**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
**GWEN**The night before the set off of the games, I stood in front of my back window, looking outside at the chilly sky, my arms securing a black shawl around my shoulders. If one thing was sure this night, it's fact that it was going to rain heavily as it was been doing for the past few days. My earnest prayer is that it stopped early. I wouldn't want anything that would hamper the success of the beginning of the games by tomorrow.However, the rain wasn't why my mood was foul this evening. It's Ashton. Again. Since that night we had sex in that hotel, the only time I've seen him was during dinner time. And that was on rare occasions.Breakfasts were usually between me, Abby, his Beta-sometimes and then the sour-faced Merit. I have noticed the manner she glared at me when she thinks I'm not watching. But she's not my problem.I know Ashton might be occupied and I also moved from the room we share because that room held so many bad memories for me. Still, I couldn't help but miss h
**GWEN**The next morning, I woke up very early and went to bathe and prepare, not waiting for Kora to wake me as she does every other day. I wanted to hurry to Abby to inform her of the lie of yesterday-that is if Williams hasn't told her yet. I arrived in front of her room, knocked, and waited. There were unhurried footfalls against the granite floor before the keys of the door rattled and it flung open to her sleepy self, moping at me. “Gwen?” Her eyes fully opened. “What are you doing here so early?”I smiled. “May I come in?” When she hesitated, i looked side to side of the hall in agitation. “I have something urgent to tell you before we leave for the games”“Sorry, come in,” she said, stepping aside for me to come in. “I'm so sorry for letting you stand out there. I was still surprised to see you.” She pointed me to the seat to sit down. “Hope there is no problem?”“Not one we can't fix, Abby.” I entwined and de-tangled my fingers nervously. “So, yesterday, I kind of eavesdr
GWENEpilogue (A year later.)"Oh, come on, Henry!" I screamed at the top of my lungs at my son, barreling down the staircase like a hellcat after him as he giggled innocently, unaware of the distress he was causing me."My Queen, let me get him." Kora was behind me, racing after us."Don't worry, Kora, I can do this."Just at the last staircase as I was almost rounding on him, out of nowhere, he was swept up from the ground. Increasing his baby chuckles. I think he was having fun out of my misery."I guess you have been naughty again," Tyler crooned to him. The young man unaware of the punishment waiting for him kept giggling mindlessly. I stopped to touch my forehead and let out a frustrated breath. I thought my husband was stubborn, but his child is ten times more. Tyler gave me a pitiful glance. "It's their time.""I guess I wasn't well prepared for this like I thought." I twisted to nod at Kora who in turn left immediately. Then I made my way down. "How's Abby and Caleb?""As fine
ASHTON"Good boy, Striker," I scratched my giant stallion by the flank as I made to leave his side, and with a single nod, matched in their direction of the backyard door to sneak back into the house. Today was the blasted ball organized by my mother and my nostrils were already overwhelmed with the disgusting smell of the different creatures that were flooding in from their disgusting Kingdoms. Yes, you heard me correctly. All thanks to my mother, she like my mate, ended up organizing another ball all in the name of peace. That was after convincing me to quench my taste for the blood of the sickening vampires and of course, agree to this if only I desire to see my wife again. Have I mentioned about the Tyler path?All these I had to approve of just to get Gwendolyn's attention. What could I do?I accepted, but hell knows none of them would see me at the damned ball! And by the goddess, I hope this works, if not, the bloody vampires would get twice the rage I was going to use to co
GWENWho said it was easy to let go? They were all damn liars! Bloody blasted liars who stooped so low to write for fame even though at the detriment of the truth.It was a mere fallacy. True love is destructive as it is healing. I discovered that the hard way. I thought I was going to forget. In one month. Two months. Or possibly three months. Damn it, I knew I won't forget, but somewhere in my heart, I hoped to be able to endure it. That my love for Ashton would fade away and slowly over time it would become just a figment of my past. Just like Julian. Yet, every day when I woke up, it was like yesterday. Nothing new. Instead, I grew lonelier and bitter. I just wanted to perish, however, even death seemed too far off to come to me. "Gwen, darling." A subtle knock sounded at the door followed by a soft shove. It was my mom. From the window I have been standing staring outside like I do every day, I looked in the direction of the brown oak, and back, quickly reaching up to dab
ASHTONFive months later...When I was a pup, Dad would often rouse me from sleep very early in the morning to walk miles, run, and do several things that would be considered abnormal for a pup of my age. Back then, I often looked forward to it with a grudgeful heart, wishing to be like every other pup who enjoyed their morning respite with no discomfort , all in the name of me being a future Lycan King.And my mother, she was the exact same if not stricter than my dad so I couldn't even look to her for salvation.After the death of my father which forced me to become King at an earlier age, I came to appreciate everything he did for me, and even more so, my mother for her hardhandedness. But today, I could wholeheartedly say that in all those training, if there was one aspect they never prepared me for, it was the emptiness, the big hole, the depression in our heart that was created when we lost a loved one.The harsh blow dealt on us by love."My decision is final," My voice carried
GWEN"She will be alright, Sal." Was the first thing I heard in my head before gradually, my environment registered. I didn't open my eyes immediately not because I didn't want to as I could hear the succinct fear in my father's voice as he reassured my mother of someone going to be alright, but I couldn't as a result of the bright light focused on my vision, causing my head to bang.Then, the next thing that occurred to me was that I was lying on a bed. I recalled vividly I had gone to the woods to clear my head. I ran. I also recalled everything going dark. Abruptly, my lids snapped open followed by a loud wince."Gwen!" My mother careened, hurrying to my bedside. "You are awake."How did i get here? "Windows," I breathe, bristling when she caressed my upper arm in a motherly gesture. "Oh." Father went to shift the curtains and curb the light, leaving the room in a dimly lit state. He came to stand beside mother and they watched me like hawks."How did I get back?" My eyes were s
GWENI couldn't believe what I just heard. Ashton killed his ex? But...how? How is that even possible? I tried to wrap my head around it but the more I tried, I kept arriving at a dead end in my head. By now, my appetite was gone and like him, I found my hand frozen, my spoon lowering to my ceramic ware. Right at that point, even the white lights from the spiraling chandelier suddenly appeared dark and everything around me seemed to turn vile, my food inclusive, like a venom in my mouth.He killed a werewolf and yet he hated us and saw us as the problem. Meanwhile, we were the ones supposed to demonstrate such behavior towards him. We were the ones hurt. The ones wronged. Who killed their lover because they broke their heart? Is Ashton this much of a monster? How much of this man do I not know?"Unfuckenbelievable!" Charlotte cried out, slapping the gray napkin she had been using to wipe her hands roughly on the table as if the poor object was the present cause of her wrath. "You-wha
ASHTON"Where is Striker?" I asked as I approached the stables in the morning, an obscured smile hinting at the background of my face for obvious reasons. It had been so since last night. One would think I won the lottery from the manner my heartbeat was plummeting inside my chest.Just because of her.Love felt that way."He is feeding in the open field, your highness," Tyga said, pointing in the direction of the open plush meadow where a huge black stallion was bent feeding. These days, I no longer bothered to hide them. I wonder why my mother hadn't taken notice."Prepare him." I marched forward into the stables to check on the two other horses in there. I will be going to the big ranch to check out the rest later on, not that it was necessary, as I trusted Tyga. Merely for formality's sake. At the first house, a greyhound poked its nose in my palm, sniffing for treats, causing me to grin. I fed him one which he was fast to ravish and came back for more, I ignored him until I was d
**GWEN**"Show me how much," I moaned, my finger sinking into his scalp to drag him closer. I felt like I was drunk and still needed more wine. I couldn't get enough of him. Our lips clashed in a battle of prowess, each fighting for dominance while at the same time trying to showcase our frustration over the lost nights. I desired everything about this man down to his faults. His madness, his insecurities. My pussy got wet merely knowing he was jealous of seeing me with another man even as it frightened me. No one had ever wanted me this way. And it had to be him. The King of Lycans! It was enough to turn me on. "You have no idea what you have signed up for," he mumbled in a hoarse voice, grabbing my lap as he stood up from the sofa and the next thing, I was slapped against the wall. "Argh!" I cried out, but my words were cut short by his tongue that thrust deep down my throat, and back out, eliciting more moans from me and the need to match his attack. When his lips left mine, i
**GWEN**My mother's face dropped in worry and she hastily scooted closer and placed her left hand on mine, bringing my attention back to her. "Is this what you have been going through silently? Why didn't you tell me at once?""Because I didn't want you to worry, mother. What was I supposed to say? The Dr has different reasons why he thinks I can't bear children but I recalled him saying something about duplicate genetics which I interpreted to be that I don't have a wolf. But right now, I no longer know, Mother.""What does your husband have to say about this?"I shrugged depressively. "Nothing. He seemed to not care but I'm still worried. I want my own child. I want to be able to carry my own baby, Mother. Is that too much to ask from the goddess after all I've been through?" My voice quivered, unrepressed tears pouring down my face. Mother was fast to gather me in her arms and allowed me sob out my heart. "It's going to be okay, my child. Believe me, the goddess might already b