Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 193: Avoided considering Katelyn

"Then be emotionally strong," Gabriel said firmly. "I understand she’s your sister, but she’s also a culprit. This is the price she has to pay. Don’t burden yourself, or Noa, with her mistakes. Do I need to remind you of the horror of that night?"

He didn’t want to lose his temper, yet it pained him to see how easily Amelie could be swayed by a few tears or Flora’s remorseful words. He needed her to stay guarded.

"I understand where you’re coming from," Amelie said softly, her voice losing strength. "Let’s not talk about it anymore."

A sudden ache pierced her head, likely a symptom of her pregnancy. She rubbed her temple gently.

"You should rest," Gabriel said immediately. With care, he lifted her legs onto the mattress and adjusted the pillows to help her sit more comfortably. Then he took a seat near her feet and pulled her legs into his lap, beginning to massage one of them.

"Gabriel... you really don’t have to do this," Amelie murmured, trying to pull her legs back.

He gently held her in place. "I read that pregnant women often experience leg and foot pain. You haven’t said anything, but I can see it. Just let your mate take care of you."

A smile tugged at Amelie’s lips as she watched him. Her thoughts drifted to the dream she had about him, and the haunting words of the Queen. Gabriel wasn’t meant to be loved. Loving him would only lead to loss and suffering. Yet here he was, so gentle, so devoted.

’The punishment is cruel,’ she thought. ’He loved me even before, so why is he cursed? And what role do I play in all of this? Mom... I need to talk to her soon. I need answers, especially about the mark Her Majesty mentioned.’

"What are you thinking?" Gabriel asked, noticing her distant expression.

"That I have the most wonderful mate anyone could ask for," she replied with a faint smile. "One who loves me more than words can ever express."

Gabriel brushed her ankle lightly with his thumb, a silent affirmation of her words.

"By the way," she added, "has Zilia’s brother arrived yet?"

"He’ll be here shortly," Gabriel replied. "Would you like to meet him?"

"I think I should. Poor boy’s lived without his sister for so many years. But Gabriel... once he disappears from the Blood Dominion Pack, won’t that raise suspicion? I mean, wouldn’t their Alpha, or whoever assigned Zilia to spy on the royal family, find it odd?"

Gabriel simply smiled at her concern. "As far as the Blood Dominion Pack knows, her brother is already dead. That’s the story we planted, so there’s no need to worry."

Amelie’s eyes widened in surprise. "You staged his death? Then... that means he can’t stay with Zilia, right?"

"Exactly," Gabriel said with a nod. "Zilia won’t be allowed to meet him, except on very rare, supervised occasions. Casaio will make sure of that. It’s too risky to allow her constant access to him."

Amelie’s expression turned somber as she absorbed his words.

"I’ll be handing the boy over to Casaio," Gabriel continued. "From that point on, it’ll be his responsibility to ensure the boy’s safety and well-being. I trust he’ll do what’s necessary."

"I had hoped Zilia’s life wouldn’t turn out this way," Amelie said. "We didn’t talk much, but... she always seemed like a good person."

Gabriel gently placed her feet back on the mattress, then clasped his hands and rested them on his lap. He studied her for a moment.

"You’re too soft when it comes to things like this," he remarked, though his voice held more affection than criticism.

Amelie offered a faint smile, but her thoughts were still with Zilia.

Gabriel’s gaze shifted slightly, a trace of resolve sharpening his expression. "Anyway, I should get started on the Beta hunters’ investigation."

"You’ve got so much on your shoulders, Gabriel. Why not ask your second brother for help?" Amelie suggested gently.

"I will," Gabriel replied with a nod.

Just then, the soft buzz of his phone broke the calm. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.

"Karmen," he murmured, standing up as he answered the call. "Alright. I’ll be in the main hall shortly."

Ending the call, Gabriel turned back to Amelie. "Karmen’s here, most likely to address Kate’s concerns. I won’t be long. In the meantime, just rest. Don’t go anywhere, alright?"

Amelie nodded silently, her eyes following him as he stepped out of the room.

~~~~~

Gabriel led Karmen away from the main hall, choosing not to speak until they reached the garden. They stopped in the center, where the trees and flowering hedges provided just enough seclusion for a private conversation.

"Your wounds have healed, thankfully," Gabriel said, his gaze briefly dropping to Karmen’s forehead and then his forearm, where the injuries had once been visible.

Karmen gave a short nod. "Yes. The healers did a good job. I’ve recovered faster than expected."

"I didn’t know Kate had feelings for you," Gabriel said with a smirk.

"Even I was unaware of them," Karmen admitted, asking him not to tease him about it. "I told the princess clearly that I couldn’t be with her, but it seems she’s determined to hold on to those feelings. Honestly, it feels awkward talking about her with you. I never brought it up before because, to me, it was nothing."

"I get it," Gabriel replied, sliding his hands into the pockets of his trousers, asking him to ease down.

"You should speak with her this evening," he added after a pause. "And more importantly, go home. Spend some time with your family, they’ve been waiting for you for far too long."

"Yeah, you’re right," Karmen said with a small nod, appreciating the suggestion. Then, his tone shifted as he changed the subject. "By the way, what was the final verdict for Zilia? On my way here, I also heard Jodie’s wolf is being forcefully removed by the Elder High Priest. As for Zilia, I didn’t hear anything at all. Though I did hear about Berik."

"We’ve decided to use Zilia to uncover the identity of the Alpha of the Blood Dominion," Gabriel explained. "From the very beginning, we haven’t been able to trace anything about him. Even our most trusted spies came back with nothing. Zilia remains the only person close enough to them, she might finally give us a lead."

"That makes sense," Karmen agreed with a slow nod.

Then, without another word, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small envelope.

Gabriel’s brows drew together in curiosity. "What’s this?" he asked, eyeing the envelope.

"It has some medicines for Amelie," Karmen said, handing over the envelope. "Skye prepared them. She should take these every night after dinner."

Gabriel nodded and took the packet. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"I just hope Kate doesn’t keep holding on to the idea that I’ll ever return her feelings," Karmen added, his voice laced with unease.

"I’m sure once you speak to her honestly, she’ll understand," Gabriel replied calmly.

Karmen gave him a dry smile. "I don’t think you know your sister as well as you think you do."

Gabriel chuckled, a hint of resignation in his tone. "To be fair, I’ve never had a close relationship with any of my siblings."

"But that’s changing now, thanks to Amelie," Karmen pointed out. "Should I start counting how many of your old habits she’s broken? You’re softening, Gabriel."

"That’s not true," Gabriel retorted, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "I’m still the same Gabriel. But yeah... for Amelie, I let my guard down." He said it proudly, without hesitation.

"I’ve never wanted to be involved with the royal family," Karmen admitted quietly. "As a beta, my duty is to serve, not to entangle myself in royal affairs. That’s exactly why I’ve always avoided considering Katelyn. And to be honest... she’s a bit too naive."

Gabriel gave a slow nod. "I know. We’ve been friends since childhood, so I understand your perspective. I even told Amelie the same thing. It’s better for Kate in the long run. But you know how my mother will react."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"She’s already furious that I married an omega. In her eyes, everything must be flawless: bloodlines, image, alliances. And honestly? I don’t want your life to become more complicated because of her."

"Then, you should go. I’ll see you... Maybe tomorrow," Gabriel stated.

"Why tomorrow? I thought we were supposed to investigate about the beta hunters," Karmen said.

"Well, I’ve plans with Amelie for the evening," Gabriel replied. "She’s never been to capital, so I want to give her a little tour."

What neither of them noticed was the presence just beyond the tree line. Katelyn stood there completely frozen. The words she had just heard cut deeper than she expected.

’Why did you tell them, Amelie? I trusted you,’ Katelyn thought.

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