The Alpha Queen

Chapter 14

Walter and I decided to take Sean out on a picnic the next day to have some quiet family time. So I spoke with the kitchen staff about arranging us a picnic basket and went to speak with Abrham and Austin. 

I found them waiting in my office. 

"Well aside from the few things that did go wrong, I'd call yesterday a success." Abrham was lounging on the couch and Austin was sitting in a chair with his feet up on my desk. 

I ignore the feet for now, they worked hard yesterday. "Yes, I agree. Unfortunately, Walter and I didn't get to have a conversation with Cameron and Beatrice about this demon s**t. I'll call her tomorrow and see if we can set up a meeting time this week."

I look down and see the photo of me and my parents. I remember when they used to take me on picnics. We went to a lake that is deep in our woods and would spend the whole day together. I feel the darkness threatening to overwhelm me. 

Walter: My Angel, are you okay?

Me: I'm not sure. 

Walter: I feel you. Come to me, My Angel.

"Guys, I'm going on a picnic with Sean and Walter. I'll check in with you later." 

I think they nod, but I'm so caught up in grief I didn't really see anything else. Soon I found myself in our room, Walter was waiting for me. He got us and and came over to pick me up, then sat back down and cuddled me to him. 

He didn't say anything and neither did I. I felt Alex's presence, he love, but she was quiet. She was grieving with me. 

We stayed like that for a while and at some point Sean joined us. Walter moved so that he was sitting against the headboard and I was leaning into him. Sean sat on my other side, leaning into me with his arms around me. 

Alex: Okay Honey, it's time. We won't ever stop grieving, but it's time to start pushing the darkness away. 

I nod to her in response. 

Alex: We cannot let the darkness overtake us.

Me: I hear you. Thank you, Alex.

Alex: I love you, Honey.

Me: I love you too.

I put an arm around Sean and used Walter's body to pull myself up into a sitting position. I can see the sadness in their eyes and I know it's for me. I give them each a little smile and kiss their cheeks. 

"Thank you both for being with me."

"No thanks needed, my love." Walter leaned down and kissed my lips. 

"Yeah, mom. We'll always be with you." My boy smiled at me and I held him tighter.

"Well, I say we get on with our picnic." I look to them and they nod. 

After we've gathered everything we need, we walk out the back door. Alex immediately tenses, the air feels different. 

Alex: A demon has been here.

Me: I feel it too, but how are you sure it's a demon?

Alex: I'm not sure how to explain it. My instincts say demon.

Me: Well, I trust your instincts. I don't sense it here now.

Alex: Their gone for now.

Me: Great.

I look to Walter and he is looking, searching. What strikes me as odd is that Sean also is looking around too. His wolf should be dormant, and dormant wolves don't heighten their human's senses. All wolves are supposed to be dormant until their human's eighteenth birthday.

"What do I feel?" Sean asks, but don't stop searching the area. 

Walter and I look at each other before he speaks. "There was a demon on our territory. Demons are so full of darkness and evil that they leave a trail wherever they go."

Sean nods, but to his credit doesn't look frightened. 

"It isn't here anymore, so we should go ahead with our picnic. I'll mind link Abrham and have him double patrol for now." They agree so we continue walking. 

Me: Abrham, Austin, double patrol. Somehow at least one demon has been on our territory. They're gone, but their essence is still in the air so it was recent.

Abrham: On it. Do you want us to come or send some guards with you?

Me: No, we'll be fine.

Austin: You sure?

Me: Yes, I promise.

Gradually, we started to relax and by the time we made it to our destination we were laughing together. Walter and Sean decided to swim for a while. It's only August and it is still warm enough. I l spread the blanket we brought on the ground and got comfortable to watch my boys.

Walter taught Sean how to swim and was so patient with him. Watching them brought memories of my own father teaching me to swim. It wasn't all good times, but at least we were together. 

After an hour, they got out and went behind some trees to change their clothes and then got settled on our blanket. 

"Dad, tell us about the angel realm?" Sean was eating a sandwich, but gave his full attention to his father. He is calling us mom and dad so easily, and it fills my heart up with joy. 

I think my mate is a bit amused. "Well, it looks similar to the human realm, but our realm is brighter. It is untouched by true evil, unlike here. There are thousands of angles, but I am a warrior angel. Most angels are guardians to the humans and some angels are helpers to the other supernatural species. Depending on the angel's skill level, they might also be warriors."

"Can we visit?" 

"I'm not sure Sean. I've never heard of an angel mated to another supernatural. There are some angels who take a chosen human mate, but once they do they are no longer welcome in our home realm. It is seen as shameful to take a human mate. I know for certain that I can't take you until we take care of this demon threat." Walter seemed sad and concerned about the whole thing. 

"If there are so many angels, why haven't they already ended the threat?" Good question, son.

Walter and I look at each other, trying to gage how much to actually tell Sean. Not to mention, we haven't really come up with a plan other than begin reaching out to other supernatural species. 

"Well, some angels believe that it's not our business. The demons, in theory, will never be able to defeat the angels." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "The thing is that if the demons continue to grow, they may very well become stronger. I believe that some of the high angels are being tempted by corruption. If they give in, they will turn demon and our enemies will grow stronger. One high angel singled me out and asked me to start recruiting other supernatural leaders." 

"Having a demon on our territory does indicate that we need to hurry things along if we can. Whoever the leader is, must feel threatened that you have secured the wolves." I think out loud. It doesn't make sense that a demon was here unless they were trying to make a statement. 

"Part of me thinks that we should have one bid meeting of the supernatural leaders, but that would make us to much of a target to be in one place. Not everyone uses technology. I think our best bet right now is to speak to leaders individually and have those leaders spread the word as well."

"I agree, it would be easier to just meet with everyone, but we would be such a huge target and I'm sure that there are leaks in each race since the demons are recruiting. I like your plan, we'll adjust when needed." I smiled and nodded. 

Sean had been listening and when we were done he spoke, "Tell me more about the demons. All that you've told me about them is that they are full of evil and darkness." 

Walter looked a little uncomfortable, but answered the question. "Demons are essentially fallen angels. Or angels gone bad. Angels were made to worship our creator and to be guardians to the humans. One day, a group of angels rebelled. They believed that the humans are week and should not be so cared for. They received joy by taunting the humans and getting them to make bad decisions." He trailed off and seemed to be lost in a memory. 

"Dad, did you loose someone to evil?" Sean moved to sit next to his father and get his attention. 

Walter's eyes were wet, "Yes, my son. My sister and mother. They were tricked into believing that my father and I were in trouble. They allowed their evil to fill their hearts so they could save us. When my father and I found out what happened, we tried to find them. We never did."

"Can demons turn good again?"

"It is possible, but very few turn back. Once evil fills one's heart, there is no love left. With no love, they have no motivation to do good. No one is really sure how those few do turn back."

Sean looked heartbroken by those words, a few tears drop down his face. I move closer to them and pull them into my arms. 

We stayed that way for a while before breaking apart to clean up. Sean asked to have a movie night with us, his uncles, and grandparents so I mind linked them and they agreed. 

Sean went to play with some friends until dinner so Walter and I spent some time together. 

"How are you doing?" I asked, we were laying on our bed and I turned to look at him. "You obviously weren't anticipating meeting a mate, a queen much less. Not to mention, we are going to war soon."

He pulls me close to him, "I have never been as happy as I was when I met you. You are the most precious gift I have ever been given, my love. I promise to cherish you for the rest of our lives."

He kissed me sweetly and I returned his kiss. When we pull apart I ask if he wants to go with me to speak to the ladies from yesterday about their husband. He does so we walk hand in hand to the rooms I had assigned them. We all gathered in one of their living room areas. 

"I know you know our names, but could you please introduce yourselves and your sons?" I know most of our pack, but being young and before now not completely involved in pack affairs, I have wolves to meet.

The woman with the bruises spoke first. "I'm Christy and this is my son Nathan." Pointing to the boy with hair like dark chocolate. He sat at his mother's feet. She gestures to the other woman, "This is my twin sister Chelsey and her son Jared."

"What are you planning to do with our mates?" Chelsey asks.

I stay quiet for a minute. "Banishment. I will not allow the women and children under my care to be treated this way."

This was one of those things that my dad had not been ready for my to participate in, but I know that banishment was the punishment. He would give the other families the option of staying in his protection or going with their mate. 

Both ladies looked both relieved and frightened. 

"You have a choice to stay under my protection or you can choose to go with your mates." I let my peaceful aura come out to sooth the mothers and sons. 

Christy says, "We want to stay, but it will be difficult for our wolves."

I nod and look to Chelsey, who also nods. The boys keep their hands on their mothers' hands. 

"I suggest that you reject them. I know this goes against everything we are taught and believe. It may be the hardest thing either of you ever do, but it will be painful for you and they have caused you more pain than anyone ever should. Mates are made to love each other and your mates have shown that they have chosen to hurt instead of love."

They all sat quiet and then both ladies said the words that I didn't expect. First Chelsey, then Christy. Right there, they each rejected their respective mates. They didn't react, didn't even raise a hand to their chests from the pain that comes from rejection. Their bonds must have been so thin that it didn't cause to much pain, if any. 

"I'm going to officially banish them tomorrow morning, they will never again be allowed in my territory."

"What about us?" Nate asked, looking at his cousin. I can tell their scared, and I choose to let them sweat a little. 

"Tell me why you were mean to our guests yesterday." I raise an eyebrow at them. 

Neither boy makes eye contact with me. 

"Our fathers always tell us how we are the superior race and how the centaurs are worse than barbarians." Jared spoke, continually looking at his shoes. 

"They also told us that women have to be put in their place, he made us watch. When we wanted them to stop, they would start hitting us." Nate spoke quietly with his head down. 

"We should have been able to protect our moms." Jared also had his head down. 

Both ladies had tears running down their cheeks. 

I scooted so I was kneeling in front of Nate and Jared and put a finger under each chin to lift their faces. 

"I am so proud of both you boys for wanting to protect your mothers, they have been truly blessed by moon goddess to have sons that care for them. However, you were no match for your fathers, not yet anyway." I focused my peace on them and they began to relax. "From now on, you will help me watch for others in situations like the one that you have both been through. You will watch out for your mothers and continue to bring them light. They need your light to keep the darkness of grief and pain away." I stood and the boys did as well. "Do you understand that your fathers were wrong? And that your actions were wrong?"

The nod in response.

"Good. Then you will apologize to the young centaurs as well as their king and queen for your disrespect. Once you have done so, we will not speak of this again."

In unison, they say, "Yes, my queen." They bow their heads in submission, as they have seen the adults do.

"Ladies, take this week to rest and when you are ready we will get you situated with jobs or more schooling." They looked surprised, but didn't say anything. The boys walked us out and Walter and I walked out. 

Walter: You handled that very well, my love.

Me: Thank you, I just realized that I didn't include you in those decisions. I'm sorry.

Walter: Love, you are very dominant, maybe even more so than me. I don't begrudge you taking charge. If I were a wolf, that would be different. However, I'm an angel. I think it's sexy when you take charge.

I laugh and we hug and kiss. We make our way out to the dining room where Sean and the rest of our family is gathered. Sean already has them discussing what movie we'll be watching tonight. He comes over to us when he sees us and opens his arms for a hug. 

"I love you, my sweet boy."