7. Gabriela
CHAPTER 7
GAbrIELA
Okay? No. I wasn’t okay.
I’d moved countries with my child. I’d humiliated myself to a man who rejected me, and then he chose to apologize in front of everyone, spilling my mortifying business all over the dashboard. Now, they all knew I was foolish enough to ask for a kiss.
And then, right when I thought I was close to having a moment to myself, the whole village was waiting for us with banners and happy faces.
Thank goodness Tadgh had Alice. It was the first time I didn’t have to depend only on myself to protect my child. It bothered me that I trusted Tadgh so easily, so quickly, but I wasn’t going to knock it. He had her, and I was grateful.
A fake smile was frozen on my lips. Even if I was overwhelmed, I couldn’t be anything less than polite. I listened carefully as they greeted the men, but I truly couldn't keep up with their language. There was a soft rhythm to it that smoothed my nerves and loosened the knot over my throat.
Just as Lorcan predicted, they all switched to English quickly when they saw me approach, greeting me with warm smiles as they repeated the same words.
“Welcome home.”
Once again, I was confronted by the notion of what was home. I kept the smile firm on my lips and tried my best to hide my insecurities, but I wasn't that good of an actor.
“Tell me if this is too much.”
Warmth spread over me when Oisin touched the small of my back, his mouth coming to my ear.
I turned, putting our faces close together. “This is too much,” I told him with a real smile this time. I loved his eyes and his calming presence. I took a big breath and shook my head. “It’s okay. They look happy.”
His hand closed around my waist, bringing me closer, and I had to swallow the saliva gathering in my mouth.
“Well, we can come up with a code word if you want to leave.”
“I’ll scream pineapples.”
“Say it in Portuguese?”
I smiled. “Abacaxi.”
He tried to say it twice before I nodded in approval.
“Perfect, angel. Just say it, and I’ll save you.”
With Oisin by my side, I let myself relax. We were ushered to a pub right in the middle of the town, the three flanking me, Tadgh still holding Alice high in his arms. I was glad he was careful with her, but my girl was a people person. Her smile was blinding, waving to everyone as if she was the queen.
We got into the pub, Oisin holding me as we made our way under the low light. Just behind us, a couple of women arrived with heavy trays in their hands and placed them over the bar.
Carvings of meat, roasted potatoes, vegetables—it was a feast. People started coming in, heading straight to the bar and grabbing pints. Plates appeared out of nowhere, and suddenly, everyone was getting served.
“Abacaxi?” Oisin asked in my ear.
I didn't expect a party, but to be fair, I never even had a birthday party. It was crazy to think someone went through all this trouble because of us.
I shook my head and let Oisin lead me to a table right at the front. Tadgh tailed us with Alice and dropped her on the chair beside me.
“Okay?” I mouthed to her.
She nodded excitedly. “I’m hungry.”
I smiled, taking one of her braids I left loose between my fingers and tugging it affectionately. “Great, cause there’s a lot of food here.”
Someone called for Oisin, and he turned from us. They chatted in animated voices, and I was glad no one tried to include me in that conversation. I needed a minute to breathe. Tadgh took Alice by her hand and, together, they went to check the food. I took a huge breath, trying to calm my nerves down.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I blinked as Lorcan of all people sat in front of me, his brows closed in a frown. Why was he always frowning?
I nodded automatically.
He tsked. “I know it’s awfully kind of them, but you still can say no. You’re allowed to be tired and want a rest.”
I shook my head, even though he guessed my feelings so well. “They went through so much trouble. It’ll be too rude. I can hold on for a little while.”
Those piercing blue eyes pinned me in place before he sighed and rubbed his temple. “That’s why I worry about you. You’re too polite.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Thank you?”
“You’re too much of a good girl. I want you to just do what you want. I don’t want you do what makes other people comfortable.”
I said nothing. He barely spoke to me, he only knew me for a day and yet, he dug right into my soul once again.
Yeah, kids who grew up with messed up parents tended to be the good ones, unable to make a mess themselves. My mother was the child of our relationship, unreliable and flaky. She needed attention all the time, and me? I prepared my own breakfast and knew which neighbor’s door to knock on if I got too hungry.
I didn’t like to be difficult. I never in my life said exactly what I wanted. I could always endure a little longer, hold a smile for a few minutes more. It wasn’t good for me. I knew that. I didn’t need Lorcan to point out that I was damaged goods. Now wasn't the time to start changing decades of trauma. I could smile a little longer.
Lorcan was yet again annoyed at me, but he didn’t leave my table until Tadgh and Alice were back with food. I thanked him and dug in, relieved I had something to do.
As we ate, the three of them hovered, forming an overprotective barrier. If anyone found it rude, I didn't hear a word.
“Do you like the food?” I asked Alice.
“I love potatoes,” she replied, stuffing her mouth with another one.
I chuckled. She did love potatoes.
Once we were done, I stacked our plates to the side, a habit I picked up as a waitress and never quit, before standing on my feet. Lorcan and Tadgh were also away, and I had to socialize too, but I had no idea where to start.
Everyone knew each other, talking amongst themselves, and I felt too awkward to intrude on their conversations.
Finally, someone spotted me and made a beeline to me. The second she was close enough, I knew she had to be related to Lorcan. I'd recognize those icy blue eyes anywhere.
“I wanted to introduce myself.” She shook my hand, covering mine with both of hers. “I’m Lorcan’s mother, Clodagh.”
Oh. I’d never been introduced to a mother before, and my first time, I ended up with an odd situation. Her son was only one of the three men I was getting with. He didn't seem particularly excited to be with me, refusing my kiss and making me feel like an idiot in front of the rest of his pack.
Yet, I wanted her to like me. I wanted her to look at me and think Lorcan was lucky.
Differently from her son, Clodagh looked kind, no frown adorning her features. She looked to be in her seventies, with short grey hair and dressed in a thick, bottle green sweater.
“Hi, I’m Gabriela, and this is Alice.”
Her smile turned up a notch when she looked down at my child. “I was wondering if I could spend a little time with you, Alice.”
Instinctively, I pressed a hand on my daughter’s shoulder. I never trusted a soul with Alice. Clodagh’s eyes followed the movement, and she softened in a smile.
“I was wondering if I could babysit Alice for a bit, now that you’re here.”
The fake smile was back on, my cheeks hurting from pulling the side. “Hm, oh, that's kind. Maybe. I'll let you know if we need it.”
The lie slipped out easily—she didn't need to know that not in a million years was I going to leave Alice with anyone.
Apparently, I was very transparent, because she heard all the words I didn't dare say out loud.
“I'm not trying to be pushy. I understand you're reluctant, but when things start, it’s better for her if she's not there.”
I frowned, a question showing in my expression, and Clodagh smiled.
“No one wants to be around during their mother’s first heat.”
My cheeks warmed, and I hated that we were talking about the heat I was going to go through with her son. I bit inside my mouth, thinking of anything to say, but thankfully, I was spared an answer when Tadgh arrived, playing a kiss on her cheek.
“Snuck out to meet our Gabriela, Clodagh?”
“You lot are being overprotective,” she huffed.
Tadgh laughed good-naturedly but didn’t deny anything. He kissed me on the forehead, and my shoulders relaxed.
“She was asking to have a moment with Alice.”
Even I could hear the accusing tone in my voice. It didn't matter if she was right. I’d want help the second the heat started, but still, I wasn't comfortable with needing anything from anyone.
Tadgh nodded, understanding me in a way that made me feel calm inside. He then reached for Alice, offering his hand. “What if I go with them too? How do you feel, Gabi?”
I smiled when he shortened my name, and I was nodding before I could even understand why I trusted him. Wasn't he a stranger too? His mouth stretched in the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. His chest puffed, and he dipped his chin in pride.
I fell in love a little with Tadgh at that moment. It was hard not to feel enamored with someone who smiled that easily. All my life, I had to look over my shoulder and be too aware of others’ intentions, but with Tadgh? He made me feel like I could lower my defenses.
I hugged my midsection, watching as they led Alice to the dessert table. She was going to love anyone who gave her more sugar than I allowed. Smart move.
“She shouldn’t be here cornering you, Gabriela,” Lorcan huffed, leaning on the counter beside me.
“She was trying to be helpful,” Oisin said from my other side. “We're going to need her. She just wanted to introduce herself first.”
My cheeks burned again at another mention of my imminent heat. On top of my insecurities about being separated from Alice, I had to admit, it pained me every time they talked so freely about the heat.
Oisin took my hand in his, the pad of his thumb slowly tracing my knuckles.
“You’re going to get in a heat soon. We’ll need Clodagh to mind Alice for a bit.”
My cheeks burned even more, and the words stuck inside my mouth. I wanted to explain to them I wasn’t much of a sexual person. I couldn’t imagine a moment my whole body was going to get hot, when I was going to beg for…them.
I brush that thought away, not wanting to confront those feelings just yet. Thankfully, they assumed my worry was just related to leaving Alice with his mom.
“My mother is noisy, but she’s a good one,” Lorcan said. “She’ll take care of Alice like she’s one of her own.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “Can I think about it?”
I wanted to know first what Alice thought of her. I wasn't going to approve of anyone watching my kid before hearing what she had to say.
Alice always got a say about things.
Oisin smiled and kissed my hand. “Of course you can think about it. We can find someone else too.”
I nodded, distracted with watching his mouth. “Are you sure I’m going to start on a heat?”
His expression turned wolfish, something I’d never seen before. He gazed at Lorcan, who stepped closer to our group, then back to me. “You will.”
“Teresa said it won’t pass once it starts. I’ll need…” I trailed off, not sure how to finish that particular sentence.
“You’ll need us.” Lorcan dipped his chin.
Warmth curled at the base of my spine, and I shivered as it spread through my body all the way down to my toes. The decadent feelings felt so wrong, I took my hand off Oisin’s and stepped away from them. I averted my gaze, unable to put into words what exactly was so hard for me, so I just left through the first door I saw.
I wound up in the smoking area. A few people having a cigarette smiled at me and dipped their chins. I usually hated the smell, but I didn't care this time. All I wanted was to hide and this would have to do. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt like even more of an idiot.
“Are you okay?”
I turned to the voice, wiping my tears with the back of my hand and nodding too many times to be believable.
“I’m okay.”
“I understand if it’s overwhelming. People are just excited.”
Yes, I’d heard that before, and I got it. It wasn’t the party overwhelming me, but I let him think it was. I wasn’t going to explain my fears to a stranger.
“My pack sent the blood sample at the same time as yours,” he told me suddenly.
I opened my mouth, looking at him properly for the first time. He was handsome, probably in his late thirties. He looked sad.
Shit, he looked so sad.
“I’m sure she’ll come soon,” I said.
“Do you really?” He tilted his head. “I don’t know.” He then looked away. “I don’t think it’s in the cards for everyone. But they are very lucky to have you. You're very lucky to have each other. A pack is all we could ask for. It’s the only people you can trust in the world.”
“The only people I can trust in the world…” I tasted those words on my tongue, trying to digest them.
Before I could form any sort of reply, the doors opened, and Oisin appeared. His features softened when he locked eyes with me, and I offered a small smile. As he released a slow breath, his eyes moved to the man with me.
“Hey there, Cormac. Met our Gabriela?”
Theirs .
It didn’t matter how many times I heard—it affected me differently each time the word flew out of one of their mouths. A little confused, scared, but mostly, I felt warm. Relived. I have never belonged to anyone.
“She’s great. You’re lucky.” Cormac smiled, but it never really reached his eyes.
Sadness poured out of him like a never-ending river. I felt it in my bones—his loneliness was just as loud as mine once were. Many nights, I went to sleep feeling that hole in my heart only growing, knowing nothing was ever going to work out for me.
But one day, Teresa offered me a kind hand. She took me in, and in the months I was there, she never asked anything in return.
Now, I had three mates, and while I had no idea what to do about that, or if they would feel the same for me as the days went by, I trusted them today.
I reached for Oisin’s hand, giving a squeeze. Poor Cormac watched the movement and smiled that sad smile of his.
“I know your girl is coming,” I said again, this time believing it just a little more.
Hope was all I had for far too many years. Everyone deserved to be full of hope.
Cormac nodded, and with a pat to Oisin’s shoulder, he left. We both watched the door, probably thinking the same thing: loneliness was unfair. No one deserved to feel alone.
“How you’re feeling?” Oisin asked, his hand coming to my chin and turning my face to him.
I licked my lips. “I don’t know…” I took a breath. “We barely know each other. How can you be so sure?”
He opened his mouth, but I waved him off before he could answer.
“I know we took the test. I know that, biologically, we are a match, but still. There’s a lot to consider.”
“I wasn’t going to mention the tests.” He smiled when I allowed him to talk.
“No?”
He shook his head. “I was going to say… When you were pregnant with Alice, you knew you were going to love that baby because it’s your baby. But I bet you were excited to really get to know her, to finally meet her.”
I nodded. Yeah, I felt like that.
“That’s how it is for us. We know you're our mate, but I'm excited to finally meet you. I'm glad you're finally here, and I have the privilege to learn you, interact with you, learn from you.”
I nodded, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, holding back my true feelings.
Again, Oisin read right through me. “Oh.” He nodded, finally understanding. “Ah, sweetheart, you're focusing in the wrong thing. We are going to fit perfectly in bed together.”
“How do you know?” I whispered.
He lifted a shoulder. “Because I’m not just imagining a lifetime with you.” His voice went down to just above a whisper. “I think about everything I want to do to your body, and I know it’s going to be heaven when I finally sink my cock into you.”