Chapter 174

Mother interrupted my thoughts- "Your Gabriel is a good man. If he came here, I would send him back to you Luna," she said surprisingly. I mean surely this woman knows that Gabriel has killed many people. "Protecting his family. Gabriel has never taken a life in spite, never a woman or child and has asked for forgiveness privately for each life. Whether human, vampire or shifter Chelsea, he asks for it silently. You Luna chose your mate," Mother said. I didn't understand. No that was an understatement, was she okay with him killing over more than a thousand people? And why? Because he asks for forgiveness? Maybe it was a good thing that when Were's died they were judged by other Gods as well; because psycho rapists apologize and she'd think they were worthy too. I hadn't noticed where my thoughts were going until I heard Mother laughing, still I didn't apologize. She chuckled, "I can see why the children have chosen you..." "I do not believe that a simple apology and asking for Forgiveness, is all that is needed. Your Gabriel truly lives his life with his beliefs as a wolf as well as by the Omerta vow. For every life he has taken, he asked for forgiveness, but Chelsea, he knows each and every one of their names, he forgets not one. I have- no we all have encountered men, women, young and old that have taken the life of another. Gabriel is one of forty, out of all my creations to ask for forgiveness, his moral compass is slighted but not all together wrong. Whether or not the situation is 'me or them,' as he says," Mother smiled, "he seeks my forgiveness, for taking life, for taking my creation." She explained and I could see the pride one could have for having some part in creating such an individual. Katie, I thought. If anyone would know where she is, it would be Mother. "She is here child. Has she crossed over you are wondering?" she asked. Was I wondering that? No. "No I wasn't, but if she is here... can she come back... with me?" I asked. Did she suffer? I hope she hadn't... I didn't die to come here but according to Mother, you came here after death. But if my gut were correct... that meant that Leo was the one that had her and if she died by his hands, it was brutal. Unwanted images ran rapid in my mind. "It was a quick death," mother whispered and my vision blurred, but then I had a smile on my face. She didn't suffer. I looked around at this place, if she was here... in a place like this... that was better than anything that could be happening with Leo. "Aren't you angry with the length it took to find you? To save you?" the Mother asked. I didn't answer, it was a rhetorical question in my mind, Mother had already said they lost me, and why they couldn't find me... "Dad saved me," I said watching my father, a smile on my face... grateful for his sacrifice. "You've changed, you seem happy," he noted. "I was happy when you were alive," I whispered my lip shaking so I pulled it between my lip, nodding. I was happy when he was alive, I was. He had given up something big for me... gave me this chance... compared to Jay... and I lost one good father, a true father only to get one that would never love me the same way. Mother cleared her throat, pulling my eyes from Dad, "Luna... Chelsea I am happy to have met you. I know now that the right choices have been made. I know you have many questions, and when the time comes you will get the answers you need, but right now, concentrate on your mate. Be free child. Enjoy the blessings that come with family, with a mate. We all failed you, and for that, we are trying to give you time," She said cryptically, the warning flags all going crazy in my head. Did she mean enjoy the time I have now? Like I wouldn't be able to enjoy it because I would be dying? I thought I was immortal. "You need to go back now Luna," Dad whispered to me. Standing from the bed angrily, "No! No! I want more time!" I panicked. "I will see you soon," like he had when Jack and Casey took me out, he called and said he would see me soon, except Leo killed him. My eyes flashed to his... did he know that Leo would be there? Dad leaned back, examining my face... he realized I didn't trust him, not about this. He turned to Mother, she nodded slightly, and he turned back to me. Sighing, "you are doing what you need to be doing Luna. All the pieces are falling into place sweetheart, keep doing and being exactly who you are. You had the power to kill Francesca instead you made it a fair fight as you did with Margaret, your sister. When Gabriels' brothers were injured you thought and came to a decision that was good for them and yourself. You are aware and working with your wolves, you train daily, care for Ava and many more things. How have you been feeling lately Chelsea?" Dad asked imploringly, but I held myself stiffly. "Have you felt stronger? Have you acquired new gifts? All that is because of your growth, the choices you make... the Gods... made it happen this way as not to overwhelm you, or bless you with a piece of themselves that you did not deserve or would abuse. When you act in a way that is fair, your decisions, and actions triggers the stipulation that was placed on you receiving numerous gifts. Do you understand?" he spoke hurriedly and I knew I was losing time, I nodded."After your mate marked you, you even aquired some of his gift, it is also why you have been able to come here." "You not killing Francesca -hastily- showing compassion and empathy was my stipulation on my gift to you, access to the Hereafter... to this place. You have access to me here... as well as the other Gods," Mother said smiling, I'd be able to see dad again...Gabriel had a gift? Would he be getting some of mine as well? I wondered. My eyes widened, I had hit my head too hard. That had to be it... wishful thinking. "It is instinctual Chelsea; you've always wanted to know what your purpose was? Well now you know Luna... you've already started to think about it sweetheart," she said obscurely. Apparently there would be no more straightforward answers. "Can I bring Katie back now?" asked knowing I was running out of time, there was something pulling me away. "Not yet child now is not the right time..." Mother answered. Mother smiled, tilting her head to the side, "You've wanted to know for a long time Luna, why this was happening to you?" I gave one imperceptible nod. "We had been searching for the right Were... we needed someone who would handle situations like you have. Peacefully. You have great inner strength, both physically and mentally. You are brave and act with both your head and heart – now we must go- the Elders are failing, but there's a change coming Luna-" she said, but I felt myself being pulled back. Hearing a voice, Ava... 'There's a change coming Luna.' "mama" 'There's a change coming Luna.' "Mama," I heard from a voice. Ava. Opening my eyes... Looking around and no one, the space where the woman and dad once were, the place I saw her, now empty. Soon enough I went from an all-white room with a down canopy bed to my white actual room, large floor to ceiling window king sized bed with a mischievously looking little girl that was trying to manually open my eyes. "Mama awake?" Ava said smiling at me brightly, clearly pleased with herself and I could not help but return that smile. flashback END Opening my eyes, I pull my hand away from Gabriel's face. After watching with Gabriel, I think back to that first night, my eyes widening... was my dream not a dream? Was it real? The only proof I'd have is if, the gift I was using right now to show Gabriel, was really his to begin with. I brace myself, hold my breath,  ready for his reaction, his eyes snap open to meet mine.