Ivan froze, his face paling.
Kyle, however, did not back down. “You’re trying to protect someone who is going to rip this pack apart. Do you not realize you married a monster? She did this to me, imagine what will happen if we don’t do something.”
I growled, my hands tightening on Gabriella’s chair. “I’m protecting someone you have spent months targeting. And I’ve had enough of it,” I snapped, my voice echoing around the space. “You have single-handedly made sure that they couldn’t climb the ladder. I have personally seen you gang up on my wife on several occasions. I saw Hazel when she got a busted lip because she got caught up on her way out of work. Those bruises on your body were deserved because you cornered her!”
I thought it was odd how both of them made decent money but couldn’t get out of their crummy apartment. Well, that was because all their applications were blocked. I hadlooked into a lot of things since they moved in, and things didn’t add up. For two people who should be so happy, they weren’t.
“You like to talk big, Kyle, but I don’t think you understand what that means. When you rally people with your voice, you should probably have something to back it up.”
Kyle laughed. “You have no idea who you are dealing with. You have no idea who she is.”
“No, I have a very clear image of who Hazel and Gabriella are. Have either of them hurt anyone? Hmm? Have either of them started a fight with anyone? Have they attacked anyone?”
“I was attacked today!”
“Let’s all try to take a breath,” Kaleb said, waving his hands, trying to calm the space.
“Because you were bullying her,” I growled back. “She was protecting herself. And if I had been there, you would be in worse shape.”
“She is painting me as the monster when it’s her,” he yelled, pointing his hand at her. “Her and her sister both.” He turned to Brandon. “You’re the Alpha. Do something.”
Brandon looked tired, like this was the last thing he wanted to deal with.
“I would beg to differ,” a new voice spoke up, and the crowd cleared as the witches stood there. I recognized Chelsey and Marie. Hazel stood with them, looking pissed. Chelsey, the main witch that everyone went to and trusted, looked at Kyle with disgust. “I have seen and heard plenty to know that you’re nothing but a fearful little man.”
Kyle’s face went red with rage. “You disgusting…”
“Enough,” Brandon spoke up, and the space went quiet. He slowly got out of his chair and looked at Chelsey. “I would love to have this in private, but since you have decided to make this public, Chelsey, you were saying?”
She crossed her arms. “I have helped heal plenty of marks and bruises on both girls because of Kyle and his friends. This has been going on for months.”
“They are witches,” Kyle yelled.
“Gabriella and I had our powers stripped away when we were children,” Hazel added. “We have not had or used magic in years. If my sister has magic, it’s new to both of us. We have done nothing dangerous or harmful to this pack.”
Chelsey nodded. “It’s honestly impossible that they get their magic back, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. And if she has never used magic before, it’s going to come out powerful, just like Jade and Nora. Chelsey looked at the small crowd. “How exactly is Gabriella different from Nora and Jade, who almost all of you love now?”
The crowd remained quiet. They all looked uncomfortable, looking towards the ground.
She pursed her lips together. “That’s what I thought.” She turned around, looking at Kyle. “You, sir, are barking up the wrong tree. And if you continue, I will have no problem using what I can in my power to fuck your life up as much as you’ve fucked up theirs.”
Kyle turned to Brandon. “Do you hear her? She’s threatening me.”
“That’s enough,” Brandon said, his eyes narrowing on Kyle. “Kyle, do you honestly expect me to believe your words over all of these? People that I work closely with and respect?”Brandon pinched his eyes. “These healers have worked endless hours with us, time healing our people. Hazel and Gabriella have done nothing wrong; they have never stepped out of line. Out of all the people we took in, not a single thing has been concerning, so you want me to believe that for months they have been involved with the darkness, ruining everything?”
Kyle searched for words but just fumbled around. Brandon curled his hands together into fists. “Everyone out. I need to speak with Kyle alone.” He looked at everyone else. “And let this be a reminder to everyone else. I don’t stand for secrets, and I don’t stand for bullying. If you have an issue, you bring it to me.”
I watched as the space cleared out, but Brandon pulled his hand up, stopping Gabriella and me. He looked at Brandon. “If I hear one more thing about you bothering either of them.” Brandon stepped closer to Kyle, his voice dipping. “I will remove you from this pack.”
I watched Kyle’s face finally go pale. Brandon waved us off, and I took Gabriella’s hand, guiding her out of the room.
In the hallway, I pulled her to a stop. “Are you okay?”
She looked at me for a moment before she slowly nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m actually good. Thank you.” She gave me a smile. “For all of this.”
Chapter 15 - Gabriella
I sat nervously in the car as I stared across the yard toward the training ground. Jade and Nora offered to work with me, eager to help me with my magic. I had agreed, but felt physically sick about the idea. I still was having a hard time stomaching what I’d done and how everything had played out.
