The Delta's Daughter Chapter 278

TAWNY

Tapping my pen on the paper rapidly, I scrub my face for the thousandth time and blow huff out a deep breath, also for the thousandth time.

I drop my pen onto the pile of paperwork I was working through, unable to concentrate. My thoughts flit back to yesterday. More specifically last night when Crimson showed up at my room looking forlorn and regretful.

He was trying to tell me something. But whatever it was he wanted to say – he didn’t. Now it was bugging me. What was it he couldn’t say? I had the sickening feeling he was going to reject me.

Why that thought made my stomach churn with tension, I have no idea. Isn’t that what I would want, wouldn’t that break the bond completely?

I hadn’t even thought that he would need to reject me to sever the bond. It sure does explain a lot though. Why I didn’t feel the pain of a broken bond like so many have told me exists. Why my feline was content and seemingly not bothered that I had rejected her mate.

However, that doesn’t explain why my heat didn’t come back in full force after I stopped taking the pills. I wanted to ask Gillian more questions, she would know, probably.

Except, I couldn’t face her… yet. I felt ashamed that we, Crimson and I, had kept her in the dark, That we didn’t tell her. I didn’t tell her.

I just never wanted her to be hurt in all this. I can argue that I was trying to protect her feelings until I’m blue in the face. It’s still no excuse. If it was Lamia, I wouldn’t have thought twice about fessing up and confessing that Crimson was my mate.

Either way, Gillian’s heart would have been broken, still, maybe it could have been handled in a better manner. No, not maybe. It definitely could have been handled better.

Now I’m the asshole in her life.

The rumble of a familiar vehicle breaks my self-loathing and overthinking. What’s done is done, now we have to find a way to move forward from all this drama.

Yes forward. No more going backward.

“Welcome back!” I greet Mason and Tristan as they enter the main foyer.

“It’s good to be back Princess,” Mason says planting a kiss on top of my head and draping a thick arm over my shoulders.

“How was the trip?” They had been gone for two days, but I had missed Mason and our new advisor Tristan.

Mason groans, Tristan chuckles “It seems your male, is quite popular with the ladies. I couldn’t tell you how many invitations to dinner he had to decline.”

My male? “Mason is not my Male,” I say, “I would be a dead cat if he was, my eyes scratched out by all these females who swoon after him.” I poke fun at the handsome werecat who has become one of my closest friends.

“Any who, despite all the invitations, the visits were quite productive, thanks to Tristan.”

“Really? That sounds promising,” I smile at Tristan and tuck myself into Mason’s side a little tighter, taking comfort in his strength and familiarity. Juniper purrs at being so close to the protective male, she missed him too.

I stiffen when Crimson’s scent hit me, sensing the Tom cat before I can even see him. Mason squeezes me reassuringly as he senses my sudden tension.

“Crimson, come meet Tristan ScarClaw, he came when Hunji visited,”

“And I just couldn’t find an excuse to leave,” Tristan gives Crimson a wide toothy smile and extends his hand. “Tristan ScarClaw of Andora,”

“ScarClaw, huh?” Crimson shakes his hand, “The last of the snow leopards?”

“Yes!” Surprised by his knowledge, Tristan replies.

“Your family’s history and fame have reached even these parts, sir ScarClaw.” Crimson explains with admiration as he speaks to him “In fact, we have a section in our library about your family’s heritage. My fiancée will be over the moon to meet you, she may just fan girl out” he ends with a light laugh.

I feel Crimson’s eyes on me, and when I sneak a glance, I can’t help the flush that creeps over me at the way his yellow eyes linger on me.

“I look forward to meeting the young lady.” Tristan’s jovial voice has me jumping back to the conversation.

“I have asked Tristan to stay on as a personal advisor to me,” I tell Crimson who nods his approval, while I slowly tear my eyes from him.

I think he is the one ‘fan girl-ing’ over Tristan, never mind Gillian.

“Hopefully, your advisory will stretch beyond just the princess” I hide my smile at Crimson’s not-so-subtle hint.

“Happily,” Tristan replies “Maybe you could show me that section in the library right now if you have time?”

“Certainly!” Crimson eagerly replies, and Tristan throws me a wink as he is led away from us.

“Alone at last,” Mason coos, squeezing me “Whatever shall we do?”

“Tease,” I swat him on his arm playfully. “I still have a mountain of paperwork to get through. I swear it’s never-ending” I complain.

“Blow it off, let’s go drinking. We haven’t done that in forever.”

I don’t think we have ever done that together, but it’s been a while since I have just let go and gone dancing. “Is there even a place like that around here?” I question while I deliberate on the idea of letting loose.

It didn’t matter, the idea and thought of going out and cutting loose were nice, but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible. I still had a mountain of paperwork to get through and I just hoped Gillian, as upset and angry as she was with me, wouldn’t abandon her responsibilities.

I truly didn’t see that happening, she wasn’t that type of person, but… shit was complicated. Plus, I still had to break it to her that Tomislav was her brother. I didn’t think Crimson had told her yet.

*****

The next day I still hadn’t seen or heard from Gillian. I had tried to open up a mind-link to her but was met with a block.

Against my better judgment, I decided to seek her out. The air needed to be cleared and whether she wanted to listen or not, I was going to make her. It was important for her to hear me out. I had to let her know that Crimson had chosen her. I didn’t think bringing up the time he fucked me with his fingers or tongue or admitting that it was a moment of weakness on both our parts, would solve anything.

All she needed to know was that Crimson was hers. And I was nothing but a potential future leader. A mateless leader – by my own choice.

Crimson had already rejected me, although he didn’t say the words out loud, he had made it quite clear that he wasn’t willing to break his contract with Gillian. Asking me to wait was a slap in the face. I don’t play games and I wouldn’t be his bit on the side while he played house.

Not everyone gets a happily ever after. And I was doomed from the beginning to never find mine. My thoughts drifted to my childhood and my mother’s death. The way I never fit in amongst the wolves.

For so many years I was bullied and taunted because I was a hybrid shifter. A were-cat with the strength of a wolf. Even my feline when in fur form, though small and sleek, still held features that resembled that of a wolf. For instance, my tail was bushier, and my ears had more fluff, both tipped with orange like the natural color of my hair.

I had always been weak, gullible – afraid. It took finding genuine people to bring me from that meek person to the woman I am now. Lamia spent hours with me, training. Both her and Hunji exploiting my weaknesses until those weaknesses were driven out of me.

Of course, my father being a warrior had attempted to train me when I was younger, but he was my father and didn’t have the heart to wear me down and build me back up again. It wasn’t until the Moon Kingdom; did I realize how easy my father went on me.

Following my feline instincts and nose I found Gillian in one of the guest bedrooms on the other side of the palace. An area that was hardly used. Is this where she had been hiding out?

“Gillian?” I softly announce myself, clearing my throat and giving a light knock on the open door. Knowing full well she had scented me before I had even announced myself.

She turns to look at me, a small curve of her lips, a sad attempt at a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Come in,” Her voice was as soft as always.

Goddess, I hate that I hurt her.

“I, uhm…” I knew what I wanted to say but the words seemed to be stuck. My brain wasn’t connecting with my mouth.

Like the true wholesome good persona that she is, Gillian stands up straight - those calming blue eyes look at me graciously, yet full of sadness and heartache. Emotions that I had caused. “I know you are sorry, Princess. And I know it wasn’t your intention to cause me embarrassment.”

Embarrassment? I didn’t even think that that was how she felt. It was one of the last emotions I would have guessed she felt.

“I’m embarrassed that I didn’t notice it sooner. Now I have, it is so obvious.” She says sighing with a tone of defeat.

How could she look at me without an ounce of hatred inside her? “I’m so sorry Gillian. I just didn’t know what to do. You guys are engaged… he obviously loves you and I just didn’t know- what to do.” I feel the prick of tears sting my eyes while they implore her for forgiveness. Forgiveness that I’m not sure I’m entitled to. “I grew up with wolves, and in their world the mate bond is sacred. Not many reject their goddess-given mates. They believe your true mate can only make you stronger, become a better version of yourself – make you whole. Here though, in this place…”

“It’s far from perfect. They don’t respect the gift from the goddess. It doesn’t serve them as well as a marriage of convenience. Not all of us think like that, you know?” She crosses the room, to sit in a parlor chair. Patting the cushion next to her, subtly demanding I sit with her. “You have noticed that Crimson is… different, yes?”

I nod, those ‘differences’ coming to life in my mind. The way he shifts, the change in color of his eyes, and the shape of his pupils. How he told me he isn’t a were-cat. “I have,” I admit.

“When Kolby was just a boy, King Armand, your grandfather, found him deep in the jungle. With not a stitch of clothing on. No indication of where he came from, who he was, or whom he belonged to. The king told Kolby, when he found him, he was feral and starving and couldn’t control his shifting. Flitting from fur to feet in seconds.”

I gasp, knowing that your first shift, while it doesn’t cause immense pain, can be so uncomfortable. To think that Crimson shifted from such a young age is unheard of.

Gillian carries on “We were about seven years old when I first witnessed Kolby shift, he was upset that my father had struck me – leaving a mark on my face. So angry that he began to shift in a fit of rage. He ended up stuck in a partially shifted stage for days until the mark on my face had healed.” Gillian’s eyes wander off like she is caught in the memory she was describing. When her brows pull together seemingly pulling her out from whatever daze she was in she begins to speak again. “The bears pray to the gods of the north, recognizing many gods. The wolves pray to the moon goddess and worship her gifts. Humans pray to their maker – Zeus. And us, we pray to Bastet – The first of the Lyoki and Queen of all were-cats. Who do you think Kolby prays to?”

I’m stumped, wouldn’t he pray to Bastet, the same? “I, I assumed…”

“He doesn’t even know what he is. You assumed wrong, princess. What god would deny a child a spirit animal? Whether he is a hybrid or not, not knowing who you are can be a huge burden. I have kept Kolby’s secret all these years, both your grandfather and I have made sure no one ever found out he was not a were-cat, or this kingdom would reject him in a heartbeat. The only place he has ever called home. Like a human, he doesn’t have the ability to mind-link. Only with the King.”

“No!” I gasp again. But it makes sense. I think of Ria, a hybrid with no shifter ability. She could never mind-link. Not until she mated and was imprinted by Xander. Even now she can only mentally connect with Xander.

Gillian nods. “We have kept this hidden, very well I might add,”

“Why are you telling me all this Gillian?” I appreciate that she trusts me enough to keep Crimson secrets, though I am confused as to why she is opening up to me.

“Because he would never tell you himself and you need to understand who he is. None of us thought he would be given a fated mate and although that gift doesn’t mean too much to a lot of people in this kingdom, to some, like me – it does.” Her words trail off and she bows her head. “Once upon a time I dreamed of meeting my mate, I had always hoped that it would be Kolby,” I see the slight hint of a lopsided smirk before it’s wiped from her face “Obviously the gods had other ideas. Our contract is bound by blood, if he breaks it, he breaks the law. There are consequences to breaking laws as you know.”

“I do,” remembering the family the warriors were going to whip for stealing food from the garbage. “Not a huge fan of the laws here,”

“Neither am I or Kolby. Which is why our mating would have been perfect. He would be able to protect me from my father, or marriage to some other ranked Lord and he would have become King. Together we were going to change this kingdom. Bring fairness and justice back to the people. Give them opportunities to grow and expand.”

“You still can! Crimson and I… He loves you; he chooses you!” I try to convince her.

She shakes her head. “I have no doubt he loves me; he is a good, honest, and loyal man. I saw the way he looked at you. Even if he doesn’t realize it, he will soon.” Suddenly Gillian grabs my hands, squeezing them tightly, until my eyes land on hers and she holds my gaze with a serious stare of her own “Do not let him reject you, princess. All I ask is that we keep up the ruse until we are no longer bound by the blood contract. Just, just don’t let him reject you. He deserves true love and happiness, even if it isn’t with me.”

Holy mother of the moons, this woman is a fucking saint of the gods. She means well, but doesn’t she know? Crimson doesn’t want me. The only reason he and I had those moments was because of the bond, whether he felt it or not. It’s still there, silently drawing him to me.

When Gillian releases my hands, I nervously pluck the ring on its chain from under my shirt and finger it. “You know, Kolby always said that ring held a special kind of magic. Said he could feel its energy pulsing, like a beacon calling to him.”

I look down at the ring, the swirls of smoky glitter shining under my touch. Whenever I would touch the stone, it seemed as if those swirls would move, or shift, but not enough, making me think it was just a trick of the light or my imagination, wanting it to be something more.

I left Gillian with new confidence that our friendship was still there and hopefully it would only grow. Also, hoping her kindness and honesty would stay intact after everything she has and is being put through this week.

I wasn’t sure if she knew about her brother. I was guessing not. I didn’t feel it was my place to tell her and I sure as shit didn’t want to bring more heartache to her.

As soon as I was alone, I tried to establish a mind-link with Crimson, something I hadn’t attempted to do as of yet. I was afraid that doing so would bring us closer when we should stay far away from each other.

I conjure his face and scent, and with my mind, I reach out to him opening up a mental channel only to be met with nothing. It feels like a block but there is no wall only darkness.

I sigh in defeat, mulling over everything Gillian told me. Having more unanswered questions about Crimson than when I first went to see Gillian.

‘Even he doesn’t know what he is’ Gillian’s words echoed in my head.

I felt sad for Kolby Crimson. My mother had died when I was very young, but I still had my father to love me and hug me, I knew where I came from. What I was.

Who did Crimson have? I couldn’t imagine growing up and not knowing that I wasn’t loved enough to keep. I thank my grandfather for taking him in and caring for him. For giving him a chance and loving him.

What are you Crimson?

Where did you come from?

These two questions would plague me until I found answers. Not just for me but for Crimson too.

Little did I know that those questions would be answered sooner than I could imagine.