Chapter 42
Reginald Caine. He was ninety years old and in perfect condition. If he took great care of his health, he could live for another twenty years. Werewolves were blessed with long life. But unfortunately the dangerous world of the wolf didn’t allow many to live that long. Fights, bloodshed, sabotage, betrayal, mverything all leading to death
It could be a savage existence.
For the ones who chose that path.
Not Gabriel’s grandfather though. The old man had retired and passed on the throne to the second eldest of his sons when he was ready to retire. That second child being Gabriel’s own father. Having three sons, and one oldest son who was very much alive and well, this decisions had caused strife and disagreement in the family.
His grandfather never gave his reasons for doing so, even years after. This was what made Gabriel’s path to being an alpha even much more harder. With his father gone and his family ganging up against him, he had to deal with a lot of opponents.
Strangely, his grandfather knew that he would come out victorious.
“I see you kept the house’s original charm.”
His grandfather noted as they walked into the house.
Gabriel nodded.
“There’s not much to change.”
He replied and his grandfather nodded, his keen eyes studying every nook and cranny. He walked with a cane, even though Gabriel believed the old man didn’t need it. A cane and a hat to cover his balding grey hair.
To anyone who didn’t know him he looked like he was in his seventy’s. They would have never been able to guess his age.
“That’s good. I like it the way it is.”
“My staff.”
Gabriel said as he pointed to the staff that already lined up in front of them, Mr Gregory, Jenny, Sylvia and even Tony had come to join them.
“Ahh! Mr Gregory! Good to see you still work here.”
His grandfather said and Mr Gregory bowed.
“Your family has been my second home for many years sir.”
His grandfather nodded.
“Where’s the baby?”
He asked and Gabriel exchanged looks with Jenny.
Jenny stepped forward.
“I just put her down for a nap. She’s in the nursery,”
The old man nodded.
“Come on then! Let me have a look at her.”
“I think it’s better we have dinner first.”
Gabriel suggested and the old man shook his head, charging for the stairs.
“Just a quick hello and I’ll be gone.”
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Chapter 42
Gabriel sighed.
Oh this man could be so meddlesome
“Alright then”
Together they went up the stairs and down the hall where Emilia’s nursery was, Gabriel studied his grandfather’s facial expression and saw that it looked like the old man was deep in thought
“Something on your mind?”
He asked and the man ignored him.
Inside the nursery.
Gabriel’s grandfather stood rigid on the threshold.
Is there something wrong?
He asked and the man furrowed his eyebrows.
*1 can smell… this peculiar scent.……..”
Gabriel froze,
His grandfather was old, not dumb. Even if Lori wasn’t home, he would smell her on the baby or on the things she had touched and left and the nursery was practically Lori’s other room.
Of course he’d smell her.
He had to turn the conversation around
“Ahh! That? We had someone come over to fix some fuses. He was here for a long time. And he’s human, so maybe that’s it.”
He answered as he ushered his grandfather into the room
The old man didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push it.
“Here she is.”
Gabriel said as they reached the front of the crib. Emilia was sleeping peacefully. Like a little angel.
His grandfather smiled, then shakily ran a finger across her cheek.
“Pretty child.”
“What is her name?”
“Emilia. Emilia Caine.”
Gabriel smiled proudly. Yes, she was pretty. That much was true.
“Such a pity.”
“Pity
asked and his grandfather nodded.
Gabriel as
she again
“Such a pity what happened to her mother. Who was sh
He asked and Gabriel started stammering
“Uhm.hm. Her name was Suzie..
“What pack“”
“A small pack in Canada. Lightpaw.”
His grandfather scoffed.
“Lightpaw” Haven’t they been in conflict for years now?”
He asked and Gabriel nodded…
“Well yea…”
“Gabriel”
“So not only did you have an illegitimate child with some nameless woman, she also happens to be without a pack
Gabriel sighed. His grandfather groaned dramatically.
“You’re a
an alphat I expected more from you, I expected you to conduct yourself with a little more class,”
Gabriel remained quiet. Best not to stoke the fire.
His grandfather rubbed at his face and glanced at Emilia again.
“I’m sure you know she cannot be your heir.”
Gabriel frate
“What? What do you mean?
The old man shrupped.
“It’s in our lows and in pretty much most werewolf pack laws. An illegitimate child cannot be bein.”
“Emilia would never be your
Gabriel’s clenched his jaw.
he’s my daughter. I don’t give fuck about pack laws.”
“She’s
“Oh you will. You have to. She cannot be your heir and it’s as simple as that. If her mother had at least had some sort of tangible reputation it may have been possible, a quick wedding would have been arranged and she would be your Luna.”
“But no. You chose to settle for a nobody. To make matters even more complicated, she’s dead now
“Why? Why are
are you even bringing this up? I don’t care.”
“Emilia’s my daughter. And I’ll do anything to protect her. In fact I don’t really care if she cannot legally be my heir, I’d rather she has a normal life than bring alpha and fighting off a thousand enemies.”
His grandfather scoffed:
“Oh you might not care about that, but there is one thing you need to care about.”
“What’s that?”
“Marrage Gabriel”
The old mun paced up and down the room.
The peculiar smell he could perveive, it was strong in the numery, almost as if the person had been there countless times.
He knew box grandon was bying to him because his heartbeat skipped when he lied
sometimes people seemed to forget that because he was old isn’t mean he was weak. He had spent years honing his abilities. Abilities that took years to develop. The kind of ability that was learnt through skill.
Gabesel was hiding something from him.
“You have been alpha for years. And I’m sure all those years you must have tried finding your mate.”
now a good percentage of werewolves never get to meet their mates and they go on with their lives just fine.”
“A beneficial marriage alliance will do you a lot of good.”
2_12150 +455115]
“Tim not looking for a parage alliance. And I frankly do not need one, the pack is doing very well without that.”
His grandfather nodded.
“Fair point. Bu
“Fair point. But what about your daughter?
He pointed to the babe in the crib.
“would you deny her the chance of having a mother?
He looked at Gabriel’s reaction closely and he didn’t even flinch
Interesting
Either he didn’t care about Emilia having a mother or someone else had already filled that role
Perhaps the person was the one whose scent filled the room.
Besides,
you say you don’t need a marriage alliance now but what about the future?
“You and I know just how unstable the werewolf world is. One day you can have it all and the next day it can be snatched from you with the world you built crumbling at your feet.”
Gabriel sighed.
He would pretend to agree, if that would get the old man ott has back,
“Okay. I will consider a marriage alliance. If that is what pleases you.
Too easy. The Gabriel he knew would have argued with him. He was stubborn.
Did having a child change him or was he just agreeing with him so he could leave faster!
His grandfather mused.
“I actually already have a candidate in mind.”
Gabriel turned sharpls, his eyes alert.
“And who is that?”
“You remember Kate?”
Gabriel repeated
Chapter 42
“Yes! Kate. You dated her I think. The two of you have been friends for years. I heard she’s back in Denver. The job overseas didn’t seem to work out too
The only ate he remembered was Kate Caddel. An old friend. They had dated
dated briefly, before the traveled overseas. They didn’t keep in touch that much, they were both very busy people.
But Kate’s father on the other hand. Her father was an alpha. Alpha of the Dark Moon pack. The second largest pack in the Americas.
The power that man wielded, he was fearsome, no one dared go against him. To go against one member of the Dark Moon pack was to go against all.
Gabriel never had any problems with the man because of their mutual connection.
“I didn’t know she was in town.”
“Well, she is! I think you should be happy that life gave you a second chance.”
“You should meet up with her. In the meantime I’ll try and set up a meeting with her father and…”
“Grandfather! No.”
“Don’t do that.”
He warned
“I don’t need you doing anything, I can handle it all myself.”
His grandfather scoffed and started walking out of the room.
“Okay then Alpha
“I will be expecting a feedback.”
“Now, can we go get dinner now? I’m starving”
After his grandfather left, Gabriel felt more relief than he had ever felt in days. It was like a wave of tension had been released from his body
He decided to call Elliot to let him know that he could bring Lori back home.
His call went unanswered for two times before Elliot finally picked his call
“Gabriel!!!”
Elliot drawled.
Gabriel rolled his eyes. The fool sounded drunk.
“Where are you? You can head back home now.”
“Is Lori with you?”
He added.
There was loud background noise, it sounded like they were in a bar.
“Yes! She’s with me.”
He finally answered.
“Where are you two?! Come home now!”
Chapter 42
A fucking bar?! Really! Of all the places he could have taken her?
“A bar? What the actual fock Elliot?!*
He started into the phone, mildly alarming Sylvia who was cleaning up.
“Look that’s not the issue right now Gabriell We seem to have gotten into a bit of problem.”
“I told you to keep her occupied. Not take her to the bart What’s going on?”
Elliot started mumbling.
“I didn’t know! I didn’t know she was such a lightweight!
“Anyways she’s fine.. she’s just drunk”
“Get her and come home now!”
Gabriel ordered and there was a slight pause,
“Elliot?!”
“Yea…there’s just a tiny little problem…
Chapter Comments
Tina Scislow E
these decisions…or……this decision
Tina Scislow E
harder…much harder…..more hard
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