Lycan King's Nemesis

Ash??

Gwendolyn was like a wild flame and I was her moth. I just can't stay away. I tell myself I loath her and want her gone by all means. But in reality, I see myself drawn to her. I have to break her, everything that makes her. I aim to make her beg, grovel for me before I will reach my brink. Before I will feel the satisfaction that comes from getting my revenge on her kind. For everything Emma did to me.

But with every day I spend with her, it looked like I was becoming a shadow of myself. I was doing the exact opposite of what I wished for. All because of the curse of the bond.

I slammed the bottle of alcohol in my hand on the desk, stood and staggered to the window and pushed the curtain away to sniff outside. It was a windy night, stipulating rain beckoned. But, there was something else. A familiar scent. Why am I perceiving her scent outside? I racked my head, then shook it and dropped the curtains to step back. It might be a trap of the mind. I was becoming too captivated with her that my mind is starting to conjure things that weren't there.

Knowing her fully well, after what happened a few hours ago, she will be in that blasted room hiding away, shrouded in misery. She needed me compliant, lovely and the perfect husband. Things I wanted to be and more, but what would that make me? A weak man. A played man. For the second time. By the same people.

Never!

Tentatively, my hand slid down to my nether region to cup my shaft and massaged gently. With the scent comes the need to go upstairs and claim her, whether she wanted it or not. Though, I doubt she will protest. That was possibly my downfall. The way she was plaint in my arms. All I needed was to graze the tip of my fingers in her body to have her shivering, and her arousal smell flitting to my nostrils.

Without meaning to, the knowledge made me grin, my shaft turning very hard. I was massaging, my head thrown back in twisted hunger as I imagined the dark things I can make her do for me. If I so desired.

My sweet imagination was brought to an end as my ear caught the faded footfalls padding across the boards towards my study. I quickly rearranged myself, already knowing who it was.

There came a knock and then the door threw open. Williams's tall frame occupied the entrance. "If I don't know you too well I will say you are a very busy man who takes pride in keeping the ledgers clean." He shut the door, arching his brows questionably. "When did your study suddenly become your favourite place because I know you hated it here."

"Since I married the wrong woman," I grumbled, walking back to my chair to fall on it. I took the bottle and poured a generous amount of Malbec into my glass, tipped and downed it at once. "Cheers to my forever unhappiness."

He was appraising me through hooded eyes, reeking judgmental. "You have been drinking too much, my man." He grabbed the bottle and went to deposit in the minibar, came back and snatched the glass before I knew what he was up to. "We are in the middle of a dilemma just before the most important time of the year and you drink? We have the games coming up, and we have an attack from the cursed humans, demanding to see you and right now is not the time to bury your head in the damned bottles."

"What should I do?" I shifted, getting irritated with everyone talking bout the same thing. "You want me to go too?"

"I didn't say that. We have to be rational, deliberating on what to do. The boys are worried you haven't come to check on the new recruits. They need your encouragement. You can't hide in here forever."

I grinned. Sheepishly. "Okay..." I was tipsy, I know. And fucken horny. "I will come tomorrow. Happy?"

"What has come over you?" He slumped in the chair opposite me. I wiped my face and clicked my tongue. "Talk to me, man. Is it about the woman that was taken or is the games season overwhelming you?"

"Oh, c'mon..." I waved off his worry. I have handled those games since I was enthroned fifteen years ago. Why would he think that? "It's Gwen."

He rolled his eyes. "What did she do now?"

"She is slowly penetrating my resolve, winning in her manipulation and I hate that."

"I don't understand you, Ash. You torment her and yet you are the one looking miserable."

"That is because that is what she wants you people to believe. That she is tormented... Have you forgotten? Her kind is like that. Deceptive." I was getting mad that everyone was on her side. They don't seem to see my pain. "You are your own problem, Ash," Williams deadpanned. "I just wish you will see that. Gwen is a sweet girl, you are the one who doesn't see it because you have refused to."

I gritted my teeth, getting fed up. "Is that why you came here?"

"No, I came to tell you to come to dinner. And to make sure you are good. As your best man."

I nodded and stood. "Fine." I looked around as if in search of something. "I think you win. I will just have to supper and go to bed. Everyone thinks I'm crazy."

He scoffed and heaved off his chair, leading the way.

My mate didn't come down for dinner. Like a fool, I kept looking at her vacant seat, my blood boiling that she will miss it. Craving her presence yet unable to ask anyone why she was absent.

I couldn't wait to finish so I could go up and see her even if we will end up fighting. I must make sure she came back to our chamber and if she thinks the new place will keep me away from her, then she must be joking. Somehow, inside of me-or perhaps, because Fang was restlessly pacing-I felt something as off and I could wait to find out what.

...