Chapter 641
Facing Amelie one day
“Finally, you and Kavin are back,” Dominick remarked, looking up as his Beta and the house butler entered the study.
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Kavin said, bowing low. “I truly thought we would make it back before the storm would start.”
“It’s alright. I managed. Just ensure that, moving forward, at least one servant remains in the residence at all times,” Dominick stated, snapping the file in his hand shut. He leaned back in his leather chair, his gaze shifting to Evan.
“I will see to it that such an inconvenience never happens again,” Kavin assured him with a final bow before retreating from the room.
Evan stepped forward, holding a small paper bag. “I brought the suppressants for Jeniva,” he stated.
“There’s no need for those. She’s much better now,” Dominick replied casually.
“Better?” Evan asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. A sudden realization flashed in his eyes, and he looked at the Prince in disbelief. “No way… Your Highness, don’t tell me you did it.”
“I only used my pheromones to settle her system,” Dominick answered.
“And she didn’t get triggered?” Evan’s voice rose in amusement. “Usually, Omegas, especially suppressive ones, don’t react well to an Alpha’s scent in that state. They usually panic. For her to actually calm down… Has the Moon Goddess chosen her as your second-chance mate?”
“That’s not true,” Dominick refused immediately, his jaw tightening at the suggestion. “Don’t say it before her. You can give her the suppressants yourself.”
Evan shook his head with a knowing smirk and turned on his heel, leaving Dominick to the silence of the study.
Dominick stared at the door for a moment before reaching for the landline. He spoke in hushed tones for several minutes. Once the conversation was over, he hung up. He stood from his seat, and held the file he had been reviewing before leaving the study.
~~~~~
Carlos extended his hand when a bold Robin hopped closer before finally settling its tiny claws onto his index finger. As the bird let out a bright, trilling song, the biting wind caught Carlos’s long white hair, sending the silver strands dancing across his shoulders. A rare, genuine smile softened his features as he watched the small creature sing.
The moment of peace was short-lived. The Robin suddenly took flight, startled by the rhythmic sound of clapping echoing through the air.
Carlos turned to find Amelie standing a short distance away, her eyes bright with wonder as she applauded the display. Inside the stroller, little Noah was busily imitating his mother’s movements, his small hands smacking together in a clumsy, joyful rhythm as he let out a bubbly laugh.
“Even the birds are drawn to you, Carlos. That was truly beautiful,” Amelie said with a deep admiration. She tightened her grip on the stroller’s handles, pushing Noah forward across the palace’s stone paths while Carlos fell into step beside her.
“Where is Gabriel this morning?” Carlos asked, his gaze drifting toward the high spires of the council chambers.
“He was called to an emergency council session,” Amelie replied, her expression turning slightly somber. “He mentioned something about the mysterious death of a prominent moneylender in the capital.”
Carlos nodded slowly. “I see.”
“Do you ever find yourself getting bored here?” Amelie asked, glancing at him with concern. “You’re a sorcerer surrounded entirely by wolves. It must feel… Isolating.”
“Not at all,” Carlos assured her, a calm serenity radiating from him. “Even back in my own lands, I have always preferred the silence of my own company. You needn’t worry about my spirit, Amelie; I am quite content.”
“Gabriel seemed worried last night. Do you know the reason behind it? You both went out together in the evening,” Amelie said, her eyes searching his for an answer.
“We just went for drinks, though Gabriel didn’t touch a drop of alcohol,” Carlos answered smoothly. He had no intention of burdening her with the dark omens of his vision. He maintained a steady, tranquil gaze to mask the truth. “Besides, Gabriel is fiercely protective of you both. It is likely just the weight of his responsibilities that you are sensing.”
Amelie hummed softly, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.
“Mama! La…” Noah suddenly chirped, his tiny finger pointing toward a cluster of well-trimmed hedges nearby.
“He is speaking words already?” Carlos asked, his eyebrows arching in genuine surprise.
“Yes. He stunned both Gabriel and me last night,” Amelie replied, her face glowing with maternal pride. “But then again, Alpha pups are known to be fast learners with rapid growth.”
“It is truly a wonder to witness,” Carlos replied with a warm, gentle smile.
However, as he looked back at Amelie, a shadow of dread flickered in his eyes. Ophelia had been banished to eternity, but she had ensured that Amelie’s greatest enemy, Alex, remained behind. The thought of him facing Amelie one day was worrying Carlos more than anything.
~~~~~
Flora sent the final email before rising from her seat and heading to the small kitchen nook within the department. She emptied an instant coffee sachet into a paper cup, filled it with steaming water, and took a slow sip.
“I sensed a presence last night in my room,” she murmured to herself. The memory of the sensation made her hand tremble slightly. She had checked the house CCTV footage before leaving for the office, but the screen had shown nothing suspicious.
She finished her coffee quickly, seeking the comfort of the caffeine, and returned to her desk. No sooner had she sat down than the department manager called out to her.
“Flora, you need to head out immediately and deliver this file to Mr. Hayet.”
“What is it, Ma’am?” Flora asked, her brow furrowing with a frown. Deliveries were rarely part of her routine, especially ones that required leaving the office.
“It’s the audit report,” the manager replied, sliding a thick envelope across the desk. “He couldn’t come to the office since he’s busy in a meeting with a client outside. But we need his signature on it before submitting it to the director. And it must be done today.”
Flora gripped the envelope tightly as her manager handed over the address along with a company travel card. “Use this for the fare. The hotel he’s staying at is quite a distance from the palace grounds,” the woman asserted.
Flora nodded her thanks, quickly gathered her purse and phone, and hurried out. After flagging down a taxi, she sank into the back seat, trying to shake the lingering unease from the night before. However, her nerves spiked when the car made an abrupt, unscheduled halt at the very next block.
“Hey, why are we stopping?” Flora asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
“You booked a carpool service, Ma’am,” the driver stated. “I’m picking up a second passenger.”
Flora went quiet, realizing she had indeed selected the shared ride option in her haste; finding an empty, private taxi at this hour was difficult. A moment later, the door opened and a man slid into the back seat. Instead of taking the empty front passenger chair, he sat directly beside her.
Flora found the choice strange, the proximity making the small space feel suddenly cramped. Refusing to make eye contact, she turned her head away and stared fixedly out the window at the passing city, though she remained acutely aware of the stranger sitting only inches away.
“Just stop right at that crossing,” Flora said, taking out the card. The driver did so and swiped the card for the payment. He returned it to Flora, who exited the car quickly, deciding to take another taxi. However, a sudden familiar grip held her hand and the next second, she was slammed against a wall, a space isolated from others’ views.
“What the–” Flora’s words ceased in her mouth as she saw the man in front of her.