Lycan King's Nemesis
Chapter 86

**ASHTON**

"Why are you coming this late to the games?" I asked my sister who was twenty minutes late to the arena. Today the ladies from the Sarokee Loop dancing group were going to perform.

The Sarokee was an ancient dance of the goddess performed mostly before the Redmoon to appease the goddess. It was believed that this dance pleased the goddess so much that that night, those who witnessed it were instantly blessed with whatever their hearts desired. I used to believe. But now sitting here watching it alone without my mate, it made me question if truly these speculations were true.

"I woke up late," She answered, sitting in her seat and giving Williams that familiar smile I have noticed was reserved for only him. If not that she already found her mate, I would surely suspect she and my Beta.

I used to, to be honest. I didn't want to consider it deeply because I trusted Williams would confide in me if he ever felt that way towards her. And of course, he wouldn't even dare. It was taboo for any of my friends to desire my sister. When we were little, I would often reiterate to them on more than one occasion that if any of them ended up becoming my sister's mate, I would make sure they rejected her.

I simply found it appalling and something I couldn't stomach. I didn't know why.

"Have you heard anything?" She asked me, tipping to my side.

Four days had gone and yet no news. I had announced to my people that their Queen was on sick leave and when some of them came to the palace to express their condolence, Abby had turned them out, lying that the healer insisted she was kept out of sight and reach for the sake of her ailment.

Now, the palace is filled with flowers and gifts, from well-wishers and in the evenings, the priest has inserted a few minutes to pray for her recovery.

At this point, I felt like a fraud. My mate is out there, somewhere, hiding from me. And my greatest fear was that she might never come back to me. I wish I could rewind the clock back to that evening and redo everything I did. I would never have maligned or manhandled her.

Again, I acknowledge my foolery.

"I haven't. Have you visited your mate recently?" I inquired as the dance started, the baritone of the jiggling samba assailing the air and upturning the rhythm of the moment. It was melodious and right then I wished more than anything that my mate was here seeing this.

You can imagine how ironic life could be. When you had something, you wanted it gone by all means, and then you lost it and you yearned to have it back. I wanted her to see this part of my culture. I could imagine how her dole eyes would light up and if time was not taken, she would stand and dance to it. It was something she could do.

"Y-yes," Abby tucked her hair behind her ear, clearing her throat. "I was there... last night." "During the rain?"

"Y-yes! I mean, I was there before the rain and then the rain started and I... had to stay back."

"You mean you didn't sleep in the palace last night?" Her eyes were wide, her cheeks stained red. She shared a look with Williams and faced me.

"Was that not what you wanted? For us to bond?"

"Of course," I rasped. "I wanted that, but you have to be careful. For some odd reason, I don't trust that mate of yours. I need you to report to me any form of weirdness you discover around him, would you?" After a silent curious gaze at me, she nodded once. "Of course."

"Good." I slid back into the seat, trying to focus despite knowing it was a waste of time.

After the games, Tyler ran up the stairs, a full-blown smile hovering on his facade. "Big wolf..."

I grimaced.

"Have you heard anything about the Queen, yet?" He nodded at his mate, itching closer to wrap his left hand around her shoulder and drew her close. Maybe it was my ears but I heard a growl from the side of Williams. Yeah, it was my ears.

"I'm still searching," I answered in a dry tone. "Any news?"

"Nope. Yunoo, I was wondering if my group could join_"

"No!" I was beside him at once, "No one, I repeat no one is to hear about it. To everyone in this pack, she is on sick leave, do you understand?" He was still grinning. He was enjoying this. This man knew where my wife was. I could feel it. Fangs could smell it!

"I totally understand, Your Majesty." He drawled, the title seeming stiff in his lips. "I will be sure to keep that in mind."

I forced a grin. "How are the borders now?" I asked for a distraction.

"You know the answer to that, my King. I assume you trust my capacity to keep your people safe."

He let go of my sister and stepped away, sharing a look with Williams. My Beta was looking ashen. He seemed as though he wanted to rip off the throat of Tyler. Most times I hate when he was that protective of me. Of us.

For fuck sake, I could take care of myself. Tyler might be a Kraken, but I still remain the Lycan King. I was more powerful.

"Have a nice day, Big Wolf." He bowed and then took my sister's right hand to his lips, laying a chaste kiss, "And you too, mate."

My sister's hand fell to her side as she scrambled back to her former position. All over her body was flushed and those damn freckles were on her face. Something I detested seeing in her but found attractive in my mate. For Pete's sake, where is she?

Do I need to grovel for Tyler to tell me where she was? There is no way in hell he wouldn't know. I just knew it.

Heaven help me, When I eventually saw her, I was going to have up to ten guards watching every of her activity henceforth. She would have to go through me before she could successfully escape again.

I didn't ever in my life imagine I would be in this position where I would have to itch to see her.

I wanted her gone, far far away from me. To give me back my freedom, my former life. And now that she had given it wholly, I couldn't deal with it.

Shame on me!

Once more I failed. I allowed myself to be felled by a woman. A werewolf!

There were so many women begging to be with me, even for a second of my time. Merit had been hovering, yearning to be called mine. I saw her everywhere I went. Her eyes followed me in every direction, waiting for an opportunity to lay her claws on me. And yet, here I was pining for someone I swore to make her life a living hell.

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What is wrong with me?

I stood abruptly. "I have to leave."

Williams stood. "The games end tomorrow, my King, you have to endure the dance to the end to earn the goddess's favours. Please. The absence of the Queen is suspicious enough, don't add to it."

"I have lost interest. My mind is not here."

"Still. Manage."

I tugged my lower lip in and stabbed my fang into it until I drew blood. I needed to transform so badly. I couldn't wait for the red moon to unleash this demon inside me. Perhaps, it would help me settle. And I pray by then to have found my mate. I am going to make sure I had this entire anger channelled into her. We will be so busy that she won't have the time to think of another man or carry out any more silly conduct.

I sat back. "Tell the moderator to hasten the dance. I need to start off the day's search for Gwen."

"Okay, Ash." He stood, bowed and left.

Later that evening I left the palace and galloped at full speed in the direction of Tyler's house on my white horse. I had to lay siege there. If my instinct said she was here, then until it said otherwise, I will not stop coming here.

I didn't see anything or any movement up to the time I saw Tyler come back and go in. But before going in, he glanced around, sniffing the air before he went in.

That mutt was deceptive. I could tell he caught my scent from the mischievous glint in his eyes.

Just before I left for home, I saw my sister arrive and went in. I knew I asked her to move in with him, but now I regretted it. I singularly said that out of jealousy not that I meant it.

As the burnt orange hue grazed the sky, I took my horse's reins and led him far from the cottage before I mounted and headed back.

We return tomorrow after the final games.

...