Lycan King's Nemesis

Smoking hot.

Those were two words to use to describe the man sitting across from us that evening at the giant dining table, directly opposite me.

"So, Tyler, I and the entire pack welcome you to the palace," Ashton proclaimed beside me, referring to the new guy. "Feel free. And what were you need, do well to reach out to the... queen here," he nodded in my direction. "She will provide you with it."

I smiled as the shining obsidian eyes of Tyler-the new guy- flashed at me. I could swear I detected something mischievous in there. Or maybe, it was my beclouded mind that saw it. My beclouded lonely mind.

Ashton's hand landed on mine on the table and I shivered, and hastily regained myself, looking up at him. He was smiling down at me, but it was only in his eyes. At a closer look, you will discover there was no truth in them. It wasn't from the soul. "As it's expected of the Queen, you are to show your acceptance before the humble men of this table, that you accept our new guest into the pack."

My smile was still in place. However, on the inside, I finally understood what this was about. Ashton planned this. Just like every one of his childish gimmicks since I moved here. He knew I wasn't aware of this part of his Kingdom's tradition-that was before Abby told me-so, he neglected telling me because he wanted me to flop before the numerous notable men and women gathered at this table this evening. Of course, he had members of his council around to welcome the guest. All tradition.

Cool. I twisted around until I was facing our fine-looking new guy, enjoying how poised and collected he looked. He wasn't even looking like someone they just banished from his territory.

We are almost alike. The only difference being that while he was banished, I banished myself. And while he was wanted here, I wasn't wanted. All the same, we are strangers in a new land. I cleared my throat. "Errr... Tyler. Am I permitted to call you that?"

"Of course."He replied in a deep timbre voice that beat the word 'dominant' in every sense of the word. Except for my mate's.

I nodded. "To be honest this is my first time doing this and I might not even know what I am doing but nevertheless, I am delighted to have you here. And from the depth of my heart, want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this. I welcome you into the home of the King of the chronicles and whatever you need... and I mean anything, do well to approach me for it." Was it just me, or once more I just saw a devilish glow flash across his fine visage?

I shook my head, looking down at my plate as my face tinged. I am behaving like some silly little girl.

"Thank you so much, your highness. I truly appreciate." His voice was so smooth.

I didn't look up as I nodded and picked up the glass containing red wine in front of me and gulped down at once.

"You see, Tyler," Ashton drew, malice in his voice. "don't be deceived at all by the Queen's appeal. She can very well be a rattlesnake underneath this whole... charm." I flared right there. What is he saying? Trying to make me look bad to the new guy?

His former plan didn't work and now he wants to paint me the devil? My eyes found him, but he was still facing the guy and totally ignored me.

"All the same since the Queen has wholly welcomed you and you will be residing in the palace prior to the time your new home is arranged, she will see to it that all your needs are provided for and make certain that you are adequately taken care of before you can properly stand on your feet."

What is he saying?! "I-I thought that is supposed to be the work of the omegas?" I asked slowly in a way only he could hear.

He picked up his glass of wine and swirled as he appraised me, smirking like the devil. "Well, I say so. And... this is the Lycan Kingdom. Here we refer to those as salutary and not fucken omegas!" He spat coldly and swung down his wine in a sweep. The effrontery.

What is wrong with this man? Does it kill for one to behave well even for a second?

Just like every other time, he couldn't even hide our differences before the very people whose opinions about me matter in this Kingdom. Or, at least consider the presence of the new guest.

I looked away sharply and down at my quaking fingers. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Including Abby. I knew she was seething right now and I wouldn't want to risk both of them blowing off before our guest who was just dining with us for the first time. So, I bottled up my pain and put on a brave front as I glanced around the table, avoiding the look of the new guy. "Please, let's eat up before the food grows cold."

Thirty minutes later, I slammed the door to my room closed and began pacing. "Urghhhh!"

Ashton is killing me. He is testing me, pushing me to my very limit. I balled my fist and screamed into them as I bent over and bit down on my lips until I tasted the metallic nibble of blood.

I caused this. I forced myself on him. I left my home. Left my people and came here to throw myself at a man who doesn't want me. A man who despised the very ground I trod on. It is all my fault.

I grabbed my new rosemary essential oil by the vanity table and sauntered off to the bathroom, poured all the content of the bottle into the hot tub before disrobing and jumping into it.

I stayed there until I could cry no more, washed up, came out and towelled myself dry. I thought the oil would soothe my pain but like every other thing right now, it failed.

I found my new nightdress by the dais close to the hearth, picked it up to size it. A translucent silky elegant red lingerie with shimmering frills at the edges.

This one would end up in the trash by morning. If he comes. Like the other ones. I haven't worn one past the night since I met the monster called Ashton.

This night, I felt so miserable and lonely that I needed to feel close to home. Close to someone who mattered to me. So, I took the bracelet Julian gave me on my seventeenth birthday, and wore it as I laid down to sleep.

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It wasn't long, like my soul found succour with the bracelet, I soon dozed off.

"Mmmm," I hummed, feeling tingly as the impressive vision of a man floated before me. I touched his face. "You came."

His hand trailed in a feathery light touch to my belly button and stopped there. As if he was hesitant to proceed.

I sat up, looking deep into his eyes. "What is it, Julian? Don't you want this?"

He went stiff. I felt his hand muscles tense.

What is the problem? I thought he wanted this. I can forgive him for cheating on me with my sister if he would claim me instead of her.

"I am ready, Julian. I am not afraid. You know I always wanted this. I always wanted you. I love you."

In the blink of an eye, he was off me, off the bed like a wounded Panther.

"Julian?"