**ASHTON**It was just three days but then it seemed like forever since I lost my best friend, my best man. My Beta. He was simply irreplaceable. I couldn't bear it. All because of her. If only she listens to me this wouldn't have happened. But trust my mate and her stubbornness. Because of her, my life was at stake and my Beta was gone from this world.It was a loss that couldn't be easily forgotten.Sitting above my horse atop a hill; our favorite hill-Williams and I, my eyes roamed the lowers lands, recalling those times when we were little when we went down there in a dare of who was braver. Of course, no one knew but Williams gave me the brevity to do most of the things I did today. He was a brave man.I knew from the first day I met him crying alone by the roadside that the two of us were going to make the best pally. He had lost his family and had nowhere to go. I begged my father to take him in and we became friends. And he never disappointed me. A tear streaked down my ey
**GWEN**When they walked into the room, I was not expecting them, and from the confounded looks on the faces of Tyler and Abby, it was obvious they were of the same mindset."Don't waste my bloody time, Abigail," Charlotte sneered, her eyes like a furnace burning into Abby who shivered beside me. I was shaken as well. What was going on? Could it be that Ashton had informed her about Abby being mated to Tyler and the older woman was not in agreement?My eyes skidded from mother to son and back. I shifted on the bed and Abby followed suit. I could literally hear her heartbeat."Mother...""Only the truth," Charlotte was not giving room for clearer reflection. "I-I don't understand what truth you seek for, Mother. I am mourning the death of my friend!" I took notice of the defense in her voice as she lurched her shoulder forward, returning the same fire to her mother.Charlotte stood, left hand going to her waist and the other to her face. In exasperation. "I can't believe you would st
(Undergoing editing!)**GWEN**"Mother, I can explain,” Ashton said, giving his sister a stony look."Explain?" Abby's loud derisive chuckle rang in the room. "Was that not why you wanted me married off? Because I was trying to talk sense into him he turned against me.""I am still your older brother, Abigail." Ashton was reaching his brink. I could smell it. But I couldn't do anything about it."You slept with another woman after marriage? Ashton!" His mother finally recovered from her shock."I'm sorry, mother. I was a fool and confused.""Confused? Confused over what?""I j-just didn't want to be married, you knew that.""I can't believe this..." Charlotte found her way back to the chair and sat down. "Just a little repose from the palace and things had already fallen apart?""Now you know how it feels to be the target," Abby snarled at Ashton and went ahead to push the clothes into the sizable black leather bag."I am sorry, mother. This was all in the past." Ashton stooped before
(Undergoing editing!)**GWEN**I was almost asleep when I heard a loud knock in the door which yanked me back to reality to shoot up from the bed and stared foggily at the door. The knock cane again, this time louder.Argh! I sat up, recalling I had locked the door earlier on. Who coudk it be knocking by this time of the day? Ig was too early. I unlocked the locks, my eyes still heavy with sleep I just need to know who it was wi as to tell them to return later when I was vehement enough. As the door sighed open, Kora stood there, fiddling with her fingers and at a closer look, she was shifdering on her feet like she was emburdened with something severe. "What is it?" I drawled, my finger going up to the front of my hair to nib at a distressing piny."Uour jighness!" She bowed. "The Princess has gone missing."I continued gaping at her. Was that why she was...wait, Abby had left the palace?!My eyes were wife open at once, my feet impulsiveky going forth. "What do you mean? She was i
(Undergoing editing!)**GWEN**“Do you know how many of the King’s relatives reside around here?” I asked Kora as she helped me detangle my hair when I came back. She was using some rosewater ointment in place of lavender as she insisted the new produce was more effective and would have my hair silky and make the blonde shine.She shook her head, still focused on her duty. “The only King’s family that lived closely died three years ago in an attack.”“Oh...what about the former Queen’s former family?”She finally lifted her eyes at me, combing her fingers through my scalp in a soft massage. “I think the former Queen’s family resides somewhere close to the Eastern border. Though, if you are asking because of the Princess, I doubt she would go to them.”“Why?”She shrugged and looked back down, taking the container to spray more content on my hair. “The King and his sister hardly knows anything about their mother’s family. He haven't even been here since their birth.”“How do you know a
(Undergoing editing)**ASHTON**Things seemed to be getting tougher every day that it was starting to get to me. First was my unexpected attack, the death if my Beta and now my sister had gone missing. And each of then was a direct consequence of one severe mistake; the ball invitation. As I made my way out of my study and walked towards the general conference room for an early meeting I had for the day, my heart couldn't help but be heavier as it occurred to me that I didn't need to be in this meeting by this time or in a hurry to get there is Will were to be alive. He had his way around these things. He would have presided in them on my behalf or even kill I was ready to go."My Kjng is you are not ready to go, I can tell them to reschedule," Merit said beside me, her hefty gait matching.For now, since my Beta was not around, she would have to be by my side almost all the time until I had gotten another Beta. And the issue was that I didn't even know who I am to appoint my new Bet
(Undergoing editing)**GWEN**I was so horny. So horny that even the mistaken graze of my maids finger on any part of my body had me on mental overdrive. All I needed was Ashton's touch. To feel their callous hands on me, no matter how. I didn't care. Even if he did it by force. I just needed him so badly.That evening when I returned to my room from drinking and talking with Charlotte, I noticed the desire had become severe. I contemplated going in search of Ashton to entice him into fulfilling his matrimonial duties to me. But what would that make me? A weak woman. I knew he would insult and call me different cruel name and I didn't want that.I looked up at the sky and took cognizance of the grey clouds. I think tonight it's going to rain heavily. Urgh! With the rain, I will feel colder and needier.I left the window, shutting down the louvers and curtains and made my way to the door. We still had enough time to dinner which meant I could still be by myself without intrusion. I
(Undergoing serious editing) **GWEN**I left the dining room and hurried away to hide in my chamber where I won't be chanced to be confronted with Ashton's coldness. He didn't need to hit me to break my inner self. Solely words, wicked words and I was broken to pieces.The sooner I was in, I lapped against the door frame, slid down the length of it, and cried my heart out. I felt my body rock in raw pain. So much pain for this circumstance which I found myself that was utterly beyond me. I always thought could handle anything thrust at me. No matter the intensity. But this, this was totally above my capacity and the more I considered it, the more I realize that it might be the end of me. I was stalling for time, praying, hoping to shift and meet my wolf and see if there would be a miracle of a child before Ashton raised a question. Now, he didn't even ask, he was outright calling me useless. I covered my face with my hands as more tears streamed uncontrollably. The pain was like a