One of the best things about writing a shifter/ fantasy book, is anything can happen! I thought I was going a bit to far with the helicopter, but after reading the chapter, I liked the idea that something 'old' in this realm was introduced, and it plays a major part a few chapters later. We finally meet the infamous Odeia. As usual, I thank you for reading, please find me in the usual online places, to follow me for updates, hints and interaction for the third book! Yes there will be a third!
LAMIA The voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. When the figure stood from the chair, my eyes widened in shock. Her white flowing hair and dark as-night skin were so familiar. It couldn’t be? She turned with a small but genuine smile on her face. Her eyes, an unnatural hue of violet, just like Finnegan’s. “You!” I cried out, gasping and pointing an accusing finger at her. “Ashe?” She was real, I mean like in the flesh real! Not in my dreams. It was too much, the overwhelming feeling, everything she had told me in my dream, the library, Zane… just everything. Everything came crashing down on me at once. I stifled the sob that wracked through my body and felt the tears brim and trickles down my cheeks. My legs gave way and I felt myself crashing to the floor, but I never hit it. The jolts of electricity through my body told me Mathias had caught me. My emotions were overloaded and all-consuming. Mathias took me to the couch and sat me down with him, placing me in his lap.
MATHIAS Day of the full moon Last night, Lamia and I walked back to our cabin in silence, both of us contemplating Odeia’s words. Her explanation mulled through our thoughts. We lay wrapped in each other’s arms and in between tangling our bodies we talked. We talked until we could no longer keep our eyes open, about everything. I told her about Annalise and my unsavory ways. We spoke about Orion and Finnegan and what was to come. She recanted her dream of when Odeia visited her, or Ashe as she knew her. There were no more secrets between us, nothing to get in our way, and nothing to surprise us. I had complete and utter faith in my little wolf. I had a woman who was strong, kind, and beautiful, and all I could hope was to treat her right and give her everything, including my heart. Which she already had. She, Odeia, was right about my sudden change in path. I had been out of control, spiraling down a dark road full of horrors and sin. Not caring about what the next would bring if i
LAMIA Night of the Full moon The three sisters led me out of the cabin to a lighted path with burning lanterns that weaved through the trees. The path had been cleared of snow and I walked along it barefooted in the white robe. The bark glistened under the moon's light like glitter had been rubbed over its surface. Despite the cold, I felt the warmth of the moon on my face and through the silky fabric of the thin covering, and Inanna began to pace. A whimper filled my head as she called for her mate and heat began to rise through my body. My heart beat loudly the closer we came to the end of the path and I could hear the chatter of people and a light tone of music. There was a thick sense of serenity in the air, a tranquility of calmness hidden under the excited auras of the gathered people. It soothed my nerves, but I was still hyper-aware of my surroundings and not sure if I could go through with the mating while people watched. All my inhibitions melted away as I stepped into t
KELLENThe night of the full moon We had finished the pack run early due to the rain and the rolling storm that blew in from the north suddenly. Usually, rain won’t stop a wolf, but the torrential down-pour came heavy and fast. With it, raging thunder clapped in the sky and lightning began to strike, forking across the grounds of the Royal Palace. We ran for cover, shifting when we reached the pergola. I had been seeing a little she-wolf, Vanessa, for a couple of weeks now. I hadn’t been that same playboy since Lamia. Not to say I haven’t had my share of girls in the past two years, but there was no more wham, bam thank you Ma’ams. I kept them around for at least a few weeks. I had taken Vanessa back to my room; actually, it was a guest room I used. I didn’t like bringing anyone up to the royal floor. It was too personal, especially if they were not my fated mate. So I had the ‘spare’ room I kept. No sooner had the door closed, than she was upon me. Her lush lips locked to mine, h
Still the night of the full moon HUNJI My boots crunched through the shallow snow. The blizzard from the north winds that blew in last week had brought the snow down into the valley, coating the castle in a blanket of white purity. It was picturesque to look at from here, as I paused to take it in. I was walking back from the training grounds, the rest of the pack either running under the full moon or gathering to celebrate the moon goddess. Others were tending to their mates that were in heat. By my nose, there were several in the pack tonight; a wolf, a bear, and cats. Lamia would be back in a couple of days, and since I had last spoken to her, I had been going hard on our army. Making them put in extra training, and upping the patrol around MacTire and town. Trying to be ready for whatever may come our way. I reached the back door of the castle kitchen and strode in, stomping the snow from my boots and removing the deep red overcoat, lazily placing it on the coat rack. “Uncle
TAWNY I wiped the blood and sweat from my brow in an over-exaggerated movement. I was beat, tired, overwhelmed, exasperated; as many words, as you can find to explain how broken a will and resolve was, I was it. The aftermath of the carnage I stood amongst, was unimaginable. The streets ran red with blood that was slowly being absorbed by the dry dirt of Cambiador. I looked up to Mason, one of Lamia’s warriors, hoisting yet another body over his shoulder and placing it in the bed of the truck, with the others. 27 trucks lined the main road to the kingdom's heart, each filled with the body of a soldier or a civilian. I wanted to cry for the loss, but I had no tears, not that my tears would do any good. Not now, and not last night. “Mason,” I called to the tall muscular were-cat. “Did you have any luck contacting anyone at MacTire?” He nodded, walking over to me, wiping the mess of grime from his hands onto his blood-soaked jeans. “I spoke with Josiah, he was going to alert Commande
MATHIAS I woke early, my arms still tightly secured around my little wolf. I breathed in her scent, letting the smell of brown sugar and vanilla envelope my senses and caress my beast. ‘She is ours,’ Arcas rumbled proudly. I looked at my sleeping beauty, moving my arm to see my mark positioned beautifully on the swell of her breast. I let my fingers trace the inky-colored bear paw, a crown entwined in the tribal mark. The jolts of electricity zapped through my fingers when I touched it, eliciting a moan from her slightly parted pink lips. My cock began standing to attention, from the innocent sound. I moved over her, parting her legs with my knees in a slow and careful motion, and pushed my cock into her. She was already wet and ready for me, even in her sleep she wanted me. I wasted no time filling her up and began thrusting gently, her body responding with eagerness, as I slowly fucked her awake. “Mathias” She whispered and her eyes fluttered open to meet mine. “Oh yes, baby.” S
KELLEN The Bear King was huge! And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated by his sheer size and the power rolling off him. Even my father was having a hard time not bending his knee to him, his aura was that strong. I knew they had completed the mating process, I could smell his scent mixed with Lamia’s and I had to bite my tongue. When Mike protested his distaste for her mate, I thought the bear king was going to shift right there and then and rip Mike apart. Mathias was her king, a bear shifter, and she looked happy about it. I think that’s what got me the most. That she looked happy about being mated to the king of bears. A fucking bear! After everything she had gone through, I thought the moon goddess was playing a nasty trick on her. And I hated to admit it but, there was no one better or stronger than him to protect her. Not even me. I didn’t like it not one bit. After our talks, we all headed out of the conference room and towards the pack dining hall, the kitchen
***Thank you, readers, for your continued support and for taking the roller coaster adventure with me through The Delta's Daughter and Rise of a Queen. *** Without YOU, the readers, this wouldn't have been possible. Please remember to leave me a review, I hope you enjoyed this book. For updates and chapter teasers, check my i*st*gr*m >>> authorjwgstout Or my F_B group for readers >>> Author Jwgstout I ask you to please leave me a review Join me for King Kellen's adventure in the third book: More plot twists, romance, and mythology links coming your way. I hope you enjoy this bonus chapter, a little taste of the upcoming book. ***The Gladiator Wolf King - Book 3 OUT NOW and completed*** ***** The Gladiator Wolf King Chapter 1 – Waking Up KING KELLEN I opened my eyes, a nauseating feeling rose from my stomach right up to my throat. My stomach was sloshing and my vision was blurry. I blinked twice, adjusting my eyes to the dark; the only light was from a low-hanging bul
MIKE One week later “Tobias!” I beamed, both Kellen and I stepping out of the car and handing the keys to the valet as we arrived outside of Kings Casino. I shook Tobias' out-stretched hand and took him in for a bro-hug, then he offered his hand to Kellen, who did the same as me. “Are you boys ready to party?” He asked with a huge smile. “Heck yes!” I replied, my smile equally big. Kellen chuckled and shook his head. “Goddess, what have I agreed to? I’m almost scared of hanging out with both of you.” It was my 21st birthday tomorrow and after hearing Lamia rave about Kings Casino and how she wanted to party here for her 21st, telling Tawny how grand the place was and how much fun it looked, I thought, why not? Mathias had told Tobias we could have his suite for the duration of our stay. We would only be here for two nights and then we would head back to the New Moon kingdom, so Kellen could officially take over as king and we had to organize a coronation. I had suggested to
LAMIA “King, and I have decided to make Riocht our permanent home. I want you to come with me and stay as my second in command.” I watched Hunji, looking for any reaction to what I had just said. His face remained a mask of indifference. “King will be asking Tobias the same thing and leaving Xander in charge of the Kodiak kingdom for now.” Still, there was no reaction. “Hunji, say something, please,” I said softly, still trying to coax a reaction from him. The first sign of any emotion was him pulling his lips into a thin line. “Of course, my Queen.” He nodded. “Really, that’s all you have to say, Hunji?” I huffed and rubbed my forehead with my fingers. “If that’s not what you want, then tell me! Forget the formalities for a moment, will you? Could we just have a conversation as friends?” I took a deep breath; his lack of engagement was irking me. It was just him and I in my office. Mathias was helping train the warriors today with Josiah, and Travis was with Rhett overseeing cha
KELLEN I walked back down to the village, cutting across the fields, ready to go home. My goodbye to Lamia playing on my mind, I know she isn’t mine, but it still doesn’t make me love her any less. I needed to say what I did, and my wolf was in agreement. I have tried to let her go, and I did, for a while. When Zane died, all I wanted to do was be there for her, but she left. She left me. Once upon a time, she told me she would never leave me. I saw the way she looked at King. I chuckled at the thought, even his name is king! The love she held in her eyes for him. I knew Lamia loved, loves, me, but she had never had that look in her eye, not for me and not for Zane. The look of true love. I couldn’t help but give her one last kiss when I went to say goodbye to her. It was amazing how there were still light tingles when I brushed my lips against hers. I reveled in them, for however brief that kiss was. I wasn’t saying good bye, I was letting her go. It was time to let go of my l
1 WEEK LATER LAMIA After the anti-climax of mine and Mathias' crowning, we were still at Riocht. There was so much to organize and we hadn’t even scratched the surface. My father and Uncle Michael had already left for New Moon, taking with them a majority of their army, leaving Kellen and Mike with us and a hand full of Elite warriors. Crimson took the were-cat army home, ready to rebuild their kingdom. The were-cats had suffered the most, more than any other kingdom. Tobias left with the Kodiak Kingdoms army and took a slowly healing Finnegan with them. I was sure he would be thrown in the cells and questioned once he was awake. I didn’t know much about Finnegan Artos, but Petra had taken a liking to him and was very concerned for the violet-eyed were-bear. Hunji stayed behind with me, but Travis and Rhett returned to MacTire with the majority of the army also. And even though Petra wanted to stay, Travis put his foot down, taking her and Xander with them, who was anxious to ge
LAMIA “Why didn’t you heal?” The concern in Mathias' voice was sweet, although he looked annoyed as his eyes raked my body inspecting the wounds on my arms and back, holding on to me for dear life, eliciting little sparks of joy to dance across my skin. I reached out to Inanna ‘Inanna, why didn’t you heal me?’ I was met with silence. I didn’t have an answer for Mathias. I shook my head at Mathias, telling him without words, that I didn’t know. “Where are you hurt?” I questioned him instead. “Nowhere baby, I healed.” He replied after biting his wrist and letting the blood drip onto and into my wounds, allowing them to begin healing immediately. I wasn’t the only one who had blood that could heal, it seems. I took a quick look around, and no one else seemed surprised, but Mike and Travis did give a couple of raised eyebrows. I wasn't sure what their looks were meant to convey, so I just gave them a tight-lipped smile. “Lamia!” My father came rushing to my side; he was wearing one
FINNEGAN 2 Hours before the battle I was tasked to provide the crawlers, who we were able to move up the narrow river in containers on smaller boats, with clothing that had been stolen from the various kingdoms. Orion had spies in every kingdom, sleeper cells, that he used when he needed information or objects. Hence, the clothing we had of Lamia’s and King Kellen’s. The crawlers would hone in on the smell like wild trackers and, once given the command by Orion, would seek out that scent, their only goal: To bring down the owner. Orion and the bitch Shayna had set up a command base inside Riocht’s palace. After throwing in the clothing, I made my way back to the white-washed open squared building. My father wanted to keep me close, in case things went sideways for him and he needed me. What he didn't know, was that no matter the cost, I would help kill him. I scratched the back of my neck, feeling the metal chip underneath my skin that attached to my cervical spine at the base
LAMIA Riocht was beautiful. The palace was built in white limestone. The central rise in the elevation of the building emphasized the main portico, which was framed by five symmetrical exterior arches. On the ledge are statues carved from either marble or the same limestone. Each statue, situated in the arches, was of a god or goddess standing with an animal. There was the Goddess Morrigans, with her wolf by her side, and one of Arcas, who I recognized right away because he was carved standing with a bear, the exact copy of Mathias’ beast. I saw the goddess Bastat, a large puma-looking feline woven around her legs. The one of Selene, the moon goddess, was unlike the one at The New Moon palace. There she was portrayed with a wolf, but here she was carved into a beautiful mother figure, with children by her feet, looking up at her in awe. Next to her was a large man, also with a wolf, regal looking and powerful. Then I saw her, the goddess Inanna. She stood front and center, a large
LAMIA It was now 4 days until Orion’s deadline, four days until the full moon, the day he told us to be at Riocht if we wanted to see Petra alive again. The little girl had been on my mind since the night Orion attacked MacTire. And every time I thought about her, my chest pulled tight. I felt guilty she had been put in this position. She was only ten years old and had already endured so much heartache, she didn’t deserve to be put through this. My eyes pooled with tears as I thought of how unfair and cruel life had been to her. I prayed to the Moon Goddess every night to keep her safe from harm until I had her in my arms. The dirt path we initially had followed was consistent and seemed to be taking us straight to the heart of the lost city. We definitely wouldn’t have been able to get any vehicles through here. Even though the worn road was still visible, it was overgrown with centuries of forestry and shrubs, so thick in some places that we had to cut them down using our swords