Crazy chapter! what do you think? Thank you for reading I hope you are enjoying the beginning of this story, so much more to uncover! Will Lamia and Travis become chosen mates???
LAMIA The tension in my office was high as Rhett recounted his knowledge and findings of the creature that attacked the borough they visited along with a colorful image of the massacred borough they stumbled across. It sounds a little morbid but we began comparing notes on what we discovered with the small bear clan and the mutilated bodies Rhett and his team came across. Luckily, Rhett had the foresight to take pictures as evidence and was able to describe the creature that attacked them in great detail; A lithe humanoid with grey skin, long claws, and muscular legs. He described its face as distorted with deep crimson eyes and pointed teeth, like every one of them was a fang and its nose was almost none existent, just two holes instead of a protruding nasal cavity and its cranium was larger where the brain would sit, and narrowing down to the jaw. What he was describing sounded an awful lot like how humans used to describe aliens way back when they thought they were real. Little g
MATHIAS So here I was three weeks later going back to our prison cells, because of another fucking wolf! This time it was a rogue my men had captured after a small attack rogue wolves had attempted on the outskirts of my territory on a smaller Clan of bears. The last wolf was still fucking sitting there. He was so calm and collected and had an eerie confidence about him. I had decided if he didn’t give us answers he would be sentenced to be executed on the next full moon. Next week was the winter solstice and my Kingdom was holding a celebration, so I had opted for the following full moon. Why a full moon, because werewolves worshiped them so much. They pretty much planned their whole lives around full moons and it would be a kick in the teeth to the Delta wolf we were holding for his death to be held that day. I had been informed that the Delta Wolf had been taking his daily punishment well. I really didn’t like that cocky son of a bitch and, more so, I didn’t like that he refused
LAMIA “So you have no idea what your grandfather wants?” I asked Tawny. She had arrived yesterday shortly before Ria had come home also, and yesterday was a cluster of introductions and being reacquainted with familiar faces. The afternoon and evening had passed by so fast we didn’t get the chance to sit down and have a good chin wag. So after breakfast this morning, we took one of the jeeps out and headed out to the hot springs that were situated in the northern part of our territory, a hidden gem tucked away inside the mountains. We had packed a picnic basket with sandwiches and other snack food, but I also packed a couple of bottles of champagne and orange juice. So that’s what we were doing now, the three of us, Me, Tawny, and Ria, sitting buck naked in one of the pools, drinking mimosas and catching up. “I truly don’t, his Zeta told me he was seeking an audience with me, when I asked why he didn’t call himself, he gave me a half-cocked answer and said ‘the Chief said it was t
LAMIA “Kellen” I sobbed. He was here, he was really here. “Did you think I would leave you alone on one of your most important days?” His tone was light and airy and I could hear the smile behind the words. “I didn’t know, I didn’t think you could come,” I said while pulling away from him so I could look into his comforting ocean-blue eyes. Goddess, how I had missed seeing those blues, “I’m so happy you are here” I admitted, smiling up at him. “Beautiful, I will always be here for you. Now shall we go greet your guests, or do you want to high tail it out of here?” I knew Kellen was joking about getting out of here. Oh, but how I wished I could just escape. “I would love to ‘high tail it’ out of here, alas, I guess I should go mingle and play nice.” I couldn’t help smiling at him. His being here, made my night and with Kellen by my side, I was ready to tackle anything. “How long are you staying for?” I wanted to know how long I had him for, any amount of time was good with me. Th
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 burly 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, looked to be in her early 70s 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 councilor (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
MATHIAS 3 Weeks after the winter solstice full moon I rolled off of Scarlet, picking her head up, which had been buried in the sheets, almost suffocating her when I had pounded into her, to make sure she hadn’t passed out. A she-bear I had entertained myself with in our younger days and had found her more than willing since I had come back to the Clan and taken up residence here again. I had promised myself to come back before the 2nd full moon, and I had. Sooner than I had thought and much to my surprise, the moment I had stepped back into the Clan territory, Arcas had started to become present little by little. He still wouldn’t let me fully shift, but just knowing he was there was comforting in an archaic sort of way. His irritation and animosity still simmering deep within, accosting my own indignation. I stood from the bed, bending to pick up some of Scarlet’s clothing and toss it to her. “Get up Scarlet, time to leave”. I huffed out when I saw her getting comfy on my bed. It
LAMIA It took me three weeks, almost a month, to track down my father’s last whereabouts. I knew he was still alive, otherwise, my mother would have felt it. Plus, Inanna said we would feel the break of a parental bond also. I was feeling at a loss, it had taken me three and a half days to just get here, for any normal wolf it would have taken at least an extra day. I rode as far as I could on the dirt bike, then, had to make it the rest of the way to Lonely City in Wolf form. Dredging through the snow-topped mountains and valleys, the further north we went the colder it got and deeper the snow became. Needless to say, I stayed in my wolf form the whole way and hunted along the way when we became hungry. Inanna loved the cold terrain and was in her complete element. I have to disagree. I would take the pool and sunshine any day of the week over the wet and raw powder. Finally, I was relieved when I saw the bright lights of the city, the scent of greed, lust, gluttony, and every oth
MATHIAS I kept catching a whiff of the warm brown sugar scent on my way to the dungeons, again. To deal with more fucking wolves. I would be happy if I never saw another fucking were-wolf again, for the rest of my life after tonight. The closer I got to the dungeons, the stronger the scent became, making my mouth water. Arcas was pacing in my head. I was glad for his presence, after being absent for so long, but his incessant pacing and growling were agitating the shit out of me. I was trying to remain somewhat calm and he wasn’t making it easy. Again, I was elated by his presence, but his anxious feeling was causing my irritation, making my nerves grate and I could feel the buildup of something explosive like I was going to combust at any moment. I unlocked the door to the dungeons, greeting the guards with a grunt. As soon as the door opened, I was blasted with the most intoxicating scent, that brown sugar I had been smelling before, a hundred times stronger, mixed with vanilla. M
***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