The Delta's Daughter Chapter 142

Gladiator Games Day 1

KELLEN

Earlier in the morning, we had been given another new pair of shorts. They were the same off-white linen-cotton as the other pairs. Thin and lightweight, and barely came down to the top of my thigh. I looked down at them, they reminded me of an adult diaper. Yet these were almost see-through and held nothing in place.

I found out we would not be fighting today. Instead, we would be presented to the crowd and brought before the Alpha. After that, they had a small show and then the Alpha’s and surrounding pack Alpha’s champions would put on a fight, to showcase their strength.

I wasn’t nervous, more like anxious. Conri had been bouncing around in my head all morning, eager to get in the arena. I had to tell him several times to calm down and when I asked him what his problem was he just got more excited and paced. At this point, he was giving me a headache and I had to block him out.

I wanted to stay alert and he was breaking my concentration. It was unlike my wolf to act this way. Maybe he was eager to spill blood, maybe he just wanted to show off his power I had felt him getting stronger in the past weeks and I was sure we were at full strength, despite not being able to shift.

As the sun rose to a high position and the heat of the day became stifling, the sound of the crowd grew. Their excited chatter reached my ears. Patrons began to walk around the arena and by our barracks, peering in with curiosity and pointing at some of us.

I slipped on the new shorts and went to the common area of the barracks and sat down by Teal.

“I feel like a fuckin clown,” I said to Teal, mumbling.

“Get used to it, because that’s what we are, expendable entertainment.” His voice lacked his usual charm. His deep baritone voice was filled with the sound of melancholy and his usual blue eyes lacked a spark.

“Are you ok Teal” I asked in true concern. I know he had been summoned to the Alpha's home yesterday, but he had never mentioned what happened or what was said.

“When we go out there today, keep your wits about you. The Alpha already has his radar on you. Don’t give him a reason to end your life. No matter how much he paid for you, his wolf craves the scent of blood and Vargr has a quick temper. He will act without thinking.” He kept his voice low, so no one else could hear him, just me.

I mulled over his words. The last time I had encountered Vargr I had royal pissed him off, calling him a coward and a false king. I said nothing that wasn’t true and he would be sorely mistaken if he thought I would bow down to him. I would rather die than show him submission.

“What’s bothering you, Teal” I tried again. He only shook his head and offered me a weak smile. I nudged him, pressing him to tell me what had him looking so defeated. In all my time here I had never seen Teal look as… sad, as he did now.

“It is nothing for you to worry about young King. I feel this may be my last year here.” His head bobbed down and his red hair fell over his eyes. “I fear my time is up, I am old by Gladiator standards, and I have championed the games for many years. This year Vargr told me I would be fighting the final battle. Only the winner will live. It is a fight to the death.”

My breath caught in my throat and I swallowed down the lump it left. He had been here for 22 years and now he had been told when he was going to die. “If that is the case, Teal, then I have no doubt the moon goddess will meet you with open arms, but who is he to say you will not win”

“My fate has already been chosen, Young King. As have all our fates.” Teal stood up and moved over by the wall where a section had been barred off and spectators were currently walking by and assessing the Gladiator slaves they could see.

“Mama, mama, look it’s him, The Wolf prince!” I turned to see where the familiar little voice was coming from and spotted him jumping up and down by the barred wall Teal stood by. His mother, the woman who had handed us our sacks stood next to him, gripping his arm in a bid to halt his excited jumping.

I got up and walked over to where they were, and smiled at the young pup.

“I knew you were going to fight!” He shouted with enthusiasm. “You look like the strongest wolf here, even stronger than the Alpha!” The young pup claimed, his eyes bright with excitement. “I made this for you, mama said I could give it to you if you were here and I just knew you would be.”

The boy who was maybe around 10, shoved his hands through the bars at me, opening his closed fist. “I made it myself.” He said, holding out a small carved piece of wood in the shape of a wolf.

“You made this… for me” I gave him a genuine smile, awed by his gift and the gesture it represented. “I will treasure it young pup. What is your name” I asked bending down so I could look at him properly.

“Augustus.” He smiled back.

“Auggie, time to go.” His mother told him, her lips pressed tight and her gaze would not meet mine.

“It was nice to meet you, Augustus, I will treasure my gift,” I told him, closing the tiny wolf in my hand.

“I will cheer for you Wolf prince, I hope I get to see you fight.” He said over his shoulder as his mother dragged him away.

I walked back to my area and placed the wooden wolf on the ledge of the barred window above my cot and stood there for a moment looking at it. The child’s kindness reminded me of Lamia when she was that age, full of love and innocence, a kindness that knew no discrimination.

The sound of trumpets rang out across the arena and the chatter of spectators died down. The guards came to the main entrance and called out for us to line up. Once lined up we were led out into the arena. The stadium was full, almost overflowing with hundreds maybe thousands of shifters.

“Lords, Gentlemen, and Ladies, Welcome to the Bhakhil annual Gladiator games, open day! Please stand for you Alpha Vargr and Luna Mila!” The trumpets rang out again as the announcer finished and all eyes turned to the main tent where the Alpha had sat last time.