Lycan King’s Nemesis

“Hurry up, Gwen, we are already late,” Abby howled from outside as Kora finished wrapping my hair in a tight neat chignon bun at the top of my head where she finally secured it with a fine peacock pin.

I twisted my hair from side to side with an agreeable smile and nodded at her. “Thank you.” I stood up and patted the fine emerald green gown that Kora provided for me this evening. It was soft against my skin and hardly puckiah as many other gowns I’ve worn. “Sorry, Abby. I’m done here.” I picked up my small purse from the bed and walked to the door to meet her. “Kora, let me know when the others return.”

“Yes, your highness.” I closed the door.

“You took the entire day.” Whined Abby, looking beautiful in her symbolic olive girdle wear that adorned her curvy body. Sometimes I envy her ethereal beauty. Made me look plain and insignificant. But, I liked her.

“Sorry, I was carried away in the shower.”

“Hmmnn.”

Truly I was. Today was one hell of the saddest day of my life. After what happened in the morning, we had returned back to the house and since then, it has been so dreary for me. What do Queens do around here by the way? Maintain palatial serenity, organize balls, carry out pack tour and visit the sick and what have you.

All these things I mentioned were things I knew the Lunas did in the Werewolf Kingdom. But here, I don’t know. It’s not like anyone has given me a prospectus of what to expect. The Queen had left the palace abruptly after the wedding one would think she was desperately waiting for that moment all her life and couldn’t wait to snatch it.

“So, what are we going to do at the temple?” I asked as I wrapped a lighter shade of green shawl around my neck. It’s already getting frigid outside.

“Pray, of course.” Abby increased her steps. “It’s approaching full moon and at this time of the year, the temple is frequented, to seek the face of the great goddess.”

“Err…” I bit into my lower lip in wonder. We didn’t do this back home. “Is this also tradition?”

“There,” she agreed, as the hint of a smile touched her plum lips. “I see you are catching up fast.”

I wiggled my head from side to side, striving to match her gait. We busted outside the palace as the butler threw open the large doors and the guards bowed their heads. The air was denser here. Naturally, my eyes slithered in the direction of the gate where a black Tundra plied from.

“Williams…” Abby sighed absently, coming to a slow strut. It was as if the driver wanted to put up a show as he did a mad reverse and stopped directly in front of us. Truly it was Willims.

“Hey, beauties.” He winked at us. But, somehow, maybe it was in my head I would have sworn I saw him give a particular form of attention to Abby. She also blushed crimson and twirled from side to side.

Is there something I’m missing here?

“Hey, Will,” she purred like a cat and moved at speed towards the other side of the car to speak to him in a soft tone. I wish I have my wolf yet, then I would have been able to spy on them.

I cleared my throat. They stopped and Abby like a robot, waved at him and came to my side to grasp my wrist and pulled me away.

“What was that?” I couldn’t wait to ask.

“What?”

“Spill it.”

“Spill what?”

I tugged my hand off hers to cross over chest. I lowered my head to dart at her through my dark thick long lashes. “You think I am a pup or something? Look, I have eyes.”

She groaned and thrashed her legs. “Fine.” She looked around. “Williams and I are kinda into each other.”

“I knew it!” I blared, doing the ‘do-dee’. “I saw it in the way you two behaved back there. Does Ashton know?”

Her eyes widened. She took my wrist once more and dragged me on. “He doesn’t and you must never tell him.”

“Why?”

“He would not approve.”

“Why?”

“Because…” She faltered, stopping in front of the temple. “… because Williams is his friend.”

I wasn’t understanding at all. Williams is his friend. And so fucken what? I shook my head with my eyes askew to show I wasn’t grasping her point.

“Williams lost his mate during a rogue attack some time ago,” she proceeded. “He has been… miserable since then. Then I became his comforter and you know, shit happened and we fucked. Ashton and Williams are on about the so-called brother code shit. So, none is supposed to date the other’s sister not to mention fuck. If he finds out, he would kill Williams and marry me off instantly.”

Oh, now I get. Even back in my pack, I know stuff like this happens.

I exhaled loudly and squinted my eyes. A few pack members passed us and bowed their heads in recognition before hastening into the temple.

“I get you, Abby. Still, you guys have to tell him someday if you truly like each other.”

“Of course, we will. Just not now.”

“And you said Ashton knows everything.” We started walking again. “I have been with you in like an hour and already knows and yet his oblivious.”

“That is because when we are around him, we are good actors.”

“You think.”

We sank to our knees in prayers.

“I think_”

“Shhh.” Abby made a signal with her finger to her lips. “No talking in the temple.”

Yeah, right.

Well, since we are here I might as well lay my burden upon her, despite being angry with her.

I closed my eyes to mimic Abby. Her mouth was moving. I guess this is the entire prayer mode. I will just pray to my own goddess. I haven’t done that in like forever. I didn’t think I can. All the same, I closed my eyes and drifted off.

‘Dear goddess, I don’t know what I did to deserve all the wickedness I am dealt these days, but whatever it is, please forgive me and show me your mercy.’ The more the words flowed from my heart, I got drawn away to this peaceful ambience. It was as if I was no longer in this world. As if I was talking directly to her.

‘I have found my place with Ashton, make our home. Give us an heir to bless our marriage and take away every obstacle standing in the way of our peaceful union. I am broken. Mend me.’ I was suddenly weeping.

I didn’t know how long I was there, I didn’t even know I was trembling and didn’t stop until I felt a soft caress on my arm. That was when I came to.

I sat up and wiped my eyes. It was Abby. She was smiling at me in comfort. I understood.

“The King is here.” She muttered and my head snapped in his direction. I wrinkled my nose as his scent reached me.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The place was in grave silence.

Our eyes met and my breath caught. I was like in the movies with the male lead hypnotizing his woman with his eyes that she turned to mush like a spell was cast on her.

“Everybody, leave the temple,” Merit said as she preceded the party. “It’s the King’s time to pray.”

“No,” Ashton countered in his deep authoritative vocals, looking away. “Everyone can stay. Today, we pray together.”

…