The Delta's Daughter Chapter 314

TAWNY

Snow began to fall from the black sky, hiding all the stars and blocking out the moon. A blanket of white covered all our human side sins. Giving the streets a fresh and untainted look.

I gazed out the sitting room window watching each fat flake fall and blend with its sisters. A sliver of light from mother moon broke through the haze of white, illuminating the street just outside.

The snow made everything look innocent, fresh, clean - virgin. But I knew better.

Underneath that cover of purity were the sins of men. The dirty truth of who we are. The white winter months could only cover our true nature for so long before the cover fell and melted away. Revealing our true nature.

What were the chances that a murder would take place on the eve of Tala’s coronation?

Wolves are unforgiving by nature; their pack is only as strong as their leader and their leader is only as strong as their resolve. They hunt together. Fight together. Play together. They are family, the Alpha being the head of the family. They take care of the members of their pack and will destroy anything that tries to devastate their pack.

At the same time, I have learned that inside the wolf family, they will go to extreme measures to protect their family. They love fiercely and fight with passion. They are creatures of habit.

So unlike werecats, who are generally creatures of peace but can be snide and underhanded when it suits their needs. The werecat is independent, only sustaining relationships with those close to them. They minded their own business and only let an outsider see what they want them to.

Where the wolf doesn’t hide their nature, a Big cat shifter can slink beside you, whispering all the right words. They are affectionate yet self-reliant. They demand to be accepted on their own terms, without ever revealing what those terms are.

The evening had started out beautiful. I had been excited to see my friends and introduce Mason to the world of wolves. But as the fat flakes began to settle, and a feeling of uselessness dug deeper under my skin, I knew I couldn’t just sit around any longer.

I fingered the ring, the pad of my thumb rubbing over the smooth surface of the blue stone. Finding comfort in the familiar feel.

I hated to admit it, but I missed Crimson’s presence. I was still angry with him, but I could forgive him. Maybe not forget, but I could forgive him.

‘Mate’ Junipers' soft and languid thoughts pushed over to me. And for the first time in a few weeks, I really listened to her. Felt the love she held for her mate, the need she exuded to be with him. The way she didn’t quite feel as whole as she did when we were wrapped in his arms.

The feeling of bliss, and security we felt when he was near. My chest constricted just thinking of his absence and instead of pushing it away this time, I absorbed the feeling.

I let the darkness of rejecting my mate seep in and engulf me, the hurt, the betrayal of his lies was lost amongst the suffocating thoughts of how empty I felt without him.

I missed Crimson. I missed his presence, his scent. His ability to soothe and calm my mind whenever he was close. I missed the feel of him, the way he looked at me, and the way those crimson eyes held mine when he made love to me.

My hands began to tremble, the emotions that flooded me were too much and I gulped down my sorrow when my eyes began to sting.

I need to do something. Needed to keep busy and I couldn’t let it be. And Mason knew I couldn’t either.

What I needed was something to take my mind off crimson before the intensity of my thoughts and emotions consumed me.

I had changed into a pair of cargo pants, and a long-sleeved shirt once we were back at my father's. Grabbing my old denim jacket, I had left here a year ago.

“You're going back?” Mason emerges from the bathroom dressed in jeans and a heavy sweater, “I’m going with you.”

“You don’t have-“

“Yes, I do. Where you go. I go.” He cuts me off with finality to his word.

I roll my lips hiding the smile his loyalty brings me. And just accept that he is my partner in crime. A few minutes later, the same car pulls up, crunching over the newly formed powder that covered everything, courtesy of the little black fob the driver told us to keep a hold of. And we head back to the Palace.

This time I have the driver take us around back, so we can come in through the kitchen So we can avoid prying eyes and the crowd that was still gathered at the East end of the Palace.

“Tawny?” A startled Mrs. Pike, mate to the former Royal Beta, and Mike’s mother has us jumping in our skin.

“Shit, sorry Mrs. Pike,” I say, catching my breath.

“Not to worry, but what are you doing here? Not that it isn't nice to see you,”

I blink a few times and roll my eyes, Olivia Pike’s lips twitch. “You heard?” Her smile is way too bright and enthused for a murder just being rumored.

“Yeah, we heard there was a murder,” I begin with a deflated tone, but her expression of joy has me cutting my words short and giving her a more than questionable look.

“Umm yes, sadly there has been what appears to be a double homicide, but honestly I thought you were here because Tala went into labor early. I’m surprised you're not at the Pack hospital with Mike and Kellen.” She looks bemused as if she really can't wrap her head around me being here and not there.

Me, I was left with my mouth hanging open, chin dropped to my chest, and squeezing Mason’s hand a little tighter. When would I have been told? Would anyone have told me?

“I uh, I uh,”

Lost for words, luckily Mason picks up what I was trying to say, “We came to find out if can help in any way. As well as sort the truth from the exaggerations.”

“I'm not sure what more you could do. Michael is at the cells right now and I’m sure Rhett can handle this. You are more than welcome to hang around though. Or stop in at the hospital to see Kellen, he would like that.”

We end up leaving Mrs. Pike and the palace altogether.

“Where to Princess?” Mason asks me as we slowly stroll back the way we came. The freshly laid snow crunching under feet.

If I still lived here, it would be me leading an investigation, gathering evidence, and working with a team to find the suspect. But I don’t live here anymore.

I feel utterly useless and out of the loop. I can't even mind-link with anyone in New Moon anymore after pledging to Cambiador.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this useless and removed from my friends. The feeling that I'm not needed is a swift kick to the backside and it stings.

I know I’m always welcome here, but I’m no longer a part of this Kingdom, I’m just a guest now. The thought solidifies my feelings from earlier.

Mason must feel my emotions shift as he tightens his grip on mine, he doesn’t comment, and I’m thankful for his silence because I don’t think I could explain exactly how I’m feeling.

I’m glad I have Mason here with me as I work through the mounting emotions that are taking hold of me. He’s not who I need though.

Crimson. That’s who I want, that’s who I need. His face fills my mind, and the image is so vivid I conjure up his cinnamon and baked bread scent that I crave so much right now.

“What do you want to do Princess? We could head over to the holding cells and maybe get some information. Appease that curious mind of yours.”

“No but thank you. I think maybe we should head back to my father’s.” I sigh and start walking again because honestly, I feel like crying.

Fuck I feel so emotional.

I reach out to Juniper, and she pushes her emotion onto me. They are humble and tired; she too misses her mate. But she doesn’t hold the same heartache that thrums through me. She seems, almost… expectant.

*****

CRIMSON

Relief doesn’t even explain how I felt as I reached the outskirts of the New Moon kingdoms Capital. Knowing I was so close to seeing my Kitten again.

That was until patrol stopped me.

Security was high due to the attendance of high-ranking wolves for the ball and tomorrow's coronation. It was a formality getting stopped. The same procedures would have been put into place if this was Cambiador.

Except, I wasn’t expecting to be detained. Especially when I told them who I was and my name was on the guest list for the function.

Even if I wanted to, which I did, kicking up a fuss was not in my best interest. This was the werewolf Kingdom, they could be brutal and at best, unreasonable.

Now I have been sitting in their holding cells for a few hours, or what appears to be an interview room with two chairs and a table in between them. They didn’t try to restrain me or question me once I was brought in. I was just told someone would be with me shortly.

My fingers tap against the plain metal table with irritation. My patience was running thin, and I had a good mind to get up and walk out of here. Though I couldn’t see that going over well. This wasn’t Tolba. They had the means to take me down in this Kingdom.

Plus, someone had to tell either Beta Mike or King Kellen. Surely, they would have had me released by now. Unless… Unless Tawny asked them not to.

A knot forms in my stomach, turning over and making me queasy, there's no way she would have them keep me here. Would she? My body starts to vibrate with agitation at the thought.

How badly did I screw up, could my Kitten hate me so much that she wouldn’t want to see me?

I dismissed that thought. No, no matter what, she would face me if she was that upset. Yell at me, and hit me, but I couldn’t bear to think of her ignoring me.

The door to the room slams open, banging against the wall.

I groan when Hunji walks in, “You had them keep me here?” It was plain as day. Hunji had informed the patrol team to detain me and bring me here. I shake my head at him, “You’re a real piece of work.”

When I first met the wolf, I liked him. Admired him. Not so much now.

“What happened to you?” Hunji had walked in here with golden brown eyes, but they quickly changed, blackening until you couldn’t tell where the pupil met the iris. White marks formed in the center of his eyes.

Crosses? Maybe? I wondered if this was how people looked at me. My pupils were in the shape of crescent moons, an anomaly. Just like Hunji’s eyes right now. A ferocious look on his face, one that wanted to tear me apart. And I believed he could. I believed if it came down to it he could take on Mathias.

A low vibration caught my ear, so slight you almost couldn’t hear it. Or was I feeling it? I tilt my head, tuning out the rumble of his chest as he growls at me, the flare of his nose and harsh breathing, and the question he asks again.

“What happened to you Crimson?”

I tune it all out and focus on the hum that’s making me tingle all over. Each hair on my body is standing on end and my short hair is prickling. I feel like I’m being touched with energy. It’s the strangest feeling.

Underneath the noise, I hear it.

I look over the large werewolf. We’ve met before. In MacTire and briefly ran across each other in Riocht. But his energy didn’t hum like this. He’s asking me another question, by his tone I can tell my silence is only spurring his rage.

I stare at him, our eyes locked. Both burning with testosterone. His wolf was on the edge, I saw it in his eyes, those pitch black, save for the mark, angry orbs - and I understand. “You’ve been touched by magic.” My head still tilted, observing the energy I can clearly feel, and… and see.

“Hunji, I just want to see Tawny.” His shoulders drop when I exhale the words.

“There is no way I am letting you near her until you tell me what the fuck happened to you?” I wasn't sure if he was referring to my visit with Abner Brooks, or that I was attacked and probably drained of blood.

I didn’t know how much he knew.

Hunji is one of Tawny's closest friends, even if he did piss her off by slandering me. He didn’t trust me. I heard him with my own ears, and she defended me.

Then, not even twenty-four hours later, I broke that same faith she saw in me. Shattered it. I didn’t tell her, because I honestly forgot. She was like a tornado that came along so quickly, she sept me up and nothing but her mattered. And by that time, I just wanted to protect her.

Hunji pulls out the chair opposite me and drops his body onto it. He leans forward, elbows on the table hands bunched together, eyes on me. “What happened Crimson? We came to look for you. We saw the tracks in the snow. But I wasn’t leaving Morgan alone. We waited for backup, then we tracked the wreckage down the mountain.”

Hunji leans back, the anger in his eyes dissipating, the blackness fading. “When we got down there, there was no trace of you. No tracks, no scent. Nothing.”

“Like a fucking ghost.” He enunciates each word, the tone of his voice creeping me out it’s so low.

Something doesn’t sit right.

I recall the events as best as I can, my eyes darting around like the walls had the answer.

The viciousness in Hunji’s tone is gone when he huffs out, “Crimson, we searched all night, then the next day.”

That doesn’t sound right. Alarm bells going off in my head.

“That can't be right?” It comes out as a whisper, as I keep replaying what happened.

“Crimson,” Hunji says my name harshly and I snap my eyes at him, not realizing I was spacing out. Much calmer he says, “Crimson, what happened to you?”

Against my better judgment, but in favor of Tawny’s, knowing how much she trusts this wolf, I tell Hunji everything I can remember from the moment I left Abner Brooks. I don’t tell him about the folder, or the information it contains. That’s not for me to disclose.

However, I show him the bruised and darkened veins on my arms. About how I crashed and when I woke up, and how I got to the border of the Kingdom.

“Morgan and I saw the crash from far off, we were coming down the mountain on the way here.” He explains after I recounted my version. “You didn’t wake up the next morning, because you weren't there. Where did you go?” He asks the same question again, for the third time.”

“I don’t know!” My voice raises with vexation, “If I knew I would tell you!” I exhale a breath hard, shaking my head from side to side. “I have no idea what happened in those hours I was unconscious. When I woke up, I felt drained, and more lethargic than I should have been. More tired than my body should have been. It’s as much a mystery to me, as it is to you Hunji.”

Hunji stands, his brows slamming down. A twisted look of annoyance mars his usual grumpy features and I wonder what his problem is now. “There’s a situation in New Moon,” He tells me. “I’ll be back shortly.

He strides to the door, yanking it open, “Are you letting me go?” I ask as he disappears out of the room. “Fuck,” I grumble to myself, slamming my fist down on the table. The debate of whether to stay or walk out starts to grate on me again.

“I just want to see my mate,” I groan to myself and throw my body back in the chair. My hands scrub over my face harshly, tired of playing these darn games. Tired of being compliant.

I wish I had never left Cambiador. But I only had myself to blame for my circumstances. I put myself here, whether I intended to or not.