"You look nervous." Gabriel stated, his words speaking truth. His eyes examined mine as I continued to fiddle with my fingers, obviously biding time as I took time brushing my hair out and applying make-up.

Apprehension and fear ruled me, I was afraid that his parents would feel resentful and bitter towards me for keeping their grandchild a secret.

I had been tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep from overthinking the situation, how the evening could possibly go, considering both good and bad.

Not only that, but at the thought of our kiss last night.

His parents had already met Kennedy, they had been around her a lot while I was in Texas. But they were yet to meet me and I didn't want our first meeting to be full of hated and awkwardness.

Kennedy was always happy when she spoke about them, they seemed like good grandparents.

The type to spoil their grandchildren in every way they possibility could.

"I kept Kennedy from you and your family, I could have told them, but I didn't. I can't help but feel anxious of our first meeting."

He frowned at my admission; I couldn't help but show the sadness I felt. "They have no ill feelings towards you Lara, they wholeheartedly blame me. They understand your reasonings, they are just happy that they now have the opportunity to know their granddaughter as well as my mate."

His words sounded sincere and it didn't help that my heart fluttered when he mentioned me as his mate.

"If it makes you feel better, she called me a dick when I told her." He added, a slight smirk appearing across his lips. His expression along with his words making me smile, biting the insides of my cheeks at the thought of his mom calling him that.

I shook my head but smiled. "Okay." I breathed after taking a deep breath, my nerves calming. "We should get going, we'll be late if we don't leave in a minute."

"I'll grab Kennedy and get her into the car, I'll meet you down there." Gabriel said before placing a kiss on the top of my head. We had been more affectionate lately, especially last night when we had our first kiss since four years ago. My belly was filling up with butterflies as I thought about it. My wolf and his were desperate to do more but we were interrupted by Kennedy.

We had been more intimate in other ways, just simple kisses on the head, hand holding and cuddling but we weren't sharing a bed; I was still sleeping besides Kennedy.

I double checked my outfit in the mirror before heading downstairs towards the garage. Gabriel was just placing Kennedy into her car seat when I approached them, my eyes drifting to the cute yellow dress Kennedy was wearing.

"Mommy!" Kennedy squealed as her eyes caught mine, her smile brightening as I grinned back. My daughters presence calming my wolf and the nerves I felt.

The drive was short, their property only 15 minutes from the pack house. Their house was huge with a large driveway, there were over ten vehicles sitting on their drive, the sounds of music filtering through the air.

It was his twin sister's birthday party; they were turning fifteen and were having a family party to celebrate. Gabriel had mentioned that they were his only siblings.

I stared at the house as we pulled up, Gabriel putting his vehicle into park. He squeezed my hand, pulling me out of my trance giving me a reassuring smile before exiting the car and unbuckling Kennedy from her car seat.

I followed, closing the door once out and moving to stand next to him as we approached the front door, Gabriel holding my hand while holding Kennedy in his other arm. He requested I press the doorbell and within seconds we hear an excited scream.

"Aiden, they're here!"

The sound of footsteps soon came, the door opening wide as a gorgeous dark-haired woman with Gabriel's identical eyes, smiled brightly at me. "Hi, you must be Lara. I'm Lilly and this is Aiden." She introduced as Gabriel's father suddenly appeared behind her. The similarities to Gabriel were astonishing.

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled, as she ushered us all in.

"And you. I've been looking forward to meeting you." She replied as she reached out for Kennedy, who accepted her embrace, holding her arms out to Lilly.

Kennedy's arms circled around Lilly's neck, being rocked slightly as Lilly said hello.

"Everyone's outside," Lilly said, looking towards the guys. "Did you want to take Kennedy with you while Lara and I sort some stuff out in the kitchen."

Gabriel and Aiden nodded, Gabriel sending me another reassuring smile before taking Kennedy out of his mother's arms, walking behind his father as Lilly gave me her own smile. "The kitchen is just through here."

I followed her direction, finding ourselves in the kitchen alone as she walked towards the fridge, grabbing a birthday cake from the fridge, settling it down on the counter top before looking up at me. "I understand you know, neither Aiden nor I have any negative feelings towards you. I understand why you kept Kennedy a secret."

I took a deep breath as if I had been holding it in. "I should have been more honest. I tried to tell Gabriel but at the time he didn't want to listen. I should have been more forceful; I have a lot of regrets about how both Gabriel and I went about it."

Guilt was consuming me as I had this conversation with Gabriel's mother, it was a feeling I would never be able to remove.

"My son was a difficult teenager; he was self-absorbed and egotistical. I don't believe he would have responded the right way, the way he would have, if it would have happened now. He has changed so much over the last two years, and I haven't seen him this happy and content in a long time."

"I'm just relieved that we have you both now, that we can get to know you and Kennedy." She finished, a big smile on her face which I returned as she accepted me with open arms.

We left the conversation there, Lilly had told me that I didn't need to explain myself, that she understood, and Gabriel had already spoken to her and Aiden about it. They just wanted to begin a new relationship and bond with Kennedy and me.

Lilly grabbed some candles from a drawer, lighting the candles before ushering me to the garden with her following closely behind, to keep the wind from blowing the candles out before we got close to the twins.

I found Gabriel standing close to his sister's, they were both sitting on a long bench outside surrounded by their friends. Aiden stood besides them with Kennedy in his arms. Other wolves were close by, all smiling and a few finishing the food on their plates.

Gabriel smiled brightly at me when we caught gazes and I immediately stood next to him, my arm brushing against his as he took my hand.

His mom began to sing happy birthday, everyone joining in as the twins looked up, focusing on the birthday cake that now sat in front of them.

We had all just finished singing happy birthday with everyone crowding around the twins when a familiar screeching voice echoed through the wind, the whole area going silent as we twisted our heads into in direction of the noise.

I looked up, finding Olivia walking through the house and into the back yard. Her fitted red dress finishing at the top of her thighs, her assets practically falling out as she walked towards us. Her eyes scanning the area, before her line of focus found Gabriel. "Thank you for inviting me, baby."

~*~

Disgust and nostalgia flittered across Lara's face as she stared up me, her eye's sending daggers my way. I stared back at her, my mind going completely blank at the situation.

The whole situation caused an awkward atmosphere, the whole area tense and uncomfortable. No one uttering a word as they all focussed on Lara, Olivia and me.

No one wanted to say anything; in fact, I don't think anyone knew what to say.

It was then that my sister Cleo, spoke up. "Who invited the dog?"

Both Cleo and Isabelle had a deep hatred towards Olivia. When we were younger, Olivia would often pick on them, teasing them.

Olivia sneered at Cleo before walking towards me. Instantly stopping in her tracks when Lara growled menacingly at her, the sound deep and raw, the possessive side of her wolf showing.

The threatening growl immediately brought me out of my daze, with me emitting my own. My eyes narrowing on Olivia, she suddenly looked indecisive and unsure of herself.

Lara's animalistic instincts rose to the surface, stalking forward only for a small whimper to be heard, Kennedy crying for Lara. "Mommy?"

It caused both Lara and I to take back control from our wolves, the fear on our daughter's face evident as she clung to my father.

The look on Lara's face was pure devastation and sorrow. Regret consuming her as she stopped, immediately reaching for our daughter.

She grabbed her slowly, not wanting to frighten her, it was clear that Lara didn't want to startle Kennedy further. She kissed Kennedy on her forehead and held her closely, whispering apologises into her ear. "I'm so sorry baby, let's go home."

Lara didn't even look back at me nor anybody else as she walked towards the house, disappearing from sight. Intent on rushing out, wanting to escape the situation.

Silence stretched between us all as I took steps towards Olivia, my wolf unable to control himself as he dominated us, his tone harsh and cold. "Get out of my sight and don't you ever involve yourself between me and my mate again." I demanded, my enraged gaze fixated on her as she looked away, her wolf cowering.

I didn't say anything further, needing to chase after Lara to explain. I couldn't allow her to leave again, to feel the emotions she was obviously feeling.

I continued to shout her name as I saw her in the distance, yet she continued her pace. She was a step away from the front door when I reached out and grabbed her shoulder, the sparks rushing up my arm.

I wasn't about to allow my mate to walk away, to lose both her and my daughter over this. I was determined to make this relationship work, I wouldn't and did not invite Olivia here. Lara and Kennedy were my life now.

She turned around, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at me. Before either of us could speak, my mother's scent appeared, I turned to see her approaching us. "Let me take Kennedy, so you can both talk."

Lara looked hesitant for a moment but handed Kennedy over to my mother, who carried her out of the room leaving Lara and I alone.

I went to take a step towards Lara, but she took a step back, her hand reaching out to push me away. "I promise you Lara, I did not invite Olivia here. I wouldn't jeopardise what we have built."

She shook her head; her face full of sadness and uncertainty. "If that's true then why is she here? Why is she saying that you invited her Gabriel?"

"I don't know Lara, she's deluded, and she's always fantasised about being my Alpha female." I felt as perplexed as she did.

"If that's true Gabriel, then why did you say nothing? You just stood there, allowing me to assume the worst. To be embarrassed in front of your family and pack members." She replied harshly, the tears rolling down her face as her mascara got wet.

"I was just speechless; I wasn't expecting this to happen. My thoughts were racing and mixing between my own and my wolfs. I would never intentionally allow you to feel that way, you have nothing to be embarrassed about."

"You should have said something, anything Gabriel. It felt as if you were rejecting me all over again, only this time with an audience." She whispered, her body turning away from me as she took in a deep breath, unable to stop the sob that left her throat.

I stepped towards her, pulling her into my chest. My arms circling around her as she continued to cry. "I'm sorry for making you feel that way Lara. I promise you; you are the only one I will ever want. I know I have shown you otherwise before, but on our daughter's life, I don't want anyone other than you."

"How am I supposed to know that you're being honest?" She responded, still apprehensive.

"Because I love you Lara, and I know that may be too soon for you to say back and I'm not expecting you to, but I honestly do. The last month or so, getting to know you and our daughter, to spend time with you both has been incredible. I couldn't imagine not having you both in my life, you're my mate Lara, and I don't want to ruin what we've worked so hard to fix. It's you that I want, and I won't settle for anyone else."