Chapter 32

EID MUBARAK :D

My friends said they are celebrating today, so I decided to update today :D

Chapter 32 for you all which is dedicated to @MsBookCrazeSadii –xx :D

A cover done by me ^^^

****

"Is that all you've got? A few

tricks and quick feet? That's

no way to enforce your bold

tongue!

—T. A. Miles, Six Celestial Swords

QUILLON P.O.V

How dare he? How dare that bloody fucker touch my mate? I marked her! She is mine. How dare he disrespect me?

My wolf was snarling repeatedly. All I wanted to do was take a U-turn and tear Nick apart. The only reason, I am sparing him is because of Darya. She would hate me forever if I do that.

I turned to look at Darya, who was staring out of the window with a scowl on her pretty face. She sulks like a child. But looking at her like that, and knowing that I am the cause of it, pained me and my wolf gave a low whimper.

Sighing, I muttered a sorry.

"For being an ass?" she demanded cocking an eyebrow and I growled at her. "Nick is a friend" she said in a low voice.

"That's what you think" I scoffed.

"Are you implying that Nick is interested in me?" she asked incredulously and I pursed my lips. "He is not. He is just a―"

"Friend?" I sneered and Darya scowled at me. That is what she had been saying from the past ten minutes.

'Q' Nevin called me through the link. 'A fire broke out in the daycare centre. The children and staff are trapped inside' he said breathlessly.

Clenching my fists, I cursed as many more wolves tried connecting with me through the link at the same time.

'Send wolves to help the staff and children. I will be there soon' I told Nevin through the link as I increased the speed of the vehicle.

'I am going there. Others have reached there' Nevin said.

'Everyone calm down. Try helping those who are trapped inside. I will be there soon' I sent a message in my Alpha tone to each and every pack member.

'Q... This is arson not an accident' Larry said in a whisper and my eyes widened in shock before irrepressible fury bubbled up inside me.

'Who fucking dared to do this?' I bellowed in rage.

'Konrad. Ten of our wolves are hypnotized' Harvey said in distress and a murderous growl erupted from my chest. That no good fucking son of a— I had warned him to stay away from my land, still he returned.

My wolf raised his hackles as I snarled loudly and pounded the steering wheel. He scratched inside me wanting me to shift and I did my best to push him back.

"What happened?" Darya asked in a low voice as I once again increased the speed. Fuck! I am still five kilometers away!

"Konrad" I hissed and Darya tensed.

"Where is he?" she asked in determination as I turned the car to a muddy road which was a short cut to the daycare.

'Q, come soon' my dad ordered through the link and I replied with a yes.

"He has hypnotized some wolves. They set fire on a daycare" I growled out.

'Q, the staff are also hypnotized' mom sobbed and muttering another uninhibited curse, I brought the car to an abrupt halt.

That is it! I am going to run till there. I am faster on my foot. Ripping off my seat belt, I told Darya to return home and she nodded as a reply.

Once I was out of the car, I sprinted between the trees. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. Konrad had chosen a time, in which he knew I wouldn't be home. The coward bastard had it all planned.

What the hell is he trying to achieve by harming those children? He is going to regret this big time. I should have killed him the last time. The only reason I did not was because Quinn asked me not to. He said he recognized some strange power from Konrad and warned me not to kill him.

I should not have listened. I should have just killed Konrad. Torn that wretched creature into pieces!

With supreme speed, I raced there worrying about the children.

'The whole place is blocked' Dad said worriedly. 'No way in; no way out' he murmured and my claws came out. 'The boys have already taken down the hypnotized wolves, but the staff members trapped with the children are also hypnotized' he said as I kept running.

'Have you called the fire service?'

'Yes.... The children.... It's too difficult to watch' Dad sounded pained and I felt it too. 'Come soon son!' he added.

'Dad... I can go!' I told him.

'No. No' Panic was evident in his tone. 'There is too much fire. You cannot go'

'I can—'

'It'll burn you. I will not let that happen.'

'No. I will be there. Until then, you go and drag the firemen' I said.

'Yes. I will go there. Quinn just arrived here'

Immediately, I connected with Quinn, 'How bad is it?' I asked him.

'Very bad! Is Darya with you? I am trying to call her but she is not answering?'

'I sent her home' I told him and frowned wondering why he wanted to call Darya.

'Home? She cannot go home. The pack needs her the most now!' Quinn said outrageously and I furrowed my brows.

'What the hell are you saying?'

'Q, there are fire extinguishers in the hospital. Get them here while you are coming' dad broke in and I knew he was saying this to keep me away.

'Dad... I can help' I protested.

'NO' Dad roared in my head.

'No. You cannot' Quinn said through the link and I frowned. 'The firemen are already on the way. In the meantime, just get those fire-extinguishers. We are making a way to get in and they are going to help.'

'You are not lying right?' I asked Quinn, fearing he is saying this just to keep me away like dad.

'Why would I lie?' Quinn asked offended and I almost smiled because I knew he wasn't. I was glad they already found a way. I just had to take the extinguishers and reach there ASAP.

Just when I was running towards the hospital an unfamiliar scent caught my attention. Stopping in my tracks, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

Konrad!

He had been here. Though invisible from others eyes.

The children were the priority, true! But the whole pack was of greater importance. If Konrad is still here then he could do more damage.

Wasting no time, I changed tracks and followed after that scent, while asking Clay to go get the extinguishers.

I kept trailing his scent and soon came to a halt at a spot in between the trees, where his scent was still lingering. He was here... probably, to watch the chaos he created.

"Always let your enemies think they are winning," I recalled my grandpa's words.

I could sense Konrad's presence, I could sense a lot of things but I did not want to reveal any of my gifts to Konrad. Hence, I did not react at all. I kept a blank face and stared ahead.

"Looking for someone?" Konrad's familiar voice demanded and slowly, I tilted my head backwards to look at him sitting carelessly on a topmost branch of a tree.

My wolf snapped his jaws, but I just smirked at him. He smirked back and then jumped to land gracefully on his feet.

"Quillon Sanders" he said watching me with his mint green eyes. Even though he was smirking, his eyes reflected unhidden odium towards me. I did not need to use my gift to sense it. "You are one hell of a tough nut to crack" he fielded and my smirk turned into a grin which made him clench his fists tightly.

"Why? Was Cable unable to find something useful for you?" I taunted and he shrugged.

"Well, I could use ways and means to find out about you..." he began and I growled because I knew exactly what he meant. "But that will be too much of a work for me. So instead, why don't you tell me what exactly are you" he advised.

"Why?"

"Call me curious" he said.

"No! I don't think you are curious. I just think you need an excuse for why you failed to hypnotize me" I goaded cruelly and Konrad's eyes turned dark. "And as for telling you... I think I will take a pass."

He stared at me for a few seconds before sighing dramatically and saying, "Very well. If that's what you choose, then I would go for the first option."

Now, he was goading me by threatening to hurt my family. My wolf scratched inside me wanting to be let out but I pushed him back with all my energy.

"Do that and you will realize exactly what my gifts are, but there is a slight problem, you will be too unprepared to face me" I threatened back.

"Point noted" Konrad said with a smirk and I nodded. "I can stay away from your family but somehow I find it difficult to stay away from your mate."

My claws and fangs were out as I growled murderously. I took a step to attack him but stopped as Quinn's words flashed in my mind, 'Do whatever... just don't kill Konrad. There is more to him than it looks!'

With lot of pain, I took that step back and suppressed my wolf from inside me.

Konrad wanted a reaction because he continued, "She makes my life exciting. Brightens my day!" he chuckled and drops of blood fell on the ground from where my claws were piercing my palm. "I find this strange satisfaction when I watch her in pain. How beautiful she might look when she is down on the ground, her body torn and completely soaked on a pool of her own blood!"

Rage was filling inside me and my eyes got blurry on the amount of pain I felt as my own claws pierce my palms. My whole body was trembling and growls after growls were erupting from my chest.

The only thing that was preventing me from shifting into my wolf was Konrad's smug expression. He wanted me to shift, wanted me to lose control but I had the gift of changing emotion and I did just that. Though, all I wanted to do was kill Konrad the exact way he described, I stopped myself by forcing my mind to remember myself in a calmer time. Like when I am reading a book!

Very soon, the rage in me got covered up and my wolf stepped back. As I unclenched my fists, I compressed my lips when I noticed the blood in my hands.

I then looked at Konrad with a bored expression, "Are you done day dreaming?" I demanded and he narrowed his eyes.

"Manipulating emotions" he said with satisfaction and I cursed myself for revealing that part of my gift to him. "That's what you can do. But that's not the only thing you can do" he stated and I did not bother replying him. "Well, try this gift on Darya. She often goes berserk when I am around" he said and I gritted my teeth.

"Speaking of gifts—" Konrad began, "—Don't you want to see, what Darya can do?" Konrad said and even though I was confused, I did not show it. "I am sure you do" Konrad answered for himself. "Then go and see it. Do not miss the show that I have arranged for the benefit of you and your pack" he finished.

'Do whatever... just don't kill Konrad.' I had to keep replaying that again and again in my mind. It was the warning Quinn gave to me that day. Hence I had let him go then and I have to let him go now.

He was about to turn, but stopped and then faced me, "The word show reminded me of another thing. You missed the show Cable had arranged for you after killing the accountant, but Darya did not. Someone already warned her about the impending show" he said smoothly and I hitched my brows, seriously not understanding what he was talking about. "I am sure she is planning something major for Cable. Just tell her that I will not come in her way!"

After those final words, Konrad was out of my sight.

He had got an upper-hand today, but I did not much care about it. I was still thinking about his last piece of information. What the hell had he been implying?

Does Darya know something that I don't? I have to ask her... later! Knowing that my pack needed me, I ran towards the daycare only because I was sure Konrad will not be returning.

Quinn lied to me!

I could see from the distant how widespread the fire was and could hear clearly, how loud the wolves were screaming. The fire service too had not arrived.

I knew my dad would lie to me to keep me away, but the fact that Quinn also lied, hurt. I will deal with him later... but now, I had to help no matter what it costs me. I had to step on that fire.

The moment I reached one end of the crowd, I snarled in a very commanding way that had wolves immediately make a passage for me.

However, I stopped dead in my tracks, when I spotted Darya, who was walking ahead... towards the fire! Wolves have actually made way for her to reach there!

"Darya" I called loudly, which had wolves jump in fear.

Darya stopped in her tracks for a second or two. However, as I was about to close the distance, Quinn rushed and blocked my path.

"Move" I snarled angrily. I was very disappointed at him for lying to me. He lied even when he knew those children's life were in danger.

"Q, please listen to me" Quinn begged, his eyes turning dark as I kept calling Darya. Why wasn't anybody stopping her?

"Why should I listen to you? You deliberately lied to me. I asked you if you were and you still lied" I growled and looked at Darya, who looked like she was under some spell. I called her again and tried to pry Quinn's hands which were circled around my arms.

"No. All I said was why would I lie?" Quinn protested as I glanced at Darya, who had a stoic look on her face.

"Exactly! Why?" I demanded glaring at my brother.

"Why would I lie? I would lie only if I knew that there was other help."

"There is no help" I snapped and forcefully pushed him out of my way.

"There is! LOOK AT YOUR MATE" Quinn shouted the last part and the whole crowd went silent.

And I did look at my mate!

I watched as one end of a powerful tree trunk, which was blocking the entrance, moved back on its own.

Everyone stared with wide eyes at what just took place. People started murmuring things but my eyes were focused on Darya, who had that expressionless face. Her eyes were glowing in an unusual color that closely resembled to the early morning sun. I was enthralled by the sheer beauty of those eyes. Her skin which was a beautiful shade of peach was now oddly pale. Her golden blond hair, which was shining in the afternoon sun, flew behind her by the force of the wind. She was standing barefoot on the road, and her posture was as rigid as a steel girder. Her scent reeked of anxiety along with that powerful Alpha blood aura.

Her eyes reflected the destruction taking place and through them, I could very clearly see what she was seeing.

I knew Darya pushed the tree. I knew she could control all the elements. I had suspected so on our date, but my suspicions were confirmed now. I did not know how she acquired those gifts; did not even know which element was her first gift but all I knew was that at this moment, Darya could save everyone at one go, unlike me! She could step on that fire and remain unscathed.

"Darya can control, manipulate, generate, bend and absorb all the five elements. She is nature" Quinn stated quite audibly, shocking everyone around me.

"Darya" my mom called her, rushing towards us but Quinn quickly moved and caught her before she could rush to push Darya away, "Stop" mom screamed watching Darya.

Darya paused for a few seconds and I thought she would stop, but she did not. She took that one last step and stood barefoot on a burning pasture.

Everyone screamed and stepped back in fear, while Darya did that.

"Q, stop her" mom cried.

"What is wrong with her?"

"She is going to get herself killed"

"Is she out of her mind?"

"What is that girl doing?" my dad whispered from beside me.

"Q, please stop her. She is your mate." My mom wasn't looking at Darya. She was looking at me, while trying to pry Quinn's hold around her.

I stood there static and watched my mate standing fearlessly on fire. My wolf craned his neck up and howled in pain, fearing for his mate even though we knew she would be fine. Her whole body got caught on fire and she did not even flinch.

"No one is going to stop Darya" I said and like a man in trance, I walked ahead as wolves moved back to make way for me.

'Q, there is a trespasser' Isaac, one of the guards warned me and I tensed, wondering if Konrad had returned. 'It's the Emperor Pack Luna' he said and I sighed.

'No Problem. I am sure Darya called her. If anyone else from Emperor comes, let them in' I ordered through the link.

'There is no one else, just the Luna... and Q, she is running swiftly. She had disappeared from my sight within a blink.'

I narrowed my eyes, but then let it slide and saw Darya.

The fiery aura had surrounded her. However, after a few seconds, it would die down and turn into black smoke, which would disappear within no time.

The printed skirt and plain white shirt that she had worn caught fire and I inhaled sharply. Her shirt caught fire and got burnt right in the middle, revealing her bare back.

People started gasping and expressed their shocks but I ignored them and clenched my fists as the charred pieces of her cloth dropped down. No matter what the situation, the thought of Darya being naked in front of others, was not appreciated by me.

It was only when I felt something moving near my feet that I glanced down and saw thick green vines moving on their own accord towards Darya. They were coming from three different directions and wolves hopped in surprise while also staring at them with awe.

"What is she?" my dad's voice was barely audible.

No one could stop the vines and once they were near Darya, they rose up slightly and began coiling around her body. Her body was still on flames but the vines weren't getting scorched by it.

My eyes drifted towards the children trapped inside and they were shaking in fear.

As the vines kept twirling around her body, Darya craned her neck to stare at the sky while also raising her left hand. I furrowed my brows wondering what she was doing, but was answered soon when dark rain clouds appeared on the sky. The dark clouds moved the same way she moved her hand. Very soon, the bright hot afternoon sun got hidden behind the rain clouds.

Darya is going to let the fire die down by rain and I was curious to see how she would do that. As she dropped her hand, the vines stopped twirling and I swallowed as I saw Darya, who had her side to me.

She looked spectacular!

Like a tree Goddess! The vines had completely covered her from shoulders to thighs and left a long train behind her.

The stoic look on her face was bothering me. There was something wrong! She did not look her usual self. She looked lost and unaware of her surroundings.

A cold wind blew and I sensed the occurrence of a very hard, unforeseen rain.

Darya, who still had a blank look on her face, closed her eyes and a drop of tear roll down her cheeks. I tensed and my wolf growled as he saw that tear.

Why is she crying? Is this hurting her?

The moment that tear bead dropped to the ground, I felt rain drop hit my arm. Slowly raising my arms, I inspected it and soon drops after drops hit me.

Darya's tears were the cause of this rain and that is when it flashed to me that why it rained on the day I marked her.

As a loud painful sob caught my attention, I raised my head and found Darya's slender body quivering. My mouth parted in dismay as my wolf raised his head and howled agonizingly. She was hurting very much and I did not know what caused that hurt. My heart thumped violently as I felt a burning at the back of my eyes. My whole body got soaked in the wet rain and I felt rain drops on my lashes.

Due to the needle-sharp sprays of rain, the fire had been quenched and soon parents rushed to save their children. The hypnotized wolves were also made unconscious were soon!

Darya's sobs turned into ear-splitting wails and I clenched my fists as my body shook violently. A feral snarl from me had wolves stepping back in fear. My wolf was scratching inside me wanting to shift badly, so that he could tear the person who was hurting his mate. I couldn't agree more!

I could not bear watching her crying and so I immediately strode ahead.

As I stood in beside her, I noticed that her face was pink in anguish and as I sensed her pain, I felt as if someone gutted me! I did not know what was hurting her so much, but whatever it was, I wanted to make it go away.

I stared at Darya, who closed her mouth and swallowed audibly. Slowly, she raised her lashes too look at her surroundings. Tears were still leaking from her eyes and the rain couldn't hide it.

Moving to stand behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to my chest, hoping it would calm her down. Her skin was covered by the vines and I still did not know where they came from!

As I touched her hands, I realized that her skin was ice cold.

Lowering my head, I whispered her name right next to her ear but she did not respond. "It's over" I told wiping her cheeks with my thumb, "The children are safe. You saved them. Look..." I told pointing in the direction of those children, who were with their families.

When Darya did not turn to look, I slowly pulled her with me.

"You did it" Quinn was the first one to speak. "I knew you would" he said laughing as well as crying at the same time.

His laughter caught the attention and everyone in the crowd turned to look at her. They were all staring at Darya, as if she were some miracle happening right in front of them.

"Darya, you... wow!" Clay said in awe.

"Everyone is safe right?" I asked Harvey, slowly running my hands up and down Darya's arms.

"Yes. What she did... I have no words" Harvey said watching Darya with wide eyes.

"Darya, Oh Lord! You scared us" mom cried. "There was no need for you to do it, but you still did save our pack children" mom added and I smiled softly.

That was true. There was no need for her to do it. She could have walked away, but she chose not to!

"True" Maria, one of the she-wolf, whose son was trapped in, said chokily. "My son was no one to you, but you saved him and so many of other kids. I am so glad that you are going to be the Luna of this pack" she added and many wolves nodded in agreement.

My wolf howled in pride and I smiled happily.

"That's what her gift is" Quinn addressed the crowd, "She is nature. She is... life" he said and then my brother did the most unexpected thing. He lowered his body, knelt on one knee and bowed his head in utmost respect to Darya.

Nevin, Bee, Harvey, Clay... all my friends and pack members, genuflected and lowered their heads giving Darya their respect and acceptance as a Luna. Maxwell, Leah's father was standing at one corner, but I ignored him.

"They accepted you as the Luna" I told Darya and mom, who was standing beside me, was torn between laughter and tears. My wolf instead of being happy was pacing inside me, but I ignored him.

"Yes, they did. The pack couldn't have a better Luna" mom added and I looked at Darya. My smile got wiped off my face when I noticed that the stoic expression was still there on her face.

"What do you say Scott?" mom asked Dad, who was standing on my other side, and watching Darya with shocked wide eyes. For the first time in my life, I was seeing him speechless!

"A-agreed" Dad stuttered as I cupped Darya's face and forced her to look at me. Her eyes were open, but the grey irises had a distant, lost look in them.

"Darya" I called and shook her body forcefully. "Mom.... She is not responding" I said shakily as my wolf whimpered inside me. Instantly, I knew what was wrong with him. Darya's wolf was not responding to his calls.

As Darya's eyes closed and legs gave away, I held her in my arms, panicking if something happened to her. My wolf was walking back and forth inside me, not knowing how to help Darya. My hands were literally shaking as I held her.

I kept calling her name repeatedly and the crowd, stood up wondering what was wrong. But before they could come close, Quinn and my friends blocked them.

The vines that were covering Darya started slitting and mom helped me cover her body with my plain shirt.

"Her skin is ice cold" mom said, "Call the pack doctor" she ordered to no one in particular.

The moment she finished talking, a loud, aggressive growl was heard and as I breathed in, I sensed the scent of the trespasser. The crowd gasped and spread apart to reveal Orseline Rhoades, Luna of Emperor Pack, standing at the end and glaring at me with fiery golden eyes.

Her claws and fangs were out and her body was trembling in rage as she marched ahead, "What the hell did you do to her?" The Luna demanded glaring at me.

In a flash, she was standing right in front of me, with Darya between us. Her golden eyes flickered to Darya— who was in my arms— and as they ran over Darya's features, they widened in shock and then softened.

"Darya" the Luna called holding her hand. When Darya did not respond, the same golden eyes hardened and she directed it to me.

"Call your pack doctor now" she hissed through gritted teeth. "I will deal with you later" the Luna added, but I chose to ignore her.

Twenty minutes later, I was standing in my room as the pack doctor examined Darya. Duncan, Lorcan, Vernon and Darya's guards who arrived a few minutes earlier, were outside while the Luna was sitting on the edge of the bed with mom, who already explained everything to her.

"Her wolf had alienated itself from her" the doctor said and I frowned.

"Why would that happen?" the Luna asked before I could.

"Fear, anxiety, trauma... usually it happens when the animal is in a vulnerable state. With everything that happened, her wolf must have panicked." I knitted my brows in confusion after hearing it. Why would her wolf panic? My eyes flickered to the Luna, who was watching Darya with a tender expression.

She might know something...

"Let her rest for a few hours and Q, you stay with her. It will provide comfort and help her wolf" the doctor added before walking away. He himself looked stressed because the children needed his help too.

Duncan was the first one to enter the room, followed by Lorcan and Quinn. As the Luna looked at him, Duncan nodded and I narrowed my eyes.

'Q, I came to know about Darya's gifts a few days ago and she told me not to tell you. For some reason she did not want you to know her gifts' Quinn told me through the link and I frowned.

Is that why her wolf was panicking?

"Daroo" Lorcan said and climbed on the bed, to watch a sleeping Darya with a pout on his face.

"Darya was tired and she is sleeping now. We will let her rest okay?" The Luna told him and he nodded.

"When will she wake up?" he asked her.

"Soon" the Luna smiled encouragingly.

"Where was Darya when the fire was set?" Duncan asked me.

"She was with me" I replied. "We were returning home, while we got the news."

"And?" Luna probed.

"I told her to go home while I came to the daycare"

"You told her to go home?" the Luna seemed surprised and I nodded as a reply.

"You mean... Before this, you didn't know she could—"

"I suspected. But I was not sure" I told cutting Duncan off.

"I knew it" Quinn told and both their eyes flickered to him, "She told me."

"She told you?" the Luna seemed to be taken aback and she eyed Quinn with a strange expression.

"I can figure other wolves gifts" Quinn shrugged and they nodded. Duncan then turned to look at his mate and I knew they were talking through the link.

I wanted to know what they were talking and so, I growled which caught their attention. They looked at me questioningly as I glared at them, "Darya's wolf panicked because she did not want me knowing about her gifts. So, this is the part where you tell me, why it is so?" I demanded angrily and the Luna narrowed her eyes.

'Q, we will talk about this later' mom, who was silent until now, told me through the link and I shook my head.

"Well?" I asked when both of them did not reply.

The Luna sighed before answering, "Abraham Rhoades tried to kill her after he came to know about her gifts."

I felt the ground collapse below my feet as my eyes rounded in shock at that news. Mom gasped and Quinn inhaled sharply. My shock turned into anger and I clenched my fists.

"How old was she?"

"Twelve. Very young and very naïve" the Luna said with a bitter smile, "She had come to know the truth about her birth and it had been just over a year after she lost her adoptive father. She was so very excited to meet Abraham and met him, she did... but he was not alone. He had brought rogues to get rid of her."

My heart tightened and an unfamiliar hollow feeling sank in as I imagined a young Darya, being attacked by the rogues sent by her own father. The nerve of that man! If he had been alive, I would have killed him already. Now, I knew why she refuses to acknowledge him as her father.

"Why would he do that?" mom whispered.

"It's a long story and I wish I could tell you that, but it's not only my story. I am a part of it, just like many others. So, I have to keep quiet" the Luna said with a sad smile and mom nodded unsurely.

I crossed my arms across my chest with a frown. I wanted the whole truth! Who other people are involved? I could already think of few names...

It was seven in the afternoon and Darya had still not woken up. Sitting on a chair next to her bed, I held Darya's hand and noticed that it was quite warm and not as ashen pale as earlier. My eyes flickered to her closed lashes and lingered there. She looked completely unaware of the terrible fright she gave me earlier. Then again, Darya doesn't even know the effect she has on me!

While I was holding on to her hand like a lifeline, I sensed her pulse beating steadily. I placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles and held her hand firmly. My wolf was resting his head on his limbs and waiting for her to get up. A few minutes earlier, Darya's wolf had weakly responded, making me overjoyed.

The Luna entered the room holding her cell-phone in her hand. She had gone out after she got Tyson Grier's call. While she sat on the bed, her gaze scanned our linked hands.

"Her wolf responded a few minutes ago" I said, breaking the uncomfortable silence in the room.

"Really? Is she fine?"

"Recovering" I told her and she heaved a sigh.

"She really scared me when she called me. It's been months since she had scared me so much" the Luna said softly, her gaze affixed on Darya's sleeping form.

"What happened the last time?" I demanded tersely.

"She got electrocuted and was in coma for twenty-three days" I growled in rage after hearing that she was in coma. Even then I was confused because she can control electricity.

"But she can control—"

"Yes. That's how she survived" the Luna breathed out, "After she woke up, she learnt she could control the last element."

"When was this?" I asked with a frown.

"This January. Look, Quillon—" the Luna rubbed her forehead and stared at me, "—ever since Darya shifted, her life has been in threat. All of us have done our best to protect her, but even then there were times when we failed. She can protect herself, but while doing so, she often uses her gifts which are quite volatile. The thing I am most scared about is what happens if she loses control. She is short-tempered and you cannot blame her because after what she has been through, she has a fair excuse to be so. Even then, she gives one chance to all her adversaries" the Luna almost smiled. "What I am trying to say is, do not hurt her. I don't believe you had any ulterior motive in calling her to the pack but start thinking now about what you want at the end of your sixty days agreement. Whatever you have decided good or bad, make sure it is exactly what you want. Your decision will affect her. I hope you understood" she said and I nodded.

I knew very well what she was saying.

"As much as I like to believe you won't hurt her, I am also not ready to take any risks" she said and I raised my lashes to look at her. The Luna smiled sweetly but beneath that smile the threat to hurt me if I hurt Darya, was unconcealed.

She had already warned me once, so she wasn't issuing any fresh warning today!

My wolf growled, not liking being threatened but I had to appreciate the care and protective feeling Orseline Norwood had for Darya. It made me respect her and that's the reason why I kept my mouth shut and did not defy her.

The door to our room opened slightly and dad peeked in, "Q... a word with you" he said and I furrowed my brows.

"Later" I said dismissively.

"Go. I am here" the Luna said and with great reluctance, I let go of Darya's hand and padded towards the door.

"What?" I asked dad the moment we entered office.

"Are they staying here tonight?" he questioned. The 'they' here refers to Darya's family.

"I doubt" I replied and he sighed.

"Your mate..." Dad began and I cocked an eyebrow. "Well, she is different" he said and I nodded. "Maybe that's why she was chosen as your mate. She is strong and once she becomes the Luna, she will make our pack stronger" dad finished and I bit back a comment. "How is she doing now?"

"Improving"

"Now that you know about her gifts... are you planning to tell about your gifts to her?" dad questioned carefully.

"Yes" I replied without hesitation.

"Don't do it" he said and I frowned at him while my wolf bristled.

"Why not?" I asked in exasperation.

"Konrad" dad said and I growled the moment I heard that name.

"He will always attack Darya. Me keeping a secret of my gifts will not help" I hissed in fury.

"Yes. But do you remember what your grandpa told you?" he asked and I nodded grudgingly. "What is it?"

"Always let your enemies think they are winning," I muttered through gritted teeth.

"Good. The soothsayer himself told him that and we all know what happened when Paulo's words were ignored" he fielded sadly and I pursed my lips. Elegance Pack was destroyed! That's what happened after Paulo's words were ignored by Alpha Victor, mom's brother.

"So, don't tell her... at least not until she is accepted as the Luna. You know what the plan is" he reminded. The plan is to keep my gifts a secret so that Konrad never comes to know about it.

"I know" I said uninterestedly.

"Alright... Inform us if she wakes up" he muttered and I nodded. He stopped near the door and turned, "If they want to stay, then they can stay here... Orseline and her son. Not Duncan though" he added and I smiled.

My dad had problems with Darya being a Rhoades but the only reason he didn't hate her was because she was brought up by a different family. He seemed still in a shock after knowing about her gifts and the power she possess. He had seriously underestimated her and so did I.

Darya can definitely kick some ass, but like the Luna said, she still has to be careful because her gifts are indeed volatile!

As I walking to our room, a small body collided against mine and I looked down to stare at the Alpha heir, who had blonde hair and grey eyes just like Darya. He stepped back and tilted his head backwards to look at me which made me smirk.

"You are Quil-lon" he said.

"You can call me Q" I told him.

"L-M-N-O-P-Q?" he asked with wide eyes and I blinked.

"Yes. The alphabet Q" I said with a forced smile.

"Everyone calls you Q?" he asked and I nodded because except for Darya, everyone calls me Q. "Everyone calls me baby bear" he said proudly and I raised my brows amusedly. I bet he will hate that name a few years later!

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Mama told me to call you"

"Why?"

"Daroo woke up" he said excitedly, running towards our room and I quickly followed him.

Darya was drinking a glass of water as I entered our room. "Are you alright?" I asked kneeling on the floor, beside the bed.

Darya gave a short nod and handed me the glass of water. "She is still very sleepy" the Luna whispered and I nodded because Darya was opening and closing her eyes repeatedly.

"Go back to sleep" I told her and she did so like a robot. I helped her lie down in the bed and within seconds, she was asleep. This time when my wolf connected to hers, her wolf responded quicker than the last time.

"Did she say anything?" I asked the Luna and she shook her head. Just then, Duncan entered the room along with Nick and I growled lowly the moment I saw him.

"You told me she woke up" Duncan murmured watching Darya, who was asleep.

"She did for a few seconds and then slept again" the Luna sighed.

"You guys can stay here if you want to" I told them because it was already getting late.

"No. We will leave now. We will come in the morning" Duncan stated and I shrugged.

"Call me if she wakes up" the Luna said and I nodded.

Leaning against the main door, I watched them climb into their cars. Duncan nodded at me and I did the same.

"Levelheaded" Quinn muttered standing beside me and I shot him a questioning look. "That's Duncan Rhoades's gift. He always likes to think twice. He is not impulsive like his mate."

"That's the Luna's gift?"

"No. It's her weakness. Her gift is incognito" I frowned. "It's like being undercover."

"Double identities" I said precisely.

"Yes. One, which everyone can see and the other can be seen by only those she wishes to show it to." I wondered what Orseline Rhoades's other identity could be.

"Whatever... Mom called to have dinner. I will get it for you and Darya" he said and I nodded.

"Hey Quinn" I called and he turned to face me. Curling my hands into a fist, I punched him in the face, not knocking him out but enough to leave a bruise.

"God! Give me a warning" he groaned clutching his nose. "I told you Darya did not want me to tell you about the gifts" he mumbled rubbing his already healing nose.

"I am not mad about that. I am mad that you lied to me" I said before returning to our room.

"You punched me for that?" Quinn cried in outrage. "I lied to make sure Darya does not dump you" he said and I shot him a look of disbelief.

"You wanted to step on that fire. Even though you cannot feel the pain, your skin would have got burnt and I am sure Darya would not want to be with someone who looks like a charcoal."

"Get the hell out of my sight" I snapped, which made him laugh out loud.

****

Haha... Hope you like it :)

Okay, those who wanted to read about Leah's reaction it isn't here because A) She wasn't in the place and B) Q does not care about what she does. So, even if she was there, he would not have mentioned it.

Please vote and comment.

Next update will be on 28th July and not a day earlier than 28th because...