While Amelie was freshening up, Gabriel called Lester upstairs. In the corridor outside the bedroom, Lester stopped upon seeing the prince. He bowed to him in a polite manner.
"Who called David here?" Gabriel questioned.
"I have no idea, Sir. Mr. Conley looked worried and said that he had been searching for his daughter for a few days," Lester replied.
"Say the truth, Lester," Gabriel said, taking a step toward him. "Who called David to the palace? Was it the Queen?" His first doubt was on his mother. No one other than her would dare call David. She was the one who always loved to ruin his happiness.
"Sir, if I knew, I would have told you," Lester said, lowering his eyes. He was slightly trembling in fear, thinking Gabriel might take out his anger on him. However, it didn’t happen.
"Leave," Gabriel commanded before walking back into the room. His wolf growled, and he turned restless. His mother had crossed every limit to have him infuriated. *I never mentioned Amelie’s surname to the Queen. Then, how did she find out it was Amelie Conley?* he thought.
Gabriel immediately mindlinked with Casaio.
’Did you tell Mom about Amelie?’
Casaio, who was in the shower room, got flustered for a moment when Gabriel’s voice reverberated in his head. He turned on the tap, letting the foam wash off with the water.
’No. Don’t forget Mom is ten steps ahead of everyone here,’ Casaio replied.
Gabriel clenched his fists, breaking the mindlink immediately.
Amelie exited the washroom and quickly moved to the dressing table. "Did any message come? I tried to be faster," she said in anticipation.
"No," Gabriel refused and walked to her. She was blowing her hair dry. "Nothing will happen. I promise."
The nervousness left Amelie’s mind the moment she heard those promising words. "Hmm." She believed in him, but at the same time, she didn’t want Gabriel to start fighting for her in front of his family.
"Gabriel, let me face whatever happens. Don’t try to protect me at the cost of your own image," Amelie urged.
"You won’t face anything alone," Gabriel announced before making his way to the washroom. Amelie felt guilty for involving Gabriel in her mess. At the same time, she felt good thinking she would not be alone while confronting her father.
*I won’t go to the Red River Pack even if I have to become the villainess in everyone’s eyes,* Amelie made up her mind.
~~~~~
"Your Majesty, I offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of my daughter," David said, his gaze lowered in deference as he addressed Luna Queen Mabel. "I was unaware she was with Prince Gabriel."
Queen Mabel’s expression remained cold. "When parents fail to keep a vigilant eye on their daughters, it is no less than a failure in parenthood," she declared.
Those words stung David. A failed parenthood. No one had ever said that to him, and he curled his fingers up.
King Raidan arrived in the living hall after a long walk in the vast garden of the palace’s estate. "Who is this person, Mabel?" Raidan questioned with a slight furrow between his brows as he stopped near the couch.
David was quick to leave the seat and greeted the King.
"Honey, this is Amelie’s father. He has come here to take his daughter back," Mabel replied with a small smile.
Raidan was shocked for a moment and asked Mabel if they could talk in private. He didn’t know what his wife was up to, but what he knew was Gabriel would be mad about it.
Mabel asked David to take a seat before excusing herself.
Both Raidan and Mabel came to a spot where no one could hear their conversation.
"Did you call him here?" Raidan inquired.
"Yes," Mabel replied. "They didn’t tell us the whole truth. Amelie has run away from her pack. I simply want her to return," she explained.
"Gabriel won’t like it," Raidan shook his head. "You could have discussed with the kids first instead of summoning Amelie’s father," he said sternly.
"Dear, I know what I’m doing. You want me to keep a woman by my son’s side whose character is already ruined. You’ll be shocked to know if I tell you more about her. Gabriel is desperate for a mate, but that doesn’t mean he can have any random omega trash in his life," Mabel stated and turned on her heels.
"Mabel, don’t hurt Gabriel anymore. I command you to stop. How much more terrible things do you wish to do to Gabriel?" Raidan finally used his authority as an Alpha King.
"Terrible things?" Mabel arched her eyebrow. "I am making sure Gabriel stays safe. Even if my ways are terrible, that’s the only way to stop him from bringing the chaos," she said. She didn’t care for Raidan’s command and went back to the living room.
Raidan followed her, and they both settled on the couch.
"Seems like another drama will unfold," Dominick whispered, his hands tucked inside his pockets.
"So, Amelie is a runaway," Katelyn murmured.
"Gabriel is going to be mad at Mom," Casaio muttered. The three siblings didn’t go downstairs and waited for Gabriel to come with Amelie first.
"Why didn’t you tell us about it?" Dominick asked, tilting his head to Casaio. "Were you protecting Gabriel? Mom is going to be furious at you later."
"I didn’t know the matter myself," Casaio stated.
"Don’t lie, brother!" Katelyn chimed in. "You knew all of that. You might have asked Brother Gabriel to send Amelie away, but he didn’t listen to you."
Casaio didn’t comment and remained quiet. Even if he had differences with Gabriel, he hoped for his happiness. And for the first time in a long while, he felt Gabriel truly had discovered a person with whom he could spend the rest of his life.
Finally, Gabriel and Amelie entered the living hall together, causing every eye to move to them.
David stood up from his seat to see Amelie and frowned.
Amelie started with the greetings to the Alpha King and Luna Queen before turning to her father.
"I am not going back, Dad," Amelie stated, looking straight into her father’s eyes.