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She sighed lightly. “You don’t understand. Gabriel is meant to be here.”
“I really don’t see how,” I admitted, “since he ended any relationship with my mom years ago.”
“The Lycans have a bond with our family, honey.”
Sighing, I knew Aunt Gwen would insist on Gabriel’s presence for the remainder of Samhain. More than that, the ancestors expected his arrival.
Butwhy? Did he provide protection against a threat I had yet to learn?
“Gwen, can we have a moment?”
Gabriel’s deep voice startled me from my thoughts. Jumping up, I faced him, unable to hide my conflicting feelings. “When were you going to tell me the truth? Before or after you flirted and ended up in my bed?”
“Cassie, please,” Aunt Gwen pleaded in exasperation. “I don’t think that’s what he meant.”
How did she know? Gabriel left Mystic Hallows for years. Why suddenly show up now? “Please let him answer. I need to know.”
My aunt nodded, leaving the room with a sympathetic look in Gabriel’s direction.
He approached quickly, only three straightforward strides from the kitchen, his long legs swallowing the distance so fast all I could do was blink. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I handled this poorly. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking clearly and should have been more forthcoming.”
His admission and sincere apology disintegrated my frustration. “Okay.”
“I dated your mother–”
My big fat mouth opened and cut him off. “And then you decided to try the same withme?”
“Are you going to interrupt every time I talk to you?” His voice lowered to a growl, and I scowled in return. “It wasn’t like that between us. Your mother and I had a special friendship.”
“Like what? Did it happen before or after she met my father?” I demanded. “You break her heart or something?”
A look of pure rage flashed across his features as he clenched his hands into tight fists. “No, Ineverwould have done that. Our friendship meant much more to me than I can possibly explain.”
“Did you love her?” That was what I needed to know the most.
“Well, yes, but–”
That was what I thought. “Why did you flirt with me when you loved my mother? When you had an intimate relationship with her?”Gross.
“It’s not like you think, Cassandra,” he replied softly. “Maybe we should discuss this another time.”
“Fine.” I ran up the stairs to my room, shutting the door before flopping on the bed.
Why did Gabriel hide so much information? He was close to my mother, which bothered me more than I wanted to admit. I couldn’t trust him until I knew his real motivation for returning to Mystic Hallows.
The late morning sun climbed higher in the trees as I stood and walked to my second-story window.
What connection did Gabriel share with my mother? Why was it so important? My aunt would never allow the shifter to come here unless she needed him for some reason. I should have considered that before I became emotional.
My mother was an exceptional witch. Super powerful too.
The death of my parents left a gaping hole in my heart that I mostly filled with Aunt Gwen, Uncle Tom, and Gypsy. I loved them, but sometimes I felt abandoned and alone. A reality that hurt more than I let on.
Sighing, I leaned my forehead against the cool glass.
A familiar presence pushed against Howe Manor’s shields seconds before Damian appeared below. He returned to the gate entrance, his voice whispering in the wind. With a seductive lure, he beseeched entry. I knew what he attempted, annoyed with his use of compulsion. With a shake of my head, I turned away from the window, but not before I caught the curious smile lingering on his sensual lips.
“CAS, YOU READY?”
