<h4>Chapter 36: Don’t let my mate die</h4>
Ewan finally stepped out from behind the tree, his injured arm hanging limply by his side. The moment he did, Karmen and Jarrell lunged forward, restraining him. He gritted his teeth as they forced him to his knees on the damp forest ground.
With a sharp click, Jarrell secured silver cuffs around Ewan’s wrists. A hiss of pain escaped his lips as the silver burned into his skin, sapping the strength from his body. His wolf growled in protest, but there was nothing he could do.
Gabriel let out a low chuckle, his violet eyes gleaming with amusement. "I expected better from a hybrid like you, Ewan. How disappointing." He stepped closer, tilting his head. "Take him to the prison and inform the King that Ewan has been captured."
"Wait!" Ewan rasped in his uneven breath. "Help me save my mate."
Gabriel’s expression remained neutral. "Take him away."
"Don’t do this, Gabriel!" Ewan’s voice cracked with desperation this time. "You, of all people, should understand. Don’t you long for a mate?" He struggled against the cuffs, his eyes glistening with tears. "Please... just this once. My mate... she’s gravely injured. There’s an herb in this forest that can save her. I managed to collect it, it’s in my pocket. Just... take it to her."
Gabriel remained unmoved. "You expect me to believe you? The same way you deceived those fools in the North two years ago?"
"This isn’t a lie!" Ewan shouted. "I swear on my life! Hand me over to the King if you must, but don’t let my mate die. Please, Prince Gabriel!"
Gabriel’s eyes flickered, but his resolve did not waver. "Take this trickster away."
Without hesitation, Karmen and Jarrell tightened their grip and began dragging Ewan toward the waiting vehicle. His pleas echoed through the trees, but Gabriel didn’t get affected.
~~~~
Amelie set the stack of files neatly on Gabriel’s desk, expecting to find him buried in work. But the office was empty. Her brows knitted together as she nced around.
"Did he already leave?" she murmured.
Her gaze flickered to the clock on the wall. It was already afternoon. Realizing she had little time left before her scheduled lunch with the team of secretaries.
Without further dy, she turned on her heels and left the office.
Picking up her phone from the desk, Amelie stepped out, joining a small group of executive secretaries.
Upon arrival in the restaurant, she noticed that many of the others were already seated, engaged in conversation. She offered a polite nod before taking her ce at the table.
Reaching for the ss of water in front of her, she took a few small sips. Just as she set the ss down, a voice from across the table caught her attention.
<i>"Amelie, tell us how did you manage to be Chairman Gabriel’s secretary?" </i>
<i>"Oh, I’m curious too," another chimed in, leaning forward with interest. </i>
<i>"I heard she received some special favor because she’s also special to the prince," a third voice added with a sly smirk. </i>
Amelie’s fingers curled tightly together in herp. A flicker of unease passed through her, but she quickly pushed it down. <i>’What am I even afraid of?’</i>
Taking a steady breath, she met their expectant gazes. "Prince Gabriel saved my life," she answered evenly. "I was being chased by some wolves when I encountered him. He stepped in and saved me."
She left it at that, omitting the part where she had pleaded for him to ’sleep with her’, which was a desperate act she wasn’t ready to exin. And above all, she kept hidden the secret that she was pregnant.
<i>"Oh? That’s strange. We’ve heard that Prince Gabriel rarely helps anyone," the man seated on the far right remarked with curiosity. </i>
<i>"Maybe Amelie was just lucky," the woman beside him suggested, casting her a knowing nce. </i>
"Yes," Amelie replied with a polite smile, though her fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of the table. "I suppose I was."
<i>"But why were wolves chasing you?" another voice chimed in. "What about your pack?" </i>
Amelie felt her chest tighten.
"Huh?" she blinked, her mind scrambling for a response.
Before the silence could stretch too long, another colleague interjected, sensing the shift in mood. "I think we should start lunch. We can’t bete for our duties."
<i>’How long am I supposed to lie to all these people?’ </i>Amelie thought. She picked up the fork and knife, lowering her eyes on the te before her.
Luckily, the lunch went smoothly and none of them asked Amelie any more questions from her. The bill was paid by thepany’s card and they returned to thepany.
Amelie stood before the mirror in the washroom as she felt herself trembling. What would happen if those people find out the truth? More than anyone, it would affect Gabriel’s image too. She washed her face before wiping it with the small handkerchief in her pocket.
Amelie let out a deep sigh before stepping into her office, only to find Gabriel standing near her desk.
"Sir?" she called out, slightly surprised by his presence.
Gabriel turned to face her, his sharp gaze scanning her expression. "Did someone hurt you?"
"What?" She blinked, caught off guard by his question. "No."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "I heard some rumors circting in the office. I wondered if anyone troubled you during lunch."
Amelie’s fingers curled slightly at her sides, but she quicklyposed herself. "No, sir. It was just casual conversation and lunch," she assured him.
Gabriel remained silent for a moment, studying her intently.
She cleared her throat and shifted the subject. "I left some files on your desk earlier. Please review and sign them at your convenience."
"I’ve already done that," Gabriel replied.
Amelie nodded, ready to return to her tasks, but his next question made her pause.
"The pendant I gave you, are you still wearing it?"
Her hand instinctively went to the small piece of jewelry resting against her corbone. "Yes. It’s around my neck," she confirmed.
"Good," he murmured. "Keep it on at all times."
Amelie hummed and wondered why he said that.