CHAPTER 249: GABRIEL CARTER VISITS DRAVEN

Meredith.

Xamira eventually grew tired of drawing, setting her pencil down with a little sigh.

"My lady, let’s play a building block game," she said, her bright eyes already sparkling with excitement.

I chuckled softly, unable to resist her enthusiasm. "Alright," I said, leaning closer with a playful smile. "Let’s see what kind of grand project you have in mind."

Within minutes, a servant appeared carrying a large wooden box, its lid painted with bright shapes and colors.

When it was set down before us, Xamira wasted no time pulling it open, revealing dozens of colorful blocks in all shapes and sizes.

I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Then I leaned forward in my chair and asked, "What are we building, little architect?"

The little girl tapped her chin in exaggerated thought before declaring, "A castle! A really big one—like in the fairy tales Daddy told me."

I grinned. "A castle it is."

Then I glanced at the scattered blocks, realizing I had absolutely no idea how to piece something so complex together.

But, determined not to let her down, I picked up the folded instruction manual tucked inside the box and scanned the illustrated steps.

"Hmm," I murmured, skimming through the pages until I found the castle section. "Okay, I think I’ve got it." I looked at her with a playful grin. "I’m going to show you how to build the most beautiful castle in Duskmoor."

Xamira giggled and passed me the first block. "Okay, but I’m helping too!"

Her delighted squeal was all the motivation I needed.

We worked side by side, my fingers fumbling at first while hers darted confidently between pieces. I followed the steps carefully, and soon the walls began to take shape.

Xamira was surprisingly patient, handing me the right blocks whenever I asked, though she insisted on adding the towers herself.

We finally placed the last piece—a bright blue flag.

The castle stood proudly on the table, finally completed with towers, gates, and a miniature drawbridge.

Xamira leaned back and beamed at our creation. "It’s perfect! I want to show Daddy!"

Her excitement was contagious, and I grabbed my phone from the table. "Let’s take a picture so we can show him when he comes back."

I snapped a few shots, making sure to capture her proud little smile next to the castle.

"Will he like it?" she asked softly.

I met her gaze and smiled. "He’s going to love it."

Xamira nodded, still admiring our handiwork. She looked very proud of it.

And just then, the scent of freshly baked bread and sweet fruit wafted into the room. Cora and Deidra entered, balancing a silver tray.

"My lady, I thought you two might like something to eat after all that hard work," Cora said warmly.

Then they proceeded to set down glasses of chilled juice and small plates of sandwiches.

I handed one glass to Xamira. "Perfect timing," I said with a smile. "We really needed this. Thank you."

"You’re welcome my lady," Cora replied.

***

Draven.

~Stormveil~

I leaned back in my chair, the soft morning light spilling in through the tall windows of my study.

Meredith’s voice on the other end of the line was warm, still carrying that faint note of excitement from telling me about her training.

I could almost picture the proud little smile she always wore when she felt accomplished.

Then I spoke briefly with Xamira before Meredith took over the phone once again.

Then the sound of the door opening drew my gaze from the scattered papers on my desk. Oscar stepped in, his expression intent.

"Draven!"

I covered the phone with my hand and shot him a quick look, my brows knitting in mild irritation at the interruption.

I raised a palm, silently telling him to wait.

He nodded once, and silently walked towards my desk while I finished with Meredith. I made sure to keep my voice even, trying not to let her catch the distraction.

Only when the call ended—and I set my phone carefully on the desk—did I turn my full attention to Oscar.

"Did something happen?"

"I was on my way to your office," Oscar began, "and ran into Jeffery in the hall. He told me Beta Gabriel Carter is here to see you."

I paused, the name hitting me like a splash of cold water.

"Gabriel Carter," I repeated slowly, tasting the unexpectedness of it.

Meredith’s father. The man who had never bothered to hide his disdain for me, who treated me with a cold civility at best, and only when absolutely necessary.

We had never shared a conversation longer than a few clipped words—and now he had come here, unannounced.

This was a first.

For a heartbeat, I sat back in my chair, my thoughts sharpening. What could possibly bring him here? The timing alone was enough to stir a faint current of suspicion.

I exhaled softly through my nose, masking my curiosity behind a measured tone.

"Tell Jeffery to bring him in." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "Put him in the guest sitting room on the ground floor. I will join him shortly."

Oscar nodded in understanding, then slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with the quiet hum of unanswered questions.

---

By the time I entered the guest sitting room, Gabriel Carter was already on his feet.

His posture was rigid, military-like, and his expression unreadable except for the faint narrowing of his eyes when he saw me.

"Alpha," he greeted with a stiff nod, as though every word cost him effort.

"Beta Gabriel," I returned evenly, motioning for him to sit. I took the seat opposite him, my hands resting lightly on the armrests. "To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"

He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. "I came to ask about my daughter. Meredith."

The words were spoken plainly, but they still gave me pause.

Since when did Gabriel Carter care enough to show up at my estate just to ’ask’ about her? I schooled my expression, though inside my skepticism bristled.

"She’s well," I replied, my tone measured. "Thriving, even."

"That’s good to hear," he said, leaning forward slightly. "But I’d rather see for myself—or at least have someone from our family see her. I want to send my son and my second daughter back to Duskmoor with you."

I arched a brow, letting a faint edge of incredulity creep into my voice. "Since when has her wellbeing been such a concern for you, Beta Gabriel?"

He didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. "She’s my blood. I have the right to know how she’s doing."

"You’ve always had that right," I said, my voice cooling, "yet you’ve never exercised it until now."

"I’m exercising it now," he countered simply, that stubborn glint settling in his eyes.

I leaned back, studying him in silence. This wasn’t about concern, not in the pure sense. There was another reason, and I suspected it had nothing to do with fatherly affection.

"Even if I entertained this," I said, "Duskmoor is not Stormveil. The tension there right now is high. Not exactly an ideal place to send two more members of your family—especially if you claim to care about them."

"That doesn’t change my decision," he said flatly. "They are going, and I’m fine with it."

And there it was. That unyielding, immovable will. No wonder Meredith could dig her heels in when she wanted—clearly, she inherited it from him..

I let the silence stretch before I spoke again, my words deliberate. "Very well. But if you insist, you will sign an undertaking. A written agreement that whatever happens to them in Duskmoor—any risk, any injury—will not be on my head."

His brows drew together. "An undertaking?"

"Yes." I met his gaze without wavering. "I’m sure a man as pragmatic as you understands why. Duskmoor isn’t a playground, and I have enough to manage without being accused of negligence over your children."

The room went still, the air tightening between us. We were locked in a silent staring contest, neither willing to yield.

I could tell he thought this was a ploy to make him back off—and he wasn’t wrong. But I also wasn’t bluffing.

In the back of my mind, Meredith’s face flashed—her unease whenever her family was mentioned, or back then when I had come to take her away right from under their nose.

None of her siblings has even made a move to help her, or try saving her from my hands. Instead, her brother had actually pushed her to me.

So, right now, I was being more than strategic; I was protecting her peace. If they did come to Duskmoor, it would be on their father’s shoulders, not mine.

Gabriel’s lips curved into the faintest suggestion of a smirk, though his eyes stayed cold.

"I will sign your paper, Alpha—on the condition that you put in writing that you will ensure their protection at all times. That nothing will happen to them under your watch."