Alie dabbed her face with the towel and looked at herself in the mirror. "So, his acts are borne out of the cruelty he faced from his own mother," she murmured. Her eyes fell upon the violet-colored pendant on her neck, which Gabriel had provided her to protect her.
She touched it, feeling a sense of belonging, her mind racing with thoughts regarding her decision.
After a while, she stepped out of the washroom and found the room was empty. She had her hands locked behind her as she explored Gabriel’s grand room, where he had spent a good number of years of his teenagehood till adulthood.
Her eyes fell upon so of the photographs, and she checked them. They included swimming pictures, horse riding, car racing, and many other activities. "His looks haven’t changed much over the years."
Not a single picture showed Gabriel with his mother. It only deepened the sorrow she already felt for him.
Just then, a soft yet poised voice echoed from the doorway, interrupting her thoughts.
"Can I co in?"
Startled, Alie quickly hurried to the door and found a young woman standing at the entrance. Her features were delicate, and she was too beautiful. Recognition dawned imdiately, and Alie stepped forward, bowing politely.
"Good evening, Princess Katelyn," she said, keeping her gaze lowered in respect.
Katelyn entered the room with a composed smile, extending her hand toward Alie.
"I think old ways are no longer useful," she said.
Caught off guard, Alie looked up, slightly bewildered, but quickly recovered and gently took the princess’s hand for a brief shake.
"Prince Gabriel isn’t in the room," Alie inford as she pulled back her hand.
"I’m not here to see my brother," Katelyn replied casually, strolling further into the room before landing on the lounge chair. "I’m here to see you, Alie."
"?" Alie was flabbergasted to hear that.
"Yes. Have a seat," Katelyn said.
Alie walked over to the second chair and sat down. Her hands rested on her lap in a firm clasp.
"Did my brother give you that?" Katelyn’s gaze focused on the pendant, resting on Alie’s collarbone.
"Yes," Alie replied, her fingers brushing it lightly.
"That ans he considers you as his mate," Katelyn replied in amusent. "Brother Gabriel had lots of casual relationships in the past, as far as I know. But he never took interest in an oga. There must be sothing about you that made Brother Gabriel choose you."
Alie didn’t know what to even answer in such a situation. So, she remained quiet.
"Which pack do you belong to?" Katelyn asked.
"I don’t have a pack," Alie replied.
"What do you an? Are you a rogue oga?" Katelyn asked with a confused and shocked gaze.
"It’s tough to explain, Princess Katelyn," Alie said.
"You are making it sound like you are a runaway," Katelyn chuckled. "And you need not call princess. Just keep it casual." She smiled brightly, wanting Alie to feel comforted.
~~~~~
Gabriel sat across from his father in the dimly lit private room.
"Dad, you need to tighten the security along the border we share with Blood Dominion," Gabriel urged, locking eyes with his father. "Sothing’s not right there. I’d also advise consulting a witch. My spy... he died under strange circumstances. There were no wounds and no signs of struggle. His skin, however, turned pale blue after three days."
His father’s brows furrowed as Gabriel continued.
"Before his death, he reported that the Alpha of the Blood Dominion is using forbidden techniques. We can’t take that lightly. Whatever he’s dabbling in... it’s beyond our usual defenses."
King Raidan absorbed the information.
"I’ll consult with your brothers and the defense general," he said firmly, returning to the matter of the border.
Gabriel nodded. "Sure."
Then, King Raidan’s tone shifted, more personal now. "What about Ewan? When will he be brought here? You’re not torturing him, are you?"
Gabriel exhaled calmly. "I’ve only used silver to suppress his strength, nothing beyond that. He ca to San Ravendale looking for a herb to treat his mate. I’ve already ensured she’s receiving the necessary dical care. He’ll be here by morning."
"That’s good to know," the King replied.
But Gabriel wasn’t done. His next question ca carefully. "Dad, I rember you once spoke to the Queen about a high priestess. Is she still alive?"
The King’s deanor changed imdiately. "Why do you ask that?" he demanded. "And when did you hear that conversation?" A flicker of unease crossed his face. Was Gabriel close to uncovering the prophecy?
"I didn’t," Gabriel said quickly. "I just... want to ask her a few questions. That’s all." He left his true intentions veiled, not ready to reveal the thoughts swirling in his mind.
King Raidan sighed heavily. "Gabriel, your mother isn’t evil at heart. You may not know everything, but... a lot happened during her pregnancy. That’s why she acts the way she does."
Gabriel let out a humorless chuckle, his eyes darkening a bit. "Yeah, I know. She prefers to play the victim and paint her own son as the villain. It’s easier that way, isn’t it?" He shook his head, the bitterness in his voice unmistakable. "But I stopped hoping for her affection a long ti ago. Tell her not to interfere in my decisions as she tried earlier. Don’t provoke . I try to stay calm for the sake of my status as a prince, else the rage in burns every day."
King Raidan sighed. "Your mother won’t accept an oga in this house. And you’ve not even marked Alie. That ans she’s not your fated mate."
"She’s my fated mate. Alie has caught my scent, and I feel a deeper connection with her, Dad. Also, she’s not an oga. A spell was cast on her a long ti ago to hide the true nature of her wolf. I’m finding it out. Even if she were an oga, I wouldn’t have minded," Gabriel explained to his father.
"I don’t want anyone’s approval for my decisions. I’ve not marked her because Alie didn’t permit to do it. She was in love with soone else and got brutally rejected. She and I t in a very amusing way. I’m her second-chance mate, while for , she’s my only mate," Gabriel pronounced with a smile.
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