Lycan King's Nemesis

Gwen??

If there was anything I disliked about this palace, it was the staircase. It was as long as it was curved with a glossy surface that shadowed your steps.

I guess when they built it, the spiralling shape was supposed to be the point of its beautification, but then in moments like this when I am hurrying to reach down with the amount of anger simmering through my blood, I felt nothing short of irritation towards the architect.

At the last landing, I literally hopped down, followed by Abigail who was at my heels right from the room. Thankfully, she wasn't trying to hold me back nor did she stop me.

"Good evening, your highness. Princess!" The butler rushed to open the dining hall doors for us, the guards standing there bowing their heads once we passed them.

I slowed my pace as I stepped into the massive room, my red-rimmed eyes pinned at Ashton who sat at the head of the table with a broad paper perched in his hands-obviously the daily kingdom journals- as he returned my intent perusal with no hint of guilt in those eyes.

"Mate," he smirked, dropping the paper by the side to pick up the cup of tea the maid filled for him with a grey content. "I am glad you responded to my summon immediately as it was a matter of urgency."

"Ashton," I acknowledged him, stopping a few feet from him, and lifted my eyes to the maids and at once they all began filing out of the room. Once we were alone with just his sister who was now seated on the other side of the table sharing disapproving darts at him, I took a deep breath and pulled my seat away to sit down. "We need to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about, little wolf, apart from listening to what I have summoned you for," he dropped the teacup and gave me rapt attention.

"You hurt me, Ashton. Again." I went ahead to say shakily, ignoring his nonchalance.

A shadow of guilt passed over his visage, but he was fast to cover it up with a devilish smirk. "You should begin getting used to it, little wolf. We already had that agreement."

"Ashton, show some sympathy!" Abigail snarked, her hand coming in clamant contact with the table as her eyes flashed red. I knew she was angry, but not as much as this.

Ashton pushed off the table, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he conveyed unacceptable regard to his sister who didn't back down. If I was the one he was looking at with such intimidating scrutiny, I don't think I would have have the braveness to withstand him. "I see mother has appointed you her spokesperson in her absence to monitor me. Which has given you the temerity to talk back at me."

"You are not of sound mind, bro, and tradition demands that I bring you back to your senses as the spare to the throne."

The rumble in his chest heightened as he heaved forward, baring his fangs in warning. To my amazement, Abigail returned the gesture to him, her red eyes sparkling as a result of the dim light in the room.

It appears they were digressing from the point of contention. When I came down I was furious, but seeing him now, all I needed was peace.

I cleared my throat as my hand climbed up the table and with morale touched Ashton.

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Like a coal of fire was placed on him, he snatched his hand away, a grunt escaping his lips as he snapped his eyes to me. They held fury. "Don't you dare touch me!"

"I-I-Im so-sorry." I meowed, retreating my shaky hands fast to my lap beneath the table. I looked down, unable to meet his hateful stare. I lacked the appetite to eat, so there was no need to force myself. "Wh-why did you summon me?" He shifted in his seat and pushed the objects in front of him away, creating an audible grinding sound. At the same time, the massive entrance doors flung open and the other woman walked in. My husband's mistress.

The fact that my neck did not dislocate from my body with the force I whipped to look at Ashton and back to her as she sashayed to the seat beside me and sat down, it was a miracle.

"What is the meaning of this, Ashton?" I asked, the quiver in my voice disappearing all of a sudden. "You brought your mistress to our food table?"

Lazily his neck twisted to me. "That was what I was about to discuss with you." He nodded towards her. "Merit here is my Delta and personal guard. Henceforth, she will be living in the palace with us."

"Ashton," barked Abigail. "How can you bring her into the palace? She was your former chosen mate, what were you thinking?"

"I am thinking of marrying you off to any noble gentleman that shows the slightest interest in your uncouth self, as I may not be able to condone your condescending behaviour anymore if you do not comport yourself before me!" There was a loud gritting scrape of the chair legs against the palace granite floors as Abigail pushed them off and stood up. "I will not sit here and watch you desecrate the dining table of the great house of the chronicles! If you think you can intimidate me with those low words, think twice, Ashton. And don't think mother won't hear of this." With that, she stormed out, preceding the ferocious look emitting from Ashton as he gawked after his sister.

"Do you also have anything to say concerning my decision, Gwendolyn?" His eyes trailed to me, holding within them fireballs of unspoken threat.

I stood up. "I will retire early as I cannot bring myself to stomach more of your haughtiness, Ashton." I raced after Abby, not waiting for his response.

My head was spinning. Everything was happening at once it looked like I was just a bypasser in this thing called life. I hardly knew myself anymore.

The kind of bullshit I was taking from Ashton, they are the things I swore I was never going to take from any man. No even my mate.

I prayed so much all my life for a mate. Julian specifically. The goddess deprived me of the love of my life and gave him to my sister.

I dropped down on one of the staircases in concession and shook with emotions I couldn't hold back. No tears fell down my eyes, but inside me, I was overwhelmed by my predicament that I couldn't proceed. His Delta was his chosen mate and mistress?