HUNTED

Gabriel walked back to his desk, picking up the bottle of red wine from the bottom corner of his bookcase. He held onto the bottle staring at it as Aila and her wolf's words still floated through his mind. His wolf would despise Aila's vampire side; it went against a werewolf's instinct. Gabriel knew the origins of werewolves were due to him and his kind; if he and Cassius never arrived on earth, then there would be no werewolves.

He placed the corkscrew on top of the wine and began undoing it, his back still to his desk. This wine had been saved for one person in mind for centuries. He poured it into two wine glasses, sliding one of them along the other end of his desk.

"Are you satisfied now?" Gabriel spoke to the other vampire in the room as he re-corked the bottle.

"Hmmm, Chateau Lafite 1787. Are you trying to butter me up, brother?"

Gabriel sat back in his chair, staring across his wine glass at Cassius. "When I first drank it, I thought of you and saved many bottles."

Cassius sipped his glass while sauntering around his brother's study, his other hand touching paintings and the walls like he was sizing his place up. It was spacious, dark if not for the windows at each end of the bookcase. "How thoughtful," Cassius muttered.

Gabriel watched his brother carefully; the vampire had been waiting outside, hiding in the shadows after their heated discussion ended with Aila and Damon's sudden appearance. Gabriel sipped his wine, humming in appreciation at the taste. Cassius turned to face him and put his half empty glass on the desk.

"Though I do not wish to share another drink with you. Did you think I would be grateful when you returned for me? To celebrate with your dearest younger brother in a toast of such exquisite wine?" Cassius drawled before unbuttoning his suit before sitting down on the loveseat at the far wall across his desk. His lazy gaze landed on Gabriel as he leaned back into the seat, his fingers playing through his shoulder length hair.

"If you are here only to grumble, please leave. I have much work to get on with. An empire doesn't suddenly stop running because its king's brother wants to play." Gabriel placed his glass on the desk slowly, his icy gaze unwavering from Cassius'.

Cassius chuckled darkly in response. "Maybe if you had not failed in doing the simplest things of protecting her. Then I would not be troubling you," He snapped back. Gabriel glared at his brother and sighed after seeing him smile. "As you have just stated. You have an entire empire, an army at your disposal, and you went to the hunters with how many of you?"

"I did not anticipate the ambush. You know that not a lot of vampires are needed-"

"You should never have let Aila out of your sight!" Cassius slammed his hand down on the armrest, causing a slight cracking sound.

Gabriel clenched his teeth together. "Then where were you?" His voice was dark and low as he kept his composure. "Were you plotting against us while this happened?"

Cassius stood up, buttoning his suit once more before spinning on the spot, his hair whipping behind him as he began to leave. "You act as though you know Aila after spending a week with her. Do you really think she would let others risk their lives for her? Do you also think her weak? Even so. You were not there to see the chaos in which we were in. I do not need to explain myself to you." Gabriel's words made Cassius halt.

He turned his head back, glaring glacier daggers at him. "Still, you let Clint mark her like a slave." He scoffed and reached for the doorknob.

Gabriel stood then and zipped to the spot next to his brother; he clasped his hand atop his shoulder. The pair looking handsome in their suits stared at one another. Mirror images, both filled with hate but one whose heart was vengeful. "Will this be our last leisurely drink together?" Gabriel's hand tightened on Cassius' shoulder.

"There is nothing more I wish to see you about. I came to check on Aila, and I have." Cassius shrugged his hand off before swinging the door open and disappearing.

Even with their animosity towards one another, Gabriel enjoyed his brief time with his brother. Although he knew Cassius was 'out to get him' and take over the throne after staying hidden for centuries. Gabriel knew he had a soft spot for him, no matter how much his brother might do, because he was just as cold-hearted.

Though his brother's actions of showing up only to check in on Aila was both suspicious and surprising. Cassius must have spies in the area because if it was he who was watching their movements, then he would show up in time to help Aila. Wouldn't he? 

Gabriel sat behind his desk again, his hand turning the stem of his wine glass as he thought deeply about his brother's actions. He wanted Aila, and he wanted the throne and possibly more. Would Cassius have stepped in and saved Aila? If he had been watching, Gabriel was certain Cassius would not intervene. He was scheming and knew they would come for her.

Cassius would not hold back from giving her blood. She would be a powerful ally and one that he could easily control. Both from knowing her wolf's name and if he were the one to give her his blood.. He clenched his eyes shut at the idea of it and finished the last of his wine.

If Aila ever wanted his blood after reading Davian's diary, then he would give it to her. But he doubted she would. Their blood was like a drug, and after reading the hybrid's diary, Gabriel understood more what ordinary people must go through once it was in their system. Though Davian's situation was different to the average human.

Gabriel sighed and raked his hand through his hair before standing up and putting away the papers he had been looking through all evening. He placed the folder into his desk, locking it and putting the key in his trouser pocket. Gabriel brushed down his suit jacket and started to leave his study. After speaking with Cassius, he felt restless.

He walked towards the rooftop terrace, pausing at the glass doors as he approached and watched Aila and Damon join the others at the breakfast spread he ordered servants to set out. The weather was warm with a light breeze, and he knew Aila was starting to feel stuffy being inside all the time. Her thoughts were usually quiet, but over the past few days, he could hear them as though she was standing right next to him.

The weather, the people and her favourite foods seemed to improve her spirits and not think too much about the hunter's mark on her chest. Gabriel moved his head slightly at the smallest of sound that nobody would ever pick up on, but he was too sharp and aware not to notice. She was good at concealing herself; he would give her that.

With his back to the newcomer, he spoke up, his voice startling her. "I do not know what it is about me that tells you I tolerate disobedience. If I tell you to have the week off, I expect you to take the week off."

Her light footsteps walked gingerly towards him, stopping at a safe distance. "I heard the news about Aila.. I just wanted to check that she was okay.. Is she? .. Is she okay?" Esme's voice was quiet. Gabriel looked at her reflection and sighed. She stood behind him, her hands fisted by her sides, her eyes filled with worry and anger.

"She will be. She's a strong wolf," Gabriel replied with what he hoped would comfort the girl.

"Strong or not. Abuse will still affect someone… Anyway, if she wants to get rid of that hunter's mark, she should just burn it off. " Esme absentmindedly touched her covered forearm before realising what she was doing and forced her arms back by her sides, a flare of anger behind those stunningly dark eyes.

How long had the little she-wolf been in the penthouse? When did she see Aila's mark? He needed to be more careful with her. If Cassius saw her, he could use her to his advantage. And that was not something he would take lightly, nor would Damon or Aila.

Gabriel turned around and stared down at her. "Leave, unless you wish to take on double the amount of work next week?" He rose his eyebrow at her reluctance to go, but she bowed her head and spun on the spot before rushing off. Since when did she bow or curtsy at him? He stared after her retreating form before turning to join the others on the terrace.