<h4>Chapter 528: How I survived that lifetime</h4>


    "Grandma, your hands are very cold," Amelie said tenderly, holding Ravenna’s hands and rubbing them gently for warmth. After the morning breakfast, she had insisted on taking the grandmother for a slow stroll in the garden, leaving Noah safely with Gabriel.


    "And yours are wonderfully warm, child," Ravenna stated, her voice quiet but firm. "Carlos will help you from here onward. He has a duty to you, and he knows it. The curses were formed using your and Gabriel’s respective bloods, making them intimately connected to your life force."


    "Grandma, I don’t want Carlos to be in trouble or danger," Amelie asserted, her brow furrowed with worry. "In the past, the High Priest gave his life saving us. Ophelia took his life as well in her vengeance."


    "Time has changed a lot of things, Amelie," Ravenna answered, her gaze steady. "Ophelia might have lived for so long and gathered dark energy across the years to keep herself shielded, but that doesn’t mean she will win this time. I agree she is powerful, but never underestimate the power of true love; it works its own kind of magic."


    Ravenna paused, squeezing Amelie’s hand. "In the past, you two were fated to be separated by that malicious act. But in this life, you two are meant to stay together forever."


    The old woman’s resolute words brought a deep, steadyfort to Amelie’s heart.


    Amelie stood up and moved to the back of the wheelchair before gently pushing it forward, continuing their slow stroll down the path. They hadn’t gone too far when Carlos hurried to catch up with them.


    "Grandma, Amelie, look what I have brought," Carlos said cheerfully, holding up a small basket filled with mers that were farm fresh. He carefully lowered himself onto his knees beside the wheelchair and made Ravenna eat one of the unique fruits. He then offered some to Amelie, who thanked him warmly.


    Carlos, too, tasted one of the fruits and nced up at the bright, peaceful sky.


    "Did you meet Mona?" Ravenna asked him suddenly.


    "No. Why should I meet her, Grandma?" Carlos gazed at her confusedly.


    "How could you forget? You promised her you would meet her today to teach her potion making," Ravenna replied.


    "Ah, I did that a few days ago," Carlos admitted, waving off themitment. "But then you fell sick. I am not leaving your side until you are well," he insisted, cing his hand over hers. "She can learn it from Aunt Ziana for now," he added.


    "You’re very good at healing potions, Carlos. Just help her with it," Ravenna opined gently. "Else, that girl willin again. Besides, I have Amelie, Gabriel, and Karmen right here. You don’t have to be worried about me constantly."


    Carlos didn’t say anything, keeping a stubborn expression, and Amelie instantly understood that he simply didn’t wish to leave his grandmother’s side, regardless of the promise or the minor task.


    "Grandma, he will teach herter," Amelie stated, stepping in to ease the tension. "For now, let’s go ahead! I can see some beautiful apple orchards from here, and I am eager to have some fresh fruit." She pointed toward a section of the garden, sessfully distracting them both.


    ~~~~


    "Noah was not letting me change his diaper," Karmenined to Gabriel as he watched the Alpha Prince skillfully handle the toddler. "Does he hate me? He was weeping so loudly I felt I would go deaf."


    Gabriel chuckled at his dramatic remarks, securing the fresh diaper. "You have to be gentle with pups, Karmen. Watch me well, because this skill is definitely going to help you when you be a father."


    "What? No!" Karmen muttered, shaking his head emphatically. "After dealing with him yesterday, I have resolved myself not to even think about it. I can’t stand crying kids. They are good only until they are smiling."


    "Well, your future mate will undoubtedly want kids," Gabriel questioned, a teasing smile on his face. "Then what will you do?"


    Karmen was momentarily out of words, thoroughly defeated by Gabriel’s question.


    "You’re going to love your pup more than your life and will do anything for them," Gabriel stated, lifting Noah and settling him gently onto the bed.


    Karmen simply gazed at the Alpha Prince, wondering internally,<i> ’But Noah isn’t even biologically yours. Yet, you find so much happiness and devotion in all this. Was Gabriel always like this? I didn’t know he had such a big heart beneath the hard exterior.’</i>


    "What are you thinking, Karmen?" Gabriel asked, noticing the scrutiny.


    "Nothing," Karmen shook his head quickly.


    "You must be wondering why I’m so close to Noah when he’s not even biologically mine," Gabriel finished, having read his friend’s mind easily. He was done making Noah wear the warm pajama pants before wrapping him securely in a soft nket.


    "I-I..." Karmen stuttered, caught out. "You found Amelie through Noah, that’s why you feel so close."


    "Hmm," Gabriel acknowledged, sitting beside Noah. "And I don’t want Noah to ever feel it, that his biological father was a bastard to Amelie. When Noah grows up, he must know I love him the most in this world. He didn’t have any fault in this, did he? So, he must get all the love and security from me, the man who is Amelie’s true mate and husband."


    "Yeah," Karmen stated, watching him, genuinely impressed. "Not everyone thinks like you, Gabriel. But yes, Noah was never at fault for any of it."


    He nced at Noah, who was moving his hands curiously in the air.


    "By the way, I didn’t ask you but what happened in your past? What did Ophelia do?"


    "She destroyed our lives. The ce Amelie and I lived was Aurevalis. The first time I met her I simply scolded her. But in the next meeting, I found a mate in her. We had such beautiful days until Ophelia and her daughter arrived in our lives. Everything fell apart from then onwards. But I never killed Anaya for any selfish reason. I killed her to protect Amelie. Ophelia simply lost her head and ruined us. A lot happened, Karmen. I don’t know how I survived that lifetime without Amelie by my side."


    Gabriel’s eyes filled with tears.


    "You mean, Ophelia killed Amelie in the past!?"


    "Yes and she spared me to live without my mate," Gabriel stated. "That was a life of hell for me. But I’m not that Gabriel anymore. I’ll make sure Ophelia sees hell this time," he pronounced with determination.