"Kate, I’ve been looking all over for you!" Alie’s voice rang down the hallway. She approached them swiftly, and gently looped her hand around Katelyn’s arm.
As she reached them, her eyes landed on the Alpha King and Luna Queen. With a poised smile, she offered a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty. Luna Queen."
Gabriel’s concern surfaced instantly. "Weren’t you asleep?" he asked, his brows drawn with worry.
"I woke up five minutes ago," Alie replied softly. She then turned to Katelyn, a playful pout forming on her lips.
"You went out without ? And here I was thinking we were a team. Anyway, co on, I have sothing to show you."
Katelyn blinked, slightly stunned by Alie’s sudden and cheerful interruption. Her anger had just been simring monts ago, but now, her footing faltered.
Gabriel, on the other hand, was barely holding his temper. He clenched his jaw, feeling robbed of the perfect opportunity to confront Katelyn and put an end to her reckless behavior. Alie’s interference, though well-aning, had derailed it all.
"Dear, let the kids enjoy themselves," Raidan said lightly as he turned to his wife. "Shall we return to our quarters?"
Mabel gave a small, gracious smile in agreent. "Yes," she murmured, and together they turned to leave.
Both Alie and Katelyn bowed respectfully as the King and Queen walked away. But the mont their footsteps faded, Gabriel stepped forward and firmly pulled Alie aside by the arm, distancing her from his sister.
His expression was tight with frustration as he hissed, "Are you serious right now?"
"It’s between and Kate. You don’t need to involve yourself," Alie said calmly. "I’ll see you later," she added, then gently took Katelyn’s hand and walked away with her.
Gabriel took a step forward, intending to follow, but Dominick’s steady hand landed on his shoulder, halting him.
"Let them talk in private," Dominick said. "Kate might be hot-headed, but she’s still our sister. She won’t hurt Alie, you have to trust that much."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened, his worry far from settled. "I don’t trust Kate," he admitted. "Not after the way she spoke to A. She was cruel."
"I’ll go with them," Juniper chid in, stepping forward with assurance. "You can trust ."
Gabriel looked at her, hesitation flickering in his eyes before he finally gave a reluctant nod. "Then go, and thank you," he added sincerely.
Juniper let out a soft chuckle and shook her head. "You’re always this dramatic," she teased lightly, then turned and followed the other two down the hallway.
Gabriel pivoted on his heels and left with Dominick for the work.
~~~~
Alie and Katelyn sat together on the white bench inside the gazebo. Alie’s fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap before she finally broke the silence.
"I’m sorry, Kate," she said gently. "I shouldn’t have approached Karn behind your back. It wasn’t my place. I just... I was afraid he might turn you down, and I didn’t want you to get hurt again. I only asked him to be honest with you. That was all."
Katelyn remained silent for a mont, her gaze fixed ahead. Then she slowly turned her head toward Alie.
"Forgive too," she murmured. "And thank you... for stepping in back there. If you hadn’t, Brother Gabriel might’ve told Mom and Dad everything about Karn."
She reached out and took Alie’s hands into hers, her grip trembling slightly.
"I’ve hurt you, and you didn’t deserve it," she said earnestly. "Say whatever you want to . I won’t stop you. I know my words earlier were cruel and heartless. I was angry, and I let that cloud everything. I didn’t want things to happen this way. Now that Karn knows I brought him up in front of my mother... he might be furious with ."
Her voice faltered near the end.
"I only asked him to be honest with you, Kate," Alie said softly. "So you wouldn’t keep holding onto the hope that he might soday return your feelings. I didn’t want you to get hurt again. But please believe , I was never selfish about it."
She took a deep breath.
"I won’t deny that, in the beginning, I sought Gabriel’s help for the sake of my pup. That’s the only reason I approached him. I never imagined he’d turn out to be my second chance mate."
Katelyn lowered her gaze, guilt pressing against her chest.
"That was foolish of , to accuse you like that," she admitted. "Please don’t take my words to heart. I know what I said was too harsh to forget... but I regretted it the mont we fought. And despite all that, you’re still kind enough to help ."
She looked up, her eyes glimring with remorse. "You’re too good, Alie. I didn’t deserve your kindness."
"Even you chose to forgive ," Alie murmured with a faint smile.
Before either of them could say more, they sensed a presence approaching. Both turned their heads and stood up instinctively upon seeing Juniper.
"Stay seated," Juniper said as she stepped into the gazebo.
Alie greeted her with polite warmth, offering a respectful bow of her head.
"How have you been, Alie? From what I hear, Gabriel’s turned into quite the overprotective mate," Juniper remarked with a soft smile.
Alie let out a small laugh. "Yes, he has. He barely lets out of his sight."
Juniper nodded knowingly. "When’s the expected delivery?"
"The doctor said in about four to five months," Alie replied.
Juniper studied her for a mont. "That’s close. I rember when I last saw you, there was no bump. But now, it’s more visible. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pup arrives a bit earlier."
Her expression turned more serious. "First births are rarely easy, Alie. So be prepared, ntally and physically. Keep up with gentle exercises, and don’t hesitate to rest as much as your body demands. Your mother and the doctor will guide you, but don’t ignore your instincts either."
Alie nodded as she recalled about her mother. Her parents were in the palace, but she couldn’t get the ti to see them. It was the mont, she should sit with her parents and talk.
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