Chapter 597
Gabriel and Dominick continued digging Leonard’s grave until the sharp clang of metal echoed from the dirt.
“I think it’s here,” Gabriel said, dropping his shovel and kneeling to brush the heavy soil away from the casket’s surface. Dominick joined him, and after twenty minutes of grueling work, the metallic lid was finally exposed.
The cover was jammed tight by years of rust and earth, but with their combined werewolf strength, they managed to pry it open. They both pulled back, panting from the exertion, and looked inside.
There lay the skeletal remains of Leonard, his hands still resting near a magnificent sword placed right beside him.
“Gabriel, that’s it. That’s the weapon,” Dominick whispered.
Gabriel gave a low hum of affirmation and reached down. As his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a rush of memory hit him, his father’s voice from a past life, promising that this sword was a precious gift intended only for him, and he would pass it to Gabriel soon. He shook off the sudden surge of emotion; there was no time for grief. He gripped the hilt and pulled the blade from its sheath.
“Look at that,” Dominick said, his voice filled with awe. “The blade still shines as if it were forged yesterday p>
“It does,” Gabriel agreed before putting back the sword into the sheath.
They didn’t linger. Together, they slid the casket cover back into place and shoveled the soil back over the grave. Once the earth was level again, they stood over it for a moment, chanting a short, quiet prayer for the late King of Aurevalis.
“The sword was close to you in a past life, but who told you it was the key to ending Ophelia?” Dominick asked, casting a curious glance at Gabriel as they navigated the rugged terrain.
“Someone whose identity I can’t reveal,” Gabriel replied shortly.
“Why the mystery?” Dominick remarked, dodging a fallen branch. “It’s not like we’re going to hunt them down p>
“Some people choose to live in the shadows for a reason,” Gabriel said, his tone ending the conversation.
“Fair enough,” Dominick said, shifting his focus. “Now, all we need is a solid plan. We know exactly where Ophelia is hiding. If we can bind her long enough for you to get close, you can end this with one strike. Carlos will be the key to that, and I heard his cousin arrived today, too, she could be a real asset. Dad also mentioned that the priests might be willing to lend their power to the ritual.” He spoke with a growing spark of enthusiasm.
“I just hope Ophelia doesn’t plan anything evil in this meantime. We still have two days left when the moon event will officially begin,” Gabriel stated.
“I think this place should again make into a settlement. What do you say? The place is quite beautiful. We can build it into a tourist hub with a small city center. Aurevalis name should not be erased from the history of werewolves,” Dominick suggested to his younger brother.
Gabriel smiled as he found the idea was fantastic.
“After all this will be over, we will do it,” Gabriel replied with a smile.
Amelie finished changing Noah’s diaper and headed to the washroom to scrub her hands. While she was gone, Ashna quickly layered the boy in warm clothes to keep out the palace chill. By the time Amelie stepped back into the bedroom, Noah was sprawling comfortably across the center of the bed, looking content.
“Thanks, Ashna. You should go and grab some lunch,” Amelie suggested softly. “I’m just going to rest here with Noah for a while p>
As Ashna nodded and headed out, Flora stepped into the chamber.
“Oh, Flora!” Amelie greeted her.
“Mom and Dad are still with the King and Queen,” Flora said, glancing back to make sure the door was firmly shut before her expression shifted. “Amelie… Alex’s mother contacted me p>
Amelie froze, her heart skipping a beat. “What? How did she even get your number? Why on earth would she contact you p>
“I have no idea how they tracked me down,” Flora admitted, her voice laced with worry. “She was asking about Noah. I didn’t give her an inch. I confronted her, told her never to call me again, and blocked the number immediately.” She sank onto the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on the boy.
“Why would she be asking about Noah now?” Amelie muttered, a deep frown etching into her forehead as she sat down beside her sister.
“Last I heard, they were banished to the borders to work as slaves,” Flora murmured, shaking her head. “It’s strange that she even had access to a phone, let alone my contact info p>
“I’ll ask Denzel to look into it,” Amelie assured her, her voice steady despite the underlying tension.
“You should. Honestly, they belong in a cell,” Flora said, her frown deepening. “I’m certain they knew exactly what their son was up to, yet they never lift a finger to stop him. They’re just as much to blame p>
Flora looked at her sister, her expression suddenly crumbling. “Amelie, I’m so sorry. Even I—the way I acted back then p>
“Let’s not talk about it,” Amelie interrupted gently, not letting her finish the thought. She didn’t want to dwell on the old wounds. Instead, she scooped Noah up in her arms, cradling him against her chest. “Mama will protect you from all the evil, okay?” she whispered, her hand stroking his small head as she pulled him close.
Flora watched them, a faint smile touching her lips at the sight of their bond, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of suffocating regret. She felt a knot tighten in her throat, her nerves fraying as she realized she could barely look Amelie in the eye. Her breathing turned shallow and erratic; she jerked her gaze away, desperate to hide her distress.
“I… I’m going to my room,” Flora stammered, standing up abruptly.
She turned to leave, but Amelie’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Where are you going suddenly? Stay with me,” Amelie said.