she is affecting me

Gabriel’s P.O.V.

“No one knows about my return today. Still, I was ambushed by those rogues right inside the pack. Care to explain how they managed to deceive the border security and roam in the pack as if they owned this place?” I asked the present beta, Calvin’s father, Caden.

My voice was steady and calm, as I didn’t need to lose my temper here.

“They entered the pack from the eastern part of the border where we share the border with a human town, and that part is mostly guarded by the humans.” Caden told me, his posture stiff and voice strained.

“And why don’t we have any of our guards or any vigilance there?” I asked him in frustration.

Caden stared at me but didn’t reply.

“For goddess’s sake, Caden, this is the 21st century, and with all the advanced human technologies and ours, we don’t need to put guards there. We can just put a few surveillance cameras there and can monitor our borders while sitting in a damn monitoring room.” I yelled at him, trying hard to suppress my anger, but it was impossible for me when my wolf, Onyx, was the one who was infuriated to hell.

“It’s not like we don’t want to use the advanced technologies to strengthen our security system, Gabriel. But the thing is that it can also jeopardize our privacy. The technology has its advantages but disadvantages at the same time.” He reasoned calmly, but it only made me growl at him in anger more.

“Do you think that I don’t know about the disadvantages? You put the whole pack’s lives in danger. They were almost in the center of the pack, hiding behind the shopping district. Tell me, Caden. What if I wasn’t there, and they succeeded in entering the shopping mall? What would be your explanation if they had killed a few pack members? I am sure that you won’t even pay attention if a few are killed, right?”

He stiffened because of the taunt, but this is what you got from me when it comes to the safety of the pack.

At the same time, the door of Dad’s office opened and Dad, with Sylvester and Calvin, entered.

They also had gloomy expressions on their faces but not as dark as mine.

I huffed and went to the couch at the right corner of the room and sat down.

“I heard what Gabriel said, Caden, and I also know that it’s me who didn’t want to put surveillance everywhere, but Gabriel is right. We can’t rely on others for our safety. This is the second time in a month that the rogues entered our pack.” Dad said to Caden in a serious tone.

 “But why didn’t you mind-link us as soon as you noticed them, Gabriel? Why did you go head-on with them, putting your own life at risk?” Dad suddenly asked me, his voice still serious.

“They suddenly attacked me, Dad. So, my first instinct was to protect myself. That was a secluded area, and I was sure that no one would come there. Moreover, mind-linking while fighting seven rogues could be suicidal.” I argued, telling honestly what I had in my mind at that time.

Dad grunted, displeasure still evident on his face but he didn’t say a word in reprimand.

“We need to reconsider our decision of not installing surveillance cameras. Gabriel is right. Even if technology has its disadvantages, we can’t ignore the fact that with rapid growth in human population and their interest in their surroundings, they will soon start coming inside our pack boundaries.”

Dad paused and took a deep breath. I was glad that he understood my concern. My head was still filled with the images of her fearful eyes.

“You are worried for her, right?” Sylvester asked me through mind-link, his voice filled with both mischief and disdain.

I glared at him coldly. Similarly, Onyx also growled lowly, showing his displeasure towards Sylvester’s attitude towards Sheryl.

Our mate…

“O come on, Gabriel. Don’t give me this look. I don’t know why the Moon Goddess gave her as our mate when we need a strong and powerful she-wolf, key word-wolf, as our mate.” He grumbled through mind-link, clearly pissed with the fact that I was paying attention to the girl who was once our friend.

“What’s the use of being an alpha if we need a powerful (my tone sarcastic) she-wolf as our mate, huh? And you are questioning the goddess’ decision for us?” I retorted angrily.

“Are you listening to me, boys?” I sighed and looked at my father, who suddenly called us angrily.

“I am sorry, Dad. I have something in my mind.” I apologized absentmindedly but cleared my mind immediately.

“You have to attend the school from tomorrow onwards. For now, you and Calvin will work on the pack security together, but Caden will have the final say.” Dad instructed me and I nodded in confirmation.

“What about Sheryl’s protection? She put her life at risk by exposing herself to those rogues. Four of them have escaped. I am sure that they will come back for her,” I asked, giving the reason for my concern.

She was still underage. I can’t tell anyone that she was my mate.

My fated mate.

I couldn’t describe how I felt when I smelled her scent among the chaos created by fighting rogues. I froze for a few seconds, and they took advantage of that, hitting me on my head.

To my shock, she suddenly barged towards us, riding her small bike, and then she asked me to sit behind her.

A small smile crept on my lips while thinking about how panicked she was at that time and yet she bravely came to rescue me. I don’t think that she even recognized me the way she ranted all the way until she threw me off her bike.

“Back to earth, bro.” Sylvester nudged me while teasing me a little.

“Is everything okay, Gabriel?” I looked at Dad and found him looking at me worriedly.

"Sorry... what were you saying?" I asked him, taking a deep breath.

Clearly she was affecting me and I had this urge to see her as soon as possible.

"I was telling you that I have appointed two guards to tail Shryl for a few days to keep her safe." Dad told me, but raised his brows, looking worried, but I knew him better.

It was when I realized that I zoned out again.