Alie gently set the plushie on the couch before rising to her feet.
"Where are you going?" Gabriel asked, catching her hand before she could take a step.
"To bring sothing for you to eat," she replied softly.
"Later," Gabriel murmured as he guided her back down. She lowered herself onto the couch again, tilting her head as her curious eyes searched his.
"I was going to bring you pudding," Alie said with a smile. "Mother and I made them together earlier."
Gabriel’s brows drew together. "You’re supposed to be resting, not working in the kitchen."
She chuckled lightly. "It’s easier to give birth if I stay active. And besides... You know how much I love cooking."
His gaze lingered on her before he asked quietly, "You’ve started calling my mother... ’mother.’ Don’t you find that strange?"
Alie’s smile softened. "She asked not to be so formal. She wants to treat her like family. She’s trying, Gabriel, making every effort to win back your heart." Her hand ca to rest gently on his chest, the warmth of her touch grounding him. "I hope... one day, you’ll forgive her."
"I hope so," Gabriel whispered, though the words lacked conviction. His lips brushed her cheek before capturing hers, teeth grazing her lower lip in a teasing nip.
A soft sound escaped Alie. "Mmm..." Her palms pressed lightly against his firm chest as if to steady herself. "Anyone could see us through those windows," she murmured, her eyes flicking toward the tall panes of glass that lined the living room.
Gabriel leaned back against the couch, his head tilting with amusent. "Then I’ll tell them to keep their eyes elsewhere," he said, a playful glint in his gaze.
Alie gave his shoulder a light smack, her pout quickly lting into a smile as her hand lingered there, resting gently over him.
"Mom wanted to co here, but I told her that yours is here, so she didn’t have to bother herself. Did I do right? I don’t want my mom to feel that I’m harsh on her, but I can’t help it sotis. I just don’t feel like disturbing her."
"Why did you even forgive her so easily? Rember, she didn’t trust you in the beginning, nor did your father," Gabriel said.
"I think about it a lot of tis. That’s why sotis I just turn cold toward them," Alie whispered. "Let’s drop this topic. Tell , where have you gone? Don’t tell you are looking for Ophelia."
"Yes, I went to find her," Gabriel admitted.
"Why? Don’t look for her," Alie lifted her head, thus straightening up. "At least, for these two months. Please."
Gabriel studies her eyes, which carry fear.
"As you wish." He felt he should take a break from all of this and focus solely on them. Bringing his hand to the back of her head, his thumb brushed her ear tenderly and touched her forehead with his.
Mabel, who ca with a phone in her hand in the living room, ended up watching them. Alie truly completed him, which she failed to see in the beginning.
’I will protect you both. I will make sure to find Ophelia and end her,’ Mabel thought.
~~~~~
"It was a wonderful lunch. Thank you for inviting Katelyn and ," Sage said, shaking Harry’s hand firmly. "We truly enjoyed it."
Harry and his wife walked them to the car, bidding them a warm farewell. Once Sage and Katelyn were seated inside, he offered the couple a polite smile before starting the engine and pulling away.
"They’re such a lovely pair," Katelyn murmured, her gaze soft as she watched them through the window. "They remind of my parents. My father never loses his patience with my mother."
Her words bothered Sage, not in a pleasant way. A shadow of annoyance crossed his face. His own father had never been that kind of husband to his mother, and the comparison left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Outside, the sky darkened. A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Sage flicked his eyes toward Katelyn and spoke in a low voice, "It’s going to pour soon."
"Yeah. That’s why you should drive faster to the hotel. I’ve heard the rains are heavy here," Katelyn urged.
"Hmm," Sage replied curtly, his hands steady on the wheel.
She studied him quietly, her head tilted. ’He was so silent during lunch... but every ti that couple spoke about their son, he looked uneasy. It felt like he was jealous. Or maybe I’m just imagining things.’
Breaking the silence, she said, "I was thinking of bringing gifts for your younger sisters. Tell , what do they like?"
"I don’t know," Sage replied without hesitation.
Katelyn frowned. "That’s strange!"
"How is it strange?" he countered calmly. "If I asked you what Gabriel likes, would you be able to answer?"
Her lips pressed together. After a pause, she admitted softly, "That’s true. I can’t answer what my brother likes, except for Alie."
"Exactly. It’s the sa for ," Sage said. "I’ve never had ti to learn about their choices. My life’s always been consud by pack duties and work."
Katelyn gave a small hum in response before turning her gaze toward the window.
And the rain began pouring. The pattering of the rain on the roof filled the silence in the car.
Just before they could reach the hotel, the car suddenly broke out.
"What happened?" Katelyn asked, feeling scared as she saw the smoke coming out of the engine.
Sage applied the brakes on the car. "Sothing is wrong with the engine. Stay inside. I’ll get it checked," he said.
"I think your car is broken. Don’t go outside since it’s a heavy downpour. Just call a cab from the hotel," Katelyn opined.
Sage humd and grabbed his phone from the car’s front. He dialed the hotel’s service and talked to them.
"The cab is on our way. Sorry for this trouble. I get my car checked before driving us to this city," Sage stated.
"It’s alright," Katelyn said, feeling suddenly hot inside the car.
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