Lycan King’s Nemesis

GWEN??

By 4:15 pm, I was properly dressed in a burgundy knee-length body con gown to match with a peach slight stiletto heel. I sat in front of the mirror as Kora adorned my hair with silver pins in a simple chignon style.

“Has there been any meeting these past three days, Kora?” I asked her, watching her move from the mirror.

She shrugged, her eyes meeting mine steadily. “None, your higjness. For now, there won’t be much meetings until after the games.”

“Okay…” Is she lying? If not, why would Ashton have those bags and look that way? He had a week load of stubbles on his face and his colour was pale, not to mention his hair and clothing.

“Besides, with the ball of appeasement approaching, there are bound to be several meetings, most of which would run through the night. So, the elders are trying to preserve their energy for it. Even the King.”

Ball of appeasement? I’ve never heard of that. Instead of asking her-which would seem awkward- I would rather ask Abby later.

“Where has the King been sleeping?” I inquired instead.

She moved away, given me ample time to assess her work. My hair was beautiful! The colour shone in the light from the oil she applied to it and despite this being a fake date, I frankly needed to look hot. For reason unbeknownst to me. Maybe I might even see Ashton along the way, so he would see what he was missing.

Wait, how did he know I went out with Tyler initially?

“We hardly saw him,” Kora’s voice joined in. “Not even during meals. Like you, he had been hiding away, possibly in his study. He strictly gave an order not to be disturbed.”

Hmmn. “And where was Merit?”

“She was about pack business. I saw her mostly during the games as she participated in most of them.”

I wonder if she was truly punished. What kind of punishment did he deliver to her? If truly she was suspended, how then was she wearing the Deltans dress?

“Kora?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“In this Kingdom, when someone is suspended from their duties, what are they expected to do?” I was dying to know.

“Nothing. For instance, if the person is a chief, they will continue their duty, but no longer as a chief but a subordinate to an interim.”

“Oh…” So that was it? I don’t think that’s enough. No wonder she hasn’t learned her lesson! In the werewolf Kingdom, when someone is punished they are sent to the dungeon. Do you understand what it meant to dishonour the Alpha or the Luna? Most packs even behead the person as it is viewed as a treasonable offence.

Why is everything here so different? Because I am not accepted. That had to be it. If Ashton loved me, he wouldn’t have thought twice about sending Merit to the dungeon to make her pay for her crime.

But here I was using a wheelchair while she pranced about like a peacock, turning the people who are supposed to respect me into her pawns to see me as the enemy! The inferior one.

I gritted my teeth.

“Are you okay, your highness?”

I sucked in air through my lips and nodded, covering up with a forced smile. Again, I observed the mirror, taking slow motion to stand. “Weldon, Kora. You have outdone yourself.”

“I’m glad you approve, your highness.”

“Please, help me tell Abby I am ready_”

The door swung open, exposing Abby. She was fully kitted in a flowing red Tulie gown. She wore black sandals and her hair was left to fall to her shoulders, cupping her petite face. “You look… stunning!” She cawed.

“Abby…” I was shy.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“C’mon, my brother needs to see you.”

My cheeks burned hotter.

“Go on, Kora, inform the driver we are ready,” She waved Kora off, coming closer.

“Tyler said he would pick us up.” I intruded, maintaining my smile.

“Oh… then, get us chamomile tea. I think I’m nervous.”

Kora bowed and left. I feel Abby is trying to shoo her away.

Once the door closed, Abby was beside me her face turning frantic. “I’m in deeper shit, Gwen.”

“What?”

“You can’t believe it. Even I can’t still believe that my dickhead of a brother!” She squealed, bunching her fingers together to squeeze that her red veins protruded from her skin.

I took her hands, and led her to the bed, pushing her to it. “Slow down, what did he do this time?”

” He said I am to move in with Tyler! Can you believe it? This is not real…” She halted, her eyes flying to the door. “You know what? We need to leave, I don’t trust that maid of yours.” She sat up and took my left wrist to pull. “By the by, girl, you look absolutely ravishing.”

“Thank you, Abby. I feel like I’m taking your spot. I hope I’m not overdressed?”

Are you kidding me? I don’t give a fuck. I had to force myself to do this. Williams is jealous he can’t come. He only managed to calm down after I told him you will chaperone.”

“I feel his pain…” I took my bag and led her to the door. “Let’s go, we need to discuss thoroughly about what you said.”

Once at the restaurant. Tyler was hyperventilating when he heard the news.

“We can’t do that!” He clamored.

“I know,” Abby chimed. “I have a true mate that would never allow that. Don’t forget.”

“Now what? You put me in this mess, and you have to sort it out.” He poked a finger at Abby. My eyes flew from one to the next, unsure of how to come in.

Abby snickered tauntingly and slapped her hand on the table. “You are such a big baby than I thought. How do Gwen put up with you.”

“Same way I am putting up with your spoilt ass, Princess.”

Okay, that’s it. This wasn’t the date I envisioned. We came out to have fun and have a proper discussion. If they think they’re having a bad day, then they should think about me restricted to a damn wheelchair, feeling like some bloody Mary.

“Guys!”

They stopped, their eyes flicking to me.

“I think we need to chill, please.”

“He’s the one who won’t even listen. It’s not like I wanted things to play out this way. If not for my asshole of a brother, I won’t have been in this mess in the first place. Now I regret coming back from Bath.”

“Can you hear what she’s saying?” Tyler motioned to her. “I’m helping her, yet, no form of requisition from her. Why again am I helping her, Gwen?”

“It’s your highness to you!” Abby lashed out at him, her face almost at his. If this was in the movies, I would laugh and call them cute. Albeit, reality check, Abby was mated and Tyler had someone he was madly in love with.

“Okay, I take the blame. Happy?” I splayed my hands out to both of them, then back at me. “Look at me here in this dratted chair trying to reason with you two and what do you do? try to kill each other, over what?”

They sighed, reclining back to their seats.

“I’m sorry, Gwen…” Abby was the first to bulge.

“I’m sorry, Gwen…” Tyler said, glaring hard at Abby.

I picked up my glass of orange juice and sipped slowly, my eyes on them. “We need to do something… what if we tell Williams to talk to him. They’re besties after all.”

Abby scoffed. “You don’t know that bull. When he decides things like this, no one can stop him but… my mother.”

“Then we need to tell your mother.”

“We can’t.” She quickly inserted. “Have you forgotten this is a scam?”

“Then why don’t you tell your mother Williams is your true mate?”

Her countenance dropped. “She won’t mind. But Williams loves Ashton so much he would want his blessings. He has a plan. He said something about… giving him time and I believe him. We just have to maintain this thing until then, please.” Her eyes were pinned on Tyler who was sulking. He was already adorable then combined with that, I had to look away.

I bobbed my head and reflected for while. Since I came to the palace, Ashton had been all about trying to marry off his sister by all means. I can’t relate why, no matter how I think about it.

“Perhaps, you two can stop seeing often…” Abby abruptly proposed, bringing me back from my drift.

“What did you say?” Tyler hissed, narrowing his eyes like an enraged feline.

“Yes, so, this morning when I went to his study, Ashton was seething. Obviously, he saw you two from the window and was very jealous. That was why he concluded I have to move in with Tyler to make him stop seeing you.” She ended, pointing at me.

I felt like a bucket of water was dumped on me. So, that was what this was all about? That… idiot! He was jealous? Knowing he felt hostility toward Tyler was different because I thought he didn’t want to see me happy. Not because he was jealous! Oh, so that was it? He had his mistress under the same roof as us, but then he flips at seeing me and Tyler.

What a fool.

“I didn’t think the King could be that…”

“Hey!” Abby intercepted. “He’s my brother. Watch what you say.” She exhaled tiredly, crossing her hands over her chest. “I told him you two were friends and I am not jealous. So, he got mad and said I’m to move in with Tyler.”

“Guys, you know before we came here, I had a plan. Despite not knowing the full plot. But now that you said this… its fully hatched in my head.”

“What are you planning?” Abby was curious.

I patted her hand on the table. “Don’t worry, my friend. Let’s have fun. You are not going anywhere.”

…