Chapter 32

His Grandfather was back home. And calling him incessantly. Gabriel could only assume that meant trouble. The man was like ninety years old, he was also retired and he had promised to stay out of his business. Seemed like that was a lie.

Gabriel wasn’t about to be bothered about all that, it was one thing he refused to add to his plate. That could wait. Besides, he knew his grandfather would go to DC first to see Elliot's mother. They had a weird relationship. They were unnecessary close and far too invested in the lives of the people around them

Anyways he was tired. Exhausted. Canada had been a complete waste of time. He just wanted to get back home and have a nice dinner with Lori and kiss his daughter goodnight. He needed sleep, rest and a little bit of distraction.

It also didn’t help that he had mounting sexual frustration. Ever since Emilia had been conceived Gabriel had been more careful with women. He knew what happened with Emilia was an accident but he decided to be more intentional and deliberate about the women he took to bed.

Before Emilia, he could bed any woman he wanted. With just one look they would swoon. He would take them out for dinner and treat them nice, sometimes he didn’t even have to do that much and they’d fall in his bed.

Many of them were smart enough to understand the arrangement, a guy like him wasn’t looking for anything serious. Till he found his Luna and mate, he would have no serious relationship.

But now he had found his mate and it seemed to make things a lot more worse.

Especially coupled with the fact that he was now sleeping with Lori on the same bed. It took all his self control sometimes to restrain himself for not making a foolish move. He had to be careful, Lori was no ordinary woman and given her history, he understood that it would be natural for her to be weary of men, especially after what that bastard did to her.

It would take time. A long time.

He arrived home a few minutes later with Elliot meeting him in front of the house. Elliot was frowning at him.

“You didn’t pick any of my calls.”

He said snd Gabriel slammed the door of his car.

“I was underground. Wolf business.”

He answered and Elliot sighed.

“I’m guessing you already know then?”

Gabriel nodded. Stopping in front of the house to talk to Elliot.

“Yes. I know. He’s in DC.”

Elliot shrugged.

“Only a matter of time before he and my mother make it here.”

“And pry in my business.”

Gabriel added..

“Why didn’t you just tell him?”

Elliot asked and Gabriel narrowed his eyes at him. Anyone that thought telling his grandfather he had an illegitimate child was definitely slow.

“Well, for the completely obvious reason. You know how traditional he can be.”

Elliot scoffed.

“What will you tell him about Lori then?”

Gabriel glared at Elliot. How did every wolf in his house catch on so quickly?! First Grace, then Draco, now even Elliot who had the attention span of a toddler.

“About what?”

Gabriel feigned ignorance as he looked everywhere but Elliot’s face.

Elliot scoffed.


“You actually think I’m stupid?!”

“Well I’m not that stupid. You won’t hire a human just because she has a great resume!”

Gabriel sighed.

“Then you’d know it’s best for you to shut up about that. If Grandfather finds out, the elders would be on my neck the next minute.”

“Well, if you want me to keep quiet about you then you’d have to start treating me more nicely.”

Eliot smirked as he folded his arms. This was his opportunity, to prove himself to Gabriel that he could be useful to him in a way.

“I’d consider that when you stop lazing around all day.”

Elliot shrugged.

“Come on! We both know that’s not why you dislike me. We both know!”

Gabriel sighed. He pinched his nose in frustration.

“I don’t dislike you Elliot. I really don’t. I just find your nonchalant attitude thoroughly annoying.”

“Will you stop pestering me and let me go in now?”

He asked as he pointed to the door and Elliot moved.

“I won’t say a word. Don’t worry.”

Well. That was a relief. He would find a way to hide Lori, knowing his grandfather the old man would show up in a few days unannounced and he had to find the least suspicious way to get Lori out of the house.

“I actually like Lori. She’s growing on me.”

Elliot claimed and Gabriel paused.

He turned to his cousin and raised a finger to warn him.

“Yea, don’t get too close to her. I know what you’re trying to do and if you try it best believe I’m kicking you out of my house.”

His voice was low, dangerous and the slight fear in Elliot’s eyes told him that his warning was duly received.

Elliot shrugged. He wasn’t about to get in Gabriel’s way. He never planned to. He just liked Lori’s company.




Lori was in the nursery, slightly dozing off on the couch with the breast pump equipments out. Emilia was sleeping after Lori had given her something for her fever. She knew that the doctor said she had a ear infection, but Lori didn’t find it funny that the baby was having at least one case of really high fever in a week. They had been to the doctor twice, maybe it was time she suggested another pediatrician to Gabriel.


It wasn’t like she knew any doctors but they would be better, certainly more better than Dr Calloway who always looked like she was giving Lori the side eye.

There wa a slight knock on the door before Gabriel came in.

He had been doing that ever since he walked in on Lori breastfeeding the baby, trying his possible best to be cautious so he wouldn’t run into the same problems again.

“Hey! You’re back.”

She said as she sat upright, putting away the pump. Gabriel noticed the empty bags and the beast pump and looked away.

Lori was looking better than before, less tired, more vigor. She looked beautiful too. She was wearing a tank top and shorts. Her dressing has always been really relaxed and laid back in the house, but Gabriel suspected she had changed just so she could pump milk.

She was wearing no bra under the tank top and he was desperately trying to keep his eyes from wandering any further down. She didn’t even realize the effect that she was having on him.

Gabriel nodded, smiling at her slightly.

“I am. How are you?”

Lori nodded, her heart racing as she glanced at him.

“I’m fine. Good day. Emilia had another fever through.”

She said and Gabriel sighed as he looked into the crib where his daughter was sleeping.

“Did you give her the medicine?”

Lori nodded.

“I did. It went down after that but I was thinking we should probably take her to the doctor, especially since this seems to be a recurrent issue.”

Gabriel sighed.

“We can take her for a checkup today or tomorrow. I’ll talk to Dr Calloway.”

Lori sighed.

“Can we get another doctor’a opinion? I don’t know if Dr Calloway is doing her job correctly.”

Lori stated.

There was a short silence before Gabriel nodded.

“No problem. I’ll arrange that.”

He answered.

“How was she?”

“She was fine. Just a bit fussy.”

“Sorry about that. Did you get enough rest?”

Lori nodded.

“I did. Elliot came to keep me company. Did you see him? He seemed like he had something important to tell you.”

Gabriel sighed as sat next to her on the couch.

“Oh he did. He told me.”

“Are you okay?”

Lori asked as she noticed how he was slouching and how tired he was.

I’m just pretty beat. I didn’t get enough rest. That must be it.”

Lori nodded.

“I know. You went to work right after we landed.”

Yes. That was his first mistake. He had rushed back to work.

“I had so many things to do.”

“You should take a break every now and then. I don’t think it’s good for your health to be so busy.”

“Why don’t you go in and change? I can bring dinner up for you if you want.”

Gabriel started to stand up.

“That would be too much trouble..”

He protested and Lori shook her head.

“Don’t worry. Let me.”

She answered and she walked out of the nursery leaving Gabriel with his thoughts.

Downstairs, she assembled a tray for him. Jenny made fettuccine Alfredo and a side of roast chicken. Lori assembled the food on the tray and took it upstairs.

Gabriel had the door of his room opened already so she easily walked in and set the tray on his bedside table.

He came out of the bathroom a few moments in nothing but sweatpants.

Lori averted her gaze.

“Pasta? Oh that’s good!”

Gabriel complimented as he looked at the food.

“Did you eat dinner yet?”

He asked her and she nodded.

“I did. Do you want me to bring you anything else?”

She asked snd he shrugged.

“Perhaps some wine. I think that would help me sleep.”

Lori nodded.

She was halfway across the room before remembering she had no idea where the wine cellar was.

“Where’s the wine cellar?”

She asked she Gabriel paused then shrugged.

“There’s a bottle of Merlot in the kitchen. Just bring that one.”

Lori nodded.

In a second, she was back again with the wine and a wine glass.

“No glass for you?”

Lori chuckled.

“Very funny but I’m not drinking.”

She answered and Gabriel sighed.

“That’s no fun. I don’t really like drinking alone.”

“Never mind. We’ll share a glass.”

He said and Lori’s cheeks reddened.

He patted his bed.

“Come on.”

“Don’t leave me to dine alone.”

He said.


One full bottle of Merlot later and a lot of nonsense talk, Gabriel and Lori were laughing their asses off hysterically on the bed. Lori couldn’t even remember what was so funny. But it had to do with a deer, or was it a llama? Oh she really couldn’t tell.

After their laughter died down, Gabriel turned to Lori, they were lying next to each other, the both of them on their sides, their faces so dangerously close that they shared breaths. Gabriel could hear her heartbeat, so close, almost as if it was thudding in his heart too.

Gabriel reached out and tucked in a strand of hair beneath Lori’s ear, his hand lingering a bit.

“You have lovely hair.”

He commented and she smiled.

“Thank you.”

“And a beautiful face.”

He continued, his eyes drifted to her lips, the air in the room grew thicker. Lori could feel her breath hitching as she looked at him.

She looked at his lips, they looked soft, she had the insane urge to reach out and touch them. She wondered how they tasted.

If they would taste like the fettuccine he had earlier, or the wine. Or maybe both.

Lori was aware of Gabriel’s blue eyes on her face and she was aware of him leaning towards her. The gap between them slowly disappearing.

Her toes curled in anticipation and she closed her eyes to savor the moment.


Gabriel’s lips met hers, slowly.