Chapter 49: Territorial Claims
(Gabriel's POV)
Crystal’s delicate laughter filled the space, but to me, it sounded painfully out of place. It was an attempt to create an air of ease at the dinner table, but it only highlighted how tense everything truly was.
She sat forward slightly, her hopeful grey eyes darting between Alexander and me. She was trying her best to mediate, to play the diplomat and mediate an imaginary truce between two Alphas.
“It’s only a misunderstanding,” she said cheerfully, as if her words alone could erase the growing storm in the room. “Alexander always comes off a little—uh, distant. But that’s just his way. Don’t take it personally, Gabriel.”
Her smile was bright as she leaned towards me, as if expecting her words would settle everything.
I forced a p
