Chapter 30
Gwen?? "Gwen?"
I wavered, about to deliver a strong blow to the dummy in front of me, and sighed as I pivoted to face Abigail who just walked into the training ground.
"Abby." I lowered my hands by my side, striving to control my ragged breathe. "What are you doing here?"
She shrugged, her two hands splayed out. "This is obviously a training ground."
"Oh..." I have gotten used to sneaking here for the past week to train alone that I almost forgot it wasn't just private property. They had a private one for the King and Queen but the last thing I needed was bumping into my mate, so I deliberately avoided there. "What's up?"
"I should be asking you that." She readied herself in front of another Wooster dummy, stretching her ankles which lengthened the black training slack she was on and tautened her round bum. "What's going on lately? You have been detached."
I nodded, suddenly losing interest in my training. Perhaps, I need to practice with a real person. "I am growing scared, Abby," I admitted.
"Growing scared?" She punched the dummy, flexed her fingers and went for a stronger blow. All the while her facial expression portrays seriousness. "Why?" "Because it's almost a month already."
"And so?"
"I am not pregnant!" I snapped, starting to pace as my present worry clouded my mind. I have been trying to avoid thinking about it, but I can't anymore. Ashton hasn't said anything yet, but in every day he enters my room in his usual dominant manner and claims me, I see it in his attitude. It's as if he is saying something even without uttering it.
Abigail stopped, now heaving like I was some minutes ago. She grabbed the bottle of water on top of the duffel bag she came in with, took a large gulp, cocked it back and threw it to the floor. "Girl, you need to chill out." She touched her forehead, closing her eyes as a sign of taming her wild breath. "This is the exact reason why you haven't taken in."
"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.
"This," she indicated me. "You are taking the entire thing too seriously. You have to calm down and allow the process to take its course without unnecessary anxieties."
"Your people need an heir," I reminded her. "May I also remind you that your brother hates me and won't hesitate using this as a means of kicking me out to replace me with that... that woman." I snarled, the thought of my husband's mistress under the same roof with me still too upsetting but I couldn't do anything.
Abigail sighed as her hands went to her waist. She must see me as a burden by now. "I keep telling you to stop thinking too much about my brother's misbehaviours. He won't do anything to compromise your marriage, trust me."
I rolled my eyes. "Someone who already did. Have you forgotten what he did the week after our wedding?" My shoulders were inclined towards her. "Do you also remember his mistress presently occupies a room two doors away from ours? Can you also remember that your brother never sleeps in the same bed with me?"
"That is because he is still confused, Gwen. He was hurt terribly, you have to give him time." I sat down on the grass, shaking my head. "He knows how much this union means to him, to this Kingdom. To my mother. He would never garner her wrath by doing anything that would provoke you. You have to..." She trailed off and then took a step my way as she proceeded. "... you have to try to win him back, Gwen. You have to prove to him that you are nothing like..." She faltered once more, swallowing loudly as she looked ahead of me.
"Nothing like who?" I asked sharply. "Talk to me, Abby. About the woman who broke his heart in the past whom he is punishing me for?"
"It's not like that."
"Then it's like what?" I was getting angrier. Here I was talking about not conceiving yet when my mate and I has been fucking almost every night since that day his council asked about an heir and she was talking about gaining his heart. How can I gain the heart of a man who doesn't want his heart to be gained? I just want to produce an heir for him, and his people so that I would earn their respect. I vowed to be a Queen to Ashton, his people and I have to keep my promise. I have to give him an heir.
But I am terrified. The day I got my period for this month broke my heart. I thought I was going to fall pregnant immediately, but it seems the goddess has other plans for me.
I stood up. "I think I need to go see the healer."
"For what?"
"Perhaps, something is wrong with me."
"Nothing is wrong with you, Gwen. You just need to relax. It's only a month."
"People get pregnant in a week."
She exhaled in defeat, lifting her hands. "I am only saying as a friend, give it time. Nobody is blaming you for anything."
I was chewing my lip tissues as my thoughts teetered in different directions. Maybe, I should give it next month. I have to relax, train more often, and stay positive. "Okay," I replied softly.
"Good." She smiled cheerfully, lifting my spirit. Abigail has been the only person that understands me in this place. The only friend I have.
I don't know what would happen if she sides with her brother someday and deserts me.
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She faced her dummy furthermore. "Give me two minutes to finish then we will go in. The Beta said we are having a guest from the Woodland pack. He was the former chief guardian of Redtwinklers but was banished after he was discovered to possess a cursed blood."
"Cursed blood?" I wondered.
"Yeah... sometimes a Lycan can be born under the red moon and end up bearing the cursed blood."
"How come he has been alive then if he is considered a taboo?"
"Well, most times their curse are hidden by their mothers at birth. My brother doesn't believe in the curse though. That was why when the Lycan Alpha told him that his chief guardian was discovered to be a Krakken, and was to be either executed or banished from his pack, my brother asked that he be sent here. I think he wants to keep him among the armies."
"Hmmn," I hummed, pondering about it. Well, even though I am supposed to be mad that my mate would take in someone into the palace without consulting with me his Queen, I was delighted that he was kind enough to take the poor man in. Whoever he is. Let's just hope he doesn't harbour any ill in his heart or endanger this Kingdom in the future. "When is he coming in?"
"This evening."
"This evening?" My eyes dilated. "That soon?"
"Yes," she gave me a certain look. "I thought Ashton would inform you. As the Queen, you have to give your acceptance at the dining this evening. So, I think it starts with making sure you prepare the acceptance dinner." "Acceptance dinner?"
She stopped finally. "Gosh, what does Kora do if she doesn't teach you these things? My mother does that for any guests that enter the kingdom for the first time. It's tradition." She picked her bag from the floor. "Let's go, you have a guest to welcome."
...