<h4>Chapter 518: A journey to their past lives (13)</h4>


    <strong>The Past 12</strong>


    Amelie let out a quiet breath of relief, the tension finally easing now that Anaya and Ophelia had left the house that night. She finished putting on her nightdress and brushing her hair, then moved toward the bed when Gabriel suddenly appeared, seemingly out of thin air, in front of her.


    "You!" she eximed in shock, whipping her head around to check the door. Although it was locked, she wanted to be certain of their privacy.


    Gabriel didn’t answer her shock, choosing instead to pull her into a tight hug. She smiled, her hands moving instinctively to his sturdy back, feeling the hard muscles underneath the silk of his shirt.


    "Is there something you’re hiding from me?" Amelie suddenly asked, her relief abruptly overshadowed by doubt. She took a small step back, looking intently into his eyes. "Regarding our charts."


    Gabriel peered into her eyes, immediately deciding that deception was not an option. "There was one detail, yes," he admitted softly. "But I don’t believe in such things, Amelie. If we have epted each other as our mates from the bottom of our hearts, then we are mates, regardless of what some the stars says." He tightened his grip on her hand. "Besides, I’ve already marked you. That deep, instinctual bond is far more sacred than any mere marriage or prediction."


    "Means what Anaya said was true," Amelie whispered, her voice cracking. "Do you know what she told me?" Her eyes suddenly brimmed up with tears with fear.


    Gabriel instantly realized the depth of the hurt his mate was feeling. When Amelie narrated the full details of her conversation with Anaya, the ckmail, and how she would bring his doom, his blood boiled with an unexpected and violent rage. All he wanted was to find Anaya and end her malice immediately.


    "But mother and father have asked them to leave," Amelie said, trying hard to maintain control of herself as she didn’t want to break down crying. "They are no longer in this house."


    "I’m d your parents acted so swiftly," Gabriel said, his mind already shifting to strategy. "But where exactly are they staying? I need to keep a close check on them. They must not be allowed to interfere or cause any trouble until we both get married."


    Amelie clung to his silk shirt, her eyes still clouded by Anaya’s vicious words. "Gabriel, I won’t bring any doom to you, right? You’ll always be safe, won’t you?" she asked, the genuine doubt filling her gaze.


    "Anaya said we wouldn’t be together in this lifetime," Amelie whispered brokenly, the fear gripping her. "I can’t live without you, Gabriel. I’ve imagined my entire lifetime with you. I—I don’t want to—"


    A gentle finger was immediately ced on her lips to silence her distress. "Shh! Stop crying first." Gabriel’s thumb tenderly wiped the tears from under her eyes. "I can’t live without you either, Ame. Just forget everything that witch told you. She’s filled with nothing but malice and negativity. Trust the Moon Goddess and trust our love," he whispered, nting a reassuring kiss directly in the middle of her forehead.


    He then guided her to the bed and made her lie down on it.


    "Won’t you sleep with me?" Amelie asked softly, looking up at him. "Please, just stay here tonight, will you?"


    "That will be our first time sharing the bed, Ame," Gabriel stated, a fond tenderness in his voice.


    "Hmm." Amelie nodded eagerly, patting the space next to her beneath the duvet, silently inviting him in.


    "I usually go to bed without a shirt and trousers," Gabriel stated, a slight tease in his voice.


    "What?" Amelie chuckled, her cheeks suddenly turning a deep red.


    "Just keep your trousers on," she murmured, slightly flustered, pulling the duvet up close to her chin. "You can remove the shirt."


    "Alright," Gabriel agreed, slowly unbuttoning his silk shirt while keeping his gaze locked on hers. Amelie swallowed hard, watching in fascination as the taut muscles of his chest flexed and his defined abs came into view.


    Gabriel then reached over and switched off themps, plunging the room into soft darkness before sliding inside the duvet right beside her. Amelie, overwhelmed by his proximity, quickly shifted, keeping her back turned to him, realizing that if she were to face him, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from seeking further intimacy.


    Gabriel’s face ducked into her neck, and he inhaled deeply, savoring her uniquely calming scent. His strong hands wrapped securely around her waist as he drew her back, pulling her close against the solid warmth of his body. His heat instantly enveloped her, and Amelie instinctively nipped her bottom lip in anticipation.


    "Gabriel, what are you— Nhgh..." A soft moan escaped her throat, quickly stifled, as his hand slipped forward and gently cupped her breast. Simultaneously, his lips were already nting firm, needy kisses on her neck. His hand then lowered, sliding over her thigh, gently pushing up the soft fabric of her nightdress as he began caressing her skin.


    "Gabriel, I didn’t ask... For you to do this," Amelie managed to say, turning her head slightly to voice her protest.


    He instantly stilled his movements, pausing his hungry exploration, and gently nuzzled his nose along her jawline. "Do you want me to stop, Ame?" he whispered. "You looked so beautiful today. You still do. And now, sleeping right by your side, it is bing impossibly difficult for me to stop."


    "If I don’t ask you to stop now, then more will happen," she reasoned quickly, the reality of their situation kicking in. "We are still in my parents’ house. What if they find out? Then, I’ll be so embarrassed to face them tomorrow."


    Gabriel smiled, understanding and respecting her points instantly. "Then, you will just have to suppress your moans," he murmured against her ear in a seductive tone. "Because, I’m sorry, but my wolf and I want you, and we’re not stopping now." His lips found the spot where he marked her.