Chapter 161
Before dawn broke, Gabriel had already shifted into his wolf form and gone for a run through the dense woods. When he returned, the mansion was still cloaked in silence.
Inside their room, Amelie was still fast asleep, curled peacefully under the blanket. He didn’t disturb her. Heading to the bathroom, he freshened up and took a quick shower. The hot water did little to erase the sense of unease he experienced all night after finding the truth from Louis.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, he made his way to the underground prison.
But Mortis, the man who had dared to attempt kidnapping Amelie, was nowhere to be found.
He turned to the stationed guards and questioned them. The guards exchanged confused glances and paled expressions. “We-we don’t know, Alpha p>
Gabriel didn’t wish to resort to violence so early in the morning. Instead, he sent brief, clipped texts to both Karmen and Denzel: “Meet me. Urgent.” With that, he descended further into the prison levels to check on Jodie.
At his command, the guard unlocked the cell gate. The door creaked open with a low groan, echoing against the cold stone walls.
Jodie sat slumped against the corner. Her once radiant features were now dulled by exhaustion and despair.
The noise stirred her awake. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she slowly lifted her head.
“Gabriel she whispered, trying to stand. But her legs gave way, and she collapsed back against the wall with a soft thud.
He stared at her without flinching.
“Do you even understand the magnitude of what you’ve done? Your family name is in ruins. Your father has been begging the Alpha King every day. How could you even think of fooling me?” Gabriel sneered and took another step toward her.
“I beg for your forgiveness, Gabriel,” Jodie cried and pressed her palms together. “Please, let me go. I swear, you’ll never see me again. I’ll leave this territory and run far enough p>
“I will let you go,” he said slowly, “after you’re turned wolfless p>
Jodie’s breath caught in her throat, and her eyes stopped blinking on their own,
“For our kind,” Gabriel continued, stepping closer, “there is no agony greater than losing our wolves. It is the severing of soul from flesh p>
He crouched down slightly, so she couldn’t look away.
“That will be your punishment,” he said as his violet pupils turned darker. “You didn’t just target my mate. You aimed for my pup. So, you deserve no mercy. Just be grateful you’ll walk away with your life p>
Jodie gulped, but it was the price she had to pay.
Gabriel then stood up and walked out, letting Jodie live in fear until her release.
He made his final stop at the far end of the prison block, the cell where Zilia was locked away.
’Casaio didn’t lay a finger on her, and then disappeared without a word,’ Gabriel thought bitterly, his jaw tightening in annoyance. ’ What was he playing at p>
But the moment Gabriel stepped inside, his eyes widened in disbelief. Zilia was slumped against the wall too, her skin marked with bruises and dried blood, but the bandages were wrapped around them. He hadn’t expected this torture on her. But Casaio didn’t hesitate to show his kindness to her.
“You came back,” Zilia rasped. Her eyes cracked open, but her vision was too blurred to recognize him. “I already told you. I won’t say a damn word p>
“I’m not Casaio,” Gabriel said, and she recognized his voice.
“I don’t share my brother’s patience. I have my own methods, Zilia, to make you confess. And I’m not interested in waiting p>
“You still won’t get anything from me,” Zilia muttered.
Gabriel chuckled. “You underestimate me. Your master might’ve trained you to deceive and manipulate, but he failed to prepare you for me p>
His grin turned darker. “I don’t break enemies with pain. I break them with truth p>
Zilia furrowed her brows together, pondering Gabriel’s next move. Ten years she spent in the Sinclair Family, but the only person she couldn’t get through to was Gabriel. By the time she could use his mate against him, he had already caught her.
“How are you going to break me with truth?” Zilia asked, keeping her eyes fixed on him.
“What if I tell you I can free your brother from the clutches of the Blood Dominion Pack p>
Zilia’s entire face turned pale. She hadn’t expected him to know about her brother. But then, there was a possibility that Estelle shared it with him. She tried to act neutral and oblivious to what he was saying.
“I heard his life is hanging by a thread in that pack. Now, you are captured, the chances are that he will lose his life soon. It’s surprising, right, how I find out about your brother?” Gabriel chuckled and slid his hand into the pocket of his trousers.
Zilia felt her throat drying as she was unable to form any response.
“The man we caught with you has already revealed to me the name of your brother before dying,” Gabriel answered with a smirk. “That bastard thought I would grant him actual freedom after he tells me some sad story about his family,” he sneered.
“You’re evil,” Zilia said.
“That’s coming out of the mouth of another evil person. I must take it as a compliment then,” he remarked with a smile.
“What if you lose your dearest person to you someday? Will your response be the same?” Zilia spat at him.
“Don’t question me or play with me. Just give me one simple answer. Is there anyone from the kingdom who is helping the Blood Dominion Pack?” Gabriel asked in a stern tone.
“I told you p>
Gabriel held her face tightly as he crouched down in front of her. “The earlier you end this, the better it will be for both parties. It seems like you don’t love your little brother. Poor, Elric. His dear sister may become the reason for his demise soon,” Gabriel muttered and shoved her face away before moving back.
“You’ve time till the evening. If you don’t tell me, you’ll see the much evil side of me,” he warned her.