ASHA
"The Shadowlands has shaped her into a Queen. The Crescent Fang pack had left her broken with nothing."
I stood by the balcony of my chambers, the fluorescent light of the moon illuminating the night. Its long rays cast across the ancient trees of Shadowlands.
The forest was alive, its leaves rustling against the soft cool breeze and the branches clanking against one another.
I felt shivers run down my spine as I stared at my kingdom. This was my sanctuary, my haven.
The Shadowlands was a place where witches, rogues, and outcasts could find refuge, just like I did.
Memories of my past crept in. I could still feel the sting of betrayal, the coldness of Darius' eyes as he rejected me in front of the pack. The pain of the mate bond severing still lingered. Instinctively, I touched the spot as though the wound was still fresh.
"Asha?" Elisra's soft voice drew me out of my daydreaming to reality. I turned to see my closest confidant, my loyal advisor standing in the doorway, her silver hair simmering under the moonlight.
She was one of the elders of Shadowlands who welcomed me with open hands, she helped deliver Selene, my daughter. She saw me for who I was not what I was—Omega and a witch. She saw my potential and voted for me to be their Queen.
"The council is waiting for you," she said, her icy blue eyes filled with concern.
I took a deep breath, pushing aside my doubts and fears. I was Queen now, I can't let my emotions control me. "Let them wait a little," I replied, my voice calm but firm. I wasn't in the mood for any politics tonight.
Elisra stepped closer, her eyes searching my face. "You have been restless lately, is it because of the summit?"
The mention of the summit made my blood boil. It was already near and it will be filled with Werewolves. My enemies. The thought of the cruel way they cast me out of the pack made my heart ache, then suddenly replaced by anger.
I looked at the woman in front of me. The woman who had truly cared about me.
I sighed, my tense shoulders relaxing slightly, "It's not just the summit. The alliance with the witches is fragile, the rogues are growing restless, and now I have to sit in a room filled with werewolves who would rather see me dead. I wonder if it's all worth it."
Elisra placed her hand gently on my shoulder. "You have built something extraordinary here, Asha. The Shadowlands wouldn't have flourished without you. And as for the summit….you are not alone. You have us and Selene.
At the mention of my daughter's name, my expression softened. Selene was my light in the darkness, the reason I had fought so hard to survive. She was upstairs, probably asleep.
I turned my head back to the forest, my mind filled with thoughts of the summit and what it holds. It was a step into the past I had fought to leave behind. A world that had betrayed me, broken me and cast me out.
I took a deep breath, in readiness for what was ahead. "You are right," I said finally, my voice steady. "I have faced worse. I can handle a room full of werewolves."
Elisra smiled, and a hint of worry remained in her eyes. "Good, because the council won't wait much longer.
I nodded, pulling away from the balcony rails and stepping into my chambers. Inside was filled with warmth and comfort, unlike the cold stone of the fortress outside.
The walls were lined up with books, ancient tomes filled with spells, and the histories of the supernatural world. Streaks of flames danced in the fireplace. Each burn echoed the crackle of the woods. It cast a flickering shadow on the walls of the room.
I wore my cloak, the deep fabric embroidered with silver thread that simmered under the moonlight.
As I fastened the clasp at my neck, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was strong, commanding, and unyielding. Unlike the woman who had sought shelter from the witches seven years ago.
I turned away from the mirror, my heart heavy with the weight of my responsibilities. I was a Queen, a mother, and a leader. And I would do whatever it takes to protect my daughter and my kingdom.
The council chamber was filled with the low hum of lively chattering when I entered. The round room held members of the Shadowlands leadership—witches, rogues, and outcasts who had found a home under my rule. As I stepped into the room, the conversations died down, and all eyes turned to me.
"Your Majesty," one of the council members acknowledged, rising to his feet. "We have been discussing the terms of the summit. The werewolves are requesting formal alliances."
I took my seat at the head of the table, my back straightened and my eyes sharp. "And what are they offering in return?"
"They claim it will restore peace between our kind and theirs," another member responded. "But we have reason to believe their motives are more self-serving."
I raised an eyebrow, a humorless, small smile tugged at my lips. "Of course, they are. Werewolves have always been good at pretending to care about unity while serving their interests." I said, my voice laced with bitterness.
The council exchanged uneasy glances. Elisra, who had taken her seat beside me, stood up. "We reject this offer outright. The werewolves would see it as a cause for war."
"Then let them," another of the council members growled. A rogue. "We have survived all these years without them. We don't need their alliances."
I raised my right hand to silence the room, "Enough. We will attend the summit to hear what they have to say. But we won't make any decisions yet till we hear of their intentions."
I swept my gaze across the room, daring anyone to challenge me. "The Shadowlands is strong because we stand together. And no one, whether Werewolves or not, can take that away from us."
The council murmured their agreement and the tension in the room eased slightly. And I knew this was only the beginning. The summit would be a test of my power and revolve. And I was ready.
Later that night, I made my way to Selene's room. The halls were quiet, the only sounds were from the faint echoes of my footsteps against the stone floor. When I reached the door, I pushed it open gently, careful not to wake my daughter.
Selene was asleep, curled up on the bed beneath the blankets. Her dark hair spread out on the pillow, and her chest rose and fell with each peaceful breath. I felt my heart overwhelmed with love and protectiveness as I stared at her.
I stepped closer, brushing her hair gently to the side. "I will protect you. Always." I whispered. "No matter what it takes."
As I turned to leave, a faint glow from the blanket caught my attention. I looked down at Selene's hand glowing with a soft golden hue. It flickered like a flame before fading away like it was never there. Leaving me stunned.
My daughter's strength was growing stronger each day. And with that strength came danger.
I stood for a moment, watching my daughter, Selene sleep. I have to be strong for her. To protect her from the danger that lurks in the shadows. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, even if it means losing my life.
The next morning, I stood at the edge of the Shadowlands, staring out into the forests that separated my kingdom from the other world. The summit was only days away, I felt the weight of it pressing me down.
Elisra joined me, her expression unreadable. "Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice low, laced with concern.
Hesitating, I didn't answer immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon, where the first rays of sunlight perched on the trees. "No," I admitted finally. "But I'll do it anyway."
Elisra placed a comforting hand on my arm. "You're stronger than you think, Asha. And you're not alone."
I nodded, though the words did little to ease my worry. I had faced countless challenges in my life; betrayal, banishment, and the struggle to build a new life from nothing. But this... this was different. This was a confrontation with my past, a reality that could change everything.
As the sun rose higher, I took a deep breath and adjusted my shoulders. I was a Queen now. And no matter what the summit brought, I would face it with the strength and determination that had carried me this far.
Because I had no other choice.
I turned to Elisra, my eyes locked on hers. "Let's get to work. We have a summit to prepare for."
Elisra nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'll gather the council. We'll discuss our strategy and…"
"I want to see the intelligence reports," I interrupted, my mind already filled with possibilities. "Everything we have on the werewolves, their alliances, their weaknesses... I want to know it all."
I know a few myself.
Elisra nodded, her expression serious. "I'll have everything brought to your chambers. But, Asha... be careful. The werewolves are not to be underestimated. They have teeth, and they will use them."
Oh, don't worry about that. I know how they use their fangs. To backbite.
I smiled a cold, tight smile. "I'm not afraid of them, Elisra. They should be scared of what I could do to them."
Elira's eyes glinted with concern, but she said nothing. She knew me too well and knew that I was a force to be careful with. And she knew that I would stop at nothing to protect my kingdom, my daughter, and myself.
The day passed in a blur of strategy sessions, intelligence briefings, and tactful meetings. I met with the witches, the rogues, and the other supernatural leaders, securing alliances and making deals. I would do whatever it took to ensure the survival and prosperity of my kingdom.
But despite my preparations, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that made my stomach churn. The summit was a bunch of dry twigs, waiting to be ignited. And I was the spark that could set it all off.
I stood on the balcony of my chambers, staring out at the Shadowlands as the sun dipped below the horizon. The forest was quiet, the only sound was from the distant howling of wolves.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I listened to the haunting melody. It was a reminder of the world I had left behind, the world I had fought to escape.
But it was also a reminder of the world I had built, the world I had sworn to protect. The Shadowlands was my kingdom, my sanctuary. And I would do whatever it took to keep it safe.
The familiar howling grew louder, and I felt my heart respond, my pulse quickening.
I was a Queen, a warrior, and a mother. I reminded myself.
And I was ready.
******************************
I found myself on my knees, looking up at the man I love for help but instead, he turned away.
"For the good of my pack. I, Darius Alaric, reject you to be my mate."
As the words left his lips, I felt a sharp excruciating pain in my chest. Instinctively, I clutched my chest tightly as the mate bond was severed. My eyes swept over the crowd that seemed satisfied with his verdict. I knew they never liked me. An ordinary Omega with a mix of Witch Blood.
Tears rolled down my cheeks, vision blurry.
"But you… you promised me forever." I said, my voice breaking.
Darius glanced down at me in disgust, "And I will carry this guilt forever."