The Delta's Daughter Chapter 48

TAWNY

We have been out in the field for two weeks now. Hunji and I have been heading up teams of warriors and trackers trying to find any hint or lead to where they could have taken Lamia and were hiding her.

We at least knew who had taken her and the why but had no idea where they were operating from or where they would be holding up, it was like they disappeared into thin air. From what I understood, Alpha Zane had immediately followed her scent with his men when they realized she had been tranquilized and kidnapped, only to lose her scent when they reached a road, assuming she had been taken by car. That’s where the trail went cold.

I got up from the rickety bed of the motel room we were staying in for the night. The room was clean but the drab walls and old wicker furniture made it look and feel like something seedier. The warriors were paired up to share rooms, but Hunji and I had our own. I guess it paid to be the Delta’s daughter’s best friend. I would have complained less if our accommodations had been a little more classy and not so dated and dingy.

I sighed as I pulled on my jeans and tank top and threw on my combat boots, tying my hair back into a tight pony tail. We had trekked through various terrains these past two weeks, scoured through forests and hills, even visited human towns in hopes of catching a whiff of her scent.

I was tired and missed home, missed my friend, but no matter how little sleep I got, no matter how much I complained to myself, I would not give up. My friend was out there, with god knows who, doing goddess knows what to her. I would not stop looking for her until we brought her home. I know for a fact if the roles were reversed, she would stop at nothing and destroy everyone and everything until she found me.

I opened the door to my room and walked down three rooms before knocking on the dingy, paint peeling blue door of Hunji’s room.

I waited a few moments before knocking again.

Holy mother of shifters!

Hunji answered the door wearing nothing and but a towel tied low around his waist. Water dripped off of him, his long hair wet, droplets of water running off his dark locks down his chest and slowly trickling down his abs only to be captured by the low hanging towel.

I tried.

I really did try not to follow those beads of water rolling down his chiseled physic, over his hard and defined pectorals and the deep scars that littered them. I wondered how he had gotten them.

My eyes trailed after each trickle of water, some of the droplets catching on his dark nipples, slowly beading over them before travelling further down into the grooves of his sculpted abs, soaking in his every line of his cut mussels.

I licked my lips at the sight, urging myself not to lick the droplet of water that clung to his nipple. My hands are nervously twitching, eager to touch him, to let my fingers trace each and every curve of his handsome face, from his pointed nose and sharp jaw, over his round lips and down to his steeled chest.

There was a story behind those scars and I wanted to feel the scars from his pain. I want to know his story, then kiss them away. I found them seductive. What pain must he have been in to get scars like that? I’m not repulsed by them, no, if anything, I found his scars even more bewitching. I’m just dying; to touch him. And as my eyes travelled further down I am left wondering what was under that towel.

Juniper, my cat, purred at the sight of him. Jeesh, what was wrong with me?

“Come in” he grunted, then he turned away, leaving the door wide open.

I could feel my cheeks heating up, embarrassed that I knew he had caught me looking, but he was gentleman enough not to say anything.

I followed in after him and closed the door behind me, watching him as he fished out clothes from his bag, his muscular back flexing with each movement. Like his front, his back was also strewn with scars. These ones weren’t as deep, two or three looked like knife wounds, and some were old healed scars from claws or teeth, left over from when his wolf couldn’t heal him fast enough.

He had seen some battles. Unlike the ones on the front of his chest that looks like someone tried to claw his heart right out of there. Goddess I wanted to taste this man from head to toe.

I mentally slapped myself again. Get a grip Tawny! This man is old enough to be your father. Yah, that little pep talk didn’t help. Look away, look away, I keep repeating, but I can’t peel my darn eyes away from him, almost willing his towel to drop, I want to see what’s under there. I felt a deep warmth begin to heat up between my legs at the thought of seeing him fully naked.

At a lightning fast speed, I suddenly found myself pinned against the door, one hand pinned to my shoulder, the other slammed against the door next to my face. All the breath in my lungs whooshed out at the impact, gasping to draw air back in. I could taste his scent of wild flowers and basil. His dark eyes now fully black peering into mine like a possessed demon, his chest heaving.

He lowered his head, breaking contact with my eyes, so I couldn’t see his expression, and placed it in the crook of my neck where he inhaled deeply, taking in my scent.

His warm breath fanned my bare skin, causing goose bumps and a shiver down my spine. His body almost pressed up against me. There is but an inch of space separating us from touching. I arch into him, bringing us closer but not close enough because his hand is still pinning my shoulder. I’m not in pain, but his hold is solid and unforgiving.

I closed my eyes, my breathing becoming labored, panting for his touch. I get my wish and he’s pressing into me, his arousal very noticeably pressing into my hip. His head still bent into my neck, when I felt his lips brush my ear and in a calm, low and gravelly voice, that I was sure was mixed with his wolf, he almost made me come undone right there.

“I am but a man, little girl.” He growled out “You need to control yourself because I can’t guarantee I will and it’s been a long time since I’ve tasted beautiful.”

Oh my goddess, my core throbbed with his words, fluttering and aching for him to touch me. I closed my eyes; did I want him to control himself? I didn’t know. I gulped loudly, licking my parched lips. I had never been with a man, or anyone sexually. I always thought I would save myself for my mate. But now, standing right here with this delicious, scrumptious man, I found myself wanting.

Mate be damned. I won’t be eighteen for another 2 months. I was ready to lose my virginity to this man. Right here, right now. 

His six foot frame towered over my short 5’ 4” stature. I didn’t find this wolf intimidating.

No, he was alluring, kind, mysterious and looking sexy as heck right now. The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them.

“What if I don’t want you to control yourself?” It was a breathy whisper into his ear, rivaling his own words. I knew my words affected him when he tensed and his hold waivered. I could feel his hardened member throbbing against me.

As quickly as he had me pinned, he stepped back, turning and grabbing his clothes off the bed, marching into the bathroom and slamming the door behind him. I hear growling from behind the bathroom door and know he is fighting his wolf right now.

I’m an idiot. This time I slapped my forehead and not mentally. Idiot, why did I do that, why did I get so aroused by him? He is twice my age, a wolf, and we work together. We are not out here to get freaky. We are here to do a job and find our friend. Why would he even want me, a disgraced princess and a were-cat at that?

A few minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom fully dressed in a red tee, black jeans, combat boots and his hair tied up in a messy man-bun, still looking hot as heck. I huffed and slumped my shoulders. “Look, Hunji, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me; you’re a hot guy, what can I say? Let’s just forget I was checking you out, ya?”

“Sure.”

Sure, that’s it, that’s all he was going to say about that. Okay then… I was just about to open my mouth again but was paused mid gape when he spoke, his calm voice like music to my ears.

“Go pack your bag and meet us out front in 20min. We will grab breakfast and then we are heading to the Crescent Moon pack.”

I nodded my head, not sure if I should say anything more or just leave it alone. I decided on the latter and turned to open the door, my hand pausing for a brief moment before turning the handle.

Almost outside the door, he calls to me “Tawny…” I took a shaky breath, not daring to turn around, but I did, smiling. When really, I just wanted to rush out and hide my embarrassment for causing this situation.

He held my eyes, looking right into them, like he could see through me. I waited with bated breath for his next words. He seemed to be hesitant. I was sorely disappointed when they came.

“Let Kellen know that we are heading there today.”

“Yah, yah, sure” I nodded, the moment vanquished.

I pull the door closed and rush back to my room where I fly in, closing the door and leaning my back against it. I mean really, what did I honestly hope for? Let’s be realistic here, I saw a hot guy half naked and got my hormones in a twist. That’s it, it didn’t mean anything. A moment of weakness. After all, we had spent almost every hour of the past 2 weeks with each other, there was bound to be some kind of attraction. Yah that’s it, I just got comfortable around him, I convinced myself.

I sent Kellen a quick text, updating him and then threw all my gear together, packing my bag. I was thinking about skipping breakfast with the warriors but decided against it and went to grab some food.

It was a three-hour drive to Crescent Moon; I had avoided Hunji at breakfast, only because he didn’t turn up at the little diner across the road from the motel. But I wasn’t able to avoid him in the car. I opted to sit in the back this time, stretching out, letting one of the lead warriors sit up front as I plugged my earphones in and turned up my music, purposefully avoiding having to make conversation and hoping to get some extra sleep on the drive.

*****

Finally, after one quick stop for gas, we pulled up to a 3-story mansion and were greeted by Alpha Eric, Luna Sylvia and their son, future Alpha Greg (who I had met at Lamia and Kellen’s birthday party). They warmly greeted us, shaking our hands until I got to Greg, who engulfed me in a hug, lifting my feet off the ground.

Since I had become friends with Lamia and the prince, my life had taken a complete one eighty. Where I once feared being in a room full of wolves, I am now comfortable. Coming from a place where I feared for my life every day, thinking I would meet the same fate as my mother, to suddenly being accepted and respected amongst the wolves.

I wasn’t an idiot. I knew that given the chance, a majority of the pack wolves would still hunt me down, but now the higher-ranking members seemed to accept me; they saw me as Lamia’s Beta. That and the protection of being friends with the prince helped.

Make no mistake, if I did not have their support and Hunji and I walked into a pack outside the kingdom, I knew my number would be up.

“It’s good to see you again Tawny, I just wish it was under better circumstances.” The future Alpha Greg sighed heavily, still crushing me under his huge arms. Lord, were all these wolves this muscular?

Releasing me, he turned to take Hunji’s hand. “Sir, it’s an honor to see you as usual.”

“Thank you Alpha Greg, I hope your training has benefitted your pack.” I looked at Hunji and saw the respect Greg had for him as he bowed his head slightly, replying that his training had carried over to his warriors. I forget that Hunji was a trainer at the academy they all attended and a world renowned weapons expert as well as tracker and historian.

I also knew he put a lot of the blame on himself that Lamia was taken and couldn’t find her. He had taken it very personally, hence why we were out here scouring the Kingdom.

“Come, let me show you your rooms. My mother, Luna Sylvia, will get your warriors situated.” Alpha Greg ushered us. We grabbed our bags from the trunk. “Here let me take that for you Tawny”, Greg insisted. So I let him.

The mansion had a very woodsy cabin feel to it, decorated with natural hardwood furniture and deep greens and blues, plaid couches and large windows. Even the stairs and railings were a varnished hard wood like oak. The warriors would be staying on the second floor, while Hunji and I were placed on the third floor, our rooms next to each other.

I opened the door and stepped into my room. It was decorated similarly to the rest of the house; deep rich colors, all the furniture was made from natural wood, even the four-poster queen-sized bed was rustic and natural, like they chopped a tree down and nailed the bed frame together with the appropriate sized logs.

A sudden sense of sadness came over me as I took in the room, and I thought of how much Lamia would love this place. The natural elements made you feel like you were one with nature, out in the middle of nowhere in your own private log cabin.

“Are you OK, Tawny?” Greg asked from behind me. I turned to look at him, his light brown eyes narrowing with concern.

I gave a small smile, one that did not reach my eyes. “Yah, I was just thinking how much Lamia would love this place” I sighed sadly “You should see her room back home, painted to look like you are sleeping in a forest.” A light chuckle left my lips when I thought about the first time I saw her room and how I thought she was crazy, but once I knew her better I couldn’t imagine her having a room any other way. It was just her style. She loves nature, hated being cooped up inside. She always said she felt like a caged animal if she was inside for too long.

“Well, hey, once we find her we will have to invite her to come and stay with us.” Greg encouraged, “I will let you both settle in, meet me downstairs in… say 30min and I can show you around while we talk. We serve dinner at 6-8 in the main hall downstairs. That will give us time to talk with my father too and get a plan of action going.” He stated, then bid his goodbye, leaving me to stand in the room alone.

Once he had gone, I took a better look around. Next to the large window stood a wardrobe. The dresser stood on the opposite wall of the bed next to another door, which led to a nice sized bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and rainfall shower. Oh man, I couldn’t wait to shower later! There was a side table on either side of the bed, and another door to the right of it, that I hadn’t noticed when I first stepped in.

I walked over to the second door, turning the handle, thinking it was a small closet or something. Nope, that was wrong. It was an adjoining door that led me right to Hunji’s room.

And there he was.

Stripping his shirt from his chest. He paused and looked at me mid way with is shirt half off.

“Oh… umm… sorry. I-I didn’t know this door led to your room. S-sorry.” I stammered.

How fricking embarrassing! I quickly turned, closing the door behind me. What were the chances of me walking in on him half naked again? I’m guessing good, seeing as I am two for two right now. My cat, Juniper, was purring in my head again, anxious to get another look at his hot and scrumptious body.

I mentally chastised her, telling her to quit being a horny little kitty.

I took a few minutes to wash up before heading down to meet with Greg and Hunji. When I got downstairs, his Beta Sam was waiting with him and greeted me in the same fashion wrapping me in a tight hug and squeezing. His personality and build reminded me of Mike, whereas Sam had blond hair and blue eyes and was a few inches shorter than Mike, they were both upbeat, jovial guys, with an air of mischief.

As we toured the pack grounds I couldn’t help but notice how lush and green everything was, deep hues of emeralds, pine and moss, dense forestry surrounding the small town. The guys were deep in conversation as I took in the scenery, talking about searches and a rogue camp they had spotted 2 days ago not too far off their land.

“… Yah, we saw Kira a couple of weeks ago, in one of the human villages with some guy a little older than us. We asked her if she knew about Travis missing, and thought, seeing as they used to be close, she would know. It was kind of weird; her reaction wasn’t what we thought it would be, more nonchalant, like the subject bored her…” Sam was recounting. At the mention of Kira’s name he had caught my attention.

“Huh, why was Kira out here? I thought her pack was located by the coast?” I asked. For some reason, the knowledge that she was out this way didn’t sit too well with me or Juniper.

“Don’t know, we asked her and she brushed us off with some explanation about a sick relative. Unless her relative lives in a human town, there are no other packs around here, and if she was on our land we would have known about it… Come to think of it, her father had requested permission to pass through our lands a little over a month ago.” Greg replied.

“I saw her with the same guy last week when I went out to pick up supplies. I told her Lamia had gone missing and she seemed shocked that she didn’t know and said that nobody had told her…”

And bam there it was. I looked at Hunji, who must have been thinking the same as me. There was no way she didn’t know. I knew for a fact Kellen had called her and told her because the Luna ceremony was obviously cancelled, and she had been invited.

The other thing that had been niggling at my mind was the day after the attack on the royal pack, on Lamia’s birthday. The King had requested for all guests to be sent home, but Kira had already left before Mike could make arrangements for her. I had wondered if she had left that night or super early in the morning, I also didn’t see her on the pack run either. Small things, maybe, but these small things just weren’t sitting right with me.

I took my phone out of my pocket to dial his number, but I had no signal.

“Hey, I need to call Kellen NOW.” I was shaking because I knew what this meant, I knew who the traitor was; it was Kira. But why?

We headed back to the pack house at inhuman speed, where I was able to pick up a signal and dialed Kellen immediately. He picked up after the third ring.

“Kellen, I know who the traitor is, and I think we have a lead on a search area… You’re not going to believe this, it’s Kira.”

I put Kellen on speaker phone and quickly explained as Greg, Sam and Hunji started pulling out maps. At some point, Alpha Eric comes in to help aid in the planning and target search areas.

Kellen tells us he wants scouts out looking, and to only report back if they find anything and not to engage. He also fills us in on their findings at their end and had already listed and pin pointed Kira as a possible accomplice.

“…Hang in there guys, we will be there in two days. Zane will want to be there, but as of right now, he is still knocked out… Hunji, he, Zane, can feel everything. He almost tore his chest out last night.”

I looked at Hunji, raising an eyebrow. Why would he try to tear his chest out? I knew he was missing her and in pain, but why go to that extreme and almost kill yourself? The atmosphere became thick with tension and a rolling anger from all the guys began to suffocate the room, their auras stifling me, had me almost cowering. 

We hung up with Kellen and I voiced my question “Why would Zane mutilate himself like that?”

All the men in the room tensed and stiffened at the same time, even Hunji, who’s usually the calm and non-emotional one, had this enraged look in his eyes, it was him that answered me and he didn’t mince his words.

“He can feel them raping her.” Hunji's voice was low and gravelly full of anguish.

Oh my god! Lamia! I took a seat before I passed out, my head feeling light and fuzzy. I felt sick, disgusted, my poor friend. We had to find her, we had to, I couldn’t even think of what they were doing to her, what she was going through without the bile rising. I quickly grabbed the trash can by the desk and hurled into it.

I wasn’t even aware of who handed me the glass of water. I accepted it with shaky hands, but I did know it was Hunji who was rubbing my back, trying to comfort me. His scent of wild flowers and basil wrapped around me, as did his tight and strong arms. He led me up out of the chair and out the door into the hallway, my legs shaking so violently I almost collapsed. I wasn’t sure if I could take another step. Hunji swept me up, carrying me bridal style all the way up to my room. I looped my arms around his neck and buried my head into his shoulder.

“Why Hunji, why? She doesn’t deserve it, she doesn’t deserve any of it” I sobbed violently for my friend, for her pain, for her to be OK. I sobbed as he laid me on the bed and placed himself behind me, pulling my back to his chest.

My heart bled for Lamia, my heart bled for Alpha Zane. My tears streamed as I thought of the pain they were both going through. My sorrow was ugly and it showed.

“Shhh, you cannot blame yourself little one. Neither of us could have stopped it.” His words, although soothing, did nothing to ease the guilt that plagued me.

The guilt that I had been unable to help, that I joined the fight too late, guilt that my friend was suffering at the hands of a monster