Lycan King's Nemesis

**GWEN**

The night seemed to be endless and so was my uneasy heart. Ashton hardly spared me a glance, 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. "Vladimir," Slurred Ashton, forcing on a smile.

"Oh, come 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, Vladimir?"

"Because the last time we met you made it clear the next time we meet it would end in bloodshed." The man appeared very composed and unfazed.

"And yet here we are."

"Here we are," Vladimir 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.

"I see..." Was all he said. "I'm glad 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 becoming 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 placing my already delicate situation in a worse state.

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I touched my temple, tilting my head to the side and in the process, I caught Abby and Charlotte coming 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 Vladimir 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 blast 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..."

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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 black 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. Tears commenced 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 flash, 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 palace." 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?

...