Standing on the balcony of her room, Alie dialed her mother’s number. To her surprise, Samyra picked up on the very first ring, almost as if she’d been holding the phone, waiting.
"Alie! Why didn’t you call back? And you haven’t replied to any of my ssages. Is everything okay?" Samyra’s voice ca through laced with panic and worry that caught Alie off guard.
"Good evening, Mom," Alie started with a greeting. "Yes, everything’s fine." Her gaze drifting toward the horizon. "I thought I’d talk to you once I got back to San Ravendale."
She paused, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "But you being worried for ... that’s a bit unexpected, isn’t it?"
There was a second’s silence on the line.
"Are you still upset with and your father?" Samyra questioned as she put the phone on speaker now as David gestured to her for it.
"I am not upset. It doesn’t sit with why you both suddenly started showing so much care for , which was always absent for so many years," Alie said. She could’ve kept all of this in her heart, but she wanted her parents to know the damage they did.
"Because we realized our mistakes," David said.
"Good evening, Dad," Alie greeted him too.
"Good evening," David replied. "It was my fault all along to belittle you. Why don’t you co ho and stay with us for so ti?"
"That’s not possible, Dad. When I feel I need my parents, I’ll call you," Alie clarified to them, refusing their demand. "I never felt like ho in the Red River Pack. That place only gave bad mories. And during my pregnancy, I want to be at a place, where I feel more calm and peace."
"If that’s what you feel, then we understand your decision," David said.
"Please tell Flora not to ssage ," Alie urged.
"She’s trying to improve, Alie," Samyra said.
"You should’ve been present in the sa bedroom, where Alex rejected ; where Flora was laughing at . Even she wanted and my pup to die. If you are asking to forget all of this, no, I can’t. In the past, I’ve always forgiven her. But she doesn’t stand a chance for my forgiveness anymore."
Alie took a deep breath to calm herself down. "I’ll hang up. Take care," she said and cut the call.
She ran her hand on her face to her hair when sensed Gabriel’s presence right behind her. Turning around, she closed the distance between them and hugged him, clutching his shirt on the back.
"What happened to my kitten?" Gabriel caressed her back.
"I argued... With my parents," Alie replied. "And I feel bad about it."
"Such a softie you are!" Gabriel murmured, gently pushing her while keeping his hold on her shoulders. Then, pinching her nose, he startled her with a kiss on the tip, then lips.
"Smile," Gabriel whispered, his forehead touching hers while his hands trailed down her arms to her hands. Alie took a step back, but Gabriel followed, closing the distance until her back t the cool railing of the balcony.
"How can I smile when I’m upset?" Alie murmured, lifting her head to et his gaze, her brows still slightly furrowed.
Gabriel smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I’ll make it happen," he said confidently.
Before she could respond, she felt the warm press of his lips against the curve of her neck. A soft gasp escaped her lips as he trailed slow kisses along her skin.
Her heartbeat quickened, sothing Gabriel noticed instantly.
With a knowing grin, he slid his hands around her waist and leaned in closer, pressing playful kisses to her most sensitive spots, just under her ear, along her jaw, and then down to her collarbone, until she began laughing as he even tickled her.
"Stop," she laughed breathlessly, trying to push him away with no real effort. "That tickles!"
He grinned, lifting his head to bring his face closer to hers. He kissed both her cheeks in rapid succession, her giggles rising again as he did it repeatedly, faster this ti.
Stopping, Gabriel simply gazed at her radiant face, srized by the bright smile that now graced her lips.
"See? That wasn’t so hard," he said softly, his hand reaching up to fasten the button on her blouse that had co undone earlier.
"Let’s go shopping, then," he suggested with a gentle smile. "Go get dressed."
Alie humd in agreent and walked back into the room to get ready, leaving Gabriel to head downstairs to the living room.
"I haven’t seen Casaio around," Gabriel remarked as he entered, glancing toward Albus.
"The Prince was suddenly summoned to the palace," Albus inford him.
Gabriel’s brow furrowed. "Why?"
"I’m not sure, My Lord," Albus replied. "But... the Queen appeared rather upset."
"Hmm." Gabriel settled on the couch while Albus resud instructing the servants. ’I forgot to ask Karn about the man they captured. I’ll ask him once I return from outside or maybe I’ll go to prison to et that man. He is tight-lipped. I wonder who’s his master,’ he thought.
"My Lord, what would you like to eat in dinner?" Albus asked, bringing halt to his thoughts.
"Alie and I’ll eat outside. Just prepare dinner for Kate," Gabriel instructed.
"Understood, My Lord," Albus bowed and left for the kitchen.
Gabriel pulled out the phone from the pocket of his trousers and saw a ssage from Louis.
"et at the Moon Fang."
Gabriel frowned, wondering why he suddenly was asking to see him in a bar, which was not so famous for its reputation.
Gabriel could sense a foul play in this ssage and he forwarded the ssage to Karn before calling him.
"Find out if Louis has co to San Ravendale," Gabriel ordered.
"He hasn’t. Since the day you told to track him down, I did. But he hasn’t stepped into San Ravendale yet," Karn explained. "But what’s this strange ssage you sent ?"
"Louis sent this to ," Gabriel replied. "Call at his ho and find out what’s going on."
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