A/N: not edited.

Chapter 51.5 - Chelsea POV (One Month Later)

We all fall into some type of routine, and surprisingly Gabriel and I spend less time overseeing the island people, and more time working on our individual gifts as well as Ben, Oakley and I learning to play the violin.



While we show progress in our individual gifts, violin lessons? Not so much. At best I could play something that sort of resembled 'twinkle twinkle little star,' but the sound mostly just drove others away.



The surprising reveal was that between my siblings and I, Ben was the one that showed the most promise, but Oakley and I wrote that off to the fact that he played for Kayla all the time. What we couldn't understand was how he seemed to progress so rapidly in learning his water abilities. Unsure of what may happen if he practiced in the ocean waters, he tended to do any form of manipulation at this hidden enclave on the island, at Lux's place or a pool. His easiest manipulation learned so far, in my own opinion would be to shape water into anything his heart desired, as well as separating water around him.



"He's so lucky," Oakley, said next to me in awe as we watched amazed as Ben lowered into the pool, and the water covered him. With our senses we could not that he had created a cylinder around him, eight inches from his body, just space. To him, or anyone else it appeared as though he was protected by a glass case from all angles, and slowly, he lifted, the water falling to his feet, while he just walked across the pool, the water rippling where he stepped.



Stupefied I just blinked a few times, shaking my head, "Lucky doesn't cover it," I murmured. "You should be able to do that as well Chelsea," Wolf said from behind me, capturing my attention. I turned away from Oakley and Ben, staring at him unsure, "He's the water Element," surely he knew that by now. He had been coming to the Island a few days a week, spending time with Rainy at our home.



"Yes, but you are the fifth Element, you should be able to manipulate all gifts, it may take some time but that is my understanding," I glanced at Ben over my shoulder, returning my gaze to Wolf, "No... I'm not sure that's right?" Yes it is, you should be able to do what Ben, Oakley and everyone else is doing, that is what Wyatt told me of the fifth Element, it is how you will be able to undermine any shifter with an element based gift, Wolf sent me over the link.



"Why didn't you say that before?"



He looked away for a moment, "I thought you knew." His thoughts showing no deception, I nodded, "I can't do anything with water yet, but I can do what Oakley does with her gift," my thoughts going back to when I had used it on Victors daughter Mylene. You will master them that is true, my third wolf thought.



Stopping in my spot, I digest that bit of information, swiftly storing it away, not an ounce of worry or fear in my mind. Unlike before when learning that piece of information would send my poor heart into a spiraling tailspin of 'what if's' and 'this is too much.'



"See..." gloating one eyebrow raised. Shaking my head I walked away, turning towards the back of the house, a flicker up and I see Kieran in his window looking down at Oakley. Oblivious to my gaze, want mate, his wolf Nyx whined. Sighing I went inside, Kieran was only punishing himself and Oakley, but she seemed to be taking it in stride, keeping her mind focused on learning her gift as well as the violin. Kieran had asked her for space and while she gave it to him, a piece of her was not the same, the glow she had been walking around with when she first arrived and their friendship was blooming, had all but vanished.



Inside I duck behind a wall when I hear Ava coming down the steps, jumping in front of her at the last minute, scaring her into a fit of delightful giggles, "Mamma!" she cried jumping into my arms, winding her hands around my neck, her legs around my torso.



Kissing her all over her cheeks, blowing raspberries, until she pleads for me to stop, I turn us around, swaying to the light music Greta and Nona are listening to as they cook sides and prepare dishes for a barbeque we're hosting now that Rainy and her children - all of them - can all venture outside. With my blood and gift I was able to heal completely the damage that Seth had inflicted on her children by never letting them be in direct sunlight. Locked away in his basement for ten years.



Placing Ava on my hip, I went out front, noting that Wolf had continued to follow me, his mind a nervous mess, "You need to relax, if they sense that kind of energy around you, those poor children are going to be overwhelmed," I tell him.



"I don't want them to be afraid of me," he mutters.



"Honestly... I think the only thing you can do is just give them their space," I advise thinking that maybe this barbeque is the wrong way to go about introducing them to everyone. I had given Rainy and Chris photo's of all those that would be here, the Davis', Lawsons, Hayes and those that lived in this house with us, like Walter, Nora and their children.



Oakley POV



He was watching me, I could feel his eyes on me from his window, and I didn't want to look up. Afraid of what his eyes would tell me, that he missed me just as much as I missed being around him, or worse that he didn't miss me at all. That he was perfectly unaffected by our time apart, that this was just another repeat of what happened with Daddy.



He had taken a break from Ben and I, checked out and when he returned, he didn't want me then either. It's not the same, my wolf Byrdie tried to calm my nerves, keep me positive. But it was hard to just ignore the signs, even with the amount of effort from Chelsea and Ben, as well as uncle Grant and aunt Julia.



I couldn't complain, not when they all tried to cushion the blow that Kieran no longer wanted to be around me, by distracting me each and everyday. Between school, ability training and violin practices, there wasn't much time for me to really feel the loss. Or so they thought. I couldn't explain how in such a short frame of time, Kieran became so important to me. And the crazy thing was, that I didn't want an answer, because a small part of me, the one that he had opened to just a bit before he pushed me all the way out... well she knew how hurt he was inside. That small part of me - when I was worried and distraught that he wouldn't ever come back to me - told me to remember just how hurt he was then. Remember that while Kieran had pushed me away, out completely, he did so because he thought it was safer for me.



Then the most important piece of information, the part that calmed me, knew that while Kieran had pushed everyone out, he hadn't stopped seeing uncle Grant. Almost everyday, they would meet and talk, or well so I believed. But knowing that he still saw uncle Grant gave me great comfort. Especially since I knew something that Kieran probably hadn't realized, something that I don't think I caught on to until after I had been backed into a proverbial corner I had created myself.



Uncle Grant didn't give up.



Back in Middleburg, I was starting to see my own faults from back home. Tiny moments where, I could pinpoint that I made the wrong decision, I didn't reach out when uncle Grant, was pleading with me, offering me comfort and I just didn't accept it. The one that stands out amongst them all, is Amelia's birthday dinner.



He saw my pain. He had wanted to help me, but by then, I had closed in on myself, I had assumed that I had no way out but the truth was, Uncle Grant was willing to share my burden if only I had just taken that offering, instead I withdrew further into myself.



Now, Kieran had that opportunity as well. I didn't expect that Kieran would just leap to take it, remembering the talk I had with aunt Julia about trapeezing. He would be ready for that step when he was ready, forcing it, would only lead to getting hurt. He had been hurt already; he didn't need to confirm that to me, I could see it. His body littered in scars, his fear of touching or being touched. Expecting something as nice as a caress to feel painful.



"You okay?" Ben asked standing right in front of me, concern on his face. Eyes flickering up to where I'm sure he can see Kieran, before focusing back on me. Giving him my best half smile, and a nod, I wait for him to feel convinced that I am okay. Because even though my skin is crawling, tingling with the want to dash up the stairs to Kieran's room, and see him, my mind overrides that completely, because I understand what Kieran needs, is more important than what I want.



So I continue to fight the urge, especially when a part of me hopes that by getting what he needs, eventually I'll get what I want. Sighing when Ben doesn't respond, I throw my hand over his shoulder, pulling him with me to go to Kiley's.



We stroll comfortably, one of the guards following behind us as always, "You know - I'm really okay Ben," I tell him, hoping to ease a bit of his worry.



"Are you?" he stops abruptly looking at me, having grown a good two inches since we arrived on the island, especially since he already had his shift. His blue eyes reminding me of daddy's, the only difference is I know that Ben always have and does see me. He isn't merely looking at me, and taking everything at face value, he looks at me and its as though he see's my heart.



Shrugging, I huff heavily.



"I'm not going to hurt myself again," I whisper, knowing that those are the words he probably needs to hear, to tamper down his fears, "And it's not because of anyone, it's for myself."



I mean the words I tell him right there. "Do you understand?" I didn't at first when Uncle Grant told me.



When Ben shakes his head, I push us over to a large fallen tree trunk, "You know when someone is doing something hurtful to them selves, and they try to stop but they don't do it for themselves, it doesn't seem to work."



"You have to get better for you, not hurt yourself because you don't want too?" his brows smooched together, puzzlement written all over his face, but I smile brightly when he says it perfectly.



Nodding I kick some small pebbles at my feet, "I know you're worried I'd do something like that again, because I'm sad that Kieran doesn't want to be around me," he nods.



"It's different Benny, I can be sad that he doesn't want me around and not want to hurt myself... and even though I am hurting inside, I know that Kieran thinks he's protecting me by pushing me away so," I don't know how to put it all into words without confusing Ben and myself at that.



We sit silently side by side, Ben eventually stands, coming in front of me, opening his mouth, closing it each time, until he finally just blurts out, "Do you know what happened to Kieran Oakley?"



Blinking, I shake my head.



"No... I mean he has scars, so I think someone hurt him, that much I can tell."



His fists at his side, Ben looks behind me, his blue eyes focused there and they begin to well up, "Kayla has scars too," the words whispered between gritted teeth and his blue eyes start to darken.



"I've seen them," I agree not sure where he's going with this.



He opens his mouth, closing it again, shaking his head, Ben looks down at his feet, inhaling deeply, and after a while I see his shoulders deflate, almost hunched down. Sighing, he meets my eyes again, and whatever had just happened seemed to have passed.



When we stand, turning to head to Kiley's, the Hayes, all of them, are already on their way down the path leading to where Ben and I stopped. Going to Kiley, I note the dark circles under her eyes, the red that makes her eyes stand out, and the paleness in her skin. She's away from the rest of the family, walking a few steps a head of the others, while her mothers eyes dance between Kiley and her older sister Justine. Her father - Marlon - and mother, as well as Anthony, much more subdued than the to sets of twins, that immediately run shrieking after one another, Ben included.



"How are you?" I ask when the others go straight inside the gate to the backyard and Kiley and I are alone. Kieran may have pushed me away, but what Kiley was dealing with, her sister and mate, together... that was worse. Her bottom lip shakes and she swallows, gulping as though she can't breath, doing so until finally she calms again, and that mask she came up with is firmly back in place.



Then she answers, "You want to go somewhere else?" the words almost a plea. I glance back at everyone in the yard, all the different children playing, before dragging my eyes up to the window that is Kieran's room, and then back to Kiley, I nod. The guard still near by, follows us away as we decide to head over to Tera's, spending the day there, watching movies. Long after the barbeque at Chelsea's is over, Lux, outside waiting with Ben, comes to walk us back home.



Walking behind them, I remain silent, drained without having done much of anything today, I enter the house leaving Ben outside with Lux, greeting and telling both uncle Grant and aunt Julia goodnight, before going straight to my room.



Then, I see it.



The box - slightly larger than a jewelry box - that wasn't there when I left this morning.



Wooden, dark brown, the top plane and smooth. I run a single finger over it, lifting it I hear something move from inside, and underneath it, a folded piece of paper. Crossing my legs after I sit on my bed, I put the paper aside, and carefully examine the carved box, letting my finger trace over the swirls around the entire thing, turning it to the front. I smile when I figure out the design all starts with the letter 'O' in the front, the vine like swirls starting from that center point. Lifting the top that comes off complete, a beaded object is the only item inside. The smile on my face growing as I place the box on the bed, and lift what I see is a beaded bracelet.



On white twine, it's not a perfectly made item the beads aren't all the same size, they aren't identical, but as I roll one between my finger and thumb I note that it's as smooth on my skin as the top of the box it was in. my heart racing I pick up the piece of paper finally, opening it, my mouth drops open, as tears fill my eyes.

I miss you.

M.K.

The letters in messy block childlike print, I release a shaky sigh, the tears roll down my face, as I cry silently.

_________________

So if you're reading 'Scratch' you already know why this chapter is shorter. ALSO, If you're not reading Scratch because well you forgot about it, go check it out. Wondering who Wyatt is? I mentioned him in Unconditional and a number of times before when I mention Etta/Kaden/Wolf.

1. Have not read this. Put you down for too read... Just need to ask - are you really updating like this - I see you all the time on my updates and I'm going crazy!!! How can you do this? You are amazing, really! How can you update like this? Wellllll.... I do update often. I mean it's really easy for me; I just set aside some time everyday and type as much as I can in that set time. Sometimes it's in the morning, others it's at night, whatever I have typed when that set time is over, I post it. The only times I don't update are if I'm sick or have to study, other than that I try to post.



2. I love the way you are developing your characters. We get such insight into each and every one of them. You put such detail in to your work. It truly is amazing. I'm just happy that people are seeing the progress, I've read so many stories and then comments from readers where they feel like they've read over two hundred pages and the characters have no growth. They are as flat as when you started from page one.

3. I hope Chelsea telling Kieran her story will help him understand a little bit that he's not to be blamed and seeing as they both have similar experiences he'll learn to build up his self esteem Yes, especially since we don't know so much about Kieran, I don't want readers to find out what happened to him, from Chelsea. She had her own story, I want Kierans to come out when he is ready. I'm not sure if anyone has ever gone to some type of group therapy or gathering. It's one thing to go and be surrounded by people that have similar stories as yours, but I gather it's terrifying to share your own story with someone else. To say what happened, to even find the words to tell another. I know I could just have Chelsea spell it out for everyone but I'd rather do it my way lol.



4. Chelsea gave Kieran so much to think about. I absolutely love that Gabriel was waiting for her, he knew she was going to need him. The growth that they have had individually, and as a couple is awe inspiring. I have said it once, and I will say it again... you are an AMAZING writer!!! Thank you for the update!!! Yes!! I know it's probably taken a while for readers to get on the Gabriel bandwagon, he was such a jerk in that first book, but I'd hope that he had some growth along the way. Also I guess I just want to show that sometimes it isn't about having the right things to say to someone. Sometimes it's about giving silent comfort... just being there to soften the hurt. You can't take their pain away, but you can see that they don't suffer it alone.



5. I think it helped Kieran to know he's not the only one that's experienced this type of abuse and that he's not alone anymore. In this chapter, it felt like Chelsea reached him. I noticed that when Wolf was talking with Chelsea, that he seemed surprised that Chelsea didn't forgive Jay. I don't understand why or why he felt the need to comment on it. It's like he has a block or blinders when it comes to admitting Jays complicity in his mistakes or in seeing Chelsea's pov. I always hoped that Chelsea would bond with her uncle since Jay was a loss, but I'm always disappointed in Wolf. Great quote btw. Ugh... Wolf... he's a tough nut to crack but he's going to get there.



6. I really like that quote. Especially how you have acknowledged the author of the quote it's the best thing in this situation. I couldn't have come up with better. How did you come by this quote to use? Uhm, I've had that quote since book one and somewhere along book two when I started handwriting this third book, I just knew that I would use it, in the third book. So I am a HUGE Edmund Burke fan... my top three quotes from him are;

a. Our patience will achieve more than our force

b. Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it (very similar to George Santayana's 'those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.')

c. The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse



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