The Delta's Daughter Chapter 299

LAMIA

‘What she carries’

It’s the thought of those words that keep running through my mind over and over again. I am the ‘chosen one’ but what do I carry?

I can’t seem to shake the dooming feeling of something bad happening. What else could happen?

After I killed Silas, we had peace for two years. Two years until Orion emerged from the darkness and tried to rule the realm. Two years of being just me. Two years of simplicity.

My wolf, Inanna, and Kellen’s Wolf Conri – they were meant to be together. But it’s not that we aren’t, that plagues me. Because I wouldn’t trade Mathias on his worse days for anything. I love him, I love our triplets. And I love the life we are beginning to build.

When I lost Zane, I thought my world had ended and for the longest time, I went through the motions, doing what I thought was expected. I knew life had to go on, but I never expected Mathias. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I didn’t reject him. He is my balance, as I am his. We keep each other in the light.

A love I never thought I would find again.

Despite our rocky beginning, Mathias and are a match in every way, two souls bound together creating one. We are the same. Inanna may have fallen in love with King Conrad long ago, but my heart belongs to Mathias and always will.

Once upon a time, I thought it would be Kellen and I. When our wolves rejected each other on our eighteenth birthday, I remember how heartbreaking it was, but it didn't break me.

Mathias and I, we’re what keeps the darkness from haunting us, consuming us. He is my strength, and I am his peacekeeper.

When we finally arrived back in Cambiador, as much as I missed Tawny and wished I could stay longer. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I wanted to get back to Riocht, to my babies. It was the first time I had been away from them for any extended period of time, and I could tell the further and longer we were away from them was grating on Mathias too.

He was becoming uneasy. More agitated than usual. I’m sure my quietness had something to do with it. That and his worry I could feel through the bond. He was second-guessing our bond, thinking that we were never truly meant to be mated.

He’s wrong.

I know the stories say mine and Kellen’s wolves were to be forever fated - somehow, I feel like that’s the lie. That it should have always been me and Mathias. Inanna and Arcas from the beginning.

I was always told I could choose my mate because of the Lycan blood that ran deep in my veins. When I think about it - and believe me I have thought about it. If I had Kellen, Zane, and Mathias standing in front of me and I could only choose one to be my forever.

Knowing everything I do - knowing those three men as intimately and personally, as I do. It would always be King.

I feel Inanna stir, her soft growl of approval fills my mind and I know she feels the same. She loves Kellen/Conri with all her heart. And she loved Zane something fierce, and always will, but Mathias and Arcas – are her soul mate, her destiny, her future, her everything.

Sometimes, most of the time, I wish Inanna could tell me her story through her eyes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Her soul may be reborn as a spirit animal, but that doesn’t come with her past memories. At times she can tell me things – things she can recall and remember feeling.

Though, most of the time her past lives are locked up, so they don’t influence their current host.

*****

It takes us a few days before we reach the borders of Riocht. Home. But it doesn’t feel like home. I miss the busy bustle of New Moon sometimes. Some days I miss the tranquility and peace of the MacTire mountains.

Riocht is still being rebuilt, maybe once renovations are finished it will feel more like home. Though it will never be the city New Moon is, nor will it ever be the community MacTire is. Riocht has become the central location for warrior training, a military base of sorts. The southern Lycans have lived in isolation for hundreds of years protecting the lands, now that I have taken the throne and assumed the position of Queen of shifters, the kingdom is slowly building up.

Warriors have come from far and wide to join the queen's army, some with families that have helped the community surrounding the Palace grow. Some are sent for training from smaller packs outside the New Moon Kingdom that have pledged their allegiance to us and formed an alliance either for trade or protection.

I watch the landscape pass us by as we rumble over the invisible border of my kingdom. “Stop the car.” I suddenly tell our driver, needing to get out and have some space.

“Little Wolf?” Mathias questions me,

“I’m going to run the rest of the way. I will meet you at home.” I tell him as the car comes to a stop and I open the door.

“You’re not going alone.” Opening the door on his side, Mathias insists and steps out with me.

He’s overprotective, overbearing, over-the-top grumpy, and over-the-top in love with me. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Come on then,” I nod my head toward the tree line “Race you home,” I wink. Suddenly full of energy and feeling giddy to not only get home and see my babies but also for some much-needed alone time with my mate.

In a few months’ time, we will be holding a ceremony, not only recognizing our statuses but also binding our bond just that little more. I will be taking Mathias's last name, marrying him as humans and were-cats do.

We wanted to wait so it didn’t conflict with Talas crowning as Queen of the New Moon Kingdom, at the end of this year, which was only just over a month away.

The air was cold, a stark difference from the heat of Cambiador. I rolled my shoulders and let Inanna come to the forefront. My bones shifted and fur sprouted until I was standing on all four paws, looking through my wolf's eyes.

The giant bear came and stood next to me, his sleek dark fur ruffling with the slight breeze. I gave a little growl before I bolted forward and heard his thundering paws not too far behind me as I took off at lightning speed.

I thought I had challenged him to a race, but the roar he let out meant the chase was on and when he caught me, he would have his way.

I almost slowed down because the idea thrilled me. I didn’t want to make it too easy for him though. Where was the fun in that?

*****

TAWNY

It’s been four days since Lamia and Mathias left to go back to Riocht. I already miss her. Our trip back to Tolba left me with doubts and a whole boatload of insecurities about whether I was doing the right thing or heading in the right direction.

I hadn’t voiced these concerns to Crimson as he had his own closet of demons to work through. I watch as Mason leads the Alpha team in training, sitting on the grass with my knees up and arms hugging them close to my chest.

I came out here to train, to get let off steam, but my head wasn’t in it. Every punch I threw felt wrong. Weak. Standard hand-to-hand combinations, eluded me as my mind kept wandering and my moves became jumbled until I gave up.

I couldn’t tell if I was just having an off day or if there was something wrong. Juniper slithered around inside my head, ‘stress’, I felt her emotion roll through me with clarity.

I was definitely stressed. Between Tolba, the book, Maydor, missing my friends and family. I was starting to believe I needed a break and maybe I wasn’t cut out to run a Kingdom.

Sure, commanding an army was no problem, but being responsible for a whole kingdom and its subjects? That was a lot. For anyone.

I didn’t know how Kellen and Lamia did it. They made it look so easy, almost effortless. And here I was doubting my position and capabilities.

“You look lost in thought.” Mason's voice startles me from my wandering mind.

I offer him a soft smile that I’m sure doesn’t reach my eyes, “Something like that.” I tell him.

He takes a seat next to me stretching out his legs, his thigh nudging my calf. “Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of your princess,” His sincerity of concern warms me.

“It’s nothing,” I shake my head, looking over the training field and watching the warriors begin to pack their stuff up and head back to the barrack rooms.

“It’s something. I can see it in your eyes, the way your form sags. You couldn’t even concentrate long enough to get a good combination in.” He points out my flaws, with a soft tone to his voice. Not in a condescending way but more in an unsettled way. As if whatever is going on with me, bothers him because he wants to help.

“Can I ask you something, as a friend?” I turn to Mason, who already has eyes on me.

“Anything princess,” He smiles, his soft brown eyes lightening up with the prospect of me confiding in him.

“Am I cut out to be a queen? Last year I was the daughter of a disgraced princess. Just me and my father. I have friends in powerful positions, but… I don’t know if that’s who I am.”

“I will stop you right there, Tawny.” I smile at the use of my name. I had once told Mason to call me Tawny, but he loved how irked I got when he called me princess. I guess it stuck. “You were born a leader. Princess or not, Phanton blood or not. You were always meant to lead. I saw that in you the first day I met you all those years back in MacTire. And I saw a lot more.”

Mason huffs and hangs his head, “I came here with you, not because I was ordered to, not because you’re a pretty face, and hot as shit. I came here because I saw the potential in you. Do you remember our first day here, in Cambiador?”

I let out a small laugh, recalling the goddess awful room they gave him and my room which is still decked out in the gaudy gold trim. Though I have made a few changes over the months. “Yeah, I do. Those were fun times.”

“Poor Gillian was scared to death of you, now look at the two of you. Best of friends, despite her fianceé being your mate. It all worked out.”

“Yeah, but it isn’t all filled with good memories.” I sigh thinking of the Crawlers and the battle at Riocht.

“No, it’s not. What I remember the most, is when the Crawlers and rogues attacked Cambiador, we had only been here a short while. Still, you flew to the front lines, commanded the soldiers of Cambiador, and took charge. You led our teams in the war against Orion. Sure, Crimson was there, but it was you I remember taking charge. It was you I followed, and watch lead an army of men to victory.”

I swipe the tears that have formed in my eyes. Mason notices and drapes an arm over me, “See,” I say holding my wet hand up so he can witness the evidence of my weakness. “I’m crying, and I don’t know why. What strong leader cries at the dumbest thing?”

“All leaders.” He tells me. “Crying isn’t a form of weakness, Princess. It means you care. If you didn’t, I would seriously be worried about you,” He teases a little.

“How did I get lucky enough to have someone as great as you believe in me?” I ask him. From the moment Lamia tasked him to be my personal guard, Mason has been a rock to me. As well as a protector and most importantly a friend.

“My background, as you know, is not full of rainbows and happy memories. I had a tough life growing up with rogues, so when I see an honest to goddess good leader, it’s easy to fall in line with them and believe in their path. I will walk whatever path you choose to take, by your side. Even if Crimson is on your other side. I will always be there for you Tawny. I may not be Queen Lamia or King Kellen. Definitely not Commander Hunji, but I am your friend and loyal servant, my soon-to-be queen.”

“Well, then my best friend and loyal servant, can you tell me where we go from here? What I’m supposed to do?” I let go of my legs and twiddle my fingers until they drift up and take hold of the ring.

“Nothing.” Mason gives a short one-word answer, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s nothing you can do, except for wait to see what happens. Maybe nothing will happen, but there’s no use worrying about things that haven’t come to pass.”

His words make sense. His declaration to do nothing instead of chasing a what if, or a maybe, has my nerves calming a little. The built-up worry I’m holding on to slightly eases. I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“How did you get so smart,” I tease, elbowing him and he feigns hurt, falling over to his side and laughing.

“Shh, don’t say it so loud princess. You will ruin my reputation.” He laughs.

I look at him as he lays on the grass, wide smile and sharp features. “You will make a wonderful mate to some lucky female, someday,” I tell him.

“Just not you,” He surprises me, turning his head to hide his eyes from me. Staring at the grass he begins to pick at it.

“Mason… I” Lost for words because I didn’t know he felt like that about me. I knew he cared, but I didn’t know he had feelings for me until he said that.

“It’s okay. Who wouldn’t have a crush on the future Queen of were-cats?” He laughs it off, covering his truth with a joke.

I don’t push the matter, because he knows nothing will ever happen between us. He knows Crimson and I are mated and even though it took us a while to get where we are. I love Crimson and he loves me. There will be no more rejecting each other.

Mason’s heavy hand slaps me on my back and he jumps to his feet offering his hand to me. I grab it and he pulls me up to stand, “Crimson is your mate. You need to tell him your concern, princess. Soon you will be crowned alongside him and the only thing that’s going to change is the title. You both are already ruling a kingdom.” He smiles, then brings me in for a quick hug.

“Thank you,” I tell him when he releases me, “For everything. For being you. You are a remarkable cat Mason, and I am lucky to have you by my side.”

When Mason leaves me, I take a slow walk back up to the Palace, reliving our conversation. I feel renewed and settled and my feline is content. Her placid disposition settles me and has me feeling at ease - mostly.

Mason is right. I should voice my concerns to Crimson. I’m not helping anyone by keeping them to myself. Especially from my mate.

Kolby Crimson may not be a were-cat, but he will feel my discontent through the bond, and it will only add to his and make him worry.

I reach my room, where I shower and redress in my usual cargo pants and tank, forgoing shoes as I set out to find my mate, intent to talk with him and hash out the problems and concerns that are plaguing us both.

I’m stopped by Gillian when we run into each other on the stairs, she is coming up as I head own them,

“Hey,” Gillian smiles, “You and crimson received an invitation to the New Moon Kingdom, it looks pretty fancy and official.” She beams. “I left them both on your desk.”

“Thank you. Have you seen Crimson? I tried to mind-link him, but either he has figured out how to block me or something is wrong.” I frown thinking of the latter.

“Oh,” She says with a cryptic expression, “He umm, well. Darn it, Tawny!” She gets flustered and her face begins to flush. “Don’t ask me questions, it’s meant to be a surprise.”

I raise an eyebrow at her and cross my arms, now I really want to know where he is.

“Fine,” Gillian’s shoulders slump in defeat. “He is in the Royal suite.” She pushes past me annoyed. Not with me but herself for giving in so easily.

“Thank you!” I call out over my shoulder with a laugh.

As I approach my grandfather’s suite I can hear the hushed voices discussing something and the sweet cinnamon smell of mate wafts up my nose. It’s crazy how just his scent can turn me on, making my body heat and my stomach flutter.

I lean against the doorframe watching him and Tristan hold open large papers that look like blueprints, another werecat is there looking at the papers too.

“Watch ya doing?” I startle them. They must have been so deep into what they are looking at that none of them picked up on me standing there.

“Hey, Kitten,” Crimson rolls and hands the papers to Tristan quickly. “Nothing, We are doing nothing.” He says way too quickly and is doing a very good job covering up the lie.

“Doesn’t look like nothing to me. It looks like you are planning something and keeping secrets.” Crimson rolls his eyes and groans.

“Can’t you just go away and forget you saw anything?” He’s only half being serious.

“Too late. Can’t. Sorry.”

Crimson dismisses Tristan and the other were-cat. He then lets out an exaggerated sigh, “Fine,” He says. “I wanted it to be a surprise, I’m having the Royal suite redone. It will be our room. Because honestly, and I know you hate it too, your room is just so damn …”

“Gaudy?” I finish for him.

“I was going to say over the top, but yeah that too.” He laughs.