Lycan King's Nemesis

**GWEN**

When they walked into the room, I was not expecting them, and from the confounded looks on the faces of Tyler and Abby, it was obvious they were of the same mindset.

"Don't waste my bloody time, Abigail," Charlotte sneered, her eyes like a furnace burning into Abby who shivered beside me. I was shaken as well. What was going on? Could it be that Ashton had informed her about Abby being mated to Tyler and the older woman was not in agreement?

My eyes skidded from mother to son and back. I shifted on the bed and Abby followed suit. I could literally hear her heartbeat.

"Mother..."

"Only the truth," Charlotte was not giving room for clearer reflection.

"I-I don't understand what truth you seek for, Mother. I am mourning the death of my friend!" I took notice of the defence in her voice as she lurched her shoulder forward, returning the same fire to her mother.

Charlotte stood, left hand going to her waist and the other to her face. In exasperation. "I can't believe you would stoop so low as to lie."

"Lie?" Abby's head swung to her brother in question. "What does Mother speak about?"

"You told me the rogue was your mate," Ashton spoke for the first time. His voice bitten.

"And that was the truth!" My heart started banging. Have they deduced our lies?

I have only heard of the wrath of Charlotte but I have never seen it in action. The kind of glare she threw at Abby at that moment froze every word of intervention in my chest. I was beginning to sweat now, being an accomplice if not the sole mastermind of the said lie.

"You insolent child! What has come over you?!" She screamed. "You!" She jeered her finger in the direction of Tyler. "Did you put her up to this? Have you touched my daughter?"

"No!" Abby flew off the bed to stand between her mother and Tyler. "He never touched me. He is an honourable man and I still maintain not comprehending what you are on about, Mother." The more she spoke, the more tears poured down her face. I was immobile, my head to my hand. Albeit, I could feel the piercing gaze of Ashton on me.

"I knew Williams was your mate the very day you turned eighteen," Charlotte started out slowly. "I saw the two of you through my window in the backyard kissing each other and I was furious. I was going to remove his head for such an abhorrent act until the both of you came into the house that evening and I perceived the scent. That was when I knew." She walked to the fridge by the left corner of the room, opened it and produced a bottle of water which she examined.

"I waited for you to come to me. To talk to me about it as your mother."

Abby was a mess now. Her body shook with tears as she staggered forth toward her mother but stopped, perhaps, conflicted about the woman's next course of motion. "I'm sorry, mother. I wanted to tell you."

"I was happy for you, Abigail." Charlotte shrugged, uncorked the bottle, and drank. When she dropped it, she faced her daughter with her hands by her side and fury in her eyes. "You didn't think I was worthy of knowing but what of your brother?"

Something sparked in Abby's eyes. Something I have never seen before. She reared back, swinging back with her finger going to point at Ashton. "Him? You think I should have told the same man who often reiterated to his friends never to accept me as a mate or else he would kill them?"

"He was just bluff_"

"He was not, Mother! He meant every word of it." Abby cried. "Yes, I lied. But that's because I wanted to protect the man I loved from his wickedness!"

"He would never have hurt you!" Charlotte's voice matched hers. "Ashton might be cold most of the time but he is not ruthless. Most definitely not to his kin!"

Abby released a dried chuckle as she wobbled back, the tear lines on her face now patchy in outlook. "Well, I'm sorry I lied. But I don't regret it."

"You will take your words back, Abigail Magdalena Mcgregor!" Charlotte thundered.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I am no longer a pup and I won't allow anyone to boss me around anymore. You never cared about me. It was always about him." She indicated Ashton again. "Ashton this, Ashton that. As for me, it was always 'Abigail, you look razz, Abigail, your hair is unkempt and too unfit for a proper lady. Abigail, you are not supposed to be heard. Keep quiet, or better still go for new gown shopping. Always, always trying to demean me!"

"That is because I love you, child! Certain things are not meant for you as a princess."

"Love? You never loved me, Mother, admit it!"

When the hand left Charlotte's side I didn't see, the only thing I saw was a hot slap slam across Abigail's cheek and then she fell across the floor. I was out of the bed to her, and so was Tyler.

"Get away from her!" Charlotte screamed and we jumped. Responding rapidly. "Such ungrateful audacity. After everything I have done for you?"

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Abigail warped from crying to laughing. She sat up, shaking her head. "I don't care what you do to me or what you say. After all, you already know the truth now. I lost my mate so I am as good as dead." "She has gone mad," Charlotte said to Ashton. "Call the doctor."

"I hate all of you." Abby went on. "I hate you so much. Because of y'all, we had to hide our love from each other. We had to pretend which was why he couldn't even live his last days in love with me." Her body was wracked with sobs. Silently, mine did too. Because she was right.

"Why are you not saying or doing anything!" Charlotte queried Ashton who was hooked at a spot, unmoving. I was raging within me at how they were treating her. For Goddess sake why does one have to live like this in their own household? "Of course, he won't say a thing." Abby stood up and went towards her wardrobe. "Did he tell you how he wanted to marry me off last month because he thought I was becoming a pest? Oh, he didn't. I know." She yanked the doors open and rummaged through her clothes. "He made me lie. It's on him and not me, or my friends!" She was not even acting like one who was going through pain anymore. Was this what they called resignation?

"Abigail..." Charlotte purred. "I'm so sorry, my child."

"I am leaving, mother." Abby backed the wardrobe to say. She was smiling sadly. Her eyes fitted with tears, a red face, and an unhappy smile. "I have had enough. Father would never have laid his hand on me and most definitely wouldn't have threatened to marry me off."

"I didn't mean it," Ashton scratched his hair. Still in the same spot.

"I don't care what you mean and don't, brother. I am hardly fazed by what you do these days anyway." She backed us and continued rummaging in her closet. She brought out a bag and dumped it on the bed. Charlotte's eyes went wide. "You are the Princess!"

"I don't care, mother. It is a title I most regret." A set of clothes landed on the bed, followed by another. "I want to be free to do my own stuff the way Ashton does. I want to paint, travel and be happy with no one questioning my life." "You of all people know your brother has never been free. He is the King."

Abby paused, twisting gradually with her lips pulsed. "Is that what you think, mother? That he is not free? Well, the last time I checked_"

"Abigail!" Ashton warned.

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"What? You don't want Mother to know all the things you have been up to lately?" She arched her brows dauntly. "So you can blab to her about me while I hide away all your rots?"

"What is she talking about, son?"

I shifted on my legs, uncomfortable with where this exchange was going. My mind told me it wouldn't end well. We had a lot going on. Adding a family feud would be the height of it.

"I think we should take a breather, please." I gathered the nerves to say.

Abby's wrathful eyes flashed at me. "Oh, you speak now because I want to expose your dear husband?"

"Abby...."

"No, don't talk to me. I am sick and tired of y'all. She thinks I am the problem meanwhile her dear son is chaste and without no wrongs and you, you are willing to condone his excesses for what?... So, what? I lost my mate because of you and you shut me up from condemning yours?"

It was as if a chilled bucket of water was doused on me. "Abby..."

She shrugged. With no emotions. "Perhaps, you should shut the hell up."

"I won't stand you talking to my mate like that," Ashton's voice resonated in the room. "She is your Queen!"

"Yet, you cheated on her with Merit! Did you not understand she was your mate when you went on a romantic spree at the beach house with your former chosen mate?"

Charlotte's right hand flew to her chest, her jaw dropping to the ground. "What did I just hear you say?"

...