Lycan King’s Nemesis

**GWEN**

I had recently returned from visiting the temple one quiet evening and was preparing to take a nap when a knock sounded on my door. I winced, my face contorting in displeasure at who could be trying to disturb me.

“Come in,” I mouthed, securing my hair above my head as my eyes whisked in the door direction. Kora came in, her face a mask of gaiety.

She scurried forward until she was standing in front of me before breaking the news. “The former Queen is here.”

My ear ticked, my hand falling down the same as my hair, alarmed at the news. Ashton said she was coming, but not this soon. It was just five days ago for goodness sake. And I didn’t even make any proper arrangements for her welcome.

“Where is she?” I asked eagerly and set my hair to fall around my shoulders as I picked up the gown I had already discarded on the bed.

“She just entered the pack and some of the Lycans have already gone to welcome her.” She couldn’t contain her joy as she spoke. They must really love the former Queen. Something I will work extra hard to earn.

“Where is the King? Abby?”

“I haven’t seen the King this morning and the Princess_” Abby sprang into the groom, her eyes skimming from Kora to me, in panic.

“Mother is here and she didn’t even inform anyone of her arrival. My brother is furious.” She flared her hands.

I grabbed my black shawl and wrapped blindly around my shoulders as I made my way to her. “Where is he? We have to go.”

“He was having a meeting with his Beta and Deltan when the guards at the border informed him of her presence. I know Mother did this on purpose. I am on my way there.”

“Then let’s go together.” We hastened down the hall, and I had an idea and ceased walking. “Before we leave I have to advise the kitchen maids to prepare something for her. Do you know her favourite cuisines?”

“Mother isn’t fazed by those things, Gwen. She would prefer seeing the Kingdom at its best. That will be the best welcome gift. Don’t worry, everything is in perfect shape. You need not fret.”

“Still,” I detoured as we reached downstairs, dragging her with me. “I need everything, including the kitchen ready for her arrival. She must be very tired and worn out from her travel. Bath! That’s such a long way from here.”

As we entered the kitchen, the maids scurried around with their faces down in turmoil. It was not every day I came here. I never even came here. I cleared my throat. “Florence?” I called the most senior.

“Yes, Your Highness.” She hurried forward, her head still bowed.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“The former Queen is in the pack, whatever you have to do, make sure there is something for her to eat once she enters the palace, please.”

She bowed sharply, her head almost hitting the ground. “Whatever pleases you, your highness.”

“Good, get to it.” As she veered around to leave, the present state of the kitchen caught my eye. It was not pleasant at all. “Florence?”

She halted, looking up this time. “Please, make sure you do something about this kitchen. For a place that assembles the meals we eat, I think it’s an eyesore, no offence. Also, help me relay to the maid in charge of the other cleaners to arrange the palace and wipe the place down. I will really appreciate that.”

And we left.

Due to we needed to get there on time, I didn’t want to stop over and look for Ashton. I believe he could easily get there fast. Or he might not even want to come.

We happened to meet the former Queen halfway to the border. And the car carrying her stopped at seeing ours, demanding we alight and went to her.

I bowed to her to show my subservience. “It’s been such a long time, Gwendolyn,” She sirened. “How have you been coping with my son?”

I giggled, standing tall. “He hasn’t been that much of a burden.” Indeed he hasn’t. At least since our recent truce. He has been staying close and acting gentle. Even my escape room was now our present chamber.

Though, I haven’t seen him today.

“I knew he would behave.” She caressed my temple before her eyes moved to Abby.

Abby lugged herself at her mother as the former Queen opened her mouth to acknowledge her.

“I have missed you, Mother. You should have informed us of your arrival, you know.” She cried.

“And ruin the fun?” The woman shook her head. “I wanted to see for myself what your brother had done with the pack, and from what I see… it isn’t that bad.” As she spoke, her eyes glittered with satisfaction.

I sighed in relief.

“Let’s go, Mother, I’m sure he’s dying to see you.” Abby waved me to the front seat and took the one next to her mother. I must say, I was glad the former Queen was here.

Somehow, I believed if she was around, there would be little room for Ashton to maltreat me or even go close to his mistress. And speaking of that one, I haven’t seen her for a while. I was hoping to ask Ashton when in particular she was leaving, but now the former Queen was here, I am certain he wouldn’t need my push.

Getting to the palace, the maids had done as asked, the palace was rebranded in the few minutes we were out and the smell of the sumptuous dishes filtering in from the kitchen, made my stomach growl.

“Mother…” We stopped at the stairs as Ashton’s voice sifted from the left-hand side of the staircase leading to his study hall.

I spun to him. His eyes were on his mother.

“You didn’t think you could lay aside your rebellious attitude to come to welcome your mother?” She queried him in a calm semblance.

“I was in a meeting, Mother and you are most welcome even though you didn’t relay your earliest arrival to me.”

“Where is the fun in that, my son?” She went forth and patted his right cheek so adorably. I could see in her eyes how much she loved him. He was the only one blind to that. “You have done so well.” She moved away, her eyes flicking to me. “I told you she was the right one.” My skin flushed.

“Yes, you did, Mother,” Ashton was fast to reply. “Now, let’s give you a proper welcome home. What do you say, eh?”

“Now you are talking.” Her face brightened. The striking resemblance at this point was fascinating. One didn’t need a soothsayer to tell she bore them. Especially the eyes.

Ashton led us into the living room and the maids rushed out, and soon came back with a bottle of red wine and glasses to go around everyone that was present- us and a few pack members that had arrived soon. The drinks were poured and handed around.

Ashton raised his glass first. “To Mother’s safe homecoming.”

We reiterated in unison, clashed our glasses and started sipping the drinks. While everyone was sipping their wine and engaged in delightful chatter, I was seated, sipping my drink slowly. My mind was at work, praying nothing was amiss. The only thing that worried me now was the Queen later questioning why I wasn’t pregnant yet.

It made me jittery. It was the only thing about the Queen’s presence that made me feel skirmish. I shuddered as someone’s scent hit me and as I bent my head to the side I was to see Ashton behind me.

His lips grazed my left ear as he whispered, “Come.”

I didn’t waste time to stand and follow him.

We passed into one of the halls that was secluded and abruptly, Ashton grasped my waist and slammed me against his chest. “Where have you been since morning?” He spoke into my lips as he captured them in a rough kiss as if he hadn’t slept in my bed last night.

“I went into the village, remember?”

“Oh…” He sucked in my lower lips and drank me in, leaving me dizzy and my feet jelly. I should tell him to stop. Anyone could see us. His mother was down the hall.

“Ashton…” I was patting his chest, trying to gather my wits to step back. “Your mother…”

“Can wait.” He played with my breast and squeezed my right nipple. I sighed. “I have missed you.”

“Me too… but…” He cupped my face to deepen the kiss. He lifted me by my waist up to his, trailing kisses to my neck. He sucked in that slop on my neck and nibbled back to the spot he was supposed to mark me. Well, he had marked me, but not fully under the red moon according to their tradition.

when I heard the snap of my bra hook, I drifted back and jumped down, separating our lips. “Not now, Ash… Later.”

He grinned. Devilishly. And took a step forward. “You are afraid you can’t stop, yeah?”

“Stop it. It’s not funny.” I touched my lips. It seemed swollen. Everyone would know I have been ravished thoroughly. What a shame their Queen can’t control herself around their King.

“Oh, C’mon,” he grunted, trapping me between his arms on the wall. “You are my mate. You don’t have to feel guilty for sneaking off with me.”

My ears tingled. “What! Did you hear my thought?”

“You said that out loud.” He declared.

What! Did I?

“I have to go. Later.” I pushed at his chest to move away, patted my hair back, and with one last look at him, made my way out. There was no way they wouldn’t know. Shit!

“Later, little wolf. Later I’m going to…”

I covered my ears from hearing the remaining of that…