Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 134: Dragon Kingdom

Ashlyn

After leaving the council room, I waited outside the door for my mates. I told Derek that I wouldn’t wander around the dragon castle by myself. James snuggled under my chin while I bounced him. While staying close to the door, I was looking at all the paintings that hung on the’ walls.

“Gorgeous painting, is it?” Someone said beside me.

“It is.” I agreed. The painting was of a great gold dragon, standing on top of a castle tower. It was night, under a full moon. The artist captured the light from the moon perfectly.

“You must be Derek’s mate,” he said. I turned away from the painting to look at him.

“And you are?” I asked him, suspiciously.

“I’m not surprised you don’t remember me. You were in pretty rough shape the first time we met,” he said.

“You were a part of the team that found me.” I breathed out, and he nodded.

“Thank you for being a part of my rescue. I know it must not have been easy helping a wolf.” I told him.

“You, being a wolf or a hybrid, doesn’t bother me. For most people, it doesn’t matter. It only matters to the people who only have their b***d or title,” he said.

“I’m Ashlyn, by the way. And thank you. It seems your council cares very much about where my b***d comes from,” I said.

“Lance and yeah, they’re pretty stuck up for a group of old guys,” he told me.

“Its nice to meet you officially, Lance. Are you and Derek friends, or just colleagues?” I asked him, curious about Derek’s life here. I only knew his father and Matt.

“We’ve hung out. He’s quite busy being our prince and all,” he said.

“Yeah, it’s hard to keep up with a social life when you are always so busy.”

“And then he has you and our little prince there. I’m sure he’s even more busy now.” He said, motioning to James.

“I’m sorry if this comes across as rude, but what are you doing in the castle?” I asked him, and he chuckled.

“Not rude. You have every right to be suspicious. When I’m not on a mission, I take shifts to guard the castle,” Lance said.

“And why should I be suspicious?” I asked him, feeling more anxious about being here.

“My queen, you are safe within the castle, but there have been rumors about a group recruiting hybrid haters. We’ve been trying to stay on top of the threat, but I think it would be best for you to stay inside the castle during your visit.” Lance explained.

“l came here to see the people. Your council just called upon me. Being in the open can be dangerous, but I have my dragon.” I told him.

“I will get a team ready,” he said.

“You really don’t have to do that?” I told him.

“He kinda does. It’s his job.” Derek said behind us. I turned around to find my mates had finally come out of the council room.

“Derek.” Lance shook Derek’s hand.

“Lance, always good to see you.” Derek greeted

“This is my mate, Mason. And I see that you have already met Ashlyn.” Derek introduced them, and they shook hands.

“How was the council?” Lance asked Derek.

“A pain in the a*ss, as always. We just had a spot open up, if you’d like to apply.” Derek told him.

“And how did this position become available?” Lance asked, looking at me.

“He may or may not have pissed off Freya,” I said, pushing my l!ps into a line.

“Freya?” Lance asked, confused.

“Ashlyn’s white dragon,” Derek answered.

“Wait, the rumors are true?” He blew out.

“Rumors?” I asked him, curious about what they were saying about me.

“That a white dragon has come back from the dead, to rule over the kingdom again.” Lance told us.

“They aren’t wrong. Besides the coming back from the dead part. They locked her in a tomb under the old council building.” I told him.

“Really? That’s fvcken cool.” He exclaimed.

“Your council doesn’t seem to think so.” I shrugged. Lance was right about what he told me earlier. Only the people in power care about the hybrids. It definitely could be someone manipulating the masses to believe that we are a threat when we aren’t.

“How did everything go after I left?” I asked Derek and Mason.

“First, you’re a bada*ss. Second, they all tried to apologize to us and to ask for your forgiveness. I think they believe you will freeze the kingdom.” Mason answered, pulling me to his side.

“Wow.” I said, shaking my head.

“Yeah, that sounds about right,” Lance said, and Derek chuckled.

“It’s all fun and games until a bada*ss dragon shows up.”

“One that could definitely wipe us all out,” Lance added.

“I don’t understand? How could Freya do that?” I asked them.

“Dragons are weak against freezing temperatures. Ice dragons were very rare, but were royalty. They could have wiped out the entire dragon population.” Derek answered, and Lance agreed with him.

“Okay, I now understand their fear. I’d fear me too, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to walk down the street without someone trying to kill me and my son.” I sighed.

“So, what do you want to do, Babygirl? You want a tour of the kingdom?” Derek asked me.

“I do, but I don’t want to put anyone at risk,” I told him. It conflicted me. If it was just me, I would do it, but I have James and Mason to worry about.

“Lance, get the team together and meet us out front in twenty minutes.” Derek commanded.

“On it, boss.” he told him.

“It was nice meeting you three,” Lance said before he left us.

“You okay, Baby?” Mason asked me, while Derek led us back to his wing.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m sorry if I made that situation worse for both of you,” I said.

“Babygirl, they will all get over it. And I’m sure one, if not all, of them will call your people for a meeting,” Derek chuckled.

“I’m my people,” I laughed.

“You handled that, like the queen you are.” Mason said, k!ssing my temple. James fell asleep before I started talking to Lance and he snuggled into my chest.

“Do you think maybe your father would be safe watching James?” I asked Derek as we entered our wing.

“You want to leave him?” Mason asked me.

“l just think that he would be safer here. Lance said that there has been a rise in hybrid haters. I just don’t want him to get hurt,” I told them.

“Derek, what do you think?” Mason asked him. All of us walked into our room and l went to lay James down in his room. After I was done, I headed into our closet to get changed while the guys discussed what they wanted to do. I didn’t want to leave James, but I didn’t want to have him out in the open, either.

“Freya, next time, can you warn me about the dress?” I asked her.

“I’ll try.” She answered. The dress disappeared, and I could get dressed.

“What do you think we should do?” I asked her.

“l can take care of all of you, but it’s whatever you feel most comfortable with. I understand your fear, but I think you’d feel better with James with you,” Freya said.

I walked out of the closet and found my mates sitting on the couch. I walked down the few stairs and flapped down beside Derek, resting my head on his lap.

He started brushing my hair away from my face while looking down at me.

“Everything okay, Babygirl?” He asked me.

“Yeah, I’m just torn about what we should do. What have you two decided?” I asked them.

“Mason said that he would stay with James and my father,” Derek said, and I sighed.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Mason asked, leaning over, looking down at me.

“I think we should all stick together. I know I said we could ask Victor, but I don’t think I’d be able to leave him.

Maybe you should ask Lance to wait until James is up from his nap.” I told them.

“Baby, I’m okay with you and Derek going together. The people should see you both together.” Mason said, leaning down, k!ssing my forehead.

“You’re his mate, too. You should be there with us.” I sighed.

“I’ll be here, protecting our son. And there will be time for us all to have a tour. But l think it would be best for James and I to stay here. Victor will come visit and we will have a few guards outside the door” Mason said.

“Fine, but only if you are okay with it,” I told him, and he nodded.

“Mason knows I’ll show him off later,” Derek chuckled.

“Haha, hilarious.” Mason faked chuckled.

“Oh, you love it.” Derek teased.

“You two are just so adorable.” l cooed.

“Only for you, Baby,” Mason mumbled against my forehead.

“Should we go meet Lance and the team?” Derek asked me.

“Okay,” I breathed out.

“We will be fine, Baby. You go have a good time with Derek.” Mason said, helping me up from the couch.

“Ugh. Fine, but then I want a date with just you.” I told him.

“Anything for you, Baby.” He said, before he pressed his l!ps to mine.

“Okay, that’s enough, you two, or we will never leave.

“Derek told us. Victor coming into the room, caused us to pull apart.

“My dear, I won’t let anything happen to my son-in-law or my grandson. Go have some fun.” Victor told me. My stomach was still in knots about leaving them. But I guess Freya could always fly back if anything was to happen.

“Okay, just let me say goodbye to my boy and then I’ll be ready,” I told them. I needed to see James before I left. My anxiety would not let me leave without seeing him.

James was fast asleep in his crib, and I k!ssed his forehead before leaving him to sleep. He has had such an exciting morning. I k!ssed Mason before Derek led me out of the wing. They placed guards on either side of the door, and as we walked, there were more guards placed around the castle. I felt better about the guards, but I wish I knew and trusted them. It’s not like at home where I trust my warriors that guard the house.

“Babygirl, everything will be okay.” Derek said, pulling me close.

“I know, but after what happened, I’m still worried about leaving. Let’s not go too far.” I told him.

“We will just go for a walk downtown. I’ll show you all the local spots and you can see how the dragons do things,” he said.

“Don’t you do things the same as everyone else?” I asked him.

“l guess you’ll have to wait and see for yourself.” He said, leading me out the front door. There were a few vehicles waiting for us, with warriors standing around beside them. Lance met us while we made our way to the middle vehicle.

“Downtown?” he asked Derek.

“You know the spot,” Derek told him, and he nodded. Derek opened the back door of the vehicle and I slid across the seat so Derek could climb in behind me.

Lance hopped into the front passenger seat and another warrior took the driver’s seat. I wish Matt were here. I would feel more comfortable with another dragon that I knew and trusted.

“My queen, is this your first visit?” Lance asked me.

“lt is,” I answered, looking out the window. The castle was on top of a mountain and you could see the entire city below. It was beautiful, with tall mountains all around the city. I was in awe as the vehicle made its way down the mountain to the city. Flower gardens lined the road that led out of the castle grounds. I could see massive statues of dragons inside the gardens over the hedges.

“This place is beautiful,” I whispered. Derek leaned over, k!ssing my shoulder.

“It’s more beautiful with you here,” he mumbled against my shoulder.

“Awe, my big powerful dragon,” I said, turning in my seat so I could look at him. I leaned in and pecked his l!ps.

“So, where are we going?” I mumbled against his l!ps.

“You’re going to love it.”