Lycan King’s Nemesis

**GWEN**

“Honestly, Gwen,” Tyler insisted, shifting away from me. From his body movement, I could tell he was lying. I knew there was something troubling him, despite not knowing what. Or perhaps, it might all be in my head. As I said earlier, I’m often worried most time even when there is nothing there.

So, reluctantly, I acquiesced and accompanied it with a smile. “Cool. So, how are you preparing for the upcoming ball?”

His shoulders bounced up and down casually. “Like every other person. It’s really nothing that special according to what I heard.”

“It is, Tyler. And about your ladylove… I can secure her an entrance if you want me to.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

His Obsidian settled on me for a few notches I felt I might have said the wrong thing. They were dimmed in contemplation. After a while, the corners of his lips slanted downward as he said in a low baritone. “That won’t be necessary.”

I opened my mouth to insist he divulged to me the object of his unnatural behaviour when a door upstairs slammed loudly. We looked up at the same time.

“I’m certain she did that on purpose,” Tyler slurred and stood. I followed suit. “Let’s see what she is up to.” He took my right wrist and tugged me in the direction of the stairs. “How is your relationship with him now?” He inquired.

My cheeks flushed hotly as my face contorted in a beam as I have been doing lately anytime a topic about me and Ashton is mentioned. “He seem to be changing a great deal, Ty, can you believe that?”

“Uhm…” He let out a low grumble down his chest. It was so low I could only hear it because I was near. “Do you suspect why?”

“Exactly my point!” I exclaimed, then looking up, I lowered my tone to say. “I am of the same sentiment. I have this inward suspicion that it is because of the presence of the Queen. Since she came he has been that way. In fact, to be precise, it started when he took me from here.”

“Um…”

“And about that… I know I didn’t officially apologize for being the cause of your detention and I am very sorry for that.” It appeared I had a lot of things to apologize to him for.

“I didn’t ask for an apology, Gwen.” We reached the first floor and he opened a door by our right to look inside. No one was there. “I’m glad you are happy. You only have to be careful around him.”

The words ricocheted in my head. What on earth should I be careful around Ashton for? He might be tricking me with his recent behaviors now, yes, however, if that were to be the case, I would have no choice but to pick up like I always do and move on. That’s all.

“Where on earth is this vixen?” He asked under his breath.

Directly in front of us, there was a sound coming from a room. He tugged me there. Abby would definitely be there.

He swung the door open, and she jumped back, apparently startled. “Knock, dimwit!” She careened anxiety in her eyes.

“What are you up to, Abby?” I looked around the room in examination.

“What are you hiding?” Tyler let go of my hand and made his way to her. That was when I flicked my eyes to her to discover her hands were behind her.

“Nothing that concerns you.” She bit out at him, shifting back until her back was flat against the opposite wall. Her eyes were spitting fire at Tyler but one look and I knew she was somewhat apprehensive. Whatever she was holding must be of consequence.

“You are in my house, hiding something I know must belong to me and you say it’s not my business?” His voice held barb. “And I thought you were smarter than that.”

“I am your princess and you must_”

He reached her, grabbed her forearm, and slammed her against his chest, his hand going behind her to take whatever she was concealing. “Last time I checked, you are my supposed mate, and as far as I am concerned mates are equal.”

“It’s only farce!” She made to struggle but Tyler was doing a good job of overpowering her.

“Guys…” I sighed, locating the headrest seat to flop down on. “Must you two be at each other’s throat every time?”

“He is the asshole who won’t be deferent,” Abby whined.

Tyler stepped away and I got a glimpse of what he took from her. An Album. “What’s that?”

“It’s an Album,” Abby mumbled, her countenance muddled. She flexed her arms. He must have over-exerted her. “It’s not even a big deal.”

“Stay away from my stuff.” He opened a drawer and threw it inside, banging it afterwards. I winced.

“Why? Because you don’t want us to see your little whippy self when you were little, huh?” Abby was being mischievous.

Tyler growled, baring his teeth at her. He was mad.

I snapped my eyes to Abby. “Abby, that’s enough.”

“What? I thought we were friends. Why won’t he let us see his Album? Come to think of it, do you even know anything about him?” The more she spoke, the more I saw Tyler’s breath increasing, his shoulders swaying with temper. Any moment and he might dive on Abby.

I stood up abruptly. “That’s it. We need to leave for the temple, Abby.”

She stuck her tongue out at Tyler, uncaring of his current expression. She must have guts. “I will be back, pea-teeth.” She stepped ahead of me.

I waited until the door closed and went to Tyler to touch his arm cautiously. “You have to calm down, Ty. What’s happening to you?” He shut his eyes and tried to even his breath.

When he eventually did, he opened them and let out a gigantic exhale, placing his left hand on mine. “I’m sorry, sometimes I lose control when matters about my past are mentioned. She is overbearing.”

I grinned. “It’s alright. Abby is just mischievous but you know she’s a sweet soul.”

“Sometimes I feel like squashing her.” He made the ‘squash’ gesture with his hands.

I giggled heartily. “Well, not when I am here. And yeah, she is your supposed mate and you are supposed to protect her.”

He rolled his eyes and led me outside the room.

“What’s that room for anyway?”

“For nothing significant. Merely a storage room.” He secured it with a lock, turned, took my arm, and moved in the former direction we came from.

By this time of noon, the swishing sound of the branches to the wind could be heard. The full winter season; is a mating season for wolves and Lycans. Usually, it’s mostly calm and cool throughout the day. And during this period, it is bound to rain most of the time. Trees and flowers bloom, the greens glimmering in the light as the rivers swell and ground thickets come to life.

I wish I had my wolf, I would have enjoyed running in the woods, playing in the river, smelling the air, and watching the yellow sunset go down in the evenings still in my wolf form. Those are things I had in my diary growing up. And the other thing was that I imagined doing these things with Julians.

Look at me now, none of them came to pass.

“You are unnaturally quiet,” Abby confirmed as we neared the temple ground. Tyler was with us.

“I am just thinking…”

“Of what?”

“Of how life happens to us in the strangest of ways.”

“Oh… that’s true.” She tightened the red shawl she had around her neck. “I suppose I am not the only one that has such thought most of the time, then.”

“Are you coming to train in the morning?”Tyler asked, away from the matter at hand.

“Eh… I hope so.”

“Should I come?” Abby moused, giving Tyler a poppy eye.

He scoffed and looked to the far left. “Like I give two fucks.”

“Now you two are beginning to worry me.” We stopped in front of the temple and I took a step further, twisting to Tyler. “Are you coming in today?”

His head jerked in the negative. “I will simply wait here.”

As usual. I nodded and walked after Abby who had entered. “I won’t be long.”

The prayer didn’t take time. Today, I didn’t say a thing, only lay there speaking to the goddess through the heart. I needed a child more than anything right now to seal my marriage. And if she wanted to make me happy, giving that to me would reclaim all that I have lost presently in my life.

When we came out, none of us spoke to each other as we made our way to the palace. I thought Tyler would leave at the front door, but he didn’t. He went in with us, and this time, he had his hands around Abby’s waist, with her anxious body plastered against him.

I knew deep inside she craved to skin him alive but had to put up a brave front. The moment we passed the front door, she dashed off, giving him a soul-depriving glare that relayed enough.

Tyler smirked.

This two.

…