Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 144: Normalizing

Ashlyn

After we finished speaking with King Jordan, he assured us he would investigate anyone leaving and entering his kingdom over the last couple of days. He also wasn’t sure who this Ryan guy was, but we really had little to go on with him. Liam also came into the library after we finished on the phone and we went through the student IDs of everyone named Ryan. It was a long list, but none of them were the Ryan that I met.

We even went back a few years to make sure, but nothing. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack; we wouldn’t find him until he stabbed one of us.

When I finished, I went to spend some time with Gabby and James. I was still feeling drained from earlier, but I figured I’d go to bed early and then tomorrow I would place the same spell on Mason. Then, hopefully, I’ll be recharged by the time we head to the Fae Kingdom for Aurora’s birthday party. It’s in a few days, on the weekend, and I was excited about seeing her. I was also excited for her to meet Gabby. I knew they would be great friends, as Gabby reminds me a lot of Aurora.

Now, all that was left to do was order her a present and everything else that I needed. I went into my room to find my card before I went searching for my two babies. I was just about to leave when my old phone started ringing. It was on a side table beside our bed. Picking it up, I saw lan’s name on the screen.

“Hey lan, what’s up?” I answered.

“Ashlyn, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.” He answered.

“Yeah, I’m okay lan. Just been busy. We are now living where the old council building was.” I told him.

“It’s been rebuilt already?” He asked me, confused.

“My magic is weird. I actually found a hidden tomb underneath the old building. When I went down there, I found ten other hybrids that were trapped there. I also now have an ice dragon,” I said.

“You found people alive in a tomb under the council building?” He asked me.

“Yeah, their families were trapped there over 300 years ago. It was a safe place until the magic started to fade. Some of them have already found their mates,” I explained.

“And you have a dragon?” He asked.

“Yeah, her name is Freya, and she knew Tundra.

They both fought in the great war. Freya’s witch half betrayed them and that was how they got stuck down there. Also, she couldn’t attach herself to any of the other hybrids because none of them had dragon b***d, but with me being mated to Derek, she could attach herself to me.” I told him and there was a pause on his side of the phone.

“lan?”I asked him.

“Yeah, I’m still here. Anything else?” He asked me.

“l also adopted an eight-year-old girl that lost her parents. She is the youngest hybrid that I found there.” I said.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.” He said, stunned.

“And Mason and Derek are okay with this?” He asked me.

“They are, and she is just wonderful. Her name is Gabby, and she is a wolf witch.” I told him.

“Anyway, how are you? How are you and Ava?” I asked him, curious about his relationship with his mate.

“We are good, she marked me, but Jax isn’t ready to mark her yet.” lan answered.

“And how does Ava feel about that?” I asked him.

“She said that she’s okay, but I can tell that she’s hurt.” He said.

“What does Jax say?”

“He still misses you and Tundra,” he told me and I sighed.

“I miss Tundra as well. And it’s weird to have a dragon instead of my wolf, but I saw Tundra after I rescued the hybrids. I know she would be so happy that Jax found his mate. And I think he should give Ava a chance. She has clearly won you over,” I told him.

“Is this hard for you?” He asked, and I sighed.

“Are you happy?” I asked him.

“I feel happy,” he answered.

“That’s all that matters, lan. Both of our lives have changed so much. And if Jax is listening, I love you, Jax, and I want you to be happy. And don’t let lan f**k it up.” I told him with a giggle.

“He’s laughing in my head,” lan said.

“He’ll come around. Maybe going for a run with her wolf will help.” I told him and he sighed.

“I’ve been trying, but he refuses to shift if she’s around,” he said, sounding defeated.

“He’s just as stubborn as you,” I told him.

“More, I think.” lan sighed.

“lan, everything will work out. Jax will come around and soon you’ll have pups and everything will be surreal.” I told him.

“Is that how life feels for you?” He asked.

“It does. I never thought at 18| would have two babies, one being eight years old, but I couldn’t imagine my life without her now. And when she asked to call me mom, I almost burst into tears. Maybe next weekend, you and Ava can come for a visit. We have more than enough space and I would love to meet her and for you to meet everyone. And bring Alex. Maybe I found his mate, like I did for Liam and Matt.” I told him.

“I know she is dying to meet you. She’s your biggest fan. The first female Alpha.” He said.

“Awe, Mason, and Derek could be my lunas.” I laughed.

“You are the one in charge, my queen.” He chuckled, and I gr0aned.

“Don’t you start with me,” I told him.

“Ashlyn?”

“Yeah, lan?”

“Thank you for this,” he said.

“Anytime, lan. I’m always here if you need me.” I told him, meaning every word.

“I’ll let you go. I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said.

“Thank you lan. Hopefully, I’ll see you next week.” I told him, before ending the call. Sighing, I finally stood up from bed to go find my babies. I didn’t expect lan to call or to tell me that Ava had marked him. lan is such a better person with her and it made me jealous that he couldn’t be that way with me.

I had to remind myself that l’m happy with my life now, and I am, but there was a part of me that wanted to spend my life with lan. f**k, feelings are hard. I found everyone in the living room. Gabby was sitting on the floor with James. He was having some tummy time, and she was showing him all the fun games on the tablet. I sat down beside her, putting James in my lap, holding him tight. Mason and Derek were both watching me whilel watched Gabby play her game.

James had found his toes and was playing with them.

“Babygirl, what’s wrong?” Derek asked me.

“I’m just tired.” I told him, giving him a small smile.

“Baby, we can feel you,” Mason said, and I sighed.

“lan called while was getting my card so I could do some shopping,” I told them.

“And that is why you feel weird?” Derek asked me.

“I invited Ava and him out here next weekend.” I said.

“And?” Mason pushed.

“And nothing. He was calling to see how I was doing. Jax is having a hard time accepting Ava. He really misses Tundra.” I told them.

“And you?” Derek said, and I nodded.

“And me. Ava marked lan, but Jax wasn’t ready to mark her,” I said.

“And that’s why you feel weird. He’s marked.” Mason said, and I felt he was upset.

“Its not like that, Mason. I’m happy for him and I love my life with the four of you. lan and I are no longer the same people we were. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain,” I told him.

“She’s upset because he wouldn’t change for her.” Sage said, coming into the living room and taking a seat on the other couch.

“How long have you been listening?” I asked her.

“Is she right?” Derek asked me.

“Maybe, I don’t know. I’m probably just tired and overthinking.” I sighed.

“You feel you weren’t good enough for him to change?” Derek asked. And I didn’t answer him.

“Baby?” Mason asked, sighing. I nodded.

“Its weird because with him not changing, I met you and then Derek, but it still stings.” I admitted.

“He’s an id!ot to think that he could do better than you, even if he found his mate,” Sage said.

“Really, Sage?” I chuckled.

“Its just like these two. They could never do better than you. Also, Brandon could never do better than me. We are just so fantastic.” She giggled. I laughed, shaking my head.

“Babygirl, why would you invite him here, if that’s how you feel?” Derek asked me.

“To normalize things, I guess. And I want to meet Ava and I am glad that she could get him to grow up. Feelings just svck.” l answered.

“Look at you being all mature.” Sage teased.

“Mom, I like this.” Gabby said, pulling me from my conversation with the others. I looked down at the tablet to see her pointing at a mermaid bed set.

“I love it, sweetie. Did you and auntie Sage find anything else?” I asked her and she nodded, trying to pull up the internet browser.

“Baby, come sit down,” Mason said, moving over on the couch. He patted the space between him and Derek. I stood up with James and sat down between them.

“Gabby?” Mason said, getting her attention. She stood up, still holding the tablet, and climbed into Mason’s lap. Gabby started showing him all the things that she and Sage found.

Derek wrapped his arms around me and James, pulling me to his side.

“l understand, Babygirl.” He whispered, k!ssing my temple. James leaned forward, svcking on Derek’s forearm.

“I think he’s hungry” Derek chuckled, and I laughed.

“Or someone doesn’t like it when daddy touches his momma.” I giggled.

“If l didn’t touch your momma, little man, you wouldn’t be here.” Derek told James, and we all laughed, except Gabby, who wasn’t paying any attention to us.

“Gabby, you and Mason should find the Fae Princess a birthday gift. We are going to her birthday party in a few days. I’m just going to get James’ feed and in bed and then we can have dinner. Okay?” I asked her, and she nodded.

“What does she like? I don’t think I have time to make her anything?” Gabby said, looking up at me.

“I’m sure she’ll love anything you make or buy for her.” I told her, k!ssing her forehead. K!ssing Mason before, I stood up with James, making my way into the kitchen, with Derek following me.

“You’re so go with her.” He told me, taking James from me so I could make a bottle.

“I know how it is to lose your parents. And l just want her to feel as much love as possible.” I told him, while getting the bottle ready.

“You’re doing a fantastic job, momma wolf dragon.” He chuckled, coming over to me, k!ssing my cheek.

“And Sage is right. Anyone who thinks they can do better than you is an id!ot.”