The Delta's Daughter Chapter 153

Day 8 of The Gladiator Games

TALA

Initiation week had ended, thank the gods, and even though Jasper had to attend the slave girl's initiations, thankfully he wasn’t made to partake, just observe.

I was so relieved because even though my mother was pretty much knocked out for the whole week, I sat by her bed every evening after the games anyway, with Eloise by my side.

El and Jasper may not have marked each other, however, if he had had sex with anyone, Eloise still would have felt something. Not the shredding burn that makes you want to rip your heart out like I have heard my mother describe. But something more akin to an ashy taste in your mouth and a really bad stomach ache.

Since Eloise hadn’t felt any discomfort over the last week, I knew Jasper had remained faithful and I had a much deeper respect for him for not allowing himself to follow in our father's footsteps. His respect for the bond gave me hope for my two best friends.

I looked at Jasper, who was currently sitting on the lounge chaise in my room, Eloise curled into his side. If the gods truly had a heart, I hoped they would side with my friends and allow them to be together in happiness.

Jasper had a hard look on his face while El sat there, mouth gaping as I finished telling them I had found my mate and then my encounter with Oliver, also telling them who my mate was.

“Holy stars and moons Tala!” Eloise exclaimed, her hands slapping either side of her cheeks as the shock sunk in. “So you are saying your mate, is a Gladiator slave, and none other than the King of wolves What are you going to do”

I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head “If I knew that, then I wouldn’t be asking you guys what I should do.” I looked back at Jasper who hadn’t said a word, the same vexing look on his face as he just stared into space.

“Jasper” I tried to call out for his attention.

Finally, Jasper came out of whatever trap his mind was in and met my gaze, his face still holding a complex emotion “Are you going to reject him” He asked with a monotone voice.

“Ummm” Was all I could reply. Was I going to reject my mate I didn’t know. I had never wanted a mate, not after what I witnessed growing up and still do to this day. Once upon a time, I thought the idea of mates was the best thing in the realm. That was until I was old enough to understand what went on under our roof. After that, I dreaded being mated.

“You can’t reject him Tala!” Eloise whisper yelled, her big Doe eyes looking at me pleadingly. “If he truly is a king of wolves, he could help us!” Sometimes I loved that Eloise was so innocent, but not today.

“Exactly how is he supposed to help us El He has been enslaved by my father. Enslaved like those poor girls. Enslaved like those poor rogues and bastards who are dragged down into the mines every day. So tell me El, how is he supposed to help us”

Tears welled up in her eyes. I immediately felt bad for talking to her so harshly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, “I haven’t even spoken to him. I have only seen him in the arena. How can he help us, if I can’t even talk to him” My tone was much softer this time.

Eloise wasn’t an idiot, not at all. She tried to see the good in everything and everyone and her innocent features gave a soft look. She was an Omega she-wolf, softer by nature, more caring, and nurturing. She just didn’t have a bad bone in her body, unlike me and Jasper.

“Do you trust this Oliver” Jasper suddenly asked. I immediately shook my head.

“Not as far as I can throw him. He is a friend of Jack the bear. Any friend of his is just as dark and dangerous.

Jasper stood up, leaving Eloise to sit on her own, and went to stand by my window, looking out over the barren land beyond the palace walls. After a few moments, he spoke, still not facing us “We have 20 days until Tala and I are expected to mate and wed. Our fathers are pushing this because King Panja has begun to move his troops. Your father…” Jasper now turned and looked at me “Your father seems to think now Orion is gone, that Panja will make a play for the mines.”

I threw my hands up in the air, completely exasperated with everything. King Panja of Aisarian had been after the diamond mine for years. The only reason he hadn’t declared war over them was because of 1, Orion, and 2, my father had a large and loyal army that he paid well for.

However, with Orion out the way, King Panja was free to make a move having an army just as large as ours and just as funded. It is said that Asiarian is just as rich as us, with their own mines of rubies and emeralds. Of course, these were just stories I heard but I also knew with the gap Orion and my sister left, the shifter wars would start again: Each kingdom rallying their alleys in a bid to take over and become the King of their race.

“So within twenty days, we need to figure out what to do about Oliver’s demands, avoid getting mated, and what to do about my mate” I sighed “Anything else we need to figure out while we are at it Because I am sure adding one more thing to our plates is not going to make a difference.”

“Oooh! You have to find out about the witch!” Eloise chimed in, missing the sarcastic tone in my voice.

“Thank you El, I knew we were missing something,” I grumbled at her, annoyed that she had reminded me about the other thing we really did have to do.

“Tala, I can get you in to see your mate, if that’s what you want” Jasper told me with a look of compassion.

My wolf immediately perked up at his idea. I nodded, feeling a small blush creep on my face. “I think I need to see him in person. Not from afar.” I agreed.

“I have a friend who is one of the night shift guards, tonight I will take you there.” He said smiling at me.

“Thank you, Jasper.” I wasn’t sure if I was ready to meet my mate face to face. My wolf was, me though; I was nervous. I hadn’t even thought about rejection until El had said something. I had no intentions of rejecting him but that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared to meet him. We were in some very strange circumstances.

I think I was more scared of his reaction than anything else. What if he didn’t want me After all, When he fought yesterday, and I secretly cheered for him over his victory, I was standing with Oliver. Knowing what I know now, he must be livid to see me being escorted by the rogue wolf. I had no idea how he would react to me or what he would say.

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