Flora frantically bit her nails as she remained seated in the hotel lobby. She dialed her mother’s number again, but the ringing only intensified her panic. Fearing the worst, she ignored Gabriel’s order and bolted for the exit, desperate to reach her family ho.
She had barely cleared the glass doors when an imposing shadow lood over her. Before she could scream, the world dissolved into a dizzying swirl.
The sudden transition made her stomach churn, and her head spun violently as her feet hit a solid floor. Carlos caught her arm, steadying her as her vision cleared to reveal the familiar, opulent living room of Gabriel’s private mansion in San Ravendale.
"Your father and mother are already on their way here," Gabriel said. He sat on the velvet couch with one leg resting above the other.
At a sharp nod from Albus, a servant hurried forward, placing a tray of water glasses on the table before retreating with a bowed head.
"Why didn’t you call or Alie the mont you spotted him?" Gabriel suddenly roared, the sound vibrating through the walls. His eyes flashed deep violet. "What is exactly in your mind, Flora? Do you have a death wish? Do you want to kill you myself for being this reckless?"
Flora flinched at the threat, and his fury sent a violent shiver down her spine. Tears spilled from her eyes, not able to hold herself.
"Calm down, Gabriel," Carlos said in a gentle voice.
"How can I fucking calm down?" Gabriel snapped, his fingers clawing through his hair as he paced the length of the rug. He never anticipated such a situation to arise. He stopped abruptly and turned his burning gaze back to her. "What did he tell you? Don’t utter a single word of lie, Flora."
"Alex said... He said if I didn’t take him to Alie and her son, he—he would kill our parents," Flora stamred, her voice broken by the tears that refused to stop. "And Zander. He said he’d rip their hearts out right in front of . Please... Please save Zander too. Alex is different now. He’s more powerful than he ever was."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened so hard a muscle pulsed in his cheek. He imdiately pulled his phone back out and dialed Zander’s number.
"When exactly did you see him?" Carlos asked.
"This morning. About two hours ago," Flora answered.
"He won’t reach the Red River Pack that quickly, even with whatever dark power he’s gained," Gabriel muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He lowered his phone, his expression darkening as the call went to voicemail for the third ti. "Zander isn’t answering."
Flora’s hands were slick with sweat as she fumbled with her phone. She dialed Zander’s number with trembling fingers, her heart hamring against her ribs. On the fourth ring, the line finally clicked open.
"Flora? What happened? I saw Prince Gabriel tried to call too," Zander’s voice ca through, sounding confused but alert.
"Alex is alive," Flora choked out, her voice dissolving into fresh sobs. Gabriel imdiately reached out, gesturing for the phone with a sharp, impatient flick of his wrist. She handed it over, her strength nearly spent.
"What? Flora, that’s impossible. How could he be alive?" Zander’s voice rose in disbelief on the other side.
"Zander, it’s , Gabriel," the Prince interrupted, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade.
"Your Highness!" Zander’s tone shifted instantly to one of military discipline, ready for orders.
"Zander, listen to carefully. According to Flora, Alex is back, he is targeting you, and he is dangerously powerful," Gabriel affird, his eyes eting Carlos’s across the room. "Do not go anywhere without a full security detail. Lock down your periter imdiately. I am sending my brother to you for reinforcent, but it will take him a few minutes to arrive. Do not engage him alone. Do you understand?"
Gabriel’s expression was grim as he waited for Zander’s confirmation. He knew that if Alex had indeed been resurrected by Ophelia, the rules of shifter combat no longer applied.
"Yes, I understood," Zander said. "Can I talk to Flora?"
"Sure," Gabriel agreed, passing the phone to Flora. anwhile, he called his brother Casaio for the help.
~~~~
"Louis, what are you doing here?" Alie asked, her brow arching in surprise at his sudden appearance in her private chambers. She stood with Noah nestled against her chest in a baby carrier, who was in a deep sleep. Behind her, Ashna stood like a silent shadow, her eyes darting between Louis and her mistress.
Louis hesitated, his gaze flickering to the pup’s head. "Alie... There is sothing you need to know," he began, finding it difficult how to even break the news.
"Is Noah asleep?" he asked, stalling for just a mont longer.
"He’s out for the afternoon," Alie replied, her voice softening as she looked down at her son. But as she looked back up at Louis, she caught sothing was not right.
Without a word, she unbuckled the carrier and gently passed the sleeping boy into Ashna’s waiting arms. "Take him inside. Stay with him," she commanded.
Once the door clicked shut behind Ashna, Alie turned back to Louis, her expression hardening. "What happened? And don’t leave anything out."
"Alex is alive," Louis revealed.
"What?" Alie’s voice faltered, her heart skipping a violent beat. "How—how could he—"
She stopped abruptly, the breath hitching in her throat. The color drained from her face the next mont. If Alex was back, the safety she had built for Noah within these palace walls could be hampered.
"He was dead. Gabriel himself ended him," Alie stated, fisting her palms.
"You’re right. However, Gabriel forgot one important thing. Ophelia was alive at that ti. She made sure to resurrect Alex from death and use him against you at the right ti," Louis explained.
"Where’s Gabriel?" Alie then inquired.
"He’s in San Ravendale. Alex t Flora, so Gabriel has to leave imdiately with Karn and Carlos. I think he will call you soon to update about everything. You don’t need to worry," Louis said, trying to comfort her, even though he knew it wouldn’t work.
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