Rise of the Lycan Queen

New Directions

Ashley went to the medical ward were the two Lycans were being treated, and the Prince was well on his way to healing already. His ribs had only been fractured, and had not had the punctured lung to contend with.

"Queen Ashley." Prince Hunter said as he bowed his head. "It is a surprise you take after Demetri himself. If I may say so."

Ashley looked at him and smiled. "You may, you are an amazing warrior yourself."

Hunter smiled as he watched Hammer enter behind her. "Is this the one who trained you?" he asked realizing finally the man was actually Lycan.

"Captain of the Royal Guard David Hammer." he said bowing to the Prince. "She is my prime pupil, and you are lucky she was playing nice."

Hunter laughed as his father entered the infirmary, and winced as the fractured ribs pained him. "If that was playing nice, I would hate to see what she is like when she actually fights."

Ladron laughed at that, as he had an idea of what she would be capable of. "You likely do not want to experience that, as I understand it she killed 3 Vampyres within minutes of changing." he said as he sat down. "It seems that you are very well trained. So much so that the Elders would like to suggest you make your primary base here. We are prepared to have the Royal Pack rejoin us, with all those who follow you."

Prince Hunter was stunned, as it had been discussed she was likely to weak to follow. "That is surprising."

"It was indeed, however not so much so after the displays of power that she managed tonight. It seems her combat ability with Captain Neebar, and her Lycan fight with you was enough to convince them." he said before the doctor walked up to her.

"Majesty, would you like a report?" the doctor asked.

"I would indeed." Ashley said making him look at her. Ladron nodded as well, and knew he would have to make a general announcement.

"Franklin Drummond will take several days of healing. His lung has been reinflated, after we were forced to pin his rib. The Prince has fractured 5 ribs, and will need atleast a day to regain his mobility." the doctor reported.

"We will ensure they both have time to rest." Ladron answered before Ashley could. "If the Queen has no objections, I believe it would be appropriate for you to conduct an evaluation while she is in good health. That way we have a baseline for when she needs treatment."

"I do not have the time at the moment sir, I have other patients that require my attention. If she could return tomorrow morning, we can easily accommodate an evaluation." he answered.

"Very well doctor, we shall leave you to your patients. Majesty, if you would follow me the Elders would like to meet with you." Ladron told her as he turned and began walking out.

"What do they wish to discuss?" she asked him as the two of them walked through the Halls.

"The Unification of our two people's." he answered for her.

"Than it can wait until tomorrow morning before the other delegates arrive. It has been a tiring evening, and I need to rest." she told him.

"I have had the servants prepare quarters for you in the Royal Wing. You may decorate them how you see fit when you are prepared." Lodran told her.

"I hope you did not go to any trouble." she told him as he changed direction to the Royal Wing of the Castle.

"None at all, the Majestic suite has been empty since Demetri left all those years ago. It is only right as his successor that you take it as yours now." Ladron told her.

"I would argue the appropriateness of that, had your son not been one of the challengers. May I ask why you tried to convince him not to challenge?" she asked him.

Ladron laughed knowing she would ask. "Everyone believes that Demetri was the one to fear the most, and he was indeed a fierce warrior. However there was a single person who could reliably beat him nearly every time, his Mate. You look a lot like her, and I feared you would kill my son should he challenge you." he admitted to her.

Ashley smiled at that, as she had indeed considered it for a brief moment. "Like Hammer said, they were all lucky I was playing nice." she said as he opened the doors to the Royal Suite. "Wow, this room is something."

"It hasn't been touched other than to clean in over 1100 years, other than by your father when he came here just before you were born actually. The Elders offered to allow the reunion for him, however he said it was not his task." Ladron told her.

"My father came here?" she asked him.

"He did, what his true intentions were I will never know. He stayed for 3 months training with our Lycans before he went back. You used a lot of the moves that we teach, and added a unique twist of your own to them. I am sure many of the Warriors would be honored to train with you. It has been a tiring day indeed, so I shall say good night." he told her before he walked away.

Ashley walked into the room and closed the door behind her before the figure appeared. "Why are you here again?"

"Still a lot you need to know. Artemis sent me to tell you that my journal is here. I cannot remember what it contains, but she said it is something you need to know." her father told her.

"Tell her next time she has something to tell me, do it herself. As nice as it is to see you, it is too painful." Ashley said knowing he had at most a few minutes.

"She doesn't usually take demands to well, but I will relay the message. Tonight I have something to tell you, and asked for this favor. Will you hear what I have to say?" Cameron asked her.

"Daddy, if you have something to tell me, I will always listen. It however needs to be all or nothing, because of your plans I had to remember your loss again. I always had nightmares of that night, and never understood them until I gained my wolf. So for now, I cannot bear to see you and Mom. Maybe in time that will change, but for now your loss is to fresh." Ashley told him.

Cameron nodded as he sat down. "I know baby, and I am sorry it was necessary. Artemis however told us what you were, and what you would one day become. We had to make a choice, and I would do it again every time. If the Vampyres would have waited another year, the result would have been much different than it was that night." he told her.

Ashley looked at him, and could see the pain in his face. "What am I exactly?" she asked.

Cameron looked at her and smiled. "You are a White Lycan, and they have very special meaning. You will have powers beyond what you know, and what you do will shape the future of the entire world. When your work here is finished, you will become what every white Lycan becomes." he said not finishing telling her.

"Why does my Lycans color matter so much?" Ashley asked.

"It takes a special wolf to be White, and they are always blessed by the Moon. Lycans are even more rare than Wolves, and they serve a very special purpose. Just as the Moon Waxes and Wanes, so to do those who serve as the Goddess. The power of the Moon has begun to leave the last White Lycan, Daughter of the Moon. As your powers progress, you will become the new Goddess of the Moon. When you pass from this Mortal Form, you will take her place." he told her honestly.

Ashley was stunned beyond words, as that was the last thing she had ever expected to hear. "Surely you are joking." she finally said after a few moments.

Artemis herself appeared in the room with them, and Ashley could tell exactly who she was. "No, it is not a joke." she said.

"How am I the next Moon Goddess?" Ashley asked her.

"You are my descendant, from your mother's line. I had several children, and you can trace you lineage through the line of women, directly to my mortal life. The Moon has chosen you to be the next Goddess, and has blessed you with the White Lycan." Artemis told her. Ashley looked closer, and almost gasped as she could see the family resemblance.

"So what exactly is it you want me to do?" Ashley asked her.

Artemis laughed at the question. "Nothing more than make the world you desire to reign over. Nothing more than what your heart and Lycan tell you. You will be the New Moon Goddess, and it must be your direction." Artemis told her.

The more she heard, the more she couldn't believe it. "So why exactly are the Witches, Vampires, and others referred to as Races of the Night? Do they all Worship you?"

"In a manner, yes. As well as the fairy's, dragons, and most of the Supernatural Races. As I said, I had many children during my Mortal Life. Not all of them were with the same man." she said with a smile. "Until I found my Mate that is, since than he has been the only one."

Ashley nodded as she understood. "Well, it seems I have a lot to think about. Thank you for telling me." she said as she walked over and hugged her father. "Tell Mom she owes me a visit next time you have a message, and that I love her."

The next morning she walked into the meeting Hall where the Lycan Elders had gathered, and she could tell that they were a little angry about her standing them up the night before.

"Thank you for finally meeting us." Elder Kyle Yang said from the center.

"Apologies for last night, there are many demands on my time. The next time you wish to meet with me, perhaps you will not wait until it is so late at night." she said diplomatically.

"You have surprised us, it seems your father taught you much of our combat style. How do you have so much strength?" Francis Delaqua asked her.

"I am blessed by the Moon, just as all Wolves are. I have long trained for what is to come, as I have long had nightmares of that night. I have long remembered what the Vampyres did, and now they search for me. I intend to meet them in battle with any that will stand with me." Ashley told them all. "Will the people of my Ancestors once again swear their Allegiance to the rightful Heir to the Throne?" she demanded proudly.