T W E N T Y - T W O

The next morning I woke up, wearing just a t-shirt. It was the best smelling t-shirt. The silk sheets felt incredible on my face, on my legs. I wondered if this bed had been here the other day, or if he furnished the house to give us some privacy, rather than staying in the pack house. Gabriel was nowhere to be found once I opened my eyes.

The sunlight was just starting to poke through the windows. I got up to go to the bathroom and noticed Gabriel's car wasn't in the driveway, I raised an eye brow at the two new cars outside. I quickly went to the bathroom. I looked like a hot mess, and images from the night before fluttered through my mind. I gulped. After our disaster of a shower, I had washed the make up off my face, but my hair, that was another story.

I had been so weak after hazing for the first time that Gabriel had to dry me off, and carry me to bed. I growled at myself. Weak. I looked at myself in the mirror again, throwing my hair up into a bun. The t-shirt I was wearing was black, I was pretty sure that was the only color he owned. It fell mid-thigh.

I decided to go check it out downstairs, who was here if Gabriel wasn't. I opened the door, it was heavy, but it made sense since it was floor to ceiling. None of the house was painted, I couldn't help but wonder if Gabriel left that to his mate. I heard voices, but not in the house. They were just outside the front door.

Renier. Why was he here? Another male, who's voice I didn't recognize. Then it clicked, security? I opened the door, and they both jumped a little bit turned to look at me.

"Good Morning, my Queen." They both almost bowed instantly and I just stood there.

"Uh... good morning," I raised a brow and turned to Ren, "where is Gabriel?"

"He went in to town, said he would be back shortly," he smiled at me, "now shut the door, he was not lying about you being in heat."

"Wait," I froze and thought for a moment, "I, uh, you guys can tell?"

The stranger laughed a little, "indeed we can, but we are both mated, and loyal to the King. He called us to make sure you'd be safe. I'm his Beta, Zak." He smiled and offered me his hand. I took it and he brought it up to his lips, and placed the smallest kiss on it.

On cue Gabriel pulled in the driveway and slid to a stop, he did that a lot. His door flew open and he got out. He was holding a paper bag and a drink tray, it had four beverages, a smile crawled across my face.

"Zak I swear to the Moon Goddess you better have just been greeting her and not trying to woo her." He shut his door and started towards us, Zak was still holding my hand. He kissed it one more time, and let it go.

"My love," Gabriel reached down and planted a kiss on the top of my head, grabbing my butt with his free hand, "how'd you sleep?" He handed me the only iced drink in the tray. My heart melted.

"I slept really good, was just worried you hated me when you weren't there." I gave him a pouting look, and a flash of worry crossed his face.

"You thought I hated you," his eyes bore into mine.

"No, I just wanted to see your face," I giggled and gave him a kiss. He huffed a noise at me, and I heard Zak let out a laugh. Gabriel turned to him, letting out a snarl.

"Is there something I can help you with," his nostrils flared.

"No sir," Zak looked away, knowing not to challenge him. He looked at me, "my Queen it appears you've made the King weak." He spoke in a joking way, but Gabriel rotated his body towards Zak now. It was so slow I thought I was watching a slow motion movie scene in front of me.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to me, "I'm afraid he's anything but weak," with that Gabriel swooped me up.

"Careful men," he spoke, "she's only wearing this t-shirt." With that he carried me in the house, slamming the door. I giggled and took a sip of the latte.

"Ugh, this is perfect. Thank you." He set me down on the tile of the kitchen, "of course." He smiled at me, and handed the paper bag to me.

"I had Fern pick an outfit out for you," his eyes staring into mine.

"What if I like what I'm wearing," I raised a brow at him.

"Hmm, maybe just some pants?" He mirrored my look.

"But everything is much simpler without pants," I started pulling the shirt up and winked at him.

Gabriel groaned, "Kai...." He was as sex crazed as I was, but that was only due to me being so close to him. Honestly this heat might be the death of me, even before The Ritual.

I took the bag and my latte up the stairs with me, leaving him in the kitchen. He could join if he wanted, I wasn't going to beg him.

"You did last night."

"No, that was you." I mentally growled to Reia.

I shut the bedroom door and was about to lock it when I heard him, "open the door Kai.." Gabriel had followed me after all. I smiled and locked it anyway.

"You're absolutely going to be the death of me," his voice was soft.

"I'm naked now so you can't come in here. Sorry dear." I giggled, teasing him completely, still dressed. I walked over to the bed, and laid the clothes out, baggy t-shirt, oversized hoodie, biker shorts. This is why I loved her.

A note fell out, it was soaked in her perfume.

I hope he's rocking your world ;)

xoxo. Fern

I smiled and walked to the bathroom, turning the shower on. Gabriel knocked lightly at the door, "please let me in."

Since he asked nicely, I walked to the door and opened it slowly. He instantly wrapped his fingers around the door so I couldn't shut it again.

I simply turned and walked away to the shower. It was even more magical during the day, I was going to put plants in it one day.

Gabriel followed me quietly, but grabbed the bottom of the t-shirt, he stopped me and spun me around, his lips meeting mine. As soon as we were all alone and making out I felt the haze start to flare. I want to tangled around every inch of him.

I pulled myself away from him, remembering how hard he fought himself last night, "wait, we can't.."

He looked at me, and nodded, accepting that I had turned him down. He walked me to the bathroom, the way he could go from acting like and animal to being intimate, scared me. He pulled the t-shirt over my head, he observed my body in the new light.

"Who did this to you?" His voice was stern, but I realized he was looking at the bruises that covered me. He was angry, and concerned all at the same time.

"It's from training this week," I stated simply, not really understanding why he remained upset.

"You can't keep that up."

"If I can't take a beating I can't win," I argued back, "how are you supposed to be strong if you can't take a hit?"

He opened his mouth but stopped himself, instead let out a sigh. I looked at myself in the mirror, my ribs were nearly black, my stomach was a dark red in some places.

"You will win because you're strong," he started, "not because you can take a hit. Come here," he wrapped me into an embrace, "why don't you come train with my pack..." his voice trailed off.

"No. I don't need you to play favorites. Especially since I know you'll make me take it easy."

Gabriel let out a small growl, "fine. Only because I won't be able to control myself when you're hazing."

He pushed me into the shower and walked out of the bathroom, the water felt amazing. I shut my eyes, letting it run over me. I could here him striping down to join me. I kept my eyes shut, and soon his arms were wrapping around me, he just held me.

We stood in the water until it ran cold, "I need to take you home soon."

I whimpered into his chest, "no you don't.."

"You're going to be the death of me."