Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

Mabel stared at Gabriel's name on her phone screen, anxiety tightening in her chest.

"He hasn't called me since yesterday... Is he upset with me?" she murmured, her voice barely audible. Confined to her chamber as part of her ongoing punishment, she hadn't even been allowed to step outside.

Her thumb hovered over the screen.

"Maybe I should call Amelie instead of my son..."

With a slight tremble, she scrolled through her contacts and tapped Amelie's number without a second thought. The phone rang once, then she abruptly ended the call.

'No... I can't face her. Not after everything I did to her,' she thought, gripping the phone tightly, guilt clawing at her.

Letting the phone rest on the table, she let her head rest against the bed's headboard. "I made my own son hate me after getting fooled by that damn witch. I am unworthy of his forgiveness. Gabriel already hates me. After knowing the truth, I don't know how he will react."

Tears freely rolled down her cheeks. She didn't wipe them this time.

~~~~

Gabriel was hit with another round of persistent hiccups, his second bout that morning.

"Drink some water," Amelie said, handing him a glass.

He took it from her and sipped slowly. After a few moments, the hiccups finally stopped. He let out a relieved sigh and murmured a soft thank you before setting the glass down on the bedside table.

"Seems like someone's thinking about you," Amelie remarked with a small smile, gently brushing the strands of his hair resting on one side of his forehead.

"Who will dare to think about me?" Gabriel chuckled. He held her hands, resting his head gently over her bump.

"You make it sound like everyone's afraid of you," Amelie said softly. "Maybe it's just your well-wishers thinking about you." Her fingers moved tenderly over his head, gently caressing his hair.

"Carlos has been doing so much for us," Gabriel murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. "How am I ever supposed to repay him in this life? If he hadn't shown up last night… how would I have protected you?"

Then, lifting his head slightly, Gabriel looked at her and said, "You taught me something important, to help those in need without expecting anything in return. As a child, you helped Carlos without even knowing who he was. That selflessness… that's what makes you the most beautiful person. And you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Don't ever forget that."

Without waiting for a response, he gently pulled her onto his lap, holding her close.

"Carlos went out for some work," Amelie murmured, resting against him. "I think he's looking for Ophelia. He refused to tell me much, said I'd just keep overthinking it."

"And now you're thinking about it even more," Gabriel remarked, half-smiling.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Well, maybe he just wants to finish what he started before explaining anything. By the way... Kate is moving to San Ravendale," Gabriel added casually, though it hadn't been part of his original plan to tell her. But eventually, he felt Katelyn's presence could be comforting for Amelie, especially in times when he wouldn't be around.

"What!? Why?" Amelie asked, her eyes wide in surprise.

"I'm not sure. I got the news from Karmen," Gabriel replied.

"Wow! That's wonderful! I'll talk to Kate about it later," Amelie said, her face lighting up.

"Yeah, you should." Just as Gabriel opened his mouth to speak further, a knock echoed from the door.

"Master, your elder brothers have arrived, with their mates," Lester's voice called out from outside.

Gabriel and Amelie exchanged glances before rising from the bed.

"Did you call them?" she asked.

"No. Why would I?" Gabriel muttered.

"I think they decided to surprise us," Amelie said with a soft chuckle. She moved to the dressing table, picked up a clutch, tied her hair neatly, and smoothed her dress. "Let's go."

As they descended the stairs, Amelie stepped forward to greet the guests.

"I'm so happy to see you all here! But you could've at least informed us beforehand, we didn't get a chance to prepare anything," she said warmly.

"We just thought a surprise visit would be more fun," Casaio replied with a smile.

"Amelie, I brought freshly made walnut and almond balls," Juniper said, handing her a small bag. "My mother made them especially for you."

Amelie smiled fondly. "Please thank her from me. I've missed these so much."

"Of course! It's good for your pup," Juniper said with a cheerful nod.

Zilia glanced at Amelie, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt. She hadn't brought anything thoughtful like Juniper had. Clearing her throat, she stepped forward. "I actually bought you a dress last time… but didn't get the chance to give it to you."

She handed over a neatly wrapped bag.

"Thank you," Amelie said with a warm, genuine smile. "That was very thoughtful of you." She placed the bags gently on the couch behind her. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I'll be back in a moment."

As she left the room, Gabriel took a seat just as Dominick settled beside Juniper.

"Gabriel, you haven't answered any of our calls," Dominick said, a hint of concern in his tone.

"He was upset after everything that happened," Casaio chimed in calmly.

Gabriel let out a dry laugh. "When you both knew I was upset, why did you even expect I'd answer your calls?"

Juniper chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "You haven't changed one bit. I thought maybe by now, you'd be a little soft on your brothers."

Gabriel's expression darkened slightly. "And why should I change for them? They were the ones who were always harsh with me," he muttered, his voice tinged with old bitterness.

"I did stand for you this time," Casaio reminded him.

"Thank you for doing that," Gabriel taunted.

"At least, Mom got punished for what she did to Amelie," Casaio said.

"Why are you all here?" Just then, Katelyn's voice reverberated in the hall.