A/N: NOT EDITED.

Chapter Twenty-Five - Alpha to Mate (Gabe's POV)

We all faced the door to see a different doctor than before.

"Hi I'm the head doctor for," he glanced at the clipboard in his hand, "Audrey Colt."

The human doctor glanced around. "Can we speak privately?"

Jay and Rian got up and walked out of the private room we were in.

"How could you do this to us?" Scarlet said angrily.

"Mixed company Scarlet," my father silenced whatever else she had to say, then said 'mixed company' snorted.

"The Gavino crime family, you aren't much of a secret."

"Money laundering."

"Drug trafficking."

"Tax fraud..."

"Gun smuggling."

My fathers face was steel, we never confirmed or denied whatever we were accused of, but I had already came clean.

"Chelsea's my mate, I told them and her about us," after what he did I didn't care anymore. He talked to Scarlet and my brothers constantly about how amazing mates were but I find my other half and he's determined to take her away from me.

"No, we will handle this at home," he said his voice held authority that before when I was 10 years old intimated me. Getting up, he walked to the door, my siblings and Ames following him.

When everyone from my old pack left leaving just Sam and my mother she leaned closely to me kissing my cheek and whispered softly to me, "sono fiero di voi Gabriel."

Pulling away she turned to Sam "Ho sollevato che lei è un uomo migliore."

As she walked out of the room I heard a few snickers, of course they knew Italian.

"What's with your attitude?" I asked Sam not caring that his mates sister was still in the room.

"I don't know man, he's just... when I thought about getting a mate I imagined him without any strings. I know Chelsea's your mate but its like he's making her his first priority. He took two bullets for her man; I just know that instead of thinking of me, how I would feel if he dies? He put her first and she has you to do that," he said sounding heartbroken. I could see where this was going, could see his point but I didn't know how to answer that, I didn't do pep talks and romance.

"You are an idiot, honestly you'd think you guys never interacted with mates, Watched your parents interact, siblings?" Violet groaned.

"Sam I've known Jamie for years he's never had a friend. He wasn't popular and well liked by everyone, Chelsea met him ad in one night they bonded over math. He was going to NYU Stern, left it to follow Molly, and wouldn't have made it in time to start this fall semesters at USC. He talked to her freely and in two hours he was in her classes, his required one and they're both graduating this semester."

"The boy can't cook, he ate Chelsea's cooking that first night and declared that as long as he lived with Chelsea could eat her food he'd sleep anywhere," said Jack.

Violet sighed, "She is his first true friend, you came to her house to watch Maggie kill her. The only person that's made him feel like he has nothing to prove."

"He was helping his friend and you should be happy he did that because if she would have been hurt by you or your pack, it would hurt him."

"You don't need to understand why they are close but you have to accept it... He isn't interested in her romantically." Violet finished and gave Samuel time to adjust, play around with what she just said.

We waited quietly until Chelsea returned saying the surgery went well and she wants to talk to Molly. Her entire pack left the room leaving just Sam for now "you really giving up Il Principe?"

"Yea, I know we are in this life but right now I need to focus on Chelsea. If things were handled differently I thought eventually she may be okay and I wouldn't need to step down but dad fucked that plan up." I said shaking my head.

"You know I can't take over, Scarlet a woman so it falls on Andrew and Ethan."

"Yeah but I'm giving warning, I'll train them, get them ready one will take over as Alpha the other the business."

"Gabe, they're fucking angry," he said teasingly. "You know why dad's panicking right?"

"Nah, what's up?" I had been so out of it lately, I didn't think there was anything I had missed.

"Ma's pregnant." I think my face looked like a cartoon character, jaw wide, eyes the size of silver dollars.

"Holy shit man! You're fucking kidding me right?" I was gaping at him, shocked because I knew my parents still got down, they looked like they were only in their early thirties. It was harder to get pregnant when they got older in numbers, but when Katie went missing mom swore she wouldn't have more kids.  

"Nah, man they didn't want to hit a nerve with Maggie just losing her baby and everything."

Things were beginning to make so much sense, any child they had right now, and the debt/ deal dad made with Rians' family would be collected with this child. It didn't matter if it was a girl or boy, it fell on them. If mom had a girl it would be bad for our pack, but if a son were born it would benefit our pack. If it were a girl they would most likely try to kidnap her now and hold her until she could be married to whomever they decided.

I knew that baby mom was carrying already had an X on its back.

"Fuck!" I shouted when all the pieces finally fit into place.

"Son of a bitch!" standing, I was fucking raging mad.

If there was one goddamn thing I hated more than anything it was manipulation, being forced into a corner.

"Dude what's up?" Sam asked me wearily, as I punched the wall.

At the same time Chelsea returned with Jack, Casey, Lukas and Violet.

"You can go see him now Sam," Chelsea said coldly.

I could tell my brother was dying to go to his mate but wanted to know what was going on.

"Go, it's fine." Three words to put him out of his misery, he fled the room while saying "Call me later," on his way out.

"Hey I'm going home," said Chelsea.

"I'm going to find a room at a hotel until I find something more permanent," I said hoping she would say 'I change my mind you can stay' but that never came. Instead she kept her face blank, waiting for me to continue.

"I was wondering if you could keep Nika?" I watched her face scrunch up in distaste.

"Yeah, that's find I'll look after her," Casey said eagerly confusing Chelsea whilst I nodded my head.

"Chelsea can I see your cell phone?" wanting her number and for her to have mine.

She looked confused but handed me her phone, quickly I exchanged our numbers.

Leaving the private room, it was almost near 10 pm.

Walking to our cars I saw Chelsea get in with Jack and Casey, start the car quickly and drive off.

I gazed with hatred at that car that was driving my mate way from me,

Away from US, my wolf making an appearance once again after being MIA for a while

I was so preoccupied with watching my mate drive away that I didn't notice VIolet and Lukas standing behind me.

"You don't have to stay at a hotel, we have a house near Chelsea, you two marked each other you can't be far away from each other for long periods of time until you complete your mating, you'll end up being in pain." Violet told me but I knew already.

Pulling out a punch of keys she took one off, "here."

"Thanks, this is really nice of you..."

"I'm not doing it for you, I'm doing it for Chelsea."

"Does Chelsea know?"
 Maybe mate asked her to do this for us...  my wolf said hopefully, when did he get so damn soft?!

"No but unless she wants to be in pain, she'll be on board with this arrangement." They both began walking away.

The anger I had put away the minute I saw my mate was now back since she wasn't here, I text my mom told her I was coming over.

Walking to my own car, the closer I got the angrier I became; I've been so fucking blind, but not anymore.

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Chapter Twenty-Six- Another Me?(Chelsea POV)

I was exhausted I really just wanted to take a bath and go to bed after this day. After Jamie's surgery, I arranged for him to have a private room not that he would be staying there for very long. I'm not sure how the energy worked between him and I but I think since he was the one I was healing it took more out of me.

While the doctors fixed everything they had too, I never intervened on their work.

After getting Molly and the rest of my pack I attempted and was successfully able to get his heart healthier than before.

I use my gifts to speed up the healing stitches, the stomach GSW, and finally his spine. There was some swelling and they couldn't tell if he would be able to walk again; however I knew that I could help him.

What was strange was when my wolves told me give brother blood. At first I was confused but after when I understood we quickly took my blood with a syringe and injected Jamie. My blood is strong, I can heal other wolves and humans, they won't get my powers but it will work as a boost until the person whom is injected with it, blood dilutes what they've been injected with.

Walking back to let Sam know he could go see his mate now after healing Jamie I found Gabe angry and shouting but the moment he saw me he was instantly calmed.

"Hey I'm going home," I said to Gabriel when Sam left the room.

"I'm going to find a room at a hotel until I find something more permanent," Gabriel answered, I read his mind and heard him thinking maybe our mate will say 'I change my mind you can stay' instead I kept my face blank, there was no way he was going to just get off the hook for cheating on me, especially since I'm sure his wolf didn't want to let Gabriel cheat and I felt bad for punishing his wolf Max but I was still hurt. I'm shocked that he has been standing up for me a bit more but it wasn't that easy, all the things he was doing now I wanted him to have done from the start. I wasn't going to hold it over his head forever but I just needed to build a better foundation for myself with him.

So although it was hard to just not forgive him and ask him to move back in I waited for him to continue after I stopped listening to his thoughts.

"I was wondering if you could keep Nika?" Ugh a dirty pet and now I would have to take care of it. What the hell... didn't he listen when Jamie said I don't like pets. Maybe I could get Jack and Casey to set it out in the wild. Before I could answer though Casey said eagerly "Yeah, that's find I'll look after her."

What are you doing? That pet is his I don't want it in my house...

I need to explain a few things he answered while Gabriel asked, "Chelsea can I see your cell phone?" At first I was confused not by what he was saying but because I was just so tired after today, I needed to have a talk with everyone. Right now Jamie was the focus but healing him took so much out of me, either means I have to train harder or I didn't use my gifts enough so it was making me tired faster than normal.

When Jack, Casey and I finally made it home it was 10pm and I just wanted to go to bed but as we walked up to the door Casey began speaking, "I found my mate, I think." He sounded unsure and I started running through all the options of whom his mate could be.

"What?" Jack questioned.

"When?" I followed up before he could speak.

"Who is she?" I asked watching his face turn red, while cocking his head to the side.

"I met her yesterday night," he said drifting off.

I felt like my stomach drop... the only girls he met last night was Audrey and Madeline... he was mated to my twin or half sister, I felt sad. Then thinking I realized it probably wasn't Audrey because he didn't seem too worried about her, so I assume its Madeline.

"When are you going to tell her? You're probably going to leave our pack for hers, I doubt she'd... want to leave... her pack... for the... one..." I was slowly stopping because Casey's face was not agreeing what with what I was saying; in fact he looked confused which only confused me.

"Why would I want to leave?" he asked.

"Well I know you only met Audrey and Madeline last night so I doubt that it's Audrey you don't seem too worried about her health so that only leaves Madeline." I said plainly I was neither happy nor sad for him, but selfishly I was sad for myself which I hated because I know that Jack and Casey both really wanted mates. I just was so tired of losing people, or gaining them and then losing them.

Casey was laughing, Jack was still in shock and I think I sensed a bit of jealously.

"Stop laughing at me!" I growled out, I hated when he did that but he instantly stopped.

"Sorry, my mate isn't Audrey; thank god it would be weird to kiss your twin when I think of you as a sister and you have the exact same face..." he stopped shaking his head in mock horror.

"My mate isn't Madeline either, my mate... I think... I'm not sure but mymateisGabrielspetwolf." He mumbled out quickly, I know he tried to just put it out there quickly but in that instant I was just so tired, exhausted and needing sleep that I busted out laughing, hard, felt pain in my gut type laughter.

Only, Casey would be mated to a pet wolf, and that started a whole new set of guffaws, by now I was already on my knees holding my stomach but I couldn't stop.

I heard him growling at me and I knew I should stop but I just couldn't, I was just so unbalanced I did not know what was happening to me. I really just needed sleep...

"Chelsea," Casey whispered bringing my laughter to a halt he sounded sad and confused.

"Okay why do you think she's your mate," I said trying to help him figure this out.

"She's not a regular wolf, I know she smells like a wild wolf but she's my mate I'm sure of it. I feel tiny little tingles when I pet her. Last night when Gabriel's friend brought her by I took her out of the carrier he brought her in, when I touched her I felt sparks... my wolf is sure she is our mate too." He said quickly, thinking about this I started walking towards the laundry room when he stopped me.

"She's in my room," he looked sheepish face all red; this was new, Casey was never this... bashful?

Making it up to his room I saw a reddish tiny little thing lay out on his bed, I wanted to laugh at the absurdness of this situation but I could tell that Casey was already on edge. Walking closer to the wolf I began paying attention to its thoughts. And I stopped where I was, it had thoughts... but that wasn't the problem... the problem was that I could hear them. I couldn't hear the thoughts of any animal; I could only hear humans, vampires and wolves.

"What? What's wrong Chelsea?" Casey asked scared.

"She has thoughts..." I said unsure.

"So she isn't a wolf, she's a werewolf?" asked Jack who had remained quiet up until this moment.

"Yeah she's a human?"  I meant to state but it came out as more of a question.

"How did Gabriel get her?" asked Jack and I retold them what he told me about finding her when his sister went missing.

"You don't think it's his sister do you?" asked Casey

Happy I heard the little wolf think when she heard Casey's voice.

"Your voice makes her happy, I think" I told Casey, throwing him a bone.

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Moving closer to the bed I spoke to the wolf using my mind link.

Hey, can you understand me?

Girl? She replied.

Yeah, I'm the girl. Are you Katie? I asked.

Katie?

Okay is Gabriel your brother? I asked but got no reply.

I was really tired and while I wanted to help Casey with this I had class in the morning so I thought of the next best thing.

"Casey she's a werewolf I'm sure, I'm not sure how old she is though, from what I can hear I think she's a child although that doesn't make sense, unless she's like me and shifted really early. I also am not sure if she's his sister Katie because when I asked her name she had no good responses." I heard him sigh.

"I have school in the morning how about I take her since I can hear her thoughts for the night and see if I can convince her to shift to her human form?" he looked hesitant to let her out of his sight, but also wanting to help and get her to shift back to her human form.

"Okay..." he said. Picking up his wolf mate, I walked into my room placing her on the bed. Brushing my teeth and changing into comfy clothes I walked over to my bed to see the wolf actually watching my every move.

Speaking to no one other than myself. "I wonder if you're Katie?"

"Can you shift back? To your human form?" Then I thought... if she was a little wolf maybe she didn't know how to shift back to her human form. I mean she didn't smell like a human werewolf, so that means there would be no way Gabriel would have known to actually instruct her too. I still couldn't understand why or how someone so young shifted. She has a smaller type wolf so that was why I thought she was a child, plus her mind didn't seem too advanced but that brought more possibilities' like maybe she isn't a child maybe she's a small teen with learning disabilities? Geez I really needed to sleep I thought, my ideas where becoming less focused moment by moment.

I picked up my cell phone thankful that Gabriel had us switch numbers and sent him a text.

HEY CAN YOU SEND ME A PICTURE OF YOUR LITTLE SISTER KATIE?

I didn't expect to get a reply right away but it had been almost 45 minutes since I had seen him at the hospital I'm sure by now he had already found hotel to stay. I know that asking him for one would seem weird but I was hoping that he would without asking me for a reason. Putting my phone down I turned to the werewolf.

"I don't know why you've never shifted with Gabriel and his family, maybe you were afraid or thought they were crazy, or you weren't safe but you're safe here okay."

"Safe," I said slowly.

"No one will hurt you okay?" I was waiting for a reply, listening to her thoughts but I realized that since I asked if she was Katie earlier she hadn't thought anything, it was like she was blocking her mind but the truth was she wasn't thinking about anything I said. Instead I heard other little things or saw pictures of things.

"You aren't in trouble okay?"

"Safe."

"Good."

"When you're ready to be like me, not like a wolf, all you have to do is think of what it would be like to walk. Think of being like me, okay?" I said although I had no idea what I was doing.

"You think of being human, not a wolf and you will be a human." I repeated knowing that if you thought you were in trouble or danger werewolves tended to stay in wolf form. Maybe she didn't even know what human was... I didn't know how to explain anything to her. At this very moment I was actually angry that I didn't have a gift where I could automatically make wolves shift back to human form...

Bring my hands and feet in front of me; I wiggled my toes, slowly saying "toes, think of these..." but nothing happened.

I put myself in her position in my head and thought of how I knew for sure I wouldn't be comfortable right away to shift back if my assumptions were right and she was a baby wolf. Then I also thought of something else, if she were like me, maybe she didn't like to be touched so I stopped right away, hand mid back.

"I'm sorry, I don't know if you like that or not so I'll stop."

Nice.  I heard and using my gifts I tried to connect to what she was feeling; that feeling plus the word she said made me think that maybe she liked being pet. So I began doing it again, earning a little purring sound in the back of her throat. 

All of a sudden I felt like I was in a fight, I groaned holding my stomach, then it felt like I was being hit in the face. I grunted through the pain, which lasted maybe 3 minutes before going away; panting hard I tried to relax once again.

What I hadn't noticed was that the reddish wolf had came much closer to me, and was tucked away in my side, not sleeping eyes wide but quiet. Slowly testing my balance I walked towards my door turned off my light going back to my bed. It was already past 11, and I really wanted to sleep. Getting comfy, wolf still in my bed, I heard my phone chime, picking it up I saw that Gabe had replied and sent me a picture of his sister. She had brown eyes, dark brown curly hair; it almost looked black, and was she was slightly tanned like the rest of his family.

One last time I tried to get the wolf next to me to shift... Hey I know you are a human okay, can you please shift back... think of feet and walking like me, or Gabe or Casey... it's safe okay? Good... no one will hurt. No. Hurt.

Knowing that this couldn't be rushed I shut my eyes, felt the little wolf get impossibly closer into my side and I fell asleep.

I heard crying, no sniffing... as I was slowly waking up I shifted and felt the wolf next to me get very quiet.

Opening my eyes, instead of finding the small tiny reddish wolf, I woke up to a crying child no older than four years old, green eyes, brown hair, pink libs trembling, naked next to me.

She was definitely not Katie I knew that for sure and I was relieved. Then shocked that I was instantly sad because I know if it had been Katie Gabe would be happy and even though he didn't treat me right now, didn't mean I would want him to suffer that forever.

What I also knew was that this child wasn't a true blood werewolf; she was one that was bitten and turned probably as a baby. How could I tell? The healed bite mark on her wrist that she was using, wiping away tears on her face.

She looked so frightened, she reminded me of myself, another me.

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Chapter Twenty-Seven - Revelations (Gabe's POV)

I can't believe how distracted I've been, that I missed my mom was pregnant... although considering I also didn't realize when Maggie was pregnant until she told me I can see why that has escaped my attention really.

Now everything was making sense, why my dad had wanted me to mate with Maggie, why he had been pushing me more now than ever to take over as both in charge of our family business, and as Alpha. He had been pushing for me to mark her even after she lost our child; hinting that him and mom wanted to go away for a while. They must be sure at this point that the child they're having is a little girl. I shook my head angrily at my father but I was angry with myself as well.

I understand that they lost my sister Katie and I'm not a parent so I'm not aware of how that would feel but I did lose my little sister. But to have me take over so that him and mom wouldn't have to suffer another loss of a child.... that was complete backstabbing, worse I'm also his child.

My father made a deal, however if he stepped down and I took over any of his debt became my debt, so this little girl... this new life would be safe. However any child I would have, they would be used to settle this debt, my father was calculated but this was just evil. He had used Maggie, Chelsea, even myself as pawns, like this was some type of game he could manipulate to get his way. Granted I acted that way myself sometimes, it was the Mafia/Mob way but never with family, family was sacred.

As I drove up to my parents' house I could tell that everyone was awake, the front door opened and out poured everyone. Good because I didn't want to step one foot inside that house at the moment, he wanted a fight but I wasn't going to give it to him.

As I saw my mother I gained a new respect for her, she knew I'm sure what my father would be planning and instead of pushing me in the arms of Maggie when I went to her earlier she tried doing the right thing. She told me to set things right with my mate, I knew know that my mate Chelsea would be an excellent mate.

You should have thought of all that last night before you put us both in the doghouse stupid human.

I hated to admit it but my wolf Max was right all along. Instead of just taking the easy way out and letting things go, they were honorable women, both of them. Chelsea refused to fight to the death and only killed Maggie because she wouldn't submit while my mom would rather know that they didn't put my fathers failures on me.

I got out of the car, "What fuck are you getting at dad?"

I heard my brothers, sister and Ames gasp; no one spoke to my dad like that, but I was fucking sick of being his lap dog.

"il rispetto di me," he snapped at me. (respect me)

Snorting, I decided to goad him, prove my hunch. "Rispetto te?  quando si smettere di comportarsi come una paura poco cagna." (Respect you? when you stop acting like a scared little bitch.)

Instead of remaining cool and calm, my dad walked swiftly over to me and began kicking my ass, and I let him. Punching my face, then a hard kick to my stomach when he hit my neck, all while I took it. I could hear my mom sobbing for the 5 minutes of him trying to get me to challenge him, but I knew his game.

When mom realized he would kill me because I wasn't going to challenge him, she walked over and pulled him off me. My lip was bleeding; I spat blood on the ground my ribs hurt and I could tell I would have a black eye until tomorrow morning.

Mate felt you getting hit my wolf whined.

Fuck! I can't do anything right, I totally forgot that she would be somewhat able to feel this happening, if we were fully mated she would even get bruises where I had been injured, shaking my head at my own stupidity over everything I've done in the last 40 hours; no more.

Looking around I turned to my siblings, then focused on Ames and Madeline, "He used your sister, and he thought that if Maggie killed Chelsea I would be so angry that I would just attack him, challenge him and he would submit when we fought; making me the new Alpha by default; as well as have to take over as Head Boss. The debts of having their child marry someone not related but in your grandfathers mob family Ames would fall onto me. My child."

He shook he his, "No he wouldn't do that."

"You're fucking stupid."

Are you really in the position to be calling anyone else stupid? Max, my wolf thought. Laughing at his own comment. 

Ignoring my wolf I continued, "My Ma is pregnant, and I'm 100% sure their having a girl..." I started even while my father was yelling at me to stop. Fuck him.

"Either I married Maggie, or they would kill you to break the bond you have with Scarlet. Now mom is pregnant with a little girl, your grandfather will be attacking this pack for that child to settle dad's debt, the agreement they made. Getting their hands on her would be easier than killing you and then forcing Scarlet with someone from their crew." Ames started growling at what he was hearing.

"Your grandfather wants access to some of the ports we currently have under control-"

"Yeah but so do others," he interrupted.

"Quiet. Listen. Right now this pack is the strongest, you have money even though it's not on the up and up, insiders in the CIA, FBI, DEA, you have a huge fucking target on your backs. Your grandfather wants some of that access to move his shit, dad owes him, if I became Alpha and Boss before their child was born that little girl would be safe, my child would be paying for his fucking screw ups." I said pointing to my father.

"I met my mate, I chose her, I rejected this pack maybe 40 minutes before you guys showed up to my house, and he had to have felt it, but he still made Maggie come and fight Chelsea. My mate knew she was stronger than Maggie Ames; but Chelsea... she knew and gave Maggie an out!"

"QUIET!" My dad shouted but I looked to my mom and she began pulling him inside.

"Who answered? HIM. He said that it was to the death; he just thought that my mate would be the one to die. He didn't know she was a white wolf, that she was stronger than Maggie. Maggie was a fucking pawn, for him to get out of his debt." I shouted, watching Madeline shake her head back and forth.

"He might be sorry that she died, but you heard what he asked in the hospital, 'why didn't her file say she was a white wolf?' he didn't know." I explained.

"But... but... Maggie said you wanted to break the bond!" she choked out.

"I had wanted too because I didn't want to leave you guys hanging, but Chelsea's my mate and I want her. Dad's debt isn't my business, I wanted Chelsea to accept all of you and this so I could have it all but I fucked it up and dad made it worse..."

"If he would have made me Alpha by default, he wouldn't have stuck around... to make sure they didn't their hands on his new baby girl he would have left all of us to fend for ourselves."

"Like you're doing right now?" asked my brother Andrew angrily.

"I'm not doing that, I am willing to train you and Ethan, you're in this family and even if I had taken over I wouldn't allow you guys to go away to school. Not anywhere that wasn't under our control, it would be too dangerous; don't think that if you don't accept being in charge of the family business or be Alpha of the pack that it means you can just go off to University. Dad wasn't going to let you do that, you were going to train for 3 years and then just like Sam, Ames and I had too, you could go to university."

"Dad had been letting us look and apply everywhere," said Ethan, God I was starting to hate all this bullshit.

"No he wasn't going to let either one of you, I wouldn't let you go to Florida; we have no connections there, you wouldn't have lasted a day! Two of the Gavino sons' heading to Florida for university?? You really think they wouldn't kidnap you or just kill you as retaliation for all the shit we've done? Neither of you are that fucking stupid, nor am I!" I shook my head I was going off point here.

"Look, he tried to play me! If he steps down, Andrew, Ethan you guys are gonna be next in line, I'll help train you but I can't be Alpha or Boss. Chelsea, she's important to me, I have to make things work with her." I said truthfully.

"So some new slut over your family?" asked Ethan, I growled at him in warning.

"No, if dad and this pack hadn't fucked up, she would have been found as a baby and been a part of this family too, we've all been paying for their mistakes and decisions. This is just one of the many I'm going to make right, she is mine, made just for me..." they were shaking their heads at me but they didn't have mates yet, they couldn't understand the need I felt for her.

"Ames, this pack or my sister? Pick." I asked, while Ethan and Andrew watched him. I saw Ames stiffen slightly before reaching down and taking my sisters hand into his...

"That's what I thought."

"Text me when you're ready to train; if something else comes up Ames, let me know so we can roll okay?" I said walking back to my car.

Once I got in I saw that I had received a text from Chelsea, it was kind random. She was asking for a picture of my sister Katie... instead of questioning her motives I sent the text, threw my car in drive and made my way back to Violet and Lukas' place. I'd be staying there for a while.

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Chapter Twenty-Eight ~ Short Bonding (Chelsea's POV)

Looking at the clock behind me I could see that it was only 2am, so that meant I had probably only slept for about 2 measly hours.

"Hi," I said quietly using a soft voice, the same way dad used with me, the voice, tone, words and smile that made me open my heart over time.

I didn't know if I should touch her so slowly I rose from my bed, walking to turn on the light.

"Can you speak?" I asked again but she said nothing. She was still just sniffling so I went to my bathroom turned on my tub, planning to give her a bath; I made sure the water was nice and warm. I didn't know what type of germs she had but that wasn't the reason for this bath, it was a way to make her feel fresh and clean. Baths always helped soothe me so I thought maybe that would help.

Can I pick you up? I asked through the mind link, no response.

Bath? Do you want to take bath?

Bath? She replied but didn't come towards me...I tried again and when that didn't work I tried using the universally known way of saying come; I opened my arms so she would come to me. Bending down to her level I stayed that way.

Come.

Bath.

Safe.

Its okay...

You want a bath?

I kept saying those phrases over and over again; especially bath because that was the word that received the most reaction. After 8 or 9 times of repeatedly speaking to her through the mind link she probably assumed I was not danger she slowly and I mean slowly crawled into my open arms.

Walking with her in my arms she was looking around my room, taking in her surroundings, but her face was oddly blank. Walking into my bathroom I held her on my hip and turned the water off, sat on the ledge where her feet were dangling above the water.

Slowly so she didn't get scared I lowered her into the bath, and began to use a wash cloth to wash her up, I didn't have any child shampoo so I had to be very careful not to get suds into her eyes when washing her hair.

After 30 or so minutes the water began getting cold so I grabbed a big comfy towel and wrapped her up in it. Although she kept her face neutral, I did see the small pout when I took her out of the water so I deduced that she liked baths.

Walking into my closet to see if I had anything that would be able to currently fit her, I realized that the best I could do was one of my smallest shirts, which still looked insanely big on her. Slowly I untangled her hair and placed it in two braids, all while she never spoke.

Walking back to my bed with her in my arms I decided that there was no way I would call her Nika when she was a human, "I'm Chelsea," I said pointing to myself. She looked at my finger then my eyes, "My name is Chelsea."

"Mommy? Daddy?" I said purposely to pay attention to whatever she thought of when I mentioned those words and luckily her memories were a bit confused and blurred, almost like she couldn't remember some things. However when I said those words she pictured a blurry man calling her Ava.

Not wanting to upset her but also wanting more information I decided to call her by that name and watch her reaction, "Me" I said pointing to myself, "Chelsea."

"You," I said tapping her chest, looking into her eyes "Ava?" I whispered and saw her eyes fill with tears; breathing got fast and knew that I was on to something. Then I could tell that she was really confused because she had clear memories of Gabriel calling her Nika. This is where I was hitting a roadblock; using my mind link I called Noah, Alex, Lucas, Casey, and Jack all at once.

Hey guys I need you to come to my house now.  I said using my alpha tone, I knew for a fact that only Noah was awake right now but I needed all hands on deck and they were in my pack and I didn't know what to do next.

The way I said it, I knew that all their wolves would immediately begin to wake them up, although I called them, I knew that in their head it was almost like a shout since I used the Alpha tone. Knowing everyone would think I was being murdered I added, Hey everyone meet me in the kitchen in 5 minutes.

Next looking at Ava or Nika, I decided I needed Gabriel here as well.

Calling him the phone only rang three times before I heard a groggy, "Hello? Chelsea is everything okay? Its two in the morning, are you in trouble?" he fired at me.

"Hey I need you to come to my house right now, can you?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll be there in 5 minutes..." he said distractedly and I could hear him moving around, probably getting dressed.

"Okay see you then." I quickly replied before hanging up.

Trying this out I got up and opened my arms once again as I had before, "Ava, come with me?" I said out loud this time.  Watching her face as well as her thoughts I saw the same blurry man yelling at her this time, and she did something I did not expect, "A-ava."

At first I was so shocked, "Yes! Yes! And I'm Chelsea. Can you say that? Chel-sea?" I said nodding, big goofy smile on my face because she actually said something to me.

"E-elsee..." she said shyly. Happy that she was even speaking at all I nodded my head quickly.

Time was going by quickly and then I thought of something,

Can you walk? Like me?  I wondered then asked with the mind link, because she spent so long as a wolf could she walk? I was beginning to think that she was older than just 4, maybe she was small because she was a wolf for 3 years, but what made me think she was older was the memory I saw, she remembered and if she was turned so young I didn't think she would be able to remember that far back.

At least we had a name, Ava.

Moving off the bed I held my hand out to help her stand if she could, if she was strong enough too.

Slowly she neared the edge of my bed, until her feet were on the ground and she was standing. I watched her wobble a bit but she held on tight to my hand, smiling I encouraged her to follow with me to my closet.

I thought she needed a toy, I didn't have any toys but there was one thing I knew I had that I wouldn't mind letting her play with or have.

With both of us slowly walking to my closet I walked to a box that I had yet to unpack, slowly getting on my knees I dug in the box until I found what I was looking for.

Pulling out a small brown fleece type bear with bluish green eyes, I turned to Ava using the mind link, this is my bear, Birdy... my daddy gave him to me and I want you to have him to play with.  I didn't know if she understood all the words I had said so I pointed to myself, Chelsea. Then pointing to her, Ava. Finally I pointed to my bear, Birdy. Saying all the things through the mind link,

Hey Chelsea, everyone is here... even Gabe I heard Jack.

Coming, do not crowd me or make a lot of noise I said in reply, remembering that I hated meeting new people when I was little. Although I had invited Gabriel over because he had been living with her as a pet, the other reason was that she knew him, even as a wolf or human maybe if she saw a familiar face she wouldn't be afraid of a room full of new people.

I heard her stomach growling, and thought of what we should get her to eat... I mean I'm hoping Gabriel hasn't been feeding her dog food since he thought she was a pet. Maybe when he went running as a werewolf he took her along...? Did she eat raw meat...?

Asking her before leaving my closet, hungry? Food? Eat?  I still wasn't sure if I should speak in full sentences, because when she reacted to things I said it was only to particular words never full sentences.

As I said the words, I watched her thought she and she was thinking of a time when a wolf I can only guess was Gabriel, went hunting with her. Well thank god he hadn't been feeding her dog food or something equally gross.

Walking down my hall she was holding tightly onto Birdy, and tightly onto my hands, not sure that she was able to manage stairs without getting an injury I picked her up and hitched her on my hips walking down until I was pushing the door the kitchen open. Everyone had been standing around almost sleeping on the counters, Violet was in some Victoria's Secret PJ's, a light sweater and combat boots. Almost immediately I felt Ava stiffen in my arms, when she saw everyone here.

"Hey, guys..." I said softly catching everyone's attention the only one not looking shocked was Casey who only had eyes on the little girl in my arms.

"Chelsea...who's the kid?" Violet asked slowly, glancing between Ava and I.

"Well this is Ava, also known as Nika." I said gazing at Gabriel who was here... shockingly too fast considering he was staying at a hotel I knew that there were no hotels around my house that he could get here in five minutes time from.

Everyone gasped, but Casey whispered "Ava."

Ava, tighten the grip she had on me but when Casey spoke she watched in his direction, looking at her thoughts I heard one word that was shocking but shouldn't have been.

MINE!

Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Not a Pet, Discussion!

Everyone gasped, but Casey whispered "Ava."

Ava, tighten the grip she had on me but when Casey spoke she watched in his direction, looking at her thoughts I heard one word that was shocking but shouldn't have been.

MINE!  She thought, and I chuckled.

"What's funny?" Casey asked me, but was looking at Ava.

"Well your girls possessive..." I said jokingly.

"Wait what?" Noah remarked but maybe a little too loudly because Ava jumped.

"Huh?" blurted Violet but at least she remembered I said not to be loud and do lots of things.

"His girl?" asked Lucas.

I heard all three comments at the same time, but what worried me was how Ava was whipping her little head around to concentrate on everyone, all the voices. I could tell she was uncomfortable, because the hand grasping my shirt was shaking slightly and her nails were digging into my skin, it didn't hurt but I felt it. Note to self, use nail clippers to cut them down.

"Don't shout, you're making her nervous," said Casey calmly getting Ava's attention once again. However not for long, her stomach growled.

Eat? I heard in my mind coming from her, watching me with wide Bambie eyes.

"Yes, eat." Although I wasn't sure what I should give her... I did not have any experience with kids, even when I was a kid I never had friends.

"What have you been feeding her Gabriel besides raw things when you went for runs with her?" I asked.

"Wait she can talk?" asked Casey.

"Well, she can say my name, and she asked me in my head to 'eat' when her stomach grumbled." I explained walking towards my fridge.

"I would give her eggs, bacon, chicken, beef, different things..." Gabriel said "We would go hunting but she couldn't get anything bigger than a rabbit or small things... so I would give her different things..."

It was two am, I know everyone was still gaping at this new revelation but Ava was hungry so I would get her food first then work on talking to the rest of them. 

Still holding Ava I knew I couldn't make the eggs and still hold her so trying to put her down however she began whimpering so I stopped trying instead looked to Gabe "Can you make her the eggs please?" He just stood there gaping at me, until I looked at him with what I hoped convey 'I'd like them done immediately so Ava could eat.' I mean he could gawk at me later.

I was happy and relieved that she did eat human food as well because I knew that anything we gave her wouldn't make her sick. Walking over to sit at the table while Gabriel prepared her food, Ava on my laps I began speaking to her, "Do you like Birdy?" I know she wouldn't respond yet, especially when she tried to look under her lashes at who was watching her. Instead she brought Birdy to her laps, petting it.

Nice.

"Yeah he is nice, and soft too. Like you when you're a wolf, when you're Nika." I could tell everyone was watching me, especially Jack and Casey. I could hear their thoughts, Casey was wondering if she was afraid of him, but liked that I was being nice to his mate and she seemed happy in my lap. What was also funny was he trying to think of fun things for someone her age. He thought of dolls, tea parties, and dress-up; however he had a quick thought, oh maybe she will like cars... I like cars... maybe not only girl things... she'd turn out like a girl that only liked pink and poodles...

I began laughing at his thoughts... when Gabriel had finished; he brought a plate with scrabbled eggs and Ava using the hand not holding Birdy reached to touch it.

"No Ava, hot..." picking up a piece, I blew on it for her to see what to do and what I noticed was Ava learned quickly.

As she ate I began speaking, "get her some juice, not a lot." I ordered someone.

"Okay so her name is Ava, I asked her about her parents and she can't remember them, but she thought of someone calling her Ava. I'm not sure if Ava is her name though for sure, I mean the memory she had was lacking a lot of detail. Then she was confused because she remembered that Gabriel calls her Nika."

"Okay what do you mean by 'well your girls possessive...' asked Noah, who was looking skeptically at Casey then back to Ava.

"She's his mate, and she knows it too... when he said her name she thought 'MINE,' so her wolf recognizes him as her mate. She is not a true blood wolf either she was bitten to be changed." I heard them all growling because no one ever actually bit children to have them change, its not that you can't but it was not done a lot. Children at her age were still learning and they could be troublesome however she seemed like the opposite.

"Not her, she was always very timid, even when we would go hunting she would stay very close to me," Gabriel interrupted probably having read my mind. I immediately put my walls up not wanting him to hear anything else I had to say. It was getting hard... keeping my secrets from him.

"Okay, so you are mated to a child?" Noah asked in a weird tone, that didn't sit well with me with how he was talking to Casey. I've known Casey forever and even now he doesn't think of her romantically, he was thinking of tea parties and dolls.

"What are you trying to insinuate?" asked Jack who I know picked up on that tone Noah used.

"Well she's a bit young, you know." He said like we were missing that she was a child.

"I don't see her like that, I want her to be happy, I mean right now I'm happy because Chelsea is making her happy. I mean I'm just happy I found my mate," Casey tried to explain himself.

"Noah, stop I can hear all his thoughts, they aren't creepy or weird, he doesn't see her the way you would see an older mate. So what if she's a child now? I'm actually happy that he is her mate, that he noticed she was a werewolf not a wild wolf." I said sternly, not giving him a chance to speak.

"My dad wasn't my mate and this situation is different but I'm sure a lot of people found it weird that he would come visit me everyday when I was in the hospital," I heard Gabriel gasp but I didn't want to give him a chance to actually questioned me about what I said.

 I thought back to when I was in the hospital, "He would bring me things to play with; he even gave me Birdy so when I was alone I wouldn't be alone, I had Birdy."

 "Noah, he doesn't see her the way you think, so apologize for that. You've been friends for years, has he ever taken interest in a child?" I was getting mad, raising my voice the only thing that made me tone it down was Ava who had a piece of egg in her hand that stilled mid air before reaching her mouth.

"It's okay baby, you can finish eating," I said calmly rubbing her back, before turning back to Noah, who had the grace to actually look abashed for what he was trying to say about his friend.

"Gabriel do you remember where you found her? I mean she smells like a regular wolf not a werewolf... She was a changed young, not born."

"We found her way up north when we were looking for my sister, so if she was changed it would have to be from somewhere up there," he answered.

I knew there was nothing we could do about this right now; I wanted to have Mikael working on getting me to be able to keep Ava. If her parents were human, she was a wolf now, there was no way we could return her to them when she was a wolf... unless they were wolves but then why change her so young I questioned myself

"Okay I know its late but not only did I want to talk to you guys about her, I wanted to speak to you about everyone knowing I'm a white wolf as well. We need more people now, I know I wanted to keep this pack smaller, I didn't want anyone to know I was a white wolf, but its out there and I really don't want to end up being kidnapped or something," I said offhandedly and heard Gabriel growl lowly to himself. Which actually made me happy inside, he wasn't off the hook, but at least he was turning things around, but nothing happens over night so I knew this was a work in progress.

"I know I'm not a part of your pack yet, but I happen to know that a few of the people from my old pack wouldn't mind being in this one... they are guys that know who to watch out for from the family business side of things, as well as pack business. If you guys want I could give them a call, you can meet them personally." He said strongly.

What do you think?  I mind linked Jack. Casey was too busy watching his mate eat eggs.

He's right they'd know his family business side, help us out in protecting you from that aspect...

"Okay yeah, that's a good idea but they don't listen to you, they get their orders from Jack and Casey." I said sternly I didn't want him thinking he could take over I wanted to be safe but not at the price of seeming weak and needy.

"Next, I have class so I was thinking we could bring Andrea to watch Ava while I go to class. Casey you can stay here as well I think that will maybe keep her calm. I'm not sure what it is, her human side favors you but she's still afraid, and her wolf side thinks she owns you." I said Jack laughing.

"That's okay. I don't mind," said Casey smiling brightly at Ava who once I checked was actually asleep in the most awkward position on my lap. Getting up slowly to take her back to my room, I mind linked everyone I'm gonna put her back into my bed, lets go I still have more things to discuss.

Once I finally had her settled, under the covers with Birdy I walked back into the hall, right across from my room was actually another spare bedroom. I didn't want to get a head of myself but I wanted to make room for her, get some toys so I figured this room would be a good one, plus she'd be close by incase she needed me.

"Okay so she has no clothes, toys, so tomorrow Violet and Lucas can you guys take care of all that? Make this room seem more like a little girls room instead?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, I love shopping!"

"You can't take Ava with you.... If someone recognizes her before we have a chance to get background information that could just lead to trouble" I said looking at all their faces.

"I still want more guards, I'm not sure but I just feel like we need to be better protected for a while." I said and immediately Gabe asked "Why?"

Shaking my head I was trying to explain it but I couldn't, "Honestly it's just a gut feeling..." trailing off hoping he wouldn't question me further.

"That's all I really wanted, tomorrow can you guys use your connections to find information on Ava? Also get Mikael in on this, I want to legally adopt her if I can..." I said but stopped speaking when they all gasped and stared at me like I had five heads or something.

"Chelsea, you're kind a young for this don't you think, she's a baby?" said Alex who had remained very silent throughout my entire nighttime pow-wow with everyone.

"No I don't think that, I killed a person yesterday, and she isn't a baby per se, I think she's about 4 or 5." I said defensively.

"Maybe it would be a better idea if one of..." but Alex stopped when I started growling.

"I know it's a lot of responsibility but she is worth it, I'm sure of it." I said with some finality hoping they'd all drop this and just support my decision right now.

"We are a pack, small at the moment, but I think we can make this all work. I've known Chelsea for a while she's as responsible as anyone of us, plus that little girl already trusts her. Once we have more information, we will make a final decision but for now lets just get the ball rolling on everything." Jack instructed.

There were a bunch of 'Okays' and 'yeahs.' Lucas and Violet began walking away after saying, "were going home." Followed by everyone minus Jack and Gabriel.

When everyone left and Jack was at the end of the hall Gabriel turned to me, "thanks for calling me..." it looked like he wanted to say more so I waited patiently.

"You thought she was my sister? That's why you asked for the picture?" He asked sadness in his voice...

"Yeah and I just thought that maybe it was her, since you said she didn't want to leave you once you found her..." I said finally taking real good look at him and noticing that he had bruises on his face.

"What happened to your face?" I asked curiously.

"My dad beat me up..." he replied, of course he did... I thought sarcastically then noticed he wasn't ready to tell me about it so I said the only thing I was thinking stupidly.

"I felt it."

"I know I'm sorry I didn't think of that," he stumbled.

"I mean I'm thinking of you of course, but I forgot."

"I didn't forget you, I, it uhm, it slipped my mind..." he mumbled toward the end.

"Okay, goodnight Gabriel," the silence was getting awkward.

"Yeah, night... uhm do you think I could come over for dinner?"

"Wait I don't mean you have to cook for me..."

"What I'm saying is can I eat here," he stumbled.

Changing directions, "I can pick up something?"

"Or maybe we can watch a movie... maybe a Disney movie since Ava is here... Jayda Jay's daughter watches all of those cartoon movies. I can pick one up... and we can watch it together."

"Are you okay? You sure are stumbling a lot." I stated and heard Jack chuckle.

"Its just that you said we can be friends and friends eat and watch movies together, but I don't want to just throw myself at you..." he explained.

Mate is nervous, he wants to come and spend time with us... say yes... said Avena

If I were being honest I did want to spend time with him, "Sure you can come over for dinner and a movie."

Nodding to himself he asked, "What should I bring for dinner?"

Scrunching my nose, I said, "I'll cook."

"Goodnight Chelsea, thanks for calling me okay," Gabriel said softly and walked away.

When I finally heard the door close, I began speaking to Jack.

"Rian, plans to tell her family that I'm a white wolf... there is something about her Jack, she's creepy but it's more than that, she is really shady."

"Why do you think that?" he asked completely focused now.

"Well, in the hospital her thoughts were so off..." I continued telling him everything I had heard when listening in to them and he agreed as well, she was shifty.

"Okay so I need to interview those guys Gabriel wants to bring over..."

"Yeah and I wanted to know if you had different connections, I mean more people like Casey, Noah, Alex? Ones you trust that wouldn't mind moving here... I'd pay very well and everything but I just feel like since a few things have gotten out we need more security."

"Casey and you are still my number one go to, so you'd be in charge of all that if you don't mind?"

"Sure no problem, will we do it same as last time? Bring them over let your wolves see if they approve?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said before yawning.

"Okay, I'll get working on everything, with Mikael, bringing more guys in checking out Gabriel's guys too. Go to bed Chelsea, you look exhausted." He teased before walking away.

Letting out a huge sigh, I went to my room turning the light off before walking to my side of the bed and getting in next to Ava.

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