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“It’s not an idea I’m prepared to rule out, though she doesn’t believe you’re to blame. I’d be a fool to take chances with her safety.”
“I suppose you would, but I can assure you that she’s correct in this instance.” Pausing, Gabriel pursed his lips. “I do trespass on Sylvan territory now and then. It is how I heard that Blair found her predestined mate years ago. But I’ve never seen anyone hanging around her cabin or picked up any scents of strangers there.”
“Why go there at all? Why sneak onto Sylvan territory?”
Gabriel swiped his tongue along his front teeth. “I assume Blair told you why I went to live with my uncle.”
“Your parents were killed.”
“Losing them at such a young age, in the way I did, was hard enough. Being branded their murderer hurt almost as much. Having all eyes on me while I grieved—having people say I was either faking my grief or didn’t seem upset enough for their liking—made the whole thing so much more difficult. Embry insisted that my uncle take me away, and I was told to never return; forbidden from having contact with anyone in the pack, including my relatives.”
“That’s harsh,” said Deke.
“That’s spite,” said Gabriel. “My mother was Embry’s first girlfriend. He took her death hard. He wanted someone to blame. I was a convenient scapegoat. Am I bitter about it? Sure.”
Huh. He didn’t sound particularly bitter. He didn’t sound anything.
“Do I hate that, to this day, I have no clue who killed my parents? Yes—which is why I began sneaking onto Sylvan territory. I wanted to do a little spying. I hoped I might hear or see something that would solve the mystery. I never did. But I do find some amusement in just how much my trespassing unnerves the pack.” Gabriel shrugged. “Small pleasures and all that. Really, I only go there nowadays when I need a good, long run. I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to do it on what is technically my own territory. I should never have been ostracized the way I was.”
Luke had to agree with the latter, considering there was no evidence that Gabriel murdered his parents. Pups should be protected, not tossed away.
Deke folded his arms. “Why did you never knock on Blair’s door to say hi rather than just leave cards for her to find?”
“She was one of the few people who stood by me,” Gabriel explained. “I wasn’t going to repay that by putting her in a difficult position. Expecting her to keep secret that a banished member had been in contact with her would have caused her problems. No one could blame her for finding a few cards, though, could they?”
“I guess not,” said Deke.
Gabriel cut his gaze back to Luke, studying him. “A bush dog and a pallas cat. An unlikely pairing for sure.” He almost sounded amused. Almost. “I’ll bet Noelle isn’t happy that you have claimed Blair.”
“No, she isn’t,” Luke confirmed.
“She had hoped Blair would one day mate with Antoine, you know. Or so my mother told me when I was younger. He was more interested in Marianna, as I recall.”
“Blair’s sister?”
Gabriel nodded. “Unsurprising, since Marianna was sixteen and therefore closer to his age. But Noelle felt that Marianna was far too submissive to handle a male as dominant as my cousin, so she thought he’d be better suited to Blair.” He paused as a phone rang from somewhere inside the apartment. “I’m sad to say I have no idea who could be harassing Blair. If I happen to see or hear anything of interest next time I step on Sylvan territory, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“I appreciate it,” said Luke.
“Should I expect a visit from the Sylvan bush dogs?”
“Probably. Noelle has laid the blame at your feet.”
“Of course she has.” Gabriel took a step back, readying himself to shut the door. “Say hello to Blair for me. I truly hope you resolve this situation soon.”
“Oh, I will,” Luke assured him, a note of menace in his tone that warned Gabriel he wouldn’t get away with this shit if he was in fact the culprit. Gabriel didn’t react other than to close the door.
Outside the building, Luke and Deke crossed straight to the SUV. Luke hopped into the driver’s seat while the enforcer headed for the front passenger seat.
Sitting in the back row with Isaiah, Blair leaned forward. “I can sense your frustration and uncertainty, so I’m guessing he didn’t plead guilty to harassing me.”
“No, he didn’t.” Luke switched on the engine. “Nor did he claim to have any idea who might be the culprit.” As he drove, he repeated the conversation he’d had with Gabriel.
“He seemed unmoved by the fact that you’re now mated,” Deke told her. “He didn’t reek of envy or bitterness.”
“But you’re not so certain he didn’t put on an act,” she detected.
