The Delta's Daughter Chapter 214

MORGAN

No sooner had the mysterious man rubbed his scent all over me and stepped away, the sound of gnashing teeth and menacing growls was upon us.

I reached for his hand - scared to be left alone. What did these wolves want, where was Margarita? I didn't know if they had left her dead, lying injured or if - no, I couldn't think like that. This man would help me get out of here then I could find Margarita and Gregorio. Everything would be fine.

"I won't leave you." He promised, removing my hand from his arm. The conviction in his voice and the promise of his words had me believing him.

‘Trust him,’ the familiar voice whispered to me - easing my questionable choice of whether I could or shouldn’t. And I did. For some unknown reason - I trusted this man. That was until I peeked around the alcove and watched him shift so fast - into a Wolf. Much bigger than the others with a shiny deep, dark brown coat. His fur was the color of the purest chocolate Gregorio used to bring me.

He made quick work of the wolves. Several times I had to clamp my hand over my mouth to stop myself from yelping out when he killed one. The blood and gore were gross, and the clashing of teeth set my nerves on edge. My fear began to ramp up and I lifted my hand from my mouth to my eyes in an effort to shield myself from the violence. Yet despite my reaction to save my eyes from the carnage - I felt excited and my fingers peeled away exposing me to the fight.

The excitement that began to unfold was quickly trampled when six soldiers came barreling from the other end of the long corridor. I stifled my gasp and looked back to the wolfman, who I hoped was my hero. Watching his wolf slide under another and shifting back into the tall dark and handsome man. His body coated with blood turned, a smirk across his handsome features as he looked down at himself and then pulled the swords that were attached to his back. I blushed as I followed his line of sight realizing he was naked from the chest downwards.

I still didn't cover my eyes. I couldn't look away.

Not until he was rushed by soldiers - swords drawn - slicing at him.

I threw myself back against the alcove wall, closing my eyes tightly. Only daring to peek when the sounds of clanging metal against metal became too much and I just had to see. I had to know what was happening.

The fighting was right in front of me - him against two soldiers, fighting them off in a dance to the death. He was fluid in his movements, precise and strong. A third man joined in, and my nerves ramped up. He could handle two, but could he handle three men?

His sword was knocked from his hand, now he only had one. I was sure they would overpower him.

I had to help him, I just had to.

I looked around me, there was nothing I could use or do without getting myself killed. My eyes landed on the sconce above my head hanging on the wall my back was against. I reached up on my toes plucking the heavy metal torch. My wrist burned, but with two hands I brought it up over my head and hefted it as hard as could - down on one of the soldier’s heads.

The soldier fell to the floor. Knocked out cold. A small pool of blood formed from the open cut on the back of his head where I smashed the torch down on him. I looked up at my wolfman, pleased with myself that I had managed to help. His eyes met mine and I gasped when our gazes met and held for that brief second. His black eyes were wide and in the center was a luminous white shape. The eyes I saw in my earlier vision.

He maneuvered his body, placing himself in front of me so the soldiers would have to go through him to get to me.

Scars. So many scars littered his body. I had seen the deep marred lines over his chest - but his back, they were littered with long wide lines. There was no pattern, these scars ran deep and many, some wrapping around his ribs. More covering his muscular ass and down his legs.

Holy mother of the sky, what or who had done this to him? I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as my eyes trailed the angry lines that covered his beautiful physique. Despite the scars, his muscles rippled and flexed with each movement. His ass clenched and I felt myself blush again; I know I shouldn't be looking but I couldn't not.

I hadn’t really seen a naked man before. I read about them in my books, the steamy romance ones Margarite would give to me were very descriptive. I had seen drawings of naked men in anatomy books.

When my father would come to take pleasure from my mother when I was much younger– which was very rarely – my mother would tell me to close my eyes and cover my ears and sit me facing the corner of the cold cell. I would still hear my father’s grunts and groans, but it was always over quickly, and he didn’t stick around after. I remember my mother once whispering ‘minute man’ after he had finished with her.

But here right now, this man stood poised in all his glory, and even in this highly inappropriate situation, I couldn’t help but feast upon his naked body. I glanced at the dead wolves; one had shifted back into his human form upon death. I gagged at the sight of his naked limp body, wishing I hadn’t looked. A dead naked man is no comparison to the very much alive and heroic one in front of me.

Before I knew it the fighting had ceased, and the corridor was quiet once again. My wolfman turned around and cocked his head “Let’s go.” He spoke.

Involuntarily, my eyes began to roam his face noticing his eyes were back to normal – pitch black. His nose was strong and proportionate to his wide jaw, with lips that looked soft and pillowy. My gaze didn’t stop there and wandered lower over his broad chest. Even with the deep-seated scars that looked like claw marks strewn across his muscled pecs, he oozed strength. His arms are toned and cut, his abs solid and each dip and curve defined every inch of muscle.

I was breathing heavily. Did I dare look lower? I wanted to. I wanted to see if he was just as well built down there as everywhere else. “Hey, eyes up here!” His voice startled my ogling, and I snapped my eyes back to his. I could feel my skin heating in embarrassment, and I bit my lip. Wrong thing to do because I had forgotten that I ate marble flooring earlier. I let out a hiss of pain and then the pain in my wrist began to radiate.

“Don’t flake out on me now. We still have to get out of here.” My wolfman’s voice was harsh and commanding. He dipped down behind me grabbing a bag I hadn’t even noticed was there. Not even sure I how missed it when I was looking around for a weapon. He brought a pair of shorts from the bag and slid them on, shielding his manhood from me as he did.

“A-Are they all dead?” I questioned him looking over the scattered bodies, some, still in wolf form and one missing a head.

He picked up his swords and stood over the man I knocked out and drove his sword straight through his neck. I gagged at the squelching sound and turned my head “He is now” I heard him say.

If I was crushing on this hot godly looking man before. That action just killed it. “Who are you?” I dared ask.

“Hunji. The Queen of shifters sent me to bring you back to the Kodiak Kingdom where your brother Finn waits for you.” He gave me an up-and-down glance “Now let’s go. My scent won’t stick on you for long.” His voice was final and a little cold.

“I’m Morgan…”

“I know who you are now let’s move!”

“Ok. Ok!” Damn, he seemed so sweet before like a knight in shining armor. Just without the armor. But talking about a one-eighty, now he just seemed so withdrawn and cold. Like one of my father’s guards.

“I need to find my friend,” I said tugging back from his grasp on my arm.

“She’s dead.” I recoiled from his unapologetic words.

I shook my head. “No. no… she can’t be she was going to take me out of this city, Gregorio is waiting for us.” My brain refused to believe him.

‘Go with him’ the voice whispered to me but for the first time, I ignored it. I had to find Margarita. I pulled on his hand again and he spun me around so fast, his hands gripping my shoulders tight I let out a whimper, and my eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry about your friend but she is dead and if you want to see your brother and not fall into the hands of King Panja – I suggest you buck up and let me get you the fuck out of here.” His words started off soft and then his tone turned harsh as he told me to basically get my shit together. “There will be time for grieving later. Not now.”

I took a big breath and let it out shakily “Let’s go.” And here, I thought as I let him lead me back through the corridors, when I woke this morning, it was going to be another boring day locked away.

After some time, we reached a large thick wooden door. Hunji gestured for me to be quiet as he slowly opened the door his head darting left and right, “Come on.” He motioned with his hand, and I followed him through the door. The bright light of the day hit me and caused my eyes to squint.

I expected to see more soldiers or for us to be facing a pack of hungry wolves again. Instead, my eyes adjusted and settled on the bustle of a busy market. Vendors called out prices, and patrons stopped at stalls to look at merchandise. Hunji reached into his bag and brought out some more clothing. “Put this on,” he said shoving a type of shirt in my hands. I quickly pulled it over my blood-soaked dress. I was covered in not only the blood from my busted face but also from his blood that he smeared all over me. I admit I looked like a total mess.

He pulled his own shirt over his scared body, hiding his perfect imperfections. Once again, he took my arm and pulled me along with him as he weaved in between stalls. I watched him swipe something from one of the stalls and once were far enough away he shoved more fabric in my hand and told me to put it on to cover my hair. I held the piece of cloth up; I had never worn one of these and didn’t know what to do with it.

“Here,” he said agitated, and snatched the cloth from me. Wrapping it around my head and tying it tightly beneath my chin. I winced at his touch – he was not being gentle, and I could see his impatience by the way his movements jerked.

“You don’t have to be bullhead, ya know,” I internally cringed at my outburst. The last thing I needed to do was piss this guy off after he just killed twelve men to rescue my ass. Well eleven and a half, because I did knock one out.

Instead of replying to me he just growled. He was a grumpy wolf.

“Hunji, Hunji! Over here!” I looked around for the voice that was calling my wolfman and spotted a tall lean looking blond-haired man standing next to a waiting carriage. Hunji’s course abruptly changed and ran to the man calling him, pulling me behind him. He shoved me into the carriage and climbed in behind me taking a seat on the opposite side. Within seconds the carriage jerked forward, and the horse’s hooves clacked against the cobbled street.

I was used to sitting in silence all day – only because there was no one around to talk to half the time. I had many questions though, too many to remain silent for this given length of time. “Where are we going?” I asked Hunji.

“To a place where we will be safe.” His answer was short and very non-descriptive.

I sighed out in frustration “How did you know where I was?”

“I told you; Finn sent me.” Again, with the short vague answer.

“Why are those soldiers after me?”

“You ask too many questions.”

Now I was just mad, and he was just being darn right rude “I have a right to know where you are taking me!” I couldn’t contain my annoyance anymore.

“Would you shut up! I am trying to think!” He yelled at me.

He yelled at me! The knight in shining armor just yelled at me like some – some – child! I opened my mouth to spew out some retort but found myself closing it again lost for words.

I was still stewing over his rudeness when the carriage came to a halt and the side door opened. I didn’t wait for Hunji to get out first, I jumped out ahead of him to find we were on a quiet street, lined with large stately looking homes. The man holding the door smiled at me, the same man who was calling Hunji.

“This way young lady,” he said with a smile, his pale blue eyes full of kindness. I took his offered hand and let him lead me towards the front door. I would have smiled but my face was killing me. Along with my wrist and my knees that hurt like hell. I must have bruised them when I fell.

I don’t know why, but I glanced behind me to make sure Hunji was coming too. When I saw him walking up the steps behind us, I felt a whoosh of relief wash over my body. He may have turned out to be a cold emotionless dick, but his presence made me feel secure and safe at the same time.

I was outside. A place I don’t think I have ever been before. If have – then I don’t remember it. The most freedom I got was on the balcony back in my room. Sure, I was technically outside - even then I had guards standing with me… but this?

This was freedom! And here I was stepping into a house – maybe another cage - with two men I had never met before today. Granted, there was no doubt Hunji was the man in my vision this morning. I was meant to meet him. Deep down I knew I should – could trust him. He made me feel safe. Something I had never felt before.

From the moment I was conceived I wasn’t safe. My mother told me that.

**FLASHBACK - MORGAN 14 YEARS OLD**

‘One day Morgan, you shall meet a woman of great power. A Queen: and you will stand beside her and fight. You will possess a great gift when you come of age, given to you by the goddess Morgana and her three daughters. I have seen it.’ The grip on my chin from my mother’s fingers tightens and she jerks my head - making me look at her. I stare into her violet eyes. Even ragged and worn, she is beautiful. My eyes filled with tears as I met her stare. ‘Kings will want you for your power. Do you understand?’ her words are harsh, but her eyes are soft, concerned.

‘I told Orion a lie, one you must use - or they will use you. You are the last witch of Andora, Morgan. The last in a long line of witches whose blood-ties with this realm are older than the scrolls. You were born here, as was I, as will your children be.’ Now my mother smiles at me, and my tears instantly begin to dry up. I sniffle as she tells me more. ‘With your gift, you will be able to connect with the dead. Some visions have seen you raising the dead.’

‘Whose visions mommy?’ I whimper to her through my sniffles and wipe my nose on my sleeve.

‘Child, kings will want you by their side, to predict the future or the outcome of a war. They will want you for more. They will use your body. Do you understand Morgan?’ she asked me. I shake my head yes.

Even then I knew what rape was, what sex was. My mother never sugarcoated anything for me. All we had on our hands were time and she used that time to teach me. Everything. I had no pen and paper. It was all done by memory or our nails in the dirt. Tracing letters and numbers on our backs at night. She taught me about being a witch. Recited the ancient sorcery scroll. She taught me about medicines and procedures. Described every herb and plant and was even able to show me sometimes by planting a visual in my head. She couldn’t do that very often; it zapped all the strength from her. That and she told me her mate – my father – was sleeping with other women. She wasn’t a shifter; therefore, she had no animal wanting to carve their heart out. However, it still affected her, by way of constant fatigue and his act weakened her body. Each day she grew weaker - another little piece of her heart breaking. 

‘I will not always be here; my precious daughter and I am sorry I have failed you. I will only say this lie once: By loss of your virtue, you will lose your gift.’ Now she grabs my face with both hands her eyes flicking across mine ‘I told Orion my vision about your gift. I told him you would lose the power to communicate with the underworld if you ever lost your virginity. For that power, he will keep you safe. The day will come when he no longer rules, and you are free. You make sure he remembers that if he tries to marry you off - if they consummate with you - You will lose your gift and so will he.’

We laid down on the bed and I snuggled up against her. She stroked my hair lulling me to sleep. Just as I was being pulled into a deep slumber, I heard her softly say ‘Remember the Queen, with emerald eyes.’