Chapter 39

Namaste,

Finally, I am able to keep my promise of updating sooner than the scheduled date. So, here is chapter 39.

But before that a few things-

Firstly, I AM OVERWHELMED BY THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FOR THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. I have taken screen shots of each and every comment... LOL. You AMAZING guys made my whole week... motivated me and hence, the chapter was posted early.

Secondly, This is MY FAVORITE CHAPTER IN THE WHOLE STORY AND IT IS DEDICATED TO my best-friend @Akshatha6 :D:-* I love you :D Thank-you for reading and commenting and supporting me since the first chapter of my first story :D It means the world to me! (Nanna hatira, ninna ella comments galu ide.. lol)

Thirdly, the cover above done by her ^^^

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"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."

_Flannery O'Connor.

―

QUILLON P.O.V

As I hugged Darya close, I gradually felt the tension in her body evaporate. She has been like a cat on hot bricks ever since mom asked her to accept the Luna title. My wolf tried to provide as much comfort to her as possible.

I cannot say I could exactly understand why she was this nervous, but I knew that part of the reason was because it involved completely adapting my pack as her own. From today, she would officially be a member of the Serene Pack.

Frankly, I was thrilled by it because from today, I would be able to connect with her through the mind-link. But I was trying to play it cool.

"I love you" Darya whispered, nestling her nose against my shirt-front and my eyes widened in surprise, while my whole body tensed.

She...?

Pullling away, Darya looked at me with bambi eyes as I stared at her in astonishment.

"That's what caused the change" she added, answering to my previous day's question.

She loves me?

My wolf tilted his head backwards and howled happily while I was at a loss of words. Love?

For some unknown reason, the word did not make me sick like it once used to. My wolf's behavior was also profoundly confusing because he seemed very pleased.

"You don't have to say it back or something like that. I said it because I thought you should know" Darya muttered with a nonchalant shrug and I wondered how she could behave as if nothing happened.

I looked into her eyes, trying to find out if she was just attached to me and mistaking it for love. But it wasn't like that. This was Darya and she wouldn't say something like this unless she meant it. I knew that much about her.

Darya smiled at me and when she noticed I didn't return it, her smile faded away.

"Q... mom said to be there in fifteen minutes" Quinn said from the doorway and both our heads turned to look at him. He waved and turned to leave. But, stopped and added, "Oh! Mom also said to keep your mind link open" before sprinting off.

I nodded absentmindedly and then immediately opened the link only because it stalled the time, giving me time to think about what Darya just said.

Dad was the first one to connect with me. 'Q, are you still at home?' he asked and I replied with a yes. 'Stay there. I have to talk to you. After that we will leave to the clearing' he finished dexterously.

I cleared my throat and looked at Darya, "Dad wants to talk to me. He is coming down."

"Okay. I have to make a call and then I will join you" she said and I nodded.

Once out of the door, I hovered there, rethinking what Darya had said. She loves me. My wolf was going insane inside me by wagging his tail and rolling on his back.

I could clearly see the sincerity in her eyes when she said she loves me. As I was descending the stairs, I let it sink in and slowly my lips curved to form a smile. I felt smug and sentimental at the same time.

But it was not something I could take for granted. Darya would throttle me if I do that.

No. I would never take her or her feelings for granted. She was my mate and I liked her. Cared about her and maybe.... Maybe I am a little attached to her too.

My wolf growled not liking it but I pushed the sappy bastard away.

When I was on the last stair, I heard the familiar tune of Darya's phone and recollected that I had kept my own phone in the office and must get it. When I was going there, once again Darya's phone started ringing and I noticed it on the living room. Dimly, I recalled her telling that she had to make the call. Striding forward, I picked the phone from the couch and decided to give it to her.

My brows knitted together when I noticed that the call was from a private number. Without any hesitation, I answered the call.

"Darya return to Emperor Now" the caller barked the same moment I said hello. My eyes widened after hearing the callers words and before I could ask anything further, the line went dead. Since it was a private number, I couldn't even call back.

I growled in frustration rethinking the caller's words. Return to Emperor? Now? Darya? The caller knew Darya. Only then did I apprehend that I found the voice familiar. I have heard it before... that... I closed my eyes and tried to match the person to whom the voice belonged to.

Many faces appeared in my mind but a few seconds later, I matched the voice with the face. My eyes flew open and my wolf stood on his fours, when I realized who the caller was.

But why in the world was-

My wolf growled loudly and I wondered if the person was tormenting Darya with such anonymous calls. As I looked at her caller logs, I clenched my teeth when I realized that Darya used to get a call at least once a week by this private number. She got a call early in the morning today too... and a few missed calls before I picked up. However, my eyes rounded in disbelief when I noticed the call duration. It was all more than thirty minutes.

Clearly it was not a tormentor because Darya does not have the patience to chat that long with a tormentor. Then it only meant that the caller was Darya's-

I paused again when I realized a few things. The line went dead after hearing my voice which meant that the caller did not want to be recognized. Too bad that I already knew who it was.

The second thing was that I got hoodwinked all this time. How had I missed this? I could understand how the wool was pulled over others eyes... but to be in the same group... Dammit! I grimaced.

I shook my head and let out a chuckle. However, it turned to a full on laughter when I recalled all the previous events.

"You seem to be in a very good mood" I whirled my head to look at dad who was standing near the door with an amused expression.

"I am" I told him honestly. I got tricked by Darya, but I was still amused because I was impressed. It isn't easy for people to trick me, but Darya did it. And she did it so neatly that like me, no one suspected anything until now. I am sure I am the first person to know about this.

"So am I" dad said with a grin and I shot him a questioning look. "Our plan has become a success after all" he finished and my smile faltered.

"Plan?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes. Darya has accepted to be the Luna of this pack. She has willfully agreed to join the pack... to break all her ties with Emperor. I had been waiting for this moment" Dad said gleefully and I frowned, seriously not understanding where he was going with all this. Dad didn't seem to notice my frown because he continued talking, "Although I must admit... at that time since I did not she was a gifted she-wolf, I only thought of using her as source."

Source? My mate?

My wolf stood up defensively after hearing that word.

"However, now she can be of much better use. She can fight right beside the other fighters of the pack" he finished smoothly.

"Fight?" my voice was barely audible.

"Yes. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. We have to plan properly and quickly because I want to get this done soon and retire" dad said and I turned as rigid as a steel girder when I grasped what he was saying.

Break all ties with Emperor. Darya being used as a source... as a fighter. Plan?

"You want me to attack Emperor?" I said it like a statement. The phone dropped from my hand and fell atop the coffee-table.

"Yes" My eyes widened in dismay after hearing that one word. "But not now though... we have to plan properly first. Ask Darya to give us enough information. Train our fighters..." dad went on but I had zoned out by then because Goosebumps had appeared all over my skin.

Attack Emperor? Attack my mate's pack? Her family? She would growl defensively if I said anything about her guard and if I attacked... it would kill her. She would never forgive me. Her family is everything to her and so, it is everything to me too.

And personally, I would never attack Emperor either because I had grown to respect Duncan and his mate. Several wolves of that pack had died protecting my mate. No. There is no way would I ever attack Emperor.

I owe that pack a lot. I owe to Duncan and his pack for taking care and protecting my mate all these years. I owe to Duncan for letting my mom enter the territory so that she could meet Darya. I owe to Duncan and his pack wolves for always letting Quinn enter and exit the territory, even after knowing who he was. I owe to Duncan for letting go of the trespassed wolves of my pack... alive!

"If you wish we can start planning tomorrow" dad finished.

"No" I snapped at him and he blinked in bewilderment. "I am not going to attack Emperor" I breathed out shooting daggers with my eyes.

"Okay... we can postpone the plan for a month or two"

"You don't get it" I said through gritted teeth. "I am never going to attack Emperor. It is Darya's pack"

"From today she will belong to Serene" dad growled at me. "She agreed to leave Emperor Pack"

"She did not agree to leave Emperor"

"Of course she did. She wants to be the Luna of this pack. A superior title... that's why she is joining our pack"

"She is joining our pack because she loves me" I snapped at dad and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Not for the title" I concluded fiercely.

"She loves you?" Dad asked and I growled defensively as I felt my cheeks coloring. "That's even better. Perfect! Right the way I wanted it to be" he said gleefully and my wolf bristled not appreciating his happiness. Something gave me a bad vibe about this whole situation.

"Since she loves you, she would do anything for you. Even attack her brother."

"Did you hear a fucking word I said?" I seethed and it was a challenge not to yell because I did not want Darya running downstairs to hear this conversation.

"Mind that language of yours" dad snapped at me. He was mad at me too... fan-fucking-tastic! "And why are you saying no? You agreed to attack Emperor after Darya gets accepted to the pack."

The blood drained from my face as I went very still after hearing dad's words. My wolf too stopped growling. I agreed? When? I don't even remember.

"You didn't say you had any problem that day. You said you understood" dad accused.

"When?"

My stomach twisted painfully and my breathing was erratic as I struggled to remember when I gave my consent to such gruesome agreement. However, one thing I was sure about was that I would have never agreed to this if I had been in a proper state of mind.

"When? It was the day you asked Darya to move in with you"

I tried to recall and vaguely remembered certain events of that day. I remembered mom going to Emperor Pack. I remembered mom asking me to give being mates a chance. I remembered agreeing to it. I remembered calling Darya at night. However, I couldn't remember when I agreed to destroying Emperor.

I was with dad two times that day. First when we were near the border waiting for mom; next, during the dinner.

"The dinner?" I asked hesitantly as I recalled being alone with dad to finish the dinner after mom and Quinn left.

"Yes. During the dinner" Dad said with a satisfied smile and I clenched my fists. I closed my eyes and grimaced the exact moment I realized what had happened.

I had zoned out of the conversation after dad mentioned the word love. Two months ago, I had cringed at the mention of that word... yet today I had been smiling.

As the reality of what my ignorance cost me, sank in, I felt darkness looming over me.

What the hell did I do? How could I be so stupid and agree to something as dreadful as this? Even though I didn't know what I was agreeing to at the time I said yes. I was still ashamed that I gave my consent to destroying another pack. It is the most terrible thing to do.

My wolf whimpered repeatedly wondering what Darya is going to do when she comes to know about this.

No. She is never going to get to know about this. This thing has to end right here, right now. I am going to clear it up with dad first. How could he even think of destroying another pack after watching what mom went through? I will not let anything like that happen to my mate.

Darya called me at that precise moment.

I froze, paralyzed with shock the moment I heard her voice. I sensed my wolf panicking inside me as I wondered if she heard anything about our conversation.

My heart twisted in my chest as I heard Darya's footsteps approaching closer.

"Look, she is ready. Let's go" dad told me while I stood as frozen as a glacier.

"What's wrong?" Darya asked the moment she stood beside me. Guilt had paralyzed my vocal cords too and I couldn't utter a word as I looked at her. "Quillon?" she called carefully, "What happened? Is everything-"

"Why are you still waiting here? Let's go... the meeting won't start without you" dad said. He was waiting outside so that the three of us could go to the clearing together. I wanted to keep Darya away from him, but at the moment I couldn't bring up the issue because then Darya will get to know everything and I didn't want that happening.

"We will be there" Darya told him and then looked at me anxiously.

I stared at her steel grey eyes and flinched inwardly as I imagined how it would look if she comes to know about dad's crazy plan.

I quickly pushed that thought away. She will never know.

Clearing my throat, I tried to act as everything was normal. "Let's go" I said with a smile and made my way towards the door with Darya following closely.

__

SOOTHSAYER P.O.V

I pushed open the door of the room that was specially done for me. The room which was painted red always called me in. I was as rigid as a block of wood when I stepped inside the room.

I had got another vision today and I did not like it one bit. A cold chill ran down the length of my marrow as I recalled it. The vision, which I got just a few minutes ago, was like my worst nightmare. I had just returned from a run when I saw it. It disturbed my wolf and so, I had to know what the hell it was.

Sitting on the chair, I took a deep breath and then collected a handful of screw shells with my right hand. There was no blood in the vision and hence I did not know if the vision was good or bad. But something told me it was bad and I had to know how bad it really is.

Closing my eyes, I threw the screw shells in the air and while they were still in the air, I caught those which directly dropped itself to my palm. After the remaining ones fell on the floor, I flipped my hand on the table.

Leaning back against my seat with a slight thud, I winced when I noticed that I had caught only seven shells. Odd number!

The vision was bad even when it had no blood in it. Gritting my teeth, I picked a large chunk of charcoal and walked towards the wall. Placing the tip of the charcoal towards the wall, I closed my eyes and saw what my mind started showing me.

A girl was standing alone. All of a sudden, her whole body gets covered in flames. The fire spreads from her feet to the ground around her.

The screams start at that moment. They were of fear, anguish but then there is another earsplitting scream which would tremor any living being. The scream was of pure white hot rage. The girl raises her lashes and the abhorrence in her blood red eyes could make the bravest of men drop down to their knees. Her eyes show the gratification she is receiving from others apprehension.

People are running helter-skelter, fearing her wrath. There is nothing stopping the fire emitting from her. The flames rise higher than the tallest tree of the forest and then a split second later it vanishes turning the whole place into a dark abyss.

People are growling, fighting, crying and pleading for mercy.

When I stepped back in a daze, my breathing was uneven and I could hear my own heart hammering in my chest. Slowly, I raised my hand and noticed that it was trembling.

Darya!

The girl was Darya. Why was she burning everything around her... I had no clue. Slowly, I looked at the wall and gulped when I noticed that the name I had written- SERENE.

God help!

She is going to destroy Serene? What the hell caused this? I knew today she was going to be accepted as the Luna of the pack. She was happy to be the Luna... then... someone must have irked her. My hands clenched to fists and I growled loudly because I knew without doubt that someone was Quillon.

Only he has the power to cause so much rage in her.

Placing my hands on the wall, I focused again. I blocked all the sounds around me. I blocked everything until all I could see was Darya's immediate future.

It was difficult. I have tried it once before this and found it very difficult. I was successful that day and I wanted to be successful even today because I had to see what made Darya so angry.

I don't know how long I stood like that, trying to see a future of a particular person. Nevertheless, I tried... I tried until I finally saw it.

A she-wolf challenging Darya for a fight. Alpha Scott Sanders raving about his plan to destroy Emperor. Quillon's betrayal which eventually leads to Darya losing control.

My eyes flew open and I growled repeatedly. That good for nothing son of a- Why the hell was Quillon not telling the Alpha anything? Quillon can stop Darya... can calm her down. Then why the hell is not doing anything?

I couldn't ponder over that much... I had to warn Darya about this. Tell her to leave Serene Pack now because no matter how much she has been hurt, I knew Darya wouldn't want to turn the pack into dust, like she said.

Hurrying towards the closet in my room, I picked up the other phone and grimaced when I saw that it was eight in the evening. It took me twenty minutes to get that vision. I don't know how long before Darya loses control... but I was pretty sure I didn't have much time.

Darya did not answer the call, the first five times I called. By then I had started pacing in the room while my wolf was growling repeatedly. Going to Serene was not an option because it was too far from my place.

"Dammit Darya! Answer your goddamn phone" I spat when the sixth call wasn't received either.

The seventh time I called, Darya answered the call after letting it ring for a few seconds.

"Darya, return to Emperor Now" I commanded harshly.

"Hello" a male voice said from the other side at the same time.

I froze and then quickly cut the call.

Quillon. He was the one who answered the call. Fuck! What the hell is he doing with Darya's phone? I muttered a curse and ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I don't know if he could recognize my voice or not... but that guy was way too smart in stuff like this. His senses are ten times sharper than any other wolves and I had a faint suspicion that he recognized my voice.

Grinding my teeth, I stared at the phone. Since I was using a private number, I knew he couldn't call back.

I closed my eyes and as the vision hit me again, I knew that I still had some time.

This time, I patiently waited for five minutes. At the end of those five minutes, I called Darya again.

Even after trying for another ten times, there was no answer from Darya. Did Quillon hide her phone? Why the hell is she not answering her call?

I paced the room wondering what to do. I kept calling Darya, but there was no response. I knew time was passing quickly because it was already eight-forty five.

I gulped and then decided to call Quillon's office. Tyson had given me his contact numbers a few days ago. However, I changed my mind about it when I got a suspicion that he wouldn't be at his house. I then called Quillon's phone but that too was left unanswered.

When the clock struck nine, I was seething in frustration looking for a particular number in dad's office library. I had asked everyone from the pack but no one had the number. The only thing that was not making me throw things away was the fact that I still had some time. However, I did not know how much.

I called Granel and asked him to send me the number I needed. While I was waiting for the message, mom entered the room.

"Darling, I found the number you have been looking for" she said and I snatched the note from her and dialed the number.

The call was disconnected at first and I growled loudly.

The second time too had the same result. What the hell? Why is no one answering my calls?

"Try again" mom said soothingly. "I already told Cortez about your vision and I am sure he has left to Serene" mom added while I redialed.

This time the call was answered.

"WHAT IS IT? WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Orseline Rhoades roared down the phone and my eyes widened in surprise. What has got her so furious?

Closing my eyes, I muttered, "Take Darya back to Emperor now!" I knew the Luna was going to Serene for the ceremony.

"What?" the Luna said in confusion.

"She is going to destroy Serene. Quillon and his father are planning to attack Emperor. Darya is going to lose control after she gets to know about this" I said hastily as my mom dismissed my pack wolves.

"Attack Emperor?" the Luna whispered in shock.

"I knew it" another voice, probably her mate, growled from beside.

"That's why you guys were not allowed to enter their territory" someone else hissed. "Fucking bastards!"

"They are planning to attack Emperor after Darya gets accepted to their pack."

"How do you know all this?" the Luna asked. Okay... here goes nothing.

"I know because my gift is to see the future" I said and looked at my mom, who nodded with an encouraging smile.

I am a psychic or soothsayer as most would call it. It was the truth and I couldn't deny it any longer.

"Who the hell are you?" all three asked at once. This time my eyes flickered to my dad, who too nodded. I could grasp the message my parents were sending through their eyes.

This is it. This is the moment. After this there will be no hiding for me. Taking a deep breath, I answered-

"This is Vincent. Vincent Evigan. Alpha of Czar Pack and Darya's best friend!"

__

QUILLON P.O.V

During the entire journey to the clearing, I refused to acknowledge dad. I badly wanted to tell him that whatever he planned wouldn't happen but I had to keep my mouth shut because Darya was with us. Talking through the mind-link too wouldn't have happened because Darya would have known something was wrong if I kept growling while trying to convince the old head.

Darya kept asking what was wrong but I just shook my head and forced a smile on my face.

When we reached the clearing, mom rushed forward to hug and greet Darya. I stood quietly staring at the ground. Once Darya gets accepted as the Luna, I am going to have a nice, long chat with dad and set him straight on this whole issue. I have no intention whatsoever of attacking Emperor.

My wolf growled in dislike wondering the way his mind works. Didn't he see what his mate has gone through and now he wants his son's mate to go through the same thing? Impossible! I will never let that happen. I will never let Darya leave me. Once she is accepted to the pack, she is going to be tied to me- forever- whether she likes it or not!

"Q" mom called striding towards me and I looked at her questioningly, "Can we wait until Darya's family arrives?" mom asked and I nodded.

Mom had asked Darya to call everyone from her family. She had called her five Alphas' but Duncan and his mate are the only ones I knew were definitely coming.

I don't know how long we were waiting for them to show up. Ten minutes, thirty minutes... I really don't know because I had been lost the whole time. My wolf was unsettled and he would continue to be so until this matter was settled.

"Quillon... do you have your phone? I want to call Duncan" Darya said and as I shoved my hands into the pockets, I realized I never really went to the office to get my phone. Instead, I had answered Vincent's call for Darya.

"I left it at home"

"Oh damn!" Darya pouted. "I don't remember Duncan's number and you are the only one here who had it" she huffed before walking away.

I still found it hard to believe that I couldn't see that they were friends who were pretending to be enemies in public. Had I used my gifts on Darya, I might have been able to sense that she had no hatred for Vincent. Since I was able to sense Vincent's I had known that he didn't hate her. Darya... she wasn't even aware of Vincent's feelings for her. Clearly, he had been friend-zoned.

It was obvious they were friends because Darya used to always talk to him on the phone and used to end it when someone else would be around. She always stopped me from attacking him. Darya doesn't usually do that, but while my target was Vincent, she would quickly step in-between.

I was certain the five Alphas' didn't know this truth either. Darya had kept the truth from them too... but why?

"So, what is Vincent's gift?" Darya had demanded that day while we were returning home from Supreme Pack.

"Vincent is gifted?" Quinn was startled to hear that and so was I.

"I don't know... You are the one who is able to figure out gifts, so I thought you might know" she had said dismissively.

"Sometimes I need skin contact to understand the gifts" Quinn had replied.

Vincent had raised his hand to punch Quinn that day. Darya had asked that to make sure Quinn hadn't figured out his gift and Quinn didn't; because if he did, then I would have definitely known what Vincent's gift was.

"The brat isn't the only one who can figure out others gifts"

At that time I had thought Vincent and Quinn's gifts were same... but it was not.

I tried recalling what Cable had said minutes before his death. Now that I gave my mind time to think about it... everything clicked.

Vincent is the soothsayer! He has seen the future and that's how he knows what my gifts are.

Cable and Konrad had suspected it to be Kasey Grier... but it was not her. Then what the hell is her gift?

__

"Why are we waiting?" Quinn asked with a bored expression and I turned my head to look at him.

"Darya's family" I said and Quinn sighed.

A few minutes later, dad marched towards me, "It's nine-ten. We were supposed to start at nine. Why are we waiting?" he asked in exasperation.

"We are waiting for Duncan and his mate and when they-"

"They are not coming" dad incised and I frowned.

"What?"

"From this moment, we are breaking all our ties with Emperor and so, I asked the guards to not let them in" dad said in a hushed tone and my fingers curled to form a tight fist.

"I see" I said in a painfully slow voice. There were many wolves here along with Darya and hence I did not want to rise to the issue.

Quickly, I opened my mind link and connected with the guards, 'I will cut you into half if you try to stop any of Darya's family or friends from entering the territory tonight' I snarled in my Alpha tone.

'Sorry Alpha. But it was your father-'

'I know. From now on, you follow his orders only after consulting it with me' I continued in the same tone and they immediately gave their agreement.

I was livid and my wolf was pacing inside me. It was a serious challenge to stand there calm when all I wanted to do was shake some sense into my father's head!

At that moment mom called me and asked me to begin the ceremony. She also told me that Darya didn't want to wait. "Do you want your dad to announce?"

That's the last thing I want. "No. I will do it" I replied curtly and holding Darya's hand, I walked towards the platform.

"Good evening" I said the moment I had every eyes on me. "As you are all aware, I met my mate a month ago but today, I would like you all to formally meet my mate Darya Kenrick, Luna of Serene Pack" I announced and the crowd cheered which somewhat pleased my wolf.

I thought I was starting to calm down but then Maxwell had to open his foul mouth, "She is a Rhoades" he said in distaste.

"Repeat that Maxwell" I dared as my wolf raised his head in anger. Maxwell was smart enough to duck his head and avoid my gaze.

I was tired of people treating Darya indifferently because she wasn't born to this pack. I was tired of my own pack wolves treating other pack she-wolves indifferently. My mom had suffered because of it, but I will not let my mate go through the same shit. So, using my Alpha tone, I growled and sent a message.

"Her name is Darya Helen Kenrick and she was the only daughter of Late Mr. and Mrs. Kenrick. She is my mate and from today, the highest ranking she-wolf of our pack which is why, I will not tolerate any sort of disrespect towards her. Maligning her or her family will be a punishable offence." My dad narrowed his eyes as I glared at him too. The message was especially for him. "If anyone has a problem with this, you come and tell me first" I added and then moved back.

I wanted to conclude this and then accept Darya to the pack. However, my dad had to ruin that plan too.

He stood on the platform and addressed the crowd, "If any she-wolf wishes to challenge Darya to claim her position, this is the time to do it."

"DAD" I called in anger as my wolf bared his fangs. Through the link I even sensed mom reprimanding him.

Darya winced from beside me and it was only then that I noticed that I had a very firm hold on her wrist. Loosening the hold, I shot her a guilty look and she smiled at me.

"It's customary. Your mom faced it and so will Darya" dad said looking at Darya.

"I am ready" Darya said all of a sudden and I scowled at her. She smiled at me and I sighed only because I knew she was totally ready for this. She was trained enough to even kick my ass... and that was saying a lot!

Dad then asked the crowd if anyone wishes to challenge Darya and when Maxwell raised his hand I knew who the opponent was going to be. Leah.

My friends who were standing beside me chuckled after hearing that.

"Leah?" dad called.

"I am here" Leah said quietly and I shook my head. She was scared of Darya... I could clearly sense it but because Maxwell was forcing her, she agreed to this fight.

When dad asked her if she wanted to fight, I was hoping she would refuse... but Leah, as usual, agreed.

"We are going to be entertained" Nevin mumbled quietly from beside me and I rolled my eyes.

"Alright then, let's get started with the fight soon" dad said enthusiastically.

"Good luck, even though I am pretty sure you won't need it" I told Darya before she could go to the circle. Her whole face glowed in happiness and seeing that, I sucked in as much oxygen to my lungs as possible.

A minute later, Darya and Leah were standing facing each other from two ends of the circle. Quinn pushed Nevin, the referee, away and asked loudly, "Anyone ready to bet on Darya?"

"I am ready"

"I know I am going to win this" Clay mumbled pulling out his wallet, while I smirked and shook my head.

Mom growled and went to drag Quinn away from there.

"Ready?" Nevin asked them and they nodded. "Attack" he shouted.

I watched Leah baring her fangs and rushing to attack Darya. My wolf growled in contempt but I didn't move a muscle because I knew Darya could totally take her down. Before Leah could hit Darya moved to the other end of the circle.

There the Blondie smirked and taunted Leah by gesturing her to come closer.

"Ooh" Isaac said as me and my friends chuckled.

As expected, it made Leah angrier and screaming in fury, she ran towards Darya who stood quietly with a smirk on her face. As Leah raised her hand, Darya did some cool Karate chops and pressed a weak spot in Leah's neck. The next thing I notice is Leah struggling to stand upright.

Darya softly placed a hand on Leah's cheek and moved her aside until she dropped down. My wolf raised his head haughtily as I smirked in satisfaction.

"Wow" Ram said in a smitten tone and I scowled at him.

Darya, who won the fight, kept looking at the crowd until she found me. I nodded and she flashed me that same glowing smile.

"You bitch" Maxwell screamed at the same time and there was a blur of movement. I growled and took a step ahead when I saw Darya slamming Maxwell's head to a powerful trunk of a tree.

"Learn your place Beta" she hissed curtly, "Learn your place!"

I was pleased to see she had Maxwell cornered. The nerve of that dumb bastard! If he had hurt a single hair in her body, then I would have torn him apart.

The whole place grew silent because everyone was shocked by Darya's reaction.

'Take Leah to the clinic' I commanded to Isaac and he nodded grudgingly.

"You learn your place first Darya" My head whipped so fast to glare at my dad that I was surprised I didn't break a bone in my neck. He was livid that Darya attacked his so called best friend. "Maxwell is the Beta of this pack and my friend. You will respect him because not only is he elder to you, but also because he has been in this pack for a longer time than you" dad snapped making Darya flinch.

"Dad" I thundered furiously.

"No Quillon" Darya protested and I shot her an incredulous look. "Your dad is right" she said softly and then looked at Maxwell through her shoulders, "My apologies. It was wrong of me to attack you like that."

"You don't have to apologize to him" I snapped at her. "He attacked you first."

"Maxwell attacked her because she knocked Leah out. It was just in anger. He didn't mean to hurt her" dad reprimanded and my wolf bristled.

"You and I both know that is not true" I glared at him.

"He attacked Darya because he hates her simply because she belongs to Emperor" It was Quinn who growled that bit out and that was absolutely right. "It was personal and he had no right to bring-"

"Enough" dad snapped at Quinn, making him flinch. "Darya no longer belongs to Emperor. She will officially join our pack today and then break all her ties with that pack. That's why I did not let Duncan and his mate to enter the territory."

My wolf stiffened and I paled after hearing dad blurt that bit out.

"Come again" Darya whispered, staring at my father with wide eyes.

"She is not going to break her ties with her pack, Scott" mom growled.

"She will" he said confidently and I grinded my teeth. "She will... for Quillon" he continued, "For him, she is ready to join this pack and leave Emperor."

"That was our plan, all along" dad boasted proudly and I gulped. I knew he would tell Darya everything now.

"Plan?" mom asked with a frown. 'Q, what is he talking about?' she asked me through the link but I couldn't give her any answer. I was ashamed that I agreed to that plan. Agreed to destroy another pack! Kill innocents.

Albeit, I wasn't aware but that was no great excuse... was it?

"Yes. She is a powerful wolf and so is Q" he added looking at me. "Together they are undefeatable. So, no one will dare to stop them when they expand our pack."

"What the hell are you talking about Scott?" mom shrieked in aggravation.

"I am saying that they will get back what was once taken from us. They will conquer Emperor" he said and I closed my eyes and lowered my head.

"Conquer?" Nevin, who was standing beside me, said it in shock.

'Q... what is going on?' Quinn asked me.

'What is the Alpha talking about?'

'Why are we attacking Emperor?'

'I thought the feud was over'

I could hear so many voices asking in disbelief.

'He has gone mad. Set a crazy idea in his head and included me in it too' I replied only to Quinn.

'What do you mean included you?' he asked me.

"Destroy Emperor" dad hissed through gritted teeth. "Surely Grace, you didn't think I would forgive and forget what that pack has done to ours for years?" he said in incredulity. "Her grandfather, made my father an orphan" dad spat, pointing an accusing finger at Darya and my wolf flinched. "Her grandfather humiliated my uncle so much that he was forced to leave his own pack. My father never forgot that and always wanted to avenge it. Now, we have got the perfect ammo to take our revenge. Duncan's own sister is going to throw him out of his pack" dad grinned and I watched Darya who raised her lashes to reveal eyes that were flaming red. "Together, Q and Darya will destroy Emperor until there is nothing left of it."

If I felt angry at the thought of destroying Emperor without even belonging to it, then I could imagine how angry Darya must be at the moment. I wanted to calm her down, yet her next words stopped me on my tracks.

"Watch that tone Alpha" Darya snarled in fury and every head turned to look at her in worry. "I have far more respect for you. Not because you are my mate's father, but because you are a good Alpha to your pack. However, I will not tolerate a single word against my pack" she warned and my heart swelled in pride at that moment. She respected my father even after all the shit he was throwing at her.

"You belong to Serene now" dad growled out.

"I still belong to Emperor" Darya clarified, "And before you continue talking about destroying Emperor, remember that I can turn your whole pack into dust right this second" she threatened snapping her fingers and I compressed my lips. Immediately, I could sense the fear radiating from every wolf around me.

"But you will not" dad derided confidently "You will not because you love Quillon." He mocked and a murderous growl erupted from my chest. How dare he mock her like that?

"That's enough dad!" I said curtly. For the first time in my life I wanted to hurt my dad. However, I controlled myself. "You have spoken a lot today."

'What has gotten into him?' Quinn asked and I noticed he was glaring at dad.

'I don't know anymore' I retorted angrily.

"I am only trying to make Darya understand where her loyalties should be" dad said to me with a growl of his own. "I know you love Quillon. That is what we wanted from the start to happen. It is obvious your wolf will choose Quillon, then why bother defending Emperor? That pack has to suffer for what they did to ours. It has to be destroyed" dad snarled in rage and blood was dripping from my palms where my claws dug crescents.

He is my dad but right this minute, I wanted to bash him black and blue for hurting my mate. I was torn. I couldn't bear watching Darya hurt and I couldn't hurt dad without hurting mom.

"You disgust me" Quinn spat and that is exactly how I felt. I was disgusted with him. But I was more disgusted with myself for agreeing to it. Whatever confidence dad had, it was because he thought I was with him in this crazy notion of his.

"Why? What's wrong in what I said?" dad said offended.

"What's wrong-?" mom couldn't even finish her sentence.

"There is nothing wrong" dad raked and my wolf literally clawed my chest.

"Stop it dad" I begged him because I couldn't stop my wolf anymore. He was hurting badly.

"This is our revenge for what they did to us" dad finished.

"It's only your revenge" mom shouted at him.

"No. It's our! Quillon agreed to help me. He was in the plan from the start" dad finished vehemently.

My wolf stepped back in panic and a chill of fear sneaked into my soul for the first time ever. The blood drained from my face as I felt a film of perspiration break out over my body.

"Q?" mom's voice was barely audible to me.

I could feel every eyes on me, but my own were fixed on Darya's. Her grey eyes were swimming in a pool of unshed tears as she looked at me with unconcealed hurt.

Everyone was silent and probably shocked to the core. I understand because I felt the same when dad told me I had agreed to it.

'Tell me it's not true' mom asked through the link but I didn't reply her. I was too shocked to react!

'It's not true mom' Quinn replied to her and mom heaved a sigh. 'Dad forced him to it' Quinn added. Dad did not force me to it. I gave my consent and it was the truth no matter how much I hated it. And at present, I was being weighed down by that guilt. My wolf curled himself and lowered his head in shame.

"Is it true?" I saw how vulnerable Darya was at that moment. Her lips had trembled as she forced herself to ask that question.

"Darya-"

She held up a hand in front of her face, gesturing mom to stop talking. A feeling of dread swept through me at that moment as my heart stopped beating in my chest.

"Did you agree to your father's plan?" she demanded in a shaky voice.

I felt like someone had squeezed my throat making me unable to even utter a word. Swallowing audibly, I gave my reply to her with a hesitant nod because whatever the situation, I did agree to my father's sick plan and the guilt of it was eating me up.

Inhaling sharply, Darya stumbled backwards in shock. "DARYA" I called out loudly along with many others.

As I moved closer, she raised her hand, once again asking us to stop. My wolf whimpered in pain and I felt everything around me was bleak.

A terrible pain was engulfing my heart and my wolf whimpered repeatedly dropping himself on the ground. It was her pain and I could feel it crystal clear. That was my punishment. Feeling exactly what she was feeling at that moment.

I knew how it looked for her. Like I had broken her trust but I hadn't... had I? I really didn't know.

Her pain was tearing me apart and I clenched my fists to control myself. As I looked, I found that all the color in the nature around me had faded away, leaving it in a shade of dark, looming grey.

Gradually, I felt the pain in her evaporating and I was perplexed by it. This was not good! Her pain, I could bear but I could not bear the emotional vacuum that suddenly radiated from her. It was me... I could block out emotions like that; but now, when Darya was doing the same, I was thoroughly disconcerted.

I wanted to clear the misunderstanding. Set it straight for dad as well as for everyone now that the crazy plan was finally out. I never got a chance to speak because dad opened his mouth again.

"I told you. Do you really think this would have happened without Quillon's help?" dad sneered and my wolf stood up in rage.

'Last time dad... enough' I hissed through the link.

I swore never to use my gifts on my family but right now, I was planning to change that. I wanted to shut his mouth!

A cold gust of wind blew as lightning bolts split through the sky.

"He understands me. He knows what Emperor Pack did to us is unforgivable" dad continued and my eyes rounded when I noticed that Darya's slender body was trembling in rage. Blood was oozing from her hands, where her claws scraped her tender skin.

"He will make Darya understand it too and then there will be no stopping from the destruction of the Emperor Pack" dad continued, his attention solely focused on mom.

Only when an earth-shaking growl emanated from Darya, did he turn to look at her.

Screaming full throttle, Darya raised her hand and catching a lightning bolt, she threw it to a nearby tree; thus, setting it on fire. My wolf stiffened nervously. He knew how pissed she really was and how bad it would affect the pack.

Dad's eyes widened and he reeled back when he saw how angry she was.

"Q" Quinn whispered from beside me. "You know her gift has two sides right?" he said and I nodded.

I knew how helpful and how destructive her gift can be. A fire could provide us warmth during winter, but the same fire could even burn down everything around it. Her gifts had both, a positive and negative side and it could be what she wanted it to be.

So far, I was confident, she has not used her gift for negative purpose but I was sure it would change soon.

"The gift that saved our pack wolves that day could kill us today" Quinn concluded and I whirled my head to look at him.

Dad had lost all color in his face and he stared at Quinn with fear evident in his eyes.

There was a sharp crack of thunder which made me wince. Dread was radiating from my pack and I could literally see some trembling, with tears in their eyes.

Darya whipped her head to look at dad whose racing heart beat was audible to me. I could actually see the Goosebumps on his skin.

There was so much fear in the atmosphere around me that it automatically agitated my wolf.

"DESTRUCTION OF A PACK? DESTRUCTION OF A PACK?" Darya demanded with a shriek and my wolf lowered his head. "I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT DESTRUCTION OF A PACK LOOKS LIKE" she roared pointing a finger directly at dad.

Even though not everything was my fault, I still felt like a sinner. I felt her anger towards my whole pack was justifiable.

From the moment Darya entered, not even for a single moment did she speak ill or hurt anyone from my pack. She had always been nice to them even when some of them were rude to her. She never let the feud between our packs do any damage to our relationship either.

"No. Luna please" an elderly woman of the pack dropped down her knees and soon others followed. My pack wolves were begging for forgiveness.

But it was too late because at that moment Darya's wolf radiated so much rage that it engulfed the whole surrounding. Her each breath was accompanied by a growl.

"I will bring so much darkness to your pack, that you will forget what sunlight looked like" she swore cruelly, looking at my dad who couldn't even meet her eyes now.

"Q..." mom said holding my arms and I gulped.

I knew what mom wanted me to do but my wolf refused to do it. He did not want to hurt Darya anymore and so he drifted to the corner of my mind, refusing to help.

The pack came first for me and for him, but right this moment, I was choosing her over the pack. I refused to use my gifts on her or even try to stop her. I felt like I had no right.

It was a horrible feeling because it hurt me badly and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop my vision from being cloudy. She was hurt and the fact that we were the cause of it, made my wolf bow his head in disgrace. He felt like we deserved the brunt of her anger.

Through the same misty eyes, I watched Darya, who extended her left hand towards the burning tree and then pulled the fire towards her until it took a shape of a flaming ball.

I inhaled sharply when I saw how she held the flaming ball in her palms.

"Alpha"

"Do something"

My pack wolves begged when I saw Darya smirking sadistically looking at that fire ball. There was some dangerous aura emanating from her and it made the environment dreadful, haunted!

As I stared at Darya, I suddenly recalled the two things Orseline Rhoades had told me the first time she came to Serene. Right this moment, I could actually hear her saying that to me.

"Remember these two things I am telling you... 1. Never provoke Darya until she is forced to give into her temper. 2. Never take Darya's threats lightly"

At that moment I didn't know if it was a warning, a threat or an advice. Right now, I was sure it was an advice.

She knew how bad Darya's gift could be and so she had suggested me not to do the two things which we already did.

Dad kept provoking Darya until she lost her temper and her threat... "Before you continue talking about destroying Emperor, remember that I can turn your whole pack into dust right this second"

"You called me LIFE" Darya sneered looking at us.

I felt the ground beneath my feet collapsing because I already knew what she was going to do with that fire.

"But you forgot that if I am life, then, I am also... DEATH" Darya snarled and flung the ball of fire towards us.

****

(•_•)

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Rock and roll!

Yes! WOOHOO! I AM SUPER HAPPY because right until this chapter, not even a single reader had guessed Vincent as the soothsayer. Every time the reader would say it was Kasey, I would dance happily.

If you read all the chapters Vincent was in, then you will realize that it was never in Darya's p.o.v because of this very same reason. Share your views about Vincent with me, please :D

And about the chapter, do you guys still hate my Quillon baby? :'( Also, What do you think about the rest of it?

I know, it stopped in the same point as the previous one but it will continue from this point in the next chapter :) Tell me what do you want to happen in the next chapter?

I am super excited to write that. Actually, super excited to write everything that has happened or will happen in the 'LONG NIGHT SCENE' as I call it... lol!

Next chapter as you have already read, CORTEZ WILL COME TO SERENE and it will be posted on 5th October.

Until then, please read, vote and comment.

Okay, I will stop being so excited now...

Love,

Shruthi :-*