The Delta's Daughter Chapter 43

ZANE

The pack had been notified of the challenge and the bleachers surrounding the arena filled up fast. I stood to the side with my mate waiting for Jody’s dumb fucking ass to come out. Just as I thought it, she came walking into the arena dressed in tight black cycle shorts and sports bra, Bret was trailing behind her. He had linked me that he tried to talk her out of it but she wouldn’t budge. Her fucking choice, I had replied to him. Jody is a good looking woman, hot, but standing next to my mate she was nothing.

Her looks paled next to Lamia’s tall athletic figure and emerald green eyes that have me lost every time I connect with them. I was not worried at all, knowing Lamia’s strength and power, I did feel sorry for Jody, just a smidgeon though, she had no idea what she was doing and was too fucking stupid to realize she had just challenged a wolf that holds an Alpha status.

I squeezed Lamia’s hand as she and Bret approached. Bret lifted his hands up in show of ‘I tried and now it’s in her hands’. I pulled Lamia to my side, holding her waist tightly and gave her a kiss on the temple and whispered “I love you.” I didn’t need to say anymore, she didn’t need words of encouragement and I wasn’t about to tell her to go easy, the stupid bitch brought this on herself.

When both girls were in the middle of the ring, I turned to face Jody and grimaced.

“Jody, I will give you a last chance to rescind your challenge and accept that Lamia is your Luna.” I asked her hopefully, losing my usual cold tone to replace it with sympathy.

She snarled “No gamma bitch is going to take my place.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her she had no place beside me and even if she somehow won she would never be my Luna or mate.

“What are your terms for the challenge, Jody Crane?” I asked loudly so the crowd could hear.

“To the death!” she yelled into the crowd, raising her arms up. The crowd cheered and whooped, they loved a good fight.

I sighed and cast Lamia a glance, who seemed unfazed and bored. I wanted to laugh but restrained myself, as Alpha, I had to keep neutral and be fair, or at least show it. “Alright.” I turned to the crowd to announce the fight rules “Pack members of Golden Circle, Jody Crane daughter of the late and former Beta Johnson, has challenged Lamia Langley, daughter of the royal Delta, my mate and your Luna, for the title of Luna to this pack and as my mate she has accepted. As the challenger, Miss Crane has determined the fight will be to the death. There will be no disqualifications and they will be able to fight in any form they choose. The fight will begin as soon as I step out of the ring.” I didn’t kiss Lamia, I wanted to, but I didn’t.

I took my place on the side of the ring next to Bret and Cyrus. “FIGHT!” I shouted, indicating to begin.

Jody began circling Lamia. I was watching for Jody to make her move, expecting this to be over in seconds, when Lamia linked me to *Babe, how do you want me to play this?* she asked.

*Any way you want doll, this is your show, she was dumb enough to challenge you.*

*well let’s see what she’s got then.* I could hear the boredom in her tone as she cut the link off and took up a defensive stand.

Jody launched herself at Lamia, throwing out combinations that were easily blocked, and was pushed away by Lamia. Jody is a strong fighter, one of our top female fighters, but Lamia wasn’t trying, which just proves how strong she is. Flying at Lamia again, Jody tried a kick combination that, again, was blocked and resulted in Lamia grabbing her leg and effortlessly flinging her to the side where Jody rolled a couple of times. This went on for a good ten minutes with Jody attacking and Lamia easily embarrassing her by blocking and shoving. My mate had not swung one punch or thrown one kick.

Again Jody propelled her body ready to deliver punches when Lamia raised her hand and palmed her chest hard, sending Jody flying backwards into a rolling tumble. She hit her fist on the ground, rage filling her eyes as she stood up and began to shift into her light blond wolf, snarling and snapping as she advanced on Lamia yet again.

“Isn’t Luna going to shift?” Cyrus asked, wide-eyed a little worried.

“She don’t fucking need to, just watch.” I replied, crossing my arms and waiting for the inevitable.

Paws thundered across the arena, Jody’s wolf leapt towards her, soaring. With a deep exhale of breath, still looking bored, Lamia set her legs apart, bracing for impact. As the wolf flew into her, quicker than lightning, Lamia’s hand ripped through the air, catching Jody in mid air and holding her there. Audible gasps sounded throughout the arena from the spectators on the benches.

While Jody was snapping her teeth, saliva dripping from her mouth trying to get to Lamia, her paws were flailing at a desperate attempt to claw at her opponent.

Still holding her by the neck, I watched as my awesome and truly amazing mate turned in a circle slowly, showing her strength and power to the pack. Suddenly there was a sickening crack as she upper cut Jody’s wolf, knocking her clean out and tossing her limp wolf form to the side. I watched Bret run towards Jody’s now shifted body; he nodded at me, indicating she was alive. I turned my attention to Lamia and entered the ring, walking over to announce her victory. My mate had other plans.

She raised her arms, stretched them out to her sides and again walked around the ring, looking out and up into the crowd.

“Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me as Luna?” She paused and when no one spoke she carried on. Her voice holds so much power and authority over riding the hushed whispers and murmurs of the pack

“I will ask again, is there anyone one that wants to challenge me for my title or mate? I am the daughter of the royal Delta! I am your Luna, I am an Alpha by blood and I bow to no man except my mate! I showed mercy to your pack member by not killing her, but do not mistake that for weakness. I forgive her stupidity and lack of judgment. Your Alpha has claimed and marked me, I am his Queen and he WILL be my King. I ask for the third and final time, because I will not show the same mercy again. Do you dare challenge me?”

My mate was breathtaking. I am so fucking proud of her. I walked over to her, snaking an arm around her waist, using my other hand, I cup her chin, tilted her head upwards and planted a claiming kiss on her lips, licking them to ask for entrance. When her lips part, I slide my tongue and bend her backwards, deepening my strokes. I could hear the pack in the background, whooping and whistling, the occasional ‘GO Alpha’. When I broke the kiss, bringing us back to an upright position, her hands were gripping my shirt tightly and the biggest, fucking sexiest smile was plastered on her face, probably mirroring my own shit-eating grin.

“You heard your Luna and Queen, Now get to fucking work!” I yelled, not once removing my gaze from her eyes. “You are so fucking hot! I want you now” I growled.

My top warrior, Chris, made his way to us, bowing as he reached us “Alpha, Luna.”

“What?” I coldly asked, still not averting my eyes from my beautiful mate.

“I was hoping to speak with Luna Lamia, Alpha.”

Her grip loosened on my shirt, now resting her palms on my chest. “You may speak.” She softly spoke, not even bothering to turn and look at him.

“I was hoping I could challenge you to a friendly spar, Luna?” Chris was a bold fucker asking for a friendly challenge. My head snapped at him and I noticed she cocked her head in his direction also. He had a smirk on his face that was tempting me to smack it the fuck off.

“Forgive me Luna, I have heard about your swordsmanship through my cousin and not to boast, but I fair pretty well with a blade and would jump at the chance to have a friendly duel with you.” He paused and shifted slightly from foot to foot. “If, that is ok with Alpha Zane and yourself, of course?” He hesitantly looked at me.

It was true he was very skilled with a blade, but I have seen Lamia train with Hunji and again my mate would wipe the floor with him.

“Who is your cousin?” she asked, her beautiful green orbs still gazing upon my own.

“Travis Wertz Next Alpha of the Howlers pack, Luna…”

“Travis? Travis is your cousin?” He had her full attention now. He nodded his head, confirming. Her eyebrows scrunched together in a frown and her eyes narrowed “Tell me…”

“Chris.” He supplied his name.

“Tell me Chris, where is Travis Wertz currently?” I was confused at her question? Didn’t Chris just say he was the future Alpha of the Howlers pack?

Chris shifted again and pressed his lips in a tight line, “Well Luna, umm… were not sure… He has been missing for almost four months now.”

She gasped “What?”

“He... he came home from the academy and a week after returning he disappeared. He left a letter though.” Chris was sounding uneasy, like he was telling a secret.

“Tell me now, what the letter said. I want to know everything!” Her shock gone, replaced with panic and urgency.

Chris went on to tell her how a letter had been left, supposedly by Travis, but Chris wasn’t buying it. The letter stated he didn’t want to be Alpha and the pressure was too much and he wanted to live as a lone wolf, so no one should come looking for him. “…And you see Luna, he never renounced his pack, plus Travis loved his pack and as far as we knew, he has not met his mate yet.” There was sadness in his eyes.

“Chris, I assure you, we will do all that we can to find Travis. He is a dear friend of mine, as well as the Prince and his Beta. This explains why he has never returned our messages or showed up for the party. I will personally take this to the King and if there is anything we can do, we will. You have my word.”

“Thank you Luna.” He bowed to my mate and me.

“Oh and Chris…” she called out. “One other thing, I would be happy to spar with you and look forward to it, maybe tomorrow after your duties?”

His cheesy grin reached from ear to ear “Yes, Luna, thank you.” And with that he turned and jogged towards the benches where other warriors were still mulling around waiting for Cyrus to begin training.