The Past 10:
Alie didn’t just accept the kiss; she nipped his lower lip in response, causing him to pull away instantly, a look of shocked pleasure on his face.
"What’s that?" He licked his lower lip slowly, a low grin spreading across his face.
"Did you really just fake a burn to get alone and kiss ?" Alie arched her eyebrows, trying to regain her composure.
Suddenly, a brisk knock occurred on the door, and before Alie could move to open it, Anaya pushed the door inward and stepped inside.
"Alie, I brought the shirt for Prince Gabriel," Anaya announced, her voice overly sweet. Her feet imdiately glued to the floor where she stood; however, as she took in the sight of the Prince’s back and Alie standing so close.
"Why did you just walk inside?" Alie frowned, already moving toward her. She quickly took the folded shirt from Anaya’s frozen grasp and continued, her tone sharp, "Thank you. You can leave now."
Anaya didn’t offer a word of protest and slowly turned to exit.
"Stop bothering my mate," Gabriel finally said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, cold warning. He had quickly finished re-buttoning his singed shirt and fully turned to face Anaya. "It will be far better for you if you leave this house entirely, or I assure you, I have very effective ways to kick you out of this place permanently."
"Gabriel!" Alie exclaid in shock, whipping her head around to look at him, baffled by the sudden possessiveness and the hostility in his tone.
"Your Highness, why do you speak in such a manner with ?" Anaya asked, attempting to look hurt, though a faint, resentful glint was visible in her eyes.
"Because I despise your kind," Gabriel answered her truthfully, his voice completely devoid of warmth. "Do you truly think I am unaware of the insidious actions happening inside this house? I love only one woman, and that is Alie." His intimidating gaze now bored into Anaya.
"If I find you bothering her, interfering with her, or even looking at her with ill intent again, I swear you will not be spared. So, it is better for you to keep your distance from Alie." He drove the final point ho, his authority absolute. "This family is generously feeding you and your mother; ensure you keep gratitude for that in your heart, not greed."
Anaya’s jaw tightened in silent fury, her cheeks flushing with humiliation and suppressed anger. She bit back any retort and turned sharply on her heels, walking swiftly out of the room.
"Why did you have to speak in such a tone with her?" Alie inquired the mont the door clicked shut, crossing her arms.
"Because she’s going to bring trouble for you, Alie. Trust ," Gabriel said simply, his previous intensity softening only slightly. "I will talk to your father about having her and her mother removed later today."
"No, I will handle it," Alie stated, her voice firm. She held out the clean shirt. "Wear this one now."
Gabriel recoiled slightly from the garnt. "No. That witch touched it. Bring a brand new one," he urged, his Alpha instincts clearly rejecting the contact.
Alie shook her head, a small, affectionate smile curving her lips at his extre reaction. "Alright, you overly protective wolf. Wait for here. I will be back soon."
~~~
Later in the afternoon, after the departure of the Alpha King and Prince Gabriel, Alie had resolved to speak with her father about sending Anaya and Ophelia away. She was walking toward the study when Anaya intercepted her.
"Alie, can we speak in private for a mont?" Anaya questioned, her voice unusually soft.
"What do you even want to speak about?" Alie inquired, making no effort to move to a secluded area. "You intentionally barged into my room earlier, knowing full well that Prince Gabriel was with ."
A smug smirk pulled at Anaya’s lips. "Do you know that you two won’t be reunited in this life?" she asked, the words casual but venomous.
"What? What are you trying to say?" Alie demanded, her heart giving a sudden, anxious lurch.
"I am a witch, little sister. I can see what the others can’t," Anaya asserted, relishing Alie’s confusion. "The high priest intentionally failed to ntion a crucial fact about you and Prince Gabriel. You two aren’t ant to complete your bond in this life. In fact, you will only bring doom upon him."
"Will you just shut up?" Alie finally lost her temper, raising her voice. "Why are you always so jealous of ?"
"Alie, I only want your good," Anaya insisted, though her eyes shone with malice. "You can ask the high priest yourself why he hid such a crucial detail. Also, I am seriously considering telling the Alpha King and your parents about this prophecy. So, if you want to stop doing that, why don’t you just break this marriage or mate bond yourself?" The evil grin persisted on her face, making the suggestion sound like a blackmailing threat.
Alie’s control snapped. Driven by fear and anger, she did not speak; she acted, bringing her hand across Anaya’s face in a stinging slap.
"Alie!" Ophelia shrieked, instantly rushing forward. "Why did you hit my daughter?" She scowled fiercely, placing herself protectively between the cousins.
By then, Irene also ca into view, carrying a tiny basket. She ended up witnessing the confrontation and hurried over to them, her face pale with shock.
"Why don’t you and your daughter just leave this house?" Alie finally erupted, the pent-up frustration and terror finding an outlet.
"Alie, what are you saying?" Irene questioned, utterly bewildered.
"Mother, Anaya is demanding I should break my mate bond with Prince Gabriel!" Alie blurted out. "I don’t understand why she is so determined to ruin my happiness. I did nothing wrong to her. Yesterday, she even asked to go shopping with her because she wanted to buy a present for Prince Gabriel. Doesn’t that sound completely inappropriate? Even Prince Gabriel warned Anaya earlier today, yet she is still actively trying to destroy our joyful union!"
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