Gabriel chuckled softly, his gaze fixed upon the trembling servant girl before him. "Ah, my dear, you've returned once again, it seems. I apologize for almost taking your life last time," he said nonchalantly.
The girl trembled, yet a hidden smile played upon the corner of her lips. "M-Master, next time, please don't hold back your hunger. You may drink my blood again. Do it before you truly feel famished. I-I don't mind."
Gabriel tilted his head, a knowing smile curling his lips. "Such devotion," he murmured, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. "You and the other servant girls have returned to me, haven't you? It seems the temporary imprint I bestowed upon you holds a powerful sway."
The servant girl nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and an inexplicable yearning. She knelt before Gabriel, offering him a clean robe as he sat upon the floor. Gabriel accepted it with a gracious smile, fully aware of the unexplained allure he held over these girls.
With an Alpha's power of imprinting, he could evoke a deep longing within them, compelling them to return to him without clear reason.
Their thirst for him, for his presence, would remain insatiable, bound by an inexplicable connection.
Gabriel raised his hand and brushed his fingers along the slender neck of the servant girl before him. Unbeknownst to her, a soft sigh escaped her lips, lost in a haze of desire.
She willingly offered herself without being asked, elongating her neck and drawing closer to Gabriel's touch, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and submission.
However, Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "No, no," he said with a smirk. "Thank you, but I am sated for now. I had an interesting snack last night."
The servant girl's expression wavered between disappointment and relief, her desires conflicting with the reality of Gabriel's words. She nodded, her eyes downcast, understanding that his hunger had already been appeased.
Gabriel lightly tapped the servant girl's shoulder before rising to his feet, adjusting his robe with precision and care.
The servant girl felt a pang of disappointment, but she stood alongside him, her posture respectful and obedient.
"Master, the warm water is ready," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation.
"Very well. Thank you," Gabriel replied, acknowledging her dutiful service with a nod of his head.
They made their way towards the bathing chambers, where the servant girl had prepared a warm bath for Gabriel.
As they entered the chamber, the soothing scent of essential oils filled the air, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
The servant girl silently assisted Gabriel, pouring warm water into the bathtub and ensuring that everything was to his liking.
She observed him with a mix of adoration and restrained desire, keeping her gaze lowered as she fulfilled her role in attending to his needs.
Gabriel immersed himself in the warm water, allowing its comforting embrace to wash away the remnants of his earlier hunger. The servant girl remained by his side, ready to offer further assistance should he require it.
As Gabriel relaxed in the luxurious bath, the servant girl discreetly glanced at him, her heart filled with longing and a deep sense of submission. She yearned for his attention, for his touch.
In the quiet solitude of the bathing chambers, the sounds of the water lapping against the sides of the tub mingled with the soft sighs of contentment that escaped Gabriel's lips.
"Liz," he whispered softly under his breath. "Fiona Elizabeth Lambert."
***
Fuck!
Liz's eyes shot open, and she jolted upright in her bed, clutching her chest tightly. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
It felt as if someone had a firm grip on her heart, squeezing it tightly until it was on the verge of exploding.
Struggling for breath, Liz reached out for the glass of water on the nightstand beside her bed. With trembling hands, she brought it to her lips and gulped it down until it was empty.
The cool water provided a momentary relief, easing the tightness in her chest, but the fear and panic still lingered within her. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Liz's heart continued to race erratically, and the back of her neck felt uncomfortably hot and itchy. She scratched at it while letting out frustrated groans.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" she muttered, her irritation growing.
The imprint that Gabriel had given her was a powerful and binding connection, one that should have allowed her to share a deeper connection with him. But for some reason, she couldn't remember any dreams or moments of intimacy with him.
Frustration washed over her, and she began to pace around the room, her hands still fidgeting with her hair.
"Why can't I remember? It's not fair!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with annoyance and confusion.
Liz couldn't understand why she couldn't recall any interactions with Gabriel through their supposed connection. It was as if a crucial part of herself was missing, leaving her feeling restless and incomplete.
And yet, amidst the turmoil of her emotions, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity whenever she thought of Gabriel. It was as if she had known him her whole life, as if they were destined to be entwined in some way.
But rather than feeling comforted by this sense of familiarity, Liz felt a deep unease and anxiety whenever she thought of the Alpha. Her heart pounded rapidly, and her face flushed with the intensity of her emotions.
As she continued to pace, Liz tried to make sense of her feelings, attempting to decipher the inexplicable connection she felt with Gabriel.
The intensity of Liz's emotions overwhelmed her, and she couldn't understand why she felt such strong loathing towards someone who had saved her life like Gabriel.
But it was more than just an aversion; it was an all-consuming disdain that sent tremors through every fiber of her being.