AN: Not edited.

Chapter 18 - Consequences of my Actions (Chelsea POV)

When I was living with Leo and he was training me to be a better little girl, when I would make a mistake with something he would tell me that I was being punished because that was the consequence of my actions.

 Flashback

"Do you know why you are getting this punishment?" Leo asked me as he tightened my limbs to the four cuffs used to hold me in place. It was pointless to even pull on them but each time I did no matter what.

"ANSWER. ME!" He shouted at me.

"Y-yes," I cried.

"Good, I don't want to do this Chelsea but you aren't listening to me. You're making me do this to you... It hurts me more than it hurts you Chelsea." He explained but I couldn't see his face, although he didn't sound like it would hurt him more than me.

"You need to count off, if you stop I'll start over from the beginning." He warned me.

SWAT!!

"O-one!" I shouted.

SWAT!

"Tw-twooo!" I cried.

SWAT!

I was screaming out by now, "Threeeeee," I belted out. Counting until he got to 15, my voice was gone from the screaming, snot running down my face, I was choking on my own spit the pain unbearable but I knew better than to pass out from it, he would only wait until I came around and start over again.

End flashback

I knew his training came in handy most of the time but the truth is, this is one time where I was regretting something I did, marking my mate.

"I Chelsea Hobbs, reject you-" I started to say but was interrupted by Jack running into the room screaming at me "Noooo!!"

"What?" I asked angrily.

"You can't reject him here Chelsea you will attract human attention" he said aloud and then finished the rest over the mind link.

If you reject him since you two are already marked it will kill him and you although you will be able to come back but he wont. You've already created a bond with him the only way to break it is for one of you to die, but since you can't die without coming back you will always be his mate...

Are you sure?  I asked not convinced that I wouldn't be able to get out of this disastrous selfish and wrong mate I was given.

Yes I'm sure Jack said.

Mate made a mistake, we don't forgive him for hurting us but we don't want to kill him either Chelsea! Don't. Kill. Mate! Both Aria and Avena warned me.

Furious that I wouldn't and couldn't reject him I stiffly just grabbed my things and left.

During lunch Jamie and I had decided we would drop our dance class taught here and replace it with a pole fitness class at a place we saw when we had just arrive here. So after leaving Gabe we went to see an adviser to change our schedule. What we found out was truly music to my ears and the best thing I've heard in a very long time.

When I had picked my classes all that had been done over the phone then online but this was a totally unexpected to me. Instead of graduating in May, Jamie and I both would be able to graduate in December. The idea of only having to be there for 4 extra months was the best news I had gotten in such very long time.

When we left her office and drove to the pole dancing lessons I was instantly nervous, since it was a open studio I was sure they would have more people around, which is one of the reasons I wanted to drop my dance classes that involved me having a chance to be partnered with anyone else besides Jamie. Although I couldn't explain this yet when anyone that wasn't the people I wanted around me touched me it really felt like my skin was being burnt. And I thought that when I got my wolves that it would stop, however it just intensified that factor about me. Which was why when I realized that I didn't feel that pain when Jamie, Jack, Casey and even Gabe touched me and the burning feeling didn't appear I was happy.

Trying hard not to think about the disappointing talk I would have with Gabe later was still nagging me internally. Even though he cheated my wolves after sometime were actually happy that the bond couldn't be broken, they weren't exactly on my side but I understood why they were happy. Aria and Avena understood that I was angry and needed time to even contemplative giving him another chance because as far as I was concerned Gabriel didn't deserve one.

"Jamie do you think I could just request that during our session it only be Violet, you and I?" I asked him as Jack drove us to our destination. I was surprised that Jamie would want to take this type of class with me.

Instead of getting an answer from Jamie, I received one from Violet. "Honey, don't worry I already rented out the whole 80 minutes, we will just add you two in. I'm sure if wont be a problem," wasn't easily pacified but there was a sense of ease and assurance that convinced me by the time we arrived that it wouldn't be a problem.

Since we had left I knew that everyone was trying to cheer me up and get my mind off of Gabe. I still didn't understand why he would cheat on me or why he would even mark me if he really wanted Maggie, was everything the Alpha said true? Did he want to have both of us, me his mate but still keep Maggie around? I felt like an idiot, thank god I didn't reveal any of my secrets to him, he would have told his pack everything.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize we were even at the pole fitness/dance studio. With a big bold sign about the door and darkened windows this place didn't look too bad. Getting out of the car I went to the back to grab my dance clothes to change here.

"Hello welcomes to Shana's Pole-fitness studio, I'm Beth." When we entered Violet did all the taking, I was still too busy looking around, inspecting my surroundings. On the wall behind Beth was a photograph of a woman, in shape, blonde hair falling and hiding her face. Her right hand was flat on the wooden floor, while her left was twisted around holding the pole between her legs. Her legs were bent in towards the pole, back arched, feet resting on her head, it looked amazing.

I had trained in acrobats but the photos around here were beautiful and not raunchy as I thought they would be. What really caught my attention was a photograph of a woman in scarf with pointe shoes. In all honesty the pose wasn't complicated but it was just in my mind she was the picture of elegance. While my focus was completely set on the various pictures I heard Violet speaking.

"Hi, I'm Violet I'm here for my 3:30p.m. Class?" I watched out of the side of my eyes and saw the woman behind the desk start typing something on her computer and then said, "Oh, Okay fill out these forms." Handing Violet a stack of papers explaining what was being offered, instructors and different liability wavers.

While she was dealing with that I thought I'd ask the woman at the desk because looking around I was coming up empty... "Is there somewhere to change?"

"Oh Yes, straight to the back," she pointed, "then make a left, and it is on the right hand side."

Clutching on my bag I walked forward, following her directions. Actually excited about this, but for a different reason that Violet who was taking this class to surprise Lucas her mate later. Although I'm not sure what kind of surprise she would be giving considering his car was tailing us and knew she was here.

While I was changing I got a call through the mind link from Casey who was at the house but at the main gate with Alex. Apparently Gabe wanted to speak to me, but I had already instructed them not to let him up to my house so I replied to Casey.

Don't let him up but he can wait at the gate to speak to me.

Sure thing boss I head before it went silent again.

I could tell something was up though because I felt nervous and contemplative although based on what I was about to do I truly felt excited for this class. I deduced that Gabriel felt nervous for whatever he had to say to me. He was delusional in my opinion. I mean... did he really believe that I was going to forgive him for cheating on me? Right after giving me some bullshit ultimatum? I might never have had an actual romantic relationship before but I knew for a fact that cheating was a complete deal breaker. Unless you had an unhealthy dependent type personality in which you couldn't survive without the same person that was treating you like complete crap. But unlucky for him, I wasn't one of those people.

With his actions any chance he had of me accepting the Colts' went out the window.

Things will work out Chelsea said Aria.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Hey Chels, hurry up in there!" I heard Jamie calling. I reached over and opened the door although I was already dressed I was folding up my street clothes I came in.

"Hey you okay?" he asked worried.

"Yeah, but Gabe's at the house, anted to come talk to me but I told them to have him wait at the main gate." I told him calmly but I was anything but.

"What?" he shouted the shook his head, "The nerve of that guy, fucker!" he finished shocking the hell out of me. I looked at him with amusement as my dominant facial feature I'm sure. Before I had time to answer he placed my folded clothes on my bag, grabbed my hand and took my bag.

"Look lets not worry about Mates right now," he said sadly. Which confused me because I thought things with his mate was all good and dandy.

I quirked my brow but he just shrugged and said "later."

His mate wants him to join his bigger pack and his pack will let Molly and her mate join too... but Jamie and our brother don't want to do that they understand that they need to stay in this pack... said Aria. 

As we entered the main studio I saw seven poles scattered around the spacious room. Then a woman came in and began speaking "Hello you guys I'm Hazel and I'll be your instructor. First everyone grab a wet wipe to sanitize your pole. If you're wearing lotion or anything oily try to go wash that out right now."

Awesome I thought, as least I didn't have to worry about germs. I was bubbly happy about this class because one of the classes I had signed up for at USC was Choreography and I know that at the end we had to perform our own piece. In my head I could already see how we could incorporate pole dancing in our choreo, I could dance ballet, contemporary and jazz very well while Jamie was strong at hip-hop and contemporary. With both of our knowledge in the different styles I just knew would could up with something amazing by December for our final performance.

X - X - X - X - X

Chapter 19 - Confrontation? Part 1 (Chelsea POV)

When I was little I had wanted a family because on T.V. they made families look like the best thing since sliced bread. As I grew older I slowly began too realize how uncomfortable it was for me to be around others. I preferred to do most things on my own, when I finally went to live with Dad his money brought certain privileges, I didn't need to go to school, studios... anything that would require leaving the house because we could afford to bring the best instructors to me. What this also prevented was I never had to share an instructor when they came to our home, Pole fitness class was completely new to me.

This experience was nothing like I had been expecting, I thought I would be self-conscious afraid of making mistakes and looking stupid but none of that came. A few things I had to admit too was during lunch I thought that this was raunchy and easy to pick up but that is not at all true. There is a right way to do everything unless you want pulled muscles and skin burns, and there was a lot of cardio involved. Not only that but I thought we'd be able to jump right in and start with the hard things but I was sorely wrong.

What made the class catching and fun was our instructor, Hazel; she had the best personality and energy to run the class. We first started with how to grip the poles, ways to position our bodies, kicks, walking and basic floor work, spins, pirouettes and climbs. Now it might seem easy to master these but the truth was, I had been completely shocked that I couldn't do them correctly after 80 minutes. Actually that is wrong because while I could perform these moves I couldn't really do them and make them look effortless and second nature like Hazel. Everything I did looked awkward, and lacking grace, however I wasn't the only one so that did make things fun. While we all giggled and mocked it was fun teasing, something that I never really got a taste of when I had personal instructors.

I wasn't able to complete harder looking positions like the knee hold, extended butterfly or the split grip like Hazel performed to show what we would eventually be able to do I was able to master 6 basic beginner pole spins; the Carousel, Front hook open knee, basic fireman, crossed leg fireman, front hook and finally the attitude turn. Although we fumbled around a bit and we didn't look anything like Hazel right away the class, just this one made me feel something I had never felt or want to feel in my entire life, sexy. I had just found my mate and he went to someone else to have sex and while I wasn't ready to jump right into that he didn't even want to kiss me, only making my self confidence disappear and go into hiding.

Mate wants us, not Maggie said Avena.

Right that's why he slept with her but wouldn't kiss me? I retorted while we were on our way home. When we arrived I was still in some shock because Gabriel looked so sad, he hadn't even put his boxes into his car they just sat outside his car. But I was strong I wasn't going to fall for anything he said like some silly schoolgirl, he messed up.

"Hey are you okay?" Asked Jamie, glaring at Gabe as we got out of the car.

"Yeah I'm good." I said walking towards Gabe.

"What do you want?" I asked him coldly.

"I cheated on you." He said which brought me up cold because I expected him to deny it but he was just fessing up. I watched him skeptically because this was not what I was expecting.

"I thought you cheated on me first, with Jamie. This morning I wanted to come and apologize to you about how I spoke to you but when I got to your floor I tried the door and it was closed and I heard two heartbeats in there and then I could smell Jamie so I thought..." he stopped waving his hand between Jamie and I, "Well you and him had hooked up. I was pissed so I went to train with Ames then I hooked up with Maggie..." I knew it was she.

"Why her? Because it would hurt me?" I asked knowing that I was right, and he nodded his head.

"I don't want you to forgive me because I don't deserve it Chelsea. I acted like a complete jerk, but I had my reasons." That pissed me off.

"What the fuck are you talking about!? You're my goddamn mate and you treated me like shit. You have no idea just what my life has been like, none. I have fucking reasons why I don't want to be around the Colts!! But you're delusional; you wanted me to be friends with them? How on earth did you think that was going to be possible? That I would close my eyes and hold in all the anger and pain I felt and would feel at the fact that you still want to hang around with Maggie? I doubt you can show me one person who would be okay with you being friends with the woman you love-" I was saying but he interrupted me.

"I don't, didn't love her, I was with her because my father made a deal with her grandfather. I was neither happy or sad when our baby died." He said causing me to gasp, how could he be so damn cold?

"I know that you won't believe me but it's true, even if she had the baby I wanted to go find my mate. I had plans and everything; my wolf wouldn't let me mark her Chelsea. For six years I've been with her but I don't love her..." he said sadly.

"So you've been using and now you want to use me too? Have me as your mate but continue going from woman to woman?" I asked suspiciously.

"I'm cold Chelsea. I'm cold and I don't know how to be in a relationship. I don't know how to be a mate, or how to be a boyfriend. I can't picture my life with kids because I'm not sure I even want them. They always seemed like too much trouble and didn't fit into my lifestyle." What. The. Hell. I said looking at him disbelievingly, what was he saying? Shouldn't he be hiding these things until I forgive him, which I wouldn't?

"I know you're confused but I want to give this a try, but I want to do that with us being us. I want to get to know you and I need for you to get to know me, completely. I know what I did was wrong and you can't forgive me just because I ask you too or I apologize but I spent most of my day thinking of a way to make this up to you, to show you that I really do want this to happen between us." He said then took a deep breath and spoke shocking the hell out of everyone and me that was listening.

"I Gabriel Antonio Gavino here by banish and reject myself from Silvermoon Pack as future Alpha, and place my acceptance, devotion and loyalty in my mate Chelsea Marie Hobbs," I heard everyone gasping but they were nothing compared to the groan that Gabriel gave as he fell to his knees holding onto his chest. I looked around to Jack and Casey fear at what had just happened, what did he just do?

He just gave up his family and pack for you; they both answered me while my wolves were explaining to me as well.

He is now in our pack, he fully rejected his family and pack for us to show us he wants us and not them. He gave him his title for us Aria said happily.

It's like saying that he has no pack, family... nothing... no father... mother... sister or brothers... I heard Casey thought.

His family will feel it too; they will feel like he died said Jack.

"W-why? H-how can you just give them up?" I asked Gabe confused and more afraid of this mate I was given, I know to some it might seem sweet for him to give that up for me but I was more than a little afraid at how cold and heartless what he just did was.

"You are the one person on the planet that I would do that for, the one person I should have done it for before I even cheated. You are my mate Chelsea, we can't break the bond, I can't force you to forgive me but I can make changes in my life so you know that you are my main priority. Violet told us to take time to know each other and instead of doing that last night I railroaded you, and for that - I'm sorry. You are the one person in the world I will ever apologize too, no one else." He said honestly still on the ground.

"They're your family..." I said still not understanding.

"We will make our own family, you are angry with me now but later on hopefully you will let me be apart of the family you've created for yourself," he replied.

"You cheated on me and now you're giving up your family? Title?" I spoke confusion in my voice.

"I cheated because I thought you cheated first." He shook his head wistfully, before speaking again. "I've never cared when any person cried, but seeing you cry was torture for me last night, then I woke up and came to you and I thought you played me. I thought it was a show and I was angry. I told Maggie that I wanted to break our bond; I lied because I was humiliated that I had a mate that would cheat on me, that you acted like you care but it was just a joke on me. I didn't like feeling the way I did, I was angry not just with you but with myself... can you understand that?"

"Actually don't answer that, there's more," he said trying to get to his feet. "Not only do I give that up for the future I want with you, but I also give up my title as Il Principe."

"Wait? Your family is part of the mob?" asked Casey angrily confusing me.

"Yes. In our world I'm considered the prince, the next in line not only as Alpha for our pack but the next in charge when my father steps down. As far as I know we've always been a mafia family but to make ties with the Irish Mafia I was supposed to marry Maggie because her grandfather is in charge. When I marry her it would solidify our ties with the Irish Mafia, if I don't then there could be a war started. Or my sister has to marry someone directly connected to that family who would take over..." THere was more I could tell but he was holding back... He turned to look at me, solemn eyes gazing into mine.

"I was thinking of my pack and family, what would happen if I chose you Chelsea. Not only would I be creating trouble with Maggie's grandfather, I would be putting an giant target on your back. By not mating with Maggie, marking you... everyone knows what my weakness is. You. If they want to hurt me, all they have to do is hurt you." He said angrily.

"I'm giving that all up not because I want to guilt you into being with me, but because I can't be half in or half out. I either bring you into my world or leave it for you, for the future I want with you. I know many wont understand, not everyone has a mate they meet right away. I'm 22 years old and I found mine, there are men out there that are hundreds of years old and they have yet to find a mate. You are a privilege, something I will treasure if you just give me another chance..." he said softly but determination rang clear.

"Who takes over if you step down?" asked Jamie, he was not concentrating specifically on this conversion when he asked that question I knew he was trying to work out if Sam would be the next in line.

"It would be Sam... I'm not sure since one of the rules is that he would have to be married to take over, but if not Sam, then one of my brothers Ethan or Andrew would have to take over." Answered Gabe.

Turning to me Gabriel spoke again, "I already gave up my title as Alpha, I'm sure my father and mother can already feel the loss of me rejecting the pack, but I won't change my mind. However I do want to ask something, I'm giving up that life but I need you to be okay with me training my brothers..." he trailed off studying my face.

"I didn't forgive you." I said bluntly.

"I don't want you to forgive me, but still give me a chance."

"What if it doesn't work? What if you can't be faithful? What if you get angry and cheat on me again," I asked sad, low and whispered, but I knew he could hear me.

"There's so much more I want to explain to you but I need you to give me a chance to explain, a chance to get to know you. I know I messed up, I'm sorry for that but let me make that up to you. Give me a chance to love you the right way." He pleaded.

Give mate a chance Chelsea... please...

I lifted a brow because I'm not sure he could love me the right way, did he even know how? I questioned myself. He probably saw my resistance written all over my face and spoke, "I'm not sure how do to this though, but I just know I want to try." He clarified.

"I'm not some type of experiment Gabriel!" not liking that he had no experience in being a good mate but wanted to try with me. Was this like something he wanted to try until he gave up? Or try so he would use it on some other woman like Maggie.

"This isn't about Maggie," he said quickly. Damn it, I had my walls down for one second! "I don't believe you." I said. "I felt when you cheated this morning, I was ready to beg Jack or Casey to shoot me in the head to stop all the pain! You know that if you cheat, your mate can feel it. You knew I would feel it and then to make it worse you decide to cheat on me with Maggie?" I shouted red faced all over again. "You think that if you give up your pack that I would what? Just accept you back?" I asked agitated now but I didn't give him a chance to answer me because now I had more questions. "I didn't know that you would feel anything, I thought that was a wives tale! Maggie wasn't my mate, when my dad explained that to me when I was like 16 years old I didn't have to pay attention because I hadn't found my mate Chelsea. I swear." He said desperately, eyes begging me to believe him.

Changing my line of thought I went back to mafia family... my mate was in the mafia? "How are you in the mafia but poor?" I asked quickly causing Violet to snort.

"We aren't poor Chelsea," he said not very convincingly, I remained silent wanting more information.

"Our family is being watched very closely for our crimes and my dad owed a lot of money in unpaid taxes. We needed legal money; if we had pulled money from our other side affairs they would be able to track that money back. At the same time your dad was looking to buy land and it was just a good opportunity to get that money legally." He finished.

"Have you killed people?" I asked afraid of his answer while simultaneously curious asking what I could while he was being candid.

He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes, but only guilty bad people, in them or me situations."

Cocking my head I asked "How many? Can you even remember?"

I watched as he sighed, then flicked his eyes down then back into mine, "I've killed over 500 people." The look I wore must have changed his mind about being evasive, he spoke again "I've killed exactly 1,297 people since I was 15 years old; no women or children." I gasped.

"What the hell! Kiil or be killed... You've been in 1,297 them or me situations? What kind of life are you living??" I blurted out shocked, I was expecting a number closer to 500... not a thousand plus. I wanted to continue my thought out loud but something on Gabriel's face changed completely and then he spoke his voice alone sent chills down my back. 

"Yes, I've killed people for myself, for my family and if anyone were to come after you, Chelsea... I'd kill them too; no questions asked." He answered me gravely.

He would kill anyone that came after me... Leo is after me I thought then shook my head I didn't want to get sidetracked.

"So you aren't poor?" I asked again point blank.

He snorted then answered, "I'm worth almost 2 billion Chelsea, but it just so happens that all of it is tied up in less than upfront business dealings. I've started a few new things to launder the money so that I can make it up front in the process, though."

"Look none of that shit matters, what matters right now Chelsea is can you give me another chance?" he asked bluntly and I wasn't sure of my answer I couldn't just forgive him like nothing happened, I also couldn't hold some type of grudge against him, and I definitely could not push him away, it was exhausting. I knew that everyone was waiting for my answer not just Gabriel, in that moment I thought of the one solution that would probably work for me and him while giving him a chance to make up for his less than stellar introduction as being my mate. I took a deep breathe to give him an answer, "I can't give you a chance to be my mate, but I can give you the chance to be my friend, for now. Take it or leave it."  I answered coldly, I wanted him to understand that I wasn't some type of groupie; I wouldn't forgive him for doing whatever he did with Maggie.

"Friends?" he spat out like I insulted him. "Friends..." I repeated. "But-" he started but I had to stop him before he dug himself into a hole. "Friends, because yesterday I marked you and today you went off and hooked up with my sister." I spat back at him, folding my hands on my chest, his face turning from anger to understanding quickly, nodding to himself before speaking "Okay, friends," he relented easily.

He was looking at me and before I could make another comment a few cars came into my driveway making me remember that we pretty much on the sidewalk having this very intimate discussion.  We all turned to the cars, and I was graced with all the Colts, minus their two babies, and all of Gabes' family.

Before Gabe could speak, Maggie walked towards me; her face and hand apparently healed. "I Margret Anna Colt challenge you Chelsea Hobbs to a fight." She said with a smug smile on her face, I was looking at her in shock while Jamie was bent over laughing. Gabe on the other hand was growling, although I couldn't tell if it was directed at Maggie or his father.

Oh lets kick her ass for touching our mate... "What?" I asked again surely I had heard wrong. "I said, I Margret Anna Colt challenge you Chelsea Hobbs to a fight, to the death." She said smugly like she had already won.

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© 2016 roxann_season All Rights Reserved

Follow. Vote (if you liked it). Comment (if you have something to say).

Hi everyone!!! I know lots are disappointed that she isn't going to go sleep around. Chelsea isn't the two wrongs make a right type of girl, nor is she seeking revenge on him.

She was never going to forgive him but she gave him the only option she could at the moment... be her friend. He doesn't deserve that, but I feel like SHE does. Even if you're disappointed that she gave him that option I would love if you kept reading.

Since others asked: JAMIE IS A BOY. I HAVEN'T CHANGED HIS GENDER SINCE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS, his mate is SAMUEL, Gabe's little brother.Follow.