CHAPTER 226: YOU OR NO ONE ELSE

Casaio’s jaw tightened when Zilia told him to take another woman. He forced her to look directly into his eyes, which already turned red.

"Say it again. I dare you to say it again, Zilia," Casaio challenged her.

The tears stop streaming from her eyes, feeling a slight pain in her jaw. His touch was burning and already intensifying the heat in her body.

"Find another–" Zilia couldn’t finish off as Casaio once again crashed his lips on hers. Unlike the last time, he kissed her fiercely, not caring if she liked it or not.

His other hand moved to the buttons of her blouse when Zilia held his hand, stopping him from doing so. She peered into his eyes, which carried all the anger and hatred toward her.

Zilia bit his lip this time, causing him to hiss in pain. Her chest rose and fell as she stared at his face. He licked his lips while keeping his gaze focused on her.

"I told you I only desire you. You also fucking want me. Don’t deny it. We shared ten years together," he muttered, not blinking even once.

"What are you trying to do? I told you to leave me alone. Why are you forcing me to take my life?" Zilia hit his chest, lightly for the first time, then harder.

Casaio let her hit him until she would be satisfied. And when she was, she simply rested her forehead against his chest. "When I first brought here, I didn’t know I would find a mate in you. I never imagined you would be my mate. It’s true I was here to fulfill their ambitious tasks, but it never involved you. I don’t know why I was chosen for it. I wished I would’ve met you as normally as the others meet their mates. What can I even do for you, except for wanting your well-being," Zilia murmured, sniffling.

Casaio returned his hand to the back of her head, caressing it gently. "I don’t anyone in my life. It should be you or no one else. Don’t even think of doing anything to yourself if you truly want my well-being," he stated.

Zilia lifted his head, the tip of her nose had turned red.

"Give me a chance to turn everything right," she said.

"Let’s first do something about your heat," Casaio said, gently moving her down to the couch. Reaching to his pocket, he took out a small envelope.

When he was in the hospital, he asked the driver to purchase a few suppressants for alpha she-wolf.

Heading to the kitchen, he filled a glass with water and brought it on a tray for Zilia. "I suppose you had your breakfast," he said.

"Yeah."

"Then, take the medicines," Casaio said.

Zilia quietly reached to the envelope and took out the medicines. As she took them with water, she silently wondered, ’Is he truly showing care toward me? He shouldn’t.’

As Zilia took the pills, she rested the glass on the table. "I’ll take rest for some time. You should go back to the palace."

"No, I’ll be staying here. You should head to the room," Casaio told her.

Zilia didn’t argue and quietly walked to her room.

~~~~

Gabriel rested his head gently on Amelie’s lap, his eyes closed in contentment as he lay sprawled in a relaxed posture.

"I can feel Noa’s breathing," he murmured, his voice soft as he opened his eyes and shifted closer, pressing his ear lightly to the curve of her belly.

"What more do you feel?" she asked, her fingers instinctively threading through his hair.

Gabriel smiled faintly. "Noa is resting peacefully in her mother’s womb," he said, lifting his head to meet her gaze. "It’s about time we schedule another ultrasound to get more of the pup’s pictures."

He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss on her bump.

"You should focus on your own recovery first," Amelie reminded him gently. "Rest well until tomorrow. I haven’t felt any real discomfort lately, just a bit of nausea here and there, but nothing serious."

Gabriel nodded slowly, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her thigh.

"By the way," she added, "I called Carlos a day before yesterday."

"Oh?" he asked, lifting his head slightly. "What did he say?"

"His grandmother is unwell, so he couldn’t make it to the reception. But he promised to visit soon and said he’d call me again," Amelie replied.

"That’s good," Gabriel said. "By the time he arrives, we’ll be in San Ravendale. It’ll be easier for you during the pregnancy with your mother nearby."

His tone softened. "She spoke to me when she was here... told me about all the things she’s been preparing for you and the pup. She’s really excited."

"Yeah. I’ll let her treat me the way she wants now," Amelie said softly. "I craved her love for so many years... and I think she’s finally begun to understand what I truly meant to her. The way she’s been caring for me lately... it’s different. Gentler."

Gabriel looked up at her, studying the emotion in her eyes. "Why did she treat you like that before? Have you ever asked her?"

Amelie gave a small nod, her expression shadowed. "She said it was because of the mark. She was warned that I might bring death to the one I fall in love with. The priest told her that." She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I never understood the logic behind it... but it scared her enough to keep me at a distance."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened slightly. "That’s a cruel burden to place on a child... to live thinking your love could kill."

Amelie lowered her gaze. "You’re right. But I get so worried every time you’re hurt. I know you’re strong, Gabriel. But I—I can’t shake that fear. I don’t want anything to happen to you."

Gabriel reached up and took her hand in his, brushing his lips against her knuckles. "Nothing will happen to me. You’re not cursed, Amelie. In fact, you’re the one, who broke my own curse. We were meant to be together always."