31. Tangled Ribbons

[Gabriel's POV]

As I stepped off the bus and returned to the city, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I knew I needed to be cautious, as the plan with Lowell and Lewis required precise timing, but the worry for Rachel's safety weighed heavily on my mind. I hailed a cab and instructed the driver to drop me off a fair distance away from my apartment, fearing that Jake's accomplices might be lurking nearby, waiting for any sign of me.

As I approached my apartment building, I closed my eyes and focused on my senses, trying to detect any presence of fellow lycans. Thankfully, there were none, so I proceeded cautiously, not wanting to take any chances. However, when I reached my apartment door, I noticed that the handle had been tampered with, a clear sign that someone had broken in.

My heart raced as I entered my once neat and organized apartment, now a chaotic mess. Expensive belongings were scattered around, and my clothes lay in disarray inside the wardrobe. I search