Chapter77　Epilogue

5 YEARS LATER

“Oh, come on Elijah! You have to wear it!" Rafael said holding up the shiny pink unicorn party

hat. Elijah glared at his friend.

“I wouldn't be caught dead in that.” He said.

“It's Raihana's birthday. Come on, she's going to cry if you don't.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow. “She's 2. I don't think she'll even care.”

From across the garden, Scarlett and Maria exchanged looks.

“Them two argue too much...” Maria said as she arranged the sandwich platter and set it down.

“Bromance at its finest!” Indigo called as she walked out from the Villa.

It was Rafael’s second child's birthday and he had rented a villa for some of their friends.

“Look she's not wearing one...” Elijah said, giving Rafael a look as he pointed at Indigo.

“Ok fine... You and Alejandro are such party poopers..." He grumbled glancing at his brother,

who to be honest he was shocked he had even come for the party. The rest had come the day

before but Alejandro had only turned up 10 minutes ago.

The 20-year-old sat on the ground away from the area they had lit up with solar-powered

lanterns and fairy lights, busy scrolling through his phone. Rafael's smile vanished as he watched

him, concerned. It had been 7 years since they had discovered what he was. 7 years of worrying for

his safety but as the years went by, he realised it wasn't Alejandro who needed protection.

The younger man now looked up, his dark cold eyes meeting his brother's warm ones, but

before either could say anything the sound of children’s laughter and excitement filled the air. The

doors opened and out poured the gang of children.

At the front were Liam and Rayhan. Both boys racing dangerously fast towards their dads.

“I won!” Liam said grabbing Elijah’s leg.

“No, I did!" Rayhan retorted. Rafael sighed.

“I think it was a draw. Don't you agree Elijah?"

“Yeah maybe.” Elijah said, earning a frown from Scarlett from across the room. He winked at her

and she rolled her eyes looking away. Rayhan was only a week younger than their twins who were 4.

Monica and Aarons son Damon who had turned 5 a month ago strolled out lazily, staring at the

moon that now peeked out from behind the trees. Rafael's Beta's family was also there. The boys

ran off joining the rest.

Whilst one child stood on the steps not moving, her soft sandy blonde hair framed her face as

she looked out into the brightly lit garden

Elijah’s smile faded as he walked over to his daughter Kiara, concern clear on his face. Unlike

her headstrong brother, she was the opposite. He crouched down looking into her eyes that were a

mix of both his and Scarlett's; a sage green with a bright blue ring. He cupped her face and she

gave him the purest smile he had ever seen

“What's wrong cutie patootie?” He asked softly. “Can you see alright?”

She nodded. “I can see all this daddy.” She said pointing to the brightly lit area. Elijah smiled

kissing her forehead.

“That's good.”

His heart aching a little. He scooped her up in his arm kissing her cheeks. He'd always be there

to take care of her.

The party was in full swing. Music played loudly and the children were having a blast. Elijah

pulled Scarlett onto the dance floor.

“Come on kitten, one dance.” He said, gripping her hips and pressing her firmly against him. His

lips meeting hers in a passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

It had been nearly 6 years since they had fallen in love, found out they were mates and had

gotten married just over 3 years ago.

Each passing day felt like they loved each other a little more, even when it didn't feel like that

could be possible. She hadn't changed much her hair was still the same, but it was slightly longer

now. Since having the kids the only difference was the slightly wider hips, he fucking loved them.

When their twins had been born it was Elijah who had wanted to name their son after Liam and

Scarlett had loved the idea. The children played happily, even Raihana toddled along.

Only Kiara was sat at a table eating a cake pop. Her large eyes spotting a glow-worm on the

ground. Her eyes widened in curiosity and she climbed off her chair. Slowly following the worm into

the forest. So enchanted she didn't even realise she had strayed from the brightly lit party.

Alejandro glanced up from his phone when he saw one of the pups going into the forest, about

to look away when he noticed she seem to be limping slightly. He raised an eyebrow taking in her

sandy blond hair, Elijah’s kid? Probably... He went back to his phone after a glance at her parents,

both literally making out on the dance floor. He shook his head. Why have kids if you couldn't

manage them? Their loss. He had come here for a reason and unless that reason showed up, he had

to just wait. This was boring...

It was only a few moments later and Scarlett pulled away, feeling something poke at her

stomach.

“Behave...” She said, although her hand teasingly ran over his front making him smirk. She

turned away glancing at the kids, her smile fading as her heart began to race. “Kiara...Where's

Kiara?!”

All eyes turned to them as everyone began looking. Elijah scanned the trees, trying to catch her

scent.

“The defected pup?” Alejandro said, his rugged voice emotionless and cold. Elijah’s eyes flashed

at the insult.

“Where is she?” He hissed.

“She went into the forest not long ago...”

“Fuck Alejandro! Couldn't you have stopped her?!” Rafael said as Elijah rushed into the forest,

closely followed by Aaron, Indigo and Scarlett.

“It's just the forest, not like there's anything out there that's big bad and scary.” He taunted his

brother. Rafael's eyes flashed as he walked over to him.

“Alejandro, she can't see in the dark! She has night blindness for fucks sake! Can you for once

get off your fucking throne and think that we're talking about an innocent child?!” He shouted,

motioning his Beta to follow him.

It was at that moment Alejandro’s ears picked up the low hissing of what he had come here for

in the first place. His eyes widened slightly, turning towards the forest.

“Get the kids inside.” He said. “Now.”

Rafael who had been about to rush into the forest nodded, his face paling. Alejandro ran into

the forest at a speed that left the rest in awe as they quickly ushered the children inside.

Elijah and Scarlett followed their daughters’ scent, getting deeper and deeper into the forest

when they heard her soft voice.

“Mama is that you?”

They froze as they slowed down, padding forward. It was then the putrid smell of decay, rotten

eggs and infected blood filled their noses.

“You won't get near that thing.” Alejandro said, now stopping in front of them. Elijah growled

quietly but Alejandro looked at him, then glanced towards the darkness behind him. “I'll bring her

back. Stay here.”

He turned and before their eyes, he shifted. To their shock he didn't shift into a normal wolf, but

a beast. Extremely tall and muscular, he still stood on two legs. A mix of a wolf and a man. Black fur

covered his muscled body, his face looked like a werewolf from a horror movie. He looked at them

for a second, his red eyes glowing before he ran off into the darkness.

“Fuck... What the hell is he....?" Indigo said weakly.

No one spoke. Only one word described the thing that he had shifted to.

“A Lycan.’ Elijah’s voice sounded shocked. He didn't move. It all made sense. The killings back in

the forest that time... Alpha Daniel's odd murder... The speed and strength he always had as a boy.

“An Alpha of Alpha’s?" Indigo asked, her voice shaking.

“There hasn't been one in existence since the Lycan King 300 years ago..." Aaron said through

the link. No one spoke.

“Should we go?’ Scarlett asked after a moment, her heart racing in fear for her child's life.

“I think he’s far more capable.’ Elijah said, his tone clipped and cold knowing he was just stood

there, not knowing what was happening with his child. He tensed hearing her faint laugh followed

by the sound of her soft voice.

“Mama? Daddy?”

Scarlett brushed against him and he rubbed her neck knowing it was hard for her to just stand

here doing nothing.

Alejandro moved as fast as possible. Ever since the odd deaths of pups and pregnant women

that had been put down to rogue attacks, he had been searching for this thing. However, when the

bodies were mainly eaten, he didn't really think it was rogues... He had tracked it close by and it was

the reason he had come. It hadn't been for the party.

If he went by old lore it was a vampire-like creature that only came out at night and feasted on

children and foetuses. Nothing of the sort had been heard of for hundreds of years. But he existed,

what's to say there weren't other monsters out there?

He saw the little doll-like child holding her hands out, remembering what Rafael said about her

not being able to see. She giggled sensing the creature move closer to her.

“Mama? Daddy?”

He frowned, he had one chance, or she was dead. He rushed out just as the creature lurched

forward, hissing loudly. Its long tongue extended. Kiara screamed in terror realising it was not her

parents. Just as Alejandro slammed it across the field, scooping Kiara into his arms growling

dangerously at the creature who hissed and lurched itself at him. In a few seconds, he had torn it to

pieces with one hand. Stepping away from the disgusting mess he turned and walked back towards

where her parents were waiting.

Kiara clung to his neck, her body shaking in fear.

“I'm scared. I want mama.” She sobbed.

He didn't say anything. Just then Scarlett and Elijah burst from the trees having heard the

sounds. Relieved to see a shaken but otherwise ok Kiara. Scarlett shifted not caring who was around,

taking Kiara into her arms and soothing the terrified child. Elijah growled warning Aaron and

Alejandro not to look. Alejandro mentally rolled his eyes. The man was too fucking protective.

He walked off ahead. He knew Rafael wouldn't stop harassing him to know what it was. Since

these four had seen him, it was best he had a word with them before he left. He didn't give a shit

about anyone's questioning but right now, he needed his identity to be kept secret. He had plans,

but they would take time...

They were now back at the villa and the rest of the children had been put to bed. The adults

had got dressed and Scarlett had given Kiara a bath before settling her down with a cup of hot milk

on the kitchen stool.

Rafael now looked at them, he had just finished telling them how he had shifted at the age of

13. First, they had thought the premature shift was the reason for his odd form but realised it just

became more and more beast-like. The man was about 6 foot 6 but his Lycan form was well over 7

feet. He was faster, stronger and had a stronger sense of smell than an Alpha werewolf.

This comment made Elijah cast the man a frown.

“So, in other words, he's a freak of nature.” He remarked.

“Freak of nature? Isn't that what your kid is?” Alejandro replied, taking out a cigarette and

lighting it.

“Not in front of kids Alejandro...” Rafael said, his words falling on deaf ears. Elijah growled at

him, daring him to insult Kiara again

“It's the truth. A wolf who can't walk properly, doubt she'll ever be able to, and a pup who can't

see in the dark? A fucking invalid. Surprising, considering she has two Alpha’s for parents.”

Two growls tore through the room and Elijah lunged at Alejandro, his fist raised but the

younger man gripped his fist not caring that Elijah’s claws dug into his hands.

“I'm stating facts. Dickhead.” Alejandro said, his eyes flashing as he stared into Elijah’s darkened

ones. “Back. Off."

His command rolled off him and Elijah felt his wolf fight him. He gritted his teeth wrenching his

hand free. “At least she has the two of you to take care of her because life's going to be fucking shit

for her. Get used to it.”

“Scarlett. Take Kiara to bed. Now." Elijah said. He didn't want her to hear this shit. Scarlett glared

coldly at Alejandro before she lifted Kiara who was staring wide-eyed, her young mind uncertain of

exactly what was happening.

“If you hadn't saved her... I'd fucking kill you.”

“Or die in the process.” Alejandro replied coldly, smoking his cigarette.

“I'm sorry on his behalf Elijah. What was that thing out there?” Rafael asked trying to diffuse the

situation

“Something that feeds on children or foetuses of werewolves. I had a feeling it wasn't rogues

behind the brutal murders.”

Rafael looked down feeling guilty. He had even thought his brother may have been behind

those attacks. He looked away and Alejandro scoffed coldly, he knew what was going through his

brothers’ mind. The fucker didn't fully trust him, that or he thought he was a monster. Well, he

fucking was...

“Well, I'll be out of here before morning, just need my phone charged.” He didn't care what

people thought of him. He'd do what he wanted and no one would stand in his way.

Elijah entered the kids’ room, seeing Scarlett caressing Kiara's hair. Liam was asleep on the

other side of the bed

“Is she asleep?” He asked softly as he walked over, pulling Scarlett up and into his arms

“Yeah... Alejandro isn't wrong... She will be bullied and probably looked down on.” Scarlett

whispered, sadness filling her. When Kiara was barely two, they had been attacked by rogues and

she had her right foot almost bitten off. Her bones had been crushed beyond the ability of her

healing and she now had to live with damage to her Achilles tendon for life. The guilt never left

Elijah; it was his job to protect her no matter what but he had failed her.

“I'll protect her.” Elijah said his eyes flashing, his hold on Scarlett tightening. She cupped his

face and kissed him softly.

“I know you want to be the perfect dad, and you are, but protecting her from everything will

only hurt her. In the long run, she will have to face the world and all the shit it's going to bring her

way. We need to make sure she’s ready for it.”

They both looked at her and Elijah sighed. “You're right Red.”

“Let's get to bed.” She replied, pulling away she gave both her kids a soft kiss. Elijah did the

same before they both took their leave and returned to their own room.

It was hours later and Alejandro sat on the front doorstep, smoking his fourth cigarette. Lost in

thought about the creature. Was it just a lone attack or were there more? Where had it come from?

Something bigger was at work here, he could feel it.

He heard quiet footsteps and turned, seeing Kiara walking down the steps, she kept using her

left foot to step down then lifting her right. He frowned as she looked up at him and walked a little

faster down the stairs. Stumbling on the bottom one. He shook his head looking away. Didn't the

idiots know how to look after one child? Or was she just a disobedient brat.

“Thank you for saving me from the monster.” She said, stepping out of the house to stand in

front of Alejandro. He looked down at her, for the first time paying attention to her large eyes. It

was ironic that they looked so unique but were pretty useless. He looked out into the darkness. The

child still staring at him. “Are you deaf?”

He glanced at her, sharply glaring at her.

“I'm not a loser like you, now get lost.” He said coldly, his eyes flashing red. She only smiled and

stepped closer.

“When it was dark. I could see your eyes glowing.” She said as if it was the most amazing thing

ever. He tossed the cigarette to the floor. Did the kid not get a hint?

“Good for you, now get the hell back to bed.”

“I wanted to give you this.” She now held out a red rose with a crumpled stem. He raised his

eyebrow when she bravely took his hand and placed the flower into it smiling happily. He frowned,

even his niece and nephew stayed metres away from him whenever he saw them. Which was rather

rare.

“Go away.”

She ignored him now placing her index fingers at the corner of his lips and pushing his face. He

glared at her.

“What are you doing?” He said pushing her hands away. Stupid kid

“I'm teaching you to smile.” She said giving him a huge one. He gave her a cold smirk in reply.

“Life's a fucking nightmare kid. The earlier you learn that, the better.” He stood up. He didn't

have the time or patience to waste with a pathetic weak pup. He grabbed his phone from the

hallway charger and stepped outside.

The little girl stepped inside, she looked a little upset at his words but still stood there silently.

He glared at her tossing the flower she had passed him onto the ground. Her eyes widened as she

looked at it, her eyes stinging with tears of hurt.

Her tears spilt down her cheeks when he stepped on it crushing it.

He glanced back at her from the door. If something so small had hurt her then she wasn't

going to survive this world. Maybe he should have let her die, it would have saved her from a lot of

pain that she would inevitably have to face. He closed the door turning away. He didn't really

fucking care anyway. He probably wouldn't ever see her again.

Or so he thought. If only he knew how very wrong he was...0000