GABRIEL
My mother’s appearance excruciated me and damaged me terribly that I scaled back from all the works and my responsibilities as the Alpha. How did she find me? Why did the people I rule open the gate for her? Did she manipulate them the way she did with my dad with fake love? Where did she get the courage to show up at my house and ask me to take her and my brother in after all these years. After all the pain and torture I went through. Does she expect me to welcome her with open hands? A knock on the door yanked me to present. I lingered my eyes on the door with the thought of that person knocking being my mother’s ally. Even my pack is against me. If they weren’t, why would they let her in? Someone’s persistence on the door distraught me. I gritted my teeth, frustrated and swatted out of the chair, and marched over to the door. Whoever it is must be tired of his or her life to come derange me.
I opened the door and furiously grabbed whoever it was that dared to define my orders by the neck. My wolf tried to talk to me, and I tried to block the connection, but he overpowered me. You need to calm down. It’s our mate. He said, but my mind was telling me he just wanted to ease me down by using my mate because he knows she’s the only one I want to see now. You’re going to kill your own mate. I ceased when her voice belled in my ears.
“Calm down, Gabriel. It’s me, Catriona.”
I fixated my blurry eyes on the person I was tempting to asphyxiate.
It’s me, your pumpkin. She said again, out of air struggling, her eyes teary.
I forgot that I was throttling her and felt as if I was given a reason to breathe again. I loosened my grip on her, slid my free hand behind her back, and pulled her onto me, holding her for dear life. She held me back, comforting me by rubbing my back up and down. I crooked in her neck and inhaled her deeply, savouring her scent.
I skedaddled our embrace as I looked down at her still teary eyes. “What are you doing here?! Why am I even asking? Your family lives here. I said audibly, raking my hands in my matte hair. She stilled, looking up at me, heart-rending.
“Have you been spending those days like this? In a dark room like some kind of criminal! Miss Oliver told me everything. She appended.
Have you come because your grandmother told you about me, or you came because you care about me. I asked her. No, I don’t care what your reason might be. The fact that you’re here with me is enough for me. I said as I drew her in another tight embrace, sniffing her hair dozenly. It feels so nice when you’re here. I’ve got you, pumpkin, to make me feel alive again.
“I can’t breathe.” She squeaked, and I jolted away from her. “Did I hurt you?” I asked, alarmed. She nodded in a “No” answer. She awkwardly walked past me to the window and opened the curtains, and turned the blinds up. The bright light hit me hard in the eyes that I closed them.
It’s daylight to keep yourself in the dark. She said while turning around only to come to a halt, wide-eyed.
You look a mess. Like you’re possessed with ancient spirits.
I didn’t say anything back because I didn’t know what to say to her. We stayed in an awkward silence for a while, staring at each other until she spoke up…
Miss Oliver told me about your family. But before she did, I saw your brother on the lawn. When we eye contacted, it kind of felt weird, and that’s when Miss Olivier fed me the story. She said, and I could tell she was being hesitant and careful with her words so she won’t hurt my feelings. And- I do care for you, regardless. She added. I smiled, feeling a millionth times better and glad that she was the one who made me feel better.
“I will cut the bullshit, Gabriel!
My heart skipped a beat. However, she said my name without the “Mr” word. It means I still have a chance with her.
You and I have to talk. Hard talk. But before we do, you need to shave and take a shower. That look startles me. I will go get you something to eat as you wash up. She said.
“Pumpkin, that’s not necessary.” I said.
You’re not in the state to say anything. I’ve borrowed the alpha title from you for some hours, and that means you’ll do as I say. If you’re too weak to clean up, I can lend you a hand.
I’m more than thrilled with the idea. I said to her with a wink. I turned to get in the bathroom, but suddenly, I felt dizzy and went staggering down. My head was spinning as my eardrums echoed. Catriona knelt down near me, her brows kneaded, her eyes wide and her mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying.
It deserves you right you ungrateful human. It’s what you get from starving us. I’m getting weak because of hunger and thirst. You should be thankful that I held on strong for your sake. If i didn’t hold on, you would have died by now, leaving catriona behind to have a happy end with Jayden, and I would be paired with another human and get mated to another woman. My wolf exclaimed. He was mad at me, but I was the one who was having it worse. “Will you shut the fuck up.” I roared at him and blocked him. Catriona flinched away from me scared. No pumpkin, you’re not the one I roared at. I told her as I regained some focus and strength to sit.
It’s alright. I’ll get you something quick to eat. You’re dehydrated. Don’t move anywhere until I come back. She said before disappearing out of the room.
I unblocked my wolf and apologised to him for snapping at him. He’s sometimes vexing but yet he’s the one I vent on. He’s been my substitute and my rock from day one. I’m sorry too man for being an asshole when I know exactly what you’re going through. My wolf responded back after ignoring my apologies. Catriona was right, you need a deep clean. You’ll suffocate her to death with that look and smell. You look like your about to die anytime soon. Seriously, Gael, is this your way of making me feel better? I scowled at him. Pumpkin wants an explanation on why she thought I broke up with her. I told Gael, my wolf. I know already. I read her mind. He said. Are you going to tell her? He asked. If it’s the only way I can draw her back I’m going to tell her everything. You know you always have my back. He said. As you always have been. For one reason, I am thankful to the moon goddess for pairing me with you Gael. I said to him with a broad smile.
Catriona opened the door and gestured for someone to enter. One of the pack members entered, holding a large platter full of different fruits, vegetables, mushroom rice, and fresh wine grape juice. My favourite drink of all the time. He rested the platter on my mini office table. Thank you so much. She thanked him with a smile that fluttered me. It’s my pleasure, my luna. He replied bowing at her and then to me before exiting the room. Did you bring all this food for me to finish it? I asked. “Of course.” She replied. Am I going to die? Because this is the last given meal to a dying person. I joked. She swatted me in the belly. Don’t talk about death because it creeps me out. Eat the food to your fill and head to the bathroom. As you wish. I said, starting with the juice and then ate what I could.
Out of the bathroom, I found the bedroom clean with everything in its own place. She was putting final touches on the bed. She looks amazing.
I traipsed to her and seized her and sat her on my lap. You smell so amazing.
Pumpkin, I want you to know that my feelings for you have never changed and never will. It’s just that I kinda got lost in my own past when I heard your story. Pumpkin, that woman is my stepmother. She doesn’t like me. At a young age I used to see weird things and had a strong sense of people’s scents and their footprints which I didn’t know was a gift from my mother’s bloodline and since i was the only grandchild of my mother’s bloodline, i shared it.
When I was seven, I was at school and saw my stepmother making out with another man in my father’s house, in their marital bed, yet she was pregnant with my brother. I couldn’t stay quiet because I loved my father so much I didn’t want to betray him so I told him about it. That night they got into a serious argument. Because she was pregnant, my father didn’t want to hurt her so just stormed out of the house in heavy rain. With my abilities I managed to get out of the house and trailed my father’s footprints only to find him being beheaded by the man the woman he called his wife cheated him with. And that was the day my life became a living hell in the hands of my stepmother and his lover. That woman did so many evil things to me without giving me a specific reason. She tried to kill me countless times. Till now I am still wondering how I survived and how I am still alive.
I’m the alpha now. Every pack member of mine respects me, concurrently scared of me. But look at me, hiding in my room with curtains down, scared of my stepmother. Even her shadow overwrought-
I couldn’t complete the sentence when Catriona’s soft lips met mine. She kissed me softly. Tears streaming down I can taste them. She held my face in hers.
“You don’t have to be afraid because- I am here for you. You have me.”