The Lycan King’s Hybrid Queen
Chapter 59

Lyric

"He didn't mean to snap at you, Lyric. Don't let it get to you so much. Thane is going through a lot right now. They all are."

"I know," I mumble with little effort while looking out at the city from my balcony.

I'm not upset because Thane yelled at me. He's upset, scared, and angry. I did think he'd let some of his pent-up emotions out the other night. But I guess it wasn't enough. Maybe I should have told Thane about Tristan and Brody, but I made a promise. I didn't want Tristan to think he couldn't trust me. I also made a mistake in not telling Thane the truth when Tristan fell into Status Sleep. But it honestly didn't occur to me or even come to mind that Brody might be able to help Tristan.

I didn't follow Thane when he walked out of the room. I knew my mate needed some time alone. I kissed Tristan's head and came back to my room. Harmony followed, asking if I was okay. None of this is about me, and I'm trying to hold it all in, but I'm failing. I want to be strong for Thane, for our family, but I'm suffocating, drowning in my own sadness. There's too much on my shoulders right now. I feel like a thousand pounds of stress is weighing me down, and I don't know how to relieve myself of it. "It's okay to be upset, Lyric. I don't want you to hold everything inside; it's not healthy, Lyric."

"She died because of me, Harmony." I turn to look at my sister.

"Starr didn't die because of you, Lyric. She died for you."

"But she shouldn't have, Harm. If I hadn't come here, Astro would never have hurt Starr. Everyone would be safe if I'd just rejected Thane. All I've done is put everyone in danger, including my daughter."

"Listen to me," Harmony grabs my upper arms. "If you'd have rejected Thane, we wouldn't be together now because I wouldn't have rejected Theo. I have my son because of my mate, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. You're going to be a mother, too, thanks to Thane. You can't honestly tell me you regret being with Thane because I'll never believe you.

"You cannot hold on to misplaced guilt, Lyric, because it doesn't belong here. None of this is your fault. This is all on Astro, Lyric; he's crazy, and we have to stop him. There will always be casualties in war. We'll lose loved ones and friends, but what we never ever do is give up. Because the moment those thoughts enter our heads, we've lost, Lyric."

"I'm not giving up, Harmony; I would never give up." I blow out a long breath. "But it feels like this is never-ending. I don't want my daughter born in the middle of a war, but I know there's no choice to be had; it's happening whether I want it to or not. But all I want is for this to end so our family will be safe. I couldn't bear to lose anyone else, Harmony. Then there's Thane. My mate is in so much pain, and I don't know how to help him."

"Just be there for him, Lyric. Even when he yells and pushes you away, you push right back and tell him you're going nowhere."

"I think he blames me," I admit; quietly while moving away from Harmony and sitting at the balcony table.

"Did he say that?" Harmony asks while sitting in the seat opposite me.

I shake my head. "Of course not; it's just a feeling, Harm. I understand grief; I've felt it too many times myself. I will be there for him even if he thinks he doesn't need me. But the feeling he blames me hurts, Harm."

"Thane doesn't blame you, Lyric; he's just in the angry stage of grief. Thane loves you, Lyric, and he will need you before long."

I close my eyes for a moment and stroke my aching stomach. My whole body aches right now. After Astro pulled me into my subconscious, I haven't felt right.

"Lyric, are you alright? You look as though you're in pain."

I open my eyes. "I'm fine." I shoot her a small smile. "I'm not in pain; it's just uncomfortable. There's not much space in there. Goddess knows how I'll manage another few weeks. It feels like there's an elephant in there already." I chuckle. "Are you sure?" She doesn't believe me; I can tell by her tone.

"I'm only six weeks gone, Harm."

"That doesn't mean anything with Lycan pregnancies, Lyric. Gestation is between six and ten weeks, and you know it."

I shift in my seat and try not to growl. I hate when she thinks she knows better than me. It's my body!

"I'm fine, Harmony. I'm not in labor, so drop it!"

"Okay." She holds her hands up in surrender. "I best go; it's Adam's feed time. I'll check on you later." She walks away, and I sigh. I didn't mean to upset her; I'm just agitated. I'll replace Harmony later and apologize.

I sit on the balcony for a while, just looking out at the beauty of Lykos. There is so much I have yet to see of this beautiful land. The castle grounds are vast beyond anything I have ever seen. I really should check out the marina. Harmony told me how amazing it is down there with all the yachts and boats. Then there are the stables with dozens of Royal horses. Harmony said the horses were magnificent and like none she'd ever seen. They take part in competitions, and we should take part one day. I don't know why I've put off seeing these things, but I'll check them out soon.

"I'm going to bed now."

I turn my head and smile at Levi. It's the same thing every night. Most would probably be annoyed having a three-year-old following them around all the time. But I love this little boy; he brings a smile to my face in times of sadness. "Did you sneak into my room again?"

Because I know Levi should already be in bed. It's past his bedtime, which means his mother already tucked him in, and he snuck away as soon as she left the room. As I said, same thing every night. It shouldn't make me smile, but it does. "I just wanted to say goodnight."

"To me or Aurora?"

Levi giggles. "Both of you."

I smile and hold my arms out to him. Levi's shy frown turns into a big smile, and he runs to me. I lift him onto my lap, and he instantly lays his head on my stomach. Aurora kicks, making Levi giggle.

"I love you, too, Aurora." He kisses my stomach.

I open my mouth to say something in response to Levi's words when a strange man flashes onto my balcony. Tall, tanned, blond, and wearing elaborate robes. "Who the hell are you?"

I don't have the energy to fight an ancient being, which I can tell this man is. But that doesn't mean I won't protect Levi with all that I am.

"Grandpa!" Levi jumps off my lap and runs to his grandfather, who lifts him with a smile and kisses his cheek. "You came!"

"I did. You know I'll always come when you need me."

So, this is Leviathan. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't a man as stunning as the one in front of me.

"So, you're the Lycan Queen." It was a statement, not a question.

"And you're Leviathan."

"That would be me."

"Not to be rude, but why are you here?" I get out of my seat, feeling small in this man's presence.

"Levi called for me, said his mate's uncle needed help."

Levi asked Leviathan to help Tristan?

"I must say, I was shocked to replace out Levi already knows who his mate is. My son hadn't informed me of such a replaceing."

"It was a shock to all of us," I confess.

"She's inside Lyric's tummy, Grandpa. Her name is Aurora, and I'm going to take care of her always."

"Good boy." Leviathan rubs Levi's back, his eyes grow heavy, and his head falls against his grandfather's shoulder.

I furrow my brow.

"What the hell did you do?"

"Nothing for you to worry about, Lycan Queen. Which room is he staying in? It's best if I lay him down; I have work to do."

I don't say anything. I highly doubt Leviathan would hurt Levi. I suppose he did the same thing Xale did and put Levi to sleep to keep him calm.

I show Leviathan to Levi's room and wait for him to exit.

"Dad?" I turn to see Xale walking towards us. "Why are you here? Is something wrong?"

"Levi called me here."

"Levi? What the..."

"Leviathan!" Lia giggles while rushing into her father-in-law's arms. He smiles and kisses her head. "We weren't expecting you." "Levi called for him." Xale sighs.

"Little man mentioned his mate's uncle. He couldn't give me much information other than the man is dying and would I help."

How ridiculous is this?

A three-year-old called a damn deity to help Tristan all because he's worried about Aurora. The boy is going to take wonderful care of my daughter in the years to come. She's not even here yet, and he's already trying to make her happy. But Levi shouldn't have had to do this; it was down to the family to replace a solution to Tristan's predicament.

"Can you help Tristan?"

"Only one way to replace out."