Page 39 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

“Last night, you promised to tell me everything. No more evasions, no more dismissals. I deserve to know the truth.”

Gabriel meets my gaze. There’s a moment of hesitation before he nods. “I understand, Jade. And you’re right. Let’s talk.”

We head to the kitchen and sit at the island.

Just as Gabriel is about to speak, a woman sweeps into the room. She’s wearing a floor-length robe, her hair is braided, and in her arms, she carries a young boy who sees Gabriel and ecstatically screams, “Daddy!” The boy, around five years old, bears a striking resemblance to Gabriel. My shock roots me in place, while my mind struggles to understand what I’m seeing. Embarrassment washes over me, as I try to act like I knew all along that Gabriel had a son and a wife.

The woman introduces herself as Mariya, and extends a hand in greeting. I reluctantly grasp it, feeling scrutinized by her gaze. There’s an awkward silence, and then Mariya, sensing my confusion, turns to Gabriel, suggesting they talk in the office.

Gabriel nods, and they head upstairs, leaving me alone with the young boy named Liam. Gabriel instructs Liam to keep an eye on me before disappearing with Mariya.

The silence that follows is punctuated only by Liam’s curious gaze. I manage a small smile, attempting to ease the tension. I decide to make the best of the situation and engage Liam in conversation.

“Hi, Liam. I’m Jade,” I say, crouching down to his eye level. He studies me for a moment before offering a shy smile in return.

“So, how are you, Liam?”

“I’m okay. Who are you?”

I choked my answer. “My name is Jade. I am your dad’s friend.”

He nods like I just told him the most interesting thing ever. It’s silent for a few moments. Then curiosity gets the better of him, and he looks up at me with wide eyes.

“What kind of creature are you?” Liam asks with the straightforward sincerity of a child.

Taking a deep breath, I say, “What do you mean? I am human, Liam. What else could I be?” I ask, choosing my words carefully.

Liam’s eyes widen with fascination. “Maybe you are a witch like Mariya. Or maybe you’re like Daddy? Daddy’s a werewolf!”

His words hang in the air as I try to think of a response to that revelation. Gabriel is a werewolf. There it is! The confirmation I was looking for.

Werewolves. Witches. Vampires.It's really true?What else might be out there that I am unaware of?

Liam, sensing my apprehension, decides to demonstrate his own supernatural attribute. His eyes, initially a lighter shade of brown, shift into a vibrant green. The sudden transformation startles me, and I instinctively jump backward, knocking over a nearby chair.

The commotion prompts Mariya and Gabriel to come rushing back downstairs. Looking between us curiously, Mariya lifts Liam into her arms. “What’s going on?”

Liam grins mischievously, a childlike glee evident in his features. “Nothing. I think I scared your friend, Daddy.”

My heart is still pounding, but I try to regain my composure by assuring him, “I am not scared.”

Gabriel looks from his son to me.

“Good. Because I promise not all werewolves are scary. Right, Daddy?”

Gabriel looks terrified, but he nods, a subtle warmth in his eyes. “That’s right, Liam. Not all werewolves are scary. We’re just like everyone else… mostly.”

Chapter 15

Gabriel

Fuck! What now?I never expected my son to be the one to spill our supernatural secrets. It’s true that Jade isn’t human, so technically, he didn’t betray the treaty, but it was still a lapse in judgment on my part. I knew Liam tended to be a chatterbox, but I never considered he would be the one to spill everything to Jade.

“I think Jade and I need to have a private conversation in my room,” I tell Liam, trying to keep my calm facade.

“Okay, Daddy. Bye, Jade,” Liam says, waving enthusiastically.

Jade looks visibly shaken as she waves back, and I lead her to my bedroom. I can feel Mariya’s scrutinizing gaze on us.

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