Chapter 54

If Elliot could describe the club his brother had recommended in one word it would
be: hot.

Not just because of the warm sweaty atmosphere, but the kind of people in it.

As soon as they got checked into the club, the smell of smoke filled his lungs. This club was different. More intense than any he’d ever been.
It was also hazy in there, the smoke was in different colors because of the flashing led lights. The main colors were the hazy blue and purple color, making the entire club feel like an aphrodisiac.

There was a bar, bartenders shaking and mixing drinks up for people while flirting with them at the bar.
There was also a dance floor, filled with sweat clad bodies moving against each other. There were tables and women dressed in flapper costumes, sparklingly bras and little skirts with bright makeup dancing on the tables.

But Elliot didn't care for all that. He had taken great caution to sneak out, just to make sure Draco didn't suspect him. As far as he could tell Draco didn't, but he didn't take any chances.

He had specifically chosen a club far far away from home. Just so whoever tried to tail him would never find him.

Elliot still had that tiny voice at the back of his head that was generally unsure of his brother's intentions but he chose to be positive.

"What do you want to drink?"

"Something light I presume..."

He said and Elliot shrugged.

"Yes. Probably a coke. I don't want to go home drunk..."

He said and Lyle nodded.

"Hey. I understand."

"It's so good to see you again Elliot. I was taller when you were little..."

Elliot chuckled.

"Well... I did tell you I would be taller than you."

Lyle shrugged.

"I should have taken your word for it."

Elliot looked at his brother, from head to toe Lyle generally looked good. Really good.

"And you? You look well. You told me you were leaving Denver last time we met. What changed?"

He asked and Lyle shrugged. His expression changing.

"Well... I'm tired of running... I got a job offer and I considered staying..."

"But after what you told me... after what happened to that guy who worked for Gabriel... I'm not sure I want to be here..."

"Especially since I might be a potential suspect."

Elliot nodded.

Well. That was true. Even he himself had started to suspect him.

"Well... You don't have to always run... I'm sure if you..."

Lyle scoffed.

"What?! Go back to Gabriel? And do what apologize?"

Lyle sighed.

"Be honest. Do you think our cousin will welcome me with open arms?"

He asked and Elliot sighed.

"You can't be too sure he'll push you away... he's not that heartless."

Lyle shrugged as he signaled to the bartender.

"Well... the Gabriel I know and remember who left me for dead on that bloody full moon was cold and heartless. And I still think he is."

Elliot sighed. He didn't know how to convince his brother and frankly he wasn't sure he wanted to either.

Gabriel had been hard on him also , he distrusted him despite the fact that he had stayed by his side. All because of what Lyle did.

If Gabriel couldn't look past that what made him think he would ever forgive Lyle for going up against him.

The bartender took their orders and came back a few moments later while Elliot and Lyle were making small talk.

Lyle suddenly looked nervous, eyes darting left and right.

"What's wrong?"

Elliot asked and his brother shrugged.

"Nothing. I just want to be sure you weren't followed... I can see some suspicious men around."

Elliot turned, his eyes searching.

"Where?"

He asked and Lyle quickly slipped something in his drink.

"I don't see anyone familiar. I don't think I was followed."

Elliot answered.

It was true. He had made sure of it, besides he had no reasons to be followed. When he ran into Draco, Draco didn't seem to suspect him of anything.

Lyle nodded, chuckling nervously.

"I'm sorry. When you're used to being hunted and followed all your life you grow a little paranoid."

"Anyways. Let's forget about all that."

"Cheers!"

He said raising up his glass. Elliot did the same. They both clinked their glasses and gulped down their drink.

Lyle smirked.

He had his brother right where he wanted him.


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


Kate Caddel was having lunch with Lori and Emilia. Lori didn't know why Kate had insisted on them meeting so quickly, but she decided to indulge her. It wasn't like she had anything else to do... besides, Gabriel was very okay with it.

Unfortunately Gabriel had stated that he wouldn't be present, not even for a little bit, a full moon was coming up and he had things to do.

He asked Lori if she would be okay alone with Kate and Lori agreed.

After Gabriel left and the time for lunch drew closer she got very nervous. This woman was Gabriel's ex girlfriend... besides she knew Gabriel more than Lori had known Gabriel.

Kate had picked a nice spot just a few blocks away from them and some of Gabriel's men were coming to pick her and the baby up when it was time.

She took extra time prepping Emilia. They didn't go out much so she wanted everything to go smoothly without any hiccups. She packed diapers, extra outfits, baby powder, bibs, pacifiers and bottles.

She had spent so much time packing stuff for Emilia that she had almost forgotten herself. She had little time to get ready but she found a printed long sleeve romper she didn't even remember she owned and paired with some flats. She ran a brush through her hair and put it in a bun. Emilia's favorite habit now was grabbing at the strands of her hair and her grip was so strong she was pulling out a few hair strands. So most times now she wore her hair in a bun so she wouldn't lose all her hair.

She was applying a fresh coat of mascara when she heard someone at the door.

"Who's there?"

She asked as she peeped in the whole.

"It's Lorenzo. Mr Gabriel sent me to pick you up."

"Okay. Can I see your tattoo?"

She asked.

Gabriel had told her to check for tattoos before letting anyone in. His pack members had tattoos, most of them did. A symbol of their pack that was mostly on their arm or chest.

Most members of the pack who were tasked with defending the pack had their own tattoo on their upper arm. The placement was different for most but it was mandatory for theirs to be in their upper arm.

That way, Lori knew who to trust.

The man showed his tattoo. Clear ink was dotted on his right upper arm.

Lori opened the door slowly.

He gave her a small smile and looked at the time.

"I'm here to pick you up. Are you ready?"

He asked and she nodded.

"Almost."



It was a sushi restaurant. Lori liked sushi, it had been a while since she had them though.

She had arrived with Hugo and a driver in tow. While Hugo had stayed glued to her side, helping her with the diaper bag, the driver whom she didn't know his name had gone to find a good parking spot.

She spotted Kate barely seconds after she walked into the restaurant with the baby stroller.

It wasn't hard to spot her. She was the only one in the extravagant pink gown that looked like something straight out of a fashion magazine.

She looked up and spotted Lori and waved enthusiastically.

"Oh hiii!!!"

She exclaimed as Lori approached their table.

Within a moment she was on her feet and rushing towards the stroller. Lori strangely felt overprotective and placed a hand in front of the stroller to prevent Kate from holding the baby.

"She just woke up from a nap, she's tired."

Lori said and Kate nodded, her excitement dying a little.

"Oh okay!! She looks so much like Gabriel!!"

"Oh she's so pretty! And she has his eyes!"

Lori smiled.

Emilia did look like Gabriel, but sometimes Lori felt like she looked more like her mother. The dark blond hair, the face, even though she didn't know who her mother was and had frankly never seen a picture of her before she still believed she looked very much like her mother.

"Oh how are you doing Lori? I'm so sorry we started off the wrong foot that day."

She said as Lori sat down.

Lori shrugged.

"Oh it's no problem. I am actually Emilia's nanny so I was right when I said I was a staff."

Kate shook her head.

"But if I had known you were Gabriel's mate I wouldn't have treated you so dismissively. I'm sorry."

"I didn't take any offense. But I appreciate your apology."

Lori nodded.

Kate noticed the man standing behind Lori.

"Who is he? Is he going to stand next to us all through lunch?"

She asked and Lori turned to Lorenzo.

He did look menacing standing behind them and people were starting to stare. Lori didn't like the extra attention.

"Lorenzo perhaps you can blend in a bit..."

She whispered to him and he stood still for a few more seconds contemplating before he left.

"He works with Gabriel."

Lori simply said after Lorenzo left.

Kate nodded.

"Oh... I heard about the attack. It must have been so scary to witness all that... I'm sorry."

Lori shrugged.

"It was. But I'm glad it made me understand many more things about Gabriel."

She said and Kate smiled.

"So, tell me about you Lori. Gabriel didn't tell me enough."

"There's really not much to know."

Lori answered as she glanced at Emilia. Emilia was quiet, content with looking around her surroundings. She seemed to be loving the new environment.
The restaurant did have a soothing and calming vibe to it.

"I don't believe that! How did you and Gabriel meet?"

Lori grimaced. Well this was going to be an awkward conversation. Considering she and Gabriel had met under unconventional circumstances.

"At a diner."

"Oh. Was he eating there?!"

Lori shook her head.

"No. He wanted to ask me to be his nanny."

"And did you know then?"

"Know what?"

"That you were meant to be together?!"

Kate pestered and Lori shook her head.

"No."

Kate murmured.

"Interesting..."

"What do you mean?"

Lori asked and Kate shrugged.

"Oh it's nothing. I just thought the mating bond would click for you too at the same time. But maybe since you're human you didn't feel anything."

"Perhaps."

Lori answered as she picked up her menu. A waiter came over and they both made their orders.

"So how did you and Gabriel meet?"

Lori asked and Kate chuckled.

"Oh! Gabriel and I go way back."

"He was in Stanford for his MBAs and I was there too! My father's an alpha so his family has always sort of been acquainted with mine. We hit it off on a great start!"

She said as she laughed. Lori nodded her head.

"What school did you go too? You look someone I've seen before. Did you also go to Stanford?"

She asked and Lori's eyes widened.

"Oh no! I didn't even attend college."

She said and Kate tilted her head.

"Really?!"

She said and Lori nodded.

"Yes.... I haven't really gotten around to doing that..."

"But soon though..."

She added and Kate nodded.

She reached out for Lori's hand from across the table and touched her hand.

"You're so brave."

She said and Lori chuckled.

"I am?"

Kate nodded.

"Yes. You are. I mean... you're Gabriel's mate. And you know.. Gabriel isn't just any ordinary man. He's the CEO to one of the largest companies in America, not to mention the fact that he's also alpha of one of the greatest pack in the world. To be his mate... is a big challenge..."

What?!

Lori thought.

"I mean... the pressure is hard enough being a werewolf. When Gabriel and I, even though we were of equal social statuses I still had to face such intense scrutiny from his pack elders and the public at large.."

"The pressure was too much... but I'm glad you're not going to let that deter you."

Pressure?!

What pressure.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you mean."

Lori stated and Kate sighed.

She pulled back her hand and relaxed in her seat with her hands folded.

"Honestly I'm glad you don't. Because when the whole world finally knows that you're Gabriel's mate... I can't imagine the backlash you'd face."

"But don't worry Lori. Even though they might see you as inadequate and not good enough for him, that doesn't really matter you know?"

Kate's expression had changed, it almost looked like she was leering at her...

"... Gabriel likes you just like you are. Ordinary."

Ordinary.

The word rang in Lori's ears.