Chapter 44

HAPPY DEEPAVALI :D

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity to you and your family. Have an Enjoyable Diwali :D

Chapter 44 is here and it is dedicated to @lisha_luv for the awesome cover above^^^ Thank-you :D

Also, PLEASE READ THE NOTE AT THE END!

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"Morning will come, it has no choice. Morning not only forgives, it forgets. Every morning a new sun greets us and our new life begins."

-Marty Rubin.

DARYA P.O.V

Standing at the top of the hill, I truly felt like I was at the top of the world. Green vines were covering my body as I stood, welcoming the early morning sun, with a genuine smile on my face.

A new day, a new beginning. I am going to start my life afresh from today.

There was nothing in the world that could worry me now. I had my mate's love, the one thing I considered impossible to attain. I had my family's support, like always. I had no need to worry about Konrad, he was dead.

I heaved a sigh because for the first time ever in life, I felt truly relaxed. My wolf was also relaxed and to prove the point, she lazily sprawled herself.

Chuckling, I turned my head to look at Quillon, who was sleeping peacefully at the foot of the hill. Biting my lower lip, I went down the hill again.

Yesterday evening's kiss had turned heated immediately and we completely forgot that we were outdoors. The nature, as usual, came to our rescue. A tent made of vines and flowers had been formed around us, to give us complete privacy. Thank-fully, none of the humans visited the hill either.

I pushed aside the strings of fresh, colorful flowers and entered the specially designed tent. Quillon was lying on his stomach, his spectacular back bare to me. My cheeks flamed and I made a mewling sound, when I saw the parallel scratch marks on his smooth back.

Quillon stirred in his sleep and a split second later, his eyes flew open. He turned his head to look at my spot and when he saw it empty, he raised his head and sat up.

"Hi" I said shyly while drooling inwardly at his messy look, which just made him sexier.

"What time is it?" Quillon asked and my smile got wiped from my face. I didn't have a watch but it was still dark outside... so my guess, around five in the morning.

"I don't know" I said instead because I wasn't sure. It was then I noticed the slighter things. I was shivering and had Goosebumps all over my body because it was very cold. However, Quillon seemed just about fine.

Come to think about it, I should have known Quillon's gift right from the start because he had been using them quite often in front of me. While eating dinner, he would constantly tell what was missing without before even taking a bite. That night, in the club on Quinn's birthday, he had sensed the girls drink was spiked because of his gift. How he was the first one to sense Konrad coming to Serene. The way he was able to pull out the internal organs of the rogues hired by Konrad. During our date, why he refused restaurants after restaurants... he could see their unhygienic kitchen. And... Oh God! I now know why he was smirking when I had asked him to close his eyes, while I shifted back to my human form, in front him. The sneaky bastard could actually see me naked with his eyes closed. There is no use worrying about it because he can see me naked even when I wear clothes. He could see everybody naked too then. Every girl...

It's his gift... don't think much about it, I convinced myself before my wolf could start growling. Besides, he blocks them out.

He had been using his gifts in day to day activities and I hadn't even figured it out yet.

So, nothing is hidden from Quillon. Damn!

His senses are stronger than the others... ten times stronger. Nice! Konrad couldn't hypnotize him. Nice! He could drive a person mad... not very nice! He... he is called an Apex Predator for a reason. Quinn had told me that and now, I badly wanted to know what the reason was.

Fortunately, I also knew the person who could tell me what the reason is.

"Darya" Quillon snapped and startled, I jumped.

"What?"

"Which world are you in?" he demanded and I shook my head. "Let's go home" Quillon said. Smiling, I nodded because his home felt like my home.

__

We were running in our wolf forms in the middle of the woods for more than an hour now. Yesterday, while fighting, we had gone from the one end of the territory to another end, without even realizing it. But now I was regretting it because I was feeling very tired.

I was fine while running with Quillon, until I spotted some female pups racing in the woods. I lowered my speed, until eventually I stopped and watched the girls. The girls halted in their tracks when they saw me. Our eyes met for a few seconds, before the girls ran away with apparent fear in their eyes.

That was the moment when I recalled everything that I had done to Serene.

I whined softly when I saw the girls running far away. They were trying to get away from me. They were scared of me. Why wouldn't they be? What I did to their pack was absolutely wrong!

Hesitating, I took a few steps back.

What the hell am I doing? How could I even think for a second that everything will be fine and dandy? Serene Pack wolves might never forgive me for what I did.

Quillon's tall midnight blue wolf stepped closer to me as I kept whining. He brushed his muzzle against my neck, gently. I shook my head and turned away. With his head, he urged me to go ahead.

I hung back but later grasped that I had to go to this way to reach his house. I had to face the Serene Wolves. That is the one and only option I have.

Whimpering, I followed Quillon as we ran towards his house.

__

I shifted back in his room and for some time just stared at the room. I missed this place so much. Smiling, I stepped into the shower.

After an hour long shower, I stepped out and picked a towel from the stand. Out of habit, I went and opened the closet. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw that all my things were in the same place as before.

"Oh! You sneaky liar" I said narrowing my eyes.

Shaking my head, I picked up a full sleeves peach dress and quickly wore it. I was trying to pull up the side zip when all of a sudden I felt myself being pushed against the full length mirror. Gasping, I looked at Quillon who, clad in jeans and plaid shirt, was standing comfortably near the closet door.

"How did you do that?" I asked in surprise. He was on the other side of the room.

"Like this" he said with a sly smirk and my mouth dropped open when I could actually feel his hands on my waist. I could feel him touching me even when his hands were not on my body.

I inhaled deeply and pressed my back against the mirror, when I felt his hands trailing upwards, closer to my breasts which were heaving in excitement. I looked at Quillon, whose eyes were greedily staring at my body and all of a sudden, I felt self-conscious.

"Quillon" I said breathlessly staring at his eyes, which were darkening while he watched me squirming. My wolf was feeling excited all of a sudden and I knew, lust was seeping out from me. "Stop" I whispered as he smirked lazily at me.

Suddenly, the warm, strong feeling of his hands over my body vanished and my wolf moaned in complaint, missing the touch. I looked at Quillon, while breathing heavily and nervously licking my lower lip.

What he just did was an experience like no other because I could actually feel Quillon touching me. He was... but not with his hands though!

In a swift movement, he stood right in front of me and my mouth parted in astonishment. With a groan, Quillon pulled me towards him, and almost at the same time, he wiped my lipstick with his thumb and brought his mouth down to meet mine.

Closing my eyes, I held the front of his shirt between my fingers as Quillon kissed me hot and hungrily. I moaned in delight as the kiss deepened.

When we pulled back, I was breathing heavily. I raised my lashes and noticed that he too was trying to catch his breath. Smiling, I leaned against the wall and that's when my eyes flickered to my surroundings. I dropped the smile and raising my hand, I slapped Quillon in the face. It wasn't a loud, hurting one but it was a little harder than pat.

Quillon blinked in surprise. "That's for deliberately baiting me" I told him.

"You took the bait" he retorted with a shrug and I frowned.

"Anyway, since you didn't actually pack all my stuff you didn't see this" I muttered pulling open a drawer. There, I picked up his birthday gift and hand handed it to him. "Belated happy birthday" I said softly, leaning sideward on the closet door.

Quillon smiled, tore the gift paper and quickly pulled out one of the most expensive pen in the world, which had his name carved on it. I had seen in his office table and noticed that he had an odd habit of collecting pens and I couldn't think of anything else to give to him.

"It has my name" he murmured in a barely audible voice and I nodded. "This is beautiful" he said staring at the attractive design of the pen and I beamed.

"Glad you liked it" I said and standing on my toes, I pecked his lips. Our first birthday together had been ruined but thankfully, now, everything was alright.

When Quillon didn't speak, I realized he was talking with someone through the link. I stared at him until his eyes were focused on me.

"Mom has made breakfast for us" he told me and once again, I tensed wondering how I am going to face Grace. She might never forgive me for trying to destroy her pack.

When Quillon noticed my worried look, he sighed, "She is not mad at you. She is mad at dad!" With that said, he held my hand and began dragging me downstairs.

"Your dad?" I said and my wolf growled. If Quillon noticed the growl, he chose to ignore it.

"Mom has currently exiled him" he filled in when we were going downstairs.

I stopped, "Exiled... where?"

"He is in family farmhouse and mom asked him to stay there until everything between us was sorted out" Quillon replied.

Truth to be told, I felt bad for Scott. He was exiled from his pack and family, when they needed him. But I felt worse for Grace because I knew how hurt she must have felt while sending her own mate away.

I would forgive Scott and try to forget about that fateful night only for Grace. She didn't deserve to be punished.

"When will he be back?"

"In a few days"

That was good. For Grace.

__

Tears ran down my cheeks as Grace hugged me close to her and kept telling how happy she was to have me back in the pack. I liked her but more than that, I respected her like a mother. Even though nothing was her fault, she had fallen on her knees and had asked for forgiveness that night... I remembered it now, but I had not once considered it.

"Welcome back... Luna" Quinn teased and I chuckled through teary eyes as he gave me a big bear hug. Quillon growled in warning, when Quinn kissed me on both cheeks.

While we sat for breakfast, I knew everyone of us really felt Scott's absence. I remember the first day; I had dinner with the family in the same place. That was a beginning for me which ended badly. However today, would be another new beginning which I knew wouldn't end anything like the last time!

Scott was family. He might hate me, but even I cannot deny the fact that he loves his son, Quillon, my mate, a lot. He had trained Quillon, protected him and kept him out of the sight of rogues all these years... very successfully. Scott did it by breaking ties with all other packs. He made no allies, he did not get involved with other packs fights and that kept his own pack safe.

The method might seem wrong and in a way, it is, but it is also a very clever move. Scott made sure Serene Pack wolves always kept to themselves and never interfered in other packs business. When Serene made no news, others lost interest in the pack and didn't really care about it. Hence, thinking Serene was useless... the rogues weren't interested in Serene either and did not bother them. Thus, without any hesitation, I can say Scott was a very good Alpha to his pack. Way better than the sperm donor, aka, Abraham Rhoades!

The rogue attacks had been considerably very less in Serene Pack. No one, including me, knew about Quillon. No one, including Konrad and me, suspected Quillon was gifted. And no one knew that Quillon is the Apex Predator.

Such a big secret was kept safe only because of Scott. He didn't let any harm come to his son and for that, I will always be grateful to him. My wolf too agreed with me on that score.

I decided that moment that I will forgive Scott and forget everything about that night. From today, I will make a new start with him, with everyone from Serene Pack.

This was also my family from now and it included Quillon, Grace, Scott, Quinn and whoever his mate is going to be, along with the rest of Serene Pack.

"Darya"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I noticed that three pair of eyes was settled on me.

"You don't like it?" Grace asked me, nodding at my plate. I lowered my head and when I noticed the typical English breakfast my mouth watered immediately. I hadn't eaten for more than twelve hours and only now I realized how hungry I really am.

"I love it" I said and picked up my fork.

"Darya" Grace called me a few seconds later and I looked at her. "I know it is too soon and the time isn't right but, will you join the pack?" she asked nervously.

"I... I..." I hesitated and then looked at Quillon, whose dark eyes were fixed at me. Gulping, I focused on Grace, "It doesn't feel right? I burnt the pack down. They will never forgive me"

"They will. You are their Luna" Quillon retorted and I shook my head.

"I don't want the pack accepting me as their Luna just because I am your mate. I want them to give me the title because they think I deserve it. I want to apologize to all of them" I said playing with my food.

"You don't have to-" Quillon started.

"You do that" Grace broke in with a gentle smile. "The pack will forgive you because we all know not everything is your fault" Grace said tightly and as she lowered her lashes, I realized she was thinking about Scott.

I felt really bad for Grace because I knew that even though she looked strong, inside she was hurting.

"Excuse me" she said and got up from the table.

"Grace" I called her. She stopped and turned to look at me, "If the pack forgives me, will you do something that I ask?"

Grace lashes fluttered in surprise before she nodded. I smiled and sighed softly.

Quillon, who was sitting next to me, was staring at me tenderly. I was sure he knew what I wanted from Grace.

While we were having breakfast, Quillon got a call and he went to answer it, leaving Quinn and me in the table.

"Psst" I looked up at Quinn, wondering what he wanted. "I need a favor" he said in a low voice and I leaned forward. "Can you call Sabine and tell her something nice about me?"

I blinked in absolute bewilderment. "Why should I do that? And why would Abi-"

"Please Darya" Quinn pleaded and I frowned. "I swear I will do anything you ask."

I was completely confused because I had no idea what he was talking about. "Hold on... why do you want to talk to Abi... something nice about you?"

"Hey, Darya, I know I made some mistakes but that is in the past. Please don't tell her about that. Vincent hates me as it is and he might have told her everything about me. Please tell her to talk to me and move in with me. I am a changed person now. I really like her and I swear I will never hurt her."

The fork dropped from my hand as my eyes rounded and my jaws almost hit the floor when I realized what I had missed.

"You are Sabine's mate!" Flabbergasted, I just stared at Quinn.

"Yes. You didn't know?" Quillon asked sitting beside me.

"Sabine is your mate" I said it so that I could take it in.

"Yes"

"No" I said shaking my head. How come nobody told me? "Oh! Oh poor Abi. Give me your phone. Do you have her number?" I asked Quillon.

"Yes"

"When did you meet?" I demanded from Quinn, who was scowling at me.

"On your birthday" he grumbled.

"Hello?" Sabine said meekly from the other side.

"Abi, it's me" I said and got up from my seat.

"Darya?"

"Yes"

"Darya" Quinn called at the same time and my heart melted when I saw the pleading, pale look he had on his face. He really didn't want me to tell about his past to her and I won't either because that was before he met her and knowing it would hurt Sabine, which I really didn't want.

"I won't" I assured Quinn and went upstairs while talking to Sabine.

__

Ten minutes later, I was lying flat on the bed and laughing like a hyena as Sabine explained to me in detail everything that I missed. Damn! I was so into self-pity that I didn't once realize what was happening around me.

Abi wanted to inform me that day itself, but I was crying that day and no one told me about it. They should have... this would have made me feel better!

Anyway, later, I suppose Sel forgot about it and Abi couldn't contact me because I didn't have my phone with me.

"Quinton is a sweetheart" I told her and was greeted with absolute silence from the other side. "Did Vincent tell you something?" I demanded finding the silence odd. If so, I am going to kill him. Now I know Sabine was the she-wolf he had been talking about.

"Tell me about what?" Abi asked in confusion.

"It's just Vincent doesn't really like Quinn. He knew Quinn was going to be your mate"

"I know that. Vince calls him a brat" she remarked. "Do you know why he calls him that?" Sabine asked suspiciously.

"That's Vincent being annoying. Ignore him. Quinn is a brat but he is also responsible when he wants to be" I said and again, there was silence from the other side.

That's when I realized that from the past ten minutes, Sabine hadn't once taken Quinn's name. "Abi" I called.

"Hmm"

"Did someone tell you something?" I inquired.

"No" she replied quickly and I narrowed my eyes.

"Did Kasey tell you something?"

"I... " Sabine whimpered and then there was complete silence for few seconds. "She didn't want to but I forced her to tell me" Sabine cried and I closed my eyes. Shit! Quinn is going to have to work a lot to gain her trust.

"I wanted to know more about him. I thought he would be a nice guy but he is a womanizer. I hate such guys" she sniffed and I rubbed my forehead.

After what she had went through, Sabine's parents had turned very protective of her and they always tried to keep her away from guys. They had inflicted it upon her that she had to trust no man except for her mate, who was just made for her. Sabine, still being a teen, believed in fairytale romances and happily ever after. She had some expectations and silly ideas about her mate... who doesn't? Quinn didn't live up to them and now she is heartbroken.

I cannot really call her a prude and judgmental because she was brought up that way and she doesn't actually have a great experience of dealing with reality. When she was assaulted, she was forced to face reality and that smashed her believes of the sunny world but it was somewhat restored when she was assured that her mate would be a nice guy who would love her and only her.

Vincent had told me that even before the incident happened, her parents did everything in their power to protect her and keep her away from guys because, her out of this word beauty attracted attention since she was a little girl.

"He is not a womanizer" I corrected.

"He is" Sabine contradicted harshly and I blinked. "I hate him" she hissed and I flinched.

Karma has come to bite Quinn in the ass! Damn!

"You really hate him?" I asked anxiously.

Sabine didn't reply instead she sobbed from the other side and I knew there was still some hope left. Sighing, I asked her to go to school now and said that I will come to meet her in Supreme tomorrow.

After that I called Sel. The first thing she did was ask me if I was okay and when I assured her that I was, she shouted at me for leaving without telling. Only when she finished did I fill in brief about yesterday's events.

"You are joining Serene?"

"Yes"

"You know you have to-"

"Apologize. Yes, I will"

"Good" she said and I smiled. "Darya..." Sel called me in a serious tone and I patiently waited for her to continue, "You are happy right?" she asked me.

"I am" I answered honestly. I love my family. I really do but they cannot give me that unique kind of happiness that I get only with Quillon. I guess that's what is called as being mates.

__

"I'm nervous. I don't know what to say" I muttered pacing the room; while Quillon sat on the couch, watching T.V. "I think I am going to throw up" I said breathlessly and then sat on the couch beside him. "I messed up so badly."

I was going to be accepted as the Luna of the pack this afternoon and the thought of facing the Serene Pack wolves was making me extremely nervous. I had no idea what to say to them.

"You will be fine" Quillon said coolly and I scowled at him. It's easier said than done.

"What should I say to them?"

"You don't have to do this"

"I want to do this. Now, can you just... just be a little encouraging?" I reprimanded.

Quillon sighed and said, "Whatever you say, make sure you mean it." Biting my bottom lip, I nodded. I screwed up so bad! Would I forgive myself if I were in their place? That thought brought a question to my head and I turned my head to look at Quillon.

"Do you forgive me for what I did?" I asked him.

"Yes" he replied without hesitation and my wolf let out a relieved breath.

I, on the other hand, was perplexed, "Why?"

"Like mom said earlier, not everything is your fault" he answered and I blinked. "You lost control... true! But it was only because dad kept provoking you. He might not have pushed you from the cliff but he did take you the edge. Everyone was there that night. They had seen through their own eyes what had happened. So, like me, they know you are not to be blamed."

"So, it's all Scott's fault now?" I asked him because honestly, I didn't put all the blame on Scott. True, he took me to the edge but the last step of jumping from there was mine and mine alone.

"No. Not all. Every one of us is at fault" Quillon said. "My fault for not taking a stand for you and speaking against dad! Pack wolves fault for keeping mum throughout the whole situation. Leah's fault for challenging you for a fight, when she knew she wouldn't win and Maxwell's fault for attacking you. However, Quinn thinks Maxwell has to be blamed for everything."

"How is it Maxwell's fault?" I queried in confusion because as far as I know, I had forced Maxwell to keep his mouth before everything happened.

"You know what Maxwell's gift is?" Quillon asked and I replied a negative. "He is a sly."

I tensed and my wolf growled. Isadora was the same. "He is an expert talker and schemer. He can sell sand in a desert" Quillon supplied. "Quinn is suspicious of him."

"What about you?"

"I know he can trap anyone with his words and I also know he has done the same to dad before. However, if I come to know he was the one who put the idea of the crazy plan in dad's head, then I am going to banish him from the pack" Quillon swore.

"I don't know about Maxwell, but I know what I did was wrong" I said covering my face with my hands.

"Darya" Quillon, as well as Quinn called me at the same time. I looked up at Quinn as he sat on the couch, facing us.

"Did you talk to Sabine?" I paled as I recalled her words but I couldn't tell that to Quinn. It would hurt him.

"No. She had classes. I will call her in the evening" I said and he nodded. Quinn had classes too but he had taken half day off today. "Call me when you do that... I uh... I want to be with you when she talks to you. I haven't really heard her talking" Quinn said and I smiled sadly as dark color spread all the way until his neck. "I... I got to go" with that said, he was out of my sight sooner than I could imagine.

I chuckled when I realized he was embarrassed.

"She thinks he is a womanizer doesn't she?" Quillon asked me and I blinked in surprise.

"How did you...? Don't even bother" I said when I figured out how he came to know that. "And yes, she thinks he is one."

"I can hear Sabine's wolf mewling in pain when she thinks about his past. Did Vincent tell her everything?" Quillon asked with a growl and I frowned at him.

"No. It was Kasey. She can see a person's past. So you know... nothing is hidden from her too" I said and thought about how scared Kasey had been when she had first figured out who O was, who had killed Alpha Grier. She hadn't talked to her brothers and Sel for almost two months.

Knowing someone's secret can be scary because people go to various lengths to protect their secrets. Hence Kasey had been well-guarded and her gifts well hidden. Still sometimes she gets flashes of pasts and it terrifies her because she sees things she doesn't want to.

"If she sees past then what past of mine did she see?" Quillon asked and I knew he was recalling the day, Kasey had stepped away from him in fear.

"I don't know. She told me that she had seen death in your past. She was thoroughly confused and wanted to meet you to see everything clearly. Will you meet her one day?" I asked him and he nodded. Smiling, I pecked his cheeks. Even I wanted to know how Kasey had seen death in his past when Quillon is very much alive.

"So Konrad had got her gifts wrong?" Quillon asked and I nodded. But even then, I didn't like the fact that Konrad's attention was focused on Kasey. "That day, I had thought the soothsayer was Kasey when actually it had been Vincent right from the start" Quillon began and I pinched my lips as my cheeks burned. I knew where this was going and I also knew I wouldn't like hearing it.

"How long have you been friends?"

"Three years" I replied without looking at Quillon. I knew he was staring at me astutely.

"Why did you both hide it?"

"Our own selfish reasons. We agreed to it from the start and since it worked well for both of us, we continued with it."

"You kept it a secret even from the five Alphas'" Quillon pointed out.

"It kept Konrad away from Vincent" I shrugged.

"Why keep it from me too?"

"You didn't like him and to be honest, at that time, I didn't trust you to keep Vincent's secret safe" I said guiltily.

"I still don't like that mutt" Quillon corrected and I scowled at him.

"He is a good guy-"

"Don't start with me" Quillon interrupted harshly and I glared at him.

"I don't care if you don't like him. But don't expect me to break my friendship" I clarified angrily.

"I won't" Quillon said totally taking me by surprise. "Just don't expect me to be friends with him too" he finished and I grinned because I had been about to suggest just that.

"I won't" I promised and rested my head on Quillon's shoulders. Even though I would like it better if they became friends, I knew the chance of that happening was really low.

"I wanted to give you something" Quillon murmured while I was staring at his long fingers.

"Yeah?" I asked him and watched as he came out of his office, holding a rectangular box.

"There is no need for this" I said as he gave it to me.

"You shouldn't have given me a gift either" he frowned and I shut my mouth after that because he was right.

I opened the box and gasped in surprise when I saw that inside small compartments of the box were seeds of the some of the world's rare, exotic flower plants.

"I wanted to give you a cook book"

"Hey" I rebuked at his remark and elbowed his chest. "How did you...?" I asked in surprise as I read the names each packet had.

"I read your assignment" he said and I chuckled as I recalled the assignment I had to write in detail about the exotic flowers. These flower seeds weren't available in our country and I knew they were very expensive in outside market. Just the thought of Quillon purchasing these seeds especially for me, touched my heart and leaning forward, I was about to kiss him but Quillon leaned back, once again wiped my lipstick with his thumb and lowered his dark head to capture a raw, demanding kiss. I dropped against the cushions with Quillon atop me as he kissed me slowly, sensually and sweetly, with love. He cupped my face with his hands and I held them with my own.

Breathing was a challenge when my heart was beating this excitedly. I moaned as I felt Quillon's hand on my thighs, pushing my dress upwards.

At the most unfortunate moment, his cell-phone started ringing. That's when it dawned to me that this wasn't the time or the place to make-out. The pack meeting would commence within half-an-hour and I needed to be well prepared to face the Serene Pack wolves.

With enough strength, I pushed him off me. Quillon growled and to distract him, I swiped the green icon in his screen and handed the phone to him. I it was someone from his office and even though it seemed unimportant, I wanted him to take the call.

While he spoke, I picked the gift box and went upstairs, to redo my hair.

After a five minute internal debate, I decided to leave them loose. I then wore my sandals and pressed a remote button that slid the glass windows, making path to the balcony. I held the railing and stared at the wide spread pack territory in front of my eyes. They were trees and beautiful houses in between them. This is going to be my home from now and over the past two months; I had adjusted to this place and learned to accept this pack as my own.

Yet, I tried to burn this place down. I was disappointed at myself. I lowered my lashes in guilt and as I stared at the green grass of the lawn beneath me, I recalled the destruction I did that night.

All of a sudden, it occurred to me that I had never seen how much damage I had done to the pack that night.

So, without any hesitation, I jumped from the balcony and ran all the way to the clearing.

Within minutes, I reached the clearing and the color drained from my face as I saw that I had completely burned this place down. The last I remembered this place had almost twenty plus trees in a circle around it and all of them were down on ground at the moment. The clearing which had green grasses carpeted on the ground was burnt and covered with ashes.

What have I done?

I, who loved and protected the nature, tried to burn it. I clenched my fists and closed my eyes in pain.

I suppose this was the mistake, the nature Goddess was talking about.

"I am so sorry for hurting your children and disappointing you" I addressed the Goddess, in a sincere tone because I was sorry for not just hurting Serene Pack wolves but also killing these trees. "You have blessed me with gifts to protect your children, yet I failed to do so" I sniffed, "But please give me one chance to set this mistake right" I said staring at the ground. I knew she could hear me. I knew I owed her this apology. "You have given me these gifts for a reason. You have made me both... life and death. I have given death to your children here. Please mother, accept my apology and help me give life to this place again." For the first time, I had addressed the Goddess as my mother because like everyone else, I was her child too. "I know it won't heal the wound I have given you but I beg you mother, to give me one chance to at least, ease your pain."

I opened my eyes just when a drop of tear hit the ground in a little splash. From that very drop, I watched in fascination as a small sapling sprouted out and grew. As it grew and grew, my palms tingled and uncurling my fingers, I touched a delicate leaf of that sapling, which was now a plant. The moment, I touched a leaf, the stem of the plant grew thicker and I smiled as the plant grew in size.

Chuckling, I moved around it and watched as branches emerged from it. I stretched my hands and the small branches followed the movement, thus extending itself.

As I watched that, I felt happy and repeated the movement on other side. Soon, the plant grew into a tree with thick branches and wide, powerful and solid trunk. Squealing, I ran across it and draped it's trunk with green vines.

Watching the tree, I felt immensely happy and knew that my mother had accepted my apology. I wanted to rectify my mistake and grow more trees here.

I removed my sandals, kicked them aside and slowly padded ahead. Glossy green grasses appeared wherever I kept my foot and pleased with it, I ran around the clearing, laughing merrily. At one point, I stopped as another sapling emerged from below the ground. As I raised my hand, the sapling turned from plant to a tall, medium sized tree. I spread my hands and which caused the long, oval shaped dark green leaves to arrange beautifully over the crown of the tree. It was only when the familiar white and dull yellow flowers bloomed I recognized them as pear blossoms. My face fell when the petals withered and fell on the ground, but glowed in surprise when without the fertilization process, the ovary of those flowers began to swell, thus earning a nice, ripe shade green.

I wanted to eat the pears badly but I also wanted to make this place beautiful. So, I moved around. My movements turned animated soon as mentally singing a latest song, I danced joyously. I spread my hands around and more flower plants and fruit bearing trees grew and covered this once barren land. I kept chuckling, twirling, spinning, flipping happily, unaware of everything except for the raise of greenery around me.

When something pricked my bare foot, I stopped dancing and winced. Slowly raising my leg, I looked at the small cut there. My gaze drifted to the ground to know what was there in between those grasses. At first I thought it was a stone but quickly realized that stones don't shine this brightly.

My eyes rounded and a smile crept up my face as I crouched on the ground and picked up the platinum bracelet, given to me by the five Alphas' which had the charms of the five elements. I was disheartened when I lost it, but am overjoyed, now that I found it. It is something that I valued more than all the jewels I possessed.

I clasped it around my wrist and grinned in satisfaction when the charms jingled as I shook my hand. Feeling immensely happy and proud, I dropped my hands and stared at my new surroundings.

No longer was I standing in a burnt land or a vacant clearing; instead, I was standing in a wooded meadow that had thick as well as fruit bearing trees and plants in and around it. The branches of different trees met and the leaves formed a canopy, blocking the harsh sun rays.

I exhaled softly when I saw the beauty and felt the calm aura that the place now radiated. Looking at it, nobody could have guessed that it had been burnt land once.

With that same smile, I turned and froze when I saw several pairs of eyes on me. Eyes I thought I wouldn't have the courage to face. However, now, looking at those eyes, I didn't feel guilty like I did earlier in the morning. The eyes that met mine too didn't show any fear but they showed several different emotions that varied from tenderness, to awe to happiness, to admiration, to proud. But there was one common thing in all of them and it was acceptance. It was the thing that I wanted the most and hence, I knew I would forever cherish this moment of acceptance that I saw in the eyes of Serene Pack wolves.

"Death indeed" I began softly, staring at them, "But I promise only life will triumph" I added sincerely.

I bowed my head in assurance and when I raised it again, I heard shuffling sounds and inhaled sharply as all the Serene Pack Wolves knelt in front of me on one knees and lowered their heads.

My eyes glistened and my mouth parted as I sucked in oxygen. Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh as tears rolled down my cheeks. When I opened my eyes, I met Quillon's dark gaze and I could see the genuine pride and respect he had in them for me. It delighted my wolf and she craned her neck and howled proudly.

Standing at the other end of the crowd, he smiled at me and I returned that smile, with one of my own.

__

"To Luna" Nevin raised his glass for toast and everyone did the same.

"To Luna" they all said together as I grinned. We were all in Phoenix; the very same club where Quillon had marked me. Today, we were here to celebrate me being accepted as the Luna to the pack.

'To my Luna' Quillon told me through the mind link. Yes... mind link. I am officially a member of Serene Pack. I had mixed reaction to it. I was sad to leave Emperor but also happy to join my mate's pack.

Quillon accepted me to his pack yesterday. His wolf had stood dominatingly but mine hadn't bowed down either. It was a surprise to both of us when suddenly he could connect with me through the link.

Smiling, I leaned closer to him as he kissed my temple.

I was happy to be the Luna of this pack after everything. Now, this pack truly felt like home.

"I am so happy. I missed you so much when you were gone and now, you are back forever" Bee said breathlessly while we sat down to have our drinks.

"I missed you too" I sighed.

"What happened to you was very wrong. But now I am really glad that everything is okay" she went on and on and I laughed. Then suddenly, she slapped my arm, "You didn't tell me that you were friends with Vincent. Imagine my surprise, when I came to know about it. I can't believe you are friends with him" she scowled.

"He is a nice guy you know that" I told her and she puffed her cheeks. "I suppose he even apologized to you for what he did?"

Bee dropped the pouting look and smiled, "Yes. He did. He told me he was being a momentary ass and so I forgave him."

"Good" I said with a chuckle. Then we talked about everything and nothing. Occasionally, my eyes would drift towards Quillon who was sitting with his friends and laughing and talking about something unimportant.

"They look happy right?" Bee said and I nodded. "Everyone is happy. Now, it truly feels like nothing could go wrong" she sighed.

"Agree" I said and then we clanked our glasses to toast for it.

While we were drinking, Bee suddenly said through the link, 'Harpy alert.'

I stiffened the moment I heard it. 'Where?'

'Twelve o'clock' she said and I lowered my head, but did not look at Leah. 'I was so happy when you defeated her in the fight that day. I can't believe she had the audacity to challenge you' Bee sniggered.

'I think she was forced to challenge me!'

'Forced?'

'Her dad'

'Oh Yes. Nevin had been telling something about her father the other day. The news came from Amber to Harvey... Apparently, the father and daughter had a big fight. And ever since then Leah is staying with Amber and her parents.'

'Fight about what?'

'I don't... uh-oh, she is coming here' I raised my lashes and my eyes immediately met Leah's hazel ones. However, I was surprised to see that the usual spite in her gaze was missing. Dressed in a one shoulder pu dress, she looked stunning. However, I wouldn't say that out loud.

"Can I talk to you... without an audience?" The fact that she asked stunned me and I looked at Bee, who hesitantly got up from her seat and walked to another table. It was only then I noticed that Leah's groupies were missing.

She sat facing me and I looked at her questioningly, while my wolf bared her fangs. Leah took a deep breath and then exhaled, before starting, "I am leaving the pack."

My eyes rounded in disbelief when I heard her words. Agree, I hate her, but I didn't feel any satisfaction after hearing her words. "You don't have to" I said unsurely.

"I am not leaving the pack because I lost a stupid fight with you" she said and I cocked an eyebrow. "I had been facing humiliation from the pack members for a long, long time. Another one wouldn't hurt" she said with a careless shrug. However, I knew it was hurting her to say this because my wolf too retreated and sat on her back, waiting for Leah to go on.

"Do you really think I have no pride?" she chuckled humorlessly, while I simply stared at her. "The first time Q rejected me, it hurt. He is handsome and I had a crush on him. The second too hurt but then I got used to it. In fact, as time passed by, I felt relieved every time he refused my advances. Not only was I expecting that, I wanted him to reject me. Trust me; I would have been scared if he had given into my lame attempts at seducing him" she said and I blinked.

"Why were you doing it?"

"Parental pressure" she said without any hesitation. "It started with my grandparents wishing for my mom to be Luna. She couldn't. She got a Beta as a mate. They weren't happy. They didn't let her be happy either. One might think, she would learn from her life... but no, my mom wanted me to do what she couldn't. My dad, on the other hand, wanted a son. I was a disappointment to both my parents" she said with a cold smile and I gulped. "Initially, they wanted me to be the Beta of the pack and trained me hard for it but Quillon chose his friend. So, they shifted their goal to a higher position... the Luna. They wanted me to become one even when they knew I wasn't Q's mate. They encouraged me to seduce him... In fact-" tears dropped from Leah's eyes and she gasped and looked away.

I gave her time to calm down and when she did, she continued, "So that I get good at seduction, my mom pushed me into sleeping with a guy... an escort. I lost my virginity to a stranger. Of course, it wasn't rape because he didn't force himself on me. But it wasn't consensual either because I didn't want it." Leah confessed and I turned pale as I heard it.

I didn't have any words to say to her either. The horror of what she had to undergo.... Just thinking about it made my skin cold.

"Q somehow came to know about it. He wanted to help me at that time... wanted to punish my parents. But not only did I deny that, I lied to him too. I protected the people to whom I was always a commodity. I realized that truth a long time ago, but finally accepted that I could be nothing more to them, just a week ago. Always, I always strived to get their love because they were my parents and they were all I had. I knew they were disappointed with me and all I wanted was to please them. I did some horrible things to others just to please them... just for once, to make my dad feel proud of me. The day I came to Emperor to threaten you... ever wondered who dropped me there?" she cocked an eyebrow.

No. Actually, I never thought about that. I thought Leah came all alone but now I knew it was Maxwell who brought her to Emperor to threaten me.

"Dad wanted me to challenge you for a fight. His words, 'make that bitch rub her proud nose on your feet'" Leah chuckled and my wolf growled menacingly as I heard it.

Maxwell... Oh! That pathetic excuse for a man!

"I knew you were stronger than me. He knew it too but he still wanted me to do it. He wanted me to kill or get killed. Things turned drastic after the fight for everyone except for my dad. I was getting treated in the clinic when he came and shouted at me for losing the fight. Later, you left and he was very happy because he considered it my chance to become Luna. I refused. You know, I finally found the courage to refuse. When I finally grasped that I am nothing but a commodity to him, I found that courage" Leah smiled sincerely.

"Now, I feel free" she sighed and took a sip of her drink, while I stared at her sadly.

I was wrong about Leah... so very wrong! Quillon was right... he knew what she was going through. He tried to help but I guess, fate wanted Leah to find the courage to fight back on her own.

"I don't want your pity Darya" she said flatly and I nodded. "I didn't tell you all this for pity. I just wanted you to know that I had a heart, I had a pride too but it was crushed long before you came. Things turned worse for me after you came and even though it wasn't really your fault, I blamed it on you and did terrible things to you. I am sorry for that" she said and I bobbed my head to show her that I accepted her apology.

I sniffed and then looked away. She didn't want my pity and I wouldn't give it to her either because it would make everything worse.

Letting out a breath, I turned and smiled at her, "Yeah... I am sorry for whatever you think I did. But mostly I am sorry that you have a shitty father."

"You are the one to talk?" she demanded with a smirk and I scowled at her. But she was right, the sperm donor aka Abraham Rhoades was a shitty father too.

"Anyway, I got to go" she sighed and picked her bag. Before getting up, she added one last thing, "Keep an eye on my father. According to him, you are his worst enemy because you are Duncan Rhoades's sister."

"I can take him down" I said offended. But I grasped one thing that Maxwell hated Duncan ever since Duncan jailed him, years ago for trespassing.

"I never said he will make his own hands dirty" she finished and stood up. My wolf growled loudly and I narrowed my eyes as the hidden meaning behind Leah's words sank in.

Maxwell has friends... who are they?

"Wait..." I said and Leah raised a questioning brow. "Where will you be going? You wouldn't survive a day as rogue" I remarked and she glared at me.

"I am not going rogue. I will join another pack!"

"Which?" I demanded and she shrugged. Sighing, I decided to do this one favor for Leah because she deserved a fresh start, "Tyler Grier will be expecting you" I told her and she stared at me through pursed lips before nodding softly.

I chose Tyler's pack for her because he was open to accepting new members to his pack.

"Since you were nice to me I will be honest about one more thing" she said smiling sweetly and I blinked in puzzlement. "I still think I am a better mate for Q than you."

"Bitch" The word was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Laughing, Leah walked away and waved at me through her shoulders, while I growled at her.

After she was out of my sight, my wolf calmed down. I then recalled whatever she said.

So Maxwell.... he was behind everything then! Quillon's suspicions were true! But the most important question now was whose help Maxwell would seek to attack me!

'There is one' Quillon replied through the link and I turned my head to see that his gaze was already fixed on me. He had heard everything that Leah said to me.

'Sanity' I told through the link and he nodded.

Little did we know that there was more than one!

****

Hope you like it :) I know this was filler but next one will be better ;)

NOTE:

Firstly, I am very happy to share with you guys that I got a job in State Bank of Mysore :D I have to join on November 16th and I am happy, scared and nervous at the same time :D:D Please wish me luck! :P

Secondly, Yes... this will affect the updates. Since it's a change, I need time to adjust to it and get to know my new routine. Hence, next update will be on 28th November. If possible, I will update sooner... but no promises!

Thirdly, the update dates might have long gaps in between them from now on. So... sorry! But I will try my best to update ASAP :D

Fourthly, I promise I will complete this story. However, starting the another story... I have doubts about it :(

That's it... Hope you understand.

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I love you all :-*

May God Bless you!