We Defend Our Members

CHAPTER 22: WE DEFEND OUR MEMBERS
~ Gabriel’s POV~

After the rogues somehow breached our border walls, I decided to walk Harper back to her room myself. It was nice walking back to the packhouse with her hand in mine. It felt right, like I found a part of me that I didn’t know I was missing.

When we arrived at the door to her bedroom, she turned to face me. She stood on the tips of her toes and gave me a soft kiss.

“Thank you for defending me tonight, though I wish you would just let me handle Thane on my own. I didn’t come here to have someone fight my battles for me.” Harper rested her head against my chest as she spoke to me.

“Harper, you know I can’t do that. You are a part of this pack now and we defend our members. Not only that, but I care about you. To ask me not to defend you is like asking me not to defend myself, because to me it feels like we are a part of each other.” Harper looked up to me and gave me a soft smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I can tell that she is concerned about all of this. “Are you ok after everything?” I asked her.

“I’m fine, I just know now that Thane will come back for me. That means everyone will try to defend me again.” I shushed her.

“Don’t think about that right now. You need to get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow.” She nodded at me, then unlocked her bedroom door and stepped inside.

“Lock this door once it is closed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Ok, see you tomorrow, Alpha… I mean Gabe. Oh! I wanted to know. How did you know that I was in the garden?” I gave her a crooked smile as I shut her door myself.

I waited to hear her lock click before I started back toward the stairway heading to my room. My mother had mind linked me. She said “walk down to the garden and spend some time with the newest she wolf in the pack.” I knew she was talking about Harper. I smiled to myself. My mother didn’t even know about my feelings toward Harper unless my father had mentioned something about it to her.

Once on my floor I made my way down the hallway. I just wanted to take a shower and get to bed. It didn’t look like that was going to happen though. When I got closer to my door, I saw that Samantha was leaning with her back propped against it. When she saw me, she ran down the hallway throwing her arms around my neck and nuzzled her nose into my chest. I had to steady myself to keep from tumbling backward.

“Oh Gabe, I was so worried about you! I am so glad you are ok. Did you get hurt?”

I pried her arms from around my neck and stepped back from her. She was wearing a silky robe that was loose over top of what looked to be sexy underwear or a night outfit.

“Yes, Sam I am fine. Are you ok?” She smiled at me satisfied that I was asking about her.

“I am fine, I didn’t engage. I didn’t want to ruin my nails before the celebration. I knew you guys could handle it.” I can’t believe she didn’t engage in the fight because she was afraid of breaking her nails!

“Sam, you are a warrior! Our strongest she wolf in the pack, and head charge below me at that! You have a responsibility to your team! And you didn’t engage because of your nails!” I was angry and my voice was firm, but I tried not to talk too loudly. I don’t like yelling at females. Plus, I didn’t want to wake up anyone in my hallway. It is the alpha floor; my parents are probably asleep in their room. My father isn’t to be bothered with pack related emergencies such as what happened tonight unless I am unable to handle it myself. It’s all a part of me getting ready to take my father’s place.

“Gabriel, you are upset with me for not running in to battle for that lowly charity case, Harper!” Sam spit out Harper’s name like it was poison on her lips. I growled at her, anger rising at the way she spoke about Harper.

She grabbed my hands trying to press her body against mine. I pulled my hands from her grip and gently shoved her away from me, trying not to hurt her but wanting to get my point across.

“Gabe? Why are you acting this way?”

“Samantha, you have no idea what Harper has been through. You haven’t even cared to ask! Do yourself a favor and keep her name out of your disgraceful mouth. You know she was ready to run into battle tonight even though she doesn’t have her wolf yet?” Sam’s face molded into a look of disgust as realization of what I just said set in.

I walked by her and unlocked the door to my room. Walking in I turned to shut my door, but Sam got in the way before I could.

“Gabe, let me stay in your room tonight. It’s been so cold without you. You know I can help take your mind off things.”

“Sam get out.” She looked at me confused and hurt in her eyes.

“Look Gabe, I know that you ended what we were trying to build but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still keep each other company and have a little fun.” She was giving me a seductive look trying to press her body against mine again. She purposefully let her robe slip down her shoulder showing a little cleavage.

I was tired of her advances.

“Sam, I said get out of my room. I am not interested in you that way. I let things cross the line before with us and I regret that. It’s not going to happen again. I don’t need you to help take my mind off things.” She stepped back out into the hallway.

“Are you seeing someone else?” her voice came out as a whimper.

“As a matter of fact, I am pursuing someone, but I didn’t intend for it to look like I left you for her. Because that is simply not the case.”

“Who is the bitch, Gabriel?” She placed both hands on her hips.

“That is none of your business, Samantha. This has been a long fucking night and I am going to bed.” I slammed the door in her face not caring if I woke anyone up at this point.

“GABRIEL!”

She yelled at me through my door. I ignored her heading into my bathroom to take a quick shower. I didn’t take my time brushing my teeth and slipping on a pair of loose sweatpants before climbing into bed. Finally, I thought while remembering everything that happened tonight.

Harper and I finally told each other about our feelings and the connection that we both feel for one another. Then those damned rogues who are working for Thane interrupted everything. That may not be all bad though. If things between Harper and I had continued any longer, I would have had her in my bed right now. I don’t want that. She is special so I have to treat her like the jewel she is. I’ll have to brief my father about all the happenings with the rogues tomorrow. If Thane wants to come, let him come…