The Delta's Daughter Chapter 70

 Lamia

“Alpha Langley, you are, no doubt, a valuable leader in today’s society. Your growth as a pack, so fast, is commendable. And your innovation with technology throughout your cities is impressive…” I looked at the high councilman with boredom.

The elder bear shifter, who was a tall burley man with a beer gut and graying hair, wasn’t stating anything I didn’t already know. There were four high council members, Mr. Peter Carling, who was speaking now. Evelyn Stallings, a cat shifter, who looked to be in her early 70’s but was still the picture of beauty with her slim figure, tanned skin and dark hair tied into a perfect bun on top of her head. The third high councillor (and my favorite so far) was John Meir, a well put-together wolf. He was slender and a little shorter than the average werewolf, but his pointed nose and thick-rimmed glasses gave him a kind look and his personality showed that kindness also. The fourth high council member, Mr. Abner Brooks was also a were-bear. He seemed to be the younger of the four, muscular and in good shape with platinum blond hair and pale blue eyes. A handsome man, by all accounts.

“Mrs. Langley…” A deep and strained voice addressed me. I looked to see Mr. Brooks called out to me.

“That would be Alpha, to you…sir” I interrupted him, gritting my teeth at his obvious disrespect for my title.

“Alpha Langley… As I was about to say, even with all your accomplishments laid out on the table, I fail to see how you can keep running a pack with mixed shifters and humans. Not to mention, trying to keep a kingdom under control. There will be internal fights, disagreements. How do you plan to prevent this?” I really didn’t like this Brooks, guy. He kept trying to derail me at every turn. Nitt picking at irrelevant things.

“Well Abner, can I call you Abner?” I didn’t wait for his response. “I would be happy for you to take a tour of our MacTire territory, or any other city and pack that I reside over. In fact, after this meeting I have set up a few tours for the council members to visit the highlights of territory.” I paused to take a deep breath; I could see his jaw twitching, aggravated that I hadn’t answered his redundant question.

“…But to answer your question, sir. For two years, we have lived as a mixed pack and I have yet to come across anyone in MacTire that is unhappy with either their living conditions or the dynamics of my empire. No kingdom is without its problems, but for the most part, the bear shifters, cat shifters, wolves and humans have worked and fought alongside each other. Would I call it harmony? Probably not, but we live as a unit, and each member, regardless of their race, is important. Which is more than I can say for Clans and Sleuths under the rule of the Bear King. “

There were sharp intakes of breath throughout the room, shocked that I would call out a King, one that was not there to defend himself. I did not care.

“I am sure you have all seen the file regarding the small clan my men and I found, massacred, torn to shreds? It was my pack that buried them and investigated and my pack that took in the lone survivor, who, might I add, is thriving as well as they could be in their situation. Not one of you reached out to me, nor did anyone from the Kingdom of the bears. Not one. So Mr. Brooks, can you tell me who looks like a true leader? Who acts like a queen? And rules with fairness, compassion and justice. Not just for her own species but for all of our gods and goddess’ children.”

There was a silence as I finished my monologue and sat back in my chair. I was sure the patrons sitting in the room could feel the power and anger rolling off me. The annoyance of these councillors was grating on my last nerve and I was ready to be done with this inquisition. I couldn’t care less if they instated my territory as a kingdom or not at this point. The title of Queen was just that. A title. It had no bearing on how I ran my empire.

“I think we should break for an hour so we can discuss the findings and make a decision. Mrs. Stallings interjected “Mr. Smalls, Ms. Cindra, if you would join our table for discussion?”

We broke so they could come to a decision, and the whole time I paced the hallway outside my own throne room. Kellen, Uncle Michael and Aunt Olivia sat there watching my excessive pacing until Kellen had had enough.

“Lamia, would you stop? You are giving me a headache. Everything will work out the way it is meant to be. We gave our statements, and they interviewed Hunji, Crimson, as well as some of your top warriors. Not one person could give you a bad report. Your subjects love you; hell, my subjects probably love you more than they do me!” He chuckled at his last statement and I had to smile back at him, because it was true, they probably loved me more.

NO, Kellen would make a great king and he was set to be crowned right after our birthdays in June. Seeing as it was December now, it was only 6 months away. I had made a promise to be there for his coronation and it would take hell on earth to keep me from it. He was so ready to take over from his father and the alliance we had with the royal pack could only grow stronger with Kellen on the throne.

We were ushered back into MY throne room a little over an hour later. Taking our seats at the make-shift tables that had been set up. I glanced at the old worn throne that sat higher on a platform. I hadn’t sat in it yet, I didn’t like to tempt karma. I would have it replaced with one I designed myself.

I should do that after this meeting, I thought, and started coming up with ideas until the council members stepped into the room again. Everyone was eerily quiet; you could hear a pin drop, as they all waited to see if I would become a queen today.

Councilman Abner Brooks spoke with authority. “We have discussed your request and before I give you our decision I have one final question, Alpha Langley. With whom do your loyalties lay? You are a wolf; will you take the side of a wolf pack before a clan of bears?”

Cheeky bastard. I smirked and hardened my emerald orbs, casting a glare at him before answering, all the while holding his arrogant eyes with mine.

“My loyalties lay with my pack. We have many alliances with the wolf packs as well as cities. My army is great in number and we will provide aide as well as support to any pack, clan, clowder, sleuth, pride or town, to those in need and who deserve it.

 I would not be a just ruler if I showed prejudice against other shifters, considering my empire was built on the backs of shifters of all races.” I concluded. If that answer wasn’t good enough for him, he could stick it up his ass.

“Thank you.” He mumbled, seemingly perplexed by my answer. “We have come to the decision today, that MacTire would be a formidable kingdom and its army a great asset to other kingdoms. However, we will be denying crowning you Queen today…” A collection of whispers began throughout the hall and voices started to rise, people calling out protests and angry shouting was being directed to the table of councilors. “…SILENCE!” Abner bellowed and hush fell on the room “…If you had let me finish” His nostrils flared at the interruption and his eyes darkened. “…We will not be crowning Alpha Langley as a queen today. She is young but has demonstrated true leadership. We will set the coronation for after her 21st birthday and by then a declaration should be signed and recorded for the establishment of the Kingdom of MacTire.”

My first thought was I was denied. The feeling of disappointment was a shock, thinking I would be this affected, but then his last sentence rang through my ears.

Holy shit-a-moley! I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across my face. I turned to find Hunji, whose rare wide smile was just as big as mine, his dark pools were lighter and the hint of a spark was gleaming in them. I owed that man a lot and would give him whatever he wanted. Without him, none of this would have been possible.

MacTire was to become a Kingdom and I, their Queen.

Whoops and hollering were heard throughout the hall and whispers of parties and celebration for their Alpha, me. They were happy and I was happy for them.

I felt Kellen’s embrace as he pulled me to him and began leading me towards the councillors. I thanked them and Kellen told them that they had made the right decision.

“Alpha Langley…” Abner caught up to us “I expect great things from you and I look forward to your coronation. I hope you meant what you said, about fighting for all shifters, not just those who are close to you.” His eyes shifted to Kellen, then back to mine.

“Mr. Brooks, I assure you, you could not find a more fair and just ruler than Lamia. Besides, she will have the full support of the werewolf kingdom and I am sure there are many outlaying packs and clans as well. You see how much she is loved and respected by her people.” Kellen vouched for me, the excitement in his voice uncontainable and his smile lit up his ocean blue eyes.

“Indeed. I would like to take you up on your offer of a tour of MacTire Alpha Langley. I am not sure if you are aware that this territory was once part of the Bear Kingdom, a long, long time ago, and I have family that came from this area.” Abner asked sheepishly. Now the meeting was over, he seemed a little more approachable.

“Of course, I said, I would be happy to get James, one of our top warriors and bear shifter, to show you around.” I gave him a little nod and he sauntered off towards the other council members.

“We will have to leave soon, Lam’s” Kellen bent into my ear and whispered, his words full of woe.

“Then link Uncle and Aunt and have them meet us in my office, I will have lunch brought up for us before you leave.” I was surprised how even tone I was, because I had an ulterior motive before saying good bye to my best friend, and it was always hard for me to keep my real thoughts and feelings from him.

I would get the truth from him by hook or crook.

I had linked Hunji and Travis to also meet us in my office and I waited until everyone had piled in before I ambushed them.

“Now what is going on with my father?” I crossed my arms and glared at the Royal Beta and prince with an imposing manner. “Do not make me command an answer from you” I said, pursing my lips in annoyance. They had to know I had overheard them earlier by now, Right?

“Lamia, your father is on a mission. That is all we can say” Beta Michael sighed.

I looked at Kellen, who refused to meet my eyes.

“Damn it! What the fuck is going on with my family?” there was silence “I command you to answer me!” I hated to use my Alpha Aura, but I knew even Kellen couldn’t resist it. I had never used it on either of them. But I wanted answers. And I wanted them now.

A look of regret was shared between the prince and Beta, a stretch of silence until the Beta spoke. “Damn it Lamia. Your father went in search of a woman named Odeia. We don’t know why, only he and the king have that information.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“We don’t know”. The Beta scrubbed a hand over his face and slumped his shoulders. “We lost contact with him about three weeks ago and we have men searching for him but we haven’t had a lead on him yet. Your mother has been feeling unwell…”

“Are you frickin’ serious? Why would you keep this from me? What the hell is wrong with you guys?” I was seething. And my fists coiled tightly as I resisted the urge to sock Kellen and my uncle.

My father had been missing for weeks and my mother had fallen ill, and they didn’t know where he was! “I should knock the shit out of both of you. If you had told me, I could have sent a team to look for him, hell I could have gone looking for him!”

“Lamia, his last known location was Lonely City.” There was trepidation in his voice and concern written all over his face.

I blinked a few times, waiting for them to tell me where Lonely City was.

*It is Bear territory* Hunji’s voice filled my head, and I let out a groan. He would be in the one place I never had any desire to visit.

*Get me a map, I am leaving today.* I linked back. I felt the nervousness roll off him from across the room.

“I am so unbelievably mad at you two right now! I should have been told the moment there was a problem!” I yanked open the door to my office, storming down the corridor and up the stairs to my chambers. The sound of six sets of footsteps followed close behind. I threw my door open and began packing a small bag and pulling out my suite Aunt Olivia had given to me.

“Where are you doing, Lamia?” Kellen asked as the six of them came into my room.

“What the fuck do you think I am doing? I’m going to get my father and then I'm bringing him home.” I couldn’t help the animosity. I was enraged and determined. I was also sorely disappointed that they didn’t trust me to tell me what was going on. The king had lied to me and told me he was fine. Obviously he wasn’t if my mother was sick. “Is that why mom is sick? Because someone is doing something to him?”

There was a look of shame on the Beta’s face. And so he should be. Why the heck wouldn’t he tell me? Why keep this from me?

“We are not sure, Lamia, we can only assume. You cannot go alone…” The Beta started.

“Fucking watch me.” I gritted out while throwing a few things in the bag then went into the walk-in closet to change, grabbing my swords and sheathing them on my back. I walked out and sat on my bed as I pulled my black leather combat boots on.

“Lamia, if you go in there all hot and heavy, they will take it as an act of war. We cannot afford a war with the bears!” Kellen yelled at me.

He fucking yelled at me! It wasn’t me in the wrong here. It wasn’t me being irresponsible; I wasn’t the one that fucked up. They did. By not informing me of my father’s disappearance, nor telling me my mom was suffering from goddess only knows what and why.

 I couldn’t help but laugh “And you didn’t think that I have how many were-bears in my pack? Most of them hell of good trackers? I could have sent them in; it would have been a good cover. But NO! you couldn’t let the one person who could do something know. I swear… UGHHHH!” Now I was just frustrated.

“Hunji, you are in charge. Travis’ you will take over training and have Rhett organize patrols. Ria will be in charge of daily pack functions and she…” I trailed off because I thought of Petra, I had to say goodbye to her and explain. “She can co-ordinate with Mrs. Brown regarding Petra. Travis, find Petra. I need to see her before I leave.”

“Yes Alpha” they both said and left to fulfill their tasks.

“Lamia, you should really reconsider, at least take someone with you...” Kellen tried to reason with me, but at this point it was futile. My mind was already made up and I didn’t have time to waste.

“I will be leaving here today, and it has already been weeks. I cannot have my father suffer the way Travis and I did at the hands of those monster bears. I cannot let my mother go through this. I will find him, mark my words and if he is harmed I will kill the fucking king of the bears myself.

An hour later, I was ready. I said goodbye to Petra, promising her and everyone else that I would be safe. Not something you should really promise when heading into hostile territory, but I did just to appease them.

“Please be careful my Queen,” Hunji implored.

“I will do my best. I will check in with you as often as possible, but if you do not hear from me for two weeks, have our army prepared and then feel free to unleash our fury.” And I meant it too. If anything happened to me, I would have Hunji start a war.

And we would win.