you. My brother is going to be mad¡­ You should be ready.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± I said with a note of confidence. I was waiting for whatever came out of this.

    The room was tense. Despite the music humming in the background, and some dancing, one could easily tell that the atmosphere was full of eerie suspense. Like everyone was ready for attack. No one trusted the other; each ready for anything.

    It was not supposed to be like this.

    I spot the Queen long before her eyes rounded on us. She was speaking to a group of women but soon took an excuse and made her way to us.

    ¡°I was starting to think you two won¡¯t graze us with your presence.¡± She made it to us, nursing a ss of oxblood substance.

    ¡°Mother.¡± Abby bowed.

    ¡°Your husband is going nuts,¡± The Queen went on, afterwards. ¡°I had managed to tame him, telling him to go back to the squad ande in when he was calm.¡±

    I caused this. He would surely know. I¡¯m certain his mother must have told him.

    ¡°I warned you, Gwen,¡± The Queen stood beside me, sipping from her ss while watching two couples dancing in the middle of the dancefloor. ¡°This night is likely not to go down well.¡±

    ¡°Not if we make the most of it,¡± I interjected. ¡°The night would go how we want it. I told you, we have to lead the way and believe me, if these people coulde here, they¡¯ll follow without batting an eye.¡±

    Charlotte let out a deep-throated chuckle before taking another swig of her wine. ¡°You amaze me, child.¡±

    The door swung open again, reminding me I was supposed to be weing our guest. I took an excuse and went to station myself there. It was not long before Abby joined me as Charlotte made her way back to her friends.

    ¡°Wee,¡± I nodded to a beautiful couple, with siren eyes who gave me the loveliest smile and expressed how delighted they were to be invited to one of the grandest balls in the history of the supernatural, then they grabbed their sses of champagne from a nearby waitress and made their way in.

    I was enjoying this and from the manner Abby was grinning from ear to ear, I could deduce she was too.

    It was gettingte and the ballroom was filled to capacity and still, there was no presence of Ashton nor any of his men.

    I was growing worried. His mother too.

    She came back to us. ¡°I have been trying to reach Ashton he isn¡¯t responding.¡±

    ¡°Me too, Mother.¡± Abby intoned, looking at her wristwatch. My eyes travelled to the ballroom where our guests danced and merried, not caring if their hosts were there or not.

    ¡°Something is off,¡± Charlotte admitted. ¡°I can perceive a foul smell in the air.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, Mother?¡± Abby inquired in a voice thick with dread.

    Immediately, a horse galloped in full speed into the front yard, and the rider; a man in a ck cloak jumped down, sprinting towards us. It was one of the second inmand to Merit.

    He fell to his knees in front of us. ¡°Your Highnesses, Princess,¡± he was breathless. ¡°There has been an attack. The King and his Beta are down!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 111

    **GWEN**

    My first reaction was a gasp that emitted from my mouth long before I realized myself and took a step forward in panic. Forgotten was the party behind me and the people waiting for their hosts to deliver the first dance and speech. My heart instantly dpidated with the news of my mate out there. Down.

    Down as in how?

    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®down?''¡± I confronted the messenger, my eyes wide in apprehension. I dropped my gown and went for his shoulders, cing my hands on both of them to get his full attention. ¡°Take me there.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Charlotte intervened, apparentlying out of shock herself. She took my right wrist and tugged me a step away from the man. ¡°You have to stay here and keep the party going. I will go with Abigail to them.¡± I was shaking my head, my spirit, soul and body were no longer here with them. What does she mean by ¡®keep the party going¡¯? How could I do that when at this moment I could hardly maintain a clear head?

    ¡°Look at me!¡± Charlottemanded, grasping my shoulders to steady me. ¡°You are the Queen and in the absence of your King, you must keep things going!¡± Tears shone in my eyes. Please, she should not mention the word ¡®absence¡¯

    ¡°He would need me!¡± I cried.

    ¡°And your people would need you!¡± She countered. ¡°Get my bag, Abigail, and meet me in the car.¡± Abby ran off and Charlotte faced me. ¡°They must never know what happened this night. You must do everything to make this night work. I have to go to my son and I promise to bring them back safely.¡±

    ¡°I caused this,¡± I mumbled as a single tear made its way down my face. ¡°If-If¡­¡±

    ¡°Shush¡­¡± She stopped me. ¡°You didn¡¯t cause anything. Gwendolyn! Look at me.¡± I was trying. But a stream of tears kept clouding my eyes, my head swirling with different ogre scenarios of what could have happened to my husband. ¡°You will not disappoint me.¡±

    Abby appeared with her bag and Charlotte snatched it, moving farther away from me and disappeared into the night as she ordered Abby to follow her. The guard led the way.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Abby said before going with them. ¡°You have to trust us. Mother is right, this night now falls on you. Be our Queen!¡± And then she joined her mother.

    Oh, my dear mate. Why this night? Why did he not just stay back? Why, oh, why?

    I sharply wiped my eyes with the back of my hand as hastily as I could, taking caution not to be seen by anyone. They must never know, as instructed by Charlotte.

    ¡°Your Highness, here.¡± I heard Kora appear beside me, iling a white handkerchief which I took and dabbed at my face.

    ¡°Thank you, Kora.¡± I hushed, striving to control my emotions. I couldn¡¯t. Goddess knew how trodden I was emotionally and I was having abat with myself on how I was going to do this tonight.

    ¡°You have to go in now, your highness, it seems the second dance just finished and the guests are beginning to gossip.¡± As she spoke, her eyes were behind me, checking out the guests. ¡°Just smile, wee them, and inform them the King is busy with something and will join before the end of the night.¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s a lie!¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t know.¡± She took the hanky from my hand and leaned closer to dab it somewhere underneath my lower eyelid. ¡°They will be soon carried away with wine and dance into the night they could hardly care.¡± She took a step back with an encouraging smile. ¡°I know you can do this.¡±

    I tried on a smile. ¡°Thank you, Kora. Okay¡­ I-I will go now.¡±

    She bowed and stepped back to where she was before.

    I took a deep breath and made a turn into the ballroom. Immediately all eyes turned to me, and that was when I understood what Kora meant by they were gossiping. Women gathered in corners were in groups, their heads bent to each other with their mouths moving with not a word of their utterance ever heard as a result of the loud music.

    I made for the small staircase that led to the rostrum, as much as possible, maintaining a brave elegant front, a morous smile, and a confident stride.

    Once I neared the podium, with a grateful smile I waved to the instrumentalists, and stood tall, facing the crowd. I used to be a queen back at my former pack, warranting I addressed others once in a while, albeit, nothing prepared me for this manner of crowd.

    Not only were their eyes piercing, but there was also this severe look of hawkish curiosity in them, as though waiting for me to drop a bombshell of failure even before the party started.

    I cleared my throat, refusing to break.

    ¡°Hello, everyone,¡± I stated, ¡°I am sorry about the dy in officially dering the asion started. There had been a little¡­ change in ns.¡± I chuckled nervously, which was quickly covered up with another throaty clear. I was trembling, so I decided to move about while talking.

    ¡°You see, when the invitation was sent out, we were kind of¡­ two-minded. Would theye? Or would they not? If you get what I mean. But in all things, y¡¯all have no idea how delighted the entire Kingdom of Chronicles, and most especially the Mcgregor family is thrilled to have youe all the way from your packs, your Kingdoms to this ce. It means a lot to us, I must tell you.¡± There was apuse, then silence.

    ¡°What about the King?!¡± Someone resonated from the gathering. Well, I was hoping they didn¡¯t ask.

    My smile heightened. ¡°Yes, about the King, he is¡­ slightly engaged with pack business, but I promise he would be here before the night dies. Alphas and Betas here would understand how these things transpire. So on behalf of my husband, the royal family, and the entire Kingdom, I say wee. Eat, Merry, do whatever you like in peace and harmony.¡± I hailed a nearby waitress close and snatched a flyer of champagne, tipping it up. ¡°To unity!¡±

    ¡°To unity!¡± They chorused and we sipped at once. I was not expecting them to reply, so it came as a shock and dematerialized when the instrumentalist went into a full st and as a man came forward.

    A very handsome man.

    His hand was out to me. ¡°Since the King is not here, may I have the honour of being granted the first dance with the most beautiful woman in this building?¡± If not for the numerous trainings I had gotten from Charlotte on how to act in front of my subjects, I knew I was definitely going to blush.

    And very well, apart from that, I was not in exactly a good frame of mind. Still, I had to y along.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Of course.¡± I set my ss down on the table and took his hand. He assisted me down the podium and took me to the dance floor. All eyes were on us. Was this a test? Was I passing?

    The music changed and this man-possibly a ballerina-twined his left hand around my waist, sweeping me off my feet. Before you know it, I was floating through the dancefloor, not feeling my feet as he was too fast and at the same time, very urate.

    Thanks to my great dancing skills, I didn¡¯t trod on his feet or embarrass myself.

    ¡°I see the Queen is a match for me.¡± He held my arms in a vice-like grip, tugging me into his chest. Very strong massive chest. I blinked to focus. My mate is somewhere in an unknown state, I have to keep that in mind.

    ¡°I try my best to please,¡± was my only response.

    I heard a resounding rumble that sounded like an earthquake, only that it came from him. I moved away, happy as the others began joining us on the dancefloor.

    ¡°Why does your Kingdom suddenly want peace with the other Kingdoms?¡± He asked as I returned to his arms. Damn, this dance!

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want peace among the creatures?¡± I asked, my eyes flicking to the door where someone just walked in. Tyler. Fuck, I need to speak to him.

    ¡°I do, still, that didn¡¯t answer my question.¡± My mind was no longer with him. I was already plotting means of escaping his arms, not caring one bit about his inquiries. Who is this man in the first ce?

    ¡°I see you are quite enamoured by someone there.¡± He caught me, eyeing Tyler who at that moment saw me. He began making his way to us. ¡°Is he your lover?¡±

    My eyes snapped to him. ¡°I beg your pardon but I may need my respite. That is the chief guardian and supposed mate to my best friend. I take offence at your unsanctioned usation.¡±

    Tyler was beside us. ¡°Excuse me, if you don¡¯t mind I have a message for the Queen.¡± There was steel in his voice as he spoke and from the way he said it, you can tell his utterance brooked no argument.

    ¡°Of course,¡± The man said with a hint of a smile in his voice, his eyes fixed on Tyler in a suspicious manner. ¡°I look forward to finishing our conversation sometime else, my Queen.¡± The man kissed my knuckles too intimately, bowed, and left.

    I huffed, wiping my knuckles on the back of the gown. What effrontery!

    ¡°Tyler!¡± I took his hand and began leading him out of the hall to a secluded ce.

    ¡°The King was struck down and here you are basking in the deceptive tributes of the Vampire King.¡±

    ¡°Vampire King?¡± I ignored his rude usation to ask.

    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t even know who you were dancing with.¡± We arrived at an isted hall and closed the door to reduce the music st. ¡°That was dimir, the Vampire King. He is very deceptive and maniptive. Do well to avoid him. He takes advantage of his good looks and charms to lure women into doing whatever he asks and when that doesn¡¯t seed, he uses his powers which believe me, no one has yet to subdue.¡±

    I shoot my head. dimir or whatever he called him was not my problem. I had a more demanding one. ¡°Where is the King?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 112

    **ASHTON**

    What is happening? Why do I feel this level of pain? Damn it! It looked as though my eyes were bound with heavy-weight objects. I couldn¡¯t move or blink them.

    I tried again, this time with a groan. Fangs were agitating too. I knew he wanted to show himself, but I couldn¡¯t let him out because that would mean danger. It was rare for me to let out my Lycae. As a matter of fact, it was a rarity for a Lycan to let out their Lycae when it was not yet the red moon.

    This is because without the closeness or at least the presence of the red moon, it made it hard for us to control them. For someone like me, I have learned over the years to control Fangs because of how vicious he could be if threatened or smelled unwanted confrontation.

    Something like what happened this evening. We were caught in a trap. A trap I was still confused about how we entered it.

    After my sister broke the news of the presence of the Vampire King, I had been blinded by rage all I desired to do was to go down there and ask him to leave. When I reached down, I was further dismayed to see not in the cunning dimir but other creatures that for as long as I had lived in my Kingdom have been banned from coexisting on the same side us. Even before my birth, such had been the case.

    All of them were there. Except for the werewolves.

    I was mad. Utterly and uncontrobly mad. I was going to lose it and at that moment one thing was for sure, my Lycae was surely going take control.

    Mother saw that and stopped me before I could get to the main hall and asked me to leave. She said I should go do something else or be with the crew until I had my control back. I had to leave.

    I saw Merit with the othersing back and she was incensed with me for leaving without informing her-since she was supposed to be everywhere with me as my Delta or someone else- but I deluded everyone by running off.

    Still infuriated myself, I asked for Williams and was told he was still with the other guardians by the border. I had to ask the train to return. I could see the look of disappointment on their faces, seeing as I was keeping them from being at the party early.

    That was how it happened.

    Just close to the border camp, I started feeling heady. My heady was swimming, and my Lycae going in uproar. The next thing I recalled was shouting voices, Merit by my side screaming at the top of her lungs as I hit the ground from my horse.

    Now, I¡¯m here.

    Where?

    At once, my eyes snapped open. ¡°Mother?¡±

    ¡°Son!¡± My mother was by my nk, falling to her knees beside me to touch my forehead. ¡°I was over my head with worry that you won¡¯t wake up.¡± Tears shimmered in her eyes. Tears, in my mother¡¯s eyes?

    ¡°Mo-¡± My chest wrecked with cough. Very painful cough. I sat up force full, going on my knees as my body rocked with more cough. Then, I saw blood. ¡°Wa-water.¡±

    ¡°Get him water! Quickly!¡± Mother screamed and someone ran off. ¡°Hold on, there, son.¡± She was tapping my back.

    I was still coughing more blood. At this point, I was striving to stay strong, utilizing the little strength I had with my healing power which right now I was not supposed to use since I didn¡¯t know what was wrong with me.

    ¡°Here, take.¡± My mother ced the bottle of water in my mouth and I gulped down hastily. ¡°My chest, Mother.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, son. It¡¯s the after-effect of the charm.¡± She continued tapping by back.

    I have stopped coughing by now. I sat up straight. ¡°What charm are you talking about, Mother?¡±

    ¡°Someone had unleashed the venomous charm of the seven covens on you. That was why you fell.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°How? Mother, who brought those people here?¡± I asked in the calmest voice I could muster knowing it must have been from the guests. This was why we never allowed them here. This was a very slim line we trod on by allowing those people here. They were enemies!

    ¡°Son, that is not what matters_¡±

    ¡°Mother!¡± I howled. ¡°I respect you so much and you know that. I know you didn¡¯t because out of all people know how much they hate us, how much they want me down! They want our Kingdom to go into extinction! Tell me who did!¡± From the way her eyelids distorted downward, and when my eyes travelled to my sister, she was shifting on her feet ufortably, I knew the person.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± I stood up abruptly. I was lying on the floor. In a room. An unkempt room. It must be in the forest. I, King of Chronicles lying on a raffia leave in a dumpster! and it¡¯s all because of my carriers mate! A woman who does not listen to instructions! A woman who acts impulsively, not caring for the implications of her actions! ¡°How could she?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t mean to do it, son,¡± My mother defended, standing up with me. My mother had turned too soft for my liking. My mother who I knew, the woman who brought us up with a steel hand would never tolerate this irrational decision from anyone!

    ¡°She could have killed me, Mother,¡± I said, looking around the disgusting room. ¡°Mother, she-she is insane!¡±

    ¡°She means only the best and she deeply regrets her actions, I promise you.¡± As she spoke, my sister¡¯s head kept bobbing after her, acknowledging everything my mother said. However, that was not important.

    ¡°Where are my men? Williams, everyone?¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen Williams,¡± My mother told me. ¡°As for your other men, they¡¯re good. I think the charm was meant to hurt only you. The Deltas are outside as I instructed and the guardians I had sent out to their homes to prepare and go the ball.¡±

    ¡°The ball.¡± I totally forgot.

    ¡°Yes, the ball.¡± My mother¡¯s hand stroked my arms as if still trying to soothe me. ¡°Gwen is there making sure they don¡¯t notice your absence.¡±

    The mere mention of her name right now irritated me. I was beyond irked that if I encountered her now I would not hesitate to put her in her ce for putting my life and the entire Kingdom at risk all for what? She didn¡¯t even discuss it with me!

    ¡°I have to go back.¡± I made for the door. ¡°What do you mean by you haven¡¯t seen Williams?¡±

    My mother was behind me. ¡°We came right to you that we didn¡¯t have the time to go after the others. But we trust he would be alright.¡±

    When we reached outside, truly, Merit and her squad were there, and at seeing me, a look of relief registered on their faces as they bowed their heads. Merit rushed to me. ¡°I¡¯m d you are awake, My King.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Have you seen my Beta?¡±

    ¡°No, not yet. Thest time we saw him was at the camp. He might have left for the pce.¡±

    Why am I feeling a bit troubled about his whereabouts? Williams would never be far from where I was. Every time I encountered difficulties such as this one, he was always there when I woke up. But not this time.

    ¡°That was a very rash act you did before, My King,¡± Merit proceeded, her hair matching by own. I could spot my horse out in the open night and couldn¡¯t wait to reach him. ¡°You should have informed us before leaving.¡±

    I didn¡¯t respond until I got to my horse and leapt on it. I turned to Merit. ¡°Make sure my mother and sister are safely taken back to the pce, then you inform the patrollers that I need to see Williams in case he is still there, immediately.¡± With that, I galloped into the night.

    It was just normal procedure and a means to shut Merit the fuck up. I was not in the mood for her busy body. After all, if any chaos should arise along the way, I was certain my mother and sister could save themselves in the snap of a finger.

    There was something wrong somewhere, I didn¡¯t know what it was, nheless, deep down my guts, it continually gnawed. Much like a bad omen.

    It didn¡¯t take long to arrive at the pce.

    I didn¡¯t bother going to the main pce to change, I went in search of my mate. I had questions I needed answers to. Tonight I had to confirm between her and me who was the King. If we were going to live in peace, she had to answer that question.

    What I was not expecting was to meet my mate engulfed in a tight embrace in the arms of another man in an isted part of the building where the ball was held while he whispered sweet words of nothing into her ears.

    ¡°G-Gwendolyn?¡± My voice shook.

    ¡­

 Chapter 113

    **GWEN**

    ¡°The King had entered into an ambush,¡± Tyler said to me in a thick concerned voice, his face passive in the dim light.

    My mouth fell open in dismay, and I took a step back with my hand to my stomach which seemed to have knotted,bined with the tightened corset. I forgot to breathe for a second. ¡°H-how did it happen?¡± I was on him again, taking his left hand. ¡°I need to see my husband.¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡± He reced my hands with his, tugging me gently. ¡°You need to focus on the present. He would be fine. The former Queen just arrived at the area and I had toe because I knew you would need someone here with you.¡±

    ¡°Tyler!¡± My voice chugged with tears. The corners of my eyes were starting to sting from tears, the guests in the ballroom, had totally forgotten. ¡°Would he be okay?¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°He would be fine. He is the Lycan King.¡±

    ¡°I-I caused this.¡± That was all I could think. My eyes skated about with a nk mind. I felt like I could do something but then I didn¡¯t know what. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have invited these people here. I caused this.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t. This might be premeditated.¡± He moved away from me and by our left was a door which he opened and when I followed it burst out into the open. A veranda. I went to stand by the baluster, letting out a guilty sigh with my eyes down. I could feel Tyler by my side and I appreciated his presence here but I was more than worried now and would be until I knew my mate was alright. Until I saw him.

    ¡°Gwen?¡±

    ¡°I am a failure, Ty.¡± I finally let a tear fall down my face. ¡°I¡­ I thought I could do this. I should have confided in my husband. I should have heeded to Charlotte. She warned me.¡±

    ¡°It is not your fault.¡±

    ¡°I am the Queen I am supposed to protect my people and not put them in harm¡¯s way.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°What am I going to do? What do you think I should do?¡± I left the baluster to face him, my eyes still shimmering with tears.

    Tyler was clueless. I was cing him in a confused position, I knew that but I was not thinking straight. ¡°You need to calm down, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Ashton would hate me.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°We were just starting to build our rtionship and now I have gone to ruin it.¡±

    ¡°You had the right intentions at heart.¡±

    I shook my head, more tears spilling. ¡°Ty, you won¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Come here. I do.¡± He tugged me close and into his arms. I didn¡¯t hesitate to mould my body into him as I seriously neededfort. I was grateful he was there at this point when I needed someone the most. That was until¡­

    ¡°What the fuck is going on here?¡± I jumped back, my shimmering eyes flying to the door where Ashton stood tall and good, his facial expression soured as he appraised us. I could literally hear the grinding of his teeth, see the thick veins protruding from his face and his fingers balling as his eyes spit fire at us.

    ¡°Ashton.¡± My feet moved in his direction, joy overflowing inside me at seeing him.

    His fingers shot out to stop me, his eyes not leaving Tyler behind me. ¡°I asked, what is going on here?¡±

    ¡°I-I was¡­ Tyler came to tell me of what happened,¡± I started to say, gesturing between them. ¡°I was so worried. I thought something _¡±

    ¡°So, while I was there lying down unconscious as a result of your irrational decision, while you are here  throwing yourself like the whore you are at another man!¡± He jabbed his finger at me as he spoke.

    My ears rang. ¡°Ashton, what are you saying?¡±

    ¡°And you!¡± He took a fat gait forward and passed me in the direction of Tyler and before I would recover from the shock of his words and turn to them, I saw him grab him by the cor and m him against the wall, raising his fist about to punch him on the face.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I cried, rushing forward to wrap my hands around his waist. ¡°Please, stop. He didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°Let me go this minute, Gwen or I swear to the goddess I will make sure you regret your actions.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± I said, still uncertain about why he was attacking Tyler. He was mad at me, I know. But I didn¡¯t think he would still harbour anger toward Tyler or have any form of jealousy as he did in the past when he saw me and Tyler. ¡°Punish me, do whatever you want with me but keep him out of it.¡±

    The statement seemed to infuriate him the more as he growled loudly, his knuckles cracking as they connected with the wall beside Tyler¡¯s head. All this time, Tyler didn¡¯t make any move or try to fight him.

    ¡°I am so sick of seeing your face!¡± He dropped Tyler and ambled back with me still holding him. ¡°Leave at once and find my Beta. My sister is on her way here and I don¡¯t want her to see you here. Get out.¡± Tyler bowed, gave me a single nce, and matched away.

    Ashton took time to look outside at the field, with me standing behind now, fiddling with my fingers. I was a mess. My makeup was now in shambles. I opened my mouth to plead my cause, but it shut off its volition because I knew at this point of his anger, there was nothing I had to say he would want to listen to.

    ¡°You disappoint me every day, Gwen.¡± He was the first to say, still not facing me. ¡°You are reckless, stubborn, impulsive and to cap it all, too much of an attention seeker!¡±

    ¡°I am sorry!¡± I cried, running to stand in front of him. ¡°I fucked up, happy?¡± Tears poured from my eyes. ¡°I know you are mad at me and I deserve it. I just need you to know what I did¡­ it was of pure intention. I didn¡¯t mean to bring them to our people.¡±

    ¡°Our people?¡± The corners of his eyes creased as he tilted his head forth. ¡°You call them ¡®our people¡¯ after what you did did?¡± He asked. ¡°Gwen, you risked the life of my people, the very people you are supposed to lead all for what? To chase clout?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± My hands extended to touch him and withdrew halfway in fear he would turn away. ¡°Ashton you know I would never do that. I only wanted peace. I¡­ I want peace between us. All the creatures.¡±

    ¡°And you think this was the best way to do it? This is our fucken annual ceremony! Not for everyone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    ¡°No, you are not.¡± He was nodding as he said it. His stoic facade passed more messages than he could have said with his mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t respect my tradition. You have less regard for me, for my people if not you will know better. You will consult me before taking steps this gigantic.¡±

    My legs involuntarily fell closer, taking his hand. He jerked away, moving farther away from me. ¡°Ashton, I love you and I love your people. I swear, this was a mistake.¡±

    ¡°You have to learn your lesson. Stay away from me.¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I shook my head. ¡°Let me rectify this.¡± I didn¡¯t know how but I had to do something. I didn¡¯t want him to withdraw from me anymore. I fucked up, I ept but he had to forgive me.

    ¡°We are going to go back there and carry on this absurd feat of a ball, once it¡¯s done, keep to yourself and reflect on your shorings while I also do the same because at this point I have to make up my mind if I am willing to condone a recalcitrant wife as you.¡±

    Without another word he swung around and opened the door, stepping to the side for me to pass. I was speechless, tears still in my eyes. Quickly, I dabbed at it, smothered my hands down my gown, and instinctively skimmed my eyes about for witnesses hence I stepped forward and passed to the other side. As we made our way back to the party, the silence was palpable and from time to time I peered at Ashton to spot any form of ingenuity in what he said back there, but his expression held nothing.

    As we walked into the ballroom hand in hand, I stered on a fake smile to the guest whose eyes were now focused on us, and as usual, the mamas began whispering amongst themselves.

    ¡°Now we will have our dance,¡± Ashton leaned in to whisper in my ear, and I shuddered, nodding in agreement. The moment his arms came about me and drew me into his body, taking me to the middle of the dance floor, I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

    The only trouble was I didn¡¯t know if it was a warmth of tenderness or have we returned back to our former hostile territory.

    ¡­

 Chapter 114

    **GWEN**

    The night seemed to be endless and so was my uneasy heart. Ashton hardly spared me a nce, even as we danced.  It was as if I was there but to him, I was not existing. With each step we made on the dance floor, you the onlookers everything was alright, but between us, we knew there was war.

    Immediately the dance came to an end, the gathering broke out in a loud cheer, howling at the top of their voices as we bowed and Ashton led me out towards the staircase that led to his throne. His hands not leaving mine.

    ¡°That was a wonderful performance, I must say, Ashton.¡± Came a familiar voice just before we approached the staircase.

    I felt Ashton tense, the hand holding mine tightening as we came to a stop and very slowly he twisted around with me to face the same man I had danced with before whom Tyler confirmed to be the Vampire King.

    ¡°dimir,¡± Slurred Ashton, forcing on a smile.

    ¡°Oh,e off it, Lycan,¡± the man waved, smoking port which he exhaled into the air. The dance went on, others oblivious of the silent contention going on here. ¡°I know you are not happy to see me here.¡±

    ¡°And why will you say such, dimir?¡±

    ¡°Because thest time we met you made it clear the next time we meet it would end in bloodshed.¡± The man appeared veryposed and unfazed.

    ¡°And yet here we are.¡±

    ¡°Here we are,¡± dimir said with a hint of a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°What a beauty you have here.¡± He nodded in my direction.

    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± That was when for the first time since our brawl, Ashton¡¯s hand skimmed mine as he shifted to side to beam at me. ¡°Meet my wife, Gwen_¡±

    ¡°We have already met,¡± The man cut him off, a mischievous smile on his face. ¡°Beautiful Gwendolyn¡­¡±

    Besides me, I heard Adhton growl, tugging me closer to him, knowingly or unknowingly. All the same, I didn¡¯t waste time standing closer to him, maintaining the best faux smile I could muster. When Ashton shared a look with me, all I could hope was that he didn¡¯t have anything awkward running through his head.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Was all he said. ¡°I¡¯m d my mate had been a good host, then.¡±

    ¡°Very, Ashton. More than you could ever be.¡± His voice was sounding taunting by now. ¡°And I must add, the best dancer I have been graced to have in my arms.¡±

    More angry rubble down Ashton¡¯s chest, his hand on mine bing too tight it was beginning to hurt. Hot sweat broke out through my skin, wishing the ground to open and swallow me whole. Or better still for this man to stop whatever he was doing because it was cing my already delicate situation in a worse state.

    I touched my temple, tilting my head to the side and in the process, I caught Abby and Charlotteing into the ballroom, and their eyes swept our way, looking frantic. What was going on?

    Impulsively, I tugged at Ashton¡¯s arm to get his attention. ¡°Your mother.¡± I nodded towards them.

    He stopped in the middle of what he was saying to dimir as he located his mother who was pushing through the gathering with Abby behind her.

    They soon reached our aide and that ad when I noticed  Abby¡¯s eyes were swollen and red. She had been crying. ¡°Abby!¡± I seized my hand from Ashton and hurried to her. ¡°What is going on?¡± I took her shoulders to ask. I had to raise my voice to be heard above the st of the instrumentalists.

    ¡°There is a problem,¡± Charlotte said, her body movement restless. I could tell she was in a frenzy. ¡°Come with me, son.¡± She took his wrist and without another word with the vampire King began dragging him away.

    I was confused. Abby was trembling beside me, more tears pouring. She was trying to fight it but I could tell she was not doing a good job.

    ¡°Abby, please talk to me,¡± I pleaded, ushering her after her mother and Ashton. ¡°What is going on?¡± She shook her head down. Thanks to the distraction of the dance, no one noticed what was going on as we disappeared from the crowd outside.

    After cornering to the quieter part of the building on the left hand side of the building. Charlotte stopped and faced Ashton. ¡°Williams¡­¡±

    At the mention of his name, Abby broke down in my arms and wept harder. I grasped her hands and held her up before she hit the ground.

    ¡°What about Williams?¡± Ashton queried lightly, touching the waist of his pants where I spied something ck tucked in there. ¡°Mother, talk to me. What is wrong?¡±

    ¡°They found his body.¡±

    Ashton staggered back as the tempo of Abby¡¯s cry intensified. I was dumbstruck too. Tearsmenced streaking down my face. It was a lie. Williams couldn¡¯t be¡­ no!

    ¡°No, no,¡± Ashton shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not possible. Williams!¡± In a sh, he swerved around to move but his mother blocked him, taking his arms to halt him.

    ¡°I have sent out the chief guardian and female Delta to make sure his body is safely brought back to the pce.¡± Her eyes skated around. ¡°We have to make sure no one knows. Which means you are to remain here. All of us must remain here. We have raised enough questions for one night.¡±

    None of what she was saying made sense to me. And from the facial expression of Ashton, I knew he was of the same mindset too. This was simply impossible.

    This day had brought nothing short of sorrows our way. It was supposed to be a happy day for this pack, but as a result of my impulsive action, I had brought this upon us. As I stood there, my body now quivering, unable to console Abby, I knew I had messed up in a big way.

    What have I done?

    ¡­

 Chapter 115

    **GWEN**

    It has been three days since the ball and since Williams was found dead. The pack had been serene with everyone silently mourning the loss of their beloved Beta.

    No one said it, but somehow, everywhere I went it seemed the news of my involvement in bringing in other creatures into the Kingdom had spread like wildfire and everyone now looked at me in a certain way that despite not saying it to my face, I knew they the hate they harboured for me from the onset was now full-fledged, if not worse.

    I killed their Beta. I brought evil into the pack and nearly killed their King.

    It was there in their eyes and they didn¡¯t need to tell me. I just knew. These days leaving my room was a herculean task I thought profoundly about so I left.

    Albeit, I had to. I needed to be in certain ces at certain times; the temple, visitation-even if they shut their doors on me once they heard of my arrival. And Abby, she hadn¡¯t looked my way nor spoken to me since then. I killed her mate.

    As I stood by my window this evening looking outside as twilight approached, tears slowly streaked down my face one at a time; watching the humane sky, yet feeling indifferent as a result of how tumultuous my heart was.

    Who could have done this evil? Which of the creatures had carried out such a barbaric act? The humans? But how? Yes, I had invited them, yet, they were not present at the ball.

    None¡­ not even Sweetbaby.

    I had singrly invited him, seeing as he was the most obsessed with the Lycans; to ask for peace. He was not there.

    So, who?

    Ashton said he had walked into a trap. Who set this trap? How did the person set it without the guardians, Deltans, patrollers, and salutaries seeing them?

    How?

    The more I thought about it, the more confused I got.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I reached up to wipe tears off my face, turning back with my hands on my chest. I swept my eyes through the room, seeing nothing. My eyes stopped at a new artwork of me set opposite me on the wall. It captured me in my happiest moment.

    When I was still cheerful.

    It came in the day after the ball. Turned out Ashton wanted to surprise me with it after the ball. I ruined that.

    A knock sounded on the door catching my attention. Who could it be? Ashton?

    ¡°Come in,¡± I called. It couldn¡¯t be him. He said it himself. He wanted me far from him. And even if he was, he wouldn¡¯t have knocked.

    Kora came in. ¡°Your Highness.¡± She bowed.

    ¡°Kora.¡± I left my location and crossed to the sofa to plop down.

    ¡°You look paler this evening, your highness. You have toe down for dinner today.¡± I shook my head and looked down at my hands. I was not going to do that. Dinner with people who hated me and possibly wanted me dead by all means by now.

    ¡°I am fine, Kora. I will have fruits and water this evening.¡± I have to suffer for what I did. I deserved it. Every treatment I got.

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Kora¡­ stop.¡±

    ¡°The former Queen¡­ she insisted.¡±

    ¡°She¡­¡±I shut my eyes and when I opened it, I looked io at her. She seemed very bothered. ¡°Would the King be there?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. She is angry you haven¡¯te down for three days.¡±

    ¡°Abby?¡±

    ¡°She hasn¡¯te out of her room since then.¡±

    Gosh! What if she did something bad to herself? Something nudged inside me to go check her out, but I was afraid she would ask me to get out. She might despise me now and I would dt want to hear her say it to me. Abby was my first close friend here and apart from Tyler, I didn¡¯t think anyone knew me more.

    ¡°Can you help me check how she is fairing?¡± I requested from Kora whose head bobbed.

    ¡°I will, your highness. However, the chief guardian arrived this evening to check on her. The King had asked for his presence.¡±

    I bolted up, my eyes wide. ¡°When did hee?¡± Shit! How could I have forgotten our parade?

    ¡°Not long ago. He had been with her there, I have t seen him leave.¡±

    I nodded, making my way to the bed. ¡°I hear you, Kora. Tell the former Queen I woulde down for dinner. I have to go to Abby now.¡±

    ¡°From what I heard from the Chief Salutary, the King had ordered the chief guardian to take Abby to his home.¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    ¡°I was unable to hear why before I had toe here.¡± She hasn¡¯t moved from the spot she stood since she came in. Only making hand gestures. I garnered she had nothing to do in here. Probably came to check on me and inform me about the dinner.

    ¡°Did the King say anything to the former Queen?¡± I queried mindlessly, my mind scattered all over. I didn¡¯t even know what I was thinking. ¡°I mean, have to heard anything?¡± But she said she hadn¡¯t. ¡°I mean, have you seen the former Queen? Is she furious?¡±

    Korea reached by side, and did what she had never done before; her hands came to both sides of my shoulders and grasped me gently, steadying me. ¡°Your Highness,¡± her soothing voice came. ¡°You have to calm down.¡±

    My chest was making a stato movement that didn¡¯t allow me to hear her. I needed to know why he was here now. ¡°Kora, I will see youter. I need to go.¡±

    ¡°Is there any problem, your highness?¡±

    ¡°No, no, not at all.¡± I waved my hand at her, shaking my head. My eyes went behind her and ended in a ck material on the bed. My shawl. I rushed forth grabbed it and hurried out of the door.

    I ran all the way to Abby¡¯s room nonstop, ignoring the curious looks on the faces of those I passed. They would surely wonder what had me in such scandalous haste, but knowing better not to stop me.

    I knocked. There was no sound. I knocked harder. What if she refused to open it because she knew I was the one?

    Fuck, Gwen, focus, I chastised myself.

    I knocked-the door swung open. Tyler stood there, weary obsidian taking me in and then I saw his shoulders sag in what appeared to be a relief, stepping back from the door to give me room.

    ¡°Tyler¡­¡±

    ¡°I swear I was going nuts over my head.¡± He began strolling back into the room and I fretfully and half-heartedly, took one step after the other into the room.

    Abby was curled on the bed, with the white bed cover wrapped about her as she looked into space, a totally cloned version of herself. I never knew my eyes would behold Abby in this state. And it is all my fault. Without meaning to, I ran to the bed and fell on it, my arms going about her. To my dismay, she didn¡¯t push me away. She remained impassive, not moving.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Abby,¡± I wept. ¡°I am so sorry for everything. I wish I could rewind back the hands of time I swear I would.¡±

    Like a dam was broken, her body began trembling as she let go of whatever she had been keeping bottled in and shook like she was electrified in despair.

    I didn¡¯t hold back either. I cried with her. This was our loss. Williams was a good man, the best mate to her and friend to me. And I killed him.

    Sometimeter when her tears subsided and wey there side by side, Abby engulfed in my embrace, Tyler standing by the window, his hands crossed over his broad chest as he watched us crossed legs, he eventually broke the silence and went to sit by the hearth with his hands forward.

    ¡°So what now?¡± He asked.

    I shrugged, lost for words. ¡°Did he tell you if the former Queen knows?¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t. So I can¡¯t tell_¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± Abby interrupted, shocking us both. Our eyes were on here. She sniffed and gradually sagged up. ¡°I can¡¯t bear being here without him. I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can endure it anymore.¡± She looked around the room, tears falling down the side of her face. ¡°If-If Tyler don¡¯t mind, I don¡¯t mind moving in with him. At least for now until I resolve what I am going to do with myself.¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­¡± I caressed her forearm.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Gwen¡­ Will is gone¡­¡± She took in an in-depth gust of air-one that bordered on strength. ¡°I want to be as far from his memory as I can.¡±

    My eyes traveled to Tyler who hadn¡¯t said a thing¡­ we watched each other. His we¡¯re oblivious but I could tell he knew the question at the tip of my tongue. What now?

    Are you willing to take her in?

    What about his lover? How was she going to feel about all this when she found out the Princess now resided in his household?

    ¡­

 Chapter 116

    **ASHTON**

    It was just three days but then it seemed like forever since I lost my best friend, my best man. My Beta. He was simply irreceable.

    I couldn¡¯t bear it.

    All because of her. If only she listens to me this wouldn¡¯t have happened. But trust my mate and her stubbornness. Because of her, my life was at stake and my Beta was gone from this world.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    It was a loss that couldn¡¯t be easily forgotten.

    Sitting above my horse atop a hill; our favourite hill-Williams and I, my eyes roamed the lowersnds, recalling those times when we were little when we went down there in a dare of who was braver. Of course, no one knew but Williams gave me the brevity to do most of the things I did today.

    He was a brave man.

    I knew from the first day I met him crying alone by the roadside that the two of us were going to make the best pally. He had lost his family and had nowhere to go. I begged my father to take him in and we became friends. And he never disappointed me. A tear streaked down my eyes as I let my head down, letting my long hair fall about my shoulders.

    A brave man is gone and even if it was with myst breath, I was going to make sure everyone who was responsible for his death suffered the same fate as him. I will make sure they suffer greatly, every one of them.

    I circled my horse about and started galloping for home. The more I neared my house, my eyes were fixed there, the forbidden ce where I knew resided my mate, the very person I despised right now and needed at the forefront of my revenge, and yet couldn¡¯t bring it in me to hurt her.

    The moment I entered my stables, I jumped down my horse and was brushing it down when I saw one of the guards running in my direction. I rolled my eyes, knowing what he was going to say before he said it.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± He bowed his head. ¡°Your mother pleads for your presence.¡±

    ¡°Get one of the stables hands to finish brushing down the striker and ready him for my evening ride.¡± I threw the brush to the ground and walked passed him to the pce door.

    Mousy bowed but didn¡¯t say a thing. Nobody had said a thing or was permitted to say a thing within these walls until the mourning days of my best friend were over. As I veered around in the direction of the living room, my mother was there. She wasing out.

    Her face was ashen. ¡°I was looking for you everywhere. Are we going to continue letting your sister lock herself in there?¡± As she spoke, her hands gestured upstairs. ¡°Heaven knows what she is up to!¡±

    ¡°Mother, I told you earlier I could handle this.¡± I dragged my fingers through my hair in exasperation. I was also mourning the loss of my friend.

    ¡°We have to get her out, son.¡± She insisted. ¡°You know how close she was to him and know how hard it¡¯s going to be to digest his demise, however, life has to continue.¡±

    ¡°Mother.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the truth, son. Same for you to..¡±

    ¡°He was my best friend.¡±

    ¡°He is dead. I miss the boy too.¡± She whisked the hem of her down out of the way as she narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°Nheless, pce business must proceed.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You have to fix his burial and while at it, the elders are going to call for a meeting to decide who is going to be the next Beta.¡±

    ¡°Mother, I don¡¯t need another Beta for now.¡±

    ¡°Well, thanks to the goddess, it¡¯s not what you need. It¡¯s what the Kingdom needs. Particrly, now you are not of sound mind.¡±

    ¡°Mother, you are beginning to upset me¡­ again.¡±

    She scoffed audibly. Then, she swung her eyes to the door where Mousy was standing, and at once the chap scampered off. ¡°Son, you have to drown this sentimental mask and put on a braver front. That is what I know Williams would have wanted from you.¡± She came forth and touched my left shoulder. ¡°I miss him too. He helped my boy be better, which is why I will honour him by not allowing you back to the man he saved you from.¡± With two pats she departed from me and made her way upstairs.

    ¡°I will check on your sister now_¡±

    ¡°Mother, there is something I need to tell you,¡± She paused, one leg on the upper stair and the other down, her eyes curious.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Abigail¡­¡± How was I even to tell her my sister was mated to that rogue? The same man who won¡¯t seem to keep his cursed hands off my mate!

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time, son!¡±

    ¡°She is leaving the pce.¡±

    Her bros arched to the top of her head. Not understanding. ¡°Exin.¡±

    ¡°She¡­ she found her mate.¡±

    ¡°Williams. I know.¡± She deadpanned. ¡°Which I happen to know is dead. So, where is she moving to?¡±

    ¡°Mother, not Williams. She was never mated to Williams.¡±

    This time the front leg joined the lower one, her hands taking her hems as she faced me fully. ¡°What are you talking about? As long as I have known those two, the scent was there. I knew they were mated. I thought you knew. I simply chose to ignore them while they fooled around.¡±

    ¡°Mother, what are you talking about?¡± It was my time to be puzzled.

    ¡°I always thought you were smarter, son. How could you im Williams to be your best friend and never knew he was mated to your sister? What kind of Lycan are you?¡±

    My mouth was agape, confounded. If Williams was Abigail¡¯s mate, who was Tyler then? Why did she say he was her mate? My head began aching.

    ¡°She said the Chief guardian was her mate.¡± The words tumbled from my lips.

    ¡°What Chief guardian?¡± She inquired, her forehead furrowed. ¡°The rogue?¡±

    ¡°Yes, mother.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. The same man I see you go red over each time you see him with your mate.¡±

    What! She knew. I didn¡¯t reply to that.

    She shook her head. ¡°I need to see my daughter. You youngsters and giving me a headache in my old age.¡±

    As she walked off, I was stupefied for a while only recovering after she had gone far. I ran after her.

    We arrived at the door at the same time and without knocking, I pushed the door open and came to a halt as I saw my mate on the bed with Abigail in her arms, as they faced Tyler by the hearth. They were talking but stopped at seeing us.

    My mother¡¯s eyes skipped between the three of them and stopped at the rogue when he stood and bowed to us.

    Even seeing him in the same room as my mate, breathing the same air with her was enough to vault across the room and finish what I didn¡¯t do the other night.

    But that was not the case now, my eyes were stered on my mate who was also fixated on me, my once boiling heart melting at seeing her.

    She seemed skinner, paler and unkempt. Could it be because she missed me? Does she like I do want to be in my arms? My heart was hammering and Fangs was alert by now, and when we listened, I caught her heartbeat. It was thundering like mine.

    It was as if every other person immediately stopped existing with only us the only ones present. I hated her for taking out my friend, yet, I would live in denial if I agreed I didn¡¯t yearn for her.

    Could this be genuine love?

    I jerked back and swayed my face to the ground as Mother hit me. I lifted my hand to rub at my eyes, taking the time to stabilize my thoughts. I was such a fool. She hurt me and now merely seeing her, I was allowing her to hypnotize me with her werewolf charm.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Mother asked me. ¡°I have been talking to you.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Mother. What did you say?¡±

    She shook her head and ambled towards the hearth where the rogue scurried away from, leaving the sofa for her. Once mother was seated, her blue nnel rxed about her, her hands entwined together, she lifted her eyes to the women on the bed, and then when she opened her mouth, the next thing I heard, she said, ¡°Start talking.¡±

    The way she said it, one couldn¡¯t tell who she was referring to. Whether my mate, the rogue or my sister. But from the manner my sister recoiled into the mate, I knew she was ufortable and afraid of something. Could it be that she had been lying to me?

    ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Gwen hummed, peering at me in question. Seeing as I gawked, she easily removed her eyes back to my mother.

    ¡°You,¡± My mother pointed at the rogue. ¡°Over there.¡± She pointed towards the bed. ¡°¡­ where I can be seeing y¡¯all at once. And don¡¯t make me say it twice, Abigail¡­ start talking.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 117

    **GWEN**

    When they walked into the room, I was not expecting them, and from the confounded looks on the faces of Tyler and Abby, it was obvious they were of the same mindset.

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my bloody time, Abigail,¡± Charlotte sneered, her eyes like a furnace burning into Abby who shivered beside me. I was shaken as well. What was going on? Could it be that Ashton had informed her about Abby being mated to Tyler and the older woman was not in agreement?

    My eyes skidded from mother to son and back. I shifted on the bed and Abby followed suit. I could literally hear her heartbeat.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    ¡°Only the truth,¡± Charlotte was not giving room for clearer reflection.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t understand what truth you seek for, Mother. I am mourning the death of my friend!¡± I took notice of the defence in her voice as she lurched her shoulder forward, returning the same fire to her mother.

    Charlotte stood, left hand going to her waist and the other to her face. In exasperation. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you would stoop so low as to lie.¡±

    ¡°Lie?¡± Abby¡¯s head swung to her brother in question. ¡°What does Mother speak about?¡±

    ¡°You told me the rogue was your mate,¡± Ashton spoke for the first time. His voice bitten.

    ¡°And that was the truth!¡± My heart started banging. Have they deduced our lies?

    I have only heard of the wrath of Charlotte but I have never seen it in action. The kind of re she threw at Abby at that moment froze every word of intervention in my chest. I was beginning to sweat now, being an aplice if not the sole mastermind of the said lie.

    ¡°You insolent child! What hase over you?!¡± She screamed. ¡°You!¡± She jeered her finger in the direction of Tyler. ¡°Did you put her up to this? Have you touched my daughter?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Abby flew off the bed to stand between her mother and Tyler. ¡°He never touched me. He is an honourable man and I still maintain notprehending what you are on about, Mother.¡± The more she spoke, the more tears poured down her face. I was immobile, my head to my hand. Albeit, I could feel the piercing gaze of Ashton on me.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°I knew Williams was your mate the very day you turned eighteen,¡± Charlotte started out slowly. ¡°I saw the two of you through my window in the backyard kissing each other and I was furious. I was going to remove his head for such an abhorrent act until the both of you came into the house that evening and I perceived the scent. That was when I knew.¡± She walked to the fridge by the left corner of the room, opened it and produced a bottle of water which she examined.

    ¡°I waited for you toe to me. To talk to me about it as your mother.¡±

    Abby was a mess now. Her body shook with tears as she staggered forth toward her mother but stopped, perhaps, conflicted about the woman¡¯s next course of motion. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mother. I wanted to tell you.¡±

    ¡°I was happy for you, Abigail.¡± Charlotte shrugged, uncorked the bottle, and drank. When she dropped it, she faced her daughter with her hands by her side and fury in her eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t think I was worthy of knowing but what of your brother?¡±

    Something sparked in Abby¡¯s eyes. Something I have never seen before. She reared back, swinging back with her finger going to point at Ashton. ¡°Him? You think I should have told the same man who often reiterated to his friends never to ept me as a mate or else he would kill them?¡±

    ¡°He was just bluff_¡±

    ¡°He was not, Mother! He meant every word of it.¡± Abby cried. ¡°Yes, I lied. But that¡¯s because I wanted to protect the man I loved from his wickedness!¡±

    ¡°He would never have hurt you!¡± Charlotte¡¯s voice matched hers. ¡°Ashton might be cold most of the time but he is not ruthless. Most definitely not to his kin!¡±

    Abby released a dried chuckle as she wobbled back, the tear lines on her face now patchy in outlook. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry I lied. But I don¡¯t regret it.¡±

    ¡°You will take your words back, Abigail Magdalena Mcgregor!¡± Charlotte thundered.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother. I am no longer a pup and I won¡¯t allow anyone to boss me around anymore. You never cared about me. It was always about him.¡± She indicated Ashton again. ¡°Ashton this, Ashton that. As for me, it was always ¡®Abigail, you look razz, Abigail, your hair is unkempt and too unfit for a properdy. Abigail, you are not supposed to be heard. Keep quiet, or better still go for new gown shopping. Always, always trying to demean me!¡±

    ¡°That is because I love you, child! Certain things are not meant for you as a princess.¡±

    ¡°Love? You never loved me, Mother, admit it!¡±

    When the hand left Charlotte¡¯s side I didn¡¯t see, the only thing I saw was a hot p m across Abigail¡¯s cheek and then she fell across the floor. I was out of the bed to her, and so was Tyler.

    ¡°Get away from her!¡± Charlotte screamed and we jumped. Responding rapidly. ¡°Such ungrateful audacity. After everything I have done for you?¡±

    Abigail warped from crying toughing. She sat up, shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do to me or what you say. After all, you already know the truth now. I lost my mate so I am as good as dead.¡±

    ¡°She has gone mad,¡± Charlotte said to Ashton. ¡°Call the doctor.¡±

    ¡°I hate all of you.¡± Abby went on. ¡°I hate you so much. Because of y¡¯all, we had to hide our love from each other. We had to pretend which was why he couldn¡¯t even live hisst days in love with me.¡± Her body was wracked with sobs. Silently, mine did too. Because she was right.

    ¡°Why are you not saying or doing anything!¡± Charlotte queried Ashton who was hooked at a spot, unmoving. I was raging within me at how they were treating her. For Goddess sake why does one have to live like this in their own household?

    ¡°Of course, he won¡¯t say a thing.¡± Abby stood up and went towards her wardrobe. ¡°Did he tell you how he wanted to marry me offst month because he thought I was bing a pest? Oh, he didn¡¯t. I know.¡± She yanked the doors open and rummaged through her clothes. ¡°He made me lie. It¡¯s on him and not me, or my friends!¡± She was not even acting like one who was going through pain anymore. Was this what they called resignation?

    ¡°Abigail¡­¡± Charlotte purred. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, my child.¡±

    ¡°I am leaving, mother.¡± Abby backed the wardrobe to say. She was smiling sadly. Her eyes fitted with tears, a red face, and an unhappy smile. ¡°I have had enough. Father would never haveid his hand on me and most definitely wouldn¡¯t have threatened to marry me off.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it,¡± Ashton scratched his hair. Still in the same spot.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you mean and don¡¯t, brother. I am hardly fazed by what you do these days anyway.¡± She backed us and continued rummaging in her closet. She brought out a bag and dumped it on the bed. Charlotte¡¯s eyes went wide.

    ¡°You are the Princess!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care, mother. It is a title I most regret.¡± A set of clothesnded on the bed, followed by another. ¡°I want to be free to do my own stuff the way Ashton does. I want to paint, travel and be happy with no one questioning my life.¡±

    ¡°You of all people know your brother has never been free. He is the King.¡±

    Abby paused, twisting gradually with her lips pulsed. ¡°Is that what you think, mother? That he is not free? Well, thest time I checked_¡±

    ¡°Abigail!¡± Ashton warned.

    ¡°What? You don¡¯t want Mother to know all the things you have been up totely?¡± She arched her brows dauntly. ¡°So you can b to her about me while I hide away all your rots?¡±

    ¡°What is she talking about, son?¡±

    I shifted on my legs, ufortable with where this exchange was going. My mind told me it wouldn¡¯t end well. We had a lot going on. Adding a family feud would be the height of it.

    ¡°I think we should take a breather, please.¡± I gathered the nerves to say.

    Abby¡¯s wrathful eyes shed at me. ¡°Oh, you speak now because I want to expose your dear husband?¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­.¡±

    ¡°No, don¡¯t talk to me. I am sick and tired of y¡¯all. She thinks I am the problem meanwhile her dear son is chaste and without no wrongs and you, you are willing to condone his excesses for what?¡­ So, what? I lost my mate because of you and you shut me up from condemning yours?¡±

    It was as if a chilled bucket of water was doused on me. ¡°Abby¡­¡±

    She shrugged. With no emotions. ¡°Perhaps, you should shut the hell up.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t stand you talking to my mate like that,¡± Ashton¡¯s voice resonated in the room. ¡°She is your Queen!¡±

    ¡°Yet, you cheated on her with Merit! Did you not understand she was your mate when you went on a romantic spree at the beach house with your former chosen mate?¡±

    Charlotte¡¯s right hand flew to her chest, her jaw dropping to the ground. ¡°What did I just hear you say?¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 118

    (Undergoing editing!)

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Mother, I can exin,¡± Ashton said, giving his sister a stony look.

    ¡°Exin?¡± Abby¡¯s loud derisive chuckle rang in the room. ¡°Was that not why you wanted me married off? Because I was trying to talk sense into him he turned against me.¡±

    ¡°I am still your older brother, Abigail.¡± Ashton was reaching his brink. I could smell it. But I couldn¡¯t do anything about it.

    ¡°You slept with another woman after marriage? Ashton!¡± His mother finally recovered from her shock.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mother. I was a fool and confused.¡±

    ¡°Confused? Confused over what?¡±

    ¡°I j-just didn¡¯t want to be married, you knew that.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this¡­¡± Charlotte found her way back to the chair and sat down. ¡°Just a little repose from the pce and things had already fallen apart?¡±

    ¡°Now you know how it feels to be the target,¡± Abby snarled at Ashton and went ahead to push the clothes into the sizable ck leather bag.

    ¡°I am sorry, mother. This was all in the past.¡± Ashton stooped before his mother. ¡°Things have changed now.¡±

    ¡°You two are a disappointment,¡± Charlotte shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°I thought I did everything possible to raise you well.¡±

    ¡°You did, mother.¡± Ashton cooed.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Your sister lied about another man being her mate and you, you cheated on your mate! How does that indicate any form of responsibility?¡±

    Unable to stand there, motionless like a statue, I made my way to Abby to try to talk her into being reasonable. I mean now they have caught us, we have to rectify the wrong we have done, not invigorate it.

    ¡°Abby, I know you hate me now and I deserve it,¡± I stated in a low tone. ¡°But now is not the right time for this.¡±

    She didn¡¯t speak to me and went on with the task of issuing the clothes which seemed herculean.

    ¡°Abby_¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t speak to me,¡± She snagged. ¡°You were supposed to be on my side but it¡¯s apparent when it came to my brother you are loyal to none. Why should I listen to you?¡±

    ¡°I was not taking his side.¡±

    ¡°You say that now.¡±

    ¡°And I mean it. Let¡¯s settle down, please.¡±

    ¡°I have nothing left here.¡±

    ¡°You have your family.¡± I cajoled.

    ¡°They hate me,¡± She hissed, finally zipping the bag. Her hands went to her waist. It was such a tragic picture with the manner her hair was strung all over, sweat and grime smeared on her face and body. Too down for a Princess. For Abby.

    ¡°They don¡¯t.¡± I braved touching her right shoulder. ¡°You don¡¯t want to end up like me.¡±

    ¡°At least you became a Queen. I am not even sure of where my fate lies anymore. Maybe a salutary.¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­¡±

    ¡°I will be fine.¡± She dropped her hands, skidding around for something.

    I felt a movement behind me and impulsively looked back. Charlotte stood up and her orbs fixed on us. ¡°I am not going to waste any more time here. When you are done throwing childish tantrums, clean up, pack those things back, ande down for dinner. You too, Gwendolyn.¡± She dered and made her way out. ¡°Enough with the shenanigans.¡±

    It was as the door shut that I eventually released a sigh I didn¡¯t know I was holding, sagging back into the wardrobe.

    ¡°Are you happy now?¡± I jerked, realizing Ashton didn¡¯t leave with her.

    He was looking at his sister. I expected anger but I saw remorse. He possibly regrets making his sister do what she did. What we did.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°You should be happy I didn¡¯t tell her about the horse race,¡± Abby deadpanned. ¡°I am still a considerate siblingpared to you.¡±

    ¡°You should have told me about Will.¡±

    ¡°And have you kill him?¡± Her tone was chugged. Every mention of Williams¡¯s death would never easily go. It would always be there, like a dent. Forever etched in our hearts.

    ¡°He was my best friend. You were my sister. We would have worked things out.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Nonchnt. ¡°But, no thanks. Anyways, he is dead now, so¡­¡±

    Silence reigned in the room with no one saying anything.

    Tyler was the most silent. Still by the side of the bed where he scurried initially, observing all things going on. While I was traveling between the present and the future, unsure of my next action.

    Thankfully, Ashton soon left the room. But he didn¡¯t leave alone. ¡°Meet me in the room, Gwen,¡± he ordered as he was leaving.

    I became more apprehensive. What does he want to say? I knew there was no way he would let me off the hook that fast. But not this soon.

    ¡°I have to go now, Abby. But you have to promise me that you are not going anywhere. At least not now when they already know the truth. Come down for dinner, please.¡±

    She didn¡¯t reply. I scoffed, shared a look with Tyler whose face was vacant and then I left.

    In the room, I knocked gently and entered. Ashton was pacing. Like a wounded panther.

    He stopped as I entered the room, and gawked at me. ¡°How could you not tell me?¡±

    ¡°Tell you what?¡± I formed not knowing what he was up to.

    ¡°Don¡¯t test me, little wolf. You know exactly what I am talking about.¡±

    I sighed as I finished entering, dropping the shawl on the bed. The room was aired and had a refreshing scent now. All thanks to Kora. That eerie ambience before I left was no longer present.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ignore me.¡±

    ¡°That is because you are not making any sense, Ashton,¡± I hissed. ¡°You are mad at me for what I did, I get it and I am doing as you asked. I am repenting of my sins. But if you have any more usations against me, you have toe clear so I can understand.¡±

    ¡°Since when did you know Williams was her mate? You knew and something tells me you were the one that put her up to this.¡±

    I snorted. ¡°You think so highly of me, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°You can deny all you want. I just need you to tell me since when.¡±

    ¡°Why do you care, anyway?¡± I bnced my back on the wall close to my sofa and tilted my head back, maintaining eye contact. ¡°You were the one who wanted her married off by all means.¡±

    ¡°Was that why you made her lie to me?¡±

    ¡°Not conceding to your usations but¡­ you left her no choice.¡±

    ¡°You are everything I suspected you to be¡­ Gwendolyn.¡± He was jerking his head, his voice of steel and he vented the angry words. I knew that was what they were so I didn¡¯t reply. I merely stared at him.

    ¡°You pretended to be a good girl to get my heart so you could unleash your true nature, weren¡¯t you? A werewolf would always be a werewolf. That was why you invited those creatures. To kill my people. It was all a n.¡±

    I dismissed hisment with a wave of my hand, still refusing to bulge. He was trying to get the worst of me. I knew it and wouldn¡¯t give him that satisfaction.

    ¡°I was beginning to fall for you and you went to ruin it all. Thanks to you, I am sane again.¡±

    ¡°All I have ever done for you was out of care and love, Ashton. I don¡¯t care if youbel me as evil but I will never stop being my true self with you no matter what you say.¡±

    ¡°You have never indeed,¡± he stepped forward and went back. I was the fool who didn¡¯t see it.¡±

    ¡°I ept my ws and I am willing to right my wrongs. All you do is keep pointing fingers but never ept that perhaps, you might be wrong too.¡± Emotions were starting to get the best of me.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± He looked around. ¡°You do not regret your actions and from what I see you have be a bad influence on my sister.¡±

    ¡°What I did I did for her as a friend and to protect her from your coldness.¡±

    ¡°She is my sister!¡±

    ¡°And has be a close friend! By marriage a sister to me too!¡±

    ¡°You are so stubborn!¡±

    ¡°As you are.¡±

    ¡°Urgh!¡± He bellowed and matched to the door, stopped, and faced me. ¡°Remain in here. I do not care to see your face downstairs.¡±

    ¡°Soothe yourself!¡± I spat back, fury wracking through me.

    Once the door closed, I fell on the chair and stared ahead into nothingness. I was so furious that all I could do was be calm. I felt helpless, guilty and at the same time vengeful.

    Ashton was a pain in the ass. I fucked up and I ept. Why was it too hard for him to forgive me? It was already three days and the more we were at each other¡¯s neck made things difficult for us. The killers might be out there plotting more wickedness.

    He thought I nned this. Imagine that. If I wanted his people annihted, all I could have done was go to the humans. Why will I need to invite them to some stupid ball?!

    Irk!

    ¡­

 Chapter 119

    (Undergoing editing!)

    **GWEN**

    I was still asleep when I heard a loud knock on the door which yanked me back to reality to shoot up from the bed and stared foggily at the door. The knock came again, this time louder.

    Argh! I sat up, recalling I had locked the door earlier on. Who could it be knocking by this time of the day? It was too early.

    I unlocked the locks, my eyes still heavy with sleep. I simply needed to know who it was so as to tell them to returnter when I was coherent enough.

    As the door soughed open, Kora stood there, fiddling with her fingers and at a closer look, she was shifting on her feet like she was burdened with something severe. ¡°What is it?¡± I drawled, my finger going up to the front of my hair to nib at a distressing point.

    ¡°Your Highness!¡± She bowed. ¡°The Princess has gone missing.¡±

    I continued gaping at her. Was that why she was¡­ wait, Abby had left the pce?!

    My eyes were wide open at once, my feet impulsively going forth. ¡°What do you mean? She was in her room yesterday.¡± And had threatened to leave. She was packing her clothes, Gwen.

    Kora¡¯s head was bouncing back and forth as her eyes cascaded around in a frenzy. ¡°The King is furious.¡±

    ¡°This is bad,¡± I said and moved back into the room. ¡°Give me a minute to grab my robe.¡± She came in with me.

    ¡°Do you have any idea where she might have gone to?¡± She asked, her voice saddened with hefty emotions.

    ¡°How am I supposed to know that, Kora, when you are only just informing me now?¡± I removed the night dress I was wearing, took and grabbed a green morning gown on the bed, which Kora must have providedst night for me, and donned it. Instead of my robe as initially nned it would be better to look modest as I didn¡¯t know what next from here.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m simply worried. The princess can¡¯t survive outside the pce alone. She had never been outside alone.¡±

    ¡°Everything will be fine, Kora.¡± I took my ck shawl by the hanger and fastened it around my neck. ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡±

    ¡°But how do you know, My Queen?¡±

    I was getting fed up with the incessant queries. It was like I was in a trial box. I was also fixated about this early chaos and I¡¯m trying to think. I stopped on my way to the door and faced her. ¡°Rx, Kora, okay?¡±

    Her head bobbed rapidly. I spotted a hint of tears in her lids but looked away faster before I could determine if it was real tears. I have never seen her this emotional sinceing into the pce.

    Ashton had said he didn¡¯t want to see me, and naturally, I wasn¡¯t going to go to him because I was equally mad at myself and modestly at him. Albeit, I needed to see him. He was furious, I hope he doesn¡¯t take it out on me.

    I found my steps taking me to his study door which I knocked on and waited. My hands were quivering by my side. A lot was happening all at once and it was terrifying. It saddened me more because I was the onus of it all. If I hadn¡¯t invited the other creatures, there wouldn¡¯t have been a mishap and Williams would still be alive which would mean Abby happy with her true mate.

    Now, my impulsiveness is costing the Kingdom its peace and chance at harmonizing the Kingdoms, failing terribly before it even started.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I shuddered, blinking repeatedly as I saw Ashton standing before me. Turned out I had drifted off.

    ¡°Ash¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for unnecessary squabble with you this morning, Gwen.¡± He was blocking the entrance.

    I raised my hands up in surrender. ¡°I am not here to fight. I-I was notified of Abby¡¯s absence in the pce and I only came to tell you that I would handle it.¡±

    ¡°Like you have been handling everything, huh?¡±

    ¡°Ash, have a little trust in me.¡±

    ¡°I did¡­ look where thatnded me.¡± His eyes were so cold. Not like my recent Ashton, but the past that we have worked so hard to subdue.

    ¡°Please¡­¡±

    ¡°Go back to your room, Gwen. I¡¯m trying to think of a way to resolve all the mess you have created. Let me be.¡± He shifted back, closing the door with him.

    I ced my hands on the door to push, but he was too powerful and mmed it on my face.

    ¡°Ashton, please, a moment!¡± I begged.

    No response. Quietude.

    I wobbled back, my mood further disrupted. What was I thinking? That he would open the door and let me into his open arms?

    I scoffed inwardly and looked around before making my way out. If he was not going to give me a listening ear, then I would find Abby myself. She must have carried out her promise of living with Tyler and if Ashton was shrewd enough he should know that.

    I got to his stable, not wanting to go in the car. I found a stable hand there, burning the horses. He bowed at seeing me.

    ¡°Ready the white horse for me.¡± He stood, peering at me like I had horns.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± I bristled, not in the mood for pleasant words. ¡°I said ready the white horse post haste!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your highness.¡± His head was on the ground. ¡°The King had ordered none of the horses to be rode out unless ordered by him.¡±

    For goodness sake.

    ¡°Well, as your Queen I am ordering you to release the horse. Do you want to lose your job?¡± His head was jerking vigorously. ¡°Then, hurry. He doesn¡¯t need to know about it. Here.¡± I stepped forward with my hands in my coat pocket and produced 5 pence which I ced into his palm.

    The rest was history.

    Ten minutester, I alighted from the horse, delighted at how better I had be at climbing up and down the gigantic monsters. I patted the left shoulder and made my way to Tyler¡¯s door. I caught a movement upstairs but ignored it and went to knock.

    Tyler opened the door at the third knock. He looked around. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know I was no longer weed here.¡±

    He pinched his eyes closed and when he opened it, it was to tuck his lower lips into his mouth in displeasure. Is he mad at me? ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡± He moved from the door to give me room to enter. ¡°I don¡¯t want more trouble from your mate.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. He doesn¡¯t want to see me anyway. Right now he won¡¯t care if I disappeared off the face of the earth.¡± My eyes were roaming as I entered his cottage, seeking for Abby.

    ¡°That¡¯s what you think. What happened?¡± He went in the direction of his kitchen, his voice fading.

    I waited until he returned with a tray of tea and biscuits which he brought to the living room and lowered to the polished brown short-legged table at the middle of the room. He ushered me into the cushion opposite the table.

    I sat and crossed my right leg over the left. ¡°Nothing happened. I¡¯m here to look for Abby. She left the pce.¡±

    He stood to his full five feet six. ¡°And you think she¡¯s here.¡± It was not a question.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I know she¡¯s here,¡± I deadpanned. ¡°I understand if she asked you to lie she isn¡¯t but then we are friends and I shouldn¡¯t be part of those she hides from. She¡¯s mad at me, proper, still, I need to know she is safe.¡±

    He huffed audibly, his massive body locating the couch directly opposite me to sit on. He leaned forward with his fingers twined together as he took me in. ¡°She isn¡¯t here.¡±

    ¡°Ty.¡±

    ¡°You know if she is I won¡¯t hide it.¡±

    My broad arched. ¡°Are you being serious? She said she was moving in with you.¡±

    ¡°I left sooner after you, and told her to sleep over her decision and if she still insisted then she coulde to my ce.¡± As he spoke, his eyes were still on me, so I could tell he was being honest. Tyler never hid anything from me. Except everything about himself.

    I drove deeper into the couch, my head spinning with unprecedented ideas. I came here because I thought Abby was here. So, since she was not here, where could she be? She never mentioned anything about having another friend or acquaintance. Or perhaps, she was with family. Perhaps.

    ¡°She would be fine, Gwen,¡± I heard Tyler grog. ¡°She might need some time alone.¡±

    ¡°That is why I am even more worried. She is hurting and needs someone not to be alone.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are right. However, if she doesn¡¯t want to see anyone, we can¡¯t force it.¡±

    ¡°Ty,¡± I was back to the edge of the couch. The aromatic scent of the tea was wafting through my nose but I was so bothered I couldn¡¯t ept any form of enjoyment knowing fully well my friend was suffering somewhere all by herself. All because of me. ¡°I caused everything that has gone wrong these few days. The King is mad at me and the people¡¯s hatred towards me is renewed. I might not bring back their Beta, but I need to be certain their Princess is alright.¡±

    He watched me for a long time, and then his head swung down with a sigh. ¡°I understand your point, Gwen, and I am willing to help find her. Please, stop saying you caused what is going on. It¡¯s not and would never be your fault. The goddess has a reason for everything.¡±

    I was rxed a bit, hopeful that will would find something. Contending with Tyler over my involvement in the chaos around me would only waste our time. I simply need to find Abby. Who knows, maybe Ashton¡¯s wrath may tame towards me.

    ¡°So, what are we going to do?¡± I asked him.

    ¡°You will go home now.¡± He stood up. ¡°And by tomorrow we will start searching for her. Just do me a favour, try to find out if she has any rtives around.¡±

    I nodded, eventually gave in to my ravaging taste buds and grabbed the teacup to take a long sip. When I dropped it, I stood and patted down my dress with a grateful sigh at Tyler.

    He apanied me outside to the house and helped me mount. ¡°You have to be careful of this creature. They can be quite disagreeable.¡± He patted the hound¡¯s hunch and it neighed and began trotting off.

    ¡°See you tomorrow and thank you for today, Ty!¡± I shouted over the wind.

    ¡­

 Chapter 120

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Do you know how many of the King¡¯s rtives reside around here?¡± I asked Kora as she helped me detangle my hair when I came back. She was using some rosewater ointment in ce ofvender as she insisted the new product was more effective and would have my hair silky and make the blonde shine.

    She shook her head, still focused on her duty. ¡°The only King¡¯s family that lived closely died three years ago in an attack.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ what about the former Queen¡¯s former family?¡±

    She finally lifted her eyes at me,bing her fingers through my scalp in a soft massage. ¡°I think the former Queen¡¯s family resides somewhere close to the Eastern border. Though, if you are asking because of the Princess, I doubt she would go to them.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    She shrugged and looked back down, taking the container to spray more content on my hair. ¡°The King and his sister hardly know anything about their mother¡¯s family. He hasn¡¯t even been here since their birth.¡±

    ¡°How do you know all these?¡±

    ¡°Because my mother worked here as a maid before me. She told us everything about the royal family.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay. Now, Iprehend.¡± My shoulders sagged in disappointment. I hoped to get headway information from her but now all that is ruined. Where are we to look for Abby?

    As I scrubbed my body in the tubter, my head swarmed with possibilities. Yet, there was no lead. If only Ashton would speak to me. Or¡­ the former Queen!

    I quickly rinsed off and left the bathroom, taking my towel with me. I was cleaning my body in front of the mirror in my room when my eyes paused on my body. I was taken back for once as I stared at myself.

    I don¡¯t allow myself this luxury as it made me sad each time I did it in the past. I didn¡¯t want to have this perfect curvy body ring back at me. I needed a change! Positive changes. Baby-growing changes.

    Perhaps, Ashton has given up on me. The other time he asked me about it and I had distracted him from it. It must be bothering him despite him not showing it. And now, everything is in shambles. I didn¡¯t even have the time to visit the temples anymore.

    Shaking my head, I turned away with my body lotions which I massaged into my supple creamy skin. Done with that, I wore my red undies and sexy lingerie and finished by picking up the pzzo trousers on the bed to wear. It was a ck chiffon material I had picked up at thest shopping. Iplemented it with a sunset yellow short top that stopped at my belly button, instantly onto the waist of the pzzo.

    I faced the mirror and swirled side to side, liking thebination. My hair was already packed in a high ponytail. So, I used a brush to define the edges, tapped in some powder, pinched my cheek and applied a nude lipgloss that made my already plump lips sexier.

    I smiled.

    I grabbed my small pouch and left the room.

    Locating Charlotte was not hard work. For a mother, one would think she would be drumming down the pce with cries of her missing child. Trust Charlotte to be impassive. With her, I now understand why Ashton is the way he is. Their personalities were so unpredictable. This minute they¡¯re loving and the next, they¡¯re as cold as ice.

    At the private parlour, I knocked gently and waited.

    ¡°Come in,¡± She purred in a sultry voice.

    I looked side to side of the lonely hall, patted my hands down my dress, then turned the know to unlock the door and go in.

    She sat beside one of the windows that let venttion into the not-so-prominent room, her right eg elegantly tucked above the right one, as she inclined to the side and observed the outside.

    ¡°Hello, mother.¡± I greeted her, looking from the right sofa to the left and trying to decide which was closer to her to sit on.

    She didn¡¯t reply to me.

    I knew she was also mad at me. I only hope she grants me listening ears.

    As I sat down, I made sure I maintained proper etiquette, my eyes travelling to her still looking outside without acknowledging my prudence. There was a bottle of a brown substance which would be ced in the category of alcohol, seated on top of the baby ss table at the centre of the room and a ss bearing the content. I don¡¯t know if she was the one who had reduced it to its present slight portion. Albeit, it was kit my business.

    ¡°Care to join me?¡± She suddenly asked, twisting her head off the window to graze at me. In her eyes was despair well hidden. It made me despise myself the more. I was ruining everyone¡¯s happiness. Abby, Ashton, now their mother.

    ¡°Thank you, mother. I-is now the right time?¡± I queried subtly, still treading cautiously. I looked up at this woman for direction. Her ways might be too hard, nheless, she was once a great Queen to these people and the people still revered her. How could I not like her?

    ¡°Everything is always the right time to speak for a Queen to speak to her subjects, Hwendolum.¡± She carried on, picking up the ss which she sipped from. ¡°Forgive my drinking habit. It has helped me over the years to remain lucid.¡±

    Alcohol? Is that why Ashton takes delight in taking it too? I haven¡¯t tasted it and don¡¯t envision tasting it as I knew I didn¡¯t have a head for it. When Julian had tried to entice me into taking it back in my former pack at a pup¡¯s party, I had vehemently refused. But my sister, she was so good at it. That was his she earned the name ¡®fish¡¯ from me.

    ¡°Why are you here? Your Kingdom is burning down, what are you doing to rectify that?¡± She gave me her full attention.

    Her question left me ufortable. I came here to ask if she had any clue as to where Abby might have gone, not this. I was not prepared and a question like this, I don¡¯t think I could ever be prepared for.

    ¡°I-I have been having sleepless nights thinking of what to do, Mother,¡± I confessed. ¡°But it¡¯s not working. Things seem to be falling apart with every dawn. And-and my mate, he hates me and even when I try to reach out he shuts me out.¡± I let the words flow from my heart. Because truth be told, I was frantic. Utterly and disgustingly helpless for a Queen. ¡°I am nothing like you. Maybe I am not even fit to be a Queen.¡±

    To my dismay, she began chuckling. Dryly. ¡°You are that kind of Queen?¡±

    My brows lifted. ¡°What?¡±

    She pointed at me feverishly. ¡°So, you are that kind of Queen that gives up when things get tough?¡±

    I gaped. What was I supposed to say to that? I was overwhelmed by how they were all happening at once. When I had agreed to marry Ashton it was to be his mate, I didn¡¯t envisage multiple problems arising at once that would leave me helpless. I didn¡¯t envision death or suffering. I merely wanted to be my husband¡¯s mate.

    ¡°You have to realize that the position you have been ced in is not only scary but one of great significance.¡± She lowered her ss and entwined her fingers around her elevated knees. ¡°In a Kingdom such as this, there are always, always bound to be problems. Big, big problem! And the people don¡¯t care, all they want are solutions. You have to be ready for them all the time because the minute they realize you are not giving it to them, you be a worthless Queen and lose their respect!¡±

    My mouth was sealed. She was right. And yes, I was not sleeping. I have been raking my head for solutions, the only obstacle was that more problems kept piling on top of the other problems. It looked like before one problem would be solved, another came up to distract it and divert our attention in another direction and that was trying to drive me crazy.

    ¡°When I recently married my husband,¡± she continued softly, ¡± the next two weeks, he lost his father to the humans in what I could term a bloodbath battle. We were on a honeymoon which was cut short, of course.¡± Her face at this point was despondent. I could tell she was reminiscing the moment as she recounted it. ¡°I was disgruntled at the situation and wanted my husband to let his Beta handle it. But trust my mother-inw she was soon bashing me about. She was not as kind as I am to you, Gwendolyn. She was what you call the harridan.¡± She went off in a melodiousugh that rang like a bell in the room.

    ¡°Arh, Gwen, from then onwards, it was from one problem to the other. We never rested. The humans back then were very¡­ relentless. They needed Lycan pure bloods by all means so we were often at war. No rest. And that was when I learned to win in this war, I must be ready even in sleep to fight.¡±

    She grabbed the bottle from the table, poured in a generous amount in it, dropped it on the table and pushed it to me. ¡°Drink it. Everything!¡±

    My eyes dted, tithering back and forth in confusion. Was this necessary? If I take this I might fall asleep here and I knew very well how bad that would be.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t have a head for it, Mother.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be worse than me before I found the glory in this, Gwen,¡± She grinned and waved me on. ¡°Go on.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    I took the ss with my two shaky hands and ced it on my lips. The stench was gut-ripping. But if this was what Charlotte wanted, then, so be it. At once, I threw it down my throat and gagged

    I collided the ss back on the table and tapped at my chest to dim the sting. And the taste¡­yuck!

    Nevertheless, in all these what got my attention the most was the sound of Charlotte¡¯sughter at the other side of the table. It was funny how she found my act too amusing. Recovering, slowly I grazed my eyes at her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry with time you will get used to it.¡± She intoned, signalling I hand the ss over. I did. ¡°We will have more cuos together in secret hence froth. Your husband must never know.¡±

    This woman was far mysterious than I imagined. And shockingly, I didn¡¯t pass put immediately as I thought I would.

    ¡°So, what really brought you here, Gwen?¡± I sighed within. I thought she would never ask.

    ¡°Abby,¡± I admitted. ¡°I need your help to find her. Anything you tell me would be of immense help.¡±

    ¡°Abigail is full grown woman that is capable of her own decisions, Gwen.¡± She dead panned. I thought she was sad her daughter was missing. ¡°Trust me when I tell you she would be fine. Once she is okay, she would return home.¡±

    ¡°Has she done this before?¡± I had to ask.

    ¡°Well¡­ unless I¡¯m to count when she was twelve and ran off into the woods the day her Dad shouted at her, then no. She came back the same day, anyways.¡±

    ¡°Then we should be worried.¡±

    ¡°So, what do you me to do? She disobedied me and left.¡±

    ¡°She was hurting, Mother. I need to find her, please.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything, Gwen. I know what you are thinking that I am a bad mother and that is okay. But I have had enough that I need my repose. She would be alright.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any family where you think she might go to?¡±

    She seemed to think about it. Then she tsked and shook her head. ¡°No, my family left the Eastern border for the Wrst an even if they didn¡¯t, we weren¡¯t that close.¡± Her well-styled curls shuddered. ¡°Though, now that I think about it, she once confided in me about a secluded ce Williams took her to at Augustine.¡± I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s in my head but her eyes erged as she sat forward. ¡°Augustine. She would be stupid to go there!¡±

    ¡°Where is Augustine?¡± I asked eagerly, delighted with this new information.

    ¡­

 Chapter 121

    (Undergoing editing)

    **ASHTON**

    Things seemed to be getting tougher every day that it was starting to get to me. First was my unexpected attack, the death if my Beta and now my sister had gone missing. And each of then was a direct consequence of one severe mistake; the ball invitation.

    As I made my way out of my study and walked towards the general conference room for an early meeting I had for the day, my heart couldn¡¯t help but be heavier as it urred to me that I didn¡¯t need to be in this meeting by this time or in a hurry to get there is Will were to be alive. He had his way around these things. He would have presided in them on my behalf or even kill I was ready to go.

    ¡°My King is you are not ready to go, I can tell them to reschedule,¡± Merit said beside me, her hefty gait matching.

    For now, since my Beta was not around, she would have to be by my side almost all the time until I had gotten another Beta. And the issue was that I didn¡¯t even know who I am to appoint my new Beta for that matter. Will was I have I had known. I had no other friends. Our other two friends; Jeremy and Jasper, left while we were still pups. They had choices of adventures and desired to explore the newnds for learning purposes.

    Now, here I was, alone and if I am to be honest, miserable.

    ¡°No,¡± I shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s better to handle them once and for all. Do you have an idea what they want?¡±

    ¡°They have been tight-lipped recently. So, I couldn¡¯t get anything out.¡±

    ¡°No problem.¡± I just orag it had nothing to do with an heir because right now I¡¯m not in the right state if mind. Icbt even recall thest time I was with my mate.¡±

    ¡°Just stand outside the door and if anyonees after me, keep them out. Except for my mother.¡± I haven¡¯t seen hertely. And not ready to see her yet.

    I paused outside the conference hall and elongated my hearing to catch what they were gossiping about. Nothing. Just territories and elder stuff. I gave Merit one look, pushed the door in, and entered.

    ¡°Long live the King.¡± They all stood with their heads bowed.

    ¡°You may all sit.¡± I went straight to my traditional seat to sit and crossed my fingers on the massive table top. I noticed they had changed the former silky red clothing to stony ck. Signified mourning.

    They sat and settled in.

    ¡°You are all weed to the pce, elders,¡± I state. ¡°Yo what do I owe this visitation.¡± I tried hard to keep an even tone.

    The most elderly cleared his throat to earn my attention. ¡°We are here to show our sympathy for the loss of your friend and our Beta. We understand you two were very close and this period must be harder on you than it is for us.¡± His eyed cascaded downwards which indicated there was more to this. ¡°However, we the elders want to know if the King is still capable of carrying on this huge responsibility that has been ced on his shoulders.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± My voice grew fierce, my Lycan bing defensive.

    At my reaction, their eyes shed gold, an act of subservience to show they mean well. They knew better than to earn my wrath. It¡¯s more deadly than the devils.

    ¡°We-we so not wish to deprive you of your birth right, my Kjng,¡± He said quickly. ¡°At the same time, our people¡¯s safety and well-being is our priority. We are your elders to help you in moments like this. Therefore if there is anything you need us to do, we beg that you tell us.¡±

    ¡°I do not need help to rule my Kingdom. And I appreciate your kindness, nheless, it was kit beseeched.¡±

    I saw the concealed looks of stupefaction on their faces, and ignored it. I was in despair and right Joe everything seemed to be getting out of control, that doesn¡¯t mean I will allow them think me wrak. I have been and would remain the undefeatable King of Lyxans. I am only recouping from this blow.

    ¡°My King¡­ about an heir¡­¡±

    ¡°We will not discuss about that in than meeting!¡± I dered. ¡°That is between my mate and I. All you have to do it to increase the temple praying hours, pouring libations to the almighty goddess of procreation to favor ournd with it¡¯s future King. Do not pressure me.¡±

    ¡°We are bing impatient with the days without no solutions!¡± Nexus, one of the most stubborn elders careened from his post.

    I growled at him. He shrunk back, his eyes to the ground.

    I balled my fists to contain my anger. As I said earlier, as the red moon drew closer, my Lycae is almost at it¡¯s full potential and it¡¯s left to me to be able to control its actions. If not, I am likely to be shredding apart anyone that dared to cross me. And so was every other Lycan out there.

    ¡°I will handle this as your King and you will be submissive to my admission,¡± I concluded. ¡°A lot is going on and it is a test of our faith or strength and unity. Let¡¯s not fall for it.¡± My eyes skimmed around them. They paid rapt attention. ¡°I am grieving deeply as you know and with the approach of the red moon we have to be careful. That was why I wanted us to attack the humans initially which y¡¯all disagreed on, so now, let me do things my way!¡±

    Sweetbaby must pay direly for what he did. I will peel off every skin of his body and make sure he would be alive to witness it.

    ¡°We humbly plead your forgiveness for your over-indulgence, my King,¡± The most elderly Lycan said with a bow of his head

    I rxed back in my seat. ¡°While I am settling things from my end, I will plead with the elders to think about the main festival of the mooning up and have a meeting with the welfare team on how it should go.¡±

    ¡°And what about the Beta position?¡± Nexus asked once more.

    ¡°That is still under consideration too, Lycan. Or would you want to upy that position?¡± I craned my brows impishly.

    ¡°Not at all, My King. If you say so.¡±

    I stood. ¡°Since that¡¯s all, I pray to leave your presence now, my elders. I have a lot to cater to. Yin may continue without me while I listen in through the link. Thank you.¡± They stood up.

    ¡°Long live the King!¡±

    ¡°Long live the King¡±

    I left the room behind me and found Merit the same ce I left her, waiting. She walked after me immediately.

    ¡°What do they want?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Nothing much,¡± I twisted for the outside door. Not the main front door but a hidden passageway I used when I didn¡¯t want them to see me leaving the pce. ¡°Merit?¡±

    ¡°Yes, my King.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°Have you been pregnant before?¡±

    She hesitated before responding. ¡°No, why?¡±

    I shrugged, bursting out to the backyard of the pce. I was not expecting any guards there. There seemed to be five or more of them. They bowed at seeing me, but not before I saw the curious looks in their eyes. Possibly wondering why I was sneaking around.

    ¡°I doubled the security in the pce,¡± Merit answered the question in my head. I raised my hand to cover my eyes from the scorching sunset. ¡°Why did you ask me that question, Ash?¡± Her voice grew milder.

    There was a time when we were younger when I was free with Merit. I used to see her as friend then than a lover. But now, when I see her, all I see is a woman that had pleasured me who saw me more than a friend but wanted more with me. And that made me skeptical if I could still be free with her.

    I sighed as we reached the stables. I wouldn¡¯t need to be thinking like this if my Beta were to be alive.

    ¡°I merely desire to know, Merit.¡± I waved at the pup recing hays in the stacks.

    ¡°It¡¯s about Gwen, I know,¡± Merit pushed, nodding at my ck striker. ¡°I like this one.¡±

    ¡°I feel like she is hiding something from me.¡± I finally let go. ¡°We have been trying to produce an heir but¡­ no result yet end the elders are¡­ never mind.¡±

    ¡°You want us to go for a ride?¡± She asked me, cooly,

    Do I want to go in a ride with her? My eyes still squinted I grazed her an assessment one that borders on decision. I only went ride with Gwen or Williams. But I needed to clear my head. With someone.

    ¡°Fine.¡± I pointed at my stallion. ¡°Ready him,¡± I said to the boy. After all, when I came here I knew it was for a ride despite not knowing if I was doing it alone or with her.

    The boy saddled and led Striker out front and came back to lead the white one out. It appeared wornout from the way it huffed and dodged the boy.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±

    The boy shook his head, looking ufortable. Was something wrong with my horse? I reached the horse and took its face. I began whispering sweet nothings while watching its reaction, for pain or something. It was kicking its front hoof.

    I knelt down and took that particr leg and massaged it, turning side to side to observe. This horse was taken out. ¡°Who took her out?¡± I asked him.

    He moved backward. He was afraid. I had specifically informed the stable hands not to allow anyone use the horse. Not them or anyone! Not that anyone apart from me or Will used them. Still, I warned them. So, who could have used the horse?

    ¡°Who?¡± I dropped the leg gently and stood, caressing her ears. Her face came up to muzzle my neck. Merit came forward and ced an apple in front of her which she grabbed instantly.

    ¡°The Queen, my King,¡± She said when the boy won¡¯t say a thing. I cursed beneath my breath. No wonder he won¡¯t speak. But how? She couldn¡¯t even ride. What was she thinking riding one of my stallions? To break her neck or what?

    ¡°Get out!¡± I bellowed and the boy ran for the fields. Merit must have read his mind to know.

    ¡°She cajoled him, it was not his fault.¡± Merit touched my left shoulders and massages lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t be hard on him.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± I hissed and trudged towards my stallion. ¡°Get on let¡¯s go.¡±

    My mate rode the horse out of the pce. To where? The few times we had gone on a ride, she was either on the same mount with me or I guided her in hers. She gave me the impression she couldn¡¯t ride so¡­ how could she have ridden the mount out?

    Pretense!

    That was the only word toe to my mind. She was pretending just like her. Do I even know anything about this woman I married? Every time I try to get passed my distrust for her kind, there she goes blowing by mind.

    But that was not the issue. What I cared to know was where did she go to when she left with the horse.

    Definitely not visitation. That was for Thursdays before temple prayers.

    Perhaps she went on a stroll. Or to practice. Yes, she could be tenacious and if she was anything close to as lonely as I was, then that must have been it.

    Or¡­ maybe I was deceiving myself. What if she had gone to her allies? The people she was nning to ruin me with.

    ¡­

 Chapter 122

    (Undergoing editing)

    **GWEN**

    I was so horny. So horny that even the mistaken graze of my maids finger on any part of my body had me on mental overdrive. All I needed was Ashton¡¯s touch. To feel their callous hands on me, no matter how. I didn¡¯t care. Even if he did it by force. I just needed him so badly.

    That evening when I returned to my room from drinking and talking with Charlotte, I noticed the desire had be severe.

    I contemted going in search of Ashton to entice him into fulfilling his matrimonial duties to me. But what would that make me? A weak woman. I knew he would insult and call me different cruel name and I didn¡¯t want that.

    I looked up at the sky and took cognizance of the grey clouds. I think tonight it¡¯s going to rain heavily. Urgh! With the rain, I will feel colder and needier.

    I left the window, shutting down the louvres and curtains and made my way to the door. We still had enough time to dinner which meant I could still be by myself without intrusion.

    I locked and walked back to the wardrobe to remove my gown, folded it and ced back, grabbed my pink robe and tied around my body, and went to slip under the bed.

    The room was dimmer and created a calm ambiance. Iy with my back to the bed and my face up staring at the oval ster of Paris,zily. What was Ashton doing now? Is he still very mad at me?

    Does he even miss me like I do him?

    Why would he not let this thing go?

    I exhaled in frustration and inclined my legs, letting the robe slip aside to expose my under legs. My hand managed my temples to curb my hormones if it could. Nothing was working. I faced the closed window, turned away to the back and ended on my back again.

    I have read plenty times about self-pleasure and used to think it was not something I cared about. I mean I had someone to do it for me why do it myself? But now, lying here, fully aroused, I found my finger trailing to my breast to circle around my are.

    I packed my right boobs and fonded it tightly, liking the sensation that was heightening inside of me. I quickly untied my rope to leave me naked and reached back to tug at my nipples. I continued tugging at it painfully, imagining it was Ashton biting it and sucking the way I wanted.

    My legs were apart and I was totally wet. It happened for my finger down there and that was what I did. I left feathery light touches as I traced the straight hairy line that disappeared to my pussy. I froze beside my clit and fingered it once. I thought I was not going to feel anything, but not sooner, as my finger grazed it, I gasped, tipping off the bed as the friction was electrifying and absolutely satisfying.

    ¡°Yeah..¡± I cried, increasing the pace of my message as I went back and forth clit, intensifying the sensation and tilting for blissful paradise. I needed to climax, by all means, anyhow I could.

    I inserted by middle finger in forcefully, took it out, and joined the second finger. I sighed back in the bed and began imitating the thrusting movement of my mate¡¯s hard massive cock when inside me. All I could see was him, all I could feel was him.

    Which was why it was not long and I was convulsing as my senses were knocked out as I released hard on the bed. I slumped in the bed as I would when we had a good sex and when I opened my eyes, I could see nothing as everything was hazy and seemed faded.

    I closed them back and sumbed to the soft embrace of slumber.

    ¡°Your Highness,¡± I could hear from my dreand. ¡°Your Highness, wake up.¡± I felt a hand pat me my shoulder and parted my eyes gradually in irritation.

    I thought I locked the door. ¡°What do you want, Kora?¡±

    ¡°The former Queen insisted I ask you toe down for dinner.¡±

    I shut off the bed. ¡°Dinner?¡± I looked around foggily. ¡°It¡¯s dinner?¡±

    ¡°You a few minuteste, my Queen.¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡± I threw my legs out, dumping the bed cover beside me. It was when I was out of the bed about to wear my slippers I noticed my robe parted and rapidly knotted it back when I saw the way Kora looked away and focused on things of less importance.

    ¡°Please, bring me a gown quickly,¡± I said as I made my way to the closet. ¡°Something simple and nice.¡±

    ¡°Yea, your highness.¡±

    I urinated fast, washed my face and mouth, and came out. I applied ointment and packed my hair up, pinched my cheeks, and took the gown Kora came back with; a ck sleeveless body con gown. It was not that simple as per se, but I was running out of time. This kind of gown exposed all of my curves and in a period like this, this was the least of my problem.

    I hurried out of the room for dining room. When I got there, Charlotte and Ashton were there and paused when I walked in. I was hypnotized for a second, seeing him dressed impably in a ck shirt that matched his ck pants.

    I snapped out of it and walked to my usual seat to plop down. I smiled hesitantly to the Queen and nodded at Ashton-I didn¡¯t know how to address him or if he would reciprocate.

    There was a shift in the atmosphere around here. I felt the gap. Two important people missing from the table was enough to create the gloom. It made things very awkward. If only Abby didn¡¯t leave, then, it might not have been this bad.

    The silence while we are even made it more eerie. I

    The only sound that could be heard was the random p of spoon against China wares. And from time to time, I snuck a look at Ashton. One time I caught him regarding me but looked away abruptly when he was caught.

    So, he felt me.

    Does he also feel my arousal? Does he feel this thing inside of me that yearned for him and wouldn¡¯t mind if he took me right here on this table?

    ¡°If you ask me,¡± Charlotte began after dropping her spoon and picking up her ss of water. ¡°¡­ I will say you two should settle whatever differences exist between you if not for anything but the good of thend.¡±

    She pped her hands twice and at once, the maids and guards filed out of the room, leaving only the three of us.

    ¡°We are at war,¡± Her voice grew tenser. ¡°Like it or not, it¡¯s them against us and we can¡¯t have them seeing us as a family with no unity. How do you think they will perceive us?¡±

    ¡°Well, maybe you should ask the bride you got for me, Mother.¡± Ashton drawled coldly. ¡°Do you even know anything about her?¡±

    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t care about all that a few weeks ago,¡± I stoned back at him, my inside boiling over. My arousal was gone instantly reced by spite. How dare him?

    ¡°There you go again¡­¡± Charlotte hissed. ¡°I am too old for this.¡±

    Ashton was ring at me and I was returning the favor in full course. All the time he felt he could intimidate me like this and here I thought he had learned his lesson. I can¡¯t be easily shut down like that.

    ¡°Mother, I can¡¯t continue with a woman who would not be submissive to me. A woman who brings nothing but trouble to me, my family and my Kingdom. What use is she to me when she has failed to carry out the one thing that is granted freely to every woman?¡±

    My heart dipped, my spoon ttering to my te. ¡°W-what do you mean?¡± I asked shakily, in awe.

    ¡°I am only saying, perhaps, instead of fighting so hard to do my jobs that you should concentrate more on making me babies!¡± He mmed his fist on the table.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± His mother cried. ¡°Ashton¡­ don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I am fed up, Mother,¡± He proceeded without remorse. ¡°She doesn¡¯t regret what she did, all she does is cause more chaos while I am trying to rectify the former ones.¡±

    I was dumbstruck, my appetite gone and fear like a hot iron pressed to my chest. I felt like I was in still asleep and this was a dream. Ashton had joined the wagon?

    He-he was on my side. How, when did this happen? He couldn¡¯t have changed this badly. What did I say to warrant this?

    ¡°Ash¡­¡± I stuttered, my hands falling to myp. I was visibly shaken.

    ¡°I am not moved by your deceptive tears anymore, Gwen,¡± he cut me off, with his finger pointed to my face.

    ¡°Enough! Two of you.¡± Charlotte hollered. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡± Tears stung my eyes, but I held them in. Charlotte¡¯s fuming eyes raved as it traveled from me to her son. ¡°You two are so selfish and ensconced in your own difficulties that you are ignoring the main issues at hand because of your personal problems. What kind of leaders are you?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    We looked away from each other, my eyes going to my hands beneath the table. I couldn¡¯t still believe what just happened now. If anyone could question my inability to get pregnant up till now, I never envision Ashton to be the first.

    And it had to be now.

    ¡°We as the royal family have to improve our thought on how to bring the Kingdom back to it¡¯s former glory. We have to terminate all our challenges and we have to do that fast! I don¡¯t care how we do it. I do not care if you two have to pretend to like each other until it¡¯s over, but until then, set aside this¡­ this stupid behavior and behave!¡±

    She halted¡­ her finger tapping on the table as her eyes hurled fire at us.

    ¡°As for heirs¡­ we shall have them. But when all these are over.¡± she ended with a derisive chuckle as she added, ¡°¡­ goddess knows you can¡¯t bring in an heir in this raging battle.¡±

    Then everywhere went silent. When she stood, her sparkling regal sky blue gown intricately designed with diamonds cascaded down to the ground. ¡°As for your sister, whatever you have to do, make sure she is returned back to the pce, Ashton. Right your wrong.¡±

    And she walked out of the dining room.

    The ce was plunged into an ear-splitting scream of silence. I didn¡¯t want to be there too. Charlotte was correct about us setting aside our difference for the Kingdom, albeit, I needed to recover from the shock of my mate¡¯s onught.

    So, I stood up.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± He asked me.

    ¡°To my bed chamber.¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t finished your food.¡±

    ¡°I have lost my appetite.¡±

    He scoffed. ¡°You are so stubborn for your own good.¡±

    I balled my fist. I was at his face. ¡°If anyone has told me you will mock me in front of your family for an heir, I would probably call them liars. Yet, you said those cruel words to me, not caring how it was going to make me feel. Do you think I¡¯m not bothered by this? Do you think everything going on is not affecting my mental health? Why do you think you are the only one suffering from this? Why?¡±

    ¡°Gwen_¡±

    ¡°I have been suffering, crying and regretting every decision I took that brought us here today. And today, today you proved to me that you were never on my side,¡± Tears gushed down my face. ¡°Your mother is right, Ashton. We have to set our difference aside and fight the battle facing us. I caused all this and I am going to do everything I can to repair it. This is your family and it is apparent I am not. Once it¡¯s over, you better ept my rejection and let me go. As you said, I¡­ I am useless to you and your almighty Kingdom.¡±

    With an audible sniff, I took a step back and walked away.

    ¡­

 Chapter 123

    (Undergoing serious editing)

    **GWEN**

    I left the dining room and hurried away to hide in my chamber where I won¡¯t be chanced to be confronted with Ashton¡¯s coldness. He didn¡¯t need to hit me to break my inner self. Solely words, wicked words and I was broken to pieces.

    The sooner I was in, Ipped against the door frame, slid down the length of it, and cried my heart out. I felt my body rock in raw pain. So much pain for this circumstance which I found myself that was utterly beyond me. I always thought I could handle anything thrust at me. No matter the intensity.

    But this, this was totally above my capacity and the more I considered it, the more I realize that it might be the end of me. I was stalling for time, praying, hoping to shift and meet my wolf and see if there would be a miracle of a child before Ashton raised a question.

    Now, he didn¡¯t even ask, he was outright calling me useless.

    I covered my face with my hands as more tears streamed uncontrobly. The pain was like an arrow struck directly in the core of my heart. And in all these, the only person I needed hisfort was Ashton. I needed his constion so bad it irritated my inner being and made me feel like an idiot. A weak clumsy idiot!

    Deprived of every energy to cry any longer, I stretched out my legs before me with my hands at both side of me, and stared nkly ahead. My lips were chapped as it was dried. I was sapped of everything that made life worth living and just wished I could die.

    From the way things were happening, I think nature was conspiring to make my life more miserable than it was. Because howe when Ashton was going to agree to carry out the ritual of eptance with me, bad things were suddenly urring to divert his attention and instead make him despise me?

    Was that normal? I didn¡¯t think so.

    What if I was cursed? Maybe at birth. Maybe that was why I was rejected by my real parents? That could be the only answer to what was transpiring with me.

    I don¡¯t have a wolf, I don¡¯t even know if I can have one and because of that I can¡¯t have children. And I couldn¡¯t even tell Ashton. And after tonight, I must say I have be moreplicated about my present position in this pce. At any moment and Ashton might kick me out. Who knows?

    ¡°Gwen.¡± I shuddered. I didn¡¯t even hear anyonee down the hall.

    I held my breath and pushed at the door firmly already knowing who it was.

    ¡°Gwen, open the door.¡± Ashton knocked, his voice softer like he was a saint. After what he did downstairs.

    ¡°Look, I was mad, alright. I shouldn¡¯t have said what I did. I feel so stupid for losing my shit and I¡¯m here to right my wrong.¡±

    I ignored him. And also ignored the idiot emotion in me that was starting to purr that he was here to beg. He doesn¡¯t deserve my forgiveness that quickly after insulting me in front of his mother.

    But you are also lying to him, something said in me. Maybe if you telLhim the truth he would be more mindful next time. After all couples fight all the time.

    I shook my head. Still, I was not in the mood to face him today. I have already told him my mind.

    ¡°Gwen, I will sit here and wait until you are willing to listen to me, okay? If we have to be at each other¡¯s throat I guess we should do it indoors and focus on the important things after that.¡±

    ¡°Then, suit yourself,¡± I didn¡¯t know when the words flew off my mouth.

    I bit down my lower lips, sniffing softly. My arms folded on my chest stubbornly and hoped he get the point and leave. Or, maybe not.

    I heard a sliding sound down the door, indicating he was going to carry his threat of sitting there. So, literally, we were facing away from each other from the opposite sides of the door.

    ¡°You know when my father died,¡± he began in a very low soothing tone. ¡°I was not ready to be a King. I loved adventures just like Mother. I wanted to go into the horse business andpete in the big world with the likes of America. I was madly in love with the shit. Up to now¡­¡± His voice titited down. ¡°But¡­ father left and like that, the responsibility of being a King was dropped on me. Just like that.¡±

    I was attentive, despite not wanting to. This was the first time he was telling me something extremely personal to him. And it had to be when we were fighting. Though I knew his love for the horses, I didn¡¯t know how much.

    ¡°Before that time, I met Emma.¡± My ears perked up. ¡°We met at a party. I fell in love with her at first sight and was not freaked when she told me she was a werewolf. We were the perfect match as long as I was concerned. I knew there and then I had found my wife. Even if she was not my mate.¡±

    At a party? Lycans and werewolves went to the same party in the past? I would kill to see that.

    ¡°She presented to be a picture of perfection and I didn¡¯t want to hide away any part of me and so¡­ I brought her home to introduce her to my family as the love of my life.¡±

    My guts twisted with jealousy. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was my head ying tricks on me but somehow I felt I could still hear that enthusiasm in his voice as he spoke about her to me. So much I craved for Ashton to love me like that. And so much this woman had him clutched in whatever charm she used on him that no matter what, I might always be second option. However, I didn¡¯t show my disapproval. I chose to listen.

    ¡°My mother outrightly refused at first meet, informing me how the union won¡¯t work while father merely smiled and asked me to tread cautiously. I should have listened to their words and knew she was bad luck and was going to ruin me. But the rebellion in me didn¡¯t want to and so I fell for her charm. I let her use me¡­¡± His voice chugged at the ending, I yearn to open the door and take him in my arms forfort. I wonder what manner of woman would reject a man like Ashton. I wished I had her balls.

    ¡°Then, unlike me that promised to reject my mate for her if I found her along the way of our union when her mate came along, she didn¡¯t hesitate to ept him. She told me about him and said she was going to sever ties with him. I believed her. I believed the devil¡¯s tongue so much that I even proposed and we set our wedding. Then on that day, she never came. She ran away back to him and to date, I never saw her again.

    ¡°So you see, all I have is this Kingdom because it¡¯s the one thing I needed to use to prove to both my father and mother that yes, I didn¡¯t listen to them in the past, but I could do this. My father was a good King and I never ever want to destroy all he had built over the years.¡±

    ¡°I want the same thing, Ashton.¡± I let out quietly, dropping my hands down. ¡°I was not prepared to be a Queen when I came here. And when I was made one I assumed it was all ball gowns and tea parties. Nheless, I was willing to learn.¡± I touched the bracelets on my wrist and yed with them. A representation of the two men that would forever hold my heart.

    ¡°It hurts, Ashton,¡± a tear fell down my face. ¡°It hurts so bad that you, you take advantage of my mistake to call me a failure. I would never intentionally hurt you. Because, because¡­¡± I couldn¡¯t even say the words anymore.

    ¡°I know, Gwen.¡± He flipped about. I knew from the movement on the door. His voice became louder and closer. ¡°I allowed my emotions get the best of me and that¡¯s not fair to you.¡±

    ¡°You know that first week when you vented your anger at me?¡± I asked with a smallugh of sadness. ¡°Those times when you reminded me how much I wasn¡¯t molded for this position? You were right, Ashton. I am amon Beta¡¯s daughter. Where Ie from that is a lofty rank but from all I¡¯ve seen here, that might bepared to nothing.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is what you have inside of you and all I have seen this far is kindness. A kindness I do not deserve.¡±

    ¡°I suck at this, Ashton. You don¡¯t have to massage my ego. I am the wrong choice for this and perhaps, you should have married Merit. She, she¡­¡±

    ¡°Gwen, stop,¡± he ordered. ¡°Don¡¯t.. say that.¡±

    ¡°I am tired, Ashton. I am tired of too many expectations. I was that little girl that used to dream of living in castles yet as I grew older I only yearned for love and friendship. I don¡¯t want to be a second option.¡±

    ¡°You can never be that.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t even¡­ have a baby.¡± I sniffed, as I finally said it, my body breaking apart.

    For a second there was sizzling silence. It was now or never. He would ask me to pack my things and get out of the pce and put a stamp on my incapacity to be his Queen. There goes my rejection.

    ¡°Why do you say that?¡± He eventually asked. The voice was leveled. Not harsh

    ¡°Ashton, I am willing to leave if you reject me. I will totally, totally understand.¡±

    ¡°I am never rejecting you, Gwen. You should know that by now.¡±

    ¡°Then what are you going to do? I can¡¯t give you a child. I am useless, you said it.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even have a wolf. I left my pack because I do not have an identity and then I came here and I am wrecking your Kingdom.¡±

    ¡°You are being too hard on yourself, baby. Please, open the door.¡±

    ¡°I am cursed from the depth of hell.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°I do not even know my real parent. I told you? They said they picked me. Who knows if my real parents are humans? Or, or maybe they realized I was cursed and threw me away.¡±

    ¡°Gwen, please open the damn door.¡±

    ¡°I just want to die, Ashton.¡± My body rocked hard with painful sobs. ¡°I feel so alone and so miserable. I am slowly dying everyday and I do not know what I am going to do. Why me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby. You are not alone. You have me.¡±

    ¡°You hate me,¡± I syed my hands in gesture as if he was in front of me. I couldn¡¯t even see as a result of the amount of tears pouring down my face. ¡°You would soon give up and throw me away like my biological parents and where would that leave me?¡±

    ¡°Whoever they are, Gwen,¡± I heard a sound p on the door. Must be his hand. ¡°¡­ it¡¯s their loss.¡±

    ¡°I am a lo-s-s¡­ I am a fai-lu-re.¡±

    ¡°Please, stop, baby.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    I sprawled on the ground and let my sorrows flow. It could be likened to a gushing fountain pulled by an invisible force down the hill. It overflowed.

    First I couldn¡¯t find a man to love me enough without having another woman who secretly nipped at their heart. And then, I didn¡¯t know my identity. I was like a wanderer with no identification as to where I belonged to.

    A good for nothing.

    ¡°I love you, Gwendolyn,¡± He said the very words I have been dying to hear since I set my eyes on him.

    ¡­

 Chapter 124

    (Undergoing editing)

    **GWEN**

    At first, I was dumbstruck by the words as they hit my ears. Then, came the excitement, the innermost excitement of hearing him say them to me at the most unexpected time. Was he serious? He loved me? He truly, truly loved me or he was only seeking a way to get to me? It made me want to open the door.

    ¡°I mean it,¡± He confirmed, as though reading my mind. And there was so much eagerness in his voice that numbed every doubt in my head and had me rushing to fling open the door at once.

    There he was still sitting, his face morphed into tion to show the level of content that came from making such huge confession. He didn¡¯t hold back.

    ¡°You do?¡± Tears were still in my eyes, albeit, they seemed frozen.

    ¡°I have never been more certain, baby. I didn¡¯t even know when it happened.¡± He rose to his knees, him before me, humble as I have never seen him before. ¡°Slowly, you drove into my core, cutting off defense severely built over the years and the funniest part is I didn¡¯t fight it. Fuck, maybe I did until I realized it was a losing battle.¡±

    Was I dreaming? Someone pinch me, please. Wait, don¡¯t, I do not want to wake up.

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± he crashed forward and held my arms captive, looking up at me with so much passion my heart melted like an avnche of ice. ¡°You do not have to ept it, my little wolf. I only needed you to know so you will realize that you have me. I have fought against this feeling for so long that I had began to allow it destroy another soul.¡± His orifice slid downward in grief. ¡°I was a fool for thinking I could make you pay for the sins of another. It was not your fault and you didn¡¯t deserve that.¡±

    In my life, I had fallen in love twice and experienced heartbreak twice. But never have I envisaged that a man would kneel in front of me and make me feel so special and it had to be the second man who I fell for, who broke my heart and is still in his own way, mending it.

    The way my heart was tightening, I was definitely going to copse if I don¡¯t try to breathe. The walls were closing in, everything burning into fantasynd that amodated only Ashton and me. In our own little heaven, where there were no duties, simply us and our love.

    ¡°I love you too, Ashton,¡± I cooed in love, sagging my shoulders in relief. I couldn¡¯t hate him even though I desperately desired to. He had seeded in iming my heart, mind, and body that I might go mad without him.

    I once thought no man could have my heart the way Julian did, standing here with this huge beast kneeling in front of me, drawing me close until his head was in my stomach and I was cradling him like my babe, I understood what they said about living a lie. Because, honestly, I had lived a lie with such an assumption.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± He lifted his head to kiss my stomach. ¡°We will have our own child at the right time, okay?¡± He said. ¡°And if we can¡¯t, we look for an alternative.¡±

    My hands cupped the two sides of his head, pushing my finger through his brown curls to caress his scalp whilst striving to look directly into his eyes to confirm the truth in his statement. ¡°Do you mean that?¡±

    ¡°There is no other way, Gwen.¡± He shrugged casually. ¡°It¡¯s obvious I can¡¯t live without you and feigning otherwise would be in foolery so why try? Frankly, I would love nothing more than to see you pregnant with my child, yet, if it means losing you, I will rather live in peace with another means.¡±

    ¡°Ash¡­¡± I bent low to deeply kiss his forehead and nodded his head back to my stomach. ¡°You have warmed my heart with your every word this moment and I will continue to pray until the goddess would bless me with your child because it¡¯s what I want too. To carry your child. Our child.¡±

    I stepped back and tugged at his shoulders until he stood and I hugged him. I was small against him and that was what made it more beautiful. I held him, relishing in the fire that emanated from him which rather than burn me, warmed every region of me.

    ¡°Come here.¡± He tore away, took my wrist, and went back in, closing the door after us. We strolled all the way to the bed and climbed in, him going behind me to cuddle me to him. He stoked my hair. ¡°It feels so good to have you in my arms after such a long time.¡± He admitted hoarsely, the breath from him fanning the back of my neck.

    ¡°I missed you more,¡± I sighed, my arms engulfing his strong ones about me. ¡°What about your sister? What do you think we should do?¡± I needed to know if he had other ns.

    His loud huff was an indication of how callous this territory was. ¡°I have men out searching for her. Everywhere they think she could be, including the home of the rogue.¡±

    ¡°Tyler knows nothing about her whereabouts.¡± I deadpanned.

    ¡°Was that where you went earlier with my horse?¡± Oh, so he knows? That treacherous little twat must have informed him despite my tip.

    ¡°I-I¡­¡±

    ¡°Speak freely, Gwen. I don¡¯t bite.¡±

    ¡°I had to verify myself that she was not with him.¡±

    ¡°That was a good one, my love. I must admit I do not like seeing you with him, but I won¡¯t pretend not to know how important this is to everyone in this pce.¡±

    I nodded, my eyes pointed at the closed window. ¡°We will find her.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    After that, I didn¡¯t ascertain when I slept off, only waking up to a loud snore beside me. A very good snore. I rotated to my left-through good graces- as a result of how hard it was- thanks to the muscr arms keeping me captive.

    Ashton was in a deep slumber. A peaceful one for that matter that left his mouth open, oozing loud noise. Snoring irritated me to nuts, albeit as I stared at the love of my life still in bed with me, enjoying his sleep, I was carried away. Forgetting that he had woken me, I allowed myself savor this unprecedented moment much longer.

    I shifted until his arm was loose and ced my hand under my head and observed him closely.

    Howe I didn¡¯t notice his chin had this amount of stubble? Or that his hair had grown past the shoulder length. It was now looking to long and would need trimming. As for the wrinkles scattered in the contour areas of his face, I would associate that to the present predicaments facing us in the Kingdom. Oh, my poor husband. When this is all over by the Goddess¡¯s grace, we will need a lot of repose. Him, especially.

    He let out arge gust of air and began coughing, his jobless left hand finding his chest to beat slowly. Instinctively, the motherly instinct in me made me move my hand forward and helped him tap. Apanied by saying ¡®sorry¡¯.

    The act must have woken him up as I spied a beautiful set of ocean blue through thick ckshes whichtched on me for a minute trying to dissect where he was. Then, he smiled. ¡°My love.¡±

    ¡°Go back to sleep, it¡¯s still early,¡± I whispered, leaning in to peck his temple. ¡°A little ugly cough.¡±

    He groaned. ¡°Okay, please wake me early enough, I have to go to the border this morning.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I will.¡± I slid down the bed facing upwards. I couldn¡¯t get enough of this moment. It was still like I was in dream. How could I move so swiftly from sorrows to such an amount of happiness? Like very fast!

    The man of my dreams was here and I was in his arms. I didn¡¯t wake up this morning to find out everything was in my head. It was real. Everything he saidst night.

    Goddess.

    Was it happening? My redemption? Was there still more test for me to pass? Please, goddess, permanent this because I didn¡¯t think I could do without this.

    ¡°Try to catch some sleep too, my little wolf. You have big bags under your¡­ eyes.¡± He slurred off, emitting a snore as he fell into another round of sleep.

    I didn¡¯t respond instead I was smiling sheepishly. Does he think I would be able to sleep again? Hmmn, I was literally on cloud nine. I was floating without a parachute to aid my fall. And this man thought I could sleep. With him here? After all the statements he madest night? The love he professed?

    Never!

    If anything, I needed to grab a trumpet and blow at the center of the pack that I now had my man back! He loved me! He fucken loved me! He said it himselfst night.

    Wait, I needed to ascertain he didn¡¯t say it out of pity yesterday, just to be sure I was not jumping for joy over nothing.

    I tapped him gently. ¡°Ash¡­?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mmm,¡± he hummed, scratched his stubble, and peeped at me. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ may I ask you something?¡±

    He was fully awake, worry etched in his facade as he took my right cheek in his big palm. ¡°What is it, my love? Ask away.¡±

    ¡°Aboutst night¡­¡± I scooted closer. ¡°When¡­ when you said you loved me¡­ did you mean it?¡±

    His sigh was audible, falling back on the end and taking me with him. ¡°Sweetness, you had me worried over that? Of course, I meant every word I said. I love you more than anything. You do not believe me?¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± I enthused, shooting off his arms. ¡°You can go back to sleep. Don¡¯t mind my foolish self. I was only¡­¡±

    He ced his hand on my neck and drew me close until I was on top of him. ¡°It¡¯s okay, love. Can I sleep now?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    Yes, you can!

    Oh, if only Abby was here! I needed to share this with someone. Tyler! Since Abigail was not here, he is going to be my pot of ears.

    One hourter, I woke Ashton and he prepared and left for his meeting. While me, I quickly dressed even before Kora made it to the room, I was fully kitted, and danced out of the room.

    She was astonished her expression spoke volumes. For the first time, she caught me singing. The look on her face would be captured for posterity

    Fast I reached the garage and slid into the car and without question, the driver drove me to Tyler¡¯s ce.

    You came early,¡± He said immediately he opened the door.

    ¡°That is because, my friend, I bear good news.¡± I rushed past him into the sitting room.

    When he came, as usual, he went straight to the kitchen and came back with a tray of biscuits and that favorite tea I liked. ¡°What good news could be greater than finding Abby?¡± His eyes were askew in askance as he dropped the tray. I was sitting forward, incapable of holding back any longer.

    ¡°He loves me!¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± He stood tall, confused. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    I pped my hands in excitement and giggled in delight at howical his expression was now. It appeared everything seemed funny to me nowadays. ¡°Ashton, of course!¡± I hollered. ¡°Who else? He said it himself. He confessed it to me right there in front of my doorstep and this morning he confirmed his words were genuine.¡±

    Tyler didn¡¯t say a word nor did he show any form of expression to ry what was going on in his head. Just moped.

    ¡°What?¡± I iled my hands openly. ¡°You are not happy for me?¡± My brows arched. ¡°I thought you would be happy for me. I haven¡¯t been happy in a long time, Ty.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I am happy for you, Gwen,¡± He eventually uttered. Dryly. He wiped his hand down his face and went to sit opposite me. ¡°I¡¯m only shocked that should be important to you now when the Kingdom is falling apart. When Abby, your friend, is missing.¡±

    Now, when he put it like that, my heart flopped. In guilt. ¡°Ty¡­ that¡¯s not fair.¡±

    ¡°Of course, that won¡¯t be fair because it¡¯s all about you.¡± An angry voice bristled from behind, causing me to make an arm-twisting flip around in that direction.

    ¡­

 Chapter 125

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Abby?¡± I squealed, jumping up from the settee to hurry to her, not paying heed to her subsequent stifled tone. I higher her right the instant I was close to her. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you are here in person. Where have you been?¡± The questions flowed one after the other.

    When she didn¡¯t reply, I pushed away from her and grazed her from head to toe in assessment. Then it dawned on me that Tyler had lied. I swerved around you and ogled at him. ¡°You lied to me!¡±

    His hands lifted and fell by his sides, his eyes rolling up. ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± he drawled. ¡°She just showed up at my doorstep a few minutes after you left the other day.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to inform me.¡± I was back at Abby. ¡°You had everyone at the pce worried! Your mother, brother, the people. Everyone! Abby.¡±

    She rolled her eyes and snatched her hands off me, moving into the sitting room. ¡°Like they care. Like any of you truly care.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about, Abby?¡± I didn¡¯t give her a chance to escape. ¡°You of all people know we do.¡±

    ¡°And yet all you cared about was running here to talk about my brother¡¯s promation of his love for you.¡± Her words were callous. And very unfair of her. I have grown to love Abby with every day that broke. I now saw her as a sister than a friend and I didn¡¯t want to assume that the little happiness I seemed to get would irk her this way.

    I didn¡¯t take it personal. She was going through a lot, I could understand. ¡°Abby¡­¡± I plopped down beside her and once more took her right hand. I pretended not to notice how she tried to hold back. ¡°I know you are hurting and heaven forbids that I take any word you throw at me personal. Because I love you. I am also affected by the recent developments in the pce. Williams death. But we have to move on.¡±

    Her face snapped at me, her hand leaving me with such force I feared a bone would break. She was furious. Tears shimmered in her orbs. ¡°Would you have said the same if it were my brother who died?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t reply. I only allowed her to vent.

    ¡°I lost my mate and it¡¯s all because of you!¡±

    It was time for my mood to swing in the dark direction. The guilty side, resurfacing. My head fell low, taking on my entwined fingers. Would Abby ever see me in the same light ever again? Would she ever forgive me?

    ¡°I only came here because I had nowhere to go,¡± She concluded. ¡°I had gone to a former ce I used to go with Williams but the memory of his presence there was too much for me. If I had spent one more day there, I would have taken my own life.¡±

    ¡°Augustine?¡± I adjusted on the couch to be able to see her properly.

    ¡°How did you know?¡± She eyed me.

    ¡°Your mother. She told me you might be there.¡± I nodded toward Tyler. ¡°That was also why I came here. Not only to share what you heard earlier but to inform Ty that we had a lead on where to find you. So, you see, I was not idle all these while, I have been digging, trying to find out where you are likely to be.¡±

    She sniffed and shook her head. ¡°So, what now? You are going to tell them you found me? I¡¯m noting back.¡± There was a note of finality in her voice.

    ¡°I am not¡­ going to tell them if you don¡¯t want that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­want to be there. Not now.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    I sighed and pushed deeper into the seat. This was a major relief. Abby doesn¡¯t know how muching back meant to me. At least this problem is rectified, even if her family doesn¡¯t need to know it.

    I nced at Tyler, who was still in the same position, unmoving. He looked at me like he had something to say. This isn¡¯t easy on him. I have brought him only trouble since we became friends. If I hadn¡¯t be friends with him, Ashton wouldn¡¯t hate him and if I hadn¡¯t made him pretend to be Abby¡¯s mate, he wouldn¡¯t have to face the former Queen¡¯s wrath and now have to hide her.

    Only me! I seem to be a conveyor of doom wherever I go since I turned eighteen!

    ¡°Do you need me to bring anything for you from the pce?¡± I asked Abby. ¡°Clothes, underwear, anything.¡±

    ¡°No, I can manage. I took enough wear tost me a long time. Besides, my brother is very smart, he might be monitoring your movement, and you will never know.¡±

    At the mention of his name, my heart soared. It felt like forever since I saw him when it was not even up to 5hours. This love could wreck my soul if anything went wrong.

    ¡°Okay, I will have to supply food to Tyler, anyway. You have to be¡­ maintained.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a pup and do not treat me like one.¡± She spat.

    My heart was breaking with how Abby was attacking my every move to help. This was not us. I knew I ruined everything and it would take probably forever to mend it, still, it didn¡¯t stop it from hurting.

    Tyler sensing the stiff air decided to intervene. ¡°If you ask me I will say we shouldn¡¯ty me on anyone, at least not for now. We can¡¯t say for sure who killed Williams and from the searches I¡¯ve been conducting, it might not be any of the invitees.¡±

    Abby stood abruptly and hissed. ¡°Of course, you will take her side.¡± She scampered off.

    We didn¡¯t go after her. I was tempted to, but when I saw Tyler¡¯s raised palm, I sagged back and watched her go.

    ¡°She will be fine,¡± he said. ¡°She needs space.¡±

    I wanted to agree with him so badly. But I was scared. Afraid that Abby would never like me again. ¡°Ty, I am so sorry I got you involved in all these.¡± I had to say to digress from the present topic for myself.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. She might be grumpy and a vixen, but I simply hope to manage.¡±

    ¡°You know she¡¯s a sweet person, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°So you say.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s only hurting.¡±

    He indicated the tray. ¡°You don¡¯t like the tea today?¡±

    I exhaled with a rxing sigh, closing and opening my eyes as I leaned forward and picked up the cup. ¡°This is one of the best parts ofing here. In fact, I used to enjoy it very much the time I was here.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°You are such a wonderful person, Ty.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He frowned and stood up. ¡°I have to check on something outside.¡± He was trying to escape. Did I say something wrong now?

    ¡°Ty?¡±

    ¡°Not now, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°What? You don¡¯t even know what I want to say.¡±

    ¡°I know you, Gwen.¡± He yed with something in his hand. ¡°I know you are dying to know everything about me. It¡¯s in your eyes.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s so bad knowing everything about my friends?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing bad but I am not the kind of person you think I am, Gwen. That¡¯s all I have to say to you.¡±

    I scoffed, lowering the tea cup and cing my palm into the other in front of me as I observed him. It appeared we had enough time on our hands as we wouldn¡¯t be going in search of Abby anymore. ¡°I know everything I want to know about you, Ty. I don¡¯t care about what others think of you, your former pack, my husband, or anyone. It¡¯s how you have acted towards me that I care about. I pray you understand that you have me and could tell me anything.¡±

    ¡°And yet you won¡¯t share your problems with me.¡± He brisked in a tight tone.

    I was astounded. ¡°What have I not told you, Ty?¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°I desire to know ¡¯cause I would like to think I am a very open-minded person.¡±

    ¡°And I didn¡¯t know you were having a problem with conception?¡±

    I paled. My mouth fell open and closed. Wordlessly. How¡­ how did he know?

    ¡°I thought you had nothing to hide?¡± He chastised, causing me to shift ufortably. This was a part of me I do not like talking about much.

    ¡°It wasplicated, Ty.¡±

    ¡°I have thought about it and no matter how hard I did, I don¡¯t get how hard it was to share that.¡±

    ¡°How did you know?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your business.¡± He walked to the door.

    ¡°Ty, I was ashamed.¡± I went after him. I couldn¡¯t bear Ty being mad at me. Why was everyone getting furious at me today that was one of my happiest days.

    ¡°I need to be alone, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to tell you. But of what use would it be?¡±

    ¡°I could have shared in your pain? Was that why each time you went to the temple youe out with red-rimmed eyes?¡± He was at my face. ¡°You think the goddess cares about if you bear children or not?¡± He scoffed. ¡°You are such a dreamer.¡±

    ¡°I believe!¡± I screamed at him. ¡°You are not the only one who had been wronged, Tyler. I was also abandoned by the goddess when I needed her most. But that didn¡¯t stop me from still trusting that she would do right by me.¡±

    ¡°And where had that gotten you?¡±

    ¡°I am still¡­ waiting.¡±

    ¡°You are so¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°Just go inside.¡± he waved me away. I couldn¡¯t ept Tyler was saying these mean words to me. He had never shown me anger. It was foreign and something I didn¡¯t think I could endure.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ty.¡±

    ¡°I forgive you, Gwen. I told you so you would know it was not a secret. After saying you told me everything.¡±

    He walked away, leaving me standing there watching his broad back. He was so furious. He kicked at an object on his way and never turned to look at me.

    I didn¡¯t want to break down so I twisted and ran back in. I drank all the tea in one gulp, my eyes pinned on the door, waiting for him to return so we could resolve our differences.

    Time flew by and I was beginning to grow weary and bored. I decided to seek out Abby and see how she was fairing. If she would let me. Coming here today was starting to look bleak.

    ¡°Abby?¡± I called as I climbed the staircase. ¡°Where are you?¡±

    There was no sound.

    After opening two doors, I located her in one of them, wrapped under the duvet, and from the tiny snores produced, I figured she was in a deep slumber. I went to cover her properly, kissed her forehead hence I left the room.

    Seeing as Tyler was taking time toe back and might be avoiding me, I had to leave too.

    At the pce, when I came down from the car, I made my way back in the direction of the temple. It was Thursday and prayer day.

    Unlike before when I came here, and the people would greet me, today they looked at me with venom in their eyes. It was apparent how much they hated me. Even when I waved at a group of women entering the temple, they nced away sharply and hurried along.

    Not to hurt myself by thinking about their behaviours, I concluded it was meaningless trying to gain their approval when they were bent on ruining my day. I went to pray, and after prayers, I went back to the pce.

    I didn¡¯t go to look for Ashton as I knew he would still be out, somehow, I knew. Instead, I went in search of Charlotte, I needed a little of the substance from the other day.

    Reverse to what I assumed that day about getting drunk, it made me well and almost felt like all my problems were over.

    ¡­

 Chapter 126

    **ASHTON**

    The border check with the team took longer than anticipated. And by the time we were through, twilight had befallen us.

    I was impatient, my mind and body already far from here as I excused myself from them and made my way home. I missed my mate so much and afterst night, I did not want to spend a moment away from her.

    Sincest night, it had been a new level of peace. I told her, I fucken expressed my feelings to her and it was not as bad as I had envisioned. I always knew all along. From the first day, I met her that she would have me this way. That was why I was scared and did everything possible to make her leave. And I am d it didn¡¯t work.

    After our exchange at the dining room and I blurted that statement, I regretted it. However, the regret came after the blunder. I never supposed I would stoop low to say that to her. After all, we weren¡¯t sure where the issue stemmed from. It could even be from me.

    Thanks to Striker, it was not long and we were galloping through the pce gate at full speed I didn¡¯t have time to acknowledge the greetings of the Deltans.

    Once I dropped the stallion and was waiting for the stable boy to take the reigns from me and secure it, I saw Merit inclined towards me.

    I met her halfway.

    ¡°Ashton!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your majesty to you, Merit,¡± I countered. ¡°We are no longer kids.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point now.¡±

    ¡°So, what is?¡± I didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°I saw your mate.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say she was missing.¡± I reached the front door and Mousy quickened to open it, bowing until we walked past him.

    ¡°You can¡¯t believe where I saw her.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t recall cing you as a supervisor over my mate, Merit.¡±

    ¡°I do what I do because I care about you, Ashton.¡±

    I stopped at thending of the first staircase, before the second one. ¡°What is this all about, Merit? You know I can never marry you.¡±

    ¡°And that is not my priority. We are friends and this Kingdom as far as I am concerned is our priority and scandal is something that shouldn¡¯t be found anywhere close to the pce.¡±

    My ear pricked. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    She grinned slyly. ¡°Now that I have your full attention, did you do what I asked of you the other day?¡±

    ¡°Merit, you have information, If you are not willing to share then go have a good day.¡± I continued on my trip.

    ¡°I saw her with the Chief guardian. In his home. I was not close and when I heightened my hearing, I heard her begging him for something. The position I found them was¡­promising.¡±

    ¡°They are friends.¡± I heard myself say for the first time.

    She snorted derisiveughter that ended in a throat clear when I growled at her. ¡°Sorry, but don¡¯t be foolish. Something tells me he is sleeping with her, but you won¡¯t know because you trust her so much. That is why she doesn¡¯t want to give you an heir! Don¡¯t be deceived!¡±

    My body froze in anger and jealousy as she said that. This is not something I want to entertain because obviously, it is getting old. I am starting to trust my mate and she had told me time without number that Tyler and her were merely friends. If I do not trust her, how can we build a proper rtionship?

    ¡°Well, I know she isn¡¯t sleeping with him and as for seeing them, she notified me of going to meet with him. I think it¡¯s because of Abigail¡¯s disappearance.¡±

    A sudden movement in her throat caught my attention. Her face fell. It was a look of disappointment. ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Next time make sure you hear properly, Merit. Gwen is a good girl if only you will set aside your hatred and get to know her. And¡­ do not forget she is your Queen.¡±

    ¡°I am sorry, Ashton. I thought¡­¡±

    ¡°Never mind.¡± I waved her off and finalized climbing the stairs, my former excitement waning from what I just heard. What did she go there to do? And why did she not tell mest night she was going there?

    No, I shook my head, it must be something serious and maybe it was impromptu. I didn¡¯t care about the position they were in, all I should care about was that Gwen would never hurt me. She was nothing like Emma. It all centred around finding Abigail. Knowing Hwen, she won¡¯t test until my sister is found.

    That had to be it.

    My ears caught two female voices andughtering from the left side of the mansion that led to the Queen¡¯s private parlour-a ce I knew only mother used. Normally I would ignore it and proceed in search of my mate, nheless, the second voice was very familiar. So I changed course.

    And yes to my suspicion even before I got there, her heavy aromatic scent hit me. My mate. But, there was something off. Something off mixed with try scent.

    I knocked gently and entered before they would permit me and I met with an awkward scene: My mate gulping down a ss of Whiskey.

    ¡°Mother, what are you doing?¡± I snatched the ss from her at once, lowering it and pushing the bottle away from her. I iled my hands about my mate. ¡°This is not proper.¡±

    ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon,¡± My mother wagged her finger condescendingly at me. ¡°She is not a kid. And this is women¡¯s time. Leave.¡±

    ¡°She needs to be coherent.¡± I countered.

    Gwen struggled, taking her wrist from me. ¡°You heard Mother, I am not a kid. Leave, it¡¯s women¡¯s time.¡± She pointed at the door. My eyes iled. She was drunk. I could tell.

    ¡°Gwen, you have had enough. Don¡¯t listen to Mother. She is stronger than you.¡±

    ¡°I am moulding her, son. To be like me.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to be like you, Mother. Stop.¡± I grabbed Gwen¡¯s wrist and pulled her up, bent and scooped her up, ignoring her protest.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°Okay, okay, you win. She is drunk, take her to bed.¡± Mother dismissed us.

    I huffed and made for the door. Then paused, went back fn took the bottle. ¡°You too, you need to stop.¡± I didn¡¯t wait for her to protest and left the room.

    ¡°Let me down you brute!¡± Gwen was struggling, hitting any part of my body her fist collided with and giggling deliriously.

    ¡°Baby, you shouldn¡¯t have taken that.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your business? You left me!¡±

    ¡°For a meeting. I told you.¡±

    ¡°You stayed too long. And then¡­¡± She sniffed and broke down in tears. Thankfully we were in front of the room so I took her in andid her on the bed. She sat up. ¡°¡­ your people now hate me so much, Ashton. They look at me with fire as if when they go into the temple all they prayed was for me to meet my untimely death in the hands of the devil.¡±

    ¡°Baby, it¡¯s not that bad.¡± I stroke her face softly.

    ¡°It¡¯s so bad,¡± She sobbed, shaking her head from side to side. ¡°I am so afraid of even going for walks.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, little wolf,e here.¡± I jumped into the bed and drew her into my arms. ¡°No one would dare hurt you, my love. Don¡¯t worry, I will address then and I promise you will see changes henceforth, okay?¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­ though I deserve it.¡±

    ¡°You deserve only the best, my love.¡±

    ¡°Do you mean it?¡± Her tear-stricken puppy eyes peeked at me.

    ¡°I am a man of my word.¡± I kissed her nose.

    She sighed back into me, using her left hand to support her head. ¡°I have something to tell you¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You have to promise not to do anything bad. You have to promise.¡±

    ¡°It depends on try circumstance, my love.¡±

    ¡°No, you have to promise me if not I won¡¯t tell you. I am putting my friendship on the line by telling you this bit I don¡¯t want you to continue being worried.¡±

    ¡°Alright, what is it?¡±

    She took her time and said, ¡°Abby is around.¡±

    She sat up to look at me and I looked back at her in question. How? Did she know all these while and didn¡¯t tell me or have theytely found her?

    ¡°I saw her today at Tyler¡¯s ce.¡± She answered my mental question.

    That son of a bitch! My lips went in a straight line. He abducted my sister? It had to be it! Abigail couldn¡¯t be so stupid as to move in with a rogue.

    ¡°She went to him yesterday.¡±

    ¡°She said that?¡±

    ¡°Tyler told me.¡±

    ¡°Bloody liar!¡± I sted. ¡°He took her.¡±

    ¡°No, he didn¡¯t. Abigail needs space and thinks staying there for now would be the best. For her.¡±

    ¡°She needs her family. Us. Not putting herself in danger. She is not of sane mind at the moment.¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡± She cupped my face. ¡°You have to be reasonable. If I didn¡¯t want to tell you I won¡¯t. So, don¡¯t make me regret it. She made me swear not to tell anyone.¡±

    I grated my teeth. I used to be the closest thing to a confidant to my sister when we were growing up. Now we seemed like two rivers that could never meet. ¡°Is she okay?¡±

    ¡°She is¡­ recovering.¡±

    ¡°Does she need anything?¡±

    ¡°No, she said she doesn¡¯t. And if she does, I will take it to her.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust that guy.¡±

    ¡°Tyler is the best guy you can have a rough here if you think about it. He is our friend and will do anything for us. Please, Ashton, stop seeing him as the enemy and try to see him for the man he is.¡±

    I scoffed within. If only she knew what a monster he was. I was still to confirm his obsession with my mate and sister. And if time is not taken I won¡¯t be shocked if he was being close to them, pretending to be goody two shoes just to Infuriate me. He had my secret and knew irrespective of how mad I got, I wouldn¡¯t do anything to him.

    My sister.

    ¡°Okay, Gwen. I won¡¯t go to her, I won¡¯t force her toe back but you have to promise me something in return.¡±

    ¡°Okay?¡±

    ¡°You have to check up on her all the time to be certain she¡¯s okay with that¡­¡± When she eyed me ruefully, I released my gnashing teeth and instead of the ¡®rogue¡¯ I was about to say, I said ¡®man¡¯.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a burden at all, Ash.¡± She quipped. ¡°It is something I already have in my schedule henceforth. Just don¡¯t tell Mother for now, please.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡±

    I brought her back into my arms and squished her, not wanting to let her go an inch.  I felt better now knowing my sister was okay. One problem solved. It was time tomence the search for Williams¡¯s murderer. If they thought they had escaped, then I will prove to them that no one stepped on my feet and went free.

    I felt so alone and my former glee came back full-fledged. I desired to ask Gwen why she was begging Tyler as Merit said, then changed my mind. It wouldn¡¯t be good if she found that. It would make her think I was spying on her and that won¡¯t be nice.

    I kissed her hair and inhaled deeply, taking cognizance of how she had cked on me. She had fallen asleep.

    Iid her back on the bed and arranged the divert around her. I turned off the lights on my way out. I had to install a guard at the rogue¡¯s house. I could never allow myself to trust him enough. Despite Gwen¡¯s word to check on her, what if he attacked two of them, who would protect them?

    As I entered my study, I didn¡¯t expect to get a message from my mercenaries to the human world that the bane of my life, Sweetbaby, had finally been captured and was presently transported back to my Kingdom.

    Oh, what a happy day!

    ¡­

 Chapter 127

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Ewk!¡± I sneezed, rolling to my back in the bed with the palm of my right hand locating my forehead. It pounded bitterly. I winced, further wincing when I became conscious of the bright light flooding in from the open window.

    Who opened the window by this time of the morning?

    ¡°Good morning, Your Highness,¡± I heard Kora¡¯s voice from somewhere close to the closet, rummaging inside. I shifted to my right side until I faced her, my eyes squinted from pain.

    ¡°Kora? Why did youe so early?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s past 11 in the morning, Your Highness, you overslept.¡± My heart jumped. Overslept? How? I rapidly skimmed my eyes around the room and ended at the wall clock, my eyelids expanding broadly. ¡°Shit!¡± I jolted up with speed.

    ¡°I was worried when you didn¡¯t wake up and had to open the windows. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°You should have woke me up earlier.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bother you. You must have had a lot from yesterday.¡± I stood up on my bare feet, my memory cascading back to events of yesterday. I hissed, recalling my high liquor mini-party with Charlotte. ¡°Have you seen my husband?¡±

    ¡°He brought you inst night.¡±

    Of course, he had to see me like that. What was I thinking going to drink with Charlotte who was a pro at it? I wonder how I looked yesterday. Like an idiot. Before my mother-inw. What would she think of me now? Gosh! I had problems and instead of looking for better ways to handle them, I had resulted in alcohol usage. I was so ashamed of myself

    As I made my way to the bathroom, I thought of what to say to Ashton if he confronted me about my disgraceful behaviour. I had no defence. As usual, instead of finding solutions, I was spawning more trouble.

    I quickly scrubbed myself clean, brushed, and came out. I lotioned myself and wore the brown woolly gown on the bed. It was bobbed at the two hands, giving it afy disposition. Just what my body needed. I was feeling sick. What do they call it again? Hangover?

    It was Friday, and I should go for training today but since it waste in the morning, I will have to cancel till next week. For now, I had to visit Abby to make certain she was fine.

    ¡°Inform the King I went into the vige for visitation duties.¡± Hopefully, he would understand.

    ¡°Okay, your highness, be safe.¡± She waved at me and went on to arrange things around the room.

    Outside I stood in front of my door and looked left to right as if afraid of judgemental eyes that might have seen me drunk yesternight were prating at me. I didn¡¯t know how I was when I came in, but something told me it was bad.

    Satisfied with the isted hall, I made my way down. I smiled halfheartedly at Mousy, and headed straight for the kitchen, packed a few foodstuffs and refreshments, and then headed for the garage, not in the mood or courageous enough to face everyone at breakfast.

    When I got to Tyler¡¯s cottage, I knocked softly and waited, still sweeping my eyes about. I could feel an extra pair of eyes but dismissed it as nothing. It was all in my head. Ashton would never betray my trust and ce a spy on me.

    The door swung open. ¡°Hey,¡± Tyler greeted me and stepped aside for me to go in.

    I handed him the basket of food. ¡°How are you guys fairing?¡± My head automatically nted in the direction of the staircase expecting Abby.

    ¡°She is still in there, refusing toe out.¡± He went to drop the basket in the kitchen. ¡°By the way, you didn¡¯t need to bring this. I can feed my guests. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the best I can do, Ty.¡± I strolled to the staircase and hesitated. I didn¡¯t know if Abby was ready to see me. She would still be very mad at me, still hate me, and showing my face would do nothing but remind her I was the inducement for her present woe.¡± I concluded I had to try and proceed to climb.

    At the top, in front of her door, I paused, took a deep breath, and raised my knuckle to knock. One, two, three. She didn¡¯t budge. No response.

    ¡°Abby, please hear me out,¡± I sighed at the door. ¡°I simply want to know you are alright. Please.¡±

    No response.

    I felt two hands engulf my shoulders and pull me backwards into hefty-toned male muscles. ¡°Give her time.¡±

    My shoulder slouched in helplessness and guilt. I was the prime cause of this and now Abby hates me. She doesn¡¯t want to see my face and might never forgive me. Tentatively I touched Ty¡¯s hand on my shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m so worried about her.¡±

    ¡°She will be fine,¡± he cooed. ¡°Come, you need tea.¡± I followed him back down and epted the hot mug of tea he handed to me.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± I sipped, my eyes pinned on the brown glossy strip of mahogany right in front of me, in thought.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening back at the pce?¡± Ty voiced. I rxed back on the couch and allowed myself to absorb Ty opposite me, in his typical position.

    I shrugged casually. ¡°Nothing much. Everywhere is tranquil and with the death of Will, all hands are on deck to catch the killer. And there is Abby¡¯s disappearance too.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell the King?¡± His observant orbs drilled into me in hidden usation. I sharply looked down at the mug of tea unable to lie to him while darting directly at him.

    I wrung the sides of my lips as I shook my head. ¡°I promised not to. Why ask?¡±

    ¡°Merely asking,¡± He gruffed. ¡°I¡¯m certain you are not yourself when you are close to the beast. I won¡¯t be shocked if you spill her whereabouts to him.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I narrowed my eyes at him. He is right, yet he made it sound like I was some puppet to Ashton who he needed only to press a button and I was cawing to abide by his every whim. ¡°I have a mind of my own, thanks.¡± I stood.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± He stood too.

    The interrogation was too much for me mainly because again, I was guilty. I needed to go before I slipped. ¡°I have to visit the vige.¡± My shoulders bucked and sagged in sadness. ¡°I know they despise me too, however, that won¡¯t stop me from trying my luck.¡±

    ¡°Be careful.¡± He apanied me to the door. ¡°With the approach of the full moon, Lycans go rogue and do thoughtless things. Especially to a kind they have long perceived as a threat. Don¡¯t lose your guard.¡±

    Is he warning me about something? Of course, he is, Gwen. Regardless, why does it feel like he knew something and was sugarcoating it to prevent me from being worried? I blinked twice and nodded.

    ¡°Thanks, for the tea too.¡±

    He opened his door and let me out, closing it as he apanied me to the waiting sleek ck Audi. My hands wrapped around me as a vicious breeze swirled around. Thanks to Kora for choosing this dress. It was a tadfortable against the weather.

    ¡°Ty?¡± I prodded, recalling thest time I was here we separated on ugly notes. ¡°About the other day¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s in the past, Gwen. Let it go.¡± I didn¡¯t argue. Only nodded once more. He was that kind of man, the type that quarrelled and let go without stretching things. At least I didn¡¯t lose my close friend. I smiled in agreement.

    ¡°Thanks too.¡± I entered the car. ¡°Do take care.¡±

    The car¡¯s engine sighed awake and the driver steered us away.

    On the road to the vige, I got a better idea. Instead of going to their houses and getting shut out or meeting their disagreeing glowers, maybe I should visit the farms. Today was Friday and many Lycans would be at the farm to harvest food for the weekend and for the pce. Going to visit them would show my solidarity and perhaps, soften their heart toward me.

    I ordered the driver to drop me off the road and leave. I made my way into the bush and ambled carefully through the thick thickets of dried-up leaves, sticks, and branches.

    ¡°Arh!¡± I stumbled forward with my hands out to support myself from hitting the ground as pain ricocheted through my skull.

    ¡°Such a weakling!¡± I heard Merit say behind me. ¡°What are you doing in the forest, huh?¡± She reached down, grabbed my hair, and yanked.

    ¡°Merit, stop it this minute!¡± I cried, feeling my skull rage. I was green with pain. ¡°Imand you as your Queen to_¡±

    She yanked harder, pushing my face into the mud, took more portion of my hair, and squeezed. ¡°I will never acknowledge you as my Queen, you hear? You are nothing but a weak werewolf and my people and I would never ept something like you. You killed our Beta and you think we can forget?¡±

    My heart dipped, guilt recing anger. She was right. Maybe I deserve to die. ¡°Merit¡­¡±

    ¡°Ashton is hypnotized and doesn¡¯t understand what a danger you pose to ourmunity therefore we have to make him see it!¡±

    ¡°Please, forgive me.¡±

    ¡°Forgive you?¡± Her voice was animated, filled with so much wrath. ¡°I will rather die than forgive a bitch like you.¡±

    Suddenly, I was possessed by something uncontroble. Something inane that fought to be unleashed. Something that refused to be treated like this. I was at fault and I deserved every punishment that came to me, but that would be decided by Ashton himself! Not this filthy envious wench who has lost every iota of self-control in her quest to take what was mine from me.

    I can¡¯t describe this feeling, only felt myself lifted off the ground, not in human form, but a shape I have never seen before. Totally alien to me.

    A big raging ck wolf.

    I growled as I ripped off my back paws and connected my front paw to a horrified Merit¡¯s chest, sending her flying across the woods. I didn¡¯t hesitate to dash after her and finish what she had started.

    ¡­

 Chapter 128

    **GWEN**

    Somebody, wake me up from this slumber that I was. It appears I have been fantasizing a lottely that I was starting to live in my head.

    Repeatedly, I delved at Merit, not giving her a chance to attack me. She was also transformed now and from the feral look in her eyes, she was ready to maul me. But guess what, bitch? Today was judgment day!

    Whatever this is that possessed me, it was something despicable. Absolutely not me. It was unforgiving and not willing to slow down. From the look of things, it was aiming to destroy Merit, and if no one stopped us, someone was definitely going to die today.

    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± I heard someone thunder. A very powerful human, but this thing possessing me didn¡¯t let me stop for one second. It caught Merit by the neck and just when I leaned in to chop off her neck, hands grabbed me and snatched me off the bitch.

    I struggled, my rage redirected towards the person who dared to hamper my moment, and paused when my eyes rounded on Ashton. He looked at me steadily, those beautiful blue depths fixed on me, imploringly.

    Like water was doused on me, the demon tamed, my growling stopping as my mouth closed back at once.

    ¡°She attacked me first!¡± Merit was back to her human form again. ¡°I told you she was a witch! Look at that!¡± She jabbed her finger in my direction, and blood strews all over her body. Blood my beating had produced.

    I was seething, desiring to do more harm to her. When I nced back her way, my body made to leave but Ashton was fast to corner me to his side and lifted his right hand in the air. ¡°I said it¡¯s enough, Merit. Go back to the squad, I will attend to this.¡±

    ¡°Ash!¡± She squeaked, showing her displeasure at his order.

    ¡°Now!¡±

    She stomped her feet and made her way out. That was when I recognized people gathered around. They parted for her to pass hence turning back to face us.

    ¡°Gwen?¡± Ashton fell on his knees before me and took my face between hisrge palms. Momentarily I was carried away and sighed, leaning into his soft touch. Again, I have messed up.

    All in one fucken week!

    I grumbled. Meaning to say I was sorry for disgracing him. People watched in curiosity. And he had said ¡®Gwen¡¯ very low that it would take someone with very powerful hearing like him to grab it.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± He led the way and people parted once again for us, their eyes following our every move. I was sure they were ready to pounce on me if I showed any menace to their King. ¡°Disperse, everyone!¡± Ashton¡¯s voice carried in the depth of the intense air.

    We didn¡¯t pass from the front of the pce. After enduring the premeditated look of those at the gate, Ashton directed me to the back of the house and eventually, we busted out inside the pce from a back door.

    In our chamber, I shifted back to my human form and slumped on the floor in fatigue. He hurried to my side, picked me up, and went to the tub.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me,¡± He said gently. No haughtiness.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know,¡± My voice came out croaked at first. ¡°It¡¯s my first time.¡± I was still working to contain the level of delight I felt from this. I have experienced my first transformation. This meant only one thing!

    I was not human!

    I was going to have a baby!

    My heartbeat drummed. If this was the case, then howe was I dumped on the border between humans and werewolves? Does it mean someone from the werewolf Kingdom dumped me there hoping for a human to pick me? My real parents were so ashamed of me that they would rather toss me away than suffer societal disparagement.

    ¡°Little wolf¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I am a werewolf, Ash,¡± I finally gathered the courage to say, my watery orbs travelling to him. ¡°I am not a human. I shifted!¡± I broke apart and wept. ¡°Do you know what that means to me?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know it meant so much to you.¡± He scrubbed my back, his voice still mild.

    ¡°I thought I would never see this day, Ash. This is the very reason I left my pack because I assumed I would never be like them. That I was different.¡±

    I saw his facial expression shift. ¡°But you are different.¡±

    ¡°I am not!¡± I sniffed back quickly. ¡°I am one of them. I am a werewolf.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± His expression showed his confusion. And I understood. No one wouldprehend how I have felt so far. From being unable to transform to forcing myself on him and not being able to conceive. And then, boom! At the most unexpected time, here I was.

    All thanks to that Lycan wench! Yes, my gratitude will forever remain with Merit because if not for her, I wouldn¡¯t have been here.

    Many hourster as Iy on bed ensconced in the huge arms of Ashton, listening to his wild heartbeat, my head still going haywire from joy, I asked Ashton, ¡°Are you going to punish me for what I did?¡±

    I felt rapid movement above me as he shifted his head on the pillow to peer at me. ¡°Punish you for what?¡±

    ¡°For Will¡¯s death. Everything I have done.¡±

    He exhaled loudly and returned his head to its former arc. ¡°I do not have such intentions. I believe what you did was unintentional so¡­¡±

    ¡°But I deserve to be unpunished. Merit_¡±

    ¡°Is sick.¡± He finalized. ¡°I have sent my men to ce her under arrest and take her to the Lycan rehab centre where she will remain until I notice an approvable improvement in her behaviour.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± I sat up abruptly. ¡°You can¡¯t do that.¡±

    ¡°Why? I am the King.¡±

    I pinched my eyes closed and cracked them open with an exasperated sigh. ¡°She was only defending what was right. I deserve to suffer for all the pain I have caused you and your people.¡±

    He took my left arm and tugged me back into his body. ¡°What you deserve, wifey is toy down and sleep. In the morning I am having a meeting.¡±

    That was what he thought, but as for me, my head was swimming and I knew I could never be able to sleep even if I tried. Not when he was this close. After my transformation. I needed to celebrate!

    Since we couldn¡¯t go out-because he didn¡¯t understand how important this was to me- I had better ns.

    I sat up with a senile smile on and slid down the bed gradually. Sexily.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He blinked at me, his hands sprawled by the two sides of the bed, offering me a luscious view of his massive alluring body.

    ¡°I¡¯ve missed this¡­¡± I knelt before him on the bed and untied the knot of my robe, letting it pool on my knees. I saw him swallow loudly, his eyes dimming a notch as they turned darker.

    ¡°You need to rest after¡­¡±

    ¡°Today is my happiest day in life, Ash.¡± I bent and ced my forefinger on his right leg and with my eyes on him began a slow trail upwards. His muscled right thighs clenched and unclenched, the veins on his handsome cheeks protruding as he fought to stay focused. ¡°I want to share with you how much it means to me. Damn, rest!¡±

    ¡°Gwen..¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you desire me anymore?¡± I feigned pain, my voice warped.

    He was fast to go on his knees to match my posture and gathered me in his arms. ¡°Of course, I will forever desire you. I am only worried about you.¡±

    I pulled away and pushed at his chest and he fell back on the bed. His cock was hard as a rock, forming a tent as it dared me to touch him. And I epted the challenge.

    I took the hard man through the flimsy pants on Ashton¡¯s waist and massaged softly at first. Seeing as Ashton¡¯s face hardened like he was going to burst apart, I increased my stay. I knelt down with my ass up and took his clothed cock in my mouth and pulled.

    ¡°Fuck, Gwen, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Shush¡­¡± I discarded thest of my robe and bent stark naked, my pussy dripping wet and my ass enticing him.

    When I removed his cock from the confines of the trouser, precum flowed like a river down his length and I was hungry and ready to lick them away. I took the rock and began sucking to satiate my hunger. The more I sucked, the more animalistic sounds Ashton made, and the more my pussy juice flowed.

    ¡°Yes, baby, yes, yea, fuck!¡± His waist rode up, his handsing up to capture my hair and guide me lower until I gagged on him, and then hemenced to wickedly pump himself on me to the extent I felt like I was going to die.

    ¡°Right there, baby. Almost there,¡± He croaked huskily as he shuddered and spilled his thick yummy seed into my mouth and like the good girl I was, I swallowed everything and asked for more. ¡°Gosh, where did you learn that, my little wolf?¡± He groaned as he fell back on the bed, looking spent.

    I smirked ruggedly and slid up, humbly.

    What he didn¡¯t know was this was just the beginning of what I nned for us tonight. By the time I was done with him,e tomorrow morning, he won¡¯t remember any meeting not to mention being able to walk there.

    I was ready to be well fucked and loaded with his heir.

    ¡­

 Chapter 129

    **GWEN**

    Since Merit had hampered my effort of going to visit the pack members at the farm yesterday, very early this morning when I woke up-and after taking my time to admire the bowl of hot sauce sprawled across the bed oblivious to everything happening around him and mind you veryte in the morning also-I eventually coerced myself into bathing, wearingfy training gear and heading out.

    I had a lot to do today.

    I was euphoric.

    I stopped by to inform Kora not to go to my chamber-so as not to wake my love- but I didn¡¯t find her. They said she left the ce earlier this morning and was meant to return before noon. She didn¡¯t tell me. I didn¡¯t mind though. I informed the head salutary to help me ry to her not to bother going to my chamber.

    Then, I literally glided out of the pce. I headed straight for the woods. Immediately I was there, I removed my clothes and ced them inside my bag and then I shifted into my giant wolf and took off with my bag in my mouth, through the woods. For the first time in my life, I experienced true freedom.

    I experienced true happiness! The joy of being who I was. I was a werewolf! I was not human! Yeah!

    I didn¡¯t mind the piercing thickets in the forest that scrunched under my paws or the impending rain as I saw the cloud turn darker. All I cared about was I was sprinting in every direction of these woods until I had exhausted every iota of energy in me.

    It was noon before I arrived at a stream deep in the woods and my wolf throat was dried from running and lolling for so long. So I went to the stream to drink and roll my fur yfully. My wolf was ominous at sight but inside it appeared serene. I only met her but I assume she would be the type that doesn¡¯t act unless she felt triggered. Like yesterday.

    I shifted back to my human form, dressed, and made my way to the farm to visit the vigers. Today I wasn¡¯t going to allow anything to ruin this delight that skated through me. I could walk through fire and never feel a burn.

    I got to the farm, took a bold gulp and approached the busy farmers. They were deeply engrossed in the day¡¯s toil they didn¡¯t see me. I garnered it was a result of the weather they were trying to meet up and leave on time.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Hello, Beatrice,¡± I greeted the head farmer¡¯s wife. She owned a milking farm and was the best in the business. Her husband controlled most of the ptial farm workers.

    Awestricken brown eyes found mine, her brte dulled by the ailing weather. ¡°Your Highness,¡± She said stiffly, her face contorting to what could be passed as a smile but I knew was forced. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out under this weather.¡± Her eyes skimmed up.

    ¡°I am fine. How¡¯s it going down here?¡± By now the others had seen me and everyone had increased their pace. It was getting colder and it¡¯s notfortable to be outside by this time. I wouldn¡¯t want the rain to meet them.

    ¡°We are trying. Though the weather is not encouraging, my husband intends the farmers to go a long way before the rainy season bes unbearable.¡±

    I was nodding my head and raised my hand to wave at her husband down the left corner plunging a big hoe into the hard soil.

    He smiled sharply and looked back down to continue. It was evident I was not weed here, albeit, I won¡¯t give up. ¡°Perhaps, I can do something. I am bored and I have always wanted to learn one or two things about farm work,¡± I leaned to her side. ¡°Between us, I have hope of owning a little farm at the back of the pce.¡±

    Her eyes hinted at expansion and quickly dimmed. ¡°Your Highness! That¡¯s a job for the low. I can¡¯t possibly let you do that. And about owning a farm, it is a good thing but would the King want that?¡±

    I giggled coquettishly with a mild swipe of my right hand to dismiss her worry. ¡°That was why I said it¡¯s between us. Who knows, I might need your input the most.¡±

    Her eyes that were haughty, dulled, and I saw interest spark in recement. ¡°It would be my pleasure to help, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Good, so, tell me what to do around here. No one outside us in this ce should know!¡±

    And that was how I spent my afternoon with them. However, she didn¡¯t let me do a thing, insisting I merely watch the others as well as fed me dried oats and milk while tutoring me in the basics of farming. It was a day that passed as remarkable that by the time the first drop of rain dipped, I bade my farewell to them and left.

    Once I was far from them, I didn¡¯t bother changing and transformed to speed in the direction of the cottage to spread the goodness to my friends. Hopefully today Abby would be willing to see me.

    I reached there and lifted my right paw to scratch the door. I did it repeatedly but there was no sound. Did Tyler go out? If that¡¯s the case, Abby wouldn¡¯t open the door, that was for sure. For safety reasons.

    I growled. I should have thought about that.

    Part of why I came here today was to train too. It¡¯s been a while since I did. I might be losing my technique by now.

    I swerved around to leave, giving the surrounding woods a once over. I actually needed to go in so that I could change into the gown in my bag. My training gear shredded when I transformed. And it was beginning to rain. Heavily.

    My furs wet, I raised on my back hunches and tried the knob and to my surprise, the door inclined open. What! Why will they leave the door open? Anyone could walk in? Where is Tyler?

    I entered and closed the door this time.

    I ambled towards the living room, my wolf senses very apt as I took in my surroundings. The house was too quiet for my liking. Yeah, Tyler¡¯s house was often like this, however, I felt there was something odd in the air. Probably my wolf senses.

    I made for the staircase, unable to talk in my form.

    At the top of the stairs, I made for Abby¡¯s door and found it ajar. I peeped inside, but she was not in there. Where is she? My pulse escted. What if the tan got against them and Ty went after her? That could be why the door was open.

    I turned away and that was when I heard it. My ears caught a faint whimpering sounding from somewhere. Not far.

    Abby!

    That was my first thought, my ears perking up. She was in danger. Only that could elicit such a mangled sound from her.

    I heightened my hearing sense to ascertain which room she was in, making my way down the hall. And then not only did I get the room, but my nostrils caught mixed scents. Very confusing scents. They were scents I couldn¡¯t discern most as I had not perfected my scenting ability in my wolf form.

    ¡°Abby?¡± I called out in my head, stopping when I got to Tyler¡¯s room. Is he hurting her? Ty would never do that! Ty is not like that. He would do anything to protect Abby. He protected me before!

    I used my muzzle to hurl the door in, and found the ce empty! Where the heck is the sounding from?

    It was even intensified as I stood there. Meaning it was somewhere around here. I would have to transform so that I could use my human voice. I had to save Abby if she was in trouble in anyway I could.

    Making up my mind, I raced down the hall back down the stairs to pick up my discarded bag and made it up into Tyler¡¯s room to change.

    As I dropped the bag and was about to shift, right in front of me a door stood, a bit ajar. Curiosity overrode my immediate quest and before I could hold back, I was standing before it, grabbed the knob, and thrust it inside.

    ¡°Yeah, baby, you are so sweet, Tyler,¡± Sultry capricious words purred from Abby whose ass was palmed by Tyler who pummeled into her from behind.

    I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes. Tyler and Abby?

    How?

    When?

    The room reeked of their brutal lovemaking, one couldn¡¯t help but wonder how long they¡¯d been at it that they had to leave the door open and hadn¡¯t noticed my presence up to this moment.

    I hated to break this up, nheless, this was too much for me and as far as I was concerned, they both owed me an exnation.

    Tyler had a woman for goddess¡¯ sake!

    I went close to a vase by the side of the room, grabbed it with my two front paws, and smashed it into the ground.

    Tyler jumped away from Abby, his big cock dangling on my face. He became defensive at once at seeing a wolf right in front of him.

    ¡°Fuck! What¡¯s that?¡± Abby cried, running behind Ty. ¡°Ohmg, It¡¯s a wolf! We have a wolf in the house! How did it get in here? Do something!¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 130

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Wait!¡± Tyler said, his left hand covering his engorged shaft as his right hushed Abby, taking a step toward me and then he stopped. ¡°Gwen?¡±

    My ears perked. How did he know it was me?

    I growled, lifting my frigid muzzle in the air. I twirled around, swished my tail, bent my upper body lower with my eyes at them, and then I stood and howled into the air.

    Tyler snickered, the sides of his eyes creased in genuine happiness. Hold on, let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. They still had exnations to give.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Abby grabbed the bed cover nearby and wrapped it around her body, her focus returning to me. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this! Gwen, shift back this minute and exin why you are in a wolf form. I thought you said you haven¡¯t transformed yet.¡±

    ¡°She might have transformed recently.¡± Tyler defended me, taking the other milkish silk cover to wrap loosely around his waist.

    ¡°She was just here yesterday.¡± Abby eyed me. ¡°Why do you think she¡¯s the one?¡±

    Hey, I am still here! I said in my head and while they exchanged doubts about whether it was me or not, I traipsed out of the room into Tyler¡¯s room and shifted into my human form, wore my gown, and came back in.

    ¡°Holy shit!¡±Abby hollered, taking a ¡®trepid¡¯ step back. ¡°You were right.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m always right. I could catch her smell in whatever shape.¡± Tyler sang and snickered the more. ¡°When did it happen?¡± He asked me.

    ¡°Yesterday,¡± I replied, now sure of how he knew it was me. Somehow, I felt fly that my friend knew my smell. I couldn¡¯t even stay mad at Ty even if my life depended on it.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Abby purred. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°Abby,¡± I pouted, ¡°I really want you to be happy for me. Like, truly happy.¡± I whizzed in a sultry ebb.

    She syed her hands. ¡°I am happy. I know how much this meant to you, plus, now we have hope for the other stuff, so yeah, only a witch wouldn¡¯t be happy that herpanion was getting her one wish.¡±

    Tears creamed my eyes. I couldn¡¯t believe she was saying this. I came here hoping she forgave me for what I did to her and now this. And yes, they haven¡¯t exined the position I caught them in, but the rage I felt at seeing them like that was dissipating and my former glee bobbed back.

    I sniffed, looking around to clear my head and then I pointed at them. ¡°So, that aside, what did I just see you two doing? Since when? I thought we were supposed to be ¡®pretending¡¯.¡± I stressed the ¡®pretending¡¯ to send home my point, with an air quote with my fingers.

    Ty fell back on the bed, his legs sshed apart. His eyes fell to the floor unable to reach me. Abby didn¡¯t seem to be fazed. She only matched to the window and threw them open letting out some of the dense sex smell.  She reclined on the seal, crossing her arms over her bosom to face us, eyes dole.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see that.¡± Ty scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°It just happened. It¡¯s the first time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the first,¡± The way Abby said it, I knew it was a lie. I could perceive something stiff in the air between them.

    ¡°What do you want me to say?¡± Ty thrust at her, seemingly irritated by hereback. ¡°Fine, we kissed before. Before Williams died.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs. ¡°What were you thinking?¡± I wasn¡¯t referring to anyone in particr. ¡°What if Williams knew? Scratch that. Abby, I trusted you, men would always be men but_¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay,¡± Abby blurted, evidently not sorry, judging from her t expression. ¡°I-it was one of those moments I was carried away. I didn¡¯t know what I was doing.¡±

    I began pacing from one end to the next. I was not prepared for this. I could deal with believing they just fucked maybe because Abby was going through grief and needed a channel to release her pent-up emotions and perhaps, Ty was there and fell for her charms.

    But then, that they kissed even while Williams was still alive, was totally inappropriate. It was something I couldn¡¯t stand for as I was a strong advocate of no cheating between mates. Abby cheated.

    ¡°Look, Gwen, we are sorry,¡± Ty let out in a calm tone, gesturing with his hands. I couldn¡¯t believe he would do this. I thought he was better than this. ¡°I should be med for this. I kissed her first.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a lie.¡± Abby scowled at him. ¡°I did first. You don¡¯t need to take the me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not time for taking me, stop being a child.¡±  He was being cold.

    I saw Abby¡¯s face pulse in rage and quickly intervened. ¡°So, what next? Is this how it¡¯s going to go now? Was that why you moved back here?¡± I jabbed at Abby.

    Abby¡¯s hands lifted up in denial. ¡°I swear, that was not the intention. I only needed a ce to stay for a bit to clear my head. We didn¡¯t mean to do this. I was just¡­ I am suffering, Gwen.¡± Tears poured down her face.

    My heart melted and the next thing I reached her and took her in my arms. I looked at Ty, still striving to wrap my head around this new development. His face was muddled like he wished to be me right now. Something crossed my mind. ¡°Wait, when you talked about having ady love you could never have, was it her?¡±

    Ty shook his head. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then, who? Goddess knows I always wanted to meet this one woman that despite loving her so much ording to how you spoke about her, you still went ahead to cheat on her.¡± Abby pushed away from me.

    I didn¡¯t care that what I was saying would hurt her feelings, however, it would be good she knew what she was up against.

    ¡°That¡¯s not important for now.¡± Ty stood up, his eyebrow knitted. Is he trying to intimidate me into shutting up?

    I scoffed. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m only being careful here. For everyone¡¯s good.¡±

    ¡°We are adults. Allow us to handle this,¡± Ty employed, matching to the door. ¡°You can¡¯t always handle everything.¡±

    ¡°At least¡­¡±

    ¡°Let it be, Gwen.¡± Abby touched my arm. I swallowed my words.

    Tyler nced at her, then at me. There was something different between the looks he gave us. I was so infuriated with myself for not seeing this. I used to pride myself in knowing when people are attracted to each other and no matter what Tyler said, he would not convince me less that Abby was not the girl he often fantasized about. ¡°You can use that door.¡± He pointed at a door hidden between the thick nket of an expensive brown curtain, strode off, and shut the door after him.

    I exhaled and went to fall on the protection of the big bed. I covered my face.

    I felt another weight beside me and looked to my left. Abby ogled me, her face still innocent. She isn¡¯t perturbed at all by any of this.

    Its consequence.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me, Gwen.¡±

    ¡°You are in grief.¡±

    ¡°I was not in grief when I first kissed him.¡±

    ¡°When was that?¡±

    ¡°It was one night I had a fight with Williams. He was bing unbearable. I left the pce and came here. I didn¡¯t tell you because I knew you would prevent it. I made him do it.¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­ It¡¯s risky.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±  Her eyeballs nted from left to right in askance.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? Your mother, your brother knows Tyler is not your mate. What do you think would happen to him when they find out you two are fucking? They would use him of taking advantage of you and you know that won¡¯t be funny.¡±

    ¡°I can defend myself against that.¡±

    ¡°Abby,¡± I twisted about and took her hands between mine. They were warm to the touch. ¡°Are you in love with him?¡±

    She looked down sharply. Then shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡­ I think it¡¯s his arrogance. I always had a thing for arrogant men and Williams¡­ he was most of the time, erm¡­ bending to my will.¡±

    ¡°Many women would die to have a man that bends to their will.¡± I cooed in a low voice, imagining her brother, the arrogant brute.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s them.¡± She shrugged nonchntly. ¡°As for me, I get turned off by it. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I loved Williams passionately. He was everything to me¡­ except that. I would never have left him if he were still alive. I miss him.¡± She broke down.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    This girl confused me with her multiple masculine personality choices and I assume it all boiled down to her present psychology.

    I scooped her into my arms and stroked her back. This was another mess to be cleaned. I didn¡¯t know how to as they were both my best friends, but whether we liked it or not, something had to be done to prevent bloodshed.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Gwen,e down and share more about your shifting experience!¡± Tyler howled from downstairs.

    ¡­

 Chapter 131

    **GWEN**

    I got to the pceter that evening with mixed emotions. On the other hand, I was still delighted about my shifting experience and my day hanging out with the farmers, and on the other, I was terrified about Ty and Abby¡¯s present rtionship mostly as they were together under the same roof with no one to chaperone them.

    It was a case of dumping a yam with a goat to safeguard.

    I walked down the driveway that led to the pce¡¯s front door, thinking hard about what I was going to do. The people I thought of were not bothered at all. In fact, when I left them, they were more concerned about dealing with Merit for attacking me. Mostly Abby who vowed to put Merit in her ce the next time she encountered her.

    Ty popped a bottle of Margarita for my shifting celebration and they were confounded to see me drink it without stuttering. They didn¡¯t say it, but I saw them exchange uneasy nces.

    Damn, I was worried. The worry resulted in my tant gulping down of the cold liquid without a blink. Wishing it would give me an unambiguous head. Nheless, it didn¡¯t.

    Here I was, walking home, still in thought. And right now, I was even more disturbed about how I was going to keep this a secret from Ashton.

    I was so deep in thought I didn¡¯t see the front doors spring open until I heard a very familiar voice squeal from there, ¡°GWEN!¡±

    My head flew up so fast that it nearly left my shoulders. ¡°Theresa?¡±

    She was heavily pregnant, yet it didn¡¯t stop her from racing down thene all the way to me, her hands syed apart. In confusion, my hands opened to wee her as she crushed herself to me. ¡°Omg, look at you!¡± She pushed away, twisting me from side to side. ¡°Mom, can you believe my sister is now a Queen?¡±

    Mom? My eyes traveled backward to where my mother-my former family- stood, tears pouring down their faces. Even Julian was there!

    My heart skipped. He has grown bigger and more handsome in a few months since Ist saw him.

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡± My mother came forward and hugged me, followed by my father. ¡°How could you do this to me?¡±

    ¡°M¡­ mom, Dad.¡± I finally came out of my daze and hugged them fully, unrestrained joy engulfing my body. I didn¡¯t expect this. I never ever expected this

    How did they know my whereabouts? How did they know I was still alive?

    Tears brimmed and began cascading down my face. They tore away and Mother turned me around. ¡°I thought I lost you, baby. I didn¡¯t know you hated me so much you had to leave and be Queen to the very people who despise us too much.¡±

    ¡°Not now, Salome,¡± My father said for the first time. ¡°Come here, baby. We are happy to see you healthy and alive.¡± He hugged me tight, patting my back.

    When they finally allowed me to breathe, we stepped in the direction of the house. I haven¡¯t said a lot as I was still trying to figure out what was going on. My insides were wadding in unexpected euphoria.

    My family was here! They came for me!

    ¡°Gwen,¡± Julian greeted, smiling with style. My sister hung beside him as though protecting her property. For the first time, I sniffed back tears and smiled at him.

    ¡°Hey, Julian. You are¡­ erm, looking great. Alpha.¡± Iughed. ¡°Have you seen my husband?¡± Whoa! I¡¯m not supposed to ask that.

    Well, maybe it was a coincidence or the oaf was behind the door, but then, the doors flung open and there the hunk stood, his eyes piercing at us.

    He reached my side, grabbed me by the waist, mmed me to his side, shared a look around my people, and then he pointed at Mousy-lurking by the side. ¡°Make themfortable in the dining, while I speak to my wife.¡± The way he said the wife, one would think he was inpetition with someone.

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± Mousy replied and hurried to guide the flock away.

    My mother kept darting back, with my father possibly making sure I was okay. I nearlyughed out. It was funny how they would think that when I had survived out here by myself for seven good months. If anything was supposed to happen to me, they would surely meet dead meat! Not Gwendolyn in flesh and blood.

    ¡°We have to talk.¡± Ashton took my wrist firmly and guided me toward the direction of his study. Then, changed course at thest hall and headed for the dimly lit hall of my study.

    He threw the door ajar and ushered me in. At this juncture, my heart was palpitating in trepidation uncertain of what he would be thinking right now. What if he thought I invited my family here without informing him?

    We only just reconciled from the initial mayhem I provoked and now this? Werewolves, in his Kingdom. An Alpha werewolf inclusive. Holy Goddess.

    Before he could say anything, I took my stance before him and said with my hands raised, ¡°I swear to you I didn¡¯t know they wereing.¡±

    He locked the door and started pacing about, his hands behind him. ¡°Obviously I¡¯m aware of that. They-they attacked me saying I had kidnapped you and forced you into matrimony.¡±

    Oh, God. That¡¯s my father.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ash.¡± I scurried to him, but his right hand was out to stop me. ¡°They have to go.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I squeaked, stopping in my tracks. What does he mean by they had to go? I might not have invited them and yes, it was not right for them toe without proper notification but it¡¯s justifiable. They possibly must have been looking for me. Was it my heart, somehow trying to believe that my family missed me and had been looking for me? Are those sunken eyes of my mother from having sleepless nights worrying over me?

    I might hate them for lying to me, yet, this was disrespectful.

    ¡°They have to go,¡± Ashton blurted again as if I was deaf. ¡°My people can¡¯t see them here. They are werewolves!¡±

    ¡°Well, so am I!¡± I was losing my shit. ¡°Can you hear yourself?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    His eyeballs dted in shock not agreeing that I was challenging his deration. These are my family and I deserve if not for anything else but to have my closure with them. They deserve to be here as much as everyone else and if his people are not seeing that then what¡¯s the point of me being their Queen?

    ¡°I am your husband and you are designed to obey my bidding. We have a problem we are trying to solve and we can¡¯t add to them by bringing in bunches of¡­¡±

    ¡°Bunches of what?¡± I was at his face, eventually relinquishing my control. How dare he? ¡°Do you know that those people out there in my Kingdom are high-ranking wolves? You don¡¯t dare talk to them like that. Not to mention they are my family! I love your family.

    ¡°You told me you hate them. You don¡¯t want them in your life. They lied to you.¡±

    ¡°Let me be the judge of that. I was angry with them for lying to me, but seeing them today¡­ I realized how much I have missed being hugged by my mother and father. I missed them so much more than I could ever imagine.¡± A tear fell down my face. ¡°You have to endure them being around, Ashton.¡±

    ¡°That would be over my dead body.¡± He was resolute.

    ¡°Then you don¡¯t want me anymore.¡± I moured, my lips going in a straight line. If he was going to be a prick, then I won¡¯t stand for it.

    ¡°What? You will choose people that lied to you all your life over your husband?¡±

    ¡°Not when my husband is an arrogant self-conceited prick!¡± I threw at his face.

    He fisted his fingers, digging daggers at me. ¡°I know where this ising from¡­¡± He jabbed his finger at the door. ¡°It is that dickhead, isn¡¯t it? That Julian or whatever you call him. You still love him.¡±

    I exhaled loudly and bucked back in awe. I couldn¡¯t believe he would say that. After everything we have been through he still assumed I love Julian. I thought Ashton had sense, but standing here I knew he was an insecure bastard.

    That was it. That was why he saw every man that showed or used to show interest in me as a challenge. Howe I didn¡¯t see it all these while? If after the many times I have proimed my love for him he dared to say this, then I was certain he would forever keep feeling this way.

    I didn¡¯t bother fighting him further on it. I needed to spend time with my family to restore all the time I had lost and ask all the questions I could. I was not going to allow Ashton¡¯s insecure ass to hinder that.

    ¡°I have to go.¡± I turned to go. He grabbed my forearm.

    ¡°Don¡¯t walk away from me.¡±

    ¡°You are hurting me,¡± I cried, flickering at the point he was holding. He quickly released his hold.

    ¡°They have to go. They are rabid animals! They don¡¯t have control, they can¡¯t be here. You are a Queen and should protect your people leaving sentiment aside.¡±

    ¡°BE HONEST, ASHTON!¡± I screamed. ¡°IS THIS ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR PEOPLE OR THE JEALOUSY IN YOU OVERRIDING YOUR COMMON SENSE?!¡±

    When he only stared at me nkly without an answer, I huffed and stomped out of the room, leaving him to wallow in his selfishness while I wallowed in my bitterness of knowing he didn¡¯t trust me.

    ¡­

 Chapter 132

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Are you okay, sweetheart?¡± my mother asked the minute she saw me walking into the living room. From her outward appearance and the manner she was gawking at Mousy, I could tell if I hadn¡¯t arrived at this point, something drastic would have taken ce.

    Mousy at seeing me, sighed in relief and stalked out of the room while sending me a secret gratitude smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mom,¡± I tentatively touched her palm ced on my left cheek. My eyes sweet around the room at everyone, still trying to agree that this was happening.

    ¡°Baby,e here.¡± My mom hugged me once more. ¡°I don¡¯t care whatever it was that made you leave, I am thoroughly, in fact overly happy to see you again.¡±

    ¡°Me too, mother.¡± I forced myself to live in the moment and forget about Ashton even though for now. I pushed away from her and pressed my hand down my gown in a wiping gesture. I was nervous. ¡°Have you been seen to your rooms?¡±

    ¡°That cunt of a man won¡¯t even let us leave the room!¡± My sister thundered from the couch, still encumbered in the arms of Julian. He only stared at me, possibly finding me looking this good, unbelievable.

    ¡°Words, Theresa!¡± My mother chided. ¡°That¡¯s your sister¡¯s husband!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mother.¡± I giggled lightly, with a dismissive wave of my hand. ¡°I¡¯m delighted to see y¡¯all and I promise it¡¯s going to be a wonderful time here. Ashton is a little tense due to recent happening around here but trust me, he¡¯s happy you are here.¡± That was a tant lie and I knew they knew, but I had to say something to keep them at peace.

    My father stepped forward, his hands apart to take my shoulders. ¡°You look amazing, baby. I-I never envisioned you to be like this¡­¡± Tears shimmered in his eyes. ¡°I thought we would never see you again. Things never remained the same.¡±

    ¡°How did you find me?¡± I asked the one question racing in my head.

    ¡°Someone came to us to tell us you were here.¡± My mother said behind me.

    I shifted to stand between them. ¡°Someone? Who?¡±

    ¡°A young man. He told us everything and left us with this¡­¡± He reached into his pocket and produced a green paper card which he showed to me. I took it, my eyes narrowed in confusion. Who was he?

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. I have never seen this card before.¡± I singed.

    My father shrugged. ¡°Who cares? We found you.¡±

    ¡°Yea,¡± I whispered, thinking. Who could have gone to the Werewolf Kingdom to disclose to my parents I was here? Hmm, this was very mysterious. All the same, as my father said, who cares? We found each other.

    ¡°Alright, let me get Mousy to get the maids to help you to your rooms to rx until it is time for dinner. Which is¡­¡± I checked my wristwatch. ¡°Soon.¡±

    ¡°Baby, I don¡¯t want to be apart from you even for a minute anymore.¡± My mother cooed, itching closer.

    I smiled. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m not going anywhere. You need to rest from the long trip and when you are done, just tell the maids and they will find me or bring you to me. I can¡¯t wait to catch up on everything I¡¯ve missed too.¡± I pped my hands exuberantly, letting out a happy squeak.

    I went to get Mousy and he took them himself to their rooms, after which he assigned them, maids and valets.

    .

    .

    .

    ¡°What!¡± My mother cried sometimeter when we were converged at the Queen¡¯s parlour, sipping tea. My sister went to tour the pce with Julian. ¡°You shifted?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°Mom, I think this is my month because it happened a few days ago and now here you guys are.¡±

    ¡°Honey, I am very excited to hear that. It is indeed great news.¡± She stood from her seat to join me in mine and took my warm hands in her cold ones. Werewolves are usually like that as a result of our region.

    My body was beginning to adjust to my new surroundings which was why these days I had noticed I was usually hot. ¡°Thanks, Mother.¡±

    ¡°So, how has it been here?¡± Father asked and took the ss on the table to sip from it, his eyes not leaving me.

    I sighed as my shoulders lifted and slumped back vulnerablely. ¡°I have been good as you can see,¡± I ced my hands on top of myps and looked down at the tray of refreshments in front of us. ¡°It was not easy at first, owing to my identity and the circumstances that surrounded my marriage to Ashton, but¡­ with time, fate decided to be kind to me,¡± I concluded with a charming beam.

    My mother¡¯s face was soon a mask of worry as she leaned closer. I knew what she was going to ask even before she did. ¡°Sweetheart, we love you so much, and all my life I used to pride myself in thinking that I did myself as a mother to you and your sister. However, when you left, all that changed. I felt disappointed in myself and thought perhaps, I made a mistake somewhere.

    ¡°Thanks to the goddess for leading us here now to see you. I don¡¯t know what it was that made you leave except for the fact that you couldn¡¯t shift that night and then finding out about Julian and your sister might have¡­ devastated you. But, you should have never left, baby. You had us, wolf or not, we were your parents and would never have disrespected you.¡±

    ¡°I know, Mom,¡± I purred, a tear falling down my face. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± I entwined my fingers, deliberating whether to ask them about that night. If they knew my real parents. How they found me. So many questions.

    ¡°Look,¡± My father began from the other side. I nced up. He was at the edge of the couch, tilting towards us with his fingers entwined like mine. ¡°I am your father and I know when you are hiding something. I felt it the moment I saw you. It was not about the shift, nor about your sister and Julian. Tell us what it is, Gwen. We could never live with ourselves knowing we didn¡¯t do right by you. I am had you found your love here with these people. Still, we remain your true family and no matter what happens, you will always have us.¡±

    With a deep breath, I nodded my head. ¡°So, that night,¡± My eyes rode downward. ¡°I heard everything. You and Mom talking about picking me up from the border. I heard it. I couldn¡¯t believe that you lied to me all my life. I was incensed by all the misfortune that chose that night to betide me, but that one, was the biggest blow. That was¡­ that was why I left.¡±

    I heard Mother huff beside me as silence engulfed the room for a long time. I didn¡¯t mind. We all deserved this.

    ¡°Darling,¡± My teary orbs found Mom¡¯s. Her hands were on mine sooner. ¡°Everything you heard that night was true.¡± The tears fell. ¡°We failed you. We lied to you. But all because we loved you too much we couldn¡¯t break such news to you and risk your love for us.¡±

    ¡°I could never stop loving you.¡± I cried, my body shaking. ¡°D-do you know how much I told myself over the months that I hated y¡¯all.¡± I looked between them, tears clouding my eyes. ¡°Do you know what knowing that I was rejected by true parents meant to me? What it did to me? I have been through a lot I can¡¯t begin to narrate to you. I have walked through fire, struck, and humiliated all for what? Because I felt alone, without a ce in this world.¡±

    ¡°Baby¡­¡±

    ¡°No, Dad, if only you told me, I wouldn¡¯t have gone through these things because I wouldn¡¯t have left in the first ce. In fact, I shouldn¡¯t have neared that packhouse that very day knowing I might not even be a werewolf.¡±

    ¡°But you are¡­¡±

    ¡°It is different, Mother. I was called a freak!¡±

    ¡°You could never be a freak even though you disguised as one, my love.¡± My Mom took my shoulders and tugged me into her arms. ¡°You mean the world to me. I love you far too much I thought I was going to die if I never saw you again.

    ¡°I was your mother before anyone else. I fed you, I held you in my arms and watched you open your eyes for the first time, take your first step, and say your first words, why do you ever think I would not die for you?¡±

    My body shook the more she spoke. My father left his seat and was beside me. ¡°I-I suffered so much, Mother.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. We are here now. No one, absolutely no one would daree between you and us ever again. We are your parents. You do not need another one when you already have us.¡±

    My arms went about both of them, not agreeing less. I was the stupid one. I should have stayed and heard their own side of the story. I didn¡¯t know who my biological parents were, but for them to throw me away, perhaps, it was the goddess doing. Who knows? They might not have done close to what my parents did for me.

    So, yeah, this was what I have, and wholly what I deserved.

    ¡­

 Chapter 133

    **GWEN**

    ¡°He is still not speaking to you?¡± Abby asked me, wagging her fingers in front of her mouth as she gobbled the hot spaghetti.

    I gave her a sad shrug. ¡°He doesn¡¯t even sleep in the same room with me. And when he sneaks in at night thinking I¡¯m asleep, it is to pick his clothes and sneak out. He is so stubborn!¡± I hissed haughtily. Most times I wanted to stand up and tell him to his face he was full of shit!

    There Iy missing him like he was my next breath and he was busy being tenacious all because I won¡¯t bend to his will and send my family away.

    One week! One good week and he still won¡¯t speak to me. And guess what? I have been doing my best to keep my family happy as much as I could despite his indifference. In fact, today, Tyler offered to take them on tour around the pack, and I didn¡¯t waste time to agree.

    Hence I came here. I couldn¡¯t stay there, alone and bored. Charlotte was hardly around as she went on with her life with her new friends. She met my parents four days ago and she was delighted and weed them, asking them to feel free and part of the family

    Unlike that narcissistic brute!

    ¡°Then let him be.¡± Abby finished her bowl of spag and stew and threw the tes into the sink. ¡°Who cares? That¡¯s who he is, always wanting others to do what he wants. If you continue like that, you will die doing his bidding. I am his sister, I am speaking from experience.¡± She turned to leave the room.

    I looked at the dirty dishes in the sink and shook my head. I was starting to pity Tyler who she had literally turned into her maid. He does everything around the house with her doing nothing but giving him more headaches. Heined to me the other day to advise her to retrace her steps and stop acting like a Princess in his house.

    Ha!

    ¡°What do you think I should do?¡± I ran after her.

    ¡°I just told you,¡± She picked up a magazine, flipped through it boorishly, threw it to the side, and picked another. There were many of them. ¡°Let him be.¡±

    ¡°Until when?¡±

    ¡°Until hees to his senses.¡± She dropped thest one and faced me, fingers crossed on her knees. ¡°You have your family, enjoy yourself. Pretend not to care he exists and see him running back to you. My brother can be like that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been one week.¡±

    ¡°Too little if you ask me. When are your parents leaving?¡±

    ¡°Not yet,¡± I answered too quickly. I didn¡¯t even want them to go. Kill me, but damn it, I wanted them to remain to irk Ashton the more. If they left now, he would think he won. I needed his attention, nheless, I needed him to respect me more.

    ¡°Good for you. Relish in their presence.¡± She snapped. ¡°Gosh, I¡¯m starting to get tired of being in here.¡±

    I rxed on the couch and looked outside the window. ¡°You have to for say two weeks. Knowing Ashton, I won¡¯t be shocked if he has someone watching the house.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me. I know what the oaf is capable of.¡±

    ¡°About your art stuff, you mentioned, how about I get you materials?¡±

    Her eyes home brightly like I offered her a piece of meat. ¡°You will do that for me?¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°Mother will kill me if she ever finds out I disobeyed her and paint.¡±

    ¡°Your brother is chasing his dream of owning a ranch. He is still alive.¡± I reminded her.

    Her eyes dulled, her mouth nting down. ¡°That¡¯s true. However, we are different. I might be smart-mouthed, but I don¡¯t have the balls.¡±

    ¡°You do,¡± I patted her right nk. ¡°You only underestimate yourself.¡±

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡± She took my arms and shifted close until her head was on me. ¡°You are the sister I never had. I am so sorry forshing out at you a week ago.¡±

    ¡°Oh, C¡¯mon, I deserved more than that.¡±

    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t. You have such a good heart and what you tried to do was out of it.¡±

    ¡°And then, I hurt you. I nearly lost my mate too.¡±

    We started ahead in silence, our minds taking charge of the remnant of whatever we didn¡¯t need to say out loud. I was d Abby was fine now or was getting better now. She informed me that she and Tyler had decided to go slow until they were sure of what they had for each other and ready to face Ashton and Charlotte about it. ording to her, she was not going to hide away anymore the way she did with Williams.

    I was satisfied with that.

    ¡°Have you discussed about his burial?¡± She asked me, ambling to the door to open it when a knock sounded there. Tyler¡¯s style of knock.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard. But once I do, you will hear.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± I made my way to join them in the foyer.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Tyler came in, looking worn-put. ¡°Goddess, that sister of yours is fire. Howe you are this¡­ calm and collected with such a fireball for a sibling.¡±

    I was chuckling before he ended. I knew Theresa would not make things easy on him. ¡°She¡¯s always been like that.¡±

    ¡°Damn! And she¡¯s pregnant.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°Pregnancy looks good on her, I guess.¡±

    Tyler perceiving his statement made a mark on me sharply hissed under his breath. ¡°Hey, Gwen, don¡¯t think it. Don¡¯t even go there.¡±

    I shook my head with a forced smile as I nced behind me if I had all my things. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me, Ty, I get easily spooked by these things.¡± I touched his powerful biceps. ¡°Thanks for today. For taking my family expressed despite them being werewolves.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re cool. Your Dad is the coolest guy ever, I must admit and he won¡¯t stop talking about you.¡± Exactly my Dad.

    ¡°What was the viger¡¯s reaction like?¡±

    ¡°Who gives a fuck? They kept staring as if they fell from the sky. Won¡¯te near though.¡±

    ¡°Ashton would grow horns if he realized they were around the vige.¡±

    ¡°And you think he wasn¡¯t heard,¡± He scoffed. ¡°You underestimate your man.¡± He made his way to the kitchen and the next thing. ¡°Abigail you have to clean up your own damn dishes! I¡¯m not your fucken maid!¡±

    ¡°Oh, dear¡­¡± I said under my breath. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    ¡°You have to save me,¡± Abby begged, giving me puppy eyes.

    ¡°Abigail!¡± Ty dashed out of the kitchen. ¡°C¡¯mon have pity on me.¡± He hissed at her, feigning a sorrowful expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m your Princess,¡± Abby huffed. ¡°You don¡¯t expect me to do dishes. I have never done that all my life.¡±

    ¡°Guys, I can send a maid here to do the house chores if you want,¡± That could exacerbate the incessant ¡®sibling¡¯ fight.

    ¡°Fine, I will do the dishes today!¡± Abby stomped her feet and scurried to the kitchen. ¡°You are the most unromantic man I have ever seen in my life!¡± She whined as she went.

    Ty shared a horrified look with me. I shrugged amusingly, opened the door and left.

    The driver opened the door for me and I waved at Ty as the car pulled away.

    Entering the pce, the car stopped in front of the mansion and I stepped out, picking up my small pouch from the car seat. As I turned, I came face to face with Julian. He seemed to be looking for something.

    ¡°Hey,¡± I greeted him. We haven¡¯t really been together alone like this since they came. He was no longer the best friend I used to have.

    ¡°Hey,¡± his eyes skimmed through me and stopped at my wrist. Figuring why his eyes were there, I stylishly covered my wrist with the other hand. ¡°You still have it.¡± He said, hinting at a smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s meant to be worn. Not for any special reason.¡± I replied curtly.

    ¡°Gwen¡­¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have to speak to each other, Jules. You are my sister¡¯s now. I don¡¯t want her to see us¡­ together.¡±

    ¡°We used to be best friends.¡±

    ¡°Was.¡± I snagged. ¡°It¡¯s in the past now. We both have responsibilities bigger than childish things like that. And you of all people should understand what that means.¡±

    His eyes pierced into me so deeply that they left holes. In those eyes, I spotted guilt. Of course, he should feel remorse for how heartless he was. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gwen. For everything.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Jules¡­ I mean, Julian. As I said, it¡¯s all in the past now. Let¡¯s focus on the present.¡±

    ¡°Are you ever going to truly, truly forgive me for what I did to you?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything to me, Julian. We are in a better ce. Whatever happened between us was fated by the goddess. So, perhaps I deserve to be grateful to you for betraying me. That way I met the love of my life.¡±

    ¡°You honestly love him?¡±

    ¡°And why does hearing that disturb you so much, wolfman?¡± We both jerked apart at hearing a voice say from behind us. I didn¡¯t see hime out. Ashton.

    ¡­

 Chapter 134

    **ASHTON*

    ¡°Her name would be Musty,¡± I patted down the body of a huge brown Caribbean stallion. It scratched its front hooves and with a proud huff stomped forward. I smiled, little bubbles of joy dancing inside my belly.

    Slowly my ranch was growing. I now had different breeds from the best trainers in the world. The best horses you can get in the world. My dream wasing to pass. I could now host a race if I so desired or get my horses to cross and produce more horses to sell and grow my business and empire. It was as my father wanted but was never bold enough to take the steps.

    Now I was doing it. Even though my mother doesn¡¯t know about them. I haven¡¯t be bold enough to tell her. That day we had a feud; Abby and I, my heart nearly left my mouth thinking she was going to sell me short.

    She didn¡¯t.

    Part of why when Gwen informed me of her present amodation, I agreed to let her stay there if it was what she wished for. Abigail like our mother was stubborn, but she¡¯s my father¡¯s girl and by extension my major responsibility. Her happiness came first. Well, after my mate now.

    I¡¯m sorry to say it, but it¡¯s true.

    ¡°Should I cross her yet, Your Highness?¡± The head of the stable hands asked, feeding Musty some apples.

    ¡°No, I have bigger ns for her.¡± I waved him off and strolled out to check on the other horses. I need to get home soon.

    And yes, my ranch was situated away from the pce. The horses grew in numbers which necessitated I get a bigger and better home for them. And of course, my mother. With her return to the pce, I had to source for a home away to avoid her wrath.

    ¡°I am heading out now,¡± I said to Tiga. ¡°Let me know of any development.¡± He bowed and the other boy grooming the horse came with brought him around. Tiga was adequate with the horses and handling the other stable hands, I couldn¡¯t have had a better hand.

    I mounted the horse and set out for home. And again, the reason I departed in the first ce came crashing back.

    My mate.

    Gwendolyn had eaten deep into my very soul, discovered my weakness for her, and is now taking advantage of it for her goodness. I thought we had an understanding. I was d, in fact, overjoyed by how much she despised her people, bearing in mind I won¡¯t have them to contend with¡­ until they came. He came! The very man who had my mate moaning his name in her damn sleep!

    And now, I couldn¡¯t blink a wink in sleep afraid he was with her or would again snatch her away from me under my watch. What is the certainty she won¡¯t fall for him again even if he broke her heart? Werewolves are trickery creatures and couldn¡¯t be trusted. It took me several months to trust the one with me, but them, I will have to gorge my eyes out than be free around them.

    ¡°Yah!¡± I pped on the reins, increasing the speed of my gallop.

    I entered the pce and as I was petting my ride, I saw one of the pce cars enter, and then my mate¡¯s scent hit me. She went out?

    I abandoned my mount and strode to the position where I could see her alight from the car. My cock shot up at seeing her, my Lycae once more bing attentive and all of a sudden, began agitating. That was when I saw the other male.

    Julian.

    I will never forget his name.

    He made his way to her and at once the possessive side of me engulfed me. He was saying something to her and from her expression, I could discern she was not delighted to see him. She was ufortable with him. It made me happy to see that. What does he want from her?

    Before I could hold myself, I reached them in a sec in time to hear him ask her the horrendous question and quickly answered, ¡°Why does hearing that so much disturb you, Wolfman?¡±

    ¡°Ashton,¡± The velvety slide of my name on her lips further hardened my cock. I fought not to act on it considering we haven¡¯t had sex since her people came. I missed her like mad. All I desired was to have her back against the wall while I punished her for how much she had tortured me in these few days.

    ¡°Wolfman?¡± Julian grunted, his face spotting a smug smile. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken I will think you are being jealous, Mr. Lycan.¡±

    ¡°Well, you are in my territory and if I were you I would watch my mouth.¡± I snarled at his face.

    ¡°You two have to stop it.¡± Gwen came to stand between us. The heat emanating from her body was enough to burn me. And at the same time, I caught the scent of my sister and a little of the rogue. Did they roll on the floor together or what?

    Julian snickered mildly. He was proud. Like me. ¡°And I thought my best friend would find a better man.¡±

    ¡°Julian!¡± Gwen squealed, twisting to re at him.

    Instinctively, I wrapped my left hand around her waist and ced her beside me right where she belonged and then I returned the smirk. ¡°And yet, I got the better girl.¡±

    ¡°Please, let¡¯s go, Ashton.¡± Gwen? s fingers found my forearm and pulled.

    ¡°¡­ and for the records, she is no longer your best friend. Her mate is her best friend and none other.¡± I have never said that to Gwen, however, I needed her to know that henceforth, anyway.

    Julian beganughing. It was a taint to my ego and pride. This was my territory and everyone here revered and worshipped me. I was the goddess they knew. I would never allow a lower creature, a dishonest critter, a nobody, toe here and dishonour me-family to my mate or not.

    ¡°You might have married her, Lycan,¡± he took a brave step forward until he was in front of me. ¡°But I don¡¯t need to drag her heart with you. You are lucky I am already married, if not, you will wake up tomorrow morning and find the side of your bed cold. Oh¡­ I discovered it had already gotten cold¡­ and I have not even done anything yet.¡± He snickered mischievously as he tramped backwards.

    ¡°Julia_¡±

    ¡°Hush, Geeny¡­ we will talk some other time.¡± He winked at her. He fucken winked at my mate! He even called her Geeny. What is that? Is she some rat or what to be called Geeny? I have never felt so jealous in my life! My Lycae was on the verge of bursting and going after that son of a gun. How did he even know I had not seen sleeping with my mate?!

    Once the front door closed, was when I took a deep breath and came down.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°Let go.¡± Gwen tapped my hand around her and I quickly loosened my hold. I didn¡¯t realize how tight it became in my rage. ¡°I¡¯m going in.¡±

    Like, hell.

    I didn¡¯t hesitate to grip her wrist and made for the entrance. I didn¡¯t loosen my hold this time until we entered her room before I dropped her hand to lock the door.

    ¡°What is wrong with you, Ashton?¡± She came at me. Typical of her.

    ¡°Your lover thinks he could talk to me as he feels, right?¡± Was mye back. Every night since our fallout, I spent it thinking of how I was going to let down my pride ande to her and make peace. Perhaps, seek apromise. And today when I eventually spoke to her, we were going to plunge into another oil of turmoil.

    And this oil seemed hotter.

    ¡°You are so full of yourself!¡± She sparked. ¡°Your insecurity made you speak irrationally and now see what that had caused.¡±

    I wasn¡¯t backing down one bit. ¡°So, because I controlled myself enough from destroying your teenage boyfriend, you now think I¡¯m stupid?¡±

    ¡°I never said you were stupid.¡±

    ¡°But you implied it.¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡± She screamed. ¡°Can you stop?¡± Her hands iled, tears ring in her beautiful orbs. It shifted something in me. Was I being too hard on her? Was I truly losing my control and blowing things out of proportion? ¡°Are you not tired of fighting with me?¡±

    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t look like you are,¡± I sulked, tenacious to back down.

    ¡°Honestly, I am tired of everything. I came back to rest from the stress of today to that. And while I was working to handle it, you came out from nowhere to entuate the problem. What happened to us?¡±

    ¡°You brought your lover.¡± The jealous side of me was still speaking. ¡°You didn¡¯t care about my feelings.¡±

    ¡°Ashton¡­¡± A tear fell down her face, her expression growing sordid. ¡°I-I have spent seven months with you and by now I thought, I thought you would trust me. I assumed you loved me enough to believe in me. But every time we are faced with any challenge, it looks as though I am alone. You do not have my back because you do not believe I have yours. You are putting up walls around yourself refusing to let me in and at the same time expecting me to fight for you. What do you want from me? What?¡± More tears fell as she shook her head almost in resignation. ¡°You are wearing me out¡­ I don¡¯t even know if I have more fight in me.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 135

    **GWEN**

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± He asked me, in a milder tone. I didn¡¯t even know what I meant. All I knew was that I was tired of everything. I didn¡¯t need him trying to fight every man on my way. I was not a child. And definitely would never cheat on him. If only he knew that.

    If only he trusted me.

    ¡°I-I need to rest a bit before dinner,¡± I said, shuffling away.

    I opened the closet and rummaged through, searching for nothing. My head clouded. Tears incessantly poured down my face. I wished things would go back to how it was between us, at the same time I was scared. Until when are we going to continue like this? We are sweet today, and then by tomorrow, we are back to square one.

    ¡°Little wolf¡­¡±

    ¡°Ju-just go, for now, Ashton.¡± I managed to choke out. I didn¡¯t want him to see me like this. I didn¡¯t want him to go too. I didn¡¯t even know what I wanted now. Just him! It irked me, but that was the truth.

    ¡°Okay.¡± it was sad. Even sadder to me that he would give in that easily. He didn¡¯t even insist.

    He didn¡¯t love me as he said.

    That evening, my facade was muddled as Kora prepared me for dinner. And thankfully, she didn¡¯t mention it. I knew she noticed as she kept giving me the eyes through the mirror as she had been doing for the past week. And keeping mute.

    ¡°You are ready to go, now,¡± she massaged down my shoulders, and when my eyes met hers in the mirror, her face was glimmering at me. I put on a forced smile and stood.

    I walked to dinner, my body trembling. I had a lot to say, but I couldn¡¯t say them. They get stuffed in my throat unable toe out as I do not know how to present them or who to present them to. Is this how other marriages functioned or was it just mine?

    Immediately I sat down with my family-as we had been eating alone for the past week-the dining room doors swung open and Ashton walked in with his mother for the first time this week.

    Charlotte¡¯s face as always was gleaming delightedly. She ced her palms together in a greeting gesture at my family and my mother returned it.

    They sat down, Ashton beside me at the head of the table. I looked up at him. He was observing me too, and then his eyes skipped to the others around the table leaving an eerie silence in his wake.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for not being present thisst week,¡± Charlotte addressed my family as the maids served us. ¡°I have had a lot going on, tea parties, balls, mingling with friends outside the pce, and many more. It came at the wrong time. So, today, I decided to lean back and check in with my other family by extension. I hope you have been having fun here in our Kingdom?¡± She asked no one in particr.

    My mother nodded and genuinely shed a grin her way. ¡°We have been having the best treatment than we imagined. Today we visited the pack and met with a few people who seemed inquisitive about the werewolf cultures and we were willing to share.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s¡­ fantastic!¡± Reeled Charlotte. She appeared intrigued too. Is she feigning it?

    ¡°Yes, it is. I also found out that most of our cultures were synonymous with yours. You see, we are not so different.¡±

    ¡°Oh, there I can assure you that you are correct. I may not have been opportune to be in the werewolf Kingdom, but I read a lot as a child growing up and discovered that we¡¯ll, we share kinship to an extent.¡±

    ¡°Whenever you are ready to visit, be certain that our doors are open to entertain you. You are a king woman,¡± Julian inserted, with a slight bow.

    ¡°Oh, thank you very much, Julian,¡± Quipped Theresa, pecking Julian on the cheek. Then faced us. ¡°Oh, Did my husband tell you he is the Alpha in my pack?¡±

    ¡°Well, he might not have told me, but I know¡­¡± Charlotte apprised her, picking up a ss of red wine.

    A look of confusion crossed Theresa¡¯s features which she was fast to mask. ¡°Oh¡­¡± And went on to pick up her spoon and face her food.

    All this while, Ashton remained quiet. I did too, seeing as I had nothing to imbibe plus, I was very cautious of saying something that might enrage Ashton. This was our first dinner together with my family. I didn¡¯t know what made him change his mind toe, I appreciated it and didn¡¯t want to ruin it.

    ¡°Are you okay, baby?¡± My mother suddenly asked, cing her hand on top of mine on the table.

    I sharply looked up with a nod. ¡°Yes, why?¡±

    ¡°You look pale. Your colour seems to be darker.¡±

    From the side of my eyes, I caught Ashton¡¯s head move and rapidly shook my head. ¡°Nothing, Mother. I guess it¡¯s stress from today. I will be okay by morning.¡±

    She pretended to budge, but knowing my Mother she was not done with me. ¡°We will talkter.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± My sister suddenly screamed, dropping her spoon loudly, her eyes flying to her protruded stomach. She wrapped her fingers around it.

    ¡°What?¡± Julian asked in concern, bending over her.

    She nced at him with a full-blown euphoric gaze. ¡°He just moved. Our baby just moved!¡± Her eyes were on my Mother next. ¡°Mom, our next Alpha just kicked! Your first grandchild.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± My mother lowered her spoon and ced her hands together, saying something I didn¡¯t catch. I was happy too, I didn¡¯t know when I stood and walked to her. I knelt to her belly level and ced my right hand there. Truly the baby was moving.

    Tears gathered in my eyes.

    ¡°Can you feel it?¡± Theresa queried. ¡°Your nephew is so strong.¡±

    ¡°Yes, he is.¡± I hummed, the tears spilling. I had mixed feelings. But mostly of tion. I might not be able to bear children for now, but I was overwhelmed with joy knowing my sister was having her dreame true. I was experiencing this happiness through her.

    ¡°Gwen? Are you okay?¡± I heard her ask and shifted back with a sniff, realizing that I was visibly shaking. ¡°I-I am just¡­ too happy for you, Theresa. You have no idea how much.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, sister. Yours wille soon, too.¡± Maybe she didn¡¯t need to say that. Or maybe it was in my head due to how much I needed a child. It now made it look like her words were out of spite. All the same, I merely bobbed my head and made my way back to my seat.

    Losing all appetite.

    After dinner, my mother didn¡¯t let me escape and cornered me, taking my wrist to take me out of the pce for a walk.

    ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going on, baby? I know you are unhappy despite how much you hide it.¡±

    ¡°I am fine, mother.¡± I squinted my eyes against the fierce breeze that whipped my hair about. I gathered them in a single tight bun and secured them at the nape of my neck. I took my shawl and wound around my neck. I led her in the direction of the stream.

    ¡°You are my child, Gwen,¡± Mother insisted. ¡°I know you think I loved your sister more because I was often taking her sides, but it¡¯s because she was the weaker one. She didn¡¯t have your strength and I didn¡¯t want her to feel loved less too.¡±

    ¡°Mother,¡± I stopped before we got to the stream, and took her forearm, staring into her eyes deeply. ¡°I used to think like that, honestly but trust me, I never wanted it the other way. Theresa is my sister and you don¡¯t need to exin to me why you needed to show her the same amount of love you showed me. To be frank, considering the nature of my birth, suddenly I feel she was cheated. Yes, because imagine showing equal love to a stranger as your child. It¡¯s something that would be considered¡­ rare.¡±

    ¡°You are not a stranger, Gwendolyn Dorothy!¡± She hissed. ¡°Don¡¯t ever say that! Your father would send me packing if he overhears that.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

    Iughed out suddenly, the statement thoroughly amusing.

    ¡°Yes,¡± we continued. ¡°That man loves you to dust. Sometimes I confess I fear you took my ce in his heart.¡±

    ¡°Oh, mother.¡± I waved off her ridiculous jab.

    ¡°But seriously¡­ what is it? I noticed how you were with your sister¡¯s baby.¡±

    ¡°Mother,¡± I went to sit down on a rock by the stream that faced the water. As a tradition, I picked up a rock and threw it into the river eliciting fine ripples at the top. ¡°Well, you¡¯re right. What you saw back there was a direct impulsive reaction necessitated by my inability to carry my own child. I am presently hoping for a miracle, mother, to have my own child.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 136

    **GWEN**

    My mother¡¯s face dropped in worry and she hastily scooted closer and ced her left hand on mine, bringing my attention back to her.

    ¡°Is this what you have been going through silently? Why didn¡¯t you tell me at once?¡±

    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t want you to worry, mother. What was I supposed to say? The Dr has different reasons why he thinks I can¡¯t bear children but I recalled him saying something about duplicate gics which I interpreted to be that I don¡¯t have a wolf. But right now, I no longer know, Mother.¡±

    ¡°What does your husband have to say about this?¡±

    I shrugged depressively. ¡°Nothing. He seemed to not care but I¡¯m still worried. I want my own child. I want to be able to carry my own baby, Mother. Is that too much to ask from the goddess after all I¡¯ve been through?¡±  My voice quivered, unrepressed tears pouring down my face.

    Mother was fast to gather me in her arms and allowed me to sob out my heart. ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay, my child. Believe me, the goddess might already be at work.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so scared, Mother.¡± My hand went around her. ¡°I-I don¡¯t want to lose Ashton. I love him very much. I didn¡¯t know I could be able to love another this way after¡­ Julian.¡±

    Mother¡¯s only response to that was to keep stroking my arm gently, using her left hand to caress the top of my hair. And to me, that was enough. This was part of the reasons I wished for my family. And I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t obey Ashton and asked them to leave.

    ¡°You have us here now, baby. We are not going anywhere until this is over,¡± Mother proceeded in a tranquil ilk. ¡°Julian and your sister might be returning to the pack by this weekend but your father and I will stay for as long as you can have us.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you move here, Mother. I¡¯ve lived long enough without you.¡±

    We stayed there till darkness covered, enjoying the serene river dance, and the noise of the fishes as they yed within. I might be afraid of them, but right there, I relished theirpany with my mother.

    By the time we made our way back in, my teeth were literally chattering from the cold. I bade Mother farewell at the interception that led to their quarters and forged on to my chamber.

    I entered and locked the door, rushing to the wardrobe to discard my chilled dress and grab a double-drawn thicker garment to don. I rubbed my fingers together after wearing one of the thicker hideous brown nightwear I had which I rarely used. I went to the mirror while loosening my hair to apply oil and knot it properly for the night.

    My eyes stered on my features and halted in my movement. Truly my parlor looked sullen. My skin colour which was usually creamy and shiny now had a duller shade like I was sick. I touched the hallow in my neck and traced my finger down my corbones which appeared prominent.

    I had to go see the Dr one of these days, I think the mental stress was getting to me. Even my eyelids were sunken.

    Phew!

    This image was not given at all. I nced out and picked up my oil, dragging the seat close to sit on as I massaged my loose hair down to my scalp, took ab, and began striking through it.

    By tomorrow I will be visiting the temple after which I will go visit the farmers again and end up at my friend¡¯s ce beforeing home. During breakfast, I will inquire from Mom what they would like to do or where they would like to go.

    The door rattled, garnering my attention. My eyes flickered there as it opened and Ashton peeked in hence his bulky body pushed in and he closed the door and stayed there for a beat peering at me.

    I didn¡¯t stop what I was doing even as my eyes didn¡¯t leave him.

    ¡°I came before, you were not in,¡± He grunted, his hand finding the first button on his shirt to begin ridding of them. I rapidly looked away. I couldn¡¯t bear the temptation despite being mad at him.

    ¡°I was out with my mother.¡±

    ¡°So Mousy said.¡± He dropped the shirt into the hampster andmenced on the belt of his pants which soon came off. ¡°I-I want peace, Gwen.¡±

    Instinctively like I was dying for it, my eyes found his through the mirror once more as I finished braiding my hair and dropped theb on the table. My hand having naught to do, started tapping on the table. Nervously.

    ¡°I¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have asked you to tell your family to leave. I ept my bad.¡± He seemed nervous too. His eyes were minimized to puppy size. He was so adorable when he was trying to apologize. ¡°I also ept I act out of turn sometimes. Out of jealousy of course.¡±

    The corners of my lips quirked. I nearly cracked up at that. But maintained a stoic facade.

    ¡°You deserved better from me and I know I¡¯m a better man than that prick!¡± His voice rose a notch but he sighed loudly and allowed his huge shoulders to bulk. ¡°Sorry.¡±

    My head fell, my eyes going to myp. I craved to go to him and tell him I forgave him. I could possibly not forgive him when he looked like that. I understood a lot was going on right now, a lot that deserved us to keep our heads down as Charlotte said. It was not about us, but trusting our egoistic stupid hormones to keep floundering from the significant matters.

    ¡°Say something¡­ do something,¡± He groaned. ¡°You can even hit me if you want for being an ass.¡±

    Unexpectedly, I let out a light giggle, and as fast as it came, l frowned back and zipped my lips into a thin line.

    He stood up, and my pulse quickened. My eyes of their volition flew to him, following his slow stride toward me. He reached in front of me, took my fingers that had stopped tapping on the table, and tried pulling me up.

    At first, I was confused about what he was doing but soon found myself moving from the chair. The next thing, he tugged me in the direction of the sofa and copsed on it, dropping me into his muscrp.

    My body became inmed.

    ¡°You have to stop disrespecting me, Ashton,¡± I gathered the courage to say. It came out like a whisper, albeit I was proud I did say something.

    His finger entwined with my right one and brought it to his lips to dip a chaste kiss. My inside knotted with instant need, my pussy bing conscious of the hot male. At that point, for the first time, since I shifted, I felt my inner wolfe alive, yearning, pining for something more than just sitting on ap.

    ¡°I promise to do better henceforth, my love.¡±

    My eyes searched his for the truth. It wasn¡¯t simply saying it, would he try to be better for me?

    ¡°And guess what?¡± He asked.

    ¡°What?¡±

    He looked ahead as if reminiscing about something important to him. ¡°That very day Williams died, we had a discussion. I promised him I was going to burn down everything that pertained to Emma. To show I was ready for new steps with you.¡± My stomach churned tighter I felt I was going to die.

    ¡°You will?¡±

    He nodded.

    ¡°Williams would be buried this Friday. Arrangements have been made. I am going to have his ashes spread by his favourite beach. You can tell Abby she cane if she wants, I won¡¯t force her back here. That¡¯s my word. After that, I am heading to the beach house alone. I am ridding myself of everything that reminds me of her.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Ashton.¡± Thest of my defence fell. I cupped his rugged chin full of ignored stubble and leaned in to give him a quick kiss. His eyes fluttered close and opened back when I tilted away.   ¡°That would mean a lot to me.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t wait to tell Abby about the burial too. I¡¯m d we would finally give Williams the rest he deserved.

    ¡°I want us to work, Gwen.¡± He whispered. ¡°I want it so bad you don¡¯t know how much.¡±

    ¡°Then why do you fight me?¡±

    ¡°Because I love you so much it hurts, don¡¯t you get it?¡± Unwanted tears stoked the corners of my eyelids. ¡°I once loved this way and it ended in pain, I am so scared of going down thatne again.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°Ashton,¡± I crooned, my hands on his chin persistent. ¡°If you do not see how much you mean to me, then you are a fool. I am the one scared of losing you. You have no idea how much I fear losing you, how I stay awake at night thinking I am not enough for a man like you. That you might wake up one day and hate me, and never want me again. Do you know how hard it is for me when we quarrel?¡± When your mistress attacked me? I didn¡¯t say that part since the bitch was already secured away from the rest of us in rehab.

    ¡°I love you, Gwen, I mean it.¡± He took my face this time and kissed me deeply. ¡°Ignore my antics, I¡¯m a gone man.¡±  Another kiss between small chuckles. My heart swelled.

    Suddenly, I wanted more. While we kissed, I sat up and straddled him, ttening myself into him to deepen the kiss, to feel his majesty, the heat oozing from him, to be one with him.

    ¡°Show me how much.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 137

    **GWEN**

    ¡°Show me how much,¡± I moaned, my finger sinking into his scalp to drag him closer. I felt like I was drunk and still needed more wine. I couldn¡¯t get enough of him.

    Our lips shed in a battle of prowess, each fighting for dominance while at the same time trying to showcase our frustration over the lost nights. I desired everything about this man down to his faults. His madness, his insecurities. My pussy got wet merely knowing he was jealous of seeing me with another man even as it frightened me.

    No one had ever wanted me this way. And it had to be him. The King of Lycans! It was enough to turn me on.

    ¡°You have no idea what you have signed up for,¡± he mumbled in a hoarse voice, grabbing myp as he stood up from the sofa and the next thing, I was pped against the wall.

    ¡°Argh!¡± I cried out, but my words were cut short by his tongue that thrust deep down my throat, and back out, eliciting more moans from me and the need to match his attack.

    When his lips left mine, it was to trail wet kisses to my cheek, my brows, the tip of my nose, down to the hollow in my neck. Impulsively, my head fell back, my mouth falling open to bite down my lower lip. My eyes were so tight I feared blindness, yet, I didn¡¯t mind.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Gosh, you are like a sweet nectar, my little wolf.¡± He packed my right breast firmly between my night cloth and kissed the taut nipple. I bucked, my throat clogged with need.

    He teased me with his lips on my right nipple while his right yed with my other nipple sending me to insanity. I needed him to suck on it, not to be merciful as he bit me, suck until I was a trembling mess. I had gone for so long that I didn¡¯t realize how much I had missed him.

    As if reading my mind, in one sessive snap, my night clothing was torn from me, leaving me as naked as the day I was born. Night breeze whipped on my blossom due to our proximity to the window, however, instead of being repelled, it didn¡¯t take long for the cold to turn to heat as Ashton¡¯s mouth covered my right nipple and began suckling like a child.

    ¡°Yes, baby, just like that.¡± Oh, how I loved it, exactly how he was sucking it. Not too fast, not too slow, the exact momentum that my body yearned for.

    He made sure to fondle one while sucking on the other, that way making sure both are paid equal attention at once and the euphoric sensation is dispersed.

    His right finger soon gradually trailed painful lines down my waistline, caressing the beginning of my pelvis softly in preparation for the big feast. I was so wet by now, my anticipation alone building my release that any more time from now I was certain I was going to let go.

    When he flicked his thumb over my bud, my knees gave way. He was fast to catch me. He lowered me back on the sofa and went on his knees to worship me. In a sh he nudged my legs part and settled between them, his face buried in there

    Then he stopped and lifted his head up. His ssy eyes connected with my hazy ones and then his right hand came up and tugged once at my hair and everything tumbled out of the fine braid I made leaving my hair a canopy over my shoulders.

    ¡°Leave it that way for me,¡± He croaked. ¡°You look like a goddess and that is how I see you in my head.¡±

    I needed him back to what he was doing before so boldly, my hand gripped his hair and pulled it back down. He grinned ruggedly. ¡°I see you are impatient, huh?¡±

    He obeyed me, gripped by twops and tipped me backwards, positioning my pussy on his face as he went on to lick me thoroughly. I didn¡¯tprehend anything else that took ce around me. The only sensation I felt was from my clitoris as his wet tongue flu led back and forth, sending bolts of shocking waves through me.

    I was very close to my blissful finish, every main that emitted from me was choked, my fingers on his hair so right I knew by tomorrow he would have a red scalp. That is if I don¡¯t leave him bald.

    ¡°Fuck! Yeah!¡± I cried out, shuddering as I gave up on my hold, my body, and mind, and was enveloped in a heavenly sensation so powerful I thought I was never going to stay alive after this.

    Once the spasm was gone, then the friction set in. I shifted off, as his tongue now produced ticklish pleasurable feelings down there. Iughed and cupped his cheeks, angling to kiss him.

    ¡°You taste so delicious, little wolf,¡± he groaned, kissing the side of myp as he stood up. He tugged me off the chair and sat down.

    Instead of sitting back down, I mimicked his former position on the floor and ced my right finger on his chest. The stato beat of his heart against my palm was soothing, and the way our eyes were on each other, I couldn¡¯t wait to have him inside of me.

    From the point my hand was, I slid it downward, not breaking eye contact.

    ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to,¡± He husked, his heavy breath giving him away. My heart soared from knowing how much I affected him.

    ¡°I want to, I¡¯m going to.¡± I resolved, stopping at his brief and gripping it between my fingers to pull it off.

    Once it was off, his gigantic shaft prostrated in front of me, begging for me to take him. And like a humble servant, I was willing. My small fingers wrapped around him from the root and slowly massaged to the top and back.

    ¡°Yeah, slowly, baby.¡± He pushed his hips out, the muscle in his stomach starting to protrude to show his arousal. I stroked him repeatedly in a vicelike improvised gesture and when I noticed his breath hitch and his groan turn gagged, I adjusted my hold and bent to take him in my mouth.

    ¡°Yes, yes, my love. Just like that¡­¡±

    I sucked to the tip and stopped to tease him. The act seemed to drive him crazy and abruptly he shut up, grabbed my hair when I least expected it and began bumping himself into me. I saw hell, my throat bubbling with his cock as I became so filled that I couldn¡¯t breathe and my eyes filled with tears.

    He brought my head back to allow me time to breathe and then plunge in again. I gagged as his length went all the way down my throat.

    ¡°Fucken hell!¡± He ripped and stilled, twitching as he spurted his seed into my mouth sessively. I didn¡¯t flinch, as I took him all in the way he took mine.

    When he was done, I noticed his cock didn¡¯t shrink back, in fact, it appeared even harder. He lifted me and ced me on hisp. And with a single puppy nce, he entered me.

    ¡°Arh¡­¡± I sucked inboured air and adjusted to his big length. Despite fucking him all this while, my pussy was still finding it hard to get used to his size.

    He made a guttural sound of protest when I tried to stand. He held me still against him, his hands around my waist to keep me captive then his eyes met mine and held. ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck you now in a way I have never done before, my little wolf. Do you want that?¡±

    I panicked. I have heard of rough sex, even read about it and I must confess I stopped reading at some point as I couldn¡¯t imagine being handled in that manner by any man. But this was Ashton and I knew he would never hurt me. He saw my fear and stroked my chin softly. ¡°You will love it, trust me.¡±

    And I did.

    I nodded.

    His left hand held down by hip to his cock while his right took my hands and held them in bondage behind my back. Then with his eyes not leaving mine, he adjusted on the sofa and like he was on drugs, began pummeling into me.

    It was painful I must say. Considering his size and my little pussy, it would possibly take time to practice for this hence I would get used to it. Just when I thought I was starting to enjoy it, in the snap of a finger Ashton was off the sofa, cing me on it and without removing his hand from my waist or releasing the hands he was holding hostage, he pounded into me from behind.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I sobbed, sensing another orgasm approaching. My body was indeed a wanton. Here I was thinking this is too much, while my body was taking pleasure in it and was on the verge of hitting a blissful finish. ¡°Arh!¡± My cunt constricted around him as I climaxed and Ashton followed sooner, passing out over me, I was afraid his hefty muscles would crumple my fragile ones.

    Oh, what a night.

    ¡­

 Chapter 138

    ASHTON

    ¡°Where is Striker?¡± I asked as I approached the stables in the morning, an obscured smile hinting at the background of my face for obvious reasons. It had been so sincest night. One would think I won the lottery from the manner my heartbeat was plummeting inside my chest.

    Just because of her.

    Love felt that way.

    ¡°He is feeding in the open field, Your Highness,¡± Tyga said, pointing in the direction of the open plush meadow where a huge ck stallion was bent feeding. These days, I no longer bother to hide them. I wonder why my mother hadn¡¯t taken notice.

    ¡°Prepare him.¡± I marched forward into the stables to check on the two other horses in there. I will be going to the big ranch to check out the restter on, not that it was necessary, as I trusted Tyga. Merely for formality¡¯s sake. At the first house, a greyhound poked its nose in my palm, sniffing for treats, causing me to grin. I fed him one which he was fast to ravish and came back for more, I ignored him until I was done with the others.

    Greedy beast.

    ¡°Here, Your Highness,¡± I heard Tiga say from outside and patted the three houses respectively, hence I made my way out.

    ¡°Have a good day, monster. I have a promise to keep. Wish me luck.¡± A snort from the first white hound had a full-blown smile stretched on my face as I made my out.

    Soon, I was on my way down the path, with only one ce in mind.

    It was midday when I got to the beach house-as a result of how fast I galloped nonstop. I intend to share in the warmth of my mate tonight and nothing was going to stop me, not even this. I jumped down and brushed my fingers through the thick spinal mane of Striker as I scanned my eyes about the house, my mind returning to thest time I was here with my mate.

    It provoked more excitement and with it contentment in knowing that what I was about to do was for the best.

    I covered the distance to the door, produced the copper jiggling keys to unlock the door, and holding the chilled knob, pushed in the oak door. A quiet house greeted me. ¡°I will be damned,¡± I mumbled, closing the door after me.

    As I said, I didn¡¯t intend to waste much time here so I beelined for the pantry, ransacked until I found something close to a waste bag, and then raced up the stairs to the one room I couldn¡¯t remember thest time I had the courage to open it. I threw it open and was smacked by dust. ¡°Ahem,¡± I cleared my throat, shielding my face from more aggressive assault from the disagreeable dust.

    I threw the curtains aside and unlocked the windows, then began pushing everything that belonged to Emma into the bag, most especially her picture frames.

    It was almost sunset before I was done. I burned everything. All of it, not leaving anything. It was hard, very hard, but very appeasing. For once since the devastating tragedy, I felt whole peace.

    By the time I locked the house and made my way back home, I was literally over the moon proud of myself and couldn¡¯t wait to share it with my little wolf.

    Instead of the pce, I detoured the rogue¡¯s ce to see my sister and personally invite her to William¡¯s funeral. I needed her to know I still loved her and despite our minor sh, I was still her brother and would always be here for her.

    I knocked on the hardwood and waited. I perceived the scent of the rogue before the door flung open and he stood there ring at me.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here for trouble,¡± I uttered, lifting my two hands. ¡°I¡¯m here to see my sister.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about, big man.¡± He crossed his arms which were almost my arm size across his chest, tilting his nose in the air in deviance.

    I smiled and leaned closer, not to intimidate him. ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t know what is going on between you and my sister, I just need you to know that I already know she is here and unless you have a room worthy for a King, then step aside this minute.¡±

    ¡°This is my house!¡± He rumbled. More smiles.

    In a sh, I yanked him aside and was inside the house. He knew better than to attack me.

    ¡°I said she is not here!¡±

    ¡°And I said I need to see her. Abigail,e down this minute!¡±

    ¡°You are so arrogant and stupid,¡± He snagged, disrespectfully. My fists bunched, but I fought to control myself. I was here for peace so I had to be calm.

    ¡°Tyler¡­¡± I drawled softly, gradually stepping forward until we were a breath away. ¡°I¡­ I understand you have something against me. A secret I have lived to regret every day of my life and one that had made you lose respect for me. But I have paid my dues when ites to you¡­ I saved you from a treacherous path. I saved you from misery, from dejection and this is the way you pay me? Disrespect me? Hide my sister?¡±

    ¡°You deserve everything thates to you, King, because you were the first toe at me. And for thest time, I don¡¯t have your sister.¡±

    I shrugged, suddenly done with this. ¡°Fine. Do you want to spill my secret to my family? Go ahead. Go ahead and tell them I paid you to murder my ex because I was so much in pain all I cared about was to have my pound of flesh. What about you? Don¡¯t forget you were also involved. I only me myself for giving you the life your own people took from you.¡± I saw a flicker of regret pass over his face. ¡°So, go ahead and do whatever you want. I hope you gain from it.¡±

    ¡°You will not¡­¡±

    ¡°You- you murdered Emma?¡± I heard a feeble voice say from the staircase and jerked back in shock. I have never seen the look of disgust from Abigail as I saw now. ¡°You killed her?¡±

    ¡°Abigail¡­¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this! Brother! How could you?¡±

    I stepped forward, she stepped back, fear recing the former. She grasped the baluster tightly as tears shimmered in our simr-coloured eyes. ¡°You are a murderer, Ashton. How could you murder a woman you imed to have loved? We all pitied you and stood by you, ming her for what she did to you and you went behind us to kill her? Does mother know this?¡± A tear fell down her face.

    I swallowed, unable to say a thing. What do I have to say? She was right. I was disgusting. I was a murderer. A sick man and I need to hide away. ¡°Williams would be buried on Saturday. You cane if you want.¡± With that, without another nce at Tyler, I made for the door with a heavy heart.

    .

    .

    .

    That evening, I camete to dinner. My mate sat there, looking radiant as always, a reason to swell my heart, but the weight seated there made it impossible for me. She shared a look with me, which turned to worry as she noticed my disposition. Oh, what did I do to deserve a gem like her?

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked gently as I sat down beside her at the table.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I forced a smile. I was about to tell her, thanks for asking when the dining door swung open and Abigail walked in. My heart dropped.

    ¡°Abby!¡± Gwen was out of her chair, going to hug her friend. ¡°You are here for real.¡± She moved away from her, holding her by the shoulders. She faced her family. ¡°Mom, Dad, meet Abigail, the one I told you about. The princess and Ashton¡¯s only sister.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Salome purred. ¡°She is so beautiful just like her mother.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Abigail said, her smile not reaching her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m d to meet you too. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t been here since your arrival.¡±

    ¡°I particrly like your eyes. Seem to be a family¡­ acquisition.¡± That was Theresa.

    ¡°That¡¯s my junior sister, Theresa, and her husband.¡± Gwen introduced them.

    ¡°Oh¡­ nice.¡± Abby made her way toward my mother and bowed slightly. ¡°Mother¡­

    ¡°If truly you think me your mother, Abigail, then you should think twice before plunging this family into further scandal than we can stomach.¡±

    ¡°Mother, not now.¡± Abby hushed, sitting down. Gwen came back to sit too and began eating. Underneath the table, I took her free hand and squeezed as though telling her to forgive me for the doom I envisaged Abby was here to wreck.

    ¡°I am most displeased with you, Abigail, and certainly tired of cuddling to your nuisances. You are no longer a child! We are the royal family and the other members of this Kingdom look up to us. But you have chosen to be recalcitrant, selfish, and stubborn. Look at your brother!¡±

    ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    ¡°I am tired of being the one who is left out,¡± Abby sobbed, tears starting to stream down her face. ¡°You won¡¯t even spare me the shame in front of our guests, Mother. It¡¯s always about him. What about me?¡±

    ¡°Because you do not consider us when you often choose to be wild!¡± Mother was not relenting.

    ¡°At least I am not a murderer!¡± Abby thundered. My hands froze, my spoon dropping loudly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± My mother quizzed, the corner of her eyes creasing in rage. Any minute and she will lose it.

    ¡°I said at least I am not a murderer,¡± Abby repeated, looking directly at me. ¡°You make it look like I was the devil spawn herself meanwhile your dear perfect son here is going about murdering his former women. Did he tell you he killed Emma?¡±

    ¡°Abby¡­¡± I grunted, fisting my right palm.

    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry, brother, maybe, it¡¯s time Mother knew you ain¡¯t a saint anyways.¡±

    ¡°What is she talking about, son? Em-are we still talking about the same werewolf girl who broke your heart?¡±

    There was intensive silence as I tried to process my next words. I knew I couldn¡¯t lie most as I didn¡¯t want my words to be against my sister¡¯s coupled with the fact that I was tired of bearing this hefty guilt. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, mother. I did it.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡­

 Chapter 139

    GWEN

    I couldn¡¯t believe what I just heard. Ashton killed his ex? But¡­ how? How is that even possible? I tried to wrap my head around it but the more I tried, I kept arriving at a dead end in my head.

    By now, my appetite was gone and like him, I found my hand frozen, my spoon lowering to my ceramic ware. Right at that point, even the white lights from the spiralling chandelier suddenly appeared dark and everything around me seemed to turn vile, my food inclusive, like venom in my mouth.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He killed a werewolf and yet he hated us and saw us as the problem. Meanwhile, we were the ones supposed to demonstrate such behaviour towards him. We were the ones hurt. The ones wronged. Who killed their lover because they broke their heart? Is Ashton this much of a monster? How much of this man do I not know?

    ¡°Unfuckenbelievable!¡± Charlotte cried out, pping the grey napkin she had been using to wipe her hands roughly on the table as if the poor object was the present cause of her wrath. ¡°You-what in hell¡¯s name have you done, son?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother,¡± He let out remorsefully. ¡°I.. there is no single excuse for such an atrocious act.¡±

    ¡°Of course, you have nothing to say but to bow your head in shame for such wickedness!¡± She was not giving him space. ¡°You always hated the werewolves and we joined in your blind irk not knowing you are the viin rather than the victim. Do you know how I feel right now sitting before a werewolf family realizing my son murdered their own out of what?¡­¡±

    ¡°Sorry to interrupt,¡± My mother suddenly intruded, her voice a bit shaky. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s what Im thinking but hearing your son say he killed his former lover called Emma, Im obliged to ask if perhaps he spoke of Emma Hills?¡± She was looking at Charlotte as she asked. I also looked towards Charlotte, not knowing why my mother was asking yet wanting to hear her response.

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡±Charlotte¡¯s eyes flicked to Ashton, the sides of her lips quirking, looking like she was hesitating to reply or maybe she didn¡¯t know. ¡°It¡¯s been a while I can¡¯t remember which surname the poor pup had gone by¡­ Ashton?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Ashton returned rapidly. ¡°That was her. Brte, blue eyes, sharp-witted, petite but strong.¡± As the words of her features flowed from his lips as though she was standing before him and not dead a long time ago, I was conflicted between being jealous or angry that he killed her. And why is my mom asking?

    ¡°Shit!¡± That was my mom.

    ¡°Mom?¡± I voiced, flicking my orbs her way. Her pallor had gone ashen, tears beginning to glisten in her lids. ¡°Mom, w-what¡¯s happening?¡± I had to ask in confusion, my thoughts jumbled.

    ¡°She was my daughter,¡± My Dad imbibed since this conversation began. His words were sombre and full of distraught. ¡°We lost her before¡­¡± I didn¡¯t need him to finish before I understood what he meant. ¡°It was a long time ago and we were in so much grief when we had you guys we pledged not to tell you about it and moved on.¡±

    ¡°Dad! Mom!¡± My sister and I cried in unison. ¡°We had another sister?¡± I couldn¡¯t believe my ears. My parents seemed to be trained in this business of keeping secrets.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry,¡± Ashton tailed beside me. I wondered how much it took him to say that as it came out strangled. ¡°It turned out I was not a saint anyway. I-I am a man who was so drowned in pain that all I cared about was to inflict that pain on others the best I could. I couldn¡¯t let myself stay unhappy knowing she was having her happy ever after somewhere with another man so¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    My Dad exhaled loudly in¡­ I didn¡¯t know. ¡°She was very stubborn and never listened to us when we asked her to stay away from you at the beginning.¡± My father was known for his cold diplomacy. He was that man that won¡¯t show his emotions but his peaceful words would pierce like needles. ¡°She got what she deserved.¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t deserve that at all,¡± Ashton countered. ¡°I am the one who doesn¡¯t deserve your daughters, sir. Especially Gwendolyn.¡± A tear fell down my face, my stomach churning. I felt like puking. ¡°You brought them up well. I am the devil.¡±

    A loud screech in the room signified Charlotte standing up from her chair. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can assimte this without a ss of something strong. Son,¡± Her wless face warped into a feigned tight smile. ¡°¡­ meet me in my private chamber. You have a lot to exin.¡± As she took a sharp bend to bypass the maid standing behind her, with her emerald flowing gown finely tucked between her red painted fingers, her sharp ocean blues found Abby. ¡°You too.¡±

    After she left, the ce became quiet, and seeing as I couldn¡¯t stand perceiving the scent of the very man who killed my unknown sister and still tortured me these past months, hating my kind for nothing, I knew one more second spent there and I would do something drastic. So, as quietly as I could, I took my leave.

    Thankfully, no one stopped me.

    In the next few minutes, I was dashing through the woods, my paws hitting the ground at resounding thuds, breaking every barrier that stood between me and ck earth; dispersing my anger without holding anything back. In the midst of it, it began raining heavily. That didn¡¯t stop me.

    I kept running until I felt like my limps would decapitate and still, I didn¡¯t stop.

    When eventually i transformed back, I was soaked wet and shivering from the cold. My teeth ttered, my skin white and my legs unable to move. I was feeling very dizzy. Scared. For myself. I didn¡¯t know what I was going to do but one thing was for sure, it was hard for me to forgive Ashton for what he did.

    My vision began stuttering, causing me to stagger forward, extending my hands to catch something, anything, but finding nothing. I felt my spirit leave my body long before I felt my body swaying over space and then darkness pulling me in. It was callous I must say.

    At longst, I felt peace as my body connected to Earth and everything went nk.

    ASHTON

    ¡°How could you not tell me?¡± My mother screamed, puffing smoke from the cigarette perched between her fingers. She seldom did that unless she was very furious.

    My mother was addicted to these things.

    But, say it to your own detriment.

    ¡°I-I am deeply sorry, Mother,¡± I could only muster. ¡°I knew you would skim me alive if I did. Hell, I was in so much pain I didn¡¯t want to seek the counsel of anyone that might make me change my mind.¡± I was by the study window as I spoke, looking outside.

    Where was my mate now?

    ¡°You put me in the most embarrassing position of my life out there,¡± She went on, garnering back my attention. ¡°I tried with you, didn¡¯t I, son? Where did I go wrong?¡±

    ¡°More than I could say, Mother. Forgive me.¡± She hissed and gradually flopped down on one of the ash sofas by her favourite spot and looked outside, her nose in the air. She looked back inside, bending over to drop the cigar on the ashtray, and then looked back outside. ¡°Ti¡¯s almost winter. The rain would grow worse.¡±

    What my mother can say.

    I stayed mute.

    When her eyes found me further, they had tamed down. She lifted her forefinger and wagged at me. ¡°Go and clean up your own mess. I am done doing that for you¡­ Gwen is the perfect woman for you. If you lose her, its¡­ on you. And..¡±She yanked the hem of her gown up and swished it as if to blow off dust. ¡°Mend ways with the werewolves. You owe them.¡±

    ¡°Yes, mother.¡±

    ¡°I need my space.¡± She waved me away in dismissal, focusing back out.

    I bowed whilst making amittal sound in my throat and left.

    On my way down the hall, Fangs began whimpering, starting to jump about. ¡°What, Fangs? I am not in the mood.¡±

    ¡°Mate!¡± He groaned. My ears perked. Gwen? ¡°She¡¯s in trouble!¡±

    My gait increased and soon I was jogging and then running. I didn¡¯t care that it was raining heavily. In fact at the front door when Mousy tried to speak to me, I growled at him, transformed and sprinted down the path until I disappeared into the woods, catching her scent the moment I was in.

    I found her lying along the path, unalive.

    unconscious.

    I picked her up and dashed through the woods back to the house, mind-linking the main pack Doctor on my way in toe immediately.

    He came. With a nurse.

    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, Your Highness,¡± he said to me thirty minutester after examining her. ¡°Two months gone already.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± I shut up from the chair I had been sitting on watching them. ¡°What!¡± I reiterated, still in shock. She¡¯s pregnant?

    ¡°Congrattions, Your Highness. You are going to be a father.¡± He said, his face spotting a full-blown smile. The nurse beside him seemed to be on cloud nine.

    They had no idea how I was feeling right now.

    ¡°I am going to be a father,¡± I said exactly what he said, tears pulling in my orbs and streaking down. ¡°Goddess.¡± Then, my eyes flipped to the woman lying motionless on the bed, the one whom my heart presently beat out of turn for.

    ¡°She¡¯s going to be fine,¡± He said as if reading my mind.

    ¡­

 Chapter 140

    GWEN

    ¡°She will be alright, Sal.¡± Was the first thing I heard in my head before gradually, my environment registered. I didn¡¯t open my eyes immediately not because I didn¡¯t want to as I could hear the sinct fear in my father¡¯s voice as he reassured my mother that someone going to be alright, but I couldn¡¯t as a result of the bright light focused on my vision, causing my head to bang.

    Then, the next thing that urred to me was that I was lying on a bed. I recalled vividly I had gone to the woods to clear my head. I ran. I also recalled everything going dark.

    Abruptly, my lids snapped open followed by a loud wince.

    ¡°Gwen!¡± My mother careened, hurrying to my bedside. ¡°You are awake.¡±

    How did I get here? ¡°Windows,¡± I breathe, bristling when she caressed my upper arm in a motherly gesture.

    ¡°Oh.¡± Father went to shift the curtains and curb the light, leaving the room in a dimly lit state. He came to stand beside mother and they watched me like hawks.

    ¡°How did I get back?¡± My eyes were skating around as I asked. I wagged my toenails-an abnormal thought of going crippled crossing my mind.

    ¡°Your husband,¡± Mother¡¯s voice was croaky. Had she been crying? I flickered my orbs at her face. Her expression showed everything I assumed. ¡°He was so worried.¡±

    And again, I wondered why they were not mad at him for what he had done. ¡°He is a monster,¡± I brisked in a harsh tone.

    ¡°Yet, your husband and the father of your child,¡±

    My eyeballs expanded. ¡°W-what¡­.¡± My head bent to my stomach and back at my mom. ¡°I am not pregnant.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are, my child.¡± Her face was a mask of joy. ¡°The doctor confirmed itst night.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

    Tears instantly stung my eyes. How¡­ how is that even possible?

    ¡°You are two months gone, baby.¡± My father¡¯s voice reeked with happiness.

    ¡°But¡­¡± How could I be pregnant and I didn¡¯t know? And it had to be now?

    I shook my head. ¡°I can¡¯t stay here anymore,¡± I concluded.

    ¡°But¡­ Ashton is your husband and this is now your new home.¡± Mother reminded me, her tone distorted.

    ¡°I can¡¯t stay here!¡± I literally screamed at my mom. ¡°I-I can not stay married to a man who has done nothing but ruin the lives of others for his selfish satisfaction. Ashton is a monster. He doesn¡¯t care about anyone but himself. I would rather go away than risk letting my child know a man like him as a father.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby,¡± Father stooped down and massaged my right shoulder. ¡°We will talk about it. For now, you have to rest. If you wake up again and think the same, then we will leave immediately if that will make you happy.¡±

    That was what I yearned to hear. I thought I finally found my happy ce with Ashton, but now, I feel like I have been living in denial. Ashton is sick. And until he came to terms with that and worked on himself, he would always hurt everyone in his path. I loved him so damn much it hurts, yet, sometimes, love isn¡¯t enough.

    ASHTON

    The brown bars of the rusty old doors of the dungeon nged loudly as the guard opened it for me. From within, I could hear the repeated fuzzy cusses and knew it was from none other than Sweetbaby himself.

    He had been here for a few days but I decided to ignore him to make him feel the cruelties of being held captive and rendered incapacitated, that way he learned of my supremacy over him.

    Even though in a hard way.

    ¡°I will kill your King whence Iy my hands on him.¡± His voice reverberated through the filmy walls of the dungeon.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up, old skunk or I will rip your smelly guts off you.¡± One of my guards challenged him.

    I reached them in time. ¡°Leave us,¡± I mouthed, my eyes on thenky fe clinging to the cell bars, his pupils red as he essed me coldly.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you too, Sweetbaby,¡± I drawled, my fingers reaching up to scratch my invisible beards. ¡°How long has it been?¡±

    His response was to spit at my feet. Myshes lowered to it. At least he spared my face.

    The corners of my lips lifted up in a smug smirk. ¡°It¡¯s d to know your fierce spirit hasn¡¯t been broken.¡±

    ¡°You will remain nothing but an animal to me, Ashton. An animal!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I heard you the first time.¡± I waved him off, coolly. I am still reeling from the excitement of bing a father I most likely won¡¯t take him too seriously. ¡°I merely want to know why you sent your men to invade my territory on a special day in my pack. You killed my best friend.¡±

    ¡°You are such a foolish King you do not even know what happens under your nose. Oh¡­¡± He began chuckling deriliously. ¡°¡­ I get it. The King fell in love and fell out of wisdom.¡± I was still grinning, despite dreaming of ripping his heart out.

    ¡°Is that all you have to say?¡± I quizzed, crossing my hungry arms over my chest and reclining backwards. ¡°That still didn¡¯t answer my question.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t owe you anything! I only seek for your head and until the day I have it, I can¡¯t lower myself to speak to an animal¡­ go talk to your so-called deltan and of course, the obsidian eyes bastard you bought for your own selfish profit.¡±

    That finally got me.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I asked, my expression bing stoic.

    His response was a toothyugh that rang in the eerie hallways, down to my stomach.

    Very nauseating.

    ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself, human. What do you me-¡±

    ¡°I mean what I mean¡­ Go decode it, beast!¡±

    I balled my fist, hiding my ws that retracted as Fangs were losing his shit and cared for nothing but to taste the blood of the impudent human before us. But I had more important things to do. Oh, Goddess help me let it not be what I was thinking.

    ¡°Troy!¡±

    A guard appeared from the corner.

    ¡°Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Make sure his head is delivered to me on a clean tter,¡±

    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡±

    ¡°You will rot in hell, you vile beast!¡± Sweetbaby¡¯s voice followed me out of the dungeon.

    I went to the stables and mounted Striker, and headed out.

    ¡°Open the damn door, you traitor!¡± I banged at Tyler¡¯s door the moment I got there.

    ¡°What do y-¡± He didn¡¯t get to finish his statement as he unbolted the lock before my fist found his face.

    I tackled him to the ground, sending measured punches to his face to make sure I destroyed him beyond recognition.

    ¡°Stop it!¡± Abby¡¯s voice assailed from the stairs as she ran to us, grabbed my shoulders, and pulled. ¡°You will kill him, please stop.¡± She cried.

    I was blinded by rage all I wanted was to indeed kill the fucker.

    ¡°Please, just stop.¡± She kept pulling.

    Hearing the helplessness in her tone, made me stutter and then very slowly, my breathe ragged, I stood up and moved away. I covered my face with my hands in disbelief, still fighting to control my fury. ¡°Argh!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± She was muttering to him. I shifted on my feet until I was facing them. Seeing the way she cuddled the traitor, mothering him, caused more fury to explode in me.

    ¡°Get away from him!¡± Imanded her.

    ¡°I will not hee-¡±

    ¡°Get the fuck away from him!¡± There was more venom in my tone this time and she knew better than to disobey me. She stood haughtily and scurried away. I pointed at Tyler, my chest still heaving. ¡°He is not good for you.¡±

    ¡°I love him!¡± Was her tanteback. ¡°Something you may never know.¡±

    ¡°Say all you want but you can¡¯t be with him because he is a traitor. He was the one who masterminded the killing of Williams. He and Merit. They don¡¯t mean well for us. He doesn¡¯t mean well for you,¡± I emphasized. ¡°They connived with the humans to attack us on the night of the ball.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± She shrieked, more tears pouring from her eyes. ¡°Now that you are on bad terms with your mate you also want me to suffer with you. What kind of man are you? Tyler will never do something like that.¡±

    ¡°Ask him.¡± Was my simple response, nodding in the direction of Tyler still sitting on the floor, looking bummed out.

    Her watery blues found him and held him. ¡°Is-Is that true, Ty?¡± Her voice trembled, almost like she knew the truth, yet was hinging on a miracle. ¡°Did you betray us?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Abby,¡± The rogue let out softly, his eyes watering like hers. ¡°The human deceived me. I-I was desperate to have a ce in this world but not to the detriment of hurting the only family I havee to know. I swear he promised not to hurt anyone, and I had his word.¡± He stood up, inching closer to Abigail who was fully trembling as she sobbed. ¡°I was deceived too and I am sorry.¡±

    I scoffed audibly, not believing a word he said.

    When I came back to the pce, I was worn out and emotionally drained. I made my way to the room, leaving else aside. My heart swelled knowing that in the midst of all the chaos happening around me, something right was in the mix. A new beginning.

    The minute I opened the door, I found my mate dressing up. More happiness bobbled inside at seeing her awake from her unconscious state. ¡°Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°Im leaving with my parents, Ashton,¡± was the firstment to me. ¡°I can¡¯t continue in this sham of a marriage anymore.¡±

    ¡°Gwen,¡± I reached her side and without thinking about it, fell on my knees. ¡°Drive a sword through my heart, do anything but don¡¯t say that to me.¡±

    She pushed me away when I tried to touch her, her eyes gone from the kind ones they used to be, to a frigid ice. Not like my little wolf¡¯s.

    ¡°There is nothing you can do to change my mind, Ashton,¡± She persisted, every word resolute. ¡®I have made up my mind. Once I have your child, I will send you words. As for now, I need my space. And so do you.¡±

    And like that, she took her ck shawl, wrapped it around her shoulders and left the room, leaving me kneeling there watching the love of my life leave. And for the second time, my heart was devastated.

    I felt raw pain sizzle through me.

    ¡­

 Chapter 141

    ASHTON

    Five monthster¡­

    When I was a pup, Dad would often rouse me from sleep very early in the morning to walk miles, run, and do several things that would be considered abnormal for a pup of my age. Back then, I often looked forward to it with a grudgeful heart, wishing to be like every other pup who enjoyed their morning respite with no difort, all in the name of me being a future Lycan King.

    My mother, was the exact same if not stricter than my dad so I couldn¡¯t even look to her for salvation.

    After the death of my father which forced me to be King at an earlier age, I came to appreciate everything he did for me, and even more so, my mother for her hardhandedness. But today, I could wholeheartedly say that in all those training, if there was one aspect they never prepared me for, it was the emptiness, the big hole, the depression in our heart that was created when we lost a loved one.

    The harsh blow dealt on us by love.

    ¡°My decision is final,¡± My voice carried in the room full of my elders as we engaged in our weekly meeting in the conference room at the pce. ¡°We go to war with the vampires.¡±

    ¡°But, My King,¡± Mchi, the interim Beta I had appointed, pending when I was mentally settled enough to choose a new one. ¡°Don¡¯t you think the elders should sleep on this?¡± As he spoke, his eyes washed over the awed-eyed men seated around the conference room, their expressions highly disagreeable with my decision. ¡°I mean, with all due respect I dare say it would be reckless to carry out such a feat seeing as we no longer have a chief guardian too, and our warriors are unprepared.¡±

    I growled. ¡°We were born prepared, Mchi.¡± My voice brooked no argument. ¡°Before that traitor was appointed, we did well for ourselves, and in mymand, y¡¯all must do as I say.¡± Of course, I had expelled the rogue immediately after the revtion about his ungrateful stunt.

    An eerie breeze blew across the room, followed by the loud squeal of my chair as I stood, running my cold orbs across the room at the cowards who couldn¡¯t even meet my eyes. ¡°My decision is final.¡±

    With that, I left the room.

    I ran into Mother at the door the moment the door was open, and it turned out she was apparently eavesdropping.

    ¡°Ahem,¡± She cleared her throat, her blue embers showcasing she was caught unaware and therefore embarrassed.

    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s not like you were restricted froming in.¡±

    ¡°I am retired, son. Now, walk with me,¡± She ordained, making a sweeping surveince gesture as she packed up her orange caped gown and ambled down the well-lit hall.

    Outside was humid, the trees appearing more plush and denser as a result of the serial rain. I smell showers in the air for tonight. This was the season for my horses; the weather and fresh hays.

    Business would havemenced¡­ if only I was happy.

    ¡°Why do you want to go to war with the vampires, again?¡± My mother¡¯s sultry interrogation infiltrated my head space.

    ¡°Mother, you can¡¯t convince me otherwise.¡±

    ¡°Well, thest time I checked, with your Queen absent, I have been forced back into a position I thought to have escaped months ago, which automatically made everything once more my business. So¡­¡±

    ¡°That wretched bastard dimir had the guts to dance with my woman during the ball¡­ He even¡­¡±I faltered, my blood boiling as I reminisced that night, my fists balling. ¡°He even tried to seduce her.¡±

    ¡°Ashton!¡±

    ¡°Mother.¡±

    ¡°You dare tell me that you n on attacking a Kingdom of blood thirsty creatures just because their King was reckless around your¡­ your former woman?¡±

    My jaw flexed, my stomach knots twisting in rage. ¡°Mother¡­ Gwen is still my wife.¡±

    ¡°Then, where is she?¡±

    ¡°Mother, you of all people should¡­¡±

    ¡°You are being very selfish, and I hate to break it to you, son, your wife was right. You do most things only because it favours you. What about others? Have you thought about the men that would go down at the war? Their families? The innocent vampires that would also die simply because their King was-was stupid.¡±

    ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    ¡°I promised your father I was going to make an honest and gentle man of you before a wise King and I lived all my life doing that. I left here a year ago, believing I concluded on my part of that bargain when I found you a lovely wife and the goddess fulfilled her part by blessing you with a child. Gwen was a gift you left slip out of your hands, now, I am not going to allow you to make more wrongful decisions that would destroy this Kingdom. And oh¡­ I know about your horses and I¡¯m not mad at you for disobeying me on that one.¡±

    As I watched my mother go, my body froze with cold, not from the weather, but from her words. I was mad. I was very mad at everything, everyone, that all I desired to do every day was cause more havoc if only it would heal a little of this heart wound I had. If only it would help me even a little not think about my little wolf and how she would be faring away from me, with my child.

    Most days I woke up, making up my mind to visit her, beg her more toe back, but I knew that would prove futile. She despised me now with everything in her and until I received that letter summoning me to see my child, I couldn¡¯t defy her and go to her.

    Oh, how much I missed Williams. Goddess rest his soul. If he were to be here, he would surely have a word or two of sce for me, or be the one to help me keep an eye on her. But now, he was six feet, his soul somewhere unreachable.

    I turned around and matched back into the house.

    In my study, I uncorked a bottle of Scottish Scotch and poured it into a reflector dumping it into my mouth at once. I poured another one, dropped the bottle in the bar, and strolled to the back windows to stare directly at three of my mounts as they grazed in the meadow, fully contented. How I wished to be like them.

    Now, that I know that my mother knew about them, I will consider investing my time into my ranch business, that way I would have minimal time to think about Gwen or all the other thoughts that embittered me.

    There was a knock at the door which came ajar as I looked there, and Abigail peeped in. She came in, and gradually closed the door, standing there in contemtion as if afraid of my reaction to her.

    As she should be.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I thundered. ¡°I thought I told you to hide away until you have given birth to that traitor.¡± And yes, it turned out the rogue imnted his seed in her. You can imagine how I felt when I found out.

    ¡°Ash¡­¡± She approached quietly. ¡°Please, I don¡¯t want any fight,¡± she said. ¡°I only want to talk.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°There is nothing you want to say I care about.¡± I left the window and strolled to the middle of the room, close to my desk and lowered the ss on it. By now, my eyes were heavy as if I was feeling sleepy. ¡°You are a disgrace to this family.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you say, Ashton.¡± Her hands rose and fell as she spoke, her eyes not leaving me. Her bump was bing more visible now and the more I looked at it, the angrier I got. ¡°I have been obeying you and hiding away. But whether you like it or not, Ash, this baby is now ours and there is nothing we can do about it. As a matter of fact, if asked if I wished for anything in the past to be different, I¡­ I would answer no.¡± My teeth gritted; my eyes dipped as I red at her.

    ¡°But you are my blood, and I can¡¯t continue like this with you, Ash. I love you so much to understand you are hurting and so are we all. Divided we can¡¯t do anything about the situation but together, so much can be achieved.¡± Tears began to trickle as she spoke, causing my heart to soften a notch. Like it or not, this was part of the reason I asked her to hide away, with her standing there looking like that, it caused feelings I wasn¡¯t willing to acknowledge to surface.

    It reminded me so much about Gwendolyn.

    ¡°I need to be alone¡­¡±

    ¡°You need to stop hurting yourself and, in that way, stop hurting others, Ash,¡± She persisted. ¡°You need to forgive the past, forgive everyone and realize no matter what happens, we love you.¡±

    ¡°I said_

    ¡°Please¡­¡± She reached my side at Lycan speed and took my left hand in hers, hugging herself against it. ¡°I missed us.¡±

    Tears pulled in my eyes and flowed down, thest barrier breaking down.

    ¡°Please, forgive me.¡±

    I didn¡¯t expect to fall this easily but before you know it, we were hugging each other and crying like we were pups. I have never allowed myself this many emotions around anyone but right now at this point with my sister, I gave in and wept hard.

    ¡°We will weather through the storm, brother¡­¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 142

    GWEN

    Who said it was easy to let go? They were all damn liars! Bloody sted liars who stooped so low to write for fame even though at the detriment of the truth.

    It was a mere facy.

    True love is as destructive as it is healing.

    I discovered that the hard way.

    I thought I was going to forget. In one month. Two months. Or possibly three months. Damn it, I knew I won¡¯t forget, but somewhere in my heart, I hoped to be able to endure it. That my love for Ashton would fade away and slowly over time it would be just a figment of my past. Just like Julian.

    Yet, every day when I woke up, it was like yesterday. Nothing new. Instead, I grew lonelier and bitter. I just wanted to perish, however, even death seemed too far off toe to me.

    ¡°Gwen, darling.¡± A subtle knock sounded at the door followed by a soft shove. It was my mom.

    From the window I have been standing staring outside like I do every day, I looked in the direction of the brown oak, and back, quickly reaching up to dab at my face lest my Mom saw me crying again. ¡°Baby, I could feel your sadness from here. C¡¯mon, we are going to the Alpha¡¯s house to see Theresa.¡± My Mom was saying.

    Theresa.

    Now, I felt sullier and guilt-tripped seeing as my sister had only put to bed and would need my mother but here she was because ording to her she couldn¡¯t leave me in this state.

    ¡°Mom, I will go byter.¡± I pushed off the window to walk to the door, my right hand positioned on my baby bump which was very visible now. I turned the locks and threw the door wide open. I knew she would have never left until she saw me. ¡°I am fine.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t lie to me. I am your mother.¡±

    ¡°Would Theresa be mad at me if I don¡¯te now?¡± I whimpered. ¡°I mean, I just want to tidy around my space before heading there.¡± I scurried my eyes about with nothing in mind.

    My mom¡¯s arm rested on my left shoulder and released a sad sigh. ¡°I know what you are doing, baby. You are doing that thing where you pretend to be good just so I can go.¡± A tear slid down my face. ¡°But, you have to grow stronger. Plus, your sister won¡¯t be mad. But you have to go see herter. You need a little exercise for the baby.¡±

    There was a hurried step up the stairs and my Dad appeared. Looking weary. ¡°You won¡¯t believe who is downstairs.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Mom and I asked in unison.

    ¡°Charlotte.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± A repeated unified exmation from us.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    Charlotte, my head spun. How did she?¡­ how did she know here? She came here without fear my people would attack her.

    This woman!

    I was already on the move.

    ¡°Walk slower, Gwen, the baby¡­¡± I rolled my eyes at my Mom and her unnecessary theatrics.

    ¡°I will be fine, Mom. Charlotte is here? Unbelievable!¡±

    Turned out it wasn¡¯t a joke after all. There she stood in the foyer as we walked down the stairs, looking regal in a purple caped gown, her unique charming smile still stered on her face as her blue depth raked over me. Then, they dipped to my stomach and for a fleet second, I saw gloom lurk on her wless facade.

    ¡°Oh, my dear child,¡± She purred. ¡°Come here.¡±

    I didn¡¯t know I had missed her this much until I was deposited in her arms in a crushing hug and began bawling my eyes out. This was my mate¡¯s mother. Seeing her was like I was seeing him in the flesh.

    We moved into the parlour and Mom went to bring in some refreshments with Dad sitting over there like a hawk watching us.

    ¡°I¡¯m d to know you are well, my child,¡± Charlotte¡¯s right hand grazed my face. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry we failed you.¡±

    I was speechless.

    ¡°Every day I don¡¯t sleep well knowing you are not there and from the big bag under your eyes I can tell my son is not the only one who was going through hell.¡± Oh, so he was suffering too? That was the best news I¡¯ve heard in ages!

    ¡°You have toe home, Gwen¡­¡±

    ¡°My home is here,¡± I finally broke my silence. ¡°At least I know I¡¯m with people who truly love me and would never disrespect me for who I am.¡±

    ¡°My son is a fool, Gwen, you must know that. He is birthed in pride and arrogance most times he doesn¡¯t realize it. You did well for him proving that I made the right choice. And that is why you muste back.¡±

    My heart thudded. I can¡¯t go back. I missed him so much but still¡­

    He didn¡¯t evene looking for me! He doesn¡¯t love me enough as he professed. If not, he would have disobeyed my order ande grovelling for me to return. But no, instead here we are.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. ¡± I turned away from her.

    ¡°Oh, she is as stubborn as him,¡± She hissed under her breath, sitting back in the chair. ¡°You said you wanted to unite the Kingdoms, Gwen. You wanted to us breathe in the same space without trying to kill each other. And I believed you.¡± I twisted to face her again. She never agreed!

    ¡°I know what you are thinking,¡± she raised her hands. ¡°I was only being cautious. But what I¡¯m trying to say is if you don¡¯t return, know that my son is set out to do the opposite of what you wanted in his misery. Can you believe he is waging war against the vampires because their King danced with you at thest ball? Oh, bloody goddess.¡±

    My eyes dted. What! dimir was only being mischievous!

    ¡°He can¡¯t do that.¡± I was confounded.

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Then, you don¡¯t know my son adequately.¡±

    My heartbeat was about to burst now. Those poor beings can¡¯t die because of me. That¡¯s preposterous!

    ¡°Think about what I just told you, my child. Even though you hate him now, what about those innocent creatures that would die for something they didn¡¯t provoke.¡± She prodded, mercilessly.

    ¡°I will only consider this under one condition,¡± I eventually fell, my mind already wheeling in fear.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°That he forgive and bring back Tyler.¡±

    ¡°How¡­.¡±

    ¡°Abby has been writing to me,¡± I confessed. That was the only thing that had kept me sane a little all this time. ¡°Though, I haven¡¯t received any letter this week.¡± And it was already Friday. She told me Tyler was expelled from the pack soon after I left. And she was with his child.

    Poor Abby.

    ¡°Okay, Gwen, I promise to talk to Ashton about it. If this is just what you want, I will convince him it¡¯s for the best.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I exhaled loudly and rxed back on the settee as my back was starting to ache.

    My dad cleared his throat, garnering our attention.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, we would like to leave now for the Alpha¡¯s house. If you need any_¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that.¡± Charlotte stood, ¡°I will be on my way back. I didn¡¯t tell anyone of my whereabouts.¡±

    ¡°But_¡±

    She patted my shoulders and leaned in to kiss me. ¡°I will be fine. Just think properly about my request.¡± Her eyes found my parents. ¡°And thanks for taking care of her for us in this trying period. We the Lycans, owe you our lives for that.¡± With that, she gave a slight bow and made for the door.

    The former feeling of dejection set in again.

    As a result of the visit, we got to the pack housete. I had to go with them to relieve myself of heart strain. I couldn¡¯t bear staying alone at home after the visit.

    ¡°He is so handsome, Theresa,¡± I said to my sister as I rocked her baby. He was true with identical eye colours to his Dad. This should have been our son, but the goddess had other ns for me.

    ¡°Thank you, sister. Yours would even be more.¡± We chuckled heartily.

    By now my parents were in a meeting with Julian, leaving us alone.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Theresa touched my left arm, tenderly. I turned on the couch we were sitting to look at her. ¡°I never got the opportunity to ask for forgiveness for¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need my forgiveness, Theresa. You and Julian make a nicer couple than we could have ever made.¡± Tears shimmered in my sister¡¯s eyes. ¡°You should forgive me foring into his life before you.¡±

    She crushed against me from the side. ¡°Oh, Gwen, you have no idea how much I have carried this burden only covering it up with nastyebacks just so I don¡¯t feel guilty. Hearing this from you is the best thing ever. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I love you, Theresa,¡± I sniffed in tears. ¡°That¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    ¡°I love you more, Gwen. You have no idea how much. That time you left, I have never felt more alone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here now. Anytime.¡±

    We hugged more with the baby between.

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t mind if Theo bes your godson?¡± She croaked between tears.

    ¡°I will be more than honoured, sister.¡±

    It was a sobbing spree.

    When we eventually separated, Theresa wiped her eyes and gave me a smile. I suspected she had more to say and I waited for it.

    ¡°So, as your only sister, I think I deserve the right to tell you that you don¡¯t have to suffer, Gwen.¡± She fiddled with her fingers seemingly crossing her words. ¡°If there was one thing I discovered that time in the Lycan Kingdom, it was the obsession your husband had for you. That man loves you too much than any man I¡¯ve known in my life¡­¡± She let out a mild chuckle and sniffed back tears that kepting.

    Theo¡¯s eyes were fixed on his Mom probably wondering why she was sad. Soon, he couldn¡¯t take it anymore and joined in the party. I stood up with him and rocked him harder.

    ¡°You have to go back to him, Gwen. Every child deserved parents who are in love with each other because, in that way, that love would be extended to them. We are a living witness to that. Don¡¯t deprive your child of that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m scared¡­¡± My lips contorted in raw despair but I controlled myself from bawling out like a pup. ¡°He scares me.¡±

    ¡°I totally understand, sister,¡± her voice was low as she said it, however, her eyes were a hurricane when she pointedly said, ¡°You back there was my superhero. Own that!¡±

    I was nodding repeatedly, already thinking about Charlotte¡¯s visit. Maybe I wasn¡¯t strong enough like I thought. And maybe, truly, my child deserved to be with their father like I was with mine.

    ASHTON

    ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t care what you choose to do as long as I am exempted from it. A ball?¡± I scoffed, not seeing myself appearing on that day. ¡°Count me out.¡±

    ¡°Things have been a little stiff around the pack. The people need to unwind. You need to unwind.¡±

    ¡°I need my mate. And only that, mother. Not some sted noisy ball. Have you forgotten what happened at thest ball? I lost my best friend!¡±

    ¡°This time it will be different,¡± She insisted, taking a hasty step towards me at the window. ¡°I promise. It would be the best ball of your life.¡±

    ¡°When I¡¯m grieving?¡± This time I openly snorted at my Mom. Unbelievable. Is she mocking me?

    ¡°You will see¡­¡± She ended with a smile and headed for the door.

    I smelled something odd.

    Though I couldn¡¯t tell what.

    ¡­

 Chapter 143

    ASHTON

    ¡°Good boy, Striker,¡± I scratched my giant stallion by the nk as I made to leave his side, and with a single nod, matched in their direction of the backyard door to sneak back into the house.

    Today was the sted ball organized by my mother and my nostrils were already overwhelmed with the disgusting smell of the different creatures that were flooding in from their disgusting Kingdoms.

    Yes, you heard me correctly.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

    All thanks to my mother, like my mate, ended up organizing another ball all in the name of peace. That was after convincing me to quench my taste for the blood of the sickening vampires and of course, agree to this if only I desire to see my wife again. Have I mentioned the Tyler path?

    All these I had to approve of just to get Gwendolyn¡¯s attention. What could I do?

    I epted, but hell knows none of them would see me at the damned ball! And by the goddess, I hope this works, if not, the bloody vampires would get twice the rage I was going to use toe at them the first time.

    My eyes turned cloudy as I neared my room, meaning a link was trying toe through.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, entering my chamber.

    ¡°Your Highness,¡± It was the guard stationed to watch Merit at the rehab. ¡°Merit was found dead this morning.¡± I stared nkly at the wall before me, my emotions mixed up.

    ¡°How did that happen under your watch?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness, I think she used a spell on me.¡±

    I sighed. That could be possible.

    ¡°Bring her home and bury her in her father¡¯spound.¡± I severed the link and plunged down on my bed, my fingers scraping my scalp until I tasted blood. ¡°Urgh!¡±

    I stood and matched towards the bathroom to freshen up and perhaps wash away this new bitter taste. Merit, Williams, and I all grew up together here in this pack. I could literally say under this roof as Merit slept here most of the time after training. She messed up, however, she was my friend.

    Like Williams, I was going to miss her.

    After freshening up, I changed and made my way out of the room like I have been doing for the past seven months since Gwen left. I couldn¡¯t stay there knowing I wasn¡¯t going to have her in my arms at night.

    I reached my study-my ce of sce- went to pick a bottle of Denmark pure Scotch I recently ordered, and went to crash on the sofa close to the back window to catch a beautiful view of my horses out in the open yard.

    The only best thing around here.

    Sprawled there, I didn¡¯t notice when I dozed off, and by the time I opened my eyes, darkness had covered. ¡°Ahem,¡± I cleared my throat, sitting up on the couch. I grabbed my ss on the Greg¡¯s fillings brown mini table in front of me and threw back the content in one swipe.

    When I stuck my nose outside the night air the second time, I was hit right in the face by a strong scent. A scent that had me out of my chair in a second, racing out of my study.

    It was like I was in a trance as I fled the room down the hall, not knowing where I was going. All I knew was my Lycae at that point took control, the only difference being that Fangs didn¡¯te out.

    I stopped right in front of the massive crowd of people who were gyrating to the instrumentalist¡¯s samba aboard that moment. However, despite their intrusive presence and smell, they were not my problem as much as I wasn¡¯t theirs-judging from how they continued in their venture not caring about my presence. Just a few gossiping mama¡¯s my Lycan eyes spotted at a corner of the room, pointing fingers my way.

    And then, my eyes finally found what I was truly  looking for; My mate!

    Our eyes shed at the same time. As though she had been waiting for me. And I didn¡¯t hesitate, damn the consequence, pushing through anything that hindered me from getting to her, until I was uprooting her from the ground and flipping her 360 around.  ¡°Oh, my goodness,¡± I groaned. ¡°It¡¯s truly you, not your apparition.¡±

    She giggles into my shoulder. ¡°Yes, dimwit, it¡¯s me in person. I didn¡¯t know you missed me this much.¡±

    ¡°More than life itself,¡± I was close to tears seeing the love of my life here, looking extraordinarily beautiful with my child growing inside her. I wished I could ask everyone here to disappear and leave us to our own nasty devices all night. But, I had to collect myself.

    ¡°Ahem,¡± Someone cleared her voice beside us. My mother. We separated to look at her. ¡°Perhaps, I believe you owe me something, son.¡±

    ¡°Mom,¡± I squashed her. ¡°Thank you.¡± I winked at Abby standing beside her and mouthed ¡®thank you¡¯ to her too. Somehow I knew they made this happen for me.

    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Mother pushed me away by the shoulders. ¡°Whisk your wife somewhere for a tad bit ande back when you are sure you can control yourselves.¡± Damn it! I was blushing like some debutante dancing with her crush at her first ball.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± I gave her a bow, took my mate¡¯s wrist, and indeed whisked her out of the crowded intrusive ballroom.

    GWEN

    Happiness is life, we have to know that.

    Returning back to my home alone was enough to gift to restore all the joy I had lost for several months. And then seeing my mate close to tears merely at seeing me, was more than sufficient answer to the question I¡¯ve had throughout my journey back here.

    Did Ashton truly love me?

    ¡°I missed you so much, my love,¡± He said in-between kisses for the umpteenth time.

    ¡°Then, fucken shut your mouth and show me how much.¡± I nudged him away and flipped around to stick my ass in his face.

    I heard him chuckling darkly and when I angled my head to behold his face, I spotted a devious grin. ¡°You have not no idea.¡±

    In a sh, he was mming his hard cock into my slick folds and began pounding repeatedly into me. I scrambled to hold onto the chair I was kneeling on, the euphoria getting into my head and plunging me into a deep sea of ecstatic depth I fear I might not return whole.

    ¡°Yes! Faster, baby,¡± I cried as I neared my release. ¡°I love you, I love you¡­¡±

    ¡°I love you more, my little wolf,¡± His voice was husky and restrained as if he was in pain. ¡°Tell me you will never leave me again.¡±

    Can I make such a promise?

    ¡°Tell me, Gwendolyn, that no matter what happens, you will stick with me. Tell me!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± I screamed, convulsing as I couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore as a merciless spasm overpowered my control. ¡°Yes¡­¡± I finished, realizing he had reached his high too, while I was at mine.

    We copsed into the couch, our erratic breath a signal of how spent we were. None of us could speak, only staring at each other¡¯s eyes enough to get every information we needed. We were sufficient for ourselves. Just us. And the little being inside of me.

    I smiled.

    He smiled back.

    He kissed my forehead at the same time a knock came at the door. ¡°Your Highness, Queen Charlotte asked that you prepare for your weing speech.¡±

    ASHTON

    My eyeballs expanded. I didn¡¯t know I was going to give a weing speech. I sat up with my left hand supporting my head and my finger reached up to graze over my mate¡¯s temple in admiration. I couldn¡¯t get enough of her.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy that you are here.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡±

    I kissed her forehead. ¡°Now, it¡¯s time for Kingdom duties.¡±

    ¡°I was born ready.¡± She grunted.

    ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡± I stood and helped her up. We went to the mirror by the side of the room to straighten up.

    We followed through one of the secret passages and sneaked back into our room for me to change into something suited for the night. And while doing that, I couldn¡¯t help but agree that my mate was right. We deserve unity amongst ourselves.

    Tonight, I was going to deliver that speech not only because I needed to, not because they helped bring back my mate, but because now I believed in that movement.

    We are one.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± She whispered from the door where her heavenly figure hovered, still looking impable even as she neared her delivery date.

    ¡°I was born for this, my little wolf.¡±

    She stepped forward and arranged my ck tie and then ced her arm into my crooked ones and together we matched out of the room, to seal this unity deal.

    ¡°May we rise to acknowledge the King and Queen of this great Kingdom!¡± The facilitator announced our presence.

    ¡°Thanks for doing this, Ash,¡± Gwen whispered beside me.

    ¡°No, thanks for this, my Queen. You made this possible.¡±

    ¡­

 Chapter 144

    GWEN

    Epilogue (A yearter.)

    ¡°Oh,e on, Henry!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs at my son, barreling down the staircase like a hellcat after him as he giggled innocently, unaware of the distress he was causing me.

    ¡°My Queen, let me get him.¡± Kora was behind me, racing after us.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kora, I can do this.¡±

    Just at thest staircase as I was almost rounding on him, out of nowhere, he was swept up from the ground. Increasing his baby chuckles. I think he was having fun out of my misery.

    ¡°I guess you have been naughty again,¡± Tyler crooned to him. The young man unaware of the punishment waiting for him kept giggling mindlessly. I stopped to touch my forehead and let out a frustrated breath. I thought my husband was stubborn, but his child is ten times more. Tyler gave me a pitiful nce. ¡°It¡¯s their time.¡±

    ¡°I guess I wasn¡¯t well prepared for this like I thought.¡± I twisted to nod at Kora who in turn left immediately. Then I made my way down. ¡°How¡¯s Abby and Caleb?¡±

    ¡°As fine as a fiddle.¡±

    I matched in the direction of my study, threw the door open and went to sit down. I sat in the same position Charlotte used to sit when she was still with us and looked outside. Thest time I spoke to her, she was on a world tour, living her childhood dreams.

    ¡°We have practice by 4 tomorrow. I came to inform you personally. You missedst week.¡± Tyler dropped Henry and at once he was already crawling up the chair.

    ¡°I will be there, I promise.¡± I smiled. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked him out of concern. It might have been one year, but still, Tyler hasn¡¯t stopped trying to prove his loyalty to my husband and this Kingdom and it is something I didn¡¯t take for granted. I was d he was here for Abby and their son and to Ashton for allowing them that chance.

    ¡°I am, Gwen. Thanks.¡± He gave the room a long tour with a side squeeze of his lips. ¡°I will be on my way now.¡± He made for the door. ¡°Will you be there?¡±

    I iled my right hand in the air. ¡°Not today. It¡¯s Henry¡¯s day. Isn¡¯t it, Papi?¡± Henry giggled loudly as though he understood a thing. It caused my stomach to churn watching this little replica of Ashton right before me. ¡°I will see you tomorrow and extend my greeting to the family.¡±

    He left.

    I spent my day running after Henry and screaming at the top of my voice. Iter went to the temple with him. By the time we returned, he was nuzzled in the arms of a guard solid asleep. That was my only resting time.

    I went to take my bath and was drying my hair with a towel as I exited the bathroom I didn¡¯t see the hunk standing in the middle of the room ogling me lustfully. I jumped when I spied him.

    ¡°Ash!¡± I cried. ¡°You startled me.¡±

    He chuckled, a rich baritone of bass. ¡°My bad. I couldn¡¯t resist the sumptuous sight.¡±

    I smiled, dropped the towel and went to him. ¡°How was your day?¡±

    ¡°Very boring. Without you by my side.¡± I blushed crimson. edr5tfg6

    We remained like that for what seemed like an eternity. It was our daily routine each time he was away for almost a day. We could literally not breathe away from each other. It was a mutual effect.

    A loud scream through the baby beep had us jumping apart, my eyes darting there at once.

    ¡°I have to go to him,¡± I said, knowing when Heney cried like this, none of his seven nannies would be able to work him down.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s time for our horse ride,¡± Ashton grunted and followed behind.

    We got there to see him raging at the three poor nannies who were all red and obviously didn¡¯t know what to do with him.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Papi, Dada is here,¡± I purred, taking him from one of them.

    The moment he saw his father, his tears turned to smile, and the next thing he was hauling him over. I shared a look with the nannies. ¡°Go on, we will take it from here.¡± They were more than d to- from the way they scurried out fast.

    ¡°How about we go for a ride, huh? Three of us?¡± Ashton asked, burping Henry¡¯s nose with his yfully. The effect was heartwarming.

    ¡°Yeeepee!¡± Henry¡¯s tiny arms iled in joy.

    I guess I had no say in this. The Kings had decided. I merely nodded.

    Things had been lovely around here. I could proudly say I found my happy ending with my mate. And our son, he made my life a living hell, but yet, he¡¯s our miracle.

    Today I could say, we havee a long way. Things aren¡¯t perfect yet, but every day we take more oaths of progress and put in the work. Ashton even agreed to the eptance ritual. Despite disliking it.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    He finally started his ranching business, and Abby is fully into art. As for me, I was doing great as a Queen, a wife, and a mother.

    And I even started ounting sses.

    Who could have known there was so much thrill in mathematics?

    Thank you for reading my story!

    The end.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!