Lycan King's Nemesis

"Hey, Big Wolf!" Tyler hollered, taking a step close to Ashton whose brows were now furrowed in confusion. He skidded them from me to Tyler and back.

"What are you two doing here?" He asked as if it wasn't obvious.

I rolled my eyes and twisted to continue my initial quest, not still in the mood for his grumpy behaviour.

"Well," Tyler might have decided to tame the tense atmosphere. "We are training." I saw his hand skip from him to me. "I met her here."

"No one is permitted to train with the Queen except me. Unless I asked one of her guards to watch."

"Okay..." Tyler was bouncing in his foot now. I stopped tackling the dummy in front of me, my throat beginning to burn from dehydration. Why can't I train today in peace? "I will leave then."

"That won't be necessary," I intervened. "I will leave instead." I looked around as if looking for something, still trying to avoid looking at Ashton. Or Tyler. Both men were simply two sinful creatures from the depth of hell and could easily burn me if I don't take time.

"But you just got here," Tyler gestured, his face spotting a smile. He was too carefree for my goodness.

"Yeah... still I think this place is no longer comfortable for me. Besides," I swished my hand towards the entrance. "I have to go make sure dinner is ready. Queen duties." "The ma_"

"Do I not have a freedom to decide where I want to be anymore, Ashton?" I huffed as I cut him off and made my way out, totally ignoring them.

I almost crashed into the butler at the front door whose face was a mask of delight as always as he saw me. "I hope you enjoyed your training, your highness?"

"Is training meant to be enjoyable?"

"Of course, your highness. When done in the right mindset."

"Have a nice day, butler." I ran the entire length of the stairs and almost collided into Abigail hurrying down. She was also surprised to see me.

"Where have you been?" She asked. "I was looking for you."

"Any problem?"

"I saw my brother dashing out of the palace and he was looking suicidal."

"Uh."

"What?"

"Nothing, Abby. I am sweaty as you can see. I need to use the restroom."

"But, are you okay?"

"I am okay, Abby," I grumbled, mounting the flight of stairs.

I could feel her worried gaze pierce my back until I disappeared down the hallway that led to my chamber.

Inside, I removed every clothing on me as they felt clammy on my body and went to shower.

I came out of the bathroom and instead of wearing the gown that Kora dropped on the bed for me, I decided to go for something unconventional instead. Something I knew would rile Ashton up. I knew how much he fancies this 'queenly' thing.

So, I grabbed a pair of jeans and a body con sleeveless and after layering my body with lotion and oils, donned them, packed my hair and left the room.

I didn't want him to meet me there and engage in another round of ruckus.

By the time I was through and went down, to my chagrin, everyone was already seated at the table. Including Ashton and Tyler. How come I took so much time?

I sat down on his right side and a maid rushed to fill my plate with fresh asparagus. From the sweet aroma emitting from it, my stomach rumbled. Next was the lamb stew and then finished with a spray of peppermint. I wrinkled my nose and reached out to pick my spoon.

"What is this you are wearing?" It was Ashton, in a hushed tone.

"What does it look like?" I hushed back. From the corner of my right eye, I spied the others digging into their meals and not paying us any attention.

"You know the dress code for dinner."

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"I am a person and unless its some outlandish form of dress code, I think I deserve the right to wear whatever I deem fit at any point in time."

"Our traditions are not outlandish!" He snarked, still in a hushed tone.

"You are making a fool of yourself once more in front of our guest, Ashton." I put on the best smile possible and placed my left hand on the table and focused on my meal. "You will pay for this."

"What's new?"

"Gwe_"

"So," Abby's voice suddenly resonated, stopping Ashton from finishing whatever gibberish he was about to utter. "Since everyone in the palace is here, I think if my brother isn't going to say it, then I will."

Her eyes skidded about and stopped on me. "Our games would soon start as it's due annually by this time of the year. But we are yet to start any preparations."

"That is because this year we have a new Queen who as it seems, don't know her duties in the palace." Ashton's voice was calm. But they burned deeper than fire.

"Well, brother, as your Queen, I will like to think that it is your duty to direct her."

"I never asked for a dummy as a m_"

"It's enough, everyone," Williams spoke up. It was the first time he was speaking up in any of the brawls. "Let's respect the sanctity of what we are doing. Thank you."

Nobody said a thing again. Instead, it was me who was fidgeting in her seat from shame. Is it just me that is not doing the right things or this is just Ashton making me feel this way?

After dinner, all I desired to do was to escape from there to my room. However, as the caretaker of Tyler, I couldn't leave. I had to stay behind and wait as he was listening to Ashton who was telling him about his new role which would start the next day.

After enduring that phase, we stood to leave.

"I'm sorry about what happened back there," Tyler said softly as we climbed the flight of stairs.

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I forced a smile to hide my sadness. "It's nothing. I'm used to it."

"No one deserves to be treated like that."

"I deserve it."

"How so?"

"I don't want to discuss it, Tyler. Let's just say I brought this upon myself, so this is my penitence."

"Hmmn," he hummed and stopped because we have reached the front of his door. "Thank you for accompanying me despite your present mood."

"It's my duty, Tyler. You heard him, I have to learn my duties around here and from what Abby said down there, I think I have a load of them coming up."

"I can help with anything you need."

"You are a guest, Tyler." I was almost whispering, afraid Ashton might be lurking around to listen in. He might be that childish. "Besides, you are expected to resume with the others by tomorrow."

"Still..."

I racked my head for how to dismiss him but then a better idea sprouted. "What if I need your help with something better?"

"Speak away."

"You see, in my former pack, I used to train with my best friend. I thought I was a Beta and needed to be best at what I do, someday." My eyes lowered as my voice, in recollection of my awry past. "It's a long story but the thing is I will like to resume my training. Can you help me with that?"

"Of course, I can. If that's what you want."

I smiled. This time it was genuine. "Fine. Have a good night's rest, then."

"You too."

I waved at him, veered around and left. I perceived he was still watching me and it caused heat to burn at the back of my neck and disrupted my footsteps. Nonetheless, my heart felt lighter and I was already anticipating tomorrow.

...