Lycan King's Nemesis

GWEN??

The next day, on our way back to the pack, it was a quiet ride with Ashton withdrawing back to his usual coldness as if last night didn't happen. I wasn't surprised at all nor did it sadden me the way it used to in those earlier days. Instead, my mind was focused on the responsibilities that lay ahead of us when we get back.

The games at the foremost. Abby has been of great help during this entire time I have been distracted. The last time, she informed me that the arena was ready for use now and the rest of the activities were supposed to be carried out by the men, in terms of the type of games to be organized and their participants.

If it were back home, I would have wanted to engage in one of the games, like sparring. It was something I was good at and has improved over the time with Tyler helping me with my training. I miss Julian but not so much anymore. Thank goddess the guardian's mate was back, things will to an extent back to normal.

We reached the palace early and Ashton left with Williams, not sparing me a single glance. I might say I don't feel bad, albeit, deep inside I couldn't help but feel like a vessel of pleasure and of course, a container for children.

The first, I was capable of carrying out, but the latter, I didn't know if I was. The diagnosis of the Doctor's words a few weeks ago still gave me jitters.

"Gwen!" I veered around from watching Ashton and Williams walking off down the field, to Abby dashing down the stairs with her arms outstretched to me. She hugged me. "Please, don't ever do that again."

"You spilled the beans on me," I said, realizing at once how Ashton knew of my disappearance. "Abby."

She pushed away, her mouth pouted petulantly. "I couldn't help it, Gwen. Do you know what Ashton would have done to me if I didn't tell him and he later found out I knew all along?"

I sighed back, nodding my head. "How are you?"

"Well, let's say my brother had threatened to marry me off when he got back, so, I can't really say how I am until later." She grabbed my hand and led me up. "If he carries on with his threat, I will have no choice but to leave for Bath to meet my mother. I can't let him treat me like that."

"He won't, Abby. He was just mad. Besides, you can't leave me here alone with him."

We entered my room and Kora was there. Upon seeing me, she sharply dropped the dresses on her hand on the bed and faced me, with mixed reactions on her face. "Your highness, you are back! Thank goddess!" "Kora," I greeted. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, your highness. I'm better now knowing you are okay."

"Ashton vowed to kill her if anything happened to you," Abby said by my side. My forehead creased. Was it the same pigheaded Ashton they are talking about or another one? The man that couldn't stand me. The one who fucked me last night and kept a straight face this morning. Was it the same man?

Now, I'm truly worried. Since the day he cast Tyler out for merely being with me, it made me feel the man is sick in the head. He hates me, yet he is threatening to kill someone after he found out I was gone. Hmmn.

"Kora, tell the kitchen hands to make a hot porridge for our Queen. After that, bring up a cup of mentilato tea for stress relief."

"Yes, Princess." Kora left us.

"Are you okay?"

I fell on the couch with my hands on both sides. "Yes, Abby. How's the arrangement coming?"

"Going fine, I guess... So, Williams told me something..." She sang, her face morphing into a full-blown smile.

"What?"

She neared me. "My brother is introducing the horse race in this year's games! Can you believe that?"

I cocked my brow. Wait, was that why there are so many big horses in the stables? No wonder I often see those horses being paid the utmost attention to. "Wow," I mouthed. And he didn't tell me. "Oh, Gwen, I feel so bad I'm the first to tell you."

"No," I touched her arm softly. "On the contrary, I'm happy you did. Maybe, Ashton didn't tell me because he felt I would not find the topic interesting. You know horse topics are not that rampant."

She cleared her throat, her eyes falling a notch. "So, I'm going to tell you a secret, Gwen." She went on. "Horses are very dear to my brother and one topic he doesn't often like a contradiction on. The very reason he is introducing the race now is because mother is no longer here. She hated the poor things, and one of the reasons both of them never really got along."

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

Another wow. So, the scowling buffalo actually had something he held dear to his heart? Horses? That's... incredulous. "Thanks for telling me, Abby."

"It's nothing, Gwen. After all, you are family now." She stood up, looking too happy this morning. "I'm going to go now."

"Where are you going?"

"Uh-uh... out."

"Where?" I splayed my hands in askance. Her cheeks tinged red.

"Not your business."

"Abby!"

"Okay, okay. I want to go prepare for my outing with Williams later."

"Oh, really?" I wagged my brows mischievously. She screamed and raced to the door.

"Don't you dare tell anyone, Gwen or I swear I will kill you."

I made the 'zip it' gesture with my hand and smiled after her. I knew there was something between them. Are they mates or just crushing on each other?

Kora came in with the medicine and I took it and slept for a while after refreshing myself. Then, I left my room and went to the temple.

It was quiet when I entered; one of the reasons I like coming here. It wasn't something we did in the werewolf Kingdom, so I am glad I have here to hide away for a few minutes sometimes when I want to be private.

"Dear goddess," I prayed. "I have nowhere else but here. Bless my union with Ashton. Heal his heart from whatever hate is consuming him. Turn his heart to me. Heal me of whatever might cause me to be unable to bear children for him. I want my own child. Please."

A tear fell down my face and I quickly wiped it.

When I later left the temple, I felt better and whole. I went to the parking lot and signaled for the driver to pick me. I had to go for pack tour to check on the pack members so they know we are back, check up on the lady that was rescued, and then I will drop at Tyler's to make sure he was okay now.

The games begin this weekend. I have to make sure everyone is in the right frame of mind for it.