"Now, we are done, so please leave," Amelie requested again.
"I will demand severe punishment for Alex," Samyra said. "But come home with us. I know what I’ve done to you all these years was wrong. I should have understood how badly it affected you," she affirmed.
"Honey, we have to live in that pack," David addressed his wife before turning his gaze to his daughter, "Amelie, can’t you see the tough spot we’re in?" David spoke up again. "I’m not defending Alex’s actions, but he is the alpha of our pack."
"That’s why you should live your life as you always did," Amelie stated. "Forget that you have an elder daughter. I want to live peacefully here, without any past bonds, the one which have only given me deep scars."
David walked to Samyra’s side and placed his hand over her shoulder. "Let’s go back. I don’t want to hear any more humiliating words. Let Amelie live here as she has decided," he pronounced.
Samyra wiped the tears from the edges of her eyes. "Amelie, I am sorry," she apologized before turning to the door with her husband. Amelie watched them leave as she began weeping. She didn’t wish to do it, but it was the only way to stay far from Red River Pack and keep away Alex from her. She sat on the sofa chair, deciding to spend some time alone.
~~~~
Casaio arrived at the dungeon to see Zilia. He should have come before, but he couldn’t because he was strengthening his heart to reject Zilia.
Karmen opened the gates of the dungeon and Casaio walked in. Zilia was sat on the end of the dungeon with her head low, her wrists and ankles tied in shackles made of silver.
Sensing Casaio’s presence, she lifted her gaze to look at him.
"Cas! Hear me out. I–I never wanted to betray you. And I never did," Zilia said with a desperate plea.
"There’s nothing left to explain, Zilia," Casaio asserted. "You’ll go through a proper investigation in a few days. Before that, I am here to reject you. The bond we shared once has no meaning left," he pronounced.
While speaking those words, the pain in his heart multiplied. He never thought a day would come when he had to reject Zilia, the woman with whom he was supposed to spent his entire life.
Zilia shook her head as tears brimmed in her eyes. "At least listen to me. You cannot reject me without–"
She was abruptly stopped as Casaio cut her off. "You don’t need to lie to me anymore," he said. Then taking a deep breath, he continued, "I, Casaio Sinclair, reject you, Zilia Amarto. Accept my rejection and free us from this deceptive bond." His eyes shone red as they held Zilia’s gaze.
She clenched her fists tight and her lips quivered before she spoke, "I, Zilia Amarto, accept your rejection, Prince Casaio Sinclair." The moment those words finished, the marks from their necks disappeared, leaving their hearts and wolves in pain.
Casaio took a few steps back and walked away, not wanting to stay before Zilia anymore. Karmen locked the dungeon, but he didn’t follow Casaio. ’This is going to be tough for the prince,’ he thought.
~~~~
Gabriel watched as Amelie’s parents entered the living room alone.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for allowing us to see our daughter," David said, bowing. "If you ever have any issues with Amelie, you can reach out to us. Right now, she doesn’t need us."
Gabriel didn’t comment. "I’ll walk you to the car," he offered.
David and Samyra nodded. As they reached the foyer, Gabriel paused in front of them.
"Why is Amelie an omega and wolfless?" Gabriel asked.
"In the ritual to discover one’s wolf, the high priest declared that Amelie is an omega. Even we were confused as to why," David replied.
Gabriel shifted his gaze toward Amelie’s mother, Samyra.
"May I have a word with you in private, Mrs. Conley?" he asked calmly.
"Of course," Samyra replied.
"Mr. Conley, please wait for your wife in the car," Gabriel said politely, then walked a few steps away from the main entrance, ensuring their conversation would remain discreet.
Once they were out of earshot, Gabriel turned to face her fully.
"What is it you wish to discuss, Prince Gabriel?" Samyra asked.
"I’ll be direct," he began. "Amelie has a distinct mark on the nape of her neck. It’s small, easily overlooked, and she doesn’t seem to know it exists. But you’re her mother. Surely, you know something about it?"
As he observed her closely, Gabriel caught the subtle change in her expression, the brief flicker of hesitation, the way her fingers clutched the edges of her dress. That was all he needed to confirm his suspicion: something was being hidden.
"Did you seal her wolf... with the help of a witch?" he asked, his eyes locked onto hers.
Samyra’s gaze faltered for a moment before she quickly shook her head.
"No, Your Highness. I’ve done no such thing," she responded.
Gabriel didn’t look away. "Then tell me the truth. That mark didn’t appear on her neck without reason," he pressed.
"It was there from the moment she was born," Samyra replied.
"And? Tell me the truth. I am sure you have get it checked with the high priest of your pack. Why she was declared as an omega when she’s alpha genes of both the parents?" Gabriel arched his brow with suspicion.
"Do you truly love my daughter?" Samyra inquired, instead of answering the question.
"What do you think this is then? I think it’s my love that Amelie is here. I saved her that night when Alex wanted to kill her after knowing she’s with his pup," Gabriel answered instantly.
"The High Priest told me that the mark is related to her past life. A time will come when she will become the reason of her lover’s fall. It’s the price she has to pay," Samyra revealed the truth to him.