**GWEN**A loud pelt on the roof of the building was what woke me up the next morning. Very slowly I peeled my eyes open and shifted my head to the side to glance around my surrounding.The first thing I noticed was the impenetrable restriction around my waist which had me looking down at Ashton's massive naked chest, and when my eyes trailed upward, it was to meet his peaceful facade as he slept. For once, I was enthralled by his lovely sight, my eyes unfaltering from him. What a sweet sight to behold in the morning.I was still immersed when his alluring lips quirked to the side as he smiled, causing me to snap back and look away. Unfortunately, he had already caught me as his hands tightened around me when I tried moving away, his beautiful blues split open to peer at me. "I didn't know you found me this attractive, mate, " he growled lowly. I blushed. "Stop feeling smug." I smacked his chest and tried once more to move to the side but the next minute I found myself being tumbled t
**GWEN**"Who is this woman?" I asked straight ahead, gesturing to the artwork.His Adam’s apple bobbed as his eyes flicked there and drifted to me. "Not someone that is important." Gone was the smile in its place was a scowl and his voice gruff. This was a danger zone. A topic he might not like to discuss.I sighed. "Do you want to talk about it? Her?" I already knew who it was. I had to be.The veins on his forehead protruded as his eyes lowered to his hands and shook his head. He looked so vulnerable. I have never seen him like that. This woman must have really broken his heart."Look, Ashton.” I started, leaving my position to step close to him. "I'm not going to force you to say something. But you should know whenever you are ready to talk about her or anything, I am willing to listen to you." I reached him and took his hands in mine. "That's what mates are for."His downcast eyes lifted to mine and held. Saying nothing in response. I know I should suggest he brought down the pict
**ASHTON**I was not supposed to feel a stab of jealousy as I watched my mate's head gradually bounce in agreement with my response. Since that day I overheard the name of that man, it unsettled me, the same way seeing Tyler close to her made me desire to murder him. I wanted more than anything to know who that man was, where he existed and how important he was to my mate, and if he still held a place in her heart. Somehow when she was speaking, he was the first to cross my mind. And seeing the way she sighed sadly, her eyes pitched at the glossy table top, I understood from within that it was an answer obvious to the eyes. My mate was still in love with her first crush."I'm sorry, Ashton," She mumbled softly, "Julian and I...""You don't need to tell me about him, little wolf," I schooled myself to say, forcing on a smooth smile as she managed to gaze at me. "We all have our past.""Like Emma?" She was fast to add. My hand which had located hers on the table to soothe her, dropped
**GWEN**No sooner have I arrived at my room the next day when we returned to the palace, the door busted open and there stood a furious Abby, her hands to her waist glaring at me. "Is that how it is now?" She started, the edge of her mouth quivering, showing how angry she was at me. "You don't tell me stuff again.""I swear it was not planned, Abby." I quickly dropped my shawl and took a stroll to her. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision orchestrated by your brother.""Couldn't you have mindlink_oh, I'm sorry I forgot_""It's okay, Abby." I didn't let her finish. I knew as a supernatural creature mind linking was our simplest way of communication. Being unable to do that due to my unfortunate situation was none of her fault. "I understand."She lowered her hands with a sigh and covered the remaining distance to me. "I was so worried and others too.""I know...we should have been back a day before yesterday but the rain...""That too." She crossed me and moved to the chair to sit. "
**GWEN**Have you imagined when two elephants are in the same room? The feeling of those beside them especially if they look like they are going to fight? That was how I felt as my mate walked into the room. And the annoying part of it was his composure.He was grinning. Nonchalantly. "There is nothing funny about the situation, Ashton." His mother was at him. "Life is simple, Mother. We make things complex for ourselves." He came to sit beside me and took one of my hands. It was a mindless action, from what I could deduce."We have a ceremony coming up!" His mother snapped."And everything is going to be fine, Mother. We have a team in charge of planning those kind of things. We don't need to meddle.""Is that what you think, Gwen?" As she asked me, I could see her eyes flick to our entwined fingers before lifting to my face.I shook my head. "I am not of that school of thought, Mother.""Then, you see that the Queen needs to be available all the time to make this work. I had to pre
**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 was 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."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 still insist he divulged to me the object of his unnatural behavior when a door upstairs slammed
**GWEN**Instead of going to my room, I made a beeline for the study to attend to the file from before. Of course, I have a meeting with the former Queen to discuss it. I needed to be acquainted with all the names before her arrival.As I flipped through the pages, a maid came in to deposit a tray of cookies and tea and even went on to open the curtains and let in the evening light. Then stoked the fire in the hearth. She picked away some objects no longer of importance-possibly used by the former Queen-and opened the fridge to take off bottles that had overstayed."Your Highness, should I arrange the desk?" She asked when she came back from dropping the stuff she took out.I glanced about my desk. The place was in disarray. Nonetheless, I couldn't let her do that not knowing which papers or files held water. So, I shook my head. I would do that after speaking with the former Queen. She would be the one to inform me of the files that are now irrelevant and needed elimination."I will l
**GWEN**I concluded what I was doing at the study and went for lunch which normally was carried out in quietude as it's usually not a communal affair. I ate alone, at the large hall, a simple breakfast comprised of soured lemon pie and fresh asparagus. After eating, I was driven to seek out Ashton as I was aware he was in a meeting in which I was supposed to be present but not in the mood to be. I needed to take a stroll. By myself. And so I did. "Good day, your highness," Mousy greeted when I reached the front doors. I bowed my head slightly to acknowledge his greeting with a small smile. "Hello, how are you?""I'm fine, your highness." He said too blithely. "Are you going out for a walk?" He went on to ask.I nodded, wondering how he knew. "Just around the palace.""Of course, your highness. I will relay that to the King if he inquires." With a single bob of my head, I didn't waste more time and took my leave. I stood at the porch for a notch, trying to decide which direction t