<h4>Chapter 769: Offer for the King</h4>
The next morning, Gabriel took Noah for a stroll through the pce gardens. The toddler was lively in his carrier, kicking his legs and reaching toward the vibrant clusters of hydrangeas lining the path.
Gabriel’s quiet moment was interrupted when Carlos stepped out from the shade of a stone archway to join them.
"Finally decided to show yourself," Gabriel muttered, his gaze remaining on the flowers.
"I was around," Carlos replied easily.
"Liar," Gabriel remarked, finally cutting a sharp look toward him. "I didn’t see you at the wedding yesterday. You disappeared almost as soon as the ceremony started."
Carlos offered a small, knowing smile, sensing Gabriel’s irritation. "A witch needed my help," he said simply.
Gabriel halted in his tracks, his eyes widening. "So, you’ve actually decided to go down that path?"
"I have," Carlos replied, his expression turning serious. "The former Moon Goddess gave me the guidance I needed."
Gabriel turned fully now, an eyebrow arched in disbelief. "You met her? How did you even find her?"
"I visited the temple twice. She happened to be there and asked what was troubling me," Carlos exined. He looked out over the horizon, his voice dropping. "She told me how she’s being punished, forced to live out her life as a human."
Gabriel went quiet. He realized Carlos had no idea about his ownplicated history with Cynthia, so he chose to keep his thoughts to himself, staring down at Noah as the boy babbled at a passing butterfly.
"How did you find her?" Carlos inquired, his curiosity piqued by Gabriel’s sudden silence.
"It’s something I can’t share with you," Gabriel answered, his tone final. "Just know that she is the one who guided me to that sword."
"Ah, so that’s how you discovered the truth about Ophelia’s end," Carlos said, a knowing smile ying on his lips.
"Hmm," Gabriel grunted, shifting Noah’s weight as they continued their slow pace through the garden.
"Gabriel, can a pact be signed between the witches and werewolves? I want to make an offer," Carlos said.
"What is it?" Gabriel turned fully to face him.
In the carrier, Noah pivoted as well, his eyes widening at the shimmer of Carlos’s appearance. His tiny hands immediatelytched onto a stray lock of the sorcerer’s long silver hair before his fingers migrated to the intricate tinum chain hanging from Carlos’s neck. Carlos didn’t pull away, letting the toddler inspect the jewelry.
"The witches and werewolves should work as allies, rather than enemies," Carlos stated, ignoring the tug on his hair. "What do you think? Would the Alpha King agree to this? I know thews here currently restrict witches from practicing their craft openly within the territory."
Gabriel watched his son y with the silver chain, considering the weight of the proposal. The history between their species was written in blood, and bringing such an alliance to his father would be no small feat.
"A formal treaty with the covens," Gabriel murmured, his eyes narrowing. "You’re asking for a total shift in our legal code. My father is traditional, but he is also a pragmatist. If there is a benefit to the crown, he might listen."
Gabriel took a brief pause.
"Know that all witches cannot be controlled," he warned. "I trust you, Carlos, but I do not trust the entire lineage. If you make this proposal, you must be prepared to bear the responsibility for their actions. Do you think that is feasible?"
Carlos lowered his gaze, his silver hair shielding his expression for a moment. "I believe strict limitations and specific conditions will have to be put in ce to address that," he admitted.
"Think it through thoroughly before you decide how to approach my father with such an offer," Gabriel advised. He then reached down to gently pry his son’s tiny, stubborn fingers away from the sorcerer’s jewelry. "Let it go, boy. You’ll break it."
Noah’s face instantly contorted, a small, indignant whimper escaping his mouth at the loss of his new toy.
"Turns out he found another sparkling item to fixate on," Carlos said with a light chuckle. "Thanks," Gabriel said, his voice softening. "I’m d you’re going to fully use your abilities. If that’s your destiny, you can’t run away from it."
"Yeah. I have made a charm for Noah." Carlos reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a delicate beaded bracelet strung on a sturdy ck thread. "Noah is such a cutie pie. As he grows and meets more people, he will attract the evil eye too. To protect him, I made this."
Gabriel smiled at Carlos’ consideration, touched by the gesture. He watched as Carlos gently took Noah’s tiny wrist and tied the protective thread. The dark beads caught the morning light, settled against the boy’s pale skin.
"It suits him," Gabriel remarked. "And I appreciate you looking out for him."
Noah seemed fascinated by the new addition to his wrist, quietening down as he poked at the smooth beads with his other hand.
"So," Gabriel said, looking back up at his friend. "When do you n to officially begin your work with the witches? If you’re serious about this pact, we should probably check the archives for any old treaties that might serve as a temte."
"Sure. But I believe today you’ve to go out with Amelie, no?" Carlos asked, tucking the remaining thread of the charm neatly away.
"Yes. On a date. Noah will stay with his grandparents for the afternoon," Gabriel stated, a rare, rxed smile touching his lips at the thought of the outing. "Then, we will fly back to San Ravendale tomorrow. Will you stay here at the pce or head back with us?"
"I’ll go back too," Carlos replied, looking toward the sprawling gardens. "When I’m fully prepared with the offer for the King, I will return here to present it properly."
Gabriel nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in taking the time to get the details right. "A wise choice. My father isn’t a man you want to approach with half-formed ns."
He gave Noah’s back a gentle pat as the toddler began to drift off against his chest, finally lulled to sleep by the rhythm of their walking.