The Delta's Daughter Chapter 59

LAMIA

6 Weeks Later

*Meet me in the Alpha office and bring Travis with you* I sent a collective mind link to Brett, Cyrus, Halley and Chris. They all acknowledged my request and cut the link. I left my room and wandered down the hallway making my way to the office.

For the past few weeks I had been going over pack finances, borders, treaties and training. Not just for the Golden Circle, but also for the Pacific pack and MacTire.

MacTire was a little harder as it was a new territory and had nothing, no business, no funds, no hierarchy, rank or solid training. Hunji had been doing his best to establish rules and warriors with the shifters that were left and wanted to stay. Even some rogues who had feared Silas and had been against his way of ruling were eager to join a pack again. Some had never been part of a pack, born a rogue. There was a mixture of people left at MacTire; wolves, feline and bear shifters as well as humans.

I was needed there and could not put off going back there any longer. Hunji had done an excellent job as my second in command and in my stead, but I knew I needed to go and take control and establish ranks.

I had said my farewells to Kellen and Mike two days after the funeral and haven’t seen them since. It was heart felt goodbye as we didn’t know when the next time we would see each other would be. I promised I would be there for Kellen’s Alpha initiation. He was set to take over as Pack Alpha, for the Royal pack (Officially called the Moon pack) in a few short months. His ceremony had been delayed due to me. The rogue problem had sorted itself out after I killed Silas, but they still had the task of finding missing wolves that had been kidnapped and building back some of the smaller packs that were under the kingdom's rule.

I truly will miss Kellen and Mike, and my family. There were always phones and email and, of course, Kellen and I could easily mind link. We weren’t bound to short distances like other wolves. Although I did wonder if our link had limitations that we just hadn’t experienced or discovered yet. I guess time will tell.

All I could wish was for Mike and Kellen to be happy. I really did hope they would find their happiness and I hoped it would be in the form of their mates, even though Mike had said after seeing what I went through he was in no rush to find his fated mate.

There was a knock on the door and the five wolves walked in taking various seats around the room. I looked at Travis who sat next to his cousin Chris. He was looking so much better from when I saw him at the funerals. He was still on the thin side, but had started to slowly gain weight and muscle back.

He had been held in the dungeons for over 5 months, almost since we had left the academy, and had suffered more torture than I would like to imagine. He was a lot quieter than I had remembered him being at the academy and had spent his days training with Chris trying to get back to the physical and mental state of the future Alpha he was meant to be.

Travis had opted to stay here with us, not fully ready to go home to the Howlers pack and face his family. He, too, had lost his mate, I could relate on some level.

Whereas my mate had been taken from me, murdered by the hands of our captors, his mate had rejected him in the worst possible way. And whereas I mourned my mate’s death, he was happy she had met her end after everything she put him through.

I had learned so much more about Kira and her betrayal and her spiraling psychotic mind from mine and Travis’ late-night talks. We had grown closer over the last few weeks, probably because we shared a tragedy and nightmares.

Nightmares plagued both of us, and we found solace and comfort with each other, knowing neither of us would judge the horrors we were put through.

“I have asked you all here because it is time to make some changes” I started.

“What kind of changes?” Brett asked.

“I am Alpha to three packs now, and I am needed at them. I can no longer hide here. I need to take responsibility and begin to lead. All packs.” I told my half truth.

The truth was; I thought the Golden Circle was home, but without Zane, it was just a place, a pack and even though I should feel like I belong, I didn’t. And my wolf had become restless, encouraging me to go back to MacTire.

I had no idea why and yes, as much as I didn’t want to go back to the place of my nightmares. I had to. I was a leader and if my father and uncles had taught me anything, it was to take responsibility and take care of my own. That meant taking care of what was left at MacTire. My territory.

I stood up and took out 6 glasses from the mini bar in the corner and poured each glass half full of whisky. I didn’t hand the glasses out just yet, but turned to face the room of wolves.

“I cannot stay here and be Alpha to just this pack, therefore some changes need to be made,” I said. I then turned around and placed the six glasses on a tray and brought it to the small coffee table that sat amongst the group in the office. Cyrus went to reach for one and I smacked his hand away.

 “Not yet”, I scolded him. His grey eyes widened in surprise as I tutted at him and he retracted his hand quickly. I saw Brett shift from the corner of my eye, obviously agitated that I hadn’t explained the changes to him yet, so I carried on.

“I cannot be everywhere at once and I need to relieve Hunji from his post so he can carry on as my second in command. Therefore (and I turn to Brett) Brett, I want you to become the Acting Alpha of the Golden Circle pack. Cyrus will become the acting Beta and Chris the Acting Gamma.” All eyes were on me staring in disbelief. “If you accept the changes and pledge your allegiance to me, we can do the initiation now.”

“And what if we refuse?” Brett asked. I chuckled.

“Brett, you are not going to refuse. This is your pack; you helped build this place with your own blood and sweat. The people here know you and respect you. They don’t know me, just that I was the late Alpha’s mate, I wasn’t even made Luna and suddenly I am their Alpha. They accept it because it’s the wolf way and law. It doesn’t mean I should be the one leading and commanding them every day. The pack will take orders from you, and you will only take orders from me.” I finished.

“I accept and would be honored Alpha Lamia.” He stood and bowed to me.

I looked at Cyrus, who eagerly nodded “Of course, Alpha, but this will always be your pack and home.”

“Thank you Cyrus, that means a lot to me, don’t think I won’t be coming to check up on you now and then and also checking on the packs well being.” I then turned to Chris. “Chris, will you accept your new position as acting Gamma?”

“Uhh… Uhh… yes, I’m just shocked, surprised. Thank you Alpha!” He exclaimed to me.

“Good, now, Halley, you are 16 correct?” I said as I looked at the tiny dark-haired beauty.

“Seventeen in a few months” she replied.

“Good, how do you feel about attending the Alpha academy?” I asked, folding my hands behind my back. She looks at me, lips parted and a look of astonishment. “You are an Alpha’s daughter and will most likely become a Luna or mate to a Beta. Your brother had thought about sending you before, but hadn’t got the chance to talk to you about it. He wanted you to have the opportunity he didn’t.”

“I… I… I’m not sure Lamia. I mean I guess. I always wanted to go.” She stammered, cheeks turning pink in excitement.

“Good that’s settled then, you will head there when the next term starts.” I was so happy she wanted to go, I also thought it would make a good change of scenery for her after everything she has lost and been through. This would also strengthen pack relations. “Then let us proceed with the initiation” I said, and cut the palm of my hand and allow my blood to spill into each of the half-filled glasses of whisky, all but two. Mine and Travis’.

“By drinking my blood, each of you pledge to your new position. Each of you promises to put the pack first and pledge your loyalty me as your ultra Alpha. By drinking from your glass you enter a blood pact that can be undone by death only. Do you each swear to do your best and promise to uphold the laws of the golden circle?”

“I do” was a collective answer.

“Do you each swear your loyalty to me and promise to help your sister packs in times of need?”

“We do.”

“Do you each promise to follow the laws of the werewolf kingdom and promise to uphold your duty as part of the royal pack lands and only deviate from the kingdom if I so wish?”

“We do”

“Then drink from your glasses and welcome your new ranks.” I finished. I added the last part because I wanted to make sure they still knew they were part of the were-wolf kingdom and fell under their laws.

I had already spoken to Kellen and the King to let them know of my plan, and wanted to assure them that no matter what, even if MacTire was outside the kingdom, I would forever support the throne and be an ally.

Everyone lifted their glasses and drank, the four with blood gasped and their eyes shone bright for a second as the whisky infused with blood coursed through their bodies and they all felt a new surge of power with the new ranks they had been given. I had essentially given each of them an upgrade, including Halley. Her wolf will now become a stronger Luna. Travis and I were the only ones without blood in our glasses.

“When will you leave?” Cyrus asked, running his hand through his dark brown locks and resting the palm on the back of his neck.

“End of the week, we have a few things to go over before I leave and I would like a pack meeting called for tomorrow afternoon to announce the changes. Halley (I say turning my gaze to her), would you please have the omegas to help you prepare for a pack bonfire tomorrow night in celebration of the changes. There has been too much death and I think we could do with some fun, something to bring the moral of the pack up.”

“Yes, I would be happy too! That does sound like fun Lam’s!” She squealed happily.

“Great, in that case you are all dismissed.” I say and everyone stands to leave and starts filing out of the office. “Travis, could you stay behind please?” I call out to him.

He turns back around and takes a seat in one of the chairs again. Once I heard the click of the door closing, I stepped over and grabbed the bottle of whisky, bringing it to the table with me and took a seat next to him. I fill his and mine again, and we each take a sip.

“Travis, what do you want to do? Have you thought about your plans for the future yet?” I lay a hand on his arm as my own gaze searched his deep brown eyes. He looks down into his lap and shakes his head.

*****

TRAVIS

I sat here witnessing Lamia take charge like a true leader as she initiated the new ranks, sealing it with a blood pact. I was in awe of her. I always have been. We all knew she was destined for great things, maybe that’s why Kira was jealous and plotted against her.

She was the strongest wolf any of us had ever seen, as well as the kindest. Every guy wanted her and every girl wanted to be her. Her beauty and look of innocence out-shone every other she wolf.

Now, she was still beautiful, but that innocence had disappeared and in it's place was a hardened young woman, beautiful as ever, but you could see the shift in her demeanor. Like me, she had forever been changed, different, we would never be the people we were before.

After being rescued, I decided to stay in the Golden Circle pack with my cousin and Lamia. Some might call me a coward for not going home where I was meant to be the future Alpha. Some would say I was running away from my responsibilities and duties, like they thought I had in the beginning when Kira and that Rogue Oliver had tricked me and knocked me out and I had woken up in the dungeons of that castle.

“Travis, what do you want to do? Have you thought about your plans for the future yet?” Lamia laid a hand on my arm as she took a seat next me. Her voice is barely a whisper but laced with concern.

I looked down in embarrassment and shook my head no. I had no idea what I wanted to do and I had no idea what I should do. Since we had been back and Lamia had come to Golden Circle we had become closer friends. We shared a tragedy, and guilt, an understanding that needed no words between us.

I was a future Alpha whose wolf had not acknowledged me since we had been tortured. He was there, but refused to come forward. He felt ashamed at what had happened to us and what we had become, a play toy for their sick twisted minds, a play toy that was mistreated by the one person who was meant to love and cherish him forever. Our mate. My wolf held out with the torture, they could beat him, whip him, poison him and my wolf would fight it. He was strong and could take it.

It was when we were sodomized he went silent and abandoned me. He couldn’t take that and left me to deal with the humiliation on my own. Lamia was not the only one violated in the worst way possible. It happened to me too. We can heal the physical scars, but the mental scars would be much harder.

So I sat and hung my head in shame. I know what I am supposed to be, but how could I be something that I felt was stripped from me, taken from me? I was left a weak and broken Alpha. An Alpha who’s wolf had abandoned him. Or at least wasn’t speaking to me anymore.

“Travis,” Lamia’s sweet voice caught my attention, pulling me back to the here and now before I became stuck in my own mind and the memories of the past trapped me once again.

Her fingers hooked under my chin, lifting my head so my eyes could meet her gaze, so I could see her beautiful, deep emerald green eyes. She was a sight to behold. She always had been and I always thought how lucky Prince Kellen was to have her by his side.

I was shocked to find she and Kellen were not mates but the goddess had fated her with Alpha Zane, a cold prick of an alpha. A strong and ruthless Alpha, but never the-less-everyone thought he was an ass and cold-hearted.

However, since my stay at the Golden Circle I have come to find out he wasn’t as much of an ass as everyone thought. He cared deeply for his pack and family, and loved Lamia with a fierce passion. I was sorry the goddess had taken him and part of me wished he had lived, if not for her, then for his pack.

“I don’t know what to do, Lamia. I have no drive, no ambition. My wolf is still not speaking to me. I feel him, but for all intents and purposes, he has abandoned me.” I admitted to her.

She sighs and drops her hand. Her lips pressed into a tight line as she regarded me. “Travis, I want you to come back to MacTire with me and face our demon’s together.” She waited for my reply and when I gave none she spoke to me again. “I cannot promise you anything, but together we can build a new future. Stay with me; help me build a new era. We can heal together. Or die trying.”

A lump formed in my throat, my mouth as dry as a desert as I regarded her words.

“Let me help you and together we change the world and rid this realm of the evils. What happened to us was not OK, and if we can prevent it from happening to others, I think we should, our own personal redemption. We can use our misfortune and turn it into something good, something positive. We can help so many others. Join me Travis?” She asked.

Her words were spoken softly but with intent and as I looked at her I watched her emerald orbs softly glow with a look of determination and revere of something. I realized then I would follow this queen to the ends of the earth and had this giant urge to protect her. I believed in her and believed she could make this realm a better place.

“OK.” I finally nodded. "I will go with you, Lamia. I will pledge to serve you and commit to your quest. I will go to MacTire with you and face our demons.” I ran a hand through my hair and blew out a long breath, the decision to take the leap of faith with her had my stomach in knots.

She pulled out her dagger again and cut her palm, letting the blood drip into my glass and mix with the amber liquid.

“Drink my blood Travis and you will become the wolf you were always meant to be.” She held my glass up and I took it.

I downed the liquid, the bitter taste of the whisky hitting my senses first before the sweet metallic aroma touched my tongue and travelled down my throat coursing through my body. The warmth of the whisky and her blood mixed and my veins began to heat. Not a burning or painful feeling but a hot, comfortable warmth and tingling sensation washed through me. My eyes widened and lips parted when my wolf howled in my head.

‘Janus’ I whispered inwardly to him.

‘We are worthy of being an Alpha again. She has restored our soul and spirit. Our Queen has given us a new purpose, her blood has made us stronger than before.’ He puffed his chest out and preened with pride.

I smiled as I felt almost whole again. In my state of awe at Lamia, who was smiling triumphantly at me.

“Thank you” I said, still in wonder at the return of my wolf.

“No thank you Travis.” She said, standing up. She moved behind me where I still sat and placed an arm around my shoulder, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “You are now an Alpha in your own right and my third in command.”

Third in command? “Like a Delta?” I asked.

“No, you are an Alpha, but you are third in command to your queen, so I guess if you want to call yourself a Delta you can, but… above all, you are an Alpha. One of my Alpha’s” She cooed.

And I would follow her commands and serve her to the best of our ability. This I promised.

*****

LAMIA

The end of the week came quickly, almost too quickly, but at the same time not fast enough. The changes had been presented to the pack and no one seemed to have any qualms about them. Last night, I sat and had a meal, for the first time since coming back to Golden Circle with the pack. I talked with Brett and Cyrus well into the night before heading back to the Alpha suite. Brett was going to have my stuff packed up and some things sent to MacTire, the rest would go into storage. This would now become his suite.

I was wearing the soft black metallic pants and body suit gifted to me by Aunt Olivia and Uncle Michael. My swords were seated safely on my back and a rucksack sat by my bare feet with extra clothes and a pair of boots, along with some power bars for the trip to MacTire. We would be running there.

It was night and the moon was high in the darkened sky. One lonely star shone upon us. It’s twinkle, like a beacon of hope in the otherwise twilight night. I sighed as I cast my eyes back down and looked at the headstones in front of me.

Zane Noir

Beloved Alpha, Mate, Brother, Son and Father

May the goddess bless him and he live on in the after life

I ran my hand over the white marble and placed a kiss on the top of the stone epithet. “Take care of our son Zane”, I whispered. I kissed my finger tips and pressed them against the cool surface of the small stone that sat beside his. Our son's headstone. “I just know he would have been great, like his father. And just as handsome too.” I gave a weak smile. A single salty drop escaped my eye. “We will meet again, my loves.”

“Lamia, it is time to go.” Travis said behind me.

I stood and wiped the lone tear before I turned around and we walked to the border of the packland, leaving in the dead of night like two thieves. When, in reality, neither of us wanted a long good bye, we would be long gone and half way there by the time anyone woke up in the morning. I stopped at one of the border patrol huts.

“Take this to the royal palace and give this to Prince Kellen and only him.” I commanded with my Alpha tone.

“Yes Alpha.” The guard replied and hurried away.

Travis and I reached the border and shifted into our wolf forms, anxious to run and feel the freedom of the land beneath our paws.

My towering black wolf and his large deep brown wolf, was larger than I remembered. His wolf had grown with my blood.

Side by side we ran, our paws digging into the dirt as we kept pace with each other. Covering the ground and heading back to the place that created our nightmares, the place that changed us forever; to face our past and create a new future.

This is not the end…. To be continued with the second book – The Delta’s Daughter, Rise of a Queen