Chapter 43

Lori was roaringly drunk. That was all she could remember as she roused from her sleep. The light from the blinds was so bright that she had to shield her sensitive eyes. Just how long had she been sleeping? She wondered.

She didn't remember much, just that Elliot had asked her to drink with him. Some stupid drink game. She agreed and they started drinking. What Lori had forgot was her low alcohol tolerance and the pink cocktails she actually thought were harmless did more harm than she thought they would. Then she decided to try the shots and it loosened her up a lot more.

The last thing she could remember was her dancing on the dancefloor and Elliot worrying about the keys or something.

She woke up with a huge hangover. And she got up really late too. So when she woke up she was surprised to still see Gabriel at home. He walked into the room barely moments after she woke up with a tray in his hand. He was dressed in casual clothes, like he wasn't going to work and he smiled when he saw that she was awake.

He brought her herbal tea.

"How do you feel now?"

Gabriel asked as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. He placed a warm hand on her forehead.

God her head was banging. She looked around and saw that she was wearing what seemed to be Gabriel’s shirt and a short she didn't think was hers.

"Oh that. You puked all over your dress so I had to change them."

He said casually and Loris face went all red.

"Oh God."

she murmured.

"What happened?"

She asked.

Gabriel sat next to her as he offered her the cup of tea.

"You don’t remember?

She shook her head.

Gabriel sighed.

"Drink the tea. It'll help with your hangover."

Lori nodded and took a sip. It tasted weird, it was unlike anything she had ever tasted and she turned her nose at the smell. She managed to take a mouthful and gulped it down fast.

"Well, you and Elliot went to a club. You both got drunk, somehow Elliot managed to lose his car keys. You were both too drunk to drive, or even look for the car keys so he called me."

"I came to pick you guys up. You threw up all over yourself when we got home and I had to clean you up. I even asked Jenny to give you a shower."

"You don't remember all that?"

he asked and Lori shook her head. She was trying hard to remember but her brain was all fuzzy. Oh she was never touching another drink.

"I don't. I'm so sorry I made you go through all that...."

"I really am. I shouldn't have drank so much..."

Gabriel shook his head.

"It's okay. It's Elliot's fault. He shouldn’t have let you drink that much."

"No! It's not his fault. I agreed to drink with him. I actually didn't know that those little pink cocktails were so strong. They tasted so good."

Gabriel chuckled.

"They can be and you have very low tolerance for alcohol so you should be more careful next time."


Lori nodded.

She would. Thinking about all Gabriel said made her very embarrassed. She wouldn't drink again. Maybe a glass of wine when it was necessary, but never again.

"I will. You're still here... Aren't you going to work?"

she asked and he shrugged.

"I am actually. I have to see Draco about something really important. I just wanted to make sure you were good before I left."


"Awwn. I am. Have I wasted your time? I feel like I've kept you here for too long."

Gabriel shrugged.

"It’s okay. I love spending time with you. And taking care of you."

He said as he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

It was true. He had been worried sick after getting Elliot's call. To make matters worse Elliot was too drunk to string a proper sentence together when he tried to call back asking what the issue was.

He had practically ran out of the house and drove like a maniac to the club just to get to them. At the club he met Elliot and Lori outside the club. Elliot was holding Lori up with what little strength he had and Lori was passed out resting on his shoulder. He would have cussed out Elliot right out there if it wasn't for the fact that were in public and he wasn't in the right frame of mind. He was relieved that they were okay. That was good.

The drive home had been very awkward. Lori was passed out and Elliot was struggling to stay awake. When he moved out of the car and they got into the house, she had puked all over herself right in front of the door.

Mr Gregory had rushed out and sent for Sylvia to clean it up. Gabriel helped, taking off her wet clothes and shoes when they got into his room. Out of privacy for her he asked Jenny to give her a bath because the smell of vomit still clung to her.

She had gone to bed after that.

***********************

When Gabriel left, Lori finally got out of bed. She checked the nursery and didn't see Emilia in it, she decided to go downstairs. Besides she felt like she owed everyone an apology. They must have been worried sick. Especially Sylvia who had to clean up after her and Jenny who probably watched the baby by all night.



She was down the stairs and close to the living room when she heard the angry voice of Sylvia. She froze at first, then she quietly walked to the wall, pressing herself to the wall.

"I just don't think it's fair that we have to clean up after her whole the time."

"She's still a staff just like us!"

"And she gets away with so many things."

Sylvia said bitterly.

Were they talking about her? Lori asked herself as she froze.

Jenny sighed. She was rocking the baby in her arms. She looked tired and there were bags under her eyes. Lori wondered if she had been getting enough sleep. Did the baby keep her up all night?

"Sylvia. stop complaining. She might hear you."

Sylvia scoffed.

"Hear us?! I'm pretty sure she'd be asleep all morning."

"Don't you get tired of her too?"

"Don't pretend like it's not hard taking up her duties too. You’re the most overworked staff here! Grace comes and goes and does as she pleases, Mr Gregory doesn't care, while you and I work like a dog day and night while she gets a fat check and cozy up to the alpha while doing nothing."

Jenny rolled her eyes.

"So what are you going to do?! She's his mate."

"Have you forgotten that?"

Sylvia folded her arms.

"So? That doesn't make it right. Besides, I know he's going to reject her."

"Sylvia!!!"

"What?!"

She shrugged.

"He's an alpha. She is a nobody. The pack elders will never allow anyone that insignificant to be our Luna."

Jenny sighed.

"Watch your mouth Sylvia."

"Watch your mouth."

Jenny repeated as she walked out of the living room with the baby in her hands and walked right into Lori.

From the look on Jenny's face, Lori could tell that she was mortified seeing her standing there.

Lori decided to pretend.

She smiled at Jenny.

"There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

"I'm so sorry you had to watch her all night, I feel bad for giving you so much work."

Jenny's mouth was still open, as if she was struggling to speak.

Lori stretched her hands and took the baby from her.

Jenny quickly controlled herself.

"Oh! It's no problem. How long have you been standing here?"

She asked as Lori walked into the living room, Jenny followed her.

Lori shrugged, feigning ignorance.

"What do you mean?"

Jenny chuckled nervously.

"Oh nothing. I just thought you were standing there for a while."

Lori shrugged as she faked a yawn.

"I wasn't. I just woke up."

She lied.

In the living room, Sylvia paled as she saw her. Lori forced herself to smile at her.

"Hello Sylvia. Gabriel told me about how you cleaned up after I puked yesterday. I'm so sorry for stressing you out. I really am."

It was a sincere apology, it really was. One she had been planning to give both of them even before walking in on their conversation.

"Thank you guys for helping me."

Sylvia nodded. Unable to say a word as she scrambled out of the room, Jenny followed her.

Lori watched the two of them leave the room and wondered what it was they were talking about.

Alpha? Luna? Mate?

In what context?

And what exactly did those words mean?

Was Gabriel in some sort of cult?