"I beg the Alpha King and the Luna Queen to spare my child," Ethan bowed before Raidan and Mabel. "My son was thrown off the first floor to the living room right before my and my wife’s eyes. He sustained some serious injuries. I kept asking Prince Gabriel to stop, but he didn’t. Please, for the sake of my unwavering loyalty to you for all these years, let my son live," he pleaded while keeping his head low.
"Your son committed a serious crime, Ethan. He tried to kill Prince Gabriel’s fiancée," Raidan said.
Ethan lifted his head with teary eyes. "Your Majesty, I know what my son did is unforgivable. However, he took a woman’s name. Someone helped him to harm Amelie. I will remove him from the position of the Alpha if you let him live. I never asked His Majesty anything. I only have one son. Your Majesty, please understand the pain of a father," he said, this time in a much louder tone.
Mabel gazed at her husband, thinking what his decision would be.
"Your Majesty, at least, think about the friendship we had once," Ethan said once more.
Raidan lifted his hand and Lester stepped up, placing the phone on his palm. Raidan dialed Gabriel’s number and waited for the call to get answered.
Finally, the call was picked.
"Good morning, Dad," Gabriel spoke from the other side. "If you’ve called me to let Alex go, then I won’t do that," he stated.
"I will decide for his punishment. Listen to the command of the King," Raidan said with a stern tone.
"What if I refuse to listen to your command? Will you punish me or imprison me?" Gabriel inquired.
"Gabriel, don’t punish Alex," Raidan again said.
"Forgive me, but I will kill him," Gabriel replied and hung up the call.
Mabel chuckled as she listened to the conversation that happened. She knew Gabriel would never listen to his own father, who was the Alpha King. He was always rebellious and made decisions on his own.
"It’s time to visit San Ravendale," Mabel said and stood up from the couch. Raiden looked at his wife, already imagining the storm her presence might stir. Her words were calm, but he knew well. When Mabel made a move, Gabriel would lose his temper to the extent he didn’t want to imagine.
Ethan glanced up once more, his heart caught between fear and hope. He bowed again, murmuring, "Thank you... for your consideration, Your Majesty."
He wiped the tears from his eyes.
~~~~~
Gabriel snickered as he ended the call, feeling irritated. He had abandoned his breakfast midway to answer a call he already knew would be fruitless.
As he turned the corner into the living room on his way back to the dining hall, his steps halted abruptly.
Standing before him, were his mother and father, Queen Mabel and King Raidan.
His gaze darkened as he met their eyes.
"I never welcomed the Queen here," Gabriel said, his voice laced with subtle defiance.
"This mouth of yours..." Mabel muttered with narrowed eyes. "I’m not here for you. Where is Amelie? Tell her that the Queen requests her presence," she added coldly, striding toward the couch with the grace and authority befitting her title.
Raiden cast a meaningful glance at his son, silently urging him to heed his mother’s command.
"I’m here, Your Majesty," Amelie’s clear voice rang out from the hallway. She walked into the room and paused briefly beside Gabriel, her gaze meeting his for a brief moment before she stepped forward. With a respectful bow, she greeted both the King and the Queen, keeping her eyes lowered in deference.
One by one, Gabriel’s siblings began to filter into the room, drawn by the tension that now filled the air. Moments later, Amelie’s mother, Samyra, entered as well, and froze in her tracks, visibly stunned by the royal presence gathered in the living room.
"Did you realize what happened because of you? Do you know how many wolves died last night in the Red River Pack?" Mabel began with some harsh questions.
"Mom, she’s nothing do with it," Gabriel intervened. "Whatever decisions I made last night were solely depended on me," he asserted.
However, Mabel paid no heed to her son’s words. In just a few days because of Amelie another problem arose.
"Tell me, Amelie. Is this what you wanted? A bloodbath in your own pack? If you felt so wrong for what happened with you why didn’t you follow a proper procedure to get Alex Morgan punished? You carried this child in your womb because you loved Alex, didn’t you? Why do you think Alex wanted to harm you? Have your ever thought about it? Or you are enjoying the life the prince provided you here for free?"
"Mom!" Gabriel’s voice raised this time as he walked to Amelie and stood before her.
"I told you not to make decisions of my life. Who are you to blame–"
"I’m the Luna Queen, Gabriel. I can’t control your actions, but I can control the actions of the people because of whom you’ve lost your sense of judgment," Mabel said, deeply staring into the eyes of her son.
"Then, do you want me to leave this place with Amelie forever? Is that what you want? Don’t take out your hatred for me on Amelie," Gabriel warned her, his fists tightening on his sides.
Raidan finally spoke. "That’s not what your mother meant. An entire pack’s future is on stake. What you did last night wasn’t the right way to punish Alex," he announced.
"Then, was it right for Alex to send wolves to kill Amelie’s parents?" Gabriel inquired. "Dad, I’m not letting Alex leave the prison in my territory. He has to pay the price for the wrong he committed yesterday."
"Amelie, what do you think?" Mabel questioned. "Since the problem has arisen because of you, then you must answer me."
"Mom, this time Gabriel isn’t wrong," Casaio pronounced, bringing all eyes to him.