The Delta's Daughter

Chapter 8 – Leaving Early

LAMIA

I was wearing my standard training clothes, black shorts, and a sports bra. My hair was braided into a bun so I could keep it out of my face. Walking on the training field, I grabbed a short sword and claymore. The Claymore was much heavier than that of a samurai or katana and even heavier than a Kaskara, but I liked the heaviness and power. The short sword was easier to wield, allowing my wrist to rotate and slice. Not that the weapons we used really had a sharp edge but could still do some damage to an opponent. Of course, the idea of our training was to not kill, but if you got hit with one, it would definitely maim you or kill you if you were impaled.

I saw Kira sitting on the bench with Travis; a young Alpha from the northern region. His pack was also allies of the Moon crescent pack and the Royal kingdom. Travis’ father, Alpha Benjamin, had known the King since their days here, and became friends. I had found Kira at the training grounds quite often, and now she and Travis had a thing going.

Travis was very handsome, just over 6ft, with sandy brown hair and light brown eyes. He was on the leaner side but still well built and he adored Kira, or so it seemed, and had fast become good friends with Mike and Kellen. That was great. It meant they would still be good allies in the future when Kellen took over as Alpha and was later crowned King.

“Hey, guys!” I said, walking up to them. Travis was a good fighter too and someone I enjoyed sparing with. “Travis, do you want to warm up with me? Show Kira what you're capable of?”

He laughed and draped an arm around her. “Against you? I’m pretty sure I would show myself up, as would anyone who spars with you.” He smirked back at me; it was getting harder to find people to train with these days here at the academy.

No one wants to lose to me all the time, and they guys certainly don’t want to lose to a girl. Some of them accepted I was just that much better, like Travis, but most hated my strength and skill and saw me as a threat to their masculinity.

“Tell ya what, Travis, How about we work on your movement and attacks? I will defend and maybe help you with your form?” I asked, hoping he would say yes because I really didn’t want to beg someone to train with me.

“Just don’t kill him!” Kira cried. I rolled my eyes at her and sighed.

“Come on Lamia, I would be happy for you to assist in making me a better fighter.” I smiled at Travis’ words as he kissed Kira and stood up and went to grab his weapons.

“Serious Lam’s, please don’t hurt him!” Kira whispered, “He is taking me out tonight and I really want to go, so no putting him in the hospital or messing his face up!”

“Jessh!” I said and sighed “I’m not going to harm a hair on his head, we will just be practicing, and that’s all. You have no confidence in your best friend.” I said, laughing and turning away to meet Travis in the ring.

Travis had picked up a short sword as well but chose a Kaskara; we both got in our fighting stance, both taking on a basic four style.

“You ready?” I asked Travis. He smirked, positioning his long sword above his shoulders and a short sword by his waist, both blades pointing forward towards me, “Ready as I’ll ever be.” He replied.

I copied his stance and readied myself for his attack. “Begin!” I said, indicating to start.

He lurched forward, swinging his Kaskara towards me. I dodged and brought my short sword up with my left hand, blocking his sword from swinging any further, and spun to the side, bringing my claymore down. He easily blocked and we began our dance.

With every slice, swoop, and turn, the sound of metal clanking and scraping echoed on the training field. Our movements were fast and each hit became harder. Travis pulled his long sword and swooped up, hitting mine low towards the hilt, causing my claymore to be ripped from my hand. I smiled at his success briefly, and immediately moved to the side and delivered a kick to his ribs. I now only had my short sword. He came at me swinging with both blades and I backed up a little to avoid him, I managed to block one sword, swooping mine around his blade and unhanded him. It was now one blade against another.

We stepped back from each other, taking a starting position again, and he beckoned me forward. We began fighting again, and again matching blow for blow, I managed to wipe the sweat from my brow before he advanced on me, our swords crashing together.

We pushed against each other, trying to drive one another back. This was where Travis’ skill lacked, he was strong and could wield a weapon but his feet work was off. I gave him a dirty smile and let my left foot sweep his legs as he pushed his sword against mine, hoping to overpower me. He came crashing down to the ground with a thud, his sword dropping from his hand and I immediately moved my blade to his neck. He had been defeated. Game over.

“Good match.” He said as I extended my hand to help him up. Which he grabbed, allowing me to help him.

“Your form is getting better Travis.” I said with truth, “your skills are improving and, even though your footwork can still be improved, you really have progressed beautifully!”

He playfully bowed to me. “Why thank you master”, he joked. I slapped him on his arm in a playful manner. “What?” he said with wide eyes and a cheesy grin. “You are starting to sound like Hunji more and more every day.”

“And that’s a bad thing? Why?” I asked.

“I didn’t say that, it’s just funny. You know, like ‘the student becomes the master’ kinda thing.”

I rolled my eyes. He was always quoting movies, and he especially liked to quote fighting movies to me at any chance he got. That was one thing I was grateful for that had survived the extinction of humans, movies, and music. We walked back over to the benches where Kira was now sitting with Mike and Kellen.

“Eeew, don’t put your sweaty arms on me!” Kira yelled as Travis tried to tuck her under his arm and she tried pushing him away, not wanting his stink on her.

“Oh come on babe, I thought you loved it when I’m all sweaty!” He laughed and grabbed her, holding her tight. Kira blushed at his words.

“Oh, she just likes it when you’re sweaty and naked in bed.” Mike laughed.

“MIKE!” she yelled at him, trying to swat his arm, but was pulled in tighter by Travis. “Now I need to shower your stank off!” she said, still trying to push him away.

“Babe, is that an invitation?”

“Maybe.” She blushed again but looked up into his eyes deeply. She was besotted with him. I truly hope they turn out to be mates; it would be a tragedy if they weren’t. While he looked at her adoration, she looked at him with lust, both holding a slight hint of love in their eyes.

We stopped joking around when we heard a whistle blow and cast our attention over to Wilson and another trainer, Parker.

“All training and classes have been canceled for the rest of the day!” Wilson bellowed “We ask that you do not leave the academy grounds until we say otherwise. All rec rooms and gyms will be open for you to use your time wisely. Again, we are ordering you to stay on campus. You are now free to go about your business.”

Well s**t, that was weird. What on earth would make them cancel classes and order us to stay on-site? I looked around our little group and their faces mirrored what I thought mine looked like, surprised and curious with a little worry.

“It must be serious if they canceled classes and are having us stay here.” Kira voiced all of our concerns and with a deep sigh she said “I guess that cancels our date plans.” She looked up at Travis with a sad smile.

“Ahh but we still have the shower!” he joked, leaning in for a kiss and capturing Kira's mouth.

“ OK, get a room you two!” I shouted, rolling my eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

I looked at Kel and Mike before turning around ready to go shower myself. That was until Wilson approached us.

“You three,” pointing to myself, Kel and Mike “I would like to see you in my office immediately.” He instructed and turned on his heel towards the main building, looking over his shoulder “Let's go!” he impatiently yelled.

*It wasn’t me! I swear to the moon goddess* I linked Kel and Mike.

*And if it wasn’t me, what did you do, Mike?* Kel replied.

*Why do you always assume it’s me? Lamia gets in more trouble than any of us!*

*Because you’re the jokester of us all and the instigator!* I replied.

We followed Wilson to his office and we all took a seat on the brown leather couch that was tucked against the back wall by the window. Wilson was standing with his back to us, looking out the window. His posture was stiff and he let out a deep sigh before he spoke.

“Have either of you three spoken to your parents in the past few days?” He asked. We all shook our heads no, looking at each other even more curious as to what was going on, and now worry was evident on all our faces about what could be wrong, and why he wanted to know if we had spoken to our parents. We waited for Wilson to carry on, not wanting to interrupt as he obviously had something to say.

“The King contacted me this morning; it appears that over the last week there have been numerous threats to the Royal pack from a pack of rogues.” He paused and we were all on the edge of our seats. “In addition to that, there have been increased rogue attacks on surrounding pack lands. I do not have much information, only what the king told me. You will have to ask your parents for more details. The King is worried about the safety of his heir.” He looked at Kellen. His eyes narrowed and his lips pulled into a tight thin line and furrowed his brow. “The King has instructed that we lock down for the next couple of days until the royal guard arrives to escort you home.”

I let out a small gasp, shocked.

*This must be serious Kel!* I linked; he only nodded his head and took hold of my hand firmly.

“I expect you…” Wilson looked at Mike “Will be accompanying the Prince back home.” It was a statement, not a question. It was an unwritten rule that a Beta would be by their Alpha's side.

He then turned his attention to me. “Even though you are not required to leave, I also assume you will be leaving too?” This time it was a question, one I did not think needed an answer, but I did anyway.

“Yes, of course, sir! Where my King goes, I go.” I said with a definite tone.

“ OK, the Royal guard should arrive by the end of the week. All three of you have obviously passed graduation with honors in all your classes. It has been a pleasure having you here at the academy. On that note, you are dismissed.”

We all nodded and began to stand up; none of us said anything, but we knew as soon as we left the office and got to our rooms, each of us would be on the phone with our respective parents.

And just as we were walking through the door, Wilson called back to us. “Oh and one more thing, Langley, Hunji will be accompanying you back. He feels he can still be beneficial to your training and offer you more.”

I nodded my head as I closed the door behind me.

Kellen grabbed my hand as we walked down the corridor and Mike walked on my left side, taking that hand. I gave Kel’s hand a little squeeze.

“Head over to our room after your shower; we will call my father and our parents together, and find out exactly what is going on and how serious this threat is. It can’t be simple if he is requesting us to come back so soon.”

I nodded my head in agreement, “Well, there goes your birthday party this weekend if we are on lockdown.” I said, giving Mike my attention.

“Nah, we will still have fun and get drunk.” Mike nodded with determination.