The Delta's Daughter Chapter 37

UNKNOWN POV

“ARRAAAAAGH!” The rogue king's snarl rang out, shaking the already crumbling castle walls. His fury evident, amber eyes glowing as his body shuddered with outrage. “Bring the fucking Alpha and his little bitch!” He all but screamed.

“My lord, their Intel was good, the king’s elite warriors were able to recover and hold us off, even when we penetrated the castle. The Dire Wolf was well guarded, not left alone like we thought she would be.”

No one had noticed our presence in the royal palace as I watched the Alpha take down the bear shifter we had sent in, with the aid of Hunji. A wolf I had met once and knew of his skill. His reputation preceded him as a skilled warrior and worldly man. He had been guarding her door.

“Do I look like a give a flying fuck? They failed me! I want what’s mine!” claws extending and canines protruding as he bellowed out his wrath.

“The Delta's daughter can be brought here, the Alpha may be a little harder, and questions will be asked my lord.” I certainly didn’t want to get on his bad side. I didn’t feel like having my heart ripped from my chest or being whipped to the brink of death. His wrath was out of control, his need for power growing.

I only wanted to see the death of the royal family, and he was the best person to align myself with, otherwise I would want nothing to do with the sick fuck.

His frustrations were notable and perceived due to the failure of capturing the Dire Wolf. The Intel given to us was solid. She would not be running with the pack on the night of the full moon and we were to create a diversion at one border, while charging the one closest to the palace. Our informant had even given us a few pieces of her clothing so the were-bears could sniff her out and easily find her, along with a map of the castle.

As wolves, our senses are powerful. However, a bear could smell the tiniest drop of blood and sweat, their sense of smell being 100 times what ours is.

The icing on the cake was meant to be the cat shifters who were to take out any warriors after the diversion. We under estimated their skills of formation and group attacks.

Alas, even though we came close, we were unable to nab the she-wolf.

“Bring her here, as my guest. We will plan another attack.” His words were thoughtful and a little calmer, yet his wolf was evidently still present and his instant anger lingered in his amber eyes. Alpha Silas, King of the rogues, was not a man to trifle with. His aura screamed danger with an unstable mind.

A tyrannical and as cruel of man as you could find, with no love for anything or anyone; hungry for power. His only goal – the throne. And he believed his only way to the throne and power was to have the Dire Wolf by his side.

 *****

LAMIA

The meeting with the werewolf council was drab. We gave them as little information as possible. The five of us, Zane, Mike, Kellen and Uncle Alex and I, had decided in a quick debriefing beforehand that it was best to not let them know Zane was my mate, much to Zane’s displeasure. If the attack was truly aimed at me, then we needed to keep things, and by things I mean information between our most trusted. That did not include the council at that time.

Kellen and I relayed the dream I had to Mike and Uncle Alex. The king didn’t seem as stunned as we thought he would be, or if he was, he didn’t exhibit any emotion, his face an emotionless mask.

The council members waffled on, uninterested, my thoughts drifted back to the dream.

I was in what had looked like a large library, rows upon rows of old leather-bound books, each one nestled neatly on floor to ceiling oak shelves. I turned a corner only to be met with more rows of books and shelves. The library grew bigger and deeper with each turn I made, like a warehouse for the dusty and forgotten stories of history. I kept searching for a door and when I didn’t find one, I became panicked and flustered, only to stop and collect my racing heart, taking in deep breaths and absorbing the musk and dust filled leather into my lungs. Instead of running, I reached for a book, plucking it from its secure element.

The cover was a dingy yellow and the pages brown and worn. As I fingered through the book, with no title, words began to glow, singed onto the worn parchment like magic.

Inanna had stirred and I could feel the Lycan blood in me shift, each drop moving and flowing like lava through my veins and my eyes lit up like beacons absorbing the words from the page. It had startled me and I dropped the book to the floor. As the thud of the heavy leather hit the floor and echoed throughout the endless room, books started flying off the shelves, pages fluttering towards me in a whirl of turbulence, surrounding me like a twister.

An abundant amount of words flamed from each page that quivered like a feather as it blew around me. The words; burning their sacred information into my eyes, soaking up each and every paragraph and phrase, a fountain of knowledge hurling itself at me and my wolf, consuming me and etching their distinct meaning into my very consciousness. And amongst the fluttering fury surrounding me, I saw Kellen, watching.

“Miss. Langley, would you care to answer the question?” huh? I had tuned everyone out, and had not heard Councilmen Smalls, who’s name did not mirror the towering slender man, repeating his question.

*he asked if you had found your mate* Kellen’s voice invaded my mind.

“Uhh… No, sorry sir, I have not.” I lied.

I hoped the confidence in my voice was reflected in my expression. I stole a quick glance at Zane, catching those icy blues that furrowed, his piercing orbs making him look colder and more dangerous to anyone else, but me, I saw the softness and love in them, just for me.

Councilwoman Cindra piped up, her tone even and soft, with an undertone of understanding and sympathy “Miss. Langley, your highness…” she addressed Uncle Alex and I, “Obviously, we haven’t seen the rise of a Dire Wolf in our lifetime, the last one being recorded over 500 years ago. There had been rumors of a Dire Wolf as recently as 250 years ago, but never confirmed. It is in your best interest, my king, to keep her protected.” She paused and we thought she was done, until her chocolate-brown eyes met mine in a steely stare “However… after shifting in the middle of the party last night, trying to keep your wolf a secret. Maybe frivolous.”

“She will stay here in the palace. This is the best place for her protection. She has the protection of the king,” Uncle Alex stated.

Zane stood up, his large form making the room look small. His height and build rivaled that of the royal ranks, reaching Kellen’s height but muscles rivaling that of Mikes. Goddess he was yummy and all mine, just the thought of him sent flutters through me.

“Council members, she will also have the protection of the Golden Circle pack. I was there for her shift and my wolf has felt the need to pledge his loyalty not just to Miss. Langley but also our King in his endeavor to secure Miss. Langley’s future.”

His words were like honey, his usual cold and indignant tone hidden, he was playing nice for my benefit, even though I really wanted to see him tear them apart, I appreciated his reserved manor. And when he flashed them a charming smile, a rare occurrence on a usual sober face, I swear my cheeks flushed as I felt them heat up a little.

The rest of the meeting consisted of asking questions about my wolf, going over the finds of the attack, and what the king's plans were to secure the royal pack as well as other packs in the kingdom. They finally finished on the admission of reconvening in a few days after we had had time to investigate, with the six council members pledging to reach out to see if they could gather information on the attack and who was behind it. They feared the bear shifters were making a move and could lead to an all-out race war.

They also discussed the pups that had gone missing around the kingdom and how the Crescent moon pack had taken in two young she-bears that needed to be moved. Initially, I was to travel to a northern pack and assist with the recovery of rogue attacks, and Kellen or Mike were to travel and collect the two she-bears. These plans were now put on hold and had to be rearranged as everyone thought it would be a good idea for me to stay put in the palace grounds, and there was no way Mike or Kellen were leaving my side. Not now. And of course Zane, unknown to the council, wouldn’t be leaving my side anytime soon either, especially unmarked. 

After the meeting, I had finally made it to the hospital. My mom looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes. I brought her a change of clothes and toiletries, and had the kitchen make her up a basket of food and drinks. I knew she wouldn’t be leaving my father’s side. Dad was still unconscious, he looked so small and frail, a complete contradiction to his usual jovial and athletic self. I had kissed him and I told him to wake up, I needed him and that I had a mate.

I sent a silent prayer to the moon goddess for him to heal.

He had been stabbed with a silver knife laced with wolfsbane, even though it just missed his heart, it was close enough for the poison to cause him heart failure. Luckily, the doctors were able to flush the poison out, but it had already done enough damage, now it was a waiting game and keeping him in an induced coma would help him heal faster. I left after hugging my mom, holding her until she pushed me away and told me my mate was waiting, promising to come back tomorrow after the pack funeral.

*****

By the time I had gotten back home Sunday night, Kira had already packed up and was sent home. I was bummed that I didn’t get to say goodbye to my best friend. I sent her a quick message wishing her a safe trip and that we would speak soon and I would fill her in. But I got no reply.

On Tuesday, I spent most of the day at the hospital with my father, telling my mom she needed a break and some sleep. Of course, she fought me from leaving the hospital, but Queen Sarah was able to convince her and took her home, just for my mom to return a few hours later.

The funerals for the pack members we had lost were held that morning also.

My heart broke for the families and mates that had lost a loved one. As I had watched family members place flowers on the burn-pile, I squeezed Zane’s hand tightly, he hadn’t marked me yet, but the thought of losing him made my heart ache, causing a pinching pain. Kellen and Mike had stood with their families and my heart panged from the thought of losing them too. I hoped that day would never come. Unfortunately, war is unpredictable and no one is immune to its destruction.

After the bodies had been burned and prayers had been made, most people headed back to the palace where Queen Sarah and Aunt Olivia had a buffet set up for all pack members who wished to come back. I did not go; pack members seemed a little leery around me. News of my Dire Wolf had spread throughout the pack; most were curious but some seemed scared of me, wouldn’t look me in the eye or kept their distance. So, instead, Tawny and I headed to the training grounds once I had returned from the hospital, where we spent a few hours running the obstacle course for a warm up.