When we arrived at the palace that evening, I felt better to an extent. I don't know why. Perhaps, because I had spared the goddess another moment of hope by unburdening my heart to her at the temple, or because of the presence of Ashton. Albeit, by the time I entered our chamber, I fell on the lounge by the hearth and gobbled the spring water shared by the priest, while I stared into the crackling fire blankly. There was a slight knock and when I answered, looking back, Kora entered, bearing a bundle in her hand."Kora?" I twisted fully, with my brows arched. I didn't know she did laundry on Thursdays too. She said it was only on Fridays, unless on emergencies which were rare. "What's that?""The new guy," She handed the bundle to me. "He said I should give it to you."I was even more astounded. "Tyler?""Yes." She shifted on her feet, her hands in front of her as she, like I observed the package. I unfolded it gradually to reveal a small box inside the bundle which I further unboxe
"Hey, Big Wolf!" Tyler hollered, taking a step close to Ashton whose brows were now furrowed in confusion. He skidded them from me to Tyler and back."What are you two doing here?" He asked as if it wasn't obvious.I rolled my eyes and twisted to continue my initial quest, not still in the mood for his grumpy behaviour. "Well," Tyler might have decided to tame the tense atmosphere. "We are training." I saw his hand skip from him to me. "I met her here.""No one is permitted to train with the Queen except me. Unless I asked one of her guards to watch.""Okay..." Tyler was bouncing in his foot now. I stopped tackling the dummy in front of me, my throat beginning to burn from dehydration. Why can't I train today in peace? "I will leave then.""That won't be necessary," I intervened. "I will leave instead." I looked around as if looking for something, still trying to avoid looking at Ashton. Or Tyler. Both men were simply two sinful creatures from the depth of hell and could easily burn m
"How come you don't talk about your wolf?" Abby inquired as we meandered around the pack’s vast arena with risen platforms on the four sides of it. That's supposed to be where the spectators would watch from. Early this morning, Abby had sent her maid to inform me to prepare before coming down for breakfast as we are supposed to leave from there to survey the ground where the games would be held. It was a relief to me as I didn't look forward to being cooped up in the palace doing nothing but noticing the grumpy old face of Ashton or being an object of his transferred aggression.I had quickly gone to inform Tyler of my absence for the day, and met his quarters empty. So, I left. "I-I..." I scratched the nape of my neck in embarrassment as I didn't know how she would take the news of my wolflessness as I haven't confided in anyone about it here. "I haven't shifted yet.""What!"I was expecting that. What will she do now? Report me to her brother or call me a freak show? "That's...st
I was very tired when the car dropped us off at the palace that evening. It was an eventful day. However, I enjoyed every minute of working with those people at the arena. As I stepped unto my room, I was already anticipating the next day to come.I removed every ounce of dress on me and made my way to the bathroom where I quickly showered in a cold shower, from head to toe, ridding myself of every dusty grime acquired in dirtying my hands while at work. When I came out, I thought of going for my training but my body was weak so I opted to rest first hence I went out to check on Tyler for his promised training with me.The moment I wore my grey robe and hit the bed, the door opened and Ashton strutted in. I changed positions on the bed to look at him as his scent drew closer-gauging if to speak to him or mind my business.He didn't spare me a look as he strolled to the closet to begin removing his black garters. Recently, I've noticed he wore those a lot. Must be his favourite ensembl
Two weeks later."Are you sure what you are saying?" I asked the pack doctor in a panic, as he revealed something heart-depleting to me. My pulse stirred even as I felt Abby touch me in solace. It's been one month plus and still, nothing positive has happened. Just fucks. No pups to show for it. It occurred like that day I heard my parents say they picked me. I came to be afraid. I had issues with my reproductive system?"So, Doctor, what can be done about this?" Abby inquired on my behalf, seeing as I was still reeling from the terror of the news."I think this is something between the King and Queen to decide." He sat forth with his hands entwined on the desk in a thoughtful stance. "From what I saw, I think it's mostly as a result of dissimilar genes. Since the Queen is a werewolf, performing the ritual of purification and full transformation might help alleviate the problem.""What kind of transformation are you talking about, Doctor?" I examined him in anxiety, fright reticent i
(Ashton’s pov)"Yah!!" I clamoured, tightening my fist around the reins as I kicked the stirrup of the black giant Striker and the resounding slap of my Lunge Whip landed on his black thick skin.The act ignited its energy as it lifted off its front hooves and came down hard, thundering towards the barrier the linesmen had placed subsequently for this purpose, leaping over it smoothly and only coming to an end at the other side of the rope. "Good boy." I chuckled softly, releasing my hold on the reins to let it glide to a slow strut. We have been at it since early morning when I came out of the palace.With the games coming up and the race being included, I was doing everything possible as well as investing into this to make sure it turned out excellently. This was the first time a game of this nature would be carried out in the Lycan Kingdom and I anticipate that after this game, hopefully, my subjects would enjoy it so much that they would take an interest in horseracing.I fell in
(Gwen’s pov)“Let's take a break, everyone!" I bellowed, bending over in quick pants from exhaustion. "I think we should retire for the day." I checked my time. "The sun is already becoming too hot." "I thought you will never say that," Abby spoke up, ambling towards me. Like me, the awry lines on her forehead showed how tired she was.We have been here since we returned from the clinic. Working endlessly at the arena. Today, we came for weeding. It appears since last year when they used it, they didn't put it in order. So, the place was messed up. "I'm sorry I took so long.” I put on a ghost of a smile. "I thought we will be able to beat the time and finish up before the sun...blasted." We began making our way towards the podium to pick our stuff as every other person made preparation to leave."It will take a week to get everything together before calling in the logistic team to finish up." While she spoke, her eyes roved the yard."I'm happy we have done a lot." I placed my right
(Gwen’s pov)At first, I was dumbstruck by the knowledge that Ashton kissed me. He hasn't done that before. This evening it looked as if something had taken possession of his body and was making him do questionable things. Albeit, my nerves cascaded skittishly in different directions, my stomach knotting tightly at the euphoric sensation of feeling him on me. His left hand held the back of my neck in place, his fingers digging severely into my skin. It was painful but combined with the heady sensation spiralling through my body, made it bearable. In a flash, I was plucked off the wardrobe and hurled across the room towards the chaise lounge where he pushed me and I fell backwards until my ass touched the soft leather, my hands going to the two sides for support.I tipped my head up to peer directly into his eyes as tiny gusts of ragged air elicited from my mouth. Up and down, the staccato beat of my chest thundered. Softly. At first, he was standing in front of me, watching me thro