Gaby's panic increased when the Alpha had kept quiet.
He cleared his throat. "Chile', Jerome's nearly full grown. An' you're a growin' gal. Alpha males have very strong hormonal urges. Ya mama won't be pleased."
Gaby paled. This was worse than she thought. He was right.
Alpha Jacob had been so nice and she'd disrespectfully slept in his son's bed.
She felt so ashamed. 'How could she have been so careless?' Normally one of the boys walked her home. 'Where was Jerome?'
Jerome had been on perimeter patrol, she recalled. Normally Pieter showed up to take her home. 'Why was last night different?'
As if on cue Jerome came into his room looking like a thunderstorm. She dropped her eyes. Two upset Alpha males were dangerous. She took as submissive a position as possible.
Jerome felt a surge of power. He frowned. His father smirked and nodded towards the girl. Jerome's eyes took her in and he felt calmer.
"I'm very sorry, Alpha."
"It's alright, child. Jerome tells me that he instructed you to sleep here on nights when he's on patrol. I understand that he cleared it with your mother. He must have forgotten to let me know." Alpha Jacob spoke soothingly before embracing her.
"Sorry, Uncle Jake." She mumbled. "I'll go home and shower since Jerome's back early." She hugged him back.
"Your school stuff is already here. Go ahead and shower. I'll go across the hall in Pieter's room." Jerome instructed all but ushering his father out of his room.
Gaby still couldn't believe that her mom had gotten an assignment almost the same time Jerome had been deployed and so since then she'd been staying in Jerome's room. She missed them both very much. She spoke to her mom every day.
Her birthday was coming up soon. Last year Jerome was given a week of leave the day of her birthday and he'd helped her with one of her school projects. She doubted she'd be so lucky this year.
She was in her first year of high school and she was quite excited to experience prom and other high school rituals. She was curious if she'd get a boyfriend even despite her growing crush on the future Alpha. It, the crush, just like the weather, was just starting to cool down.
The leaves were changing color and her training was continuing.
Jerome had given the top enforcer an earful when he came home last year and she was according to his standard not where she should have been in her training. Since then the top enforcer had been personally training with her twice a week.
The other two times she trained with the top warriors in turns. There had been a rumor at the beginning of the year that she was sleeping with one of the warriors. It had been so embarrassing.
The only thing she liked about training with the enforcers and warriors was that no one openly picked on her anymore. Her body, though big, was quite defined and she liked it. She'd grown even taller so having Seniors and Juniors her height and above as friends helped her feel less awkward.
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"Hey, Foxy!" A tall stranger called out to her.
Gaby blushed, no one except Runty called her that and even he wasn't so little anymore. She shook her head and kept walking. She was almost at the door when the stranger blocked her entry.
"Hey Sugar, I meant you."
"I have a name."
He licked his lips. "Hit me with it. I bet is as sweet as sugar."
"Gabriella, is he bothering you?" A firm, very male voice asked in annoyance.
Gaby smiled, trust Ryan to come to her rescue. It was almost as if Jerome had made Ryan her bodyguard. She rolled her eyes.
"He's hitting on me." She was not afraid to let Runty fight her battles. After all, she had his back and he kept the boys at bay for her. It was their deal.
A low growl of warning from Ryan had Gaby laughing and pulling him to class just in time for the second bell. She was amused. Runty was upset.
Ryan took a deep breath, Alpha Jerome wasn't going to like this. He carefully watched the new senior walk away noting as much as he could for later.
In the absence of the Beta and Alpha, he was responsible for her safety. And, on account that he was the only one who had a schedule like Gaby's, they spent time together at school too.
Ryan didn't like the new guy. He was too cocky and not scared. He seemed to have some power but not immediately off an Alpha line which suited Ryan just fine.
Though Ryan wasn't from an Alpha line, being assigned as the future Luna's bodyguard was pretty important.
As such, he only took orders from the existing Alpha, Luna, and Betas. People wondered why he would have such power as a tiny runt but he knew better than to spill the beans.
After all, it was an immense honor. He knew the only reason Jerome let him guard her was that she had chosen Ryan. Jerome had even told him that he knew Ryan had a crush on Gaby.
That had been an epically embarrassing moment. Jerome had sort of permitted him to date, Gaby, if she wanted to have a boyfriend, but Ryan had been warned not to forget his place. Jerome had been very level-headed despite going against True Nature.
Ryan's admiration for his Alpha had increased tremendously. It was intimidating knowing your Alpha knew you had the hots for his girl yet trusted you with his heart.
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Jerome had applied for his annual leave to start a few days before her birthday. He'd "somehow" ended up as a contracted warrior for the Council of Councils for a few years. He was most grateful for the distraction.
In the last three years, he'd learned a lot. His desire to be with his mate was increasing. He could hardly believe that in another 2 years he would be able to shower her with all sorts of affection, openly.
It had been tough being away from his pack. He was in frequent communication with both his parents. Even Aunty Ramona.
He now called Gaby at least twice a day. It was his favorite part of the routine. He felt as though talking to her kept him sane.
He looked at the selfie she'd sent him. A wave of tenderness went through him. She was all the reward he wanted. His tenure at the Council of Councils was finally coming to an end.
While they hadn't caught the culprit behind the kidnappings, many girls had been rescued and returned home. That filled him with pride. Despite the accomplishment, he couldn't help but think that the decrease in trafficking was just a smokescreen.
"Hey, boss!" Pieter slapped him on the shoulder.
"Piet." Jerome nodded at his Second-in-Command. He looked around his dorm room making sure they were well and truly alone although he knew it through his other senses.
"You excited about going home this weekend?" Pieter asked already knowing the answer.
"Very," Jerome grinned.
Pieter grinned back. His Alpha was about to be whole. He knew that when they got back his Alpha would be allowed to mark his mate, and if she were willing, go through the entire mating ritual.
That was a big deal. The Council of Councils had approved his application to fast track what he'd normally have to wait another two years for. Pieter knew it was because of how loyal Jerome had been when many of the Alphas had abandoned the Council Guard for their mates.
Jerome had informed the Council of Councils that he was blessed with a mate but as she was underage he chose to protect her by apprehending the culprits. It had been a bold move. One that now was allowing them to take leave until needed.
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Gabriella rushed through the corridors of the school. She was not about to be late. She'd heard that these men Jerome had left to catch were planning on capturing another girl today. If it hadn't been for the fact that Pieter's sister had been terrified she would have ignored the news.
As she rounded the corner she saw a van with out-of-state plates. She pretended to check her face in her camera and took a picture of the license plate. She quickly sent the picture.
A guy came toward her. He seemed frustrated. She let him approach with caution.
"Hi, I seem to be lost. I'm looking for the Alpha's residence."
Gaby sighed in relief. "No problem," she turned to point out the direction of the Alpha's residence and she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck. Her knees buckled and the ground rushed up to her.
When she woke up hours later she was in the back of the van as it drove swiftly over a tarred road. She knew she needed to call Jerome. She tapped into the pack link.
'Alpha, I'm in trouble. I'm in the back of a van. A man asked me for directions to your house.'
"Oh, you're awake. Guess I'll have to up your dosage." A familiar voice spoke to her from the front of the van.
Gaby looked up and saw other girls lined along the walls of the van. All of them were chained to the van walls with their hands cuffed together and their feet shackled. She quickly sent the picture to the Alpha.
All of the girls were unconscious except for her. The man who had asked her for directions came towards her very cautiously. When he was about two feet away he pointed a dart gun at her leg.
Gaby projected everything to her Alpha, she didn't know if she was too far away or if she was still close to home. As the dart hit her leg she hissed at the pain before the tranquilizer knocked her completely out.