CHAPTER 275: DON’T FADE EASILY

Karmen lowered himself to the chair after putting a file on Gabriel’s desk.

"What’s this? I thought my work was over for today," Gabriel pointed, grabbing the file.

"Prince Dominick has gathered the witnesses’ statements regarding the mysterious murders of the lesser-known betas. He sent a copy to me, so I printed it for easy reference," Karmen explained.

Gabriel flipped the pages inside the file, skimming through them. "It mentions that many are targeted because they are close to the alphas. But such lesser-known betas aren’t even known to the alphas. What kind of statement is this?" he murmured, thinking hard.

"Who knows what ambition these hunters carry?" Karmen muttered.

Gabriel closed the file. "I’ll ask my brother later," he asserted, closing the file and rising to his feet.

"I’ll go then. Tomorrow, I’m not coming to work. There are no important meetings, so I’ll enjoy my time with Amelie."

"Sure." Karmen, too, left his seat. "By the way, tomorrow is full moon. This year’s big one. I heard that full moons affect pregnant ladies in many ways."

"How many ways? Tell me," Gabriel pressed.

"Like worsening mood swings, heightened emotions, etc.," Karmen replied.

"Hmm. Then, I’ll pamper her more," Gabriel said, smiling.

Karmen shook his head.

"Mom was lately asking me to go on the same dates. There are some influential beta families’ daughters," Karmen confided in him.

"And what’s your take on that?" Gabriel curiously asked, leaning against the desk.

"I don’t know. You know that I’m not into dating and relationship stuff. But since mom is insisting on it, I may try to keep her heart. In the end, I’ve to make a choice," Karmen stated.

"Hmm. That’s also true. But it’s not bad to settle down with your mate. Look at me," Gabriel gave his own example.

"You always wanted to have a mate, Dude," Karmen replied. "I don’t care about having a mate. I feel this life is much simpler, free of stress."

"That’s true. I always desired having a mate," Gabriel agreed. "And I even got a little bun with my mate." He couldn’t contain the joy of becoming a father too.

Karmen chuckled. "The pup is going to take your sleep away. Then, you better not complain then," he warned him.

"I won’t. You don’t know how good a father I can be. In fact, I’m giving to give all my love to the pup. And I’m used to waking up late," Gabriel asserted. "Well, I take my leave now. See you tomorrow." He picked up his phone from the desk and left.

~~~~~

"Dad, you were in San Ravendale?!" Casaio exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yes," his father replied with a sigh. "I thought it was time I met Gabriel and Amelie personally. After everything Mabel did... it felt wrong not to apologize to Amelie. That poor girl is being targeted unfairly."

Casaio offered a faint smile. "You did a commendable thing, Dad."

His father gave a nod, then changed the subject. "How are things between you and Zilia? I heard you even helped admit her younger brother into the academy. Seems like you’ve decided to pursue her again."

Casaio lowered his gaze slightly, unsure how to respond, but his father continued, his tone softer now. "You think you can go back to the way things once were between you two?"

He sighed again, more heavily this time. "To be honest, I was never fully in favor of your relationship with Zilia. But I didn’t stop you either... because I saw how deeply you loved her. I know how we wolves are, how hard it is to forget the bond once it’s formed. The memories... the emotions... they don’t fade easily."

A brief silence lingered between them before Raidan added, "Maybe that’s why I never punished Mabel the way I should have. Despite her wrongdoings, a part of me still remembered the bond we shared once."

Casaio couldn’t deny the truth in his father’s words. But a flicker of frustration sparked in his chest.

"Dad," he said firmly, "you should have given Mom a stricter punishment. Do you really think ten days in isolation is enough? She needs to understand the damage she’s caused. I regret never standing up for Gabriel when I should have. Maybe his life would have been filled with more warmth if only Mom had believed in him instead of some ridiculous prophecy."

His father, Raidan, grew quiet for a moment, then gave a heavy nod.

"You’re right," Raidan admitted. "That’s why she’s no longer allowed to interfere in the inner palace. I’ve already given Juniper full authority to oversee its matters now."

He exhaled slowly before continuing, his voice resolute. "Also, her powers will remain permanently limited. This time, there will be no leniency. I condemn what she did."

The conviction in his voice made it clear, Raidan was not turning a blind eye anymore.

"When will Nick and June be officially wedded?" Casaio asked with curiosity.

"We haven’t set a date yet, but it’ll be soon," Raidan replied, a subtle smile tugging at his lips. "By the way, do you plan on living separately forever?"

"That would be for the best," Casaio answered thoughtfully. "Zilia is always on edge here. If we lived under the same roof as before, things might never truly heal between us."

He paused for a moment before adding, "I want to understand her better this time. Maybe back then she didn’t trust me completely because deep down, she feared I’d leave her. And when I look at Idris now... I realize how much she had to endure to raise him alone from afar. She did everything for him, without support, without complaint. That couldn’t have been easy."

Raidan simply nodded, sensing the weight behind his son’s words.

"Hmm. Do whatever you feel is right," he asserted. "I’m with you."

"Thank you, Dad. I should take my leave now. I’ve already finished the work on your behalf today. You only need to sign the official documents. I’ll see you tomorrow," Casaio rose to his feet and bowed humbly to his father before leaving.