AN:Not edited.

Chapter Thirty- Prelude to the boom  

I heard my alarm going off, 6:45am and it was already time to get up but I was exhausted, forgetting that I had Ava next to me I quickly reached to shut it off. It had been a while since I did any kind of training so changing into some sports wear I went down to the gym and did 40 minutes on the treadmill then went up to my studio and began stretching. I wasn't sure what to do, it had been even longer since I had danced but I felt like I was going out of control and dancing would help me center myself. I wanted to work on my hip-hop so I put on 'Dark Horse' by Katy Perry, then put it on repeat, while I began stretching.

Twenty minutes of stretching and I began working on a routine that I had started back in New York, and I had to admit it felt really good to do this. When it was almost 9:30 I stopped and walked back to my room.

I found Ava exactly where I left her, but she was sleeping with her feet pointing towards the headboard, Birdy in her arms being held tight, butt cocked up and a small amount of drool falling from her mouth.

Running my shower, I step in washing away all the grime, then just letting the water help my sore muscles.

I didn't know exactly how Ava would react to me not being around, I mean it's only been a few hours, and she wasn't a new born so I was hoping things would just go smoothly. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I have to wonder why in three years time she never once shifted on her own... I mean had Gabe and his family never once spoke of how exactly you shift? Lets say someone shifted when they were supposed too did no one speak out loud about how to shift back?

As I thought of this I wanted to know what would be a reason for her not to shift when she was with Gabriel, I think that there was a reason. The only emotion or reason behind that I could find to explain why it took her 3 years to shift was, fear. Which only brought up more questions, what did she fear at Gabriel's house, he lived with the colts and his parents while there was another pack mansion near them but if she feared someone from his family but felt protected with him that could explain never shifting.

That made me feel better, she felt safe enough to shift here, to show her human self.

After getting dressed, I went to my art studio picked up supplies, placed them in my knapsack. Walking back to my room I saw that Ava was starting to wake up.

When she sat up looking around her eyes found mine and she gave me a small smile, before trying to leave my bed and stumble slowly over to me. Picking her up I walked down to the kitchen, saw everyone waiting minus Noah, who had night watch so was asleep and Molly who was probably already at the hospital with Jamie.

"Morning you guys..." walking toward Andrea knowing they probably told her that I wanted her to watch Ava while I was gone.

"Ava, this is Andrea," I said pointing to her, when I tried to hand her over all the whimpering quickly stopped that plan.

"Sorry I'm not sure this will work," realizing that I tried handing her over to the wrong person at this moment.

"Ava, this is Casey. Good. Friend. Safe. No hurt okay? Good Casey," I repeated, hoping she would understand.

"I have school, you will stay with Casey. Good Casey," holding on to me she spoke for the second time "C-Casey."

"Casey mine," she said and I swear Casey was in shock but smiling so wide that his mouth had to hurt.

"Yes, Casey is yours," I said wanting to laugh knowing I wasn't the only one. His brothers had a look of glee while also biting their lips to not be laughing on the floor that his mate is a little kid right now.

Slowly Ava went to Casey and he looked so happy while Ava looked distracted by something. She began poking, touching his face, hands on his cheek, before thinking of food.

Eat.  She thought to Casey but since they hadn't marked each other and wouldn't for a long while he couldn't hear her, his little mate though was not happy that he wasn't answering.

Laughing I spoke, "Ava he can't read your mind." And no one would until she could actually say what needed to be so she could join, which based on how she was speaking now would probably be a while.

"Oh, what does she want?" Casey said.

"Food, she's hungry."

"Oh Okay, what does she want to eat?"

"Try eggs, but maybe something different with them, omelet or flat then cut up into squares," I suggested, Andrea quickly pulling out supplies.

Turning to Violet and the rest, "get her clothes, fix up the room, and contact Mikael for information."

"Don't worry I'll fix everything up for her," I could see the wheels turning already.

Leaving my house with only Jack, Ray and Alex I was thinking about Ava, I knew for sure that by the end of the day I'd know Ava's story if we could find one, and I was both happy and frightened for that. Happy because I knew how I hated not knowing much about myself when I was growing up, but I was sad because I had already became very attached to her since last night. I liked having to have someone to take care of, plus I could relate so much to her.

When we arrived at school I wanted into my class and saw that I was early and my professor whoever this woman was, was a werewolf.

"You a student?" she asked while I could see her sniffing the air, trying to catch my scent.

"Yes, but I'm not in the Gavinos' Pack, I'm Chelsea Hobbs." I said handing her my portfolio, and then watching her face when she starts watching my drawings, and photos of other work as was required. It took two minutes for her to mention what I wanted to get out of the way, which is why I came early so other students' whether werewolf or human could hear this conversation.

"Your style is much like CiCi paintings," I remain quiet then spoke after looking around to check that we were still alone.

"Well I would hop so since I'm CiCi," she gasps, starting over from the beginning.

"Oh my god! You are!" While looking at me oddly.

"Why take an art course?"

"Well I like art."

"Yes but what do you expect to get out of this course?" Nothing not really, but I'm sure that I should not say that.

"What do you think you can teach me?" I asked turning the question back onto her.

"Honestly, not much, you have such an amazing talent." I watch as she starts to really take a good look at my face, "You look a lot like the Colts' daughter Audrey." And there it is.

"She's my twin but I was adopted by my father."

"Oh... Okay..." she says when I don't give any more information than that.

"I heard she's in the hospital," she tries to speak conversationally.

"Oh is she? I didn't know that," I said, people were always fishing for information and she wasn't going to get a story from me.

"Yeah, well..." she stuttered probably unsure of how to get back on topic.

"This class..."

"Yes, this class... at the end all student have to show up to 6 pieces that they have worked on during the semesters. If we could show 10 of your pieces I believe you could do this class as an independent study course, if you preferred." She offered.

Thinking of that offer I had to say I liked it, I wouldn't have to spend time coming here, I could spend more time with Ava... Ava... If she stayed with us that is. It seemed like a great option but then I thought of one thing. "Will I have to come to this show?"

"Well, yes..."

"Will people have to know that I'm CiCi, is what I'm asking," I spelled it out for her. She was a werewolf and knew I was one as well... I'm sure she could put the pieces together that I didn't want any kind of fan fare involved with my work.

"Well, no..." she said undecidedly.

"Then sure I'd be able to do that," I said taking my work back into my possession.

Handing me a form, she said "take this bring it to your adviser, it will change so that you will be able to take this for independent study. Are you in any of my other classes?"

"Yes, this is the painting class but I also signed up for Drawing 3 course..." I drifted off with explanation when I saw her rummaging through stakes of messy paper and handing me an independent study form for that class as well.

"It's a pleasure to have meet you dear." She said kindly.

"Thanks," I turned walking to where Jack was perched outside the door with an iPad in his hands but I knew better than he was actually just waiting and watching our surroundings always on watch for Leo.

"You done already?" he asked with laughter in his voice.

"Yeah, independent study..." I said, while he chuckled.

"Ok, so the hospital to see Jamie?" he said.

"Yeah, I need to update him on some things," I said out loud.

I need to finish healing him too, I know they won't let him out unless he's at a certain point, when I get him to that, I'll do the rest at home.... And in no time at all he'll be good as new, I completed over the mindlink.

"Okay good," he answered but remained silent, as did I until we made it to the car. That's what I liked about Jack he never really spoke much, he knew I wasn't much of a talker so he never pushed, like Jamie. Casey on the other hand was a joker, always trying to get me to losen up a little bit, although now he was a bit more serious now that he found his mate.

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