Lycan King's Nemesis

(Undergoing editing) **ASHTON**

Things seemed to be getting tougher every day that it was starting to get to me. First was my unexpected attack, the death if my Beta and now my sister had gone missing. And each of then was a direct consequence of one severe mistake; the ball invitation.

As I made my way out of my study and walked towards the general conference room for an early meeting I had for the day, my heart couldn't help but be heavier as it occurred to me that I didn't need to be in this meeting by this time or in a hurry to get there is Will were to be alive. He had his way around these things. He would have presided in them on my behalf or even kill I was ready to go.

"My King is you are not ready to go, I can tell them to reschedule," Merit said beside me, her hefty gait matching.

For now, since my Beta was not around, she would have to be by my side almost all the time until I had gotten another Beta. And the issue was that I didn't even know who I am to appoint my new Beta for that matter. Will was I have I had known. I had no other friends. Our other two friends; Jeremy and Jasper, left while we were still pups. They had choices of adventures and desired to explore the new lands for learning purposes. Now, here I was, alone and if I am to be honest, miserable.

"No," I shook my head. "It's better to handle them once and for all. Do you have an idea what they want?"

"They have been tight-lipped recently. So, I couldn't get anything out."

"No problem." I just orag it had nothing to do with an heir because right now I'm not in the right state if mind. Icbt even recall the last time I was with my mate."

"Just stand outside the door and if anyone comes after me, keep them out. Except for my mother." I haven't seen her lately. And not ready to see her yet.

I paused outside the conference hall and elongated my hearing to catch what they were gossiping about. Nothing. Just territories and elder stuff. I gave Merit one look, pushed the door in, and entered. "Long live the King." They all stood with their heads bowed.

"You may all sit." I went straight to my traditional seat to sit and crossed my fingers on the massive table top. I noticed they had changed the former silky red clothing to stony black. Signified mourning. They sat and settled in.

"You are all welcomed to the palace, elders," I state. "Yo what do I owe this visitation." I tried hard to keep an even tone.

The most elderly cleared his throat to earn my attention. "We are here to show our sympathy for the loss of your friend and our Beta. We understand you two were very close and this period must be harder on you than it is for us." His eyed cascaded downwards which indicated there was more to this. "However, we the elders want to know if the King is still capable of carrying on this huge responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders."

"What do you mean by that?" My voice grew fierce, my Lycan becoming defensive.

At my reaction, their eyes flashed gold, an act of subservience to show they mean well. They knew better than to earn my wrath. It's more deadly than the devils.

"We-we so not wish to deprive you of your birth right, my Kjng," He said quickly. "At the same time, our people's safety and well-being is our priority. We are your elders to help you in moments like this. Therefore if there is anything you need us to do, we beg that you tell us."

"I do not need help to rule my Kingdom. And I appreciate your kindness, nonetheless, it was kit beseeched."

I saw the concealed looks of stupefaction on their faces, and ignored it. I was in despair and right Joe everything seemed to be getting out of control, that doesn't mean I will allow them think me wrak. I have been and would remain the undefeatable King of Lyxans. I am only recouping from this blow.

"My King... about an heir..."

"We will not discuss about that in than meeting!" I declared. "That is between my mate and I. All you have to do it to increase the temple praying hours, pouring libations to the almighty goddess of procreation to favor our land with it's future King. Do not pressure me."

"We are becoming impatient with the days without no solutions!" Nexus, one of the most stubborn elders careened from his post.

I growled at him. He shrunk back, his eyes to the ground.

I balled my fists to contain my anger. As I said earlier, as the red moon drew closer, my Lycae is almost at it's full potential and it's left to me to be able to control its actions. If not, I am likely to be shredding apart anyone that dared to cross me. And so was every other Lycan out there.

"I will handle this as your King and you will be submissive to my admission," I concluded. "A lot is going on and it is a test of our faith or strength and unity. Let's not fall for it." My eyes skimmed around them. They paid rapt attention. "I am grieving deeply as you know and with the approach of the red moon we have to be careful. That was why I wanted us to attack the humans initially which y'all disagreed on, so now, let me do things my way!" Sweetbaby must pay direly for what he did. I will peel off every skin of his body and make sure he would be alive to witness it.

"We humbly plead your forgiveness for your over-indulgence, my King," The most elderly Lycan said with a bow of his head

I relaxed back in my seat. "While I am settling things from my end, I will plead with the elders to think about the main festival of the moon coming up and have a meeting with the welfare team on how it should go." "And what about the Beta position?" Nexus asked once more.

"That is still under consideration too, Lycan. Or would you want to occupy that position?" I craned my brows impishly.

"Not at all, My King. If you say so."

I stood. "Since that's all, I pray to leave your presence now, my elders. I have a lot to cater to. Yin may continue without me while I listen in through the link. Thank you." They stood up.

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"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King"

I left the room behind me and found Merit the same place I left her, waiting. She walked after me immediately.

"What do they want?" She asked.

"Nothing much," I twisted for the outside door. Not the main front door but a hidden passageway I used when I didn't want them to see me leaving the palace. "Merit?" "Yes, my King."

"Have you been pregnant before?"

She hesitated before responding. "No, why?"

I shrugged, bursting out to the backyard of the palace. I was not expecting any guards there. There seemed to be five or more of them. They bowed at seeing me, but not before I saw the curious looks in their eyes. Possibly wondering why I was sneaking around.

"I doubled the security in the palace," Merit answered the question in my head. I raised my hand to cover my eyes from the scorching sunset. "Why did you ask me that question, Ash?" Her voice grew milder.

There was a time when we were younger when I was free with Merit. I used to see her as friend then than a lover. But now, when I see her, all I see is a woman that had pleasured me who saw me more than a friend but wanted more with me. And that made me skeptical if I could still be free with her.

I sighed as we reached the stables. I wouldn't need to be thinking like this if my Beta were to be alive.

"I merely desire to know, Merit." I waved at the pup replacing hays in the stacks.

"It's about Gwen, I know," Merit pushed, nodding at my black striker. "I like this one."

"I feel like she is hiding something from me." I finally let go. "We have been trying to produce an heir but... no result yet end the elders are... never mind."

"You want us to go for a ride?" She asked me, cooly,

Do I want to go in a ride with her? My eyes still squinted I grazed her an assessment one that borders on decision. I only went ride with Gwen or Williams. But I needed to clear my head. With someone.

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"Fine." I pointed at my stallion. "Ready him," I said to the boy. After all, when I came here I knew it was for a ride despite not knowing if I was doing it alone or with her.

The boy saddled and led Striker out front and came back to lead the white one out. It appeared wornout from the way it huffed and dodged the boy.

"What's wrong with it?"

The boy shook his head, looking uncomfortable. Was something wrong with my horse? I reached the horse and took its face. I began whispering sweet nothings while watching its reaction, for pain or something. It was kicking its front hoof. I knelt down and took that particular leg and massaged it, turning side to side to observe. This horse was taken out. "Who took her out?" I asked him.

He moved backward. He was afraid. I had specifically informed the stable hands not to allow anyone use the horse. Not them or anyone! Not that anyone apart from me or Will used them. Still, I warned them. So, who could have used the horse?

"Who?" I dropped the leg gently and stood, caressing her ears. Her face came up to muzzle my neck. Merit came forward and placed an apple in front of her which she grabbed instantly.

"The Queen, my King," She said when the boy won't say a thing. I cursed beneath my breath. No wonder he won't speak. But how? She couldn't even ride. What was she thinking riding one of my stallions? To break her neck or what? "Get out!" I bellowed and the boy ran for the fields. Merit must have read his mind to know.

"She cajoled him, it was not his fault." Merit touched my left shoulders and massages lightly. "Don't be hard on him."

"I'm not." I hissed and trudged towards my stallion. "Get on let's go."

My mate rode the horse out of the palace. To where? The few times we had gone on a ride, she was either on the same mount with me or I guided her in hers. She gave me the impression she couldn't ride so... how could she have ridden the mount out?

Pretense!

That was the only word to come to my mind. She was pretending just like her. Do I even know anything about this woman I married? Every time I try to get passed my distrust for her kind, there she goes blowing by mind.

But that was not the issue. What I cared to know was where did she go to when she left with the horse.

Definitely not visitation. That was for Thursdays before temple prayers.

Perhaps she went on a stroll. Or to practice. Yes, she could be tenacious and if she was anything close to as lonely as I was, then that must have been it.

Or... maybe I was deceiving myself. What if she had gone to her allies? The people she was planning to ruin me with.

...