The next morning, Alie woke up early and prepared green tea for herself. She moved to the garden to enjoy the tea.
"You woke up early." Alpha King Raidan’s voice reached her ears.
Promptly, she turned around and bowed to him while holding the cup with both hands. "Your Majesty, good morning," she greeted him. "I didn’t know you’d be here." She looked at the teacup in her hand and looked around only to spot a table with chairs around them. She walked there and placed the cup on the table before returning to her earlier position.
"Don’t be so flustered," Raidan said, wanting her to be at ease. "You should start calling Father or Dad. Whatever you find is right," he stated, bringing her nerves to calmness.
Alie was slightly suprised by the King’s words.
"You will be the first official daughter-in-law of our family," Raidan stated, giving her a warm smile. "Gabriel searched a lot for his mate everywhere in the kingdom. I can see the genuine happiness surrounding him," he asserted.
Alie didn’t know the King could be this gentle toward the people. Unlike the Luna Queen, he was soft-spoken.
"Your Majesty, you aren’t upset with the fact that I’m an oga?" Alie asked, still being formal.
"Well, I was but not anymore. I believe in fates more than anything," Raidan stated, again smiling at her.
Alie felt at ease learning the Alpha King’s thoughts.
"Mabel has a strange relationship with Gabriel. But she cares for him. I cannot tell much, but she’s only scared because of the words that the High Priestess told her at the ti of Gabriel’s birth," Raidan said, furrowing his brows together with a serious tone.
"What did the High Priestess say?" Alie asked in concern.
"You didn’t have to know, Alie. I don’t give it much importance" Raidan brushed it off.
However, Alie already started feeling nervous. She wondered if Gabriel was aware of it.
"Gabriel wants a death penalty for Alex. What are your thoughts?" Raidan asked a question, which she hadn’t anticipated.
"I don’t think he should stay alive, Your Majesty," Alie said. "I did give him a chance to live in the beginning when Prince Gabriel took the action against him. It was scary the second ti attack happened. The perpetrator was too close to ," she asserted.
"However, the last decision will be on the Alpha King. Whatever he thinks is right I won’t object it," Alie stated, knowing that the Alpha King wouldn’t take a wrong decision.
"What if I announce to remove Alex’s wolf and banish him from our lands? Will that be okay with you?" Raidan questioned.
Alie had suggested the sa to Gabriel, thinking Alex would be broken apart with the lack of the wolf. He would be a man with no soul, moving lifelessly.
But...
The risk was he might soday approach Alie’s child. She lowered her hand and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Alie, you’re here!" Katelyn’s voice rang out, breaking the silence as she entered the garden. She offered a respectful bow to her father. "Good morning, Father."
"It’s rare to see the princess up so early," Raidan remarked with a warm smile.
"Dad, I’ve decided to beco a morning person," Katelyn replied with a grin.
Raidan chuckled softly and reached out to gently pat her head. Then, turning to Alie, he did the sa before strolling deeper into the garden, leaving the two young won alone.
"Alie, are you upset with ?" Katelyn asked softly, stepping closer and taking both of Alie’s hands in hers. "You didn’t even glance at during dinner last night. I’m really sorry if I hurt you. That was never my intention. I didn’t know Jodie would do sothing like that."
Alie’s features softened, and she offered a reassuring smile. "I’m not upset with you, Kate. I’m sorry you felt that way."
Katelyn’s face lit up with relief. "That’s a relief!" she exclaid before throwing her arms around Alie in a sudden hug, causing her to freeze for a mont in surprise. Pulling back, Katelyn added with excitent, "Tomorrow is your big day! Are you excited?"
"Yes, I am," Alie answered.
Katelyn leaned in closer. "Do you want to know sothing? I asked Karn out."
"Really?" Alie’s eyes widened slightly.
"Yes! And he said yes!" Katelyn bead. "We’re going on a musical date the day after tomorrow. I think he might actually like too. Why else would he agree?"
"That’s true," Alie replied, happy for her friend’s happiness.
"Let’s go inside!" Katelyn said enthusiastically, tugging Alie along by the hand.
As they entered the living room, both girls ca to an abrupt stop upon seeing Luna Queen Mabel. She was in the middle of giving instructions to Albus and several other attendants. Once the orders were given and the servants dispersed, Mabel turned her gaze toward them.
Alie and Katelyn imdiately offered polite greetings.
"Alie," Mabel began in a composed tone, "since your wedding is tomorrow, it would be best if you don’t see Gabriel today. I’ve already arranged for you to stay at a separate location, a hotel, along with your family. I hope you’re alright with that."
"I have no problem, Your Majesty," Alie replied respectfully.
"Good," Mabel said with a nod. "Casaio will escort you to the hotel shortly. Your mother and sister will accompany you. And if Gabriel tries to visit, I trust you’ll refuse. I expect you to follow this small tradition."
Alie gave a small bow. "Of course, Your Majesty."
"Mom, may I go with Alie too?" Katelyn asked hopefully.
"What would you do there, Katelyn? Alie will be preoccupied with her own family," Mabel responded.
Katelyn pouted slightly, but she didn’t press the issue. Instead, she fell silent, stealing a glance at Alie, who gave her a gentle smile of reassurance.
"Then, Alie, you should leave now with your mother and sister. I don’t want Gabriel turning this into a scene," Mabel said firmly.
She glanced around and stopped a passing servant. "Go and bring Samyra and Flora to the living room," she instructed.
The servant bowed and quickly departed.
~~~~
Gabriel woke up quite late in the morning unlike the other days. Last night, he couldn’t sleep at all. Despite taking the pills, the heat in his body would refuse to lower down that he had to go outside for so fresh air.
Freshening up and after getting dressed, he went to Alie’s room to check on her. However, she wasn’t there.
"She must be downstairs," Gabriel murmured and descended the stairs lethargically. He was missing sothing. Alie’s scent of morning dew and wildflowers, which would always linger in the air.
His eyes fell upon his parents, who were talking with each other regarding tomorrow’s event. His siblings weren’t around either.
Mabel turned her head to look at Gabriel, who greeted his father first followed by her but with a half-hearted tone.
"Albus, did you see Alie? Is she in the garden?" Gabriel asked.
Albus turned hesitant and gazed at the Queen.
"I have sent away Alie along with her family," Mabel replied.
"What did you say?" Gabriel’s anger shot imdiately.
"Tomorrow is your wedding, Gabriel," Raidan interjected calmly, hoping to ease the tension. "According to our tradition, the groom mustn’t see the bride the day before the ceremony. Alie is safe, staying at a hotel with her family."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes in disbelief. "Don’t jest with , Father. You allowed Flora to go with them? She’s always been envious of Alie. What if she does sothing reckless, what if she harms Alie?" His voice rose sharply as he turned his glare toward Mabel. "Which hotel is she in? Tell ."
"You speak too brazenly sotis, Gabriel," Raidan said with a frown. "Every family has its conflicts. Or have you forgotten the ti you tried to harm your own elder brothers?" he challenged.
Gabriel bristled, his hands clenched at his sides. "That was different, and you know it! I—"
"Enough!" Mabel cut him off sternly. "Don’t attempt to justify your past mistakes. You’re still impulsive, still too quick to anger. This wedding will follow our traditions, with or without your approval."
"My Lord, Prince Casaio has gone with them. You are worrying too much," Albus spoke softly.
Gabriel was already going crazy with his approaching rut, and now, Alie was away, he was feeling more upset and angry.
"Consider this for your and Alie’s own good," Mabel said, her voice softening as she stepped closer. "You already ignored my protests when I opposed your union with her. I accepted it, didn’t I?"
Gabriel’s shoulders tensed, but he remained silent.
"It’s only one day," she continued gently. "Try to keep your emotions in check. I promise you, Gabriel, I won’t let any harm co to Alie, if that’s truly what worries you."
Gabriel reluctantly had to agree this ti. ’Even Alie left without seeing , which ans she wants to respect this tradition. But I wonder what I will do with my rut now. Why is this unbearable this ti?’
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