Twisting Her Fate
Chapter 81

Maggie has a shower and gets dressed into the clothes that Astrid laid out for her. Maggie sits down while Astrid applies her makeup and does her hair. By the time Maggie is walking down the stairs she is looking like a sophisticated lady. Outside, she looks perfect but she is riddled with nerves, seeing Connor again, hearing what he says to her and the way she feels less than nothing in his presence, adding that b*tch that nearly killed her into the mix and Maggie knows that she won't be able to keep composure. Astrid grips Maggie's hand, feeling the tension in her.

"It is okay, I will help you"

Maggie smiles half-heartedly, her mother is beautiful and fashionable, but she is hardly intelligent, she is so meek and never goes against anyone.

Simon has held Astrid back for so long that she has become a different person, but all that sass, wit and intelligence is under the surface, all of it bursting to come out. But all anyone else sees is Simon's weak mate, they don't even see the luna of the Amber pack. Astrid's whole self, her whole identity, has been carefully squashed and molded by Simon to the point that no one thinks anything of Astrid.

Maggie pats Astrid's hand and speaks in a thinly veiled condescending tone.

"Sure you can mum"

Astrid breathes deeply, clenching her fist, but she keeps her mouth shut, hurt flooding her system. Maggie sits in the passenger seat and Astrid sits in the back. Gabriel starts the car without a word, Maggie doesn't dare disturb the peace and Astrid just stares blankly out the window, wondering why she decided to come along. It is out of character for her. Maybe it is so she can help heal her daughter's broken heart, even though she has little success in doing such things herself.

Maybe she just wants to see Connor. Maybe she just wants to see something that isn't the alpha house of the Amber pack. Whatever the reason, she is staring to have second thoughts, her eyes suddenly snap forward.

"Is that Oscar?"

Gabriel looks out in the direction Astrid is looking, narrowing his eyes slightly at the figure that is just standing outside the pack border, looking rather lonely and almost lost.

Oscar had sat out the front of the amber pack alpha house for the whole night just waiting. Simon finally showed up in the early hours of the morning. Simon shot Oscar a look of disdain as he walked passed him without saying a word. Simon went in the house had a shower, dressed again and was back out the door.

"Dad, where is mum?"

Simon glances over his shoulder at the boy who looks so much like him, his personality is the same too, kind and caring but with so much power radiating that no one ever took advantage.

"She isn't here you little dumb f*ck"

Oscar doesn't blink at his father's insult. It is not like he hasn't heard it all before, it used to hurt. But that was a long time ago when a little boy only wanted his father's approval, it was actually a relief to get sent away in some ways.

Oscar just never understood how Simon's treatment of two children could be so different. Maggie was pampered and loved and he was nothing. Oscar can never remember doing anything wrong. Back then he used to ask, he wanted to beg for forgiveness for a crime he had no idea he had committed. He used to replay every moment of his life, trying to work out where he went wrong. Sometimes he remembered when he was really young and his father loved him dearly and then there was only hatred, he doesn't know what happened in the middle.

"Where is she?"

Simon gets in his car, leaving the door open as he starts the engine.

"She is with Maggie in the half-moon pack. I am warning you, don't interfere"

Simon slammed the door and drove off without another word and Oscar ended up on the border of the half moon pack. Before he was going to ask for entry, he sensed that his mother was getting closer, so he just waited.

Gabriel slows down the car and stops beside Oscar. The agitation is clear in his body language. How did he ever think that an in with the Amber pack was a good thing? What is this? A family reunion? They are a bunch of weirdos. Maggie lowers her window and is chattering away, but Oscar just looks straight at his mother.

"Where are you going?"

"To the stormy pack"

Oscar's eyes light up, even though there is every chance he will be turned away as before, there is also a chance that he might get in. He doesn't like this niggling feeling, he doesn't like feeling directionless. Being everywhere he is not meant to be while not getting close to being where he wants to be, he also has no idea why he even wants what he wants.

But now this is everything that he wants, he can see Leilani again and, most importantly, Astrid can see Leilani. Once his mother sees her and thinks nothing of it, he is done and it is all behind him. "Do you mind if I tag along?"

Gabriel sighs. At this point, what does it even matter? At worst, Oscar can be his back-up when it comes to Connor. "Sure"

Gabriel's tone is far from welcoming, but Oscar doesn't care as he gets into the back of the car with his mother. He doesn't think much of Gabriel and is only going with them on his own mission. He has no idea what messed up reason Gabriel is going there for, because it is his in.

Maggie instantly relaxes once Oscar is in the car. Oscar is as strong as Gabriel and she knows that he will protect her. Maggie chatters away but no one is listening. Astrid staring out the side window, Oscar staring out the other side window and Gabriel staring out the windscreen, all with vastly different thoughts but all focused on one person.

In the stormy pack Connor sighs heavily, he has been sighing more than breathing, he is bouncing from one foot to the other as he cleans off his desk of all other things and lays out two sets of A2 plans.

His heart is thundering in his ribcage as he looks them over. In his eyes they couldn't be any more perfect, but it is not his opinion that matters and that is what makes him nervous. They are not final working drawings but they are detailed enough to get his ideas

across.

He has already linked Harvey to bring Leilani and the brothers to his office and now the apprehension is killing him. What if she doesn't like it? What if she has no intention of staying?

Conner's knuckles are white and are making popping sounds as he grips the edges of the desk. He feels like it all comes down to this; the yes or no answer could make his life or it could break his life. By the time there is a knock on the door, Connor is on the verge of a panic attack. He slaps his cheeks hard to snap himself out of it.

He doesn't answer, just opening the door himself, smiling as he sees Leilani drawing her into his body for a hug, the rest of his anxiety melting away. Connor just hopes that Lani can see how much he wants this, how much he wants her.

Leilani rubs Connor's back, wondering what has got him so wound up. The brothers just watch from behind. They have no idea why they were summoned, they usually just chat to Connor at meals.

Connor finally allows them into his office. He wipes his forehead of the light sweat that has formed. Over the years, he has had countless important meetings and none have rattled him. This one however, he is not sure how he is still standing, his knees just wanting to buckle.

Leilani keeps tucked under his side, being his support and her hand on his stomach provides that comfort that he is desperately seeking. Connor closes his eyes and lets Lani's scent surround him, that sweet apricot scent that he loves so much. Connor opens his eyes, no longer nervous, he has his girl by his side. He will give the presentation of his life and it might just be enough to make his love stay. Connor opens his palm to the ceiling and indicates to the plans on the table. "These is my proposals"

Leilani looks up at him with inquisitive eyes and he kisses her forehead.

"Here are two different sets of plans. I propose that you all live in the stormy pack and use this as your home base. I have two different ideas, but if you are willing to, I will be happy with any input"

Connor pulls Lani close to his side as he starts to explain the two different ideas that he has, Lani doesn't interrupt, neither do the brothers, but they all eye Connor. They knew he had the intention of keeping Lani, they had no idea that they would be included in his plan. Both options they could live together as a family, but there is room for mates. As soon as they found their mates they could move them straight into a home, into a pack where they could join the family without having to worry about dragging them around to different hotels and putting them in danger or leaving them at the training camp, which is so isolated and sometimes gets rather depressing and limits their options.

They could offer their mates a life in a pack, near civilization, give them a stable life.

Connor has thought of everything with future proofing, including provision for children when that is required.

Lani reaches out a shaky hand to cover Connor's, which is pointing out different features that could be added. Connor stops his speech as he feels Lani's body tremble, his steel-gray eyes move to her stormy blue eyes.

The worry that had left him comes back quickly as he watches a soft trail of tears fall down Lani's pale cheeks. Connor doesn't even notice as the brothers leave. They are sold on the idea and will follow Lani in whatever she wants, but they won't lose out in what Connor is offering them. Joining a real pack and having a proper home, people to return to would be so nice.

"What is wrong babe?"

Connor brushes his rough thumb under her eye, feeling the moisture of her tears on his skin. His voice is gentle and laced with concern, scared that these are break-up tears, scared of what will come out her mouth next, but he never wants to see her cry.