CHAPTER 007

CHAPTER 007

Gabriel could smell her before even seeing her; he knew immediately where Grace would find her before asking where. A part of him felt relieved she decided to accept his job offer simply due to what he saw as being the most suitable qualifications for it.

Even his closest advisors were unaware that she was his mate, and the mere thought of making such an announcement public filled him with dread. How would the elders of his pack react when learning of such news, not to mention what other rivals would think when learning that he had such a weak or human partner to bring out?

No, Lori should remain away until he could figure out the appropriate plan of action regarding her.

After meeting her and establishing some ground rules, he noticed a change in her scent, which, while he couldn't pinpoint its exact origin, was undeniable.

She appeared more relaxed now, although he could still detect shadows behind her eyes—not too surprising, considering she recently lost her son and may still be processing their loss and finding it difficult to cope.

Gabriel was in his room disrobing when the phone rang—it was Draco calling at an unusual hour with terrible news for Gabriel and other soldiers under command. Draco would frequently contact Gabriel unexpectedly at times of no consequence to himself or Gabriel himself.

Gabriel let out an involuntary sigh as he carefully pulled himself together before picking up the phone to call home.

"What?" Where are you?" Draco abruptly demanded of him without making an introduction or any initial greetings.

"That is no way to speak to an Alpha Draco!

Gabriel apologized profusely. Peace talks between our pack and Sceptre Kun's went off track, prompting Alpha Sabine to have one of her men attack one of ours—perhaps she was frustrated with us for sending a delegate instead of coming directly. I apologize again."

Gabriel gasped. Gabriel had just seen one too many threats come and go with that woman! Gabriel said.

He pondered while shaking his head.

"We need your guidance. Do you want us to attack? My wolves could do serious damage to her new business establishment—that might teach her some lessons."

Gabriel was not in the mood for confrontation; Sabine Reinhardt had never failed to seek conflict throughout their interactions in America—it would be foolish of Gabriel to provide it! Gabriel let out an exasperated sigh. Every werewolf knew she loved fighting; Gabriel wouldn't dare give into that desire!

"Please wait. We will prepare a formal report for the werewolf council and allow them to address this matter.

Draco groaned in response to Alpha's orders.

"Draco! Do you understand? Drop that sword!"

Draco sniffled after placing another order.

"Yes, Alpha, I will see you tomorrow morning at your house.

Gabriel gave Draco another glance. Not yet! Gabriel would not allow Draco and Lori to meet yet.

Draco would understand in an instant, and while Snape trusted Draco due to their undying friendship and blood oath sworn upon each other, he wasn't ready to reveal all.

"No. Not at home; in the office."

He noted that whether Draco knew or not about their lie, Draco didn't mention it before ending their call shortly thereafter.

Gabriel had been alpha of his pack for 10 long years now! Both his parents had died when he was still only twenty, and yet somehow, Gabriel seemed prepared for his new role ever since his dad had died; perhaps his dad anticipated death, foretelling it somehow and teaching Gabriel how to become alpha so rigorously that even Gabriel himself felt ready.

Gabriel would spend much of his day training. While other children might go to sleep early or engage in normal kid activities such as playing or hobbies, he always trained.

His father never ran out of activities to teach him, from running and fighting, meditation, hiking, and pushing himself physically beyond what was ever thought physically possible, to learning half-shift and fully shift techniques, as well as understanding his history and background.

His father had taught Gabriel everything, most notably how to rule. Growing up, Gabriel never understood why his father was so strict with him and felt betrayed when it turned out he'd seen death ahead and meant to prepare his son accordingly.

Gabriel was left alone as both his parents died, forcing him to rise up as alpha of their pack and fight each and every opponent who wanted to dethrone him—distant cousins with stronger claims, his father's beta, other alphas who believed Gabriel to be weak and elder werewolves who thought they could use Gabriel for control, along with members of council thinking they could use him against him as a puppet. All attempts failed horribly, and they knew never again to challenge Gabriel for leadership of any pack or pack leadership position.

He headed towards his door, thinking carefully of his next move; whether or not it would be wise for him to visit Emilia before bed—something that had always been done, though now would mean seeing Lori, who seemed to be rocking Emilia off into sleep every evening.

He waited patiently after Grace left the nursery before gently opening his room door slightly and slowly opening his phone to make night calls, since Grace often slept downstairs when staying over in a separate wing in his house.

He opened the baby room quietly, tiptoeing into its interior to find Emilia sleeping peacefully in her crib. Lori's scent had filled the air, combined with Emilia's soft yet sweet baby aroma. Lavender, herbs, and no blood were scenting the room as he reached for Lori.

He looked down at Emilia and smiled warmly, resisting any urges to touch her in fear that it might wake her.

Gabriel was amazed that such a tiny pup could command such fierce love from him; every night as they both slept, Gabriel thought about how to best protect and provide security for her. He also contemplated the steps they would take to ensure her safety and security.

He was an alpha, while she was his daughter.

She was his weakness; whenever someone used her against him, the gods intervened to prevent his destruction by his power.

Lori had plenty of opportunities to bond with Emilia when left alone with the baby; Grace only returned briefly to assist in bath time, and once Lori figured it all out, she dressed the infant and rocked them both to sleep while gazing upon the stars outside their window.

As she placed the sleeping baby back into its crib, she wondered how smoothly they had managed to put her to rest. Following this decision, she decided to pump; having not done it during the day, her breasts felt heavy and required attention now more than ever.

At Grace's request, she had last-minute moved the pump and bags from Grace's room into Grace's bedroom, where they would remain until needed. It was relaxing to sit comfortably at her rocking chair while pumping.

Lori thought back to the day her beloved son died, and it stabbed at her heart again, though without tears coming forth to shed. Lori knew his death was undeserved but no longer felt this pain of grief for his loss as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She recalls all of the events leading up to her delivery.

She vividly remembered their faces.

When she arrived home, she was surprised to see Jared following her from the diner. This was surprising because the last time they had met, he had claimed he no longer wished to be involved in either her or their unborn baby's lives.

Which was rather ironic considering Jared had been her tormentor all this time.

Jared and Lori's histories were similar in that their biological parents had abandoned them soon after birth.

Mrs. Wyatt wanted many children, as far as she knew. Having already taken care of three foster children and received two more for free one sunny afternoon, Mrs. Wyatt decided to adopt Jared and Lori into their family, a process that became natural as she received monthly checks from each child.

Lori was an introspective, timid child; therefore, she easily got along with Mrs. Wyatt despite their conflicted natures. Jared, on the other hand, was quite disruptive, yet somehow Mrs. Wyatt doted on him more than anyone else did, despite their differences being evident to all in his presence.

He wasn't only an irritating problem; he was also an outright bully who bullied both Mrs. Wyatt's foster children and other younger ones that she helped care for.

Mrs. Wyatt only adopted three children legally.

Lori, Jared, and Timothy eventually left this foster home and went on to other foster care settings.

Jared regularly bullied Timothy. Jared's bullyish presence often subjected Timothy, who was small and timid, to harassment.

As time passed, he worsened and left home for longer stretches at a time, eventually joining an increasingly dangerous gang; at this point, Lori made an unwise choice and ran far away from home.

At sixteen, she became disenchanted with her life, as Mrs. Wyatt used her as her maid, cared for her disabled and ailing husband, and provided foster children under her watchful eye.

She then stole Mrs. Wyatt's money and fled.

Lori found relief after running away. A kind-hearted elderly lady offered Lori shelter after realising how difficult her situation had become. She herself had gone through foster care as an orphan.

Lori worked regular shifts at her local grocery store so she could contribute financially and purchase everything herself.

Mrs. Wyatt never truly searched for Lori; had she done so, she would have found Lori living just blocks away and attending the same school—possibly due to lack of interest on Mrs. Wyatt's part or perhaps simply because Lori never actually interested her.

Jared returned home two years later and found out about Lori's escape and theft, becoming furious and feeling as if Lori should pay for what she had done. Jared became determined to punish Lori.

Lori fled after Timothy issued his warning; it would be her last interaction with him until later when they worked at their regular grocery store two miles apart.

Lori trusted Timothy when he told her of Jared's attacks; seeing the bruises on his face proved it. Without much convincing from Timothy, she left immediately with whatever money she could find to flee until Jared caught up to them a year earlier and found her again.

She had established herself in Oklahoma and even enrolled at a nearby community college.

Jared discovered her and introduced her to one of the most unpleasant individuals he had ever encountered.

Asher.