Chapter 453
Amelie was engrossed in writing in her journal when she suddenly sensed Gabriel’s presence. Quickly, she slid the book quickly into the drawer just as he entered. She then moved toward the cradle and gazed down at Noah’s sleeping form. She had breastfed him earlier, and the comfortable warmth had swiftly ushered him into a deep sleep.
“Noah called me Papa today,” Gabriel said quietly, a profound pride in his voice.
“Really?” Amelie’s eyes lit up, and she tilted her head to look at him, her attention completely captured.
“Yes. I was reading that for a few weeks he could only utter two or three words,” Gabriel mused, stepping closer. His hand gently rested over Amelie’s, which was still resting on the edge of the cradle, and his thumb began to softly caress the back of her hand.
“Gabriel, I was thinking that I should transform into my wolf,” Amelie said, breaking the soft silence of the room.
“Into Selene?” Gabriel responded, arching an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
“Yes p>
“Mom wants you to wait for a month, at least,” Gabriel reminded her gently. He leaned closer, his nose softly rubbing against hers. “Even I want to see your wolf. Valko and Selene haven’t met in their true forms, have they?” he muttered, his voice low with longing. “But I think we should wait. You’re nurturing our son and need to gain sufficient strength for such a transformation. Just wait until this month gets over p>
Amelie nodded in silent understanding and brought her lips to his, initiating a deep kiss.
His arms immediately wrapped around her back, drawing her into him so tightly that even the air couldn’t pass between them. Their lips parted, nibbling at one another, their tongues involving in the fervent exchange. His hands moved lower, gripping her hips before sliding down to her thighs and lifting her, pulling her onto his lap.
With her legs wrapped behind his torso, he stood and walked them to the edge of the bed and sat down. Amelie’s knees pressed into the mattress while her hands cupped his face, not breaking the fervent kiss while Gabriel’s hands remained on her lower back.
The rhythmic, soft sounds of their kisses filled the silence of the room until, finally, their lungs ran out of oxygen, forcing them to pull back just slightly.
“That was intense,” Gabriel whispered, his breath warm against her skin, his forehead pressed against hers.
“Yeah.” Amelie murmured, her voice husky. She ducked her head to his neck and pressed her lips to his skin, sucking firmly. A small red bruise immediately formed, which was a distinct love bite.
Gabriel let out a deep groan of pleasure that was just beginning to build between them.
“It’s time to stop, mate,” Gabriel whispered, the command carrying a hint of strain as he gently forced them to halt their deepening intimacy. His nose rubbed warmly against her cheek as he suddenly lifted Amelie and carefully laid her down on the bed.
“I hate that we have to wait,” Amelie complained, letting out a soft, frustrated pout.
Gabriel chuckled, a genuine smile spreading across his face, and began peppering her face with light kisses, making her giggle. She playfully hit his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” she asked, putting on a light, feigned glare. “Noah will be awake p>
“I’ll just put him to sleep again,” Gabriel stated simply, his smile widening with mischievous confidence.
He did the same again, gently tucking her into the bed before pulling up the blanket to cover both of them. With a simple clap, the lights went off, plunging the room into soft darkness, while their playful whispers and loving touches continued for a few minutes more before they finally settled into the quiet rest they both needed.
Dominick remained heavily seated at the lower edge of his massive bed, his eyes fixed on the wedding album. He turned the thick pages, staring at the smiling pictures of his ex-mate. He simply couldn’t believe Juniper was completely gone from his life; every photo was a painful reminder of a future that felt, just a short time ago, so undeniably perfect.
“Why did you choose the throne over me?” he murmured, his hand trembling slightly as it ran over the pictures of Juniper.
His tears had dried after he had cried intensely for over an hour earlier. He had spent the entire day distracting himself with everything unimportant he could.
But as soon as night fell, leaving him alone in the quiet expanse of his royal chamber, he was downed in his sorrow once again.
“It was the only way to stop you from harming the others,” he whispered, his voice now tinged with a devastating truth. “I wish you would have stopped, June. Then, we both would be together today p>
The album slowly slipped from his grip and fell with a soft thud onto the rug of the floor.
Rubbing his tired eyes, Dominick finally shook his head. “Nothing can be done anymore. I have to forget her. We have to forget her, Black. That’s the only way you and I can live well without her,” he murmured the painful words directly to his wolf, who remained a silent, grieving presence within him, forever hurting over the rejection of Juniper.
Dominick stood up and moved to the coffee table. Lifting the water jar, he poured a glass and quickly drank the water to quench the sudden thirst.
Just then, he heard a soft knock on the door of his bedroom. He instantly sensed who it was.
“Mom, I’m going to bed. I don’t want to talk with anyone,” Dominick called out immediately.
Mabel lowered her hand from the door. “Nick, I heard you didn’t take your supper. Just open the door once,” she pleaded softly.
“Mom, I truly didn’t have an appetite,” he insisted. “I don’t wish to speak to you or anyone at this hour. Please understand p>
Mabel reluctantly pulled herself back from the door. “Alright. Good night,” she whispered. With a heavy heart, she turned and left his chamber.