CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

**OLIVER**
It’s been three weeks since I returned to the pack, back to Gabriel, and back to the people. Things had been going smoothly, and life had moved on, although the scars of that incident remained branded into the minds and hearts of people, people still mourned their dead. The pain, anger, and suffering endured are not forgotten, and surely not forgiven.
I smiled to myself as my brush stroked the canvas. Amid the drama, I had forgotten my first love. I had forgotten what it felt like to immerse myself in paint and create something out of nothing. I smiled at the painting of the goddess, striking, her eyes digging into mine as I lay the finishing touches.
I felt him before I saw him. By Gabriel. I had somehow become more attuned to him, my senses heightened. His arms wrapped solidly around my waist from behind, and I sighed as he placed a soft kiss on my cheek, and trailed kisses down my neck.
“You’re painting again,” he said. “That’s good. And that’s beautiful.”
My smile widened. “Thank you.”
“That’s her, isn’t it? The goddess.”
I nodded. “Yes. Beautiful, isn’t she?”
Gabriel nodded, and eyed the painting, his head cocking to the side as he studied my work of art.
“She is beautiful,” he said finally. “Stunning. However, she’s more…candid…raw. It looks unbelievably read. It’s truly beautiful.”
I smiled wryly to myself. I guess that’s what happens when you become one with her. You know her on a basis that could never be understood by anyone else. At that moment, I was reminded that Gabriel was still blissfully unaware of the latest development. A part of me told myself that the reason I hadn’t told him was so he wouldn’t blame himself, but I knew the truth. I was afraid. I was afraid that he wouldn’t see me the same. I was afraid that he would love me less…need me less. I was afraid that he would see that I was no longer the man he fell in love with. Who knows? Maybe he would even leave me.
Besides, how do I tell him that not only do I share my own body with the river goddess, but she wanted me to sire a child? A child who would be hers. A child who would be her.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the council meeting?” I asked, suddenly uncomfortable with him hovering over me and watching me during what I got was an intimate moment.
He nodded. “Yes, but I have great news that I couldn’t wait to share with you.”
My head turned sharply to him, my hand pausing mid-stroke. “What is it?”
He smiled widely, a childlike glint in his brown eyes that made his features seem boyish. “I’m taking you somewhere special.”
“Somewhere special?” I asked, a small smile forming on my lips.
His eyes brightened and he nodded. “Yes. I’m taking you to my mother’s place.”
My eyes widened in surprise. This would be the first time Gabriel had mentioned his mother without being probed. She had always been a sore topic.
“When?”
“Today.”
“Are you sure?” I asked skeptically. “I mean…things just got back to normal for us.”
“And that is exactly why we need to take this trip,” he said and hugged me from behind. “We’ve been through so much the last few weeks. We need time together, away from the noise. Just us…”
My grip on the paintbrush tightened as he began to trail kisses down my neck. “You’re right…” I said breathily.
He pulled away from me and my heart sank in disappointment wishing he had held me longer. I watched as he trotted back into the house, and I thought to myself how right he was. We had been through so much since the first day we met. Been through so many troubles, so much pain, so many hurdles. It definitely wouldn’t hurt for us to be selfish for a little while. After all, Joshua was dead. The threat was averted, we are free. And then maybe, just maybe I would be able to tell Gabriel about the latest development.
That was why when we hit the road, I rolled down the window and enjoyed the feeling of the wind in my face and hair, allowing my thoughts and worries to go in the moving wind. I enjoyed the fast-moving buildings and the sights and sounds of the city. There were a lot of things to worry about, but not today.
“Welcome to my mother’s village,” Gabriel said with pride in his voice as the car slowly rolled down the streets and pulled into a driveway.
There was no one to be seen, only wooden houses painted in varied beautiful colors and standing proudly and the sound of waves crashing. I smiled as I stepped out of the vehicle and turned to look at the beauty around me.
“Welcome to my mother’s home,” he said as he pulled our bags out of the car.
“I love it. It’s beautiful.”
We stood in front of the house and stared up at it. I turned to Gabriel, his eyes reflecting a million emotions as he stared up at the seemingly imposing building. I gently wrapped my hand around his and smiled at the house. The one-story, simple, blue house stood proudly amongst the rest, with tall trees standing in the yard and providing shade and mystery to the structure.
“Shall me?” I asked.
A small smile spread across his lips, and he nodded. “Yes.”
I waited patiently as he unlocked the door, his hands fumbling with the keys. My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the house. It was simple, but even in the simplicity, there was beauty. This place wasn’t just a house, it was a home. A chandelier too big for the living room hung overhead, and on the walls were trophies of several animals. Alongside the mounts, several pictures graced the walls, the most prominent being when he had been smiling brightly as a child. No worries, no responsibility, just him.
“So, this is where you grew up?” I asked, leisurely parading the living room.
Gabriel came down the stairs, his breath uneven from the physical exertion. “Yes. Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s very honey.”
His eyes saddened, and I bit down on my tongue. Had I said something I shouldn’t have?
“Is something wrong?” I asked, seeing the look on his face.
“That was the same thing my mother had told me,” he answered absently.
“Your mother had an eye for good things then.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. I do wish, you had met her. Such a delightful spirit. She would have loved you.”
“Me too…do you want to talk about her?”
Gabriel’s eyes darkened and his hands balled into a fist, and he shook his head vehemently, pain reflected in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but a sharp knock on the front door diverted our attention.
“Are you expecting someone?” I asked.
Gabriel shook his head and headed for the front door, the frown on his face instantly transforming into happiness as he saw who was on the other side of the door. It took everything in me not to run to the door to see who it was, but rather wait for them to come in.
“Come in!” Gabriel said enthusiastically, his face brighter than the sun as he led our visitor in. “There’s someone really important that you should meet.”
My heart skipped a beat as I beheld who he let in. A smallish woman with lush brunette hair that fell to her waist, and a curvaceous body. Her big, round eyes, small button nose, and full lips a perfection for her face.
I was remotely aware of Gabriel doing the introductions. Carrie. That was her name. Even her name was beautiful. My body seemed to operate on autopilot as I stretched out my hand to take hers, tingles bolting up my hand as it touched hers, her scent wafted up my nose. My eyes met hers, and she smiled.
“I’m Oliver,”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I swore under my breath as I felt a tightening in my loins. In my scrambled mind, I wondered what was happening. I quickly withdrew my hand and looked at Gabriel, wondering if he noticed what had just happened. If he did, he gave no indication.
“Carrie here is my cousin,” he said. “We grew up together, she’s like a sister to me.”
My gaze turned to Carrie again only to see that they were already on me. A slow smile spread across her lips and I realized that she was aware of what was happening. I swore under my breath as she pinned me with her gaze, her eyes roving the length of my body. I followed behind them sheepishly as Gabriel led her into the house, and she settled her into a sofa in the living room.
“This place looks clean,” she said.
“Yes. I called ahead and had it cleaned.”
I listened absently as they made small talk, my eyes glued to the small woman in the room. My eyes subconsciously gleaned her exposed skin, my mind running wild with images of her thick thighs in my hands. I snapped my eyes shut and readjusted in my seat, hoping that the bulge in my shorts go unnoticed.
Too soon and yet not soon enough, she rose to leave. She turned, giving me an unhindered view of her ass swaying softly on her shorts, and a tank top that did very little to hide her protruding nipples. At the door, she hugged Gabriel and reached out to hug me without warning. Shivers ran down my spine as she wrapped her hands around me and pressed herself flush against me.
“Goodbye, Oliver,” she said sweetly. “See you at the festival.”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “What festival?”
They both shared a glance and burst out laughing. I felt heat rush up my cheeks, and Gabriel wrapped an arm around my waist and lightly kissed my cheek.
“You weren’t listening, were you?” Gabriel asked. “It’s the end of the year festival. It’s in a week.”
“See you there!” Carrie said and turned around to leave, her hips swaying magnificently as she walked.
I wondered what was happening. Never had I felt attraction so strong before. So much so that even when Gabriel went on his knees in front of me that night, I imagined that it was Carrie’s warm mouth wrapped around me.