The Delta's Daughter Chapter 23

LAMIA

The next three days passed by smoothly. Only one rogue had been caught wandering our borders and he was being held in a cell.

This time he was checked for a cyanide capsule and it was removed before he had the chance to bite it. They were letting him stew in the cells wrapped in silver chains and a good dose of wolfsbane before questioning him. I was hoping they would let me in on the interrogation.

Damon and I were able to get the majority of projects completed during free periods, so we didn’t have to waste the weekend. I was happy to see he and Tawny were getting on well and were becoming quite the buddies.

Turns out Tawny is a little smarty pants too and was welcomed to our little geek pack made of the three of us. They were both excited about hanging out on Saturday for the BBQ and Tawny’s dad would also be joining us. Damon’s parents were invited. However, they were at a neighboring pack this weekend. His dad was helping with designing some new buildings for them.

Mom, Aunt Olivia and Queen Sara were busy confirming final preparations and details for the triple birthday party the following weekend. I can’t say how happy I was to have not been included in all that party stuff. I laughed out loud. Those women were crazy when it came to party planning. I was looking forward to seeing the dress they picked out for me though.

Turning 18 is a big deal for shifters. That is when we are considered adults, we can find our mates, become the head of packs if we are Alphas, our bodies and wolves mature and grow to their full potential. If you had asked me last month if I was excited about turning eighteen, I would have said ‘yes’ and probably jumped up and down with excitement.

But now, now, I wasn’t so sure I wanted my wolf to grow any bigger. Not to mention the foreboding worry that was slithering around my mind about whether Kellen and I were really mates. I couldn’t put my finger on it. The connection was there, the tingles, the pull everything you would feel with a mate.

Yet still, something deep down crawled around, twisting my stomach, nerves? Maybe. I was willing to accept either outcome. After all, my wolf did say I could choose? But then in the pit of my stomach an unease grew.

It was Friday evening now and I had invited Tawny to sleep over and give her a tour of the palace and pack house as she had never actually been there. Kellen and Mike had night-patrol so I told Kellen he had to go home for once. He groaned, but I told him it wasn’t going to kill him to spend the night on the royal floor in his room. After showering and changing into a pair of lightweight denim shorts and a blue crop top, I threw my hair into a pony tail and shoved some converse onto my feet, heading downstairs to wait for Tawny. I couldn’t wait to show her around. We were planning on making pizzas and watching a movie. I thought I would let her choose the movie; she may not like the action and horror I usually tended to pick.

I waited on the steps in the court yard, scrolling through my phone and messages, shooting a quick message off to Kira, telling her I was counting down the hours until she was here next weekend for our birthdays.

I saw that she had read it but she didn’t reply. It turned out she and Travis were not mates. I thought she would be a little disappointed; evidently she wasn’t, not in the least. Every time I broached the subject she would advert and change it, instead, asking about me and Kellen what our plans were etc. It was Friday night, knowing that girl, she had a party to be at. I would catch up with her on Sunday or Monday. I pushed the thought to the side as a red hatchback pulled up. Tawny stepped out, I rushed over to the car and engulfed her in a hug. She flashed a genuine smile as I covered her tiny frame with my large one.

She pulled back and lent back towards the car. “Thanks dad, this is Lamia” she proudly announced, gesturing to me with her hand.

“Hi Mr. Johnson, thanks for letting her come over.” I hope I didn’t come off overly enthusiastic, but I was. This wasn’t my first sleep over. Kira and I did it a lot at the Academy, but it was the first time here at home.

“Have fun girls” he replied, and seemed like he hesitated a little as he leaned one arm on the passenger seat and peered at us through the window.

“I will take good care of her sir, I promise”, I draped my arm over her shoulder as I turned to drag her away.

With a quick wave from Tawny and her dad, we headed up the steps into the packhouse front entrance. I looked down at my tiny friend. She was so cute, wearing a pair of white cotton shorts that stood out against her black as night skin. The light yellow t-shirt she wore complimented her fiery orange eyes and hair, which was hanging in loose waves around her shoulders. I was surprised that her father’s skin was pale, really pale and, from what I saw, he had passed on his rusty red hair to Tawny, although where hers was as straight as an arrow, his was a mass of curls and his eyes were a light brown.

“So what do you have planned for us this evening?” Tawny asked while linking her arm with mine.

I started to drag her in the direction of the stairs. “I figure we could drop your bag off at my apartment, then we could go on a tour of the Palace and the pack house, make some pizza and then go to one of the game rooms, hang out, maybe watch a movie either there or back in my room?”

“Sounds like a plan” she said, nodding her head excitedly. She followed me up the stairs, heading to the fourth floor where the Beta and Delta apartments were, weaving through the hallway on the third floor, reaching another stair case that led to the upper two floors.

After giving her the tour of our home, I pointed out the Betas quarters, explaining that they were the same as ours and that Mike lived there and telling her the Royal quarters were on the 5th floor. We headed down the main stairs again, telling her the third floor was for guests, then the 2nd floor going left and right was for warriors or young wolves in training or without parents, as well as showing her the recreation rooms on the 2nd and 1st floors as we headed down past the gym, offices and meeting rooms on the first floor. We finally made it to the dining hall and I took her into the kitchen. Her eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights as she took everything in.

“This is the biggest kitchen I have ever seen!” She exclaimed as she took in the three ovens, two double sinks, 5 fridges and the large prep station and small counter against the back wall that had stools for those who were coming in for a quick snack or left over’s.

I giggled at her astonished expression. “Well, they do feed a lot of wolves and any pack member is welcome to come for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is usually buffet style.“ I explained while grabbing her arm and dragging her through another door and down a corridor. “This is where the permanent staff resides. Not all the staff live here, the ones with families have their own homes, single wolves mostly stay here.”

We passed the laundry room and walked around the west perimeter of the building towards the training fields and then made our way through the royal gardens and out back to the yard where we would be having the cook-out tomorrow and where the Olympic-sized pool was.

All the way we talked, about school, favorite subjects, favorite foods, boys, etc. On the way in through the sliding doors in the back, we ran into Queen Sara, who was coming down the east wing of the first floor. She was wearing a simple beige dress that fitted her curves perfectly and swung out slightly from the waist down to her knees. Her hair pinned back into a loose bun. She could wear a potato sack and still look regal and beautiful.

She greeted us with a bright smile, hands clasped in front of her. “Lamia, my favorite girl, what are you two up to? Not causing trouble, I hope?”

I scoffed at her teasing words “Of course not my Queen, this is my friend Tawny, I was giving her the tour of our home”. I turned to gesture to Tawny, smiling as I introduced her.

The queen held her hand out to greet my friend “Princess.” She said softly with a quick dip of her head. “It is nice to meet you; I hope our pack is more welcoming to you?”

Wait! What? “Did you say princess?” I asked, slightly stunned, looking between my friend, who seemed flushed, to Queen Sara with a confusing stare.

“Thank you Queen Sara;, however the title was stripped from my mother when she was cast out.” Politely Tawny, seemingly meek murmured.

“Nonsense girl! Once a princess, always a princess. I am terribly sorry to hear about your mother and my condolences are way over due. I do, however, hope you and father find peace in the royal pack and I look forward to seeing you young ladies tomorrow.” With that she took her leave.

“Princess?” I asked in a hushy whisper when the queen was out of earshot. “Are you seriously of royal blood?”

Tawny hung her head shyly wringing her hands. “Well my mom was 2nd in line to the Cat shifters throne…. But... after mating with my dad and refusing to reject him, she was cast out. And no Clowder would accept a wolf or a half-breed, no matter what their animal was. So, of course, I have no title.”

“Ha!! I bagged myself a princess!” I laughed, slapping her lightly on her back. “Look, either way, you are a good person, and besides, it shows how much your mother must have been a good person, to not give into greed or power and love your father so much, that she was willing to give her title up. It sounds so very romantic, if you think about it.”

A sadness came over her eyes, her orange orbs dulling to a brown “Thanks” she said, and if it wasn’t for my wolf hearing I would never have heard her.

“I’m sorry”, realizing I may have hit a nerve “I would like to hear more about your mother when you feel up to it; I can only assume what an amazing person she must have been.” I tried consoling her with words.

She looked up at me with a grin, it didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I would like to sometime, but for now didn’t you say we were going to make pizza?”

As if on cue, her tummy grumbled and we both chuckled and headed back upstairs to our quarters. It seemed that Tawny was a little box of surprises and took everything in her stride. I made a mental note to make sure I included her in everything.

Our apartment had four bedrooms, one had been turned into an office, with a large living room and dining room and a nice sized kitchen decked out in opaque marble countertops with white wash cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Tawny said it was much bigger than her 2-bedroom house.

We were joking around, rolling out dough when there was a knock at the door. I gave a bewildering look to Tawny, as we weren’t expecting anyone. Wiping my hands down quickly, I rushed to the door and swung it open.

It was the last person I expected to see at the door.

An excited scream left my mouth as I jumped up and down; I was met with equal screaming and excitement as I pulled my best friend into a hug:

“Kira! What the heck! Oh my god what are you doing here?” I ushered her inside, closing the door behind her. She looked as radiant as ever with a tennis skirt and red polo, her brown curls hanging loose and her brown eyes sparkling with warmth.

Tawny came rushing out, wondering what all the commotion was. “Lamia? Are you OK…” she trailed off as she saw me embracing my very much missed friend.

Grinning from ear to ear, Kira turned to Tawny. “Who is this gorgeous little thing?” She held her hand out to greet her “I’m Kira, Lam’s best bitch, unless I’ve been replaced?”

“Tawny, her other best bitch” she winked at Kira, who in turn chuckled. I could tell these two would get on like a house on fire and Kira would only bring Tawny out of her shell more.

“You are just in time, we are making pizzas” I said, ushering her and Tawny into the kitchen “So what the what? I didn’t think you were coming until next week?” I asked.

She washed her hands and grabbed some dough, followed suit and started to roll it out. “Well, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if I told you now, would it”, she laughed.

“Kira from the Pacific moon pack, on the west coast, we met at the Alpha academy and became instant friends.” I explained to Tawny. “Now I know why she has been avoiding my calls, she was coming in next week for my birthday”. I turned to Kira a stupid smile still plastered across my face. I was wound up she was here “but I am so happy you are here! You have no idea!”

“Bitch please, Kellen called me and said it would be a great idea if I could come out early and spend some time with you. He helped my father arrange it too. That is one good mate you have.”

“Boyfriend. Not Mate.” I corrected her “don’t jump the gun”, giving her the side eye.

As we finished adding the topping to the pizzas and popped them into the oven, I related to Kira all that had been happening lately. She asked me about the bear fight and I proudly showed off my scar, explaining how the bone became infected and, because I couldn’t shift, it left me with a mauled thigh.

“Exactly how strong are you?” Tawny asked, her eyes wide.

I realized both she and Kira had no idea about my wolf either.

“So about that” I began, looking a little sheepish. “I have something to tell you, better yet I should show you.” I walked to the middle of the living room telling the girls to help me move the furniture out of the way.

“So don’t freak out, but I’m going to shift. It’s better to show you than try to explain,” I said.

“Umm, Lam’s, I have seen you in wolf form, I know you are as big as Kellen but has something changed?” Kira was quick to ask, looking at me like I was deranged.

“Yes, you will see in a moment. I must ask you both to swear that you will not tell anyone, before I show you? You have to promise?”

They both nodded their heads in agreement. I trusted them both to hold my secret and knew they wouldn’t tell a soul. I removed my clothes and shifted, my bones cracking in place and the air around me shimmering from the shift. I shook out my fur once I had completed the transformation. The room was suddenly very small and for once I was glad of the high ceilings, but still bent a little. I looked down at my friends and whimpered.

Mouths hung open, eyes looking wider and their bodies cowered at my size and presence. I quickly shifted back and began putting my clothes back on.

“So….?” I looked at them a little scared by their reaction, more that I had scared them, and it looked like they were ready to run for the hills.

It was Tawny who finally broke the silence, her voice cracking a little in disbelief. “Well, I can see how you took on a bear shifter. Goddess Lamia! Your fricking HUGE! What are they feeding you here?”

I chuckled at her remark; at least she was trying to make light heart of it.

“Holy shit bitch!!” Kira screamed, covering her mouth. “You’re a fucking Dire Wolf! How the…? What the…? Seriously, I thought your wolf was big before, but jeeesh girl. You are scary as shit, like a wolf from those legends or hell hounds, kind of scary. If I didn’t know it was you I would have literally shit my pants!” Kira stammered on, the shock obvious in her voice and facial expressions as she palmed her forehead turning to Tawny.

“This just happened in the last week. I had no idea until I went on patrol with Mike and he made me shift back. Kellen and I went out on a run before that but I wasn’t this big and I’m sure if I was he would have noticed and said something. Otherwise I had no idea.

"My mom said I may grow a little bigger when I turn 18 next week.”

“Remind me to never shift near you, I will feel so small”, Laughingly, Kira said.

“You? What about me? I’m a shrimp in human form. My cat is only the size of a small female wolf. You would swallow me in one go!” We all laughed at Tawny.

“Lam’s, you have always been one badass bitch, but now you are a scary badass bitch! I just can’t figure out how a sweet and justified girl like you ends up with an ancient dire wolf spirit? I pray to the goddess I am never on your bad side” rolling her eyes and smirking at me, Kira moved in for a hug and then dragged Tawny for a group hug.

Both girls agreed to keep my secret and, of course, Kira, knowing what I was right away, had so many questions, I filled her in as much as I could, along with Inanna’s and Conri’s history. Kira was adamant that while she was here for the week she was going to do some research on me and my wolf and try to find out as much as she could.

We took the pizza out and were grateful that Tawny had picked an action movie and not some chick flick. We had decided to hang out and watch movies in my room instead of the rec room.

“Wow, your room is off the charts!” exclaimed Tawny. Kira nodded as they took in the scene.

My mom liked to paint and had the artistic ability of an angel; she painted a scenery of the forest on my walls, using deep greens and browns, giving the effect that you were indeed sleeping in the forest. Kellen loved my room, he said it was peaceful and made him feel like he was closer to nature, the reason why he preferred to stay here instead of his room.