In the evening, Zander visited Flora in the guest room. She looked empty, her eyes swollen and bloodshot from hours of crying. She sat huddled in the center of the bed, looking small and fragile amidst the warm duvet.
"Hey, why are you like this?" Zander asked softly, taking a seat at the edge of the mattress. He waited for her to look at him, but she remained motionless, staring at nothing.
"Flora, say sothing."
She simply shook her head, her voice a re ghost of a sound. "I want to be alone," she murmured.
Zander studied her for a mont, seeing the sheer exhaustion in her posture. Recognizing that Alex had completely shattered her peace of mind, he decided that giving her space was the only kindness he could offer. He stepped out of the room, recalling the threats Alex had given to Flora.
He walked down the long corridor until he reached the living room. He found the group gathered in a grim semi-circle, seated on the couch. After greeting Casaio and Gabriel, he stepped into the center of the room.
"Is Alex caught yet?" Zander asked in a sharp tone. When no one answered imdiately, he continued, "I think we need to stop reacting and start acting. We have to give him bait to draw him out of hiding."
"Now that his face is plastered across every screen in the country, he’s too smart to take a simple bait," Gabriel stated with a dangerous rumble.
"We can’t just sit here and do nothing, Prince Gabriel! Alex is out there right now scheming against us," Zander argued, his frustration boiling over. "He’s terrified Flora to the point that she’s unable to even speak. Why does it look like you’re too scared to make a move?"
The comnt acted like a spark in a powder keg. In a swift motion, Gabriel lunged, his hand snapping out to bunch the fabric of Zander’s collar. He yanked the younger man forward until they were inches apart.
"I am going more insane than you could ever imagine," Gabriel hissed, his voice vibrating with a predatory edge. "Despite every resource at my disposal, he hasn’t been caught. So do not lecture on concern when your feelings are nothing compared to the reality of this situation!"
As his anger flared, the deep violet shade of his eyes intensified, glowing with an Alpha’s fury that made Zander flinch instinctively.
"Gabriel, let him go," Casaio advised calmly, though his posture remained alert. "He is rely worried for the woman he loves. This infighting is exactly what Alex wants."
Gabriel let go of him and ran fingers through his hair before disappearing from their sights.
"Where did he go?" Karn muttered in worry.
"Only the god knows," Casaio replied.
~~~~
Gabriel stepped into his private chambers, initially intending to head toward his mother’s quarters to find Alie. However, before he could turn back to the hall, the familiar scent of his mate reached him from the inner room. He didn’t waste a second and pushed open the door.
He found Alie sitting on the expansive bed, softly singing a lullaby. Beneath her gentle gaze, Noah was kicking his legs and swinging his tiny arms in the air, seemingly srized by her voice.
As Gabriel crossed the threshold, Alie’s song faltered. She sensed the magnetic presence of her mate before she even looked up. Her eyes darted to the doorway, finding Gabriel standing there, his hands tucked deep into the pockets of his long coat. The tension disappeared the mont his gaze t hers.
Sensing the shift in the room, Noah rolled onto his tiny stomach, propping himself up with effort. When he spotted the familiar figure by the door, his face lit up instantly.
"Daddy!" he chirped with pure joy.
Alie slid off the bed and hurried toward Gabriel, her movents fueled by the day’s pent-up anxiety. She threw her arms around his neck, and he caught her instantly, pulling her into a fierce embrace. Her feet practically lifted off the floor as he held her against his chest, anchoring her to him.
Gently, he allowed her to find her footing again before tilting her chin up to et his lips in a deep, lingering kiss.
"Noah’s looking at us," Alie murmured against his mouth, pulling back just enough to catch her breath after a few monts.
Gabriel looked over at the bed and let out a low, warm chuckle. Noah was indeed watching them, his wide eyes fixed on his parents as he remained rooted to his spot on the duvet, looking entirely fascinated by the display of affection.
"He’s just making sure I’m taking care of his mother," Gabriel teased, his voice losing the hard edge it had carried all day. He stepped toward the bed and scooped the toddler up, balancing Noah on his hip while keeping his other arm firmly around Alie’s waist.
Noah’s tiny fingers danced along Gabriel’s collar, eventually finding the thin gold chain tucked beneath his shirt. He began tugging at it, babbling a series of rhythmic, nonsensical sounds that only he seed to understand.
"Did you find him?" Alie finally asked.
"Not yet," Gabriel replied, guiding them both toward the edge of the bed so they could sit. He adjusted Noah in his lap, ensuring the boy was secure before eting Alie’s eyes. "But he will be arrested soon. I’ve tightened the periter around San Ravendale and the city borders. Trust ."
"I do," Alie remarked, offering a thin, determined smile as she tried to force her mind away from the mories of six months ago. "I know he’ll be caught in no ti. He can’t hide forever with you looking for him."
Gabriel reached out, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "He’s a cornered animal, Alie. And cornered animals always make mistakes."
"Yes, they do. But... I don’t know why I feel so strange," Alie said, her voice trembling slightly. "It’s a constant feeling like sothing is being taken away from . I don’t know if I’m just being negative, but I can’t shake it."
Gabriel tightened his grip on her hand. He knew that a woman’s intuition was often more accurate than any intelligence report. While Carlos had shared the grim on about Flora’s future, Gabriel refused to be paralyzed by old superstitions from the world of witches and sorcerers. He had to remain the pillar for his family.
"How’s Flora? I called her, but she isn’t picking up," Alie muttered, her brow furrowed in concern. "I believe she’s feeling guilty again. Alex must have used the past to manipulate her."
Gabriel looked away for a split second, the image of Flora’s empty future flashing in his mind. "She’s at the mansion under heavy guard. Zander is with her, but she’s shut herself off. She’s... Struggling to process what Alex did to her."
"I should go to her," Alie suggested, but Gabriel shook his head firmly.
"Not yet. It’s too dangerous to move between the palace and the mansion until we confirm Alex’s exact location," Gabriel stated. "For now, the palace safest place for you and Noah is right here. If I need you, I’ll co myself to fetch you. Till then, stay here with Noah." Gabriel turned his face to look at Noah, whose curious eyes were on his parents.
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