Alex repeatedly hit the back of his head against the wall. It seemed the time was slowing down for him. His eyes were burning due to the lack of sleep.
’Amelie refused to forgive me. What about my parents? Did they not appeal the King? And, Zander, is he not going to save me this time?’ Alex thought, feeling frustrated and scary.
Bringing his hand to his head, he clutched on his hair. "I don’t want to die," he murmured. He began feeling what it would feel like to go near your death.
Just then, he heard a voice, coming right from the other side of the iron gates.
"You should have made a good use of the chance you were given then," Gabriel spoke. His dark violet eyes landed on Alex, who immediately looked at him. "You did underestimate me when I grant you the second chance. You should have known that Amelie can’t be harmed in my presence," he stated.
Alex simply stared at him in terror. Words didn’t slip out of his mouth.
"I’m giving you an easy option to embrace death," Gabriel said. "Consume the poison," he asserted.
"Please, let me live," Alex begged, his hands joining in request. "I will leave this country forever and will never return. I swear on my life. I–I will be somewhere far," he muttered.
Gabriel remained untouched by his words. "The prison of San Ravendale never lets it’s prisoners leave until they die," he stated and took a step back. "I did give you a chance to die, but you refused for it. Then, be ready for the harshest way of dying," he affirmed and walked away.
Alex screamed for him, but Gabriel didn’t stop.
As he returned from the prison to the mansion, he encountered his mother, who was still in the living room, checking the decorations.
’Why am I getting this strange feeling?’ Gabriel wondered, his eyes narrowing as he watched his mother. ’She looks... calm. Too calm. That’s not her. She’s never been like this, not when it comes to me. She’s always hated me from the core of her heart.’
Mabel turned just then with a smile on her lips as her eyes locked with her son’s. But, then it gradually faded.
"Where were you?" she asked. "You didn’t break the tradition, did you?"
Gabriel didn’t bother replying. He simply walked away and climbed the stairs, leaving Mabel standing there. Her brows knitted together with a flicker of unease before she redirected her attention to the unfinished preparations.
Gabriel entered Amelie’s room and closed the door behind him. The familiar scent of her instantly wrapped around him. He walked over to the bed and sat down slowly. He grabbed the plush toy that Amelie had bought just a few days ago.
"I need to start buying baby stuff once we’re back from the honeymoon," he murmured to himself, holding the toy gently.
There was something about Amelie’s scent, even in her absence, that calmed the raging sexual desires within him. Just being surrounded by the essence of her was enough to dissolve the irritation that had clung to him since morning.
With a sigh, he lay down, his hand instinctively moving to the side of the bed where she usually slept. He caressed the empty space with a soft touch, eyes drifting closed as if he could feel her warmth still there.
"I can’t believe I’m missing her so much. I never felt this way all these years," Gabriel mumbled and closed his eyes.
~~~~~
Amelie opened the door as her mother and sister stepped inside, returning from the hospital late in the afternoon. The warmth in her smile faltered when she noticed the fatigue lining their faces.
"How’s Dad?" Amelie asked softly, falling into step behind her mother.
Without waiting, she poured a glass of water, handing it to Samyra as she settled into a chair with a sigh.
"He’s recovering well," Samyra replied, accepting the glass with a nod of thanks. "The doctor said it’s best he stays under observation tonight. But by tomorrow morning, he should be fit to attend your wedding."
Flora quietly settled into the other chair. The usual fire in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a quiet heaviness that clung to her.
Amelie, however, didn’t spare her a glance.
"If you haven’t had lunch yet, feel free to order something through room service," she said, walking toward her room. "I ate earlier, so I’m good. I’ll be resting for a bit."
"We’ll order some food," Samyra said, setting the glass down gently. Her gaze softened as it followed Amelie. "You should get some rest. You’re not feeling any discomfort, are you?"
"No, I’m fine," Amelie replied with a faint smile.
Samyra hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "Amelie, I didn’t ask before... but maybe I should have. Why did you decide to keep the child? Aren’t you worried it might bring complications in the future?"
Amelie brought her hands to her lower belly. "There was a time when I truly loved Alex," she said with sorrow and anger. "But the pup... it did nothing wrong. I never intended to marry again, or even like another man, after what Alex did to me. I ran away from the pack to give my pup a better life, somewhere it wouldn’t be used or harmed."
Her eyes turned distant for a moment. "If it weren’t for Noa, I probably wouldn’t have made it this far. I’ve spent most of my life being silent, letting others walk over me. But when I learned that I was pregnant and those wolves were chasing me, I decided to live, not for myself, but for my child. Mom, please don’t ask me ever to give up on Noa. It’s my pup."
Flora stared at her sister and felt guilty. She remembered when she found out from Alex that Amelie was preganant, she didn’t confront Alex.
’I am such an evil person. I thought so bad for a child, who hasn’t even come to this world,’ Flora thought.
Meanwhile, Samyra praised her daughter’s strength and determination. "I am glad that the pup gives you the strength you never had before. Forgive me for asking such a question," she whispered.