Chapter 399: I’m being called
Katelyn curled her fingers, her eyes grew slightly bigger.
"I should go home. If I stay here, things may get out of control," Sage said, withdrawing himself.
She didn’t stop him this time. "Sure." Though a hesitation was present in her voice as if she wanted Sage to stay back.
She waved at him as he stepped out of the door. As he left, Katelyn shut the door behind her and leaned against it.
’Why was I even thinking of asking him to stay for a little longer?’ she thought, shaking her head.
Going to back to the kitchen, Katelyn washed the utensils before finally heading to her room. Tired, she lay on the soft mattress and stared at the ceiling. She recalled how Sage came too close to her, but he didn’t directly kiss her.
"He has a good control being an alpha," Katelyn murmured. "I almost thought we would kiss."
Then, turning on her stomach and pulling a small pillow under head head, she murmured, "How could I think of a kiss with him?" The smile on her lips betrayed her own question.
Caught between denial and the fluttering warmth in her chest, her thoughts slowly blurred. Before long, drowsiness pulled her under, and she drifted off to sleep.
~~~~
"It’s done," Gabriel said softly as he fastened the last fold of Noah’s diaper.
"The maid could have done that," Amelie remarked.
Gabriel glanced at her with a faint smile. "But a daddy must do it for his son," he replied, lifting the infant into his arms. His eyes softened as he gazed at the tiny face. "Daddy loves you more than anything, Noah."
As if understanding, the newborn’s lips widened into the smile, making Gabriel’s heart soar with joy so pure it almost hurt.
"Now, go to your mommy," he murmured tenderly, lowering Noah into Amelie’s waiting arms. "I’ll wash my hands and be right back."
Noah wriggled in her embrace, his little hands and legs flailing in the air with innocent energy. Amelie’s lips curved in a tender smile as she secured him against her chest, her warmth calming his tiny movements. She pushed aside the half-finished porridge bowl on the tray and began to gently pat his back in a soothing rhythm.
"Your eyes are so beautiful, my little one," she whispered. "Such a rare, perfect shade of blue. Mama loves you more than words can say." Her eyes shimmered with tears of happiness. "Let’s go to the balcony."
She moved out of the bed, and walked slowly toward the balcony. Opening it’s door, she stepped out in the air and let Noah see the world beyond the room too. Though it was too early to put him into such an environment, but it was a part of growing his strength too.
And being a werewolf, Noah was already showing much more than one could expect. He was reacting to the items he was seeing, making Amelie wonder how fast he would grow.
What fear her was if he would get the traits of Alex. She looked at the far distant, where hilltops could be seen when Noah’s little arms rested on her chest.
"Yes, baby? Are you hungry?" Leia asked when Noah suddenly cried.
Amelie sat on the swing in the balcony when Gabriel appeared magically.
"He’s hungry," she whisiper already breastfeeding Noah.
"Oh. You brought him to the open air. It’s good. Even the doctor said earlier that you could take such walks with the baby in the mornings and evenings," he pronounced, going behind the swing, giving it gentle pushes.
"Gabriel, sit here," she tilted her head after a moment.
He came forward and settled beside her on the large swing.
"You should go to Brother Casaio and help him. I heard Royal Mother talking earlier with Father, saying the eldest prince has been patrolling an area the entire night," she said, feeling worried.
"Casaio doesn’t want me to come. He insists on handling the matter himself," Gabriel replied.
"I see..." Amelie’s voice trailed off, though concern still shadowed her eyes.
Gabriel hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There’s something else. I didn’t mention it earlier, but a few days ago I received a parcel, from an unknown sender. Inside was a message... A plea for my help." His tone lowered, serious. "Karmen and I have been looking into it."
Amelie’s expression tightened instantly, worry flashing across her face. "Was it from—"
"No," Gabriel cut in quickly, refusing before she could even finish the thought. "Not who you fear. The message came from a country called Aurevalis."
"Aurevalis?" Amelie frowned, the name heavy with unfamiliar weight. "Have you ever been there?"
"Never," Gabriel admitted. "I spoke to Carlos about it. He confirmed it wasn’t one of Ophelia’s tricks. In fact, he said Ophelia has grown weak, his Grandmother tried to reach her, but the connection barely held. For now, the witch is no threat."
He leaned forward, voice dropping further. "As for the parcel... Carlos examined it carefully and said there’s no magic involved in it."
"Oh... that is strange," Amelie murmured, her brows drawing together.
’There was one more message hidden within it,’ Gabriel reflected silently. ’I can’t shake the feeling that someone from our past is reaching out... Summoning me. I don’t know why, but it feels as though I’m being called there.’
Just then, Noah’s tiny leg brushed against his arm. Gabriel looked down to find the boy’s wide eyes fixed on him with a curious intensity. A soft smile tugged at Gabriel’s lips, the heaviness of his thoughts lifting for a moment from his head.
’Whatever awaits us,’ he promised inwardly, ’I will trust the Moon Goddess... And the fate she has bestowed upon me.’
"Gabriel, if you need me in anything, you can say. Don’t left me out with your plans," Amelie stated, tilting her head.
"Of course, I will tell you once I find out the entire truth. But I think I’ve to go to Aurevalis soon," Gabriel said with a serious expression.