The Delta's Daughter Chapter 233

4 YEARS AGO

HUNJI

After wandering for what seemed like a lifetime but was only eight years, our journey had brought us to the western continent. The first continent. I stepped off the cargo ship and breathed in the air. It was different – moister. Not as hot as it is in central Asiarian or out in the barren desert of Lul and not as sparse as the land in Asiarian.

The abundance of trees and the greenery this land had to offer was refreshing, and the scent of the new country appealed to all my senses. I found myself wandering into pack territory after a few days. At first, they pegged me as a rogue and I thought I would be thrown in their cells or killed but the Alpha gave me a chance to be heard and I told him I was just passing through, deeming myself as a lone wolf who was traveling the realm. He offered me a job in the fields, and I graciously accepted knowing I needed money and a place to stay until I figured out my next move. Or when Ruda decided it was time to move on.

It was during my time in the Howlers pack and Alpha Benjamin Wertz that led me to finally find the chosen one. The Alpha had allowed me to train with his warriors on Sunday afternoons and it was one of those Sundays after training that a couple of warriors asked if I would like to go to a bar with them that was just off of their pack lands and cut loose. I found out later, a bar was the same as a tavern.

We were sitting there, enjoying the atmosphere. The boys with their beers and me with my water when the door to the establishment burst open. Four scraggly and unkept men waltzed in. They smelled of trouble and of rogue. A nasty burnt dirty scent that all disgraced shifters carried on their presence once they had been kicked out of a pack.

I discreetly kept my eyes on them – I could almost taste the trouble – watching their every move. My companions paid them no regard, maybe a side glance and a sneer but the bar was off territory and open to everyone.

The door opened again and another few rogues entered. That made eight of them. Ruda’s ears pricked, and my nose twitched as he scented the air. Scenting more unsavory characters outside. “I think we have trouble,” I told the warriors I was with.

“Nah, this place welcomes everyone. If we don’t like them, they have a right to come in and be served.” One of the warriors replied. “Long as they don’t start anything, all is good.”

I silently disagreed. And my original thought of trouble was proven correct in the next 10 minutes when another five rogues entered all congregating by the door and the bar.

“Get your pussy over here whore, me and the boys need some fun and we chose you for the night.” The biggest of the rogues laughs at the tiny waitress serving behind the bar.

“Go fuck yourself, Simon.” She snarled right back at him.

“What did you say?” He seethed at her boldness.

“You heard me, drink and be gone. I’m not here for your entertainment.” I had to give it to the little she-wolf, she was feisty and didn’t cower as most would. She must be used to his advances and by how she used his name, I assumed she had met him before. Either way, I didn’t like to hear a woman being spoken to like that.

Apparently the rogue, Simon didn’t either. “Speak to me like that bitch?” He flew over the bar grabbing her by the neck. My eyes skirted the bar, taking note of each person, where they stood, and their movements. My training kicking in like second nature.

The click of a lock – The main door. A movement towards the back – The back exit is blocked. The shuffle of feet – Rogues placing themselves strategically. A chair scrapes and a wolf stands – not a rogue.

“You boys have had your fun; I suggest you let the lady go and call it a day. No one wants any trouble.” The man who stood from his chair suggested. Bravely confronting the rogues who now outnumbered the patrons in the bar. Yet the warriors I was with, and a few others straightened their backs ready for a fight if it came to it.

The rogue let go of the girl and smirked at the man standing up. He cracked his neck, his eyes raking over the man who dared to speak up. “Kill ‘em all” He commanded his ‘boys’.

Growls sounded out from around the establishment and suddenly there were chairs and glass being thrown everywhere. The sound of ripping clothes fills the air amongst the amped-up feral sounds and ruckus that is taking place around me.

I stand up, pulling a lone sword from my back as the rogues attack the patrons and warriors I am with, and a full-scale fight breaks out. Some, in wolf form already. I was actually enjoying myself until this debacle happened.

I threw my sword hard and fast across the room, the tip sticking into the concrete wall, and moved with my wolf’s speed first to the rogues by the door, ripping them off my companions one by one. Snapping the neck of the first rogue, then grabbing and kneeing the back of the second – punching his throat out as he came down.

I let my claws extend and slash the back of the legs of a third as I slide by him. I pounce up from the floor landing on my sword, balancing on the blade with my feet before hurling myself through the air, taking my sword with me. I land on my feet, sword poised to attack when I am met with a woosh of air as a sword’s blade narrowly misses me. I counter, bringing my blade around and slicing through the rogue’s neck – taking it clean off.

I find myself back-to-back with the initial man who stood up, only just now figuring out his wolf has a ranked status. I lunge toward a fifth rogue piercing his heart when another comes at my back. I take the sixth out with my right hand gripping his neck as he descended on me and ripped his jugular open. The rogue staggers back and I waste no time attacking the seventh who starts to shift. I Don’t give him time, spinning around and plunging my blade deep into his chest.

At this point, I am in full fight mode. There is no one to stop me from creating carnage, my wolf in full primal instinct – take out the enemy, that is all he is focused on.

All too soon the fight ends, the air thick with the smell of blood and feral pheromones and testosterone. I lower my sword to my side and look around. The rogues are all but dead, only a couple squirm on the floor, and one is held down by a warrior.

“You’re not from around here,” A deep amused voice sounds next to me. I look at the owner of the said voice to see the man who bravely stood up to the rogues first.

“No,” I replied casting my eyes on the men I was with to make sure they were ok.

“The name is Wilson. In all my days as a chief warrior, never, have I seen someone fight like you.” I side glance at the man who has his hand out to me, offering it up as a token of goodwill or friendship.

I take it, shaking it firmly. “Hunji,” I greet, giving my name.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?”

“The mountains of Mint,” I tell him sucking a huge lungful of air and letting it out slowly.

“Well, this may seem a little forward, but I run the Alpha academy a few packs over, we are looking for a new weapons trainer and you, young man, have just displayed more skill than I have ever witnessed serving under the King army.” He smiles, wide with excitement.

‘Say yes’ Ruda’s voice fills my head.

“Is it a paid job?” I ask the man named Wilson.

“It’s a teaching position, very well paid. Just have to deal with the bratty Alpha kids.” He laughs.

Patrons and Howler’s pack warriors start gathering up the rogues’ bodies and pulling them outside. The ones still alive are being arrested, whether this is pack grounds or not they attacked innocent people and would be put on trial or imprisoned.

“Here’s my card, I hope you will think about joining our staff. Our future Alphas could learn a lot from a man like you.” He says, handing me a small piece of stiff paper. I look at it. ‘Royal Academy for Alpha’s it reads. “Call me. Or better yet just turn up.” He smiles again and leaves the bar. I stand there looking at the small card the man gave me.

*****

Four days later I find myself standing outside a pair of large iron gates with the same crest on them as what was on the card Wilson handed to me. I walk through the smaller gate to the side and head towards the Academy’s front entrance. A large brick building with several wings jutting out greets me. And over the top carved wooden doors stand as its entrance. A smaller door cut into the oversized oak double doors. I ring the bell next to it and the door automatically pops open, giving way to enter the building.  

“Hunji!” A familiar and happy-sounding voice greets me. I look up to see Wilson coming toward me with a huge smile on his face. “Welcome! I am so happy you are here and excited too. I was hoping I would be seeing you.” The man’s over-eager demeanor pleases me, making me feel wanted. And for some odd reason, walking into this building gave me a sense of clarity, like a heavy weight had been lifted from me, and was seeing the realm in a new light as if I was breathing in a batch of fresh air.

For the rest of the day, Wilson showed me around the Academy. The training grounds, the indoor gym, the classrooms, and the layout of the dorms. Lastly, he showed me the weapons room and indoor training room.

“This will be your classroom, through those doors is an outside arena. Bear in mind we do not encourage any blood to be spilled. These are students and most of them are Alpha’s children, and I don’t think their parents would be happy if they came home missing a limb. So, all weapons are dulled down. Of course, as shifters, we can still do some damage, and every now and then we have to break up fights, but I am sure you will have no problem handling the brat’s testosterone.” He laughs. “I say that but honestly, this is my life and I love what we do here.” He holds his arms out and his eyes shine with pride. “We like to think we give the future of this kingdom, not just the fighting skills to defend their packs, but also the life skills to run and improve their packs.”

I nod my head, taking in everything he explained and told me. Feeling his sense of pride for his school and work. A spark of excitement ignites in me as I think about my training at the sanctuary and how much I could teach the future kids of the Moon kingdom. “I am honestly excited to be a part of this,” I tell him.

The next day I wait in the indoor weapons arena, Wilson had helped me put a lesson plan together and now I was just waiting for my first set of students to arrive. I wasn’t feeling nervous but as the clock ticked closer to the start of my first class, my wolf began to pace. Anticipation swam through his thoughts and into my mine.

‘What is your deal?’  I ask him through gritted teeth, his excessive pacing pulling on my last nerve.

 He says ‘I can feel a great power’ before the doors to the arena are pushed open and a group of 12 students, filter in.

In the middle of the group stands a young man Tall, taller than me, lean and muscular. His bright blue eyes look kind yet intimidating and he smiles at his peers. Clapping the back of a stockier-looking young man next to him. The chatter dies down and all eyes are on me.

The young Alpha, who caught my attention first steps up to me and holds out his hand. His Alpha aura is powerful and outshines the rest of the group. “Prince Kellen Moon,” He greets me, “You are the new weapons instructor?” he asks me without hesitation.

“Yes, I am Hunji, your new teacher. It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness.” I bow my head slightly at the young prince then take his hand and shake it. I look at the young prince, reminding myself that I was once a prince, cast out and sentenced to death at an age not so far from his. I took an instant liking to Prince Kellen; he wasn’t cocky, nor did he act as if he was above everyone – even if his rank and status deemed that he was.

“CADETS!” I bellow out across the room “I want you lined up against the wall. I will be giving you each a weapon and we will be going through the basics of that weapon’s history, purpose, and basic maneuvers. Some of you may have already wielded a sword or axe, but I want you to forget everything you have been taught. Because it was wrong. Today you begin to know your weapon, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Today is the first day of becoming a real warrior.” The students line up and just as they are in formation, the doors to the room burst open again and my heart stops.

She was barely seventeen, but her beauty and commanding presence emanate power. Making even the young prince’s aura pale in comparison to hers.  Her emerald, green eyes are bright and piercing when they meet mine - her hair is tied up in a ponytail with a black streak that’s fallen from her hair tie.

‘The chosen one’ My wolf hums with adoration.

Finally, I think to myself as her bright smile greets me. “Sorry I’m late,” Her voice melodic voice carries to me. My heartbeat speeds up erratically and I quickly gather my wits tempering it down. Arching an eyebrow at her “Lamia Langley, sir.” She gave me her name and joined her classmates, taking her place between the prince and his friend.

“Line up,” I tell her in a monotone voice placing an uninterested look on my face. I watch her as I instruct the rest of the students, she’s fluid in her motions and skilled. As is the young Prince and another young man, I later find out is the future Royal Beta Michael Pike Jr. Whoever had been teaching them previously was a skilled swordsman and fighter.

Something in my gut told me to not approach the subject of the young girl Lamia being the chosen one. For the most part, she was clueless, and I realized this as the weeks passed. She was stronger than anyone I had ever met and fast. The first time I saw her shift I was in awe of her wolf. As large as the princes and jet black with a white stripe across the eyes. Her wolf did not resemble her skin form at all. The girl was sweet and wore her heart on her sleeve, yet her wolf’s temper would show at the slightest hint of disrespect.

As the weeks passed, I found out that she was close to Prince Kellen and his Beta Mike. The three of them were thick as thieves and she was always in between them. The strongest wolf in the realm protected by her prince and the Beta. The ironic thing was - and I came to know she was the Royal Delta’s daughter – for the amount of power she carried within her bones, she never lorded it over anyone’s head and she never used it to gain anything. In fact, she hid her wolf and strength, never quite allowing her wolf to fully emerge.   

I was in awe of this young girl. And knew I would serve until the goddess called me home.

It was some months later that I learned the name of her wolf – Inanna. And it was the same time that I discovered the prince’s wolf was Conri.

Asena’s story of the Mortal King Conrad and the goddess Inanna emerged from my memories as if she had told it to me yesterday not more than 9 years ago.

It was then I realized I was not in love with the young Lamia and that she and prince Kellen were destined to be together. Their spirit animals had been deemed to be fated together since their beginning.