The Rogue Lycan's Mate

Chapter 21

Delilah was so happy being in the kitchen with Belia again, and being able to help cook the foods she had so desperately missed. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and smiled at her.

Belia was one of the older faeries who spent most time in the kitchen back in the Realm. She didn't look very old, but everyone around knew she was a retired Elder of water who was waiting for her soulmate. She guessed she had to wait for Lock to be born.

She was a short curvy woman, with short brown hair. "You don't have wings, Delilah." She shook her head. "Taken from me the first night I spent in the forest."

Belia let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. "People are so cruel. Lock's poor sister went missing, and he's been going with Alpha Raz to different packs trying to locate her. You didn't happen to see her, did you? She is about this height with long black hair, bright purple eyes, and her name was Faye."

She sighed deeply, looking at Belia with tears in her eyes. "I am sorry Belia, she was with me, but she died giving birth." She stood in silence watching her open and close her mouth. "Are you sure it was her?"

Delilah nodded her head. "I was in the room when she gave birth, and it was too much for her. She was so strong, and fought so hard, but there was so much blood. I tried so hard to help her, but they wouldn't help her. By the time they arrived, she was already gone. I was holding a little girl in my arms."

She bit her lip hard. "They took her from me, and I never got to see her again. I tried asking what happened to the baby, but I never found out." She watched as Belia shook her head.

"Poor girl deserved better. You all deserved better. Thank you for telling me." She squeezed her shoulder, and turned back to kneading the dough. She started hitting it hard, taking her frustration and anger on the dough.

"You know Dels, I think you beat it enough." She looked up at Lydia watching her giggle, and shook her head. "Do you feel better at least?" She nodded. "Just wish I could have done more. If I had chosen earth, I might have been able to heal her."

Belia walked over, wiping her hands on her apron. "Delilah, we think we choose the element, but we never really do. The Elders had already decided what we were all going to be when we were born. You were always meant to follow in your mother's footsteps, just like your sister."

Tears started to roll down Delilah's cheeks. "I should have just stayed home and chosen Dairan. I would probably have a family by now." She blinked when flour was suddenly thrown in her face, and looked at Belia as she dusted her hands.

"Listen to me girl, you can stand here, and regret all the choices you made in life, or you can learn from them. The choices we make are what make us who we are. Besides, almost as soon as you left, Dairan was chasing Talilah around the place. He got in trouble with the Elders for stalking the poor dear."

Delilah raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't seem like Tal's type, so I am not surprised she declined." She cut pieces of the dough, rolling them into balls, before placing them on a tray.

She felt accomplished, like she was actually doing something to help the pack. She looked up at Lydia, surprised to see she was gone, and Raz was leaning against the wall watching her. "I'm sorry I must be keeping you from work."

He shook his head. "No, I finished not too long ago, but Lydia had training. Are you hungry?" She nodded her head as she walked over to the sink, washing her hands. She waved bye to Belia. "Thanks for the help, Delilah! Come back anytime dear!"

Delilah made her way over to Raz as he led her out of the kitchen, and to a giant room with tons of different tables. She was surprised to see stations with different foods on it. "You don't just make one thing?"

Raz shook his head. "No we wanted to make sure there was always food in here because of the difference in schedules. During the morning there is breakfast foods: pancakes, eggs, bacon. During lunch there are different sandwiches and salads. For dinner, it's usually themed, so tonight is pasta, tomorrow is tacos. Now for the evening, they typically lay out different wraps and sandwiches."

She looked at him with surprise. "You mean this place is open at night?" He nodded. "It's open all day, and everyone is welcome to come here with their families, or just themselves to eat. Now some prefer to eat at home with their families, but we mostly like to eat as a pack.

He placed a hand on the back of her waist, but it didn't touch her as he led her over to where the plates were. She took one, and saw the station of faerie foods. She eagerly put bread on her plate, and put a different jam on each bread.

She couldn't help but watch Raz to see him taking a sandwich and some salad. He grinned at her seeing her watching with curiousity. "Bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, and caesar salad."

Delilah put some of the salad on her plate, and followed Raz to one of the tables. She smiled when he pulled out a chair for her, and smiled when he sat beside her. He handed her half of her sandwich. "Want to try a bite?"

She took a bite, and was surprised that it actually tasted good. She took the sandwich, and handed him one of the pieces of faerie bread with jam. She took another bite of the sandwich.

Raz chuckled, taking the bread trying a bit, and he raised an eyebrow. "This reminds me of biscottate. It's very delicious." She looked up when Psych dropped into a chair across from them. "You had to leave me alone with her, didn't you?"

She couldn't help but giggle. "I'm sorry, Psych, I had other things I needed to do, but I spoke with Alpha Rubeus. Gamma Kai, would like you to go to the Red River pack, and attend regular training sessions on weekends."

Psych's face suddenly filled with excitement. "Gamma Kai will train me?" Raz nodded. "He wants to make sure you'll be ready to protect his daughter should she agree to be your mate. It would also give you time to get to know her and her family. They want you there from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon."

She could see Psych was very excited, and she couldn't help but smile. This pack did seem like an amazing place, and she felt comfortable here as much as she wanted to go home. She was enjoying her stay in this pack.

Raz looked at her. "I wondered if you wanted to join me tomorrow evening. I have a surprise for you. If you don't mind, it will be just the two of us." She smiled at him. "I would love to spend the evening with you."

She wondered what he was going to show her, but he assured her she was going to love it, and now she felt excited. What could he possibly have planned?