Chapter 9

Gabriel's POV

I was in the middle of a video conference with my team discussing the campaign when my phone vibrated. A text from my Beta deputy Jason Fairfax flashed across the screen:

Ms. Morgan has left the estate.

My grip tightened around the phone. This woman was already testing my patience. I had explicitly instructed her to stay put until I returned.

"Gentlemen, something urgent has come up," I said to the team members on my screen. "We'll continue this discussion tomorrow."

I ended the call before they could even ask questions. The meeting could wait; the safety of my unborn pup couldn't.

The drive to Isabella's apartment took less time than it should have, my foot heavy on the accelerator the entire way. Despite my anger, I was constantly scanning the streets, alert for any sign of threat. My competitor's spies were everywhere, and news of my offspring would spread quickly once it leaked.

I easily found Isabella's building—a run-down complex in a neighborhood that had seen better days. The security was virtually non-existent; I walked straight through the main entrance without anyone stopping me.

I knocked on her door, and when she opened it, I was momentarily caught off guard. The sunlight streaming through her window caught in her honey-gold hair, illuminating her delicate features. She seemed even more beautiful now.

Since our last meeting, her scent had changed subtly, becoming sweeter, richer—the unmistakable scent of a pregnant female. My wolf stirred within me, rumbling with satisfaction.

"Why did you leave?" I demanded. "I specifically told you to stay at the estate."

Isabella's eyebrows shot up. "I wasn't aware I needed your permission to go home." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not your servant. I don't need to follow your every command."

My wolf let out an appreciative growl at her spirit. Most humans cowered in my presence, but this slip of a woman stood her ground.

"I'm not being dictatorial," I said, walking past her into the apartment.

The apartment was tiny, with water stains marking one corner of the ceiling. The furniture was worn but clean. It was obvious she had tried to make the place homey, with small touches like a vase of wildflowers on the kitchen table and colorful throw pillows on the threadbare couch.

"So this is where you live?"

"Yes, and I like it just fine," she replied defensively.

"I can't allow the mother of my pup to live in a place like this." I turned to face her. "You need to move to my estate where you can receive better care."

She shook her head stubbornly. "I make my own decisions about where I live."

"May I remind you that we have an agreement?" I stepped closer, using my height to intimidate her. "You're obligated to follow the terms we established."

Her eyes flashed with defiance. "The agreement says I have to appear as your partner in public. It doesn't say I have to live with you."

My gaze sharpened, and my voice lowered: "Isabella, I'm currently running for Alpha King. Once my campaign goes public, your identity and the existence of our child will be exposed."

She shrugged. "So?"

"This isn't just about politics," I explained, struggling to maintain patience. "The competition between Alphas isn't limited to debates and voting. My opponents will look for any of my weaknesses they can exploit."

She paused, "You mean someone might try to use me against you?"

I nodded, "You're carrying my heir. That makes you both a target and leverage. I can't be with you every moment of every day."

Isabella fell silent, her hand unconsciously moving to her still-flat stomach. She looked around her small apartment, seeming to weigh her options.

"Moving to my estate doesn't mean giving up your freedom," I softened my tone. "It's about ensuring your safety—and the safety of our child."

After a long moment of silence, she sighed. "Fine, Mr. Vasquez. I'll move to your estate."

My wolf howled in triumph within me. She was coming home with us, where we could protect her and our pup.

My gaze lingered on her. I couldn't help but remember how before she was pregnant, every time I saw her, I would involuntarily follow her with my eyes. That attraction, seemingly innate, was difficult to control.

Now that she was carrying my child, this instinctual attention had grown even stronger. Because she was human, I had always tried to restrain myself, not daring to cross boundaries. But now, I finally had ample reason to get close to Isabella, to explore and understand everything about her.

"While I like that form of address," I said with a small smile, "you are my girlfriend. Perhaps calling me 'Gabriel' would be more appropriate."

She looked surprised but nodded. "Gabriel," she repeated, my name sounding unexpectedly right on her lips.

My wolf rumbled with satisfaction, and I had to resist the urge to pull her close.

Back at the estate, I showed Isabella to her suite of rooms, watching her eyes widen at the spacious chambers and luxurious furnishings.

"This is... too extravagant," she murmured, running her fingers over the silk bedspread.

"This is the treatment that the mother of my pup deserves," I said, reaching into my pocket to pull out a small stone, smooth and deep green with flecks of gold. "This is a Bond Stone."

"A what?"

"A Bond Stone," I repeated, placing it in her palm. "If you're ever in trouble, hold it tightly and focus on me. I'll sense your distress and come immediately."

She examined the stone skeptically. "Can't I just call you on the phone like a normal person?"

"Of course you can. But this is more reliable. Besides," I added, "I want you to get through the next six months as easily as possible."

"Six months?" Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Werewolf pregnancies are different from humans," I explained. "The gestation period is only six months."

I left after receiving a phone call. I had barely reached my office when I felt a tug—a sensation of being summoned. Isabella had activated the Bond Stone. Within seconds, I was back at her door.

"You called for me?" I asked.

Isabella stood by the window, the Bond Stone clutched in her hand, looking somewhat startled by my sudden appearance. "Could they... do that somewhere else? It's a bit noisy."

I moved to the window and saw my security team running drills on the lawn below. I told the sparring group to go elsewhere, instructing them not to train outside this window anymore.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head, and I left once more.

Back in my office, I sat heavily in my chair, troubled by my reactions to her. The more time I spent with Isabella, the more I found myself drawn to her.

I had already instructed my people to thoroughly reinvestigate her background. Within two days, I would know if she truly was worthy of my trust. Until then, I needed to maintain distance from her.

Two days. That wasn't so long to wait, was it?