THE STOLEN PIECE

CHAPTER 41 - TRIP

GABRIEL

That is new, Eva acting like that towards Lucas… I could smell Lucas’ scent changing… “He is mad Gabe.”

   -Well then it’s too bad Gabe wouldn’t be able to join you tomorrow because he is going on a trip.

   -What? Where? You are lying!

They were looking at each other and ignoring the fact that I was still knocked out on the floor with Eva on top of me.

   -Why don’t we ask my brother?

I heard Maria's voice, she kept walking towards me with an angry face.

   -Why didn’t you tell me you were going on a trip?

   -You didn’t ask… You just arrived and asked for Lucas.

   -And how would I have guessed you were leaving for a trip?

   -You asked about me?

Lucas' voice sounded surprised.

   -It wasn’t like that Lucas… Gabe is this related to Sam? Did you find something else?

I could see Maria getting anxious. It wasn’t normal for her.

   -It’s not directly related, I just needed some time away so I could clear my thoughts and focus my all on finding Sam.

As I looked at Maria I knew she knew what I was referring to.

   -How many days are you leaving?

   -WHAT? Just like that, are you agreeing with him?

Eva said while standing up and finally letting me incorporate myself.

   -If he needs time to clear his thoughts, we can’t do anything to stop him. Now that we found the wolves it’s clear the fight that it’s approaching and as the oldest warrior that can shift, he needs to be at his best if we plan on rescuing Sam.

I smiled. I knew my sister would understand.

   -Okay, then take me with you.

Eva said while looking at me.

   -No, this is a trip to clear my thoughts. I'm not taking you.

Eva was about to say something when David appeared and left a bag near the front door.

   -And where do you think you are going?

Eva said beyond mad.

   -Gabriel is taking me with him to the beach.

   -WHAT? YOU ARE TAKING HIM BUT NOT ME?

Great, now I have a furious Eva.

   -It’s a guy's trip Eva relax…

Maria was trying to calm Eva, but Eva was redder by the minute.

   -No I can’t! We are about to finally be together and he wants to go alone and then you are telling me we are about to get into a huge fight for Sam! It's just too much!

   -Eva you knew we were coming here for Sam.

Maria was trying to reason with a now furious Eva.

   -I know! But I followed you here because I wanted to be near Gabriel! I have lived my life for him! Why don’t you all think about me and my feelings?

And just like that, the atmosphere in the room turned heavy, and I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I hug her? Would that give her more hope? Being with her wasn’t a crazy idea… She was a strong wolf, and respected in the pack… She knows me… and I love her… My stomach felt funny just thinking about that. I saw Maria walking towards her and she hugged her. I could feel my heartbreak. Here in this room were some of the most important persons in my life and the thought of my actions hurting one was just unbearable.

   -I will stay here with you… Let's give Gabe some space to think. Everything is going to be fine.

I was about to approach them when Maria looked at me.

   -Go back to your room, she needs time.

Lucas followed me to our room.

   -It’s not your fault Gabe, we all knew we were here to find Sam and that a fight was almost imminent when we did find him. She is just…

   -I know, but I also kind of knew she had feelings for me…

   -All the kingdom knows about that, you have to be blind to not notice how she looks at you.

   -You are not helping Lucas.

   -Sorry, but again it’s not your fault, you never gave her any hints that that feeling was mutual… Right?

I didn’t know how to answer that question. I never gave her hope but I also never discouraged her feelings towards me. She always made me feel supported when Maria got herself locked up in her studies and Sam was out there being a playboy. She was my company and my support… Did I actually encourage her to keep loving me?

   -Don’t make that face Gabe, stop troubling yourself. See the bright side, you will have some days alone on your trip to clear things on your mind and after that, we will go and find Sam.

Lucas was right, I need to start thinking of Sam, he was close and we were going to find him. I lay in the bed and tried to sleep… but Eva sobbing in the next room wasn’t helping me. When I opened my eyes, I saw that Lucas was still sleeping.

   -” David, are you awake?”

   -”Yes, are we leaving?”

   -”Yes, grab your stuff and meet me at the front door in 5 minutes.”

I ended the link and concentrated on being as quiet as possible. When I was already closing the door I heard a noise and turned to see Maria sitting on the couch.

   -Did you really think I was going to let you go that easily?

   -I thought we were on the same page…

   -Come take a seat, I need to know some information.

I sat and she looked at me.

   -Why are you really leaving?

   -I told you I need some time to…

   -You have never needed time away. That’s more Sam’s style. You confront everything without thinking.

   -It’s just that I’m really confused right now… I am not sure about what I really believe and it’s just… I don’t know where my head is lately.

   -Gabe… I don’t want to say I don’t believe you but last time you found some wolves you didn't even tell us. We know we can shift but we want to help and we are a team.

   -I swear I’m not on a hunt, it’s really just a trip. I do need to get my head in place…

   -To understand that Sam is worth fighting for?

   -No! I know that just… When I was a kid I knew my mission was to keep you and Mom safe, then Dad appeared and it was no longer my mission, well yes it was but he was also helping and the whole pack too… So I decided that my mission was no longer to protect just us but the whole kingdom and I agreed with that life.

   -Agreed? 

   -Yes, I understood my place and I was willing to fill it.

   -Gabe you don’t have to agree with the life you choose, you should be happy with the life you choose…

   -I’m happy being with my pack…

   -And what else makes you happy?

I didn’t know what to say… I was happy when we were all together and safe… Wasn't that enough?

   -You need to think more about what makes you happy and less about what is expected from you. We all love you and want to see you happy, as a King or as a warrior or in the life you choose.

I was still speechless.

   -So, how long would this trip be?

   -I don’t know.

   -Where are you going?

   -To the beach…

   -Which beach?

   -I don’t know.

   -And how do you plan on getting there?

   -With the car…

Maria was about to burst.

   -Okay, my boss is joining me…

   -So she knows the place?

   -Yes.

   -I’m ready.

David said as he opened his door.

   -Wait, wasn’t she in the hospital… didn’t she see David?

Maria said while she looked at me.

   -Who? Gabriel's hot boss?

David said with a smirk.

   -Yes!

   -Yes I saw her…

   -You can’t take David with you, Gabe.

   -Why?

I said surprised, she seemed onboard, and now this.

   -Because she would notice the fast healing, it’s not normal!

   -We can say it was a miraculous healing.

   -No David, things don't work like that! I’m a doctor, remember?

   -What if he pretends to be Daniel? She has met Daniel and they do look so similar, she can…

   -About that…

David interrupted me as I said my plan and Daniel came out of the room with a bag in his back.

   -Hell no…

That was the only thing I could say.

   -If you are taking David I’m going.

   -Daniel you can go to work, you're not trapped here like David. Stay.

   -I want to go!

He shouted and I swear I could hear Eva’s breathing getting faster. “He is going to wake her up!” Zeus said and I knew we were running out of time.

   -Okay you can go, but lower your voice.

   -Gabe that doesn't solve anything, David still has a scar where he had a deep wound just days ago.

I was anxious to leave, then I saw the bandages on the table.

   -And if he covers it up? Like if it was still open?

   -That can work?

David was looking at Maria.

   -Yes that can work, but not getting on the water or it might fall and you have to have it on always. We can’t let our ward down now that we are close to Sam. He smiled and took the bandages and other stuff Maria took out of a box.

   -Well then we are leaving.

   -Send me your location when you arrive.

   -Yes I will.

She smiled at me and I kissed her forehead. When I opened the door I could feel something in the air… This trip was about to change my life.