MARCUS
The Delta
*Marcus, meet me in my office now* The Kings mind link reached me, his tone held an underlay of annoyance. I sighed, knowing this probably had something to do with my daughter.
*Yes, your highness. I’m on my way.* I replied as I turned in my direction and headed back to the Palace.
Making my way to the King's office through the main foyer of the palace, there were a few young wolves that were lounging around on the big sofas that were placed on the other side of the stone columns that lined both sides of the hall, creating archways and a high ceiling. And in each arch hung a chandelier, donning tiny crystals, that casted little sparkling lights across the ceilings from the rays of the sun that shone through the crescent windows, Some creating a light prism that gave the effect of magic, even in the afternoon sun.
Once upon a time, about 200 years ago, this had been the site of a magnificent castle, very medieval looking, until an uprising had burnt it to the ground and the new King built the Palace, or rather, like a very, very big mansion. It was rebuilt in sandstone and white marble, with large, heavy double oak doors leading into the entryway with white marble floors.
The palace stood 5 stories tall, the top floor being for the Royal Family. The fourth floor was for the Beta and Delta families. The third and second held around 50 rooms each, and corridors spread out either side of the main palace building, giving it a hotel kind of feel and look, with 25 rooms on each side and in the centre of the floors that had balconies looking down into the main foyer, there were recreation rooms on both 2nd and 3rd floor.
These additions were added around 45 years ago, before our now king Alexander, by his father. The third floor was used mainly for guest rooms when events were held and the second floor housed our young unmated warriors, girls to the right, and boys to the left. When a werewolf turned 18 and was chosen to be a royal warrior or guard, they would be moved into the palace pack house, as I like to call it, so they were closer to training and their superiors.
The ground floor east wing held the kitchens, dining room, and ballroom, and in the back, the staff bedrooms, and then the basement was the laundry rooms. The west wing held conference rooms and a small gym.
However, as the Royal Delta, I did not live in the castle, so our Beta Mike and his mate pretty much had the whole floor to themselves. My wife and I had decided after the birth of our daughter we would move into a small cottage situated behind the castle on the other side of the training grounds. It was a 10min walk to the Palace and a shorter walk to the training grounds. It was my job to oversee all the training of young warriors and royal guards. It was also my job to place warriors in positions that suited their skills as well as help our Beta to secure borders and handle any battle strategies.
I walked up the main stairs to the fifth floor where the king’s office was located, and knocked on the large wooden door.
“Enter.” I heard the king on the other side. I opened the door, closing it swiftly behind me.
Please don’t let this be about my daughter, again.
The King was sitting casually behind the large oak desk with his feet up, dressed in black slacks and a blue button-up shirt. Making his eyes a brighter blue than they already were. At least they weren’t dark, which means he wasn’t pissed and it eased my mind a little.
“Al” I said, giving him a curt nod, still praying to the Goddess that my daughter hadn’t messed shit up again.
“Marcus,” he sighed, narrowing his steel blue eyes at me, but before he could carry on, the door opened and his Beta walked in, nodding his head at me and clapping me on the shoulder.
He took a seat in one of the brown leather chairs facing the desk, and I followed suit in the matching chair beside him.
“Jeesh Mike what the fuck happened to you?” I asked as I looked at our Beta and his bruised face and split lip.
“Lamia, that’s what happened.” He replied with a small grin on his face and ran his hand through his disheveled hair, his hazel eyes holding a twinkle when he said Lamia’s name.