Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 135: Exploring the Dragon Kingdom

Ashlyn

I was in awe as we pulled up to a cobbled stone square with a beautiful water fountain. Shops lined the street, and it was like stepping back in time. The Wolf kingdom is more modern, more like the human world, but this place was like stepping into a fairytale. As soon as the vehicle stopped, I jumped out, trying to take everything in. They made all the buildings of stone, even the street. I guess it made sense. Wood burns and I’m surrounded by fire-breathing dragons.

I walked over to the fountain, completely lost in the moment. Derek came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me back into his chest.

“Probably shouldn’t wander off, Babygirl.” He mumbled into my neck. Looking around, I noticed many people had stopped what they were doing and were now staring at us.

“Sorry,” I said, turning in his arms.

“I love having you here.” He said, pecking my l!ps. I heard people around us whispering about who I was and why their future king was k!ssing me.

“This place is magical, like out of a fairytale,” I told him.

“Its more beautiful at night.” He said, pulling me close. I wrapped my arms around his neck as we shared this special moment.

“We will have to make plans to visit at night.” I told him, touching my nose to his.

“Come, my queen. There’s something l want you to try”, Derek said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward what smelt like a bakery.

“And what am I trying?” I asked him as we stepped inside.

“We had a special pasty made with dragon fruit.” He answered as we waited in line.

“Dragon fruit?” I asked him.

“Not that dragon fruit. The human dragon fruit is different,” he explained.

“Okay, let’s get one for Mason. I want him to try it too,” I told him. He pulled me to his side.

“Of course, Babygirl.” He said, k!ssing my temple.

When we made it to the front of the line, Derek ordered while I looked around the small bakery. It smelt like heaven in here. And they had everything you could imagine. Cakes, pies, breads, and cookies lined the glass showcases.

“Ashlyn, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Derek said, pulling me back to his side. There was a little old lady standing on the other side of the counter. She has white hair, and she only came up to my shoulders.

“Ashlyn, this is Ms. Evans. Ms. Evans, this is my mate, Ashlyn.” Derek introduced us. She rushed around the counter, taking my hands in hers.

“Its lovely to meet you, Ashlyn. I’m so happy our future king has found his queen.” She told me.

“Its lovely to meet someone who knows my Derek,” I said, and she giggled.

“Oh, the stories I could tell you, my dear” She said.

“No stories.” Derek said, and I looked at him.

“Just one?” I asked him.

“My dear, come for tea.” Ms. Evans said.

“I would love that” I told her.

“You two have fun, and don’t be a stranger.” She called out, while Derek was pulling me outside.

“It was nice to meet you, Ms. Evans.” I called back to her.

“Derek, what was that?” I asked him when we were outside.

“She’s my mom’s mother,” he said.

“What?” l asked him, stunned.

“She’s your grandmother?” I exclaimed.

“Yes,” he answered. He walked over to the fountain and took a seat, and I sat beside him.

“So why did we go there?” I asked him.

“She makes the best pastries. Also, I don’t hate her. Her daughter, yes, but she is nothing like her daughter.” Derek said, passing me a pastry. It looked like a Danish and it smelt heavenly.

“I’m sorry, Derek.” I told him.

“It’s fine.” He answered, looking at me.

“Aren’t you going to try it?” He asked me impatiently.

“Just one more question,” I asked him, and he gr0aned.

“Fine, what is it?”

“If she is your grandmother, then why doesn’t she live in the castle?” l asked him.

“She has her business. She has always been a very independent person. Now try.” he said.

Sighing, I lifted the pastry to my l!ps. As soon as I took a bite, my entire life changed. I let out a m0an as I chewed the mind-blowing pastry. It was sweet and tangy, and the flavors exploded on my tongue.

“Good?” Derek chuckled.

“Oh my, I want to live in this,” I exclaimed before taking another bite. And then it hit me.

“Did she teach Matt?” I asked him, chewing.

“Why would you think that?” He asked me.

“Have you not tried his cupcakes?” I asked him.

“Matt and I are cousins. His father is my mother’s brother” Derek explained.

“‘She taught me as well. We just have a unique relationship since her daughter left me.” He answered.

“And you didn’t want to learn how to bake?” I asked him.

“First, teach me. Second, I’m so sorry about your mother. That couldn’t have been easy.” I told him, taking his hand.

“It doesn’t matter now. I have you and our family,” he said.

“And we have you.” I told him, smiling at him. After finishing my pastry, I was dying for another one.

“Open,” Derek said, holding the rest of his up. I did what he asked, putting the rest into my mouth.

“How did you know?” I asked him, still chewing.

“Really? I wished you looked at me like you were looking at my pastry.” He laughed.

“OrI can just lick it off of you?” I told him, giving him a smirk. He looked at me, stunned, until shaking his head.

“Such a tease.” He said, standing up. He took my hand and helped me up before pulling me into his chest.

“You know you’d like it,” I whispered, licking my l!ps.

“I would love it. And you are mine when we get back to the castle.” he said, his voice husky with l**t.

“Your kind isn’t welcome here.” Some called out, pulling me from my moment with Derek. I looked around and noticed that we had a crowd around us and the warriors were standing in front of them, preventing them from getting closer to us.

“You dare speak to your future queen?” Derek growled out, and the crowd gasped.

“It’s okay, Derek,” I whispered, patting his chest.

“Who said that?” I asked the crowd.

“I did.” An older man stepped forward. And Lance was immediately in front of him.

“It’s okay, Lance. Let him through. He clearly has something to say,” I said. Lance moved aside, but followed the man as he walked over to me.

“Now, what seems to be the problem?” I asked him.

“Your kind will bring down the entire dragon kingdom,” he growled out. Freya growled, shaking the ground. The man’s face paled, and I noticed Lance was smirking.

“Sorry about that. My dragon doesn’t enjoy being disrespected. What’s your name?” I asked him.

“Jeremey” he answered.

“Well Jeremey, I’m Ashlyn. Now, can you explain why you think that?” I asked him. Derek wrapped an arm around my h!ps, pulling me to his side.

“Hybrids will be the death of all of us.” Jeremey said, not answering my question. Maybe he didn’t know why he was so afraid.

“And who told you this?” I asked him.

“We have all heard the rumors. You killed the vampire king, and our king will be next” He growled out.

“Prince Derek is my mate, the father of my child. What makes you think I would ever kill him?” l asked him.

Jeremey shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable with my question.

“You don’t know, do you?” I asked him. He said nothing.

“I killed the vampire king because l had no choice. He was planning to steal my powers and take over the other kingdoms. I did what I had to do to stop him,” I told him, as he looked at the ground.

“You’re not the one planning to take over?” He asked.

“Nope, I just want to have a date with my mate without having to worry about being yelled at. I did what I had to do to protect my family, and any of you would have done the same. You’re just looking at it differently because I’m different. Yes, I’m a wolf witch. My brother is the king of the magic kingdom: My mates are both future kings of their kingdoms. Why would I need to take over?” I asked him.

“I don’t know” he stuttered out.

“Don’t believe her lies.” Someone yelled out.

“Bring him to me.” Derek growled out, making Jeremey jump.

“Jeremey, do you have any further questions?” I asked him.

“No, my queen, I’m sorry l interrupted your date.” He said. I moved away from Derek and walked over to Jeremey.

“I’m not here to hurt anyone. Just like you, I want to live a peaceful life,” I told him. He looked at me and nodded.

“f you have any more questions, contact the dragon castle and they will direct you to me,” I told him.

“Sorry, again, my queen” he said, bowing his head. Just as he went to walk away, another warrior dragged up a man. He glared at me before spitting in front of me.

“Fvcken hybrid.” the man growled out. Derek stepped in front of me and punched the man in the stomach.

“Don’t you dare speak to my mate and your future queen,” Derek growled out as the man coughed. I pulled Derek back beside me, hitting him would not answer my questions.

“What’s your problem with hybrids?” l asked him. He sneered as he looked up at me, hunched over in pain from Derek’s blow.

“You’re an abomination,” he spit out. Before I could stop Freya, she stepped out of me. She grew to her full size before whipping around. The man paled and his mouth hung open as he looked up at Freya. The crowd that had gathered were all gasping and whispering.

“Say that again, tough guy.” Freya growled out. The an gulped, shaking in fear as Freya watched him.

“Freya, be nice.” I told my dragon.

“Tell me why you think that?” I asked the man again.

He didn’t answer as he stared at my dragon behind me.

“I think that all of you have been believing the wrong people. The rumors are fueling your fears, but hybrids are nothing to fear. We are people, just like you. We are just trying to live our lives.” l yelled out.

“How the f**k can you say that? You literally have a dragon that could wipe out this entire kingdom.” the man said, finding his voice.

“Freya is here to protect me and my family. And all of you. If l wanted to take over, do you think I’d just be walking around the city?” I asked him, and he looked away from me. Ms. Evans walked over to us. The warriors must have let her through.

“You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Edwards.

She is our future queen and the mother of our heir. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” She scolded the man.

“If anyone has a problem with our future queen, you are no longer welcome in my bakery,” she yelled out.

“This young lady has done nothing to warrant this disrespect. And all of you would be wise to heed the ice dragon’s warning.” She continued.

“Ms. Evans, thank you” I told her sincerely.

“There is no need to thank me, my dear. I know you will be a wonderful queen and mate to our prince.” She told me.

“If no one else has a problem with my queen, then move along.” Derek yelled out.

“If anyone has any concerns, I would like to hear them,” I called out. Derek gave me a pointed look, and I returned it.

“I want to earn their trust,” I told him and he sighed.

“Date over then?” He asked me. Just then, pain hit me through the bond, causing me to whimper as I grabbed at my mark.

“Something’s wrong.” I rushed out, panting as my panic reached a new level.

“Fire at the castle,” Lance called out. I turned to see smoke rising high in the sky.

“Freya,” I yelled out. She dropped her head, and I climbed on. She took off towards the castle. My heart and stomach were in knots as we flew up to the castle. I tried to reach out to Mason, but he wasn’t answering.

Magnus was behind me. As he arrived at the castle, our wing was on fire and the flames burned hot as Freya approached the fire. She blew out her icy breath and the fire instantly went out, freezing half the castle. I scanned the ground to find Mason and our son. It was chaos on the ground and I couldn’t make anyone out.

“Freye, find Mason,” I yelled at her.