Chapter 544: The Talk With The Alpha_Part 1

Quinn looked away from the she-wolf, brushing off her presence entirely, assuming she must have come for some kind of checkup, since her son was a doctor who treated everyone fairly, and she trusted Gilbert would never bring their family name down by pursuing any kind of relationship with that ill-mannered she-wolf.

"I’ll have hot coffee later, but I came here to talk to you about something urgent, Gil. Sit with me." She pulled him down onto the couch, ignoring Laila entirely, clearly expecting her to leave, and Laila picked up on the hint, saying,

"I... I’ll head out first, if—"

"No, stay. You can sit down, I’ll just talk with my mom." Gilbert cut in quickly, and his mother looked visibly displeased, but since what she was about to say wasn’t exactly a secret, she let it go.

"Yes, Ma?" He gave his mother his full attention.

"Do you remember my friend from Steel Pack, the one I told you was responsible for me meeting your father in the first place?" She said, and Gilbert nodded, suddenly knowing exactly where this conversation was heading, and dreading it, wishing now he hadn’t stopped Laila from leaving, since he hadn’t wanted her to hear any of this.

"What about her?" He asked, sneaking a glance at his fated mate, who hadn’t joined them on the couch, standing instead in the kitchen now, looking out the window, though he knew perfectly well she was listening to every word.

"Do you recall, back when you were fifteen, I told you she and I made a promise, that if her daughter came of age and neither of you had found your mate yet, we’d arrange a marriage between the two of you? Do you remember agreeing to that? Well, she’s brought her daughter to meet you now, so can you make time to come for dinner this evening?" Quinn asked her son, hope plain in her eyes.

"Doctor Gilbert," Laila called out, already slipping her shoes on. "I’ll head out, I just remembered I promised the Supreme Luna I’d help her sort out the guest arrangements this morning." She smiled, then offered a quick greeting to his mother, who didn’t bother answering this time, before hurrying out the door before Gilbert could stop her again and make her listen to their conversation.

The moment the door shut behind her, Quinn turned to her son. "I don’t like you associating with that she-wolf. I honestly can’t recall a single pleasant encounter with her, and all the names she called your sisters, over the years." She shuddered at the mere thought, certain whoever ended up fated-bonded to that she-wolf must be cursed somehow.

"She’s changed, Ma. She’s not like—" Gilbert began, trying to put in a good word for Laila before telling his mother anything further, but Quinn waved a hand, dismissing it entirely.

"That’s her own problem to deal with, not ours. Her changing doesn’t erase all her past bad behavior and arrogance. Wear something nice tonight, Gil. Annie is such a lovely girl, and I just know you’ll like her. I’ll see you this evening." Quinn leaned down, kissed her son’s cheek, then pulled her coat closed and rose to leave.

"Ma, you know it isn’t exactly proper to be meeting someone, with my... my girlfriend only having died a few months ago. It’s—" Gilbert began, but Quinn sighed.

"That’s precisely why I told my friend that if the two of you hit it off, we won’t hold any ceremony until at least six months have passed. You’re not getting any younger, Gilbert, and you need a mate to support you, we’ve already discussed all of this before." Quinn said, walking toward his door, and when she reached it, she turned back to look at him.

"Seeing you married to my best friend’s daughter would make me, and everyone, so proud. I’ll see you tonight?" She asked, a little uncertain.

Quinn knew perfectly well that if she didn’t step in and manage his life herself, the boy would never know when it was time to bring a girl home, and might stay single his entire life, since here he was, thirty-two years old, and had never once brought a girl home to meet them.

Gilbert nodded. "I’ll clear my schedule for tonight. But, Ma, no promises about marrying her." He said, hugging her briefly before walking her out.

After his mother left, Gilbert rubbed at his forehead, feeling a headache building already, knowing that getting Laila accepted by his family wasn’t going to be anywhere near easy, not after every single one of them had had bad experiences with her in the past, experiences that had made him want absolutely nothing to do with her, once upon a time.

Before he could even think about introducing her to them properly, he needed them to see who she’d become now, needed to give her a real chance first.

Gilbert checked the time and realized he still needed to go check on the Luna, as he’d been instructed, before thinking any further about what to do next.

The doctor left his apartment thirty minutes later, after showering, and headed toward the Alpha and Luna’s penthouse. On his way there, he spotted Sebastian walking toward the elevator and slowed to a stop.

The Alpha’s expression looked dark and gloomy. He was still dressed in his nightwear, with a coat thrown over it, and house slippers on his feet that were drenched from the melted snow. The sight made Gilbert wonder if the Alpha had been drunk or had simply gone out dressed like that in this weather. One hand was buried deep in his pocket as he walked.

He nearly walked straight past Gilbert until the doctor greeted him.

"Good morning, Supreme Alpha."

Sebastian, deep in thought and barely looking where he was going, was still working through the theories forming in his mind around everything he had just uncovered. He heard the doctor’s greeting and turned toward him with a scowl that quickly shifted into an arched brow.

"Gilbert. Heading up to see my wife?" he asked.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, I brought the cold ointment you requested, for her hands and feet. Like you said, it’s only going to get colder over the next few days." Gilbert said, stepping into the elevator alongside him as Sebastian pressed the button for their floor.

"Good. I wanted to speak with you about something else, as well."