Chapter 127 - Gabriel

**Gabriel's P.O.V.**

No one ever asks for my help. Most people don't even know I exist. They think of other shifters like wolves or bears, but there aren't many like me. I'm an alicorn. My alicorn's name is Thunder. He's dark gray with blue eyes like mine. We're running to the palace rather than flying because we'd be noticed by humans.

Selene reached out to me and asked for my assistance. I was honored that she considered me. I spend all my time alone. After my parents left me when I was a foal, I've been alone ever since. They said I could take care of myself because I was a shifter. That was over twenty years ago, and I'm now thirty.

Thunder reaches the palace gates and shifts. An advantage of being an alicorn is that we have a little magic and can shift without removing our clothes. I run my fingers through my golden brown hair while the guards look at me with their mouths open. Well, at least someone is impressed with me.

"Hello, my name is Gabriel, and I was sent here by Selene." My voice sounds firm, but in truth, the royal guards intimidate me. I've heard from others that the people in the palace are kind, but I don't want to let my guard down just in case.

"Please follow me." One of the guards says, opening the gate. I've always lived in the forest, mostly sleeping on the ground. I look up at the palace in disbelief. This place is enormous. When I look toward the entry, I see several people staring at me.

"Good afternoon." A woman with long red hair says before disappearing and then reappearing. Wow, that was cool. She looks at the woman with dark hair and nods.

"He's okay." I guess that was some type of inspection.

"I'm Jessi, and this is Wyatt, my mate. We're the lead warriors. The guards said you were sent by Selene. It looks like she's sending us lots of reinforcements. Did she tell you what we're going to be fighting?" Jessi asks, looking me over. Why does it feel like she's sizing me up to fight? She's incredibly petite, but she's a little scary.

"She said something about demons. Honestly, I was just glad she asked for my help. I'm Gabriel, and I'm an alicorn." I say, looking at the rest of the group.

"Wow, first a tiger and then an alicorn. What's next?" One of the blonde women asks.

"I'm sorry we're being rude. This is Rmina. She's a witch, and her mate, Trevor, is a lycan. Davina is our resident fairy goddess, and her mate Jock is a lycan. Maelani is a demon, and her mate, Darian, is a phoenix. Her sister Melantha is also a demon, and her mate, Dion, is a hound from hell. Then, last, we have Tania, the dragon, and her mate Adrick, a vampire. So we have a little bit of everything. Our newest guest is inside getting acclimated to the palace. Her name is Tazi, and she's a tiger. Please come inside." Jessi says, turning around and leading everyone into the palace. She wasn't kidding. They do have a little bit of everything. It's cool but also a little worrisome because what exactly are we going to be dealing with?

When we get into the palace I look around in awe. I have never been in a place so spectacular. It's enormous yet inviting. As I'm looking around, I hear laughter, and something about it makes Thunder perk up. When I see a woman with long black hair walking out of a room carrying a child, my heart stops. Who is she? I catch her scent, and my body feels hot. I know she feels it, too, when I look into her blue eyes. Then I look at the child in her arms. She's my mate, and she already has a child. My heart shatters.

"Well, look what we have here. Davina, I think you may be right." I look at Jessi as she walks and takes the child, kissing her cheek. "Tazi, why don't you introduce yourself? I'll take care of my daughter."

Relief washes over me. The child is a pup, and she's Jessi's, not my mates. Tazi. That's what Jessi called her. I love it. Everyone walks away as we move toward each other. My hands are itching to touch her. I've waited so long to find a mate but never thought it would happen. She's so beautiful.

"Hello. I'm Tazianna, but everyone calls me Tazi." She says with a voice that sounds like angels singing. I have a voice somewhere, but I think it ran away. Can someone please find it for me? Hurry, I need to speak.

"Hi. I'm Gabriel." Phew, that's better. I got three words out. Don't laugh at me. It's better than nothing.

"Davina said when I got here a few hours ago that I may be lucky and find my mate. Are you really my mate?" She asks, looking up at me shyly. Can I hug her? I want to hold her in my arms and feel her warm body against mine. I want to kiss her and feel the years of loneliness wash away. When I see the worry in her eyes, I realize I never answered her.

"Yes, I'm your mate. I'm an alicorn." I clench my hand to stop myself from reaching out for her.

"I'm a tiger. Are you okay with a tiger for a mate?" Tazi bites her lip. I can't stop myself. I reach out and stroke her warm, soft cheek. The sparks that flood my body make my heart race. Tazi's eyes widen and seem to shine brighter.

"I don't think there's anything better than a tiger. How about you? Are you okay with an alicorn as a mate?" Tazi giggles and throws her arms around me. I wrap my arms around her, and it feels better than I ever imagined. I close my eyes to enjoy the feel of her.

"Are you kidding me right now? I love that you're an alicorn. I've never met an alicorn before. Did Selene send you here too?" She asks, pulling away slightly.

"Yes, she said that a fight was coming from the underworld, and I may be able to help. Is that why you're here?" I run my hand through her long, silky black hair.

"Yes. Although I don't know how I'll be able to help. I'm just a tiger." Tazi shakes her head, but I stop her by kissing her forehead.

"Don't ever say you're just a tiger. I can tell already you're more than a tiger. You're beautiful and kind, and you have a laugh that makes my heart sing." She giggles and hugs me again. Her touch and that giggle wake up a part of my body I'd never thought I'd get to use.

"So the fairy was right. You found your mate." We both turn when we hear Jessi's voice. Davina starts jumping up and down, giggling.

"Yay, I get to sing a new song." I don't understand what she means, but everyone else starts laughing.

"What kind of song?" Tazi asks. She looks just as confused as me.

"I make up songs. All the new mates that have found each other have made it easy for me. I've got the perfect one." Davina begins twirling. This doesn't sound too bad. I like music. However, when I hear what she sings, I want the palace floor to open up and swallow me.

*“The alicorn and the tigress. The alicorn and the tigress. How long is his horn? Will it hurt or make her growl in pleasure? The alicorn and the tigress. The alicorn and the tigress. How long is his horn? Will it hurt or make her growl in pleasure?"*