Chapter 9

I arrived at the apartment just before midnight. From a distance, I could already see the silhouette of Gabriel’s black car parked in front of the building. Its headlights were still dimly glowing, and my heart immediately began to race.

I knew he was inside. I knew he was waiting for me.

And I knew that this time, there would be no warm embrace like before.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before stepping into the lobby. The sound of my heels echoed across the marble floor, every step like a reflection of the guilt reverberating in my head. I pressed the elevator button, and while waiting, David’s face flashed in my mind, his words, his gaze, his confident promise.

But that image quickly faded, replaced by Gabriel’s face—his cold eyes, the sharp look he always gave me whenever I crossed the invisible boundaries he had set.

The elevator opened with a soft chime, and I stepped inside, staring at my reflection on the metal wall. My ivory dress was now wrinkled, my hair a little messy. But it wasn’t because of the party, it was because of the weight I carried inside my chest.

When I opened the apartment door, the room was dark. Only a single table lamp in the corner was on, casting a faint glow on the silhouette of a man sitting upright on the sofa silent, composed, but clearly holding back his anger. Gabriel.

His arms were crossed, his gaze fixed on the large window. From where he sat, he could see the glittering city lights outside, but I knew his mind was far from that view.

“Daddy,” I called softly.

He didn’t answer.

I took a step closer, trying to read his expression. His jaw was tight, his eyes still staring straight ahead, and only the faint twitch at his temple showed that he was restraining himself.

“Daddy, I…”

Before I could finish, his phone rang. He stood up immediately, turned his back on me, and answered the call as if I wasn’t even there.

“Yes. Send the report tomorrow morning. Make sure all data on the Silvermoon Pack is secured.”

His voice was cold, formal, professional as if I was just a stranger passing by, not the girl he had kissed so fervently the night before. I stood frozen, waiting for him to finish, but that call felt like an excuse. An excuse not to look at me. An excuse not to listen to me.

Several minutes passed before he finally ended the call and turned around slowly. His eyes met mine, but there was no warmth in them.

“You’re home. Go to your room. Get some rest.”

I blinked. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

He didn’t reply. He walked toward the kitchen, opened the fridge, took out a bottle of water, and drank it without looking at me. My fists clenched at my sides.

“Daddy, I didn’t do anything wrong. It was just a campus party. Everyone was there. I didn’t—”

“But you danced with him.”

I froze.

“And you let him touch you.”

His gaze snapped to me, sharp and full of restrained fury. “Do you know how hard I had to control myself there, Sera?”

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I could only stare at him, searching for a trace of understanding on his face but what I saw instead was the Alpha side of him again: cold, intimidating, terrifying.

“I didn’t mean to make you angry. I was just trying to live a normal life.”

“Normal?” His voice rose slightly. “Do you think other Alphas would allow their wards to dance at a night party with strange men?”

“I’m not a child anymore, Gabriel.”

“And I’m not your real father,” he shot back sharply.

“Gabriel, so that’s what you really think of me?”

He looked at me, then lowered his gaze slowly. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“But you said it,” I replied quickly, my eyes stinging. “You meant that I’m nothing to you, right? Just an orphan who happens to live under your roof, eat your food, and follow your orders.”

“Sera—”

“No, let me finish!” I stepped closer, my voice shaking. “You said my love for you was wrong, and I stayed quiet. You said we had to keep our relationship a secret, and I agreed. But now you’re angry because I tried to smile at a campus party?”

Gabriel turned his head away, staring out the window again.

“Daddy?” I called again, softer this time.

He still didn’t move.

I stepped closer, slowly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry.”

He remained still, but I could see the tension in his jaw tightening.

“Look at me. Please, look at me.”

Finally, his eyes met mine. There was something there not just anger, but fear. Fear of losing control. Fear of what he felt for me surfacing again, unstoppable. I could feel the distance between us, yet the invisible pull that always bound us together was stronger than ever.

“I know you’re worried, but I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself. And I’ll never let anyone take your place in my heart.”

Gabriel closed his eyes briefly, as if my words made it hard for him to breathe. He exhaled heavily, set the bottle down, and said quietly,

“Go to your room. Get some rest.”

“But—”

“Seraphina, you’ve already pushed me far enough tonight.”

I looked at him for a long moment, hoping he would change his mind, but he didn’t. His eyes were empty not from indifference, but from the effort of holding back emotions too dangerous to show. Finally, I gave up. I walked toward my room slowly, fighting the tears that burned my eyes.

Before closing the door, I turned around for a moment.

“Good night, Daddy.”

He didn’t reply.

But just before I shut the door completely, I heard his voice, soft, restrained, almost inaudible.

“Good night, Sera.”

I smiled faintly behind the closed door. He might never be able to say it openly, but I knew. Gabriel Bloodfang cared about me more than anything in this world even if it meant holding himself back from touching me tonight.