THE STOLEN PIECE

CHAPTER 53 - ALL HANDS ON DECK

GABRIEL

I was about to lose it, but Lucas grabbed my shoulder and I just nodded… but the only thing I wanted to do was make him regret his words. He bowed and then left the room.

-Why did you let him talk to you like that?

Lucas looked at me and I saw sadness in his eyes.

-What he said is true… I am no longer… I need to change. I know I’m not…

He wasn’t able to finish one sentence… I have never seen him like that before.

-It’s okay Lucas. Go back to your room, get better, I will need your help.

He squeezed my shoulder and then left without saying a single word. The doctor finally ended what he was doing. My stomach hurt like hell. I stayed there for a few minutes just when I thought I was ready to leave, Maria entered the place with a pale face.

-Are you alright?

She said while inspecting me.

-What?

-They told me you fought like seven wolves! Are you crazy?

-Maria I am…

-You got hurt? Wait… you had these already! You re-opened your wounds!

Then she hit me on the shoulder.

-Hey! That hurt!

-I bet it hurt less than reopening your wounds! You need to be more careful Gabe! you need to stop being so reckless!

And then she hit me again.

-Okay stop that!

-I won’t! Because you keep doing dumb things! You dumbass!

I was shocked, Maria… She wasn’t like this… She walked to the door and ripped the page that was pasted with tape.

-What the hell is this? She said, showing me the paper.

I just rolled my eyes.

-Wolf then an interrogation sign… For the Moon goddess... in allergies, they also put an interrogation sign. They even have your name wrong!

She was now getting redder by the second. She left the room even faster than when she entered. I waited for her but she never came back. I stood up and walked out of the room where I was almost run over by a bunch of doctors running like crazy. “Zeus what happened? and attack?” I was afraid and in my condition, I was in no form to fight or even help. “No Gabe, they are in a hurry, and a bit afraid… But I can’t sense danger.” Zeus' voice was confused and anxious, he wasn’t sure what was happening, but if it was not an attack or danger I needed to get back to the office and fix the schedules and list of members, I didn’t have time for more. I would come back and try to fix this place but not today, not now. I evaded the running doctors and left the place. I didn’t see pack members, I walked to the main door and there were also no pack members there, at least not in sight. I slowly walked through the stairs. I finally opened the door to the office and saw Harvey with a bunch of papers.

-You let these fall… I picked them up.

I looked at them and remembered the woman who gave them to me in the hospital.

-We need to…

-All of these members died here?

His face looked shocked, afraid…

-Yes…

-How is that possible?

I walked there and saw Harvey already modifying the list of members we had here. Harvey just looked at me, but I hadn't an answer for that.

-Let’s try to get the schedules right, one thing at a time.

He nodded and we started correcting the list. At night I was getting hungry, so I decided to go hunting because I was not eating tuna again. As I opened the door a scent hit my nose, I followed until I opened the kitchen door and it intensified. Sabrina was directing the kitchen with Eva’s help. The scent of spaghetti and meatballs was incredible! my stomach started to rumble. Eva looked at me and smiled.

-Just some more minutes and we will start taking plates to the dining room, so go and wait with the others.

The others? I did hear noises coming from the dining room, so I opened the door to the dining room and many eyes were on me. There were so many pack members reunited there.

-Is it ready?

One asked.

-They said that in a few minutes…

I wasn’t finished talking when they all went to talk to each other. I was confused, I thought they weren't into this at all… But there were so many members… Then the door opened when two more members entered the dining room.

-What it’s that scent?

One of the members said.

-Spaghetti and meatballs.

-What's that?

-Human food.

-Well it smells amazing.

One member said and sat down. The other one still looked confused, but then I had to take some steps back because members were carrying huge bowls of food onto the main table. Then all eyes were on the food, no exception. The food was vanishing faster than what it had taken out. This could actually work… I saw how they talked to each other, not asking from what pack they were or their status, they were just talking and enjoying the dinner. I heard some laughter when someone started to throw meatballs in the air and others started to catch them with their mouths. “This feels more like home…” As Zeus said I heard a roar… I left my plate and ran. I saw the twins already running into the main door then I saw a huge lion and the twins jumping towards him. I stopped and just observed the family reunion.

-My kittens!

Ivory shouted as she hugged the twins and Chris was in the middle of shifting back.

-No Dad put on some pants first!

David said, taking steps back from Chris while he had his arms open. A pack member approached them and gave Chris some clothes, but then the scent of blood got stronger.

-Uncle Chris!

Maria said coming out of the hospital.

-My little princes!!

Chris said, but then his sight went into the forest where many injured wolves started to appear.

-This is what is left of the Black River Pack. We have many wolves with burnt injuries and…

Maria turned back and when one of the doctors opened the door she shouted.

-Prepare the burn unit, fast!

-Everyone that has a burn injury please wait until one doctor checks on you so we can evaluate your injury and assign you a bed.

Then she looked at me.

-Gabe I have 25 members here so tell the kitchen to separate our food, and I will send someone to collect food for the patients.

-How did you?

-Please I can smell the spaghetti even in the hospital.

I saw the doctors run and check the members, Maria started shouting orders and they even had charts where they ask and write information. The people communicated with each other.

-Is there another species or just werewolves here?

Maria said and the members looked at each other. Then one little girl raised her hand.

-I’m human.

She said with a trembling voice. Maria walked towards her and picked her up. The girl seemed surprised.

-Someone else?

-It's just me.

The girl spoke again and Maria just hugged her while she walked toward the hospital.

-Please answer the question the doctors ask and try to give all the information as complete as possible so we can log your chart on the computer.

Then I saw Lucas coming from the place. He was walking really slow but his smile was one of the biggest ones. I returned my sight to the doctors, I saw the two doctors that were with me and they were actually working together. I couldn’t believe it.

-It’s amazing, right?

I almost jumped at the sound of Lucas’s voice.

-Yes how did…

-Maria took that place under her wing and started to apply process and order to it. At first, some weren’t so sure, but when she started talking and showing all of her knowledge of the place I think they did understand that all she wanted was to save as many members as possible and to treat them with respect, she actually made them see each other as a team. I wasn’t sure it worked but now, I think she is making them act on steps without too much thought of who they are working with. With time they will act like a pack.

I was still amazed to see that change. I could still see some doctors not happy but at least the intention was there.

-How did Eva do with the kitchen?

I looked at him, how did he…

-I’m starving, let's go and get some spaghetti before the rest of the pack eats our portion.

I was definitely confused… But I wasn’t going to deny that the smell of the spaghetti was making me drool a little. I entered the place and the members were eating the ones that were done, took the plates and left them on some trays, and then left the seat for others to eat. They didn’t even turn their heads to Lucas, as if they didn’t care that a human was eating between them. It was unbelievable.

-When you are done Gabe, let's meet at your dad’s office.

Lucas said and stood up. I noticed I hadn't eaten half of my plate, I couldn’t stop looking at the members.

-Are you finishing that?

I saw a young member looking at my plate.

-If you are not, can I have it?

-Sure.

He took my plate and started eating it.

-It feels like years since I ate real food.

He said with his mouth full.

-Real food?

I asked.

-Yes, my Mom used to make this stuff for my sister but she shared it with me, but to be honest, it tastes way better than what she used to make.

I wanted to ask more but so Lucas stood up and I followed him. When we entered the office Harvey looked at me and then looked at Lucas.

-What is he doing here?

-He is going to help us…

-We don’t need his help, he can go and lay on a bed.

-Harvey…

-Please I will not interfere. I will do the easy stuff so you can concentrate on the important decisions.

Lucas said with his head low. What the hell is he doing? He has alpha blood he shouldn’t be talked to like that and the worst he tolerated and apologies?

-Lucas you…

-It’s okay Gabe, I want to help with what I can. You need to focus on the main things. Let me do the tedious work.

Harvey lifted his chin and took deep breaths.

-That scent…

-There's food downstairs you can go and eat something…

I wasn’t done speaking when Harvey left the office.

-What was all that Lucas can do even more than…

-I’m no longer a wolf Gabe, they aren't… It’s easier this way and if I can help you with that I…

-No! I don’t care if they know or not! You are my best friend and a great future Alpha, you can’t be treated like that!

Lucas saw me with strange eyes as if he was sad to hear what I was saying.

-Thanks Gabe, but as the old man said, right now I am a human in the royal pack, I need to take that place and help in the ways I can.

-Even in human form you fight! I have seen you! You are really good!

-I wouldn’t be able to take down a well-trained wolf alone, I can just take some time until a wolf comes and…

-But you can fight him! A normal human has no chance of fighting with a rogue and I’m sure you could kill one!

-And you can take three at a time… I would risk my life fighting just one…

I looked at him and I didn't know what else to say.

-It’s okay Gabe, I made peace with it.

He said as he sat and started looking at the papers. I saw his eyes get flurried.

-What's wrong?

As I said that he looked directly into my eyes.

-My pack…

His voice broke down as he spoke.