Lycan King’s Nemesis

(Undergoing editing!)

**GWEN**

“Mother, I can explain,” Ashton said, giving his sister a stony look.

“Explain?” Abby’s loud derisive chuckle rang in the room. “Was that not why you wanted me married off? Because I was trying to talk sense into him he turned against me.”

“I am still your older brother, Abigail.” Ashton was reaching his brink. I could smell it. But I couldn’t do anything about it.

“You slept with another woman after marriage? Ashton!” His mother finally recovered from her shock.

“I’m sorry, mother. I was a fool and confused.”

“Confused? Confused over what?”

“I j-just didn’t want to be married, you knew that.”

“I can’t believe this…” Charlotte found her way back to the chair and sat down. “Just a little repose from the palace and things had already fallen apart?”

“Now you know how it feels to be the target,” Abby snarled at Ashton and went ahead to push the clothes into the sizable black leather bag.

“I am sorry, mother. This was all in the past.” Ashton stooped before his mother. “Things have changed now.”

“You two are a disappointment,” Charlotte shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “I thought I did everything possible to raise you well.”

“You did, mother.” Ashton cooed.

“I didn’t. Your sister lied about another man being her mate and you, you cheated on your mate! How does that indicate any form of responsibility?”

Unable to stand there, motionless like a statue, I made my way to Abby to try to talk her into being reasonable. I mean now they have caught us, we have to rectify the wrong we have done, not invigorate it.

“Abby, I know you hate me now and I deserve it,” I stated in a low tone. “But now is not the right time for this.”

She didn’t speak to me and went on with the task of issuing the clothes which seemed herculean.

“Abby_”

“Don’t speak to me,” She snagged. “You were supposed to be on my side but it’s apparent when it came to my brother you are loyal to none. Why should I listen to you?”

“I was not taking his side.”

“You say that now.”

“And I mean it. Let’s settle down, please.”

“I have nothing left here.”

“You have your family.” I cajoled.

“They hate me,” She hissed, finally zipping the bag. Her hands went to her waist. It was such a tragic picture with the manner her hair was strung all over, sweat and grime smeared on her face and body. Too down for a Princess. For Abby.

“They don’t.” I braved touching her right shoulder. “You don’t want to end up like me.”

“At least you became a Queen. I am not even sure of where my fate lies anymore. Maybe a salutary.”

“Abby…”

“I will be fine.” She dropped her hands, skidding around for something.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I felt a movement behind me and impulsively looked back. Charlotte stood up and her orbs fixed on us. “I am not going to waste any more time here. When you are done throwing childish tantrums, clean up, pack those things back, and come down for dinner. You too, Gwendolyn.” She declared and made her way out. “Enough with the shenanigans.”

It was as the door shut that I eventually released a sigh I didn’t know I was holding, sagging back into the wardrobe.

“Are you happy now?” I jerked, realizing Ashton didn’t leave with her.

He was looking at his sister. I expected anger but I saw remorse. He possibly regrets making his sister do what she did. What we did.

“You should be happy I didn’t tell her about the horse race,” Abby deadpanned. “I am still a considerate sibling compared to you.”

“You should have told me about Will.”

“And have you kill him?” Her tone was chugged. Every mention of Williams’s death would never easily go. It would always be there, like a dent. Forever etched in our hearts.

“He was my best friend. You were my sister. We would have worked things out.”

“Thanks.” Nonchalant. “But, no thanks. Anyways, he is dead now, so…”

Silence reigned in the room with no one saying anything.

Tyler was the most silent. Still by the side of the bed where he scurried initially, observing all things going on. While I was traveling between the present and the future, unsure of my next action.

Thankfully, Ashton soon left the room. But he didn’t leave alone. “Meet me in the room, Gwen,” he ordered as he was leaving.

I became more apprehensive. What does he want to say? I knew there was no way he would let me off the hook that fast. But not this soon.

“I have to go now, Abby. But you have to promise me that you are not going anywhere. At least not now when they already know the truth. Come down for dinner, please.”

She didn’t reply. I scoffed, shared a look with Tyler whose face was vacant and then I left.

In the room, I knocked gently and entered. Ashton was pacing. Like a wounded panther.

He stopped as I entered the room, and gawked at me. “How could you not tell me?”

“Tell you what?” I formed not knowing what he was up to.

“Don’t test me, little wolf. You know exactly what I am talking about.”

I sighed as I finished entering, dropping the shawl on the bed. The room was aired and had a refreshing scent now. All thanks to Kora. That eerie ambience before I left was no longer present.

“Don’t ignore me.”

“That is because you are not making any sense, Ashton,” I hissed. “You are mad at me for what I did, I get it and I am doing as you asked. I am repenting of my sins. But if you have any more accusations against me, you have to come clear so I can understand.”

“Since when did you know Williams was her mate? You knew and something tells me you were the one that put her up to this.”

I snorted. “You think so highly of me, Ashton.”

“You can deny all you want. I just need you to tell me since when.”

“Why do you care, anyway?” I balanced my back on the wall close to my sofa and tilted my head back, maintaining eye contact. “You were the one who wanted her married off by all means.”

“Was that why you made her lie to me?”

“Not conceding to your accusations but… you left her no choice.”

“You are everything I suspected you to be… Gwendolyn.” He was jerking his head, his voice of steel and he vented the angry words. I knew that was what they were so I didn’t reply. I merely stared at him.

“You pretended to be a good girl to get my heart so you could unleash your true nature, weren’t you? A werewolf would always be a werewolf. That was why you invited those creatures. To kill my people. It was all a plan.”

I dismissed his comment with a wave of my hand, still refusing to bulge. He was trying to get the worst of me. I knew it and wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

“I was beginning to fall for you and you went to ruin it all. Thanks to you, I am sane again.”

“All I have ever done for you was out of care and love, Ashton. I don’t care if you label me as evil but I will never stop being my true self with you no matter what you say.”

“You have never indeed,” he stepped forward and went back. I was the fool who didn’t see it.”

“I accept my flaws and I am willing to right my wrongs. All you do is keep pointing fingers but never accept that perhaps, you might be wrong too.” Emotions were starting to get the best of me.

“I see…” He looked around. “You do not regret your actions and from what I see you have become a bad influence on my sister.”

“What I did I did for her as a friend and to protect her from your coldness.”

“She is my sister!”

“And has become a close friend! By marriage a sister to me too!”

“You are so stubborn!”

“As you are.”

“Urgh!” He bellowed and matched to the door, stopped, and faced me. “Remain in here. I do not care to see your face downstairs.”

“Soothe yourself!” I spat back, fury wracking through me.

Once the door closed, I fell on the chair and stared ahead into nothingness. I was so furious that all I could do was be calm. I felt helpless, guilty and at the same time vengeful.

Ashton was a pain in the ass. I fucked up and I accept. Why was it too hard for him to forgive me? It was already three days and the more we were at each other’s neck made things difficult for us. The killers might be out there plotting more wickedness.

He thought I planned this. Imagine that. If I wanted his people annihilated, all I could have done was go to the humans. Why will I need to invite them to some stupid ball?!

Irk!

…