"Kate likes Karn?!" Gabriel repeated in disbelief. "Wait a second, was that why you asked the other day about Karn’s ideal type? Because of Kate?" He arched a brow, eyes narrowing slightly. "Why didn’t you just tell ? Why keep it a secret?"
Alie sighed. "Because Kate didn’t want anyone to know," she admitted. "She was afraid of being judged or of things becoming awkward. But I had to say sothing now because the Queen is considering marrying her off to soone else. I couldn’t just sit back and watch that happen." She paused, then added, "That’s why I asked you to call Karn, to ask if he would be willing to pursue sothing with her, or, if not, to make it clear so Kate doesn’t keep clinging to a false hope."
"Karn is a beta," Gabriel said as he sat down on the bed, running a hand through his hair. "He already rejected her, Alie. And yet, Kate had the nerve to tell Mom that there’s soone she likes." He let out a humorless chuckle. "Mom’s going to lose her mind when she finds out it’s Karn."
His eyes darkened with concern as he continued, "You know Karn, he’s not the type to let Kate get close, especially knowing how far my mother can go. He’s cautious, maybe even scared. Not everyone has it in them to stand up to my mother the way I did when I pursued you."
"I know," Alie said softly, sitting beside him. "But Karn is a strong beta... Maybe your mother will reconsider, even if just a little," she added in a hopeful whisper.
Gabriel shook his head. "Never. She’ll never let her only daughter marry a beta, not even one as capable as Karn. And Karn would never go against the royal family, especially not my mother." His violet gaze darkened as he turned to look at Alie.
"I know him better than anyone. He watched suffer under her control. The last thing he’d ever do is willingly involve himself with her."
Alie lowered her eyes. "Then Kate should move on... She’s been holding on to her feelings for a long ti."
"She’ll have to," Gabriel said grimly. "Karn will make sure it ends for good. He doesn’t have feelings for Kate. He never did. There was never even the slightest chance he’d fight for her and he shouldn’t."
"Hm," Alie humd.
"Even Karn didn’t tell that Kate confessed to him," he muttered, almost to himself. "You should’ve told , at least."
"I’m sorry," Alie said quietly, lowering her head. "I didn’t an to keep it from you."
Gabriel stared ahead on the wall. "Give a kiss... maybe then I’ll consider letting go of this anger."
Alie glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Though Gabriel’s face remained neutral, both he and his wolf jumped with happiness. Then, Alie reached up and cradled the back of his neck, turning his head toward her. Her lips t his in a tender kiss, coaxing him. She nibbled softly at his lips, inviting him to kiss her back.
Pulling away slightly, Alie gazed into his eyes. "Don’t be angry. I kissed you... Didn’t you like it?" She pouted, her lips adorably pushed forward.
"I did," Gabriel murmured, and without another word, he leaned in and captured her mouth with his.
His hands glided down to her waist as he lifted her effortlessly, settling her onto his lap. Her soft curves pressed against his abdon, their chests eting in perfect alignnt as the kiss deepened.
One of his hands slid up, fingers threading behind her neck, while his thumb rested tenderly on her cheek. He kissed her with slow-burning intensity.
After a while, Alie pulled away first, feeling breathless. Her forehead touched his. The two of them smiled when Alie hugged him.
’You stood against your mother for . I will do everything in my capability to prove her that I’m the most worthy woman for you,’ she thought.
~~~~
Raidan placed the file gently on the table and turned to his wife, Mabel, who was standing near the window.
"Alie is doing her best to be a good daughter-in-law," he said thoughtfully. "I hope you’ll open your heart to her, embrace her as you would your own daughter, my dear."
"As my daughter? That will not happen," Mabel said firmly, turning her back to him.
"Why?" Raidan asked, rising from his seat and approaching her. "Because she’s an oga?"
"Even if I explained it, it wouldn’t matter," Mabel replied. "You’d still refuse to believe ."
Raidan gently took her hands in his, shaking his head. "That’s not true. Whatever it is that troubles you, tell . I want to understand. And as for that prophecy... I can’t bring myself to believe in sothing so shadowed in their past lives. I trust what I see in the present."
"I know," Mabel whispered, pulling her hands away. A flicker of pain passed through her eyes. "I’ve given Casaio ti to recover from the scars Zilia left behind. But recently... I found out he’s been hurting himself, neglecting sleep, exhausting his mind. He hides it, but I can see it."
"Yet you spoke so harshly in front of him," Raidan said. "Why do you do that, Mabel? You hurt him with your kids with your words, only to regret them later."
"I just... don’t want him to grow weak because of all this," Mabel replied. "You’re getting older, Raidan. Casaio should already be preparing to take the throne. But without a strong Luna by his side, I fear he won’t be able to handle the weight of the crown."
Raidan exhaled slowly, then nodded. "I’ve already decided. I’ll pass the throne to Casaio soon. Maybe the weight of responsibility will focus his mind, give him purpose again." He paused, then added gently, "And as for his Luna... perhaps fate will guide her to him when the ti is right."
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