Part Three- Chapter 28

"There's nothing that makes you more

insane than family. Or more happy. Or

more exasperated. Or more... secure."

• Jim Butcher

DARYA P.O.V

It was the Saturday, in which Sel and others were meeting in Elegance. It was also the day, I wanted Grace to meet Cortez. My plan was simple. I am taking Grace with me to Elegance, where I am sure Cortez will also be there to drop Malory and Glory.

The only problem in this plan was how to take Grace there. When I had told Quillon last week that I am taking Grace with me, I had luckily not told him which day I was going. That was a plus on my side.

After Konrad's attack last week, the pack security had increased, but today, it was comparatively better. I was alone in the house now and wondering what to do. Quillon had gone to the town, while Quinn was out with friends. It was nine in the morning and I had to be in Elegance before twelve.

I knew Quillon would be pissed that I am going without telling him. But if I do tell him, then I am sure he wouldn't agree. Things were going fine between us. Since last week, our fights have lessened and I would sleep with my head resting on his arms... but today, when he discovers where I have gone and whom I have taken with me, he is surely going to be pissed.

Sighing, I shook my head and focused on something which was more important now.

Should I directly tell Grace that I am going to Elegance? I am sure she will agree. Yes, that's what I am going to do. Quillon might throttle me, but I can deal with it.

Taking a deep breath, I picked up my bag and strode towards the door.

While I was going to garage, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Bee, "Oh! You are going out?" she said guiltily.

"Yes. Coming?" I asked her.

"Where are you going?"

"I cannot tell you until you agree" I said in a hushed tone and Bee's eyes sparkled.

"You are going without telling Q?" she asked amused and I nodded. "I am coming" she jumped in excitement. "But I am not dressed..."

"You have fifteen minutes. I will bring the car to your place" I said and off she went.

I drove to Quillon's parent's house and sighed when I saw that Scott's car wasn't there, meaning he was out.

"Darya... what a surprise darling" Grace said as soon as I stepped inside the big house. I tensed when I saw that there were two pack wolves, who were working in their house. "You are going somewhere?" she asked the moment she saw my handbag.

"Uh... yes!" Damn! These pack wolves will be able to hear, whatever I say to her in the house.

"Emperor?" she asked and I shook my head.

"Umm... Town. I am going to town... to this particular place.... That I don't know. But I have to go there because I have some work there. But like I said I don't know where the place is." I swear even I could not understand what I just said.

"Ooo-kay" Grace said unsurely, while the other two wolves stared at me like I have lost my head.

"I want you to come with me" I blurted out. "See... I don't know the route... I need you to guide me" I lied.

"Sorry sweetie. I cannot. They are here-" she pointed at the two wolves, "- I have to be here to tell them what not to do" she said remorsefully. "But take Bee with you... It's Saturday and she has holiday today. She knows every place in town" Grace supplied.

"Bee is as busy as a bee" I said quickly and Grace furrowed her brows. "I met her and she told me she is not free today. So can you come? It's very urgent" I gave the best bambi look I could.

"Oh... okay. Alright!" she smiled and I felt terribly guilty of lying to her. "I have to change" she said and I nodded.

While I sat waiting for Grace, another lady came in and I froze when I realized that she was Nevin's mom, who was also Grace's best-friend in the pack. Did Bee tell her we are going out? Oh shit!

"Ah... Cece. Thanks for coming" Grace told her putting on the cardigan. "I am going to town with Darya. Please just stay here until I return, okay?"

"Yes, you don't worry" Cece assured and I heaved a sigh.

Once we got inside the car, Grace turned to look at me, "By the way, where do you want to go in town?" she asked and I inhaled sharply. I started the car, looked around and frowned when I saw some wolves around.

"KFC" that was the first thing that came to my mind. It came to my mind because I felt like a chicken.

"KFC?" Grace repeated incredulously, while I drove to Bee's place. "Darya... you want to go to KFC now? I doubt it will be open" she muttered shaking her head. Grace was confused, maybe even annoyed, but she did not ask me anything else.

However it changed the moment Bee climbed inside the car. Grace looked at me and then at Bee, who sat in the backseat. "Hello Luna" Bee told her with a warm smile while I resumed driving.

"I thought she was as busy as a bee" Grace frowned at me.

"I am sorry I lied Grace. We are not going to town. We are going to your former pack" I said in a barely audible voice.

Grace froze in her seat and whispered, "Elegance."

"We are going to Elegance?" Bee asked at the same time, equally stunned.

"I just want you to meet... I mean, see Elegance, now. But please don't tell Scott or Quillon or others. Especially Quillon because he does not want you to go there" I pleaded.

"Q told you that?" she asked and gulping, I nodded.

"He doesn't want to see you cry"

"I... I am not going to cry" Grace said and wiped her tears, "Not this time" she swore and I let out a breath.

"Yes, let's go to Elegance. I have always wanted to go there" Bee said excitedly.

"You can call your parents to Elegance if you want Bee" I told her and Bee's eyes widened.

"My m-mom is not going to come there" Bee said sadly after few seconds.

"Hold on..." I said and bringing the car to a halt at the side of the road, I called Sabine. "You know Sabine right?" I asked her.

"Vincent's cousin... yes. But she has left the pack now" Bee said while I waited for Sabine to answer the call.

"Well, her aunts are still there... I don't know them, but surely you and your mom must. Try to make a connection" I told Bee handing the phone after Sabine answered the call.

While I drove off, Bee spoke to Sabine in length, then made calls after calls and finally after forty minutes, she said happily, "My parents are coming."

I smiled at her and so did Grace.

__

The Supreme Pack wolves knew me and hence, I had no problem in crossing Serene and entering that pack. I knew Supreme Pack territory very well because I once lived in this pack.

After driving for another two hours, I finally entered the Elegance Pack territory through the mountain roads.

"Grace" I called. "Your home" I told her and she blinked while watching the beautiful scenery around.

After driving for another thirty minutes in the mountain and woods, I drove to the heart of the Elegance, where the pack wolves once lived.

Grace's eyes opened to it's fullest extent when she saw the place. "The land... it was barren" she whispered and I shook my head.

"Not anymore" I told her as we drove on the straight road that had green grasses on either side, along with tall trees. Cortez had organized the damage repair of everything in Elegance Pack and had a huge farm house built here, near the lake. Now there were meadows, parks, arena in the Elegance pack territory.

As I turned right, Grace and Bee gasped as she saw the rows and rows of moonflower plant. It was grown in circular rows around the heart of Elegance.

"For our protection" I pointed out, while I drove through the stony lane.

"There are people gathered here" Grace mumbled watching many cars parked and I smiled as I heard squealing noises of children.

"My family" I told her with a bright smile, super excited to finally have Grace and Cortez meet. Choosing an appropriate place, I parked the car. "We have to walk from here" I said and they nodded.

When I was removing my seatbelt, I heard an engine being started. I looked up and furrowed my brows, but the moment I saw a Black Lamborghini my eyes almost popped out. "No No No. NO. NO" screaming, I kicked open the car door and scrambled out. "No. Cortez. No. Stop" I shouted in anger running after his car.