Chapter 5

The next day;

 

Gabrielle went down on one knee, kissing the forehead of her son.

 

“Cassian, I'd be back. Mummy wants to go for a work trip. I want you to be a good boy. Uncle

Enzo is in charge so don't trouble him, is that fine?”

 

Tears pooled in the little boy's eyes. “When would you be back, Mum?” Cassian said, rubbing his teary eyes.

 

“In two weeks. You know I can't live very long without you.” She smiled at him.

 

Cassian nodded, and Gabrielle wiped his eyes, before giving him another kiss.

 

She rose to her feet, and looked at Enzo, before pulling him into a hug.

 

“Take care of him for me, Enzo.”

 

Enzo didn't respond for a moment, “Do you think you should be seeing someone like him? After everything he had done to you?”

 

The question made Gabrielle think and she shook her head.

“Leaving my duty as Alpha is only because I am first a doctor and I cannot bear to know that innocent people are in pain.”

She answered.

 

At the other side, the werewolf from Mooncrest widened his eyes.

 

He had been around during the time of Gabrielle and Ethan, working as a simple slave before he got his promotion.

 

Did this woman own a pack now?

 

There's no way the lack could be that big in such an amount of years.

 

“Take care of yourself and call me if you need anything. I love you, okay.” Enzo said, giving her a small smile, before placing a small kiss on her cheek.

 

Gabrielle chuckled, “You always do this when I'm about to leave, don't you know it makes you look like a cute lady. You should get yourself a woman!” She said, punching his shoulder, and heading straight for the door of the car.

 

Enzo could only smile. If only she knew what went on his head, and how badly he had wanted to kiss her right there.

 

Relax, he told himself, he couldn't afford to ruin their relationship, and be pushed away by her.

 

Gabrielle entered the car, and waved at them.

 

Cassian climbed on Enzo’s body, waving back enthusiastically.

 

“Put the windows down, and what’s your name?” Gabrielle asked as they went on their journey.

 

“Guts.” The messenger said, wondering why she had told him to put down the window.

 

They arrived at the end of the border, and a police man walked forward.

 

The eyes of the police officer widened when he saw Gabrielle's face. “Alpha Gabrielle!” He saluted.

 

Gabrielle simply chuckled, “At ease. Enzo is in charge from now, I'm going on an official meeting.” She said, and the car was allowed to cross the border.

 

Gut’s face had shock written all over it. How much influence did this woman truly have?

“Turn this way. We'd be taking my helicopter, the journey would be long.” Gabrielle said, and Guts obeyed her eyes word.

 

Using the helicopter, the journey was faster than planned for Guts.

 

Two hours later, the helicopter landed within the borders of Mooncrest Pack.

 

Guts stepped out first, but Gabrielle barely waited for him before walking towards the pack house, her expression calm as she took in the familiar surroundings.

 

Nothing had changed, it was exactly how she left it five years ago, but her eyes narrowed at the molds on the buildings, and the way the grasses were taller than normal.

 

Maybe everything had changed.

 

Some of the  guards recognized her immediately, their eyes widening as she walked past them, but Gabrielle didn't spare them a glance.

 

She had not come here to reminisce.

 

She had come here to work.

 

The doors opened, and a familiar figure appeared at the end of the hallway.

 

Ethan.

 

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

 

Five years had changed him.

 

He looked older, his once-proud features now carrying a tiredness that Gabrielle had grown used to seeing in terminally ill patients, but his eyes were still the same.

 

The same eyes that had once looked at her with affection, as he married her and those eyes had watched her walk away, because of another woman.

 

“Gabrielle.”

 

She walked past him. “Where are the medical records?” She asked, not bothering to look at him as she made her way to the medical centre.

 

She was the one who had overseen the building, so there was no need for directions.

 

Ethan stared after her. “You're not even going to say hello?”

 

Gabrielle stopped and turned around. “Hello.”

 

Her voice was so emotionless that Ethan almost wished she had ignored him completely.

 

“Thank you for coming.” Ethan said, a small smile tugging on his lips.

 

“No need.” Gabrielle looked at him calmly, somehow there was no sign of Yvenna.

 

“I didn't come for you but because I was told Mooncrest has several patients who require specialized treatment.”

 

Ethan's jaw tightened, he was getting annoyed with her cold shoulder. “Gabrielle—”

 

“Who is in charge of the medical department?” Gabrielle asked, wanting to change the topic

 

“Dr. Marcus.”

 

“Good. Take me to him.” She turned away again.

 

Ethan followed her. “You've changed.”

 

“I am glad. It would have been disgusting if I remained the same.” She answered, before letting out a small chuckle.

 

Those words hit harder than any insult could have.

 

Ethan remained silent as she continued walking. He deserved it so there was no need bringing it up again.

 

When they reached the medical wing, several doctors immediately surrounded her, eager to speak with the renowned physician who had built a reputation far beyond Mooncrest.

 

Gabrielle listened carefully as they explained the situation, asking questions and reviewing the medical reports before giving instructions.

 

“Take me to the patients.” She said, the conclusion was that it was best to see them herself.

 

Ethan stood in the doorway, watching her.

 

This wasn't the Gabrielle he remembered.

 

The woman standing before him was confident, powerful, and completely unaffected by his presence. She didn't need him anymore.

 

That realization frustrated him more than he wanted to admit.

 

After several hours, Gabrielle finally stepped out of the ward.

 

“I've reviewed the cases.”

 

Ethan approached her. “And?”

 

“It’d take a while and a lot of money but I can treat them.”

 

His eyes brightened. “Thank you! How long would you stay? I need to make arrangements for your—”

 

Gabrielle frowned. “I’d stay for the duration of their treatment, and I have my own personal housing arrangements.”

 

“Gabrielle, I meant—”

 

“I know what you meant.” She walked past him. “but I have to decline so I can do my work and leave. I have people waiting for me.”

 

Ethan followed, a frown crossing his face, “Why are you treating me like a stranger?”

 

“Because that's what you are.”

 

His frustration finally snapped.

 

He caught her wrist and pulled her into a secluded corner of the hallway.

 

Gabrielle's eyes immediately hardened. “Let go of me, you!”

 

Ethan stared at her, breathing heavily. “You really don't feel anything anymore?”

 

“What the hell do you expect me to feel for a traitor like you?” Gabrielle whispered harshly, the words cutting straight into Ethan's chest.

 

He stared at her face, searching for even the smallest trace of the woman who had once loved him.

 

He found nothing.

 

And before Gabrielle could push him away, Ethan leaned down and kissed her.

 

For one stunned second, Gabrielle froze.

 

Then her eyes widened.

 

This mother