Chapter Nine
#9 of The Queen and Her Alpha
Ashryn-
Within a month Ashryn was the proud owner of a new Keep. Luka and Borgan had no issues cleansing Crystal Keep. Ashryn of course gave Brecken a chance but he was just too set in his ways. She allowed him to leave her lands without quarrel in exchange for never returning. Luka helped her divide up the Guru and send them off to protect newly renamed Lyon Keep. Still able to fully guard Lyonhall and the great wall.
As winter came and froze the world everything moved indoors. Winter on Kraus was always harsh. Temperatures fell to well below zero at night and during the day only reaching freezing. The only ones outside were Guru. Even the market mostly shut down. A few stores stayed open but moved into the cellar of a house or a backroom.
Thea held schooling inside the mess-hall during the winter and now that the pups were older they attended a small class in the mornings. Social skills, starting to read and write, as well as Lyonhall history.
She had selected six others within the Keep to help her teach and lighten her load. Now that she had Paxton she did not want to devote all her time to schooling and Ashryn understood. Thea never spoke about her past before Lyonhall or if she had ever lost family. Ashryn was just happy she had found someone here finally.
Early one morning after the pups were off to school Ashryn laid in bed with Luka. He had been out late working with the Guru so he was still asleep beside her. Her fingers traced along his furry chest as she watched him dream. Everything had been going so well lately it almost felt like it was a dream. First the freeing of many Lycans, then the pups, and finally being able to lay claim to a whole different Keep. Ashryn was just in disbelief that everything was going so well. She silently thanked the goddess then leaned in to press her ear against Luka's strong heart.
"I love you Draug..."
His arm moved around her, an unconscious movement of love. Ashryn smiled against him and started running her hand up and down his body.
"And before him...you hadn't known love...."
Ashryn sat up quickly in bed hearing another voice. Luka stirred beside her but didn't awaken.
"Who?"
A shimmering light appeared by the window nearly blinding Ashryn for a minute. She blinked in the bright light moving in closer to Luka. As the light subsided a beautiful fare skinned woman stood just by her window. Hair pure white and hung well past her lower back. Her robes shone brightly in the morning light, almost like she was glowing.
"Ashryn Alpin..."
She spoke just above a whisper in a voice Ashryn felt like she had known her whole life.
"Forth generation female of the Alpin family. Heir to me."
"Goddess...?"
Ashryn was unsure of what to do. Should she scream for Luka? Or jump out of bed and start groveling.
"Breathe easy child. I am not going to harm you."
Ashryn moved Luka's arm off her body and carefully climbed out of bed.
"Y-you're here? Like here-here?"
"Yes my child. I have heard many prayers recently that seem to include you and your family."
Ashryn did not know where to start she just stared mindlessly. She wanted to thank her, praise her, tell her everything she does it in her name, but nothing came out.
"I have come to bless your family again."
Goddess smiled warmed and came right over to Ashryn.
"You and your family have made great strides in freeing my creations. Taking one as your mate, baring children, setting Lycans up to run their own Keep."
She sighed and reached out to hold Ashryn's hand.
"You have done so well Ashryn Alpin. Do not think I have not heard your prayers."
"Is that why I was able to have the twins?"
Ashryn blurted out. Goddess nodded kindly smiling.
"Yes, Thea must have prayed nightly for a month for you. How could I ignore such a selfless call."
"Thank you...so much...I never thought...thank you."
"You are very welcome. Now listen to me. You are doing a wonderful job and I could not have made a better choice to bless but yours. Now I bestow on you another blessing. Your children, Halflings, they are unable to breed because of being a cross breed themselves. I have removed that failing from them and they can and will breed with whichever race they decide. And their children. And their children after that. Thanks to your children Lycans will so be able to breed with any race they please. Half Lycan and half Elf children. Beautiful."
"Thank you Goddess...I wish I could say more."
"There is nothing more to say."
She smiled and squeezed Ashryn's hands.
"You are doing amazing my child. Keep it up."
Goddess released her and went over to Luka. She gazed down at him and reached to gently touch his face.
"I created them to be peaceful beasts...and their siblings bash and demean them into violence. Such a shame. But I hold out hope that one day all will see that we all want the same thing. Peace, food, and family."
Ashryn nodded and climbed back into bed.
"I am so in love with him Goddess...thank you for bringing him into my life."
"He made his own way here."
Goddess replied with a smile.
"I just made sure you were the first to see him. Take care Ashryn, and lead your family well."
"I will. I swear it."
The End