Alie enjoyed seeing the pictures of Gabriel’s childhood. She saw the warmth that the Queen carried for him, but the only setback was how she never openly expressed it.
Before she could speak, Gabriel’s voice ca from outside as he knocked on the door. "Would you please open the door?" he asked.
Mabel shut the album close and placed it on the table before heading to the door. As she opened it, she saw how worried he looked.
"Alie, what are you doing here?" Gabriel walked past his father.
She already had stood up when he held her hand. "Let’s go to our room." His eyes fell upon the photo album, but he didn’t make any comnt.
"Gabriel, I wanted to talk to her. You don’t need to look so panic," Mabel stated.
"Really?" Gabriel chuckled. "You are earning her sympathy, aren’t you? I know you better than anyone."
"Gabriel, don’t say that," Alie told him.
He gave her a side glance before dragging her out with him.
As they walked through the corridor, Alie said, "That’s not what you’re thinking. Your mother simply wanted to talk to and ask about your health. Then, she showed the album from your childhood as I was also curious about it."
"I don’t want to hear about her. It is already infuriating enough that she’s suddenly talking so sweet with you," Gabriel muttered, his steps slowing down.
"What’s charged you up so suddenly? I think you misunderstand your mother, Gabriel. She’s not like what you think," Alie said, yanking her away from him, thus halting at her place.
Gabriel turned to gaze at her. "You think you know my mother just because she told you so secrets she refuse to share with . Don’t forget that she never wanted you and to marry in the first place. She isn’t what you think. In thirty years of my life, I myself couldn’t find what’s goes inside her mind. So, please don’t fool yourself in thinking that you will bridge the gap between and her."
"I get it," Alie said.
"Are you upset with ?" Gabriel questioned.
"No," Alie replied.
"You look like you’re upset because I raised my voice. I’m like that. It angers when soone’s try to praise my mother in front of . It just makes lose my mind," Gabriel stated, "and I don’t wish you to be brainwashed by her."
Alie simply stared into his eyes, not uttering a word.
"She may use your feelings against when the ti cos. So, don’t get close to her," Gabriel almost requested her. He walked to her, holding her hands gently.
"I was scared when you weren’t in the room," he murmured. "Then, I sensed that you were with her. My mother isn’t as easy as to understand as others’. I know you want everything to turn between and Mom to turn right, but it’s just can’t happen. The wounds inflicted upon can never be healed, A."
She humd, "Sure."
~~~~~
Casaio raked his mind for every possible option to save Estelle. But no matter what he considered, each path was lined with danger and impossible odds. Every plan carried a high risk, so too great to take without losing more than he could afford.
He closed his eyes and tried to connect with Estelle through the mindlink, but the distance between them was too vast. There was nothing but silence.
With growing frustration, he returned to Zilia’s room. He approached the bed and reached out his hand to wake her, but paused. Her face was peaceful while her breathing was calm. She needed rest. She had suffered too much already.
He let his hand fall and turned to leave, sparing one last glance at her sleeping form.
Outside the apartnt, the guards stood at attention. "Don’t let her step out," he ordered firmly. They bowed in unison as he disappeared into thin air.
Casaio reappeared in the palace and made his way straight to the royal study, where Raidan was poring over important files.
Raiden lifted his head as the sound of fast-approaching footsteps echoed through the hall. His eyes narrowed when he saw his son.
"Dad, I have to leave for Blood Dominion," Casaio said without preamble.
"What?" Raidan’s expression shifted in alarm. He closed the file and placed the pen down. "Why so suddenly? Explain. What’s going on?"
"My beta, Estelle, was kidnapped on her way ho. I received a call from her phone, but the voice I heard belonged to Luke Hunter, the Alpha of Blood Dominion."
Raiden’s expression darkened. "You found out who the Alpha is? Then, why didn’t you tell . Why are you working on this all by yourself?"
"No," Casaio replied. "He demanded I hand over Zilia and Idris in exchange for Estelle’s life."
Raiden leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "Then you must do it."
"No," Casaio refused. "I won’t send them back to a place where they were tortured. He’ll kill them, Dad. I don’t want that to happen."
"And you want to allow you to send you to a territory as a bait?" Raidan frowned. "Zilia is a spy. Don’t forget that. Her suffering has nothing to do with us."
"I want to protect them. I can’t lose Zilia," Casaio said. "I’m sorry, Dad, but I’ve only three hours to save Estelle," he muttered. "Also, please don’t tell Gabriel or Nick about this. Their lives may co in danger too."
"Wait! He gave only three hours ti. Let the call the council," Raidan said. "We need to make a plan."
"We don’t have any ti for a eting. The plan is simple, Dad. I’ve to go there. I think Luke has sothing against . That’s why he targetted from the beginning. I will return with Estelle. Just support in my decision," Casaio said.
Raidan rose to his feet. "You can’t leave alone. Don’t make a rash decision. I’m the Alpha King and I’ll decide what we should do. Trust your father."
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