The Lycan King’s Hybrid Queen
Chapter 68

Lyric

"Lyric, don't you dare take his hand!"

My mate's booming voice breaks through the fog in my brain. I gasp and pull my hand back, making Astro growl.

What the fu.ck just happened?

'You let this Fairy pri.ck into your head. He was twisting your thoughts, and you were letting him!'

'I wasn't letting him, Aspen!'

'Yes, you were. I told you to focus, but you didn't. Your mind is all over the place, and he easily got to you. I tried calling and calling you, but I was blocked!'

'Aspen, I'm sorry!

'Don't apologize, just get us away from this bas.tard!'

I need to clear my mind. Regardless of how I feel about losing others, I must bury it until this is all over. I can grieve, then. But until then, I have a war to win. I'll do it for my babies and for Starr.

"Lycan King," Astro laughs. "Come to witness your mate become mine?"

"Over my dead body!" Jagger growls, snarling at Astro, who looks unfazed.

"Come, Lyric. It's time we were leaving."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! You told me Thane was dead." Even though I knew he wasn't.

"Semantics." Astro shrugs, and I scoff.

I also gasp when Jagger starts to attack the bubble surrounding Astro and me with his claws as if he'd gone mad. His eyes shine red like blood, showing just how angry my mate is. However, no matter how many times Jagger hits the bubble, it does nothing but make a thudding sound with each hit.

'Jagger,' I call through our mate link. 'Please, calm down. I'm not leaving with him. Remember what I said? Astro can only take me if I'm willing to go with him. I will never be willing!'

Jagger's eyes lock with mine, chest heaving, but he's no longer bashing the bubble.

"I want you out of there, now!" He yells out loud.

"Stupid Lycan," Astro scoffs. "And I was told the Lycan King was smart. You can't break a Fairy bubble."

"He can't, but I can." Something hits the bubble, breaking it on impact.

Astro's eyes widen, and my eyes land on Taylen. Oh, no. I now know that was the person who screamed my name before Jagger did. This isn't going to be good. She's supposed to be in the safe room with everyone else, hiding from Astro. How could Taylen be so stupid as to come out here?

Does she want to die?

"Taylen, there you are. And you told me she wasn't here." Astro raises an eyebrow at me.

"And you told me my mate was dead. I guess that makes us even."

Astro scoffs before turning back to Taylen. "You're just in time, Daughter."

"I'm not here to help you. I will never help you again."

"Huh." Astro nods.

I step backward slowly, hoping to reach Jagger before Astro notices. I don't get far before Jagger grabs me and lifts me from the ground. I wrap my arms around his neck and close my eyes for a second. "So, this is where you've been hiding. Hiding from your father is a terrible thing to do, Taylen."

I pull out of Jaggeer's arms. He reluctantly sets me on my feet, and I turn to look at Taylen. She stands with a bow and arrow aimed at Astro.

"I wasn't hiding; I was getting to know my mother."

"Pity the bitch is dead. It didn't take much for me to end her miserable life."

Shock rushes through me. 'Jagger, is that true? Is Amelia dead?'

'Yes.' Jagger says no more and continues to stare at Astro and Taylen.

A slight movement behind Astro catches my eye. But I can't make out who it is. They're wearing a cloak with the hood pulled up. I don't feel any threat towards my mate and me coming from them, so I say nothing.

"If my mother is dead," Oh, Goddess, I can feel Taylen's pain. She only just found her mother, and now she's lost her. "She died protecting her people, and I will celebrate her life once you are dead."

"My sweet little Taylen," Astro's eyes flash, and his hand shoots out, magically grabbing Taylen around the throat and lifting her three feet off the ground. Taylen struggles with Astro's invisible grip. "You always were a disappointment. I should have kicked you out of that worthless bit.ch when I had the chance."

"Let her go."

Astro doesn't let Taylen go, and my heart is beating too fast. He's going to kill his own daughter! Astro turns his head just as the mystery person drops the hood. No! No, no, no!

"Emori," Astro gasps and instantly drops Taylen to the ground. My heart is now in my throat!

What is Emori doing here?

"This cannot be. You died; I felt it."

"I was reborn."

"You!" Astro turns on me, walking with purpose. He wants my blood, and nothing will stop him this time.

Or so he thinks.

'Now, Lyric!'

I don't know how I know what Emori wants me to do, but I do. I leap and transform in midair, allowing Aspen to take over.

"The white wolf," Astro mumbles without taking his eyes off Aspen.

In the midst of this battlefield, now is the time to end this nightmare once and for all.

Astro pushes his hand out toward me, but nothing happens. He tries again but with the same outcome. Aspen snarls while moving closer.

"What's wrong, brother? Can't tap into your magic?" Emori laughs.

Through Aspen's eyes, I see Taylen, Luke, and a bunch of other magical beings all chanting, binding Astro's powers. This is the opportunity Emori and I need to end this. "Emori,"

Oh, my Goddess, is he scared?

Can crazies like Astro be scared?

'He's something.' Aspen snickers.

"You wouldn't let them kill me."

"What's the matter? Are you scared of the white wolf, Astro? Wasn't it your elders who foresaw your death? What was it they saw?"

Astro laughs. "This is priceless. You know what they saw, Emori. But it was all crap! I don't see a white Lycan anywhere. All I see is..." "Look again," Emori whispers before transforming right in front of Astro's wide yes.

"No, this isn't possible!"

"Now, Lyric!"

Aspen leaps at the same time Cosima does. Aspen tears into Astro, taking chunks out of him, while Cosima takes his head in her hands.

'For all you have done, you must pay!

'Please... I am your father.'

Aspen stops tearing at Astro and looks at Cosima. I hadn't told Emori about what Astro told me, and I never wanted to. That bas.tard just had to pull that card, hoping to furrow his way into Emori's heart. But instead of falling for his pleas, she does something I never expected. Cosima leans down and whispers, 'I know. before crushing his head, killing him instantly, and I am gobsmacked.

The mess that was Astro is all I can see. Even when I shift, I can't take my eyes off his destroyed body.

I gasp when three sets of arms surround me, heads against mine. Harmony, Emori, and Taylen all cling to me. The four of us are finally free, and so much terror has been lifted from my shoulders and theirs too. "It's over," I whisper.

"It is, and nothing will ever threaten us like this again." I nod and lean my head closer to Harmony's.

"I know you all just heard what he said about me."

"Emori, it doesn't matter. It doesn't change who you are."

"I'm so sorry," She sniffs while I reach out and wipe a tear from her cheek. "I always knew, but I didn't want to admit it."

"You're my sister." Emori nods at Taylen, then wraps her arms around her tightly. "You're my sister!"

"I love you, and I will always be here for you. I am so sorry about your Mom."

"Baby!" We pull away from each other when Theo, Tyler, and Bolton snatch up their mates.

I get to my feet and run into Thane's arms. "Thane!"

"I've got you, baby, I've got you."

"Is it really over?"

"Look," Thane tips his head, and I turn to look at the battlefield. The fight is over, many are dead, and those enemies left alive are bound and being transported to the dungeons. Thane and I will deal with them later.

So many of our people are dead, and my heart breaks for them. I will make sure each one of them gets a hero's funeral.

Somebody hands Thane and me clothes. I pull on the sweats and t-shirt, willing my aching legs not to give out on me.

"Sebastian!" I pull away from Thane, not caring about anything other than getting to my baby. I pass Ronan on the way, and he smiles, but I don't. I don't stop running until I get to the safe room.

Tristan is already there, letting everyone know the war is over. Women and men who didn't fight are told that their loved ones have died. I can't bear the screams of sorrow; it's too painful right now.

I spot Moira holding Sebastian. I grab him and hold him close to my chest, stroking the back of his head and kissing his forehead. "My baby boy. Mommy's here now; Mommy's here." "So is Daddy."

I turn to Thane and smile. I reach for him with my free hand, and instantly, I'm pulled into his arms. Thane holds Sebastian and me, rocking us gently.

"Lyric?"

I turn and face Lia, my mouth agape. "Aurora. My baby!" I hand Sebastian to Thane and take Aurora from Lia. I smother her little face in kisses. "My baby girl, you're home. How is she here?"

"Levi felt the moment Astro ceased to breathe. At that moment, he appeared here with Aurora. He said he kept his promise." I follow her line of vision. Levi is in Xale's arms, laughing at something his father is saying. I'll speak to Levi later. Right now, I just need to be with Thane and our children.

"Thank you, Lia." She tips her head and walks away from me. "Thane," He's looking at me with tears in his eyes. I place Aurora in his arms and take Sebastian from him. This is the first time my mate and daughter have been together like this.

Tears of happiness fall from my eyes when Thane lets go of a sob and kisses Aurora's head.

"Hey, baby girl. Daddy has missed you so much. I'm never going to let you out of my sight again."

Thane holds his arm out to me, and I lean into him. "You're never going to let Levi near her again, are you?"

"Nope."

I chuckle. "They're mates; you can't keep them apart forever."

"We'll see. Let's go to our room. I want to be alone with my mate and our children. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."

"Whatever you want, love of my life."