Chapter 29

DREW

We arrived home, not too long after. We wanted to make sure my mom was in the right area, so we can protect her. But is it weird to say, I don't think she will ever be the same? During the plane ride she looked out the window, not blinking as much. She was silent, especially when Asher was talking to her about the kingdom. She didn't seem interested.

But that wasn't even the weird part, she was crying almost every day. She laid in bed, and just cried. Her appetite went down, she didn't seem to care about the kingdom business. She was completely withdrawn. I don't know how I was ever going to help her, but something needed to be done. I decided I'd do the one thing she loved the most.

"Hey dad, mom is in her room?" I looked at him, and he signed and nodded before continuing on.

I walked to her room, and slowly creeped in. She was sobbing again, and I don't know why. So, I crawled into the bed, and cuddled into my mom. She responded by putting her arms around me, which caused her to cry harder.

"Mom can you please tell me what's wrong, I want to help. Tell me how I can help. I just want my mom back." She shook her head, as this was the one thing that was killing her. Her body was shaking, as she held onto me tight. Asher had peaked in, before walking in and coming to bed, and closing his hug on both of us.

"Mom please tell me, I want to help." She shook her head and sobbed harder.

"Honey, we are here for you. We can help tell me." She cried harder and hard. The only word that got out was.

"I... I don't know" She cried.

Vanessa was always the one that seemed like she had it together, and never really showed how much she breaks. She was breaking, that every inch of her soul was just broken. But with all that come and pass, there is only so much one can take. When you're the scariest creature to exist, who everyone relays on. When that is gone, no one is safe. Drew laid himself with his mom, clutching onto her. She was depressed, a feeling one who is grieving gets. Wolves always healed faster than depression never came. She spent most of her time as a regular wolf, which made things just as different.

"That's okay mom, you won't be sad forever I promise." Drew said to her, caressing her cheek. He was a strong person, growing up without the woman he loved more than himself. He never will leave her, as that is his life. People called him a momma’s boy, but he knew they were jealous that they don't have the best mom like him. A hybrid, a queen, a strong woman. They will never be able to compete, as she showed him both love and strength. Drew forgave her as she wasn't a great mom for the first 3 months, as she was suffering as her mate was dead. He knew that she never left, and when she did, she never forgave herself for neglecting him. But even as an absent mom, she made sure he was fed and warm before she left.

It broke his heart to know that if she continued this heartbreak, she could die of it. Hybrids could survive everything, until the heart gives up.

"Drew can you go check in please. I want to speak with your mom along." Drew nodded, before leaning up and giving his mom a kiss on the cheek. He exited the room.

"Baby, I miss you. I miss your kisses; I miss your hugs. What's wrong?" Asher pulled Vanessa on top of him, as she laid her head under his chin, she just stayed silent. It was hopeless sometimes, trying to help someone who doesn't want help. Asher had moved her to his shoulder, so he was looking at her.

"I love you; I hope you know that." She looked up at him, as her red eyes once red turned to Hazel. The human color she one had. Stained the whites red. She felt empty, but one thing she could feel was their mating bond. She reached up, wrapping her lips into his, which he quickly returned. They stayed for as long as she wanted before she parted her lips licking his lip so he would open. As their tongues melted into each other, she stopped.

"I am sorry, I'm trying. I just don't have the energy to do so." It pained that their physical contact was nonexistent. As she could read his mind, she knew she would never.

"Then let's sleep, my love, I just want to hold you okay?" He brought her back to his chest, and their heart beats relaxed each other. It was only 2 in the afternoon.

"You know I may not have energy, but you have needs. You can just do the work." Vanessa said. But Asher wasn't that guy who would force himself on her for his benefit. He believed it was for both of them, and if she wasn't fully there then that's okay/

"What fun is that?" He joked. As she cracks a small smile to his words, she kisses him once again. Things just were right, but just not the right time. There was no reason as to why she feels so down, it just felt like someone was sitting on her chest. She stared at the wall, as Asher fell asleep. The way his heart slowed down in a perfect song, was the only thing that kept her calm. No, just no. She thought that this isn't her. Even with the feeling of being held down, she forced herself out of bed. This couldn't be her life; the warlock doesn't win after he is dead. Asher laid asleep, as she went to the draw to find some clothes. Yet she settled for her normal black jeans, black muscle shirt with boots. She needed to protect her pack.

Vanessa ran downstairs, to find Alec in the kitchen looking at her. He came to terms that they will never be, as she mated with someone else. Yet his love for her was always there.

"Hey sleepy head, what are you doing out of bed?" He asked while she went over to grab a bottle of water.

"Asher fell asleep, and he's not slept well since I've been back. Want to go for a run, and fight with me?" She felt determined to be the best queen there was. Her being in a funk is not what she planned, or ever will.

"Sure, want me to call Drew?" She knew that she needed time to repair herself, before she can be the mother that she couldn't be while she was gone.

"No, let him do what he has too. They think I am fragile, and he would fight me on sparring. I am not as strong as I used to be, so you have a chance at winning" He went over and wrapped his arms around her. It was strange to her as she hugged him back. Their wolves were still perfect for each other, and his hug was warming her heart again. It was healing her. It didn't make sense how Asher's hug wasn't making her feel better yet making her hate herself more. She slowly pushed him away because he was feeling it too. Last thing she needed was for him to feel led on.

VANESSA

After our run, we sat by the hill near the river. It felt like home, listening to the river wave by. I sat with my toes in the water, as Alec was on the rock watching, skipping rocks. Him near me was healing me and I didn't like it, I was with Asher. Why was this bond way too heavy?

"Vanessa, can I ask you something?" His voice paraded over the sound of the loud river. I nodded my head so he could continue.

"Why are you sad?" his voice sounded concerned, but no pity.

"I shouldn't have come back," I explained. I think having someone who was nothing more than a friend made things easier. He didn't hug me or feel sorry. He just wanted to be there to give me his shoulder. He remained quiet so I could continue.

"The warlock is dead, but the shapeshifters still are around. They will find him gone and see me gone. We will be under attack, and that wouldn't have happened unless I stayed away" This is wrong, I should be telling Asher this, yet I feel compelled to tell him.

"Alias was the one who always had a plan, and this time there is no plan. I miss him every day and wished he could be here too telling me what to do." Alec came over and sat next to me, dipping his feet into the water. We stayed quiet and that was what I needed until.

"Wait, you and he are no longer mates Vee. You do know you can bring him back?" I let it sink until I shot up. It was brilliant, I can bring back Alias. He would be an Alia. He would contain strong powers; we can protect our son. Alec had shot up, and I hugged him really quick. Right before I shifted into my wolf and headed back to the palace. I left him in the dust, but I needed to talk with Asher.

ASHER

I must have fallen asleep, as I was intoxicated with her scent. Being so close to her mark was the best thing, as we barely hugged in days. The door had flung open, causing me to jolt up. Vanessa jumped on the bed, with a smile on her.

"Asher, I was given a plan. It may make you mad, but it will make everything better for us." This was the first time she was full of energy, and she was bouncing on the bed like she was excited. So, whatever this plan was better be great, because I knew saying no would not be ideally. I sat up on the bed and positioned myself to hear her out.

"Alright babe, let's hear it." She was standing so cute, like she was about to give a full presentation. I really hope I can't say no.

"So, when King Alias was here, he was known for his strength. Being my mate, he had access to my power. With him, you, Drew, and me. We can get rid of shapeshifters. You see when the warlock spent all that alone, he was able to only focus on magic. So, he became stronger and stronger. His creation became really strong. We spent most of our time as wolves, we don't use magic. But by using all of our magic we have enough to get rid of them." She stopped talking, and boy when I said she was back. She was back, but what happened that got her here. As king she had to run things by me first but saying no right now would kill her spirit.

"I feel like there is a butt" She was acting nervous, which means.

"I will bring Alias back from the dead." There was the punch right there. Why would she want to bring him back? He's her fallen mate, would that cancel us? Would she go back to him? I couldn't help but look angry, and she felt it as she was showing me her neck in fear. Fuckkkkkk!