Lycan King's Nemesis

**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, combined 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 replaced 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 to come 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?"

"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 blank 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 placing 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 relationship 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 needed comfort. 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 collar and slam 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 glance, 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?"

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"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 accept 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 shortcomings 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 plastered 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.

...