Twisting Her Fate
Chapter 157

**2 weeks after reunion**

Connor's large hand is wrapped over the top of the steering wheel of the black SUV. His other hand is resting lightly on Leilani's knee as he drives forward. The two kids sit in the back of the vehicle as Leilani passes a constant stream of snacks to them. It isn't an exceedingly long journey, but for the two over-excited toddlers it is the only way to stop them screeching the whole way.

Connor doesn't even mind, a smile has not left his face in the last two weeks. He is as relaxed as he has ever been and now he's just ready to start his new life.

Behind the black SUV travels, the other two SUV's used by the fusion pack and Oscars SUV added to the mix, the 'to hire' removalist trucks are driven by Finlay and Madden who seemed to think that they are driving sports vehicles instead of heavy vehicles. So no one knows the state their items are going to be in by the time they arrive. But no one even cares, everyone is just enjoying the trip. There is a buzz of excitement running through the convoy.

They left most of the furniture and things within the fusion pack. They could hardly leave Gabriel with nothing. Gabriel has come along for the trip just to say a proper goodbye and take one of the vehicles back with him. They have left him a suitable amount of money so he will be able to run for now and he has the businesses to take over and a fresh stream of income. They are not leaving him high and dry. He can come to them with anything he needs so he can focus on the main job, getting pack members. Connor is trying to keep his calm but he's excitement is nearly palpable. Leilani turns and looks at his handsome side face as she elbows him in the ribs causing him to chuckle.

"I swear that your excitement is feeding these two"

She points a thumb behind her at the two excited toddlers, their eyes are shining with excitement and they would be bouncing in their seats if their restraints weren't so tight. "Actually, to me, it looks like you are feeding these two"

That earns Connor another elbow into the ribs. He laughs as he grabs her elbow, leaning slightly to kiss it.

"Have you been sharpening this thing? How does it hurt so much? Are you trying to kill your mate?"

"Maybe if you keep commenting on my over-feeding of our children"

Connor lets go of her arm and raises a hand in defense.

"I am not saying anything, but if you feed them anymore fruit they are going to have explosive diarrhoea or I am going to have to roll them out of the car"

Connor catches her elbow as it comes flying at him again.

"For my own safety I might have to put pads on these things"

"Yeah mummy, stop beating up daddy"

Elena's sing song voice comes from the back seat. Connor smiles and looks back approvingly while Leilani shakes her head and tsks.

"Look at you and your charming personality. You have got everyone on your side now, don't you?"

"You think I have a charming personality?"

"That is what you took out of that statement? I wouldn't dare admit such things don't need to enlarge your already enlarged head"

"Excuse me, my head is totally proportionate. So back to this charming personality?"

Leilani just smiles as she shakes her head. Connor turns his head to the rear seats.

"Kids close your eyes for a second"

Ace and Elena put their hands over their eyes and Connor leans over kissing Leilani, a short sweet but passionate kiss. Leilani's hands rest of his strong chest as she pushes Connor back into the driver's seat, shaking her head, but the smile cannot be wiped from her face. "I saw daddy kiss mummy"

"You cheeky little munchkin, I told you to keep your eyes closed"

Elena laughs while Connor joins, Leilani pinches him on the thigh as she stares out the passenger window, trying to suppress her own laugh. Her lips still searing with the residual heat that Connor's lips left.

It has been two weeks of absolute bliss. The bonding time between Connor and the kids has been invaluable. They are now so close. It is like they have never even been apart and Connor and Leilani's relationship that was hot before all this happened is now even more so. Every chance they get, they are hiding in cupboards, hiding behind counters, running out into the woods. There is not a single thing between them that they do not know, helped by the bond showing every little thing.

Knowing that the other went through just as much heartache and just as much longing during the separation instead of filling them both with regret actually makes them appreciate what they have more now.

Lani knows that they are heading into real life but it was nice to share that time, even if it was for just a little while, because now they're heading into this as a team. There are no individuals. There is only the family unit.

At the border of the stormy pack they are waved through without pause, the road from the border to the stormy pack packhouse is long, even longer than when Leilani left three years before. Struggling packs have willingly sold land to the stormy pack just so their own facilities can be closer to the giant. Making themselves stronger with the association but adding vast amounts of land and industry to the stormy packs ever growing strength.

The members of the pack itself have grown by half again, every single member of the stormy pack is lining the road as the vehicles slowly move along. Connor could not be anymore proud, his chest puffed up and his hand is gripping Leilani's tightly as he sets the pace for the drive in.

The children wave excitedly at all the people, Leilani lowers the heavy tinted windows and all the pack members can see is two small hands waving at them, but the crowd erupts in a cheer. Connor looks lovingly at Leilani. "Welcome home, my luna"

The drive takes a while to get all the way to the pack house. Connor pulls up and one by one the vehicles stop behind him and the occupants pile out. As soon as the twins are released from their car seats, they jump out of their parents arms excitedly. Harvey holds his mate, Bonnie's, hand as they wait near the door. Evie is standing right beside them. They have been busy all day preparing for this and soon more guests will be arriving. This will be the biggest event that the stormy pack has ever hosted. Damon steps forward and grips Evie's hand, knowing that she needs that pull back to stop her from running up. He knows how excited she is, but it may just be a little overwhelming for the family.

Damon and Evie have been on three dates in two weeks. He has already progressed to hand holding. He will not be pushing it any further than that until she tells him that she is ready. He just wanted something, some sign that they are more than friends. To him it was a massive step in the right direction when she didn't punch him in the face when he attempted it.

The first time he held her hand she was so rigid about the whole exchange, but things have improved significantly. The twins are the first ones to run up to them. Elena running straight to Evie's side and holding her other hand. "Your name is Evie and mine is Elena. They both start with E, so we are friends"

Evie releases Damon's hand and crouches down to Elena's level, looking at the incomparably beautiful little girl, that distinctive white blonde hair.

"We are going to be best friends"

Evie smiles as she looks at the little girl, already planning on handing the Azure pack to Elena when she is old enough. Evie looks up as a shadow is cast over her, seeing the beautiful face of her saviour. Evie's heart thumps unnaturally in her nervousness, but she manages to stand back up, still holding Elena's hand.

Evie's eyes meet Leilani's and Evie's hand twists nervously in the material of her shirt. Lani steps forward, closing the distance between the two women and pulls Evie into her embrace. Evie's tears instantly flow, suddenly feeling that same gratitude and safety she felt that night.

"I am so sorry that I left you that night Evie. I should never have done that. I promised you I would be there for you and I wasn't. I promised that I would help you figure out your situation and I didn't. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, but...." Evie pulls back from the hug as she grips Leilani's biceps. Evie's face is covered with tears but there is only acceptance in her eyes.

"You never have to apologize for what you did that night, you did what you thought was right in the situation, others would have just taken me out or abandoned me. You gave me my life and I will be forever grateful. I owe you everything. I should be the one apologizing to you" Lani pulls her back in for a hug.

"You never apologize, the goddess did what was needed. I can see that now"

Lani strokes Evie's golden blonde hair, it is completely different to when she left that night.

"Evie, I am so proud of what you did and who you have become. Connor has told me everything and I think that you are nothing short of amazing"

Evie's anxious heart settles. To hear those words from Lani's mouth, it means the whole world to her. For her inspiration to be proud, it is all the validation she needed.