Novel-novel oleh Steph

Gabriella unlocked her door and stepped into her quiet apartment. She dropped her keys into the bowl by the door, kicked off her shoes, and walked further inside.Rachel was already in the kitchen, holding a mug. "I thought I heard the door," she said, pouring another cup of tea. "How did it go?"Gabriella managed a tired smile. "It went."Rachel handed her a mug and pointed to the couch. "That good, huh?"They sat down together. Gabriella held the warm mug for a moment before speaking. "The event was really impressive. It was very fancy. A bit grander than I expected."Rachel raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound like the problem."Gabriella paused, then added quietly, "Alejandro was there."Rachel blinked. "Oh.""He gave a speech," Gabriella said, her voice steady. "Right before he started speaking, he looked around the room. His eyes landed on me."Rachel watched her carefully. "And?"Gabriella stared into her tea. "It was just a moment. He didn't pause, but I knew he saw me.""An

Alejandro hadn’t moved from the corner where he sat at the event. He sat alone now, with a glass of water untouched before him. The ice had long melted. The crowd from the event was beginning to thin, as people began to leave. Conversations were ending, as the attendees headed toward the exit, and for the first time all night, he felt like he could finally breathe.Still, he just sat there.Gabriella had walked past him earlier; well, not past. She went around him in a neat little circle, polite enough to be social, distant and enough to show she was avoiding him like a plague. She had spoken to Sofia, then left. He hadn't gone after her, not with everyone watching, and not with everything between them unresolved and now even more complicated.“Mr. Hernandez?” Sofia’s voice broke through his thoughts.He turned his head slightly. She stood a few steps away, holding a clutch in one hand and the faintest smile on her lips. "I just said goodbye to the museum donors," she continued. "Ri

Gabriella exhaled softly as she stepped outside. The event had left her feeling a bit emotional, not from the music or the crowd or even the brilliant speech that was made. It was the feeling of seeing Alejandro again. The tightness in her chest returned the moment she saw him. She shook her head, unlocked her car, and got in. This wasn't the time to get worked up. She had another stop to make, before heading home.On her way to the police station, Gabriella made a quick detour to a small shop not far from where the event held. The place smelled really nice. She smiled as she took in the smell of scented candles. She quickly looked over the shelves where soaps, mugs, cheese boards...were neatly arranged. Then she spotted a small section tucked to the side that looked like a modest wine corner."Perfect." She exclaimed quietly to herself.Among some other fancy drinks, there was a sleek bottle of non-alcoholic red wine. It was classy enough to feel like a real thank-you gift, but saf

Noah followed Gabriella as they made their way to her apartment. Her apartment was a simple, cozy place, clearly lived in, unlike his that was just like a storage for his stuff, as he was barely around. Books were stacked by the windowsill, a used mug was drying in the kitchen rack, and a folded blanket was casually thrown over the arm of the couch."Sit," she said, already walking to the kitchen.He did as he was told, slowly sitting on the couch and looking around the room as if he wasn't sure whether he should be there. When she came back with two mugs that were one coffee, and one tea, she handed him the tea."Decaf," she teased. "Wouldn't want you all jumpy on the job."Noah gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks."They sat quietly for a few minutes, with only the occasional sound from outside coming through the slightly open window. "I really didn't mean to look suspicious," he finally said, breaking the silence."I know," she replied. "You're not very good at hiding, anyway.""Ouc

Noah followed Gabriella as they made their way to her apartment. Her apartment was a simple, cozy place, clearly lived in, unlike his that was just like a storage for his stuff, as he was barely around. Books were stacked by the windowsill, a used mug was drying in the kitchen rack, and a folded blanket was casually thrown over the arm of the couch."Sit," she said, already walking to the kitchen.He did as he was told, slowly sitting on the couch and looking around the room as if he wasn't sure whether he should be there. When she came back with two mugs that were one coffee, and one tea, she handed him the tea."Decaf," she teased. "Wouldn't want you all jumpy on the job."Noah gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks."They sat quietly for a few minutes, with only the occasional sound from outside coming through the slightly open window. "I really didn't mean to look suspicious," he finally said, breaking the silence."I know," she replied. "You're not very good at hiding, anyway.""Ouc

The police station was pretty much always busy, but sometimes it had its quiet moments. Those were the times when the phone wasn't ringing off the hook, or the station wasn't crowded with all manner of persons. Noah really liked those calm moments. It was during these peaceful stretches that the city felt real to him, without all the usual noise and pressure.He was sitting at his desk with his case on the desk. A forgotten, cold cup of coffee sat next to his elbow. The report open in front of him hadn't been read much at all. His mind, without him even trying, kept going back to Gabriella.It had only been a couple of days since their dinner. It wasn't a date, just a meal to say thank you, but something about it had really stuck with him. Maybe it was how easily she laughed. Or how she didn't ask him for anything, didn't treat him like he was invisible or a bother. She just acted like a regular person sharing pasta and chatting.He really shouldn't be thinking this way. Not with who

LOVE HER NOTSelena gave him a dubious look. "Really?""Yeah. I didn't…. " He suddenly frowned."Where exactly did you find the rose?""In my bathroom." She answered somewhat confused."If you didn't drop it there, who did?" She wondered.Gabriel's jaw tightened and his eyes hardened."What?" She asked."I think I know who did it." He answered through gritted teeth."Are you going to tell me who it is?""No. I have to be very sure.""Alright. If you say so."They both fell silent and Selena thought of what to say next."Aren't you hungry? I made lunch."He ran his eyes along the length of her."I'm so damn hungry." He murmured. His brilliant blue eyes blazing.Selena swallowed as she felt the heat of his gaze. She tugged at the hem of her shirt."Do you want me to bring the food to your room or would you prefer to eat downstairs?" She asked slightly breathless."Honey, I can eat anywhere. Anytime." He answered.Selena felt the heat rise to her cheeks."You have to be more specific." Sh

THE PARENTS"Selena," Gabriel whispered.Selena found herself relaxing against him and had to bite back a moan.He bent his head and his lips brushed the side of her neck. "You have no idea how good you smell."She felt her knees buckle as Gabriel grazed her neck with his canines.He spun her around to face him.She let out a gasp as she gazed into his bright silver eyes."You're mine." He whispered into her ear. "Say it."He took her earlobe between his teeth and tugged gently.Selena moaned and her hold tightened on his arms."Say it Selena." He urged and sucked gently on her neck."I'm yours Gabriel," she moaned. "I'm all yours."Gabriel growled in satisfaction.She shivered as she felt his stubble graze the side of her face.His mouth was just a whisper away from hers.Her eyes fell closed in anticipation.Selena's stomach dropped in disappointment as she felt his chaste kiss on her forehead.She slowly opened her eyes. He was looking at her intently with his brilliant blues."Thi

THE NECKLACE OF TRANSITIONAsides their super strength, super speed and fast healing ability, werewolves are also known for their super hearing.But no matter how much Gabriel tried, he couldn't hear the conversation between his mate and Esmeralda.Even when he silently walked to the door of the room they were conversing in despite his parents disapproving stares.He looked at his parents in frustration. "Why can't I hear them?""The witch…" Nicholas said by way of explanation.Beatrice rolled her eyes. "Remember she said she wanted a private conversation." Beatrice reminded with emphasis on the word 'private'Gabriel paced the living room restlessly, occasionally returning the cat's evil stare.He was already considering going to pound on the door, when Esmeralda and Selena walked into the living room.His eyes ran through the length of Selena as though he was trying to confirm if the witch had done something to her."I'll take you to the siren's sea." Esmeralda announced."You want

"So what happened next?" Selena asked impatiently.Beatrice had paused, returning her full attention to the road.Nicholas and Gabriel had allowed her to be the one behind the wheel only because she was the only one who knew exactly where they were headed.They both also understood that Beatrice was particular about being so proper.She preached the full attention of the driver during the drive. No distractions whatsoever.This included no talking except when necessary.She only indulged Selena because she pitied the situation of her late friends' daughter."The Alkyaries had been so intent on ending our lives that they hadn't noticed the approach of the two fairies, Celeste and Abel— your parents." Beatrice continued."They worked their magic and voila! we were delivered."Goddess! They had looked so scary doing their thing that I thought they were like a higher level of predators who had come to destroy the competition in order to claim their prey." Beatrice chuckled."When we becam

MYSTERYChapter 12"Come with me" Gabriel ordered when he breezed back into Selena's room."Give me a minute" she said and rushed to the bathroom to hurriedly don a bathrobe."Where are we going?" She asked."My study""Why does your study seem so far away from civilization?"Selena was forced to ask because they had passed two long dark passages already."Don't blame me. I merely inherited it from my father.""I need to meet him""You definitely will"At last they were at the study.Gabriel swiped open the impressive door made out of sturdy oak with a key card and Selena cocked an eyebrow."Really? Restricted access? What did your father stash in here?"Gabriel gave her a look. "Some people are just so particular about their privacy"Selena's mouth hung open as her eyes took in the shelves of books. So many books.A whole computer system stood in one corner of the spacious room.From the high ceiling hung an ornate, elegant chandelier.The finely carved chair and table were also made

A FRESH STARTNo sooner had Gabriel descended the stairs than Shawn, Adrian and Mitchell burst through the door."She needs to rest," he said before any of them could say a word."We'll wait," Shawn grinned, earning him a suspicious look from Mitchell."Suit yourselves" he said and walked towards the bar."Why do you seem so eager to see another woman?" Mitchell grumbled playfully."Oops my bad. You can make me wear a blindfold." Shawn began, grinning. "Or… better still…" he continued, turning to face Gabriel. I change my mind Gabriel. I'm no longer interested in seeing your mate.Gabriel rolled his eyes and Mitchell chuckled."Fix me a drink too" Adrian called out to Gabriel."Yes my Lord." Gabriel murmured.He sat on one of the bar stools and examined the strand of fur.Mitchell suddenly gave a moan of pleasure and Adrian who had been so intent on reading a message on his phone looked up, and to his horror, Shawn and Mitchell were having a makeout session."You guys should get a roo