Page 37 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

Gabriel orders for both of us when the server returns—my turkey avocado sandwich and a black coffee for himself. The domesticity of the moment strikes me as oddly intimate, sharing a meal with this Alpha who has unexpectedly become central to my life.

"So," I venture, fidgeting with my napkin, "what happens after lunch? Do I just... go back to your house and start setting up shop in your sunroom?"

Gabriel takes a sip of his coffee, his eyes never ceasing their vigilant scan of our surroundings. "If that works for you. We'll need to stop by your apartment first, though. Get whatever personal items you need."

The thought of Gabriel in my apartment—my private space—sends an unexpected flutter through my stomach. "My apartment? Is that necessary?"

"Unless you want to keep wearing the same clothes…and I don’t think you would be comfortable usingourclothes," he points out, the hint of a smile playing at his lips. "And I assume you'd like your own toiletries, maybe some books to pass the time."

I sigh, recognizing the practicality of his suggestion. He was right. I didn’t want to wear dirty or clothes that were Alpha scented, "Fine. But just the essentials. This is temporary, right? I shouldn’t have to stay that long…?”

"That's the goal," Gabriel confirms, his voice dropping slightly. "But I won't lie to you, Vivian. This investigation is complex. It could take time to identify and apprehend whoever is behind the attacks."

Our food arrives, momentarily halting the conversation. I take a bite of my sandwich, savoring the fresh avocado and roasted turkey. It's delicious, but I can barely focus on the taste with my mind racing through all the implications of what Gabriel is saying.

"How much time?" I ask after swallowing. "Days? Weeks?"

Gabriel sets down his coffee mug, his expression carefully measured. "Difficult to say. We've got leads—the blood sample from your shop, footage of the attacker, connections to Thompson's research. But whoever's behind this has resources, planning capabilities. They've managed to stay ahead of us so far."

I take another bite, chewing slowly to buy myself time to process this information. The idea of staying at Gabriel's house for weeks, surrounded by his pack, living in their territory while trying to maintain some semblance of independence seems impossible. But what choice do I have?

"And in the meantime, I just... what? Live with your pack? Run my business from your sunroom?" I set my sandwich down, appetite waning. "You realize how unusual this arrangement is, right?"

Gabriel meets my gaze directly. "Yes. But these are unusual circumstances."

"That's an understatement," I mutter, taking a sip of my coffee. "I just... I've spent my whole life being independent. Not relying on Alphas for anything. And now suddenly I'm staying in an Alpha pack house, using their resources, accepting their protection." I shake my head. "It feels wrong."

Gabriel studies me for a long moment, his blue eyes intent. "I understand your frustration. But the alternative is risking your life, and that's not something I'm willing to do."

The certainty in his voice catches me off guard. There's something personal in his tone, something that goes beyond professional duty.

"Why do you care so much?" I ask quietly, setting down my sandwich. "I'm just a witness in your case. One of many, I'm sure. Why go to all this trouble?"

Gabriel's expression shifts, almost imperceptibly. He takes a moment before answering, choosing his words with obvious care. "At first, it was just professional responsibility. A witness in a dangerous situation needed protection." He pauses, his eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity. "But it's become more than that."

My heart stutters, and I force myself to maintain eye contact despite the sudden heat creeping up my neck. "More how?"

Gabriel leans forward slightly, his voice dropping to ensure our conversation remains private. "There's something about you, Vivian. Your resilience. Your determination to maintain independence despite everything that's happened." A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Most people would have fallen apart by now."

"Maybe I'm just good at hiding it," I counter, though his words send an unexpected warmth through me.

Gabriel studies me for a moment, his gaze searching. "Maybe. But I've seen enough people fall apart to recognize genuine strength." He takes another sip of his coffee. "And regardless of how you feel about Alphas, my pack and I are in a position to help. To keep you safe while you continue your life as normally as possible under the circumstances."

I lower my eyes to my half-eaten sandwich, processing his words. There's a sincerity in his tone that makes it difficult to maintain my defenses. "I appreciate that," I admit reluctantly. "I just... I wish none of this was necessary."

"So do I," Gabriel says quietly. "But wishing won't change our reality."

We finish our lunch in companionable silence, the weight of our conversation hanging between us. As Gabriel pays the bill—waving away my attempt to contribute—I find myself studying him more closely. What he revealed about me being something more. I didn’t know how to process that.

So I did what I did best…push it away and lock it away for it to bother and analyze at a later date.

Chapter Sixteen

Iletmymindwanderas we walk, the familiar streets of my neighborhood feeling somehow alien after the events of the past days. Gabriel walks slightly ahead of me, his posture alert despite the casual way he maintains conversation. I notice how other pedestrians unconsciously give him space, the subtle shift in their paths as they sense the Alpha in their midst.

"Theo texted," Gabriel says, glancing at his phone. "The cleaning crew is making good progress. They should be finished by evening."

"That's... fast," I comment, surprised at the efficiency. "Usually these things take days."

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