A/N: NOT EDITED.

Chapter 8 – Oakley POV

There was a low buzz, “Pat – Pat I love you okay, don’t think I don’t – I’m sorry I thought – I thought I got away from them Pat, I thought I could have my happily ever after with you, I loved you Pat, you were everything I ever wanted and I didn’t think I would ever get a chance at love. I love you deep in my heart, and my secrets, I kept them to protect you and the kids, don’t forget that, tell them about me, love them, cherish them for the both of us you hear?” the recording, mixed in with three other heartbeats – two even the other racing – mine quicken, sadness overwhelming me as I inhale sharply, getting my bearings.



Scents swarming – blending – with one another, Ben, Aunt Julia, Uncle Grant and mine the strongest but I do smell a trace of a few others. My eyes well up when I remember – when all events catch up to me – we were in the car then we weren’t.



I don’t want to open my eyes, this had to be a dream, I didn’t want to face what was the truth, keeping your eyes closed doesn’t make this any less scary Oakley, it’s okay to be afraid but don’t let it cripple you, be brave, be that girl that just played the recording for everyone, that told everyone how she felt, the voice said. The smallest movement, causes shifting against me, thin arms hold me tighter, opening my eyes I realize Ben is huddled up between the back of the couch and me. Taking a breath I try to untangle myself slowly, not wanting to wake him, or Aunt Julia who is on the opposite end of the sectional. When I finally get to my feet, my legs feel so weak, shaky and my stomach has the sinking – uneasy – feeling.



Swallowing I leave the living room, taking a look around, the stone fire place built into the wall, behind me the kitchen, I know Uncle Grant is listening to the recording so I follow that sound to the stairs, turning the corner and find him sitting at the dining room table. When he hears or feels my approach he looks him, red eyes enhancing sad blue eyes, brows bunched together in what can only be devastation, “Oh Oakley,” he says his voice rough, “Why didn’t you come to me with this?” I tried to read the emotions fleeting across his face, some making sense – overwhelmed, and hurt – while others – shame, and guilt – make no sense.



I saw anger but somehow I knew that it wasn’t against me, my lips shaking I couldn’t – I just couldn’t – I looked away shaking my head, inhaling lethargically, “I – I didn’t – when I – after it happened, I was quiet just listening, then – then when daddy got home I left the space and the recorder there. I closed the space and I don’t know if I just avoided it on purpose but I feel like I knew it was there but to protect my – my mind I just,” I shrug, crying. “When dad brought Sarah and Amelia, I found it again and dad was changing the house with Sarah, throwing things away piece by piece I felt like I was losing mom, her memories, and it was the very last thing I had of her I just couldn’t lose that, so I kept it to myself,” I explained a bit of my self induced isolation melting away, and in doing so grief flooded over me.



The emptiness inside – making me cold – surprised me, overwhelmed and left me in my place feeling defeated, “It’s okay Oak, it’s okay, I’ve got you,” Uncle Grant murmured as his arms wound around me, pulling me to him, centering me the tighter he held me, my heart beating wildly, while his beat calmly, my head on his chest easy to compare the difference.



I couldn’t say anymore, had no words, just emotions I felt too young to bare, sadness that chilled me, hurt that broke me and hate that grew like poisonous weeds inside.



Rocking me back and forth, I accepted the comfort, “This isn’t your fault Oakley, wherever we are, this isn’t your fault,” he whispered but in the silence of this place, it sounded like a scream. I calmed – Uncle Grant’s tone overall as well – easily, “Why aren’t you more worried?” I asked when the sobs turned to minor hiccups.



Pulling away, he smirked at me; putting one around on my shoulders leading me back to the kitchen, “what do you see?” he asked a smile in his voice. How the heck could he be so nonchalant about all this? He believes that there is nothing to fear Oakley… voice said but I looked around. All appliances were in view, coffee maker, cooking utensils, seasons in the cabinet and –



“Knives?” I pointed to the set; a large butcher type knife hung freely, “They gave us knives…” I said confused. “Look at the foods,” he said standing letting me explore. Opening the fridge I see soymilk like we had at home, as well as eggs substitutes. Ben is allergic to milk, while I was allergic to eggs…



“I don’t know – I’m not all trusting but I’d go as far to say that whoever brought us here – wherever here is – has no intention of hurting us. All the food is sealed no puncture wounds in the containers, there are clothes – all our sizes – in the den,” he toys the note on the countertop.



I turned back to Uncle Grant his eyes fixated on the note in deep thought, tilting his head to the side, “Have you ever looked up the people that your mother mentions on the recording?” my face heats, but I shake my head embarrassed.



“What?” how could I explain without sounding nutty, I tapped my fingers like I did when I needed to focus, clear and order my thoughts.



“I’ve been too afraid to look the names up, I thought – mom said not to trust anyone and I just, you know that people can hack your computers or see what you look up and I didn’t want to garner any attention, even though I was dying to look up. Once at the community college campus in the library I was so – so close to looking them up, but then I chickened out because, I thought it would be too obvious,” Uncle Grant pursed his lips, slowly shaking his head but he didn’t look at me as though I was crazy, but there was a hint of what I could only identify as pity.



“You’ve been living in fear, I’m just so damn sorry that us – all the adults around you – failed you like this…” his voice begging for forgiveness that wasn’t necessary, in my opinion, because as he mentioned other adults, I thought of daddy. “Do you think Daddy is looking for us?” I was afraid to ask that question but only because I think I knew the answer. Who ever took us, had been planning this.

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chelsea POV (November 28th 2014)

We didn’t have much time, the Elders had come to Gabriel’s hotel and as far as everyone else was concerned we were flying to Italy but we had another plan set up. In and out, Logan got Oakley, Ben, Julia and Grant into the house on the island, after I left a note and supplies. When we returned to the hotel the biggest problem we really had was Dana, Darren, Nona and Vanessa.



“I demand that we look for Amara,” Darren said while I was sitting on my hospital bed, feigning injury for the Elders sake, “Why don’t you ask the police to look for your sister? Right now we are dealing with grieving families, you remember? McKenna…” I said dryly. “Have you even checked on your wife? She was shot-”



“I’ve made sure she was alright!” he said in indignation, shut him up, Aria thought. “She’s ready to fly to Italy to a funeral for a woman she barely knows, while my sister is missing!” he shouted Dana behind him, Rachel – McKenna’s mother – standing by her, watching Darren with pure disbelief and sadness. “Look why don’t you just go to the police,” I said again, knowing already they wouldn’t find Amara because Gabriel had already gotten rid of her, no trace would ever be found.



My gaze met with Rachel’s, let him look for her, he’ll never find her… she thought to herself, but even the hunch she had that Amara was taken care of, didn’t bring her peace. She lost her daughter; Amara’s death wouldn’t bring McKenna back. Storming out of the room I called Logan, hey can you come to the hospital room.



When Darren stormed off Dana finally spoke, “Cody and I will be coming with you, Darren and Vanessa want to stay here…” I was in awe of her, she loved her husband – Darren – however not more than she loved her child, she was willing to sacrifice that love for Cody and that alone made me respect Dana Evans.



“That’s fine…” I replied smiling tightly, the two women leaving just as Logan came into the room, you rang? His voice full of humor.



I’m going to wipe out Darren and Vanessa’s memory, I want you to take them after that when we leave and make sure they don’t make waves.



She can erase memories? He thought to himself, and then lifted a brow, why not just kill them? Really take care of loose ends.



I’m not sanctioning their death, when this is an option, no pointless killing Logan – but you can make sure they never cross our paths again, use acid to remove their finger prints, I suggested offhandedly.



Yeah… you’re totally Gabriels’ other half, I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment so I remained silent. Should I tell her? I continued listening to Logan’s thoughts, debating with his self.



Gabriel said you wouldn’t mind my sister plus a few others coming along with you, Logan said looking at me when he decided or I guess felt strongly one way more than the other. I nodded already aware of what he was talking about. Rainy, Angel and I, we are all your cousins… he blurted out the thought nervously. My eyes widened, he nodded, sighing, our dad is Wolf, my head dipped in shock.

Does Wolf know this?

Logan shook his head, Wolf has many enemies, I want Rainy out of the way before that becomes public knowledge but that’s not the only reason I would prefer she go with you. You see, a week or so ago, she joined my pack, when I gave her a direct order, without breaking away from the pack she was able to ignore the order. Watch… he says, showing me the scene, Rainy her brown hair turned lavender, and deep purple in some places.



She has a gift, one I’m not sure she even knows about it, but I’m going to be busy for a while, I just want her somewhere safe and I know she will be with you… he said almost pleading. I nod, I wasn’t going to say no, Logan and his pack would be taking over so much of Gabriel’s work and keeping things going until we returned, plus I was hoping for so much to happen on that island. I wanted more time with Ava, I wanted to help Angel and I guess now, Rainy, Angel and I could all grow there together.



We weren’t sure just how long we’d be staying but we would be leaving that island confident in our exit plan where it concerned the Elders, use that time to learn what we didn’t know but now had many of the pieces because of Jason.



I’m happy she’s coming along… I replied honestly.



Logan just nodded, thanks – have you erased their memories yet? I shake my head, now though. I close my eyes, three heartbeats – Logan, Remy in the corner reading and documenting and mine – turns to two. Concentrating I find Darren, concentrating on the area of the brain that holds our memories, tabula rasa – to a certain extent. Completing the process with Vanessa just as Logan took her and Darren away.

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Leaving everything behind was not simple or easy, but there was one thing Gabriel and Logan didn’t want to deal with – while we were gone or – when we returned.



Rian. So when George and Mina, Gabriel’s’ old pack came to our house, Remy cut video surveillance of Rian’s cell. In and out.



Logan pulling the trigger that killed her.



I hadn’t understood their plan, why Logan wanted to be the one to do it, until he told me who his mother was – Lauren Christi Colt – Wolfs’ mate. Killed by Rian. For a moment, while I knew it was needed, I thought of Jay, I thought of that moment of pain he’d feel when she was dead since he marked her. I thought of Audrey, not regretting my decision to turn Jay and her away. I couldn’t do it. But I was leaving without a heavy heart when it came to her.



There were many things that had been my fault, mistakes I made and learned from, but I couldn’t in good conscience heal Audrey after what she did. That second chance – I wouldn’t give her strength to drive a knife in my back later when I was comfortable and not even considering to put her on my radar. No, what I was doing – how I handled that situation was correct.



Remy and I couldn’t sleep, too anxious, hoping that everything would be working out well. Our plan simple and complex depending on your view, especially when Gabriel gave a half hearted invitation to fly to Italy on our plane and Elder Thierry declined – but wouldn’t mind seeing us off. That alone sent out the red flags, greater alarms when Jack and Casey went to the hanger that housed George and Gabriel’s private planes and checked things over finding explosives hidden in various positions. Informing us before adding extra C4, Gabriel procured.



The Elders were doing most of the work for us – Remy and I chuckled, spending the night in that same hospital room, while Logan and Gabriel, Jack and Casey, teleported supplies, suitcases, everything we would need, even extracurricular materials, the last item the large safe. By early dawn we were all driving towards the plane hanger, and while Elder Thierry watched, unknowingly, Logan removing five people at a time, Remy played artificial heartbeats to feign the number of people actually seated on that plane.



Logan continued, until Gabriel, Remy, Bryant – a pilot from the island aware of our plan – and I alone were on the plan during take off, but before the plane was even 2000 feet in the air, we were no longer there.

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

I was standing in my house on the Island, taking Ava in my hands preparing myself to visit Oakley. I needed to be able to hear all their thoughts, which is why I didn’t let anyone here welcome them and we really didn’t have that time.



Taking Casey and James, as well as Ava, I left Gabriel and the rest, to get settled into their new respective homes on the island. Filling them in on just what was happening, don’t be nervous sweetheart, Gabriel said over the link, pulling me in his arms, kissing my forehead, then Ava’s before taking control of the situation. My hands shook, as we left the resort type dwellings most in our pack would call home while here.



When we stopped outside the steel covered home, Casey barked out laughing, “Are you serious right now Chelsea?” he asked doubling over in laughter, “You actually locked them in with steel on the windows, those…” he didn’t even finish when I entered the last of the code and the steel covers came down slowly revealing the most glass house, Julia, Grant, Ben and Oakley Lawson, seated in the living room area bolted to their feet. Eyes wide I sought out Oakley’s, the guys standing in front of me went to the door opening, I followed automatically, she looks like me… so beautiful, Oakley thought but there was such sadness accompanying that thought, my own heart ached.

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