Unbound

Chapter 32

Nothing in my closet looked right. The clothes I'd brought with me were all too worn, too casual. The things I'd purchased for the Alpha gathering were too big or too conservative. I tried on every different combination I could come up with and hated every single one. This was the first time Gabriel and I would be seen together out in public; I wanted to look perfect. I was sure he would.

I was still in my bra and underwear when Gabriel knocked on my door and panic washed over me, a cold shock from my head to my toes. I reached for the most reasonable option in the pile: a deep teal wrap dress that I'd gotten as a back-up from the store in town in case the black gown had been too formal for the welcome dinner. It, like the gown, was just slightly too big, but if I tied it tightly around my waist it was passable.

After a last glance in the mirror and a couple steadying breaths, I opened my front door. I had been right—he looked perfect. Hair half-tied, rippling muscles on full display under a white button-down and slacks. He wore the sleeves cuffed and the way his forearms flexed made me want to pull him close so he'd wrap them around my body.

He turned back from where he'd been leaning on the porch railing waiting for me and let out a short breath, visible in the cold night air.

"Fuck Kiera, you look—" He stopped mid-sentence and shook his head as though to clear it.

Still holding the door open, I tilted my head in the direction of the house. "You sure you want to go out? We could have much more fun here, alone." I tried to put on my best seductive voice but it didn't work.

Gabriel chuckled and reached around me, dangerously close, to shut the door. "Not a chance." He brushed his fingertips over my cheek and my knees nearly buckled. "I want to show you off."

I could hardly sit still on the drive into town, bouncing my knee and fiddling with the radio and heat dials until Gabriel caught my hand and held it on the center console. He looked uncomfortable, though, and I couldn't help but smirk.

"You really don't like driving, do you?" I asked. He grunted and his hand twitched against mine, itching to get back on the steering wheel. His other tightened around it to compensate. Though tempted to tease him further, I kissed his knuckles and let go, instead tucking mine under my legs.

He parked a short distance away from the restaurant and offered me his arm for the walk. I linked mine through it, clinging close, and kept an aggravatingly slow pace. From the sidewalk, I could tell that the restaurant was already crowded. The knot in my stomach tightened. Gabriel felt me trembling and pulled his arm out of mine to wrap around me tightly, pinning me to his side.

"Relax," he whispered. His lips brushed the top of my head. "You look beautiful."

The restaurant was larger than I expected, with two adjoining dining rooms that were lit by antique hanging light features and glowing candles on each table. High-backed, plush booths lined the brick perimeter walls and greenery was draped from the ceiling, flowers and vines intertwined with the pendant lights. It had the aura of a vintage restaurant being reclaimed by nature, and I drank it in with a smile. It was almost enough to distract me from the number of tables that were already filled.

"Alpha Gabriel," the hostess greeted him kindly. I was all too happy to be ignored, but he pulled me to stand in front of him and looped his arms around my waist. I lost balance slightly on my heels, rocking back against his chest.

"My date and I have a reservation." My cheeks reddened, surprised by how openly affectionate he was. I'd never seen him this way with Odette; at most, Aubrey had reported once, they'd held hands the few times they went out in public together. Hastily, I pushed her out of my mind. If I thought about Odette, I would only spiral back to the questions that had me in tears just days before.