AN: Hi, PLEASE READ THE NOTE AT THE END.

Chapter Forty – Accident or on purpose

"Oh fuckkkk, Chelsea" I groan, waking up and shockingly I'm eye to eye with Chelsea and she's watching me holding my manhood after an amazing dream.

"Fuck," I stutter out for a completely different reason that all the other times, pulling my hands off my dick I say the first thing I can think of because Chelsea's eyes are wide watching me. "Good morning," I say kindly.

Shaking her head slightly, "Why aren't you answering your phone?" she surprises me. I look to the clock on the bedside table, 8:04am.

"Were you calling me?" I smirk cockily which only lasts a minute when she speaks next.

"No, Jamie called me because your dad has been calling you for almost an hour, your mom was in an accident this morning," she says hurriedly.

"She's at the hospital, we need to hurry and go there, Jamie said something's up with the baby... Your mom really wants you there," she was yelling at me now since I wasn't moving.

Jumping out of bed, I began clumsy running around, pulling on clothes quickly while Chelsea looks at me sadly walking out, when I get outside she's waiting near my car on the passenger side.

"Are you going to school?" I asked robotically.

"No, I'd like to come with you if that won't be a problem?" she said nervously.

Bring her.

 Looking back at her, I could see she was concerned, feel her worry, and hear her heart beat quickly awaiting my answer.

"I'd like that," jumping in my car Chelsea following suit.

It was a 25-minute drive to the hospital, once we got into the car neither one of us spoke until I shifted the car in park started walking to the entrance that I finally found my voice once again, "did they say what happened?" She wouldn't need to answer because the moment we turned the corner and my mothers practice came in sight I was shocked, unable to move my feet for a minute. There was nothing left, nothing at all, completely blown up to pieces, the area was taped off and I could see the madness and felt Chelsea pulling on my shoulder.

"Gabriel come on we should go inside," she said harshly walking quickly pulling me behind her, I was getting angry, no that's not right I was already that way. There were only two families that could possibly do this, Madden's (Irish Mob) or the Romanov's (Russian Mob), but my money was on Madden.

"I'm looking for Mina Gavino?" I impatiently asked the receptionist that the hospital apparently paid to ogle me instead of answer phones and questions; when she finally noticed Chelsea I saw her send a glare her way but Chelsea just smirked at her.

"Only family," the hideously fake woman said while biting on her lip in a way I can only assume is an attempt to being sexy but she just looked like a dog.

"She's family, my wife." I said to shut down this flea whilst hoping for some type of reaction from Chelsea but she just stood there cool as a cucumber.

Sending another glare at my mate, "she's in room 614, here are your visitors pass."

Snatching them and handing one to Chelsea we walked to the elevator.

Riding in the elevator I chance a glance at Chelsea, happy that she's here with me, that she cared enough to even come to me personally when my Jamie contacted her.

"Thank you," I said quietly but she didn't reply verbally just nodding her head at me, but I'd take that. I'm sure she was preparing herself for what we were facing as well as knowing everyone was here. I couldn't be exactly sure because she had her walls up, getting off on the ICU floor we walked to my mothers' room. It really wasn't that hard to find it considering I could see that my dad had already put guards on the outside.

Knocking first, I entered bringing Chelsea along with me; my mother was lying on her side weeping with my father and sister trying to console her.

Sitting in different places around the room were Rian, Jay, Madeline, Ames, Andrew, Ethan, Samuel and my mothers brother Oscar.

"What Happened?" I asked sharply noticing my mother was hooked up to many machines and there was a light thumping noise.

"You going to tell me to leave this room too?" ask Sam cockily, I released a growl in warning, but Chelsea was looking directly at my mother ignoring him.

"Yes, in fact all of you leave, Gabriel and George can stay," she said calmly but everyone turned angry very fast.

"Who do you think you are?" asked Scarlet, Sam and Rian all at once.

Giving only Rian her attention Chelsea said clearly, "keep talking and making enemies this time it'll be Jayda that goes missing like Katie."

She is bating Rian... my wolf said happily loving that we had an intelligent quick on her feet mate.

I heard growls, gasps but the most shocking fell from Rians mouth, "Like they would ever," she gritted out.

Bingo.

.

.

.

Chapter Forty-One – Healing Builds Bridges (Chelsea's POV)

"Like they would ever," Rian answered but I just let it drop because honestly I had enough to worry about when it came to her, that was just me throwing Gabriel's parents a bone.

When Jamie had called me this morning I was so tired but  grabbed my phone blindly so it wouldn't wake Ava up. When he filled me in on everything I knew that Gabriel said he was staying at Violets and Lucas, I got dress quickly and went over there leaving Ava asleep with a very happy Casey to watch her along with Andrea.

It took no more than five minutes to get to him but when I went inside his room I saw that he was fast asleep, naked in the bed moaning, cursing and his hand was moving quickly, while he groaned away in pleasure.

Looking at his naked body I could see he was clearly well endowed, very endowed and I immediately thought of how his sir would fit in my lady.

As he released he shot right up and I realized he was calling my name while I was calling his. I was happy, although shocked that he was thinking of me, while he was doing that, but I'd think about it later.

Just thinking about this now was doing things to me; shaking my head I repeated my earlier statement.

Mind out of the gutter Chelsea we came for a reason... said Avena and she was right when Jamie said something was wrong with his mothers' child I knew I had to help her out and even my wolves agreed with that.

"I need everyone to leave so I can speak to George, Mina and Gabriel," before anyone could really argue again Mina spoke up.

"It's okay I want her to stay and George needs to speak to Gabriel," she said but no one moved until she looked to George who was staring at me.

Even after that blunder Rian was still opening her mouth, "If he's talking to Gabriel about pack business then we all need to be here, Mina." She said condescendingly like she was talking to a lesser woman. Yet before Mina could get herself worked up I saw George take control of this situation.

"Jay, Rian you should go visit Audrey, Scarlet, Ames, Samuel don't you guys have class to get too, there's nothing you can do for your mother that her doctors aren't already doing, if anything changes I'll link all of you," I recognized that he was using his alpha voice on them and immediately they all started to leave, Scarlet, Rian and Samuel sending glares my way.

"What are you going to do?" I snorted, "glare me to death?" I asked them rolling my eyes.

When everyone left I mind linked Jack who I knew had followed Gabriel's car here, and us upstairs and was now outside the door.

Did everyone leave?

Yeah, they just got on the elevator....

Thanks; let me know if they come back up okay Jack?

Sure thing Ms. Boss, he said making me smile

 "So what's going on Mrs. Gavino?" I said waving my hands at the machines.

She still hadn't really stopped crying, "I went to open my practice but it blew up, the impact sent me flying backwards and I fell back fairly hard. I have a broken rib and head fracture but I'm having contractions too." She cried out, then winced when she moved.

"They gave me something to stop it but it's not really working, but if they deliver right now the baby wont be able to make it, I'm not far enough along," she wept.

Moving over to the side where George wasn't sitting I began pulling the blanket covering her legs, and pulling up the gown she had on lightly covering her baby bump.

"What are you doing?" George growled out at me, ready to rip me away from his mate.

"I'm helping her," I said while sitting on the edge and placing my hands flat on her stomach, I knew he didn't believe me but I spoke anyway.

"Watch the monitors for the baby," while I closed my eyes concentrating on slowly stopping her contractions, helping the babies levels to actually level out. I heard her gasp as she watched what I hope was the numbers going to a healthy place for her as well as her child.

"What Mina? Is she hurting the baby?" George asked out loud frantically probably not understanding that the numbers were going to a good place instead of the opposite.

Still ignoring everything I moved my hand from her lower abdomen to where I could tell she obviously had a black and blue bruise. Placing my hand over it slowly and carefully not to cause pain I thought of healing that injury, and held it there for another 9 to ten minutes before removing my hand, and opening my eyes and I was faced with a wide-eyed George and Gabriel, but a smiling teary-eyed Mina.

"How did you do that?" Gabriel and George asked.

Half truth Chelsea, same thing you told Gabriel before...

"Well...it's something I can do, right now you need to make sure that the doctor here wolf or not doesn't examine her."

"Thank you!" Mina said sincerely while rubbing her bump and taking off the monitors on her stomach herself while also pressing the button to call a nurse.

Gabriel and George were still looking at me waiting for a better explanation, "I'm a white wolf, I can heal. I'm not sure how I know how to do it, but I can use my mind as well as this energy I have to mend things internally. When it gets to where they are back to original I can feel the energy sort of wean it's self. Until I know for sure there's nothing more I can do, so I stop." I try to explain and see Gabriel looking at me in awe and pride but George he looked pensive.

Fuck is 9 men enough? Can literally heal wounds, can't let anyone find out about that... he was thinking then looked at my wrist noticing the bracelet Gabriel gave me.

"Dad what happened? Did they leave a note?" Gabriel asked, thankfully getting attention off of me.

George glanced at me, "No, not a note but I already know from my guy on the force that it was an Irish bomb," Gabriel growled.

"I'm fairly certain that this has to do with Chelsea though, some thing isn't adding up with Rian." George said and I could only snort.

"Dad, we need to go but, can you call me if you find anything out? Who put it there, set it up? I'm thinking they watched her get near before it was activated. Mom didn't go inside so this wasn't anything more that someone getting our attention. I just find it weird that Rian mentioned people would be coming and bam they came. It's all connected," Gabriel said.

Before anyone could speak my phone rung, and I pulled it out see that it was a face call from Casey. Accepting the call I was face to face with a sad looking Ava, "El-see gone?" she whimpered.

"Hey baby, I have school but you'll have fun with Casey, your Casey?" I said smiling. 

"El-see come back?" she pouted cutely.

Looking at the clock, I knew I had missed my first class but would be able to make it to my second, so I wisely answered her, "I'll be back after school, but you get to play with good Casey and good Andrea." I said enthusiastically as I could.

"Where's Birdy?" I ask to distract her and she moves out of sight and I can see only Casey before she pops up again, showing me Birdy.

"Okay you take care of Birdy and I'll be home soon, okay baby?" I cooed before hanging up.

"Who was that?" asked Mina.

"Ava, my daughter," and her eyes bulged whilst George was more verbal, "What?"

I just looked to Gabriel, who took lead on this, "Ava is Nika. Nika wasn't a wild wolf, she was actually a five year old little girl that was changed. Casey one of the guys you met at Chelsea's dinner, he is her mate. Casey told Chelsea that she was his mate and Chelsea was actually able to get her to shift back into her human self." He explained as his mother was gaping and his father was shaking his head back and forth. He then stood up, pacing the room.

"Changed?" he asked me.

"Yeah it looks as if they bit her hand, she was about 2 when it happened I'm thinking, because my lawyer found out that she was suspected to have died in a orphanage facility," I said vaguely.

"Can I speak with him? Your lawyer?" George asked weirdly.

"Sure he's flying in today, Gabriel will bring him over later," I said getting up, saying goodbyes to Gabriel's parents then making our way to our second class, tailed by Jack, Noah and Lucas.

.

.

.

Chapter Forty-Two – Moving Along

Once we entered the car Gabriel spoke right away, but not about what I thought he would. "Chelsea can we talk about this morning?"

"Can we talk about it later." I wanted to ask but honestly with my abrasive tone it came out more like a statement, but I couldn't be sorry because he instantly dropped it.

"Fine but later," he said just as I had before, and then pulled out of the parking space.

Driving past what used to be Gabriel's mothers' office was I couldn't help but really think of what happened now that I had already helped her out. Her office was 20 minutes away from school, I knew that my people were still trailing me so it wasn't a tense ride but I couldn't stop my mind. Whether or not this had anything to do with me, I had a few theories. I knew that whoever did this was both stupid and timed things wrong, Mina was actually early and the bomb was meant to go off when she was inside.

Theory number two was it wasn't meant to kill her but scare her, which made me curious. "Gabriel, has this thing ever happened before?" I said still looking out of the window.

"Well," he seemed to be pondering this, "yes, but the people who do things like this either do it to kill. Or they do it to kidnap, use the craziness as a distract to slip in and out." He said carefully, picking his words.

"So, either they messed up or it's not the people who do this? They're copycatting?" I asked thoughtfully.

"Exactly."

So I was right... that's why she had guards outside the door, well maybe not. Maybe when this type of thing happened this was the normal protocol. I mean that's what happened with Leo, it just so happens that I shifted and instead of human guards I got wolves.

"Why didn't you tell me you could heal others Chelsea?" my reply was instant.

"Why didn't you tell me the minute after you bit me that Maggie almost had your child?" I didn't mean to make my voice come out so cold but it really couldn't be helped, at least I thought so my wolves not so much.

He is trying Chelsea, don't be like that... said Aria

It was silent until he tried a different approach, "Why did you heal my mother, if I'm assuming correctly," he put emphases on the last two words, "you had planned on keeping that a secret. So why out yourself?"

"Well, besides it being the right thing to do, I believe that it was someone trying to get me through your parents. I can count the number of people that know my secret so I know that whoever came now, doesn't know what I'm capable of doing. Logically speaking, the best defense is a good offense, so using what I can do to help build allies is my greatest positive plan of action."

I needed to change this conversation, "I think your mother is having twins." I blurted out. Although I probably should have thought of something else because Gabriel took his eyes off the road and nearly caused an accident but quickly swerved the car into our correct lane.

"What?" he shrieked.

"You what! Keep your eyes on the road, not me!" I answered back while I heard Jack over the packlink. 

Chelsea is something wrong, what happened? he asked worriedly. 

I'm fine, he just took his eyes off the road for a second I said before closing it. 

Gabriel, not easily distracted he pushed on, "my mom is having twins?"

Rolling my eyes to the heaven I answered, I guess it worked to distract him, "well your mom is either having twins, or this baby has the Alpha gene." I said plainly.

"How could you tell?"

"Well... I can feel like any other wolf that has strength or power, and not the extra type of power I'm talking about knowing or feeling someone's rank. The strength I could feel either means that she's having twins or the baby has the Alpha gene."  

"I tried checking on the heart monitor listening to the heartbeat to see if it was double or I heard a murmur but I couldn't tell just from that. If there is another baby then he or she is skillfully hiding behind the girl that can be seen," I explained.

"I mean twins run in your family so..." I said but stopped when I saw from the corner of my eye Gabriel shaking his head back and forth. I know that he didn't mean for me to hear the words but I did, whether he muttered them or thought them because for the rest of the ride all he did was think about it.

I'll never forgive myself for how I treated her.

What was unexpected to me was to catch the reply his wolf gave him.

You might not, but eventually she will if you do things right from here on out, stupid human.

I wanted to laugh at what I heard but I held it in.

.

.

.

Chapter Forty-Three - Almost Official

By the time I made it home after school and my pole dancing class that I went to without Jamie, Jamie was home playing with Ava.

"She's fun." He said laughing, but him talking led to Ava realizing that I was home and she came running to me, "El-see home," she sighed.

"Yeah baby, when I left you were sleeping. Did you have fun with Casey today?" I asked her, even though she had been a wolf for three years I knew she could speak, and understand she might not know ho to spell but I think she knows what things are. I didn't see a point in using baby talk with her, because that would only hold her back.

I might repeat things if I see she doesn't understand but I think she's intelligent.

"You want to help me cook?" I asked walking to the kitchen, well more like spinning and twirling Ava and I into the kitchen. I know everyone was staring at me but I just felt like making sure Ava's childhood was never like mine, I wanted her to have so much more than I did. I wanted her to have a family, we may not be the typical mother, father, two brothers and sister type family but I knew she was surrounded by people who loved me, and her.

I wanted her smiling and laughing and doing all the things that I did not get to experience but thought it looked like fun and for the most part she was pretty easy going in my opinion.

I could see that Andrea has began the preparations as I had instructed, I knew we would be having a full house 20 to be exact because on our way to school Gabriel's father sent him a text saying that Mina and he would be joining. At first I didn't plan on having everyone but on the off chance that it was some type of coup I thought if he were bringing his best four then I should out do him in numbers.

Thankfully last night I made three pans of lasagnas, marinated pork chops, steak and chicken for me to grill, but instructed her at 3:45pm to place them in the oven. Right now all I had to do was grill the different meats, some vegetables, make rice, salads, mashed potatoes and some grilled ones. I wanted to include Ava like dad did with me, she wasn't going to be doing much. 

I always enjoyed cooking and that's how I found out what I liked to do, whether it was cooking, martial arts, dance, art, he would just let me try everything.

After 2 or 3 hours of cooking with Ava and Jamie, Casey watching us, but not helping Mikael arrives the minute I take the meats off the grill.

"Just in time to eat," he called from the doorway watching Ava and I.

Having not met him yet she became shy hiding behind my leg peering around.

Coming closer to us, then bending down to her level,  "Hello Ava my name is Mikael, I came a long way to meet you," he said softly, as softly as he did when I met him years ago.

"Hi," she said after looking to me for approval before answering into my legs, we both just chuckled at her.

"Do you have the papers?" I asked eagerly, hardly able to wait for things to be official.

"Right here," Mikael replied holding up his briefcase.

Making sure everything was off except the warmers, and then picking up Ava, "Okay lets go upstairs."

"She's a cute little thing," he said looking at her.

"Yeah," I had to agree.

Once in my office he brought out papers telling me where to sign, "By the time I leave this will be official," he stated which made me curious.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow at 8pm," he said cockily, smirking at me.

"How are you getting it approved so fast?" I asked but I didn't care as long as I could keep Ava with me.

"A few people I know here owe me a few favors," he answered cryptically.

Ignoring him, I turn Ava to face me, moving her hair out of her face; "You really do get to stay here with me forever." I know Mikael is observing me, staring and normally I would hate that but I couldn't care because I had the biggest smile on my face while she just starts playing with the ends of my hair.

"I get to take care of you, make sure you're happy and no one can hurt you again," I said filled with joy of keeping those promises.

Like my mama? She asked using her mind link.

Yes, is that okay? I replied, watching her face and viewing her thoughts, she was currently thinking of Gabriel and Mina.

Like that?

"Yes," I answered out loud.

"El-see mine too?" she asked cutely

"Yes, I'm yours too," I said softly, she sure was a possessive little thing.

"Mama El-see," she said cutely, "I hungee."

"Hungry." I say correcting her, it's cute though.

Mikael chuckled reminding Ava and I both that he was even here to begin with.

"So who was the guy downstairs? When I was coming in I saw him in the living room with Lucas?"

"Gabriel," I said shyly, "my mate."

"What!?" he exclaimed frightening Ava, then apologized the next second.

"You found your mate?"

"Yeah, right when I got here. Gabriel Gavino." I said and his eyes got impossibly larger.

"Jason purchased land from a mob boss?" he asked disbelievingly which confuses me because I know he had handled different contracts for my father.

"You didn't know?" I questioned him surprised.

"No the land was sold under the name Mina Hale,"

"That's Gabriel's mother," I explained. 

He chuckled; I was just baffled at what was funny about this...

"He put everything in his wifes name so if the police ever came after him, nothing was in his name so that would leave her with options," then I understood if for some reason he was arrested, nothing would be taken from her. Although I have to think that if he did get arrested he would just break out and go into hiding or something.

"His wife Mina, her practice was blown up today," he gasped but that wasn't all I had plenty to tell him.

"There's so much more," I started telling him everything from school to Gabriel, to meeting my biological father, killing Maggie and Jamie getting shot, not to mention I had a twin.

Instead of the reaction I was expecting, Mikael doubled over in laughter, deep body shaking howls of laughter but I didn't see what was so funny once again.

Even Ava had stopped playing with my hair, shifted her body so she could watch him warily, while leaning on my body.

"Only you Chelsea!" he laughed.

"Only you would have this outcome, you've been here what? 6 days at the most?" he spoke again only to get choked up between chuckles, tears running down his face.

Shaking his head, trying to control his hiccups and chuckle, "so what are you going to do about Jay? Your biological father?" he asked.

Swiftly shaking my head from left to right, "Nothing his wife is so damn shady, and the way they raised those children, I just want him to leave me alone," I replied truthfully.

"One tried to kill me, then my own twin tried to shoot me with a gun... please I need that family like I need a flesh eating virus Mikael."

"Not curious about anything? Like what happened to your mother? How you ended up in the dumpster?" he inquired.

"No, but I think that Rian was the one that put me there, I mean it's just all so confusing and tangled up. I know she is involved somehow because her brother is Leo, but..."

"Wait what?" he asked shocked at my words.

"Yeah, this isn't the first time I've seen them Mikael, Leo would show me videos of them. At first it was hard to see the connection but now that I've seen a grown up Ames, my half brother he looks just like Leo," I clarified for him.

"God, I'm so sorry Chelsea," he looked at me sadly.

"So your mate is the new Boss and Alpha when this one steps down." He stated but I hadn't exactly explained that far in detail yet.

"No he gave that up for me, he's training his brothers, but is currently living with Violet and Lucas." I saw him tilt his head to the side studying me and then he spoke.

"You need to forgive him Chelsea, I know you wouldn't understand this but my choosing you, he practically abandoned the family business, that just isn't done. Most people that try to get out are killed instantly because they don't want someone that has so much information to be able to give it out. He made a huge sacrifice for you by doing that, I understand he cheated but he is giving up so much, going against how he was raised and the type of life he was born into for you. You shouldn't take that lightly..." Mikael lectured me. I could see his point though, I didn't know the rules for his life before me, but I could assume that their motto was family first and instead of them he picked me.

I was drifting off letting my mind run when Jack mind linked me, Chelsea hey everyone is here.

Almost forgetting that George had wanted to speak to Mikael I let him know, "Gavino wants to speak to you about Ava though, he's coming to dinner, and is here actually," I said as I stood up, Ava in my hands so we could make our way downstairs.

.

.

.

Chapter 44 – Better Than Last Time

Dinner was going well and I was able to speak to James, Saul, Rico as well as Oscar, Minas' brother.

Saul, Rico and Oscar were all 24 years old, while James was 26 years old, had a little girl that was 4 years old but his mate died during child birth so he was raising her alone but she was often in the pack daycare and required a lot of help because of an accident to her spine she suffered in the accident that caused her mother to go into labor.

I shocked to find out that James was not a natural born wolf; George changed him when he was 17 years old. His family had been murdered, his father was a police officer and was killed in the line of duty but it turned out being a hit that was placed, by a fellow cop. When he learned that he approached George about working for him from the family business side, once he had proved himself after 4 or 5 months George changed him, then trained him.

My wolves and I were pleased with all four choices that George had brought over, and 10 minutes into dinner Mina sparked up a conversation with me.

"What are your plans with this Angel?" she asked pointing her chin towards Ava who was happily eating cut up steak, mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes and a very small piece of meat lasagna.

Ava could feed herself, she didn't waste any food when eating but she was by no means clean about it yet. By the time she finished there would be a mess but that was okay with me.

"Well, I want someone to come work with her so that by next school term, she'll be where she needs to be to start with them, if she would like too." I said hesitantly not sure if she would want that because I certainly never wanted that I always preferred learning alone and had the resources once dad adopted me to do so.

Turning to Casey she asked, "Is it weird for you?"

"Not at all," he said watching Ava.

"She's a kid so we get to play in dirty, make messes, go outside, I shift and let her ride on my back. Honestly I don't mind, she's happy, so that makes me happy and I found her so I feel at peace with everything."

When the doorbell rang and jack went to answer he returned with Samuel.

Shock on his face to see his mother and father here at my table along with James, Saul, Rico and Oscar.

"You can grab some food," I said kindly, although he doesn't really deserve my kindness; I'm extending him the bare minimum of common courtesy for the sake of Jamie. When he had fixed himself a plate he came and say down directly across Ava. She was pretty much ignoring him while he was shocked at the mess she was creating but I knew it wasn't just a mess, she was eating and this was new for her.

"Whose she?" he asked rudely.

"Ava Hobbs," I said shocking him.

"Don't you think you should teach her to eat properly then? She's making a fucking mess-"

"In my house." I finished for him but continued eating ending his unwanted advice.

"Dad why's James, Rico Saul and Uncle Oscar here?" he asked sounding weird when he called Oscar uncle they were practically the same age.

"Oh were gonna be working for Chelsea's pack now," said Oscar happily since Alpha George was deep in conversations with Mikael at the moment.

"I could work with them instead of James," he said causing me to spit water onto my plate. The audacity that he had by even suggesting that just set me off, I couldn't stop from laughing and our exchange was actually catching everyone's attention.

"Please, I don't trust you, nor does my wolf." I said easily making sure to say wolf and not wolves. These people knew too much already I wasn't going to add to the pile of things that should be kept secret.

"Jamie is my mate it only makes sense that I should be helping," he tried to justify.

No way! No! Said Avena.

"No I like to be able to trust that my guards don't try to kill me behind my back, the choices your father has made are fine," I said lifting my now ruined plate of food and emptying it out in the trash.

I could tell that Ava had finished her meal as well, moving her plate to the sink then lifting her into my arms I turned to everyone, "Thanks for coming over everyone, Jack and Casey you guys get everything sorted and settled out okay?" they just nodded, "Mina I'm happy you're feeling better!" I said pretending that I didn't know exactly how much better she really felt.

I had wanted to talk to her about her having twins or an female Alpha but I didn't want to do that with Sam around because he just gave me the creeps and even though he was her child he seemed too be hiding a lot of bitterness behind his shy persona he's feeding people.

"I've got to give this pretty girl a bath, there's cobbler in the oven and ice cream to go along for dessert everyone, just help yourselves," I already knew that Jack, Jamie and Casey had a sweet tooth but Mina was obviously craving sweets.

"George get me two slices of cobbler and 2 scoops of ice cream," she said pushing her empty plate away as she rubs her stomach, already licking her lips. Everyone just chuckled and shook their heads returning to their respective conversations as I made my exit.

It was still early only 7:20 after Ava's bath so I thought she and I could watch a movie. Holding her hand and a blanket in the other I run into Gabriel's muscular chest.

"Where are you two going?" he asked.

"To watch a movie,"

"Can I come along?" he asked unsure.

"Of course." I said nicely already thinking about what Mikael had told me about how much he was really giving up on me and how much of a lifestyle change it was for him.

Putting in the movie, The Little Mermaid, Gabriel, Ava and I settle on the one larger sofa instead of individual chairs.

Ava's head resting on my lap, while the rest of her body was situated on Gabriel's lap, with a light blanket covering her, Birdy in her grips.

My skin was tingling where Gabriel and I touched on our arms, it was heaven and I craved more.

Forty minutes later, Ava was asleep so I turned the movie down, I wanted to speak to Gabriel I think that's one of the things I wanted most, had always wanted. Someone I could talk to that would listen and not analyze my thoughts like a shrink.

"I did not know if I would ever have kids, but I saved this bear for whoever the first one would be..." I said softly. "My dad gave him to me," I stopped, trying to see how the words I was about to say sounded, coming out of my mouth.

"By tomorrow I'll legally be her mom."

"I'm happy," he replied. Glancing at him quickly, I thought he would say something wrong or cold like 'I can't wait until we have our own kids,' but that never came.

Stop assuming you know him, he made a mistake and he will work for it but get to know him Chelsea, not just what he did because you're keeping secrets too... when he does find out, just think of how you want him to react and treat him that way now...advised Aria.

Were they right? When he found out that I had kept my gifts a secret what would happen to us, would he be able to put that aside and accept me, again. Powers and all?

"I know you think I'm cold, but she found me, like you found me. I'm meant to be yours and she was meant to be ours," he said softly.

Sliding his hand underneath Ava he cradled and carried her in his arms, "is she still sleeping in your room?" he asked quietly.

Shaking my head, "No, her room is fine now I think," I spoke not really paying attention just following him, thinking over what he and Mikael said to me.

Gabriel waiting in the hallway for me while I was leaving Ava in her new bedroom, turning on a small night-light so she wouldn't be afraid of the dark I finally tip toed out of her room. I knew I had to talk about things with Gabriel so I mind linked Casey.

Can you come get the monitor? I asked knowing he'd never actually say no I thought laughing.

When Casey came running up both Gabriel and I started laughing.

"I don't know if she'll stay asleep in there, I have one but this is the other if you don't hear me go to her if she wakes up can you get her?" I asked, not sure he's really up for this because I don't' want Ava to ever see Casey as a father figure, a friend now and mate when she's older but never her father figure, especially now knowing how Gabriel feelings about this.

"You have to ask?" he said incredulously.

Using this opportunity to voice my thoughts, I shrugged my shoulders "I just don't want her to see you as a father figure you know?"

He snorts before saying, "Oh god no that'd be horrible, she'd need therapy by age 16! Geez why do you think I leave all things to you? Feeding her, helping her bathe, everything like that I let you handle that. Granted I'll make sure she washes her hands before eating if we play outside but other than that everything else is up to you. Haven't you noticed?" he asked laughing loudly. So not the reaction I was expecting but you never know with Casey.

Shaking his head in disbelief, "Chelsea, really she sees me as her Casey, a friend, her wolf likes being near me and knows I'm hers but they're both young so she doesn't fully understand," rocking on his heals a bit before continuing.

"For example this morning, when she woke up and you were not there it didn't matter that I was around which is why I called so you could tell her you'd be back."

I could only nod as I thought about this.

"Right now, she needs and wants you, her mama and her dad," he said pausing to squarely look Gabriel in the eye, not in a way to challenge but for Gabriel to see that Ava would be viewing him as her father.

"When she's older she'll still need you guys, but shell also want me. I'm okay with that; I'm okay with her wanting you guys but also wanting me to play with her and Birdy. Chase her around on the park, play dolls with her to keep her busy and entertained." He shrugged.

"I know others will make fun and continue to do so but I'm happy Chelsea, I've always wanted a mate and mine is right there, so to hell with everyone else," he said calmly then turned walking back downstairs.

.

.

.

Chapter 45 – Closer

Turning to Gabriel he reaches out taking my hand in his and I loved the connection, the feelings that come when I was around him or even better and fulfilling when I touched him.

Going to my bedroom, Gabriel pulled me along with him and I was at war with myself partially. All the crazed hormones that I've been ignoring or never felt for anyone were coming back and making me restless. With Ava asleep, things calm and Gabriel now making an effort I didn't know what was supposed to come next. So far besides Mikael no one had come right and gave me advice on how to handle this relationship.

My wolves wanted me to practically jump his bones.

Pulling me to my couch, Gabriel sat down then pulled me into his lap, and this is one of those confusing moments. I'm supposed to be angry with him but I was craving his touch, everywhere I wanted him to touch me everywhere and it felt more like a need, a pure instinctual need.

I had never craved for anyone to touch me, but I wanted that with him. He was slowly torturing me, rubbing his hands slowly up and down my thighs and all I can think about are the sparks his hand leaves as he's caressing my skin softly. I can feel the roughness of his skin, but that didn't bother me, there was more too it though, it felt different. I couldn't put my finger on it but I didn't have much time to think about it.

"About this morning, how much did you see Chelsea?" he asked and I wanted to laugh because I mean considering he was butt naked in bed, with what looked like a nice tight grip on his erection, I don't think there was anyway to hide what he was doing.

Still I answered shyly, "Everything." Thinking of how beautiful his body was, then focusing on his hand movement wondering what it felt like.

Was it as smooth as it looked? Hard as...

"Does it bother you?"

"That you pleasure yourself?" he just nodded his head waiting patiently for my response.

"No I was happy and surprised that you were thinking of me..." I said.

"Whom else would I be thinking about Chelsea?" he asked but I could see the moment when he probably thought about what he just said.

"I know that I messed up Chelsea, and I'm so glad, no glad does not even cover it. I'm lucky, fascinated and thankful, then delighted that you didn't try to go hook up with someone else to get back at me. It made me appreciate how mature you are, how much of an ass I ended up being just by being overconfident and assuming things about you. You didn't lash out at me even though I know that I hurt you and would deserve that."

"I'm rambling here but of course I thought of you Chelsea, I'd give up anything if I could just go and take what I did back but I can't but I can only promise that it will never happen again. I will always put you first, you and Ava and any other children you give me," he said gazing into my eyes his hands never once stopping the movement he was making.

 "So just remember that okay, know that I'd do anything, give up anything, follow you anywhere, to make you know, to make you truly understand that I'm yours and you are mine... I will take the rest of our lives appreciating you..." he said softly.

"Then that first night why didn't you kiss me?" I asked nervously because that had been playing in my mind for a while.

"I mean," I started to speak before he could answer trying to explain myself, "I can't help but feel that now, when you've learned I'm a strong white wolf you want me because of that..." this was hard for me to say out loud but I knew nothing could be resolved if I didn't just swallow the sword and talk to him.

"My wolf has wanted you from day one, me too but I only saw a beautiful girl, I didn't know anything about you. Most women they know who I am, they want me for my money and if not money, for status. Even when I was with Maggie they still wanted to be my goomah..." I knew what a Goomah was and my stomach twisted unnaturally at the thought of him having one.

"They all knew that I hadn't marked Maggie and even though I was only sleeping with them, they didn't mind that as long as I paid for their lifestyle, let them enter my clubs and drink for free, money, clothes, nice cars even though I would never treat them respectfully." He explained and that did not help.

"After being exposed to the life that's what I expected. I thought you'd be like Audrey as well... but none of that is your fault Chelsea, it's all me. All you are is what I've been missing and you're not something I deserve but I want you. My human side wants you. I want to change and know that there are things that I can change for you. Drugs, drinking, partying and the women, all that shit? I'm done with it, and I've never wanted or felt that way with anyone, just you," he said with conviction.

I didn't know what to think, I knew he was telling the truth and my stomach clench, I felt nervous and I couldn't speak.

He rested his head back just looking at me, slowly massaging my thighs, I couldn't tell if he meant it to be done in a sexual way but just that was making me feel antsy and frustrated. The air around us was filled with tension but not the awkward type, it was the feeling of knowing something is changing, I felt like something good is coming along. I was filled with anticipation, of what I didn't know, but I was feeling strange, hot, shaky and needy.

Strange.

"Can I kiss you Chelsea?" Gabriel whispered.

Everything around me disappeared all I could see, feel and taste was Gabriel, I was back to the same feeling when I had wanted him to kiss me. I was still seated on his lap, straddling him and in that moment all I wanted was him to kiss me because I needed to feel his lips on mine. I was ready for this, I wasn't over everything he did but I also did not want to hold a grudge I wanted my mate and I had him so why was I wasting time thinking? I wanted him, so I could only nod my head.

Slowly, he inched closer to me, and going on instinct I closed my eyes but Gabriel didn't just kiss my lips, he tortured me instead. Ever so lightly I felt his lips on my neck and moved so he would have better access, he was leaving a trail of kisses from my collarbone to my neck, right where he marked me, sucking on his mark sending me into overdrive, everything his soft lips did up north sent zings of pleasure down south.

I didn't know what to do with my hands so they just held on gripping his shirt, his lips leaving my neck, biting my ear noble, slowly moving his lips along my jaw until finally his lips closed over mine.

His hands moved, one circling my back holding me tightly, the other finding their way into my hair pushing me into him, while his lips parted mine. I felt his tongue swipe at my lips asking for entrance and I granted him just that.

I was breathing hard, feeling pleasure everywhere, his soft lips gently moving with mine, but I wanted more. I released the death grip I had on his shirt moving my fingers up to his biceps, squeezing as I went along, until I found my hands into his hair, slightly pulling and then shockingly Gabriel moaned.

I made him moan, our bodies tight against each other I felt like I was burning from the inside out, and I wanted more, more of him everywhere. I wanted him holding me tighter, I wanted him to consume me completely knowing that if this felt good everything else would feel ten time better.

I couldn't control anything and felt my body move of its own accord, I deliberately, gently grinded my center over Gabriel's prominent erection. Pulling my lips away from his, "Ohh..." I moaned at the heavenly feeling. We were both breathing hard, panting away I flexed my hips once more, both moaning at the contact and pleasure it brought but surprisingly Gabriel stilled my hips with his hand holding tightly onto my body resting his forehead on my, he huskily whispered "Chelsea, stay still, you aren't ready for me to lose control so while I still have it can we just..." he chuckled.

"Can we just...?" I asked.

"Slow okay? I don't want to do something you'll regret," I pouted which was nothing like me, and Gabriel's eyes flicked to my lips and he brought his lips down on mine a second time, but this time as his lips curled over mine there was a bit of pressure I felt like he was putting all he had into this and I replied with just as much enthusiasm.

"Mama El-see," I heard Ava in the room and pulled back away from Gabriel quickly. It was peculiar because instead of walking over to me she just climbed into my bed with Birdy and went back to sleep.

Tip toeing again out of my own room this time Gabriel and I went downstairs to see what was going on, before reaching the stairs he pulled me into his arms and held my gaze, "Will you go out on a date with me Chelsea?" he asked seriously his body stiff awaiting my answer.

"Yes..." I said softly and he kissed me chastely.

"Thank you," He said pulling me down the stairs.

__________________________

Follow. Share w/others (if you feel like its worth sharing). Vote (if you liked it). Comment (if you have something to say).

© 2016 roxann_season All Rights Reserved

Hey everyone that's reading this story before heading over to Unconditional.

I know a many of you are angry that I removed the end of this story, but the reason I did was I'm actually working to get the entire series published, starting with this book first. I've had this series on wattpad for four years, and have met the most wonderful people that started and stuck with me since the first update.

Instead of leaving just 10% of the book up on wattpad, I decided to remove the last 25,000 words for now. Word count for this story is over 100,000, so you're still getting more than if I took down 90% of the work. 

 If you are interested in learning when I will be releasing this book on Amazon, Itunes, B&N in both paperback and ebook versions please go to my website or facebook page for more information and to join my newsletter mailing list.

website: www.roxannseason.com

facebook.com/roxannseason