The Lycan King’s Hybrid Queen

Lyric

Where the hell am I?

Why is everything so bright white?

There is literally nothing as far as the eye can see. Even if there was, everything is so bright it blends from one thing to the next.

It's funny because it reminds me of the scene in Harry Potter-the scene where Harry meets the spirit of Dumbledore in a very bright white Kings Cross Station.

I look down at myself. I'm wearing a flowing white dress that hits the floor, with long sleeves. I'm barefoot, and my long hair is curled and flowing down my back and around my shoulders. What in the world?

I don't understand where I am or how I got here. I remember being shot in the chest with a silver arrow. Some cowardly motherfucker hid in the shadows and shot me!

What the fuck?

I remember Thane catching me as I fell, the fear in his eyes, and my inability to speak to him. But I remember nothing after he told me he loved me. What a time to die!

Perhaps he said those words because he knew I was dying. Maybe he said he loved me because he didn't want me to go, and my last memory be of that arrow or Harmony's harsh words. Whatever Thane's reasons, I smile at the memory. But it fades just as fast, and a frown forms. I should have woken up by now; that's what usually happens. What if I can't get back to Thane?

What if I'm really dead this time?

What if the curse is finally broken?

What if this is it, and I never wake up again?

What will happen to Thane?

'Aspen? Are you there? Can you hear me?'

Of course, my wolf doesn't answer. But then, I didn't really expect her to; I can't feel her with me any longer. If I am dead, then I've lost my wolf, and that hurts. Every time I've died before this, I woke up within a second, two minutes max. I was never dead long enough to end up in a place like this - whatever this place is. Does Harmony know I'm dead yet?

Of course, my sister knows about the curse upon me. So I can only imagine her confusion that I haven't woken up.

I continue walking forward, going nowhere. I doubt I'd know if I was getting anywhere when the scene never changes. All of this white is giving me a headache, and that's not something shifters get. Wonderful! "Hello?!" I call, but all that comes back to me is my own voice echoing the same word.

How the hell am I supposed to get out of here?

My chest hurts thinking about Thane and what he must be going through. Even I know that losing one's mate is the worst kind of pain there is.

Oh, Goddess, I never got to experience what life would have been like had we completed the mate bond. Many said that if Thane and I completed the process, we'd be stronger together. The fight against Astro wouldn't have been so hard because the two of us would fight as one.

I let my fears dictate my life when I should have embraced our bond wholeheartedly. But I was scared that I'd lose Thane if I got too close. I couldn't bear the thought of falling for him and him be taken from me.

How could I stand that agony?

"Part of living is losing, my daring."

I look around myself, frantically searching for the voice and who it belongs to.

"Who's there?!"

"Two people who have missed you very much."

I spin on the spot, and my mouth drops in shock. I slam my hands over my mouth as tears fall from my eyes. "Mommy? Daddy?"

My beautiful mother nods her head, and my father smiles. So many emotions rush through me as I run to them. Mom catches me in her arms, and Dad strokes the back of my head as I sob.

Oh, Goddess, I have missed them so much! I know I'm only seeing them because I'm dead, but this means everything.

"Mommy, Daddy, thank you. Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank us for," Dad says as he continues to stroke the back of my head.

I lift away from Mom and look at my parents, standing side by side, arm in arm. "I do; you died because of me, saving my life."

"No, baby girl," Mom cups my face and smiles. Her white hair softly moves in the invisible wind, reminding me so much of Harmony. "We didn't die because of you; we died for you. Any parent who loves their child would have done the same as we did. We love you so much, Lyric, you and Harmony."

"We know what happened with Lennix." I look at Dad, and the anger flashing in his eyes. "My sweet little girl, I am so sorry for all you suffered."

I smile and take Dad's hand in mine. None of what happened to my sister and me was Dad's fault; he couldn't have predicted the lengths that man would go to for revenge.

"It wasn't your fault, Dad. Lennix lost his mind when Emily and their child died. My mate made Lennix pay with his life for what he did to Harmony and me."

"Your mate, the Lycan King." Mom giggles. "He is a good man, even if most fear him."

I narrow my eyes. "How do you know?"

"We know everything, Lyric," Dad tells me.

"But how?"

"We're always with you, Lyric."

"We never left you," Mom continues.

"Things are about to get very tough for you, my daughter." I lean into my dad's touch when he cups the cheek; Mom just let go of. "Astro will reappear when you least expect it, so always expect it. Never let your guard down, Lyric. Also, put your faith in your mate, for he is your other half."

I sigh and nod my head. Everyone keeps telling me the same thing as if it's that easy. But then, maybe it is.

"When the time comes, Harmony and her child must be hidden. They have to be kept safe because Astro will kill them, Lyric, there is no doubt about that. You must stop that from happening, Lyric. Because if you don't and Harmony dies, all hell will break loose. Theo's Lycan will go on a rampage, and nothing will stop him. Astro will be the least of your worries if Theo loses himself."

"But, Mommy, how will I know the right time?"

I'm capable of many things, but I can't see the future.

"You'll just know." She smiles kindly.

I nod because there's no point banging on about something to which I won't get more answers.

"Is Aunt Emily here with you?" I'm curious to know where Emily is and if she's okay.

"Right now," Mom sighs. "She's in the underworld with Hades."

"What? Why?"

What the fuck?

Emily was a good soul; she doesn't deserve to be in the underworld! Having her soul tortured for no reason doesn't sit well with me!

"Shh," Dad hushes me. "She's not there for what you might think."

"Then, what is she there for?" I blink back the tears in my eyes.

My parents share a look before Mom tells me, "Emily wanted to make sure Lennix's soul got what it deserved. Your Aunt loved you and your sister as if you were her own girls. What Lennix did to both of you filled Emily with hate. It took time to calm her, though Selene granted Emily's wish to watch his t*****e."

Wow. I don't even know what to say to that. Not that Lennix deserves anything less. But I don't wish to have my Aunt's soul tainted by such a thing. However, it's her choice and none of my business.

I look around myself before asking, "Where am I? What is this place?"

"We're in a quiet place inside your mind." Mom answers. "You brought our spirits here because you needed us."

I can do that?

I guess it makes sense, even if it doesn't.

"Why am I here? Why haven't I woken up this time? Did the curse break, and I'm really dead?"

I know I just bombarded my parents with questions, but they came tumbling out of me.

Dad tucks my hair behind my right ear. "It seems the arrow was not removed from your chest. You will not wake until it is. You must know that the King believes you are dead, and no one is permitted to touch you.

"If your sister doesn't get to you soon, the Royal Family will give you a Lycan's funeral. You will be burned to ash on a high pyre."

My eyes widen, and I shudder.

"You'd come back eventually, but there's no telling if your mate will survive before that happens."

"Then how am I supposed to get back?"

My heart is breaking for Thane and all he must be going through. I wish there was some way I could get through to him and tell him to remove the arrow. Everything would be okay then because we'd be together again. "You can't," Mom smiles sadly. "Eventually, the arrow will be removed. Your body will need to be prepared for the funeral, and hopefully, that doesn't take long. Until then, we wait." We wait.

'Harmony, if you can hear me, please hurry!