The Triplets of Emerald Forest

Chapter 27 Gabriel

I was excited to have my mate all to myself this morning and I knew I had to go all out with whatever I was planning. With a ton of help from Amanda and some of the staff, I set up an outdoor breakfast picnic at the same spot Griff took her to yesterday. As we walked through the woods, I was already prepared for her to be nervous in the thick of the trees thanks to Griff who had given me a heads up. Selfishly, I was okay with it because it had my mate snuggling up against my side and leaning on me to protect her.

"You okay, little mate?" I chuckled, kissing the top of her head as we walked through the woods.

"Why does it have to be so dark?" She whimpered and I tugged her even closer to my side.

"You know you're safe here." I promised and felt her nod against my chest.

"Are we almost there?" She asked just as we broke through the trees and stood in the bright light of the clearing.

"Does that answer your question?" I laughed as she let out an audible sigh of relief.

"Yes." She gasped, throwing her head back and closing her eyes as she stood in the warm sun. I took a minute to admire my beautiful mate.

"This is beautiful, Gabriel." She smiled when she noticed the picnic I had prepared.

A large, plaid blanket was laid out on the ground with a picnic table settled on top. There were two woven baskets set on top of the table along with two place settings.

"I'm glad you like it." I grinned proudly, placing my hand on her back and guiding her towards the table.

We sat across from each other and I started to unload the baskets. Amanda and the kitchen staff had out done themselves with pancakes, waffles, homemade jams, toast, sausage, bacon, and eggs made about ten different ways. I laid everything out on the basket and started piling things up on Harlow's plate. I was pleasantly surprised to see what an appetite our mate had. She was so tiny and yet she could keep up with most of the wolves at the dinner table.

"How are you feeling, little mate?" I asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence. She glanced up at me with her warm hazel eyes,

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I mean, how are you feeling about this whole situation now? I know you were less than excited when we first met." I chuckled and Harlow rolled her eyes at me,

"I was less than excited about being abducted." She scoffed but there was a playful smile teasing her lips.

"Haven't we moved past that?" I smirked and she shook her head.

"I'll admit, I'm feeling a bit more comfortable." She confesses with a light pink blush on her cheeks.

"I'm glad, Harlow, that's all we want." I grinned widely, "I wanted to give you something. Well, we all did, but it was my idea so I get to be the one to give it to you."

Harlow laughed, her eyes sparkling and her entire face lighting up.

"You three are so competitive." She shook her head.

"We've been competing our entire lives. But, we're not competing over you, we know you're meant for all of us." I said in a lower, huskier tone as I reached across the table and stole her hand.

Her blush deepened and she tucked her hair behind her ear, almost hiding behind the gesture. I pulled something from my pocket and sat it between us on the table. She stared at it like it was a bomb about ready to explode.

"What is it?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. I chuckled,

"Open it and see."

She looked at me skeptically before taking the velvet box with her free hand. She struggled to open it one handed but I refused to relinquish my hold on her left hand, greedily clinging to it. She finally got the box open and gasped.