4. The Delta

Adonis turned towards the direction of the new smell to see who was approaching.  He felt like since the attack he was hyper aware of those coming near him.  Geb and Andraste must have sensed the approach of the newcomer as well as both turned their heads towards the smell. However, unlike Adonis, both remained calm and relaxed.  As the footsteps approached the man came into the light quicker than Adonis had anticipated.  But once the man came into view Adonis understood.  The Delta of the Harvest Moon Pack approached the three of them and it was well known he was one of the best trackers in the land.  Being a tracker meant stealth, and even without trying this man had that talent in spades.  His face was set in a look of disappointment.  But Adonis also didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered towards Andraste. 

“Axton, any news?” 

“I’ve established two tracking teams.  One is following the scent left at the scene of the attack while the other does a general canvas of the area looking for any witnesses or participants.  But the scent was already quite faint.  I fear we won’t get much out of that trail.”  Axton paused.  His next words he feared would be the most devastating to hear.  And at this moment he wasn’t sure “don’t kill the messenger” would apply. “My Alpha…..we confirmed King Apollo’s fears.  They were humans, warriors, but humans.”

Geb’s eyes flashed from the light blue to cobalt indicating his wolf surfacing.  Axton took a step back and bared his neck.  Geb’s anger was enough to contend with, his wolf was a whole new level.

“Father.”  Andraste reached out and laid her hand on Geb’s bunched fist.  Adonis and Axton watched in awe as this pup calmed one of the strongest Alphas.  “Axton has taken the best course of action we can at this time.  It was wise that he come back here to report and not put such a valuable asset as himself in potential harm’s way.  When there is more to learn, we will learn it.”

“Your right, your right.  I’m overcome with my frustration, guilt, and anger.  I want nothing more than to rip those apart that would dare hurt my son or my king!” Geb growled.  But his eyes had already returned to their bright blue.

Axton breathed a sigh of relief.  Though he had felt he had made the right decision, an Alpha wolf’s wrath could be devastating if seen as the wrong decision.  His relief was cut short by the hammering of his heart just being near Andraste.  

Adonis saw once again the way Axton was raking his eyes up and down Andraste.  Without thinking, Adonis let out a low growl.  All three sets of eyes snapped to him, with Andraste’s look full of disapproval.

“My apologies.  I just couldn’t contain my frustration any longer it seems.  I agree with Andraste but feel the same way as Geb.” What started as a lie turned into a revelation of what he truly felt. “We fought with everything we had but they kept coming.  Their weapons were coated in wolfsbane.  It was so strong, the scent alone made us weaker.  We failed them. I failed them.” He whispered the last part so softly that even as werewolves they barely heard him.

The vulnerability in his words brought a pang of utter sadness to Andraste’s heart.  Everything had been happening so fast, she hadn’t considered what he himself had been through today.  He had fought and lost.  Each pack member’s death would have been felt by him.  The sheer weight of that she imagined could become painful on its own.

Before she could offer any words of consolation Gaia appeared in the doorway they had yet to enter.

“Geb, all the wounded have been fed, it’s time you eat.”

 “Adonis, I don’t believe you’ve met my mate and Luna, Gaia.”

Adonis looked at the softer, shorter version of Andraste and realized how much of a mix she was of her parents.  Gaia gave a small curtsy before turning back to her Alpha. 

“My love, the other leaders will be arriving soon and you know it’s going to be a long night.  Please, eat something.”

Gaia looked into her husband’s eyes with the plea. As long as Andraste could remember, her parents had always been affectionate.  A kiss here, a caress there.  They could never seem to really keep their hands to themselves.  

When she was six years old she asked her mother why that was.  Gaia had giggled and told her that she had to touch him so that she could be sure her miracle was still there.  Their love for each other was strong and everlasting, but more, neither took it for granted. 

Most little girls dreamed of the day they had that love, that mate.  Andraste was terrified.  She was scared of giving all of herself to another.  She was afraid they wouldn’t like her for who she was.  She was afraid she would no longer be who she was.

The group made their way into the Great Hall, Gaia and Geb leading the way holding hands.  Much to Adonis’s dismay, Axton had slipped in beside Andraste.  He ground his teeth watching Axton tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. To keep from revealing his feelings too early he would have to keep his anger in check.  Alphas were well known for their possessiveness.  They may not be mated yet, but the emotions that were awakened in him by just seeing her was enough to trigger it. 

Andraste could feel Adonis’s eyes boring into her back. It made her stomach flutter and her face flush. But she turned her attention to the man beside her.  She and Axton had grown up together. Only recently he started coming around more often. She had assumed it was due to his recent promotion to Delta.

“Axton, how are you enjoying stepping into your position?”

“I was always meant for this role.  Father recognized when I was just learning to walk how softly I walked.  It didn’t take him long to start training me as a tracker.  But what I really loved was a good hand to hand fight.  Father was so proud when he realized how easy it would be to pass the title on to me.”

“He must be so proud.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.” Axton replied with a sly grin.  He had only been Delta for the past month.  He and Conall had stepped in to finish their training under Geb in preparation for Seth to take over as Alpha.

The only position that hadn’t been filled yet was Seth’s Beta.  Jove only had Ceres, and a daughter wasn’t meant to be a Beta.  Seth would promote the wolf of his choice once he became Alpha.  Andraste didn’t doubt that it would be Axton.

“Tell me Princess,” Axton paused in his walking and turned towards Andraste, “what do you think of the job I’m doing?”

“Me? My opinion doesn’t count for anything!”

“To me it does.”

Andraste blushed.  She’d had a crush on Axton for as long as she could remember.  He was just slightly taller than her but broad in shoulder.  His face was strong and his eyes a soft blue.  His shoulder length hair was dark black and typically pulled back in a loose ponytail allowing strands to fall into his face.

“Well then,” she said facing him as well, “I think you are doing a wonderful job.”

Axton smiled, melting Andraste’s heart more than it already was.  She glanced back to Adonis, confused by her competing reactions for the two men next to her.  But she didn’t know Adonis, she felt it was safer to go with what she knew.

“Kids, come sit!” Gaia called out from the table that she and Geb had just joined.  Next to her was Seth who was back to his normal self.  And beside him was the she-wolf she had yet to properly meet.

The trio made their way over to the table and each took their place across from them.  Andraste wasn’t sure if she was lucky or cursed as Axton took her left side and Adonis took her right.  She wondered if her nerves could really take anymore of this attention.  She’d never really had any attention like this before and now was overwhelmed by the pair of them.

Gaia tried concealing the smile seeing her daughter have two such fine men take interest in her.  Geb on the other hand wore a scorn, almost pained look.  He wasn’t sure if he liked where this was going.  Especially from the wiley Adonis.  He knew only too well his reputation.

‘What are these two up to?’ He mindlinked Gaia.

‘Leave them alone Geb.’

‘Why should I, am I not Alpha?’

‘You’re worry has nothing to do with being Alpha.’

Geb turned towards his mate and scowled at her.  She was right but it didn’t mean he had to like it.  Gaia just giggled at her mate.  She leaned over taking his face in her hands.  Both of their children moaned as she kissed him passionately.

“Mother, we are trying to eat!” Seth complained noisily.  His mate swiftly elbowed him in the ribs. “Hey, I’m still healing here.  Take pity on the wounded.”

“You and I both know you are well healed.  But we also know that you are just as shameless in your affection as your parents.  Only now I know where you get it.”

Seth blushed as he ran his hand up and down her back.

“It’s only because I have the most beautiful she-wolf in the world.”

It was Andraste’s turn to roll her eyes as the two couples across from her zoned out the rest of the world.  They only had eyes for each other.  Andraste couldn’t determine if it was the mate bond or the stress of the day.  She was willing to bet it was both.

It was Axton to speak up first trying to ignore the now lip-locked Seth with his mate. “Andraste, are you excited about meeting your mate?”

The question caught her by surprise, especially from him.

“Oh, well, actually, I haven’t given it much thought.”

Both males turned towards her with looks of disbelief on their faces.

“What? Can’t a girl be content with her life without a mate?”

Luckily all three were spared from continuing the conversation when a large sob erupted from the doors of the Great Hall.  Andraste knew immediately who it was.  She swiftly rose from the table and rushed towards the door.  She was just in time to catch her best friend from falling onto the stoney ground of the hall.

“Ceres, Ceres, love, not here.  Come, I have you, let’s head home.”  All Ceres could do was nod and allow her best friend to nearly carry her home.