Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 137: Clean up

Ashlyn

Sage led me through the castle until we ended in the kitchen. Liam and Brandon were in there waiting for Us.

“Where’s Mason and James?” I asked them, sitting down at the table. Sage started busying herself in the kitchen.

“Mason put James down in his room and went to shower. He’ll be down later.” Brandon answered.

“Ashlyn, can you explain what the fr**k happened?” Liam asked me. Both of them were sitting across from me.

“Derek took me into the city, and then there was an explosion at the castle. It was only in Derek’s wing. His father protected James, and the blast threw Mason. Freya flew me back to the castle and put the fire out. Derek found Mason unconscious, and I healed him and James.” l explained.

“Did anything happen before the blast?” Brandon asked me.

“The council was a pain in the a*ss. And Freya froze one for calling hybrids an abomination. And when we were in the city, a crowd surrounded us. We had warriors with us, and I got a chance to speak to a few of them. Derek and Matt’s grandmother even defended me.” I told them.

“Derek and Matt are related?” Liam gasped out, and I nodded.

“Derek’s mother is Matt’s father’s sister,” I said.

“And?” Brandon asked me.

“And that was it. After the situation in the city, that’s when we saw the smoke coming from the castle,” I said.

“Okay, what’s your plan?” Liam asked me.

“I’m going to go speak to King Draco.” I told them.

“Not alone.” Brandon said.

“I need this to end. I almost lost Mason and James today. They should have been safe in the dragon castle with the dragon king. What am I supposed to do?” I said, frustrated. Sage placed some food and a glass in front of me, but I didn’t feel like eating. I was worried about Derek.

“Sweetie, I know you’re upset, but you need to take a moment to breathe. Rushing in there didn’t work so well last time.” Sage told me, sitting beside me.

“So, do l just wait until the next attack happens? And then what? I need to speak with him, not start a war.” I told her.

“And what if you find out that he is responsible for this?” Sage asked me.

“Then I’ll kill him.” I told her, crossing my arms across my chest.

“Beautiful, I trust you completely, you know that, but I don’t like this. We don’t know the kingdom and we don’t know how many followers you have there. It could be a trap.” Liam said.

“I know, but what the f**k am I supposed to do?” I huffed out. Standing up from the table, I paced the kitchen.

“Ashlyn, you need to eat and get some sleep.” Sage said.

“I can’t! Derek is out there and I can’t do anything. I’m fvcken useless.” I’ll yelled.

“So you think going to the vampire kingdom unprepared will make things right?” Sage said, and I growled out in frustration. A growl coming from the hallway rattled the kitchen. I turned around to see Mason standing in the doorway.

“Ashlyn, there is no way you are going to the vampire kingdom.” He growled out.

“Mason..” I started, but he interrupted me.

“No, Ashlyn. Derek and I watched you die. There is no way. I’m letting you go anywhere near that kingdom until we have a plan in place.” He said firmly.

“Mason, you and James almost died today and you want me to do nothing?” I yelled out.

“Yes, I want you to do nothing until we investigate what happened today. We are not losing you again.” He growled out.

“Mason, this is my job.” I defended myself.

“No, Ashlyn. You are a mother and our mate and I’m not losing you. If I have to force you to submit, I will.” He said.

“Mason, this needs to end. l can’t keep doing this.” I screamed at him.

“So what? You die and nothing changes. Your death will only affect your family, and I’m not watching you die again. I’m not watching you lay unresponsive in bed for eight weeks. If you love us, your family, you will sit here and do nothing until we come up with a plan.” He yelled.

“Someone threatened my mate and son and you want me to do nothing?” I yelled.

“So, I can just run into the vampire kingdom?” He challenged me.

“That’s fvcken different, Mason, and you know that.”

“No, it’s not. You want us to trust you, then stop running around doing your own fvcken thing. Everything you do affects us. And you are going to get someone you love killed because you can’t just sit and wait.” He yelled.

I glared at him before l stormed out of the kitchen. I was trying to protect them, to protect everyone. I followed James’ scent until I found what I assumed was our wing. It was at the back of the castle. I entered, and it reminded me of the wolf wing in the old council building. I didn’t focus too hard on the details. After I found James’ room, I entered to find that they set it up exactly like before.

James was sound asleep in his crib, and just the thought of losing him had my heart twisting painfully in my chest. I sat down on the floor, leaning my back against his crib. Pulling my knees to my chest, I sobbed.

I was feeling so many emotions that my mind couldn’t keep up with the events of what happened today. I understand why my mother chose to have a simple life. They hid the fact that I was a hybrid from the world, and now I understand why. They were protecting me. Now l just have to protect James.

Derek

I was so grateful that Mason and James were alive and that my father wasn’t seriously injured. What a fvcken nightmare of a day. After saying goodbye to my family, I found my father.

“Dad, you okay?” l asked him.

“Son, Ashlyn healed me.” He answered.

“So what do we know?” I asked him.

“They are trying to find the explosives. Maybe we can track the sale and see where it came from.” He told me.

“Any casualties?” l asked, and he shook his head.

“Well, there’s some good news,” I said.

“Did you send them home?” My father asked, and I nodded.

“I need them safe right now and I can’t do that here.” I told him.

“I’m sorry, son. This should never have happened.” My father said and I could see that he felt guilty.

“It’s not your fault, dad. Thank you for keeping James safe.” I told him.

It surprised me to see Matt walking towards us. I thought he would be with his mate.

“Always, son.” He said.

“Matt, what are you doing here?” I asked him when he was standing in front of us.

“Ashlyn sent me. She’s worried, Derek.” He told me.

“I know she is, but this is my kingdom, and I refuse to let anyone get away with this.” I told him and he nodded.

“She met Nana?” He asked me and I sighed. And speaking of nana, she came rushing over to us in a panic.

“Ashlyn and the baby, are they okay?” She breathed out.

“Nana, they are back home. Everyone is safe.” Matt answered her and she let out a breath.

“Oh, thank the heavens. And what are you going to do about this?” She asked, pointing a finger at me.

“We are trying to figure out what happened.” I told her.

“Well, who do you think did this?” She asked me, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Ashlyn has enemies, but I’m not sure. Who would have known that we were here today? It was a last-minute trip, so nothing was planned.” I thought out loud.

“You have a mole somewhere. And it’s about time you tracked them down.” She said.

“Derek, I don’t think it was vampires. I’ve been speaking to King Draco. The opinion of Ashlyn has been changing over the last few weeks. The vampires that she has helped came forward, and they have been working hard to change people’s minds about the hybrids. King Draco doesn’t even blame Ashlyn for his son’s death.” My father told us.

“Then who else is there?” Matt asked.

“Susan, king Draco’s father and Grace are dead. Ashlyn’s father, King Gregory, is also dead. And King Theo is dead. So, who else was against Ashlyn and the hybrids?” l asked them.

“The Fae kingdom?” Nana asked.

“King Jordan says he stands with Ashlyn.” I answered her.

“But King Theo said the same thing,” Matt pointed out.

“Yes, but Ashlyn blessed them with a child. Do you think he would go against her after that?” I asked him and he shrugged.

“We should still investigate, son. And we should try to pinpoint where all the threats are coming from.” My father said, and I agree.

“We should start with the traitors in the square. They are getting their information from somewhere. We could use them to track down the person or persons responsible for all the hate.” Nana said, and I had to agree.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll get Lance to track down the two that were speaking with Ashlyn.” I told her.

“No need. I know where both of them live. Meet me in the bakery in an hour. Matthew, you’re with me.” She said before turning around and walking away.

“Matthew” She called out when Matt wasn’t moving fast enough.

“l guess I’ll see you in an hour.” He said before he left.

“I swear that old bird is crazy.” My father breathed out, making me chuckle.

“Really dad?” I asked him.

“What? It’s true. She’s the only woman that has ever scared the crap out of me. I even have nightmares about her baking me into a pie.” He shivered. I laughed at his comment about my grandmother. She has always been tough, but loving. I always wondered how her daughter turned out to be such a b***h.

“Are you going to be okay, dad? I should go get Lance and the team,” I told him.

“And I’ll handle the council. I’m sure they are all freaking out.” He chuckled.

“You have got yourself an amazing woman.” He said, patting my shoulder.

“Thanks dad.” I said before he walked towards the castle. Looking at it now, it’s a good thing it’s as big as it is. My wing is going to take years to fix, but at least the rest of the castle was untouched.

“Lance!” I called out when I finally spotted him in the crowd.

“Derek, is everyone safe?” He asked me, and I nodded.

They went home. But now I need you and the team to come with me to Ms. Evans’ bakery.” I told him, and he raised an eyebrow.

“Why?” He asked me, confused.

“Her and Matt are rounding up some suspects.”