Chapter 467
Karmen and Katelyn ended up encountering each other in the eastern corridor of the palace, nearly walking into one another.
“Your Highness,” Karmen said immediately, giving a quick, deep bow before lifting his head.
“Were you coming from seeing Noah?” Katelyn asked, already knowing Karmen often checked on the pup.
“Kind of,” Karmen replied easily. “How have you been, princess p>
“I’ve been well. And you?” Katelyn returned the courtesy.
“I’m good too. Please,” he said, stepping aside and lowering his head slightly to give her space to pass. Katelyn took a step forward but paused, sensing a very familiar scent, it was Sage, and it felt like he was quite close.
“Karmen, it’s been a long time since I last saw you,” Sage’s voice echoed in the hallway, making both Katelyn and Karmen turn sharply in his direction.
“What are you doing in the palace at this hour?” Katelyn asked, genuinely perplexed to see Sage arrive so early in the morning.
The Jealous Mate
“I thought to surprise my mate,” Sage said simply, his voice carrying clearly down the hall.
Katelyn’s eyes widened at him, stunned that he would announce their bond so loudly. Before she could react, he suddenly pulled her into his side, his arm possessively settling on her lower back as he gazed pointedly at Karmen.
“I’ll give you two a little space,” Karmen said discreetly, bowing slightly before turning and walking away down the corridor.
Katelyn immediately grabbed Sage’s hand and tried to pry it from her back. “What the heck is wrong with you this morning? Why did you tell him about us?” Her anger spiked; she had explicitly told him she didn’t want anyone, especially palace staff, finding out they were mates yet.
Sage didn’t release her. Instead, he smoothly pinned her against the wall, his one hand resting just left of her head as his gaze bored intensely into hers. “Because you once liked Karmen,” he asserted with honesty. “I’m jealous. Okay? I wanted to make damn sure he knows exactly what we are p>
Katelyn rolled her eyes in exasperation. “But he doesn’t even care! And my feelings for him no longer exist. Then, why did you have to announce it when I strictly told you not to tell anyone?” She finally shoved him away with surprising strength, stepping back from the wall.
“You can’t see what I can,” Sage murmured, his eyes holding a depth she didn’t understand.
“What do you mean?” she asked, frowning at his cryptic statement.
“Nothing,” Sage whispered, pouting his lips slightly. He turned to leave. “I’ll go then.” In the back of his head, he was desperately hoping she would stop him.
“Just stay here,” Katelyn quickly insisted. “You’ve come all the way from the hotel. Leaving now, then coming again would be a hassle for you p>
Sage’s face lit up with a small, pleased smile. He nodded at her, instantly accepting the invitation to stay.
Amelie returned to the chamber, carrying a jewelry box, and found a truly heartwarming sight: Gabriel was sleeping peacefully after their bath time, with Noah curled up right next to him on the same bed.
Her heart fluttered with immense joy at the sight of her son and her husband sharing such warmth. Whenever she saw Noah being loved so deeply by Gabriel, her insides always jumped with pure happiness.
As she quietly lowered the box onto the dressing table when a sudden, sharp sound pierced her mind. It was a terrible echo, as if someone were violently screaming directly into her head.
Amelie instantly grabbed her head, her face blanching as she realized she had forgotten to wear the protective ring that Carlos’ grandmother had given her.
Suddenly, Ophelia’s voice, rang in her mind, “Amelie, I’ll kill you along with your mate! Be ready for what you did to my daughter p>
The threat made it hard for her to breathe as if Ophelia were physically clutching at her neck, even though she wasn’t actually present in the room.
“Amelie!” Gabriel called out, snapping awake and instantly seeing her struggling to breathe. The next second, he was right behind her, his gaze falling immediately on her bare hand, the ring was gone.
Frantically, he searched the immediate area but, finding nothing, he quickly removed his own powerful, protective ring and slipped it onto her finger.
Amelie coughed hard, finally able to draw a full breath as Gabriel held her tightly from behind, securing her against his chest.
“Gabriel,” Amelie whispered, her hands clutching weakly at his shirt.
“Everything is fine,” he reassured her, gently patting the back of her head. He helped her sit down on the bed and quickly poured a glass of water for her. Sitting next to her, he handed it over. “Here, drink it p>
Amelie thanked him and sipped the water slowly, her mind racing with confusion over what had just happened. As she lowered the glass, she said, “Ophelia wants to kill me and you. She screamed. She looked so furious. But how could she hurt me even when she’s not physically present p>
“She’s a witch,” Gabriel replied, his tone serious. “Maybe she found a way to use a different kind of magic or connection.” He noticed the ring on her hand. “Where is your ring, the one Carlos’ grandmother gave you p>
“I didn’t find it on the dressing table this morning and I even forgot about it,” Amelie replied, her eyes widening slightly in panic as she realized the potential significance of its disappearance.
“Why did you even remove it?” Gabriel questioned, concern hardening his voice. He realized with dread that the protective pendant was useless now; its power seemed to have vanished completely.
“I usually remove it before a bath,” Amelie answered simply, looking down at the borrowed ring on her finger. She almost removed it when Gabriel didn’t let her.
“Don’t remove it,” Gabriel said.
“But what about you?” Amelie asked.
“Something isn’t right. Someone within the palace is involved with Ophelia. She harmed you when you are so far from her,” Gabriel pronounced.
“But Gabriel, what if she does anything to you? Please don’t stop me,” Amelie said with a panicked gaze.
Gabriel knew she would not stop worrying for him, so he pulled out the pendant with chain from her neck. “Then, I will wear it. This one also protects, remember?” He put it on his neck, turning her silent. “Stay with Noah. I’ll be back soon.” With that, he headed out of the chamber.