AN: NOT EDITED.

Chapter 50 - Rejected (Chelsea POV)

By 10:48pm Alpha George and Luna Mina had left with plans of watching Rian 24/7, bugging her car, cell phone, bedroom, everything. George and Mina didn't want to just kill Rian without knowing what her plan was, who was involved and any clues that could possibly lead them back to Katie if Rian was truly involved. We all agreed with that decision, but there were still things that made Gabe's father seem shady and it wasn't just that he was a crime Boss.

After her slip today Gabriel's parents thought that it might take some while to actually hear her mess up again.

They had way too much faith in her intelligence that I did not have, me showing up was making her messy, the best thing to do was goad her more but I was still wary of that entire pack and knew that above all else keeping my extra gifts a secret would only become harder the more time I spent interacting with Gabriel's pack and family.

Along with bugging her George decided that he would use this latest attack to change many things. Instead of no guards, Rian would have four of them just like Mina. To make them less directed or suspicious he was assigning guards, well more of them on Scarlet and Madeline as well.

After thanking the Alpha for giving me his men, the Luna and her husband took their leave because Mina was exhausted practically sleeping at the table.

"So what's the new setup?" I inquired the moment they had left leaving Jack, Jamie, Casey, and Mikael and I. Jack sighing dramatically then flashing his dimples answered. "Well as you know we own the house next door to Violet and Lucas. We will be putting them all there as soon as tomorrow night. When we travel two of them will be with two of us from the far."

That was odd. "Why from a far?" I didn't understand I mean if they knew the people who were possibly going to target me because of my connection with the Gavino's shouldn't they be close up? I asked myself.

"They are known as the faces in the Gavino crime family, shady workings. So being up close will draw bad attention to you, however they will be useful in pointing out those that should be kept away from you or prying eyes that the rest of us would not know to suspect or be on watch for," Casey explained.

"Jamie will be near you at all times, Violet will be also except when you or her days off."

Nodding to show that I understand, while I silently thanked dad for finding and bring Jack and Casey to my life because with them eventually came all the people I was starting to consider my family.

Jamie and I left Mikael, Jack and Casey talking and sharing a late night drink; silently we walked up the stairs. I had not forgotten that Jamie wasn't okay but I didn't want to pry. Jamie and I got on spectacularly because he never pushed me to speak or divulge but was around when I needed him. At this moment I knew this had everything to with that his mate.

"So how are things with Gabriel...? Saw you holding hands," he started off slowly in a still teasing sing-songy voice.

I could feel my cheeks heating up, "we kissed and he asked me on a date."

"Shut up!" he said like he didn't hear us in the hallway before we came downstairs, but I guess that was the beauty of Jamie. He minded his own business and also side stepped all the things about being a wolf. Of course he heard but still he was asking politely instead of just accepting he overheard it. It was very unique and I respected that quality about him.

"It was my first kiss," I said shyly.

"How was it?" he asked smiling happy for me, hiding his own pain for a bit.

"I wanted more... I was grinding on him but he said we should stop..." I answered honestly.

"More?" he asked coyly.

I could only laugh at first before sobering up and answering, "I'm happy he stopped because I don't want to take that step without him knowing all my secrets you know?"

"When do you plan on telling him?"

"I cannot do that yet. I'm not sure but I just know it's not soon," I said.

"Come on, want to watch a movie? We don't have class until 10am so we can sleep in?" I knew and saw this for what it was, his way of getting comfortable to let me in.

"Sure, let me go change real quick, check on Ava and I'll be right back okay?" I answered meaning for it to come out as a statement instead of the question it appeared to be.

"Yes, what do you want to watch? No actually I know!" he said enthusiastically.

I knew it was late but I really wanted a sticky bun at the moment so after changing I went to the kitchen and brought two large ones along with two cold bottles of water and ran up to Jamie's room.

As I entered Jamie was just putting on a movie but I didn't know which yet.

"Well what are we watching?" Hopefully it's comedy because I think that's exactly what he may need. I could feel pain radiating right off of him. My imagination went wild; did they fight? What did Samuel say? Was he still going on and on about me? Did Samuel finally convince Jamie to leave my pack? Is that why Jamie was struggling to talk because he didn't want to disappoint me? Looking down at the sticky bun seated on my lap I suddenly lost my appetite and placed the lid back onto the container, moving it to his bedside table.

"We are going to watch 'Armageddon' I remember you saying you loved that movie," Jamie spoke while at the same time I blurted out, "Are you leaving our pack?"

He shook his head almost violently and a bit shocked that I would even be asking if I was reading facial cues correctly. Climbing on his bed and resting back, "I'm only telling you this, I'm not sure but I think Sam may have been the one to blow up his mom's office..." he exhaled as if the weight of the world was removed from his shoulders. Me however, I just sat there confused and shocked. My mind was blank; I was not expecting that or what followed.

"He rejected me when you left with Ava, a-after dinner," he whispered not giving me any more details not that I really wanted them at the moment because I didn't know if I wanted to be happy that I wouldn't have to deal with Samuel anymore or angry that I couldn't go find him and rip him apart for hurting Jamie. This wasn't about me though and I wasn't sure what I should say at this moment because nothing I could or would say could remove the hurt and pain I knew that Jamie was feeling right now.

"I'm sorry, so sorry Jamie," I whispered though it really did not feel like that was enough to me, plus I was still reeling from his first revelation.

"Ronan didn't want him to mark us," he said sighing deeply/ I couldn't relate to him but remembered something Gabriel said about his wolf not wanting to mark Maggie although this wasn't the same, Gabriel was not Maggie's mate. I don't think wolves ever shied away from their mates but what did I really know? What really concerned me about Samuel rejecting Jamie was the why's of everything. Was it because I wouldn't let him guard me? Was this was poly to get me to change my mind? Reject Jamie and Jamie would talk me into it? Then my mind went to the whys; why he thought Samuel was involved in bombing Mina's office.

Why did Jamie believe Sam was in on it? I mean it was his own mother surely something like that couldn't be possible! Why did Sam reject him, did this have something to do with it? Sam could tell that Jamie suspected him and rejected him because of it?

Forgetting about all the in and outs I worried and thought of how well or why was Jamie handling all this so well... I mean really looking at him I could see his chest rising but it seemed like he had lost some of his self he looked different but maybe it was my mind just wanting to see what I felt would be right.

"Can you tell me what happened?" I said in an attempt to stop the loop of questions firing off in my head.

Huffing in response first. "I'm not sure but something is off about him like at first I thought he was shy and quiet but that's just a front, like a mask that he wears. This morning he came to my room so I would call you, he smelled of lighter fluid Chelsea but he didn't smell of smoke. If he had been around his mom I could understand but he didn't smell of smoke, just lighter fluid," he explained voicing his suspicions anxiously.

"Maybe he went to her office and touched something or gassed his car?" I said surprising even myself that I was defending him, still I just didn't want to write him off completely I couldn't see what he would gain by hurting his own mother.

"I know what you're thinking Chelsea, but something is a tad bit off. Then when you left with Ava and I was walking him out he kept pushing and gave me an ultimatum," he whispered.

Of course he did!Said Avena who had remained silent up until now.

Did you guys know? I asked them...

Yes brother told us, but knew it would make you upset and did not want that they answered me.

How is Ronan? Jamie seems to be taking this very well I said to them.

"Your pack or him?" I questioned dryly and Jamie just nodded his head.

"When I didn't answer, he-he just rejected me, but I'm not torn up about it for some reason," he said and I knew he was holding something back about this. He seemed almost unsure of the words he spoke and I could only stare at him, mostly in doubt.

Ronan is the same as Jamie... Jamie was ignoring Ronan for a while but not anymore brother said Aria answered me right after Jamie had. But that left me with questions once again why would Jamie be ignoring Ronan?

Not wanting to give Jamie the third degree I changed subjects, "Why didn't you mention this to the others?"

He snorted. "Really it's not enough that it seems like Rian is involved in their daughters kidnapping? Let me add that their own son was involved in the latest attack?" his voice dripping with sarcasm, I wanted to laugh at the face he wore but this wasn't the time to find amusement in his pain.

Thoughtfully I wanted to concentrate on Jamie, "you don't seem... I mean you don't seem like him rejecting you was all that bad. I guess I thought you would be, would be-"

With one eyebrow raised, "crying, upset and freaking out? Leaving your pack and my sister?" he finished for me sardonically which I ignored.

"Well, frankly, yes!"

Shrugging, and exhaling, "according to my dream I have to stick with you, it saves my mate, my sister, all the people I care about."

Oh god! I couldn't help but groan, "Noooo, Jamie!" my entire self just felt off right now.

"You're making decisions from a dream? Really?" I shook my head my tone laced with disappointment and disbelief.

"It was my mom Chelsea," he whispered his voice hoarse and eyes glossy with unshed tears, "I didn't want to say before back in New York so I said a unknown woman but it was my mom." I couldn't speak...

"When I was younger my mom and dad would prepare us for just in case you know? Mom always said if something happened to my father and her, they would find a way to look out for us, if werewolves are real then who says that we can't find a way to your sister and you," he whispered their words over to me.

"They promised that they'd help guide us that we should look after one another. She came to me Chelsea, not once but over a few dreams, and they promised they would. I asked them to do that find a way to reach us if anything happened to them and they were not in our life when I was a small boy, and they did. Who am I to question what I asked for?" he asked me desperately. Begging me in his words to understand but as much as I wanted that, he could lose his mate.

"What if you lose your mate?"

"I'll have my sister, my family, and people around me that will fill my heart up, be the glue that keeps it together when all the damage has been done," he said robotically and cold but I knew that this was him trying to convince himself of those words.

I wanted to speak, say something anything that would be helpful to him, change his mind but then he huffed and said knowingly, "I'd lost him before I even met him Chelsea."

I turned my whole body to face him, eyes watching him carefully hoping he would explain more but that didn't happen he just rested his head back against the head board and closed his eyes.

"I'll drop this but I want to say this first..."

"No one would fault you if you chose your mate Jamie," I said calmly then finished, "I can't let him near us because even before what you said now I didn't trust him, but right now no one would fault or look at you differently if you chose your mate right now." I said thinking of how much Gabriel gave up for me. I turned to watch the movie, and I could swear I heard Jamie mutter, "yeah but I'd fault myself."

After 20 minutes of us not speaking I could see Jamie get really anxious and began fidgeting before he spoke, "we should tell Jack and Casey, the others too but I think we should hold off on telling the four new guys," I was ready to interrupt him.

"Wait before you talk, if we tell them we run the risk that they will tell his parents. I don't want them to condemn him if my gut feeling is wrong, because as of now this is a gut feeling Chelsea. The only thing he's done wrong at this very moment, right now is reject me, but- but when he did Ronan took over and accepted the rejection." He whispered hurt laced his words toward the end.

Well that answered why Jamie would be ignoring Ronan...

Jamie was in a hard position that much I could truly tell... after thinking, I said "Only Jack and Casey; you have my word."

Going back to the movie, a new thought popped into my head.

If Jamie was right, and it was more than just a gut feeling and Samuel was behind recent events, was he a threat to Jamie himself? Well I wouldn't let any harm come to Jamie because of Sam, I'd have to keep a watchful eye on Jamie and was thankful that he would be sticking close by for the time being.

Yeah we have to protect brother Chelsea!

Shutting off my mind for a while to concentrate and enjoy this movie, I relaxed on Jamie's bed.

Mate problems.

Mafia crime problems.

Trust problems.

All my problems would still be there tomorrow.

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Chapter 51- Uneasy (Chelsea POV)

I awoke with a start, confused by my surroundings.... Sometime during the movie, I must have fallen asleep, because the last thing I remember was was Liv Tyler slamming Billy Bob Thornton on the floor of the command floor at NASA. Then again maybe I had seen the movie so many times that I came to that scene on my own.

Something was wrong, I wasn't sure what so I got up, taking my bottle of water with me. I wasn't quite ready to head back to sleep again so instead of heading to my room I went to my art studio instead, glancing at the clock, it was 3am.

When I worked on my art I normally just locked myself in, closed the door making use of the sound proof walls. Since it was so early I decided now to keep it shut and just deal with whatever was confusing me at the moment. If anything the light on the outside would alter one of the guys of my current location.

There was an image, a moment in time that was still heavily playing on my mind, I wanted to place it on canvas. Shockingly, even to myself I could say without a doubt I had never had these thoughts, drawn or painted something like this. It just felt as if the only way to rid myself, specifically my mind of all the pent up desire would be to paint it.

Quickly walking to my computer that was used for any digital work I wanted to complete; I opened iTunes and created a short 10 song playlist, placed it on repeat and began to paint.

Oh, you're in my veins

And I cannot get you out

Oh, you're all I taste

At night inside of my mouth

Oh, you run away

'Cause I am not what you found

Oh, you're in my veins

And I cannot get you out

Everything will change

Nothing stays the same

Nobody here's perfect

Oh, but everyone's to blame

Oh, all that you rely on

And all that you can save

Will leave you in the morning

And find you in the day...

For me it was a process, closing my eyes picturing myself back in that moment, reliving everything from sounds to my accelerated breathing. The moment I was in the right state of mind I felt the lyrics to the song also blanket over me.

Now he's moving close.

My heart in my throat.

I wont say a word but I think he knows.

That I've hardly slept, since the night he left.

His body always kept mine inside of it.

Keep the nightmares out.

Give me mouth to mouth.

I can't live without you.

Take me.

Take me.

Take me.

Home.

I relaxed my grip on the brush and began painting, songs changed one after the other but I continued to work, piece-by-piece slowly it was coming together.

What a wicked game to play

to make me feel this way.

What a wicked thing to do

to let me dream of you...

What a wicked thing to say

you never felt this way.

What a wicked thing to do

to make me dream of you...

After a short time anyone could see that his was of a man, mixed in with want and desire. It was of Gabriel pleasuring himself but I only captured certain parts of his body. The areas that really drew me in this morning, I paid close attention and detail yet still made everything tasteful.

Yes I had seen him completely but what caught my attention that I wanted to put on canvas was his tight muscles straining, rippling over his abdomen and the 'V' that led to his...

The vein in his neck that I saw pulsing, bulging as he reached his release, the way his chest expanded as he pulled in gasps of air. I also tried to show the slight arch his body contorted to, all things that made the whole act beautiful to me.

Realizing that I couldn't get everything I wanted in that one painting I quickly grabbed another blank canvas, luckily I was using oils and not acrylics.

I knew that I didn't want to rush so for the second panting I did a brief drawing of what I would paint after completing my initial one.

I was lost in my work and the music; it had registered in my mind that time was going by and the uneasy feeling in my stomach had yet to go away. When I woke up I thought it was just the results of what Jamie had revealed so using this time I tried to clear my head, spend some time to ground myself as I had done millions of times before.

The minute the sinking feeling got worse, Jack, Jamie and Casey who was holding a crying Ava busted into my studio like the rest of the house was on fire and immediately my stomach dropped, I felt light headed and my hands shook. Their faces looked so grim, I immediately knew this had to do with Gabriel, the paintbrush I was holding mid air dropped as my grip relaxed.

Is it Gabriel? I asked Avena and Aria

We do not know Gabriel has been blocking us since he left earlier, and you have been blocking him as well since we entered this room... but he isn't hurt... they answered.

"What's wrong guys?" I said to the group focusing on Ava whom was struggling to be let down so I waked over to Casey taking her in my arms. The closer to them I was, I was able to see that not only were they here but Mikael, Noah, Alex, Lucas, Violet and most shockingly George and Mina were also lurking in my hallway but they looked terrible, distraught.

Once taking Ava in my arms her tiny body relaxed, and then so did Casey. "Gabriel has been calling you for over 30 minutes, the ringing work Ava up and when she couldn't find you she got worked up!" Casey explained not once taking his eyes of Ava who rested her head against my chest.

Looking around wondering what our guest were doing here I glanced at Jack, knowing he would understand when I glanced quickly at them then back to him, it meant I wanted to know what they were doing here and he would tell me but before he had the chance one of them answered my unspoken question.

"We want your help..." Mina was crying nodding quickly.

"With what?" I asked slightly relieved that if Gabriel was calling he wasn't the one that was hurt.

She hiccupped and George spoke instead, "Andrew and Ethan..."

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Chapter 52- Deaf Ears (Chelsea's POV)

"We want your help..." Mina was crying nodding quickly.

"With what?" I asked slightly relieved that if Gabriel was calling he wasn't the one that was hurt.

She hiccupped and George spoke instead, "Andrew and Ethan..."

"They are at another pack hospital," said Mina in-between sobs.

"Gabriel took them along on a drop at one of the ports and it was a set up we believe. They weren't expecting Gabriel to bring James, Saul, Rico and Oscar but they were both hit multiple times, t-they aren't doing well. Gabriel wa-was calling you, he wants you to come with us so you can heal them," George said his voice wavering.

I looked at them all, hated that I had to do this but that, what they were suggesting was not an option.

Not a good idea said Aria but I already knew that...

"I'm sorry but no," I said with no hesitancy, Mina and Georges' eyes bulging out in disbelief.

"Why?" Mina said getting angry, God these people were truly selfish.

I growled low, not wanting to worry Ava who whimpered after Mina spoke, "First I do not owe either of you any explanation and when you speak to me you will remember to respect me because you are in my house as guests', commit that to memory," their faces contorted into shock.

"Second, your sons'.... they are not on your territory. Third, since it is not your territory once there, this pack, they could keep me prisoner and or injury the few people I would bring with me. For all I know this here is the set up, I'm sure Rian has already been running her mouth. Who's to say that they are really hurt and this isn't a plan to draw me out?" lack of sympathy drenching my words, trying only for Ava's sake not to kill these people with my voice alone.

I could see Casey taking in the Gavinos' tense posture, waiting for any attack they might make at my coldness, to protect Ava or myself I didn't know.

"B-but you could save them-"

I cut Mina off, "Yes and your husband and children not partaking in criminal acts could save them as well... I could save them personally, but at what costs? Endanger myself and those around me." I shrugged first then nodded my head.

"I'm not going." I said once again with finality walking past everyone carrying Ava on my hip back to her room. The nerve of those people, I helped them once and now they are taking advantage I stewed in my head.

This was exactly why I wanted to keep this gift a secret, because I only saw it as a curse but now things were turning out exactly how I pictured once people found out. I'm not sure the Gavinos', any of them... Gabriel included realized why healing should be considered a secret and not used just anywhere.

I could tell that someone had followed me into Ava's room one sniff and I knew it was Mikael but I ignored him concentrating on the little girl he was helping me keep safe and happy.

Thinking back to when I was child... music would help me, especially after going home with Jason. I couldn't take the silence during the night; the memories were too fresh for me to appreciate the silence that came with darkness.

Covering and tucking Ava in, I sat at the edge of her bed running my hand up and down her back when she turned to her side, holding tightly onto Birdy.

I did not know any children's songs or lullabies at the moment but I went with something soft and calming, humming softly first then the words came.

Mama said lift your heard from the sieve of your hands
Mama say eventually this hurting will end
But the shock-waves on my bones will linger

When I was lost you thought me a beautiful find
Sometimes I think of you sleeping
So sleep for a while
I find myself asking who'd do this to love
And the white shouldered mountains
They pointed above

Lord you just dropped me here by this side of this road
Out here's too cold and I don't want to walk it alone
I've got a bottle of your blood inside me
And an old beggar's prayer on the tip of my tongue

As the song came to an end I smiled because instead of sleep Ava seemed to be staying awake...

you, you, you...

Mama said lift your heard from the sieve of your hands
Mama say eventually this hurting will end

After the last words were sung she yawned but otherwise, she was wide awake, waiting to see if she would close her eyes I heard her voice in my head.

More mama... she said and it made me smile... filled my heart and removed walls I built around myself when I was a child.

"Sing again?" I asked out loud.

She only nodded her tiny little head at me.

I choose a soft ballad type song and sang softly.

You hold my arm firmly
And say oh please, don't leave

Don't you worry
I'm staying here
Don't you worry
Cause I'm not leaving
Don't you worry
Cause I'll stay here with you, with you
And I'll stay here with you, with you

You say it's time to leave
Cause it's getting dark
Feet moving on their own
We trust they'll take us home

Don't you worry
Cause I'll stay with you
Don't you worry
Cause I'm not leaving
Don't you worry
Cause I'll stay here with you, with you

And so, won't you save me now

Save me how

Don't you worry
Cause I'm not leaving
Don't you worry
Cause I'll stay with you

Slowly her eyes blinked, thick and fanning her chubby cheeks.

Don't you worry
Cause I'll stay here with you, with you
I'll stay here with you, with you
And I'll stay here with you, with you
And I'll stay here with you

I lowered my voice as I sang the last few lines and Ava's breathing slowed, relaxed and her eyes finally remained close. Taking a moment, I slowly ran my finger across her face moving her uncombed hair away from her slightly smiling face.

I looked into her mind to see what was causing that smile she was thinking of all of us, me singing to her then Casey playing with her and giving her wolfly-rides in our back yard. I almost laughed at the sight... but I was happy she had these kinds of dreams... these dreams were the kind all children should have, not nightmares.

Getting up slowly not wanting to wake her I carefully exited her room, Mikael who I hadn't noticed leave her room was leaning up against the wall waiting for me. In sleep bottoms and a white shirt he looked strangely different than the guy that always wore a tailored to the T suit, crisp white shirt and classic matching tie.

"You should have helped," he said.

I turned my head to the side looking for an audience but no one my Mikael and I were here on my floor.

"Why?" I asked walking to get my cell phone.

You have this amazing gift but you've never really used it for anything Chelsea, you let it keep you back he thought

Picking up my cell phone I saw that I had over 40 missed calls, 9 voice message and over 30 new text messages from Gabriel alone and 2 times that from 3 different unknown numbers.

Text: CHELSEA PICK UP!

Text: CALL ME BACK!

Text: I REALLY NEED YOU!

Text: MY BROTHERS ARE HURT I NEED YOU!

Text: I'M SENDING MOM AND DAD TO YOUR PLACE, GO WITH THEM IF YOU DRIVE IT MIGHT NOT BE SOON ENOUGH SO YOU'LL COME BY HELICOPTER.

Text: PLEASE BABY... PLEASE COME...

Those just a few of the many from Gabe, from the unknown number instead of messages concerning Ethan and Andrew they were about Gabriel.

Text: CHELSEA THIS IS OSCAR, GABE'S UNCLE PLEASE CALL US, AT LEAST TALK TO GABRIEL... ETHAN AND ANDREW REALLY NEED YOU!

Text: CHELSEA YOU NEED TO COME QUICK, GABRIEL IS FREAKING OUT HE'S READY TO ATTACK EVERONE.

Next one.

Text: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO COME DOWN HERE JUST CALL HIM ATLEAST BEFORE HE DOES SOMETHING DOWN RIGHT STUPID CHELSEA!!

Your gifts were meant to be used Chelsea, Mikael thought again.

Right! I'm sure my gifts were given to me because I had to use them to help the Mafia Mikael I said after resting my phone down.

My wolves don't want me to go, I don't want to go. If I do it's not like I have some large pack that's going to rescue me Mikael. They, I pointed towards where in the general direction I thought Gabriel's parents were came here for their children. If it comes down to pick who they'd have to leave behind who do you think they would pick? I raised my brow daring him to say they'd pick me.

Gabriel will never forgive you if you do not try to help them Chelsea...

Mikael, I don't have control over anything or should I say everything to do with my powers, I'll have no back up. Surely you see the problems here? I asked angrily.

My point still stands Chelsea, he wants you to help... think about Jason, and he knew Leo was after you Chelsea and he invited you into his home, and he didn't have any gifts whatsoever! He said but I growled at him.

Chelsea going onto their pack lands will not end well... the Gavinos' probably have a contract with them making them allies but since you do not that pack will be able to hold you there as a prisoner.

You could use your gifts to get out but you'd have to be taking on an entire pack not just one or two people... Avena thought...

My wolves understood what I was worried about; I didn't want any more lives on my hands when I could avoid those situations. Yes I could hurt them, but what would I be doing that for? And how far will I have to go to get myself released? Then knowing Jack and Casey they would fight giving up their lives to help me...

I realized that I was angry... Gabriel promised me that he wouldn't bring me into his family bullshit but now he's here dragging me back in. What about when I finally told him about everything, all my gifts would he bring me along on his drops as protection for himself... then how long before every criminal knew what I was capable of?

Chelsea keep calm don't spiral...said Aria.

Mikael I know that Jason took me in at a risk but I wasn't involved with the Mafia, where would it end Mikael? Help this time, then the next and before you know it I'm so deep everyone, human, werewolf, vampire even... all criminals will know what I'm capable of! How do you not understand that? I asked him begging to see my side of things until I realized I did not care if anyone understood I knew I was doing the right thing by not going.

There's nowhere to run Chelsea! Eventually it will all come out don't you see? He replied.

EXACTLY! When that happens I will need all my powers to protect myself and those I love. Right now it's like taking a baseball bat to a gun fight! I crossed my hands against my chest.

Yeah, there's a risk but you just have to use what you've got as leverage... he said leaving my room going to the kitchen.

I sat at the foot of my bed ignoring the ringing from my cell phone I already knew that it was Gabriel calling. I had cut off my mind link since I was painting before so now that explains the numerous calls. It also explains the uneasy feeling I had wash over me earlier as well.

I thought about what Mikael said and one thing stuck.

Leverage.

Almost immediately a plan formed.

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Chapter 53 - Trust Your Gut (Chelsea's POV)

Dad always told me that I should go with my gut and that was what I intended to do whatever I was meant to do or for was not meant to be revealed to the world at this moment. There were so many things I still couldn't do and I was not going to rush because people were getting shot. They were not innocent bystanders.

I had helped Gabriel's family more than I thought was okay, I practically gave them Rian on a silver platter and yet they let their sons' become her next victim because I'm sure George had a hard time accepting that whether or not Jay is involved, Rian was a mole.

Leaving my room I walked down to the medical supply room we had here, looking for a blood donation kit. Once filling six vacutainers I walked to the kitchen where I saw not only George and Mina but also Rian and Jay.

Ignoring the two of them I handed the vacutainers to Mina, "use three on each son, I'm not going to another packs territory but these will increase their survival chances and recovery," I said not caring that Rian and Jay could hear me.

As I was walking away I heard a question, "You aren't coming with us?" Rian asked.

"No, I'd rather not walk into whatever trap you've set up Rian."

"What will these do exactly?" Mina interrupted, holding out the vacutainers I gave her.

"Help them get better, get their vitals up as well as help with whatever surgery they will have to endure. It will work quickly," I answered.

Almost grudgingly she responded, "Thank you." The words came out cold and unappreciative. They all left going in the back yard to a car that drove them away; Violet asking, "calling him?" once we could no longer see their backlights.

"Yeah," I said reaching for my phone and calling Gabriel.

Two rings later, "Baby?" he asked frantically and I could feel the panic, his panic.

"Look I need you to be alone with your brothers, ask the doctors to leave the room-" I started but he interrupted me mid sentence.

"Chelsea it is not looking good," his voice almost broke my resolve and decisions not to go blindly where he was. I knew for things to work with us that I couldn't be weak or fragile. Jumping when he says too, or asking how high.

"When your parents get there, like I said Gabriel ask to-" I did not get to finish once again.

"When my parents get there? Are you not coming?" his tone heavy with disbelief.

"Chelsea these are my brothers, you have to help them!" he said coldly but that alone would certainly not be changing my mind.

"Yes, they are your brothers Gabriel, but remember you said it yourself. Them or me."

"What type of person are you?" he spat over the phone.

"Apparently the type that has to watch her own back because your family is selfish and worries only about their own," my anger coating my words.

"Family first Chelsea," he said, sounding anxious.

"Exactly," I said happy that he said that.

"Your family is ungrateful Gabriel, you think that you can be everything and control everything. You think I'm afraid of a few wolves with guns? Your family seems to only care for themselves and anyone else is disposable. A means to a god damned end! That is all! You had to have figured out that I would say no and why, but your parents, even you, not once have you mentioned that you would be able to keep me out of harms ways Gabriel! You and your family are married to danger and you... you want me to court it!" I told him, getting angrier by the minute because I might not be related to my little family by blood but they were all I had.

"You want me to come out there and help them, I understand that. I do. Your father was here but not once did he offer me protection if I followed him blindly to heal his sons. Instead the lot of you, want me to risk myself and my family for yours!" I had so much I was holding in and it was all now being released.

"Gabriel, it's one thing to heal your mother at a public human hospital but not another packs', that's beyond absurd and anyone would tell you that!" I growled out over the phone.

He remained silent throughout my rant but when he finally spoke his words stung.

"You are heartless Chelsea."

"No! I'm not. But I know how to pick my battles; this one has set up all over it. I mean you take your brothers but where is Ames, Gabriel? He was not with your parents when they came here... You guys have a mole Gabriel! You could have died! If you hadn't brought the men from my house... you mean so much to me..." I stopped myself from saying more words because in a short amount of time I've come to accept Gabriel as my mate.

He snorted, "Yet you refuse to help my brothers."

That was it. "First I'm not going to argue with you. When I learned about mates from Helen, Jack and Casey they told me that Alphas' couldn't... cannot live without their mates, so unless you wanted to lose me now and experience the torture they told me of, stop. I'm not the enemy here, and I didn't create this problem. Second, Gabriel I sent my blood with your parents. It would help them like they've tried to help me. Half-heartedly and with only some half assed effort. Nonetheless, my blood will help them, it will be slower than if I was there but it won't guarantee that Ethan and Andrew will be in the clear..." I said at the end making sure that he understood that just my blood alone couldn't fix whatever injuries they had acquired. The only reason I had sent it was it helped Jamie when he was shot, so hopefully this was not a one off.

No it will work but not as fast, they will still need surgery but your blood will ensure that they are stable enough to endure the surgery, said Avena.

I remained silent not speaking to Gabriel only listening to his breathing, until the silence made my stomach drop.

"You do not understand why I cannot come Gabriel but that is my fault because I have secrets, ones that I'm not prepared to share, ones that need to be kept secret. You aren't thinking rationally. If you were then you'd never ask what you are of me," I said softly and heard Gabriel sigh. I felt troubled, guilty even because without my permission I started to care for him and what he felt for me. Even, what he thought of me. I felt that I had let him down, but choices have consequences and that sensation I had right now was my punishment.

"Gabriel," I paused gathering my words, "if you just trusted your gut you'd realize there was a problem, that something wasn't adding up. I felt it!" I murmured, and then went silent waiting for his response, which for more than two minutes was hard breathing.

"Felt what?" he finally budged, speaking softly and once again I felt that I was talking to the Gabriel that was in my room only a few hours ago. I wanted to be in that bubble we created again.

"I was asleep, the moment I woke up it felt like something was wrong, but I wasn't hurt, or feeling any pain. No. It was a queasy feeling of suspicion, butterflies in your stomach however it did not fell pleasant," I explained as best as I could. My shoulders hunched, "I, in that moment had no reason to feel that way Gabriel," it was as if he knew I was right because once again I felt a wave of remorse? No... Gabriel was not feeling that way; at least I did not believe that he should. But he was.

"Something felt wrong the moment I left your house," he whispered.

"I could tell that the boys thought that as well, we've never had trouble at this location," he stopped speaking abruptly.

I heard movement and someone spoke. Oscar.

"Yeah she called me, said they were 10 minutes out," I heard something like a door close over the phone.

"Sorry, that was Oscar, Mom and Dad are close by..." he explained, and I thought that now was not the time to keep a conversation... keep this conversation... still, I did not want to hang up. I felt insecure at the moment too, I began counting in my head, what I did when I felt this way, and I got to 87 when he broke the silence.

"I-I need to go, the helicopter is landing on the roof."

"Okay. Let me know about them? Andrew and Ethan," I said shyly not wanting to rock the boat again.

"I will baby."

"Bye," I pulled the phone away from my ear, once I heard him disconnect the call.

"That went... well," I said to no one in particular and heard little grunts and snorts in response.

Rolling my eyes, "I'm going back to bed," I said to them all, and made my way back to my room, my thoughts a jumbled mess once again. I changed and stewed for over an hours time until I could identify what I felt when I thought of not having more moments like the one Gabe and I shared.

After thinking I was able to tell that it was dread and disappointment.

Reaching over I picked up my phone, turned the ringer all the way up and placed it on my pillow just in case Gabe called or sent a text, then sleep took over.

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CHAPTER 51 NOTES:

Andrew and Ethan are Gabe's brothers... he's training them... for those who may have forgotten :)

MUSIC I MENTIONED: if you look them up on youtube just type in what I did...

"In My Veins" by Andrew Belle

"Home (Jon Hopkins' Remix)"- Daughter (not a typo, I'm not talking about Daughtry)

"Wicked Games" - Gemma Hayes

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CHAPTER 52 NOTES:

MUSIC I MENTIONED: if you look them up on youtube just type in what I did...

first song: 'Beggar's Prayer' by Emiliana Torrini

second song: 'Don't You Worry' by Lucy Rose

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