Lycan King's Nemesis

**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 slapping at his chest.

"You startled me."

He didn't let me finish and covered my mouth with a scintillating 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? 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 place. 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 slammed 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 glad 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 the last 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 plausible 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 overcome 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 and lathered all over my body with. I relaxed 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, coming 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?"

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"Yes, I understand." I sat up, entwining my hands in agitation. I knew this day would come 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 glance 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 placed 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, contemplating 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 black gown I wanted to wear, I settled for black leather trousers and a black 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 from lasting. Or even destroy them.

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