Flora stepped out of the car, slamming the door a little harder than necessary. Her mood was far from pleasant, especially after seeing her sister arm in arm with a prince. Prince Gabriel, of all people.
"What could he possibly see in her?" she muttered under her breath, storming through the living room with her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Miss Flora," the housemaid called gently, appearing from the hallway. "Your parents are asking for you. They’re upstairs in their bedroom."
Without a word, Flora made her way up the staircase. She paused just outside the master bedroom door and knocked lightly. "It’s me, Flora."
"Come in," came Samyra’s voice from inside.
Flora pushed open the door and stepped in with a humble smile. "Good morning, Mom. Dad," she greeted sweetly.
"Have a seat, Flora," Samyra said.
Flora sat down on the lounge chair across from her parents. She wondered if they found out about Amelie too.
"Did you know that Alex and Amelie were seeing each other?" Samyra asked.
"Huh?" Flora blinked, caught off guard by the question. Her heart skipped a beat. "What is Mom even talking about?" she murmured, shifting her gaze to her father. The stern, disappointed look on his face made her stomach twist. ’Did they find out? But how?’
"We want the truth, Flora," Samyra continued, eyes fixed on her daughter. "Did you pursue Alex even after knowing he was mated to your sister?"
"Mom, what are you implying?" Flora said quickly, trying to sound offended. "That I went after my sister’s mate? That’s ridiculous. Alex has always loved me. I don’t know where any of this is coming from."
"Flora," David finally spoke. "Stop lying. We already know the truth."
Samyra stepped forward. "Your father was summoned to the palace. He met Amelie there, along with Alex. Amelie said in front of everyone how you two cheated on her. Alex admitted to cheating on Amelie... with you. He admitted that he’s the father of the pup she’s carrying."
Flora’s face drained of the color.
Samyra’s voice quivered now, not from weakness, but from the shame. "Why would you do something like that? Why betray your sister in the worst possible way? Of all the people in the world... why did you choose Alex?"
Flora swallowed hard, her hands tightening around the strap of her bag. She had never anticipated that her parents would look at her with such a shame and disappointment.
"Alex never wanted Amelie," she began with a trembling voice. "And he loved me. He still does. We both are going to be married soon. She didn’t deserve him. She’s an omega, someone no one desires. And isn’t it Amelie’s fault to carry a pup when the father doesn’t even want it?"
"How could you speak in such a tone?" Samyra’s anger burst. "Don’t you have even the slightest remorse of chasing your sister’s..." Her voice faltered and she paused. "That night... Did you know Alex rejected Amelie and decided to punish Amelie? Tell us, Flora!"
Flora curled her fingers into trembling fists, her fear and frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The image of the obedient, ideal daughter had shattered completely beneath the stern, disapproving eyes of her parents.
"Amelie never raised her voice at me," David said, his brows drawn tightly together. "But she did this time, for the first time, because I refused to believe her. Flora, why did you do that? Why didn’t you inform us anything?"
Flora’s lips curled, her voice laced with bitterness. "Didn’t you two always say Amelie was a curse? So what’s wrong if I loved someone who actually wanted me? Alex sees me as his mate, not her. He’s the Alpha. It was his decision to punish her, not mine. So why are you both blaming me like I’m the villain here?"
She stood and said in a sharp voice. "If you’re done lecturing me, I’m leaving."
The moment she turned, her mother, Samyra, blocked her path. Without hesitation, she struck Flora across the cheek. It was a fierce slap that made her stagger back.
"You are not leaving this house," Samyra said coldly. "Not until you reflect on what you’ve done."
Flora clutched her stinging cheek, eyes wide with shock before they narrowed in defiance. "Like hell I am! I won’t listen to you!"
But Samyra wasn’t done here. She tightly grabbed Flora’s arm and said, "I should discipline you then." With that, she dragged Flora out of the room.
~~~~~
Amelie gently watered the plants as she chatted with the elderly gardener, Elric Fraser, beside her. The evening sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light over the estate’s vast garden.
"Oh, really? That’s wonderful news," Amelie said, a warm smile on her face. "Congratulations to your daughter. I hope everything goes smoothly and she has a safe delivery."
"Thank you, Miss Amelie. Since the day you arrived at the estate, this place feels more alive," Elric said, his voice gentle with age. "I always thought Prince Gabriel would live out his days in solitude."
Amelie looked up, surprised by the affection in his tone.
"I heard the Prince is already planning to marry you," Elric added with a hopeful smile. "If that’s true, then I couldn’t be happier. He deserves someone who brings light to his life."
Amelie’s heart softened. She hadn’t realized how deeply the people here respected Gabriel, not out of fear or duty, but from genuine loyalty. It made her wonder how many truly knew the man behind the title.
"Miss Amelie," Elric continued, lowering his voice, "you should visit the Moon Temple in San Ravendale. It’s said that fated mates must go there at least once. It blesses the bond."
"Thank you," she said, setting down the watering can. "I’ll make sure to visit it with Gabriel."
But before she could say another word, her attention snapped toward the cobblestone path, where two servants passed by in hurried steps while conversing with each other.
"... They found a dead wolf in the east wing!"