Lucas
I don't know why I came here. I don't know why I gave him the only evidence that could help me and my team find the people of the nightshade Syndicate. This is stupid and I know it.
I don't even like Gabriel.
I don't want to be around him.
The conversation with my father must be the reason why I am acting all stupid and unlike myself.
"Anything yet" I ask him as he holds the shirt in his grasp.
His eyes are closed as i wait for him to use his ability to see what is inside the Gabriel takes a deep breath, his brow furrowing in concentration. I watch him closely, curious to see what he discovers. Moments pass, the silence between us thick with anticipation. Finally, he opens his eyes, his gaze meeting mine.
"There's something," he says, his voice laced with a mixture of surprise and determination. "A faint trace of a scent. It's familiar, but I can't place it just yet."
My heart quickens at his words. Could this be the breakthrough we've been waiting for? The key to unraveling the mystery behind the Nightshade Syndicate? I suppress the urge to show my excitement, maintaining a calm exterior.
"What does it smell like?" I ask, trying to contain my eagerness.
Gabriel takes another moment, his senses fully attuned to the scent. "There's a hint of oak and musk," he says, his voice thoughtful. "But there's something else... something darker, more elusive. It's like a lingering shadow."
My mind races, trying to make connections. Oak and musk, a hint of darkness. It rings a bell, but the pieces of the puzzle are still scattered. I need more information.
"Is there anything else? Any other details that might help us identify who this belongs to?" I inquire, my voice tinged with anticipation.
Gabriel shakes his head, his expression frustrated. "Not yet. The scent is faint, as if it's been deliberately masked. But it's there, and it's enough to give us a starting point."
I chew on my lower lip, deep in thought. This is just the beginning, a small lead that might guide us in the right direction. But it's a start nonetheless.
"Gabriel, we need to dig deeper," I say, my voice earnest. "We can't let this opportunity slip away. We have to find out who these attackers are, what their motivations are. We need to protect our packs."
I could have easily done all this on my own. I don't know why I am doing this with him.
"You are not trying hard enough, do that thing were your eyes go white and your wolf comes out,'' i push him even deeper.
He opens his eyes and there is suspicion in them.
Gabriel's eyes narrow, his expression hardening as a wave of tension fills the air between us. "Don't mistake this temporary alliance for trust, Blackwood. You're still the same arrogant, reckless troublemaker I've always known you to be."
I clench my jaw, my patience wearing thin. "And you're still the self-righteous, uptight Alpha who thinks he knows everything. But guess what? We need each other right now, whether you like it or not."
Gabriel takes a step closer, his voice dripping with disdain. "I don't need you, Blackwood. I can handle this on my own."
I match his gaze, refusing to back down. "Oh really? Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you're running out of leads and answers. You need all the help you can get."
A growl rumbles deep within Gabriel's chest, his wolf-like instincts flaring. "I don't need your help. I never asked for it."
The tension builds, crackling like electricity in the air, as our gazes lock in a battle of wills. Neither of us is willing to yield, our stubbornness fueling the fire between us.
"You're too proud to admit it, Gabriel," I retort, my voice laced with frustration. "But deep down, you know we stand a better chance together. We can accomplish more as a team."
He scoffs, his voice dripping with derision. "You think you know me? You think you understand what it means to be an Alpha?"
This fucking asshole.
"I am a fucking Alpha so don't think you can just talk to me like one of the betas by your side."
At this point, he is pissing me off. Usually, I am the one to instigate things but I have been out for hours, searching for something--anything to show a lead, to help the community and he is here, mocking my fucking hard work.
Gabriel's eyes blaze with fury, his control slipping as his wolf instincts take over. "You want to talk about being an Alpha? Fine, let's talk. I've dedicated my entire life to my pack, to protecting them and ensuring their safety. I don't need your condescending lectures about teamwork. I've faced challenges far greater than you can imagine."
My heart pounds in my chest as his words strike a nerve. The frustration and exhaustion I've been feeling boil over, and I can't help but respond in kind. "Oh, you've faced challenges, huh? Tell me, how's that been working out for you? We're standing here with more questions than answers, while our packs are still at risk. Maybe it's time to consider a different approach."
Gabriel takes a menacing step closer, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "You think you have all the answers, don't you? You think your reckless methods will magically solve everything?"
A surge of anger courses through me, my own wolf instincts rising to match his intensity. "I never claimed to have all the answers, Gabriel. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect my pack, even if it means working with someone I despise."
The air crackles with tension as our argument escalates, the animosity between us reaching its peak. I don't know who reaches for who first. I don't know if he is the one that kisses me but in a split second, our lips collide in a heated, passionate kiss. The shock of the moment sends a surge of electricity coursing through my veins, overpowering the anger and frustration that had consumed us just moments before. It's a collision of fire and ice, our conflicting emotions merging into a single, intense desire.
Gabriel's grip tightens around me, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens. The taste of him, a mix of fury and vulnerability, ignites a primal hunger within me. It's a tumultuous dance, our bodies pressed against each other as the world around us fades into oblivion.
Gabriel pushes me to the ground and I don't even think about the sand or how it will mess up my clothes. I want more in this moment and it seems to me like he wants the same.
How can you despise someone so much and want them so badly.
Fuck me.