Casaio pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing a slow, weary sigh. "June has to be out of Nick’s life," he said. "She’s controlling him, I saw it earlier." His gaze drifted toward Gabriel, who sat opposite him on the sofa, one arm draped along the backrest. "Where are Alie and Noah?"
"In their room," Gabriel replied. "Noah’s asleep."
Casaio nodded absently, guilt tugging at his voice. "I keep thinking... If I hadn’t planned my wedding for the sa day as theirs, none of this would’ve happened."
"You’re wrong," Gabriel said flatly. "Juniper’s always been like this. She just hid it well. She’s rotten at heart. I’ve seen the way she looks at power. What she wants isn’t love or peace, it’s the crown. She wants Nick to beco the next Alpha King so she can stand beside him as Queen. That’s what’s driving her madness."
Casaio straightened slightly. "Then I can—"
"Don’t even think about it, Cas," Gabriel cut him off coldly. "Why are both my brothers so fucking soft?" He leaned forward, eyes dark with warning. "Juniper will never reach the power she’s craving. What worries more is that she might join forces with Ophelia. The witch has been hunting for a weakness among us. She already tried to use Flora, thinking she could reach Alie through her, but Flora didn’t fall got her tactics. But June may. Therefore, we have to save Dominick first from the marriage, then test Juniper or vice-versa."
"You an setting a trap for Juniper, to test her loyalty?" Casaio asked, his brows knitting together.
"Yes," Gabriel said simply, his gaze steady.
Casaio exhaled, his shoulders sagging. "Dominick loves her. I could see it in his eyes," he murmured. "That’s what worries the most."
"Indeed, he does," Gabriel admitted, leaning back slightly. "But that love could destroy him. It’s pulling him into an abyss he won’t climb out of unless we intervene. That’s why we have to act before it’s too late."
He rubbed a hand over his face, a note of frustration in his voice. "I can’t believe I’m getting dragged into family politics," he muttered. "I’ve always stayed out of it, but no one’s ever sched the way Juniper has."
"We will talk to Nick, then," Casaio stated.
~~~~~
"Alie, things have been getting better at work," Flora said cheerfully over the phone. "What about you? How are you and little Noah?"
"We’re good, Flora," Alie replied, her voice soft with contentnt. "The little one’s asleep right now. Gabriel took us out earlier, not far, just to the garden. And guess what? Noah’s started speaking. Just two words so far, ’Ma’ and ’Da.’"
"Oh my god, that’s wonderful news, Alie!" Flora exclaid, a smile audible in her tone. "He’s growing up so fast. Tell him to call mr Aunty. I want to hear it."
"Of course!" Alie said brightly. But her smile slowly faded, replaced by a silence that settled between them.
"What’s wrong?" Flora asked, her cheerful tone softening into concern. She sat down, sensing the heaviness in Alie’s silence. "You don’t sound as happy as you should be."
Alie hesitated, then sighed. "It’s Juniper. She’s been... creating trouble here. I took your words lightly when you warned she wasn’t as kind as she appeared."
"I told you, I could sll the evil in her," Flora said, a deep frown forming on her face. "But what did she do this ti? Did she say sothing to you?"
Alie’s voice lowered to a whisper. "She said Noah isn’t a Sinclair. That he doesn’t have the blood of Sinclairs." Her eyes shimred, tears threatening to spill.
"What?" Flora’s breath caught in disbelief. "Juniper said that?" She was silent for a second, collecting herself. "Alie, don’t let her words reach your heart. Everyone there loves Noah, you know that. You’ve seen it yourself."
"Yes, I know," Alie murmured, dabbing at her eyes. "But still... It’s not sothing any of us expected."
Flora’s tone hardened. "I told you Juniper was trouble. That day, she turned her friends against , whispering lies and pretending innocence. She’s done this before. What did the King and Queen say? And I’m certain Prince Gabriel must have been furious."
"Yeah, he was furious. Right now he’s out with Prince Casaio," Alie said softly.
"Hmm. You have to be careful around her," Flora warned. "Juniper will go after anyone who stands in her way. She even lashed out at Zilia, she’ll use Zilia’s past as a weapon if she can."
Alie folded her hands in her lap. "I know. But Brother Nick loves her. I don’t want to hurt him by saying anything harsh. I feel like he’s suffering on his own." She swallowed. "You know how it is when one partner is toxic, life becos unbearable."
"Then Dominick needs to face it, and soon," Flora said, her voice hardening. "If he doesn’t, Juniper won’t just ruin him, she’ll pull all of you down with her. I wish I were there; I’d put her in her place. When people at work turned on , I didn’t sit quiet, I showed them who I really am. Zander’s advise worked."
Alie managed a small, grateful smile. "You an, they are no longer harsh to you, right?"
"Juniper needs soone like to teach her a lesson," Flora said with a sly grin.
"You’re not evil anymore, Flora. Don’t call yourself that," Alie replied, half-smiling.
Flora gritted her teeth as she continued, "I’m only cruel to those who’re cruel to . I’ll co as soon as I can, and I swear, Juniper won’t get near you again. That woman’s already getting on my nerves."
"I get you, Flora. I suddenly feel light talking to you," Alie said. "Thanks."
"Don’t say thanks. I’m your sister. In the past I never was supportive to you. But I don’t want to be like that anymore. Juniper shouldn’t have ruined your beautiful day. Just wait for to co," Flora affird, giving her assurance.
"Okay. Good night, Flora. I’ll hang up now," Alie said, ending the call.
Flora sighed as she lowered the phone to the coffee table. "June, you shouldn’t have said sothing so terrible about Noah. I bit the humiliation directed towards , but not towards my baby nephew."
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