CHAPTER 177: HUNT YOU DOWN IN EVERY BIRTH

Amelie squeezed her eyes shut as a strange dream took hold of her.

She found herself in an unfamiliar place. It was a dense forest cloaked in an eerie, suffocating silence. Panic surged in her chest as she ran blindly through the underbrush, her heart pounding, desperate to find a way out.

No matter which direction she turned, the forest only grew darker and confusing.

Eventually, her legs gave way beneath her exhaustion. Breathless and disoriented, she stumbled against the rough bark of a tall tree. Her chest rose and fell in ragged gasps as her vision blurred, until she spotted Gabriel at the far edge.

However, he was covered in blood from head to toe.

"Gabriel," she murmured and ran toward him with a panicked gaze.

However, before she could reach him, a strange figure appeared. It was of a woman of whose face wasn’t visible to her. But what she could see was the woman exuded a dark, negative aura.

And before Amelie knew, Gabriel was stabbed with a sharp silvery blade.

"No!!!" Amelie screamed in her dream. "Gabriel!" Her heart raced wildly in fear and horror when the unknown woman yanked her hair to tilt her head.

"You’re not supposed to be in love, Amelie. I told you I would hunt you down in every birth. That’s your curse is!" The woman whispered in her ear.

Amelie saw the lifeless body of Gabriel and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Gabriel. Gabriel!" She mumbled while still in the dream.

Gabriel who just came out of the washroom heard her faint mumbles. He quickly rushed to her side and found her body was stiff.

"Amelie!" Gabriel whispered, his one hand resting above her head while the other on her chest to soothe her.

"No. Please..." Amelie whimpered, still unable to come out of that dream.

"Amelie, please wake up!" Gabriel said louder this time. His hand kept caressing her head and finally Amelie opened her eyes with a loud gasp.

She sat outright while breaking into tears.

"Gabriel, you’re fine." Amelie hugged him tightly, bewildering him with her reaction.

"She... she..." Amelie stammered between sobs, her body trembling. "A woman said she would hunt me down. She stabbed you. You were covered in blood."

Gabriel’s brows knitted in concern, though his hand never stopped gently caressing her back. Her distress struck him deeper.

"Shh... calm down, darling," he murmured in low and soothing voice. "I’m here. I’m right here. Nothing has happened to me."

He released his gentle pheromones to comfort her.

Gradually, her sobs began to quiet. When her breathing slowed, Gabriel gently pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

"You had a nightmare, nothing more," he said softly.

"No," Amelie whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "It felt real. That woman... she said I shouldn’t be in love. Gabriel, something’s not right. You need to be careful. Don’t... don’t go anywhere. Please."

Fresh tears welled in her eyes.

"Alright," Gabriel said immediately, wrapping his arms around her again and pressing her head to his chest. "I won’t go anywhere. I promise. Just stop crying."

He gently stroked her back in slow, calming motions, listening to the beat of her heart gradually settle against his.

After a long moment, Amelie finally drew back.

"Feeling better?" he asked, his tone tender.

She nodded faintly. "Hmm."

But Gabriel didn’t look convinced. He could still feel the unease radiating from her, could still see the shadow in her eyes.

"I don’t think so," he said, his gaze fixed on her face, unwilling to let her carry this fear alone.

"Have you heard the saying that when you dream something bad, it means something good is coming?" Gabriel said softly, his fingers still tracing soothing circles on Amelie’s back.

Amelie shook her head. "No."

"It’s true," he insisted gently. "Bad dreams are said to be signs that happiness is on its way. Trust me on this."

She lowered her eyes, letting his words settle. A small pause followed before she murmured, "If you say that... then I’ll believe you."

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Her eyes fluttered shut, lingering there in silence for a long, grounding breath. Then, slowly, she sat upright, brushing the last of the tears from her cheeks.

"I’ll freshen up," she said, her tone regaining its steadiness. "We need to leave for the palace."

Gabriel raised a brow, a trace of amusement in his voice. "You were just telling me not to go anywhere. Are you sure you want us to leave?"

"I meant..." Amelie glanced away, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "Don’t do anything dangerous for a while."

He smiled, eyes softening. "I won’t."

His hand moved gently to her baby bump, fingers resting with reverence. In a whisper meant only for the pup growing within her, he said,

"Noa, your mother worries too much. This stress isn’t good for her health."

~~~~

Queen Mabel set the file down on the table and looked up at Lester.

"What did you just say?" she asked again, slowly removing the spectacles and placing them aside.

Lester straightened, hands clasped behind his back.

"Your Majesty, Prince Casaio has requested a change of room. He no longer wishes to reside in the Eastern Wing. While the staff was cleaning the quarters, we found the space in complete disarray. His Highness had apparently thrown about most of his belongings — clothing, personal items... everything. Additionally, several empty alcohol bottles were discovered scattered across the room. It appears the Prince had been drinking late into the night."

Queen Mabel hummed thoughtfully.

"Where is the Prince now?" she asked.

"His Highness has gone out on important business with His Majesty," Lester replied promptly.

Mabel nodded once. "Inform Prince Casaio that I wish to see him as soon as he returns."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Lester said with a respectful bow.

Just then, a servant stepped into the room, bowing quickly before speaking.

"Your Majesty, Prince Gabriel and Princess Amelie have arrived at the palace."

Mabel’s expression faltered for a brief second, surprise flashing across her face. Lester, standing nearby, allowed himself a small smile at the news.

"Ensure they’re made comfortable," Mabel instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the servant replied before hurrying off

Queen Mabel rose to her feet, the silk of her gown touching against the floor.

As she entered the grand living room, her gaze instinctively drifted across the space — and the first thing she noticed was Amelie’s baby bump, gently accentuated beneath the soft fabric of her dress. Beside her stood Gabriel, leaning close, murmuring something in her ear that made Amelie’s lips curl into a faint smile.

But the moment Gabriel sensed his mother’s presence he turned his gaze to the staircase to met her gaze.

Amelie, upon seeing the Queen, she bowed her head slightly, lowering her eyes in a graceful show of deference.

Mabel stopped before the couch.

Queen Mabel stopped just in front of the couch, her eyes calmly observing the pair before her.

Amelie stepped forward and offered a respectful greeting. "Your Majesty."

Gabriel, however, remained silent — a detail not missed by Amelie. She subtly tilted her head toward him, wordlessly nudging him to acknowledge his mother.

Mabel, catching the gesture but choosing not to comment, let a faint smile touch her lips.

"I’m glad you decided to come," she said, her gaze softening as it settled on Amelie. "And even more glad that you managed to drag Gabriel along with you."

Opening her arms, she welcomed Amelie closer. Without hesitation, Amelie stepped into the Queen’s embrace.

Mabel held her for a moment, then pulled back just enough to look down at the gentle curve of her stomach. "Is your pup growing well?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Amelie answered with a small, proud smile.

Before Mabel could say more, an excited voice rang out from the hall.

"Amelie! Brother Gabriel! You’re both here!"

Katelyn came skipping into the room, her eyes sparkling as she rushed toward them.

"Kate," Queen Mabel said sharply, "how many times have I asked you to act like a princess — with grace?"

Katelyn’s cheerful demeanor faltered. "I’m sorry, Mother," she murmured, lowering her gaze.

Mabel gave a curt nod, then shifted her attention. "Lester, take Amelie to her room. Gabriel will join her shortly."

"Please, this way, Your Highness," Lester said with a respectful bow.

Amelie turned to Gabriel, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. He gave her a reassuring nod, silently urging her to go ahead.

"I’ll come with you, Amelie," Katelyn chimed in with renewed cheer, linking her arm with Amelie’s as the two women followed Lester down the hallway.

The moment they disappeared from view, the warmth in Gabriel’s expression vanished.

"So," he said at last, voice laced with mockery, "how have you been, Mom?" He stepped closer, his voice turning shaper. "Did your plans to send Amelie away from my life finally fall apart?"

His eyes glinted with violet light, a sign showing his wolf simmering in anger.