Lycan King's Nemesis

Ashton??

"Do you think it's possible to have the company opened before the full moon?" Williams asked me, grazing his hand on the fine breeds that we came to check out at the stables.

He came to inform me ten minutes ago that the fine stallions I ordered to be trained for my upcoming ranch business just arrived. It was one of the best news to be heard today because I had been looking forward to their arrival for weeks

now.

This was one secret between me and my Beta. My horse business. It was unheard of and can even be considered sacrilege for a King to be involved in the business of common people. Particularly, fickle-minded people like my mother. I will be toasted.

"I think I can handle it. Perhaps, after the wedding." I shifted to the next stallion, a black Arabian striker. I patted the ears, earning a face rub from the horse. There was something about this creatures that applied to my inner senses and seem to calm me. It reminded me of the little werewolf from the other day. I haven't told Williams about it because I didn't trust him not to pull the guilt trip on me.

"If you say so." There was stretched silence between us. "What will you do if you find your mate before your wedding, Ash?" He suddenly asked me.

I swallowed hard and began walking outside the stables with my hands behind my back as I revelled in the scrunching sound produced by my boot on the winter-dried grass. I made my way towards the palace, requiring William to march after me. "I will reject her," I said what I have already done.

"Hmmn, don't you think that is too brash?"

"But what is necessary." It was as if I was trying to pacify my conscience.

"You know I won't support you though."

"I know, Will. I know." My attention was drawn towards the doors where one of the guards was walking at full pace towards me. I had blocked them off intentionally as I didn't want to be distracted while with the horses or for them to know where I was. Guess he sniffed me out.

"Well, fortunately that won't be the case now. And I hope it doesn't happ_"

"My King, there is a problem." The guard called Spider, stopped before me to relay. There is a reason he was named that.

I discontinued walking, my brows arching to the top. "What?" I despised unnecessary displays of emotion.

"A girl." He pointed towards the house. "A girl just came in. She said she is your mate_"

He didn't need to finish before I stormed past him, hastening to the mansion. I felt it! There could only be one reason why I had a terrible dream of making love to that girl last night. It was not often I have wet dreams. I suspected something foul had happened. Plus, I haven't gotten any report from the guards I posted at the hospital to watch her. "When?"

"Just now." He matched my gait, same with my Beta.

"Where is she?"

"With the Quee_"

"For fuck sake!" I halted at once, my right hand going to drag through my brown hair. "I am going to kill that_"

"What are you saying, Ash?" Will asked beside me, driving me back to realize I had said that loud. I gave him one look and moved to cover the remaining distance to the mansion.

The guards bowed as I droned past them and threw the front doors open, looking left to right and then sniffing the air to catch my mother's scent and at once I was heading to her private parlour.

I was there on time to hear the little twat saying, "... he didn't give me a chance before he wickedly rejected me, ma'am. I was heartbroken!"

Oh, the hell! Did she need to tell my mother all that? Me, wicked? Werewolves, all evil manipulators!

I flung the doors open without preamble and my eyes landed on her, biting. A loud growl left my mouth as I beheld her sitting there beside my mother, whose eyes expanded at my uncouth behaviour and gave me her disapproving glow which I wasn't recipient of at this point. The girl looked so pathetic. So, innocent, yet, devious.

All werewolves were as far as I was concerned.

"Mother, don't believe a word of what she said to you... It's all lies." Even as I said it, my wolf; Fangs, dragged his paws through my heart to leave an audible pain which I gritted my teeth to hold from showing on my face.

"Well, son..." My mother slowly stood up and came towards me one step at a time as my eyes remained pinned on the girl who was crouched in one corner now, peeking at me from hooded eyes so innocent-if not for my present displeasure-I will go there, grab her and pour out all the frustrations my groins have felt since we met her.

Thanks to Fangs.

"... let's see how true your theory is."

"What do you mean, m_"

"Come here, child." She wagged her red-painted nails at the girl whose eyes expanded in confusion, skipping between my mother and me. In fear, of course. "Come here." She jumped up and scurried towards us and stopped directly in front of me and at once I knew what my mother wanted to experiment.

I jerked back, shaking my head. "No, mother. I won't_"

"That means you have been lying to me, son. I know how much the idea of finding your mate repulses you, but I didn't know you will go to this extent!"

"I am getting married," I reminded her. "Was that not what you wanted?"

"Because I thought you will never find your mate. You are 35!"

"I'm not old, mother," I snarled. "She is a werewolf!"

"Oh," my mother's sultry voice teased me to madness, stepping around me as I and the little weasel glowed at each other. It appeared she still had the balls to look me in the eyes. "I see the problem now. You rejected her because she was a werewolf... And there I thought my son is the wisest man alive. Look at her, son!" She surged, waving her hands at the girl whose head swelled so big like a pumpkin. "Such a beauty."

"Beauty is not enough, mother! What happens to Merit?"

"She will understand."

"That's not fair, mother."

"Coming from someone like you, I doubt you care one bit more than I give a fuck about meatballs."

"Mo_"

"You would rather marry Merit because you know you don't love her and could easily neglect her, but with your mate you know that is something you can't. The bond_"

"I don't believe in bonds, mother," I lied, knowing she was right. My mother was of course a snake.

She chuckled lightly as her hand came to touch one of my shoulders lightly. "The wedding is cancelled, son. Prepare to get married to your mate. That's my final decree."

...