Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

"Carlos, any idea what it might contain? Do you sense anything unusual?" Gabriel asked after watching Amelie leave with Juniper.

Carlos shook his head slightly, his brows furrowed. "I can't say for sure," he admitted. "Whatever it is, it's shielded well."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Gabriel, I need to fly back home. I want to bring my grandmother here, she might be able to help."

Gabriel nodded in understanding. "If she's that important to the situation, I'll come with you. She's old, and long travel might be too much for her alone."

"What about Amelie?" Carlos asked, concerned.

"I'll stay with her," Zilia spoke up, stepping forward confidently. "She won't be alone." Her gaze shifted to Casaio, signaling she had more to share. "But there's something you two need to know."

Casaio picked up from there. "Before we came here, Zilia and I planned to investigate a rumored witches' hideout in the capital," he explained. "It's an old lead Zilia heard during one of her spy missions. Once we go back to the capital, we were planning to check it out."

"So, you are saying that Ophelia might be hidden there!?" Gabriel asked.

"There's a possibility," Casaio replied.

"However, the box is being delivered here. The capital's distance from here is at least an eight-hour drive, while by air it's less. I don't think Ophelia will dare to travel when she also knows her identity can be exposed," Gabriel explained. "Definitely there can be witches in such hideouts, but Ophelia is not there. She's operating from close to us."

Casaio and Zilia glanced at each other.

"Well, my grandmother has to come here anyhow. It's not easy to fight Ophelia alone, especially when she's playing such tricks," Carlos finally said. Then, glancing at Gabriel, he continued,

"Stay here. I'll bring my grandmother safely. Amelie needs you by her side. It's not that she's weak, but she's also linked to the curse. So, we can't let anything happen to her," he then advised.

Gabriel gave a thoughtful nod.

"All right then, I'll make the arrangements for your departure."

"I'll go with Carlos," Casaio said, stepping forward without hesitation.

Carlos gave a grateful smile. "That would be great. I'd prefer not to make the trip alone."

Juniper and Dominick exchanged a glance before he spoke. "We'll stay here until you return."

Gabriel shook his head gently. "No need. You and Juniper have wedding preparations to take care of. My beta and gamma are both here, so there's nothing urgent to worry about."

"But we'll feel guilty leaving you both to handle everything," Dominick said with a slight pout. "You and Amelie can't fight this alone. I'm not a bad brother, you know."

Gabriel let out a short laugh. "No, you're not. I appreciate it." He gave Dominick a firm nod. "Do what feels right to you. I'll excuse myself."

He walked away to make a call.

~~~~

Flora's brows knitted together as she stared at the parcel resting on the table. The plain brown wrapping bore her name, but no sender's information.

"Did you see who delivered this?" she asked the housemaid with curiosity.

The maid shook her head. "No, Miss. It was just sitting outside the gate when I opened it this morning."

"I see..." Flora murmured, her eyes still fixed on the box.

Once the maid exited the room, Flora carefully untied the string and unfolded the wrapping. Inside lay a peculiar silver locket, old but well-preserved, its surface engraved with unfamiliar symbols. Nestled beneath it was a folded note.

She picked it up with a growing sense of unease and read,

"Meet me in Shine Café."

Flora stared at the note, reading the message again.

"Who sent this? And why do they want to meet me?" she muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Her gaze shifted to the locket lying in her palm. Something was unsettling about it… and yet, her curiosity won over hesitation.

She walked over to her vanity, giving herself a quick once-over. With a few light touches, she adjusted her hair, letting the dark strands fall neatly down her back. She grabbed a simple white overcoat, draped it over her shoulders, and slipped her feet into low-heeled shoes.

From the cupboard, she took her purse and gently tucked the locket and note inside.

Then she picked up her phone and headed out the door toward Shine Café, ready to uncover who was behind the message and what they wanted from her.

After a twenty-minute drive, she reached the café. Walking in, she randomly took a seat and ordered a coffee for herself.

Looking around, she gently put the purse on the chair next to her when she heard the sound of heels approaching her. Flora lifted her head and found a woman in front of her.

"Flora, thank you for coming," the woman said and pulled out the third chair for herself. She looked in her forties and was quite elegant in appearance. However, there was something odd about her appearance.

"Sorry? Who are you?" Flora asked, "And how do you know my name?"

"Well, I am your well-wisher. You were wronged about everything, so I am here to help you. Didn't you get a locket and note from me? That's why you came here," the woman stated.

Then, raising her hand for the waiter, she ordered a coffee for herself as well.

Flora furrowed her brows together, still feeling suspicious of the lady.

"What's your name? And why do you want to show kindness to me? Just come straight to the point of your selfishness," Flora remarked sharply.

"Don't you want to get back what you've lost so far? Love, friends, fame, and care?" The woman asked with a grin.

"Gabriel Sinclair took everything from you, didn't he? Do you think Alex Morgan would have abandoned you if your sister hadn't met with Gabriel? Flora, dear, you've been wronged for everything. You were never meant to be crushed like this. It was never your fault, but your sister's."