Chapter 16

GABE

I couldn’t stop smiling at the dinner table, thinking about Mila’s lips. Or the way her body pressed into mine while her hands slid up my back. My father, Alpha Troy, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding and calm. My mom, Luna Emily, with her graceful demeanor, was on the other end, casting a critical eye over the cutlery’s placement. Tyler lounged lazily next to me, scrolling through his phone.

The smell of roasted veggies and grilled meats filled the air as the door to the kitchen opened. I watched as Mila and the other servants moved around the table, setting down the dishes with ease. I’ve had a crush on Mila since the first time I saw her. She thought it was the day she started working here but actually the first day she came to the orphanage a year after she had lost her parents. 

Some boys were making fun of her one day and I guess she had enough. She picked up one of the boys and body slammed him into the ground. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. So cool that I created a comic strip around it and shared it with her a year later. I knew it was weird it took that long for me to finally talk to her, but it was worth it. We’ve been friends ever since, and now we are going to be so much more.

As Mila moved around the table, my heart swelled. She had a quiet beauty, her puffy hair wrapped up in a silk headwrap with a few curls falling around her face. I couldn’t help but watch her delicate movements as she glided back and forth between the rooms. Then I noticed Tyler watching her as well and it didn’t sit right with me.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don't,” I said under my breath towards him.

“Or what?” Tyler grinned. “I’m not Randall or Leo. I don’t back down that easily, Gruggs.”

“Good. I won’t either,” I said, not backing down from his glare, though it still made me uncomfortable.

“So,” my mom began, “I heard the Mora girls are fitting in quite nicely at school. Though I would be more excited if I learned that one of them was your mate. Tyler?”

“Sorry to disappoint, Mom.”

“No matter,” my mom continued, “the contact to join the Mora family with ours will still go to plan. Though, a true mate would've made it better.”

“Speaking of mates,” I started, trying to sound more casual. “I think I would like a chosen mate.” 

My mom’s eyes flickered up with interest. “Oh? Did someone grab my little Gabriel’s heart? Who is this special girl? More importantly, who is her family?”

I quickly exchanged a look with Mila, who shakingly sat down the last dish before bowing. She glanced at me briefly with a smile before leaving the room. I couldn’t help but smile at the blush across her cheeks.

“Well, she is someone who understands me,” I said, my voice softening with every word. “Someone who knows what I need.”

“Well you’re too young to know what you need,” my mom smiled, her expression warming for a moment. “You know how much I want you to find someone suitable, though I don’t know who would be worthy of my little Gabriel.”

“Mom, come on. I’m not little anymore,” I said, dodging to keep her from pinching my cheeks.

“You will always be my little Gabriel,” she teased. “Now tell me about this girl. Is she worthy of you?”

“I think she is more than worthy,” I said, sounding more sure of myself as I thought of Mila.

“Well, who is she,” –my mom gasped and looked at me with shock. “Is it the other Mora girl or their little friend, um, Julia–her family has a strong lineage.”

Tyler laughed as I groaned out loud, nearly pushing my plate away. Her suggestions made me sick to my stomach. Girls like Amber and Ari would’ve made me lose my hope in women if not for Mila.

“Gruggs wouldn’t be able to get a girl like them even if he was half as good-looking as me,” Tyler laughed.

More like count me lucky. I thought to myself.

“Hey, don’t say that about your brother and that nickname is unbecoming,” my mom reprimanded. “I am lucky to have two beautiful boys. So who is this girl?”

I took a deep breath, wondering if I should change the subject then I remembered what Uncle Aaron said about showing strength. There was no more backing down this year.

“Well, I was thinking about someone like…Mila.”

“What!” Tyler growled, looking at me as if I lost my mind. I didn’t think this would surprise him that much. He knew how much I liked her. He made fun of it many times throughout our childhood.

“You’re interested in chipmunk as a mate?” Tyler’s tone was laced with jealousy. “There are plenty of girls who are more suitable. Right, Mom?”

A silence settled over the table, only the sound of my father’s eating could be heard. My mom narrowed her eyes as her smile faded. At that moment, Mila reappeared from the kitchen with the water pitcher. She immediately sensed the change in atmosphere and I could see her contemplating leaving. Instead, she quickly refilled our glasses and exited the room.

A small laugh escaped my mom’s lips. "Mila?" she asked, her voice edged with disbelief. "But she has no status, no lineage to speak of."

“What if she turns out to be my mate?” I asked, hoping to turn this positive back towards an optimistic direction. “Like my true mate. Would status matter then?”

My mom didn’t speak right away, so Tyler chimed in. “I do remember you saying that true mates are what matter most. You and Dad are true mates, and you didn't have any status when he chose you."

I looked at him confused. First he’s against it and now he’s with me. Something wasn’t right. Maybe it had to do with him finding his true mate. I knew Ari wasn’t his mate, so maybe he found her and she was just like Mila. 

“Thank you, Tyler, for pointing that out,” my mom sneered as her face tightened. “Yes, we are true mates, but that’s different. We built this pack from the ground up. Especially after your grandfather nearly destroyed the company. Goddess rest his soul. So, I don’t want any of you getting any ideas about other girls, especially you, Tyler. You already have Ari.” 

"So, does that mean I'm free to date anyone I choose?" I asked, knowing her answer already.

"No, Gabriel," my mom said firmly. 

“But, Mom…”

My father, who has been silent until now, finally spoke up. “Gabe,” he said, his voice deep and commanding, “your mom and I just want what is best for you and the pack. You have to remember you have responsibilities as well being the pack’s Beta. We have to make sure the pack remains strong. Understand?”

"Exactly,” my mom agreed. “You need someone of equal standing to support you, to help you lead.”

“Leadership isn’t just about status,” I said, feeling a little more sure about what I was saying. “It’s about strength, support, and understanding. Mila has all of that.”

“She will not make this pack stronger, Gabriel,” my father stated matter-of-factly. “Find someone else.”

He nearly growled that last part, which meant what he said was law, but of course I felt the need to keep going.

“I know what’s best for me, Dad, and–” 

My mom cut me off with a hand before sighing. “Let’s table this and talk about what we’re going to do for your birthday. I already have a guest list.”

“Why? So you can force me to pick from your list of snobs,” I said. 

My dad slammed his fist on the table. “You will do what is best for the pack,” he stated firmly.

“You can throw as many parties as you want,” I said defiantly. I was shaking a bit and even Tyler looked at me crazy for speaking up to my parents, especially my dad who was glaring at me now. I thought I would shut but my mouth kept moving. “No matter what you try to do, I will pick Mila.”

“Chipmunk isn’t yours,” Tyler growled.

“She is not the one for you!” My mom shouted at the same time, and we all heard a crash behind us. I turned to see Mila looking at all of us.