"Grandma, your hands are very cold," Alie said tenderly, holding Ravenna’s hands and rubbing them gently for warmth. After the morning breakfast, she had insisted on taking the grandmother for a slow stroll in the garden, leaving Noah safely with Gabriel.
"And yours are wonderfully warm, child," Ravenna stated, her voice quiet but firm. "Carlos will help you from here onward. He has a duty to you, and he knows it. The curses were ford using your and Gabriel’s respective bloods, making them intimately connected to your life force."
"Grandma, I don’t want Carlos to be in trouble or danger," Alie asserted, her brow furrowed with worry. "In the past, the High Priest gave his life saving us. Ophelia took his life as well in her vengeance."
"Ti has changed a lot of things, Alie," Ravenna answered, her gaze steady. "Ophelia might have lived for so long and gathered dark energy across the years to keep herself shielded, but that doesn’t an she will win this ti. I agree she is powerful, but never underestimate the power of true love; it works its own kind of magic."
Ravenna paused, squeezing Alie’s hand. "In the past, you two were fated to be separated by that malicious act. But in this life, you two are ant to stay together forever."
The old woman’s resolute words brought a deep, steady comfort to Alie’s heart.
Alie stood up and moved to the back of the wheelchair before gently pushing it forward, continuing their slow stroll down the path. They hadn’t gone too far when Carlos hurried to catch up with them.
"Grandma, Alie, look what I have brought," Carlos said cheerfully, holding up a small basket filled with dlars that were farm fresh. He carefully lowered himself onto his knees beside the wheelchair and made Ravenna eat one of the unique fruits. He then offered so to Alie, who thanked him warmly.
Carlos, too, tasted one of the fruits and glanced up at the bright, peaceful sky.
"Did you et Mona?" Ravenna asked him suddenly.
"No. Why should I et her, Grandma?" Carlos gazed at her confusedly.
"How could you forget? You promised her you would et her today to teach her potion making," Ravenna replied.
"Ah, I did that a few days ago," Carlos admitted, waving off the commitnt. "But then you fell sick. I am not leaving your side until you are well," he insisted, placing his hand over hers. "She can learn it from Aunt Ziana for now," he added.
"You’re very good at healing potions, Carlos. Just help her with it," Ravenna opined gently. "Else, that girl will complain again. Besides, I have Alie, Gabriel, and Karn right here. You don’t have to be worried about constantly."
Carlos didn’t say anything, keeping a stubborn expression, and Alie instantly understood that he simply didn’t wish to leave his grandmother’s side, regardless of the promise or the minor task.
"Grandma, he will teach her later," Alie stated, stepping in to ease the tension. "For now, let’s go ahead! I can see so beautiful apple orchards from here, and I am eager to have so fresh fruit." She pointed toward a section of the garden, successfully distracting them both.
~~~~
"Noah was not letting change his diaper," Karn complained to Gabriel as he watched the Alpha Prince skillfully handle the toddler. "Does he hate ? He was weeping so loudly I felt I would go deaf."
Gabriel chuckled at his dramatic remarks, securing the fresh diaper. "You have to be gentle with pups, Karn. Watch well, because this skill is definitely going to help you when you beco a father."
"What? No!" Karn muttered, shaking his head emphatically. "After dealing with him yesterday, I have resolved myself not to even think about it. I can’t stand crying kids. They are good only until they are smiling."
"Well, your future mate will undoubtedly want kids," Gabriel questioned, a teasing smile on his face. "Then what will you do?"
Karn was montarily out of words, thoroughly defeated by Gabriel’s question.
"You’re going to love your pup more than your life and will do anything for them," Gabriel stated, lifting Noah and settling him gently onto the bed.
Karn simply gazed at the Alpha Prince, wondering internally, ’But Noah isn’t even biologically yours. Yet, you find so much happiness and devotion in all this. Was Gabriel always like this? I didn’t know he had such a big heart beneath the hard exterior.’
"What are you thinking, Karn?" Gabriel asked, noticing the scrutiny.
"Nothing," Karn shook his head quickly.
"You must be wondering why I’m so close to Noah when he’s not even biologically mine," Gabriel finished, having read his friend’s mind easily. He was done making Noah wear the warm pajama pants before wrapping him securely in a soft blanket.
"I-I..." Karn stuttered, caught out. "You found Alie through Noah, that’s why you feel so close."
"Hmm," Gabriel acknowledged, sitting beside Noah. "And I don’t want Noah to ever feel it, that his biological father was a bastard to Alie. When Noah grows up, he must know I love him the most in this world. He didn’t have any fault in this, did he? So, he must get all the love and security from , the man who is Alie’s true mate and husband."
"Yeah," Karn stated, watching him, genuinely impressed. "Not everyone thinks like you, Gabriel. But yes, Noah was never at fault for any of it."
He glanced at Noah, who was moving his hands curiously in the air.
"By the way, I didn’t ask you but what happened in your past? What did Ophelia do?"
"She destroyed our lives. The place Alie and I lived was Aurevalis. The first ti I t her I simply scolded her. But in the next eting, I found a mate in her. We had such beautiful days until Ophelia and her daughter arrived in our lives. Everything fell apart from then onwards. But I never killed Anaya for any selfish reason. I killed her to protect Alie. Ophelia simply lost her head and ruined us. A lot happened, Karn. I don’t know how I survived that lifeti without Alie by my side."
Gabriel’s eyes filled with tears.
"You an, Ophelia killed Alie in the past!?"
"Yes and she spared to live without my mate," Gabriel stated. "That was a life of hell for . But I’m not that Gabriel anymore. I’ll make sure Ophelia sees hell this ti," he pronounced with determination.
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