The Alpha’s Nanny (Lori and Gabriel) novel Chapter 20

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**The Ocean Remembers Everything**
**By Julia Allan**
**Chapter 20**

After a long and exhausting session of burping, she finally managed to settle the baby back into her car seat, placing the pacifier gently in her tiny hand. The soft cooing sounds of the baby filled the air, a soothing melody amidst the chaos of her day.

Gabriel rushed home, eager to see Lori and the baby. As he stepped through the door, he could hear Lori’s voice wafting through the house, sweet and nurturing as she spoke to Emilia. It was a comforting sound, and he felt a warmth spread through him as he made his way past the nursery and into his room to change. The faint echoes of water splashing hinted that she was giving the baby a bath, a small ritual that brought them both joy.

Once inside his room, he quickly shed his work clothes, feeling the weight of the day lift off his shoulders. He slipped into something more comfortable, a soft t-shirt and sweatpants that felt like a hug against his skin. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the memories of the day, which still lingered in his mind like a shadow.

What had transpired at the underground meeting was still fresh in his thoughts. He recalled the defectors, their eyes filled with desperation as they pleaded to be readmitted into the pack. They had sworn allegiance to him as their alpha, but he had stood firm, his resolve unyielding. Just as he was about to turn them away, Draco’s voice had cut through the tension, urging him to reconsider. “Let them stay, Gabriel. They can earn their way back,” Draco had said, his tone persuasive.

It was a wise suggestion, one that would prevent future disruptions from those who might seek to join them under Sabine’s chaotic influence. A flicker of hope sparked within him; perhaps this would put an end to the turmoil that had followed him for far too long.

His thoughts briefly turned to Sabine, the thorn in his side for the past two years. Ever since he had rejected her advances, she had found ways to torment him, crafting scenarios that painted him as the villain in her twisted narrative. The thought of finally resolving this conflict was a relief he hadn’t realized he needed. The council had contacted him, and he was scheduled to meet with them the next day. He wanted to approach the situation with a clear mind and an open heart, hoping to settle things amicably.

After changing, he made his way back downstairs, the house enveloped in an eerie stillness. It was unusually quiet, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of his staff. He had always given them the night off during a full moon; many werewolves preferred solitude or the company of family during such times. Gabriel, however, felt comfortable enough to remain in control of his wolf. He had learned to embrace the moon’s pull without losing himself to it, yet he still took precautions, knowing how unpredictable it could be.

As he entered the kitchen, he ambled over to the fridge, curious if Sylvia had prepared something for dinner. His heart lifted at the sight of a Tupperware container filled with chili, a hearty meal that promised warmth and comfort. He quickly popped it into the microwave and turned his gaze to the window, captivated by the vibrant hues of the sunset painting the sky.