"I've wanted to meet you for a while, but pack responsibilities kept me tied down," Zander said, offering Amelie a polite nod. He turned his attention to the living room floor. "Flora talks about Noah constantly, but seeing him now, it's clear he's grown so much. He's already crawling all over the place," he added, a wide smile spreading across his face.

Amelie watched her son, a warmth settling in her chest. "He's definitely found plenty of room to roam," she murmured fondly.

"Sis, where's Zilia?" Flora asked, glancing around the room. "Has she already left for the capital?"

"Not yet," Amelie replied. "She was exhausted after lunch, so I insisted she take a nap. Carrying three babies is far from easy, after all."

"So, when are you two planning to marry? We couldn't settle on a date before, but is there anything coming up soon?" Amelie asked, looking curiously at Zander.

"I suggested to Flora that we tie the knot under the upcoming full moon," Zander replied, watching her expectantly.

Amelie beamed, her eyes lighting up. "That's a beautiful day. Flora, what are you waiting for? Just say yes."

Flora's expression softened, her gaze brimming with affection. "I needed to hear your blessing first, sis. I really want you to be fully involved in everything."

"Of course I will," Amelie promised, reaching out to squeeze her sister's hands. "You need to start the preparations today; we have a wedding to plan."

Zander caught Flora's gaze, a triumphant, boyish grin spreading across his face. "Let's tell our parents the moment we get home. It's settled then. This full moon, we finally become each other's."

Suddenly, a high-pitched, excited squeal broke their focus. "Mama!" Noah chirped, toddling over to tug insistently at Amelie's hem, demanding to be part of the moment. He was near her feet when she held him up and made him sit on the couch.

"Mu-mu," Noah chirped, pressing his tiny hand insistently against her chest.

"Ah, he's hungry for milk," Amelie said, shifting him into a comfortable hold. "I need to head upstairs. Flora, please make sure you and Zander finish up your snacks while I'm gone."

"Of course," Zander nodded, watching her retreat toward the stairs.

Once she was out of earshot, he turned his gaze back to Flora, his expression warm. "We should deliver our news to our parents soon. They've been more excited about our union than anyone."

"True. Now, finish the lemon cheesecake. Amelie made it with so much love," Flora said.

"Yeah, I'm eating. Don't worry."

~~~~

"Did the Sentinels track down the mother?" Gabriel inquired the moment he reached the hospital and stood before his Beta.

"They did," Karmen answered. "Her name is Nayra, and she's only nineteen. She abandoned the pup because her mate refused to acknowledge the child."

Gabriel's brows knit together. "Where is she?"

"Inside. She's feeding the pup," Karmen replied.

"And her mate? Have you found him?"

Karmen shook his head. "She refuses to speak about him. Perhaps she'll open up if you ask her personally."

"Hmm." Gabriel turned his gaze to the nurse standing by the door. "Inform us when she has finished nursing."

The nurse bowed and slipped inside. Moments later, after Nayra had settled the little girl on the bed and adjusted her clothing, the nurse returned to alert him. Gabriel stepped into the room, Karmen close at his heels.

Nayra recognized him instantly and scrambled to her feet, dropping into a hurried bow. She stood trembling, nervously fidgeting with her fingers; she had been picking at her cuticles so relentlessly that they were already bleeding.

"My Beta informed me that you abandoned your pup because the father refused to acknowledge her," Gabriel stated, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. As Nayra lifted her head, his eyes flared a piercing, luminescent violet. "I want his name."

Compelled by his Alpha command, she found she could not hold the secret back. "His name is Chris Wellington," she blurted out, her voice cracking. "The second son of the Wellington Group's Chairman."

Gabriel looked away, casting a brief, sharp glance at his Beta to ensure the name was noted. "How old is your daughter?"

"She is a year and a half, Your Highness," Nayra replied, fresh tears streaming down her face. "I… I couldn't afford taking care of her while paying for my studies and doing part times. I know I've done a terrible thing. Please, please forgive me. I will never abandon her again."

"Did your family refuse to help? Did you try reporting this to the local sentinel office?" Gabriel questioned.

Nayra shook her head, tears spilling over. "My family disowned me the moment they found out I was pregnant. I made a terrible mistake." She covered her eyes with her hands. "I thought my mate would accept me... I should have been more careful."

Seeing her mother break down, the little girl began to wail. Nayra instantly pulled her into a protective embrace. "Shh, mama is here. Everything is going to be fine," she whispered, stroking the child's back with trembling hands.

"The man who abandoned you will be held accountable," Gabriel said, his voice hard. "And you should have enrolled in the assistance program my wife and I started two months ago. We provide support for single mothers and those struggling to provide for their pups."

"I didn't know," Nayra whispered, sniffling.

"The hospital staff will assist you in enrolling today. Regardless, I will ensure child support is enforced against your mate. Do you wish to return to him? If yes, I will make that happen."

"No," Nayra affirmed, looking down at her daughter. "I don't want to return to a man who refused to take responsibility for Rosy."

"Very well. Rest now," Gabriel said. He turned his gaze to the nurse. "Ensure they are given proper food and care."

He turned to leave, but Nayra stopped him. "Your Highness, thank you so much. I... I can never forget what you did for me and Rosy."

Gabriel paused at the doorway. "Do not ever abandon your daughter again, no matter how hard life becomes for you. Because when they grow up, they begin hating you." With that, he walked out of the room.