The Delta's Daughter Chapter 387

LYRIC

"I Michael Pike Junior accept you Lyric Swift as my fated mate. My one and only now and in the afterlife. I promise to honor our bond in the ways of loving, protecting and providing for our family." I gulp the tears away, staring into his hazel eyes that are lit up as he says his vows. "In this life and the next I promise to always be by your side. The night we met," He looks at me sheepishly, recalling our first encounter. "I was an idiot. We met under straining circumstances, and it took me a while to realize what an amazing woman you are. Smart, capable, challenging but above all I have come to learn how big your heart is."

A lone tear slides down my face. I hate being so emotional, but Mike's words are not just true, they are honest and raw.

"I almost made the biggest mistake in my life Lyric. I don't know what our futures would have been if I had pushed you so far away to the brink of no return. Little by little you stole a piece of me, showing me who you really were. Before I knew it or even understood it, you had stolen my heart. It belongs to you now." He lifts his hand and cups my cheek. "I will thank the powers that be every day, that I didn't, and you accepted me."

The councilman ties the ribbon around both our wrists, knotting the ends together.

"I Lyric Swift Accept you Michael Pike Junior as my fated mate now and in the afterlife. My first. My last. My only." I repeat the words he said to me not so long ago. "I came to you in disgrace and broken. And though we began rocky, you brought me out of my shell. You showed patience and gave me warmth. Accepted me and my - our, son. Your family welcomed me with open arms. You say I stole your heart, yet you broke down my barriers and opened mine up. Allowing me to find love and believe in our bond."

I almost choked when I saw the tears in Mike's eyes, I hope they were happy tears like mine.

"My Beta, my savior. My love." I finish.

"By the power of the council, I now pronounce you declared, in the eyes of the kingdom and under the watchful eye of the Moon Goddess."

Mike and I lifted our hands to the small group of people who we invited to attend our private mating ceremony.

Mike drops our hands, "There is one more commitment I would like to make. Zane?" He calls my son up to the podium. Zane comes rushing up and Mike drops to a knee. "I have completed the fated bond with your mother, but there is one other bond I would like to seal."

Zane looks up at Mike with interested eyes and an excited expression.

"Zane Noir Swift, You and your mom are a package deal. My wolf and I have already committed to you mentally I would like to make it permanent. If that's okay with you?"

"Does that mean you will be my dad?"

"It does, and I would like nothing more than to be your dad." Mike smiles at Zane and I melt at the sweet moment when Zane nods his head.

"I want that too!" Zane jumps up and down excitedly and Kellen brings the ceremonial knife and chalice to Mike.

"I will cut myself and you, just a small cut, and our blood will fuse together. Councilman Smalls will say some words and then we will be bonded as father and son."

My hand clasps my dress, waiting for Zane to freak out. Instead, the little boy that holds my heart holds his handout and says, "Let's do it!"

I hear chuckling from our guests and Mike proceeds to first cut his hand then makes a small nick in Zane's hand. They bleed first into the chalice, just a few drops then Mike joins their hands.

The councilman recites an old bonding incantation holding the chalice up for all to see. When he is done, I look down at my son. "How do you feel Zane?"

"That was amazing! I feel happier." He adamantly replied. I laughed at his upbeat attitude and the ritual seemed to not affect him at all.

Zane throws his arms around Mike and Mike hugs him back. "I love you, buddy." I heard him whisper. The councilman then ties Mike's other wrist with Zane's.

"I now pronounce you a bonded family." He happily announces.

Everyone claps and the three of us step down from the podium as our family and friends congratulate us. A servant brings round a tray of sparking wine to toast with.

I cut Zane loose so he could run around and turn to face Mike. The smile I had been wearing all day was still strongly present on my face as I took in Mike looking fine as can be in a grey suit that hugged every muscle his with an off-white tie that matched the color of my dress.

"You are happy?" It wasn't so much a question but a statement.

"I am." I reply with sincerity then add, "Especially when I have you to look at, all fine in that suit." I finger the lapel of his jacket, and he pulls me into his arms.

"You look beautiful." I blush slightly, still not used to his compliments and look down at the sheer off-white mid-dress I'm wearing. It's a dress for spring, though it was now April, the weather hadn't gotten the memo, and temperatures outside were still lower than they should be.

Last week we held Zane birthday, inviting a few of his friends from daycare. Otherwise, it was just the same people who were here for our mating ceremony that celebrated Zane's birthday. Next week will be Mike's birthday.

New Moon had carried on as best as it could while we still tried to track down Senko. Damon and I worked diligently but as Mikes mother said: "We will always have some kind of threat against the kingdom, it is a wolfs nature to create war. Rarely will there ever be just peace between all packs. So, make time for fun and love wherever and whenever you can."

I liked her outlook and realized that was where Mike got it from. So, I was trying to not dwell on things or let them plague my mind. I looked around at the people gathered and wondered if they were just happy for Mike or me too?

"Finally, I have a beta female." Tala nudges me with her elbow, and I weakly frown. She leans in close and quietly says, "My sister was never meant to be my Beta." She pauses, and looks at Mike, "As much as they thought they were in love, Since I have been here, I have never seen Mike smile like this. He looks… Complete." She points to where he now stands with Kellen and his father, after we untied the ribbon.

"I hope so." I sheepishly reply.

"I'm thinking of sending Jonda back to the Sea Dog Pack. I think being with her mother and brother would be best for her."

"You think?" I question skeptically. "She is already away from Rhett after he has marked her. I'll be honest Tala, I don't like it, but… Don't you think taking her away from Mike might be… too much."

Tala shakes her mane of flame red hair and purses her lips. "I spoke to Luna Siobhan. She agrees they could help her better. I'm still on the fence about it. I just want what's best for her and our kingdom."

"I'm sure whatever decision you make, will be the right choice." I didn't want to get into details with her because let's be honest, Note still wanted to rip Jonda's head off. Today was a day of celebration. I didn't want anything disturbing my enjoyment.

Tala must pick up on my uneasiness discussing her sister, "I'm sorry." She sighs. "I don't have any other female friends here. You're pretty much it, without my sister." She lays a pale hand on my arm in a gentle gesture.

"You consider me a friend?" I asked surprised. I can't remember the last time I really had friends. I look at her face trying to find the lie, but the Queen of werewolves just stares at me and smiles.

"Well, yah, and right now I'm your only female friend. So were kind of stuck with each other." She shrugs like it's no big deal.

I chuckle and the smile on my face broadens. "I don't think that's so bad. Being your friend."

"Yeah, you are officially mated to Mike, that makes us family too. Where there is one the other is sure to follow." She points at our mates giggling. "You know they are a package deal, right?"

I laughed with her because yes, I was coming to realize that. I also realized Zane and I had a home, a family and I belonged to a pack again. A place where I could do good.

A ruckus came from the entrance of the observatory where our ceremony was being held. "I must speak with the king now!" A male's voice sounded out.

I watched as Kellen, Mike and his fathers' eyes glazed over receiving a mind link. The happy expression everyone wore faded and was replaced with worry. They looked between them then Kellen ushered the male who was causing the commotion to come forward.

"Your Highness, Councilman Pike," The older man addresses Kelln and Mike's father. "I come here on urgent business."

"State your urgency," Kellen commands him, blue eyes glaring at the old man with intent. "We are celebrating the Royal Beta's mating in case you haven't noticed."

I move closer, wondering what could be so important.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, Beta," He finally addresses my mate. "I have word Councilman Abner Brook's house was attacked last night."

"By whom?" Michael Sr. growls out, his wolf coming forward.

The old man bobs his head repeatedly. "His manservant alerted the high council. Councilman Brooks has fled to the werecat kingdom. He gave me a message - Senko has found the earth stone."

Immediately, the King and Mike look at each other. Without their eyes glazing over they have a private conversation. I had never seen a shifter be able to mind link like that. Never mind two of them.

"They are reaching out to Lamia. Probably Hunji and Rhett too." Tala whispers at me. "You get used to it eventually. It's part of the whole Knights and Queen thing."

Needless to say, our party was cut short at that point.

*****

SHADOW

It was a shame Abner wasn't home when I sent my subordinates to ransack his home. I was pleased with the rogue bears, maybe more than pleased. After all, they found what I was looking for and then some.

"Valik, you have done well." I praise the rogue halfling werebear, the leader of his crew. Stretching out a hand to tap his cheek, my long nail nicks his skin, drawing a small amount of blood.

Bringing the finger to my lip, my tongue darts out to taste his stale essence. His memories flash behind my eyes, showing me everything that happened.

Valik was excellent at executing commands. If I didn't know he, did it for the money, I would say he almost enjoys chaos. The hunt, the kill, the destruction, it all gives him a thrill and I feel that thrill as the drop of blood tingles on my tongue.

His soul called to me when I came across him a few years ago. I hardly had to convince him to join my cause, his spirit animal relished when my darkness crept into him. There was no fight, no will. He was willing and ready to serve.

I dismiss Valik. He will be useful in the battle to come. He has a large group of followers who despise the Bear King just as much as he does. Rogue wolves, bears, and hybrids. Some are fully human.

I shuck the white coat I wear, hanging it up. It was time to take a trip now that I had three stones in my possession.

"Three stones," I repeat out loud, throwing and catching the enchanting green stone in my hand that Valik had just delivered to me. I was closer to my goal than I had ever thought.

Soon I could open the veil between realms and Aodh would walk amongst the shifters again. My payment to the god of the underworld for restoring my life and gifting me with great power.

I thread my way through the underground lab, taking the stairs two at a time until I reach the ground level, three stories above me.

The sounds of unified chants reach my ears before I open the doors to the inside hall. Five stood in front of my army, commanding the changelings, training them to be their best.

Once noticed Five stops and bows to me, followed by the three-thousand-strong army that all take a knee once I have made myself present.

"Children!" I spread my arms out wide. "And Changelings. Our goals have almost been met!" They stand to listen, and three thousand pairs of eyes watch me intently, waiting for my orders. "In three days', time, we march for Cambiador. We do not stop until I have the fourth stone in my possession. And we will not show mercy until the Beta wolf surrenders!"

The army stomps its feet like drums beating, calling attention to the beat of war. The sound sends a thrill through me, and I close my eyes so I can feel the power of my army. Absorb their energy and let it fuel my own strength.

"Master," Milo speaks beside me, lowering his head in respect. "Please come see the new wilds. I think you will be pleased."

My lips curl with a cruel smirk as I follow Milo back inside to where we hold the wild beasts.

They pace their cages, eyes red and angry, hungry. Hungry for flesh and blood. I used the Grimalkin's blood, fusing it with mine and the current serum. The results are beasts larger than before, teeth bigger and sharper, their senses heightened, and still, I control them.

Almost all the changelings had received a dose of the new serum. It didn't affect them all, but the ones it did doubled in size as well as their strength.

I had also given the serum to my remaining thirty-one children. All except for Milo. He was the only child who I had given a name to, the rest were numbered in the sequence that they had survived. Not all my children lived, rarely did they live past eighteen years but since I had discovered Petra's blood was healing, and youthful. It had made cultivating the children easier. They grew faster, bigger, and stronger.

Even their sensitivity to light had been diminished. Though I could not cure their blood thirst.

Milo was the first child I created ten years ago. He grew fast and quickly; his appearance makes him look in his thirties but his pale hair and skin give way to revealing his youthful side. He wasn't as bloodthirsty as the rest, but still on nights when the moon was full, he would scream and wail just like the rest, craving the copper liquid.

This was why we would invade Cambiador on a full moon. So, my children can be free to feast. The shifters will see my power and they will cower in fear.