The Delta's Daughter Chapter 110

1 WEEK LATER

LAMIA

After the anti-climax of mine and Mathias' crowning, we were still at Riocht. There was so much to organize and we hadn’t even scratched the surface. My father and Uncle Michael had already left for New Moon, taking with them a majority of their army, leaving Kellen and Mike with us and a hand full of Elite warriors.

Crimson took the were-cat army home, ready to rebuild their kingdom. The were-cats had suffered the most, more than any other kingdom.  

Tobias left with the Kodiak Kingdoms army and took a slowly healing Finnegan with them. I was sure he would be thrown in the cells and questioned once he was awake. I didn’t know much about Finnegan Artos, but Petra had taken a liking to him and was very concerned for the violet-eyed were-bear.

Hunji stayed behind with me, but Travis and Rhett returned to MacTire with the majority of the army also. And even though Petra wanted to stay, Travis put his foot down, taking her and Xander with them, who was anxious to get back to Ria. He was desperate to complete the mating bond with her, but knew he needed patience, seeing that she was mostly human.

I thought after the war, I would start to feel normal, but the heavy, lethargic feeling was still there, weighing me down. I truly felt drained and just wanted to go home and sleep. The small cottage Mathias and I had been staying in at the guardian’s clan was cozy, but it wasn’t home.

Currently, Tawny and I were lounging on couches in one of the casual rooms, after touring around the grand palace; this place was truly beautiful and had been kept all these centuries by the Guardian Clan as they awaited the arrival of the destined King and Queen.

“So will you be moving here?” Tawny asked, her yellow eyes hidden behind her lids as her head hung back on the arm of a mid-century couch.

“I don’t know, to be honest.” I pursed my lips really thinking about it. “It’s cozy, and beautiful, and I love it here, but I’m not sure if I want to call it home, yet.” I admitted, still thinking about how I felt about leaving MacTire behind.

How would Mathias feel about leaving the Clan Mansion? Could we even rule our kingdoms from here? Could we even rule our kingdoms, now that we were meant to rule over all kingdoms?

“What about you?” I asked, “Will you go back to the Royal Palace, New moon, or will you finally stay with me?” I hoped she would stay with me. I had truly missed my friend.

“Mmm,” She mused, opening her eyes and lifting her head to look at me “I was actually going to go back to Cambiador.” She sounded unsure and I raised a quizzical brow at her.

“Crimson?” I questioned, really asking if that’s why she was going back.

“That’s complicated,” She stated, “but, no, I need to go back for the people. My Grandfather named Crimson as his successor, but I am the only person who can carry a ‘true heir’ to the throne.” She mocked and used air quotes. "Before he died he gave me his ring and told me to keep it until the next heir was born."

“You mean like, only a female can pass on the genes of a Dire Wolf?”

“Exactly like that!” She laughed, “See you get it.”

“So tell me more about you and Crimson?” I dared to prod. She groaned and threw her head back again.

“There is no me and Crimson, and when I know more, I promise you will be the first I tell. Until then, it’s still complicated.” She laughed, I laughed along with her, knowing she needed to sort through her shit before she was ready to talk about it.

“Although, Can I keep Mason? He has been very loyal and I trust him.” She was hesitant with her question and ran a hand through her now short hair.

“If he wants to stay with you as your personal guard, I will not stop him.” I laughed, “You got a thing for Mason?” I waggled my eyebrows at her suggestively. “I mean he is pretty damn fine!”

“That he is, my dear friend; that he is.” She joked with me, blowing out a breath of air and, despite her joking, I saw something else in her eyes when I mentioned Mason's name. Longing with the hint of disappointment.

I rubbed my temples, feeling an ache behind my eyes and letting out a long sigh, trying to ease the building pressure.

“You OK, Lam’s?” my best friend asked. I opened my eyes to see her concerned look as she peered at me with a scowl.

“Yah, honestly just really tired. I feel like I could sleep for a week, I think with the climax of the war, the crawlers, I just haven’t had time to stop and take a moment in the past few months.” I tried to wave it off, but I was getting concerned about myself at that point.

It was unusual, not right, that I would be this freaking tired.  And honestly, the lack of energy was damn annoying.

Just then Kellen walked in, looking bigger and more buff than I was used to, he had come into the role of king, and by filling that role, he too, physically had filled out more.

“Hey” he said, sauntering into the room and giving Tawny and me a smile. “Mike and I will be heading out soon” He said to me, his ocean blue's looking at me lovingly.

“I will leave you two to say goodbye,” Tawny said and hopped off the couch, leaving through the same entrance Kellen came through.

“Hey,” I replied, getting up from my seated position and meeting him half way.

Kellen took my hand in his, his thumb gently rubbing my palm. It was crazy that I could still feel light tingles tickle my skin when he touched me. Nothing like the sparks of electricity from King, but never-the-less, Kellen’s touch was always comforting and calming and I felt the headache that was building subside slightly.

“I’m going to miss you,” I told him honestly.

“Yah,” he sighed, dropping his head slightly “I’m going to miss you too, Lam’s. Three years we’ve been apart, and for three years I missed you every day.” His eyes held so many emotions as he brought his face back up to meet mine. “Three years, without you. It’s never been the same.” There was a slight croak in his voice.

“Kel…”

“Shhh” he stopped me from speaking and brought his other hand up to cup my cheek and stepped forward so we were inches apart. His face neared mine and I closed my eyes.

I felt his nose graze my jaw, then my cheek, until I could feel the warmth of his breath fan across my lips. I didn’t dare open my eyes. I don’t think I could take the look I was sure to see staring back at me if I did.

I felt his lips lightly press against mine in a soft, but brief kiss before his soft and warm mouth left mine. I opened my eyes slowly, and he took me into his large strong arms, wrapping me in a blanket of comfort. My arms coiled around his waist, my head leaning on the top of his chest.

“I just want to hold you and remember this moment. I may never have the chance to hold you like this again.” He breathed out against my hair, his emotions pouring into me through our bond. 

“I have loved you in so many different ways. I still love you in every way. Our lives have taken us away from each other, when I thought I would have you forever.” I heard the gulp he swallowed down and tears brimmed at the surface as he poured his heart out to me. “When Zane died, I prayed every night to the moon goddess that she would realize what a mistake she had made… I asked her to grant me as your second chance.”

I felt his tears fall into my hair and his body trembled ever so slightly “On our 19th and 20th birthdays, I waited for you at our spot, by the fountain, each time I made a wish. That you would be mine. And each time I asked, I was denied. Sometimes I don’t understand our bond, but I'll cherish it, Lamia, always.” He paused, taking a moment to pull his emotions into check.

“Every day you are away from me, it hurts. I know we will never have the relationship I crave, but I will always be here for you. I will always be in your corner, no matter what. I love you so much Lamia Langley, my beautiful Queen.”

I pulled back and looked into his gorgeous eyes. Bringing my hand up, I swept my palm over his cheek, smearing the salty droplets that had stained his cheeks.

I loved this man so much, and was struggling to find the exact words to tell him. Mathias was my mate and we shared a bond much stronger and I truly loved him with all my heart, but with Kellen, there was history and I understood when he said he had loved me in many ways.

I didn’t know he still felt the same way, even now. And it saddened me to think that I had found two mates, and he was still trying to get over our wolves rejecting each other. I just wanted to take the pain away. I would give anything for him to be happy and find his love, his mate.

“Kellen,” I sobbed, “You were my first everything Kellen. I will always love you, so, so much, no matter what. It will always be you I against the world, we promised. We have something special, something magical. We may not be lovers, but that doesn’t mean I will ever stop loving you.” My voice was slightly strained as I felt the welling of tears again, my emotions winning over me, when I felt the first drop slide down my cheek.

He kissed the top of my head. “As I will always love you, Lamia.” He pulled back so he could look into my eyes. His bright and alluring ocean blues met my emerald greens and we held our gaze, conveying everything through that look.

“Don’t be a stranger, Queen Lamia of Riocht” he smirked, and I knew the moment was over.

I gave a half laugh, and dabbed my eye with the back of my hand. “Same to you, King Kellen of the New Moon royal pack, King of the Wolves.” I couldn’t help but smile.

Both of us had a long journey ahead in regards to stepping into our new roles. Roles that we could face together, maybe from different kingdoms, but despite everything, we would always be there for one another.

“Mike wanted to have a moment alone with you before we headed off. I’ll send him in to see you.” He gestured by nodding his head and then broke from the hug, stepping backwards towards the door he entered from.

I looked over his shoulder and saw Mike leaning against the door frame. As Kellen walked out, he patted Mike on the shoulder and threw a smile back at me over his shoulder.

“Oh jeesh!” I laughed as Mike threw his body at mine and hugged me exceptionally tight, like he hadn’t seen me in years, whereas we had just spent the whole week with each other, exploring Riocht.

“Where is your mate?” He asked, still holding me tightly in his arms.

“In the Village with Lucien and some of the remaining Kodiak Army, I told him, pushing him back a little so I could look up at him.

“Did Kellen pour his heart out to you?” He looked at me sympathetically when asking.

“Are you going to pour your heart out too?” I half jested.

As I took Mike in, watching his hazel eyes flit across my face, I appreciated his large and bulky frame, he was such a handsome man with a sweet soul. I miss my best friend. Gone was the boy I had a crush on, instead, a fearless and valiant man with integrity stood before me.

“Do you want me to?” the serious look on his face had me pausing. He chuckled and held me at arm’s length. “Lamia, it is no secret how I feel about you, how I have always felt about you. I don’t know if I will ever get over you, but... you are my best friend and that is more important.” He gave me that mega-watt smile that at one point would want to make me drop my pants, now I found it warmed my soul, sparking that happy feeling.

“Besides, I still have you in my dreams and the shower.” He said, shrugging his shoulder and winking.

“What do you mean?” I asked, arching a brow quizzically, then my eyes widened and I slapped his arm playfully “On second thoughts, don’t answer that.” I almost commanded.

“Will we see you for Kellen’s official crowning?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” I was shocked he even needed to ask that. “Until then, you keep the king safe.” I then leant closer until my lips almost brushed his ear, “My favorite Knight.” I whispered.

“I knew it!” He said, jumping back and fist bumping the air, like a kid who had been just told something amazing. “Come here kid, behave yourself until we meet again.” He brought me back in to a tight hug, “And remember, smile because we never did mind about the little things.”

I gave him a smile and a kiss on the cheek. He returned the kiss in the same gesture and bid me farewell before leaving the room and leaving me by myself.

I suddenly felt empty, and alone. Not because I was in a room on my own, but with a creeping feeling of loss. It wasn’t overbearing but more like a niggling, something snagging at your heart. Before long, the tiredness started taking over again, and I decided to call it a day and head back down to the village. To the little thatched roof cottage, Mathias and I were staying in.

I made a mental note to ask my King, when we were going home. I knew he needed to go back to the Kodiak kingdom. Poor Abner and Tobias had been running things on their own, they needed their king and third in command.

On the way back to the village, I haphazardly kicked the dirt, taking my time, strolling slowly and just contemplating everything. 20 clicks was a long way when you weren't using your shifter speed.

I reached out for my wolf, sensing her. She had been quiet since the battle.

I wanted to know why she had refused to shift. Her defiance could have cost us our lives. She put us in a vulnerable position and thank goddess Finn and Mike showed up when they did.

‘Inanna,’ I spoke in my head. I felt her stir, ‘Inanna, why did you refuse to shift?’ I asked softly because I wasn’t mad, a little disappointed maybe.

 I just wanted to understand. She had never let me down like that before, so I was sure she had a reasonable explanation. Or at least, I hoped she did.

‘I didn’t want to tell you before, I wanted to wait until it was safe’ Inanna whimpered in my head. She must have felt my frustration.

‘Tell me what, Inanna?’ I replied, pissed that my wolf would keep something from me ‘is there something wrong with me?’ I began worrying again.

I felt my heart rate pick up, thinking there was something seriously wrong with me, that the troubles would just keep coming and there was going to be another thing I had to deal with, another battle to fight. I was ready for peace, I was ready for calm.

I felt the warmth of her essence seep through me, and the thumps from my heart began to slow as the serene feeling washed through me.

‘No, nothing is wrong… with us’ She hesitated and I urged her to go on ‘Lamia, we are with pups, I couldn’t shift. I focused my energy on the pups. I needed to protect the pups. In beast form, I can still protect the pups’

I was still stuck on the words ‘we are with pup’. At first, panic surged up but was quickly swallowed with the excitement that I was going to be a mother.

“Holy shit!” I said aloud, and then spoke through my mind, not wanting anyone nearby to hear by accident ‘We are going to be mothers? Inanna, please tell me you are excited!’ She didn’t reply. It dawned on me that her need to protect the pup, was very important to her. ‘Oh Inanna, I’m so sorry. Neither you nor I could do anything to prevent the outcome. I would NEVER put an ounce of blame on you.’

I felt her guilt and tried to send her soothing thoughts. She blamed herself for losing our pup, because she failed to protect him. She needed to know, nothing that happened to us in those dungeons was her fault.

‘Inanna, let go. We are with pup again,’ I whispered in my head to her, pushing as much love through the thought as I could.

Then, Inanna pushed back, sending her excitement through me, corralling my feet to move faster, to seek out our mate and tell him. A megawatt smile plastered on my face.

I would not make the same mistake again and wait.