chapter 24: Gabby’s POV

I walked through the hallways, down the familiar staircase and straight towards the kitchen. The mumbles of the pack members having dinner in the kitchen got louder as I neared the door way. I got to it soon and all mumbling stopped as they noticed my presence, my breath hitched in my throat as all eyes turned towards me. I stood there frozen in my spot as timne seemed to stop, were they going to attack me? Curse at me? Insult me? Throw things at me? I began to wobble a bit at my thoughts of what they might do till they all decided to suddenly turn back to their dinner. I let out a breath of relief and silently scanned the crowd for Andros, he wasn't there. I was about to move further when I felt a touch at mny back and I was suddenly pulled into a body causing me to yelp.

"Relax Gabby, it's me." The person said and I realized it was Andros. I quickly turned around hugging him tightly as I had missed him and our conversations, "I missed you so much." He said rubbing my hair as he sniffed in my scent.

"I missed you too." I smiled up at him and I felt Hera grumble at the over familiarity. I shifted away from him as the thought of someone seeing Us crept in my mind but all the others present seemed too interested in their meals to pay us heed.

"Come." He said taking my hand in his as he led me through the kitchen and out of it into the back. He led me to a tree, it was a smaller one this time and not the usual tree we hung out at.

"I am sorry about what happened to you." He said as soon as we sat under it, " You didn't deserve to be treated that way." He held my hands in his caressing them, "I wish I could protect you."

"It isn't your fault Andros." I mumbled, "It's all mine, if I try to be less hated I wouldn't get in trouble."

"Don't say that Gabby." He frowned at my words,

"Who wouldn't love you?"

"Well my mate, fora start." I said giggling dryly as I tried to laugh off the horrible fact that Aiden wanted nothing to do with me, "Do you know why everyone was staring at me like that, back at the kitchen?"

"Cause you are very pretty." He smiled brushing a lock of hair from my face. I blushed beet red at his action and compliment. "Thank you." I said, "I am being serious though." I continued, "They just stared at me without a word of insult or an attack attempt."

"It's cause Aiden may have kinda warned them all to stay away from you." He said and I was shocked at his statement.

"He did that?" I asked as it was hard to believe.

"Yes, he did." Andros sighed, "He was really mad at everyone of the elders including the Beta for what they had put you through. See! I always knew that mate cared, Hera purred excitedly at the back of my head on hearing Andros's Words. I snorted at her and shifted my attention back to the man before me, "But he hates me.

He hummed, "How are you feeling now? Have your wounds healed?"

"Not all too well." I sighed, "But I am good."

"That's good to know." He held onto my hands tightly and I felt something pass through me, he was trying to sooth my present pains and my heart warmed at how much he cared, "Feel much better now?" He asked and I nodded which made him Smile. We sat there for a while chatting about random things and I was really enjoying his company.

"Gabby, can I ask you something?" He said and I nodded giving hima go ahead.

"You do know that I really really like you right?" He asked and I stared blankly at him not knowing what response to give, "I want to know if you like me too."

"I do." I mumbled lowly as I didn't see the need to lie, but I didn't know if I liked him as just a friend Or it was more.

"Will you run away with me when things get worse?" He asked and I was about to answer when someone suddenly appeared before us.

"Having fun, I see." He sneered at us breathing in anger. I didn't know how Aiden found us but he happened to be standing right there staring daggers at us, especially Andros.

Andros immediately got the memo, he stood up bowed before Aiden, gave me a sad look before turning and going back I to the house leaving just my mate and ."Who is he to you?" He asked as I stood up from the ground watching in warily. I didn't know how far his anger could go and he seemed really angry.

"We are just friends." I answered swaying a bit on my feet and he caught me before I could fall, sparks travelled all over me as he drew me closer and peered down at me with those gleaming dark eyes.

"Just friends do not hang out around each other all the time." He said swinging me in his arms in one motion, "You are weak, you should eat."

"I am not hungry." I protested.

"Do not defy me Gabby." He boomed as he walked back into the pack house.

"It's not like you care, you just want to get closer to me to break the spell." I confronted him with my words and I saw a shift in his features.

"That isn't entirely true." He said and my face fell at the fact that most of my words were true. We entered the kitchen and luckily it was empty. He plopped me down on a chair next to the counter before turning around towards the shelves to get me something to eat, "What pack are you from Gabby?" He asked and I was stunned that he was inquiring about my personal formation.

"I am a rogue." I lied not wanting him to know about my shameful past of being rejected and tossed around.

"You are lying." He turned towards me with a plate in his hand and he set he food before me.

"I am not." I argued not wanting himn to perceive that I was actually lying. I picked a spoon that he had placed before me and dug into the food as he just sat there watching me with amusement on his face.

"We are going on a date tomorrow." He said and I stared at him in horror being greatly surprised yet horrified at what he had just said.

"Wh...y.." I stammered.

"Cause I said so." He frowned, "Now, eat up." He said to me and I did as he said.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked him reaching for the glass of water he had given me.

"Oh no darling, I don't need this." He said, "I have my meal right before me." He said with a wink and a quick dart of his tongue across his lips. I choked on my drink knowing the meaning of what he had just said and I blushed furiously. He chuckled at my reaction and I looked up at his face to see a small smile creep upon his lips. My heart jumped at the sight. This was the very first time, Aiden had just smiled at me.