Lycan King's Nemesis
Chapter 96

**GWEN**

"Slow down, asshole!" I careened, tightening my hands on Ashton's lap on the horse, my eyes wide with fear.

Two times I had ridden this same horse but didn't experience this level of fear as a result of how quietly I used it. And Ashton thought this was my first time being on it. Ha!

He cackled with laughter behind me, his left hand shooting out to embrace me to him and enjoyed how I was quick to relax, holding no resistance. "Relax, little wolf, I've got you."

I scoffed. "Anything could happen. The wind has done rogue."

"That is because it's going to rain tonight, babe." The mount was still galloping fast, not holding a break. I was meant to enjoy it, but with the wind slapping my hair about my face and warping my voice, it caused more cold than fun. "Almost there."

"Are you sure we can still swim under this weather?" I howled for him to hear.

"Definitely." He pressed closer to my left ear. "I would want to see you tremble with cold when I have my mouth latched onto your nipples" And I trembled. When it was not even time.

Carefully, I scooted away from him, my hand still not moving from his lap. I wonder why the damn place was still far for God's sake.

After what seemed like forever, we cleared a dense path lined with thick shrubbery and Ashton jumped down, giving me a helping hand down.

I looked around. "Where is this place?"

He came to stand behind me and wrapped his hands around me, pressing me into his chest. "It's my secret. Wait and see." And started pushing me forward. "Come on, Striker." He called after his horse who neighed and followed grudgingly. Dried plants cracked beneath our feet as we moved, the wind somehow slowed by now. The trees were whispering, contemplating what we were doing in their territory. As for me, I was gobsmacked, raking my eyes about searching for any blue sign of water.

And Ashton's hands on my waist were not helping matters at all.

Eventually, I saw it.

Nestled at the back of the billowing trees was a large mass of water, more than what he called a stream. There was a small cottage sitting in front of it and a plank that ran struggle to the river.

It was breathtaking.

I loved it.

"Is this where you come to hide away?" I purred in wonder, my eyes not leaving the water.

It was like something from a movie. A place I have always wished to be. A cottage by a river. More like a beach house.

"Sometimes. When I get overwhelmed with palatial responsibilities."

My mind went to after our wedding. Was this the place he came with that bitch? My countenance altered, and then I recalled this was supposed to be a fun time and rapidly schooled my sentiment. I had to maximise these moments when Ashton was showing me another side of him. A side I have often desired to see. I shouldn't ruin it with things that mattered less.

"I like it, Ash," I whispered, twisted around in his arms and cupped his cheeks. "Thank you for showing me."

His brows creased as he gave me a smug smile. "I knew you would love it." He pecked my forehead and released me. "Now, what would you say to a swim?"

"In this weather?! It's cold out here!" I giggled and jumped away when he made to catch me.

"No way are you not entering that stream with me, Mrs Mcgregor! Come here!" He chased after me as I ran, my legs tangling with the white sand and making me stumble a few times. My chest ached from excessive laughter and my lungs were starting to hurt from chills.

I felt something smack my back which sent me sprawling on the ground. I curled on the floor, still laughing as Ashton reached me and bent over me.

"Must you be stubborn all the time, woman?"

I took a fist of sand and hauled at him and as he dodged I took the time to stand up, but I guess he was too fast for me and was soon pining me to the ground, my back to the ground.

"Just five, little wolf. Game over." I did, my chest still rising and falling from over-exertion and tension from our close proximity.

"Fine," I sighed, sprawling my hands out.

He stood up, shifted away and began undoing his garters, starting from his coat which he dumped on the floor.

"What are you doing?" I sat up on my hinges.

He arched his neck to the left. "You don't expect me to swim fully kitted." His chest was bared. I gulped.

"Must you do it in front of me?" I mumbled.

"I see you are turned on merely by looking at my bare torso. Ain't you?"

"Pervert!"

He grinned. Gosh.

He went for his trousers and I was on the floor. That's it.

"What? Escaping? You can't endure it? Do you need me to touch you already?"

"Oh, c'mon, Ash." I walked faster away from him.

When I turned again, he was totally bare and was barreling towards me. I shook my head as he reached me, swung me off my feet and ran down the plank and thump! We went down the water. "Ashton!" I battered his chest with my balled fist, fighting to take in a large gust of air. He surfaced from the water with me still in his hand and I gulped in before we were immersed once more. "I'm going to die..." The statement ended with me dragged down and I clawed at him, not wanting to lose him. The chill was too much and his body was the only warmth I had. "Please, stop." He let go and I swam away from him, surfacing to catch my breath. "Asshole!" I shouted over my voice in a playful feat.

"I'm coming for you!" His voice was masked by the water current making it eerie.

I ran. "I'm sorry!" I laughed harder.

I can't remember when last I had so much fun.

His hands came about my waist and slammed me flat against him. "You pay for insulting a King, little wolf."

"The King is a pervert."

"And you are my prisoner!"

Oh, that sounded so hot in my ear I moaned. He moved from my ear to my neck and kissed it, and I tilted my neck to the side to give him extra room.

"Look at how pliant you are in my arms, little wolf," he groaned huskily, twisting me about. I peered at him through hooded lashes, seeking more of his masterful inspiration. "I thought you didn't want to swim."

When his teeth grazed one of my veins, I threw my head back at the same time he let go and delved into the water.

I paled, shame infiltrating my senses and inducing me to turn red. "You..." I tucked one side of my lower lip into my mouth, plotting in my head the best way to get at him.

Suddenly thunder sizzled across the sky, decorating to the other side. I jumped, pushing my hair back as I washed water off my face. "Did you hear that? We have to leave before it starts raining." I called out but Ashton was nowhere to be seen. "Ashton?" He didn't answer. My body tensed. "Ashton?" No answer.

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I did a 360 around the water as my eyes scouted for him. Where is he? "Ashton, if this is a joke you better stop it, I am not..."

"Whao!" He scooped me up and dumped me back with full force I let out a scream. "I knew you would be scared."

What is this? Is this a child or what? I surfaced and slapped his chest. "You scared the hell out of me, Ashton."

"I know..."

"We have to leave. Rain is about to start." The first drop thudded on my forehead followed by another. "See?" While I was busy complaining, this man held my legs and dragged me down the depth of the water, ignoring my complaint. "This is a good rain, baby," he was saying. "It's means we should play under the rain."

"I don't want that..." Something touched my leg. I froze. I hope that is not a fish. "Ashton, are there fishes in this water?"

"Well, literally fishes belong to the water so..."

"Arh!!!" I howled, taking the water by large strokes as I headed out. Fishes are here! Fishes are here! Was running through my head.

"What's the problem?" Ashton was behind me, serenading me in his arms which I gladly jumped on, making sure my legs were out of the water, tears in my eyes.

"I have a phobia for fish, Ash, please take me out of this water, I beg you."

"What?" Concern flashed in his eyes as he began making his way to the plank. "You didn't tell me."

"That was why I didn't want to enter the water."

"I'm sorry, little wolf," He vaunted out, circling me in his arms. "I didn't know."

I hiccuped. "It's okay, it's not your fault."

We sat there, rain pelting us as we watched the water calmly.

"We will pass the night at her cottage. We go back to the palace tomorrow." He whispered sometime later as he stood and gathered me in his arms to take me inside. And with my head on his shoulder, I nodded. "Okay," Imagining what the night held for us in this place.

...