A/N: So wow... last chapter... I swear I've been wanting to get to that chapter for like a week and a half now! I know everyone was like ohh chelsea lets them get away with things and what not but I couldn't do what she did too soon, she tried to be nice but eh...

Someone people hated it, others loved it... Some felt it was good that she showed them some of her gifts... others felt she shoulda channeled her inner Gabriel, and used a gun instead LOL

I know a few of you are wondering why Ethan would be calling Logan, so anyways, here's the next chapter...

Chapter 43.5 – Chelsea POV

Gabriel had been eyeing me after leaving the auditorium, while blocking his thoughts as well, which annoyed me to no end. Then trying to read his eyes was nearly useless because if there was one thing he was the master at, besides shooting people, was hiding his emotions and thoughts. Keeping his face neutral, but in the one moment he dropped it, I saw need.



Lust. Maybe I was seeing what I wanted too see...



I had tuned out the people from the island sitting next to Oakley on the floor, Ben on her other side while I waited for Jack or Chris to call me in to finish healing him. It wasn’t because I was a coward and didn’t want to hear what they had to say; it was that I just no longer cared. I had tried being nice, reaching out, trying to less of a tyrant or psycho, just punishing harshly but this just cut me deeply. So I stopped listening. Maybe he’s listening for you, Aria spoke, and I wanted to scoff.



Gabriel cared less than I did.



I think you handled that wonderfully, my third wolf commented, very fair. I leaned my head back closing my eyes, thinking of how I handled it. Wondering if I should regret the execution of my delivery? Was I too harsh? Would this backfire on me? or would it do what I thought it should, which was get everyone focused on the end goal.



Personally it felt like they thought their life began and ended on this island. They would return home when the Chosen One had conquered and defeated the Elders.



Others believed that I didn’t have the experience, yet what I didn’t understand was that no one was approaching me, trying to help me instead of just saying I didn’t have what it took. I didn’t have a problem with them thinking I was over my head, not at all.



My biggest problems were that they weren’t approaching me and saying that, so it was of no help. Then it was like they thought they were on holiday or something, when in reality it was like I told Grant, this isn’t a vacation. So many of them believed that when they left their loved ones back home that automatically meant that they were safe, but that wasn’t the case. The Elders killed many of their loved ones in the process of searching for them.



I could see when it finally hit the Elders though… nearly five years ago, instead of killing the family members, Jason found that they just inserted what we now knew were the Unseen into their world. Hoping that the people they sought would contact family, or return home and they could swoop in and capture them.



But I digress.



With the information they all have now, I’m hoping it knocks some sense into them, because this couldn’t go on this way. Policing adults and their children as well as proving myself to them, I didn’t to do that.



Any of it, I was proving myself to so many already. I had come to learn that while I was ‘Chosen’ I was given gifts when I handled a situation correctly which meant I was consistently – unbeknownst to myself – proving that I could handle each and every ability I was granted.



Yet they had no way of knowing, I had kept all my talents from Jason, which meant he couldn’t pass on my progress. Don’t fret Luna, you do not need affirmation from others, they all know better than to defy who you are, third wolf interrupted.



I sighed loudly. Waiting for when the trouble came. Right now I knew that they were all trying to help Connor after what I did. It had only been fifteen minutes since we left coming here, so I knew it would only be a matter of time until the Ryans’ came, as well as Leland and Marlon.



When I went to Remy, what I wanted to do was already forming in my mind; I wanted to show the children and adults just what was going on, without having to be monstrous about it. I could get them to fall in line by showing the younger children just how other Alpha’s treated those that were their age, compared to my punishment of added chores or patrolling.



I was being generous. Still they didn’t know me; I didn’t want to be that type of Luna. I didn’t want to live and make change by being vicious and unforgiving, but for me to remain in that mind set, they needed to step up, meet me half way. If they couldn’t do that, progress wouldn’t be made.



“Who did this?” Oakley whispered, please don’t let it be Connor, she thought desperately, knowing that if it was that it would hurt Kieran that much more.



“Connor,” I whispered, Oakley nodded, her body tense next to mine.



“Hey Chels-” Chris actually came out, calling me into the room. Standing, I felt Oakley squeeze my hand a bit tighter when she caught a better glimpse of Kieran’s state, the machines and tubes scattered over him, “It’ll be fine Oak,” I whispered her eyes slowly meeting mine, she gave me a small nod releasing my hand as well.



Entering he nodded for me to wash my hands once again, before calling me over, and pointing out where he noted the bruised areas of Kieran’s brain from the blow that Connor gave him, “it’s very sensitive Chelsea,” Jack told me, “I know you have to touch the areas but be mindful not to press inward,” I nodded, “Also, don’t try to heal too quickly, pace what your doing-” he stopped when he took in my expression.



I tried hard, failing not to think of Oakley and how this was her mate, or how I had tried to protect Kieran by inviting him here only to fail him like everyone else had so far.



Fisting my hand, then releasing again before using my index finger in the places that Chris showed me from the back.



Upper brain… low function… death… I pulled my hand away when I heard Jacks’ thoughts, taking a step back.



What? My eyes wide and heart racing as my stomach tumbled uneasily.



He’s – Kieran – brain dead? Even my thoughts weren’t able to form the words needed.



Hey – hey – relax! He stood with his palms out facing me.



I couldn’t so much as blink, the upper area of his brain has some dead brain cells and that part you’re going to heal – the cerebrum – controls his thoughts, or ability to think, hear, see – you know voluntary actions – you’re going to heal it and I believe that to do so you’ll be oxygenating those cells –



How?



Concentrate on the cells, just like you have before, create new matter Chelsea, Jack replied immediately with complete faith both in his mind and on his face. Pushing one of the machines away from Kieran, he placed a stool near him instead, patting it.



“Sit here, and be extra careful I believe this part will take the longest,” his words muffled by a mask. Before I could touch Kieran Jamie came in the room sitting on my right side taking my hand automatically, after he washed them and placed a mask on.



“Ready?” Chris asked, taking my hand showing me where to touch and then backed away, his eyes focused, knowing what was happening while I just concentrated, feeling a spark, and energy at the tips of my fingers, flowing –



“Holy sh-”



I snapped my eyes open, “What?” I whisper not pulling my hand away.



You’re regenerating brain cells Luna, he says with wide impressed eyes, I sigh closing my eyes once again, finding it easier to concentrate. I continue my body feeling drained; the soft buzz from the machines eases me into a lull in my mind. Everything as it is, nothing left to fix, I pull my finger away, standing I stagger a bit, exhausted sagging against Jamie who easily picks me up and carries me from the room.



“What’s wrong with her?” Gabriel demands taking me against him, floating.



I chuckle, lightheaded “What could’ve happened with you less that 30 feet away?” I slur and hear someone snort as well. “How’s Kieran?” Oakley asks and when I go to open my mouth, I’m happy that I hear Jack speaking to her instead. After telling her that by morning we would be waking him up, Ben comes closer.



“Chelsea are you okay?”



“Mhmm –hmmm,” I hum my eyes closed; I cuddled against Gabe’s hard chest. “Did you finish the surprise?” he murmured. For that I opened my eyes trying to find him, once I had, I nod. “Yeah I finished them all, but Ben if she doesn’t like them, don’t get upset okay? And maybe you should ask Chris or Rainy if they’ll join so she won’t feel intimidated…” he nods a small smile on his face.



I lean back against Gabriel, and note that Oakley is asleep on the sofa opposite, her head on Julia’s lap.



“Do – do you… would you like it if someone did that for you?” he asked his small face red, eyes worried. I lean my head back against Gabriel, and think of Ben’s surprise for her, a small smile on my face. “Yeah, I would,” I tell him honestly and see him sigh in relief resting his body against Gabriel’s side, a pillow between them. Two hours after leaving the auditorium, Tera Ryan came down the stairs, her eyes red, and face puffy.



So unlike the last time I saw her, twitching and unsure she stopped a good distance, her eyes darting over to Oakley, Grant, the door to her brothers room, finally onto me, before looking away and staring at her feet.



“How is he?” she whispered once her eyes found mine again, “I’m not going to hurt you,” I told her, I didn’t read her mind but after what she saw me do, there had to be some fear there.



“I know,” she gave me a soft smile, you were saying? Avena laughed. Just as she replied, I heard more heartbeats nearing and came to see Mr. and Mrs. Ryan as well as Marlon and Leland, behind them.



A bit more conscious than when I healed him, I lifted my head off of Gabe’s shoulder to eye the bunch, noting that Mr. and Mrs. Ryan both appeared to look like their daughter.



“How is Kieran?” Mrs. Ryan asked me directly, “he’s still hooked up to the machines but I healed his brain injuries-”



Her eyes widened, her mouth agape, “what? Brain injury?” she eyed Marlon who seemed to be in a daze himself.



“He had partial brain death in his cerebrum, they drilled a few holes to drain excess blood and removed a small piece of his skull…” I said dryly.



They both looked a bit green, while Tera just closed her eyes, looking away, “But he’s really okay?” Mr. Ryan asked his eyes off, glassy.



“Yes… I mean we don’t know what his memory or speech function, those sorts of things will be, but he isn’t dead and he isn’t in any pain,” I whispered.



“But… one hit…” Mr. Ryan said out loud and I finally tuned into his thoughts, one strike doesn’t cause what she’s talking about…



“One hit what?” I ask despite knowing, I wasn’t ready to give away the fact that I could read all thoughts just yet.



He toed the ground, “Connor, he said he hit Kieran-”



I snorted, “Please… it wasn’t one hit, one hit probably brought him down, but he even broke Kieran’s shoulder-” taking a deep breath, I remain calm, “I couldn’t find Connors scent anywhere near Kieran, does – did he have a gift for that?”



Mrs. Ryan shakes her head, “No, but there is a plant on the island that can mask your scent, we use it to make soap, and when you run patrol here on the island we use it,” Leland answers.



There’s an awkward moment, Leland and Marlon say nothing and I don’t read their minds. Gabriel’s body jerks and when I pull away to get a look at his face I see the mirth in his eyes, you’re dying to know what they thought of what happened, you can read their minds but yet you don’t want to do that either? I just roll my eyes.



I want them to approach me if they have a problem with what I did, I shrug. They think you can read their minds so they don’t need to bring it up, he countered.



Nodding, I lay my head down again, closing my eyes – and soon after, sleep takes me.

.

.

.

Oakley POV

“Your brother called me,” I hear the whispered voices but I can’t place it, and my head feels as though it weighs much more than normal when I try to lift it. “Why?” another voice replies, hushed and filled with concern.



“Ethan… he found his mate, she’s human but your dad wants him to mate with some other wolf-” the first voice continues.



“To Vera Larito?” Gabriel interrupts him, monotone and there’s no answer but then a loud sigh, “You’d think he learned…” Gabriel says with a slight edge to his voice, a growl. When the slight heaviness of my head seem to slowly wear off, I stretch out, and the memories of the night before invade my mind, one after the other.



Holding Kieran’s hand. Walking home. The headache that felt down right painful. Gabriel coming to the house to give me pain medication but then telling us about Kieran being hurt. Chelsea healing him up, giving me time to see just what was going on… I sat up with a start, shaking my head and eyes darting around the sitting areas. Until I focused solely on Gabriel, no Chelsea or Ben, Grant and Aunt Julia are gone as well.



My heart seized, ready to come up my throat.



In the corner, Tera was asleep a light blanket thrown over her, “How is he?” I blurted out standing still a bit dazed.



“Well about two hours ago they removed all the machines and now it’s only a matter of him Kieran waking up,” Gabriel said, his words calming me. Sighing, I nodded, “that’s good…”



I’m not sure what Gabriel heard in my voice but he leaned forward, keeping his eyes on mine, “he’s alive… Chelsea fixed him up… we don’t know how his memories are going to disturbed by what happened but-”



“Wait you mean… he may forget me?” I asked as my body seemed to sag, I – I didn’t want Kieran to forget me, and yet at the same time, I was happy he was alive and going to wake up period.



I shook my head as Gabriel opened his, “Never mind, I’m just happy he’s going to wake up,” I whispered truly relieved. Yet I couldn’t push away the bit of disappointment that he could wake up and forget that he had let me hold his hand.



“He’s not going to be awake for another two hours, Julia and Grant brought you a bag of-” he pointed with his chin to a small duffle bag near the sofa I was sleeping on. Reaching for it, I stood, “there’s a bathroom in the room to the left there,” he pointed down the hall.



More than relieved that I wouldn’t have to leave and come back, I headed that way, entering the room I had when I was down here, I went straight to the bath turning on the show, the room filling with the steam from the water. Undressing I hop in, turning around, letting the hot water spray against my tired muscles, especially near my neck, before finally wetting my head.



Distracted I washed my hair, conditioning as well, before stepping out, drying off and brushing my teeth, all while I thought over the Ryans – especially Connor. I just didn’t understand how anyone could be so cruel, to hit their own brother until he needed emergency brain surgery?



What if Kieran had died?



My stomach flipped just at the thought, he was so nice and kind, Kieran didn’t want any trouble yet Connor just… I shook my head.



I would never do something like that to Ben… my eyes welled as my chest ached funnily.



Kieran… when he woke up… there was a feeling in the pit of my stomach that made me uneasy and afraid. He already thought he was bad, that I should stay away from him… now that this happened; I knew he’d probably be pushing me further away, especially since it happened right as he dropped me off…



Before I had even finished brushing my teeth, I had tears rolling down my cheeks… when I left the bathroom I stopped in my tracks. Tera was on the bed, face down; she looked up when I stepped out, her own face puffy, and eyes red.



“Are you okay?” she asked.



“No… I’m – I” I shrugged and she just nodded.



“He’s okay now, Chelsea said,” she offered but I already knew that I was worried for a whole other reason and getting angrier.



“Kieran really held your hand?” she asked her cheeks reddening.



“How do you know that?” the words coming out sharper than I wanted, defensive and the small smile she wore vanishes.



Her eyes widened, she glances at the door before looking back to me apologetically, “Connor was following you guys… he got upset that Kieran held your hand, touched you and didn’t hurt you, when he hurt Taryn,” she said weakly.



“Your brother is no good!” I say shaking my head, “I would never do something like that to Ben-”



“I know… my parents might be upset with what Chelsea did to him, but I think he deserved it, and even though he could’ve killed Kieran and he’s your-” she stops abruptly, jaw tight.



I wait, “He’s your friend?” she asks but I think it’s meant to be a statement, but I nod nonetheless, “well… she had already punished him, but what he did was vicious and he disobeyed Gabriel’s order… he blindsided Kieran and could’ve killed him. Chelsea taking away his wolf was the right thing-”



“What?” I ask my eyes wide as quarters, Tera just nods, “Yeah, she broke a few of his bones too, but she took his wolf away and all his memories… he doesn’t remember anything but what he did to Kieran and why Chelsea did what she did…”



“Wow…” I mumble.



“You don’t…” I stopped speaking to really look at her, she wasn’t happy, her face still held the worry, her eyes physical proof of her pain, but the words she was using… it – I was missing something. She didn’t, “You aren’t mad at Chelsea,” I state rather than ask.



She shrugged, “not really, I’m sad that Connor was punished, and that Kieran is hurt… and you probably won’t want to be my friend-”



“Why wouldn’t I?” I jumped in.



“Because of how Connor treated Kieran… then he tried to hit you too…” a slow smile started to form on my lips and I shook my head, “I thought you would’ve been mad at me,” she looked up confused.



“I used my gift on Connor,” I explained further.



“It’s not like you used it on me, you thought he was going to hurt you…”



I went to the chair sitting and pulling out a comb, “Connor said you…” she stopped playing with her fingers, “he said?” I nudged her on.



“Well… that you won’t want to be my friend… since you’re you,” I cocked my head to the side.



“Since you’re a princess… and Chelsea is your sister and she’s Queen,” I shook my head.



“That doesn’t make any sense… I didn’t choose to be who I am, but I can choose who I’m friends with. Plus…I’ve never even had any friends,” I tell her, “Well no, I had Ben back in Middleburg.”



She nodded, a small smile on her face now.



I continued coming out my hair, “But as I was saying, I’m not mad with Chelsea… I mean I told him it was only a matter of time before he crossed her. Told him to apologize to you and her, and just be respectful but he was too angry… didn’t listen. I can’t be angry with her when he hurt Kieran… it’s not even the same thing. Taryn practically attacked Kieran. I’m sure Kieran only held your hand because he wanted too,” she said shaking her head, “But what do I know? I’m just a little kid, his bratty little sister,” she muttered at the end.



Braiding my hair in one I stood to look out through the window, again only finding Gabriel and the same guy he was speaking too. “Where are your parents?”



“They were here but left because Connor was starting to wake up and Jack said that Kieran wouldn’t be awake for another four or five hours,” I listened but hoped that they would at least come back before Kieran was awake.



As I was packing up my brush and comb Tera fell into a fit of giggles and snorts, “what?”



She shook her head, “its not funny, but it kinda is…” she said in between, “I’m just remembering last night, at the gathering…” she laughed harder.



“I mean if that was me I would’ve just died or hid or something,” the words still had no meaning to me, “Well Lola and some boy went somewhere to be alone,” her eyes were the size of quarters, “but Chelsea brought it up at the meeting, basically telling everyone,” she giggled.



“Her face was – she was so red!” maybe I had to be there… then again Kieran and I went to the library and we were alone, I went up the mountains and was with him alone then too. And in his room and even when we walked home, we were alone. With nothing left to do I sat silently, worrying my lip, wondering whether Kieran would remember me.

__________________________

So... yeah... thoughts?

Will Kieran remember Oakley or not?

Any guesses on Bens surprise?

Are you surprised that Leland and Marlon didn't say anything?

Is Ethan calling a trap for Logan?

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