As Amelie pulled away, she peered into Gabriel’s violet eyes. Her hands remained on his arms for a brief moment when she lowered them.
Gabriel kept staring at her, noticing every expression on her face. He reached out his hands to her neck as he lowered himself to her height and kissed her.
Amelie got flustered when felt his left hand moving to her waist on the right side. He drew her closer, his lips already nibbling hers with an intensity, showing more than his usual emotions.
Amelie parted her lips, finding it difficult to keep up with his pace. She felt her feet moving on their own, but in which direction, she had no idea until her back felt the coldness of a wall before landing on the mattress.
Gabriel was relentless, his mouth not parting from hers, claiming her with a possessiveness that made her heart race. Her hands pressed against his chest in desperation, not to push him away but to pause, to breathe.
Sensing her plea, Gabriel slowed down, the intensity softening into something more tender, though it still laced with desire.
If she hadn’t hugged him, hadn’t wrapped her arms around him and offered that unspoken comfort, Gabriel’s storm of emotions might’ve consumed them both. But in that embrace, he realized, ’I can’t let Amelie go. She is the one for me.’
Finally, Gabriel pulled back, his chest rising and falling as he gasped for air. Amelie mirrored his breathlessness, her lips slightly parted, catching her breath as her wide eyes remained locked with his.
Her lips twitched from the intensity of the kiss. They were swollen. Gabriel noticed it too. He lifted his hand, gently tracing his thumb across her lower lip, then letting it rest at the corner of her mouth.
"Amelie," he whispered.
He wanted to say more, but the words tangled inside his throat. His desire surged, his wolf screaming to claim her, to leave no doubts that she belonged to him. His wolf was on edge, begging to mark her, to make it known to the world.
But he held back. He had promised her time, to wait for her answer until tomorrow. And if he crossed that line now, he’d be going against everything they had agreed upon.
So he stayed still before pressing a soft kiss on the middle of her forehead.
"Knock! Knock!"
The sound jolted them. Gabriel moved toward the door, while Amelie quickly straightened up, brushing her hair back into place.
When Gabriel opened it, he found Butler Lester standing, with a maid behind him holding a tray.
"We’ve made all the necessary arrangements in the Eastern Palace for the prince’s stay," Lester announced. "A separate room has also been prepared for Miss Amelie. Here’s the espresso for Prince Gabriel and a regular coffee for Miss Amelie."
Gabriel didn’t let the maid step in. He took the tray himself with a curt nod and shut the door behind him.
Amelie was already on her feet, watching him cross the room. She moved toward him to help, but Gabriel had already set the tray down on the low table before she could reach him.
"Have the coffee," he said, settling into one of the lounge chairs with grace.
"I heard a separate room has been arranged for me," Amelie said as she took the seat opposite him.
"I want you to stay here, with me," Gabriel replied, lifting his cup and bringing it close to his lips.
"But we’re in the palace," she reminded him gently, her gaze flicking toward the door.
"We’re not in the main palace. This is the Eastern Wing, practically deserted except for a few trusted staff. So stop worrying," he replied and took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I apologize on the Queen’s behalf. She was out of line with what she said to you," Gabriel murmured, lowering his cup back to the saucer with a soft clink.
"It’s alright," Amelie replied. "I don’t take the Queen’s comments to heart. Omegas aren’t exactly held in high regard by society. I’ve grown used to it."
Though the sting existed, she refused to dwell on it. It would only pull her deeper into a place she didn’t want to revisit.
Gabriel studied her in a thoughtful expression. "You’re the first person outside my family who’s ever witnessed an argument between the Queen and me," he said. "You didn’t pry, didn’t question me, and I appreciate that."
"Every family has its own share of wounds," Amelie replied softly with empathy. "Even you didn’t press me about mine. I shared only a little, just because... I wanted to feel lighter and I trusted you."
Gabriel looked at her, his violet eyes carrying the weight of memories he rarely spoke aloud. "My birth wasn’t something that was welcomed, Amelie. My mother struggled to conceive, and even when she did, it wasn’t an easy pregnancy. Most wolf pups are born within three to six months, but I came in the eighth. Ever since then... she’s hated me, as if it was my fault."
Hearing that made Amelie’s heart clench, realizing the pain Gabriel must have endured from a young age, raised in the coldness of a mother who never wanted him. But what he says after that, truly shocked her.
"She never breastfed me. She never held me in her arms. She refused to care for me, even when I was just a baby. There was a time, maybe I was two or three, when I nearly died. My father had gone off to lead a battle against the rogues. I was burning with fever and she never even called a doctor," Gabriel paused with a chuckle. "It’s a miracle I survived. Or maybe I was meant to, just so I could keep witnessing how cruel she could be."
Amelie’s eyes brimmed with tears and she quickly averted her gaze to wipe them. Gabriel noticed that, wondering why she cried.
"Why are you crying?" Gabriel questioned.
"No, I’m not," Amelie didn’t want to admit it and lowered her eyes. "I’m sorry, Gabriel, you have to go through all of that."