Standing on the balcony of her room, Amelie dialed her mother’s number. To her surprise, Samyra picked up on the very first ring, almost as if she’d been holding the phone, waiting.
"Amelie! Why didn’t you call back? And you haven’t replied to any of my messages. Is everything okay?" Samyra’s voice came through laced with panic and worry that caught Amelie off guard.
"Good evening, Mom," Amelie started with a greeting. "Yes, everything’s fine." Her gaze drifting toward the horizon. "I thought I’d talk to you once I got back to San Ravendale."
She paused, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "But you being worried for me... that’s a bit unexpected, isn’t it?"
There was a second’s silence on the line.
"Are you still upset with me and your father?" Samyra questioned as she put the phone on speaker now as David gestured to her for it.
"I am not upset. It doesn’t sit with me why you both suddenly started showing so much care for me, which was always absent for so many years," Amelie said. She could’ve kept all of this in her heart, but she wanted her parents to know the damage they did.
"Because we realized our mistakes," David said.
"Good evening, Dad," Amelie greeted him too.
"Good evening," David replied. "It was my fault all along to belittle you. Why don’t you come home and stay with us for some time?"
"That’s not possible, Dad. When I feel I need my parents, I’ll call you," Amelie clarified to them, refusing their demand. "I never felt like home in the Red River Pack. That place only gave me bad memories. And during my pregnancy, I want to be at a place, where I feel more calm and peace."
"If that’s what you feel, then we understand your decision," David said.
"Please tell Flora not to message me," Amelie urged.
"She’s trying to improve, Amelie," Samyra said.
"You should’ve been present in the same bedroom, where Alex rejected me; where Flora was laughing at me. Even she wanted me and my pup to die. If you are asking me to forget all of this, no, I can’t. In the past, I’ve always forgiven her. But she doesn’t stand a chance for my forgiveness anymore."
Amelie took a deep breath to calm herself down. "I’ll hang up. Take care," she said and cut the call.
She ran her hand on her face to her hair when sensed Gabriel’s presence right behind her. Turning around, she closed the distance between them and hugged him, clutching his shirt on the back.
"What happened to my kitten?" Gabriel caressed her back.
"I argued... With my parents," Amelie replied. "And I feel bad about it."
"Such a softie you are!" Gabriel murmured, gently pushing her while keeping his hold on her shoulders. Then, pinching her nose, he startled her with a kiss on the tip, then lips.
"Smile," Gabriel whispered, his forehead touching hers while his hands trailed down her arms to her hands. Amelie took a step back, but Gabriel followed, closing the distance until her back met the cool railing of the balcony.
"How can I smile when I’m upset?" Amelie murmured, lifting her head to meet his gaze, her brows still slightly furrowed.
Gabriel smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I’ll make it happen," he said confidently.
Before she could respond, she felt the warm press of his lips against the curve of her neck. A soft gasp escaped her lips as he trailed slow kisses along her skin.
Her heartbeat quickened, something Gabriel noticed instantly.
With a knowing grin, he slid his hands around her waist and leaned in closer, pressing playful kisses to her most sensitive spots, just under her ear, along her jaw, and then down to her collarbone, until she began laughing as he even tickled her.
"Stop," she laughed breathlessly, trying to push him away with no real effort. "That tickles!"
He grinned, lifting his head to bring his face closer to hers. He kissed both her cheeks in rapid succession, her giggles rising again as he did it repeatedly, faster this time.
Stopping, Gabriel simply gazed at her radiant face, mesmerized by the bright smile that now graced her lips.
"See? That wasn’t so hard," he said softly, his hand reaching up to fasten the button on her blouse that had come undone earlier.
"Let’s go shopping, then," he suggested with a gentle smile. "Go get dressed."
Amelie hummed in agreement and walked back into the room to get ready, leaving Gabriel to head downstairs to the living room.
"I haven’t seen Casaio around," Gabriel remarked as he entered, glancing toward Albus.
"The Prince was suddenly summoned to the palace," Albus informed him.
Gabriel’s brow furrowed. "Why?"
"I’m not sure, My Lord," Albus replied. "But... the Queen appeared rather upset."
"Hmm." Gabriel settled on the couch while Albus resumed instructing the servants. ’I forgot to ask Karmen about the man they captured. I’ll ask him once I return from outside or maybe I’ll go to prison to meet that man. He is tight-lipped. I wonder who’s his master,’ he thought.
"My Lord, what would you like to eat in dinner?" Albus asked, bringing halt to his thoughts.
"Amelie and I’ll eat outside. Just prepare dinner for Kate," Gabriel instructed.
"Understood, My Lord," Albus bowed and left for the kitchen.
Gabriel pulled out the phone from the pocket of his trousers and saw a message from Louis.
"Meet me at the Moon Fang."
Gabriel frowned, wondering why he suddenly was asking to see him in a bar, which was not so famous for its reputation.
Gabriel could sense a foul play in this message and he forwarded the message to Karmen before calling him.
"Find out if Louis has come to San Ravendale," Gabriel ordered.
"He hasn’t. Since the day you told me to track him down, I did. But he hasn’t stepped into San Ravendale yet," Karmen explained. "But what’s this strange message you sent me?"
"Louis sent this to me," Gabriel replied. "Call at his home and find out what’s going on."