Chapter 574
Amelie stepped back into the chamber. She found Gabriel at the center of the room, but he wasn’t alone. Karmen sat across from him, discussing something in low voices. But seeing her and Noah, they both stopped.
Gabriel stood abruptly, his protective gaze sweeping over her. “Carlos is resting,” he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur as he bridged the distance between them. “Is Noah asleep p>
“Yes,” Amelie whispered, her eyes drifting briefly to Karmen before returning to Gabriel’s face. “Go on. Finish what you were saying.” With a gentle nod, she slipped toward the bedroom to avoid disturbing the infant’s slumber.
Gabriel settled back into his chair, the lines of exhaustion deepening on his face as he locked eyes with Karmen again. “A weapon that never rusts, never degrades… It’s seems almost impossible to find,” he muttered, his voice edged with frustration. “You should have pressed the person for more information on this. Where could something like that even exist p>
Gabriel returned to his seat and continued, “They don’t know either.” He lied to prevent any mishap to Cynthia.
Karmen exhaled sharply, leaning into the lamplight. “We’re running out of time, Gabriel. The Moon Event is only a week away. We can’t face it empty-handed p>
Gabriel rubbed the bridge of his nose, contemplating their dwindling options. “Where is Louis these days p>
“No idea,” Karmen admitted. “The last time our paths crossed was three months ago in a bar p>
Gabriel nodded slowly. “Find him. We need his eyes. Carlos will try to find this weapon with his magic if he has to, but Louis… He is resourceful in ways the rest of us aren’t. He knows the shadows we don’t.” A faint, appreciative smile flickered on Gabriel’s lips at the thought of their old ally.
Karmen rose, pulling his heavy coat tighter around his broad shoulders. He dipped his head in a sharp, respectful bow. “I’ll find him,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Gabriel paused, a sudden frown creasing his brow. “By the way… How is Juniper holding up? She hasn’t done anything… Suspicious, has she p>
Karmen hesitated, a flicker of pity crossing his features. “She’s stocking shelves at a supermarket now. It was the only place that would take her after the fallout. Most nights she’s drowning what’s left of her soul in cheap liquor. She tried to end it a while back by slitting her wrist. But an Alpha’s blood heals too fast for a wound that small to be fatal p>
Gabriel shook his head. “She brought every bit of this on herself,” he muttered. “Hiding the truth from Nick, dragging Zilia’s past into the dirt, hurting Idris… those were sins enough. But involving Noah? That is a debt she can never repay p>
“She’s beyond saving,” Karmen agreed. “The poison in her mind has finally taken root p>
Gabriel’s gaze sharpened. “Did she say something to you p>
Karmen gave a short, bitter huff of a laugh. “Not to me. But a spy heard her last night. She was blind drunk, cursing my name, and yours, to the rafters.” He straightened his collar. “I should go. Good night, Gabriel. Don’t let the ghosts keep you up. We’ll finish Ophelia this time. For good p>
With a final, assuring nod, Karmen strode out. Amelie, who had been lingering by the door, spoke softly, “Because the world turned against Juniper, she has become like this p>
“World was against us too,” Gabriel pronounced.
He turned to her, the hardness in his eyes softening instantly. He crossed the room and stopped inches from her, taking her hands in his. He leaned down, resting his forehead against her shoulder, letting out a long, shuddering breath.
“Are you tired?” Amelie asked softly, her hand coming up to rest against the broad expanse of his back.
“No,” Gabriel murmured against her skin. He stood straight, searching her eyes for a moment before leading her inside. He stood over the crib, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of Noah’s chest in his deep slumber. Satisfied, his hand slid behind Amelie’s shoulder, pulling her firmly against his side. She, too, rested her head on his arm.
“Gabriel, you are planning alone again, excluding me. Why?” Amelie’s voice was low as it carried a sharp edge of hurt.
Gabriel sighed, his gaze flickering with fierce protectiveness. “I’ve told you everything already. You know the history. Ophelia’s entire strategy is to use you as a lever against me. She did it before, and she will try it again. Can I afford to lose you? No. That is why you have to stay at a distance until I’ve weakened her enough to be vulnerable,” he stated firmly. “Besides, I killed her daughter. I will finish her, too, which I couldn’t achieve in our past life p>
He turned to her slowly, his expression softening just a fraction. “Just because you aren’t physically on the front lines doesn’t mean you aren’t part of this. If not for you, we never would have found a soul as loyal as Carlos. You’ve done your part, Amelie. Now, it’s my turn to carry the weight p>
The heavy silence that followed was broken by a soft stir from the crib. Noah jolted awake, his face scrunching up before he let out a sharp, demanding cry.
“Uh-huh Amelie reacted instantly, turning toward the sound alongside Gabriel. She lifted the infant gently, checking his swaddle. “He’s wet his diaper p>
“I’ll change it,” Gabriel offered, already reaching for the supplies.
“No, I’ve got him. Just pass me a clean diaper and the wipes,” she said, lowering Noah onto the small padded bed they had recently placed next to the crib for quick transitions.
As Amelie worked with efficiency, Gabriel leaned over, dangling a colorful plush toy above Noah’s face. He shook it gently, the soft rattling sound catching the baby’s attention.
Noah’s cries tapered off into curious whimpers as he focused on the moving object, distracted by his father’s presence while Amelie finished cleaning him up.
“Now, he’s not going to sleep for a while,” she murmured, making him wear the warm pajama pants.
“Yeah, I think the same,” Gabriel chuckled before lifting Noah carefully into his arms, and kept the toy on his small stomach.