Rise of the Lycan Queen

Gathering

For over a week the trekked through the rough terrain of the Unforgiving Mountains that bordered the land the Vampires were able to inhabit. These mountains had idea that the Vampires could not tolerate for long, and they planned to use them to their benefit as much as possible. The Altar they were going to was in the center of them, and it was linked to the Royal Blood Line. It would only activate for someone that had it.

They came to a clearing that night that overlooked the meadow where it was, and they sat up camp waiting for the New Moon in another 7 days. They were keeping their imprint small, and patrolling the area around it. The Vampires could not penetrate the mountains to get to this point, and they knew it well.

Ashley was using the satellite equipment they had brought with them, and was glad she had taken the bags her Mother and Father had packed. It had all of the details for the Royal Accounts, and she had been able to access all of them and turn them to her control. It gave them the funds they needed in order to purchase what they would need.

It was 5 days before the other Packs began arriving, and itnwas clear some of them had been attacked along the route to the gathering place. It had not been used in many generations, when the Lycan Race had been less strong. Just as they were again thanks to the Vampires.

Over the course of the next 2 days more and more Wolves arrived, most of them having been attacked en route. The day of the Gathering was when the first surprise occured.

A dozen covens of Witches and Warlocks arrived, both Races having been attacked more ruthlessly than the Wolves had. When they saw her broadcast, they knew where the Ancient Lycan Ascension Altar was. Part of it had been taken to the Palace in Boston and used for the recenf history.

Ashley had remained hidden with a great deal of the Grey Dawn Pack, looking over the meadow when they had seen tje conflict arise.

"Why are you here Witches?" Dominic demanded as he had been sent by her.

"We seek an audience with the White Lycan." the leader of the strongest Coven declared.

Dominic knew exactly who she was referring too, and knew they would not allow it without more details. "Not going to happen without knowing why." he told her boldly.

The Witch looked at him, and knew he had been the Pack she had sought refuge in. "Why should i explain to a lowly Wolf?" she demanded as Hammer stepped up beside him.

"You can tell him peacefully, or you can tell him after the Lycan kicks your ass." he said looking at her.

The Witch looked at him, and knew he had once been part of the Royal Lycan Pack. "We do not seek a fight with the Lycan Nation, we seek to join your war against the Vampires." she said holding her head high.

David looked at Dominic, and they both nodded. "You may seek refuge here until the Queen ascends, and only than will you be allowed to gain an audience. How many covens are coming?" Dominic asked.

"All of them, our ancient hollows are in these protected mountains as well. Since her declaration, those Vampires who remain are attempting to weaken the Supernatural Races any way they can."

Hammer looked at her curiously, wondering just how many of them there would be. 'Princess, the Witch Covens have arrived. One would like an audience prior to the Ascension.' he said mind linking her.

'Just one? That would be acceptable, bring her to me.' Ashley replied.

"What is your name?" he asked her.

"Gretchen." she answered him.

"Do you speak for all of the Covens?" he asked her.

"No she does not." one of the Warlocks declared.

Dominic looked at him with a stern expression. "She does now." he said letting it be known it was more than a threat.

The Warlocks and Witches all looked to their Priests and Priestesses, each of them nodding one at a time. "So be it." Morgan finally said to them.

"Follow me Gretchen. The rest of you may take rest where you can find it. Any wolf who challenges you, challenges the Queen." Hammer said before he turned and began the ascent of the mountain peak.

An hour later he and Gretchen reached the summit, where Ashley was sitting there meditating.

"So, what brings the Covens to my crowning?" she asked before she stood up and looked at her.

Gretchen looked at her surprised.

"Priestess Gretchen representing the Witch and Warlock Covens Princess." Hammer said bowing to her.

"Princess, we come for multiple reasons. First and foremost, we request to join your people in their conflict with the Vampires. Second, we ask for protection among you. Together we can protect both of our people."

Ashley was a little shocked at that reply, as it was the last one she has expected. "It has been 13 years since they began attacking the Wolves, and they have pushed us to the brink of extinction in that time with no help from your Covens. Why should we come to your aid now, when you have sat there doing nothing to come to ours?" she demanded of the Witch.

Gretchen was shocked she would ask that question. "Because you caused them to attack us."

Ashley laughed at that response. "Gretchen was it?" she asked as the woman nodded. "I am not responsible for what those vile monsters do, and if you suggest in any way I am again. You and your Covens can leave with absolutely nothing from the Lycan Nation." she said angrily.

"Since your broadcast calling for open war they have attacked any of the Races they believe would come to your aid." Gretchen told her. "What are we supposed to think other than that?"

Ashley looked at her with a sadistic smile on her face. "Why would they think we would turn to any of you for aid? All of the Races have made it apparent we are on our own. For more than a decade we have battled them without your help. I am quite content continuing our War with the Vampires without your aid. I also have no desire to take on refugees that can turn against us at their whim. Convince me I should even entertain either of your proposals, because so far I am ready to tell you to go to those ancient holes of yours. Pray that the Vampires do not find you."

Gretchen knew true fear in that moment, as the Covens knew they didn't stand a chance without the help of the Wolves. None of the other Races did, even if they all banded together. "I will not waste my time attempting to convince you of our cause. We came hoping beyond hope we could work together."

"Than leave, we have nothing further to discuss. Come morning your protection among us expires, any of you remaining will be considered spies. Welcome to the War Witch." Ashley said turning her back on Gretchen and walking back to where she had been sitting before they had arrived.

"Wait over there." Hammer said pointing to the trail they had used. He walked over to Ashley. "Their help could be extremely useful."

"Not when we cannot trust them. Not when they left us to deal with this mess alone for 13 years." Ashley said determined.

"May I tell you a story Majesty?" Gretchen asked.

Ashley looked at her, and nodded.

"15 years ago, we joined an alliance of 3 Races. Witches, Werewolves, and Dragons. The Royals of each Race agreeing that they would only unite if the worst should happen. 2 years later we watched in horror as the annual gathering was secretly being held. We watched as the Royal Families of all 3 Races, and our best hope of survival was destroyed in one fell swoop. Just to discover all these years later, that there is still one hope alive."

Ashley looked at her, and shook her head. "You watched over television?"

"I did." she replied.

"Let me tell you the story of a 5 year old girl who watched that terrible evening unfold before her very eyes. As she felt the room rumble around her as she used the security system her father had built, and knew beyond a doubt that the worst had happened. Of a girl that after watching her parents die on video as they fought to protect her above her very head. That brave girl gathering what she would need to one day stand at this very spot, before she fled for her life. Of a Warlock who wiped most of her memory for 13 years, leaving only that nightmare to keep her company. Never truly knowing who her parents were, who she was until 2 weeks ago when she gained her Wolf. You know nothing of terror Witch, and despite those details, it changes nothing. As far as I am concerned, you work for the Vampires." Ashley told her as a tear fell from her cheek.

Gretchen stood there shocked beyond imagination that she had seen it first hand. "You have my deepest apologies Princess, but we will not stand for your insults."

Ashley growled as she whipped around. "After all this time your presence here on this day is an insult, not just to me but to our entire Race." she told the Witch. "I never asked for any of this, and have watched-" she said as a dragon flew overhead. It saw them standing there and changed its flight path so it could land a short way away before it changed to it's human form.

All 3 of them watched as he walked towards them, and Ashley felt her Wolf become agitated.

'What is going on with you?' She asked her Wolf.

'He is Mate.' Selene said as the wind shifted and she smelt him for the first time. It smelled like charred marshmallow and cedar, and it made her want to rip his clothes off right there on the mountain top.

"Gretchen, long time no see. How are the Covens?" he asked as he approached the circle where they stood.

"Terrible Draycon, how are the Clutches?" she asked diplomatically.

"We have seen better days, it seems we have had the same idea." he said looking at Ashley.

"For the good it has done, yes. It seems we did." she replied as she turned.

"Why do you leave?" he asked curious.

"There is no hope here, we will be gone before night falls." she said before she started walking away.

"Wait, what is happening?" Draycon asked her.

"It seems the Alliance is dead, and our presence is an insult to the Princess." Gretchen said making Ashley growl again.

"Stay for a moment, I cannot accept that all hope is lost." Draycon said as he looked at Ashley.

"What?" she demanded as he finally caught her scent.

Draycon was wise enough to know to not say anything in that moment. "Princess Ashley, may I introduce myself?" he asked.

"No, you may not. You can join the Witch and leave my people alone. You have spent 13 years making it clear we are not allies, despite what you are now here claiming. We will win our War ourselves, and will leave your Races alone, just as you have us." she told the man stubbornly.

The look on his face made it clear she had wounded him, as he could not understand her hatred. "You are correct, 13 years ago nearly everyone who had knowledge of the Alliance perished when your people were attacked. Our actions are inexcusable, however we had no idea who could or could not be trusted amongst the Wolves." he tried explaining.

Ashley crossed her arms. "Now the Wolves trust no one that is not one of us. Neither of you were invited to join us, and none of this gives me any reason to trust you." she declared.

Draycon reached into his bag, and pulled out a scroll. "This likely will not change your mind, but maybe it can help you understand why we have done what was needed for all of us to survive until this point. Gretchen, I will join you, however I ask you stay until morning. All I will ask if you is you read that, if your answer is the same we can reject each other after your ceremony." he said as he turned and left.

'If you let that man hunk reject us, we will have major issues.' Selene told her as she looked at the Lycan Seal holding the scroll closed.