Cassian's warning stayed with Aveline, galloping endlessly in her mind. It was impossible to ignore the weight of his words: "He's not the man he used to be."
The next morning, as negotiations resumed, Aveline kept a careful eye on Gabriel. Though he wore his usual calm demeanor, she noticed something was off beneath the surface, strong jawlines when his pack members spoke out of turn, different exchanges between him and Cassian, and moments where his confidence seemed to fail.
Gabriel was walking a fine line, that much was clear. But why?
As the meeting dragged on, she studied his interactions more closely. There were times when he commanded respect effortlessly, his pack hanging on his every word. But there were other moments, brief but telling when dissent showed across their faces.
He's keeping secrets, Aveline thought. Not just from me but from his own people.
Her instincts were pushing her to confront him, but the tension in the room was already very sharp. She couldn't risk drawing more attention to herself, not with Elder Thorne's watchful eyes always nearby.
Later that evening, Aveline wandered the corridors of the estate, her thoughts were too restless and they couldn't afford her sleep. She turned a corner and froze as voices reached her ears.
"…You think I don't see what you're doing?" Cassian's voice was low but laced with anger.
"Lower your voice," Gabriel snapped. "This isn't the place for this discussion."
Aveline crept closer, pressing herself against the wall.
"You're going too far, Gabriel," Cassian hissed. "I've stood by you through everything, but this? You're risking everything we have built, everything we have fought for."
"You think I don't know that?" Gabriel's tone was sharp and desperate. "Every choice I've made has been for the survival of this pack. For you. For all of us."
Cassian's laugh was laced with disapproval of Gabriel's speech. "Survival? Is that what you call this? You're sacrificing us, Gabriel. Piece by piece. And for what?"
A long silence existed between them before Gabriel replied, his voice softer but no less intense. "For a future. A future where this pack doesn't have to live in fear, hunted and outcast."
Cassian's footsteps moved closer, and Aveline held her breath. "That future won't mean anything if you destroy us in the process."
"I won't let that happen," Gabriel said, his voice steady. "But I need your loyalty, Cassian. Now more than ever."
Aveline heard a harsh exhale, followed by Cassian speaking under his breath. "Your sacrifices will ruin us all."
Then, the sound of footsteps moving away. Aveline peeped around the corner just in time to see Cassian walking down the hall. He eventually disappeared from her, his body language filled with anger. Gabriel stood alone, his head bowed and his hands clenched into fists.
Aveline slipped away before Gabriel could notice her. Her heart kept pounding as she replayed the conversation in her head.
Sacrifices? What sacrifices?
Cassian's words only increased her confusion. Was Gabriel truly the enemy she feared, or was he trapped in a situation beyond his control?
She returned to her quarters, but sleep refused to come. Instead, memories of Gabriel flooded her mind, his laughter, his steady presence, and the fierce loyalty he had always shown their pack. He had once been her rock, symbolizing everything good and strong in their world.
But now? The man she saw was a stranger, surrounded by secrets and walking a path she couldn't understand.
The next day, Aveline found herself wandering around the estate grounds. She needed fresh air, a moment to think and digest all she had heard and seen. But as she rounded a corner near the edge of the gardens, she nearly collided with Gabriel.
"Aveline," he said, his voice low and urgent.
She stepped back, her heart racing again. "What are you doing out here?"
"I needed to talk to you," he said, with a sharp voice and straight face. "am talking about Somewhere private."
Her instinct was to refuse his proposal, to push him away. But something in his countenance, a mix of determination and vulnerability stopped her. She nodded hesitantly.
They walked a short distance until they couldn't hear or see people anymore. Gabriel turned to her, his jaw set.
"There's more at stake here than you know," he began. "More than I can explain right now."
"Then try," Aveline said sharply. "Because all I see is someone who's turned their back on everything they once stood for."
His eyes darkened. "You think this is easy for me? Do you think I wanted any of this?"
"Then why?" she demanded. "Why lie to me? Why let me believe you were dead? Why lead this pack of rogues and mercenaries?"
Gabriel relaxed himself and removed the pain on his face. "Aveline trust me, I don't have a choice. Everything I have done, everything I am doing, it's all for a reason. A reason I can't tell you for now."
Aveline's frustration increased at the mention of the words from him again. "Gabriel, You just keep saying all this but how am I supposed to trust you when you won't even tell me the truth?"
He stepped closer and whispered to her. "Because if you don't, it'll cost more lives than you can imagine. Trust me, Aveline. Or walk away."
Before she could respond then there was a sharp knock on the door. They turned to check who it was and there was a messenger rushing toward them with a paled face.
"An urgent message from the council," the messenger said hastily. "There's been an ambush on the border. The peace talks might collapse."
Gabriel's expression became hardened, and he looked at Aveline. "We're out of time."
Her heart became heavy as the whole situation pressed down on her. She was now in the middle of everything happening, and it was getting out of control.