Lycan King’s Nemesis

**GWEN**

There was something definitely going on in the pack that I was not aware of.

The night before the day of the ball, Ashton was nowhere to be found. I expected him to be around as he had been scarce these few days. It was either he was in one meeting or the other, or off to train with the horses. He was never around.

I dismissed it easily mostly as I was often fatigued at the end of the day myself and as soon as my head hit my pillows, I was off to Lalalaland. But each time I woke up in the middle of the night or in the morning, I could tell he was never going into my room. Kora confirmed this yesterday when I asked her if she had seen my mate and her response had been a fierce ‘NO’.

“Your Highness,” Kora came into view from the wardrobe, bearing a shimmering turquoise gown intricately woven with diamonds from head to toe. From the waist went down on a smooth fishy slope that I was sure when I wore it, would magnify my waistline. One couldn’t help but stare open-mouthed at it. I haven’t seen the gown before.

I had intended to wear the red gown Charlotte picked up herself for me the last time we went shopping.

Not this.

Where did it come from?

“The King sent this to you,” Kora finished as if reading my mind. She gently dropped it on the bed. I was up from the chair I was sitting on in front of the vanity table, hurrying to stand in front of the gown. I reached out to touch and withdrew my hands sharply as if I were electrocuted. I was still in shock.

Ashton got this for me? My inquisitive eyes found Kora, catching her facial expression in a smug smile. “You hid this from me,” I accused.

Her shoulders bounced up and down in an agreeable pose. “I was sworn to secrecy by the King. He said he would have liked to watch you wear them, but I guess the palatial duties held him from being here. Quiet unfortunate.”

I grabbed the concealed short sleeves of the turquoise gown and carefully lifted it up, placing it over my body. Lifting it higher I made it to the front of the mirror and displayed it in front of the mirror. It was totally magnificent! I have never seen a gown like it. I have never imagined I would be opportune to wear anything close to this.

My eyes watered uncontrollably. Ashton did this for me.

If only he was here, I would have almost choked him with kisses.

“I love it, Kora.”

“I know… I fell in love with it myself at first sight.”

I sniffed. “When did you even sneak it in here without my knowledge?” I was still shifting from side to side to view it from every angle. Well, she could easily have done that in my absence.

Her response was a throaty chuckle as she made her way back to the wardrobe. “There are still more, your highness.” She scurried beneath the closet.

My eyes were pinned there. “More? He bought more stuff on top of this?”

“The King is very generous, your highness.” She came back with a black big box which like the gown she tentatively placed on the bed and proceeded to open and I beheld assortments of accessories neatly arranged inside; a silver shoe with sapphire encrustment at the top, a smaller black box of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and lastly, a matching ring.

There was noise at the door and as we flung our faces there, Ashton stood there in his full glory observing us. He looked very worn out like he was coming from a combat.

“Leave us,” He said singularly, matching inside. I nodded at Kora who scampered out without a word.

As soon as the door was closed and Ashton was within an inch of me, he engulfed me in his embrace. And without stopping to think, my arms went about his waist to feel his warmth. ” I have missed you so much,” I said.

“You have no idea how it’s been for me.” His hands tightened. “I thought you would be mad at me.”

“To be honest, I was worried,” I stated. “I checked you everywhere, including the stables but you were nowhere to be found.”

“Pack duties.”

“Why was I not invited to the meetings?” I queried. “Kora informed me of them.” I shifted away from him, but not out of his arms.

His head bent down as he took me in. “There was no meeting, little wolf.” His head twisted to the side to take in the items on the bed. “A lot has been going on and I didn’t want you to be worried which was why I made sure no one informed you.”

“What are you talking about?” I adjusted further, arching my brow. My head was to the side, looking up at him. “Tell me what?”

Ashton let out a loud exhausted sigh, his right hand going up to scratch the nape of his neck. “There has been another attack,” He said while at it.

I gasped. “Another attack? When?”

“On Wednesday, the guards found a pregnant woman dead close to the border. That was in the morning, by evening they found her husband beheaded together with the little pup that resided with them. They hung their head in the hideous place where they knew the patrollers could see.”

My chest was pounding, and my head spinning from the gory information. They beheaded someone? Murdered a pregn_who in their right senses would commit such an atrocious crime? That’s pure wickedness!

“Hey,” Ashton was by my side, taking my two shoulders to steady me. I was not seeing him clearly as tears welled up in my eyes. I was already imagining the level of pain this woman must have passed through at her point of death. Her family. Who would have done this? “You need to breathe, okay?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Why?” That was the foremost word I said. “Why would they do this? Who could have done this?”

“It’s no other than the humans.” He took my left forearm and led me back to the sofa. He sat down, pulling me down on his lap. “I told you they are that mean. They are vicious and lack compassion.”

“Are you sure they’re the one?” I didn’t know why I asked but something just told me that maybe another creature might do this and we won’t know because we already have a suspect.

“They are the one, little wolf. In the history of Lycans whenever the red moon approached, the humans come snooping because they know this is when our true nature reached its full potential. I know what they want.”

“To anger you?”

He nodded, nuzzling into my neck to kiss there. “Don’t worry, I can handle this. I have already sent out mercenaries to the human kingdom. I need Sweetbaby dead or alive.”

“Perhaps, we shouldn’t just kill him,” I reasoned. “Why don’t we bring him here for questioning? From the last time I went there, I understood he was obsessed with Lycan blood, still, there must be a drive, don’t you think?”

Ashton was not having any of that. He shook his head. “The only thing I understand is that anyone who touches my own had dared me. Sweet baby has been daring me for a long time, it’s time I end this all. He should be glad I am not bringing war to his people. Thanks to my mother.”

I was about to try to convince him to be reasonable when he stood with me in his arms and dropped me in front of the bed. “Do you like the gown?”

I blinked severally, recollecting the object of my fascination before his entrance. The gifts. “I love them all, Ash. You should have told me.”

“Then, I won’t see this sparkle I see in your eyes now, would I?”

I fingered one of the diamonds on the gown, agreeing with him.

“Come here,” He took my face between his big paws and kissed me boldly on the lips. “Today is going to be very active. Lots of people coming from different places. Mother said the invitations this time were massive.”

I cleared my throat and looked down. About that, I might have done something I was not supposed to do yet. And I was not about to tell him knowing what his response would be. So, I simply smiled.

“You might have to welcome the guest with Mother and Abby while I take one last tour to make sure everything is fine. But I will be on time for the opening dance which we will have together.”

I giggled as he pecked the side of my left lip. “You didn’t even ask me if I could dance,” I said in between giggles.

“That’s because I knew you could.” He flipped me around to face the mirror while he watched me from behind, massaging my stiff shoulders. “We will be the talk of the day. You and me.”

“Yeah…” My brain was becoming clouded by his hand actions. “You and me.”

I saw his eyes turn black. “I need you to dress up for me before I leave… Please.”

My mouth went dry.

…