The Delta's Daughter Chapter 363

LYRIC

Mike lay in the room next to us sleeping peacefully. Whatever he made happen, and however he made it happen, had wiped him out. His body and wolf had slipped into a deep slumber fully exhausted from exerting that amount of energy.

Other than needing rest, thankfully, he was unscathed.

Tobias had taken Twenty-Nine to the Golden Circles cells. Rhett was hovering outside the room Jonda was currently laying in, while doctors fussed around her taking her vitals and hooking her up to antibiotics and saline.

She was in a severe state. Dehydrated from loss of blood. Her skin was pale and the dark veins that covered her body were slowly receding. The energy or light Mike had produced was what brought her back to life. Rhett's bite is what stabilized her.

There was a theory surrounding Jonda's curse, why she didn't have her wolf. She was told her wolf would only emerge when she met her fated mate - a wolfless shifter. That was Rhett, so I was hoping that since he marked her, her wolf would emerge and begin to heal her. I knew if Mike bit her it wouldn't break the curse, but by marking her, Jonda's body would automatically pull from the mate's energy. Giving rejuvenated life to her soul. This is why I contemplated marking her myself.

I couldn't begin to express how thankful I was things worked out the way they did.

Halley sat with me, both of us watching Rhett pace back and forth. Concern, worry and a sense of doom was like a cloud of smoke surrounding him.

Tobias walks in, gives Halley and me a glance then turns his full attention to Rhett. "Let's go get washed up. We can come straight back after we both wash the stench of blood off us." It was true, we were all covered in blood. Some of us more than others.

Tobias gives Rhett a nudge when he just stares at him blankly. He tugs on Rhett's arm who lets Tobias lead him from the hallway, only giving the room Jonda lays in a quick glance over his shoulder before they leave.

It's plain as day that he is reluctant to leave, but still, he goes with Tobias without complaint.

I sigh loudly, leaning forward in the plastic chair, bracing my head in my hands and elbows on my knees. I sigh again, only louder, desperately trying to relieve my wound-up tight muscles of the tension from the events of this morning.

"Halley," The pack doctor pops his head out of Jonda's room. We both look up to see what he has to say. "May I have a word? There's something that needs to be discussed about the patient."

Halley and I share a look, her frown reflecting mine. She stands and the doctor motions her to come into the room. I was surprised when the doctor asked me to accompany them. I shouldn't be in her room. Did no one know she was the chosen mate of my fated mate?

Halley waves her hand at me, urging me to join them. I reached out to Note, not sure how she would react. Saving the girl is one thing, my wolf was a very honorable and justified spirit animal. But being this close to the female when I heard every word, she told my mate before blacked out. I wasn't too sure.

I feel Note curled up in the back of my mind, she too is exhausted by this morning's battle. But at my internal debate, she pops her head up. 'She is no threat to us. She is marked.'

I nod at Halley and join her in the room with the doctor. Nurses are still fussing over the female, and I take pity on her once more as I look at the delicate state she is in.

The doctor pinches his nose and shakes his head, obviously exasperated and frustrated. He turns his eyes on Halley once more, "She is in a very fragile state. Her body will recover but there has been significant damage to her brain." He shakes his head again; this time confusion is evident in his expression. "I'm not sure when she will wake up, or if she will. We can keep her comfortable and sustain her, at least keep the baby alive but I can't guarantee anything."

It took me a minute to catch up, for his words to register. "What did you just say?" I ask him to repeat because I'm really not sure I heard him right. I'm really, really hoping I imagined it.

"The child is alive, and we can keep the baby healthy even if she doesn't wake up, but maybe the father needs to weigh in on this decision."

Anything else said is drowned out by my own shock. I clutch my chest at the very real idea that my mate's child is growing inside this female. I doubled over, not from the sharp pain in my chest, but from the roll of my stomach.

I manage to not throw up, "How far along is she?" I'm able to ask once the nausea passes.

"I'm guessing around two months, give or take a week." He informed me.

I can't hear any more. I need to leave. I need to get out of here now. Or I'm going to puke all over the room.

I push out the doors barely hearing Halley call my name. I push past the nurses clutching my stomach that's churning with revulsion until I finally make it outside. Gulping in the fresh air, heaving as I do.

This can't be happening. It just can't be.

Yeah okay, so I was willing to mark her just to save her. I could have rescinded any bond that formed between her and me once she was healthy. But this. I couldn't even determine why it bothered me so much. I was willing to be rejected. Willing to accept my mate choosing her over me.

So why was I having this reaction? Why was the very idea of her carrying my mate's child sickening?

I knew why. I just didn't want to admit it. I was falling for my mate. The one who would be better off without me and my broken sorry ass. Yet this news was still a slap in my face. And goddess damn it fucking hurt like a son of a bitch.

Then, like a little miracle light bulb going off in my head, I remembered what I heard, what she had said to me. She had cheated on Mike. Could it possibly be? Could the child she carried possibly not be my mates?

I swallowed the bile in my throat and righted myself. I couldn't let this information consume me. Not until I had all the facts. I was better than this and I knew it.

I reminded myself of how strong and independent I was. That Zane was waiting for me back at New Moon. That no matter what, I had him and that's all that mattered.

Resolved and no longer tempted to empty my guts outside the pack hospital I turned to go back inside. I would wait, Mike would be able to scent his own offspring. Maybe Rhett could too?

There was no sense in me coming to conclusions and losing myself in the process when I didn't have all the facts.

I flung the door open ready to face the truth when I ran into Halley.

"Lyric," She sighed, "I was just coming to get you. Beta Mike is awake."

My first reaction was to rush in there, but my feet were glued to the ground. He would have to be told about Jonda and informed of her condition. He would know. I hope he would. But did I really want to know if it turns out he is the father?

Reluctantly I follow Halley back inside. The pack hospital is small. Only one floor but it's full today of warriors from both Golden Circle, Black Moon, and New Moon. A great deal of many warriors on our side were lost between today and yesterday.

Less than it could have been thanks to Mike and the phenomenon of magic and light he threw out. I still couldn't figure out how he was able to do it. Was he more than a shifter? An Alchemist? Either way, my mate was extraordinary.

I timidly pushed the door open to Mike's room, finding him already sitting up, legs over the side of the bed.

I felt nervous, and on edge. I wiped my palms over my blood-stained uniform. Something Tala had me pack before we left New Moon. These things were awesome. I could shift and tear the fabric, then when transforming back to skin form, the fabric could be snapped back into place.

I bit my lip, still hesitant to fully walk into the room. Nausea from before threatened to return as I cast my eyes over Mike's handsome face. My hand fluttered to my stomach as it rolled with anticipation and nerves.

In slow motion Mike's head lifted, his nostrils flaring, and those gorgeous hazel eyes met mine. A sudden flush of warmth spread internally throughout my body, that's what his gaze did to me. The warmth settled in my core causing a low throb to pulse.

My heart rate sped up and fluttered under his unwavering stare. Whether it was my anxiety about Jonda's surprise or the fact that heat flared in his eyes for me, I don't know.

"Come here Lyric." He crooked his finger beckoning me. On their own accord, my feet shuffled forward until we were standing a mere few feet from his sitting position.

He reached his arm out grasping my wrist and pulled me to him, so I was standing between his legs. So close that I could smell his signature scent. It was woodsy and heady with the faint undertone of apples. Despite the stench of Shadow's men and the beast's blood that covered him from head to toe, I was lost in his scent. Like an aphrodisiac that instantly calmed any fears or apprehensions I had.

I closed my eyes and savored the moment of bliss. I gasped when his hand trailed up my arm, setting off those electrifying sparks once again. The feeling aroused me and wouldn't fight it, not now. He was alive and that in itself was a huge relief. I just wanted to enjoy his touch, even if it was for the last time.

"Don't ever do that again." Mike rasped, taking me by surprise.

I moved back so I could look at him. Of all the things he could have said he decided to chastise me. The cheek of him. He pulled me back, burying his head against my chest. I felt the large and heavy gush of breath he released against me. As if he was letting go of the weight he carried.

"Just let me. Please. I need it. I need you." He mumbled against me.

I closed my eyes and found my hands wandering to his hair, stroking the soft short strands in a comforting way. Enjoying this moment for what it was. Nothing more and nothing less.

We stood there like that, his arms wrapped around my waist, his head against my chest and my hands absently stroking him. For a good while. Both of us leaning on the bond, leaning on each other's strength.

"I don't know whether to be impressed or extremely ticked off." He eventually said, pulling his head back from me.

I didn't want to ruin the moment. I didn't want to spoil the connection and solace we were sharing. But time ticked by, and things needed to be said. "Mike," I finally found my voice, opening my eyes and looking down at him.

"I love hearing my name on your lips." He confessed, looking at me with dreamy eyes.

I so wanted to lose myself in him, with him. But… "Jonda is alive but in a coma." He hummed, placing his back against my chest, content to stay in this position for however long. "The doctor, he um… well… Fuck!" I cursed stammering over my words. I had to tell him, but a big part of me just wanted to ignore it. At least for just a while longer. "Jonda is pregnant."

There I said it. Ripped the band-aid right the fuck off.

Seconds, that's all it took for the atmosphere around us to twist and change. His arms dropped and he pushed me back. A deep aggravated scowl was plastered to his face. His eyes were darkening by the second, his wolf pressing forward. I took a step back, slightly afraid of his reaction and his demeanor.

He got up, brushing right past me. Stomping out of the room with provoked motion. Swinging the door open violently.

"Shit." I had no idea how he would take hearing the news. But I certainly didn't expect this reaction. After all, she was his chosen mate.

I hastily followed after him.

"Where is Rhett?" He growled out loudly startling the nurses and other patients as he scented the air and stormed to Jonda's room. Throwing the door open just as harshly.

I ran into the room, Halley by my side who was looking stunned in the hallway trying to decipher exactly what was happening.

Mike stood at the foot of Jonda's bed. Halley and I stood in the doorway watching him. Waiting.

My heart dropped when his shoulders sagged. And my stomach cramped when he moved around to the side of her bed, gently running a finger over her forehead and then bending to place an equally gentle kiss where his fingers just lingered.

I clutched my chest and was about to run from the doorway when his next words stopped me.

Ever so softly and endearingly he whispered to Jonda, "Get better so you can tell the pup's father the good news yourself. I only ever wish for you to be happy Jonda." I hear him sniffle then watch him back away slowly.

Part of me wants to cry, to let out a sob of relief. The other part of me wants to fist-bump the air. But that would just be so very wrong. I feel for my mate. I feel my mate. His melancholy manner seeps through his aura creating a somber atmosphere. More than it already was.

It's at this point when he backs up to the door and turns looking me straight in the eye, that I know I don't want to be rejected. I don't want to reject him. He offers me a weak gesture of a smile and takes my hand.

"Let's go get washed up." He says leading me from the hospital and back to the pack house.

I would like to say that this was the day our love story began but it wasn't. We went our separate ways once back at the pack house. Not a word was spoken between us as we took the short walk back.

And not a word was spoken between us on the long drive back to New Moon two days later. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I wish I was brave enough to ask him where his mind was.

I knew, like me, he needed to sort out his feelings. It was going to take time. I was okay with that. Baby steps. It's what we both needed.

I just hope he didn't mourn the loss of his chosen mate for too long. No, she didn't die, but he did lose her, and I know he loves her. I also know he wants me, and I think I want him too.

What happened at Golden Circle brought us closer together. An unsaid understanding had settled over us. Things were never going to be perfect but maybe just maybe we could be friends.

Rhett was following us back to New Moon, riding with Jonda in the transportation van. Under the order of Queen Tala that her sister comes back to New Moon where she can be cared for and receive the best medical help in the kingdom. She was still in a coma, and I truly did hope she would wake up. If not for Rhett's sake, then at least for the child she was carrying.

Rhett had cried when he found out she was carrying his child. Didn't leave her side for the past couple of days and I didn't see him leaving it any time soon.

As for Twenty-Nine, after a good beating, Tobias had wrapped him up in a pretty bow. Quite literary wrapped him up with a red ribbon and tied it into a bow. Along with cuffs and a good dose of nightshade to keep him complacent. I could help the laugh when Tobias dragged him from the cells and shoved his ass in the back of a different transport van.

Tobias, unfortunately, had to get back to Riocht. "Duty calls" As he put it.

Alpha Timothy took his dead back to pack to give the families closure and Golden Circle was going to hold a pyre for the bodies or parts of bodies they could find. Likewise, Beta Mike had instructed the Elite Warriors to bring back our dead.

I still couldn't believe how many were lost on our side. I hadn't seen death in its masses like this since my pack had been massacred.