The morning sun poured through the windows, casting golden rays across the room and directly onto Amelie's face. Stirring awake, she winced at the soreness that lingered in her body, not because she spent the night with a stranger but because of intense running throughout the day.
Fragments of last night surfaced in her mind—flashes of intense pleasure that made her forget all her sorrows, especially the pain from the rejection. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she tried to process everything.
"Good morning, Amelie."
The deep, rich timbre of Gabriel's voice sent a shiver down her spine. Snapping her head toward the doorway, she found him standing there, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His presence was overwhelming, exuding a dominance that made her throat go dry.
Propping herself up on her elbows, she instinctively pulled the sheets closer around her, as if they could shield her from the intensity of his gaze. Gabriel strode toward the bed with measured steps, stopping just beside it.
"Your clothes are in the washroom. Get ready—we need to leave," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Amelie blinked at him, taken aback. He was like a beacon of light in the darkness that had consumed her life. Swallowing, she hesitated before speaking.
"Could you wait outside while I get dressed?" she asked, meeting his gaze despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
A smirk played at the corner of Gabriel's lips. "Sure. But what's the point of hiding your body when I've already seen it?" he mused before turning on his heel and walking out, leaving her flustered.
The moment the door shut behind him, Amelie threw off the sheets and rushed to the washroom. But as she caught sight of herself in the mirror, her breath hitched.
Red marks, which were evidence of last night, painted her skin in a way that made her stomach twist. "He's a beast..." she whispered, running shaky fingers through her tangled hair. However, Gabriel only left kisses and hickeys on her body. He didn't do anything more than that.
Panic surged through her. 'What if he expects more of this every night?' The realization sent a chill down her spine. 'What have I gotten myself into?'
She began pacing the length of the washroom, gripping her robe tightly around her. Her mind raced for a way out. 'I could ask him to drop me off in the next city...' She chewed on her lower lip. 'Then, I could sell my jewelry and offer him money. Surely, no one refuses money, right?'
But as quickly as the thoughtsurfaced, she shook her head, dismissing it.
"He seems like a rich man. Spending a night in such an expensive hotel isn't something just anyone can afford," Amelie murmured.
Her gaze drifted around the bathroom, taking in the luxurious marble countertops, gleaming gold fixtures, and the pristine bathtub large enough to fit two. The place exuded wealth, which she didn't even notice last night.
She didn't even remember which hotel this was. Last night, her mind had been consumed by one desperate goal, escaping the pack's wolves.
"I'll think about all this later. First, let's get out of this city," Amelie decided. She freshened up and changed into the clothes, which were specially arranged for her. What made her feel strange was how Gabriel knew the sizes of her undergarments. It was merely a night stand.
Amelie felt the heat rising to her cheeks and she turned on the hair dryer. Drying her hair, she exited the washroom finally and saw Gabriel on the bed, waiting for her.
"You took more than half an hour. Were you planning to escape me?" Gabriel asked, boring his piercing gaze right into hers.
"No," Amelie immediately refused. 'Does he read minds?' she thought.
Gabriel slipped out of bed, his movements slow yet deliberate as he approached her. His presence alone sent a shiver down Amelie's spine.
"Let's go then, Amelie," he said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "Remember your promise to me... and the pact you made."
As he brushed past her, she spoke. "I thought it was just a one-night stand for you."
Gabriel halted, his back still to her, before tilting his head slightly over his shoulder. "You were mistaken, then," he murmured. "I made it very clear—I will sleep with you whenever I desire. I don't help people just because they beg me."
A lump formed in Amelie's throat. She should have known—men like him never made empty claims.
"If you want to live," Gabriel continued, his voice dropping lower, "then you have no better option than me. The Alpha who rejected you... he may not stop until you're dead."
Amelie stiffened, making her realize she was vulnerable. A part of her wanted to deny it, to believe she could escape this fate on her own. But deep down, she knew he was right.
"Let's go," she said quickly, pushing aside her doubts. Without sparing him another glance, she stepped forward, her pace brisk as she exited the room.
However, just as she crossed the threshold, her steps faltered. A familiar face greeted her—the same man who had stood beside Gabriel last night, holding an umbrella for him under the glow of the hotel lights.
"This is Karmen, my Beta," Gabriel introduced.
Before she could greet him, his hand landed on her shoulder. Then, without warning, he slid his palm to the small of her back and pressed forward, guiding her out alongside him.
'I think he's the only hope for me to keep my baby safe,' Amelie thought.