The Delta's Daughter Chapter 384

LYRIC

Things had moved quickly, maybe too quickly in my eyes. I wasn't sure if I was ready for everything that was happening.

Lizzy and Olivia, Mike's mother had become fast friends. Upon Mike and I completing our bond, Olivia set Lizzy up in one of the single suites at the other end of the hall. Olivia also had given Lizzy a job as her personal assistant so she could help the older beta female with the palace's day-to-day running but still wouldn't be too far from Zane and me.

Zane had rejoiced, jumping up and down excitedly, and Lizzy had cried when I cm home with the Beta's mark still fresh on my neck. They were both happy, maybe happier than I was. Zane was the most excited. He and Mike had bonded even more, and Mike asked me if he could have Zane bonded to him officially which meant a small exchange of blood.

We decided to ask Zane together and even though we explained how it worked, he didn't care. I think Zane was more excited that Mike would officially become his father. It was decided that on the day of our mating ceremony that Olivia and Lizzy insisted we have, the two most important males in my life would become bonded too.

With Jonda awake, and the problems that came with her, I wasn't sure I wanted the ceremony. I pretended everything was fine, but the truth was, it wasn't.

I don't like to think I'm a jealous person, yet that's what it was. The angry green monster would rear its head and Note would rumble from deep inside at the mere mention of that female's name.

I didn't want to be like this, I just couldn't help my feelings. I recall only mere months before when I sat in the dungeons and Jonda appeared before me. She was willing to let Mike go, but at that time I didn't see why she needed to. There was so much animosity between Mike and I. I was a criminal, he's the royal Beta. He was in love with Jonda. She had cheated on him with her mate.

I recall that day, when I pointed out the obvious. The way she looked at Rhett once she recognized him. There was love there. I'm sure of it.

Did Senko do such a number on her that she no longer left the pull to Rhett, that she believed Mike was her mate?

I push my feelings to the side. In truth, I know Jonda cannot help what is going through her mind or what she believes, but it doesn't make it any easier on me.

Mike has done nothing but prove to me he only wants me. I believe him I do. But this Jonda situation is really getting on my last nerves. It's a double-edged sword though. When I look at Jonda, I see my sister. Pregnant and hopeless, without a spirit animal to guide her.

I have a firm gut feeling that Jonda lost her wolf the same way my sister did. That Shadow had ripped it out of her. Otherwise, Rhett's mark should have broken the curse. It was the strange enigma of light from Mike that saved her, but it was Rhett's bite as her mate that should have had her wolf emerging.

For these reasons, I bear with the drama of Jonda. Every day she gets worse and demands Mike's attention more and more. I'm not sure how long I can keep Note at bay from ripping her throat out.

"Hey, I'm out of here," I say sliding back from the desk and looking over at Damon who was still diligently working away.

"Ok, I will let you know if anything crops up." He says, not even bothering to look up from his screen, regarding the airwave tap we had built. We had been syphering through radio waves, phones, and any computer data we could get our hands on or come across. We had been doing this for the past few weeks.

Yet, we had learned nothing of Shadow's whereabouts. Everything trail we followed came to a dead end. If we suspected someone working with Shadow by picking up on a conversation Mike and King Kellen would make sure a team was sent out to investigate and or question the person, we were spying on.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I tell Damon, heading out of the ops room.

I was completely in my element with ops. I loved fighting, I loved training. I had even been giving Queen Tala more instruction and training in the evenings. She was a natural of course. But honestly, this was where it was at. Playing with gadgets, linking to the old realm. And Damon was like the long-lost brother I never had. We just gelled.

"Good night!" He yells as the door closes behind me.

I trek back through the palace passing a group of giggling young females and happen to overhear one of them talking about my Beta.

"He's so hot! I hear he was a big-time player up until he met the Queen's sister. Now he has a mate." One speaks. "Megan, I think we have all swooned over the Royal Beta at one time or another. We don't stand a chance with his mate around. She's beautiful." This comment makes me smile and slightly blush.

"My brother was at Golden Circle with them. He told my father that the new Beta female is not only hot but can whoop some ass." Another female laughs.

"I've trained with her."

"What? When?" The second girl asks another.

"Well not trained with her, but I have watched her train. She is every bit as good as the males and the top female warriors."

I can't help the small chuckle that passes my lips as I leave them behind to keep gossiping. It's true, my mate catches the eye of all the unmated females. If I had a coin for every time I caught a female gazing at my mate longingly, I would be richer than even King Kellen himself.

"Oh, miss swift!" I'm caught off guard by one of the omega housekeepers as I walk up the stairs. I look up to see a flustered female wringing her hands in desperation. "I don't know what to do. Miss MacTire is having a meltdown. King Kellen and Queen Tala are in a meeting with your Beta, miss."

I squint my eyes as I climb the stairs towards her, "A meltdown."

"Yes, Miss. A full-blown fit and we can't calm her down."

"Show me," I speak without thinking and find myself outside the room Jonda has been put in. She never comes out of there. She doesn't want to unless she gets a bug up her ass and wants Mike. Then she tries to flee.

This really isn't a good idea, but what can I do? I tried to mind-link Mike, but his mind is closed off. The same with Tala and Kellen.

Cautiously I open the door and duck when a vase fly's at my head. Two other servants are in there trying to calm Jonda down as her arms flail around and she hisses at them "I want black paint!" She yells at them.

I creep in and gesture for them to step back, "Jonda." I say gently, seeing the tears in her eyes and the stricken look on her face. "What can I get you?"

The two servants step back out of the way and hover to the side, anticipating our interaction. They are not dumb they are aware of the situation. Most are.

Jonda begins to stomp her feet and her hands reach to her hair. She screams and begins to pull chunks of chestnut hair from her head.

"No, no, let's not do that." I quickly rush to her and grab her hands to prevent her from pulling more chunks of hair from her head. Her belly is large and when she manages to rip her hand from mine begins to hit her stomach in a rage.

"Shit Jonda, don't do that."

"Why?" She screams through tears. "He doesn't want this child. He doesn't love me!" She sobs, her voice cracking from her screeching.

I grit my teeth and wrap her in my arms. Pinning Jonda's arms to her side and lowering us both to the ground, where I use my legs to keep her still. She thrashes against me, and I try not to grip her too tightly knowing she is vulnerable, and I am much stronger. I could bruise her.

I swallow the lump in my throat and say, "Mike is not going to be happy if you or the baby are hurt, He is very busy Jonda. You know this." I put forth as much effort into my voice as I can to deliver my words sincerely.

When in truth it pains me to think about it, even saying it leaves me with a dull heartache. "Now tell me, why are you so upset?" I think about my sister and how I would want her treated. I think about Queen Lamia and her acceptance of me and how she handled the situation with Zane.

I could do this.

"Jonda, I can help you. What do you need?"

"I just want more paint." She begins to sob again and goes limp in my arms. I released my grip on her body slightly.

"Show me," I tell her, now fully letting go. I hop to my feet and offer a hand to the frail female. "Show me what you are painting."

"Okay," She smiles, her demeanor doing a one-eighty. I think she has truly lost it.

Jonda waddles towards the second bedroom in the suite and I follow, keeping my guard up in case she tries anything.

When Is step into the room that is meant to be a nursery, I gasp. Covering my mouth with my hand, eyes bulging at what I'm seeing.

Jonda suddenly flashes in front of me, her lithe frame moving quickly. She stares into my eyes and then slowly lifts her hand to her lips, "Shh" She says. Her finger pressed against cracked lips. "He hears all. He sees all."

I stumbled back, not because of Jonda but because of what was painted on the wall. There on the once-cream wall is a mural. Dark but whimsical. Beautiful but scary. Strong yet sad.

The image of Lamia is painted front and center. Except she has pure black hair, not streaked like it is. Next to her stands the biggest silver wolf I have ever seen, with bright blue eyes. On her other side is a bear, large and imposing, dominating. Lamia holds a pair of swords in her hands and her feet lay a child. Shifters from all races make up the background. Most notable are the three wolves behind Lamia, the bear, and the silver wolf. I recognize Duke, the other two I'm not sure of.

Each person or animal in the mural is looking at a tree, painted black. The beginning of another piece. This must be what she wants the paint for.

"Jonda…" I trail off at a loss for words.

"Shh. He is coming. He hears everything. Sees everything. Master will soon open the door." Then she starts to hum and rubs her belly lovingly. Seemingly to forget about me.

I tried to establish a link to Mike again. He still has his block up. I left Jonda to look out the window and go back to the main area where the servants were still standing. "Go get the King and Queen immediately. Tell them it is an emergency." I order pushing forward my alpha aura and the newly gained power I received from bonding with Mike. "And for fucks sake, get her some black paint!" I add.

I stay in the suite, propped against the door to the would-be nursery just watching Jonda. Note stirs and comes forward. 'I don't like her. But she is weak. Broken.' I internally groan in agreement.

Jonda is feeble-minded, and whether I want to rip her throat out for trying to claim my male or not. She is not clear-minded, it wouldn't be fair. My mother and father always taught us to take care of the weaker wolves in our pack. Just because they weren't fighters, didn't mean they didn't belong. In the Swift Paws pack, we believed every wolf, Omega, Alpha other had a purpose. Weaker wolves were to be treated with respect. Without them a pack does not function, without them, a pack does not eat. Without them, a pack does not grow.

My mother told me, Alphas and Beta's were created to protect those who did not have the strength to defend themselves. That, any Alpha who looks upon their weakness as less, should be stripped of their title.

I gulp at the memory. Wishing I could see my parents one last time.

The sound of several hurried footsteps catches Note's ear, accompanied by the scent of my mate. Soon enough they were crowding into Jonda's suite.

I back out of the room leaving Jonda and usher the others back, so as not to alarm Jonda or let her know Mike is here right away. Because I know she will pounce on him and try to kiss him. It has happened quite a few times and I really didn't feel like having the taste of puke and hot trash in my mouth right now.

"Lyri," Mike looks at me with concern checking out my body for injury or that I hadn't been attacked or I hadn't attacked Jonda. Maybe a bit of both. "What's so urgent, what's happened?" He says, bringing me into his large arms and wrapping me up.

I push him off slightly, so I'm not suffocated. "She had an episode," I say looking at Tala, then avert my attention to Kellen. "She uh, well you should see for yourselves." I wave my hand at the doorway that leads to the mural.

Tala is the first one to cross the threshold, followed closely by Kellen then Mike. The three of them stand there in awe, just like I did.

"What does it mean?" Tala asks. Looking at her sister who hums a song, still gazing out the window. Oblivious to the four of us looking at her artwork.

"She can't paint," Mike says astonished. "Jonda is the least artistic person I know."

"Mike! You're home!" Jonda suddenly pipes up coming out of her daze. "I don't even have dinner ready." She pouts and crosses the room to him.

I have to turn my face when she tries to hug and kiss him. Note growls and I push her down. Tamping down her temper that bleeds into my own emotions.

"Jonda, why don't I help you make some food." Tala gently says and from the corner of my eye, I can see her guide Jonda from my mate.

*****

Mike, Tala, and Kellen stay to eat with Jonda, appeasing her deluded mind. I, on the other hand, leave to pick Zane up and prepare dinner for us. I make extra for Mike just in case, though I am sure he is full from eating with Jonda and pretending to play happy families.

To my surprise, Mike came home sooner than I anticipated. He breezes past me, not giving me a hello, a hug, or a kiss like he usually would. Instead, he makes his way to the bathroom, and I hear the shower switch on.

"Is he mad?" Zane asks me, ever the observant pup.

"No." I give him a curt reply and begin to clean. Moving things around that were fine where they were, to begin with.

I sense Mike behind me as I spray the counter with bleach for the second time.

"You are killing Duke's senses," Mike chuckles and I huff carrying on, ignoring him.

"I'm sorry Lyric." He said stepping up to me and snaking his arms around my waist from behind. "I didn't want to greet you with her scent on me."

"So, you just say nothing." Yeah, I'm a little pissed. Jealousy at its finest and wasn't above behaving like a brat either.

"The quicker I showered the quicker I could have you in my arms. I thought we could talk then." I try to pull away, but he just pushes me against his chest harder. His nose nuzzling into my neck and his hands trailed up over my body.

I feel the thickness of his cock against me and almost forgive him. "You can't make me forgive you by using sex," I tell him harshly. Though he really could.

"I'm not trying to do that sweetheart. You are just damn sexy that every time I am near, I get hard. I can't help it. It's what you do to me." Again, he nuzzles and licks where my mark is.

"Mike," I warn turning in his arms and wishing I hadn't when I see those fucking gorgeous hazel eyes shining down upon me.

My core tightens and Note swoons for her mate. I melt just a little bit before I catch myself and firmly plant my hands on his chest and push him back. "No." I point my finger at him, shaking off my arousal before it floods the room.

"Mommy, Beta." Zane trundles into the room. "Dacia wants to run."

"Dacia is going to have to wait," Mike tells him pointedly. "Mommy and I have things to talk about."

"Like last night when you were talking about having a cat. Are we getting a pet?"

My face instantly heats, and I hide my head in my hands. "No, we are not getting a pet, Zane. We are shifters, we come with personal pets." It's all I can say.

I peek at Mike through my fingers and his grin is wide and bright. We both know Zane must have overheard us last night when Mike ate me out on the kitchen counter and demanded I answer who my pussy belonged to.

"But…"

"No buts Zane. Mommy and I were playing a silly game. There is no cat." Mike tells Zane with finality leaving no room for argument.

"Why don't you get ready for bed, and I will come read you a story soon. You can play until I come in." I promise Zane, who happily agrees and skips off to his room. He would be four, three days after our mating ceremony and he wanted to have a birthday party that he could invite all his friends to.

It was my understanding that Mike's birthday was just a couple of days after his. Maybe they could have a joint celebration. I groaned. I would have to ask Olivia and Lizzy for help.

I whirl around at Mike casting him an accusing glare. "We are not fucking in the kitchen again." How I managed to keep a straight face was beyond me. I was mortified that Zane had heard us. Hopefully, he didn't see anything but at the same time, even I could admit it was funny.

Mike shakes his head, his grin becoming wider until it turns into a full-blown dazzling smile, "Yeah. No." He says sliding toward me again.

I back up and lift my hands. His smile became mischievous. I know this look by now. He intends to devour me. "Nope. Talk remember. Fuck later when Zane is sleeping. In. The. Bedroom." I stress.

Mike's shoulders sag and he runs a hand through his brown locks that are a little longer now. I like his hair like this. I like to grip the strands when he… I cut the thought off. Damn it, I was becoming as horney as him.

Mike and talk, he fills me in on his meeting with Kellen and Tala and Shayna's letters, the ones we retrieved. I had offered to read through them too, but He thought Tala should. That anything they found she should know first.

He also discussed his theory on Shadow and Shayna's child. He had already put a call into Alpha Travis and Lamia. Mike said Lamia was in denial. And I could honestly see that. Who wants to think they got duped by a kid, or someone pretending to be a kid? But Mike did stress it was just a gut feeling that he couldn't say for sure.

I knew if he was wrong, he would feel guilty as shit for the accusation. I had to agree his gut feeling could possibly be right. I mean in a strange way it fit into the story of the trio.

The trio. I call them the trio, Kellen, Lamia, and Mike because everything started with them. And everything that was happening now involved the three of them. Including me and Zane.