The banquet was glittering with golden lights, that were slightly dimmed. It danced along the crimson drapes that circled around the room and mixed in with distant soft music the atmosphere was perfect for the charity event tonight. The thunderstorm outside wasn't able to diminish the mood in the massive museum.
Gabriel was familiar with these types of parties now. Surrounded by powerful tycoons, politicians, athletes even celebrities. Gabriel recognized everyone instantly upon his arrival. Even though he was used to these parties by now he never really connected with them. There was nothing warm about these banquets because everyone was merciless and their perfect smiles didn't hide it from Gabriel. He could smell the fake, the hate, the evil from each person no matter where he went.
However, Sabrina hadn't given that feeling to him. She was honest and intelligent, and she carried herself with dignity that he approved of. Gabriel was acutely aware of whenever her eyes were on him. It was not hard to take notice when she was watching him, his wolf watched her too. Her ocean green eyes were as radiant as she looked tonight. In a beautiful gold gown that had slit along her long leg was hugging her curvaceous figure. The dress enhanced her beauty rendering everyone speechless; it was clear to the world why she was declared a supermodel.
First it was Isaiah's wedding, then Bobby's restaurant and now this fundraiser. Sabrina Sinclair keeps on surprising him. How many more times was he going to just bump into her just on chance? he pondered.
Gabriel's wolf was pacing inside his conscious. His wolf was on edge and extremely angry since Richard Brady had acted like a complete asshole towards Sabrina. Anger erupted in Gabriel when he saw another man touch her with such disrespect. He was going to restrain himself from coming onto Sabrina, but he hated that another wolf was trying to latch himself to Sabrina. Gabriel moved on pure instincts and lethal desire to protect Sabrina from Richard and his wolf. The pit in his stomach made it clear to Gabriel that this wasn't meant to be ignored, and it should be handled with a certain degree of charm. If he what he was thinking and feeling was true, then he needed to make sure not to screw it up.
The auction was half-way done and had come to a cessation. Guests got out of their seats for refreshments or dessert.
"Does anyone want anything?" Hailey asked as she got out of her seat.
"What are you getting?" asked Vincent.
Hailey chuckled. "Only cake makes me move this fast, Vincent," she remarked.
"I wonder if they'll have ice-cream?" Klaus wondered as he joined Hailey. Vincent and Ryder tagged along as well. Gabriel almost got the urge to tell Klaus to get him some too, but he held back and ignored the craving.
"That was something," River spoke softly.
Gabriel glanced to his right side where River was seated. "What was?"
River's eyes glistened with amusement. "You looked like you were going to bite Richard Brady's head off." Gabriel stiffened and River caught on easily, and so did Hunter.
"Gabriel," said Hunter, "is there something you want to tell us?"
Gabriel drank the crisp champagne leisurely in his seat. "I think you guys already figured it out."
Hunter and River shared a dumbfounded look. "Well, this party sure took a turn for the unexpected," Hunter remarked.
Gabriel's eyes shifted away from his brother and went directly to the table on the other side of the room, where Sabrina was with her manager. Mesmerized, his eyes drifted over her pretty smile that was warm enough to melt him.
She's ours, Gabriel's wolf declared with a low growl.
Gabriel grinned over the rim of his glass. I know.
A bowl was placed in front of Gabriel snapping him out of his curt conversation with his wolf. "I got you some too," said Klaus.
Gabriel smiled up at Klaus. "You always read my mind," he mumbled as he dug into the sweet and creamy mango ice-cream with Klaus.
The auction came to an end and the museum was opened once again for the guests to explore. Gabriel and his family spent a while viewing the entire collection of painting, sculptures and any other art pieces. Only a few days had passed since the funeral, so he was glad that everyone was enjoying themselves tonight.
Every chance Gabriel had to check on Sabrina, he had. His attention was always on her even if he was with his family. His keen eyes never missed anything as they surveyed her surroundings to make sure that she was safe. Gabriel didn't feel any trouble that needed his attention, although occasionally she was ambushed by a fan asking for photos or autographs. Sabrina never declined and always made sure the person who approached her was comfortable. Richard Brady didn't show himself near Sabrina, which eased a little bit of the tension in Gabriel.
Although, there was a cameraman that hadn't left Sabrina's side since the auction came to an end. A man with a black tuxedo, with dark-rimmed glasses and an expensive camera that was always angled to take any and every shot of Sabrina. For a moment, Gabriel had forgotten how much of a celebrity she was, so it made sense that every magazine assigned a cameraman just for her.
Gabriel returned his attention back to his pack members when Sabrina separated from her manager and went towards the restrooms.
"We should head out soon," said Hunter. "The auction's over and it's getting late."
"Just admit that you're getting tired, old man," Vincent mocked with a grin.
Hunter's scowl deepened. "Well, I'm not a stupid ball of energy like you," he retorted.
Ryder laughed at Vincent's stunned expression. "Good one," he said between his laugh.
-Sabrina's POV-
The night had come to an end and she was about to head home, which never felt sweeter. Sabrina quickly washed her hands and fixed her lipstick. She pushed her hair over her shoulder and sauntered out the powder-room. She was alone so used the cool marble wall for support to fix the strap of her heel, when she was startled by a dark figure next to her.
Sabrina jumped in her shoes and turned to face whoever snuck up on her. She recognized the man. "Oh! Mr. Brady, you scared me," she exclaimed.
"My apologies," he said taking his hands out of his pockets.
Sabrina was a bit confused as to what Richard was doing here when the only thing around this corridor was the ladies restroom. "Did you need something?" she asked.
Richard stepped out from the looming shadows and grinned coldly. "I think you know what I want from you."
Sabrina straightened to her full height. Her jaw clenched at his disrespecting tone and her teeth grated against themselves. "Richard, I think it would be wise if you moved along," Sabrina warned him but he just laughed.
"Oh, don't be like that-" Suddenly, his cold meaty hand reached out for her, but she quickly shoved him off, surprising him of her swift reflex. She moved away trying to put distance. But he got a hold of her arm, and he savagely wrenched her back with an alarming force.
"Let me go," she sneered.
Abruptly, her arm was let go of and Richard Brady went flying against the far wall. River's mountainous form was covering him and Gabriel was pulling her away.
"Are you hurt?" he growled, panic clear in his fierce golden gaze.
"No, I'm fine," she said. Gabriel kept inspecting her, his eyes taking a full sweep over her body. "I'm fine-" she cupped his hard jaw and looked directly into his icy-cold eyes.
He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her. Clasping the lapels tightly together around her like his jacket alone could keep her safe. She saw something dark and dangerous spill into his eyes. The power radiated off his massive stature, and it was clear that he was going to kill anyone or anything that touched him...or her. He covered her from Richard Brady, sheltered her merely by standing between her and Brady.
"Did he touch you?" he asked again, but this time his voice was much softer.
"No," she whispered. "I'm just a bit surprised." she looked into his burning gaze and put up a brave face.
"You don't need to do that," his jaw clenched. "There's no point in hiding it," he whispered so softly, so gently that her heart seared inside her.
"How did you know that I was in trouble?" she asked. Gabriel wrapped his arm around her waist, his arm settled and pulled her right against his right side.
"I saw you leave for the restroom. That's when I noticed Brady go in that direction also. Both River and I remembered the only thing at the end of that hall was the ladies room. So, we immediately ran. And especially the way Brady treated you earlier, I didn't take any chances."
"Are you okay?" Hailey was beside Sabrina with the rest of the family too.
"I'm fine," she said. "You guys came before anything happened."
Helen appeared frantic. "Sabrina-" her eyes glared and she moved around Sabrina, and she was about to punch Richard Brady right in the nose, but Sabrina calmed her down.
"Let's all move from here before people start taking notice," said Sabrina.
Gabriel's hold on her tightened. It occurred to her then that he's been keeping an eye on her as well. She thought she was the only one, but it seemed Gabriel also watched her too. They all exited the museum together and stood in front of their cars.
"I can't believe that bastard," Ryder cursed under his breath. "He's been all over you this whole damn party."
"He had some nerve doing that at a party," Klaus crossed his arms.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Vincent asked Sabrina with a frown creasing his handsome face.
A chill crawled down Sabrina's back. "I just need to go home and sleep it off," she confided.
Hailey put her hand on Sabrina's closed palms. "It'll be fine," she reassured calmly. "You're safe, so don't worry about what happened anymore."
Sabrina released the breath she was holding and smiled at Hailey. She looked at River and Gabriel. "Thank you for helping me," she said. Both men's eyes stared at her with concern, and a lot of anger for her.
Gabriel's firm gaze looked up at his pack members. They seemed to understand that silent command because immediately they moved towards their cars without him.
"Good night, Sabrina and Helen-" they all waved back and got in their cars.
"I'm going to drop you home," Gabriel said sternly.
Enveloped in his jacket, Sabrina would have loved that, but she had Helen with her and Sabrina needed to make sure that they both got home safely. "Maybe next time," said Sabrina. She pulled off his jacket and passed it to him. He took it and draped it over his forearm. Sabrina's car arrived and the chauffeur quickly opened the door of the car.
Helen blocked Sabrina from getting into the vehicle with her. "I'll take this car home," Helen said. "There's no point in taking two trips. Why don't you go with Mr. Centauri?"
Sabrina gaped at Helen. "Huh?"
"I'll entrust her to you then," Helen looked at Gabriel who simply nodded. Helen closed the door of the car and left Sabrina standing on the road with Gabriel.
"I've been jilted," mumbled Sabrina who was disoriented of what just happened. Sabrina heard a car door open. She turned to find the passenger side to Gabriel's car wide for her. Inhaling deeply so she didn't forget breath during this whole ride. "Thanks," she told him before she slipped inside his car. Gabriel strode around the hood of the black Mustang with long strides and joined her. She told him her address and he set off on the busy night traffic road.
The sick sensation sitting inside her stomach ruined her mood. She looked out the window as the trees and buildings rushed by, but it wasn't comforting at all like it usually would be for anyone. "I didn't expect my night to end this way," she mumbled under a wavering breath.
She sank into the leather seat and leaned her head back. Her eyes patently watched Gabriel. She was aware that she was openly staring but she didn't care, because looking at him was the only thing proving to be a distraction. Gabriel's jaw tightened and so did the hand that was on the steering wheel. The car came to a stop at a red light.
Gabriel's head turned and he faced her. "I wish somehow I could make you forget what happened," he said.
Sabrina drank in those golden eyes. "You're already helping me forget," she said.
He chuckled dryly. "I didn't even say anything yet."
A smile crept up her lips. "You don't need to," she whispered. "Being next to you seems to be helping all on its own."
Gabriel's eyes warmed as they held hers. The traffic-light changed to green, but he only pressed on the race after he was viciously honked at by an eager car behind them.
She never reached her house faster. Sabrina wished that she could have frozen time and spent more time with Gabriel Centauri.
They both got out of the car together. She hadn't expected that he would walk her up to her front door. He waited beside her as she dug out her keys and unlocked the door. She turned to face his tall stature after the door swung open to her cozy and neat home.
"Thank you for dropping me off," she said.
Gabriel eyes searched hers. "I'm getting a feeling I'll be doing it quite often from now on," he confessed surprising her of his honesty.
She looked down at her feet shyly. "Then I'm guessing you've sensed the bond between our wolves too."
Gabriel took a step closer to her, closing the space between them, stealing the breath out of her lungs. His fingers cupped her chin and he tilted her head back, her eyes locked on his own. His warm, safe hand caressed down her arm, that still stung from Richard's assault, but Gabriel soothed it all away. Sabrina's breath ceased and her legs weakened by the simple touch of his hand and the dark scent of his body.
"I've felt the bond between our wolves," his deep voice whispered so hotly. "So, I need you to listen to me very clearly, Sabrina-"
Sabrina would have loved to concentrate on his voice and the words coming out of his mouth, if only his strong hands weren't touching her arm and nape. "I'm listening," she muttered breathlessly.
"I'm not going to ignore this bond between us and neither should you," he professed. Gabriel leaned down and sweetly kissed her cheek, that turned red from a deep blush. "Go inside and get some rest," he instructed like the bossy alpha he probably was with his pack too.
Sabrina's feet didn't feel like moving. But she didn't want to come off like she was some schoolgirl talking to her crush either. She scuffled inside and faced Gabriel's broad figure that dwarfed the large door frame. "Goodnight," she said softly.
"It was... after seeing you," he grinned before he climbed down the stairs and got into his car.
Sabrina locked the door after he drove off the property. She was grinning all the way up to her bedroom, even after she took a shower, and buried herself under her duvet to sleep but he didn't let her.
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