CHAPTER 4: CONSPIRING

Antionette's POV

Phillip was right. Once the guards interrogated him when he drug Vincent back, I realized they were nothing to play with. If we hadn't spied on the castle since yesterday, there is no telling who Vincent would be conspiring against.

"Hey, are you alright?" Phillip asked coming back for me. "Of course now that you've returned to me," I said kissing him intently. "I need to get you to my grandparents abandoned home. No one knows what the previous Queen looked like because they have no statuses. You could live out your days there," he sighed. "Whatever is the matter? I'm sure we could figure it out together," I said placing my hand on his cheek. "I cannot lose Marlene," he said removing my hand from his cheek. "I know," I sighed stepping backwards. "I desire you, but I fiend for her. It isn't fair for either of you," he tried explaining. "Whatever, we must make haste before the night is upon us," I said ignoring his excuses.

I mounted my horse and strode toward the south into uncharted territory.

"Vincent should have died by my hand!" I shouted. "Would it had made a difference? He will die either way. That I am sure of," Phillip snapped. "You don’t Understand! He always has someone on the inside helping him. How the hell do you think I knew to come here? I'm used to his games!" I growled. "Well, I have a feeling he won't be taking any breaths into tomorrow," Phillip replied in a as a matter of fact tone. "What makes you so sure?" I squinted. "Let's just say Alpha King Lincoln has plans to put his paws on him," he shrugged. "What the hell does that mean?" I asked sick of the metaphors. "The Alpha King challenged Vincent. They will fight to the death," he said before riding off ahead of me.

My heart constricted listening at what Phillip revealed. Vincent would surely have a trick up his sleeve if he accepted the challenge. Who am I kidding? Of course that arrogant shit head accepted.

"You're worried?" Phillip asked furrowing his eyebrows. "It's all in the past," I said dismissively.

He knew I still loved Lincoln. I never tried to hide it because I loved him too. Phillip was jealous and it was all over his face. He has no right to restrict me and I would never allow it.

When we made it to Phillip's childhood home, everyone greeted him with loving smiles and free produce.

"Hello, Gloria! This here is my friend..." he paused trying not to mention my name. "Annais," I lied. "My friend, Annais here needs a new beginning. Do you still need extra hands here to shuck corn, peel peas, and other odds and ends?" He asked the older lady, Gloria in front of us. "Ever since my sister, Gertrude stop visiting, it has been quite lonely. I fear the worse," Gloria sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm sure wherever she is now she is at peace, but missing you like crazy," Phillip said embracing the older she-wolf.

I cleared my throat in hopes that I could leave their presence and rest.

"Do you remember how to get in?" Gloria asked Phillip. "Annais must be tired," she added with a chuckle. "Yes ma'am, I really am exhausted," I replied with a short smile. "Of course. Thanks Gloria. I'll stop by on my way out," Phillip said kissing her cheek. "Do bring Marlene by when your pup is old enough! I feel as if I have not seen Phoebe in forever!" Gloria called out.

Anger fired up inside me. Phoebe was MY daughter! Not that dimwits daughter!

"Calm down. She doesn't know Marlene isn't Phoebe's mother," Phillip said soothing my arm as we walked away.

When we made it to the small dwelling, I took in how beautiful it really was. There were flowers surrounding it and a garden in the backyard. I wouldn't be doing any of that though. That is beneath me, just as shucking corn and peeling peas are. I scoffed at the thought.

"Thanks Phillip, but you should go now. Marlene must be worried," I said dusting out the covers present on the bed.

He stood in silence before starting a fire and packing away some of his grandparents things. I admit it was sort of spacious for just me.

"Why are you telling everyone that I am with child? We both know that isn't true," I asked quizzically. "I was hoping that they would be sympathetic toward you and not end your life," he shrugged. "But it makes you look silly," I said cocking an eyebrow. "Oh, but I am," he chuckled. "Here's the large pot where we warmed our bath when I was younger. There are plenty preserves if you ever want a light snack. Gloria will expect your assistance in a few days. She will also teach you to bring that garden back to life. The people here are really nice. Please try not to act Queen-like," he begged. "I'll do my best," I smirked.

An awkward silence fell between us after we finished cleaning, dusting, and airing out the small shelter.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked. "There was a time where we were friends and you helped me pay my family's debt to never worry for them anymore. You gave me rations to keep everything afloat here even before we became intimate. It is the least I can could do for you," he shrugged. "Is that the only reason?" I asked hopeful. "Yes," he said turning his back to me. "I'll be seeing you," he said leaving me to sulk. "Maybe I'll find a happily ever after here," I murmured to myself.

I checked the water we placed over the fire to prepare myself for a bath. Once I finished cleaning myself, a knock came at the door. I sigh left my lips as I anticipated Gloria wanting me to work tonight.

"Miss Gloria sent me over to bring you loaves for the night. She said you looked rather starved," the strange wolf said breezing past me to lay the breads on the table. "Thanks..." I said not knowing his name. "William," he happily chanted. "William, you can go now," I said stepping aside. "Anything you need, Miss Annais you can call on me," he smiled.

I gave him a cautious smile before widening the distance between us.

“You look awfully familiar, William," Phillip interjected. "Phillip, I thought you had gone already," I said in a state of shock. "I was leaving, but I saw William here coming this way," he possessively growled. "I-I was just leaving," William said scurrying out of the door. "You do want me to make friends, but you're running scared teenagers off who will spread rumors that I am a witch after this," I said furrowing my eyebrows. "You don't need company like his. I get an eerie feeling about him. I cannot place him, but I know I've seen that young wolf before," he said angrily. "No need to worry about me. My wolf is hard at work healing my troubles," I said dismissively. "What about matters of the heart?" he asked placing his hand over my chest. "Time will make it better I hope," I said trying to control my breathing.

His touch was hypnotizing and it hadn't even been an intimate one. Why did I allow this wolf so much power over me?

"Phillip, you must go now. Marlene and Phoebe must be worried sick by now," I said stepping backward. "I know," he replied turning to leave.

I redirected my attention to the stew I let set before my bath. I nearly spilled it over me when spun me around to face him.

"What are you doing?" I asked dumbfounded. "What I've been wanting to do all day," he said placing his lips on my own.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and depended the kiss. He ripped my rags off of my bottom half and lifted me up to his waist. The slightest tug on my hair sent me into an oblivion of ecstasy and desperation.

"Marlene will know," I said pulling away. "She won't suspect a thing," he said laying me on my back and trapping my arms over my head. "Okay," I moaned feeling his fingers caress my weeping temple.

He inserted two fingers inside of me preparing me for what I hoped followed. Phillip ripped my top garment apart completely freeing my bosoms. He suckled my right nipple and gave the same attention to the other with his free hand. My body reacted graciously. I wrapped my legs around him begging to devour him. His teasing was just too much.

"No other male will ever experience you. Do you understand?" He jealously asked. "That's not fair," I whimpered feeling him enter me with one thirst. "Anti, don't test my patience. You are mine to tease, take care of, and fuck. No one else's," he said vigorously punishing my core reviving spasms of suicidal pleasure throughout my body. "YES! YES!" I cried out feeling the mania of his motions fill me. "You will birth my pups. However many I want. You will wait for me. Beg for me and only crave MY touch," he said tugging at my hair until I felt his fangs on my neck. "No, Phillip! You cannot! She will know!" I warned him. "You're safe for now," he said not marking me as his.

I felt his manhood fill me with intensity and determination. It was as if he did not run out of fluids to feed my core. His jerking body ceased when he released himself in the down under. My trembling thighs gave way as I succumbed to my own release.

"I just want to hold you for a little while before I leave. Is that okay?" He asked, but I knew it wasn't a request and it turned me on all over again. "Of course," I said climbing on top of him. "Only if I get to enjoy you once more," I giggled. "You'll enjoy me for a lifetime," he smirked just as I felt his erection begin to grow.

We made love for what felt like hours. I was exhausted by the morning. I laid awake only to realize it wasn't morning at all, but Phillip had gone like a thief in the night.

How stupid was I to crawl after a possessive male that could never be mine?

Oddly, I allowed my mind to wonder. I thought of to my traitorous son, Lawrence. Even though he gave me up save himself, my heart hurt at the thought of his death if he hadn't found it yet.