The Delta's Daughter Chapter 374

LYRIC

A shrill chill traveled down my spine when the door swung open. Revealing the empty and cold entry to the single-story brick home I shared with Zane for the past three years.

We left New Moon early this morning and made to the boroughs several hours later. It was now dark and quite late. We had eight warriors that followed behind the car Mike, and I were in. King Kellen didn't think it was wise for us to travel alone.

There were no hotels out this way, so I had suggested they all camp out in my house. At least for the night. Tomorrow we were going to head towards the small town that Miko ran and then onto the location where this rogue Oliver had given them the location to the transcript of the epitaph, I had secured a few years ago and some diaries Mike said were important.

The ride here was very informative. Mike caught me up on what's been going on as well as a little history about Queen Lamia, King Kellen, and himself.

He disclosed the intel of the stones, or at least what they knew and talked about the werecat princess Tawny and her mate Kolby Crimson and how they played into Shadows plans.

He asked me more about myself but there wasn't much to tell, except the basics of what my favorite color was, or my favorite food. We talked about my skills with electronics and dare I say how easy breaking and entering was to me. That was what led to the discussion of this Oliver and the place where he had hidden the information. It also led to the Beta telling me I would need to use my unique abilities and break into another secure location.

I knew the place he was talking about, and it wasn't that secure. Not as far as technology was concerned, but there were gangs in that area and the building he wanted me to break into was several stories high. Left intact from when the humans died off.

I knew the leader of the rogue gang. I had done business with her father before. They were vulgar and dangerous to say the least and they used that building as a base of operations. A pack house in some form.

The house, my house had three bedrooms. Mime, Zane's, and the other I used as my personal control room, or office if you may. It housed files of antiques and artifacts that I acquired and sold. Some files contained valuable information on heirlooms the underground market was looking for.

The room also boasted several computers and CB radios. It's where I did my research and created gadgets.

Lizzy stayed with Zane and me for the first three months we moved to this neck of the woods, until It was decided that Lizzy needed her own space. She lived a stone's throw away. Her own space but close enough that I could still watch her. Besides, I had security cameras set up all over this street.

The borough we lived in was run down except for a few houses on the street, even those had seen better days, not the best living conditions. There were a handful of people that lived on this street. None were a threat, most kept to themselves just trying to survive like the rest of us.

My house looked rundown on the outside and I could feel the hesitation of Mike behind me as I flipped the switch, illuminating the entryway and three thresholds. Light flooded the walls which were a crisp clean white with espresso floors and various art lining the wall.

I led Mike through to the kitchen where he gave a low whistle as he took in the modern kitchen with black granite countertops, White walls, black cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances which popped against the white walls and light grey tiled backsplash.

My pride and joy was the light fixture that hung over the counter. It was vintage. A steel sphere that could twist and turn, casting lights and shadows symmetrically in such a way that it gave the room an intimate, almost romantic feel.

That and the shadows reflected on the ceiling were very symmetrical, its simplicity made sense and appealed to the obsessive side of my brain.

"What's the rest of the place look like?" Mike asks as he takes up leaning against the counter. A spry smile on his face as my eyes meet his.

His eyes are hinting at something, What I'm not sure, along with that smile. Hungry hazel orbs wander my face, Flicking down my body, but his eyes quickly come back to mine.

"I'll show you where everyone can sleep." I led him from the kitchen into the sitting room.

I watch Mike for his expression as he takes in the room. Again, the walls are a white backdrop for the numerous paintings I have. The floors are the same throughout the house.

A black leather couch sits in the middle of the room facing the fireplace which I left bare brick. A large black and white rug with a pattern of squares lays between the couch and fireplace along with a matching espresso coffee table.

"We can move the couch and half of them can bunk in here." I gestured to the room.

"And the other half?" He asks, still looking around. Taking everything in and not missing a single thing.

I swear I saw his nostrils flare, trying to scent who else had been in my home. Well, he wouldn't find any other scent. Except for mine, Lizzy's, and Zane's.

"They can use Zane's room," I told him and led him back through the house down the small corridor that held four doors. "This is Zane's room," I say opening the door to reveal a large room with a double bed, a black dresser, and a toy chest for all the things he had.

Mike wanders around the room looking at the easel that still had the alphabet partially written on it. The last lesson I had given Zane before everything went down. I had been teaching him the beginning of reading and writing, at least the alphabet right now, and some small words.

Pictures he had drawn were stuck on the wall and a small play table sat in the corner. His favorite stuffed animal and blanket had been taken with him when I dropped him with Lizzy.

"Come on," I wave him out of Zane's room "I'll show you the rest of the place." Not that there was much more to see. I led him to the second door, opening it to reveal my office.

I point to another closed door between Zane's and the office door, explaining it was a bathroom.

"It's like a mini version of Damon's house." Mike chuckles looking at the several monitors on the desk. His eyes glance around taking in the five file cabinets.

"I keep files and information on things I have acquired or things underground lords are looking for." I offer up.

"You mean steal?" He turns his head to look at me over his shoulder, a playful smirk graces his face and his hazel orbs twinkle with mischief.

"Or steal." I agree, feeling sheepish.

"Where's your room?" I bit my lip at his question but moved through the doorway to the last door in the corridor. The only door that sits on the opposite side of Zane's room and my office.

I clear my throat as I open my door and the beta brushes past me until he stands in the center of my room. It feels a little intrusive. Especially as no one has ever been here. Only Zane. Definitely not a man. And especially not a man I felt a connection to and found wildly attractive.

Okay, that was an understatement. Mike was handsome as hell; built with perfection and the way he made me feel was out of this world.

Each day since the King had let me out of the cell, every moment I spent time near the Beta, I felt as though he was breaking down my walls piece by piece. Layer by layer.

The same white painted the walls, but here they were bare of any paintings. The bed sat in the center of the room against the wall, the frame was dark wood, and the sheets were black silk. A rocking chair sat at the end facing the lone window, left over from when I first brought Zane home. A gift from Miko.

Now that I think about it, it was Bram who had brought the rocking chair over. I never let him in but, was he who brought it over stating Miko had sent for me and the pup. Just like the dress. Now I wonder if it really was from Miko or if it was all Bram.

Poor Bram. My thoughts trailed to him and how it was unnecessary for him to die. I would have to ask Miko when I saw him. I was hoping I wouldn't have to break the news of Bram's death to him. That someone had already told him.

I'm sure he would have figured it out by now. After all, it had been over a month since Bram and I left that fateful morning.

Gosh, had it really been that long since I attempted to steal the crown? It was crazy because it only seemed like it was yesterday. At the best maybe two weeks ago. Things had happened so fast and so suddenly that I hadn't had time to take a breath.

Mike peers into the adjoined bathroom. It's not much. It's half the size of the one I have in the suite back in New Moon.

"So, is this where I will be sleeping too?" He winks at me and nods towards the bed at the same time.

I feel my blush as the heat creeps up me. Lost for words. Did I want him to sleep in here with me? I did but… "Of course, you can sleep on the floor." I wink back at him proud of the way I answered that. This way I would have him near me but not expect anything.

I don't think I could handle sleeping in a bed with him. I was apprehensive about what might happen. After the last kiss we shared, and the way I shamefully rubbed myself against him, I wasn't sure about myself or what I wanted. I definitely wanted him near me though. That much I knew at least.

He chuckles and the sound vibrates right down to my core. I love to hear him laugh. I love to watch him laugh, the way his face lights up with that cheeky smile of his. It brings a small smile to my own face.

I wasn't even sure if he was being serious. I was. He could sleep in here, just on the floor. His scent would comfort me during the night and help keep the nightmares at bay. Ever since he had left me with his shirts, I hadn't had a single bad dream.

I was sure it was the comforting effects of the mate bond.

Sounds of several footsteps could be heard in the house, making their way toward us.

"Where do you want us to set up for the night, Beta?" A female warrior asks. Gina, I believe her name is.

There were two females and six males among the warriors that accompanied us on this trip.

"The living room and also the first door," I say coming out of my bedroom and pointing to Zane's room. "I figure you could spread out this way. I have more blankets In the closet by the front door and will get the fire started to warm the place up." I told her, moving past her and out the back door to where I kept a pile of wood for the fireplace.

I glance at the clock on the stove as come back in through the kitchen and find Mike only feet away from me. "Let me get changed and we can head over to Miko's place."

"Alright, the sooner we get over there the better." He replies.

I thread my way back to my room. I don't bother showering; I can do that when we get back. I go to my closet and pick out a pair of skintight pleather black pants, a long-sleeve shirt, also black, and the matching zip-up jacket to the pants.

I give my hair a good brush through, apply a dark shade of pink lip gloss and some mascara. I wasn't Lyric anymore. That's not who they knew in these parts.

I was once again Swift.

The dangerous female who even the toughest of Alphas, Rogues, and Underground lords came to when they wanted something. Whether it be an item or information.

I had a reputation in the boroughs. One I needed to portray if we wanted answers. It wasn't for Miko's benefit. He knew who I really was, it was for everyone else's, those who might question whether I belonged here or not.

"Nope. Definitely not." I turned at the sound of Mikes voice and the low growl that accompanied his words. He wore a scowl on his face as his eyes took me in. "You look to fucking hot." He said seriously.

I quirk a brow at him, "This is who I am. This who they expect. If I dress any other way than what they are used to; they will know something is up." I tell him, daring him to challenge my insight.

He scrubs a hand over my face in frustration. "How am I meant to keep the males from looking at you when even though you are covered the clothes reveal every curve I want to lick?"

'I want him to do that to us!' Note pipes up from the recess of my mind.

I roll my eyes at my wolf; she is definitely enjoying all the attention the Beta has been given us lately. I feel her desperation for her mate. She wants to be marked and mated.

"They will look but I assure you they will not touch. Miko is crude and crass, but he won't let anyone touch me." I had a strange friendship with Miko. He was a complete ass, but he looked out for me in own strange way.

He would make remarks, sexual and degrading alike. Yet never has he ever let anyone of his gang touch me and if they tried if I didn't kick their ass then they would have to deal with Miko or Bram. Only Bram had ever touched me and before we were tasked to steal the crown, his touch was because he had to rough me up. To save face with Miko's gang because I stepped out of line.

I gave Mike a once-over. He was wearing a pair of snug dark blue jeans, a grey long-sleeved shirt, and a leather jacket. He looked the part with his short hair messy and the few days old scruff that graced his thick chiseled jaw.

A memory of one of the girls from Miko's bar popped into my head. She had looked at Bram and said, 'What wouldn't I give to feel that stubble graze the inside of my thighs.'

I looked at Mike again and bit my lips as I thought of the females meaning and wondered what his scruff would feel like between my thighs.

I wanted to mentally slap myself! Mike pursed his lips and waggled his brows as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Shit how did I go from zero to major horn ball in such a small amount of time. This was crazy! My hormones were overriding the logical side of my brain.

I shouldn't be thinking like this. I was broken. Afraid of intimacy. Or at least I was. Now I was fantasizing about my mate and what I wanted him to do to me.

I shake the visual thoughts from my mind before my arousal seeped into the air. "Let's go," I instruct.

It was just Mike and I that would go into the club. The warriors would hang back a little way but not far in case things went south. I didn't anticipate any trouble, but you never know.

I had never brought anyone to Miko's aside from Lizzy the night Miko found Melody. I had never had friends or a boyfriend. So, turning up with Mike was going to be something the shifters noticed.

"Here, spray yourself with this." I handed him a small bottle of scent masker. "Otherwise, they will scent your pack and rank." My nose scrunches up, "That could be awkward. They don't like outsiders." I admit to him .

After he douses himself well, I give myself a spray too, especially has I now carried the scent of a New Moon pack member.

I didn't want to give Miko or any of his men a reason to not trust me. Not trusting me could land us in some hot water.

And believe me being continuously dunked in scalding hot water then ice-cold water, was not fun. I should know that was the punishment I had to endure from Bram.