The Delta's Daughter Chapter 199

2 days later (Day 26 of the Games)

MIKE

Tala was sweet and funny, she genuinely laughed at my jokes and was eager to hear stories about Kellen and I growing up, the closer we got to the port, the more I worried about Jonda’s reaction. What would she think of Tala when they met and she found out that they were half-sisters That her long-lost father who she had never met did indeed have another child.

We were able to bring back Teal’s body under Kellen’s orders, he wanted Teal to be returned back home. Albeit, this was not the way Kellen had hoped to reunite him with his family. Luckily we were able to preserve his corpse and find a box that would keep his body cool on the journey. Rogue decided to ride with Tobias to help keep an eye on Oliver as well as escort Teal’s body. I felt a little bad for Tobias, traveling with the criminal and a wolf with no voice. At least he had two other warriors riding with him whose ears he could talk off.

I used the satellite phone to let Jonda know we were on our way back and with how many men. She had been excited to hear my voice and I could hear the tension lessen in her tone when I told her I was fine and that we had gotten everyone out.

Kellen was sitting in the back of the truck, his arms securely wrapped around Tala. It had been a while since I had seen Kellen happy, years in fact and it made me happy for my best friend. He had found his mate, his love and I could already see how much he cared for her and Tala seemed super sweet, she was good for him.

The first person I laid eyes on when we pulled up to the port was Jonda, she was standing there in cut-off shorts and a light red tank top, a huge welcoming smile on her face and she waved excitedly as we got closer. I parked the truck and hopped out as soon I had turned it off and rushed, almost ran to my love. Her auburn hair fluttered in the light breeze and her hazel eyes met mine.

“I missed you so much,” She declared jumping into my arms and planting kisses all over my face until she finally found my lips and dove in to give me a hungry kiss, telling me just how much she missed me.

“I missed you too,” I said between kisses, the feeling mutual. I did not like being separated from her and welcomed the igniting passion between us. I kissed her back, licking her lips until she allowed me entry and I twined my tongue with hers, holding her up above me, her legs wrapping around my waist and her dainty hands caressing my stubbled jaw.

We broke the kiss and I let her down to the ground gently, still keeping her in my arms, not yet ready to let her go. Kellen had cleared his throat and was standing with Tala looking unsure how to make introductions.

“Jonda, This is King Kellen Moon and his mate Tala,” I said facing them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you your highness” Jonda gave Kellen a modest bow and then turned to Tala.

I might as well rip the band-aid off now so I added “Tala Mac-Tire, your half-sister”

Tala pinched her lips together and her face flushed red, her body sinking into Kellen’s side and her eyes glazed over with tears. Jonda stood there staring at her, her hands clenching my wrists that sat firmly around her waist. A moment of awkward silence until Tala stepped out of Kellen’s protective hold.

“It is nice to meet you Jonda, I did not know your father well but I can tell you he was respected, brave, and a good man.” She offered Jonda a small smile and stepped back to Kellen. Jonda did not reply to her, instead, she took in Tala, not glaring but not welcoming either.

“Let's get stuff loaded up,” Kellen said, “Jonda how soon can we leave” He asked my love after a long beat of silence.

Shaking her head from whatever thoughts were swimming around in there, she directed her attention to the King “We can leave as soon as everything is loaded.” She smiled.

“What up feisty girl!” Tobias smiled cheerily as he came striding across the dock, Rogue next to him with Oliver who was flanked by two warriors behind them.

“Tobias,” Jonda smiled at him, and then furrowed her brows looking around “Where is Hunji” She asked with concern, her eyes still darting around as if he was going to magically appear.

“He stayed behind, Queen Lamia had a special mission for him. He was sent to go find the daughter of the witch who cursed you.” I told her and her head snapped towards me.

“What... Why” The genuine concern could be heard in her words.

“Because the Queen asked him to,” Kellen said defensively and matter of fact. “She may be able to reverse your curse, amongst other reasons” He added a little more lightly.

Jonda and Tala didn’t speak, neither of them attempting to converse at all. Truthfully I think they just didn’t know what to say and instead of either of them putting their paw in their mouth, they decided the awkwardness between them was easier to deal with. There was an air of tension, just a silent self-consciousness, and awareness. They would have to deal with this at some time or another, especially if they were both going to be living in the palace.

*****

We had finally settled into the cabin after loading the boat and placing Oliver below deck in a holding cell and getting some food inside of us. I was laying on the small bed with Jonda in my arms, caressing her naked back while her body curled up on top of me, resting her head on my chest. Things just seemed so easy with her.

“She didn’t know Teal was her father for a long time, only finding out recently. She was a product of rape.” I said filling the silent cabin with my voice, my fingers trailing over my love.

“Are you saying my father raped her mother” Jonda sat up with a scowl on her face daring me to say it, a fire in her eyes at my implied accusation.

“No, the opposite,” I took a deep breath “Her mother raped your father. He had been imprisoned for over 22 years. From what Tala and Kellen told me, he was taken from here that night your mother was cursed by Orion and his witch and sold to Vargr. He stayed there under the influence of silver until Vargr’s eldest invented the inhibitor chip and they tested it on his own Beta first. Once modified, they implanted it into your father and he became a Gladiator slave. He couldn’t shift, he couldn’t mind-link. One night Tala’s mother drugged him and took advantage of him, thus producing your half-sister.”

“Are you kidding me” Jonda asked shocked.

“I wish I was, that’s how Kellen met Teal and Tala is his fated mate. Your father knew about Tala from the beginning, but Tala... she had no idea until a couple of days ago. Tala has not had an easy life from what Kellen has told me. She is your sister Jonda, wanted or not, I think you should at least give her a chance, she is a good person and cared for the people of her kingdom even if her hands were tied.” I explained everything I could, everything I had been told by either Kellen, Tala, or Jasper. I wanted Jonda to understand, that Tala was not at blame and neither was her father Teal.

“Is it wrong that I am jealous that she at least got to know him more than me Even if it was just a little” She sighed and scrubbed a hand down her face.

“No, it’s not wrong, love. I think it is quite normal to have those feelings. All I ask is that you try to see it from her side before you decide to hate her.”

I watched as Jonda swallowed a lump, her gaze drifting off to the other side of the tiny room, lost in thought. There was no need for me to say anything more, I could see she was thinking about it so I just offered my gentle and comforting touch, letting my fingertips caress his pale skin. That was the only resemblance between Jonda and Tala, they both had pale skin. Jonda’s hair was auburn where as Tala's was bright red. Tala had bright blue eyes and Jonda’s were a soft hazel with flecks of green. Both were small and dainty but Jonda definitely had a much larger rack than Tala.

After a while Jonda spoke in a whisper, laying her head back down on my chest. “She looks like him, you know. From the pictures I have seen of my father, she looks so much like him. She and John have the same eyes.” I listened to her, letting her talk and after a while, she drifted off to sleep.

*****

TALA

The journey from Bhakhil to the Chegank port was long, luckily not boring. Kellen and I talked a lot and his Beta Mike was funny, filling in the silent gaps with stories from their childhood making me laugh more times than I can count. We got to know each other so much more and I felt like I had also formed a good relationship with Mike too.

I don’t think it mattered what his home would look like, I was sure I would feel just at ease there as I did in the presence of my mate and his best friend. I was definitely curious to meet Lamia as she was also a huge part of their stories, I hoped I would not feel intimidated in front of the Queen of Shifters, and I truly hoped that she and I would like each other as I could see how important she was to these two wolves.

We had taken a large boat to an island and I was mesmerized by the vast expanse of the ocean. Its crystal blue depths had me wanting to jump in. The smell of the salt water tickled my senses and I felt so at ease breathing in the fresh air. So different from the dry stagnant air in Bhakhil.

For two days, day and night, I stayed on deck watching the sunset and the moon rise over the ripples of water and occasional waves. Kellen stayed by my side offering his strength and a shoulder to lean on.

They had put Oliver below deck, chained up in silver, and as much as I wanted to go see him, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the view of the waters and the dolphins that would occasionally swim alongside the boat.

I hadn’t spoken to Jonda or seen her, she and Mike hid themselves away in a cabin for the duration of the trip back to her homeland the Sea Dog pack and Island. I think she was still trying to decide how she felt about me. Suddenly finding out you have a bastard sister, whose mother raped her father to conceive me was a lot to process. Jonda hadn’t been mean or rude and I didn’t get the impression that she outright hated me, but I could see the distrust in her eyes. I don’t think she knew what to make of me so she kept her distance, focusing all her energy on The Royal Beta.

2nd day on the boat (4 days later and Day 28 of the Games)

TALA

I had become quiet since arriving at the docks. Far from the place I grew up and far from my friends. If it hadn’t of been for Kellen I think I would have felt lonely. I wasn’t as excited to discover new lands and the outside world as I was when we left Bhakhil. I was enthralled by the beauty I had seen so far, however, I now was unsure of how I would be received by Kellen’s people. Would they all look down on me as the girl whose father stole the King and was a bastard daughter to an Alpha At least I knew my place in Bhakhil, not now though. Now I didn’t know anything and I was scared that I wasn’t enough for Kellen.

According to the captain we were close to arriving at the Island, Teal’s home. The sun was coming up over the horizon in the east, its first rays of light dancing across the wild waters, creating glimmering flecks of light over the small breaks of waves. It was so peaceful, so quiet and serene. I hoped for many more days I could spend on the ocean, I felt at ease with the wide open space. It was hard to think only days ago I was surrounded by sandy dirt and barren land. What would the New Moon Kingdom look like when we got there I hoped I would like it as much as I did the open waters of the ocean.

I placed my hand on my lower belly. I wasn’t stupid, my heat had only lasted that night, the King's child was growing inside me and I didn’t dare say anything to him. I didn’t need my wolf to confirm it, I just knew. What if when we arrived at his kingdom his people hated me so much, that he rejected me What if he wasn’t ready to be a father and resented me because it was too soon

“Tala, my little flame, please tell me what’s wrong. I can sense your worry and it is driving my wolf crazy.” Kellen spoke gently to me, taking my hands in his. When I didn’t lift my head his hand came and lifted my chin so I had nowhere else to look but into his eyes. Those blue irises scanned my face and tried to figure out what was going on in my mind.

I sighed and reached up brushing my hand over the beard he had grown, so thick, unlike the first time we had met when his face had seemed so clean and young. “I am scared,” I admitted, his face turning into a frown had me turning from him, no longer able to look in his eyes. “What if, what if your people don’t like me What if they don’t want a foreigner as your queen, what if I’m not good enough Kellen” I said, my sentence trailing off to a mere whisper.

Kellen whirled me around holding my face in his hands, the concerned look etched across his whole face and a hint of anger. “If you are good enough for me, you are good enough for my people. I love you Tala, with all my heart. You are mine and I will never let you go. Do you understand You are my family, my only family and I will never have another mate. You are it for me.” He then kissed me, pouring all his love and emotion into that kiss, sweeping me off my feet like he did the first night we met in person in the slave barracks.

All my worries and self-doubt melted away with the way his lips caressed mine. He wanted me, I could feel it, I knew it deep down. I was his and he was mine. I could endure anything with him by my side. After a few moments, we broke apart, both of us breathing heavily. I wanted to rip his shirt off and take him right there and then.

With locked gazes, I remembered the promise I had made to myself and Jasper. No more secrets. And without thinking “I think I’m pregnant.” I told him.

“I know.” He replied, his gaze not wavering and his eyes only intensifying on me with a burning desire.

The sound of the boat's horn startled me and I jumped in the air into Kellen’s arms. We both began laughing at the timing of the loud intrusion into our personal moment. Turning together we looked out over the vast body of water to find a shoreline a few miles ahead becoming closer.

We had arrived at the Sea Dog packs Island.

“I only want to stay for one night, enough time to give Teal a traditional Alpha send-off, then I want to take you home.”

“Are you in a rush my king” I asked curiously as to why he would be in such a hurry to get on another boat so fast. I loved being on a boat, but the amount of traveling we had already done in the past four days had tired me out. And staying awake this whole time was taking its toll on me now. I had been too excited to sleep.

He chuckled, “Yes and no. I have been gone for too long and I am anxious to be home, but I also made a promise to Lamia. Every year we have made it a tradition to spend the first minutes of our birthday together. For the last two years, she never showed… for personal reasons. But I promised her I would be home for our birthdays and before her children are born.”

A glint of admiration sparkled in his eyes when he spoke of Lamia, I had certainly underestimated their relationship. He had said they were close, but how close He had told me I would understand once I met her. I hoped I would.