"You took your time." I complained as Dave jumped out of the car and hugged me. I hugged him back with a smile. Manny, too, stepped out of the car with a small baby in her arms.

My eyes fixed on the little thing she was carrying.

"Got lost in the way. You should give directions properly when a place like this isn't exactly popular." He pointed at the old inn behind me.

It was the best place for hiding for the time being. Soon I'll have to return to Vampire Kingdom. It's been two weeks since I ran away. The Vampire King must be really losing his cool by now.

"It's the last time," I muttered under my breath.

"Hey Sera," Manny excitedly hugged me after passing over her baby boy to Dave. She was glowing. Her eyes were sparkling. It was just the beginning of motherhood. From her face, it looked like she was loving it.

"How are you, Manny?" I asked after pulling away from her.

"I'm great. Feeling awesome." Her broad smile was the evidence of hoe she felt. I was glad that she was happy.

"And what about the baby?" I peaked at her baby who was snuggled comfortably in his father's arms.

"He is good too. Right now, he is sleeping." She pouted. "The journey must have tried him. He sleeps all the time. When he is not sleeping, he mumbles something and smiles. He has a very adorable smile. When he wakes up, you will see it."

I gave her a smile. This girl is still the same. I'm glad for that too. I changed in many ways... maybe for the worse. I'm happy that my brother and his mate are living their lives happily. They have a family. Something Alpha Wayne always desired but lost. Something I lost. And I don't even know what I desire anymore.

But looking at Dave and Manny, I wonder if I'll have a life like that.

I led Manny and Dave to the chairs set outside. It was comfortable and provided beautiful view of the flowers. The inn owner, an old lady named Grace, had grown them in the memory of her late husband. When I had accidentally stumbled on this inn, I was surprised at my luck. On the top of that, Grace was very nice. I felt really comfortable, really secure, around her.

"What are you doing here, Sera?" Dave inquired looking around.

"I'm on a vacation." I replied.

"And where is your mate?" His question made me freeze momentarily.

Vladimir

The mention of my deceitful mate made me nauseous. I always had a bad luck with mates.

"He's waiting for me." I answered. It was not a lie. I knew for sure that he was waiting for me.

"Where?"

"Somewhere. Don't worry about that. I'm doing great."

Dave's worried gaze didn't leave me. Even Manny was curious.

I sighed. "Don't worry. You will meet my mate one day." That was a lie. "And I'm so happy right now meeting you two. Even the pack is doing good with the female Alpha."

"Are you okay about that, Sera?" Manny asked in concern. I knew she was asking whether I was okay with Daniel's mate.

"I'm glad." After the trouble Daniel had created in Kyle's pack, I was so very glad that he was off my back.

"Tell me his name," I gestured towards their sleeping baby. My eyes widened to find that the baby wasn't sleeping anymore. He was staring at me with his green eyes. He had inherited those eyes from Dave.

"Caden, his name is Caden."

I looked back at Caden. He was staring at me with his big green eyes. He blinked slowly and opened his small toothless mouth. His thin lips smacked shut and he pouted his lips. His eyes closed when he did that.

I was in awe at the actions of the little kid. It was so bewitching.

"Hey little one," I whispered leaning forward. Something stirred inside of me as I looked at that little life.

Caden squeaked and threw his hands forward. Those tiny little hands grasped my finger that that hanging in front of him. He wrapped fingers of both the hands around my index finger and pulled it towards his open mouth.

I slowly pulled my hand away and caressed his soft cheek. He moved his head in order to get his mouth on my finger. I chuckled at his tries.

"Don't try to such at your Aunt Sera's finger." Manny reprimanded her baby softly.

Caden looked at his mother and let out a delighted squeak. He threw his hands in the air.

Manny eagerly drew her son close to her. Happiness was bright on her face. I was really happy that I could cry.

Right then, I wished I was like Caden. I wish I was child who had no understanding of the world. I wish I was protected in the cocoon of my mother. I wish I had nothing to worry about. I wish I had no pains or regrets of past. I wish I only looked at the future.

But can I even have that? At some moments, I think this is the end for me but then at other moments I think something can be there for me. Maybe it's not the end for my happiness.

I'm happy watching my brother and my best friend with their son. But I wish... I really wish that I had something like this too. That I was not just a spectator but a participant.

*** ***

"Why did you call us here today?" Dave asked. Manny was setting person in the baby seat. They were going to leave. "What are you going to do?"

I sighed tilting my head up so that I could straight into his eyes.

"I'm leaving." I answered.

"Where to?"

"Somewhere,"

"I want to ask you to stay but I know you will leave anyway. You are stubborn."

"You know me too well."

"I hope your mate takes care of you." He said looking at my face carefully.

"Don't worry about that." I didn't let the thoughts of my mate spoil my mood.

"Are you sure you will be alright?"

"I will be alright. Seriously, you don't have to worry about me. After all I am a royal blood."

"Royal blood?" Dave sounded bewildered.

"It's a secret." I whispered. "You just enjoy your life brother. Because I'm enjoying mine."

"Will you come to visit us?"

"I'm not sure. Most probably not. There are some unresolved issues right now. And I don't know what's going to happen after that. So I can't promise anything."

"Whatever you're doing... is it safe?" He hesitated.

"It's absolutely safe, Dave." I replied. "Thanks for trusting me in it." He wasn't asking many questions. But his concern was visible on his eyes.

"Of course I trust you. The first time you went missing, anyone would have thought you'd be in a bad condition without your mate. But you returned being even more powerful. And then you went away second time. Now you are even more powerful than before. I can practically feel power radiating from you."

After meeting them today, I can feel it too. This power.

"Hey Sera, you know I love you right?" He spoke after few moments of silence.

I smiled. "Of course I do. I love you too."

"Hey! You two are forgetting me." Manny joined in.

"Who can even forget you." I said hugging her. She hugged me back tightly.

"I'll miss you." She whispered. She must have overhead my conversation with Dave.

"I'll miss you the same."

"Whatever you are doing, I hope you are successful."

"I never fail." I joked, pulling away from her.

It's my goodbye to my past. Now I have to look to my future too. For that I need to return to that place.

Vampire King, I hope you will be happy to see me.

** ***

The old lady stared at the girl who was staring at the barren road. Beautiful colourful flowers were adding to her beauty.

Gabriella smiled at the sight of her daughter who was glowing with yellow light which signified the awakening of her royal blood powers. Only one more push was required for her to obtain all of her powers.

Her daughter was strong. She had faced all odds and came out unscathed. She was able to smile like that even after all the betrayals she had faced. Unlike her mother who gave up on her daughter when she got her heart broken by a certain werewolf in Moonstone pack. VIHe wanted to be with his mate. It was natural for him. Gabriella should have understood that it was time to let go. She held on the grudge and wasn't enough powerful to find her power or her real mate.

But Sera... she knew when she had to let go off the past. The only thing that needs to be done is looking forward for the future. After that she will be able to gain the power to be happy and to bring happiness. The power to stop wars and conflicts in the supernatural world.

And the key to that is the future...

All she needs to do is hold the hand of her mate.

*** ***