Asteria POV.“Ideally, before your child is born. So you have what? Fifteen weeks?” I sigh and nod my head. This is going to be cutting it fine.“You need to issue a decree to all the Alphas that the Lycan throne will be occupied. The rightful Lycan heir and his mate or Luna queen will be ruling until such a time that the heir comes of age. You know there will be challenges from some of the Alphas and potential female suitors, right?” I say not that I’m bothered. A challenge is to the death, anyway.Wolves and Lycans wouldn’t stand a chance against a siren, or a hybrid siren for that matter.“As you wish. We will keep his hybrid a secret …”“No, you won’t. You will inform them that the heir to the Lycaon royal bloodline is a siren hybrid. Unless you want an uprising. It is best to go into this with honesty to earn trust.” I say and Selene smiles at what I’m saying and she nods in agreement.“I agree with Asteria. We can’t leave that out. The siren half of him is just as important as t
Asteria POV.Pulling into Dani and Jerome’s driveway behind Carter. The house is modest yet looks cosy. It has the white picket fence and white shutters by the windows. The door is a sky blue colour. Flowers line the garden and I smile. It is beautiful.Carter drove Jerome’s car, and I drove Carter’s. Carter had a spare key to Jerome’s car, so it was a good thing really, otherwise he would have to leave Dani to collect it.We park and exit the cars, locking them up. I look at the Lamborghini and smile. Carter doesn’t know it yet, but this car is now mine.Carter opens the front door and we walk inside. The sound of a baby crying makes me move past him at speed in search of her. It is a siren thing but also the maternal side kicking in. But when you are queen, you are a mother to all.I find her in a basket type crib. I smile at her as I scoop her up in my arms. As Dani waddles into the room with a bottle in her hand.“Asteria, Carter. Why didn’t tell me you were on your way? I would h
Asteria POV.The days have gone by in a blur. Carter has had papers of ownership drawn up and they are ready to sign.Lycaon is coming today with Fenrir to show us the notification that has been written to make sure it is what we want before it is sent out officially to every pack in the world.Yesterday I sent a link out to every siren telling them of what was happening and they were all happy for this to happen. Plus, the sirens all know Artemis and they trust her. So I know they will be in safe fins as it were when we aren’t there.Over the last few days, it has been tiring, and my bump has grown. Odessa is coming later on to check the progress of the baby but I have a good feeling everything is fine. My mother, father and brother have been here as well to see me and to help where needed.It is nice to have them here. It is like the tragedy that happened, didn’t. My father likes Carter, and he was sparring with him and like all sirens and lycans, he is a quick learner. Even without
Asteria POV.The time has come for Odessa to check the progress of our baby. Am I nervous? No, I would know if something was wrong, but there is no harm in having someone else check.“Lay down Asteria.” She says and I do as I’m told as Carter holds my hand over the back of the sofa.She places her hands on my uncovered bump, closing her eyes as she mutters a chant under her breath and Carter tightens his grip on my hand. I look at him and offer him a smile.“Everything will be fine. I would tell you if there was something wrong, and I’m sure Lykos would, too.” I say through our link and he nods subtly at my words, but I can tell he is nervous that something will happen to either me or our child.I turn my attention back to Odessa to see her smiling as she looks at my baby bump before she removes her hands, looking at me and nodding her head.“Everything is fine. The babe is growing beautifully. Keep doing what are you and all will stay fine.” She says and Carter releases a slow breath
Carter POV.It’s a girl, we are having a girl! I keep my hand on asteria’s bare belly as she has a nap after our session in the kitchen. I’m furiously scrolling on my phone looking at baby things, and cute, pink little outfits for our little one.I wonder what she will look like? Will she look like Asteria or me, or maybe even a beautiful combination? I hope she looks like Asteria, because she is stunning. Maybe I should be looking for matching outfits for them both. Now that would be cute.My chest swells with pride as I can see them both now, walking hand in hand down main street both wearing cute dresses, Asteria in a pair of white high heels and my little princess in sparkly shoes. Both have their hair up in high pony tails as they laugh and giggle as our little one swings her mother’s arm and me walking beside them both, smiling at them. My beautiful ladies.“I can see it too, Carter. Our daughter will be beautiful. So yeah, I agree with matching outfits for them. Ohh, look at th
Asteria POV.My eyes light up as Set bounds towards me. My boy.“Hey, baby.” I nuzzle him as he nuzzles me back. The Hellhounds are like Cane Corso’s, well that is what Carter said they looked like. They are bigger, stronger, and extremely protective. He sits on his haunches and presses his snout into my belly and I chuckle at him. Even sitting and I’m standing, his head reaches to below my ribs and I’m not small. I’m five foot ten.He whines and grumbles, and I stroke his massive head.“Yes, I know. She is ok,” I say to him and he huffs before he stands and moves to sit in between my legs.The Hellhounds can take down a wolf with ease. Their bites have the sting of icy death and they secrete venom that can kill a werewolf. Fortunately, they are extremely loyal creatures. Destinee has Anubis and I have always had Set. But he can’t swim in the depths, so Gaia has been keeping him for me.“I think it is safe to say he missed you.” Gaia chuckles as Set moves to his belly and rests his en
Asteria POV.It has been three weeks since the letters were delivered to each pack around the world. So far, no-one has tried to attack me at my home or outside, so that is a good thing. However, there have been thirteen official challenges made against me and five for Carter. We aren’t concerned.I know I can take them all if need be. The same with Carter. My belly has gotten bigger and our daughter is very active lately. I think she can sense the tension that is mounting.I struggle to stand up but do it. Set right by my side, helping as best as he can. Carter handed over the company yesterday and he is currently training with my father and Hades, believe it or not.I don’t know when or how, but they seem like best friends right now and it’s strange and scary. But whatever, they aren’t fighting, so that is a plus.Waddling towards the fridge, I grab a bottom of water out and waddle towards the balcony. Taking a seat outside, I can see my mate sparring against my father, brother, and
Asteria POV.The day has come that we head to the Supernatural Council to face those who have challenged us. I mentally scoff at that notion. Wolves are always so proud, so entitled, well they will see how that helps them today.“You ready.” Carter asks me, and I heave a sigh as he helps me to stand. Even though I don’t need his help but I let him, anyway. If I have learnt anything over the years about wolves and Lycans, they are very protective and affectionate towards their pregnant mates. So to shove him away would not only hurt him, but Lykos, too.“Yeah, let’s get this shit show moving. The sooner this debacle is done, the sooner we can come home.” I say to him as I stand up straight wearing a pencil skirt and a white blouse and black flats. I can’t walk properly barefoot, so the thought of being in high heels in my condition, no thanks.I have become a homebody, as Gaia calls it; she said in a way it is me nesting and being in a familiar and safe space. In the water, the females
Carter POV.18 Months later.Coming back to the surface after being in my siren form for a few months was strange. Not much had changed, but still it was weird.“It would be the same if you were stuck in Lycan form for that amount of time.” Lykos had said to me when it was taking me a little bit longer to adjust to being back on two legs. But here we are sitting watching the two most important women in our lives.“Lykos, we are truly blessed. Look at them both.” I say with a big smile on my face as we watch Asteria chase after Ione in the palace gardens. Both are wearing matching outfits. Lykos purrs watching our mate and daughter playing.When we came back, everyone was shocked to see not only how much Ione had grew and changed but also the change in myself. I have bulked up in the water. But not overly bulky.I watch as Asteria runs away from Ione, and she chases her mom. With Set beside her, the second we got home, Set pounced on them both. Ione has said she remembers him and so
Asteria POV.“Swim Carter, she is right on your tail.” I shout from the top of the abyss as the meg gains on him. It has been two months since Carter’s and Ione’s training began.I watch as the meg slams her jaws shut as he picks up speed. That was close. The rest of us move along the top, watching the test play out.Carter swims and stops turning. What is he doing? I look at Artemis and she looks at me. When I see him throw the trident towards the meg. She rolls to the side, avoiding it. She gains speed and my eyes widen. When she slams into him and I go to stop it when Artemis holds me back.“Look!” she says and I wait for the sand and debris to settle when I slowly smile, seeing Carter has his hands on her snout. She is wiggling her fin to move forward, but he isn’t budging.Carter has grown in size, strength, and speed. He is a great hunter and fighter.He shoves hard, and she flies back, shaking her head. He moves like a bullet and lands blows to her gills and she roars. Swimming
Asteria POV.It has been a few days since the wedding and the crowning ceremony. The celebration ended yesterday and I’m glad it did.There are only so many times you can shake hands and give kisses before you become tired of it.Selene and Lycaon congratulated us both, and I decided it was high time we drew a line in the sand and move forward without the hostility. Grated the hostility came from me, but still it was time to move forward.Zeus was still a prick and that will never change. Even though it has been just over a week since I gave birth to Ione, she is a lot bigger now and crawling. I wasn’t kidding when I said sirens grow quicker.We think once she hits a few years old in siren time that she will slow her growth down. Last thing we want to come back from her training and her being an adult.Today we start her training, and Fenrir will be in charge alongside Lycaon. Carter enters the bedroom carrying an excited Ione. She has been swimming in her siren form in the bath. We a
Asteria POV.The elders have been on my ass today, and I’m ready to flip out. According to them, it is not traditional for the luna queen to not wear a ballgown! I laughed at the dress.Even Artemis and my mother laughed as I stood there is this dress that looks all puffy and it’s tight around my chest and neck. Gaia counted the layers to this cloud like dress and counted twenty. I look like a fairy. It’s red and gold and really puffy, as Gaia said. I don’t like it.It weighs a tonne too. When I told the elders, I don’t like it that it wasn’t comfortable; they sneered at me, muttering I was a savage, so I did the only thing I could. I tore it to shreds. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t sit down, and I couldn’t fit through the damn door. Being called a savage was the final straw. So I showed them how savage I could be.So here I am with my females around me as they get me ready. My long, wavy raven hair is down flowing against my lower back. I have my coral crown on my head adorned with
Carter POV.Watching Asteria assert her dominance is always fun to watch. He did deserve it and she is right. Even I didn’t like the way he was looking at Ione. If Asteria hadn’t stepped in to protect her when she did, I would have killed him. Lykos was on the verge of shifting when she put him and the others in their place.The bedroom we are in is nice. The wealth of the Lycans is evident. However, it is pretentious. Yes, I have mansions and top of the line supercars, but this. There is too much gold and reds. I get it furnishings fit for a king and his queen, but this is not what I’m comfortable with and, by the looks of it, neither is Asteria.I understand the palace is filled with history but I would like to make some adjustments, but I doubt the elders will be too pleased with that. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice, but it’s too much.Asteria is standing on the balcony that looks out over the kingdom and beyond that, the ocean. Ione is having a nap and so it is just the two of us f
Asteria POV.Walking the path towards the Lycan Palace. It hits me that the palace is shielded from the world using an illusion spell. But this is the royal pack.The palace sits in the middle with houses surrounding it, similar to a packhouse. Wolves and Lycans leave their homes to see what is happening as Carter and I, plus our entourage, walk towards the palace.I keep my head high as Carter carries Ione. The wolves and Lycans bow as we pass, showing their respect to us. My eyes connect with a few and they bow lower. We walk up the steps to the palace and come face to face with what I can only assume are the elders.They bow in respect as Fenrir moves closer to us.“Welcome home your majesty, we’re thrilled that you are here.” One of the dusty old men says not acknowledging me. I ignore the disrespect because if I was to act on it, then he would die.I ignore their conversation as I look around, surveying everything when Carter takes my hand, pulling me out of what I’m doing.“Plea
Asteria POV.There hasn’t been a day of peace since before Ione has been born. Now don’t get me wrong, I love seeing everyone, but is it too much to ask for us just to have time together with just the three of us? The only time we get to ourselves is when it’s bedtime.“Fen, just the man I wanted to see,” Carter says as the wolves take their seats and coo over Ione.“Oh-oh, that sounds ominous. What can I do for you both?” Fen asks with a chuckle and I roll my eyes as I lay Ione on my legs. Her feet against my tummy, as I gently sway my knees from side to side as I make silly faces at her, earning me big giggles from her.“We need your help with running the kingdom, well, looking after the kingdom for a couple of months. Ione will begin her training before the end of next week, and I need to be with both her and Asteria. So, would be the interim ruler while we are away?” Carter asks, and I look up at Fen and smile at him.“I will only do it if I get Ione cuddles.” He says as he stands
Carter POV.Words can’t describe what I had witnessed. The birth of my daughter Ione. Asteria handled it like a pro and I now have more respect for the females in the world. It was scary when she started to death roll, but then she pulled Ione free.I saw her tail before Asteria did; I know she was panicked that Ione may not shift. So she didn’t notice that little detail before she took off like a bat out of hell to get to the surface.But here we are in the living room with a sleeping Ione in my arms. Asteria is back to normal. She appears to be stronger than before. She is breastfeeding her but also supplementing her with blended fish. Gross, I know, but sirens feed their children differently. Hence why they are born with teeth and talons.We have had so many visitors over the past few days and Ione has taken it all in her stride. She is a dream, though. She never cries and Asteria said it’s because siren babies don’t cry. She is content and happy. Lykos is in love with her the same
Asteria POV.I wake up in the night wincing in pain. Trying to get comfortable is a nightmare. Odessa has told me she is low in my pelvis, but I knew that already she has been for a while now.I pull myself up and shuffle to the end of the bed and place my feet on the ground and stand. I’m exhausted, but nature calls. I hold my bump with one hand and the wall with the other as I make my way to the bathroom.I’m out of breath and I feel like I’ve run a damn marathon in flip-flops. I move to the toilet and do my business and wash my hands.A low pain spreads across my belly and I brace my hands on the vanity, my chin tucked as I breathe in through my nose and slowly out of my mouth until it passes. Once it does, I stand up straight. I look at the bath in the mirror.I turn slowly and move towards it and turn the water on. Placing the plug in. I strip down. And climb in as the bath fills.Leaning my head back, I place my hands on my bump that pokes out of the water and I hum, the song wa