The Hybrid Queen Mother

Marcy’s POV After James’s funeral, I became distant. I knew my people needed me, my tribe and other supernaturals in the world needed me. But I needed myself more. I needed to be okay, so I could raise my pup. Without James here to help me, I didn’t know if I could do it. What I do know is that if I wasn’t blessed by the Goddesses, I would have died with James. It’s been two weeks since I last saw anyone. James’s funeral made everything real, and I wasn’t ready to accept it. I wasn’t ready to face the world without him. I thought I could be strong, but after his funeral, I jumped back to our house in Washington and hid there. People came to check in on me, but I never spoke to them. I locked myself in my room, and clung to the blanket that still carried James’s faint scent. I missed him. Gaia took care of me the best she could. When I went too long without eating, she would take over and go on a hunt. She also drank our blood reserves from the fridge and would leave notes for those who visited to let them know that we were still here. She also listed some items we needed, so we didn’t run out of anything. Another two weeks went by, and his scent was starting to fade. I couldn't tell if it was my lack of self-care or if I was feeling the effects of my pregnancy, but I felt sick. A part of me didn't want the pup. But I couldn’t terminate. That wouldn’t be fair to Gaia, it was her pup too. “When are you going to leave this place and be the Queen you’re meant to be?” A familiar voice came. I didn’t move. I made it clear I didn’t want to see anyone, but apparently she didn’t care. I sensed her presence wasn’t going anywhere, but I was stubborn. Her staying here wasn’t going to change anything. “Get up.” She demanded. Still, I didn’t move. “Get up now!” She commanded, and I felt my body start to act on its own. Gaia was silent in my mind. She didn’t talk to me much, just stayed alert to make sure we were okay. I stood up as I was commanded to do so, but I kept my eyes on my feet. My body felt weak, fragile and the simple act of standing made me run out of breath. “Come with me.” Without looking up, I followed her out of my bedroom. As soon as I stepped out of the door, I was met with lush, soft grass under my bare feet. I knew where I was. I knew why I was here. But that didn’t change the fact that I didn’t want to be here. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked. “Because you need to get yourself together. People need you. And you need to take your place as Queen.” “I can’t. I can’t do it alone.” I said as tears started to stream down my face. “When are you going to stop acting like you’re alone in this world? You are anything but.” She said, annoyed. “People are worried about you. Calling you every day. You aren’t the only one who lost someone that day.” “He was my mate!” I shouted. “And he was Kevin and Leanne’s brother. Jacob’s best friend. Your pup’s father. He was someone to everyone. And he wasn’t the only one who was lost.” She nearly shouted. “Yet, all those people who loved him just like you did, are reaching out to you. They want to comfort you. Stella should be focusing on healing Jordan, yet she’s distracted because she’s worrying about you. Your tribe has no idea what is going to happen to them because their leader is missing. “Leanne and Kevin not only just buried their brother, but now must execute and bury their mother. Yet, they are both more worried about you. Your parents are doing their best to keep everything going, and all they can think about is you. Especially your mom and grandpa, since they know about your pup.” “Why the hell did James have to die!?” I shouted. “You should have saved him. If anyone should have died that day, it should have been me! Not him! Me! Why wasn’t he immune like I was?” I sobbed out loud. “We all have our limits. Each of us who blessed you, did it at an expense. We put our faith in you. Now you need to step up and show us we didn’t make a mistake.” “Maybe you did make a mistake! You should have blessed someone else!” “So would you have preferred a life without James?” She shot back coldly. “What?” I was shocked. How could she say that? “If we hadn't blessed you, you wouldn’t have been mated to James. You also wouldn’t have Gaia. You would have been a wolfless hybrid without a mate or partner. Is that the life you would have preferred?” “At least I wouldn’t have to go through this pain,” I said quietly. “No. It would have been worse. You would have been hunted and brutally killed for existing. You never would have made it to your teens.” She was right, I didn’t want that. No matter how hard this was. Of course, I want James alive. But this life was indeed a blessing, something that most hybrids didn’t have. The moments I spent with James were a reminder of that blessing. And his pup that I now carry is a reminder. James left me with a blessing of his own. He will live on in his pup. This pup, along with me, will carry James's memory. A reminder of what this world should be like. He died a king’s death, fighting so that the hybrids could be accepted. He died protecting me and his pup. Although he didn’t know about the pup, he protected it. Now it was my turn. James wouldn't want me to spend all my time crying and locked away from the world. No matter how hard it is, I know he would have wanted me to be a good queen for my people. Just like he would have been a good king for the wolves. I will not let his sacrifice be in vain, and I will make him proud. “I’m glad you feel that way,” I looked up and gave her the side eye. Why was she reading my mind? “Everyone is waiting for you. You must plan your coronation. I am sending you back to the Forbidden Woods.” “Before I go,” I stopped her. “Is he here?” “Yes. But you cannot see him.” I lowered my head but understood. “I can, however, allow you to see Onyx. It is the last thing I can do for you.” “Why is that?” I asked. “I’ve gone to great lengths to help you and the other Gods didn’t like it. So my title has been stripped. It is my punishment for breaking the rules.” I felt my heart break knowing it was my fault she could no longer be there for us like she wanted to. “Don’t think that way. I knew what I was doing. The fault is not with you. If I had a chance to do it over again, I would. Come.” She reached out her arms and pulled me into her warm embrace. I felt my soul healing and my heartache lessening. She was taking my pain away from me and bringing me comfort. When she pulled away, I felt the cool wetness of a nose on my cheek. Looking over, I was overwhelmingly happy to see Onyx. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly as I cried into his soft fur. Gaia whined and howled in my head for her mate. She missed him as much as I did. “He can’t talk to you, but he can hear you.” “Tell James we are okay. Tell him we won. I’m going to make him proud and be a good Queen and mother to our pup. Tell him not to worry about us. I love him, and you too, Onyx. I love you. That will never change. When you reincarnate, come find me. I’ll be waiting for you. The both of you.” I pressed my lips on Onyx’s head and poured all of my love and soul into him. “Gaia loves you both, and we’ll be waiting for you both, no matter how long it takes. I’ll wait forever for you.” Onyx licked the tears that slid down my face before turning around and running off into the field. I turned my attention back to Selene, who had her own tears to wipe. I knew it was hard for her to say goodbye, and I felt guilty for her having to leave us behind. I didn’t know it before, maybe because I didn’t have any children, but now, as I carry my pup, I think I can understand making hard decisions and doing whatever I can for it. Although things have been rough for me personally, I want my pup to live a better life than I did, and I would do anything to ensure that. Starting with claiming the throne. “Good. Everyone is waiting for you. Goodbye my daughter. I love you and all of my creations. Be well.” Selene kissed me on my forehead and a tingling warmth spread through my body as the Moon Goddess realm started to disappear. *** When I opened my eyes, I was standing under the familiar willow that faced the lake. The place James and I got married. Memories flashed through my mind as I looked out at the water. Everything changed in just a short amount of time and our married life didn’t last long. But James will always be my husband. In my heart and soul, he was my husband. Letting out a sigh, I made my way to the palace, where I knew everyone was having dinner in the courtyard. I hadn’t been here in what seemed like forever, though it’s only been about a month. The place was cleaned and looked as it did before the war preparations. Tents were taken down, marked areas returned to normal and the debris that littered the ground after the war was gone. It looked as if the woods never harbored warriors before and after a war. We need to find Jordan. Gaia was right, and I closed my eyes to concentrate on him before jumping. It took a lot out of me to do so and I crash-landed by his bed. I looked around, we were inside the palace. It looked like they had turned one of the empty rooms into a makeshift infirmary. He laid there motionless. His body looked frail and weak. The scars on his neck are a reminder of Darius's brutal assault. The only indicator that he was still alive was the steady up and down movement of his chest. Still, it was the machine that was breathing for him. Before I could do anything else, I needed blood. I checked the cabinets and refrigerators, but found nothing. I was starting to become desperate. Gaia made sure we had blood, but it seemed like it wasn’t enough. I felt fragile. “You can’t be in here miss,” a soft voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw a petite girl who looked like a nurse. Her short blond hair hung in a bob just above her shoulders and her big blue eyes were filled with good intentions. She must have recognized me as soon as she saw my face because she immediately looked frightened. “I’m- I’m sorry Your Highness, I didn’t know it was you,” she bowed her head to me. “I need blood.” I rasped. Without hesitation or lifting her head, she immediately offered her wrist to me. My instincts told me to bite down and drink, but I refused. I didn’t know if I could control myself if I fed on her. And she was tiny, I would drain her quickly. “Please, Your Majesty, feed on me. The blood bank is far, and it would take me some time to get there and back. Please, take what you need.” My fangs protruded and I bit into her wrist. I didn’t have time or energy to argue with her about it. As the thick sweet blood coated my throat, I felt relief. My strength was coming back and so was my desire to feed more. But I didn’t want to hurt her, so I let go. I licked the wound to try and heal it for her, but noticed it was already healed. “Thank you.” I said as I fought to regain control. “It was an honor to be of use to you, my Queen. Please, wait here, I will bring more blood for you.” She said as she quickly turned around to head out. “Marcy,” I called after her and she stopped. “You can call me Marcy. What is your name?” I asked her. “I’m Mia.” She smiled softly. “Thank you, Mia. Please, don’t tell anyone I am here.” I told her, and she nodded before walking out the door. Now, I must focus on Jordan.