Amelie stared at the new phone in her hands, the one Butler Albus had given her earlier, saying it was from Gabriel. After losing her old phone while running away last night, she hadn't expected a replacement so soon. Without hesitation, she powered it on, noticing that the SIM card was already inserted.
The first thing she did was search for information about Gabriel Sinclair. As the screen filled with articles, her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating for a moment before she started reading.
Her teeth grazed her nails as she absorbed the details, her brows furrowing slightly. "He's been without a mate for so many years!" she murmured, eyes scanning a headline that highlighted his elusive love life.
Though Gabriel had been seen with many women over the years, every article pointed out that they were nothing more than fleeting romances. No lasting connection. No commitment.
A sinking feeling settled in her chest. "Did he bring me here for a casual relationship too?" she wondered, her fingers tightening around the phone as uncertainty clouded her thoughts.
'But I don't even want any relationship. I need to find a way to leave soon,' she thought.
Amidst all of this, Amelie thought of calling her mother for one last time. Though she knew her mother never cared about her, she still held an uncertain hope.
Instead of dialing her mother's personal number, she called the home's telephone line. The phone rang a few times before a servant finally answered.
Amelie opened her mouth, intending to ask for her mother, but before she could gather the courage to speak, loud voices erupted in the background.
"Amelie is nowhere to be found! I can't believe we were raising such a fool in our house! Does she even realize the mess she has put us in?"
Her father's voice, David Conley, boomed with anger from the other side.
The servant politely asked Amelie if she wanted to speak to someone, but her voice caught in her throat. She remained silent, gripping the phone tightly.
Then came another voice, one that made her heart clench.
"Honey, I think Amelie never truly belonged here. We'll find a way to appease the Alpha Alex, whom she so foolishly accused and blamed for making her pregnant. I can't believe she got pregnant before the marriage! Amelie is truly a shame for our family."
It was the voice of her mother, Samyra.
They never cared for her. That much was clear.
But what lie had Alex spread in the Red River Pack?
Amelie couldn't believe her ears. Even her own mother trusted Alex's lies. She had never told anyone about her relationship with Alex. Because he asked her not to. He wanted to keep it a secret, promising that once they were married, everything would be out in the open.
And she had believed him.
He had given her a date in the next month. He had promised her a future.
Yet now, he had turned everything around. He had painted her as the liar in the entire pack. "Did the doctor tell him about my pregnancy? No, that can't be possible. I never revealed it to her," she murmured.
Before Amelie could gather her thoughts, a soft knock echoed through the quiet room.
"I'm coming in," Gabriel's deep voice announced from the other side of the door.
Hurriedly, she wiped the lingering tears from her cheeks, trying to erase any trace of her sorrow before he saw her. The door opened, and he stepped inside.
His striking violet eyes immediately locked onto her tear-streaked face, taking in the redness of her misty eyes.
Amelie quickly stood up, her hands twisting together in a nervous attempt to steady herself. The phone she had been clutching just moments ago lay abandoned on the bed.
"Are you here to collect payment?" she asked, forcing her voice to stay even despite the lump forming in her throat. A bitter smile played on her lips as she lowered her gaze. "I was reckless last night. I agreed without thinking, to sleep with you every night. If you want me gone now, I won't protest. I won't complain."
Gabriel stopped before her and held her chin up, forcing her to look at him.
"What made you cry?" he asked.
"D-dust went into my eyes," Amelie lied. She noticed how his jaw clenched.
"I don't want you to leave. It's fine if you don't want to tell me the truth. I've got the resources and I'll find out everything soon," Gabriel said, pulling his hand back. "But it would have made me happy if you had told me with this pretty mouth of yours."
His eyes bore into her pupils as if he was talking to her soul, telling her the authority and power he held.
"I don't wish to bother you with my problems," Amelie said.
"I eliminate the problems. I'll do the same for you," Gabriel pronounced and pivoted on the heels of his polished shoes when Amelie grasped his hand.
"Ahh, I–I am sorry," she stuttered, withdrawing her hand immediately. "What did you mean by that?"
"I'll kill the one who claimed you before me," Gabriel said in a serious and intimidating tone.
"What?" Amelie's eyes widened in shock. She knew he wasn't joking. Still she said, "You can't do that."
"Give me a reason for not doing that," Gabriel faced her once again. "You are mine, Amelie, so the tears you shed earlier should be for me not for the other man," he declared.
Amelie looked at him with utter disbelief. He was possessive of her, but why? They weren't even mates. So, why was he acting as if he already owned her.
Before she knew, Gabriel cradled her neck possessively and kissed her fervently, leaving her in a daze. She pressed her hands on his chest, pushing him away gently. "Wait!" She asked for time, still trying to process what was happening.
Gabriel rested his forehead against hers and said, "Amelie, you aren't leaving this place ever. Keep this in mind. The faster you do, the better it will be. You were the one who held onto me last night, but you can't leave it without my permission."