Lycan King's Nemesis

**ASHTON*

"Her name would be Musty," I patted down the body of a huge brown Caribbean stallion. It scratched its front hooves and with a proud huff stomped forward. I smiled, little bubbles of joy dancing inside my belly.

Slowly my ranch was growing. I now had different breeds from the best trainers in the world. The best horses you can get in the world. My dream was coming to pass. I could now host a race if I so desired or get my horses to cross and produce more horses to sell and grow my business and empire. It was as my father wanted but was never bold enough to take the steps.

Now I was doing it. Even though my mother doesn't know about them. I haven't become bold enough to tell her. That day we had a feud; Abby and I, my heart nearly left my mouth thinking she was going to sell me short. She didn't.

Part of why when Gwen informed me of her present accommodation, I agreed to let her stay there if it was what she wished for. Abigail like our mother was stubborn, but she's my father's girl and by extension my major responsibility. Her happiness came first. Well, after my mate now.

I'm sorry to say it, but it's true.

"Should I cross her yet, Your Highness?" The head of the stable hands asked, feeding Musty some apples.

"No, I have bigger plans for her." I waved him off and strolled out to check on the other horses. I need to get home soon.

And yes, my ranch was situated away from the palace. The horses grew in numbers which necessitated I get a bigger and better home for them. And of course, my mother. With her return to the palace, I had to source for a home away to avoid her wrath.

"I am heading out now," I said to Tiga. "Let me know of any development." He bowed and the other boy grooming the horse came with brought him around. Tiga was adequate with the horses and handling the other stable hands, I couldn't have had a better hand.

I mounted the horse and set out for home. And again, the reason I departed in the first place came crashing back.

My mate.

Gwendolyn had eaten deep into my very soul, discovered my weakness for her, and is now taking advantage of it for her goodness. I thought we had an understanding. I was glad, in fact, overjoyed by how much she despised her people, bearing in mind I won't have them to contend with... until they came. He came! The very man who had my mate moaning his name in her damn sleep!

And now, I couldn't blink a wink in sleep afraid he was with her or would again snatch her away from me under my watch. What is the certainty she won't fall for him again even if he broke her heart? Werewolves are trickery creatures and couldn't be trusted. It took me several months to trust the one with me, but them, I will have to gorge my eyes out than be free around them.

"Yah!" I slapped on the reins, increasing the speed of my gallop.

I entered the palace and as I was petting my ride, I saw one of the palace cars enter, and then my mate's scent hit me. She went out?

I abandoned my mount and strode to the position where I could see her alight from the car. My cock shot up at seeing her, my Lycae once more becoming attentive and all of a sudden, began agitating. That was when I saw the other male. Julian.

I will never forget his name.

He made his way to her and at once the possessive side of me engulfed me. He was saying something to her and from her expression, I could discern she was not delighted to see him. She was uncomfortable with him. It made me happy to see that. What does he want from her?

Before I could hold myself, I reached them in a sec in time to hear him ask her the horrendous question and quickly answered, "Why does hearing that so much disturb you, Wolfman?"

"Ashton," The velvety slide of my name on her lips further hardened my cock. I fought not to act on it considering we haven't had sex since her people came. I missed her like mad. All I desired was to have her back against the wall while I punished her for how much she had tortured me in these few days.

"Wolfman?" Julian grunted, his face spotting a smug smile. "If I'm not mistaken I will think you are being jealous, Mr. Lycan."

"Well, you are in my territory and if I were you I would watch my mouth." I snarled at his face.

"You two have to stop it." Gwen came to stand between us. The heat emanating from her body was enough to burn me. And at the same time, I caught the scent of my sister and a little of the rogue. Did they roll on the floor together or what? Julian snickered mildly. He was proud. Like me. "And I thought my best friend would find a better man."

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"Julian!" Gwen squealed, twisting to glare at him.

Instinctively, I wrapped my left hand around her waist and placed her beside me right where she belonged and then I returned the smirk. "And yet, I got the better girl."

"Please, let's go, Ashton." Gwen? s fingers found my forearm and pulled.

"... and for the records, she is no longer your best friend. Her mate is her best friend and none other." I have never said that to Gwen, however, I needed her to know that henceforth, anyway.

Julian began laughing. It was a taint to my ego and pride. This was my territory and everyone here revered and worshipped me. I was the goddess they knew. I would never allow a lower creature, a dishonest critter, a nobody, to come here and dishonour me-family to my mate or not.

"You might have married her, Lycan," he took a brave step forward until he was in front of me. "But I don't need to drag her heart with you. You are lucky I am already married, if not, you will wake up tomorrow morning and find the side of your bed cold. Oh... I discovered it had already gotten cold... and I have not even done anything yet." He snickered mischievously as he tramped backwards.

"Julia_"

"Hush, Geeny... we will talk some other time." He winked at her. He fucken winked at my mate! He even called her Geeny. What is that? Is she some rat or what to be called Geeny? I have never felt so jealous in my life! My Lycae was on the verge of bursting and going after that son of a gun. How did he even know I had not seen sleeping with my mate?!

Once the front door closed, was when I took a deep breath and came down.

"Let go." Gwen tapped my hand around her and I quickly loosened my hold. I didn't realize how tight it became in my rage. "I'm going in."

Like, hell.

I didn't hesitate to grip her wrist and made for the entrance. I didn't loosen my hold this time until we entered her room before I dropped her hand to lock the door.

"What is wrong with you, Ashton?" She came at me. Typical of her.

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"Your lover thinks he could talk to me as he feels, right?" Was my come back. Every night since our fallout, I spent it thinking of how I was going to let down my pride and come to her and make peace. Perhaps, seek a compromise. And today when I eventually spoke to her, we were going to plunge into another oil of turmoil.

And this oil seemed hotter.

"You are so full of yourself!" She sparked. "Your insecurity made you speak irrationally and now see what that had caused."

I wasn't backing down one bit. "So, because I controlled myself enough from destroying your teenage boyfriend, you now think I'm stupid?"

"I never said you were stupid."

"But you implied it."

"Ashton!" She screamed. "Can you stop?" Her hands flailed, tears flaring in her beautiful orbs. It shifted something in me. Was I being too hard on her? Was I truly losing my control and blowing things out of proportion? "Are you not tired of fighting with me?"

"Well, you don't look like you are," I sulked, tenacious to back down.

"Honestly, I am tired of everything. I came back to rest from the stress of today to that. And while I was working to handle it, you came out from nowhere to accentuate the problem. What happened to us?"

"You brought your lover." The jealous side of me was still speaking. "You didn't care about my feelings."

"Ashton..." A tear fell down her face, her expression growing sordid. "I-I have spent seven months with you and by now I thought, I thought you would trust me. I assumed you loved me enough to believe in me. But every time we are faced with any challenge, it looks as though I am alone. You do not have my back because you do not believe I have yours. You are putting up walls around yourself refusing to let me in and at the same time expecting me to fight for you. What do you want from me? What?" More tears fell as she shook her head almost in resignation. "You are wearing me out... I don't even know if I have more fight in me."

...