Finding Her True Alpha
Chapter 81: Bye, Bye Chantel

Ashlyn

I woke up feeling hungry and nauseous. But dread immediately started pooling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of actually seeing my mates today. I thought I’d feel happy, excited to see them, but instead, I was feeling dread for the argument l knew that was coming.

They didn’t even come to see me last night. They were so worried that I had left our apartment, but they didn’t even bother to come and check up on me here. I sat up, looking around our tent. Sage was sleeping on her cot. I wonder if she got to see Brandon.

On the small table beside my cot, I noticed a couple of bottles of water, granola bars, and a couple of apples.

Swinging my legs over the side of the cot, I placed my feet in my boots. After I had them tied up, I found a hoodie. It was chilly, being late winter. I pulled out my vitamins and an anti-nausea tablet, downing them both, along with a bottle of water.

I stuffed a couple of granola bars in my pocket and took an apple before I stepped out of my tent. The sun was just rising, but you still couldn’t see it above the tree line.

I noticed a crowd around the entrance of one of my tents. I made my way over to the crowd. It was still really early. What is everyone doing awake? The closer I walked to the crowd, the louder the yelling became. And I recognized the voice that was making demands.

The crowd cleared a path for me and I walked to the front to find Chantel yelling at my men. The men that were standing behind her immediately bowed their heads to me.

“Oh, look who’s finally up. Now you can deal with your band of misfits.” She growled out, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What the hell is going on?” I asked her and she huffed.

“Just do your fucken job.” She went to turn away from me.

“If you don’t want to be here, then fucken leave.” I told her and she stopped.

“You can’t give me orders.” She growled. And I crossed my arms over my chest. I willed Tundra out and she appeared beside me, baring her teeth.

“I can and I just did. And you can tell everyone, if they don’t like working with a different mythical kingdom, then they can leave as well. I’m not here to babysit. If you can’t put your differences aside and work together for the greater good of everyone. Then fucken leave.” I ordered.

“You are a terrible Queen,” she growled out. Dylan, Emmet and Eric were standing behind me and the three of them let out a growl, along with Tundra. I hadn’t noticed the guys before.

“Why? Because I’m not you? Because I actually care about others? Or are you just pissed that Derek is my mate and not yours? And that I actually bear his mark?” I asked her. Her eyes changed color and her skin rippled. I knew she was on the verge of shifting. Tundra let out her earthshaking growl, and she froze.

“Do it, I fucken dare you.” I taunted her.

“Fucken hybrid scrum.” She growled out. Before I even realized what I was doing, her body exploded with a loud pop and I threw my arms up to throw all the b***d and guts away from us.

“Now does anyone else have a fucken opinion?” I growled out at her comrades, now covered in what’s left of her.

“No, my Queen. We will get this cleaned up.” One stuttered out.

“If any of you don’t want to be here, you are welcome to leave.” I told them before turning my attention back to my group.

“Dylan, what the hell was that about?” I asked him, but it was Milo who answered.

“I’m sorry, my Queen, but that was my fault. I went looking for food and she dragged me back here.” And I could see claw marks on his upper arm.

“B***d?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Animal b***d” he stated.

“Dylan can lead the way to the mess hall, please?” I asked him, and he nodded.

“Can I have some volunteers to share some of their b***d? Milo, you can feed on me.”

“No, my Queen. I can’t do that. You are pregnant.” Milo said, and I pushed my lips into a line. I wasn’t ready to announce that yet.

“It’s okay Buttercup, I volunteer.” Eric stepped closer to me. “We want nothing to happen to you or your baby.” He continued.

“I’ll volunteer as well,” Dylan said.

“I will as well” Emmett stepped up. And s0on all the wolves Sage and I helped were volunteering to help.

“Thank you everyone. Let’s head over to the mess area and I’ll find something for everyone else.” I told them. I walked beside Dylan while he led us to the mess area.

“Do your mates know?” He asked me.

“I told them yesterday.” Tundra answered, trotting beside me.

“What? You saw them?” I asked her.

“I did. I sent them away. You needed your rest for our pup. And I’m not letting this one go.” She huffed out. I rubbed my palm on her head. She was such a good momma already.

“l guess they know.” l answered Dylan.

“l know, Mason. I’m sure he had a good reason for keeping you away.” He told me. We walked in silence after that. I don’t care about their reasons. We are a family and everything should be discussed among us.

They promised me no more secrets.

Dylan opened a flap for a massive outfitter tent.

When I stepped inside, there were three rows of picnic tables. On the far side were some camping stoves and coolers.

I walked over to the far side and found some cups.

They were the red disposable ones. The tent wasn’t full, but I could feel all eyes were on me. I walked back over to my group. They were now seated at a few free tables.

“Pass these out, please. For the b***d.” I told Dylan, and he nodded.

“Milo, I don’t want this to come out as rude, but do vampires eat normal food?” I asked him. He was sitting beside Eric across from Dylan.

“We do, my Queen, but it’s not the same. We should be good with just b***d,” he answered.

“Okay, thank you. “I’ll be back.” I told them before I headed to the makeshift kitchen again.

Finding all the ingredients to make some ham and cheese sandwiches. I also found some energy bars, and some bottled sodas. I had to make three trips, but I got everyone fed.

“Dylan, can you make sure everyone gets back to their tents please? I need to make a few calls to get everyone home.” I asked him.

“Yes, my Queen. Do you need someone to escort you back to your tent?” He asked me.

“I’m sure l can manage. See you guys in a little bit.” I said to them.

“Buttercup, make sure you eat. You’re eating for two now.” Eric called out from behind me, right before I stepped out.

“I’ll find something.” looked back at him and smiled before I exited the tent. Tundra was trotting beside me.

She was so much happier being free.

Before I made it to my tent, Tundra stepped back into me. She wanted to check on our boy. Thankfully, the pill I took earlier actually worked, and I didn’t throw up.

l entered my tent to find my mates sitting on my cot and a very annoyed Sage sitting on hers. My heart rate immediately picked up, and I was now feeling anxious, seeing them for the first time in two and a half weeks.

“Sorry, they won’t leave.” She huffed out.

“It’s okay, Sage.” I told her, like it was no big deal, but I was ready to throw up.

I walked in and kneeled beside my backpack. I started digging for my phone. Hopefully, I still had some battery life and I could make a call out to Arthur. I needed him to give me King Theo’s contact information.

“Ashlyn, where did you go?” Sage asked me while both my mates just stared at me.

“Well, I had to get our group all fed, and I even got the wolves to volunteer some b***d for the vampires. And before all that, I blew Chantel up.” I told her before I looked down at my phone. She started laughing. She knew how much I hated her.

Thad battery and reception, so I went through my contracts and when I found Arthur, I hit the call button. I moved the phone to my ear.

“Ashlyn, you can’t just blow.” Derek said, but I held up my finger to show that I needed a minute.

“Hi Arthur.” I said when he answered.

“Oh, thank the goddess. Ashlyn, are you okay?” He rushed out.

“I’m fine, but I need your help. At the camp by Emerald Lake, I have 20 vampires. I need you to get in contact with King Theo, or send me his information and I’ll call him.” I explained.

“Of course, he will be my next call. But how did you come to have 20 vampires?” He asked me curiously.

“The former vampire king is holding families hostage. l even found a 17-year-old who took his ill father’s place. I killed the one loyal to the former vampire king, and Sage checked to make sure everyone was telling the truth.” I explained further, and I heard him gasp.

“Okay, Ashlyn. I will call you back with the details. Take care.” He hung up, and I put my phone in my pocket. Sage excused herself and I went to sit on her bed, across from my mates.

“Baby, you’re pregnant.”