The Delta's Daughter Chapter 213

HUNJI

“Tell me more about this quest your Queen sent you on. You said her brother lives. Will, Finnigan come to claim his father’s title?” It was early morning and as I remembered Tristan ScarClaw was ever the talker. I had never been much for idle conversation and gossip. At least when he knew me.

“Here,” I said grabbing the diary from the bag I was gathering and tossing it to him. “You can read it in your carriage.” He looked it over, turning the leather-bound book and inspecting it. “It belonged to Orion’s woman, Shayna. The eldest daughter of the late Vargr. This is how we knew where Finn’s sister was last known to be.” I had already filled Tristan in on why I had come back to this continent and what happened in the kingdom of Bhakhil. He was completely intrigued by King Kellen and his mate’s story.

I had told him of how Orion had fallen and talked in detail about Queen Lamia and her mate, King Mathias. My old friend had greedily absorbed all the details with interest and expressed his desire to meet the Queen of shifters and her King. I had always had a comfort level when speaking with my old friend. Yet never enough comfort to disclose my past identity and who I really was. That was something I still hadn’t come to terms with and would likely never see the day I wasn’t ashamed of the person I was and what I had become.

My past was a time and part of me that I had pushed way down but I could never escape the shame, torment, or the truth. But I could ignore it and have learned to deal with it throughout the years. It was a time I wished to leave behind but ever since being back on this continent and now in this city; memories began to rear their ugly heads, Ones that I hoped I had put behind me.

Tristan was going to escort me to the Megaron that was in the heart of Bozgvol – the capital of Andora. He said was invested in this quest along with me, as he would rather see the witch in my hands than that of wretched clutches of King Panja or any of his bastard’s sons and agreed that if I was taking the girl back to her brother, it was the place for her.

If only he knew who I was, would he be singing the same tune?

We reach the center of Bozgvol and step out of the carriage. King Panja’s soldiers are stationed around the streets at intersections of the cobbled roads. I look up towards the main street that ascends to the Megaron and see a few companies of elite soldiers quickly marching up toward the large and magnificent structure. The humongous statues of the gods Apsu and Tiamat stood tall. Carved from the finest marble and looked down on the city below them as if they still ruled this place. Carved into the marble walls were depictions of flying creatures, two were of dragons and some were of different large birds. They were the gods of the sky, scrolls claimed they were the parents of gods, and their offspring had the gift to shift into beautiful, winged serpents.

I shake my head. Folklore, that’s all it really was. Shifter races that idolized a fairytale told long ago. Yet something in the back of my mind, my wolf, gives me the feeling that maybe once upon a time the fairytale could have been real. After all, legends are born from some truth. Just look at Queen Lamia and her story.

Shouting pulls me from my mundane thoughts, and I draw my attention to where the ruckus is coming from. Seeing the soldiers suddenly rush their steps and break off into groups, I look to Tristan who is also watching the change in the soldier’s behavior.

“You, scholar, what is going on?” Tristan stops a man almost running away from the direction of the Megaron and demands an answer.

“The soldiers, my lord. They were looking for someone. It seems, they have found them.”

A slight worry begins to take over me. If the witch Morgan is truly being held there and Farid is looking for her, have they beat me to it? Did they get to Finn’s sister before me? Ruda, my wolf, lets out a low growl. Not liking the thought that someone could be stealing our charge. His Queen had given him orders and would not sit well with him if he could not fulfill our promise. He hated to fail. As did I.

“Fuck.” I said aloud, “They can’t have her!” I growled and began to run towards the Megaron with Tristan close behind me.

I was hoping to be able to grab the girl and get us out of here with as little interaction as possible with anyone. I had hoped to avoid my father’s army, it would do more harm than good if I had to tangle with them. As far as I knew, they thought I had died long ago, and I would like to keep it that way.

I reached one of the main entrances and lifted my nose, letting Ruda scent the air. As we walked in, we tried to decipher between the scent of the soldiers and any humans. The witch would smell like a human, at least that is what I assumed and had been taught.

There were too many to break down. This was an open building where many scholars and locals came and went daily. They hold court and council meetings here. Their library was open to the public and many came to pay their respects to the gods they followed in the temple situated on the grounds.

“This way,” Tristan said, a little out of breath. “The private house is on the east side of the building.” He motioned with his hand for me to follow.

I reached behind me, ready to draw a sword but paused. This was not a battle I was running into. I gripped the sword handle but then let go. I need not be hasty, I needed to think with my head, I let go of the sword and let my wolf senses take over.

When we reached the East side of the building, we could hear men’s voices carry through the halls. “She is not here, she is gone.” One growled out.

The rush of their heavy steps moved from their location and began to fade. Tristan and I quickly rounded the corner and Ruda yipped in my head. ‘I smell a girl, fresh and strong’ he said, and I let his nose lead me toward a room.

The door was already swung open, and I inhaled deeply. Definitely human, but the scent was sweeter. It was strong, which meant the owner had stayed here for a long time. I walked into the room, my eyes skirting over the area, taking it in. Whoever was here left in a hurry. The dresser drawers were open, and a few clothes were strung out of them. I pick up a pair of – underwear, I realize as I bring them close and sniff quickly. I squeeze my eyes because that just felt so wrong. However, my aim was to figure out if the owner had left them like that or if the soldiers had left the room haphazard – not to look creepy, even though that action totally made me out to be a frickin’ weirdo. I smelt no other scent which means the soldiers didn’t even bother to check, they just saw and left. I walk over to her side table, letting my wolf’s instincts take over and guide me, I open the drawer.

“Bingo.” I smile. Tucked in the corner is a folded photo, I unfold it and see Finn with a younger, feminine version of himself. Morgan. His sister. She is a beautiful girl, her hair just as pale as her brother’s and her eyes a deeper violet than his. They are both smiling but their eyes are encased in sadness. Upon closer inspection, I see the photo was taken in this very room. The photo is older by a few years, and I wonder just when it was taken. How long had she been locked away from the realm in this room?

I take a deep breath and shove the photo inside my vest pocket, so I wouldn’t lose it. She might want it back.

I step out of the room, Tristan is leaning against the wall adjacent to the door, arms crossed “You got her scent?”

“Yep.” I nod my head and left my nose “This way,” I point down the long corridor.

We follow the trail down some steps and go to turn left when I catch her scent and another heading the opposite way. Whomever she is with is smart, they headed one way just to double back. I don’t want to waste any time by going the wrong way, “I got a double trail, Tristan. Let’s split up. You go that way I will head this way.” I point in either direction.

“Is that best, to split up?” He asks cautiously and rightly so.

“I think so, at least you have a reason to be here. If anyone asks you are already on the council and a scholar. I will tell them the same and refer them to you as my mentor.”

“Ok. Meet back at my place?”

“Yeah, if I’m not back by dusk then things went south. Don’t come looking for me.” I warned him. He is already helping more than he should be. I hate to involve him anymore and if for any reason I get captured and held for questioning I don’t need him in the middle of what will go down between me and my brother.

I show him the picture I snagged so he would know what she looks like if he found her first. Agreeing that if he found her first, he would take her back to his and wait for me.

“Good luck old friend,” he said holding his hand out after I had instructed him that if I had not returned in by the morning, he was to get the witch out of the city and take her to either Bhakhil or off this continent using my name to get him passage to any of the kingdoms on the first continent or for an Alphas protection.

We parted ways and I followed the witch’s scent. I turned down one dark corridor only to be met by another. At one point I felt I had double backed several times going up staircases just to come down once again. I was underground now, hoping that I would catch up to the two women soon when I heard the distinct sound of a bear’s roar followed by the ominous growl of wolves. I could dissect the meaning of their growls. They had found what they were looking for.

I turned on heal and jolted towards the direction of the bear’s cries. Before I could see them, I heard the wail of a wounded animal, then the barking of the wolves. They had killed the bear shifter. I neared the corridor I had heard the fighting but stopped when my wolf picked up the witch’s scent again heading in the opposite direction. I darted down the corridor hoping to head off the little witch. My wolf had sensed a pattern in this underground labyrinth. If he was correct, I should be able to turn at the next junction and run right into her before the wolves catch up to her.

I heard her heavy footfalls and erratic breathing, she was looking behind her, not paying attention so didn’t see me and ran smack bang into me. She bounced and I reached out securing her with my arms and pulling her against me tightly. I spun around placing her back against the wall, a section that was cut out like a little alcove.

She let out a puff of air and a slight whimper. I couldn’t help but notice how soft and warm her body was against mine. I looked down and pressed a finger to her lips, my eyes meeting the most alluring indigo color I had ever seen. They held more of a bluish tint than purple. Her gaze met mine and I watched in awe as her eyes softened and the color of her irises went from that darkened hue to light violet. Her heart thrummed against her chest violently and I could smell her fear.

Acutely aware of the rise and fall of her chest pressed against me, I gritted my teeth to stop myself from tightening the grip my other hand still had on her waist. I could feel every soft curve of her body against mine.

I tilt my head to her ear “Finn sent me for you” I whisper lowly, so my voice isn’t heard by the approaching wolves.  

“Finn…” I cut her off with my firm finger, pressing harder against her swollen and cut lips, making me wonder who did this to her and feeling a burst of anger from my wolf that someone would lay a hand on this delicate flower.

“Shh, he is alive and with the Queen of shifters. I was sent to bring you back to him. Trust me right now and you will see your brother again, I promise.” I tilted my head back up and search her eyes, wanting to know if she registered my words and that she understood I was not the enemy. She nods her head, her breathing evening out a little and I move back putting a little space between our bodies.

I cock my head and listen for the sounds of the soldiers, humans, and wolves. I can hear them drawing nearer to our location. We need to move. And fast. They have a hold of her scent now and will relentlessly track her down. I look down at her, my gaze tracking from her boots upwards, over her hips and plump breasts until they finally land on her bruised face again.

“I need to cover your scent, this might be weird, but they can smell you. Once a wolf has your scent, they won’t forget it.”

She nods her head “Okay,” she softly exhales, her fear rising again. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, a slight shudder courses through me once I open them again.

I start rubbing my hands all over her and move in close again, rubbing my body all over hers. I turn her around and do the same thing. This feels so – so – Old man creepy. But it has to be done. I can only hazard a guess as to what is going through her mind as I essentially feel her up. I bite my wrist and the blood flow and then smear it on her neck and chest. Little droplets ran down beneath the cut of her dress, down the valley of the small amount of cleavage showing, I tracked the trickle of blood with my eyes. “My scent & blood will help mask your scent.” Feeling the need to explain, I can’t look her in the eye as I cover her in myself.

No sooner had I finished, satisfied that I could hide her natural fragrance, the growl of several wolves sounds behind us. “Stay here,” I command, and she presses herself up against the wall tightly as if she is trying to flatten herself against it.

“Don’t leave me – please!” She whispers reaching a dainty hand out toward me.

“Stay here, I won’t leave you. I will be back.” I promise. She looks forlorn, delicate, and desperate. My wolf paces in my head - a protective feeling overcoming the both of us.

I move out of the alcove only to be met by six wolves. They catch sight of me and bare their teeth, all six at once rush at me. I shift into Ruda as quick as the eye can see, just as the first one leaps at me. Jaws open and wide. Ruda whips his head around catching him by the neck and with a quick shake the first enemy is a bloody heap. The corridor isn’t wide and gives my wolf an advantage, managing to take down one after another.

‘Three down and only two more to kill’ Ruda smugly says to me. He spoke too soon because at my back I smelled the soldiers before I hear the drawing of swords.

‘We need to end this quickly, Ruda’ I urge my wolf. Our head darted to the side, narrowly missing an attack by one of the remaining wolves. I knew the other soldiers wouldn’t shift. I knew their strategies; I knew their moves. Fuck I probably trained them at one point. That and I was sure the method of training I had implemented at the royal pack had not changed over the years.

Ruda grabbed a wolf by the scruff of his neck, his teeth sinking in until he felt his spine. He opens his jaws and then snaps them closed quickly severing his spine and rendering him dead. He ran full speed at the remaining wolf and at the last minute slid under it as it bounded into the air, going high.

Mid slide, Ruda gave me back control and I shifted drawing my swords from the now-rolled vest that clung to my chest and back. Only slightly registering that I was naked from the bottom half down. I met the soldier’s head swinging and swiping. Ducking and weaving their attacks. I flew back as one soldier’s sword got too close to me and snagged the rolled vest, the material dropping to the floor. Shit now I was fighting fully naked, my junk swinging in the wind, to say I felt overly exposed and vulnerable in this position – was an understatement.

I chuckled, involuntarily. But just thinking of what Mike and Tobias would say if they saw me fighting like this – I would never hear the last of it. I could just about imagine the cringe on Tobias’s face and him clutching his manhood. 

The sharp swishing sound of the blade brought me back to my senses and the glint of the steel whizzing by my face had me focusing again. As if in slow motion I tipped my head back, the sword tip a hairs breath from my nose, catching a piece of my long hair that had fallen from its bun.

“Shit,” I said aloud and jumped back to center myself. I poised and pointed my swords at the soldiers waiting for them to make the first move. I didn’t want to wait too long in case they alerted more men. This was fine but I couldn’t take on the whole platoon of elite soldiers. But I would give it a good go if I had to.