The Delta's Daughter Chapter 177

KELLEN

I felt Rogue's worry and deep concern as Teal dropped the bomb on me “He knows she is your mate.” He had coughed up when he came too. “He will fight you, he will kill you.” Teal’s pained-filled words had sat heavily on my mind since he uttered them this morning.

Rogue was clearly upset and I wished we could somehow converse. I may understand him better now, but I needed words, it was important to me that I had his opinion, not just give him commands or tell him what to do. I was definitely missing my Beta at this moment.

Everything I did, every decision I made was with Mike’s input. We were a team and I valued his advice. I valued Rogues too, more so now that Ajani was no longer with us, but the communication barrier with Rogue hindered me: us.

I found myself wandering the common area, gathering my thoughts, the sharp and shiny sword the old woman had bestowed upon me, twirling in my hand. My mind was on the fight that I was being thrown into this afternoon; There was no way to determine what Vargr had in mind as he had deviated from the schedule just to make me fight. There was no way of knowing what was coming my way.

I was trying to mentally prepare myself for anything when I heard “Psst, psst.” I looked around, my eyes landing on a woman who was in the same fashion cloak as the old lady. This woman was younger, with medium brown hair, she waved me over.

I cautiously and curiously sidled up to where she stood on the other side of the bars. Frowning at her obvious paranoid and jerky movements, she looked around like she didn’t want to be caught. Although younger looking, the woman’s eyes resembled the old lady from two days ago.

“How can I..” I went to ask how I could help her but I was cut off by her hushing me.

“Shh, Shh!” She gestured pressing her finger to her lip, looking around again. She pushed a small container of water through the bars towards me. “Drink this.” She said with a hurried tone. “Quickly”

I took the container from her and opened the lid, giving it a quick sniff. “Water” I was bemused why she would insist on me drinking the container that only held what smelled like water.

“My sister Nandie gave you the gift of strength,” She pointed to the sword in my hand. “I am Tandie; I give you your second gift: The gift of life.” She wore a proud smile on her face as she said the latter part.

I was confused; she had given me a container of water. Noticing my confusion, she sighed. “Just drink it, water is life, life needs water. Ashe said you could be a little on the slow side.” She chuckled.

I frowned at her, feeling a little insulted that she and Ashe would think of me as… slow. “Just drink it” she hissed. So with hesitation, flicking a glance at her momentarily, I lifted the open container to my mouth and drank it all down.

“Good boy,” she praised. I had just determined that I didn’t like this woman when she said something to change my mind again “Nandie said Mathias was better looking, personally you are much more pleasing to the eye young King.” She chuckled and then walked away, throwing a little finger wave over her shoulder at me and pulling her hood over her head before joining the crowd of people who were starting to enter the arena.

“Kellen,” Corey, another Gladiator called my name as he wandered into the common area, It was only then I realized that I had been the only one out here. “It’s time.” He said, meaning it was time for me to step into the arena.

Maybe for the last time.

‘We are stronger’ Conri said, filling my mind with hope ‘We can draw from the power of the Knights, from the Queen even if we can’t shift’ His words held aspiration and a feeling of trust.

Goddess, I prayed my wolf was right and that the confidence he felt would start seeping into my own determination right about now.

When I stepped into the arena, the place was packed. I was on my own, no other Gladiator. I was escorted by the usual unit of guards, twelve just for me. There was no cheering, no booing from the spectators, just the hum of their mumbles and whispers as I confidently walked to the center.

The air was stagnant, not just from the source of heat that beat down on us, but from the anticipation, I felt from all the shifters seated around the stadium. There was a clear sense of apprehension and unease.

I heard my name announced “Your favorite Gladiator – Prince-ee” He bellowed out, the crowd was quiet for a few minutes until I turned to them and held my arms out wide.

“I fight for the people!” I roared “Not for your false king!” Fuck it, it was too late to turn back and deviate from my intentions now, so I went with it. Standing there like the King I was meant to be greeting my people and bowing to them.

The uproar from the crowd was in favor of me and I knelt on one knee placing my hand over my heart. A king is fierce, and strong, he is meant to just lead his people, he serves his people and I will fight in their name

“WOLF KING, WOLF KING, WOLF KING!” The crowd began to chant. The Gladiators began taping their cups against the bars and crying out their melody.

The guards filed out of the arena and made way for my opponents.

Only three, I chuckled as the large men stomped closer to me. I noticed they were huge and compared them to Tobias’ height and frame. All three were-bear shifters.

And by the look in their eyes, they weren’t here to have a good time. They had come with a purpose, a purpose to kill. To kill me.

The three bear shifters stopped several yards from me. They shared a look as the horn blew for the fight to begin; a sardonic smile lifting from each of their mouths.

Then, to my horror, they began to shift. Their clothes tore and then shredded as dark fur began to sprout from each of their extremities. A thick coat of hair quickly covered their bodies and their faces began to reshape into their beasts.

The two smaller ones shifted into a brown and black bear, standing at equal heights of around 7 feet tall. The third was a darker brown color, bigger and taller at almost 10 feet high, their weapons still branded in their now paws. Long claws curled around the handles of the various weapons.

It was easy to gauge their strengths by looking at them, the smaller of the brown bears was the quick one, the black bear was the one with skills as he swung his weapon and the largest one was the brute force I had to look out for.

The small brown bear held two swords, the black bear a morning star, the heavy ball and spikes intimidating, and the gigantic bear that had me swallowing the dry sandpaper feeling of my saliva held an axe.