Thorns Of The Past.

Their Story!

He thought he had a harder time than her but he had no idea that she had bled for him without him!

~about one hour later, Bloody Snow Pack, pack house~

Third person's pov

Gabriel sat on the big cough sighing heavily and Evan mimicked him in silence.

The first one was devastated, he had been sobbing almost all that time, he was dizzy and no matter how much Evan had tried to help him, the result was negative. He was murmuring Becky's name constantly and sometimes he muttered that he had two kids, a family!

Everything seemed to be like a dream for him. He couldn't believe what had happened about an hour ago and his pain had passed every limit. It was a torture for him to know that he had two kids, Becky had raised them alone because of his fault and the three of them hated him.

He really wanted to talk to them, beg them for their forgiveness, now he could understand why Becky hated him even more and she had wanted him to leave earlier.

And he couldn't blame her, Becky was right! He had betrayed her, he had caused her the greatest pain the night that he not only had slept with Michelle, one of her best friends but also had marked her. He hadn't even the courage to call her and tell her, he couldn't go and face her and she had left when it was too late... So she had run away while being pregnant, he didn't know if she knew it back then or if she had found it out later but nothing could change in any case!

She had been raising them alone and he had no idea, she surely had been having a very hard time and he had been doing nothing... He had been being absent and the more he was thinking about it, the more he couldn't get mad at her although another men could get.

It wasn't her fault, he knew Becky was proud even though she was sensitive and back then very fragile and innocent. He had no idea she could be so tough!

His wolf had been howling and mourning all the time. He was asking for his mate and his pups. He had always wanted his mate and no one else. Her loss had cost him a lot, he was a ghost in Gabriel's mind, he had been always asking for her and when they had felt a strong wave of pain about six years after Becky's runaway he had thought she was dead and the pain was unbearable. From that moment he was never the same, he was never talking to Gabriel, he was just staying with him for the pack.

"I want you to know that I had no idea... Mark told me a while ago and I am still speechless!" Evan said in a low, nervous tone.

Gabriel blinked his eyes listening to him and got back to reality. He turned and looked at him slowly and when his eyes met Evan's he got sure he was honest. Evan knew nothing and he was still shocked, like him!

So Becky hadn't told Evan all the truth about her or she had told him a completely different story and he had to know about it. Only Evan could help him now.

"I believe you, I am sure you are telling me the truth but I need to know everything about them! What did Becky tell you? Did she lie to you?" he asked hurt while wiping some tears from his eyes and Evan sighed shaking his head in confusion.

He didn't know what to do... Becky was his sister, her kids were his as well but Gabriel... He was his friend, a good one although what had happened and he knew that he had done wrong but he was the only one that knew his point of view. Gabriel had regretted everything, he really loved Becky but at the same time Evan had to respect her secrets and needs.

Now he knew why she had never managed to tell him, she couldn't deal with the pain again and she had no idea that he and Gabriel knew each other so well.

"Look..." he began nervously and rubbed his temple.

"I... Can't do this, I mean, I can't betray her or the kids because she is my sister! I wish I could tell you more but I just can't! I have already told you about her without knowing that she was your mate and Claire with Ryker are your kids so you know the basics. If you want to know more then... Ask Becky, if she wants to see you again and talk together!" Evan replied breathless ready to start sweating and Gabriel hided his face in his shaking palms already panicked and very disappointed.

"Please Evan... You know she and the kids hate me and..."

"They are right Gabriel! How are you asking from me to help you?" Evan cut him off in frustration.

"Do you know that I should have put you in your car in order to leave already? You are lucky they are not in the house and they are at Becky's!" he continued and Gabriel turned to him again quickly with a confused expression.

"What do you mean? Isn't she staying here?" he asked in agony and Evan sighed again rolling his eyes.

At least he could tell him some general things. He knew Gabriel and he was sure he wouldn't manage to convince him to leave without telling him some things.

"She has a small house at the foot of the mountain, it is in the end of the pack houses. It was abandoned and she decided to renovate it again, she liked it and sometimes she loves staying there! She needs some peace." He explained in hurry and Gabriel stiffened.

Yes, Becky always needed some time on her own and she loved nature. It wasn't a surprise for him.

"And the kids are with her?" he asked next and Evan nodded.

"And Megan with Mark. They are not here so I am more than certain they are all together! And I hope Claire is alright as well, I have never seen her so broken!" he said really worried in the end and Gabriel held back a sob hearing Claire's name.

She had a daughter and she was just like her mother! When he had seen her at the forest at first, couldn't believe his eyes and when he listened to the others everything made sense. It was Claire the woman he had seen in the first photo with Blaze. In the second it was Becky.

He got worried almost immediately, it was like his instincts had woken up for good although he had just found out that he was a father. He knew about the daughter and father's bond, it was way too strong and now he could feel it! He really wanted to see her, her pain was his, his heart was breaking knowing that he had caused her so much pain.

"She is like her mother!" He whispered with more tears falling from his eyes and Evan nodded with a melancholic smile.

"Yes! She is kind, sensitive, generous, brave and full of life but at the same time she is strong! I have never seen her like that again... Do you know why?" Evan asked in pain and Gabriel shook his head lost.

"Because Claire always wanted her father Gabriel! She had been asking when she was a child but when they came here she suddenly stopped. Becky was avoiding it, Ryker didn't want to know and she accepted it! Then, I became the father's idol for her, Mark helped a lot and somehow we filled your gab but I know it hurts her a lot! You didn't just reject Becky, you rejected your kids as well, especially Claire because Ryker is a whole different story!" he continued trying not to cry with Gabriel sobbing in silence.

Evan was in pain, not only for Claire that was his weakness but for Ryker as well! He was the one to whom Claire had trusted some of her deeper thoughts and feelings and now it was difficult for him to handle all those feelings. And Ryker... He was a great young man that wanted to take care of his mother and sister replacing his lost father's role. Ryker knew he was not alone, he loved Blaze and Evan but he was the man of their family and it was his duty to protect and take care of them. He had told Evan that he trusted him blindly but he needed to be the first one that would be there for them and Evan could understand him. He was a very logical, strong and responsible man and Evan was very proud of him. Ryker was even stronger than Blaze, wiser, more methodical and Evan had no problem to admit it, Ryker was his second son anyway!

Gabriel did his best to take a breath feeling his heart breaking from Evan's words and left his head fall back. He locked his eyes on the ceiling and gasped. Evan was right, he could understand Claire's need, he was her father, he was supposed to be the most important man in her life but he was never there for her and the way he had rejected Becky was the worst because he had also rejected his kids...

And Ryker, his son... He had to know about what he believed and felt although he was sure because of his behavior at the forest.

"And what about my son?" he asked Evan whispering and bitted his lower lip scared of the answer he was about to hear.

Evan pressed his lips together thinking about it for a while and unbuttoned the first button of his shirt because it was difficult for him to breathe the last seconds and it was getting worse. He couldn't lie and he didn't want to even though it would be difficult for Gabriel to deal with it but he had to know the truth...

"He hates you because he always knew his mother was in pain, Becky was hiding it but they could feel it! You have to know something although... Becky never blamed you, she never talked to them about you, the kids were just clever enough to understand that she had a reason for running away and staying away from you! When they began growing up and they saw that their mother is a logical and fair woman, they got convinced that it was your fault and Ryker took it worse than anyone! His mother is his Goddess, he just dies for her. He thinks it is his duty to protect her now that he has grown up! The night he and Claire turned 18 and shifted he told me something that... Just killed me! He said: Uncle, now it is my turn to take care of her just like she had been doing for me and Claire all these years!" Evan said and turned to Gabriel that was staring at him heartbroken while crying.

"They have a very strong bond as you saw. And Blaze joined it as well! He and Ryker are in lead and now everything makes sense. This is why Ryker is so powerful and his wolf has the exact same size with Blaze. Ryker always wins, he is the best and the more I realize it the more I see the similarity between you! He has taken a lot from you, not only as for the appearance but as for the personality as well! He is explosive just like you, he has a strong, imposing aura, your temper and abilities!" he continued watching that Gabriel couldn't talk and tapped his knee emotional.

Everything was clear now!

"I can't believe the asshole is still here Evan!" Megan's roar sounded the next second making both of them stand up dizzy.

Megan broke immediately into the pack house like a wild, furious animal with Mark one step behind her and her heavy footsteps pushed Evan to find his composure again.

Great, now he had an outraged Megan to deal with and he knew it was going to be difficult because she was Becky's most trusted and favorite friend. She was dying for her and the kids and she always hated Becky's mate! Now he knew that Megan had always been aware of his identity and she was ready to explode.

"Megan, please calm down and..."

"BULLSHIT!" she cut him off firmly and he didn't try to talk again although he could use his alpha tone on her.

She had a point, he couldn't blame her, she was right and the last thing he wanted was a fight with her.

"I won't calm down until he leaves!" Megan continued with her eyes burning Gabriel's that had already began getting angry.

"How are they?" Evan asked worried wanting to change the subject and Mark smiled nervously.

"They are dealing with it... We came to take some clothes for Blaze, Claire and Kira. Ryker has some there but the others don't and they don't want to leave Becks. Claire wants to stay with her mother." He explained quickly and Evan nodded in understanding with Megan growling at Gabriel.

She had enough, he had to leave, his place wasn't there!

"If you don't leave, I will kill you! You have hurt them enough!" she stated through her teeth and took a threatening step to Gabriel with her eyes almost black and her wolf ready to get on the surface but...

It was the last thing Gabriel needed to find his strong self again.

He wasn't going to leave his family again and nobody could tell him what to do!

"I am going nowhere, I am staying with my family!"

~some hours later, late at night, Becky's house~

Becky's pov

I observe the four of them touched and smile warmly.

They have finally calmed down, all of them, especially Ryker!

We are locked in here from the moment we came back from the forest and after we all took a bath Claire fell asleep. I gave her something to calm down her nerves because she was shaking overwhelmed and I got worried and Blaze was with her constantly. Ryker was locked in his room all that time, he didn't want to talk, he wasn't ready and I respected it. I know my kids and I was expecting these behaviors from them but I also knew that if I was waiting without interfering they would be ready and I was right.

Now they are willing to talk about everything and all that time I was waiting, Kira was here with me. She is my fourth baby and I love her! She is always the calmest and most self collected one! I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't here! She even left me cry for a while and she promised to say nothing to the others.

And now here we are, the five of us! We are sitting in the living room right in front of the fireplace with drinks. Mark and Megan left to give us some time alone, the atmosphere is calm and they all want to know everything so...

I have to tell them, they are right and I am ready.

Ryker and Claire are on my right and left and Kira with Blaze are sitting on the wooden floor in front of us. All of them have their eyes locked me waiting to speak and my wolf smiles in encouragement.

It is time!

"Alright, shall we start?" I ask with all of them nodding in union.

Great, we can do it and to be honest with you, I don't feel so much pain anymore. I know I should have freaked out but after we came home I am much better and when I cried with Kira I felt a weight leaving from my shoulders.

Maybe it was about time for the kids to know everything and it happened for the best. Now I won't have to keep everything inside and they are all old enough, they are smart kids and they can face any truth and take their own decisions. I am sure Ryker won't want his father but maybe Claire thinks of giving him a chance although it is almost impossible to happen.

Anyway, what matters is that we all took it better than I had imagined and I am strong again. I closed the door to my past and Gabriel for once and for all like this, now I can live free!

I take a deep breath and clear my throat, I already know from where to start, they don't need so many details, just the basics.

"I know Gabriel since we were kids... His full name is Gabriel Jones, he is the Alpha of the Blue River Pack!" I start and Blaze opens his eyes widely with Claire while Ryker looks too serious.

He doesn't really care although other men would if they were in his place. You see, normally he is the next in line for the alpha's title, he is the next Alpha but Gabriel rejected me so Ryker somehow lost his title. And let's be honest, I know my son, he never cared about power and there is no way he cares now.

"So we have alpha's blood?!" Claire whispers breathless and I nod smiling slightly.

"Yes, alpha's blood on our ass! Continue mother!" Ryker says frustrated through his teeth and I caress his knee gently.

I told you he doesn't care!

"As I told you I knew him, I was his sister's best friend, Kaitlyn's. And I have to admit I was always in love with Gabriel, it was like I instinctually knew that one day we would be mates and we found it out about a month after I had turned 16 and I had my wolf in my mind. He had come back from the private college for holidays and he was already 17." I continue and nobody reacts waiting for more so I have no other choice.

"He was happy, at least he seemed to be! He was excited and so were our families and friends! I was flying from the other hand, it was like a dream for me and the fact that he accepted me was making me feel special! We began spending hours together, every day we were trying to stay alone the more we could and he was amazing! He wasn't pressuring me, he was patient, caring, gentle and about one month later we... Mated! It came out of us naturally, we were ready, we wanted it and maybe it was the best night of my life because that night gave me you two!" I say and turn to Claire and Ryker.

I am ready to start crying again at this point. It's hard for me to remember how happy I was while living in a lie! I had so many dreams, hopes and... Now look at me!

"Your first time?!" Claire asks surprised and I nod.

"And our last! That night we were alone at a lake house near the pack. It was his grandparents' and he loved it! There, he gave me lots of promises from which he kept none!" I reply and she stiffens moving closer to me with a hurt expression that breaks my heart.

"When did you find out about us? What did the asshole do to you?" Ryker asks through his teeth with his fists shaking and I take his hands in mine softly.

"Calm down, I am going to tell you everything. Okay?" I ask emotionally and he shakes his head in frustration and Blaze moving closer to me.

He is also in pain! This boy is very sweet, more sensitive than Ryker and this is why he and Claire is a perfect couple. They have some things in common.

"One week after that night I had to leave to a camp with his sister, your aunt, Kaitlyn. I didn't want to go and leave him but I couldn't do otherwise and he had promised to wait for me and so I left! For another one week things were perfect although I was missing him like crazy but one afternoon I... Felt a strong wave of pain and burning in my heart and soon the pain was so much that my nose and mouth began bleeding and I passed out." I say and pause because the memory of that day is my biggest nightmare till now.

I almost died that day physically but I died for good psychologically.

"He marked someone else?!" Kira exclaims fainting and I shake my head quickly holding back my need to cry again.

"And slept with her!" Blaze adds shocked.

"And she was my other best friend, Michelle, she knew about us but she didn't care!" I state and Ryker growls ready to stand up but I tighten my hold around his hands and stop him.

His face's features have changed, his eyes are black, his jaw is clenching and I smell his anger. From the other hand Claire seems to be devastated and this hurts more than anything. The last thing I wanted was my kids to suffer but I can't lie, I want to be honest...

"As I was saying I passed out and when I woke up your aunt was above me, I was at a hospital near the camp! She had understood what had happened and she had called her parents and mine. She had also talked with Gabriel and she was out of control. She was screaming, telling him that from that moment he was dead to her and she hated him and Michelle! You know, she is a great woman, she always was and this is why I was one with her from the moment we were born, we had lots of things in common!" I say next and surprisingly they all smile weakly, even Ryker.

"At least she was right and she didn't betray you! This is something..." he mutters with a blank expression after a while.

"Yes! And she wanted to stay there with me but then I had a panic attack and a doctor came to calm me down so she had to leave! It was a big shock for me, I thought I was getting crazy and I didn't have recovered yet but... Everything changed when the doctor told me about the two of you!" I say and take Claire's hand as well but this time I am crying touched.

I am never going to forget how I felt when she told me I was pregnant! I was excited yet broken! I wanted to scream from enthusiasm and pain!

"s**t mom, you are killing us!" Blaze whispers wiping his tears and places his head on Claire's knees.

She starts caressing his hair with her one free hand as I am holding the other one and Kira does the same thing with Blaze on me. Ryker turns his body to mine and kisses my cheek and Claire rests her head on my shoulder with some tears blurring her vision.

See? I am never going to regret a thing although I suffered so much because everything were worthy of this moment with the four of them here and around me! They became my life!

"When I calmed down after some time I just knew what I wanted to do and I was sure about one thing!" I say smiling proudly and still crying and Ryker raises her eyebrows confused.

"What?"

"Nobody would stop me from leaving away from the person that had betrayed me and from raising you on my own! I was too naïve but I had a dignity! I gave myself a promise and I was determinate to keep it at any cost and I was lucky the doctor helped me, Raina!" I reply and he blinks his eyes with Claire stiffening surprised.

"You mean... The Raina we know?" she asks and I nod.

"Yes! She was the one that helped me when I told her everything! As you know she didn't have kids, she had lost her mate and her family, she was alone and she felt sympathy for me! She was the one that suggested me to go with her in Italy, she had an infirmary there and she was in America just for some weeks, she had offered to help the hospital I was because they needed a doctor for a while." I explain and Ryker sighs speechless.

"So, aunt Raina helped you leave from hospital secretly, took you with her, gave you a home, a job at her infirmary and helped you raise us until your accident when we were almost six?" Claire asks already knowing that my answer is going to be yes.

"And then she called my dad and told him that you wanted to join our pack! She knew my grandpas!" Blaze adds and I smile signing in agreement.

"Exactly, Raina became my mother, my older sister and she loved me and you! When I had that car accident I thought that I needed more people around me because she was quite old, Ryker and Claire were very energetic kids and she couldn't take care of me, them and her infirmary. This is why she thought of Evan, she knew he was very kind and caring and he agreed immediately!" I say and pause trying to control my nervousness about my lie...

Yes, the truth is I didn't have a car accident as I want them to believe because I don't want them to know that someone had been trying to kill me! I still don't know who it was and Raina got really scared because we had the kids. She told Evan about everything and he came to take me and the kids immediately. The day I came here I was still recovering and they all helped me and promised to keep me and the kids safe.

This is the only thing I don't want them to know and Evan, Mark and Megan with Raina are the only people that know and will know about it! I made them promise me they won't tell the kids or anyone else about it! For everyone else I had a car accident and until today no one had dared to come close to me again. This is also one reason I got trained from Evan and I am the best female fighter of the pack with Megan and Claire. I needed to become stronger and I did it!

"Aunt, I can't believe it! Really, this is... God!" Kira murmurs with a troubled look and I caress her hair.

"I am sorry I never told you about him but you stopped asking me when you got older and to be honest I didn't want to remember everything I was trying so much to forget by telling you! I am in pain every time I remember his promises and big dreams because everything was a lie and the worst thing is that he didn't even have the courage to tell me, he did everything behind my back, he left me unprepared and my 'best friend' took part in it! Do you understand?" I say worried with some tears falling from my eyes and Ryker wraps one arm around me trembling.

Right now it hurts like hell, really! Everything is over, now they know, they have taken it much better, they are calm but I am not because images from the past made their appearance again and I just want to forget for once and for all.

How could he do this to me?

I did nothing to him and he behaved like I was his enemy and he hated me!

I bled for him!

"I just want him away from me, I still can't believe he found us accidentally and he wanted to explain himself after everything he has done! I just want him away, I promise you! I have everything I ever wanted, I have you and that's all that matters me, you are my life, my strength, my oxygen! I want no fights with him from now on!" I whisper with amends and Claire hugs me with Blaze and Kira standing up to join us.

"Don't worry mom! Everything is over now and we love you! We are here, we are never going to leave you alone, you have us!" Claire states and kisses my cheek with Blaze doing the same and Kira pecks my cheek smiling proudly.

Thanks Goddess I have them and I didn't lose them that day. Raina told me I couldn't have lost them, the shock was huge for my organism and when I think of the possibility of that man hurting them instead of me I want to vomit from fear even in the thought.

If I had lost either of them I would have died!

And I am also blessed to have Blaze and Kira in my life because the happiness is double now, I have four kids, my heart and life are full of love and this is what I always wanted.

"Mother..." Ryker speaks up after some seconds when we break our hug, they all sit down again and I turn to him quickly.

He is crying slightly and his eyes are brown again, his face has softened, he is the sweet boy I know, the strong and proud one, my son!

"Yes baby!" I whisper with a trembling voice that breaks and he caps my face with my wolf, Bria howling like crazy.

"I want you to know I am the proudest son there is for you and the most grateful for having you as my mother! And I also want to promise you something!" he says and leans even closer looking at me with determination.

"Nobody is going to hurt you again as long as I live mother! Not even him! Nobody!"

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Hello everyone!

This is the 4th chapter and now we know everything about Becky!

So what do you think about this quite intense chapter? How do you feel about Becky and Gabriel? What do you think about Gabriel's behavior now? What about Claire and Ryker? How do you feel about Becky's past? What is going to happen next?

I am very curious to know your opinions and thoughts and I need to thank you for everything. I hope you liked this chapter and you have begun loving the story. Everything is explained now and from this moment things get in a new level!

Plese if you want to help me from now that is still the beginning and you are looking forward for more, commend and let me know your opinion and thoughts, or share the story.

I will see you again in the next chapter (unless you are reading my other books). Until then stay safe, smile and have fun!

Love you all very much,

                                                                 Marie!