Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 48: Goddess within

Ashlyn

While Mason and Derek were arguing over the phone, I could hear wolves howling in the distance. The howls sounded like a warning, or maybe a distress call. I was listening intently when Tundra growled in my head.

“Vampires!”

“Vampires” I didn’t realize | had said it out loud until Derek looked at me, confused.

I took off running out the back kitchen door, with Derek yeling behind me. Tundra shifted, and we took off toward the howls.

Tundra ran through a forest clearing. We found Blue Moon warriors on one side and eight vampires on the other. lan had shifted back and was commanding the vampires to leave or die.

Tundra trotted over to them and the vampires gasped. I didn’t have time to look at my wolf before taking off. Derek finally caught up to me and was standing beside me now.

“Alpha lan, you need to give me permission to shift,” he panted. Tundra licked his face, and he pouted.

Everyone was quiet now as Tundra turned her attention to the vampires. Her growl shook the ground, and the vampires shook in fear. They all knew they were going to die today.

“We are here to speak with Ashlyn.” One vampire stuttered out. I shifted back, and a bright light engulfed me. When it faded, I was wearing a gold fitted floor length silk dress covered with white lace. The dress was off the shoulders and the lace made up the long sleeves.

It also had a long slit that went to mid-thigh. My hair was no longer in a messy bun and was now flowing down my back in waves.

I looked around the clearing to see the vampires on their knees and all the wolves bowing their heads in respect. Derek was also kneeling behind me with lan. It surprised me when Thor walked over to me and bowed his head.

“What did you want to speak to me about?” I demanded, turning my attention back to the vampires. But they all looked at each other, reeking of fear.

“I don’t have all day.” I sang out and one finally cleared his throat.

“We are here to take you to our Queen?” One stuttered out. And I laughed.

“As you can see, you’re in no position to make demands of me. If you don’t submit to me, and tell me all that I want to know, I’ll make you explode.” I told them. I focused on the pressure and closed my hand, making a fist. When I focused on one vampire, he exploded all over his friends, who screamed.

“I’ll make you explode, just like that. Do you understand?” I asked them and they nodded.

“Good, now tell me who you are working for?” I demanded. Thor walked over and sat beside me. I rested my hand on his head. He really was a handsome wolf, so black he looked dark blue, with his gold eyes. Derek came to stand on the other side of me. He took my hand in his.

“We don’t know her name.” One of them spoke.

“How am I able to get a hold of her?” l asked.

“We were to take you to a warehouse outside the old Emerald Lake pack, on the north side of the lake.” One explained. I guess I’ll now know where dear ole granny was hiding.

“How much is she paying you?” I asked.

“A million to bring you in.” He sighed.

“So to you, my life is worth one million dollars, correct?” I asked. And they nodded.

“Is that how much your death is worth?” I asked, and they all paled.

“My Queen, we didn’t know who you were when we took this job.” One pleaded.

“Your actions today could have led to deaths in my pack, and there should be consciences for those actions.

Don’t you agree?” I studied them.

“Yes, my Queen.” They bowed their heads.

“Does anyone else have anymore questions for them?” l asked, looking at Thor and then at Derek. Both shook their heads.

“Very well, since you were trying to bring me to my death, I think death should be your punishment. Agreed?

“l asked. But I was really asking Mason and Derek. Thor nudged my hand, and Derek squeezed the one he was holding.

The vampires were shaking in fear, and I thought I’d feel bad for putting someone to death, but no one thought about what I’d lost. I was angry, and these vampires were the ones that were going to pay today.

I focus on all of them, closing my hand as before.

They exploded with a loud pop after I opened my hand, causing the water in their bodies to separate. I threw an arm up to force their bodies away from us. I didn’t want to get covered in their b***d.

Sage, a large brown wolf and a grey wolf, walked over to us. I’m assuming the wolves are Brandon and Liam. Sage wrapped me in a hug, squeezing me tight.

“That was amazing, my Queen.” She whispered, and I internally rolled my eyes at the title she gave me.

“It’s just Ashlyn.” I told her, pulling away. I knelt down to give Thora hug. He wrapped one of his paws around my back while I hugged his neck. I motioned Derek to come Over to me.

“Thor, I’d like you to meet someone,” I said, pulling away from him to look into his eyes.

“Thor, this is Derek,” I introduced him. And Thor snorted. Derek crossed his arms over his chest. I rested my forehead against his and whispered.

“Please be nice.” Before, I k!ssed his head.

lan walked over with shorts for all my shifted wolves. They all shifted and pulled the shorts on. Mason immediately wrapped his arms around me, breathing in my scent. It’s been a long, stressful week and I’m glad my Mason’s back.

“Tundra is stunning.” He whispered, and I was confused.

“She’s the same wolf you’ve met.” I told him and he shook his head.

“She’s gold, Baby.” He answered.

“Gold?” I questioned. He pulled away to look at me.

“She isn’t white anymore, but all gold.” He told me.

He was looking me up and down, admiring my new dress.

“You are the true Queen. You’re my true Queen.” He whispered while resting his forehead on mine.

“You’re our Queen.” Derek came up beside us and Mason let out a sigh. Mason turned to Derek, and I was stunned at what he said.

“I’m not happy that my mate has more than just me, but l have no control over this. Let’s end this war and then we can revisit this whole arrangement.” Derek nodded and i let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.

I turned to find everyone waiting for us to end our conversation. I looked over at lan, who was standing with his Beta.

“lan, I’m sorry about all the trouble I have brought to your pack,” I told him.

“My Queen, that was amazing,” he said, grinning.

“We should get back. We have a lot to discuss.” Brandon said, and I nodded, turning to Derek.

“We should return to Silver Moon.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, and I nodded.

“We should all be in the same place and we should always travel in twos. Just to be safe until we head to our destination.” I told them.

I walked over, giving both lan and Alex a goodbye hug. It was nice that I’d always have a place here if I ever needed it.

“Sage, will you do the honours?” I asked her. She opened up a portal into our living room and we all stepped through, the portal closing behind us.

“Sage, come help me with this dress?” And she followed me to my old room, closing the door behind her.

“So, you, Mason and Derek?” She asked me while untying the back corset of the dress. I shrugged my shoulders.

“How can I deny Derek his fated mate? His father didn’t get a second chance after my mother. He had to take on a chosen mate. I don’t know, I just don’t think it’s fair” I told her.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about the fae prince or the vampire prince. They have already taken chosen mates.” She told me.

“What about the warlock prince?” I asked hesitantly.

“My brother? Oh, I’m sure he’ll find someone.” I whipped around so fast I thought I’d rip the dress off my body.

“Brother?” I exclaimed. And she nodded.

“You’re the witch princess?” I stuttered, shocked.

“I am.” She turned me back around to finish undoing the back.

“Ashlyn, who you choose as your mate or mates, is your choice. My brother will just have to understand your decision. And I understand why you’d pick Derek after all of this. He clearly cares for you. I know I met Mason at the worst possible time, but I can see that he loves you.”

I turned my head and smiled at her.

“I’m so glad I have my friend back.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her chin on my shoulder.

“Me too. Now let’s get you out of this dress so we can start planning.” She went back to work, and it didn’t take long before I was sliding the dress off. As soon as it fell to the floor, it disappeared, making us gasp.

“That was weird.” Sage drew out, and I had to agree.

This was all unfamiliar territory for both of us. I walked into my closet and found a pair of leggings and a deep purple v-neck long-sleeve shirt.

We both walked back out to find the guys sitting in the living room. Mason and Derek were actually sitting on the same couch together, and it made me smile to know that they were trying to get along. Sage went to sit between Brandon and Liam. I couldn’t help but notice the smile she gave Brandon. Maybe something happened between them. I looked at all of them before I started.

“I’m going to Emerald Lake.”