The Delta's Daughter Chapter 354

LYRIC

I finish stuffing the last of my clothes in my bag and let out an audible sigh. This isn't what I had in mind when I had been detained.

I thought I would be executed or sentenced to time in the dungeons for my crime. That they would keep my boy safe while I paid for my malfeasance. I was ready to accept that, to do whatever it took to keep my pup safe.

What I didn't expect was for King Kellen to order me to accompany his elite warriors and Beta Mike to the Golden Circle pack.

The King had already assigned a team of elites that had left just over an hour ago. We would be leaving sometime this evening.

"Mommy, why are you packing? Are you going away again?" Zane stood in the doorway, his little hand grasping Lizzy's.

He looked so sad, his lips forming a little pout and his eyebrows drawn tightly together. It made my heart ache to have to leave him again. But this was the deal I made to keep him safe, hidden from the monster who created him and stole my sister's life.

I cross the room, bending at the knees so I'm at eye level with him. "I am." I try to muster a smile. "The king is sending Mommy on a very important mission. You know I wouldn't go unless I really really had to."

It actually brought me some comfort to know that this time I wasn't leaving him to steal an artifact or commit a crime. This time was different, just as dangerous but I was helping, doing good. Plus I was going to the pack where his biological father was from. "There's a pack that needs my help. And many little boys and girls, just like you, that need to be protected." I say bopping him on the nose.

"And you are going to protect them?" He asks with wide eyes.

I smile genuinely and bob my head, "I'm going to help, yes."

"Are you a warrior now?" his excitement is apparent and I hate to disappoint him but I also won't lie to him.

"Not exactly, but I'm strong like one. I will be working with the Kings Elite Warriors, helping to keep everyone in the pack safe."

Zane pumps his fist in the air, "I can't wait to tell my friends how brave you are, that you are a warrior too!" He runs out of the room, arms wide like a bird and he begins to zoom around the suite.

Lizzy leans against the door frame. And I stand from my kneeling position, acutely aware of her intense stare on me. "What?" I say glancing her way while I turn back to packing my bag.

"While you are gone they are moving us to the third floor."

"I'm aware," I reply, zipping up my bag.

"I want to become part of the pack." She says with resolve.

I stop what Im doing and look at Lizzy. Her eyes shift to look elsewhere. "Lizzy, look at me." When she doesn't, I say "Please." Finally, she looks at me. "We have been rogues for five years. I remember what it was like to be part of a pack too. I know you miss it. The connection, the stability, reliability, and the safety it comes with."

"I won't commit unless you are accepted too." She shakes her head, white strands of her hair fall around her face and I see the glistening of unshed tears in her eyes.

Lizzy was getting older, she wanted a place to settle down in. A place she could call home again. I get it, I wanted that too. I just didn't know if New Moon could be that place. But for Lizzy and Zane, if the King wanted me, I would do it. I would become part of this pack.

That is if the council didn't throw me in the dungeons. One of a few reasons why we were leaving later than the first unit of elite warriors. I had to meet with the council. There was no way around it. The king may be in charge, but it was the council who had the last say in sentencing. They spoke for the people, the whole reason they were formed was to avoid a dictatorship.

The laws were made and the council helped keep those laws in order.

"If this is where you want to be Lizzy, and they accept me, then I will pledge to the New Moon pack too." I hold back my emotions which threaten to spill over in the form of tears when I catch her reaction of relief. "You are my family. You have kept me and Zane safe. Lizzy, you may not be my mother, but you are the closest thing to one I have and I love you for everything you are and everything you have done for us. I will never be able to repay you."

"Shut up silly girl!" She sobs pushing off the door frame and coming forward to wrap me in a hug. "I love you so much Lyric, and I don't care what you have done, I am proud of you. You have survived and have provided for us. You are your father's daughter and your parents would be so proud of you for not giving up. And they would be proud of you for raising that boy."

"I couldn't have done it without you. I can't do it without you." The damn breaks and I begin to sob on her shoulder.

We stay like that for a few moments, in a tight embrace, until my wolf's nose twitches and catches the scent of Rogue. "Sorry to interrupt, but they are waiting for you Lyric."

I let go of Lizzy and grab my bag. "Zane!" I call out and my heart runs into the room. "Mommy has to go. Give me sugar my sweet boy."

Zane throws himself into my arms and grabs both my cheeks, "I love you, Mommy, go beat up some bad guys." He jovially says then squirms to get down. Once on his feet, he grabs my hand and in a more serious voice he says, "But don't be gone a long time because I will miss you too much."

"I will do my best," I tell him sincerely.

I was going for communication purposes, I wouldn't be in any danger. Plus I was curious to see the Golden Circle pack again. It had been a long time since my family had visited the pack, but there was someone I hoped to see while I was there, someone who needed to know about little Zane's existence.

I had only met Halley a few times, but she deserved to know that her brother's legacy lived as well as his wolf.

*****

Note paced back and forth in my mind, just as anxious as I was. I thought my appearance before the council would take place in the courthouse. Instead, I was summoned to the King's office.

I was becoming way too familiar with this office. The door opened and I was met by my mate. I didn't miss the way he took me in with greedy eyes. But I also didn't miss the way his features twisted in pain as if he was chastising himself for looking at me that way.

I was surprised to see his father sitting on one of the sofas along with two other wolves.

"Lyric," The older beta stands to greet me. "It's a pleasure to see you again." I squint my eyes at his strange greeting as it was only hours ago that we sat in the same room alongside everyone else.

"Beta, sir," I reply.

"That's councilman Pike, today." He says cheerily and gestures to the two other wolves sitting on the sofa who make no effort to greet me formally.

Not a good sign.

King Kellen claps his hands together, "We are just waiting on Queen Tala and we can begin."

No sooner does he say it, than the door opens again and Queen Tala steps in. "Sorry I'm late, Connor was being fussy." She apologizes to the room and offers me a smile, which I return.

King Kellen then addressed my mate, "Mike, if you will begin?"

My mate clears his throat and begins to read from a piece of paper in his hands, he stands by the window to face everyone. "In the case of New Moon versus Lyric Swift for crimes against the kingdom, Councilman Smalls, Councilman Pike, and Councilman Peters have been given evidence and facts regarding the charges and have come to a verdict. For the charge of double murder Miss Lyric Swift has been found not guilty and all charges have been waived. For the charge of theft, breaking and entering, and trespassing, Miss Swift has been found guilty."

Before he read the sentencing I see his face screw up and then frown. He looks at Kellen and then at his father. "Are you guys serious?"

"Read the fucking paper, Mike," Kellen growls.

"Fine but this is blackmail. And you agreed to this?" He asks waiving the paper at the councilmen. "Fine," he grumbles, then gives me an apologetic look. "As it reads you have been found guilty of the aforementioned charges your sentencing is effective immediately and is in the form of…"

"We have given you a choice Lyric." Queen Tala speaks to me. "I don't believe you are dangerous, not to us anyway. Your choice is to become part of the New Moon and accept us as your pack. Pledging your life to the King and to fulfill your duties as a member of the pack. The alternative is to one; throw you in the dungeons," She visibly shudders as she says it. "Or two; banish you from the Kingdom. I hope you choose wisely."

"Basically… if you don't pledge to the king,"

"I know what it means. I'm not a moron." I hiss at my mate only to hear the sound of his father chuckling.

"She is definitely a spitfire, this one." He laughs. "I like her."

I think of Lizzy as I mull over my options. There aren't really any options. Jail, banishment, which is basically the same as how I was living before, a rogue. Or giving my pup and Lizzy a life here. There's definitely nothing to think about.

I face the King and Queen and bend at the knee, "It would be my honor to serve his majesty and her highness."

Queen Tala squeals, and gives a light clap of her hands. "I'm so happy you chose to stay."

"Well, you didn't give me much of a choice," I tell her still kneeling.

King Kellen speaks to the council members, "Council members are you in agreeance with this outcome?"

The slender male stands, "I think our business here is done. I am glad this matter could be resolved without a trial." The other councilman, much shorter and rounder also stands and claims their business is done.

Once they have left, and I am still kneeling, the king and queen ask me to stand. I do and the king presents a ceremonial knife and a cup. He cuts his hand and lets a few drops of blood drip into the cup. He then pours water into the cup and offers it to me. "By drinking my blood you take an oath to honor, obey and protect this pack. By making that pledge, you do so knowingly. Lyric Swift will you put New Moon, and its pack members before yourself?"

"I will."

"Do you pledge to honor your king and queen and give your life if so warrants?"

I hesitate. Because my pup will always come first, but I will pledge loyalty. "I do."

"Then drink from this cup and become part of the pack."

I pluck the cup from his hand and drink. Gulping it down. I wait a few seconds for the connection. When it comes it's a feeling of belonging that washes over me and through my wolf. I feel the connection to the King and Queen, to the pack.

I feel almost whole again. I had forgotten what it was like to belong. My pack had been taken away before I was ever able to fully experience what a pack meant and what it had to offer. Now I felt it, and it was warmth and light and right.

Queen Tala takes the cup from my hands, "Welcome to New Moon, Lyric. I just know you will do wonderful things here."

I could only hope she was right, I cast a glance at my mate who swiped a hand down his face. It was hard to read his emotions. I couldn't tell if he was irritated, saddened, or relieved. It seemed like all those feelings were displayed on his face.

King Kellen takes a seat behind his desk, pulling his mate onto his lap. "Now that is taken care of, I feel a lot better sending you to Golden Circle pack now you are able to communicate by mind link."

Ahh. Now I see. They have witnessed my skills and he wants me there. I'm an asset. But I already knew this.

"Uncle Michael, I would like you to continue following up with Pierce Pastol and what his friend was working on. Mike you and Lyric will head out with the second unit, one hour tops. Lyric, Your son, and Lizzy will be moved to the third floor, in the old Delta suite…"

"Whoa hold on just a moment!" My mate begins to protest. "You can't move her in there."

"Mike," Tala softly addresses him. "Jonda left, and no one wants her back more than I do. You haven't even been staying there."

"She's right son, you have been at home ever since the day Connor was born. This way your mother and I can help with her pup and Miss Lizzy. That child means something to all of us. We would like to get to know him and where better to keep him the safest than under the Alpha floor and on the beta and delta floor?"

"There's still stuff-"

"It's been cleaned out already." Tala interrupts my mate. Her eyes are soft with understanding but she holds authority in her voice.

"Fine. Fuck if I care. Do what you want." My mate's face turns a shade of red in frustration, his eyes darkening to almost black and I can just see a hint of white in the center of them. "We roll in forty-five. Don't be late we will leave with or without you." He points at me before storming out of the King's office with such anger that the door slams against the wall.

"Why is he angry?" I dare to ask the three remaining people in the room.

"Mike had previously lived in the Delta suite with my sister, whom you met. Before that, it was where Queen Lamia lived. It is the best place for your family to be while you are away. I promise they will be well cared for." Queen Tala tells me.

"Also, my mate is dying to meet the little pup. She has been waiting for grand pups since the day Michael Jr. turned eighteen." The older Beta exclaims with a wistful look in his eyes. My mate really is the spitting image of his father.

"Remember Lyric, you are going to Golden Circle for communication purposes. Hopefully, you can get them linked to that satellite you hooked into earlier. We do not expect you to engage on war if that's what happens."

"I have no problem fighting your Highness. I don't back down."

"I gathered as much when I observed you on the training grounds. An Alphas daughter aren't you?" The older Beta asks thoughtfully.

"Yes sir. The Swift Paws Pack. Second daughter to Alpha Eric Swift and Luna Sing Su." I tell him.

"Luna Sing Su?" He stands, rounding the sofa, and looks out the window. "My mate once knew your mother. There was only one Luna Sing Su, if I'm not mistaken she had a beautiful voice. It was said that her voice was so beautiful she would sing to the elements. Her voice would bring the rain and the harvest. Now I understand why you and your sister were named as such."

I clapped a hand over my mouth stifling the sob I almost let out. "You knew my mother?" I asked instead. Shocked.

"No, but my mate did. Maybe when you come back, you and she can talk. I believe they attended the Alpha Academy together."

"I would very much like that," I tell him in honesty and hopefulness. I would love nothing more than to know more about my mother.

A couple of hours later we are ready to load the cars and roll out of here. The Beta takes my bag from me and I don't protest. "You're with me," He says and proceeds to put my bag in the back of one of the large black vehicles.

"Looks like we're travel buddies again Mike." A deep chuckle sounds from behind me and I turn to see the werebear walking up to us. He throws his bag in the back haphazardly and offers me a cheeky grin accompanied by a wink. "Nice to see you again Miss. Swift."

"Tobias." I acknowledge.

"Find another car, Tobias." This causes the werebear to chuckle again, a little harder.

"No can do. I'm under orders to stick with you. Guess Lamia thinks you need babysitting again."

"Fuck off Tobias." My mate growls back at him. Which only causes the werebear to laugh harder and stick his middle finger up at my mate.

I wasn't sure if they were being serious or not. Or if they truly didn't like each other. I climb into the back seat and the two males sit up front with my mate driving.

It was over a day's drive to the Golden Circle Pack and we would only be stopping to refill.

This was going to be one hell of a drive if these two were at each other's throats the whole time. That and I would be stuck in a car with my fated mate the whole time. Surrounded by his scent, his masculinity, and the quite obvious pull of the bond that only gets stronger the more I am near him.

I'm surprised he has been able to resist the pull thus far, we had a moment or maybe two, but he must really love the female Jonda if a male of his stature can resist his fated mate. Either that or he and his wolf truly hate me.