Unbound

Chapter 50

This time, it was Gabriel's turn to slip out of bed while I was still asleep. I didn't mind so much—I could have stayed all morning wrapped in his sheets, buried in his pillows, with the scent of him fully enveloping me. It felt good. It felt like home.

Before I went to find him, I rummaged through his dresser for a pair of sweats. Aubrey had thrown the original pair I'd kept into the trash when she found them in my suitcase and I missed being cocooned in his clothes. I pulled out a sweatshirt as well then went to check his office. As I entered, three men all turned to glance at me from their position standing in front of Gabriel's desk. Soldiers—I recognized two of them. Their faces were set in stoic, determined masks and I knew exactly the conversation that had just unfolded. Embarrassed, I backtracked towards the door.

"Kiera," Gabriel caught me and beckoned me to join them. My cheeks burned as I made the long walk across his office to stand beside him, then blazed even hotter when he pulled me down into his lap and snaked his arms around my waist. The men showed no reaction, but I was mortified. He rubbed his thumb up and down over my hip as he explained to them where they were to meet up with the other teams coming in from the Sawtooth, Blackfoot, and Olympic Packs. Minimal damage if possible, an in-and-out job.

Once we were alone, he sighed and dipped his head to bury his face in my hair.

"You're not going?" I asked. I tried to keep a neutral tone.

He shook his head against mine. "I have something else to take care of."

I shifted in his lap so I could turn to face him and he smirked, letting his eyes roam over me. Blushing all over again, I crossed my arms defensively over my chest. "All my clothes are at Aubrey's," I explained.

"She dropped your bags off this morning." He kissed my forehead. "But I prefer you in mine."

"What do you have to take care of?" I asked. I couldn't imagine what would keep him from going to remove Erick, not after how angry he'd been at the betrayal. I figured he'd be leading the charge.

"We're going to talk to the Council today." Gabriel reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"We?" I demanded, balking. "Why?"

"By law, I have to inform the Council before doing anything that puts me at risk. They have to know in case anything happens."

"Oh." He was referring to the ritual. Suddenly, this thing that had felt so theoretical when we'd discussed it the night before felt very real.

"It's only a precaution. Victor expects me to tell him when I drive farther than normal; they just like to be prepared. That's all." He offered me a reassuring smile and patted my hip. "But as much as I like seeing you in my clothes, they might appreciate something a bit nicer."

I rolled my eyes. "I wouldn't have even left your room in this if I'd known anybody besides you would be seeing me."

I took my time getting showered and changed. I was stalling, trying to buy myself time to settle my nerves before going with Gabriel before the Council. I wanted to support him, to present as a united front. Having met them each with Ephraim, I knew that they at least accepted my presence in their pack. Victor liked me, I knew that. Angus had liked me, though I wasn't sure if he'd been replaced yet. The others had ranged from lukewarm to friendly, but that was when they were meeting me as a healer. Not as the potential mate of their Alpha.

"How are you so calm?" I asked Gabriel as he drove to the Council chambers. As hard as I'd tried to rein in my nervous energy, my leg still bounced uncontrollably against my seat.

"Because I've already made up my mind. I'm informing them out of courtesy, I'm not asking for their permission," he said. Truthfully, he did seem relaxed. There were no lines on his forehead, the crease between his brows was smooth. He shifted his shoulders now and then, but that had more to do with his distaste for wearing button-downs and the way the rigid fabric fit tightly across his broad back.