---Ash's POV---

"An expansion?" I tilted my head curiously, watching the rest of the Hive bustle around. Jeremy nodded, grinning proudly at the rest of our people.

"Yes." His voice murmured over the link, a small motion of his arm indicating our surroundings. "You heard the other Hives call back during the hunt. I wouldn't be surprised if the smaller ones without a Queen would gather here, to find a place to belong."

I hummed, the sound vibrating through my throat and echoing oddly. Of course Jeremy was right. All of us had heard the other Hives, some closer than others.

And none of their voices had held that same, echoing quality to it. None of them were like mine.

Another hum slipped from my throat, answering thrills and chirps escaping from the Hive. Their overall happiness and peace filled the link to the point where I just wanted to curl up in the sun and snooze.

"You see? The Queen adds purpose to the Hive. I did my best to guide them but I am no Queen." Jeremy nuzzled into my neck, making me squirm slightly before I yelped when he playfully nipped at his mark.

The corresponding snickers and amused huffs that rang out certainly didn't help fight back the flush on my cheeks. Content sounds slipped from Jeremy before he chuckled, leaning his chin on my shoulder.

"You connect us tighter than I ever could. The Hive's primary goal is to please you and protect you from harm. Before, we just roamed without purpose, surviving without living..."

My eyes moved over the people in front of me, all bright eyed and huffing in greeting. Some even approached to brush their jaw against mine or to simply touch my hand briefly before letting go with a smile.

Like a child that wanted to show their mother the wonders of the world, no matter how small or insignificant it seemed.

"More will come." I realized and Jeremy nodded, pulling me into his body with a low growl aimed at the Hive member that was attempting to nuzzle under my throat.

The female let out a low cry, averting her gaze as to not challenge Jeremy. He snorted, nostrils flaring as he stared her down before resting his chin closer to my throat.

"The others will search for a Queen too, preferably. But if they don't find one, they will start traveling towards us." Our eyes flitted towards the cave, which was homey for us, but would indeed need more room if the Hive grew suddenly.

Ideas nudged against my mind as the Hive was eagerly presenting suggestions of improvement. Thanks to the knowledge I had added to the Hive, we could build proper homes within the cave.

Of course, it would take some time and a lot of resources. Meticulous planning so we wouldn't accidentally cause a cave in but we could make it work.

In fact, I could check on the multitude of safehouses and secret cashes I had hidden away.

Plus, I no longer had to fear becoming infected, so I could quite easily go to the city to get the materials we needed.

"We can go. The Hive wouldn't sent their Queen off unprotected." Jeremy grumbled and I flushed, leaning on the tips of my toes so I could instinctively nuzzle under his throat.

"Sorry.. it's just, as a human, I was used to have to do everything on my own..." The apology easily slipped from my lips as I realized that I couldn't quite behave as I used to.

Before the change, I always had to take care of myself. Nobody else would be there to have my back, nor did I want to rely on others and risk getting infected because of it.

However, now I had an entire hive that counted on me, valued me. If I had died as a human, only a few would've felt saddened.

I shivered as the thought came to mind. If the Hive was this closely connected to me, what-

A low growl rolled through Jeremy's throat, arms tightening around me as the rest of the Hive quickly approached.

"Do not even think about such a thing!

Breathless, panic- The Queen dead? What would we do?

It'll never happen-

We won't allow it-

But what would we do?!"

I sent a reassuring thought through the link, hushing the rising panic and putting a stop to the sudden agitation. All around me, people were panting, nostrils flared and shivering as they stared at me wide-eyed.

Especially the trembling Wyatt, who made a little sound in the back of his throat. Instantly I slipped out of Jeremy's hold, hugging the child against me and humming soothingly.

Still, I felt the tremors of the lingering panic bounce through my head, slowly realizing just how important I was to my people.

Elijah snorted, hugging Shireen closely to his chest as he growled lowly.

"My Queen... you have no idea how highly you're valued..." He glanced down at the woman in his arms, nuzzling her cheek as his voice whispered seriously over the mind link.

"If there was ever a moment where both you and my heart are at risk... I will save you first."

His confession made my jaw drop, especially as I saw how troubled he looked at the mere idea of leaving Shireen to her fate.

"The Hive can live without either Shireen or myself... but now that we have you, we cannot lose you." His eyes pinned my down before he hugged Shireen impossibly tight, only relaxing when she huffed and brushed her hand along his jaw.

The prosperity of the hive over the needs of the individual...

I nodded slowly, vowing to myself that I'd never let that happen. Because I could tell that losing a single member of the Hive would also have its effect on myself.

Being the indirect cause of said death would ruin me. Jeremy snorted, nudging me upright before slowly, the rest of the Hive spread out once more.

Soon the link was filling with suggestions and ideas once more. Pushing past the lingering sensations, I started to think about the concept as well.

The cave we currently lived in was comfortable... but only as comfortable as a cave would ever get.

My memories provided me ideas of improvement but it would take quite a bit of work. And I personally had never tried to make an earthen home.

Curiosity poked through the link, several individuals having caught a passing motion of the idea. I hesitantly showed it to the Hive, as I thought it would be a great possibility.

Houses that were built with natural means, usually covered with dirt once more. Blending into their surroundings, needing minimal heating as the soil above and around helped insulate it properly.

It would be fairly easy to find a clearing large enough and settle there. The hive could be spread out over the clearing, we could even add in underground chambers as well, connecting the separate units.

It would just be... a lot of work.

Jeremy hummed in agreement but smiled thoughtfully. "It would be a lot of work, but we have a lot of helping hands." His eyes flitted over the group before his smile evolved into a grin.

"And if we were to expand, it would be easier than stuffing everyone down the cave..." Jeremy added, a little content nose escaping him as he buried his nose in my hair.

I nodded, happiness flooding through the bond as the entire Hive picked at the idea, looking at all the aspects and sharing their own unique insight to it.

Only when everyone agreed, did we move on with the actual plans. Several of the Hive left, would scout the territory and possibly beyond to find the perfect location.

The eagerness and joy was rushing through the link, making me feel energetic and bounce on my feet with a grin. Jeremy caught onto the sensations, grinning as well.

While a small scouting party had run off to explore the territory, the rest was busy gathering everything within our caves to take stock of what we had.

After that, we'd have to go out hunting for both food and resources. Because providing a semi-underground village for everyone would take quite some time and resources.

But, that's where I could hopefully provide some help. After all, I had made multiple safehouses and resource cashes spread over the city.

I had only shared some with Eric and the others and I guessed that the Rogue band that had ruined my house would've reported their findings to their headquarters.

So I preferred that they didn't get anymore resources than they already had. They didn't need any more ammunition against innocent people around them.

At the mere thought of the Rogues, anger and disgust fizzled over the Hivemind. Even Jeremy sneered, glaring at our surroundings.

"If we find a trace of them anywhere near the Hive, we will wipe them out." His teeth bared, eyes so dark and intense that I shivered against him.

"Are there... any fights between Hives?" I wondered curiously, seeing how the Rogues did nothing else but steal and kill anyone weaker than them.

Jeremy snorted, shaking his head as he grabbed my hand. Our fingers interwoven as we walked through the soft greens of the forest around us.

"No. Why would we? We are all one people. If you get older, stronger, you could be able to contact others outside our boundaries."

I stilled at that, shock flooding through my system. Jeremy looked back as I stopped moving, a gentle smile on his face before he chuckled.

"You underestimate your importance, my Heart. The only Hives that wouldn't fall under your domain would be those that have a Queen of their own." He snorted and shook his head.

A happy little cry sounded before arms wrapped around my legs. Warmth filled my chest, spilled out into the link as I smiled down at Wyatt's cute little grin.

"And even they wouldn't fight?" I verified, crouching down so I could lift the child in my arms. My heart melted as he wrapped his arms around my neck, nuzzling in my throat and inhaled deeply. "It makes sense that Hives with Queens would... compete."

A giggle left the boy's chest. "You smell nice. Warm and comforting..." Wyatt buried his face deeper within my hair and neck, snuffling contently before I could hear his breathing even out.

Asleep... Completely and utterly relaxed.

Jeremy's gaze softened, a deep and low rumble vibrating through his chest as he observed us closely. "They wouldn't, because they can understand the loss of a Queen, theirs or ours and wouldn't wish that upon anyone."

I nodded, hugging Wyatt closer to me and purred happily as in turn, Jeremy wrapped his arms around the pair of us.

"As long as there is still a member of the Hive alive, we'll keep you safe." Jeremy vowed, eyes burning brightly as we watched the joyful expressions on those around us.

A soft, hesitant cry sounded from the edge of the forest, drawing our attention as Jeremy and several of the Hive instantly shielded me from sight.

Several others, unknown infected stood hesitantly just within the shadows. Watching, hopefully waiting, eyes trying to catch a glimpse of me as I peeked around Jeremy.

The second they saw me, their eyes widened, pure joy sparkling within. As if they couldn't believe their own eyes, couldn't process that I was real.

That they have found a Hive Queen.

Elation and smug joy sparked through the link with my own Hive. I flushed, feeling all of their pride and happiness of having a Queen, having me had given them purpose to life.

To them, I was their light. Their beacon of hope in a pitch-black world. So I pushed back my initial hesitance and offered the newcomers a gentle smile.

Knowing that my family, those that I loved and cared about, would only continue to grow. And their joy, their satisfaction in life, was my own.