Amelie was lost elsewhere in her thoughts when Gabriel’s unexpected action jolted her back to the present.
To her astonishment, he lowered himself onto one knee, his hand still holding hers gently.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, her voice laced with nervous confusion as she glanced around at the growing circle of onlookers.
Gabriel’s violet met her eyes in an affectionate gaze. "Something I should have done the moment I met you," he said.
She forgot to blink and breath in that rare moment. His gesture directed to one thing. ’Is he proposing me? But why would he? We only met a few days ago,’ she thought.
"You are my mate," Gabriel continued, "and I think it’s the perfect evening to declare that I am no longer mateless."
From his white coat’s pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box and opened it. Nestled inside was a diamond ring.
"Will you marry me, Amelie Conley?" he asked.
It was the kind of proposal every woman dreams of– The heartfelt gesture, the sincerity in his tone and the promise of a future.
But in her case it never came from the man she loved once with all her heart and soul. From Alex, she only received betrayal and rejection.
However, in this moment, Gabriel was on his knees. A man she’d only recently met, who had not only become her protector but also her second chance mate. Gabriel hadn’t just offered her a ring. He had offered her a new beginning with him, a future with him and the purest bond of marriage with him.
Amelie’s eyes brimmed with tears. She had never expected something so beautiful, so pure, and so public from anyone. But Gabriel made it happen as he kept saying to her how he would reveal to the world about them.
But she had made her choice earlier that day, when she confessed that Gabriel was her second chance mate.
"Yes," she breathed. "I want to!"
In that moment, the world faded away. The whispers, the stares, the grand ballroom, all disappeared. All she could see was him. Gabriel. The man who had stepped into her life like an angel and calmed every part of her soul.
Without wasting a second, Gabriel slipped the ring onto her finger. Then, rising to his feet, he leaned forward and sealed their promise with a soft, heartfelt kiss.
It wasn’t rushed. It was simple, sealing their fate in front of everyone.
The entire ballroom was shrouded in silence, until Katelyn clapped first with joy. The Alpha King, Gabriel’s two elder brothers, and soon the entire ballroom joined in with a wave of applause that echoed like a warm blessing.
Not everyone was pleased, though.
Flora stood frozen, her hands clenched into trembling fists. Bitterness swirled in her chest, and she took a step forward, preparing to expose what she believed was Amelie’s pregnancy. Her lips parted, but before a word could escape, Karmen appeared, blocking her path like a shadow.
"You two should leave the ballroom," Karmen said coldly.
"Why?" Flora snapped among the echoes of the claps.
"Prince Gabriel has issued the order," Karmen replied. Then, he turned to Alex. "Alex Morgan, kindly ask your partner to cooperate before I’m forced to act."
Alex sighed and leaned toward Flora’s ear. "Flora, let’s go. I’ll explain everything to you later," he whispered. "Please."
With a reluctant nod, Flora turned and followed Alex and Karmen out of the ballroom.
Back at the center, the world had already shifted for Amelie. Her gaze remained locked on Gabriel as her heart pounded against her chest.
"Is this real?" she asked softly. "Do you truly want to be my husband? And..."
"It’s real," Gabriel whispered, lifting her hand and placing a tender kiss on her knuckles. "Gabriel Sinclair has proposed to you, Amelie Conley."
Just then, King Raidan stepped forward. "Since my youngest son has announced his marriage, I believe it’s only right we raise a toast to his future luna."
He gestured, and a waiter quickly approached, offering trays of crystal wine glasses to the guests.
"To Prince Gabriel and Lady Amelie," King Raidan declared with pride. "May their union bring strength, peace, and joy."
The crowd raised their glasses in unison.
"To Gabriel and Amelie!"
Once the first toast concluded, King Raidan raised his hand, signaling the beginning of the official gala.
"Let the celebration begin," he announced with regal authority, his voice echoing through the opulent ballroom.
He then turned to Queen Mabel and offered his hand. Despite the tension that had briefly clouded her expression earlier, it now softened. The couple moved to the center of the marble floor as the pianist struck the first note of a soft, elegant melody.
Soon after, Casaio extended his hand to Zilia, who accepted with a bright smile. The two joined the floor. Dominick and his mate, Juniper, were next.
As more and more joined in, finally Gabriel asked Amelie for a dance.
"Shall we, my fiancée?" He asked with a smile, extending his hand for her.
Amelie nodded, accepting his hand and the two moved to the dance floor. He held her close, his nose brushing hers as the lights had turned dimmer.
"Thank you. That was just... Shocking," Amelie said, unable to keep the joy she was feeling for the first time in her life.
"You cannot leave me anymore, Amelie. I thought you would reject my proposal because I know it was rushed too. I mean... Only a few days have passed. You are still coping with your last relationship. While I am desperate to have you in my life," Gabriel confessed.
"I want to use this second chance well. I feel I shouldn’t lose you and rejecting you... I couldn’t do it," Amelie said truthfully.
"The pup is feeling happy for his mommy," Gabriel whispered.
"What? Really?" Amelie shockingly asked to confirm.
"Yes." Gabriel suddenly kissed her, unable to resist anymore, "Amelie, thank you for trusting me. From now on, you’ll only smile and there will be no more tears," he murmured against her lips.