Let The Alpha Fall 110

Lori’s POV
It’s been three months. Three long months but they have been full of more bliss than I’ve ever had in my life. More peace, more tranquility than ever before.
After the issue with Sabine and all that nonsense, Gabriel and I were finally glad and happy that things were back to
normal. In our lives and in our children’s lives.
We could finally live the life we always wanted to live. No, not the whole white picket fence suburban kind of house that
Gabriel wanted, but picture something larger, grander, with more rooms and more space for kids to play in.
We did move to the old mansion. It was just honestly so much better than the penthouse and for me it held a lot of fond
memories. And knowing that Sabine would never step her feet in them again gave me a sense of comfort and relief like
never before. It made me happy.
And there were so many things to be happy about. I had completed the Luna rites two months ago and I was officially
Gabriel’s Luna. In werewolf world, that was the equivalent of a married couple and it was a very special moment for both
of us.
It really was.
Even Gabriel’s grandfather, who had opposed our union from the very start was in attendance and he also gave his
approval, once he did that, the few doubting elders followed suit. It seemed like he had finally accepted me, even though
I know he still held his grievances against my kind.
But the old man was just looking out for his grandson, but now I think he finally knows that I meant no harm and I was
going to be around Gabriel for the rest of his life. So he had to get along with me.
He came over for Christmas. He was surprisingly good with the kids, even Jack! That made Gabriel extremely happy.
Which in turn made me very happy.
Gabriel was doing great too. Resigning as CEO and making someone else take the reins for a while had done wonders to
him. He was more fun now, less of the serious Gabriel I was used to seeing. It was honestly such a treat to see him so
relaxed. Relaxed, happy and available.
I love that for him, I love that for us.
And I, I’m happy too, although I get the occasional bouts of sadness whenever I remember Elliot, or something bad from
the past, they are only fleeting moments and all I have to do is look around and remind myself of what I have and how
grateful I should be for where I am.
My soulmate, Gabriel, whom I cannot possibly do without. And my children, Emilia and Jack who made me happier than
I’d ever been.
It was quite funny how life worked sometimes, one minute, you’re pregnant and alone, no family, no money, desolate and
destitute and the next minute you have everything you could ever dream of and more.
“What about this?!”
Myra pointed to the red gown with the lace trim. She was examining it with serious concentration. Myra had quickly
become my friend and confidante in the passing months. We do a lot of things together. She teaches me more about
pack life, she trains with me and she’s an excellent babysitter. And I’ve been giving her relationship advise, even though
Gabriel tells me not to because he thinks I’m bad at it.
There was some work event in Gabriel’s company and we had to attend. I was picking out a new dress for it. It was an
excuse to go shopping, my new favorite pastime that I didn’t like to miss out on these days.
“It’s a black tie event. I don’t think red will be appropriate.”
Myra smirked.
“I knowwww… but maybe you can hold on to this for Valentine’s Day or something. You know that’s in a few weeks.”
I raise my eyebrow.
“That’s way too far to start thinking about what to wear for that. Let’s focus on this work dinner. I need something black.
Black and elegant.”
Myra went back to the racks, I check my phone and see a text from Gabriel. He must have tried to call home.
Then an incoming call from him.
“Hello?”
I picked the call eagerly. He rarely called when I was shopping or training, he only liked to send texts so he wouldn’t
interrupt girl time like he called it. Unless it was kids related.
But Gabriel was getting good with the kids now. He could watch them for hours and they loved being around him.
“Lori, I didn’t want to interrupt….”
“It’s okay. What’s up?”
She asked and he sighed.
“Your mother called. Twice. Apparently she tried to call you.”
Oh yes. My mother.
Did I mention that she’s trying to play mother after so many years?
She calls like twice in a month and at first I picked the calls out of curiosity but now I am no longer curious.
“What does she want?”
I snap, my mood already ruined with the mention of her name.
“She wants to see you. Apparently she’s in town.”
This was different. This was the first time she was in town ever since the whole Sabine issue. I had thought I would never
see her again. And to be perfectly honest, I would have been fine with not seeing her again for the rest of my life.
I survived at least twenty years of my life without her, what’s the rest of my life compared to that?
“I don’t think I’ll be available to. My week’s swamped. Tell her maybe another time.”
Gabriel’s silent disapproval was all I heard after that statement. I could only imagine what he was thinking. He had tried
to get me to meet her and talk to her for months. But that was one wound I wasn’t willing to open.
“Unfortunately, I can’t let you do that. You’ve always told me how you were curious about why she left you and about her
life, I think this is your chance to ask. I told her where you were, she’s in a cafe across the street waiting for you.”
My jaw hung.
I quickly turn and rush towards the exit.
There was a cafe across the street from the boutique. And oddly enough, my mother was just walking into the said cafe.
“I’ve got to go, Emilia’s making a mess. Tell me how it all goes. And if you want me to come over, I’ll be there in a
minute.”
“I’ll manage on my own. Thanks.”
I murmured as I ended the call.
**********
“Loretta.”
My mother calls as I sit in front of her. Nobody calls me that and it’s sort of strange when she does but I don’t flinch
anyways.
“Ione.”
“You look well. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. Very well. Thank you for asking.”
My mother nodded.
I look at her, I really look at her. There was something about her, something very much like me. It was as if we were two
sides of the same coin. She dresses regal, almost like she was a part of the royal family, her hair in a smooth bun, pearls
for jewelry and lovely expensive dresses. Unlike me.
“And Jack? Is he doing well?”
“He is.”
“Has he showed any signs of his powers yet?”
I hesitate to answer this question, because I know what the answer will mean. My mother had once mentioned in passing
that Jack will have to train, like most nephilim children.
But I wasn’t quite ready to let him go yet. The Nephilim Order was in New York. If I wanted to go with him, I’d have to
uproot my life and go with him and that wasn’t exactly ideal.
“No.”
It was a small lie.
No Jack had not shown extraordinary powers but his healing rate was faster and his strength was off the charts. Not
normal for a child.
“Oh. Okay. Well they will develop later.”
“Why are you here? Why call me here?”
I ask and my mother sighed. Around us the cafe bustles with life, a waiter comes to ask if we need anything and my
mother orders a black coffee. I don’t order anything, I had quite the breakfast this morning and I wasn’t looking to drink
coffee.
“I owe you an explanation. About me, about you, about what happened years ago.”
“Why I left you. And who your real father is.”
My heart skips a beat.
My father?!
Now this would be an interesting story to hear.
“I’m all ears.”
I answer as I lean forward.
And so she started.
Ione Verstrynge fell in love with a nephilim outcast. A despicable nephilim whose name she didn’t even dare speak of, who had been locked in prison for his crimes against other supernaturals. He was there for at least five years, before he
was granted clemency by a new High Protector of the Nephilim Order who favored him. One would have thought all
those years in prison would have made him learn his lesson, but no, he became hateful. Ione worked with the Order,
alongside her friend Lael. And she was fascinated by him when she met him.
Lael warned her to stay away, but the allure of him was strong and they started a secret love affair. Everything came to a
halt when Ione found out she was pregnant. It was the end of her. The child would also be labeled an outcast.
Ione was not prepared for any child of hers to go through such suffering. She tried the human route and tried to have an
abortion, it didn’t work, then Lael advised her to flee.
She took her friend’s advise and fled under the cover of darkness. Her relief was short lived when Loretta’s father learned
of her disappearance.
He chased after her and Ione knew she had to act fast.
She dropped the baby where her father would never dare to look at if he ever found out. An ordinary human orphanage.
Her father’s disdain and dislike for humans didn’t make him even consider the fact that his child could be hiding among
them.
Ione fled after that, but Loretta’s father followed. Obsessive, determined to make her pay, he chased her for years without
end, till he finally gave up.
Ione was hurt and traumatized. She became paranoid and hid in the shadows. Never making a fuss and never fully
coming into the light.
It was the life she lived for years.
I was quiet for a while.
A long time, before my mother cleared her throat.
“I did go back to the orphanage. A few times to check up on you. The last time I went, I didn’t find you.”
“I was put into the foster care system.”
I answer and she nodded.
“They treated me horribly.”
I add too.
“I’m sorry.”
My mother whisper.
“And… this my father… was he really that bad?”
I ask quietly, if he was in the same prison where Sabine was he must have done a lot of bad things.
My mother’s face looked pale all of a sudden.
“He was. I don’t like to think about that part of my past.”
I nod. I understand, it was traumatic for her, just as there were things that were traumatic for me to talk about too.
“I understand.”
“There are parts of my past I’d rather not talk about too.”
She smiled warmly at me.
“You know… for someone who grew up with a turbulent past… you did very well for yourself. I’m proud of you Loretta.”
My chest wells with happiness. Why did that sound so…. So sweet that it pulled at my heart strings.
The words felt like a breath of fresh air, like something I have been waiting all my life to hear.
“Thank you.”
“Mother.”