Filed to story: Her True Alpha and True Love Novel Read Online
“Ashlyn would want us to spend time with our son and each other. I’m not sure either of us will relax, but I think we need to come to terms with the fact that she may never wake up.” l explained, and he nodded.
“I don’t want to let her go.” Derek whispered, his eyes turning glossy as he looked at our mate.
“I don’t either. I never want to give up on here, but this isn’t healthy for either of us or James. We need to think about the bigger picture as much as it hurts. And I’m not saying we won’t visit her. I just think that we should be home every night with James. Maybe we can have her move into the house. That way we can do both,” I told him.
“We can definitely ask the doctor about moving her. And l understand what you are saying, but I don’t know if I could just leave her here.” Derek told me.
“I understand Derek. Let’s talk to the doctor and then we can decide what is best.” Two weeks later. The doctor allowed us to have Ashlyn moved to the house. We have a room set up for her and all the medical equipment that might be needed. She also has around the hour care. Having her home has made it easier for all of us. We set my office up in her room so l could work from home most of the time. The office is where I would go for meetings. I also felt less anxious having her here with us. I knew no one could get past the warriors or Sage, so l could relax a bit, knowing that she was safe.
Sage started to portal Derek to the Dragon kingdom, so he could help his father. His father wanted to hand over the kingdom to him, but we still didn’t know how we could make that work. Life was finally getting some normalcy back. And whenever we needed to see Ashlyn and to check on her, she was just down the hall from us. I spent most of my day in her room and even most nights.
Sage also confirmed that she could feel Ashlyn’s magic and that it was growing stronger, but there was no way to tell when she was going to wake up. She also confirmed that she couldn’t feel Tundra. Witches heal faster than humans, but with her being a hybrid, we really did not know. Everyone was just guessing about her treatment. Even Sage’s mom has been helping with trying to wake Ashlyn up. Liz went back to the Magical Kingdom to do some research and to gather up some things that she’s hoping will help. It had been eight weeks without her and I was quickly losing hope that she would ever wake up.
Everyone has been working day and night to wake her up, but I think she needs to wake up on her own. She is breathing on her own and all the tests show she has brain function. She may not have her wolf, but she still has her magic.
We all just need her to wake up. James especially.
He’s two months old already, and he has changed so much. He smiles and laughs. When he’s having a bad day, Sage will bring him in here to lie with Ashlyn. He will instantly snuggle into her and go to sleep. It’s becoming more of a daily thing, as he has been growing increasingly impatient for his momma to wake up. His daddies are as well. I will find James and Derek here, snuggled up together with Ashlyn. And Derek always finds me here with her, not just because it is also my home office.
My phone chimed on my desk and I leaned over to see who had texted me. lan’s name popped, and I knew he was texting to ask about Ashlyn’s condition. He would text every few days for an update on her and on James. I think he already knew how Derek and I were feeling because he felt the same way.
I unlocked my phone and read his text.
I: Any changes?
Me: Nothing new to report.
I: How are you doing?
Me: Getting by. You?
I: Same. But I have some news, and I do not know what to do.
Me: Just tell me, I think at this point we can call each other friends.
I: I found my mate. I looked at the text, stunned. I definitely wasn’t expecting him to say that.
Me: Congrats. So what’s the problem?
I: l feel guilty. I found her a few weeks ago and I haven’t been able to mark her or even be around her. She’s the daughter of an Alpha of one of the neighboring packs.
Me: Why do you feel guilty? This is a good thing, and Ashlyn would be so happy for you.
I: She gave me a chance to find happiness while you and Derek are suffering. Even James is suffering. How do I just move on and be happy while she is still unconscious?
Me: I can tell you she would be happy for you and that she wouldn’t want you to feel guilty. I’m happy for you. Take this second chance and cherish it.
I: Thanks, Mason. I’ll try. Please keep me updated and if you need anything that l can help with, just let me know.
“Where is everyone?”
Ashlyn
A bright light shining in my face woke me, but I don’t remember falling asleep. I covered my eyes with my forearm, not wanting to get up. It wasn’t until the memories of what happened flooded my mind that I sat up and opened my eyes to find myself in a familiar place.
Thad to shield my eyes and wait for them to adjust to the bright light of the sun. Well, I think it was the sun, anyway. As soon as everything came into focus, I definitely remembered this place.
I first came here after I broke the love potion. So it either means I’m dead or I’m dying. Standing, I looked around the beautiful clearing. Even remembering everything that happened, this place just felt like home. I walked over to the waterfall, brushing my hand through the water as I walked around the pool. I knew everyone was safe, and that was all that mattered.
I tried to reach out to Tundra, but I couldn’t feel her. I guess she must be around here somewhere. The only thing I found odd about this place was that I was alone.
If I were dead, shouldn’t there be others here? And if I wasn’t dead, how the hell could I get back to my body? I tried to think about how I got out of this place the first time, but my mother was here to help the first time.
Sighing, I laid down on a boulder beside the pool that the waterfall flows into. Closing my eyes, thinking about everything that had happened. I knew that lan and Alex were safe. I knew that Tundra killed Theo, but I wasn’t sure if Gregory was still alive, but if he was, he was a dead man walking. There’s no way my mates would let him live after that.
I was more confused about why Theo did what he did. He didn’t need my powers. Theo was already powerful. He was already a king. Being with me would have changed nothing. But I don’t think he truly wanted to be with me. I think he just wanted to be part of the higher order. Being the Queen, I got more of a say than he did. But to do all of that over a title sounded ridiculous to me, but they have started wars for less.
I know my mates will bring the kingdoms together.
And hopefully, I’ll be able to look down on them soon. I missed them dearly. And l hope James will forgive me when he’s older and understands what I had to do. I know they will never have all the answers, but l pray that Mason and Derek find peace with what happened. I wish I could see them one last time to explain what had happened. They are probably wondering why I didn’t shift or use my powers. In theory, werewolves are stronger than vampires, but I wasn’t a shifter anymore.
And I barely understood my magic. I didn’t walk into that battle prepared, and it cost me my life.
“Buttercup? What are you doing here?” A familiar voice called out. I sat up instantly to see Donny standing close to the waterfall.
“Donny?” l exclaimed, running over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. Tears were running down my cheeks.
“Buttercup, you shouldn’t be here.” He said, unwrapping my arms from him.
“Donny, what are you talking about?” I asked him, confused. I thought he would be happy to see me.
“Buttercup, this is the afterlife. If you are here, that means you are dead,” he explained.
“I’m so sorry, Donny. I’m sorry that I got you killed.” I whispered, trying to hold back my sobs.
“It’s not that I’m not happy to see you, Buttercup. And you have nothing to be sorry for, it’s just that you are supposed to be alive. You aren’t supposed to be here.” He said, lifting my chin so that I would look at him.
“Theo decided that he also wanted my powers and teamed up with my bio dad, former warlock King Gregory. But Tundra gave up our powers for Brad’s life. Tundra killed Theo before he killed me, but I still ended up here. So, I must be dead.” I told him. We both took a seat on a boulder beside the waterfall.
“Why didn’t you use your magic?” he asked me and I let out a sigh.
“I wanted to, but l just couldn’t focus on using it. It all happened so fast. lan and Alex were there, and I needed to get them out safely.” I told him.
“So, you gave up your life so that they would live?” he asked me, and I nodded.
“l gave up my life, so that you would live.” He told me, and I immediately felt guilty for the sacrifice that Donny made for me.
“I’m sorry, Donny. I couldn’t let them die. I couldn’t save you and I couldn’t be the reason for anymore deaths.” I explained.
“I understand, Buttercup.” He nudged me with his shoulder.
We sat there in silence for a bit until he stood up, grabbing my hand.
“l guess, if you are staying, we should probably go find your family” he said, while pulling me along with him.
“Wait, you’ve seen my family?” l asked him. And he nodded. I instantly felt nervous about seeing my mom and dad again. I wanted answers, but now I could have them, and that scared me.
We walked out of the clearing and into the forest. All the colors were so vivid and everything seemed so alive.
Which was weird because everything here was dead. The forest smelt like Mason and I took deep breaths as I followed Donny to wherever it was taking me. My heart ached for my mates and our son. But I kept trying to tell myself that they were okay, and that was all that mattered.
We finally walked out of the forest and into another clearing. But this one was filled with little huts. It looked like a little village. I could see people busy with their afterlife. Some were hanging clothes up to dry, others were tending to their gardens. Everyone looked so peaceful. My soul felt restless as we walked through the village.
“What is this place?” I asked Donny, walking next to him.
“This is only one of the villages here. All these people were shifters, and this is where their souls come to rest.” he said.
“Where are all the wolves?” l asked him, looking around and not seeing a single one.
“The wolves, get reborn,” he answered, and my heart sunk, thinking that I would never have the chance to say goodbye to Tundra.
“So, I’ll never see Tundra again?” I whispered.
“I don’t think so. The wolves waiting to be reborn are with the moon goddess. I have seen none here.” He said, Wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
