<h4>Chapter 516: A journey to their past lives (11)</h4>
<strong>The Past 10:</strong>
Amelie didn’t just ept the kiss; she nipped his lower lip in response, causing him to pull away instantly, a look of shocked pleasure on his face.
"What’s that?" He licked his lower lip slowly, a low grin spreading across his face.
"Did you really just fake a burn to get me alone and kiss me?" Amelie arched her eyebrows, trying to regain herposure.
Suddenly, a brisk knock urred on the door, and before Amelie could move to open it, Anaya pushed the door inward and stepped inside.
"Amelie, I brought the shirt for Prince Gabriel," Anaya announced, her voice overly sweet. Her feet immediately glued to the floor where she stood; however, as she took in the sight of the Prince’s back and Amelie standing so close.
"Why did you just walk inside?" Amelie frowned, already moving toward her. She quickly took the folded shirt from Anaya’s frozen grasp and continued, her tone sharp, "Thank you. You can leave now."
Anaya didn’t offer a word of protest and slowly turned to exit.
"Stop bothering my mate," Gabriel finally said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, cold warning. He had quickly finished re-buttoning his singed shirt and fully turned to face Anaya. "It will be far better for you if you leave this house entirely, or I assure you, I have very effective ways to kick you out of this ce permanently."
"Gabriel!" Amelie eximed in shock, whipping her head around to look at him, baffled by the sudden possessiveness and the hostility in his tone.
"Your Highness, why do you speak in such a manner with me?" Anaya asked, attempting to look hurt, though a faint, resentful glint was visible in her eyes.
"Because I despise your kind," Gabriel answered her truthfully, his voicepletely devoid of warmth. "Do you truly think I am unaware of the insidious actions happening inside this house? I love only one woman, and that is Amelie." His intimidating gaze now bored into Anaya.
"If I find you bothering her, interfering with her, or even looking at her with ill intent again, I swear you will not be spared. So, it is better for you to keep your distance from Amelie." He drove the final point home, his authority absolute. "This family is generously feeding you and your mother; ensure you keep gratitude for that in your heart, not greed."
Anaya’s jaw tightened in silent fury, her cheeks flushing with humiliation and suppressed anger. She bit back any retort and turned sharply on her heels, walking swiftly out of the room.
"Why did you have to speak in such a tone with her?" Amelie inquired the moment the door clicked shut, crossing her arms.
"Because she’s going to bring trouble for you, Amelie. Trust me," Gabriel said simply, his previous intensity softening only slightly. "I will talk to your father about having her and her mother removedter today."
"No, I will handle it," Amelie stated, her voice firm. She held out the clean shirt. "Wear this one now."
Gabriel recoiled slightly from the garment. "No. That witch touched it. Bring me a brand new one," he urged, his Alpha instincts clearly rejecting the contact.
Amelie shook her head, a small, affectionate smile curving her lips at his extreme reaction. "Alright, you overly protective wolf. Wait for me here. I will be back soon."
~~~
Later in the afternoon, after the departure of the Alpha King and Prince Gabriel, Amelie had resolved to speak with her father about sending Anaya and Ophelia away. She was walking toward the study when Anaya intercepted her.
"Amelie, can we speak in private for a moment?" Anaya questioned, her voice unusually soft.
"What do you even want to speak about?" Amelie inquired, making no effort to move to a secluded area. "You intentionally barged into my room earlier, knowing full well that Prince Gabriel was with me."
A smug smirk pulled at Anaya’s lips. "Do you know that you two won’t be reunited in this life?" she asked, the words casual but venomous.
"What? What are you trying to say?" Amelie demanded, her heart giving a sudden, anxious lurch.
"I am a witch, little sister. I can see what the others can’t," Anaya asserted, relishing Amelie’s confusion. "The high priest intentionally failed to mention a crucial fact about you and Prince Gabriel. You two aren’t meant toplete your bond in this life. In fact, you will only bring doom upon him."
"Will you just shut up?" Amelie finally lost her temper, raising her voice. "Why are you always so jealous of me?"
"Amelie, I only want your good," Anaya insisted, though her eyes shone with malice. "You can ask the high priest yourself why he hid such a crucial detail. Also, I am seriously considering telling the Alpha King and your parents about this prophecy. So, if you want me to stop doing that, why don’t you just break this marriage or mate bond yourself?" The evil grin persisted on her face, making the suggestion sound like a ckmailing threat.
Amelie’s control snapped. Driven by fear and anger, she did not speak; she acted, bringing her hand across Anaya’s face in a stinging p.
"Amelie!" Ophelia shrieked, instantly rushing forward. "Why did you hit my daughter?" She scowled fiercely, cing herself protectively between the cousins.
By then, Irene also came into view, carrying a tiny basket. She ended up witnessing the confrontation and hurried over to them, her face pale with shock.
"Why don’t you and your daughter just leave this house?" Amelie finally erupted, the pent-up frustration and terror finding an outlet.
"Amelie, what are you saying?" Irene questioned, utterly bewildered.
"Mother, Anaya is demanding I should break my mate bond with Prince Gabriel!" Amelie blurted out. "I don’t understand why she is so determined to ruin my happiness. I did nothing wrong to her. Yesterday, she even asked me to go shopping with her because she wanted to buy a present for Prince Gabriel. Doesn’t that soundpletely inappropriate? Even Prince Gabriel warned Anaya earlier today, yet she is still actively trying to destroy our joyful union!"