Chapter 178

Chapter 46 – Mina POV Rian was still in the cellars, but George had yet to even mention what he would be doing with her, he just came to bed, brushing off my questions. I saw the sun rise as my tears never dried. Sacrificed, Katie was really truly gone, the thought bringing a fresh round of tears, the ache increasing. . . I gazed out at the ocean from George and mine room, rubbing my stomach, mourning the loss of a child that wasn’t my own, but for the three years I had her, I raised her as my own. The events last night, rocking me to my core, I had long suspected that Rian was being dishonest, George continuously chiding me, ‘Rian is one of us now Mina.’ You did not sleep Mina, you need to rest, think of our child, George linked me, I couldn’t stand to look at the man, and I could barely tolerate looking at myself in the mirror. Whipping around to meet his eyes, I have done nothing but think of our child! Do you not see the damage our decisions have equated too? Gabriel will never- Gabriel will never know what we have kept from him- I put my hands up to stop him, where was the intelligent man I met years ago? This uncaring cold man in front of me was…I shook my head, not able to place judgment when my hands were dirty as well. Chelsea has a way of bringing out the truth George, she did with Rian last night, and she will do it again…I reply knowing I speak only the truth and George knew I was right. We had kept it hidden for too long, if the truth came out, we would surely lose Gabriel completely, if not in addition to our other children as well. By the time the truth comes out, if it ever comes out, it will not be our problem… George replied absentmindedly, think of our real child Mina, this stress is not good for the baby. She was our Granddaughter George- a half breed that we claimed when we could have turned our back on her… We did Gabriel a favor by claiming that child.  How could he be so cruel? We should tell him- Why would we tell him about a child that he knew nothing about? What sense would that make Mina, be rational, George said leaving the room, as if that ended the subject. I turned back to gaze at the ocean, Gabriel might not have known, but I believe in his heart he knew, the way he cared for Katie alone… the only person he had ever truly shown any affection towards. I had made too many mistakes, first his mate and his daughter. I could only hope that the first remained unknown to him and the latter, would only hurt more, I hoped he never found out. . . Leaving my room after I heard all the children leaving, I head downstairs for a meal, only to meet Sabastian and Clara, Gabriel’s great grandfather, at the kitchen table. They had come surprisingly, Nicola and Dante as well, but only they went to see Marx and Camilla first. Despite being a Luna, I was still unable to access their thoughts, they like older werewolves, were able to hide their thoughts from us, after being Luna and Alpha’s themselves. When they saw my approach, Clara, Sabastians’ mate turn to smile at me over her shoulder, “Morning,” she greeted me, as Sabastian just nodded a small smile but false, I could tell. His behavior towards me as of late was quite discerning, if I had to put it into words. He had normally been closer to Gabriel and I; however from the moment he set foot in this house, he has been aloof and calculating. Though when mentioned to George, Dante even, they simply said that, it was a tense time for everyone with Gabriel leaving and all. I just nodded, knowing that there was no point in pushing the accusation, I’d only be written off. “What are your plans for today?” Clara tried to make small talk, after last night there wasn’t much that could be said, and everyone remained shell shocked. Well… not Sabastian. Where George remained near ambivalent, and unsympathetic to what Rian said when confronted by Chelsea, I was fully ready to rip Rian to pieces, inch by inch. With so many witnesses around last night, members of the pack and security around, I told myself he behaved that way to save face, but after his words I wasn’t all too sure about that excuse now. I thought about it, reaching for a plate to dish out some food for myself, “Not sure, I’m going to call Gabriel though, offer to help him plan the wedding, thought it would be a way to bond with Chelsea as I’m already helping Scarlett, maybe offer her to come to Italy with us for-” I was cut off by the rudest show of behavior, Sabastian snorting rolling his eyes. “Do you have something to say Sabastian?” I called him out peeved; already cross from my discussion minutes ago with George. Pushing his chair back noisily, Sabastian stood tall and powerful, “Yes, I do. I’m certain that, that child would rather have someone stick needles in her eyes, walk over hot coal, and then be dipped in boiling water before she would accompany you on that or any excursion,” Clara gasped at her mate, he looked down to her, “excuse me,” he said then stalked to the sink. No longer hungry, I push the plate of food away from me, embarrassed by his words, although, a part of me noting that he was correct. Still his lack of disrespect angered me. Clara looking at her mates back, gaze at me sadly, “Mina I apologi-” Sabastian spun around heatedly, “Don’t apologize for me mate,” he growled at her, leaving the room completely. It was obvious that Sabastian was holding a grudge but I’m not certain on what, ‘sorry,’ Clara mouthed, standing, placing her empty plate in the dishwasher, leaving to probably find and calm her mate. . . . After looking at different available locations for my new office I decided to give Gabriel a call… offer help, letting him know that I would be delighted, to do anything I could. Still early, but knowing that Gabriel never slept late, even as a child, I dialed his number. Three rings later, “hello,” he groaned sleep still in his mouth. I pull the phone away from my ears to look and see if I had actually dialed the wrong number. No, right number, “Darling, I was just calling to see if you wanted to discuss your wedding plans! Have you guys set a date? Who are you inviting? Where have you thought of having it? Oh- oh and the reception?” I asked rapidly, excited that at  least despite my decisions many years ago all had turn out great on that end. I heard a rumble, my head cocking to the side, “Mom” he growled the word, with disdain. I pushed through, “Don’t mom me! My first child is getting married! It should be in August, I know you probably don’t want to wait that long, but Ames and Scarlet are having theirs in June 2015,” I said smiling, everyone would be at their wedding, and naturally at Gabriel’s’ he couldn’t afford to rescind my input. Again he growled, “Mom I do not require your help or any kind of input, next time do not call me at this hour unless it’s an emergency,” the phone clicked, George was right that first night, I rubbed my stomach thinking of how Chelsea was stealing my son, breaking up my family. No doubt after last night, she convinced him to stay away completely, walking away from the pack alone wasn't enough. No... Chelsea will do good things... my wolf Stylla said, but I didn't want to hear that. . . . . .