The Alpha’s Nanny (Lori and Gabriel) novel Chapter 25

**The Ocean Remembers Everything**
**By Julia Allan**
**Chapter 25**

“Such a shame about your mother, though,” Sabine remarked, her tone dripping with a mix of mockery and feigned sympathy.

Gabriel turned to face her, his expression hardening as he caught the glare she shot back at him.

“Don’t you dare speak about my daughter again. Ever.”

Sabine let out a theatrical gasp, followed by a burst of laughter that echoed through the room.

“Oh, I can only imagine how your mind is racing, trying to figure out how I know about her, considering you’ve gone to such lengths to keep everything under wraps.”

Gabriel felt a knot tighten in his stomach. What did she mean?

His thoughts raced as he expertly concealed his emotions behind a mask of calm. She was trying to provoke him, to elicit a response, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

Stay composed, he reminded his wolf, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Do you really have nothing better to do than snoop around in my life?” he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside him.

“I mean, as an alpha, I understand how chaotic life can get, but honestly, you sound like you have an abundance of free time to just sit and stalk.”

“Have you ever thought about getting a job? You know that divorce settlement you received from Andrew won’t last forever,” he added, his words sharper than he intended.

The effect was immediate. Sabine’s smirk vanished, replaced by a fierce scowl that radiated anger.

In that moment, a low growl escaped her lips, a primal sound that filled the air with tension. Gabriel responded in kind, his own growl reverberating, and he watched as Sabine quickly backed down, a flicker of uncertainty flashing across her face.

At that precise moment, a guard stepped forward, breaking the charged silence.

“The council will see you now,” he announced, pushing the door open with a firm shove.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Lori’s voice echoed through the foyer as she called out, “Grace? Grace?!” Her frantic search for Grace was fueled by worry.

“Grace?” she repeated, her voice rising in urgency. Just then, Jenny poked her head out from the dining room, where she had been tidying up.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

“The baby has a fever. Her temperature is rising, and I think it’s serious,” Lori replied, her heart racing as she scanned the area for Grace.

“Are you certain?” Jenny asked, her eyes widening as Lori nodded, anxiety etched across her features.

Without warning, Jenny dropped the mop she had been holding, her expression shifting to one of alarm.

Lori sighed, her anxiety mounting. “I just started. Do you have any idea when Gabriel will be free? I need his permission to take the baby to the ER.”

“I don’t think he’ll be done anytime soon. What’s wrong with the baby?!”

“Why not just take the baby to the ER yourself?” he suggested, but Lori hesitated, torn between her instincts and the rules Gabriel had set.

One of Gabriel’s steadfast rules was that she couldn’t take the baby anywhere without his explicit permission. As desperate as she felt, she knew she had to respect his wishes.

“Please let him know I called,” she said finally, ending the call with a heavy heart.

Take the baby to the ER? If she couldn’t get Gabriel’s approval, she at least needed Grace’s guidance.

Moments later, Grace rushed into the nursery, her expression shifting from calm to concern as she approached the crib. Emilia lay sleeping, her tiny body swaddled in a purple onesie, the blankets hastily pulled aside.

Grace placed a hand on Emilia’s forehead, her brow furrowing in worry.

“You’re right. She’s burning up,” Grace murmured, her voice thick with concern as she fell into deep thought for a moment.

“Lori, pack a bag. I’ll go tell Tony to bring the car around; we’re heading to the ER,” Grace instructed, and Lori sprang into action, her heart racing.

She quickly gathered essentials, tossing in diapers, wipes, bottles, a change of clothes, and anything else she thought might be necessary for the baby.