I was falling towards my end. If it was water instead of fire, I could have been grateful but no, it was fire. Vampires are not great fans of fire and I’m one of them. This is going to be my end.

Heat was increasing and the distance between life and death was decreasing. I was passing a bridge that would end everything for me at once. At least I managed to save this pack from rogues. Daniel will find his mate and he will be happy. Dave and Manny will be together. I know everyone is here so they will most surely kill Shea and Cane. I just wish I was there to see the victory.

This is end of my life.

NO! Someone growled and I opened my eyes to find myself standing in fire. There was a bubble around it that prevented fire from entering inside and hurting me. I was standing erect gazing in dark green orbs. My eyes almost watered at the thought that I was alive. Blood Devil had his hands on my back to hold my weight because I felt weak on my knees.

I am still alive. I wondered incredulously. There was not even a single burn on my skin and fire was angry around the bubble. Still holding to me, I walked out of fire. I followed him, clinging to his torso as if it was my life line, and truly he was.

That was the second time I was so close to death and it was the second time he saved me. I’m forever indebted to him. I owe him my life. And that’s the reason that I’m always ready to do anything for him.

When we were out of the blazing fire, the bubble around us disappeared. I lost hold on him and he too vanished from my side. I looked around and noticed that we had got out of the opposite side, where no one could see us.

A wail of cry drew my attention. Manny was fighting in Dave’s arms crying out my name with her tears stained cheeks. I had almost forgotten how it was for them. Stressing was not good for pregnant Manny so I walked over to them and stopped when I was in line of their sight.

Wilson was first to see me. “Sera…” he whispered with wide eyes. I smiled weakly at him because I was actually really tired and Cane’s assault on my hairs had given me a headache. My eyes searched for him. I was going to rip every single hair from his ugly head. But all I had to see was a dead wolf who smelt Cane.

“SERA,” Manny shouted running to me. She tackled me but I didn’t fall down. It was really difficult for me to maintain my balance and took last ounce of energy from my body. I didn’t want anything to happen to Manny and her pup.

“Sera,” Dave’s voice interrupted. I smiled at him. Manny was holding tight to me. Seeing that she was not going to leave me anytime soon, Dave hugged both of us. “Don’t do that again.” His voice broke as he spoke.

I only nodded.

“I was so scared,” Manny said in a weak voice. She wiped her tears and pulled away. Dave followed.

“I’m fine.” I told them.

Manny slapped my arm. I gave her a look of disbelief. She was being do affectionate not a second ago and suddenly she switched in hulk mode.

“How could you try to handle this all alone? You should have waited for everyone to come. But you have to do everything alone. You have to show your bravery even if it cost your life, you stupid girl.” Manny yelled at me.

I smiled at her.

She hit my arm again. “What are you smiling at? You think it’s funny? You scared me.”

I whipped smile off my face and nodded solemnly at her. She wacked my head. “Can’t you say anything? After you pulled a stunt like that you have nothing to say.”

I took a step away from her and stood behind Dave. “I’m a vampire Manny. I can save myself.” I told her.

Pregnant she-wolf!

“Yeah, that’s why you fell in fire.” Her face was red.

“But I’m still alive, unharmed.”

She puffed her cheeks in anger. I chuckled but stopped when she threw me a deadly glare. I survived fire but who was going to save me from her anger.

“Sera, you should take rest now.” Alpha Wayne instructed. I straightened myself and nodded. “Everyone, go to your home and relax. We will meet tomorrow in arena.” He announced. Everyone nodded.

"Where are Shea and her mate?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Captured. They are going to spend rest of their lives in dungeons." Dave informed me and I noddes my head relieved to hear that.

“Sera, you are coming with us.” Manny said. I looked at Alpha Wayne. He nodded his head.

“Okay,” I smiled and followed Dave and Manny to car. They both told me what to do and what not to. I could only smile at them sadly. Happiness is always short lived for me.

I had mostly healed by the time we were at home. I went to my room. Vampires don’t usually feel exhausted but I think I’m a special case. Tomorrow I have to meet Alpha Wayne. He will do what he promised me to.

I just hope Daniel is okay.

*

I can’t believe I ever thought of her as the only girl in my life. I can’t believe I chose her over Sera. I can’t believe I mated with her. I can’t believe at my stupidity.

I was such a jerk. I am such a jerk. I can’t see the difference between right and wrong. That girl, I was in love with that girl who tortured me and laughed at my helplessness. I chose her.

I’m most disgusted at myself than her. I am the one to be blamed. The only thing I gave to Sera was pain and she saved my life. I always wanted her out of my life and she saved me.

I have to win her. I want her as my mate. I want only her.

I want Sera.

*

“Let’s go Sera. This is going to be a special day.” Manny shouted. “You are going to be declared as Daniel’s mate and Luna of this pack today.”

“How do you know that?” I asked calmly with a glass of orange juice in my hand. We were in kitchen. Dave was reading morning newspaper. Just for reading. There was nothing of his business in that crap.

“Why would Alpha Wayne call everyone in arena? Of course you are going to be declared as Luna of the pack. Luna Sera Winters mate of Alpha Daniel Osborn. They are going to really love you Sera. You will be our queen then.” She smirked at me.

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go,” I muttered.

After an hour, we were in arena which was stacked with werewolves. There were some werewolf games and many wolves won but I was not interested in any of them. Daniel’s eyes would wander in my direction several times. Mostly, I ignored him. Whenever our eyes met, he smiled at me. I didn’t return his smile.

When the games were over, Alpha Wayne made an announcement. Manny was jumping on her seat with excitement. Hormones had really messed her up.

He addressed pack members and started, “I am here to make a special announcement today.” Everyone cheered. “We all know that there have been rogue attacks on our pack in last few months. Many wolves were captured and others were killed. But we have taken revenge for everyone who died by the hands of those rogues. The rogue community who attacked this pack are finally eliminated.”

There were roars again. “We are going to honor the members of our pack who played very important role in saving this pack.”

Everyone clapped.

“Beta Dave Winters, Wilson Carter, Eric Tungsten, Ethan Graham and yur Alpha Daniel Osborn.”

Everyone cheered with claps. Daniel’s fans shouted his name. He was too busy to bask in his own popularity that he didn’t miss the incredulous look on his friends’ faces. They exchanged looks and looked at me. I shook my head.

I knew what was going on inside their heads. But I didn’t really want it. I had already told Alpha Wayne not to mention my name. And I guess Daniel was told about that too.

“So everyone, celebrate our complete freedom.” Alpha Wayne shouted and everyone was ushered away from podium. This time, Daniel was really confused.

We were in a room which included Dave, Manny, Daniel, Alpha Wayne and me.

“Dad, I thought you were going to announce that Sera is my mate.” Daniel whined.

I guess he was not aware of my wishes then.

“She is not.” Alpha Wayne said flatly. He was startled and so were Dave and Manny.

“What? But dad-“

“Daniel, we should talk while Alpha Wayne explain this to Dave and Manny.” I interrupted him.

“But-“

“Let’s go.” I pressed. He nodded and followed me out of the room.

“Sera,” he called.

I turned around to face him, “Listen Daniel. It’s time to finally accept it.” I told him.

“Accept what?” He asked confused.

I licked my lower lip ready to say it. His eyes dipped to my lips and eyes darkened.

“Listen to me carefully Daniel because I’m going to say it only once.”

He just stared at me.

“I, Sera Winters, accept your rejection.” I told him. I could do that since he never accepted me after rejection.

His eyes widened. It was like a thump and Daniel winced. There was a slight pain in my heart but it was almost unnoticeable.

“Sera,” he pleaded with his eyes.

“No Daniel, it’s over. I’m leaving.” I told him. “And you will find another mate who will keep you happy. We are just not meant to be together.”

“No Sera, don’t do this to me.” He pleaded.

“I don’t love you Daniel. And I will never love you. Though I forgive for what you did.” I said and started walking away from him.

“Sera…” he cried out but I didn’t stop. My feet carried me to the room. When I entered, Manny was in tears and Dave looked like he couldn’t contain it any longer.

“Sera,” Daniel called from behind me. I entered the room leaving it on Alpha Wayne to handle them.

“You are leaving.” Manny said with a broken voice.

I nodded at her.

“Why?”

“Because I have someone else to live for. Someone I love.” I looked at Daniel when I said the last sentence. It was a complete lie but I had to say it or else they won’t let me leave. I couldn’t tell them the truth because then they’d think I’m stepping on thorns, and I was.

Daniel’s face broke as I said that.

“Sera don’t do this.” He pleaded. Tears from his eyes escaped.

“Son, you will find another mate. And if Sera is happy with a vampire, she can be with him.” Alpha Wayne told Daniel.

“Vampire?” Daniel asked bemused.

“Yes, Sera is a vampire. And she has found a vampire who she wants to be with.” He told Daniel.

It was then I noticed that my scent didn’t change. I smelt exactly what I smelt before, or a little different. But I most definitely didn’t smell like a vampire.

“But she is my mate.” He said.

“She is not. She just accepted your rejection. And your mate with her was not enough strong. You two could have never lasted long.”

“No. I love her.”

“You loved Shea too but eventually you left her. You will leave Sera too one day when you find your mate. Your fate is now woven with another female. Sera is not longer a part of your life.”

“NO!” Daniel shouted startling all of us. “SHE IS MINE. ONLY MINE.” With those words, he ran out of the room.

Silence filled room as our eyes were still on the door.

“Are you lying again?” Dave asked again.

I frowned at him. “What?”

“Last time you left a letter saying you have found your mate and he was a rogue. But there was no rogue.”

I remember that letter. It was a lie. A complete lie which I left thinking they won’t search for about me.

“This time, I’m not.” Even though I was lying.

“I don’t believe you. I want to meet him.” Dave said.

“What? It’s not possible.” My eyes widened.

“Why?” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Because he is a vampire. If werewolves smell him, he will be dead. I can’t risk his life.”

“I want to meet him. Out of the territory.” He argued.

“You will be dead then.”

“I want to meet him.”

“That can’t happen.”

“I at least want to talk to him. Call him now.”

I never thought my brother could be that prying. He can smell suspicion in air now.

“Sera, it was the same person who saved you from fire.” Alpha Wayne said. His eyes urged me to agree with him. Did they see Blood Devil there?

“Yes, he was there.” I nodded.

“Wait. That man who jumped in fire right after you is the one you love?” Dave asked and I nodded my head.

He smiled at me. “Then I’m okay with him. If he can jump in fire to save your life, he can do anything for you. I’m so glad.”

“You saw him?” I enquired.

“Not clearly but there was another figure who jumped into fire after you fell. There was only a single flash of him and then he was gone. Where was he anyway?”

“He left right after that. Now he is waiting for me. I really love him Dave. Please. I’m happy with him.”

“I understand your situation with Daniel. As much as I don’t want you to leave, I want you to be happy.”

“So can I go?” I asked hopefully.

“Yeah, but you will call me.”

“I will,” I smiled.

“And don’t forget me.” She said through tears. She engulfed me and a bone crushing hug and started crying. I tried to control my tears. She told me what to do and what not to. I just listened to her.

“Good bye,” I told her when Alpha Wayne said that it was time to leave and that a car was waiting for me outside.

It was a tearful goodbye from my brother and my best friend. I’m really going to miss them.

I've already shown where Shea and Cain belong to - Hell. I killed then when no one was around. Cain had paid for his mistakes with ever scream that left his mouth when I was killing me.

When it was only me and Alpha Wayne in the room, the atmosphere again turned tense.

“I did what you asked. Rogues are dead. Your son is safe. Now you have to fulfill your part of deal.” I told him.

“Oh yeah,” he smirked at me. “I have to tell you who the heir is. The main reason you were in this pack for.” He stalled.

“Yes, so will you please tell me?”

“Of course. That’s what I had promised you. Did you have any guess of your own?” He asked raising his eyebrow.

I shook my head. Whole pack was my suspicion. I didn’t know who exactly was the person I came searching for in this pack.

“Shame Sera. An intelligent girl like you couldn’t find answer of this simple question.” he shook his head.

“Will you please tell me already?” I gritted my teeth. I wanted to know who the person was. I just hoped it was neither Manny nor Dave. I can’t take any of them to Blood Devil knowing the person is going to have really brutal fate.

“Okay impatient Sera. So let me tell you who the person actually is…” he watched me for my reaction. “It’s you Sera. You are the heir.”