(Gwen's pov)The pack has been in silence with everyone shaken by the recent events that have been taking place. For the past three days, there has been calm and people tend to walk around in shadows.I haven't been able to see Ashton as he has been so engaged with busy finding the miscreant that took the mate of one of the guardians. He is angry, I know. Everyone is talking about it.I wish to speak to him because from what I heard from Abby, he seems to handle matters too rashly. I don't know the history they share with humans that would warrant them taking one them, or instilling this amount of fear in the almighty Lycans, but one thing was for sure, returning violence with violence can never be the way out.Back in the werewolf Kingdom, due to my relationship with Julian and my father as the Beta, I was privileged to hear most of their deliberations. When things like this happened, there would be a talking stage to find out what the other party wanted and a path would be created fo

(Gwen's pov)Heading back to my room-my new room- I tossed off every iota of dress on me, flung them in the hamper and went to sprawl on the sofa in exhaustion. Mental exhaustion. From all the stress I've been through today.My mind was like a windmill spinning wildly in contemplation of what I am going to do. It contributed to the migraine that rocked my head, making me wince. I looked towards the door as I heard a sound of fast footsteps that soon walked past. It must be Kora.Sadly, I don't feel like going to tell her I won't be staying in that room until my mental state feel up to it again. Particularly not after what I saw downstairs. Even after our fight earlier, Ashton didn't try to emancipate himself before me. I huffed and stood, going to the bathroom. The next time I came out-like the cold water had worked a severe magic on me-I suddenly knew what I was going to do. Flinging the closet doors open, I scanned my eyes through the few dresses hanging there, picked out a black

**Gwen’s Pov**"Ashton?” I gasped, startled to the marrow. "You scared me." I closed the door and gazed around the room. "What are you doing here?""Don't -don't you dare evade my question." He gritted, narrowing his eyes at me. "Where are you coming from?""I went strolling." I lied fluidly. "I needed to think and I wasn't hungry so I decided to skip and go...strolling."He drank me in intently, his lips in a straight line, and his eyes unreadable. I didn't walk closer, afraid he will smell Tyler’s scent on me. Werewolves' sense of smell was potent not to mention a Chief Lycan.He huffed irritably and moved away from the window, to cross his hand over his massive chest. "Are you still on your... period?""Period?" I questioned, then recalling my initial lie, I abruptly nodded. "Yes. In fact, uhm...I have cramps and want to go bed early.""Are you lying to me now, Gwen?" I was shaking my head at him. "Don't you want to get pregnant?"I looked away rapidly, my mind travelling back to w

**GWEN**After dinner and everyone had retired to their different room and I was certain Ashton will not show up in my room that night, I wore the black hooded cardigan Kora brought me on simple pair of jean trousers and sneaked out of the palace. I went to the stables like the other night and saw that same horse that betrayed me at Tyler's place. I decided to give him a second chance when he neighed at me and use him once more. I enticed him outside with an apple I saved from dinner, and made sure he didn't make any sound to attract the stable hands. When we were distant from the stables, I struggled to mount him, happy he didn't panic and run off on me. "Good boy." I patted his neck, grabbed his reins and kicked his stirrup to increase his gallop. I was already late and won't want Tyler to think I changed my mind.When I got to his cottage, he was already waiting for me outside his house. I jumped down from the horse, tied it by a post and went to join him in his car."I nearly c

**GWEN**Tyler and I were thrown into the same room. It was a dark and cold room. The was no window, and the only source of light was a yellow flickering bulb with fading light that at the moment was coming and going off.I think there is an oncoming storm as a powerful lightening shook the walls, the angry howl of the trees outside, very audible in here.“Are you okay, you are shivering,” Tyler asked, dragging back my attention to him. I looked at him, his Obsidian now very sharp in the dim light. I knew he was mad at being caged. Comes with his nature as a Lycan. They hate confined spaces. Yet, he cared about me.I glanced down at my feet. “I am not, Ty. I brought this upon you.”“You didn't.” He took a step forward and faltered as if thinking his action through. “I failed to protect you. Do you know how that makes me feel?”“Don't say that.” I glared at him. “In this trip, it's a peaceful one. No violence and as far as I am concerned, each of our protection lies on us..” My voice d