Chapter 80

Gabriel had finally calmed down, but that didn't mean all of his qualms and anxieties had vanished. I'll need a lot of time to complete it, but I'm ready. He had broken down and opened up to me, baring his injured soul that he had kept concealed from the world for years. Every day for the remainder of our lives, I intend to value his trust and let him know how much he means to me. I glance down at him while sighing. It was as if a light switch had been turned when I told him I loved him; he withdrew and looked at me horrified.
I realized right away that he'd never intended to let me see that side of him. He wishes to maintain Elizabeth's grief to himself because of how much suffering she has given him. I had told him that everything would be OK, as I had promised I would. He had collapsed in front of me, and I had been there to catch him, hug him close, and comfort him.
"Boy, we've got to fix your trust issues." I made a joke and got a dejected smile in response.
"I want to be free of the agony and suffering I'm now experiencing, but it doesn't seem conceivable. Please, Amanda, don't abandon me due to my complicated problems.”
As if I were a dream and he didn't want to wake up, he had mumbled and tightened his grip on me.
"I won't, I swear," As he slept asleep, I muttered while running my fingers over his hair.
I had left him alone for a while since I reasoned that I should give him some time to relax before rousing him up. But finally, I became tired and fell asleep next to him on the couch. His enormous weight has made my body stiff and sore, and he has pinned me to the couch. I called his name and give him a gentle shake after checking the time and realizing we slept long into the afternoon.
He grunts quietly, pressing his lovely scowl into my stomach. I call him once more while petting his cheek and see his eyelids twitch before seeing hazy, green emeralds look back at me.
"Hello, drowsy brain. In the afternoon, it is one." When he glances about in uncertainty, I mutter while grinning.
"Let's go change, come on." As we leave the workplace and make our way to our bedroom, I take his hand. He doesn't say a word the entire time, satisfied to just hold my hand. He stops me before I can move toward the restroom immediately we are inside the room.
"Yesterday, I injured you. I allowed my beasts to rule because I was so terrified and enraged." He scowls and looks over my physique. “Sorry Amanda, I should really have put up a better fight.”
"I also hurt you." I give him a sorrowful grin and hold him close. I cup his cheeks and run my touch over his silky skin while softly muttering. "When Kaden was chosen to take me around the school on my first day, we became friends, and I had no idea he was a troublemaker. He has supported me, and I have never had any cause to question him. He has never injured me, and I am confident that he never will." In response, Gabriel growls angrily as he tries to flee, his eyes growing angry as I pursue him at every turn.
I encircle his waist with my arms and give him a kiss while begging with him in my eyes to comprehend. "Just believe me on this, please. Although he is my buddy, I don't feel the same way about him as you do. As I lean my face against his chest, I sigh. There is a lengthy pause between us.
“Since Kaden is one of the few friends I have here and practically everyone views him negatively as a terrible influence, I need Gabriel to have faith in him. Everyone is mistaken, including my friend. You only need to get to know Kaden better to see how nice he is.”
When his arms encircle me and his hand strokes my hair while his lips touch the top of my head, I grin.
"Okay...I believe you.”
"I'm grateful," I nip at his lips before shoving him in that direction. Go take a shower right now since you smell like you played in the dirt before coming home.
“You make a man might feel unique by doing this.” I throw a towel at his face, as he answered dryly, catching it.
"I try." I grin innocently as I use my hands to shoo him away. He leaves the room and as I put on some new clothes and turn on the shower, he enters the bathroom. Since it's beautiful outside, I quickly put on a white lace sundress and slide my feet into some brown shoes before accessorizing with my mother's necklace, another small chain, and a few straightforward gold rings.
I put my hair up in a ponytail, apply lip balm, and then leave the room. In reality, as Gabriel's creatures gained over, they scraped my flesh with their extended claws. However, they vanished in a matter of hours, and today my skin is flawless, as if they've never been there. Evidently, even though I'm a human, the mate bond has a variety of effects on me. Since I'm not one of them, I didn't trust Gabriel when he initially healed my wounds. He clarified, however, that since I am connected to him and tied to him, his monsters are able to cure me anytime I am harmed.
As I glance up from the bed, steam is coming from the open doorway, and I see that he is just wearing a white towel that is critically low around his waist. I gulp forcefully and turn my head away to control my feelings, but the recollection of water drops rushing down his exposed chest tempts me to turn around and eagerly drink him in. Unfortunately, he leaves me without seeing his well sculpted physique as he enters the walk-in closet to change. He comes out dressed in a pair of black pants, a grey sweater, and sneakers. He looks at me with dark eyes as he leans on the doorframe.
“I decided not to tell you how I felt the previous evening.”
Tell me, please. I scowl and wonder what he's talking about because he said a lot yesterday.
"I love you." He moves toward me and whispers as he caresses my cheek.
"I intended it to be a joyous time, but unfortunately we were arguing,"
“It isn't like we have a typical relationship, eh?” When he laughs, I shrug while smirking.
"Still..." He makes a little bow so that I won't have to crane my neck as much to see him. "I definitely love you, Amanda Thomas. I would like you to know that even though I yelled it to you in a rage, I meant every word."
“I did as well.” I give him a grin as I around his neck. "Gabriel, you have my undying love. When you're here, I don't see anybody else." I squeal with ecstasy as he quickly pulls me onto his lap and pats down my dress, which has risen to mid-thigh.
Gabriel crushes his lips to mine in a painful kiss before I can respond. Gabriel is anxious for contact and wants to feel my touch. I groan and give him the same passionate kiss in return, putting my fingertips on his cheek. I'm relieved that things are returning to normal; we're secure; I can attend class again; I can see my friends; and...
He groans as I jerk away, which causes me to exhale loudly. He tries to kiss me again, but he is unsuccessful because I turn my face away, allowing his lips to brush against my cheek in its place.
"Baby." He grunts, making me turn my head to face him. “Where is Kaden?” When he growls in rage and his eyes again turn dark, I ask, my eyes narrowing.