Epilogue

"But pain's like water. It finds a way to push through any seal. There's no way to stop it."

-Katie Kacvinsky.

DARYA P.O.V

"Sel" my voice was a whisper as I stumbled towards her. My legs gave away mid way and I dropped on the ground beside her.

Duncan was cupping her face and trying to wake her up, but she wasn't responding. Lorcan was sobbing loudly and there was no one to console him.

Lorcan knew his mother was hurt and tried to help her. But Quillon held his wrist before he could touch the javelin. "No. It's going to hurt her more" Quillon told him and sniffing, Lorcan nodded.

"Sel" with shaky hands, I tried to touch her. My vision was cloudy and I blinked, trying to clear my view. Yet, to no success! My heart was pounding so fast in my chest that I could only feel a cold shiver run down my spine.

She... she is my rock! I wouldn't be here without her.

My eyes drifted to the javelin and a cry escaped from my mouth as I watched it. The color of blood had already started soaking her light blue shirt.

I didn't know what to do at that moment. I wanted to help her, but I didn't know how. Pulling out the javelin could hurt her and I couldn't...

"Darya" I turned my head to look at Quillon, the only one who seemed calm amongst us. "Go" he said looking me in the eye and I just stared at him.

I couldn't understand... I wanted to help Sel!

"Go" Quillon repeated firmly and when he looked at someone behind me, he displayed his fangs and let out a feral growl. "I can do something to ease her pain, but you... you need to stop Konrad!" Quillon said, his eyes drifting towards Sel, who was still in Duncan's arms.

"What should I do?" Duncan asked Quillon.

"Just hold her" he replied and then forcefully held my arm. "Darya, stop him before he kills someone else" Quillon's commanding voice made me realize that Konrad, who did this to Sel, was still out there and with another clone, he could do much more damage than what he had already done.

"GO" Quillon shouted.

Turning my head, I let out an earth shattering growl before standing on my feet and glaring at Konrad.

There was only two of him... one had escaped! I didn't know how the third one was created, but all I knew was the damage it can do if it's not stopped in time.

One of the clones bared his fangs and growled savagely at me, which caused my wolf to fume inside me.

I ran towards him with full speed and then we both leapt high in the air. I managed to trash his neck, while he drew blood on my waist. We both fell on the ground with a thud, but Konrad stood up easily. Before I could stand up, I was raised from the ground by another clone and then thrown like a doll.

I fell a few feet away and the tender skin on my face got scraped when it touched the rough ground. As I stood up, I saw Quillon slowly pulling out the javelin from Sel's back. I knew Sel was in safe hands.

I then directed my attention to Konrad and his clone. I couldn't tell which one was real and which one was not. I also couldn't tell if both were clones or not. However, the need to kill both of them was primary and as my wolf stomped her paws, I once again rushed towards them. This time, I used my elemental gift air and I was too fast for them. They saw me coming, but they couldn't exactly tell where I was as I ran around them.

Their momentary distraction was my window of opportunity and I made full use of it. I entwined my fingers and smashed one of the clone's wolfy head and as it dropped on the ground, I shoved second one to the nearest tree using my gift and once there, I entwined the branches of that tree so tightly that the creature had to struggle to breathe.

He was trapped and I had time until then to give my complete attention to the other one. I used my gift of earth while running towards him and once I was close enough to him, I wrapped the vines around his neck and then brought him to the ground.

Meanwhile, the trapped one snarled in rage and I heard a faint cracking sound. I tightened the coil around him and gritted my teeth, when the clone broke it with his claws. He stumbled a few steps while trying to regain composure and at that time, I let the vine entwine his legs. When he made a move, he once again fell on the ground and rushing, I slammed my elbows on his skull.

When he groaned, I electrocuted him, knocking him out. The other clone was still struggling and knowing I had time, I rushed towards Quillon and Duncan.

"I did what I could, but she needs to be taken to a doctor. Too much blood loss" Quillon filled in hastily. "And... the wound is on her spine, her nervous system... she needs medical attention... ASAP."

"I will take her"

"No.... you cannot carry her... she needs to be laid" Quillon filled in and then looked at me. "We need a stretcher. Go get the car until then" Quillon told him and he left.

Within few seconds, I prepared an artificial stretcher with branches and leaves.

"It's my fault" Quillon said grimly and I furrowed my brows. "The second clone, it's because of me."

"How?"

"I drew his blood out while I punched him. I thought nothing would happen... but... we cannot even let a single drop touch the ground."

"But only I can do it" I argued.

"No... I think the first one only you could... the first drop!"

"Like planting a seed" I observed and Quillon nodded. "Which means anyone else can bring his clone out" I said in disbelief.

"There has to be another condition which we might be missing, but no time to think about it" Quillon stated and I agreed with him. I glanced at the other wolf and when I thought he would break free completely, I once again let thick branches and vines completely entwine his body.

"This won't work forever" Quillon said and I lowered my lashes. I knew I cannot forever keep him trapped like that.

"It is working now" I remarked and then walked towards the trapped one.

Quillon stopped mid-way and I furrowed my brows. "What happened?" I questioned.

"I can hear Duncan's thoughts" he said and I stared at him in confusion until Quillon let out an angry growl. "He destroyed all our vehicles" Quillon said and I closed my eyes. That's where the third one has escaped to!

Duncan reappeared a minute later.

"Go" I pleaded Quillon.

"No. You go... you can help him go faster. I will take care of this" Quillon stated looking me in the eye.

I nodded and then leaning forward, I kissed him fiercely before helping carrying one end of the stretcher.

__

I ran at the front, with Duncan, who was also carrying Lorcan on his back, behind me. I spread the trees apart for us, removed all barriers coming our way and made the road clear so that we could run faster.

Duncan had already connected with Waylon, his beta through the link, but it was only twenty minutes later that we met their vehicle. Once in the van, we drove to the clinic.

Everything was pre-arranged and Sel was directly taken into OT and it was a struggle for all of us to refrain Duncan from going inside.

I sat on the stool, with Lorcan sleeping on my lap. He had been crying for a long time, but tiredness crept in and soon, he fell asleep.

The door opened and I looked at Dr. Grover, who looked pale and grim. "It's a spinal cord injury" the doctor whispered shakily and I gulped. "We are doing what we can, but we need a specialist" she told Duncan.

"He is going to be here" Waylon supplied quickly. "I have already called Dr Mendon of Czar Pack."

"I called Lory" Tina said softly.

"She is a healer" I told everyone and they nodded. Duncan dropped on a nearest chair and ran his hands through his hair.

The door to the OT closed again and I rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes, letting all the tears flow.

Sel is my rock. She is not just a sister-in-law to me. In fact, she is a friend, guardian, shield, an Alpha, sister, idol and a mother. I grew up watching her. I grew up wanting to become like her. I saw how she defied everything to protect me. She lied to her own mate for me. She united me with the only blood related family I had. She sacrificed so much for me that just thinking about it flooded my eyes and my heart to jump in my chest. She always put me first. Even after becoming a mother and having a family of her own, she put me first. She was always there for me when I needed her and when I didn't need her, she was still there for me.

I held a primary place in her heart and she in mine.

Wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand, I ran my fingers on Lorcan's hair.

"I will take him home" Tina told me and I nodded. "Sel's parents have been informed" she informed carrying a sleeping Lorcan in her arms and Duncan nodded.

A few minutes later, Dr. Mendon, a Supreme Pack wolf arrived and he was quickly ushered to OT.

At the same time I winced clutching my stomach and every head turned to look at me. I winced again and held the edge of the chair in a tight grip.