The Delta's Daughter Chapter 362

MIKE

Senko had a male who, oddly I recognized from the camera footage - the murderer - brought Jonda front, and next to him, center.

I was in full Beta mode. Duke riding my skin form along with me. He was fully present.

He knew I wouldn't give him Lyric or little Zane. I knew he wasn't going to trade Jonda.

I also knew, he knew, Zane was at New Moon. There was no way we could have brought him here on time. Especially as he maneuvered his army of… whatever the fuck the creatures and things were - earlier than declared.

Not a man of his word.

"Wow Senko, all this for us? I'm honored." I taunted him by cockily saying. Ensuring he saw the smirk I aimed his way.

I knew I was goading him. It was inevitable.

There would be a battle. Blood would shed. I was determined to rescue Jonda. I would die trying.

I wanted my mate. Yes. The shift between us the past few days had settled the idea in my mind. At the same time, I couldn't just turn my feeling for Jonda off.

I loved - Love - her. Always will on some level. The time we spent together couldn't just be turned off like a light. It meant something to me. She means something to me.

"Not for them. For you." The smirk fell from my face, along with my cocky attitude as Senko eyed me.

Duke snarled at Senko, baring teeth, gnashing them together. Warning him, telling him who the bigger Alpha is. Extending his aura towards Senko.

Senko gives nothing away. His penetrating gaze is emotionless as he stares at me.

Looking over the demon dogs that hanker by his side. The army lined up in formations behind him.

Males, and females, all with dank, yellow-colored eyes. Their skin was grey, the color of a cloudy day. They wore metal armor, akin to something long ago. Like centuries ago - yet updated. The material looked light. Easily destructible.

Within those ranks, were creatures that appeared male, just larger, bare of any armor. Their bodies are adorned with markings. Tattoos that marked their face and scripture covered their arms, across their chest, and down their torso. They wore minimal clothing only covering the lower part of their body.

There were no scents, no vibrations, no breath. They were soundless.

It was only then, looking at the faces of his warriors, that I understood the severity of what we were facing.

With silent command, and the flick of a wrist, his army unsheathed their swords and without sound, advanced toward our line.

Their movements were smooth, fast, and nimble.

We could only defend ourselves by attacking back. We were ready. But not one of us was prepared for what we were facing.

I kept Jonda in my sights as I fought one after another. My sword licked and stabbed into flesh after flesh. Cutting through the flimsy metal the enemy wore.

I fought to get to Jonda. I wouldn't lose her this time.

Jonda stood in the grasp of the man called Twenty-Nine. He was wanted for murder. For trying to kill Lyric.

She was emotionless. But her eyes told me everything. She was scared. She didn't look well. Her skin was pale and her veins dark. Veins that crept up over her bare arms and neck, webbing out around her face.

My adrenaline was fueled by the mere thought of what they had done to her. I fought harder without abandon. Fighting with everything I had to get to her.

My eyes caught hers, and something looked like resolve in them. The corner of her mouth twitched a ghost of a smile.

"It was always you Mike." She says barely above the noise of fighting. I heard it, nonetheless.

I watched with heart-stopping horror as my love threw herself back against Twenty-Nine.

Deafening silence rang out between my ears. Everything stopped or moved in slow motion. Everything except for the sound of a blade piercing through the bone in Jonda's back.

The only sound I heard, as I realized what she had done.

I roar in anguish. My heart is breaking, as Jonda slips from the male's arms. Dropping to her knees. "NO!"

Electricity courses through me. Pumping and igniting my muscles - energizing them.

The air changes and my eyes darken. Duke is fully in control with me.

My skin tingles and the sky rumbles.

Like nothing I've ever felt before fuels me to drive forward. Grounding any enemy that stands between me and Jonda.

Senko's men begin to spread out in front of me, giving me a clearer path.

I catch a glimpse of Tobias on my left, ripping into the warriors one after another.

I glance to my right and my steps falter at seeing Lyric slicing the throat of an enemy while breaking the neck of another with her thighs.

Fuck that was hot.

"I told you to stay away!" I shouted at her. Now angry and worried about her.

Lyric picks up a sword from a corpse, turning in a downward spin. Cutting the legs of three men. "Let's worry about that after you save her." She finally says, turning to me.

She must see something in my eyes, though I knew they were black as Duke was with me. I give her a sharp nod and throw myself back into the fight. Breezing through Senko's warriors with ease now I had Tobias and Lyric flanking me.

Goddess damn, I wanted to spank her for defying me yet again. But shit, could that girl fight! And with such grace and precision too.

I drop to my knees when no one stands between Jonda and I. A large dagger sits embedded between her shoulder blades. Blood pools on her back, running down her sides. Staining the powdered ground beneath us.

"Jonda. Jonda." I weep turning her frail and limp body over so I can see her face. Brushing wet strands from her forehead.

"Mike," She breathes out, that one word strained. Her frail hand lifts, fingertips brushing over my blood-splattered face. She tries to smile but it looks like it pains her. "I choose you." She says and my tears well on the brink of falling.

No, this can't be our ending. This can't be how it ends for her. I failed her. I failed Tala. I failed Rhett. She sputters trying to speak again and blood begins to pool in her mouth. "It was always you." She chokes out.

I let out a stifled sob, my hands trying to warm her rapidly dropping body temperature. I was losing her. She was going to die in my arms. "No, no, no." I cry out, now frantically tapping her face to keep her with me.

Holy shit! This was really happening. No. It can't be her end!

Her body becomes limp. Her mouth oozes with blood. Her heartbeat slows to a near stop. "I love you" She whispers on a gurgle. Her eyes roll back, and air leaves her lungs.

I can't let this be her ending. I won't let this be her ending. She can't die. "Jonda…" I weep. Pouring everything I have into her name, meaning every thought with conviction. I

My body shakes, vibrating with anger. With sorrow. My mind refused to give up on her. This is not how she was meant to leave this realm. How she was meant to leave… me.

"Arggghh!" I cry out to the darkened sky in pure agony as my heart shatters.

I howl. And it's the most sorrowful sound. I can feel my wolf's misery. As grief begins to shroud him too.

Snow falls with speed, pelting its way onto my face. I'm partially shifted and the crackle of magnified electricity shoots through me. I scream at the goddess, the gods, cursing them to hell.

Pent-up frustration and anger, along with the loss of losing Jonda drives my wolf to the brink of insatiable rage. I roar out as loud as I can for the realm to hear my pain.

Lightning flashes, bright and blue, striking down and hitting my chest. I crumpled forward over Jonda's body, my fists hitting her chest in desperation to revive her.

Like before, but much, much stronger, my body vibrates and hums. Charging like a battery until I can hold no more and release the energy that consumes me along with the rage, the pain of a breaking heart, and the thirst for revenge.

All at once the energy explodes creating a ball of light to break free from me. Loud and destructive, the energy folds out consuming everything and everyone around me.

Until with a sudden bang and clap of thunder - it dies. The light evaporated with my energy. I fall over Jonda, exasperated and depleted. Torn and broken. Utterly defeated.

I have no more fight in me.

"Beta!" The muffled voice of an angel reaches my ears, yet I can't tear myself away from Jonda. "Mike!" The voice is louder this time. The feel of a slender hand grazes across my bare shoulder.

Sparks from the touch send a shiver down my spine. Duke whimpers at the loss of Jonda but he whines to be touched by the warmth of the angelic voice again.

"You can save her." I hear the angelic voice tell me, hesitation in her voice. "Mark her and she could be saved."

I frown and pull my head up to look at the lifeless Jonda. She is not mine.

'She is not ours' Duke mirrors my thoughts.

"No. No. No!" Angry shouting comes from the battlefield, the voice louder, stressed. A man slumps down on the other side of Jonda. His hands grabbed at her. He growls when I refuse to let go.

"Somebody mark her!" The angelic voice screams, her tone now rushed and commanding.

I look up to see Rhett, eyes as black as coal, the knight's mark shining bright. Canines protrude and claws replace his fingernails. A smattering of fur covers his arms and part of his face.

"For fucks sake! One of you bite her!" Lyric all but screams and without hesitation or remorse, Rhett plunges down and sinks his teeth into Jonda's neck.

*****

LYRIC

Like a sonic boom, the forest lit up and the deafening sound hit us all, knocking us back. The Shadow Witches' army was knocked to the ground. The beasts destroyed and disintegrated along with the light. Turning them into nothing but ash. My ears rang and my vision splotched. The bright orb of light temporarily blinded me.

I shook my head and pressed my palms into the thick snow, pushing my chest up and hoisting myself to my knees. I looked around trying to shake off the feeling of being hit by a two-ton truck.

I see Tobias not too far from me, he too was scrambling to right himself. All around I see wolves coming to, sitting up and shaking off the electrifying hit that came from my mate.

To my surprise and delight, Shadow's army did not stir.

I hazily watched as Shadow turned on his beast and strolled back into the forest. Taking with him the creeping dark shadows that had engulfed the surrounding foliage. Retreating just as calmly as he attacked.

It was over. I hoped.

I saw a man running towards my mate and his chosen. Rhett, I recognized him. His eyes were dark and were partially shifted. His sights set on the pair that lay on the icy ground still.

Tobias shifted and took off in the direction of Shadow and any remaining men. I wanted to stop him to yell at him, but my mind was on getting to my mate.

I scramble to him, "Beta! Mike!" I yell even though I stand right next to him. My own voice sounds muffled as the ringing in my head continues.

Shit, I was going to have a massive headache.

Mike was too far gone. I could feel his distress through the bond and when I laid a hand on his shoulder, intense blue sparks passed between us. He was hot, so very hot to the touch. Almost scorching.

Tears slip past Mike's eyes as I watch helplessly. "It's too late." Mike shakes his head from side to side. "She can't be saved."

He has no idea what he has done. What he caused. That he probably just saved us all.

I shake my head and pull on him trying to get his attention. She was alive. He saved her. He didn't see it. Through the haze, I could hear the slight beat of her heart.

Except I didn't think she was strong enough to hold on. She didn't have enough blood to keep her heart pumping. But there was a way. One I didn't like but he could save her. "Mark her," I told him, even though my wolf and every fiber in my body fought against the suggestion.

Rhett flops to his knees on the other side of Jonda and grabs at her, growling at Mike as he shifts the female's body into his arms.

My wolf whimpered with agonizing sorrow. Retreating as she watched her mate mourn for another.

And as much as I felt like running away and hiding too, It wasn't about me. And somehow, someway, Note understood that as she quietly relayed 'If she is bitten - marked - she may live.'

"Somebody mark her!" I all but cry out, despite my aversion to the situation. They were so desperate to save her yet they both were just sitting there, letting her slip through their fingers once more.

Didn't they realize there was no time for mourning? She was alive. But not for long if one of them didn't mark her. "For fucks sake! One of you bite her!" I all but commanded, ready to sink my wolf's fangs into her myself at this point.

I was a thief, broken, undesirable. But I wasn't cruel, and I could appreciate how precious life was. No matter who it was.

As if jump-started by the sheer demand of my voice, Rhett bends and dinks his canines into her without hesitation.

Rhett pulls back, his mouth stained with blood. He didn't even try to heal his bite mark. I sigh with relief. "Get her up. She needs a doctor," I urge Rhett who lifts her in his arms and begins to carry her away from the battlefield.

I stand and look around, Mike still in a trance kneeling in the snow. His eyes locked onto the copious amounts of blood from Jonda that saturated the ground beneath him.

"Mike," I call to him, this time with empathy. Softer because I know he thinks she's dead. "Mike," I touch his shoulder letting my electric touch dance across his bare skin. This seems to jostle him, and he looks up at me.

I almost let out a sob at the sheer agony and heartbreak his eyes portray. "It's over I tell him." Willing him to come back to reality. "You saved Jonda," I say hoping this will give him his strength back.

Mike tilts his head at me, his eyes softening and his wolf regressing. Turning his eyes back to that beautiful hazel color. "Lyric." He huffs out breathlessly, revealing the exhaustion he feels, before he slumps over hitting the ground, eyes closing.

This was the second time I have seen him explode with light, but it was the first I had seen the power of what he is, destroying a herd of enemies and not causing us, any harm.

I look around and see a few of the New Moons Elite Warriors. Calling two of them over. Take him to the pack house. He needs medical attention. I command using the Alpha aura was born with for one of the first times. My wolf implored me to take charge.

Mike may have saved us, but there was still much damage done. Still, too many lives lost. We would have all perished if he hadn't of went all nuclear.

I cast my eyes to the sky as the warriors lift and carry Mike's exhausted and unconscious body back to the pack house. The snow had stopped falling now and the sky was clear. Making way for a brilliant blue and warm afternoon. The sun broke through the clearing clouds, casting its warmth onto the blood-soaked clearing.

Alpha Bret can be heard in the distance ordering his men to start gathering the dead. But only theirs, Alpha Timothy, he too is still alive and along with his men begin gathering their injured and dead.

Tobias comes through the clearing, dragging an unconscious body behind him. The remains of his shorts cover his nether region, otherwise, he is naked. I look at the body he's dragging and smirk with satisfaction.

"Do we get to kill him?" I ask hopefully at seeing Twenty-Nine lifeless. Tobias is dragging him by one leg, Twenty-Nines head hits the ground beneath the snow, bumping on tree roots and probably some rocks.

Shaking his head Tobias gives me a look that says sorry, "Nope not killing him. He is our prisoner, but if you like, you can help me interrogate him once he wakes up." He says giving me a wicked wink.

I fall in step beside him as we make our way back. A slight evil smirk tugs at my lips. "I've never tortured anyone before. Didn't think I would want to… Until now." I was under no delusion that Tobias' interrogation meant torturing the fucker for information. As it was, I still had yet to pay him back for Bram's death.