The Delta's Daughter Chapter 77

Lamia

Still four days until the full moon

The two were-bears led me to a large 3-story mansion, a giant cabin-looking place that reminded me of the homes we would stay in when we vacationed out by the lake, just on a much grander scale. The outside was all log built. Douglas fir would be my guess, seeing as that was the majority of hardwoods that grew out here. I noticed it when I first arrived in their territory.

I followed them inside and stepped into the wonderland of a hunters' dream. The furniture was constructed of different woods, with deep red and green coverings. The hardwood floor gleamed beneath the large area-rugs scattered throughout the main floor.

I noticed a sitting room to my left, with many couches, and a couple of T.Vs. In the center of the room was a large fireplace, with a few pieces of wood crackling in it. It looked inviting and cozy. The walls were painted off white, with a few pictures and portraits scattered around the walls.

On the other side, was an open entryway that led into a dining room, with two large long tables. Not as big as the pack dining hall at MacTire or the one at The New moon (Royal) pack, Palace.

The place reminded me of a smaller pack house, like the one at Crescent moon pack. Actually, this whole place was styled much like their pack house.

Xander and Mossy led me through the main hall to the back of the mansion, and turned down a corridor towards a huge wooden door that sat at the end. My nose twitched as I scented the alluring aroma of vanilla and black rum.

Mathias.

I could feel my wolf’s anticipation and excitement about seeing her mate. I did not share the same sentiment. I was more interested in the other scent, my father. He was also behind the door with one other man who I could only guess would be Abner Brooks.

When the door opened, the first person I saw was the king. I tipped my nose and found my father sitting on a deep red couch. He stood as soon as he saw me and I flung myself into his arms, crushing him in a hug. “Daddy” I sobbed when his strong arms wrapped around me and held me tight.

A low vibrating growl sounded and I turned my head to the culprit, cocking an eyebrow at his obvious dislike of my father hugging me. Ignoring him, I held my father at arm’s length, checking him over for injury. Once I knew he was fine, I next turned to Abner Brooks. Extending my hand.

“Councilman Brooks, it’s good to see you again. Please excuse my appearance.” I said, shaking his large hand. His pale eyes held a hint of amusement, which aggravated me slightly, because there was nothing amusing about this situation.

“It is good to see you again, Alpha Lamia, I am sorry for the circumstances.” He gave me a weak smile and patted my shoulder, letting his hand linger a little too long and the pad of his thumb caressed my shoulder.

“GRRR!” I jumped at the sudden loud growl from the bear king, who moved towards us in a flash. My natural instinct had me jumping in front of my father, baring my teeth and claws at the un-expecting king. Snarling in warning at him.

He looked taken back and hurt flashed in his silver orbs, but only for a split second before his face twisted in anger and his huge frame barreled in front of me, stopping short of a few inches. I really hadn’t taken the time to appreciate the king’s physic, but as my wolf whimpered and coiled to the back of my mind, I took him in. The only man who made me think I would submit to them, the only man that could get that type of reaction from my wolf.

I took him in now, my eyes travelling the length of his body and back up again. I had to crane my neck to get a better view of his face standing this close. He was so tall, a giant, he must have stood at least 6 feet, 6 inches, maybe taller. Making me look tiny next to him. And I was tall at 5 feet 10 inches.

His shoulders and chest were wide; he was beefy with a large heavy body and strong muscles that were tight against the white shirt he had changed into since that morning. He screamed Brawny, when he tensed and his arms flexed. Even his stomach was wide and hard. The man was built like a concrete wall, and I had no doubt he was indestructible.

When my eyes landed on his face, roaming the perfection of his rugged looks, I could see small details that I couldn’t in the dark cell. Like the little scar that crossed the corner of his upper lip, hidden by the scruff on his face, that would be a thick beard soon, hiding that hard chiseled jaw of his. His steel grey eyes had flecks of silver swirling in them. He was trying to push his beast down, and I could physically see him struggling to gain control.

He wasn't the only one struggling, as his scent sent me in overdrive, enveloping my senses and drawing me in, sending a pleasurable shiver right through me. It was heady and seductive. My heart rate picked up and my stomach began to flutter, my core throbbing. I clenched my thighs as his eyes bore into mine, both of us refusing to be the first to look away.

“Everyone out now!” he roared. I heard them all leave, but our gazes never wavered from each other.

I heard the click of the door shutting, and no sooner than it did, I found myself pinned against the nearest wall. His hand coiled around my throat, holding it firmly but not squeezing. Like a lover would do when they took their woman. It was dominant and I was losing myself to the invisible threads that pulled us together. I couldn’t help but let out a small gasp.

His lips were but a hair's breath away from mine, so close I could almost taste him. I wanted to taste him. I wanted to get lost in this giant of a God. His eyes searched mine, and I was losing myself in them.

“Feisty little wolf.” He smirked “My beast is begging me to make you mine, the things I want to do to you. I want to fuck you hard and wild. Would you like that, my little wolf” Goddess, his voice was low and full and of promise, husky and dominant. I closed my eyes for a second and swallowed harshly.

My lips were so dry but I didn’t dare lick them. His nose grazed mine and I let out the breath I had no idea I was holding as a warm heat curled in my abdomen, and my core began to weep with need.

“I would have you screaming and begging to come, little wolf. Would you like that?” He asked, I almost said yes. “Once you have had bear, you will never go back.”

My eyes opened wide in anger. Did he seriously just fucking say that?

CRACK!

My hand came up so fast, he didn’t see it and when my fist caught his cheek he stumbled back in surprise. The shock and awe plastered across his face as he held his cheek where I struck him.

“I’ve already had bear, and I surely don’t want it again! You are all fucking pigs. I would rather die. Now take your filthy paws off me.” I spat at him, removing myself from the wall and around him. I didn’t miss the unmistakable look of hurt flashing in his eyes.

“You say that but your body is telling me something different”. He caught my elbow and swung me around to face him, his features hardened and tense. This was a man who wasn’t used to rejection, I thought. I jerked my arm out of his hand before he could pull me into him.

“It’s the mate bond. Nothing else.” I said heartlessly, turning away towards the door, so he couldn’t see my regret for saying those words. They were harsh, and came from a dark place.

Even that arrogant prick didn’t deserve it. I tried to make a quick exit.

Mossy was already standing there when I threw it open. “I will show you your room, princess.” A smug smile playing on his face.

I followed him back down the corridor to a set of stairs. “Your father is staying in the third room, on your right. “He pointed down the hallway and proceeded to climb the next flight of stairs. To the third floor. “Your room is here, the king will have dinner prepared for 7pm, and he insists you join us, along with your father and Abner.” He told me while opening the door to my room.

“Thank you…”

“Tobias, but you can call me Toby if you like.” He smiled, showing me his teeth with a twinkle in his eye.

“Thank you Tobias, you may call me Lamia. Not princess.” I stepped into the room, quickly closing the door behind me and in Tobias’ face. Locking it and leaning my back against it while I closed my eyes and tried to calm my nerves.

A knock on the door had me jumping out of my skin. I was so submerged in trying to work out my own feelings swimming around inside my brain that I didn’t hear or smell anyone approaching.

It was Tobias, holding a bundle of clothing and some toiletries. “King sent these for you, thought you might want to wash up and change princess” He winked.

I took them, saying thank you, and closed the door again. Walking over to the huge king-sized canopy bed and placing the clothes on the soft but heavy white blanket. It was a large room, the walls decorated in a soft yellow that accented the light wood furniture, giving it a light and feminine feeling.

There were two doors, one for a bathroom and one for a closet, I assumed. I opened the one closest to me and high fived myself when I found it to be the bathroom. I stood looking between the shower and the bath tub trying to decide which one I wanted to take.

Fuck it, I had a few hours, but I wanted to go see my dad before the ‘requested dinner’. I turned the tub on and let it fill with hot water, adding some suds that Tobias had provided for me. It was too hot to climb into right away once it was filled, so I stepped into the shower, and began washing the day’s old grease and filth from it.

Stepping into the not-as-hot bath after washing my hair was heaven. That cell had chilled me to the bone and the warm water soaked into my skin. I moaned in comfort as it worked its way through my skin and finally I felt the warmth easing the chill from each bone.

I sat there with my eyes closed letting the smell of coconut and vanilla fill my senses. The suds Tobias had given me.

Mathias’ face filled the void. The look in his eyes when I told him I would rather die than be touched by a were-bear. It was unwarranted meanness.

When I finally got out of the bath and put the clothes on that had been provided for me, I looked in the mirror, giving myself a good laugh. The jogging pants were enormous, and the shirt that had Mathias’ smell all over it? Well, I could have camped out in that sucker. Surely they had to have some female clothes or smaller men's clothes somewhere around here.

I went down to the room Tobias had told me was my father's. I knocked twice but there was no answer. I wondered where Abner was staying. I walked down the rest of the stairs onto the main floor and found myself by the kitchen entrance. I could hear a cheery humming coming from inside and the smell of deer meat being roasted. Opening the door quietly, I popped my head in and saw two women. One was flitting back and forth around the kitchen, the other was fingering through a magazine.

I cleared my throat, and put on a bright smile, “Hi”, I said, announcing to them I was here.

“Oh my dear gracious! You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that," she said, giving a half smile and tapping her chest where her heart was. “Ahh you must be one of the guests. Come, I am Eileen, and this is my daughter Ramona.”

“Lamia Langley, nice to meet you.” I smiled back. “I was hoping to find some clothes that fit better; do you think you could help me out?” That was when the girl, Ramona, turned to look at me, her narrow green eyes looking me up and down.

“Why are you wearing the Kings clothes?” She scowled, her voice raising an octave with each word.

Ah hell. I knew that look. I had experienced the same thing with Jodi when I moved to Zane’s pack. She was in love with Mathias.

“It’s what they gave me” I said nonchalantly “But to be honest, I am not that keen on the smell of this shirt,” I lied. It smells fantastic and I could cocoon myself up in his scent for the rest of my life.

I remember what it was like when I first scented Zane as my mate, and how different it was. How different the mate bond was. I had hated Zane at first, but meeting him again after three years, he was still a cocky and cold son of a bitch, but he was my ass hole.

I couldn’t help but compare Mathias and Zane. I thought maybe I wasn’t giving Mathias a chance, but as soon as I thought that, I cringed at the idea of being mated to a were-bear. I had nothing against them as shifters, but I didn’t want one as a mate, the idea of being mated to one after what I went through was like a parasite crawling under my skin, it gave me the eebie jebbies. I needed to reject Mathias and get it over and done with.

I put a hand over my heart, as I felt a slight pinch, the bond was getting stronger and if I waited too long I would go into heat. Something I hadn’t experienced before as I fell pregnant the first night with Zane.

A shifter will usually go into heat anywhere between a few days and a few weeks after finding its mate. Fates way of pushing us to seal a bond, whether it was wanted or not. I could reject him and still end up going into heat.

“Ramona, get this poor girl some clothes that actually fit her and some warm foot duvets. The storm is meant to be a doozie tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were snowed in.” Eileen shooed her daughter out of the room. The bubbly, plump woman grinned widely. “Don’t mind Ro, she has had a crush on Mat since she was five. The poor girl had only just turned eighteen. She was mad for a time when she realized he wasn’t her mate. That’s a good thing though; he is not the relationship type of guy.”

I listened to her talk until Ramona came back and handed me a fresh set of clothes, along with a warm hoodie, a pair of thick socks and foot slippers. I thanked her and went back to my room to change.

The leggings, t-shirt and hoodie were so much more comfortable than Mathias’ clothes, although I preferred his scent to the floral one I smell now.