**Ashton***"There is no other way, my elders," My authoritative voice rang in the room as I addressed my elders. "We shall take war to the humans." I declared with an air of finality. We were in a meeting, a normal routine every Friday to talk about the general welfare of the pack.The only difference today is that we have matters of urgent attention. One is the attack and the other being the games. "I think we should think this one through, my King," Ebenezer, the oldest of the elders advised. "I know this might be the only way, considering their condition, yet, like your father will always say, tough times don't always require tough measures."I snorted derisively, waving away the comment from Ebenezer. "That is my father and this is me. I am the King now and unless you are still loyal to my father, this is what we are going to do." The elder lifted his hands up to demonstrate his submission. "For long I have been ignoring the caprices of the humans as they keep trying to step on
**GWEN**After dinner and everyone had retired to their different room and I was certain Ashton will not show up in my room that night, I wore the black hooded cardigan Kora brought me on simple pair of jean trousers and sneaked out of the palace. I went to the stables like the other night and saw that same horse that betrayed me at Tyler's place. I decided to give him a second chance when he neighed at me and use him once more. I enticed him outside with an apple I saved from dinner, and made sure he didn't make any sound to attract the stable hands. When we were distant from the stables, I struggled to mount him, happy he didn't panic and run off on me. "Good boy." I patted his neck, grabbed his reins and kicked his stirrup to increase his gallop. I was already late and won't want Tyler to think I changed my mind.When I got to his cottage, he was already waiting for me outside his house. I jumped down from the horse, tied it by a post and went to join him in his car."I nearly c
**ASHTON**I've been in the study all day attending to the stacked ledgers that were submitted by the Pack secretary, waiting for me to sign off on the bills compiled by the different segments in preparation for the upcoming festivities.I have been ignoring them for days now because of the attack and other distractions but today, I had persevered to finish assenting to the most relevant bills, especially the welfare team for the games. Once done, I stretched my arms to pop my stiff joints and circulate blood that had clogged at some points. After that, I stood and went to the minibar to pick up a bottle of Madeira and a glass, going to the window to look outside after I poured the drink and took a sip. It was approaching Fall, the season of festivities and procreation. It was in this period that the supernatural's experienced mass birth due to the cold weather which in the long run brought along heat for the females. For us, Lycans, the red blood moon would enhance all our abilitie
**GWEN**Tyler and I were thrown into the same room. It was a dark and cold room. The was no window, and the only source of light was a yellow flickering bulb with fading light that at the moment was coming and going off.I think there is an oncoming storm as a powerful lightening shook the walls, the angry howl of the trees outside, very audible in here.“Are you okay, you are shivering,” Tyler asked, dragging back my attention to him. I looked at him, his Obsidian now very sharp in the dim light. I knew he was mad at being caged. Comes with his nature as a Lycan. They hate confined spaces. Yet, he cared about me.I glanced down at my feet. “I am not, Ty. I brought this upon you.”“You didn't.” He took a step forward and faltered as if thinking his action through. “I failed to protect you. Do you know how that makes me feel?”“Don't say that.” I glared at him. “In this trip, it's a peaceful one. No violence and as far as I am concerned, each of our protection lies on us..” My voice d
**GWEN**We reached the end of the hall and it had opposite hallways adjacent to it. Tyler made to run in the right direction and suddenly came to a screeching halt, instead making for the closest entrance beside us, and dragging me inside."What the fu_""Shhhh..." He flattened my back against his rock-hard front, palming my mouth with his extra large hands. "There are humans coming this way."I nodded, my pulse quickening from our close proximity and the fan of his breath on the side of my face. Fuck, like me, the staccato beat of his heartbeat was hammering at my spine in rapid succession. Now, I can't lie, I like Tyler. My body's reaction each time any part our bodies touch, all he comes close to me, or I even see him, proves that.However, it is mere infatuation, nothing serious. Any girl could feel that, seeing as he is very hot. I can never allow myself dwell on these scandalous thoughts knowing very well how much trouble it's going to be bring me. By the way, Tyler liked som
**GWEN**"Hello, King of animal, it's nice to see you again," Spiky said behind me and my stomach clenched first from the bad breathe oozing from his alcohol-stinking mouth and second from the presence of my mate here.I might not say it more often, or maybe because we are often at war or because majority of the time I was hating him and wishing he paid for all his ails towards me, but then, looking at my mate now-even in the middle of being killed which I knew I will die anyways-he seem to have grown more handsome, masculine and attractive in the last few hours."Is this the best you can pull?" Ashton asked him quietly, nodding at me as he crossed his big arms over his chest, causing his biceps to flex and my stomach twisted like my guts was about to rip. Wait, did he just ask him such a question in the middle of everything that is going on? I am about to be fucken killed by this stinky breathe for fuck sake! "Ash_""Don-don't say a word." His eyes squinted in anger as he bent his h
**ASHTON**I've never felt more humiliated or angrier than I felt today. Firstly was from that spineless human, Sweeybaby and the other was from the rogue, Tyler. Sweetbaby as they popularly called him, was a disgusting human who fed from experimenting with supernatural beings.It was a family business and I found out from my father that for decades they had been running the enterprise. I think it's from their great grandfather who was a mad scientist and was bent on proving something to his kind. Something that had to do with discovering the strength and weakness of a Lycan or if they could use specimens from us to create another creature of more powerful ability.Since then, the family’s hunting legacy has spread in the East, garnering more allies and a few top hands in government who gave them the go-ahead to do their dirty work. Mostly, the high-ranking Lycans like me. We were after all, pure blood.However, what they didn't know was that they weren't the only ones out in this di
**GWEN**The next day, on our way back to the pack, it was a quiet ride with Ashton withdrawing back to his usual coldness as if last night didn't happen. I wasn't surprised at all nor did it sadden me the way it used to in those earlier days. Instead, my mind was focused on the responsibilities that lay ahead of us when we get back.The games at the foremost. Abby has been of great help during this entire time I have been distracted. The last time, she informed me that the arena was ready for use now and the rest of the activities were supposed to be carried out by the men, in terms of the type of games to be organized and their participants.If it were back home, I would have wanted to engage in one of the games, like sparring. It was something I was good at and has improved over the time with Tyler helping me with my training. I miss Julian but not so much anymore. Thank goddess the guardian’s mate was back, things will to an extent back to normal.We reached the palace early and A