“Born and raised,” I said proudly. “I grew up in a townhouse uptown. My folks still live there; my sisters too.”
A genuine spark of interest from Nathan. “Did you grow up in a pack?”
“Yeah. You didn’t?”
“No. My parents were both Betas,” he answered.
Against my will, I felt even more sympathy for him. Being the first Alpha in his family was probably rough. “I don’t think it’s that different, to be honest. Just more… expectations. To start a pack of your own, on top of all the other normal family bullshit. To beexceptionalbased on your designation. Or, in my sister’s case, to be exceptionally obedient.”
“She’s an Omega?”
“One is,” I said. The sun was fully up and bathed the living room in the crisp light of a winter morning. The sky outside was perfectly clear and perfectly blue. “I wish I could help her. But I’m not welcome in the pack house anymore. Not since Gabriel, or the injury. Bonded to a Beta, and not even able to make up for it with tournament victories? I’ve disappointed them beyond their worst nightmares.”
“I’m sorry,” Nathan said, and he sounded sincere.
“Thanks, man. I’m sorry, too.”
There was a tug on the bond. Gabriel and Bridget were on their way back.
“Listen. I don’t want to fight. I can’t promise my Alpha won’t get all riled up again and do some stupid shit, but I’ll do my best,” I said.
“Right.” The winter sunlight emphasized how pale and drawn he looked. “Same here.”
We were on our best behavior for the rest of the day. Gabriel told me Bridget had been hesitant to return to the apartment, so Nathan and I were extra polite to one another.
While I was making dinner, Gabriel found me in the kitchen.
“It smells wonderful, mi amore,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. He breathed in my scent from the crook of my shoulder. “I see you and Nathan have buried the axe of war?”
“A temporary truce,” I acknowledged with a kiss on Gabriel’s temple. His own scent was so interlaced with Bridget’s that my gut tightened instinctively. “This place is too small. Couldn’t we all move out to the estate? You know, the one with like ten bedrooms and private tennis courts and someone to cook all our food?”
Gabriel was quiet for a moment. “I have considered it, but I am concerned about Dr. Davis. If he suspects Bridget to be involved with you… It is too dangerous.”
I stirred the diced onions and garlic that were softening in the pan on the stove. Chicken thighs were searing in another skillet. I was reaching the end of my culinary skills and missed Maria shamefully. Gabriel had already given her an extended vacation with full pay.
“Hey,” I said, suddenly remembering something from my conversation with Nathan. I lowered my voice and turned until I could meet Gabriel’s eyes. “You told Nathan that IloveBridget?”
His face broke into that slow, sly smile that had stopped my heart all those years ago, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. “Is that not true?”
My face burned. “I’ve only known her for a couple of months.”
“Yes, and you are an Alpha, and she is an Omega. I have seen how quickly these things can happen,” he said sagely.
“Even if thatweretrue, what about you?” I asked, my eyes flicking between his.
“I have cared about Bridget from the moment I met her. You know this,” he said and looked away for a moment. “It is impossible to know Bridget and not love her.”
“Fair enough,” I said, even though he was being cagey. “But let’s not go around saying that to anyone else. Please?”
Gabriel smiled again. “Si, amore. I will behave.”
I growled slightly at his teasing tone. “Get out of here before I make you.”
Dinner was quiet. Watching Bridget eat the food I made for her was a daily exercise in restraint. Was she enjoying it? Was it too spicy? I had a million questions, but I figured putting too much focus on her eating would make her uncomfortable. My Alpha wanted to feed her directly from my fork, but I kept that impulse to myself, too.
Bridget cleared her throat. “I know we’re supposed to be waiting to hear from Maggie, but I want to call my mom. She must know something.”
“No,” Nathan and I said at the same time. I shot him an approving glance.
