**GWEN**"Hello, King of animal, it's nice to see you again," Spiky said behind me and my stomach clenched first from the bad breathe oozing from his alcohol-stinking mouth and second from the presence of my mate here.I might not say it more often, or maybe because we are often at war or because majority of the time I was hating him and wishing he paid for all his ails towards me, but then, looking at my mate now-even in the middle of being killed which I knew I will die anyways-he seem to have grown more handsome, masculine and attractive in the last few hours."Is this the best you can pull?" Ashton asked him quietly, nodding at me as he crossed his big arms over his chest, causing his biceps to flex and my stomach twisted like my guts was about to rip. Wait, did he just ask him such a question in the middle of everything that is going on? I am about to be fucken killed by this stinky breathe for fuck sake! "Ash_""Don-don't say a word." His eyes squinted in anger as he bent his h

**GWEN**The next day, on our way back to the pack, it was a quiet ride with Ashton withdrawing back to his usual coldness as if last night didn't happen. I wasn't surprised at all nor did it sadden me the way it used to in those earlier days. Instead, my mind was focused on the responsibilities that lay ahead of us when we get back.The games at the foremost. Abby has been of great help during this entire time I have been distracted. The last time, she informed me that the arena was ready for use now and the rest of the activities were supposed to be carried out by the men, in terms of the type of games to be organized and their participants.If it were back home, I would have wanted to engage in one of the games, like sparring. It was something I was good at and has improved over the time with Tyler helping me with my training. I miss Julian but not so much anymore. Thank goddess the guardian’s mate was back, things will to an extent back to normal.We reached the palace early and A

**GWEN**The next morning, I woke up very early and went to bathe and prepare, not waiting for Kora to wake me as she does every other day. I wanted to hurry to Abby to inform her of the lie of yesterday-that is if Williams hasn't told her yet. I arrived in front of her room, knocked, and waited. There were unhurried footfalls against the granite floor before the keys of the door rattled and it flung open to her sleepy self, moping at me. “Gwen?” Her eyes fully opened. “What are you doing here so early?”I smiled. “May I come in?” When she hesitated, i looked side to side of the hall in agitation. “I have something urgent to tell you before we leave for the games”“Sorry, come in,” she said, stepping aside for me to come in. “I'm so sorry for letting you stand out there. I was still surprised to see you.” She pointed me to the seat to sit down. “Hope there is no problem?”“Not one we can't fix, Abby.” I entwined and de-tangled my fingers nervously. “So, yesterday, I kind of eavesdr

**ASHTON**I couldn't express how delighted I was that this was happening. My dream was finally coming true here in my Kingdom, after so many years of plotting, waiting, and hoping. To say I have been having jittery over the last few days about how today would turn out; how my people were going to welcome this new development.I intentionally made the horse race to be at the forefront during this game event. That way if my people didn't like it we could easily move on with the other tournaments they were used to over the years. However, judging from the way they responded, as I paved my way back to the shield for the royalties, my heart was appeased. I felt proud of myself more than I have ever been.That was until I found the seat formally harbouring my mate empty, and when I touched it, cold. Meaning she is been gone for a while.Did she even see me ride? Did she see the efforts I put into getting her attention from that vermin to me? I couldn't bear it. So hard I've tried to with

**GWEN**"Thanks for inviting me to the meeting," I said softly as we made our way out of the conference room after the meeting. It was the mandatory meeting done every Thursday to discuss present and futuristic pack activities. The elders were still upset about the human recent attacks and needed Ashton to do something about fortification of the borders.I was in support of that too. After the last attack and knowing the reasons behind their obsession with Lycans, I don't think living at their mercy would be a good idea. Yes, I was happy Ashton didn't carry out his initial plan of going to war with them, albeit I don't think anything can change his mind if something goes wrong again. "You have nothing to thank me for," Ashton grunted, increasing his pace. "My mother did most of these meeting in the absence of my father, and is expected of you if you are going to be a good Queen."I bit down on my tongue, walking faster to match his gait. "Still, I thank you." He was back to his haug