The Delta's Daughter Chapter 318

TAWNY

In the days that followed arriving back in Cambiador, Gillian went overboard, as I suspected. Her excitement that we were both pregnant together, was too much on most days.

She had planned a double announcement and celebration. She went into full planning mode not only for the children but also for mine and Crimson’s upcoming marriage and crowning. We still planned to hold the ceremony at the end of January and hoped we wouldn’t have to push the date back. I had made sure it was planned around Lamia and Mathias's own official ceremony.

Dare I say, Gillian had become more overbearing than Crimson any would think it was her cubs I was carrying.

Crimson set up talks with Tolba, he and Arik finding a common ground and pushing their differences aside, after all, they were cousins. We were going to help Tolba grow and that started with building a bridge over the ravine. It would take time, but it was a start.

Tomislav had moved into the Maydor manor with his mother, he and Gillian coming to an arrangement. And even though Tomislav would become the next Lord, he voiced his commitment to the crown and decided to he wanted to keep his position with the Royal Warriors. He felt he still had much to learn and being a part of our army grounded him. He didn’t want to become like his father, Maydor, and lose his way to the riches and glory of being a Lord. It was Tristan who stepped in to help run the Maydor Clowder.

The Lords that supported us began to take a more active role, not only in their Clowders but within the Capital. Funding new businesses and supporting charities. The remaining Lords that had supported Maydor and Lightfoot, were sent back to their Clowders with their tails between their legs. They were given the option to leave the Kingdom or become a part of something bigger. Either grow with us or fuck off basically.

Althea, communicated with us through Arik. I don’t think she would ever set foot in Cambiador again. After all, she was meant to be dead and preferred to hide in her home instead. Her place was in Tolba.

For a few weeks, we heard nothing about Abner, the gateways, stones, or any other attacks on the Kodiak Kingdom.

Until Hunji forwarded us a report from Mike's desk. Turned out the she-wolf they had captured the night of the murder, their main suspect was innocent of the double homicide but she had stolen Tala’s crown. The she-wolf turned out to be Mike's mate. I could only imagine how he was dealing with that when he was so determined to take Jonda as his chosen mate.

This mate shit wasn’t easy. Crimson and I could attest to that. When I really thought about it, it seemed we all could. None of our pairings had come easily. It seemed like a standard M.O. for ranking or royal shifters these days.

No matter how much we didn’t want to be, it seemed as if the puzzle pieces fit together, we were all just pawns in a game. We just didn’t know the game or the rules. It would be nice to know whose game we were playing though. Maybe then we could throw our cards on the table and end it.

I finally took the ring off, as a collective we thought it best the stone be hidden now information had been put out into the realm.

A replica was made, and I wore that in its place. No one was any the wiser except for our inner circle here in Cambiador.

Things were starting to fall into place. Crimson and I had found our groove and I fell in love with my mate more each day now there were no more secrets. We were open and honest with each other.

Each day I watched Crimson become the man I had first met, confident and sure. Kind and justified. He was born to rule, and I was born to stand by his side and rule alongside him. As equals.

We didn’t know what the future held for the realm, but we knew our future, here in Cambiador was bright and full of aspiration.

We had even begun the process to offer an exchange program between the kingdoms. We wanted Cambiador to be open and welcoming to all shifter races. And we couldn’t think of a better way than to open advanced colleges for scholars, and offer student exchange programs.

We knew it would be a slow start, a change like this would come with its own issues. But the citizen of Cambiador was ready to share their kingdom with other races.

It was one late night when Crimson was out on patrol with the Alpha team and the little beans that were growing quickly and were sucking all my energy from me, that I had an unexpected visitor.

“You babies are making me gain weight, I feel like a balloon,” I cooed my growing bump as I headed down to the kitchen in search of a late-night snack. The little beans were making me crave red meat and ice cream.

Paying no attention as I pushed the door open, I just about fainted and screamed when I found a figure sitting at the counter as calm as can be.

“Who the fuck are you?” I scowled at the intruder my fist curling and feet planting ready to defend myself. He carried no scent, and not a sound came from him. Not even the rhythmic beat of his heart or the soft intake of a breath. He was like a ghost.

“Pardon my intrusion, your highness,” The old man says. His eyes were wide and scrutinizing. “I mean you no harm. I come with a warning from Ascena.” I watched in amazement that quickly turned to astonishment when his eyes shimmered and changed to a familiar yellow and his pupils morphed into the shape of crescents.

“Senko…” I hissed, my eyes searching for a weapon to use.

“No, my dear, I am not an Alchemist. You may have heard of me from your friend Hunji. My name is Chakor.” The old man stands and bows his head to me.

I mentally recall Hunji telling me how Crimson's eyes were the same as his old mentor, a Skinwalker. The reason Hunji didn’t trust Crimson.

“I don’t know how much you know about Skinwalkers, your highness. But creatures like me and your mate only come around once in a blue moon. True Skinwalkers, such as me, are rare. One is only born once in a thousand years.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I question him, my body still in a state of fight or flight. But I would never flee. It wasn’t in my nature.

“I have come to warn you that the Dark witch is on the move and also, another Skinwalker walks the realm.” He says considering my reaction, when I give none he proceeds. “I have felt their presence for a decade. We feel when another is born. Just like those with magic can feel where the barrier from our realm to another is the weakest. This Skinwalker walks in the Kingdom of MacTire. This is all I know.

“When the battle for the realm begins, Ascena and I will fight at the chosen one's side. Your mate's strength will be needed, only he and the Morrigan have the power to stop the dark witch. But I have come to warn you that you must stay safe. The oracle has seen your children's future if we survive, if we win this time, it will be your children that protect the future.”

The old man shimmers, morphing into the image of a young man wearing a uniform with Cambiador colors.

“I must go now your highness. But remember my words. When the battle begins you are to remain here. Safe. Under no circumstances should you be anywhere near the battle. For the future of your boys and for the future of whatever comes after. They will be the next guardians.

I should have asked questions. I should have stopped. I should have… It was too late. Right before my eyes the old man, or now young man, like an apparition vanished before my eyes.

My hands begin to shake, and my knees weaken. I sit on one of the stools at the counter and just try to breathe. My mind mulled over the Skinwalker's words.

It must have been hours that I stayed stationary on that stool. Because that’s where Crimson found me. Still sitting there in stunned and worried silence.

Crimson's reaction was to shout and curse and chastise himself for not being here. I told him it wouldn’t have mattered. That Chakor would have found a way to deliver the message no matter what.

The thing that stuck with me most from Chakor’s words was surprisingly not that I needed to stay safe or that my cubs were boys. But the Skinwalker he felt was in MacTire. It could be anyone. I had to let Travis know what or who might be living within his land.

We had no idea if they were friend or foe. Or if they simply wanted to stay hidden. Either way, with the fact that Senko had created the children in Tolba, Chakor’s visit and knowing how a Skinwalker can take the form of anyone or anything. None of us could take the chance.

*****

UNKNOWN

My pride and joy. My creation. My daughter. The only successful Skinwalker I had bred.

I beamed at my daughter who had always followed orders and done me proud. Not once had she betrayed or gone against my orders. She saw slick and sly, determined to please me, and just as ruthless as the demon that slithers beneath my skin.

Her skin and the air around her shimmer. Her legs grow longer and her dirty brown hair changes to the black I am more familiar with. Her eyes turn from murky brown into natural yellow exposing her true nature through the crescent pupils. Morphing from the little girl that has been her cover for over a year now into her true identity: A beautiful young woman. A work of wonder.

“Welcome home daughter.” I open my arms, and she comes to me, folding her frame into mine. Always seeking my approval. Always looking for that fraction of love and attention she was rarely given.

“Father,” She says. “I have missed home. When will you allow me to come back?” She buried her head into my chest, and I gently stroke her hair.

“Are they not treating you well in MacTire?” I ask, just to appease her, I’m not capable of feeling anymore. Any emotion or empathy I once had, disintegrated long ago. I know how I’m meant to act and react and I’m sure some part of me loves my daughter. The best I can do is tell her how I favor her, tell her that daddy is proud of her. Whether I feel it or not.

“Too well father. It makes me feel guilty.” Her head snuggles against me tighter, and that’s when I push her away.

I may not feel or be empathetic but the darker emotions, they're the ones that stayed with me. The anger, the pain, hate, and revenge. Those I brought back with me. Those emotions, the underworld let me keep.

“Petra, my dear child. Just a little longer and you can come home. It’s up to us to find the stones and the gateway. This is your job. This is what you were born to do. For me, for the gods. It is your destiny.” I sigh when I see the hesitation in her eyes.

“They don’t love you, Petra. They don’t know who you are. They love the child you are disguised as. Not you.” I see her understanding. She knows it’s true. So, I drive a nail in the coffin, making her see logic no matter how much it hurts her. “What do you think they would do to you if they ever found out the truth? Do you think Lamia will still look at you with love if she found out you poisoned her mate? Do you think The Alpha would rescue you when he finds out it was you who took the picture and sent them? Or that it was you who gave Orion the final coordinates to Riocht.” Tears well up in her eyes. “I think not child.”

I let go of her and turn my back so she can't see my face. “It is only I that loves you, It is only I that will welcome you with open eyes. Do not forget that. Because they will turn their backs on you the moment, they find out what and who you really are.”

“No father you are right. I know this, but it's hard not to care for them after being with them for so long.” I turn back around. The guilty expression on her face makes me sneer.

“Do not forget your place, Petra! You are my daughter. My spy. I brought you into this world and I have the means to end your life with the snap of my fingers. You are here to serve me and Aodh. That is your only purpose!” I spit the words out anger bubbling inside me that she would dare to question her place.

Out of the hundreds of children I designed, she is the only one born by my seed.

“Did your subjects manage to get what you wanted?” She asks changing the subject, reading my expression.

“They did,” the corners of my lips turn up as I look over her shoulder at the lab across the hall. “I have the Grimalkin's blood. Soon we will have what we need, and our promise will be fulfilled.” It wasn’t her promise it was mine, but she didn’t need to know that. If she thought she would be affected by failure to comply as I would be, then so be it.

It kept her line better.

“Go back MacTire. Keep your eyes and ears open. The first stone has already been acquired. Now we hunt for the rest.”

The End… TO BE CONTINUED… Because it’s never really the end.

The Beta and Jewel Thief – Book 6 will be the next installment of The Delta’s Daughter Series.

Follow Michael Pike Jr. as he navigates love, betrayal, a mate on the wrong side of the law and the most dangerous villain any of them have faced yet.

***Please remember to leave me a review and share the series so others can enjoy the journey too, I hope you enjoyed this book. Read on for the epilogue and a juicy bonus CHAPTER for The Beta & the Jewel Thief***