"Let’s go over there!" Alie exclaid, her eyes lighting up as she pointed toward the glass bridge arching gracefully over the stream below.
As they strolled onto the bridge, stopping at its center, Alie took a mont to admire their surroundings. She noticed how couples nearby were holding delicate paper lanterns, so scribbling wishes or nas onto their surfaces with quiet smiles.
"Wait here for a mont," Gabriel said gently, offering her a quick smile before stepping away.
Left alone, Alie approached the glass railing, leaning slightly as she peered down at the stream below. The crystal-clear water shimred faintly, catching the early hints of dusk. "I wonder if the water will start to glow as night falls," she murmured to herself, her reflection wavering softly on the surface.
A sudden voice broke her thoughts. "Excuse , could you take our picture?"
Alie turned to see a young woman standing beside her with a cara in hand. "Of course," she said, accepting the device with a warm smile. She snapped a few pictures, ensuring the couple looked just right.
"These are perfect! Thank you," the woman bead, showing the photos to her mate, who nodded in approval.
"Are you here with soone?" the woman asked curiously.
"Yes, with ," ca a familiar voice.
Alie turned her head to find Gabriel standing close behind her, his arm sliding around her waist with possessiveness.
"If you’d like, we could take a photo of you two as well," the woman offered graciously.
"That would be lovely," Alie said, pulling out her phone and handing it over.
Gabriel slipped his other hand behind his back and offered a heartfelt smile. Alie, unable to hold back her joy, leaned her head gently against his shoulder, her eyes crinkling with a bright, genuine smile.
The cara clicked, capturing the mont in a perfect fra. As they relaxed their pose, Alie accepted her phone with a small nod of thanks.
"Thank you," she said, her gaze lingering on the photo. The image made her chest warm.
"I think I’ve seen you sowhere before," the man beside the woman said thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he studied Gabriel. "May I ask your na?"
"Gabriel Sinclair," he answered calmly.
The woman gasped, her eyes widening as realization struck. "The Third Alpha Prince?"
Imdiately, both she and her mate bowed slightly in respect, offering polite greetings to Gabriel, and to Alie, who stood frozen, the attention suddenly making her self-conscious.
"That really wasn’t necessary," Alie said, her smile faltering a little as embarrassnt crept into her voice.
"It wasn’t necessary, but thank you for taking our picture," Gabriel said with an easy smile.
The couple gave one last polite nod before walking away, leaving Gabriel and Alie alone again. As their footsteps faded, Alie let out a soft sigh.
"I thought no one would recognize you here," she murmured.
Gabriel didn’t respond imdiately. Instead, he reached behind him and brought out the delicate paper lantern. "I bought us these," he said, holding them out. "Let’s write our wishes on it."
A faint smile tugged at Alie’s lips. "Sure."
She gathered the hem of her skirt and knelt carefully on the floor of the bridge. Gabriel lowered himself beside her, their shoulders brushing lightly as they leaned over the lantern.
"Here," Gabriel said, handing her the marker.
"You’re not allowed to see what I write," Alie warned playfully, taking the marker from him.
Gabriel chuckled, arching a brow. "Why not?"
"Because I’ll do the sa to you," she replied with a grin, then gestured dramatically. "Please shut your eyes, Your Highness."
Smiling, Gabriel obediently closed his eyes, hands resting on his knees as he waited.
Alie leaned over the lantern as she carefully wrote her wish. Once finished, she turned the lantern around and tapped Gabriel’s arm. "Your turn."
He opened his eyes, accepting the marker from her with a small nod. His fingers brushed hers briefly before he focused on his side of the lantern, scribbling his own wish.
When he was done, they stood together, brushing invisible creases off their clothes. The bridge had beco livelier; dozens of couples had gathered, each holding a glowing lantern of their own.
Gabriel pulled a lighter from his pocket and ignited the base of their lantern. The fla caught slowly, casting a gentle warmth between them.
"Let’s send it to the heavens," he said, looking at her with a soft smile.
"Mhm," Alie nodded, her fingers brushing his as they extended their hands upward.
Together, they released the lantern. It floated up gently, joining a sea of glowing wishes that filled the night sky. Around them, cheers and laughter erupted as more lanterns rose into the stars, painting the dark sky with golden lanterns.
’I want him to smile like this always,’ Alie thought, gazing at Gabriel, whose eyes were still focused on the sky.
Getting off the glass bridge, they explored the market. She shopped a few items and even bought a small gift for the Queen in the hope she would accept it.
While heading for the private resort by their feet, Alie felt a strange sensation in her heart upon hearing the distant growls. "What’s happening?" she mumbled.
"Maybe so new wolves are transforming tonight," Gabriel replied. He held her hand, drawing circles on the back of her palm.
"Oh. But it felt strange," Alie said.
"Maybe because you’re pregnant," Gabriel replied. "Do you want to see my wolf?" he suddenly inquired.
Alie’s eyes lit up, nodding in response. "I would love to."
Gabriel stepped back a few paces, his expression softening before his form began to shift. In the span of a second, where he once stood, now stood a majestic white wolf. His fur pure as moonlight, and those unmistakable violet eyes glowing gently in the dark. His wolf form appeared outer worldly. He looked too powerful.
She stopped blinking, taking in the beautiful form of her mate. Her heart began racing against her chest and she called his na,
"Valko!"
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