Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 84: I got tricked

In the evening, Gabriel and Dominick stood in the garden while conversing with each other.

"It was necessary to open Casaio’s eyes," Gabriel said firmly. "He needs to stop sulking over it."

Dominick gave him a side glance. "You understand love better than most, and yet... you couldn’t think of a simpler way? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just tell him the truth about Zilia? Instead, you had him walk in on her with another man at that hotel. That was brutal, Gabriel."

"I had to be cruel to be kind," Gabriel replied coldly. "At least now, he won’t waste any more years pining for someone who deceived him for over a decade."

"But Casaio’s going to need time to heal from this betrayal," Dominick murmured, a crease forming between his brows.

Gabriel nodded slowly. "He knew, deep down, that Zilia was never truly serious about him. But he clung to hope, telling himself that someday she’d come around. In a way, Casaio’s to blame too, he never bothered to really look into her past."

"In love, you go blind," Dominick chuckled under his breath. Then, with a knowing smirk, he added, "Speaking of which... I overheard your conversation with Amelie’s mother. Looks like there’s still a lot you don’t know about her either."

Gabriel’s eyes widened. "Wait, you heard all of that?" His expression turning into a serious one. Out of everyone, he didn’t want Dominick to learn it. " I didn’t expect you to be the eavesdropping type."

"It wasn’t intentional. Blame my hearing ability. I inherited good ones," Dominick shrugged. Then his tone shifted slightly. "But if Mom ever finds out what Amelie past is... she won’t hesitate to try and cut her out of your life."

Gabriel’s smile faded into a firm line. "She can try," he said. "But I dare her to lay a finger on Amelie. And before that, I dare you to tell our mother."

Dominick raised a brow, folding his arms. "What would you do? Plan to kill me again?"

Gabriel narrowed his eyes but didn’t rise to the bait. "You won’t do that, Nick. Not now. The High Priest is gone. The full truth hasn’t surfaced yet, and even a single misunderstanding could turn deadly."

Dominick remained silent, watching Gabriel carefully.

Gabriel revealed more then. "I caught the mate’s scent from Amelie. I’ve marked her. That bond, it’s more sacred to us than any royal decree or ceremonial vow."

Dominick lowered his arms to his sides. "I don’t care for your life. You can do whatever you desire," he said. "I’ll keep pretending that I never heard that." He took a slow turn and walked away, leaving Gabriel alone in the garden.

"I hope he doesn’t, else, Amelie will leave my side," Gabriel murmured. This kind of feeling... It clenched his heart. He couldn’t name it, but he knew it was more than mere fear.

~~~~~

Amelie placed the brush gently on the vanity table, giving herself a final glance in the mirror. She was dressed and ready for dinner with Gabriel, having even found a charming little restaurant she hoped he’d enjoy.

"I hope Gabriel likes the place," she murmured, picking up her clutch before heading downstairs.

"Miss, Prince Gabriel is outside," a passing maid informed her with a polite bow.

"Oh. Thank you," Amelie replied, adjusting the strap of her clutch as she turned toward the front door.

Stepping outside, she spotted Gabriel standing near the garden’s edge, speaking quietly with Karmen. Their conversation seemed discreet, but the moment Amelie appeared, both of them turned to face her.

"I was looking for you inside," Amelie said, her gaze lingering on Gabriel.

His gaze softened with adoration the moment he saw her. The black bodycon dress hugged her figure in all the right places, making it impossible for him to look away.

Without a word, he reached for her hand and gently led her to the passenger seat, while Karmen gave a polite nod and quietly excused himself.

Gabriel slipped into the driver’s seat beside her, stealing a glance her way.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice low but sincere.

"Thank you," Amelie replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "I found this place we should go to for dinner tonight."

Gabriel gave a small hum of approval and entered the location into the GPS before driving out of the estate.

As they arrived outside the restaurant, Amelie’s face fell slightly. The place looked nothing like the elegant photos she had seen online. The building was old, its paint chipped and signboard faded from years of neglect.

Gabriel stepped out of the car, surveying the area. "Are you sure this is the place?" he asked, glancing at her with a raised brow.

"Yes, but..." Amelie trailed off, her voice lowering in disappointment. "I think I got tricked. The listing must’ve been fake." Embarrassment crept into her tone. "I’m sorry. Let’s just head somewhere else."

Just then, a loud burst of laughter erupted from the entrance. A group of rowdy patrons stumbled out, some clearly drunk, their arms slung around each other as they continued laughing and chatting boisterously.

Without thinking, Gabriel instinctively pulled Amelie closer, wrapping an arm protectively around her waist. She leaned into his side, comforted by the gesture.

"I guess the place is popular," Gabriel commented dryly, "but probably not for the reasons you hoped."

Amelie sighed and looked at her phone, scrolling through the list of nearby restaurants. "There’s another place a few blocks from here. They look more promising." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Before they could turn to leave, a young boy, no older than sixteen, approached them from behind. They turned to look at him, a bit surprised.

Dressed in a slightly oversized vest and trying his best to look professional, he greeted, "Welcome, Sir and Madam. Are you here for dinner? We just had a rooftop table open up. It has the best view in the house."

"Please, come in, Madam," the boy requested, looking at her with his innocent eyes. Seeing that, Amelie could not stop herself, but following him inside.