Amelie's gaze flickered around the room, scanning her surroundings as she hesitated. Gabriel gestured toward the sofa chair. "Take a seat," he said. "It'll be easier to talk that way."
She moved slowly, as if weighed down by invisible chains, before lowering herself onto the chair.
Finally, she took a shaky breath and gripped the fabric of her trousers tightly. "I'm pregnant," she revealed to him. "I'm sorry for hiding it from you."
She felt his intense stare on her, but she didn't flinch. She needed to say this—to lay the truth bare. "Last night, I was desperate. I needed shelter, and the only option I saw was you. That's why I asked you to sleep with me, thinking it would buy me time—keep me safe from the wolves hunting me." Her fingers tightened their hold, knuckles turning white. "I know I deceived you, but I did it for the life growing inside me. I mean... I thought if I told you the truth, you might kick me out of the hotel. However, I couldn't keep you in the dark anymore. You deserved to know the truth."
Gabriel remained silent, and Amelie felt her heart drumming against her chest. Was he furious? Would he punish her?
"I know what you're thinking," she continued. "You probably believe I'm using my unborn child as an excuse to save myself. But I swear that's not true. If it weren't for this baby, I would have accepted death. I just... I just wanted to protect my child and you refused to help me. That's why I said 'sleep with me'."
Now, the silence felt unbearable to her. She was prepared for his anger at her.
But then, Gabriel finally spoke, "I knew you were pregnant."
Amelie froze at her spot as her eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Her fingers, which had been gripping the fabric of her trousers moments ago, now lay motionless in her lap. She simply stared at him, her mind struggling to process his words.
"What?" The shock in her voice was undeniable. "If you knew I was pregnant, then why didn't you say anything?" Her voice rose slightly, her gaze locking onto his in disbelief.
Gabriel met her stare calmly. "I did say I could smell a wolf on you," he reminded her. "I sensed the presence of another life inside you. Why do you think I stopped myself from..." He trailed off, his piercing gaze softening as it landed on her tear-filled eyes.
Amelie swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she spoke. "It feels like I've become a woman with no dignity," she whispered. Her shoulders shook slightly, but she refused to look away. "I—I was scared last night. For me, you were the only hope."
Gabriel leaned forward slightly. "And I became that hope, didn't I?" he asked, his voice steady.
Amelie had no answer. Her heart pounded in her chest as a single tear slipped down her cheek. "You could have helped me without making me sleep with you," Amelie said.
"I did help you, Amelie. Do you really think that wolf didn't come looking for you even when I lied about you being my mate?" He cocked his eyebrow. "I only wanted to see how far you were willing to go to save your child. Everyone calls me the bastard prince, but even I have a shred of kindness in my heart."
He paused, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. "But what I couldn't ignore was the pull I felt toward you. That's why I kissed certain parts of your body—but I stopped myself from going any further. You can't deny that you welcomed those kisses too."
Amelie's shoulders trembled, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. Rising from his seat, he strode toward her, tilting her chin up with gentle fingers. He wiped away her tears while his thumb lingered for a moment longer than necessary.
"I hate crying women," he muttered.
Amelie's tears stopped, and she took a deep breath, steadying herself. By now, Gabriel had let go of her chin, stepping back slightly.
"The doctor will come to check on you tomorrow," he said. "As I mentioned before, I need you by my side—for now. There's something I need to confirm, so stay here. I won't stop you from doing whatever you desire."
Amelie lowered her gaze, her fingers absently twisting together in her lap. "What do you need to check?" she asked. "And I need you to be truthful with me."
Gabriel's expression remained neutral as he replied, "Whether you are my mate or if this is just... attraction. If it turns out to be mere attraction, then I'll ask you to leave."
Amelie let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "I don't think mates exist," she asserted, her voice tinged with pain.
Gabriel's frown deepened at her words. "Why do you think that?" he questioned, his violet eyes studying her intently.
"If mates were real, I wouldn't have been betrayed." Her voice trembled, and she clenched her hands into fists. "My fated mate rejected me because he didn't find me worthy. And you won't believe it—he cheated on me with my own sister." She swallowed hard, her chest tightening. "I—I thought he loved me, but it was all a lie. When he found out I was pregnant, he decided to kill me." Her breathing grew uneven as the memories resurfaced. "I overheard his warriors talking about how the Alpha wanted me dead."
Amelie's heart ached at the cruel betrayal she had suffered.
"So, your ex-mate turned out to be a jerk," Gabriel remarked in one sentence.
Amelie let out a shaky breath. "Yes," she whispered. "I won't ever let my baby find out about his father. It would only hurt my baby to know that... that..." Her voice faltered, and her lips quivered, unable to complete the sentence.
Gabriel watched her, but his mind drifted elsewhere. Her words had stirred something deep within him—memories and pain he had long buried. Was this how all mothers were? Did they all instinctively shield their children with such fierce devotion?
If that was the case... then why hadn't his mother been like this?
"I hope you will give the birth to this baby safely," Gabriel murmured.
Amelie looked up at him with gratitude in her eyes. "I will never forget your favor on me, Gabriel. I could have lost my baby last night if—if you hadn't take me with you. I'm sorry for my earlier confrontation."