Twisting Her Fate
Chapter 26

The five brothers sit across from the couple once more. There is a different feeling this time around, their vigilance is not so strong, knowing that Leilani is not in any danger. A hint of mirth in their expressions like they hold a big secret, the sense of justice that such Maggie sits in just a string bikini that is much too small for her ample bosom, her n*pples are straining the tiny triangles of material like they are moments off stabbing holes in the red polyester.

a joke will be played on the two rotten hearted people. But the hate is still simmering stronger than ever.

"I wasn't expecting you all back so quickly"

Maggie's sickly sweet voice cuts through the air, making the five want to slap her down to the ground. After a vicious game of rock paper scissors, Madden won the right to be able to follow through with the next stage of the plan.

"Ohh yes, our meeting with Alpha Storm went quite well"

Maggie leans back, a confused expression on her pretty face.

"It did?"

"He says that it is fine, there is no need for this to go any further"

Maggie's expression twists slightly.

"He did? Did you threaten him?"

"No, nothing like that, he just said he came to his senses, he said to contact him when you are up to it and you can do a rejection ceremony in front of the pack"

Maggie's expression is a long way past confusion twisted into anger. Who does Connor think he is? Is he trying to make everyone think that he is rejecting her? She is rejecting him because he cannot live up to what she had in her mind for her life. Only Gabriel can grant her that.

Gabriel snorts, hearing the same insinuation in the words, is alpha Storm really making him out as the consolation prize?

"What is that meant to mean? Is he trying to white-wash this to make it his own rejection?"

Hudson wants to laugh as he links the group.

Hudson: 'How did Leilani mean to make it sound diplomatic? Is it possible?'

Arlo: 'It is only because Madden is trying to get an instant rise, we want rejection not offense. It will not be wise if this causes war anyway'

Finlay takes over from Madden, who is about ten seconds off yelling in Maggie's face that it is exactly what he means, because Connor would rather have Leilani than Maggie's sk*nky a*s any day.

"No not at all, he just wants the rejection to happen as per the traditions within his own pack, so that he can mark his own Luna as soon as possible"

"What? Is he ready to mark someone?"

Maggie's body is vibrating with fury. The two men were meant to be going to battle for her, because that is what she is worth. Two handsome men in a fight to the death. The victor lays the body of his opponent at her feet, because that is what she deserves. How can Maggie so easily accept her own fated mate just shrugging off the bond in such a way, wanting to get the rejection out of the way so he can mark someone else. To have a rejection ceremony in front of the whole pack, wouldn't she get the pitiful eyes from everyone like she is the one that is being rejected?

Connor has no intention of dragging things out in such a way, there is no tradition that states such a thing and he just wants all memory of Maggie gone so that he can strive forward unburdened with the woman of his own choosing.

But this is the way to ensure that the rejection doesn't happen too quickly. They need a little breathing room and a little time to make the two pay.

Madden: 'Look at the dumb b*tch, does she think that Connor is going to sit and cry over her for the rest of his life?'

Finlay: 'She overestimates herself more than anyone else I have ever seen and I have met a lot of arrogant people'

"Of course, Alpha Storm will eventually need a Luna for his pack, he will mark someone"

"Not right now?"

Arlo: 'She is waiting for confirmation that he is so devastated that he can't get out of bed' Levi: 'The way Connor was looking at Lani today, I would say right now if Lani would let him'

Gabriel stares at the men in front of him. There is a strange dynamic going on this time. All their eyes are downcast. It is only when one speaks that they all look up. Their movements are coherent but their intention is strange. "That is hard to say"

Gabriel sits back, pulling the stiff as a board Maggie with him. He does not take offence to her agitation at all because he knows Maggie's arrogance well enough to know that she would expect Alpha Storm grovelling at her feet, begging and pleading with her to accept him. Gabriel is still confident that she will choose him no matter what happens, he is the better option after all.

It is just that he is interested in the sudden shift.

"Did you threaten him?"

"It is not our place to threaten him"

"So he just decided to give up?"

"Something like that"

Gabriel nods, still slightly uncertain, the half moon pack is bigger and stronger, but he knows that he and Connor are pretty equal when it comes to strength, he has a good sense of these things. He is surprised that Connor just bowed out without throwing a single punch. Hudson eyes the two, Gabriel looks like he is deep in thought, Maggie looks like she is about to burst all her blood vessels, composure and grace are far from her strong suit. Hudson: 'Are we ready?'

Levi: 'I don't know, it feels weird to tell Lani to start having s*x, but I would rather test the theory sooner so we can leave'

All: 'Agreed'

Hudson looks at the others before opening the link with Leilani.

Hudson: 'Leilani, you are free to conduct the test'

The five suddenly shift their posture, all sitting back and leaning into the backrest of the couch, five sets of eyes move up to focus on Gabriel, chocolate brown, light blue, vivid blue, green and silver all solely focused on Gabriel. Gabriel shifts uncomfortably under the unwavering gaze.

Madden: 'How long do you think it will take? Looking at his smug face just makes my urge to punch him stronger'

Arlo: 'I am not sure, I assume Connor won't just shove it in in the first second'

Gabriel leans his head back and shifts in his seat, his arm wrapped around Maggie tightens as his hand moves up to his chest.

Hudson: 'Looks like you were wrong'

Arlo: 'Well he definitely feels something, lets get out of here'

The group stands.

"Well, our jobs done, we will be around this area for a little while, so just let us know if you need anything"

Gabriel nods as he waves the men out, trying desperately to keep his composure. The five walk out, not turning back to look when a howl of pain sounds behind them. But five indifferent faces have a large smirk slowly creep on to the corner of five sets of lips. In the room, Maggie is finally snapped out of her daze by Gabriel howling in pain.

"What is wrong?"

Gabriel pushes Maggie to the side as the unknown pain starts from his heart shooting through his entire body. At first he thought he was having a heart attack, but this is something else, like his wolf is tearing apart inside him, but that could only happen if, well it couldn't happen, unless he got a second chance that he didn't know about, but he would have to see her for that to happen.

So what is this?

Gabriel sinks to his knees, doubling over as he tries to keep his insides from tearing themselves apart.

Maggie stands to the side watching her pillar of strength be reduced to nothing. What on earth happened? "Gabriel? Are you okay?"

Maggie pokes him with her toe in the shoulder.

"Talk to me. What is going on?"

Maggie looks around before trying to drag the man to one of the guest rooms on the lower floor. No one else can see this. No one should see Gabriel's weakness. Is he okay or is there something seriously wrong with him?

Maggie's mind wanders back to the handsome Connor. He gave her up without a challenge. If Connor gives up and something is wrong with Gabriel, wouldn't that leave her with nothing?

Maggie stands with her back against the closed guest room door as her chosen mate writhes on the floor in pain while she is deep in thought.

"Maggie"

Gabriel spits through gritted teeth, finally snapping the she wolf back into reality, she helps him onto the bed and lays beside him rubbing his back in a soothing manner while her thoughts drift to Connor, if only he wasn't the alpha of such an insignificant pack, she can't help but wonder what he is doing at this moment, maybe he is in bed with his mind full of her, the she wolf that he can't have.