Carlisia woke up with a jolt as soon as she felt the soft mattress underneath her and hands holding her. She began to hyperventilate when she looked at the familiar red and black colors across the room and then at Gabriel’s face whose voice seem muted as he spoke frantically.
Slowly his voice began more audible to her senses; he was frantically calling her name, asking what was wrong.
“What happened Gabriel?” Carlisia asked as her breathing evened out and her vision focused along with her hearing senses.
“You were hyperventilating Carly. You slept the entire way and I was just lying you on the bed and you began to hyperventilate before the back even touched the mattress. What happened? Was it a nightmare or something?” Gabriel asked concerned and Carlisia felt attracted to him because of this.
He was so caring and she knew this was the real him, behind that strong, strict, rigid and scary mask he had placed he was a caring person, maybe for selective people, but caring nonetheless.
Carlisia realized she had zoned out and looked at him.
“It wasn’t a nightmare. I barely get any dreams you know.” Carlisia said softly and Gabriel believed her but still didn’t let the matter slide.
“Then why did- Did Carson do something to you?” Gabriel asked abruptly as the nuts in his head began to work and Carlisia remembered all the things Carson did to her.
Carlisia looked down at her lap as Gabriel sat beside her on the bed.
“Carlisia, please, tell me what he did to you.” Gabriel said and cupped Carlisia’s cheek making her look at him. Gabriel’s touch was soft and longing not burning like Carson’s or rough. But his question did bring back memories she was trying to suppress. A tear rolled down her cheek as she looked into Gabriel’s eyes.
“G-Gabriel-” Carlisia began to say but her voice cracked and she looked down as tears flood from her eyes down her cheek.
Gabriel quickly brought in for a hug gently rocking her back and forth before laying down with her on top of him sobbing into his chest as he gently stroked her hair mumbling that he was sorry.
After some time Carlisia stopped and Gabriel thought she had fallen asleep when she got up and sat across from him.
“He touched me Gabriel-” Carlisia said and covered her hand on her mouth to stop the sob but continued.
“-And if you didn’t came he would’ve raped me because in his twisted way he was in love with me.” Carlisia finally finished and began sobbing again.
Gabriel looked at her with pain. This was his fault. This was his entire fault.
“Carlisia I’m sorry.” Gabriel said and Carlisia shook her head.
“It’s not your fault. I’m just weak.” She said and roughly wiped the tears.
“I don’t care what happens next but if he gets me, I’ll kill myself before he even has a chance to try anything on me.” Carlisia said daringly and Gabriel looked at her shocked and he reached for her holding her closely to him.
“Don’t say that. I promise you Carlisia, no matter what happens he won’t get you, ever. I won’t let him come closer to you again, especially for my doings.”Gabriel said.
“Why did you do it anyway? Why did you kill his brother?” Carlisia asked and Gabriel stiffened,
So Carson had told her his side of the story.
Gabriel looked at Carlisia once and then back at the wall.
“It was quite a tough time for werewolves, well not only werewolves but all the races, but werewolves mostly. We were practically being hunted like stray sheep. It wasn’t pretty. My dad was the royal of our court while Carson’s brother, was the leader of the hunting groups of the vampires. He slaughtered eighteen werewolf infants. The oldest was three months old. When our courts found out, the order was immediately ensued to exterminate him. That’s where I came in. My dad lead the rally and I was the one who was forced to slaughter him. I hated my father for forcing me and my mother even more for not saying a thing for me and Carson were more than just friends, we were brothers. He helped us quite many times but now I think of it, killing his brother was rightful justice. Blood for blood, Carlisia. The parents of those eighteen infants needed closure and I am proud that killed a murderer that day for the sake of my people. But I am sorry Carlisia for all the things he did to you. ” Gabriel said and Carlisia didn’t say anything though she understood his motives.
“Carson told me why you cared about me. H-he told me we are mates.” Carlisia said and Gabriel stiffened.
“Is it true?” She questioned looking at him and Gabriel looked down not saying anything and his actions spoke everything.
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” Carlisia asked and Gabriel leant down and kissed her cheek.
“I a-always hurt you and I thought you wouldn’t want to be with a monster like me. There were times when I wished we were something but I didn’t want to scare you more than you were. I couldn’t bring myself to and risk the little contact or relationship we had built. Besides Carlisia, you cant tell someone they are meant to love you. That’s not right.” Gabriel whispered and Carlisia felt her heart melt at his words.
She felt butterflies in her stomach as she looked at him with tear filled eyes.
Gabriel felt his heart sank as he looked at Carlisia, he though she was scared of him and was crying because she was mortified to have a relationship with him.
Suddenly she reached up and brought his face closer to him kissing his cheek.
“T-Thankyou so much.” She whispered as she looked at him and smiled.
“So you don’t want to go home?” Gabriel asked as he felt like he was on cloud 9.
“I am home.” Carlisia said.
“The pack house?” Gabriel asked again. Wanting to be sure.
“By your side.” Carlisia answered and Gabriel grinned happily.
“But, lets take it slow.”Carlisia said and Gabriel nodded and hugged her closer to his body when finally Carlisia began to feel more relaxed and quietly moved him away and got up. Gabriel wanted to hold her some more but he wasn’t going to force her into anything she didn’t want.
Carlisia noticed she was still in the dress from earlier and she began to feel disgusted as Gabriel looked at her intently.
“Do you want some clothes?” Gabriel asked, noticing her look at the dress.
“Yes please and a towel too.” Carlisia said still looking at the dress disgustingly.
Gabriel nodded and got up going to his closet grabbing one of his dry cleaned shirts which had shrinked a size or two and were in no way going to fit him ever.
“Here, you can wear mine. But I’ll need to get you new pants. I’m pretty sure mine wont fit.” He said and Carlisia smiled taking the shirt gladly from him as he grabbed a fresh towel handing that to her.
This was maybe the first casual conversation Carlisia was having with Gabriel and she felt nice. She liked it and could get used to it.
“Just place them in front of the bathroom door and I’ll grab them while changing.” Carlisia said.
“Sure.” Gabriel replied and left the room.
Not wasting for another moment Carlisia stripped out of the dress in the room, not caring that anyone could walk in on her, and then rushed to the bathroom leaving the dress in a heap on the floor in the middle of the room.
She quickly went to the bathroom grabbing the shirt and towel. A smile made its way to her lips as her feet touched the cold tiles.
She was going to have a long hot shower, not the rushed ones she forced to have in fear of Carson.
She filled the bath tub with hot water and felt a delightful sensation go through her sore body as the water engulfed her.
She didn’t know how long she lay in the water doing nothing and she couldn’t even explain how good it felt.
After a long time she began to do her usual bath procedure which consisted of shampooing her hair and rubbing soap over her body.
She practically rubbed her skin raw for the next twenty minutes or so until she drained the tub and wrapped a towel around her body.
She made her way to the door and peeked out to see there were any pants and to her relief Gabriel had kept his promise. There was also a sweater folded with the pair of blue denim jeans along with a pair of grey uggs which Carlisia gladly took. The weather was extremely cold not to mention Christmas was only a few days away.
She changed into the clothes Gabriel had given her, mostly smelling like him because of the shirt and sweater.
Carlisia stretched her arms in the air as she made her way out of the bathroom.
She felt free and alive as Carlisia opened the door and made her way down the steps. She didn’t even remember when was the last time she had been out of a room alone without being scared.
She felt like doing back flips.
Carlisia walked around the pack house slowly, taking her time to examine everything as she made her way. The pack house was quite until she started getting closer and closer to the dining room.
Gabriel was leaning outside the door and smirked when he saw her.
“I knew you’d come down sooner or later.” He said as he came to her and Carlisia shrugged.
“Just enjoying the freedom.” Carlisia say sand Gabriel smiles at her.
“Come on. Every ones waiting for you at the breakfast.” Gabriel says.
Carlisia nodded as Gabriel gently held her hand and opened the dining room door.
As soon as she entered everyone stood up.
“Why do they do that?” Carlisia whispered.
“Out of respect. You’re the Luna.” He Said.
“What’s that?” Carlisia asked.
“Since you’re my ate you have same authorities as me. So practically you can consider yourself as a female Alpha of the pack.” Gabriel said and Carlisia looked at him wide eyed.
“Don’t you think that’s too much of a responsibility?” Carlisia asks nervously and Gabriel just chuckled.
“Don’t worry. It feels like it but it’s like you’re just the parent of the entire pack. Believe me.” Gabriel said and Carlisia laughed at that as she sat at one of the chairs.
People peeked glances at them, everyone had noticed that Gabriel had changed and for the best.
Carlisia filled her plate with food and looked at Gabriel.
“How many members are there?” Carlisia asked curiously.
“Fifteen hundered.” Gabriel answered and Carlisia choked on her food.
Gabriel patted her back and quickly filled a glass of water handing it to her.
“Fifteen hundered?” Carlisia questioned shocked as she took deep breaths to control her breathing.
“800 live with us in the pack house while the remaining are spread across. Most of them have families and prefer to live in separate houses where as there are two more pack houses on the property.” Gabriel said and Carlisia nodded.
“Gabriel what did you tell my uncle and Zane?” Carlisia asked and Gabriel looked at her.
“I messaged them from your phone that you went to a field trip and there wouldn’t be any mobile signals.” Gabriel said and Carlisia nodded.
“I’d like to talk to him after breakfast.” Carlisia said and Gabriel nodded.
“I’ll make sure you do. Why don’t you invite him over to spend Christmas?” Gabriel says and Carlisia looks at him.
“How will I answer him why I am living here and where my mom is?” Carlisia said although she wanted to invite her uncle.
“Don’t worry I’ll think of something. I want you to stay loose, roam around the pack house get to know people but if you want to go out I want you to tell me first and I’ll assign someone to go with you if I’m busy.” Gabriel said and Carlisia nodded.
He was being so sweet to her.
“Thank you so much Gabriel.” Carlisia said and gave him a side hug and Gabriel kissed her cheek causing her to blush.
Rest of the breakfast went by quickly with her practically stuffing herself.
After breakfast she and Gabriel had excused themselves and had gone to his office where they were currently in with a cell phone to Carlisia’s ear.
She could hear the bell going and after what seemed like forever she heard the person at the end end say,
“Hello?”
“Hi Uncle.” Carlisia said nervously.
“Carlisia! Where are you and why are you calling me from this number, what happened to your phone?” Her Uncle exclaimed and Carlisia shrugged.
“I broke it at the field trip trying to find signals.” Carlisia said hoping he would believe her.
She heard her uncle chuckle at the other end and Carlisia sighed with relief.
“So like you. Can’t live a day without technology huh?” Her Uncle said and Carlisia laughed.
“You know me too well.” She replied.
“So you coming to Australia for Christmas? I cant wait to see you baby girl.” Her uncle said and Carlisia smiled.
“Well, that was the reason I called you. I was wondering if you could some over for Christmas. I want you to meet someone.” Carlisia said and she could sense her Uncle being overprotective.
“Is he a boy?” Her uncle asked and she could already imagine him wiggling his eyebrows.
“Yup.” Carlisia said.
“Say no more, I shall be there to meet thy boy in two days.”Her uncle said in a horrendously posh accent and Carlisia laughed.
“Ok, see you then.” Carlisia said and ended the call handing Gabriel back the cell phone.
“So…?” Gabriel asked.
“He’s coming in two days.” Carlisia said squealing happily and Gabriel smiled.
“By the way I need you to give me a list of all the members of the pack. Male, Female and Children.” Carlisia said.
“Why?” Gabriel asked curiously.
“It’s Christmas soon, I need to get presents.”
“You’ll get presents for fifteen hundred people?” Gabriel asked and Carlisia shrugged.
“More or less.” She replied and Gabriel shook her head.
“I’ll get you the list. Just take someone with you when you want to go shopping but first I want you to meet someone who has been waiting very long to meet you.” Gabriel said and grabbed her hand leading her out of the office and down a hallway towards a room.
“Whose room is it?” Carlisia asks as he opens the door.
The light to the room was off and sunshine was peeking through a cavity btw the curtains.
There was a small body huddled in the blankets on a castle shaped bed.
Gabriel went and opened the windows motioning Carly to come in as he made his way to the bed, lightly shaking the little fellow.
“Anna someone is here to meet you.” Gabriel said as the child stirred and Carlisia finally saw Annabella.
Carlisia went by Gabriel’s side waiting patiently for the little girl to wake up.
After a few minutes Anna’s torso rose up and but her eyes remained close as she rubbed them adorably with her knuckles.
“Gabwiel?” Anna asks and Gabriel smiles.
“Look whose with me.” Gabriel said and Anna opened her eyes only for them to widen as she squealed happily when she saw Carlisia.
“Carwy!” Anna exclaims as she jumped out of bed in a cat like movement and hugged Carlisia.
