CHAPTER 8

[Gabe's POV]

For the first time in a long while, I feel reluctant to follow the case through. I can't find any wrongs in my assigned werewolf. How can they think she deserves to meet her demise?

"Here it is!" I pointed towards the café while slowing down. Seeing the cheery front of the café store helped me snap out of the swirling stairway of sinister thoughts. The café I chose has great reviews already after only being opened for less than a week. And I must admit it, it also looks great, even from the outside. I parked my Ducati right in front of the café and released the thigh hug I was holding Ella into. She smells like the most scented damask roses and without even stretching it, she looks like a delicate rose too. Her delicate, yet voluptuous body made its effect on me from just a hug. I had to take deep breaths before I looked at her. "I called ahead to reserve us a table," I said while switching my focus on the café instead of her. We were greeted by a young girl, after I told her about our reservation, she made us sign to follow. She took us to a small round table situated in the corner of the café, right next to the shelves filled with a variety of books. I liked the way the owner decorated the café it gave it a sense of calmness and gentility. Despite the nature of my job, I enjoy art and literature and this café made me feel like in a library.

"Do you already know what drinks you would like to order?" The waitress asked after we sat down.

"I would like an Americano," I spoke. "What would you like, Ella?" I asked her.

"Oh. I would like a small latte, please. With sweetener instead of sugar. Thank you." She said, with a beautiful smile on her face. Just like a rose. She seemed nervous, and I could hear how fast her heart was beating. After she made her request, she made herself busy with the menu the waitress gave her. Her long eyelashes made her look like a goddess. I smiled while taking in her appearance.

"I think I'll also have egg rolls with salad and tiramisu as dessert." She said almost as for herself.

"Sounds delicious," I said, knowing for sure that what she chose is truly appetising. "I'll have the same," I said and made a sign for the waitress that we are ready to order. "So, why did you leave your pack?" I asked her after I took a sip from the coffee the waitress just brought us. I read the files I've been given about her and observing her behaviour in the last two months I feel like there is something rather strange about the files. I usually do not investigate cases; I just follow the orders I am given. What surprised me is that this order was given by the royal family and not by the pack she belonged to. I know that she is the daughter of a demoted alpha and that her mother died in a swimming accident, but why would the royal Alpha accuse her of treason and ask me to finish her off? I shook my head in disapproval, I can't understand. Only the most dangerous, psychopathic, and unhuman werewolves are assigned to me. She does not come even close to any of these categories.

"Gabe," She gently called me looking up. Some fear and regret were shown on her face. "About what I said earlier," she continued, her eyes filling up with tears. Looking into her eyes I almost forgot who I am. "I am sorry." She whispered the words, biting her lower lip.

"That's ok, you don't have to apologise." I heard their earlier conversation and that somehow made me feel guilty rather than needing an apology. She smiled gently that she understood.

"So, tell me about you!" Ella suddenly asked me with newfound cheer.

"Well, should I start with my age?" I asked her, trying to see what guide she'll follow. And, had to make sure that I am sharing professor Gabriello's memories as I don't know exactly what she knows about him and what she does not. She nodded in agreement. "Well, I am almost a millennial," I spoke.

"Well, duh!" She said, bursting into a healthy chuckle. "Me too." She said, pointing to her chest.

"You're not older than twenty-something, maybe, thirty," I said, knowing for sure that she didn't truly understand what I said.

"Twenty-four, actually. But, yeah, I am a millennial. Millennials are born between 1981 and 1996." She explained, her eyes glistening with a new light. It seems that she enjoys explaining things. She would make a good teacher, I thought.

"Well, your explanation is correct. But is not what I meant. What I meant is that I am almost a millennium old in years."

"What!?" She gasped getting up from her chair. She then covered her mouth realising how loud she asked the question. We were not the only guests in the café, and she made a few people turn their heads at us. "Yeah, sure. Like that would even be possible!" She replied while sitting down.

"Hmm. Have you ever heard of primordial werewolves?" I ask her, trying to contain my laughter. The way she reacted made her look even cuter.

"Oh, come on! Those are fairy tales!"

"Every fairy tale is born from a true story," I told her, remembering the original version of the stories of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm's sugar-coated fairytales.

"Let's say I agree with you. But even if you truly are a primordial werewolf. In all the stories I read there was no primordial as old as one thousand years."

"Indeed, this is not mentioned in the stories because immortality is not the rule for primordial werewolves, is the exception," I explained to her. I knew that Gabe is an immortal, just like me. However, he is a few hundred years younger than me. My theory is that Ella is also a primordial, perhaps even an immortal primordial. This theory made its roots into my brain after I observed her for a month, and when I heard Gabriello calling her "mate" I knew that her, being a primordial is the only reasonable explanation for being mated with him. "What colour is your wolf?" I asked her, itching to verify my theory.

"Uhm...you'll think I am lying." She said, looking down. Primordial werewolves usually have rare wolves of rare colour. I remember I once met a primordial with a wolf that looked more like a tiger than a wolf. Gabe wolf is also unique. He has a red wolf; the red colour of its fur is so intense and shiny looking like is on fire. I am wondering what colour her wolf would be. "My wolf has a purple-ish tinge to its fur." She said, in one breath. I widened my eyes in surprise, but I shouldn't have been surprised, I already theorised about such an aspect.

"Purple, interesting." That was the only thing I found myself say. Although my words might have sounded sarcastic, to begin with, a wave of sadness and betrayal filled my whole being. Was this why the royal family gave me her case? I asked myself. Just because she is a primordial? I am also a primordial, and I know a few more. I couldn't help but growl in discontent. These royals!