The Alpha’s Nanny (Lori and Gabriel) novel Chapter 12

**The Ocean Remembers Everything**
By Julia Allan

**Chapter 12**

The evening unfolded with a shared meal, a gathering at the table that felt both ordinary and yet charged with unspoken tension. Lori sat across from Grace and Mr. Gabriel, her heart heavy with questions she dared not voice. Where was the cousin she had glimpsed earlier? The thought lingered in her mind, but she kept her lips sealed, not wanting to disrupt the fragile peace of the moment. She did, however, notice Grace discreetly serving a plate for him before they began their dinner, a silent acknowledgment of his absence.

The dinner consisted of pasta, a dish Grace had mentioned earlier in the day. The aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the underlying tension that had settled around them. Mr. Gabriel, usually a wellspring of conversation, was unnaturally quiet this evening. His eyes seemed distant, lost in thoughts that Lori could only guess at. She felt a pang of curiosity mixed with apprehension; what could be weighing on his mind?

As the meal progressed, Lori found herself retreating into silence, her fork moving mechanically as she finished her portion with surprising speed. She felt an urgency to leave the table, to escape the weight of the unspoken words that hung between them. The moment she pushed her chair back and stood, she caught Gabriel’s gaze. He watched her leave, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. She sensed that he was aware of her discomfort, yet he seemed unsure how to bridge the gap that lay between them.

Their conversation had been sparse, almost nonexistent, revolving solely around the baby. It felt as if there was an invisible barrier separating Lori from the others, one that she couldn’t quite breach. Gabriel silently lamented the lack of connection, wishing for a moment of normalcy, a simple exchange of words that didn’t revolve around the child. But every time he thought to reach out, he hesitated, unsure of how to approach her without scaring her away.

“It’ll take time,” Grace said softly, pulling him from his reverie. Her voice was gentle, yet it carried a weight of understanding that he appreciated.

“What?” Gabriel replied, startled by her sudden presence in his thoughts. He had momentarily forgotten she was seated at the table with them, her usual spot that felt so familiar yet now seemed oddly distant.

“I can see what you’re thinking,” Grace continued, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “It’s not hard to read you, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. You’re like a wolf with your instincts.”

Gabriel nodded slowly, acknowledging her insight. Grace, with her years of wisdom, had a way of perceiving things that others might miss. She belonged to his pack, handpicked for her loyalty, and her understanding of his struggles was a comfort.

“How did you know?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Grace shrugged lightly, her expression thoughtful. “I’m not naive, you know. When you reach a certain age, you develop a sixth sense about these things. It’s just part of being who we are.”

Some alphas chose to forfeit their mates, believing them to be weak or unworthy due to their backgrounds. They often rejected their bonds and lived solitary lives, opting instead for werewolves who could elevate their status. It was a rare occurrence, but it happened more often than one would think. The severing of such connections, especially when done too late, could have devastating effects on both parties—like a gaping wound left to fester in their hearts.

If Gabriel were to reject Lori, he knew he had to act swiftly. The thought of doing so sent a chill down his spine. Yet, as he reflected on the bond that was growing between her and Emilia, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. Caring for the little girl seemed to breathe new life into Lori, giving her purpose and a sense of belonging that she desperately needed.

But even amidst this newfound connection, Lori’s heart still carried the weight of her past. She often found herself glancing at her phone, contemplating reaching out to the Fullers, pleading for another chance to be part of her son’s life. Yet, the silence on the other end was deafening; they were grieving too, wrapped in their own sorrow, seemingly unable to see that she was hurting just as much.

As Lori watched Emilia sleep peacefully, a mix of emotions surged within her. She knew she should wake the child to prevent a restless night, but the sight of the girl, so innocent and trusting, made it impossible to disturb her slumber. How could she deny her that small comfort? Just a week had passed, yet Emilia had already woven herself into Lori’s heart, capturing her affection as effortlessly as she had with everyone else.

As Lori settled into the couch, her mind drifted back to the shadows of her past. Memories of Asher loomed large, the worst chapter of her life, and Jared—he was the one who had brought that darkness into her world. She shuddered at the thought, wishing she could rewrite her story, but the ocean of her memories held everything, and it remembered every detail.