Chapter 199
Flora sat quietly at the table, her fingers wrapped around a warm cup of evening tea. She took small sips while her eyes were still swollen from crying.
Noticing her daughter’s lingering sadness, Samyra reached out gently. “Are you sure everything’s alright, Flora?” she asked again, her voice laced with quiet worry.
“Yes, Mom,” Flora replied, offering a strained smile, one that barely masked the turmoil within her.
David glanced at her, concern etched into the lines of his face. He sighed. “Amelie still hasn’t come to see us,” he murmured.
Just then, as if summoned by his words, Amelie’s voice floated in from the doorway of the modest sitting room, tucked away in the western quarters of the palace. It was the temporary residence given to her parents during their stay.
“Good evening,” Amelie greeted, stepping into the room. Her gaze swept over them with subtle intensity. “Did you all rest well p>
David’s face softened a little. “Yes, we did,” he replied, gesturing to the seat beside him. “Come, sit with us p>
Amelie walked over and quietly took her place next to her father. There was a pause before she spoke again,
“You’ve been asking me to stay in the pack for a few days,” she began. “But I’ve realized that, for the sake of my mental peace, it’s better I keep my distance p>
“We understood that,” David said gently, nodding.
Amelie finally looked up, her eyes steady as they met her parents’. “You couldn’t protect Flora in this pack. And before her, I was the one they used to target. The bullying will never stop, and now, it has shifted to Flora. Though everything is happening with her because of her past crimes p>
Samyra and David looked at Flora, who had lowered her head further.
“Are you two supposed to keep living in the Red River Pack just because our ancestors once did? Is that the only reason to endure all this p>
David’s brows furrowed as he studied her face. “Are you suggesting we leave the Red River Pack p>
“Yes,” Amelie said without hesitation. “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting, Dad. I think you all should shift to San Ravendale. I’m not forgiving any of you entirely, but I think it will be cruel to hear how Flora is being targeted in the pack every day. I don’t want her dead p>
Amelie’s gaze shifted to Flora, whose eyes shimmered with fresh tears. One rolled down her cheek in silence, and she quickly wiped it away.
“Flora, why did you hide things from me?” Samyra asked, her voice trembling. “When I asked you p>
“You noticed everything, Mom,” Amelie cut in sharply. “You just chose to look away p>
Her tone wasn’t loud, but it struck them deeper. She turned her eyes toward both parents.
“You did the same when it was me. And Dad Her gaze locked onto him. “You’ve always placed your reputation above your children p>
David looked down, his lips pressed tightly, but he didn’t offer a defense.
Amelie continued, her voice calm but piercing. “We don’t live under the same old traditions anymore. In San Ravendale, wolves live freely, without fixed packs, yet every one of them is loyal to the royal family and the Alpha King. They are respected, not oppressed p>
She turned her focus back to her father. “It’s time you thought about Flora. About this family p>
A second later, she added, “I’ve found where I belong and as I said many times before too. I have found a family of my own, so you don’t have to worry for me or the pup in my womb. Currently, you both should focus on Flora and her mental health p>
“Flora,” David began, “we’re sorry. We keep making mistakes… I know that. I’ve been thinking about moving for a while now, but the truth is, I didn’t know where to go or how to start p>
Amelie gave a short nod. Her eyes shifted toward Flora, who stood up abruptly, the tears in her eyes still fresh.
“Excuse me,” Flora whispered and quickly stepped out of the room.
“I’ll go after her,” David said, rising from his seat and following his daughter, leaving Amelie and Samyra alone in the now silent room.
Amelie turned toward her mother. “Mom, there’s something I need to ask you p>
“Yes, say it,” Samyra replied gently, sensing the shift in Amelie’s tone.
Amelie didn’t beat around the bush. Her eyes met her mother’s. “Is there a hidden mark on my body, one I’ve never seen p>
Seeing the sudden silence of her mother, Amelie was confirmed that there existed a mark. “Mom, you should tell me the truth p>
Samyra looked visibly shaken. “Wh-why are you suddenly asking about it?” she stammered, eyes darting away.
“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve kept this from me all my life,” Amelie pressed, her voice tightening. “Where is it? Where’s the mark p>
Samyra hesitated, then finally spoke. “It’s on your nape… a mark from your past. That’s what the pack’s priest said when you were born p>
Amelie’s eyes narrowed. “You knew. And you didn’t think I deserved to know p>
“I told Prince Gabriel about it,” Samyra replied, her voice defensive now. “I assumed he’d tell you. Did he not p>
Amelie’s expression darkened upon learning that Gabriel knew about it.
Amelie furrowed her brows, the pieces in her mind slowly aligning. ’Why would Gabriel hide something like this from me?’ she wondered. Still, she chose not to reveal that Gabriel didn’t discuss it with her.
“Why don’t you just tell me everything yourself, Mom?” Amelie asked.
Samyra looked down, her fingers tightening around the edge of her shawl. “The priest… he warned me,” she said after a long pause. “He said you weren’t meant to find love in this lifetime p>
Amelie’s eyes narrowed.
“I placed restrictions on you because I believed it was the only way to keep you safe,” Samyra continued, her voice tinged with guilt. “He told us that if you ever gave your heart to someone… that man would die. That your love would bring chaos, maybe even bloodshed p>
Amelie’s breath hitched as she recalled about her dream. Then, the prophecy about which the Queen told her.
“But Amelie,” Samyra said gently, as if trying to console both her daughter and herself, “I think that prophecy… it was meant for Alex. He was your first love, and he’s gone now. Maybe that was what the priest foresaw. So please, don’t put too much thought into it p>
Her lips curved into a faint, hopeful smile. “As for the mark… maybe it’s a bond from your past life, something you shared with Gabriel p>
Amelie’s eyes turned cold, her frustration surfacing. “Mom, you weren’t supposed to keep it from me. You should have told me the truth from the beginning p>
Samyra’s face fell. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I only thought it would be easier, for you, if you didn’t know p>
Amelie remained still for a moment, staring at her mother as emotions warred within her.
“No, Mom,” she said, her voice rising.
Samyra’s expression tightened, but Amelie didn’t stop.
“It makes me question everything, your real intentions. If I hadn’t asked about the mark, would you have ever told me? Or would you have kept hiding it, pretending it didn’t exist p>
Her voice began to quiver, and the weight of the conversation, along with the flood of pregnancy hormones, pressed heavily on her chest. Blinking back the tears stinging her eyes, Amelie rose abruptly to her feet.
“I should go,” she said, her voice barely steady.
“Amelie—” Samyra called after her, but she didn’t stop. She didn’t even look back.
With hurried steps, Amelie reached her room and shut the door behind her with a sharp click, leaning against it for a brief moment as if holding herself together by force. Then, slowly, she slid down to the floor.
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but they kept falling. Taking in a shaky breath, she reached for the pendant around her neck, clutching it tightly as she stared at it with intensity.
“I don’t even know who I truly am,” she whispered. “The mark on my the back of my neck… it’s not just a birthmark. It’s a key to something I’ve long forgotten p>
Her fingers tightened around the pendant as her expression hardened.
“If I can uncover the truth about that mark, then maybe… everything between Gabriel and his mother will finally make sense. I need to talk to Gabriel why he hid this from me and what exactly was Gabriel trying to protect me from p>
She slowly stood up and settled on the bed. Picking up her phone, she looked for a number, who was an old acquaintance of her, Carlos Winheart.
Amelie brought the phone to her ear as the rings went.
After a few seconds passed, the call was answered.
“Amelie, why did you remember me after all these years?” came Carlos’ voice from the other side. “I thought you forgot me after that fateful night p>