Chapter 161: Making Arrangements: Part Two

Esme walked through the double doors to ONYX and started to make her way to the stairs, wanting to walk up all the flights of stairs instead of using the lift. The exercise was keeping her mind clear and distracted, although she'd already thought of a plan. The only issue was there was no room for any errors. She had to go complete whatever mission Einar was sending her on the day after tomorrow.

But she was too impatient to wait until after to deal with Leo.

"Esme!"

She stopped at the sound of her mate's musical voice that rippled through her and instantly made her heart melt at seeing him suddenly appear a step above her. His hands held her cheeks, his eyes frantic as he searched her body, confirming she was okay before pulling her tightly into his arms. He held her to him, his chin resting on her head while she clung onto his back and closed her eyes, leaning into his chest and inhaling the sweet fragrant that was only purely Gabriel. Her body relaxed in his arms, and her heart that had been chaotic as though it had had too much caffeine, was now calmly beating and in sync with his own. 

"What happened?" Gabriel asked, and from the tone in his voice, she knew he'd directed his question at Marcus. 

"We ran into a few people," Marcus replied, his voice strained and forcefully controlled. "Nyx was just about to tell me why she let two people live.."

Esme pulled away and looked at him. "Did you kill the others?" She asked more out of curiosity than surprise. 

"No. I heard you arranging that deal with that Beta. Decided to knock them out instead. Would have preferred killing them all, we could have taken them-"

"What is it with you and making deals?" Gabriel interrupted, looking down at her. 

"I'm a bit of a negotiator of sorts recently?" She smiled sheepishly. "Let me explain upstairs." Her hand found his, and she started to lead the way.

Once they were in her apartment, all three of them sprawled on the couches, whereby the number increased to four, with Luther arriving with a few bottles of wine and glasses. With everyone settled, Esme comfortably leaned against Gabriel and Luther and Marcus sitting on the other sofa. The werewolf depended his arms on his wide-spread legs, and Luther, with his ankle crossed over his knee, holding the wine glass in one hand, Esme began to explain the events. 

"Why did you let the Beta go?" Luther asked as he stared into his glass of red wine. 

"I KNOW he will challenge Ethan, but if he fails to kill him.. at least when Ethan comes for me, he won't have a whole pack behind him helping him. He may be strong, but without the numbers, he is only one Alpha at the end of the day," Esme replied confidently, even though she felt goosebumps flourish across her skin at the idea of being close to her first mate.

Gabriel's arm went around her, and he pulled her closer to her, making her relax and feel the warmth and love radiating from him. He kissed her temple while his hand slowly stroked the side of her arm soothingly. 

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"And what of Leo? What do you plan on doing about him, my love?" Gabriel asked with slight humour mixing in his voice. That was strange; she thought he might be cold or angry at finding out there had been a hunter among them all this time. She glanced in Luther's direction and saw he was smirking with humour gleaming behind his eyes. 

Esme sighed then grinned wickedly, though her heart really wasn't behind her usual 'Nyx' alter ego. "I'm going to question him at a place we both enjoy." She pulled her phone out of her jacket and searched through her contacts for Leo. Marcus chuckled, and a small smile tugged on her lips again; he knew what she meant by questioning. She glanced at Gabriel, who nodded at her, and she stood up to walk to the floor to ceiling window, her gaze lowering to the civilians now rushing across the paths and roads, the time nearing rush hour.

Clicking the dial button, Esme put the phone to her ear. She presumed he would have made it back by now; his head injury wasn't bad, so he shouldn't need to go to the hospital. The phone rang and rang, which started to make her feel fidgety, her chest tightening in anxiety. Did Leo actually see them? Did he hear her conversation with Callum?

"Hey, Es!" Leo answered cheerily, making Esme pause and her hand tighten on the phone. 

This was all an act, she reminded herself and let her heart grow cold, and her eyes glare into the streets before. "Hey, Leo," She replied, forcing a smile on her face and coating her voice. "Are you free tomorrow night?"

"Hmmm… I did have a date but for you.. I'll cancel my plans. I feel like it's been forever since we last hung out! What do you wanna do? Chilled night at home or-"

"Battle bar," Esme interrupted after feeling frustrated at the chirpiness in his voice. It made her throat tighten, and her eyes burn. Never had she let anyone get so close to her before; her guard was always up, but somehow Leo's little story about being abused instantly pulled those walls down, and she let him in.

"Ah, we do need a rematch, don't we? Cool, what time?" Leo replied, his voice being so friendly and relaxed. Did he see anything? What was the aftermath of Rory and him coming across a werewolf? 

Esme chuckled, though the usual lightness had gone from it. "That we do. Hmm, how about lunch? I'll pick you up; just send me your address." She looked at her nails that had grown into claws; she sharpened them on one another as her gaze darkened.

"I need to collect something from ONYX anyway. So, can meet you there and drive if you want?" Leo suggested. She could hear him moving around, and Rory's voice came through muffled, but she could still hear what he said. 

"You going on a date with Es? Ohhhh!"

"Shut it!" Leo snapped. There was more shuffling until she heard the quiet clicking of a door, most likely shutting out Rory. They were still chilling, so who was working at the bar? Esme flinched when she realised her shift was going to start soon, and this time she couldn't avoid not going. Even if she was the boss' 'bae,' it looked like Rory and Leo were off for the night, leaving her, Hana and possibly Niko and another guy who was particularly shy for a bartender.

Esme shook her head, realising she still had yet to answer. "That sounds great. You drove last time, so I think it is only fair I'll be your chauffeur this time," She jested with a smirk though her eyes twinkled with her plan coming together. "I'll see you tomorrow.." She ended the call before Leo could respond; she didn't want to keep speaking longer than necessary, feigning that she didn't know anything like a fool.

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