Lycan King's Nemesis

**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 a communal affair. I ate alone, at the large hall, a simple breakfast comprised 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 palace."

"Of course, your highness. I will relay 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 replayed in my head. I didn't imagine that I would come 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 have come 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 they come 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 claws 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 escalated 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 genetics?! 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 accepted 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 black Deltan garters did well to portray her well-built physique to match her position as well as her black 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 palace." 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 of laughter, 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 balance 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 to come 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 my coming 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 fallacy. 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 you laughed 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 clamoured, 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 claim. 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.

Her laughter grew with the wind around us. "I see you are scared." She leaned into me until her tobacco-ridden stench was on my face. "As you should be."

In a dash, I was flying in the air and the next thing, I landed in the water with a thump!

I panicked and laboured 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.

...