Chapter 18

'Kim, what if Mark is saying the truth. Our mate is innocent.' Moon voiced her thoughts.

'I don't know Moon. I'm confused, too.' I said.

'Why don't you talk to Aiden about it?' She stated.

'You are right. '

I called Aiden.

"Hello, Aiden. I want to ask you something?" I spoke once the call connection.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Did Silver Claw contact you about my whereabouts before?" I asked.

He responded after a little pause, " Yes, they did. It was the same day when I found you. They contacted us and asked if their Luna sought shelter in our pack. Silver Claw's new Luna went missing. It was the talk of the town. All packs were informed about this. We had no idea that you were the missing Luna."

"Because I never told you. Anyway, thank you for telling me."

"Is there anything else you need?" He asked.

"No, bye."

"Bye," I hung up .

'He was really searching for us Kimberly. He wanted us." Moon said.

'What if he was just pretending he already set to get me killed. To gain sympathy and keep his image clear, he was pretending to be looking out for me.' I said.

'Can you just trust our mate fot once?' I can sense the irritation in her voice

'I'm sorry, Moon. I'll go and confront Gabriel about this.' I said and headed towards the Alpha's chamber. I knocked at the door.

"Come in,"

I opened the door and entered the room, I could see surprise on his face.

"Kimberly, I never expected you to come here out of all people. That too alone. " He said.

"We need to talk, Gabriel. " I said

"I have been waiting for this since you came back." He said. He invited me to the couch . I took the seat.

"Did you know when I ran away that night, I was kidnapped by the rogues?" I asked.

"You were what? Who dared to lay a hand on you, Kimberly? I'll kill them." He growled. His wolf is coming on the surface.

"You don’t have to. They are already dead. Aiden killed them all and saved me." I told him.

"I'm thankful to him for that. I'm sorry, Kimberly, I wasn't aware of the pain you must have gone through. I wasn’t there by your side when you needed it. " He said. I could see the genuine guilt and pain in his eyes.

"While I was held captive by them, they told me that you sent them to kill me." I dropped the bombshell. I continued to read his face for any sign of dishonesty.

"What nonsense? You didn't believe them right. Did you?" His eyes widened with shock. He stood up from his seat and took a step towards me.

"Kimberly, you really believed that I would do something like that to you. Is that the reason why you are acting cold towards me? Your hatred towards me." He asked, and I couldn't speak.

I was shocked, too. His reaction is clear. He wasn't involved. No sign of lie or presence in his eyes. I looked down on my hands. I can't look in his eyes anymore.

He knelt down in front of me and held my hand, "Trust me, Kimberly, I would never do something like that to you. You are my mate. The woman whom I" He paused for a moment.

With his free hand, he cupped my face and made me look into his eyes , "The woman I always loved. I liked you since we were kids, but you never noticed me. You chose Mark. For your happiness, I stepped aside. When you turned out to be my mate, I couldn't even tell you how happy I was. My wolf was on cloud nine. But."

"But the pack protested, and you couldn't choose me over your title?" I asked. I was dying to him to deny it. I was dying to hear that he wanted me, he chose me. I was not abandoned.

He shook his head, "It's not like that. I was ready to step down. I was ready to give it all to Mark and live a happy life with you. But you disappeared before that. I regretted it, and I blamed myself for sending you home. Only if I had kept you by my side, none of this would have happened."

That's it. He chose me. He didn't abandon. Shit! I doubted him.

'He is innocent Kimberly. He always was. We doubted him.' Moon's voice is laced with sadness and regret.

I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore, " Gabriel, I am sorry. I thought you don’t want us. I thought you would reject me." He wiped my tears.

"Kimberly, you don’t have to. It's not your fault. I should have reassured you instead of sending you away without a word. After betrayal by Mark, you were heartbroken, and I left you alone with your insecurities ."

Even now, this man is not getting mad at me for doubting him. He is still defending me. Making me feel like it was never my fault. I always wondered why Alpha Gabriel was always kind towards, only if I knew he had feelings towards me all the time.

I was about to speak , and suddenly Nolan and Mark barged inside Alpha's chamber.

"What a rude way to intrude without knocking. It better be important, Mark. Otherwise, I'll kick your ass out if here." Gabriel roared.

"Brother, it's emergency. We are under attack. "

"What, is it vampires again? Have you informed Aiden yet? " Gabriel asked, standing up .

"They are not alone this time, Alpha. They are backed by Rogues and a whole pack." Nolan said.

"Which pack dared to attack us? Which Alpha is brave enough to do so?" Gabriel growled.

"It's him..."