"I think everyone likes them. They are unavoidable," Amelie said, keeping her hands locked behind her back. "That means you want to look at them forever," she added.
"That’s impossible unless you stay close to me forever," Gabriel said.
Amelie lowered her gaze. "Even if we part ways, I’ll always remember your eyes," she murmured. A yawn escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth, realizing how sleep was finally catching up to her.
"I should head inside now. Thank you for taking this walk with me," she said, turning on her heels.
Gabriel watched as she disappeared into the mansion. He remained in the garden for a few moments before finally making his way inside.
Instead of going to his own room, he found himself walking toward Amelie’s door. Gently pushing it open, he stepped inside. The room was wrapped in silence and darkness.
He already could sense the steady breaths of Amelie, who was on the bed, covered in duvet.
’I hope she finds a home here and doesn’t leave me. I don’t wish her to go,’ Gabriel thought and quietly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
As he finally entered into his room, he picked up the shiny alcohol bottle placed on the table and filled a glass for himself.
’Why was the pup responding to us?’ Valko’s voice echoed in the back of Gabriel’s mind.
’I don’t know,’ Gabriel replied inwardly, bringing the glass to his lips. He took a slow sip of the burning liquor before slumping into the lounge chair. His chest rumbled with the frustration of his restless wolf, growing more impatient by the second.
"Calm down, Valko," Gabriel muttered under his breath. "We’ll figure it out soon. First, we need to remove that seal from her neck. But for that, we have to find the witch who cast it."
A firm knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Gabriel barely shifted his gaze as Karmen stepped inside.
"You’re still awake," Gabriel noted. The dim light reflected off the ring on his middle finger, catching Karmen’s eye for a brief moment.
"I have something important to report," Karmen said.
"If it’s about my family, keep it to yourself," Gabriel replied, his voice laced with disinterest.
Karmen shook his head. "Not them, Alpha Prince. This concerns something else."
"Hmm?"
"Our spy has died mysteriously in Southern Blood Dominion," Karmen finally revealed.
Gabriel’s brows knitted together at the unexpected news. This had never happened before. A death like this, without warning or reason, was a dangerous sign.
"When will the body arrive?" he asked.
"By tomorrow afternoon," Karmen replied. "The retrieval team is bringing it back as we speak."
Gabriel leaned back, fingers tapping against the armrest. "Call Louis. Tell him to meet me tomorrow. I want a full examination of the body."
Karmen gave a nod but hesitated before speaking again. "What do you think happened in Blood Dominion? Could the rogue Alpha have discovered our spy? That land was once ours... until he seized it by force."
Gabriel exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "I won’t comment unless I examine the body," he stated.
Karmen realized Gabriel had something in his mind and he decided to ask him to clear his own doubts. "May I speak something related to Amelie?" he then asked.
Gabriel swirled the red liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. "What is it?"
"Amelie is pregnant," Karmen stated, watching for any reaction. "Have you thought about what your family will say when you introduce her to them? I assume you plan to do that at the upcoming gala."
Gabriel’s grip on the glass tightened slightly before he placed it down with a clink. "I can handle them," he said. "You don’t need to concern yourself with that."
Karmen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Your parents may throw a fit about it because the woman you’ve chosen is carrying someone else’s pup."
Gabriel’s eyes darkened as he got irritated. "It sounds like you disapprove of my choice," he said. "It doesn’t matter to me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t infuriate me."
Karmen straightened, choosing his next words carefully. "It’s not about disapproval, Gabriel. You know how rejected mates are viewed by everyone. Your brother has likely already informed your parents about Amelie," Karmen said cautiously, watching Gabriel’s reaction.
"That’s even better," Gabriel replied, leaning back in his chair. "Let them know now that my choices will never align with theirs. Karmen, of all people, I didn’t expect you to question my decision."
Karmen exhaled slowly, realizing he had overstepped. "Forgive me if I offended you," he said sincerely. "My loyalty is to you, and I will stand by your choice."
Gabriel studied him for a moment before nodding. "You should leave now," he said.
Karmen left while shutting the door behind him while Gabriel prepared to go to bed after removing his upper body clothes. Sliding inside the duvet, he thought of Amelie only, who was not far from. Though he desired to sleep with Amelie but she would be uncomfortable and he wanted to have her personal space.
Closing his eyes, the sleep took over him.
~~~
Amelie remained seated on the bed long after Gabriel had left. Sleep continued to evade her, as it always did unless exhaustion completely overtook her body. She sighed, running her fingers through her hair as she gazed at the dim glow of the moon filtering through the window.
"I wonder what the Moon Goddess’ plan is for me," she murmured to herself.
Unable to shake the restlessness, she stood up and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders.
Quietly, she exited the room and as expected the corridors were covered in darkness. She walked ahead in the same corridor before turning to the staircase. Walking in the living room for some time, she sat on the couch and lay on its one side.
"I want to sleep," she murmured to herself and closed her eyes.