The Delta's Daughter Chapter 172

I advanced and swung my sword chopping at him, he blocked each thrust but the power behind my hits was too much and he stumbled backward falling on his ass. I stomped forward my foot meeting his face and drove my sword deep into his chest. Blood squirted, large splashes hitting my naked chest and face. I twisted the blade and pulled it from his chest aggressively, a heavy spray of the red liquid coating my arms.

I turned just in time as the swoosh of the ax came down above me. I caught it just under the head, the Bear shifter exerting his strength as he leaned over me, trying to push me down.

Not today, I thought. This was not my first fight with a bear shifter and today would not be the last. I twisted my body, one hand holding the top of the ax handle, the other gripping my sword. I pushed up, drawing strength from my wolf until I was standing level with the bear. His eyes were wide, not believing I could overpower him, in such shock, that he didn’t see my attack as I thrust my blade into his side.

The look that came across his face made me smile in a sadistic way, the pure look of not understanding what had just happened. I pulled the blade from him, just to thrust and dig it back in. Not once, not twice but three times until his ax fell from his grasp and left it in my hands.

I drove my sword back down one more time delivering the final blow.

Around the arena, I heard the muffled mumbles and whispers as they looked in shock at my blood-drenched body. I was soaked in the rich red of their essence.

The warrior cry from the Gladiators came to an abrupt stop. The crowd gawked at the pure display of power they had witnessed.

I lifted my arms, the ax in one hand and the sword from the old woman in the other. I tilted my head back and let out a full, deep, prolonged roar like a wild animal. It was full of pain and anger and silenced those mumbles. It echoed and the tremor of its power was felt by everyone.

Finally, I turned towards the head of the arena and walked slowly towards the main tent where Vargr and my mate stood. I stood below them glaring at the shit Alpha who called himself a King. I flung the ax to the floor, turned my back, and began walking back to the Gladiator barracks. Guards flanked me but they kept their distance.

*****

TALA

Oliver stiffened beside me, his hand gripping my elbow bruisingly tight. Jasper had a look of awe plastered on his face as the fight began and astonishment as it ended. Everyone under the tent could not only see my father’s Fury but it felt too.

His outrage trembled from him, his fisted hands shook and I heard him mumble “That fucking Gladiator will wish he was never born.” He seethed.

Jack next to him chuckled, “But what a show Vargr, what a show. I am curious what else you can throw at him. I wonder how many men he could handle on his own, 10, maybe 20” I glared at Jack the bear, willing him to shut his mouth as he fed my father idea after idea.

I hate the violence of the games but I couldn’t take my eyes from the match, keeping them trained on Kellen the whole time. Even when his friend's head was severed I couldn’t look away. I wasn’t afraid of missing anything, I was just afraid for my mate.

*Your mate is a freaking badass* Jasper linked me. I think this was the beginning of a man-crush.

I let Oliver hold onto me, not because I liked it but because he kept me steady as I thought my heart would stop several times throughout the fight. I gasped with each attack on Kellen and cried out loud when the ax almost connected with his head. Oliver growled lowly at me, reminding me to keep my emotions in check.

The steady and strong chorus of the Gladiator slaves had my heart pounding and when Kellen overpowered the bear shifter and ended his life I felt my legs give out and exhaled a breath of relief that he was still standing. The abrupt halt of the methodic warrior chant caused silence throughout the arena. And when Kellen lifted his head and roared out I felt the power resonate from him and engulf the arena like a tidal wave drowning out any other voice, causing a rippled tremor to echo through the masses.

He shook us all to the core with his display of power, leaving everyone in awe. That is, everyone except my father and Jack; who both stood with stoic expressions on their face.

“You fucking idiot Jack.” My father had hissed at him with a red face full of vexation. That’s when Jack began to give him ideas again and ask him how many men he thought Kellen could take on at once.

My mother sat beside my father and I noticed a small smile appear on her lips as my father cast worried glances toward Beta Baron and angry ones toward Jack. He was not expecting the match to have this outcome.

As Kellen left the stadium, he did not turn to look at me; in fact, he did not spare me a glance throughout the whole fight. I wanted nothing more than to lock eyes with him but I also knew he was fighting for his life and I was a distraction. That was why he spared looking at me, I told myself.

“Come on princess,” Oliver said pulling me with him out of the tent. Now the match was over there was no reason for me to stick around and I got the feeling that Oliver didn’t want to stick around any longer either. I sensed his fear and I knew it was because of my mate.

“Fuck.” He cursed when we reached the palace and it was just him and I. “I need to get out of here.” He worried, running a hand through his hair, messing up his short blond locks that were neatly styled but now stuck up in all directions.

He turned to me, eyes blazing. “Chip or not he is strong, stronger than I remember.” His eyes searched mine. “What do you want from me Tala” His question took me by surprise. Oliver’s lips were pressed in a thin line and he stared into my eyes causing me to flinch slightly with the dangerous look he was giving me.

I opened my mouth and closed it again, several times like a fish out of water. I hadn’t decided how he could benefit me in our little deal yet, so I was at a loss for words. Before I could think of an answer or he could press me for one, I was saved by the yelling of my Father as he came stomping in through the main door of the palace.

Oliver and I stood there as he passed on the way to his office. Beta Baron and Jack walked either side of him and Jasper followed behind giving me a quick glance as he passed, looking at me and rolling his eyes as my father ranted on about the ‘fucking disrespectful Gladiator’.

“You coming” Jack threw over his shoulder to Oliver.

“Later princess” He mumbled to me before he too traipsed towards my father’s office. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed throughout the lower floor of the palace.

“What was that about” Eloise came up behind me, laying a hand on my shoulder.

“I don’t know,” I shook my head “He is mad because Kellen disrespected him in the arena, then he shook everyone up.” My voice was quiet and my gaze was still lingering on the corridor to my father’s office.

“Was that your mate who roared We could hear it from the kitchen, it stopped us all in our tracks.” Eloise exclaimed flabbergasted.

I finally turned around to look at her, her hand falling from my shoulder. “Yes, it was.”

Just then the palace doors opened and a dozen guards came marching in with Teal. His hands were bound with silver cuffs. He looked like a giant, as tall as Kellen and almost as robust. His bright eyes met mine and we stared at each other as he passed us by.

My mother’s words were repeated by my wolf: ‘You are a red wolf, Tala. Beautiful and rare, I have been commanded to never speak his name. I cannot tell you, but find the wolf that smells of the ocean, you know him, you have his eyes. He will save you.'

“Wait!” I shouted as the guards and Teal passed us. They halted in their tracks at my command and I stepped between them, standing in front of Teal. I raised my head to look up at him, our eyes locking, his bright blues mirrored my own and his red hair was just a shade darker than mine. I tilted my head and leaned in and scented him. He smelt like salty water, the ocean.

My heart raced, beating thunderously and Mora began to yelp with excitement in my mind. How had I not noticed it before I stared at him my mouth gaping. His eyes softened as he regarded my observation and let the recognition sink in.

Teal was my father.

All these years and I never had a clue. All these years he was so close, yet so far. All these years I thought Vargr was my father and I had anguished over his loathing for me. All these years all I ever wanted was for my father to accept me. Now I knew why he couldn’t. Now I knew why he hated my mother. Now I knew why he kept Teal and now, I understood how Vargr could easily hurt me and have such a high disregard that he would threaten to ruin me.

My eyes glazed over with unshed tears and I gave Teal a look hoping he could read what I wanted to say but couldn’t. “You can go.” I reluctantly dismissed the guards and Teal, watching his retreating figure round the corner.

“What was that” I heard Eloise.

“My father” I whispered still in a daze.

“What” Eloise hissed dumbfounded.