Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 198: The overprotective mate

"Kate, I’ve been looking all over for you!" Amelie’s voice rang down the hallway. She approached them swiftly, and gently looped her hand around Katelyn’s arm.

As she reached them, her eyes landed on the Alpha King and Luna Queen. With a poised smile, she offered a respectful bow.

"Your Majesty. Luna Queen."

Gabriel’s concern surfaced instantly. "Weren’t you asleep?" he asked, his brows drawn with worry.

"I woke up five minutes ago," Amelie replied softly. She then turned to Katelyn, a playful pout forming on her lips.

"You went out without me? And here I was thinking we were a team. Anyway, come on, I have something to show you."

Katelyn blinked, slightly stunned by Amelie’s sudden and cheerful interruption. Her anger had just been simmering moments ago, but now, her footing faltered.

Gabriel, on the other hand, was barely holding his temper. He clenched his jaw, feeling robbed of the perfect opportunity to confront Katelyn and put an end to her reckless behavior. Amelie’s interference, though well-meaning, had derailed it all.

"Dear, let the kids enjoy themselves," Raidan said lightly as he turned to his wife. "Shall we return to our quarters?"

Mabel gave a small, gracious smile in agreement. "Yes," she murmured, and together they turned to leave.

Both Amelie and Katelyn bowed respectfully as the King and Queen walked away. But the moment their footsteps faded, Gabriel stepped forward and firmly pulled Amelie aside by the arm, distancing her from his sister.

His expression was tight with frustration as he hissed, "Are you serious right now?"

"It’s between me and Kate. You don’t need to involve yourself," Amelie said calmly. "I’ll see you later," she added, then gently took Katelyn’s hand and walked away with her.

Gabriel took a step forward, intending to follow, but Dominick’s steady hand landed on his shoulder, halting him.

"Let them talk in private," Dominick said. "Kate might be hot-headed, but she’s still our sister. She won’t hurt Amelie, you have to trust that much."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened, his worry far from settled. "I don’t trust Kate," he admitted. "Not after the way she spoke to Ame. She was cruel."

"I’ll go with them," Juniper chimed in, stepping forward with assurance. "You can trust me."

Gabriel looked at her, hesitation flickering in his eyes before he finally gave a reluctant nod. "Then go, and thank you," he added sincerely.

Juniper let out a soft chuckle and shook her head. "You’re always this dramatic," she teased lightly, then turned and followed the other two down the hallway.

Gabriel pivoted on his heels and left with Dominick for the work.

~~~~

Amelie and Katelyn sat together on the white bench inside the gazebo. Amelie’s fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap before she finally broke the silence.

"I’m sorry, Kate," she said gently. "I shouldn’t have approached Karmen behind your back. It wasn’t my place. I just... I was afraid he might turn you down, and I didn’t want you to get hurt again. I only asked him to be honest with you. That was all."

Katelyn remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed ahead. Then she slowly turned her head toward Amelie.

"Forgive me too," she murmured. "And thank you... for stepping in back there. If you hadn’t, Brother Gabriel might’ve told Mom and Dad everything about Karmen."

She reached out and took Amelie’s hands into hers, her grip trembling slightly.

"I’ve hurt you, and you didn’t deserve it," she said earnestly. "Say whatever you want to me. I won’t stop you. I know my words earlier were cruel and heartless. I was angry, and I let that cloud everything. I didn’t want things to happen this way. Now that Karmen knows I brought him up in front of my mother... he might be furious with me."

Her voice faltered near the end.

"I only asked him to be honest with you, Kate," Amelie said softly. "So you wouldn’t keep holding onto the hope that he might someday return your feelings. I didn’t want you to get hurt again. But please believe me, I was never selfish about it."

She took a deep breath.

"I won’t deny that, in the beginning, I sought Gabriel’s help for the sake of my pup. That’s the only reason I approached him. I never imagined he’d turn out to be my second chance mate."

Katelyn lowered her gaze, guilt pressing against her chest.

"That was foolish of me, to accuse you like that," she admitted. "Please don’t take my words to heart. I know what I said was too harsh to forget... but I regretted it the moment we fought. And despite all that, you’re still kind enough to help me."

She looked up, her eyes glimmering with remorse. "You’re too good, Amelie. I didn’t deserve your kindness."

"Even you chose to forgive me," Amelie murmured with a faint smile.

Before either of them could say more, they sensed a presence approaching. Both turned their heads and stood up instinctively upon seeing Juniper.

"Stay seated," Juniper said as she stepped into the gazebo.

Amelie greeted her with polite warmth, offering a respectful bow of her head.

"How have you been, Amelie? From what I hear, Gabriel’s turned into quite the overprotective mate," Juniper remarked with a soft smile.

Amelie let out a small laugh. "Yes, he has. He barely lets me out of his sight."

Juniper nodded knowingly. "When’s the expected delivery?"

"The doctor said in about four to five months," Amelie replied.

Juniper studied her for a moment. "That’s close. I remember when I last saw you, there was no bump. But now, it’s more visible. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pup arrives a bit earlier."

Her expression turned more serious. "First births are rarely easy, Amelie. So be prepared, mentally and physically. Keep up with gentle exercises, and don’t hesitate to rest as much as your body demands. Your mother and the doctor will guide you, but don’t ignore your instincts either."

Amelie nodded as she recalled about her mother. Her parents were in the palace, but she couldn’t get the time to see them. It was the moment, she should sit with her parents and talk.

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