42. Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Two
D inner was done and as I was about to help clean up, Gabriel motioned for me to follow him.
"I'd like to speak with you privately, if that's alright," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. I nodded, curiosity and a flutter of nerves mingling in my stomach as I followed him from the dining room.
He led me to his study—a warmly lit room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a large mahogany desk. The space smelled of leather, old books, and Gabriel's distinctive scent. He closed the door behind us, and the next thing I knew I was pinned to the door.
Gabriel's body pressed against mine, his blue eyes dark with an intensity that made my breath catch. His hands braced on either side of my head, not touching me but effectively caging me between his arms.
"I can smell him on you," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Lucas."
I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze despite the heat rising to my cheeks. "Are you... angry? Since you ae head alpha and…" I trailed off not knowing how to word my emotions to him.
Gabriel's expression softened slightly, though the intensity in his eyes remained. "No. Not angry." His scent deepened, filling the space between us with notes of sandalwood and something darker, more primal. "But watching you walk into that dining room with his scent all over you, knowing what you'd been doing..." He leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear. "It tested my control in ways I wasn't fully prepared for."
My pulse quickened, a shiver running through me at his words. "In what way?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Gabriel's eyes darkened further as one hand moved to cup my face, his thumb tracing my lower lip. "Every Alpha instinct I possess wanted to claim you," he admitted, his voice rough with restraint. "To erase his scent with mine."
My breath hitched at his blunt admission. "Gabriel..."
"But that's not how this works," he continued, his thumb still tracing patterns across my skin. "Not between us. Not between the pack." His eyes held mine, searching. "I need you to understand something, Vivian. There's no jealousy among us—not in the traditional sense. What's between you and Lucas, or you and Dakota, or you and Theo—those connections are yours to explore. But..."
"But what?" I asked, my voice breathy as I tried to focus on his words rather than the heat of his body so close to mine.
Gabriel's fingers traced along my jawline, his touch gentle despite the intensity in his eyes. "But when I look at you with another Alpha's scent on your skin, it awakens something primal in me. Not jealousy—possession. The need to remind you that I'm here too."
Heat pooled low in my belly at his words, at the controlled power I could feel radiating from him. "You don't need to remind me," I whispered, my hands moving hesitantly to rest against his chest. "I haven't forgotten you, Gabriel."
A small, satisfied smile curved his lips. "I know." His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. "May I kiss you, Vivian?"
The formal request, delivered in that deep, commanding voice, sent another shiver of heat through me. I nodded, my lips parting slightly in anticipation. "Yes."
Gabriel didn't hesitate. His mouth claimed mine in a kiss that was nothing like the gentle exploration we'd shared in the greenhouse. This was possession, pure and simple—his lips demanding, his tongue seeking entrance which I readily granted. I melted against him, my hands sliding up to his shoulders as he pressed me more firmly against the door. His hand tightened in my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss as his other arm wrapped around my waist, eliminating any space between us.
I moaned into his mouth, the sound seeming to trigger something primal in him. Gabriel growled low in his throat, the vibration traveling through his chest to mine. His teeth grazed my lower lip, the slight edge of pain mingling deliciously with pleasure as his hands began to wander, exploring the curves of my body with possessive intent.
"Gabriel," I gasped as his mouth left mine to trail hot kisses down my neck. His teeth scraped against my pulse point, not hard enough to mark but with enough pressure to make my knees weaken. His arm around my waist tightened, supporting me as I sagged against him.
"The sounds you make," he murmured against my skin, his voice rougher than I'd ever heard it. "Do you have any idea what they do to me?"
I whimpered as his hand slid under the hem of my shirt, his warm palm pressing against the bare skin of my back. Every touch felt electric, sending sparks of pleasure coursing through me. I felt him move his arms so he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. He carried me across the study, our lips never breaking contact, and set me on the edge of his desk. His hands gripped my thighs, spreading them wider to accommodate his hips as he pressed against me.
“Do you know what I want to do to you..” he murmured against my lips, his voice deeper than I'd ever heard it. "How hard it is to maintain control around you."
I clutched at his shoulders, my head falling back as his mouth descended to my neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses that made me shiver. "Then don't," I whispered, surprising myself with my boldness. "Don't control yourself."
Gabriel's eyes met mine, midnight blue with desire but still searching. "Are you sure that's what you want?”
I hesitated for just a moment, considering his question. What did I want? It had been so long since I'd allowed myself to be vulnerable with anyone, let alone multiple partners. But the events with Lucas earlier had awakened something in me—a hunger I'd denied for too long.
"I want you," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. " I'm not fragile, Gabriel."
Something dangerous and thrilling flashed in his eyes. "No," he agreed, his voice a low rumble. "You're not fragile at all. You're strong. Resilient." His hands tightened on my thighs. "Beautiful."
Before I could respond, his mouth claimed mine again, more demanding than before. I melted into him, my body responding instinctively to his touch. His hands slid beneath my shirt, palms hot against my skin as they moved upward, cupping my breasts through my bra. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping me as his thumbs brushed over my hardened peaks.
"I want to see you," Gabriel murmured against my lips, his fingers already working the buttons of my shirt. "All of you."
I nodded, my hands moving to help him until my shirt fell open, exposing my skin to his hungry gaze. His eyes darkened further as he took in the sight of me, his hands sliding up my sides with reverent appreciation.
"Beautiful," he breathed, lowering his head to press open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone. His fingers traced the edge of my bra, teasing the sensitive skin just above the fabric. "May I?"
"Yes," I whispered, already arching toward him in silent invitation.
With practiced ease, Gabriel unhooked my bra, sliding it from my shoulders with gentle hands. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me, bare from the waist up save for my open shirt.
"Exquisite," he murmured, his hands cupping my breasts with reverent appreciation. I couldn't suppress the moan that escaped me as his thumbs circled my nipples, teasing them to hard peaks. When he lowered his head to take one in his mouth, I gasped, my fingers threading through his hair to hold him to me.
The contrast between Gabriel's usual composed authority and the way he worshipped my body now was intoxicating. His tongue swirled around my sensitive peak while his hand kneaded my other breast, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. I arched against him, my legs tightening around his waist.
"Gabriel," I whispered, my voice breathy, my fingers threading through his hair, holding him to me as pleasure coursed through my body. The heat of his mouth, the gentle scrape of his teeth, the contrast of his controlled strength against my softer curves—it was all overwhelming in the best possible way. When he switched his attention to my other breast, I couldn't help the whimper that escaped me, my hips rocking instinctively against him, seeking friction.
Gabriel groaned against my skin, the vibration adding another layer to the pleasure coursing through me. His hands slid down to my hips, gripping them tightly as he pressed himself against my core, the hard length of him evident even through our clothes.
"The things you do to me," he murmured, his voice rough with desire as he trailed kisses up my neck to my ear. "How much I want you."
I turned my head, capturing his mouth in another kiss, this one hungrier, more demanding than before. My hands moved to the buttons of his shirt, fingers fumbling in my eagerness to feel his skin against mine. Gabriel helped me, shrugging the fabric from his shoulders once the buttons were undone, revealing a broad chest and sculpted abdomen that made my mouth go dry. I ran my hands over him, exploring the firm muscles and smooth skin with appreciative fingers.
"You're beautiful," I breathed, tracing the contours of his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath my palm.
Gabriel's eyes darkened at my words, his hands moving to the button of my pants. "May I?" he asked, his voice rough with restraint.
I nodded, lifting my hips to help as he slid the fabric down my legs, leaving me in nothing but my underwear and open shirt. His gaze traveled over me, hot and appreciative, before he stepped back between my spread thighs.
"I've thought about this," he admitted, his hands sliding up my bare legs with tantalizing slowness. "About you, like this. Spread open for me." His eyes held mine, intense and hungry yet still seeking confirmation.
"Show me," I whispered, my voice husky with desire. "Show me what you've thought about."
A low growl escaped him as his hands slid higher, thumbs tracing the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. When his fingers brushed against the damp fabric between my legs, we both moaned.
"Already so wet," he murmured, his voice deepening with satisfaction as he stroked me through the thin barrier. "Is this for me, Vivian? Or is this still from Lucas?"
There was no judgment in his question, just genuine curiosity mixed with Alpha possessiveness. I shivered at his directness.
"For you," I gasped as his fingers continued their teasing exploration. "Right now, it's all for you."
Gabriel's eyes flashed with pleasure at my words, his thumb pressing more firmly against my center, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves through the dampened fabric. "Tell me what you want," he commanded softly, his free hand sliding up to cup my breast again.
"You," I breathed, arching into his touch. "Please, Gabriel."
He hooked his fingers in the waistband of my underwear, slowly dragging them down my legs until I was completely bare before him. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me, exposed and wanting on his desk.
"Perfect," he murmured, his hands sliding up my thighs again, pushing them wider. He lowered himself to his knees before me, looking up the length of my body with a hunger that made me tremble. "I want to taste you."
I nodded, beyond words as he pressed open-mouthed kisses along my inner thighs , each one bringing him closer to where I needed him most. When his mouth finally found my center, I cried out, my hands flying to his hair, fingers tangling in the silky strands as pleasure shot through me.
Gabriel groaned against me, the vibration adding to the sensation as his tongue explored me with the same commanding precision he brought to everything. He found my most sensitive spot with unerring accuracy, circling it with firm strokes that had me gasping his name.
"You taste divine," he murmured against me, his hands gripping my thighs to keep them spread wide as he continued his sensual assault. When he slid one finger inside me, then another, curling them in a way that made me see stars, I couldn't hold back the cry that escaped me.
"Gabriel," I gasped, my hips moving against his mouth, seeking more of the exquisite pleasure he was creating. "Please don't stop."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he murmured, his voice vibrating against my sensitive flesh as his fingers continued their skilled movements inside me. His tongue circled my clit with increasing pressure, his rhythm perfectly matching the thrust of his fingers until I was trembling on the edge of release.
"Let go for me," Gabriel commanded, his voice rough with desire. "I want to feel you come apart."
His words, combined with a particularly firm stroke of his tongue, sent me over the edge. Pleasure crashed through me in waves, my body arching as I cried out his name. Gabriel worked me through it, his movements gentling as the aftershocks rippled through me, until I collapsed back against the desk, boneless and breathless.
Before I could recover, he was standing between my legs again, his hands gentle as they stroked my sides.
"Beautiful," he murmured, pressing kisses up my stomach to my breasts, then my neck, before claiming my mouth again. I could taste myself on his lips, the intimacy of it making me moan softly against him. His hands cupped my face, the gentleness of his touch contrasting with the hunger in his kiss.
I reached for him, my fingers working at his belt, suddenly desperate to feel all of him. Gabriel caught my wrists, his eyes meeting mine with a question.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice rough but controlled. "We don't have to go further tonight."
I appreciated his concern, the way he checked in despite his obvious desire. "I'm sure," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I want you, Gabriel."
A low growl rumbled in his chest as he released my wrists, allowing me to continue my explorations. I unbuckled his belt and unfastened his pants, pushing them down his hips along with his underwear. When his erection sprang free, I couldn't suppress a small gasp of appreciation. Gabriel was magnificent—thick and hard, the evidence of his desire for me unmistakable.
I wrapped my hand around him, stroking slowly as I watched his face. Gabriel's eyes darkened to midnight, his jaw tightening as he fought to maintain control. When I leaned forward to press a kiss to his chest, trailing my lips down his abdomen, his hands came to my shoulders, stopping me.
"If you do that," he said, his voice strained, "this will be over far too quickly."
I smiled, pleased by the effect I had on him. "Another time, then."
Gabriel's answering smile was predatory as he moved closer, positioning himself at my entrance. His eyes held mine, searching for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, he slowly pushed forward, entering me with exquisite care. We both groaned at the sensation, my body stretching to accommodate him as he filled me completely.
"You feel incredible," Gabriel breathed, his voice strained with the effort of control. His hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as he began to move, each thrust slow and deliberate. "So perfect around me."
I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him deeper, my hands clutching at his shoulders as pleasure built with each movement. Gabriel's pace was measured, controlled—even in this, he maintained his composure, though I could see the strain in the tension of his jaw, the intensity of his gaze.
"Gabriel," I gasped, arching against him as he hit a spot deep inside me that sent sparks of pleasure through my body. "Harder, please."
His eyes flashed at my plea, something primal breaking through his careful control. With a growl that sent shivers down my spine, Gabriel tightened his grip on my hips and increased his pace, driving into me with powerful thrusts that had me crying out with each movement.
"Is this what you want?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble as he claimed me with increasing intensity. "Tell me, Vivian."
"Yes," I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders as pleasure built within me, tightening like a coil. "God, yes."
Gabriel leaned forward, capturing my mouth in a fierce kiss as he continued to move within me. One hand slid between us, finding where we were joined, his thumb circling the sensitive bundle of nerves in time with his thrusts. The dual sensation pushed me closer to the edge, my nails digging into his back as I felt myself beginning to unravel.
"Come for me," Gabriel commanded, his voice rough with desire. "Let me feel you."
His words, combined with a particularly deep thrust and the perfect pressure of his thumb, sent me tumbling over the edge. I cried out his name as pleasure crashed through me, my body clenching around him as wave after wave of sensation washed over me. Gabriel growled in response, his rhythm faltering as my release triggered his own. With a final powerful thrust, he stiffened against me, his face buried in my neck as he found his completion.
For several moments, we remained locked together, breathing heavily, my legs still wrapped around his waist, his arms holding me close. Gabriel pressed gentle kisses to my neck, my jaw, finally finding my lips in a kiss that was tender rather than demanding. When he finally pulled back to look at me, his blue eyes were soft with an emotion I wasn't ready to name.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice gentle as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.
I nodded, feeling strangely shy despite what we'd just shared. "More than all right."
Gabriel smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile that transformed his usually serious face—before carefully separating our bodies. He helped me down from the desk, steadying me when my legs trembled beneath me. Without a word, he retrieved my clothes, helping me dress with the same care he'd shown in undressing me.
"I didn't plan for this to happen tonight," he admitted as he fastened his own pants.
I laughed softly, buttoning my shirt with fingers that still trembled slightly. "I didn't either. But I'm glad it did."
Gabriel's expression grew more serious as he cupped my face in his hands, his blue eyes searching mine. "Vivian, I need you to understand something. What happened between us tonight—what happens between you and any of us—it doesn't create expectations or obligations. This arrangement between all of us... it's unconventional, but it works because we respect each other's boundaries and connections."
I leaned into his touch, processing his words. "So you're really not upset about Lucas and me earlier?"
Gabriel shook his head, his thumb stroking my cheek. "No. Not in the way you might expect. Did it trigger some primal Alpha instincts? Yes. But not jealousy—not in the traditional sense." He paused, considering his words carefully. "Our pack functions differently than most. We don't compete for mates—we complement each other."
"And where do I fit into that?" I asked softly, the question I've wondered since dinner. Since our conversation several nights ago. The question had been circling in my mind even as I'd explored these new, overwhelming feelings for each of them.
Gabriel's expression softened, his hands dropping to take mine. "That's something we're all discovering together," he said, his voice gentle but honest. "There's no predefined role for you to fill, Vivian. No expectations beyond what feels right to you."
I nodded slowly, processing his words. "I'm not used to this kind of... freedom. Having choices about how relationships develop." I met his gaze, vulnerability making my voice softer. "My ex used his voice to control everything—who I saw, what I did, how I felt. The idea of being with multiple Alphas who actually respect my autonomy is... overwhelming in the best way."
Gabriel's eyes darkened briefly at the mention of my ex, but his touch remained gentle. "What happened to you was abuse," he said, his voice firm but kind. "It was wrong. And I promise you, none of us will ever use our voices to control you."
"I know," I said softly, realizing I truly believed him—believed all of them. "That's part of why I trust you. All of you."
Gabriel smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "We should join the others," he said, though he made no move to release my hands. "Before they send a search party."
I laughed softly, imagining Lucas's teasing comments when we emerged from Gabriel's study. "They already know, don't they? What we were doing in here?"
"Alpha senses. Hearting and smell are very heightened." Gabriel confirmed with a slight shrug. "It's nearly impossible to keep secrets from each other. Though we do try to maintain some boundaries."
I shook my head, a blush rising to my cheeks. "I don't know whether to be mortified or relieved that there are no secrets."
Gabriel chuckled, the sound warming something deep inside me. "It takes some getting used to. But there's a certain freedom in it too—no need for jealousy or deception when everything is transparent."
"I suppose that's true," I admitted, letting him guide me toward the door. Before he opened it, I paused, looking up at him. "Gabriel?"
"Yes?" His blue eyes focused on me with that intensity that never failed to make my heart skip.
"Thank you. For making me feel safe. For letting me choose."
Gabriel's expression softened, his hand coming up to cup my cheek one more time. "Always, Vivian. That's something that will never change."
With that promise hanging between us, he opened the door and lead me back to the others…with me silently hoping I wouldn’t be teased.