The Lycan King’s Hybrid Queen
Chapter 41

Lyric

It's safe to say I'm exhausted. We've been dress shopping all day, and I found nothing! Everyone else found their perfect outfit, but nothing caught my eye. Marco, a very flamboyant dressmaker, promised to design and make something unique for me. I can't see him being able to do that in three days, but whatever. Goddess, I will end up wearing a trash bag at this rate!

"Is Daddy going to like my dress, Mommy?"

I smile at Esme, sitting beside her mother in this stretch limo. Thane thought it best we all travel together in style, meaning Tyler is stuck traveling with a bunch of women. The guard's Thane sent with us are all in an SUV behind us. Guards aside, Tyler wouldn't allow Emori to go anywhere without him. He hasn't marked her yet and is massively overprotective. If another man so much as smiles at Emori, Tyler is ready to rip them apart!

Watching Tyler's eyes widen with lust every time my aunt came out of the dressing room was nauseating. Though it made me smile each time, he said she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Not to mention Emori's flirty giggling.

Isla banged on all day about Ivan, her mate, and his return from Russia today. He's been gone two months on business. He missed his daughter's first birthday, but it couldn't be helped. Isla has missed Ivan like crazy, and after my ceremony, they're going away for a while, just the two of them and their daughter. Good, fewer people to worry about when Astro turns up.

I will also talk to Thane about sending Moira, Starr and Esme somewhere safe. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to them because of me. Besides, this will be no place for little ones in the coming weeks. "Daddy will love your dress, baby."

Ever the little girl, Esme chose a pale pink party dress; she looked adorable, and I loved that Ivy's dress matched. Harmony and Emori went with lilac, and Isla and Starr chose lavender. Moira went with cream as it's tradition for the Queen Mother, or so she told me. The men will all wear light-colored suits, while Thane and I will wear white. If I ever replace an outfit.

There are going to be a lot of people at this party for Harmony and Theo tonight. Thane said the Vampire King would be attending. I've never met Aidan Harrington, but Thane assured me they're friends. They met when Thane was ten, and Aidan was still the prince of Dalore, the Vampire Kingdom.

Thane spoke fondly of the vampire who saved him from a rogue so many years ago. There is now an alliance between kingdoms, which gave me an idea.

Where better for Starr and Esme to stay?

If the Vampire King is as strong as Thane says, then surely he can handle two young girls?

I have to make sure they're safe; I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to them. It would destroy my mate and the rest of the family. Having the girls staying here will be like a red rag to a bull when it comes to Astro. The man made sure I knew he'd kill everyone I love, and I do love those girls.

I'm hoping Moira will go too, but deep down, I know she won't want to leave Ronan. Moria is a force to be reckoned with, and there's no way she'll go into hiding while the men fight.

I'm all for girl power, and if Moira wants to stay, I won't say anything to oppose that.

Thane said he'd speak to Aidan when he arrived. He didn't see it being a problem and even thanked me for the suggestion. He doesn't need to thank me for anything.

Once this party is over, we have to prepare for my coronation. I'm both nervous and scared about that. But it's not just the coronation I'm worried about; it's the fact the full moon is the same night. This means Emori will be shifting for the first time. She's going to need all of us there for support. There's no way I'd let her go through something like that alone.

All being well, Emori will shift without too many problems. She and Tyler will then go do their thing while the rest of us see the girls off with Aidan.

Goddess, I pray nothing goes wrong. It will be the longest day of our lives, but we'll be able to sleep for a couple of days afterward because we're going to need it.

Then there's the secret I'm keeping from everyone. I'm not bothered about others, but I shouldn't be keeping things from Thane. It's not that I want to, but I have to keep us all safe. He can't sense a lie coming from me because I'm blocking him from doing so. I just hope I can keep it up for a while longer.

"Ready for your gender reveal tonight?"

I think Isla is more excited than Harmony about this damn gender reveal. We were all forced to pick dresses for that too. In five hours, I'll know if I'll be an aunt to a niece or nephew.

Harmony smiles while stroking her huge baby bump. "Yes, I am also ready to meet this little one."

"Harm," I shake my head with a chuckle. "You've only been pregnant a few weeks."

"Yeah, and I've lived a whole pregnancy in that time. Do you have any idea what it's like to get morning sickness, backache, swollen ankles, mood swings, and cravings all in a few weeks? Do you?" Everyone stares wide-eyed at Harmony's outburst. I don't take the mood swings to heart; it's just her hormones.

I sigh when Harmony bursts out crying. I switch seats with Starr and wrap my arms around my sister.

"I'm sorry." She sobs in my ear.

I smile and kiss her head. "It's okay, Harm. I know how much it's taking out of you. Everything will be okay, and soon, you'll have your little one in your arms."

She nods against my shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Within ten minutes, the driver pulls up outside the castle. I jump out of the car and rush inside with my bags. I know Thane was making his way over to us, but there's something important I need to do. 'Lyric, where are you going?'

I smile when I hear Thane's voice in my head. I'm already in our room, unpacking what I bought.

'I just need an hour. I have to do something, then I'll call for you. I have a surprise for you, so make sure you clear your schedule for the next couple of hours!

'What are you up to?'

'You'll see.'

I cut the link and set about getting ready. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I couldn't stop thinking about it all day. I dreamed about it last night and though this could have waited until tonight; I don't want to wait; I want Thane's eyes to pop out of his head! After a shower, shaving all the areas a woman needs to shave, I get ready. I blow dry my hair, then braid it down my back. I cream every inch of my body, use deodorant, and a spritz of perfume. I don't bother with makeup; I rarely do because it irritates my face. Though I will wear it for Harmony's party. I slip on the white stilettos while humming to myself.

I look at myself in the mirror and smirk. The virgin white underwear is perfect. The lace bra pushes my boo.bs up my chest, the panties don't leave much to the imagination, and the garter and suspenders, holding up my stockings, make me look... 'Thane is going to have a heart attack when he sees you!'

'I hope I'll be giving him more than that, Aspen. Much more.

'He's in trouble and doesn't even know it. Aspen laughs inside my head, and I roll my eyes with a smirk.

'Think I'm doing the right thing?'

'Don't get cold feet now. You've gone to all this trouble; now own it, girl.'

'I know, but dominating him se.xually? What if I mess up?'

'You won't mess up, Lyric. You're going to drive Thane crazy. Give him what he secretly desires, and that's to be at your mercy!

I laugh and nod at myself in the mirror. I can do this; I have nothing to worry about. Thane will love every moment of what I have planned. I cut Aspen off just as Thane walks into the room.

Thane's eyes widen. "What the... Lyric, you look..."

"Lock the door."

He swallows hard, locks the door, then walks closer to me. "Lyric,"

"Ah, ah, ah..." I wag my finger, stopping him from coming any closer. "I'm in charge. Think you can handle that?"

He looks me up and down. "Just this once."

Just this once...