His Isolated Omega Luna

Chapter Twenty Eight

Lucas was already heading towards the dispatch office with his letter of recommendation clutched in his hand when he stopped cold, peering through the moving crowd to make sure he hadn't made a mistake.

Lucas watched the man cross the street. He was sure that was Cassandra’s brother. He only saw him in passing for a few seconds at the apartment, but he was almost certain it was him. He quickly ran over the road and slipped behind him.

Lucas mirrored the alpha’s pace while he shadowed him, but soon found it difficult to maintain with the exceptional length of his stride.

In less than a minute he was almost on top of him and Lucas made the conscious decision to stop him and suggest they go somewhere together to try and make sense of all the mess. The opportunity to try and vouch for Axel and his love for Cassandra was too good a chance to pass up.

“Gabriel!” Lucas called out insistently. When the man turned, he knew he hadn't been mistaken. Gabriel searched Lucas’ face, but he couldn’t place him at all so he waited for him to explain how he knew his name, and why he had apparently been stalking him.

"Sorry, do I know you?" Gabriel asked. Lucas held out his hand before introducing himself. He thought he was probably more likely to get the handshake returned if he held back his name until he managed to secure Gabriel's attention.

“No, not really...” Lucas tried cautiously. “I’m a friend of Cassandra’s.”

“A friend?” Gabriel asked with a frown. “I didn’t know Cassandra had any friends here. What’s your name?” Lucas continued to extend his hand in the hope Gabriel would take it before he was forced to reveal that particular piece of information. Lucas dropped his arm when it was clear his gesture of friendship wasn't going to be exchanged.

“Lucas - Lucas Harrison,” He admitted, with a sigh.

“Harrison?” Gabriel said coldly. His confusion quickly developed into a glare. Lucas nodded.

“Axel is my brother.”

Gabriel stepped away hearing those words and he defensively crossed both arms over his chest.

“What do you want?” Gabriel demanded.

“I wanted to talk to you about Axel. He really doesn’t have any hidden agenda or ulterior motive for wanting Cas to stay with him.”

“I’m sorry, Lucas. I would rather see Cassandra left unmated than face a life of being forced into submission and being used by anyone.”

“Axel’s not like that,” Lucas said indignantly. “I know my brother, Gabriel, and I swear I have never seen him so in love. He would never do anything to hurt your sister. Trust me, I’ve seen them together and sometimes I don’t know how I manage to hold on to my lunch.”

Gabriel hesitated. Lucas certainly seemed genuine enough, but his own experience with Axel certainly hadn't helped him warm to the man. However, there was so much sincerity reflected in Lucas’ eyes that made Gabriel had a sudden rush of doubt. The implications of admitting he had made a mistake were something he didn’t even want to think about.

None of it really mattered now, anyway. The damage had already been done.

Gabriel seemed painfully keen to move on but Lucas was such an intimidating presence that a simple movement of his hand was enough to keep him fixed there in front of him. His shoulders dropped a little.

“I’m sure you mean well,” Gabriel attempted at last, as calmly as he could manage when he was being completely overshadowed by someone so huge. “Axel is your brother after all and I understand you're watching out for him just like I am for my sister, but I really don't have the time or the inclination to discuss this with you right now.”

Lucas was hoping he might be able to persuade Gabriel to give Axel another chance if he could only get him to listen to what he had to say, but securing his attention was proving more difficult than expected. For all Axel said he didn’t give two shits what Gabriel thought, Lucas knew he really would have been much happier to have his consent. He wondered if there was something darker behind Gabriel’s stubborn refusal to even acknowledge Axel as a worthy mate for Cassandra. He wanted to help free him from intolerance and appreciate Axel for what he really was.

Lucas even considered telling Gabriel what they had uncovered about the pair-bonding legend, but that was probably a bit much for an opener.

“Just give me a few minutes, please,” Lucas implored Gabriel with those same doleful puppy eyes that had been surprisingly successful on more than one occasion. Gabriel checked his watch and looked Lucas up and down like he was trying to assess his chances of being able to get past if he refused.

“Very well...” Gabriel agreed reluctantly. He stretched one arm out in the direction of the nearest coffee bar to suggest Lucas lead the way. If he was going to be forced to endure a conversation about Axel Harrison, then he wasn't going to do it in the middle of the sidewalk.

Gabriel hurried after Lucas when he set off up the street at a brutal pace.

As soon as they reached the entrance, Lucas held the door open and Gabriel dipped his head so he could slip under his arm.

“I can only give you a few minutes. I have to get to the bank,” He added, eyes scanning the room for a secluded stall while Lucas wandered off to get them a drink. He returned after a few minutes, with a cup in each hand. Lucas examined the scribbles.

“Americano or latte?”

“I don’t care, whichever,” Gabriel replied sharply. Lucas put them down on the table and Gabriel simply reached for the nearest one. He curled his fingers round the cup, but soon realized how that might have come across and his face softened. Lucas hadn't done anything to upset him, but his growing concern for Cassandra was causing him to be excessively harsh. “Thank you.”

“No problem, mind if I sit?” Gabriel shook his head. They each took a small sip of coffee and Gabriel glanced at his watch for the second time. Lucas broke the silence when he placed his own cup back on the table. “Thanks for at least giving me the opportunity to tell you what’s been going on. I appreciate it.”

“I’m not doing it for you,” Gabriel answered blankly. Lucas had to consciously keep his mouth closed to stop himself from responding with an expletive. He blew a stream of air across the surface of his drink to try and release some of his frustration.

Gabriel could see Lucas didn’t really understand why he was on the receiving end of all the pent-up anger that had accumulated in Gabriel’s system since the moment he first heard the name Axel Harrison.

“Sorry, but your brother didn’t exactly endear himself to me earlier and he was far too familiar with Cassandra. I don’t like her being pawed at like that,” Gabriel breathed heavily through his nose. The very thought of Axel taking Cassandra roughly from behind made him want to be sick.

“As far as I know, he hasn’t laid a hand on him,” Lucas replied, quickly rising to Axel’s defense. He tried to push out the memory of them being attached at the mouth and aimlessly wondered how many more times that had happened when he wasn’t chaperoning them. He knew Axel was still fighting all his natural instincts to mate and breed Cassandra. Lucas was actually quite proud of the fact Axel had managed to resist that inherent need as well as he had. “Like that, I mean.”

“Well he certainly made his claim on her perfectly clear,” Gabriel said, with some distaste. “I’m surprised he didn’t just pee on her.” Lucas flinched.

“But you’re an alpha, aren’t you? You should know better than me how it feels to want to mate. Maybe you and Axel are more alike than you think.”

“I am nothing like him!” Gabriel spat, jerking his head back with revulsion at such an abhorrent suggestion. He was struggling to understand how Lucas could possibly make that connection between them.

“You both want what’s best for Cassandra because you care for her. How does that make you any different?” Gabriel opened his mouth to say something else, but he hesitated when he thought about what Lucas said.

A glimmer of light shone out through the black centers of his golden eyes, and Lucas knew he had planted enough doubt to make him at least accept the possibility he may have made a mistake.

“I really don’t think an unmated alpha like your brother would actually be able to 'care' for Cassandra,” Gabriel mocked.

“You’re not so sure anymore though, are you?” Lucas noted, watching Gabriel’s expression change from mistrust to concern. He looked very tired.

“Lucas,” Gabriel began quietly. “You don’t understand. I… I just want my sister to be safe - to have a life without fear.” The hard edge to his voice had almost faded completely. Lucas thought he might have been very different without the heavy burden he seemingly carried all these years.

“That’s all Axel wants, too.” Lucas attempted, smiling gently when he leaned forward to rest a large hand on Gabriel’s arm. He turned to glance over his shoulder like he was looking for someone, before his eyes were drawn back to Lucas.

Gabriel believed he had already gone too far to go back now, but he was starting to regret just how much he had told LaVey. He knew he would have to go back to his office, but the conviction he was doing the right thing was slowly being replaced by uncertainty. It felt like he was being watched.

Gabriel seemed to be waging a private war with himself, torn between his head and his heart.