Lycan King's Nemesis

**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.

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 footsteps coming 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 glasses. Instead of my traditional gutsy Scotch, I went for something milder. A Coachella. Though, my mother had the head for bottles, nonetheless, 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 glass 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 playing 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 recommendations. 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 glass, 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 one coming. "Mother, that is a matter for the goddess to decide."

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"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 her comment; 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 acceptance. You have to carry it out immediately after the ball. It shows you accept her. That way the goddess knows your heart is in this and will bless the two of you with an heir."

I took the glass and chugged down the entire content. The ritual of acceptance 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 planned 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. Particularly 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?"

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"I am good, thank you."

"Is there any problem?"

"None at all, Your Majesty. Only wanted to relay to you that Your Highness left a few hours ago for a palatial stroll." I stepped down to his level, my eyes squinted in thought. "Palatial 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 contemplating I took off my suit trousers and black 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 relaxed and before I could relate her tiny limbs gave my chest a slap. "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?"

...