Lycan King’s Nemesis

**GWEN**

“Tyler, is that you?” I asked from the bedroom, loud enough to be heard from downstairs. I knew he was because he was the only one who came in without knocking at the front door. Well, Abby too.

It was a tactic of deception. Tyler informed me last week that he had sensed Ashton nearby in the bush, watching the house. Though, he was very smart not to let Ashton notice he was aware of his presence. Since then, Abby came here often and during the day when they were away, I rarely left the house or made a movement that could catch anyone’s attention from outside.

“Yes, blondie.” I grinned. Somehow, Tyler thought Blondie would make a fine nickname for me. I stood up from the bed and raced down the stairs.

He was bearing a package and turned from locking the door to graze me a cheeky smile. “There you are, looking pretty.” I stopped in front of him and looked at the package.

“Is that for me?”

“Maybe…” He eyed it, then gave it to me. “You should check.”

I took it and opened the bag at once, sorting through it. My eyes dilated. “What?”

“You like it?”

“Why did you get me more clothes?”

“I garnered you will be needing a change of wardrobe soon. You have been changing into the same set of clothes and for a Queen that’s not pleasant. So, I thought to get these for you to have other wears to change into…” He rambled on. I could tell this was not something he often engaged in.

Without thinking it, I rammed into him, engulfing him in a tight hug. “What would I ever do without you, Tyler.”

“Absolutely nothing, my dear.”

I slapped his left arm and shifted off to go through the clothes like a pup when they got a new gift from their parents. “I love them, Tyler, seriously.”

“I’m glad.”

“They’re not like my usual gears in the palace. These are simple and yet classy.” And that was the truth. The clothes I got in the palace were most of the time confined and made me look older than my real age. But these clothes, they are the kind of clothes I wore back in my former pack.

“I will quickly freshen up, I have a meeting by six.” He said, checking his wristwatch.

“Okay…” I closed the bag. “I made lasagna.”

His eyes flashed. “You cooked?”

“Yeah… I am sorry I invaded your kitchen without your permission. I was bored and thought I could make something for you before you got back.”

He shook his head. “You don’t need my permission to use my kitchen, Gwen. I am only worried you had to waste your energy on something I could do for you.”

“Oh, C’mon, Ty. Don’t be like that.” We walked upstairs together separating at the top of the stairs to our different rooms.

After I dropped the bag of clothes in my room, I hurried to the kitchen to microwave a plate of food for him and place it on the dining table. I was arranging the water on the table when he came back, fully kitted in his guardian’s garters; one of the few things I found attractive about him. How he looked in this wear.

It moulded into his body, exhibiting his muscles and giving him that Herculean look. And again, it was in one of these moments that I mentally chastised myself and tried to focus.

“Hey, you are ready,” I said with a smile, pushing out a chair for him to sit.

“Thanks.” He sat, his scent hitting my face. I shifted back. “You didn’t have to do all these, Gwen. You are my guest.”

“It’s nothing, Ty. It’s the little I can do to repay your favours.”

“You don’t n_”

“Just eat, Ty. You will be late.”

“Then join me.” He gestured to the chair beside him. “I hate eating alone you know that.”

“It hasn’t been long since I ate.”

“Still, even though you taste.”

“Okay, let’s strike a deal. I will keep you company while you eat. How about that?”

He squinted his eyes in thought and went ahead to nod. “Fine.” He dug in.

“Any gist from the palace?”

He finished chewing, sipped water and shook his head. “Nothing of importance apart from your mate still searching endlessly for you.”

“And Abby, have you seen her today?”I intend to stop by the palace and see her before coming home tonight.”

“Mmm…” I tapped my finger on the table. I missed him too. Terribly, to be frank. I hate myself for doing so and my body for yearning for him. However, I couldn’t help it.

Most of the night, I stayed awake thinking of what he might be doing, wondering if he was with her. Wondering if he thought about me. They said he was looking for me. Was it because he missed me like I do him, or to punish me? He was an egocentric fool and would never be pleased at my defiance which left me at a crossroads of how to feel towards his need to see me.

I shook my head and glanced at Tyler almost done with his food. “This is delicious, Gwen. I never knew you could cook like this.

“That’s because you have never tasted a food I made and in the palace, it’s a luxury I’m not allowed to indulge in unfortunately.”

“Uh-yeah.” He ate the last part and dropped his spoon.

“Should I bring more?”

“No, I am going for training. I wouldn’t want to get tired too quickly.”

Whilst he spoke, something crossed my mind. I decided to ask. “Ty?”

“Eh?”

“Can you tell me about your former pack? The Nightcrawlers or what?”

His countenance altered abruptly, thick veins throbbing in his veins. “Why asking?”

“We are friends and you know literally everything about me.”

“I hate talking about my past,” he declared, peering at me. His eyes held sorrows. “It’s a place I despise revisiting.”

“What about you? Is it true you were born on the full moon? What does a Kraken mean?” The chair screeched loudly as he stood up, his fingers tightening. I could tell he was mad. But why? I was merely trying to know him.

“I’m leaving. Don’t open the door unless it’s me. And won’t move close to the windows. Goodbye.” He turned, picked up his water bottle from the cabinet and left.

I stood there with my jaw dropped. I have never seen him that mad. And it had to be directed at me.

What is so bad about his past that made him not want to discuss it? Was it that bad like mine? Or even worse. Tyler was a jovial guy who despite what anyone does to him, remained collected and hardly lost his control. Today I saw another side of him.

Urgh! My wide mouth!

I packed up his plate and went to deposit it on the counter. I washed them off, all in a bid to keep myself busy. I was looking outside at the thick forest, something I’m not supposed to do.

When regained myself, I cleaned up and left the kitchen, heading to the room when there was a jiggling sound outside the door. I paused, my heartbeat picking up.

Who is that? Did Tyler forget something?

I couldn’t even ask lest it was someone else. Wait, if it’s not Tyler then it’s Abby. Tyler had to give her keys so she didn’t have to knock when she came to the house.

The door swung open and it was her.

“Fuck, you scared me,” I uttered, exhaling with my right hand to my chest.

She looked smart in her pair of jeans trouser and a sunset yellow top. It was on rare occasions you ever saw her dressed like this. “I was bored at the palace and had to come.”

“What of Williams?”

“I didn’t see him at the Palace. I guess he’s out with my brother, probably grooming the horses.” We ambled into the sitting room and I went to get a package of juice and two glasses. “Since the game ended, everything is going back to normal and again the pack is quiet with everyone back to their business.”

“What about the upcoming ball?”

“Yes, I think my brother hasn’t talked about that due to your absence. He is walking around like a corpse. I never knew he was that into you.”

I scoffed. “He is not into me, Abby. He’s suffering from depleted ego. Trust me, the moment he catches me, you will see he hasn’t changed one bit.”

“My brother was actually a loving man until he got his heart broken by that wench.”

I didn’t like talking about her. So, I didn’t push it. If Ashton and I ever got back together, I pray someday he would have the courage to tell me about her himself. At the right time.

“It’s already two weeks, Gwen,” Abby intoned softly. I peeked at her through the rim of my glass.

“Uh-huh… what happens in two weeks?”

“Our deal? Remember?”

“I’m still…”

“Do you have a thing for Tyler?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“W-what! No!”

“I think you are lying because I see the way you look at him sometimes and him too.”

“Now you are starting to talk like your brother.” I wanted to also add that part of why we were here today.

She scooted closer, her face an inch from me. “Ashton had learned his lesson if that is what you are trying to prove. He would never behave in his former ways again, I promise you.”

I was about to tell her that I did not believe her when the door suddenly burst open and guess who came in?

…