Chapter 21  Gabriel

It felt good to be home and rested up. The air this far north felt cleaner and crisper this time of year. The vibrant colors on the trees having reached their peak while I was gone, started shedding their leaves for the winter.

Regardless of what calendars said the start and end dates for the seasons were, our winters were longer. Or what we called winter. Once the temperature dropped below freezing every night, we were already prepped for the snows.

While we were never truly snowed in on this side of Pack lands, there were some of our older Pack, like my Grandfather’s era old, who preferred to live along our northern borders. They were often housebound in the dead of winter.

It was my job to make sure these extremely stubborn wolves accepted the staples when we brought them by. More than once, the ole codgers tried to bluff their way out and tell me they were already stocked.

They learned quickly, I didn’t take no for an answer. 

Seith and I were due to make our rounds in a couple of days. Today we were compiling our list to make sure we didn’t miss anyone. We weren’t going to lose a wolf to the winter on my watch.

Regardless whether they thought they could still hunt for their meals.

My watch dinged with a text from my Beta, letting me know he was on his way. I sent some random emoji back to let him know I got the message.

A soft knock on the office door broke the silence.

“Come,” I said, loud enough for whomever it was to hear me.

The door creaked open slowly, piquing my interest. Everyone usually barged in without knocking let alone coming in this slowly.

I steepled my fingers and rested my mouth against the tips.

I saw little pudgy fingers wrap themselves around the door before a pig tailed head with a face nearly covered in chocolate popped in the small opening.

‘Uncle!” The cherub hollered and ran across the room on stubby chubby legs.  Teetering was more like it. Umi hadn’t been walking for very long, never mind running.

She plodded along at her full speed, zeroing in on me.

I got up from my desk and crouched to her level, or as low as I could get my six-foot seven frame close to the floor, and spread my arms wide.

“Umi!” I cheered, a smile spread from ear to ear. “Come give Uncle a great big kiss!”

I knew I’d be covered in whatever plastered her hands and face, but that’s what spare clothes were for. Moments like this were to cherish and hold tight, and I was going to give this little girl every moment she wanted.

Umi was being raised by my Aunt and Uncle. Her parents, Seith’s sister and her mate were missing; presumed dead after finding their vehicle off a cliff in the north sector last winter.

We searched the area, hoping to find them, or at least their remains. We found clothes and assumed they shifted. But no further signs and they never returned to the pack.

I knew all too well what this girl needed. Even though she had the two best surrogates in the entire universe at her side, it wasn’t the same as mommy and daddy.

She threw herself into my arms, smearing chocolate all over my white shirt.

We rubbed noses and she giggled that throaty laugh toddlers often have.

The girl was a bundle of excitement and never tried to contain it. She made the world burn brighter for anyone in her vicinity, me included.

“Uncle Gee! Uncle Gee!” she garbled out. Gabriel was still too much for that tiny palate, but I didn’t care. “We made bownees.”

“You did? No way.” I exclaimed in mock belief. “Did you get to lick the bowl?”

She nodded exuberantly. “It was yummy.”

She stuck her fingers out at me. “Want some?”

I didn’t dare laugh out loud, because those who-knows-where-they’d-been fingers would be shoved in my mouth before I could blink.

My lips closed, but I murmured and shook my head.

I heard multiple sets of footsteps running down the hall. More than likely hoping and pleading with the universe that she wasn’t where they thought she was.

It wasn’t like I’d have somebody put in the stocks because the little pup evaded capture. 

Sure enough, one of the first years stuck her head in the door becoming instantly mortified judging by the look on her face.

I laughed and expertly shifted Umi to my left hip. “It’s okay Landsi. I don’t mind when she sneaks in.”

Seith’s younger sister, Umi’s other Auntie, slowed down, appeased by my candor. “Yeah, but still… Alpha.”

“Alpha, shmalfa. What kind of Alpha would I be if I only allowed certain members of the pack in to see me?”

She laughed, “A smart one maybe? One who didn’t have to change his shirts three times a day because of this little hellion.”

Umi reached for her outstretched hands, and we made the transfer seamlessly.

“Eh. It’s okay. I love when she comes to see me, and it’s not like I do my own laundry. Alpha perk.” I joked, winking. “Besides, how else would I know there’s going to be fresh brownies soon.”

“Hah! True enough. I’ll bring a plate down when they’re ready.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it El.” I answered, as I unbuttoned my shirt and walked toward the en suite to get a new shirt hung in the small closet.

When I came out, both were gone, but my Aunt Halia stood in their place.

“You’re so good with her,” she started.

I held up my hand. “I love you Auntie, but don’t start.”

“It’s time Gabriel.”

“It’s not like I’m not trying.”

“Sitting patiently once a year while first year pack and other eligible females are paraded in front of you is hardly trying,” she countered.

She had a point, but I wasn’t going to tell her so. “What would you have me do? Travel around the globe and have all the packs parade their eligible females in front of me?”

“There’s no need to get flippant, Child. I only worry. You need an heir.”

“Umi can be my heir,” I said sullenly, knowing damn well that even if she had alpha tendencies, she’d get challenged to her death. “Forget I said that.”

“I will. I know you’d never subject Umi to her death.”

“Auntie. I truly don’t know why I haven’t been blessed with a fated mate. You know that I don’t want to go down the chosen mate path. I want the magick of the bond.”

She stood right in front of me, and placed her hand upon my cheek. Her skin was cool, but comforting. “I know, but at some point, you need to put the pack’s needs before your wishes.”