"You’re too good to me," Amelie said softly, lowering her gaze. "Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be as good to you."
Gabriel let out a chuckle as he tossed his shirt into the laundry basket. "You don’t measure love, Ame. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that?" he teased, walking over to her. "You think way too much in that little head of yours."
Amelie pouted, crossing her arms. "I’m not measuring love," she mumbled under her breath.
Gabriel leaned down slightly, brushing his fingers against her cheek. "Then stop overthinking."
A small smile tugged at her lips just as he said, "Let’s go out for dinner tonight."
"Sure," she replied quickly, perking up. "But only if we go to the place I choose."
"But you don’t know many places in San Ravendale," Gabriel said.
"Well, I’ve done a bit of research," Amelie declared with a confident smile. "But I’m not telling you the name of the place yet, it’s going to be a surprise."
Gabriel raised a brow, intrigued. "Alright then. I’m eager to be surprised."
Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms, his hands gripping firmly around her thighs.
"Gabriel! Put me down!" Amelie gasped, her hands instinctively flying to his shoulders for balance.
But instead of setting her down, he spun them around, laughter dancing in his eyes as she clung to him. Finally, he lowered her slowly, his arms sliding around her waist, pulling her close.
"Wasn’t that fun?" Gabriel’s violet eyes shimmered with mischief.
"You have a way of catching me off guard," Amelie said, adjusting her hair with a slight smile. "But wait... hasn’t your work finished? If I remember correctly, you didn’t have any meetings today, or even in the coming days."
"It wasn’t office work," Gabriel replied cryptically, leading her gently toward the bed.
"Then... was it related to your duties as the Alpha Prince?" she asked with curiosity. "Are you investigating the wolf’s body found in the east wing?"
Gabriel shook his head and sat beside her on the bed. "No, it wasn’t that either."
Before she could ask more, Amelie’s expression shifted. She placed a hand over her chest, brows knitting together.
Gabriel immediately leaned toward her, concern in his eyes. "You alright?"
"Nausea is hitting," Amelie replied. "Skye did mention it would start soon," she said with a strained breath, resting a hand over her stomach.
Gabriel looked at her with a worry in his expression. "You have to go through so much while carrying a pup... I wish I could share the symptoms with you, just take half of it away so you’d feel better."
Amelie blinked, her heart softening. "I’ve never heard a man say something like that," she whispered. "You’re such a good soul, Gabriel." A smile brightened her face in that moment.
Her expressions softened as she saw how he was staring at her. "What’s with that look? If you want to kiss me, then you’ve to stop. My lips are swollen," Amelie placed her fingers above her lips.
"I’m not going to kiss you," Gabriel replied. "If I look at you this way, that doesn’t mean I want to kiss you. You really have a wild imagination, don’t you?" Gabriel teased.
"No," Amelie looked away while pursing her lips together. "I–I was only mentioning it," she murmured.
Gabriel hung his arm around her and rested his head on top of her shoulder.
"You should have let me kill Alex," he said suddenly.
Amelie turned her head sharply, disbelief flickering in her eyes. "You didn’t stop because I told you to. You stopped because Prince Casaio asked you," she said.
Gabriel met her gaze steadily. "That’s not true. I stopped because you were scared," he replied calmly.
"You don’t have to do anything like that for me," Amelie whispered.
Gabriel leaned back slightly, his tone low and firm. "What if he asks for the pup in the future?"
"No," Amelie said instantly, her voice trembling with sudden fear crept inside her heart as she placed her hand over her lower stomach. "He won’t. I’ll never give Noa to him. This is mine alone..."
"You should be practical," Gabriel said, flicking her forehead gently with his fingers.
"Oww!" Amelie rubbed the spot, frowning. "I *am* practical! Alex doesn’t like me. He hates me, and the pup growing inside me. He even tried to kill us, Gabriel. There’s no way he’ll come to claim the baby. I won’t let it happen."
"You never know what the future holds," Gabriel said quietly. "I won’t let Alex create any trouble either, but I think we should still be prepared."
Amelie’s expression dimmed, her eyes dropping to her hands folded in her lap. "I want everyone in the Red River Pack to know the truth—that Alex cheated on me with Flora. If they know, he’ll never dare to claim Noa. Before, I was terrified... I thought he’d hunt me down no matter where I hid. But now, with you by my side, I feel like I can fight back." Her voice wavered before she added, almost guiltily, "I mean... everyone’s scared of you."
Gabriel looked at her for a moment, then a faint smirk tugged at his lips as he said softly, "Use me as you wish. But remember this, Amelie—if a day ever comes when I must choose, I’ll choose you and Noa over everyone else. No matter what. Even if the whole world stands against you, look ahead... you’ll find me there, standing in front of you, shielding you from it all."
Amelie’s eyes brightened up with a warmth and the feeling of protection. She hugged Gabriel and said, "I know. You’ll stand for me. Your words really put my racing heart and mind to peace."
Gabriel placed his hand on her back, giving it a gentle caress.
"Master, is Miss Amelie with you?" Albus asked in a humble tone from outside.
The two of them pulled away, knitting their brows together.
"Yes, what happened?" Gabriel inquired.
"Miss Amelie’s parents are here."