AN: NOT EDITED.

Chapter Thirty Four- Stalking my Mate (Gabe's POV)

When I left Chelsea's house after she called me over I didn't know how to really react or how I felt, I had never been in this situation before, caring whether or not a girl called me or invited in on different things in my life. After getting back to Violet and Lucas' place I went straight to the room they had given me, wishing that I were at Chelsea's place even though I would be staying a floor below her, I would be in the house.

You messed that up for both of us... said Max

I honestly couldn't believe that Nika was actually a werewolf that was changed by being bit, Ava, she was beautiful but what really was surprising was the feelings of seeing Chelsea taking on that mother role, she was a complete natural. Comforting Ava when everyone got loud, keeping herself in check and focusing on what was good for Ava. I could imagine who beautiful she would be pregnant, swollen with my child, with my pups.

There were a lot of things that were revealed to me quickly but I was quite angry as well because there was so much about her that I had misjudged. I thought that she was a spoiled brat that just used daddies' money, airhead type that probably used her beauty to get her way. She was nothing like that, nothing at all. Chelsea was different, but I was angry at myself because I kept learning things from other people, there hasn't been one thing I learned because I asked her myself and she told me honestly. I've mostly been in the room, and she was saying something to someone else all the things I should learn on my own I don't.

That shouldn't bother me much, but I feel like if I would have been the one to ask her I would get to know more, like the bomb she threw down 15 minutes ago, she was in the hospital for so long that her adoptive father visited her there. Before I could ask a follow up question she shut me out and continued speaking. Learning bits and pieces, from different intervals of her life was making this frustrating; then again just seeing her behavior told me she was fiercely loyal. The type of loyal that any man would be dying to have by his side, it all just made me think she treats her friends like this, protects them with no questions asked what would she be like with me once I earned her full trust?

Shaking my head I crawled into bed, hating that this place didn't smell like Chelsea... I needed to make amends. Doing that though seemed to be the hardest part for me, because I was out of my element I was reduced to a stuttering idiot, and I hated feeling like that. When I went to sleep again for the second time tonight I continued to brainstorm ideas until I closed my eyes and sooner than I wanted this time I had to get up.

I've always been able to function on about 4 to 5 hours of sleep, my responsibilities required that but now instead of dreaming of the crimes I've committed, I dreamt of Chelsea.

Showering and heading off to my business class, although I have many businesses already I was surprised that when roll was being called I heard Jamie's name. The professor in my class was also in my old pack so after class I just let him know that Jamie was shot, recovering and would be here for the next class.

While on my way to visit my mom I saw her or rather heard her yelling out Chelsea's name, I didn't hear the conversation when she made it closer to her and Jack but then I saw Chelsea following my mother into her office. I wasn't worried that Chelsea would hurt my mother, nor was I afraid that my mother would injury or hurt Chelsea; still I parked my car a far distance in a spot that would give me a perfect view of building. I wanted to see what, how Chelsea would be when coming out of that office, angry, sad or even happy. This was getting really sad, I was stalking my own mate. I shook my head at my thoughts...

we wouldn't have to stalk her if you kept it in your pants...

When she finally made it out she looked neutral neither happy nor sad nor did she appear angry; instead she looked proud of her self, wearing a small smile. Before I could start my car and pull off, my phone rang and it was my mother.

"Gabriel darling," she spoke but her voice sounded off, it sounded like she was holding her emotions in but I could hear the sadness even over the phone.

"Ya mom?"

"Uhm, are you near my office dear?" she asked distractedly and I heard papers being moved in the background.

"Yeah what's up?"

She hesitated for a moment, "Please stop by dear if you have a moment to do so?"

I didn't wait a moment after I said yes, to turn my car on and drive closer to her office, parking and storm inside.

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Chapter Thirty Five- More than Meets the Eye

When I saw my mother my speculations were confirmed, she had tear tracks and walked straight to me throwing her airs around my body while quietly sobbing. I began trying to calm her down, knowing that she was pregnant I didn't think that stress was good for her. I didn't want to jump to conclusions but I also knew that the last person with her was Chelsea, "Are you okay mom?" I asked a few times but each time she only shook her head, after 10 minutes of this my father came in looking like he was expecting a fight.

Snatching my mom from me he pulled her to the couch and began trying to calm her down, with much more success than I had when I tried it.

 You aren't her mate dummy, I heard Max.

When the crying had been reduced to a few hiccups and sniffles my father tried to get her to speak again "Mina, love? What's wrong? Is it the baby? Did you find out something bad?" he peppered her with questions all that she just shook her head roughly.

"Chelsea," she whispered out sadly.

My father growled eyes napping to mine immediately, "see now your mate has your mother crying that girl causes nothing but trouble!" he spat at me angrily.

I would have defended her myself but my mother sprang out of his hold, "You leave that poor girl alone you hear me George Gavino! You leave her alone!" she shouted, pointing her index finger at him and began crying again. This was starting to freak me out, I mean mom was never this outspoken or harsh with my father at least not in front of us children.

Looking to my father, he seemed just as shocked as I was "then what is the matter sweetheart" he asked voice soft once again.

"I ran into her and wanted to apologize for your behavior-" dad cut her off rudely.

"Why would you apologize for me no one asked you to do that Mina," he sulked.

Mom just shook her head smiling now, like she wasn't just bawling crying 50 seconds ago, "You and that girl would get along great, she didn't even give me time to stand up for you, told me not to make excuses for you."

"Anyways, she noticed that I was pregnant and said she wanted to give me a gift, she made it out to be a session, quick thinking girl that she is; but honestly the gift was more insightful than anything. I shouldn't be doing this, speaking to you of this but what she said just made me reanalyze everything that had been happening in our pack and business for a while." She spoke dazed tears filling her eyes once more.

"Do you guys know the whereabouts of Rian's brother?" she asked randomly although she didn't give off the impression that this was a random thought.

"Well he left his father's crew and no one has heard from him in the longest while," my father answered, my mother just nodding her head.

"Why? what does this have to do with that Chelsea girl," he said making a mockery of my mate.

"I told you to leave that girl alone George!" mom said sternly.

"Why she's stolen our sons from us!" he answered venom in his voice.

"No, she didn't and plus she may have just saved this babies life," she exclaimed just as loud while pointing to her stomach.

"Wait what?" both my father and I said.

"She offered to give me a gift, she told me of her past and she mentioned the trip we all took to the bahamas' the one when Ames, Maggie and Madeline would have been about 5 or 6." She said.

I felt like I was missing something because how on earth could she have possibly known about this vacation... I mean I never mentioned it.

I was slightly relieved when dad seemed as confused as I was that she knew of that.

"Wait how did she know about it?" he questioned mom, then turned to me.

Putting my hands up in surrender I replied, "Not from me I'm wondering how myself?"

"Listen then!" mom said angrily, it's definitely the hormones. "She knew us before we even met her that day, when she was 9 years old Rian's brother took her and for two years he beat her while making her watch videos of the family." My mom started crying now in earnest again.

"She is feeding you lies, to break our pack up!" my dad said but mom continued ignoring him.

"He would make her count-" that caught my attention my dad was wrong and my wolf and I growled, my mom stopped speaking, I could feel my wolf coming out, we were angry that someone hurt her.

"Gabriel?" my father asked unsure.

"She isn't lying dad, when she's around Ames or their family she counts in her head. When she was throwing up that day that's what I heard. When I told her that she had to accept them, that's all I heard, just her counting..." I growled out.

I heard my dad growling which caught my attention, I could tell my mom was mind linking with him and this was the one time I wished that I were in their pack because I could also see what she was showing him.

My dad got up and started pacing, "He did that to her?" he asked my mom who was still crying and nodding.

"Who did what to who?" I asked puzzled.

"Have you ever seen her back son?" my dad asked me.

"No..." I answered looking at mom who was crying, wiping at tears with a handkerchief my dad handed to her.  

"She has all these scars, it's like he tortured her, there are small ones but from what your mother mind linked me just now there are three long scars from neck to lower back, if she was human when she got those..." even my dad was shaking his head in disgust. "If she got those when she was human she would need at least 30 per slice down her back." He explained and my mom was just weeping nodding her head in agreement.

 "I'm not sure why she's still counting Gabriel, but I'd go with she has some form of OCD, without knowing more information, but how she keeps the house, the counting, it might have started with Leo, or she could have been doing for a while... Have you asked her about it?" mom asked me while dad ignored that comment. But she gave me something to think about.

"What else did she say Mina?" my father asked mom.

"She told me, if Rian had to give up her family for Jay, for your side, then how did her brother end up with those tapes, those personal family tapes. She's right... but she didn't just stop there..." mom cried.

My dad walked back to my mom, rubbing her back as she cried, "she-she said, she asked, what Rian was doing with Katie and Jayda way near the patrol lines when she was attack."

Dad had a fast answer, "she said she was just taking a walk Mina," he repeated the same thing Rian had told us pitifully while she apologized for letting harm come to Katie.

My mom began shaking my head in disagreement, "Okay but why take Katie, and why not take Jayda who was smaller and probably easier to get a handle on? She is in contact with her family George, how did they get that video of that vacation and the other ones to make Chelsea watch it? They took Katie because she wasn't blood, Chelsea said she wasn't sure but how do we really know Rian wasn't involved."

My mom was calming down as she started explaining things so my dad would see it from her view, "ever since Jay married her she acted like she didn't know about wolves, but her brother called Chelsea his mate! Then how did Chelsea see those videos? Either it's Rian or we have a traitor in our business, in the pack working with Rian's brother," she said in panic.

"We never even questioned why Rian was so close to the borders that day, the two guys who were in that area running were killed, and she was there... it seems like too many coincidences George..." my mother cried.

"And, and it's not just that, all the little times where her father knew things about shipments and outgoings, our dealings? Before Rian you never mentioned those things to me, wives were kept in the dark but when Rian joined you and Jay began telling us, everything. I could go either way as long as you come back to me safely, but Rian she always wants to be right in the middle."

My mom was just freely speaking, explaining how she saw things in her head at the moment, but what concerned me was my dad was actually making connections himself. There were so many things I had not been able to witness before I began part in the business, as Andrew and Ethan.

Mom spoke one last time, "Even if Chelsea is wrong, and it's not Rian it has to be someone, she saw videos that no one should have saw because they were private. So if not Rian, then who George?"

My dad sat down for a moment, and we heard a knock at the door. Walking to answer it she opened and was met by none other than my fathers Beta, Jay and his lovely mate, Rian.

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Chapter Thirty Six- Plans (Gabriel)

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, my father always said, and this moment was just this, as Jay and Rian walked into my mother's office. We would all have been worried of what they potentially heard but we all knew that my mother's office was sound proof, so we were all able to keep our cool.

"Oh Mina, why the tears is something wrong with your baby?" Rian asked and I found out mom would make a great actress.

"I'm fine, I was just upset with my two boys here, always arguing these days..." mom lied.

Rian sucked her teeth, and we all watched as if her personality turned she spoke, "it's all Chelsea's fault you know; ever since she came here. Gabriel I do not want to throw blame on you, but my Maggie would still be here now if you hadn't gone and marked that little home wrecker," she spat at me.

Let me rip her throat out! Max growled out.

"No Maggie would have been here if you hadn't told Jay to kick his true mate out of this Pack because of everything you gave up for him. So in reality Maggie would be here, if you hadn't been so insecure." I answered her calmly and when she made a move to get in my face Jay and my father growled low, and she instantly bowed her head in submission. Even though she made it look easy, everyone could see how her teeth gritted when she did.

"Blame isn't going to bring Maggie back," my mother said and Rian might have been so angry that her filter had temporarily broken.

"That's easy for you to say Mina, at least you know your Katie is alive somewhere, my Maggie is dead," she blurted out and quickly tried to cover herself in the same moment, "you know what they say, a mother always knows."

My mom ever the best actress just nodded her head at Rian, "So what brings you guys here today?" Dad asked.

"Well Jay and I were just heading home after visiting Audrey, we saw all of your cars and thought we could all talk before heading home," she said conversationally.

"What about?" my dad said coldly probably realizing that maybe there was truth to what Chelsea had told my mother about Rian and her brother.

"Well, it's just that with Gabriel stepping down for Boss, and Alpha I thought instead of spending a lot of time to train Andrew and Ethan, they can become second and third for Ames, we could let Ames handle everything since he is mated to Scarlet," she suggested. Honestly whether it were the fact that just 10 minutes ago mom was crying explaining her thoughts about what Chelsea said or she really was acting differently, my dad and his wolf traded places quickly then back again before he spoke with absolutely no emotion, "that's something to think about."

"Yeah it is, that way you and Mina can take more time, this time to focus on this new baby," she said smiling but by now the tension could be cut with a knife. 

Trying to change the subject Jay added, "I saw Chelsea on my way up to See Audrey, she was going to see that Jamie, and I told her she should join our pack instead of pulling Gabriel here away from us-" Rian was seriously on a roll right now because before any of us could speak or Jay could finish she slipped on the earlier persona and said "why would you do that, you want our pack to be continuously attack because everyone wants their hands on a white wolf?" she asked spitefully.

How would anyone know she was a white wolf unless she told them, Max said to me while I thought it.

"Well it doesn't matter because when I asked she told me that if anything she needs protection from our pack, more than anything else out there, stubborn just like Audrey," he chuckled.

Before I could control myself I blurted out, "My mate is nothing like Audrey."

It became quiet once again, "If you two wouldn't mind excusing us I have some things to talk to Gabriel about." My father said using his Alpha tone to politely kick them out.

When they left my father turned to me, "what is her security like?" shocking mom and me too, I growled at him whereas she yelled.

"George Carlo Gavino! I told you leave that girl alone!" she gritted out so angrily I could see her wolf coming out.

Instead of retaliating dad shocked the hell out of me, "I am leaving her alone, but from what I can tell she doesn't have many guards, I am willing to bring 3 to 5 people from Italy over to help build up her guard, my most loyal there and 3 or 4 men from my most loyal here."

"Wait what?" I asked dumbfounded.

"She didn't have to tell your mother anything she mentioned Gabriel, Rian may or may not be the reason for Katie's disappearance but your mate warned your mother," he said shaking his head

"She wants no trouble, I hate to admit this but she could have came in guns blazing ready for revenge the only thing she's been saying was to leave her alone, that she wants nothing to do with us..." with good reason my wolf thought.

"No not us dad, the Colts specifically."

He just nodded his head probably thinking of everything he's learned today plus the almost confirmation he received from Rian when she was here, "still she will need protection from the business people and other wolves, packs and rogues.  So I will give you 3 or 4 men immediately, then I will bring over 5 from Italy who want papers."

"Thanks," I answered. Looking at my watch I saw that I had to go to Chelsea's for dinner, "Somewhere you have to be Gabriel?" my mother asked.

"Yeah, I'm going over Chelsea's for dinner and a movie," I tried to sound indifferent but my dad quirked his brow.

"Are you not staying with her?" he asked surprised.

"No, she kicked me out. I'm staying near her..." I said ashamed, my mom just giggling.

"I knew she was a good girl, perfect for you. You've been handed lots of things in life Gabriel, for once you have to work for something, even though it should be something easily given to you." She clarified through her giggles.

Getting up, leaving my mom and dad chuckling behind me as I left to head over to Chelsea's, movie already picked up.

Don't mess this up this time...

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Chapter Thirty-Seven – Dinner and a movie

After leaving my mom I went straight to the jewelers place and picked out two bracelets one for Ava and the other for Chelsea with my families crest on it. I knew there was a huge chance that Chelsea wouldn't wear it or allow Ava too but if she was going to stay here with the way Rian was talking it would be better if people knew for a fact that she was protected by the Boss.

If, no... When Rian opened her mouth about Chelsea being a white wolf all sorts of people would be after her, many will see the bracelet as a warning not to interfere and some will actually run in the opposite direction. The bracelet for her and Ava will serve as a way to keep many away that would take attention away from the really strong contenders.

When I arrived at Chelsea's I was met with painters and other random men walking in and out of her home, and was able to walk right in when I was greeted by Jack, "Hey, Chelsea is in the kitchen," he said before walking off.

"Aren't you guys staying for dinner?" I asked confused since I knew they all lived here but it looked like everyone was leaving, Casey included.

"No, Casey, Lucas and Violet are staying close but the rest of us are going to go visit Jamie." He said.

Walking into the kitchen the best picture graced me; Chelsea had light music on and was dancing, twirling with Ava on her hip laughing a storm. They looked beautiful, if you didn't know otherwise you'd think Ava was biologically Chelsea's daughter, our daughter.

When they both saw me, the were startled but I was adorned with beautiful smiles from them both, "hello ladies."

Putting Ava down Chelsea walked over to me; "you can have a seat, since I am pretty much already done."

Ava started crawling up into a chair, when she finally situated she spoke to me shocking the hell out of me, "I stay!" she said happily.

I looked to Chelsea, for her to explain, "My lawyer found information on her, Ava is originally Avalina Prosper, she is suspected to be dead from a fire at the orphanage that she was living and is 5 years old. I'm adopting her as well..." Chelsea answered me and I couldn't help but smile because I could tell she already was very attached to Ava. Placing all the food down on the table, I looked at Chelsea, she really was beautiful but not in a caked up amount of makeup type of way.

I didn't know how to broach this subject so I started with something easy, "I saw you leaving my mom's office today... she called me right after." I said nonchalantly.

"I'm sure she did," she spoke looking at Ava trying to get pieces of ravioli into her mouth with her hands and a spoon. It was pretty messy but Chelsea didn't even look like she cared that Ava was making a mess, I couldn't help compare her to Rian, Maggie, Madeline, Audrey... all of them... even with their own siblings they would yell and shout at Jayda if she made any type of mess.

"You told her about yourself," I said trying not to upset her but she still seemed calm.

"Are you trying to ask me something Gabriel?" she asked looking at me, complete eye contact, "I mean I know she would tell you or your father but that was the point, she shouldn't have to lose another child because she's trusting the wrong people." She explained.

"Yeah but my dad has been so mean to you, instigating problems left and right," I wanted to go on but she spoke, "Yes, but I'm sure your dad didn't force Maggie to come here and fight me, plus your mom was against it from the get go, she looked miserable and unhappy to be there."

 Mate is very fair...

"So what else did you do today?"  I asked trying to get on better topics, safe ones.

She smiled, "Well school, but I can take both classes as independent study as long as I participate in the annual winter show, then went to see Jamie. Your brother annoys me; I mean what is his problem? My wolf wants to strangle him when I'm near him." She said honestly my mouth just dropping when she spoke did she really have no filter.

"Don't look at me like that, he was annoying to everyone, Molly filled me in about how he acted when I left... Is he always like this?"

Shaking my head I answered, "well that's just it, he never behaves that way."

And that's how this went until we finished dinner around 7pm, although I did want to watch a movie with both of them, by the time we cleaned up everything Ava was practically falling asleep at the table. Picking her up gently Chelsea walked upstairs and I just followed, when we passed the room she said earlier would be Ava's she spoke, "can you grab her some pajamas Gabriel?" but continued into her own room.

Walking into Ava's room I saw that they had created her the most beautiful oasis for a little girl, a small table with 3 chairs was in one corner, instead of the black furniture that was once in here, it was antique white wooden furniture and instead of the hard floors there was a soft looking carpet now. In the closet I saw that they had filled them up with nice dresses, outdoors wear, shoes but not sleeping things. Checking the dressers I found different kinds of night gowns and sleep wear, picking something out I walked to Chelsea's room, and could hear the water from her bathroom running, placing the pajamas on the vanity near the bathroom I went downstairs to pick up the two bracelets giving Chelsea some time to dress Ava and settle her down for bed.

When I walked back up I could see that Ava was already lying in the middle of Chelsea's bed but not asleep, holding on to Birdy.

Getting near the bed and sitting on the edge, I watched Ava her gaze intense on me as well, and I felt the urge to speak to her, not sure she could understand me, "I'm sorry Ava. I didn't know that you were a little girl, I mean I treated you nice but not like a human, not like this," I said waving my hands around. They created a room just for her, Chelsea pampered her and spoke softly; it was like Ava was meant to stay here, to find these people.

I could tell she was getting sleepy because her eyes were blinking but taking longer by the minute to reopen, looking at her, knowing that she had to spend 3 years as a wolf, that she was taken and changed as a child but survived and was here as a beautiful little girl made me think that maybe Katie was alive. Hopefully she wasn't going through what Chelsea had according to my mother, but Katie was strong and seeing Ava made me believe all over again that she was alive out there we just had to find her.

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