"What is–is Alex doing here?" Amelie's voice trembled as she cast a sharp glare at Gabriel. Her breathing grew unsteady, and her hands clenched at her sides.
"You told him about me, didn't you?" she accused. "Or... did he find out on his own?"
Her legs wobbled beneath her, and she stumbled slightly. Her gaze dropped to the floor, her body shaking as a cold dread settled over her. She touched her belly, fearing Alex would kill her unborn child.
"Amelie," Gabriel whispered her name. "Look at me," he urged, stepping closer. His hands rested on her shoulders, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected. An unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest, bringing her comfort.
Her body trembled as she gripped his hands tightly. "Please, Gabriel," she pleaded. She was barely able to keep her voice steady. "He won't let me live. You don't understand—he's spread horrible lies about me throughout my pack." Her breath hitched as fresh tears welled in her eyes. "He said I cheated... That I claimed another man's child as his. But I never did that. I swear I never did."
Gabriel's expression darkened, his fingers twitching slightly as if restraining his growing anger. "How did you find out what he's been saying?"
"I—I called home yesterday," Amelie admitted as her voice almost broke. "I wanted to speak to my mother, but instead... I overheard my parents talking." Her hands trembled against his. "They believed him, Gabriel. They actually believed Alex rather than me."
Her breath came in short, painful gasps as devastation overtook her. "I'm not lying," she whispered, her tone almost desperate. "Please... don't send me away."
"No one is taking you away from my side," he declared. With a gentle touch, he brushed away her tears with his thumbs, his warmth seeping into her skin. "I trust you."
Amelie's lips parted slightly in shock. "Th–thank you," she stammered, struggling to process his words. This man, this stranger she had only met yesterday, trusted her without hesitation. Unlike everyone else, he hadn't doubted her, hadn't questioned her integrity.
Gabriel tilted his head slightly. "What are you thinking?"
She swallowed hard, then shook her head. She couldn't tell him how much his trust meant to her when even her own family had turned their backs.
"I told you something yesterday," Gabriel murmured. "I said I would kill the person who marked you before me."
Amelie's breath hitched, but she forced a small, uneasy smile. "Yes... but I know you weren't serious."
It was a lie. She knew he was serious, and that terrified her. If Gabriel killed Alex, the consequences would be severe. He would be questioned by the Alpha King, possibly punished. And she didn't want that to happen.
Gabriel tilted his head, studying her for a brief moment. "I was serious," he confirmed. Then, suddenly, a smirk curved his lips. "But... let's play a little game with Alex instead."
Amelie frowned in confusion. "A game?"
"Yes." His smirk deepened.
"What kind of game?" she asked cautiously.
Gabriel stepped closer. "You'll find out when we see him. But promise me, Amelie," he said, "that you'll go along with whatever I say."
Before she could press him for answers, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving her no choice but to follow.
As they descended the stairs, Gabriel suddenly reached for her hand. Amelie glanced up at him as her heart pounded not because of this sudden closeness but the presence of Alex in the living room.
"Make others tremble in fear," he whispered, his violet eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "That's the motto I live by."
Strangely, his words didn't unsettle her. Instead, they made her feel safe. She no longer feared Alex. Not with Gabriel by her side and she nodded at him.
'Yes. The moment I chose to leave that city, I swore to become stronger for my baby.'
Meanwhile, Alex had been waiting impatiently for Gabriel to appear. But when he finally sensed the Dark Tyrant's commanding presence, he rose from his seat, his sharp gaze snapping toward the staircase.
Then he saw her.
Amelie Conley, who was walking right beside Gabriel.
Alex's eyes widened in shock. 'How did she get here? And why... Why is she smiling with him?' His gaze locked onto their intertwined hands. 'The Dark Tyrant is walking with such a weakling?'
Gabriel and Amelie stopped directly in front of Alex, his stunned expression betraying his thoughts. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"What are you doing here, Amelie?" Alex asked with barely contained anger. He couldn't afford to lose his temper, not in front of Gabriel. Not if he wanted to make it out of here alive.
Gabriel tilted his head, amusement flickering in his piercing violet eyes. "Where are your manners, Alex? Shouldn't you greet me first? Or did your mother fail to teach you basic etiquette?"
Alex clenched his jaw before lowering his head slightly as a chill of fear ran throughout his body. "I–I am sorry." Placing a hand over the left side of his chest, he formally greeted Gabriel.
Gabriel paid him no further heed and instead guided Amelie toward the couch. He sat down, one leg resting over the other as he pulled Amelie close. She sat stiffly beside him, uncertain of what he intended, but she had promised to go along with him.
"You may relax," Gabriel said smoothly.
Alex lowered his hand but couldn't keep his eyes off Amelie. 'Why won't she even look at me? What the hell is going on?'
Gabriel's voice sliced through his thoughts. "Alex, I think your eyes are on the wrong person."
Alex's head snapped up.
Gabriel leaned forward slightly. "Do you know why you were summoned?"
Alex hesitated. "No, I don't." He made a move to sit down, trying to mask his unease.
"I didn't ask you to sit."
"A-ah, I–I apologize," Alex stammered, standing upright once more. 'Did Amelie tell him what happened? Did she complain about me to Gabriel? This fucking—'
"Did you try to kill my mate, Alex?"
Amelie stiffened beside him while Alex's face was drained of color.