Rachel's P.O.V
Gabriel didn't allow me to get out of bed for the next two days except to shower and use the bathroom. The first day it was cute of him bringing me food and making sure I was comfortable.
The next day it was damn annoying.
He kept insisting that I needed to rest, that my body hadn't gotten rid of all sliver yet, but I think he just liked being able to stay with me all day and boss me around.
He only left when his mom,my mom and Helen came to check on me,they all doted on me like mother hen.
I'm a fierce warrior, I don't need all this doting, it's getting annoying.
Just as they were leaving, Gabriel came back to the room. He has another training session with Ethan meaning he was hot, sexy and looking delicious.
" You are gonna take a shower ?" I ask with a sly smirk, he cock his brow at me as he pulls his shirt over his head,sweat still sticking to his chest making it glisten in the setting sunlight streaming through the window.
" Maybe, what's it to you?" He asks, smiling as I bite my lip admiring the view.
" I don't know ". I say shrugging
" I thought you might need some help getting cleaned".
He threw his head back and laughed, the sound deep and melodious making me smile in return.
" Well then come on, sweetheart. Lend me a hand....or two". He purrs as he pulls me out of bed and into the bathroom with him.
He strips me down naked, kissing every inch of my over excited flesh, before I slip his pants down allowing his already erect dick to bounce free. I bite my lip and reach out for it, but he grabs my hand and shakes his head.
" None of that, you are not ready yet". He says and I huff in annoyance making him chuckle.
" I'm fine". I say as I pull him into the shower, rubbing my wet body against him making him groan.
" Sweetheart". He pleaded, putting his hand on my hip, holding me at a distance.
" What the matter, baby? Do you not want me?" I ask, pouting out my bottom lip and making his eyes go wide and pleading. He groaned and tilted his head back.
" Stop, you know I want you, I just want to take it slow and make sure you are fully ready, then I can enjoy you to the fullest". He murmurs ducking his head into my neck, while he plasters kisses along my neck.
" Well, since I think I am well enough to be wet and naked in the shower with you, then I'm well enough to eat dinner with the pack tonight ". I tell him firmly running the soapy cloth on his body. He groans again before looking down on me
" You did that on purpose, didn't you? My girl fights dirty". He muse, his tone covered with humor, I nod in response and smile brightly at him.
" Yeah, so you might as well just give me what I want". I say with a shrug and he gives me a warm smile before contemplating for a moment.
" You are right. You should start spending more time with the pack anyway. It will be good for them to start thinking of you as their future Luna. Assuming you are still going to mark me?" He asks hopefully and I nod in response.
" Yes, even though the bond returned on its own, I still want to mark you soon,and I want you to mark me too". I tell him sweetly and he leans down to press his lips against mine, he hums in pleasure as I move closer to him pressing my body against his. We stayed like this for a while, exploring each other's body until my stomach rumbles, Gabriel chuckles at the sound and turns off the water.
" Come on, let 's feed the beast". He says chuckling. We dressed up quickly and descended the stairs holding hands. I'm still surprised everytime we touch the strength of the spark I feel crashing through my system.
No wonder Gabriel had such a hard time keeping his hands to himself those first few days.
We entered the noisy dining room and headed to the line, as people started noticing us the chatting and laughter stopped . As I looked around the room I noticed everyone's eyes were on me. I looked up at Gabriel in confusion, who was staring at the pack. I get worried for a second until I hear a man's voice from somewhere in the back of the room.
" You are a fucking bad ass, Rachel". He shouts, at the the whole room breaks into a loud applause and cheers
A shy smile splashes across my face, while I feel my cheek heat up in an intense blush. I look up at Gabriel who is smiling down proudly at me, he joins I'm the cheers, whistling and lifting me up to his shoulder and holding his hand up in triumphant fist. The pack love the showmanship and the cheers grow louder until I finally convince Gabriel to put me down . He chuckles and pulls me in for a kiss while I pull away to hide my face in his chest.
" It won't take much for you to win them over". He whispers in my ear, I smile at him until my eyes flit to the figure behind him.
Steve
He's standing there watching me with a sorrowful gaze, I sigh deeply as the smile falls off my face. I haven't had much of a chance to deal with the emotional fallout of taking a life, I was just hoping it wouldn't crash into me too hard or at the wrong time . I put my still empty plate down and sidestep Gabriel as we walk slowly towards Steve. He stays rooted to his spot, I see pain on his face,but no anger which surprises me.
" Steve, I". He cut me off, holding up a hand and shaking his head.
" Don't be sorry, you did what you had to do. Especially after she cheated like that, you really prove to us that you are the strongest she-wolf in the pack. You will be an amazing Luna , I do have one question though". He says and I furrow my brows at him as I feel Gabriel stand behind me and wrap his arms gently around my waist.
" What?" I ask.
'"You are obviously strong and a well trained fighter, why did you always hold back during training?" He asks and I shrug.
"Showing off was never my thing. I didn't feel the need to prove how strong I was or skilled. I know who I am , my strength and I'm definitely not blind to my weakness". I say and he ponders on that.
" But if you had just shown us what you could do, we wouldn't have treated you the way we did". He pointed out and I sigh.
" The way you treated me says more about you than it does about me". I say firmly and I feel a fresh bout of regret barrel into me from my bond with Gabriel, I reach up to hold his hands that are clasped around my waist and squeeze him gently, letting him know that I have forgiven him.
I won't let some bad memories stop us from enjoying a loving mate bond. It would be cheating myself just as much as him and I refuse to do that to myself.
"I guess you are right". Steve says looking out the window as his mind wanders away. " For what it's worth, I'm sorry. Going through what I did with Debbie, well it made me reevaluate a lot of my decisions and my behavior. Gabriel you were right when you said I was slacking off, I needed that push. I hope you will still find a spot for me somewhere in the pack. I respect your decision to make Ethan your Beta, it was the right one". He says and his words surprise me, Steve had always been an arrogant wolf, so his admission must be very hard on him.
" I'm sure we can find a spot for you Steve". Gabriel says warmly before pulling away from me and giving Steve a quick hug . It gives me hope that their friendship can survive and Steve can be an asset to the pack.
We eat and chat with pack members. Some of the pups come up to hug me and I remember the Luna vibes the Alpha of the first pack I visited mentioned. Gabriel was right when he said I would have to adjust and be more social with the pack . I look over to where he was, chatting excitedly with some of the warriors about his training with Ethan. They are all watching him, hanging on every word as he describes an intense sparring session where he manages to beat Ethan for the first time.
If anyone can make me grow and come out of my shell, it is him.