Chapter 66
GWEN??Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
The night before the set off of the games, I stood in front of my back window, looking outside at the chilly sky, my arms securing a black shawl around my shoulders. If one thing was sure tonight, it’s the fact that it was going to rain heavily as it has been doing for the past few days.
My earnest prayer is that it stopped early. I wouldn’t want anything that would hamper the success of the beginning of the games by tomorrow.
However, the rain wasn’t why my mood was foul this evening. It’s Ashton. Again. Since that night we had sex in that hotel, the only time I’ve seen him was during dinner time.
And that was on rare occasions.
Breakfasts were usually between me, Abby, his Beta-sometimes and then the sour-faced Merit. I have noticed the manner she glared at me when she thinks I’m not watching. But she’s not my problem.
I know Ashton might be occupied and I also moved from the room we share because that room held so many bad memories for me. Still, I couldn’t help but miss his absence. I have thought severally… could it be because he found my sex wanting? Yes, he had complained in the past of me lacking in that area, but each time when we had sex, the manner he groaned, the way he teased me, touched me, and the things he said to me, didn’t connote that of a man who didn’t enjoy himself.
That was why I have decided tonight to go look for him wherever he has been hiding. We need to talk. Fight. Whatever, as far as I get to see his face even if for once. I am mad he hadn’t yet mentioned about his horse race to me, but tonight I will try to remain civil around him.
I turned and walked to the door.
When I reached the front of his study, I lifted my hand to knock but paused when I heard voices. As though engaged in an argument.
“I have made up my mind, Williams, I’m finding her a suitable chosen mate during the games, ” Ashton said casually, and then a sound followed like he flipped the page of a book. “There are no two ways about it. Abigail is no longer a pup.”
“You can’t do that. What if she has a mate?” Williams’s voice was restrained showing his inner apprehension. I bit my nail, realizing what was going on. Ashton was carrying on with his threat of trying to marry off Abby. And Williams, her true mate, doesn’t want that to happen. Why didn’t he tell Ashton, then?
Ashton scoffed. “Stop kidding, Williams. My sister has passed the age of mating. If her mate is supposed to find her, he would have done so already. Can’t you see what boredom is doing to her? She is becoming unruly due to loneliness.”
“And you?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“No, I mean you are mated yet, when was the last time you went to your mate?” Williams was turning haughty. “You sleep in here every day, drenching yourself with endless booze just to pretend like you don’t miss her. How are you any different?”
“This is not about me, Williams.” Ashton slammed his hand on his desk, ensued by an ugly growl. I became restless and not comfortable with listening in on them anymore. What if they scent me out? I twisted to leave but the curious side of me was in conflict wanting to know how this ended.
“Fine, just leave her be, okay?”
“I know what this is about, you like my sister.” It was accusatory, yet, iniquitous. “You think I don’t see how you two look at each other?”
“Me?” Williams let out a half-hearted chuckle and denied at once. “You know that’s not true. Abby is like a sister to me and you made it clear you will never allow your sister to end up with any of your friends even though they were mates. So…” He clapped his hand. I felt bad for him. Why would Ashton say that? Why would he deprive other people of their happiness just because he was unhappy?
“Better for you, Williams. Because the minute I perceive any sneaky behaviour between you and my sister, I will kill you. Mark my words.”
“Of course, my King.”
I decided to make my debut. I knocked and entered.
“What are you doing here?” Ashton snagged abruptly.
I pointed outside hesitantly, glanced at Williams who seemed very miserable and then when I looked back at Ashton, at first, it looked like I saw longing in his eyes, but by the time I blinked, it was gone to be replaced by a scowl. “I-I was… I mean, I am here to tell you that… Abby just told me that she found her mate.”
“What!” Both men echoed at once, sharp contrasting orbs fixed at me. I forced a smile and waved my right hand casually, closing the door. “It’s a secret though. I am not even supposed to say it.” I made a pretentious guilty face. “Please, for now, let’s not ask her anything about it.”
Ashton was up from his seat. “Where is she?”
“Uh-huh?”
“WHERE IS SHE?!”
“Asleep,” I let out the first thing that came to my head. “She is super tired from today’s hassles. She literally sang the entire revelation to me. I will advise that we don’t wake her for something like this. Can we?”While talking I darted intently at Williams, hoping he would grasp that I was trying to help him here.
“Y-Yes, I think so too,” he quickly inserted. “You know Abby hates being woken from sleep, Ash. Meanwhile, I think I will have to retire too.” He yawned. But it was fake. “Good night, my king. My Queen.” And he left.
I stood there, reality hitting now. Now that I have lied to Ashton-technically, I didn’t but you know what I mean- I have to look for a way to make sure my lie doesn’t put me, Williams and Abby in more trouble. I have to hastily inform her.
“I have to go too,” I turned to leave.
“Stop.” I halted, panic rising in my throat . What if he didn’t believe me? Or saw through my facade.
“Yes?” I beamed once more as I twisted about to face him.
“Was that just what you came to do?”
“Oh…” My eyes rolled up in thought of why I even came here. “Yes. And also to check on you to make sure you were still up on your feet.”
He regarded me intently, his eyes squinted lightly in a way that scared me. But, I didn’t blink as I returned the gesture, my hands tightening on my skirt.
“As you can see I have been fine.” Are you sure? Sleeping in the study? “What about you?” His voice was very soft and his eyes were still intent on me.
“Me?” I snorted. “Fine as a fiddle.”
“Good. Because tomorrow marks the beginning of a great event in this Kingdom and as the Queen, it will be required of you to be up on your feet and never disappoint me.”
I wanted to ask him how I was supposed to do that when he didn’t even tell me the simplest of things like about the horse race. I opened my mouth, shut it and sucked in my teeth. Again, I smiled and nodded. “Have a good night, Ashton.”
“Have a good night, little wolf.”
…