Epilogue Part 3 (Final)

Epilogue Part 3 (Final)
Trigger warning
Rose (15 years later)
She was sprinting through the woods, pulling her sister behind her. She exhaled sharply, before urging her sister to hurry up again. Terror threatened to drown her as wolve’s howls and large cat growls drew closer to them. Her heart pounded harder as she raced toward the lights about half a mile in front of them. She looked back at her sister.
“Come on, Jenna. We can hide there. Please, just keep running. We’re so close,” she panted.
Jenna picked up speed as they rushed toward what they hoped would be a safe space for them. Trees blurred as they sped through the forest. They saw a small glimmer in the air in front of them, and they slowed nervously. After a moment, the glimmer disappeared and she was enticed closer.
She glanced over her shoulder, whimpering when she could see the angry face of the men they had escaped from, looming close, the promise of violence clear on their faces. One of them whistled and the next second bolas were wrapped around her legs, making her fall. She shoved Jenna through the energy hovering in front of them before struggling to crawl through while Jenna tried to pull her closer. Jenna screamed as two of the wolves caught up to them and reached for them, grabbing her leg. They were trying to tug her back to them when energy jumped from the magical barrier to their hunters.
They watched horrified as the skin on their bodies melted before muscles and other tissues dripped off their bones. Their eyeballs fell from their heads and moments later, the rest of their bodies exploded in a ball of fire. The smell of burning flesh and hair filled the air, making the girls whimper. Angry muttering drew their attention to the small gang of would be captors that paced frustratedly in front of them. The leader stepped forward, sniffing intently, before growling.
“Impossible. You say they led you straight here?”
“Yes, Alpha Kane.”
Alpha Kane growled and the girls cowered, moving closer together, too afraid to get up. He turned to glare at one of the other men.
“You cost me two of my best bargaining chips! You will pay for that!”
Before the terrified man could move, Alpha Kane grabbed him by the throat and threw him into the barrier, making the girls scream again as it destroyed the man in front of their eyes. He pointed to two of the other men.
“Stay here. As soon as they step out of the spell, collect them and bring them to me.”
“Yes, Sir, Alpha Kane.”
One of the other men eyed the barrier. “What is this place?”
Alpha Kane glared at the girls, who sat trembling just on the other side of the barrier. “This is Locust. Every rogue has its coordinates ingrained in them. It draws them in and if they are found worthy, it will protect them.” He growled again and the girls jumped. “What’s even worse is who the alpha’s are.” He grimaced as a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Alpha’s Joshua and Amerald, and Luna Lucianna Lincoln, Queen of Vampires, Daughter of Lukas Lincoln, the King of Kings of Dragons.”
The tension in the air rose as the men shifted their weight uncomfortably from foot to foot. “Maybe we should just let them go, Alpha Kane.”
“NO! IF THEY MAKE IT THERE EVERYTHING WILL BE RUINED! WAIT HERE AND GET THEM BACK! THAT’S AN ORDER!”
The man lowered his head in submission. “Yes, sir, Alpha Kane.”
“What are we going to do, Margo?” Jenna whispered.
She nervously licked her lips. “We find the alphas or the luna and get them to help us.”
Jenna nodded before helping her sister remove the Bolas from around her legs. She helped Margo to her feet, before letting her sister lead her deeper into the territory behind the barrier. Once they were far enough away that they couldn’t see the men or even smell them, they stopped for a break. A few minutes later, a kind looking, young woman approached them slowly, exuding peace.
“Are you girls looking for refuge?”
Margo pushed her sister behind her. “Yes. Who are you?”
The woman smiled at her. “My name is Rika and I am one of the scouts that brings in newcomers. Please, follow me, and we will get you set up in a room while we wait for the Alphas and Luna to return.”
They followed her to the small cottage in the distance and as soon as they stepped inside, they realized it was only enchanted to look small. The huge sprawling hallways and luxurious rooms they passed did nothing but make them more anxious. She stopped suddenly outside one of the rooms, inhaling deeply. Something inside of her begged her to go in and she reached for the doorknob. Rika’s hand shot out to gently grip her wrist.
“We are not allowed in there. That room belongs to my cousin and firstborn son of Alpha Amerald and Luna Lucy, Merlot. He wouldn’t like it.”
“I-I’m sorry. I… please, continue.”
Rika eyed her for a moment before continuing down the hall to a room at the end. She pushed the door open, gesturing the girls inside.
“This will be your room. I will be leaving tonight to handle business at Deegan for our leaders. They will come to you as soon as they are home. Try to stay inside of this room until they are home. It will be safer for you. Sometimes the people here are fearful of newcomers. If you need anything while I’m gone, please, let one of the kitchen staff know when they bring you food. Have a wonderful night and get some rest.”
She shut the door and Margo waited for the sound of her footsteps to fade before grabbing Jenna’s hand to drag her back down to the room she had wanted to go in. She looked around before slipping inside. She immediately ran to the bed and pulled all the blankets off to make a bed on the floor. She pulled Jenna down next to her before curling up around her and pulling the blankets over their heads.
“I want to stay here, Jenna. I feel safe.”
“I’ve heard about the Alphas and Luna. They are good people. They will help-”
“No, Jenna. Here, in this room,” she said, waving her hand, almost taking the blanket off of them. “Right here in this spot. Where Alaric and Logan can’t find us.”
Jenna cuddled close to her, wrapping her arms around her sister’s waist. “We have to go back for the others, Mar. We can’t just leave them.”
She ran her hand over Jenna’s back. “I know. Maybe this pack will help us. Get some sleep and pray that they won’t kill us.”
Rose jerked awake, her body coated in a layer of cold sweat. She turned her head when her hand was squeezed to find Jackie and her brother watching her intently.
“You alright, Rosie?”
She lifted a trembling hand to cup Jackie’s face. “No, baby. There is a war coming to Locust and we have to be prepared.” Her thumb stroked Jackie’s face. “I know you said you didn’t want a dragon, but you should reconsider.” She closed her eyes. “She said others. Who knows how many there are?” She got up and began to get dressed. “Stay with Jackie, Aiden. I need to talk to Mom. Whoever this Margo is, I think she’s Merlot’s mate. We need to find her before something bad happens.”
She walked out of the door, pausing when she heard Jackie speak.
“She can really see the future, can’t she?”
Her brother sighed. “Yeah, but nobody knows how far in advance it is. It just happens.”
“Is she ever wrong?”
“No. Neither was our mother.”
Jackie groaned. “Well, then, I think I might need a dragon after all.”