After dinner, Gabriel made sure Amelie took her tablets before she stood up from her seat.
"Can I take a walk in the garden for a while?" she asked, glancing at him.
"Of course, you can," Gabriel replied casually.
"Goodnight, then." Amelie turned to leave, assuming he would retire for the night. But before she could step away, Gabriel’s voice stopped her.
"I’ll accompany you," he said, already rising to his feet.
She hesitated for a moment, wanting to refuse, but before she could protest, Gabriel gently took her hand. His hand was warm he guided her toward the garden, leaving her with no choice but to follow.
Amelie tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, inhaling the crisp night air as the gentle breeze brushed against her skin. Gabriel had released her hand, now tucking his into his pockets, his strides relaxed yet purposeful.
The pathway was lined with evenly spaced lamps, casting a soft glow on the stone walkway. The illuminated path made her feel at ease, but his presence beside her kept her slightly on edge. She wished he would return inside, but voicing that thought would be inappropriate. After all, this place belonged to him.
"Tomorrow, I have a meeting," Gabriel suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Would you like to join me as my secretary? You might not be familiar with the work right now, but I trust that you’ll learn quickly." He turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto her.
A bit surprised by the offer, Amelie nodded. "I would love to," she replied with a small smile.
"Great. It’s a meeting at the investment bank I own," Gabriel informed her. Then, after a pause, he added, "Tell me about yourself, Amelie. I’d like to know what kind of life you’ve led." He resumed walking, expecting her to follow.
She hesitated briefly before falling into step beside him, matching his pace. "My life wasn’t as great as others might think," she admitted. "During the ritual ceremony for young wolves, I turned out to be an omega. Can you imagine? A family full of alphas, and then there’s me... It was difficult to fit in."
Gabriel listened in silence.
"Then, I couldn’t wake up my wolf. It was tragic for me to learn that. Dad and Mom never truly considered me as their daughter from then onwards. And you already know what happened after that," she murmured.
Gabriel hummed as he recalled their former conversation where she mentioned how even her mate rejected her.
"May I ask why you live separately from your family?" Amelie continued, glancing at him. "As far as I know, the entire royal family resides together in the capital."
Gabriel’s jaw tensed slightly, but he kept a neutral expression on his face. "I prefer to live by my own terms. The palace has its rules and codes of conduct, none of which I ever related to," he said, keeping his real reason hidden. His strained relationship with his mother was not something he intended to share.
"Oh," Amelie murmured, observing his subtle change in demeanor. After a moment, she added, "You always seem so intense when making decisions." She fidgeted with her fingers, unsure if she was overstepping.
"Aggression is necessary in such matters," Gabriel replied coolly.
She considered his words before nodding. "Hmm... You’re right," she agreed, realizing that in his world, strength and decisiveness were everything.
After a while, they both stopped. Gabriel leaned against the garden railing, and his piercing gaze fixed on Amelie. His voice was calm but firm as he spoke. "How does it feel to be pregnant? Have you thought about what you’ll tell your pup once they grow up? I mean, about their origin. You can’t keep the truth from them forever."
His words carried a weight of realism that made Amelie pause. She lowered her hands to her stomach, gently running her fingers over the fabric of her dress. A soft smile graced her lips, warmth spreading through her chest.
"I was happy when I found out I was pregnant," she admitted. "As for what I’ll tell my baby... I don’t know yet. But I believe I’ll manage when the time comes."
Her heart fluttered at the thought of holding her child, of feeling their tiny fingers curl around hers. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew one thing. She would love and protect her pup with everything she had.
"You are strong, Amelie," Gabriel said, his voice steady yet laced with something unfamiliar. He pointed toward her belly, his eyes gleaming as he continued, "You had no one to rely on, yet you chose to run—for your life and the pup’s. It shows how strong you are."
A strange sensation stirred in his chest as he stared at the small life growing inside her. It was unfamiliar, unsettling even, yet he couldn’t ignore it.
’What was that?’ Valko’s voice echoed in the back of his mind.
He frowned, momentarily caught off guard by the feeling, and turned his gaze back to Amelie, who was smiling.
Amelie tilted her head slightly. "But why couldn’t you find your mate? You said the Moon Goddess didn’t grant you one. Did all of your siblings find theirs?"
Gabriel exhaled through his nose, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes. "I’d have to ask the Moon Goddess that myself," he said. "My brothers have their mates. My sister is your age and hasn’t found hers yet. Let’s not talk about them. It gives me a headache."
Amelie pursed her lips, sensing his irritation. "Sure. Sorry if I overstepped by asking such questions," she murmured.
"It’s fine," Gabriel said, brushing off her concern. He then shifted the topic, his expression turning more serious. "You should know about me, though. We’ll be attending the gala, and my family will definitely take an interest in you." His sharp gaze met hers. "But I want you to stay away from them. Even if they ask you anything, just ignore them."
Amelie frowned slightly. "I may try but I can’t ignore the royals. They are at highest ranks. I hope you understand what I mean," she whispered.
"I have one more question. Why are your eyes so pretty? I noticed only your eyes are violet," Amelie said.
"Why? Do you like my eyes that much?" Gabriel arched his eyebrow as he took a step closer to her.