CHAPTER 497: IT HAD TO BE CLOSED

After Karmen left Juniper settled under Evan’s care, he made his way directly to Amelie. A servant ushered him into her chamber, where he found not only Amelie but also Zilia, who was sitting and holding Noah closely.

Karmen offered a polite, formal greeting to both ladies before Amelie motioned for him to take a seat on the silk-upholstered chaise.

"Amelie," Karmen began, moving straight to the crucial matter, "did you manage to speak with Gabriel?"

"No, why?" Amelie asked, her brows knitting together in instant worry. "Did something happen?" She glanced toward a maid nearby, requesting softly, "Ashna, please bring me my phone from the inner room."

"Nothing has happened to him, certainly. This is about Carlos’s grandmother," Karmen revealed, his voice dropping slightly. "She is not expected to survive. And Gabriel urgently needs you and Noah to travel there."

Both Amelie’s and Zilia’s expressions instantly shifted from pleasant civility to palpable distress.

"Casaio was mentioning the same thing this morning when he returned," Zilia murmured, glancing uneasily at Amelie. "But he didn’t specify that the grandmother might not make it."

By then, Ashna returned with Amelie’s mobile phone. She placed it discreetly on the small, inlaid table before Amelie, keen not to interrupt the tense conversation.

"That’s likely because Prince Casaio returned earlier," Karmen responded, explaining the discrepancy. "I received the call from Prince Gabriel only an hour ago. I will personally take you and Noah there. You should first speak with both the Alpha King and the Luna Queen."

Amelie nodded. "Thank you for bringing the news so quickly. I will speak with them. But first," she asserted, looking down at the illuminated screen of her phone, "I need to check Gabriel’s messages. He clearly tried to contact me."

"Yes, talk with Gabriel immediately," Karmen urged, acknowledging the necessity.

"Amelie, Noah is sound asleep," Zilia mentioned, rising carefully from the chaise with the pup nestled in her arms. "I’ll settle him inside. You can speak with Gabriel undisturbed until then." Once Zilia had quietly departed, Amelie wasted no time and immediately dialed Gabriel’s number.

After a few tense rings, Gabriel answered the call.

"Sorry, Gabriel, I missed your messages," Amelie began, her voice low with concern. "I just heard the news about Carlos’s grandmother. Is the situation truly this serious? And what about Carlos? How is he coping with everything?"

"Well, the doctor has confirmed that Grandma won’t recover," Gabriel replied, his tone subdued and weary. "She likely only has a few days left to live. We don’t know the exact timeframe. When I spoke to her, she specifically asked about you. That is why I believe you need to come here with Noah. As for Carlos, he is simply enduring the reality."

Amelie registered a profound pain in Gabriel’s voice, a vulnerability she rarely ever detected in his usually steady demeanor. "When should I plan to take a flight from here? It’s already past one in the afternoon," she pointed out, considering the logistics.

"If possible, arrange to take off within the next hour," he stressed, emphasizing the extreme urgency. "Naturally, you will be flying here via the private jet. I will personally be there to receive you and Noah," he affirmed.

"Hmm. Then, I prepare for it. Goodbye and take care," Amelie said.

"Love you, mate," Gabriel whispered from the other side, bringing a soft smile to her lips.

"Love you too." She hung up the call and gazed at Karmen.

"We will be leaving within the next hour. You should ask someone from your home to bring your luggage. I’ll also get ready," Amelie asserted.

Karmen nodded when his phone rang. "It’s Gabriel. I’ll see in an hour then." With that, he answered the call and walked out of the chamber.

~~~~

Raidan and Mabel were seated together in their private chamber. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken concern. "When I see cases like this, I feel a profound sense of incompetency in the justice I’m delivering to the people of the kingdom," Raidan confessed.

"Dexton’s loss was indeed tragic. His mate was found dead in the pond. Yet, critical evidence was absent. No surveillance was present in that area. And ultimately, her unsolved death became the foundation of his vengeance toward the Betas."

"How could you have been certain they were Betas who killed Dexton’s mate?" Mabel pressed, her eyes wide with a specific kind of apprehension.

"There was a distinct Beta scent heavily present in that area," Raidan answered, confirming the suspicion. "But despite all efforts, we couldn’t identify or locate them. This case dragged on for two agonizing years before the council finally decided it had to be closed. Dexton was officially asked to find peace and move on."

"But the poor man couldn’t!" Mabel stated, her tone turning grave and serious. "Instead, he chose to form an army of Beta Hunters with the sole goal of extinguishing the entire Beta population."

"Yes," Raidan confirmed, nodding slowly.

"Well, he certainly took the lives of countless innocents in his reckless quest for the murderers," Mabel stated with sorrowful conviction. "But I trust the council and, more importantly, I trust you. Whatever decision you ultimately make will be in favor of everyone in the kingdom. Dexton urgently needs to repent for the terrible wrongs he has committed."

Before Raidan could respond to her affirmation, a discreet cough came from the doorway, and a nervous servant interrupted them.

"Your Majesties," the servant began, bowing quickly, "Lady Amelie is here and wishes to see you both immediately."

"Send her in," Raidan commanded, his serious expression momentarily giving way to surprise. He exchanged a brief, expectant look with Mabel, knowing Amelie’s arrival likely signaled another urgent family matter.

As Amelie walked in, she greeted both of them.

"Take a seat, dear," said Mabel with a soft smile.

Amelie lowered herself to the chair.

"You look worried. How’s Gabriel?" Raidan asked.

"Well, he’s alright. But Carlos’ grandmother isn’t. She asked for me. So, Gabriel wants me and Noah to fly there. Karmen will be taking us. And I thought to inform you both because we will be leaving in the next hour," Amelie stated.

"But you and Noah still need to make most of the time resting," Mabel pointed.

"I know, Mother. But it’s important. Carlos’ grandmother protected me and Gabriel from the danger named Ophelia. I-I should go. And I’m completely fine now. My body has regained its strength too. You are worrying too much for me," Amelie stated, smiling.

"She’s right. Let her and Noah go. The situation must be tense over there," Raidan asserted. Mabel agreed with her husband.

"Get ready then. I’ll come to your chamber shortly," Mabel said.

"Yes. Thank you for permitting me to go," Amelie said humbly, bowing before leaving to her chamber.