The Delta's Daughter Chapter 345

LAMIA

As our convoy pulled up to the New Moon Place, I received a link from Hunji telling me he and Morgan had crossed into Riochts territory. Even if the Guardians had kept Riocht safe and hidden for hundreds of years, I still hated to leave the kingdom without a leader. Hence why Hunji had gone back and not stayed here in New Moon.

I was excited to meet my little nephew and to congratulate Kellen and Tala.

We are all still so young, yet but I felt older beyond my years. War will do that to someone - Reshape your mind and thoughts. Three years ago I had only just gained MacTire, but it felt like a lifetime ago. It hadn't even been that long since I, we, had claimed Riocht.

I look over to my mate as he pulled the car around and stopped in front of the palace's main entrance. The four cars behind us followed suit.

"You good little wolf?" Mathias asks, his hand reaching over and squeezing my thigh.

"Yeah," I shake the feeling of strangeness from my mind and smile at him. "I'm not sure," I confess. Inanna has been quiet but I get a sense there's something up, the air feels strange as if I'm expecting something."

Mathias leans across kissing my lips, his hand tightening on my thigh. All at once the feeling dissipates and a new one blossoms. One of arousal and need as shocks of energy pass between us. I pull back from my mate, heat creeping up my chest and over my face. "Don't start something we can't finish," I warn.

"Oh, I can finish. And I'm betting I can get you to finish a few times before me." He winks suggestively. Silver eyes light up with his beast, as Arcas come forward ready to claim his mate.

Right on cue, A tiny whine comes from the back of the car and I look behind me to see Amali stirring. Mathias groans and I chuckle at his frustration.

"What did you think we were going to do King? Go at it with the kids in the back of the car, in front of the palace with my parents and our guards watching?"

"It's what I was thinking." He laughs, but I know he's dead serious. He doesn't care who sees him rail me, make love or fuck me. As far as Mathias is concerned the whole realm could watch him claim me. Just as long as they knew who I belonged to. Damn Alpha male ego.

I shake my head at him and open the car door. Mathias doesn't move. "Are you coming?"

"Give me a moment unless you want everyone to see how badly I want you."

"Oh for fucks sake," I roll my eyes. But the truth is I love how much he always wants me. "I'll get Amali, you grab the boys," I say stepping out of the car.

I breathe in the familiar air. Scents of my childhood overwhelm me, in the most calming way. The slight breeze seemed to whisper words of serenity, stirring Inanna from the back of my mind.

I close my eyes and lift my head, allowing the cold breeze to brush over my face and prickle my senses.

'I feel it too.' Inanna softly whispers from within. She feels the way the wind gently speaks and soothes too.

Although calming, it also has an eerie air about it as if preparing us for something.

I open the passenger side back door and lean in to grab Amali. Her big eyes look up at me and her hands wave around with excitement. The boys are still fast asleep, not much can disturb the boys. Max and Zach played hard and slept hard whereas their little sister had an infinite amount of energy and rarely slept through the night like her brothers.

"Gimme, gimme!" I turn at the familiar voice to see Aunt Olivia coming down the palace steps with her arms stretched just as wide as her smile. Uncle Micheal was just behind her shaking his head with a laugh. Aunt Olivia takes Amali from my arms and immediately starts kissing and cooing to her. "She is so beautiful, Lamia. I can't wait to have another little girl running around the palace. You used to always keep these boys on their toes. I suspect she is just the same."

"She does run circles around her brothers and I can almost see her bossing them around in a few years." I plant a kiss on Aunt Olivia's cheek, next, I greet Uncle Michael.

Mathias comes around the side of the car, holding a boy in each arm. Both were still fast asleep with their heads against Mathias's chest.

My nose tickled and Inanna began to wag her tail. I bite my lip in excitement as it had been a while since I had seen my two best friends, I can't help the huge smile that takes over my face when I see Mike, Kellen, and Tala emerge from the doors. I rush to Mike, flinging my arms around him, in return he gives me a bear hug, lifting my feet off the floor slightly.

I turn to Kellen just as eager to hug him too. We embrace but quickly pull apart when the tingling feeling begins to creep in. You would think we would be used to it by now, but that slight pull is still there. Whether we are fated to other shifters or not, the bond we once had, never faded. There was still this deep connection and pull toward one another.

We will always love each other. We just weren't in love with each other. And I suspected the bond between us had always had something to do with our wolves. Not us. Not the Moon Goddess. After all, they were fated in another lifetime and had fallen in love when it had been their time in the realm.

"You look fantastic Tala!" I say and hug her also. "Where is my nephew? I can not wait to see him."

"He conked out about thirty minutes ago," Her face winces with sorry. "It's good to see you."

Even though Tala smiles, it doesn't quite reach her eyes. I suddenly become concerned for her and make a mental note to ask her what's going on when there are fewer ears around.

My eyes search out for one more person but I don't see her. "Where's Jonda?" I ask Mike turning to him.

Mike takes a slow deep breath in then lets it out just as slowly, "It's complicated. She left three days ago." His brows furrow and his eyes darken with concern.

"Let's get settled and you can fill us in over a late lunch." He nods his head and once everyone has greeted each other we make our way inside, shielded once more from the icy chill of winter.

Once Mathias and I are settled in the guest suite mine and Mike's parents come to watch over the little ones, bringing baby Connor with them while we meet up with Kellen, Mike, and Tala. I'm itching to give little Connor some attention, Unfortunately, that will have to wait as Kellen said it was important for us to have a private meeting.

"Things seem off around here," King grumbles as we make our way up to the Alpha floor.

"I agree, the atmosphere seems strange, disturbed," I replied thinking out loud. "I felt it when I got the car and again when I noticed Jonda's absence.

Mathias grabs my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze and not letting go.

We find the trio including Rhett in the private dining area. Immediately I greet Rhett and so does Mathias. But even he seems off-kilter.

"Okay, who wants to tell me what's going on? The air is so thick with tension that it's starting to give me a headache." I peer at each one of our friends, meeting their eyes before moving on to the next.

Feet shuffle and all eyes look anywhere but at me.

"Why don't you sit down Lamia," Tala takes the lead. "I'm not sure what Hunji has told you, but a few things have happened in the last few days."

Mathias takes a seat on one of the couches, dragging me with him and placing me in his lap. His hand automatically begins to rub my back.

"Hunji informed us that Mike here met his mate who stole your crown and has a child." Mathias informs Tala.

Tala eyes Mike, Kellen, and Rhett, "That's just the tip of the iceberg." She says pinching her lips together. "Mike?" She urges the Royal Beta to take over.

"It's true, my mate happens to be the thief."

"Is that why Jonda is absent?" I ask.

"Actually, I'm sure that has something to do with me," Rhett says clearing his throat and palming the back of his neck. His gaze looking at Mike and then back to me."

I frown at Rhett, silently telling him to explain to me. But it's Kellen who ends up telling me the details. "Jonda cheated on Mike when she was in the Kodiak Kingdom, turns out the person she cheated with was Rhett. Who were pretty sure is her mate. These two," Kellen points between Rhett and Mike, "Got into it over her and she left."

"But we haven't heard from her in a few days. She isn't at the Sea Dog pack and she isn't answering her phone." Tala finishes. And now I understand her sadness.

"Did you send out trackers?" I ask, knowing they would have.

"Of course," Kellen says.

"And where is your mate and her pup?" Mathias asks Mike.

"Staying in a guest suite on the west wing," Mike says. "The thing is, it's not really her pup." He looks at Kellen, "He was carried by her sister, however, we're not sure he belonged to her either."

I scowl in confusion trying to make sense of what they were saying. "What am I missing? How could the child not belong to the woman who gave birth to them?"

Tala's eyes glaze over for a second. "Lunch is here," and then maids are bringing in trays full of food. They set them down and leave us again.

"It's best if we show you," Mike says. At this point, their tone and cautiousness are making not just me but also my wolf on edge.

Mathias feels my tension rise and he stops the rubbing to hold me tight, an attempt to protect me from whatever was coming. The unease grew at the sound of approaching footsteps. I tilted my head, Inanna scenting the air.

The fur on the back of my wolf stood up, but she did not growl. My skin prickled and the hair on my arms rose. Mike stood and left the room, I could hear him talking lowly to someone. But the scent Inanna had caught was way too familiar. Too much like a memory of someone long gone.

I shifted in Mathias's lap, he let me go so I could stand, as he felt my discontent and the need for me to be on my feet.

The door opened and Miked stepped in followed by an aging she-wolf and a small pup. I hardly acknowledged the other female's presence because my eyes were fixed on the child holding her hand. A shooting pain pierced my chest and all the air in my lungs wooshed out as I looked into the all-too-familiar pale blue eyes. The jet black hair with a lone streak of blonde. The child I saw in my dreams when I was locked in the dungeons of MacTire.

Memories came rushing back, flooding my mind and body. The good, the bad, the love… the pain. Strong hands held onto me as I felt my knees give way. "Zander." The solitary word whispered from between my trembling lips. The name I chose for my son who never made it into the realm.

Inanna howled out loud in my head 'The pup is ours but not.' She says and I feel her pain and confusion mirroring mine. I shrink back into Mathias's arms finding comfort and calm. I steady my shaking hands and jello legs and let the bond between me and my mate work its magic. I school my face because the last thing I want to do is scare the pup.

Once calm, I let go of Mathias and lower myself to my knees. Fully aware of every pair of eyes in the room on me and the pup. "Come here pup," I say to the boy and he lets go of the older female's hand and joyfully strides over to me.

"My name is Zane." He proudly announces and holds his tiny hand out for me to shake. I take it fearfully.

"How old are you Zane?" I croak out. Keeping tears at bay as my emotions go haywire from the connection to the pup.

"Three." He proudly announces. "My wolf really likes you, lady. He says you a queen."

I rear back and from the corner of my eyes, I can see the pup's words shocked everyone else too. "Your wolf?" I question. "You are only little, you won't have a spirit animal until you are sixteen." I try to explain.

"No, Dacia has always been with me." He announces, sure of himself. "And says you are special."

I turn my sight to Mike who shrugs with a look of surprise and shakes his head to say he had no idea. I look at the female who came in with him, who worries her lips. I can smell her fear.

"Does your wolf recognize me, Zane?" I question the boy, who nods his head. "And what does your wolf… Dacia, recognize me as?"

"The queen of all of us!" He stretches his arms out and grins widely, excitedly. "My wolf says he remembers you, but I don't know you."

*Take him out of here* I mind link Mike, and stand up, unable to hold back my emotions anymore.

I turn into Mathias's arms and clamp a hand over my mouth, stifling the sob that threatens to break free. I hear little footsteps get further away only then do I let the first tear slide down my cheek.

*Little wolf, are you okay?* Mathias asks me privately.

I shake my head against his chest. *No, I don't think I am. This isn't possible.* I lift my head and turn my attention on Kellen and Mike who had come back into the dining room. "How?" I say, not asking but demanding an answer. "How is that child alive? I can smell Zane, he looks just like him. He also carries my scent and another that I can not place. How Kellen? How Mike?"

"Who is this pup to you little wolf?" Mathias asks, grasping my chin and tilting my head up to him. His eyes search mine for an answer.

"He is part of me but he is not mine." I frown trying to think of a better way to explain the connection I felt towards the boy, but it's the best I can come up with. "He is the reincarnation of Zane Noir. Zane's wolf was also called Dacia."

"The mother of the pup has an explanation that I think you should hear for yourself." Mike says, "I'm sorry we surprised you like this, but…"

"And Hunji knew? He saw the boy?"

Kellen nods, "He brought him in. He saw him. We didn't know if Hunji would tell you or not."

"He told me about the pup, he just neglected to tell me he looked like Zane and that he had a bright blonde streak in his hair." I pause for a moment, "Did you know he could already speak to his wolf?"

A collective "NO" sounded around the room.

"I have set up a conference for tomorrow, those who are not here will join by video." Kellen supplies. "I think you should talk with the pup's mother."

"And where is said, mother?" I cross my arms, knowing she was the thief and had been the prime suspect in the murder of two males.

"She uh, She is also in the west wing under house arrest," Rhett says.

"I want to speak with her," I demand.