From Ashes To Queen: Now I Call The Shots Novels & Stories

he cried. I stopped walking and looked at the man who had once been the untouchable prince of Saphira's elite circle. Now, he was nothing more than a mad beggar without an ounce of his former dignity. I felt neither sympathy nor satisfaction at his downfall. The only thing left was a sense of peace, as I had completely let go of the past. I said, "Live well, Wayne. Carry the debt you owe me and spend a long life in the damning swamp you've created for yourself."

I am utterly in awe of the beautiful creature in front of me. “Our mate.” Rohan mutters dreamily. “Our queen.” I agree.

“I’m not just a Null Wolf. I’m a wolf queen just like you. A stronger queen than most can imagine.” Ash’s sharp gaze flicked to mine, narrowing slightly. Her stance remained unwavering, but I could sense the shift in her. She didn’t let it show, but I knew she was intrigued, and perhaps a little wary. “A queen?” she repeated, her voice skeptical, almost mocking. “You’re a queen? What makes you think anyone would believe that?”

"Please, Ryan, don't do this. He's your son! Please, don't take this from me!" But Ryan's mind was filled with anger and betrayal. He opened the urn and began to pour the ashes onto the ground. "No!" Sophia wailed, her cries echoing through the cemetery. She lunged forward, her hands clawing at the ashes as they scattered. The gray powder clung to her hair and skin, mixing with her tears as she wept uncontrollably. She pressed her head to the ground, her body trembling with sorrow. "My baby," she sobbed, her voice barely audible. "I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…"

Just a crest, a sleek, stylized silver falcon. My thumb hovered over the screen, shaking violently. I pressed the contact. The line didn't even ring. It connected instantly. Through the tiny speaker, a deep, commanding voice broke through the silence, a voice dripping with raw authority, intense restraint, and a dark, dangerous power that sent a shiver straight down my spine. "Seraphina," Julian Sterling said softly. "Tell me you're ready to burn their empire to the ground.”

It was a hot day, with temperatures hitting a scorching 113°F when I was chased out of Nox Suites, the duplex where top celebrities stayed. Indoors, Stan Herbert, A-list star and my showmance partner, was ranting on the phone. "What's the point of a PR relationship with my current popularity?! Taking it into real life? Faking it online for six months was bad enough—you're sending her to my doorstep?! What, is our talent agency a matchmaking agency instead?! You're even sending me some nobody!" Once he hung up, he kicked me out of his door with my luggage, leaving me squatting by a sidewalk as I tried to clean up the mess. Six months ago, I signed a "slave contract" with the agency to try

Ash bows his head graciously, “Asher Wild, Prince to the Vampire King of England. But please, call me Ash. Everyone does, it feels weird to have people say my full name now.” The king bows his head, “Her loss, if only temporary, is felt keenly here.” Luther says, and Ash nods,

He shouted back. “You earned nothing,” the Queen said, her voice hard. “You’re nothing but a reckless child, Asher.” She whispered coldly. “Her wolf is mine, to make the rogues unstoppable.” She said. “No,” Asher said, shaking his head. “I’ll find another way, a witch, a sorceress. You don’t get to claim it.” He said. “You’ll find death,” the Queen said. “You’re sentenced to liquid silver, Asher. You’re nothing.” She added.

my eyes tear up and I have no idea why. His face turns red and I feel his aura seep out, "Ashley Silver you have insulted my integrity, what reasons have I given you to think like this? What have I done to make you think for one second that I will not be faithful, trustworthy and loyal to my Queen, my chosen Queen."

Predictable. Now we introduce the alternative. Not a lie. A competitor. In the outer districts, where the wards are weaker and desperation is stronger, we have allowed a figure to rise. A woman with a voice like a hymn and power enough to make small miracles. She does not claim to be the Axis. She claims to be an answer. “She calls herself the Ash Queen,” one of our watchers reports, eyes bright with curiosity. I smile slightly. “Let them name her what they wish,” I say. “Names are hooks.”