The Alpha’s Nanny (Lori and Gabriel) novel Chapter 26

**Chapter 26**

The pediatrician conducted a thorough examination of Emilia, running a battery of tests before she returned to meet Grace and Lori.

At first, the doctor hesitated, her eyes darting between the two women as if weighing her words. Lori felt a knot tighten in her stomach, fearing the worst. It took Grace’s gentle coaxing to remind the pediatrician that Lori was Emilia’s nanny, a title that seemed to unlock the doctor’s willingness to speak.

“She has an ear infection,” Dr. Calloway finally announced, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying concern. “We’ll conduct further tests, but it’s likely we’ll need to keep her here for observation.”

As she jotted down notes on her pad, Lori noticed Dr. Calloway’s distracted demeanor. There was something else on her mind, something that seemed to weigh heavily on her. Lori chose not to pry; her focus was solely on Emilia.

Relief washed over her as she absorbed the doctor’s words. The anxiety that had gripped her heart since the moment Emilia had fallen ill began to dissipate. She had been plagued with guilt, convinced that since she wasn’t the one watching the baby when it happened, the blame rested on her shoulders.

“Where’s Mr. Caine? I really need to speak to him,” Lori asked, her voice laced with urgency.

“I called him,” Grace replied with a shrug, her expression one of mild frustration. “He’s in a meeting, but he’ll be here as soon as he can.”

With a heavy sigh, Dr. Calloway departed, leaving Lori and Grace to navigate the uncertainty.

Lori made her way to the private nursery where Emilia was being cared for. The sight of the tiny baby, so fragile and delicate, tugged at her heartstrings. A nurse was tending to Emilia, and Lori hoped fervently that everything would turn out alright.

Just under two hours later, Gabriel burst into the pediatric ward, his presence commanding as he strode in with Draco trailing closely behind. The moment he spotted Lori and Grace in the nursery, a wave of relief washed over him. There they were, both safe, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. The anxiety that had consumed him since leaving the council hall, after Draco had delivered the alarming news, began to ease. He had tried to reach Lori on her phone, only to find it switched off, and it wasn’t until he had called Grace that he learned they were already at the hospital.

“Lori!” Gabriel called out, his voice a mixture of concern and relief as he entered the nursery.

Lori looked up, her heart racing at the sight of him. “Gabriel! Thank God you’re here! I called…” Her voice trailed off, a sense of comfort enveloping her as he knelt beside her.

“Don’t worry,” he reassured her, his voice steady. “Emilia is in safe hands. Dr. Calloway is a great doctor.”

As they spoke, Draco lingered at the entrance of the nursery, observing the tender exchange between Gabriel and Lori. He couldn’t help but notice the way Gabriel’s gaze lingered on her, the intensity of his focus revealing a depth of feeling that was hard to ignore. A sigh escaped Draco’s lips; she was his mate, and it was maddening to realize that Gabriel had kept her hidden from him.

But why?

And then there was the question of her humanity.

Draco possessed a unique ability, one that set him apart from many of his kind. Some werewolves had the gift of scent, allowing them to detect bloodlines and genetic heritage simply by inhaling deeply. It was a skill he had honed over the years, and yet, when it came to Lori, he sensed something different. Her scent was infused with an herbal quality, something he had never encountered before. It intrigued him, and he found himself wondering if Gabriel could perceive it too.

As if sensing his gaze, Lori turned her head slightly, her hazel eyes locking onto his with an intensity that startled him. For a brief moment, it felt as though the world around them faded, leaving just the two of them suspended in time. But then, as if breaking free from a spell, she blinked and turned away, leaving Draco to ponder the mystery that surrounded her.