Chapter 196: Give them space

Words : 1020 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 196: Give them space"Idris, did you have your meals?" Casaio asked gently, his tone softening as he looked at the frail boy. "I... I was waiting for my sister," Idris replied, glancing up with wide and hopeful eyes. Then, worry crept back into his voice. "I won’t have to go back to the Blood Dominion Pack, will I?" He took a hesitant step closer to Casaio, his hands began trembling slightly. "Please, sir... don’t send me back," Idris pleaded. "They’re bad people... They never let me go anywhere. I was always locked in. I tried to be good, but they still—" He broke off, clutching Zilia’s hand tighter. Casaio stared at the boy, momentarily taken aback by the fear in his voice. He glanced at Zilia, her cheeks were still wet with tears. "I’ll cook something for you, Idris," Zilia said gently, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Go wash your face in the bathroom, alright?" Idris gave a silent nod and shuffled away, his small frame disappearing into the room. Zilia turned to Casaio, and said, "Please... convey my gratitude to Gabriel. I never imagined I’d see Idris like this. He is free and not behind guarded walls. The few times I saw him before... it was always under strict security." "Idris can’t stay with you," Casaio said. Zilia gave a small nod, already expecting the answer. "I understand. Wherever you place him, I trust he’ll be safe under your protection." "He’s twelve. Has his wolf awakened?" Casaio asked, folding his arms. "Not yet," she replied. He hummed. "You’re to continue laying low. Stay in your current role and keep working, just like you have been. I’ll decide based on your performance when or if you’re allowed to meet Idris again." Zilia lowered her gaze, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I–I understand." "Go cook for your brother," Casaio said, turning away. "I’ll be taking him with me after that." "Casaio..." Zilia’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her eyes searching his face. "They won’t come after Idris, will they?" "They won’t," he replied without hesitation. Then, after a brief pause, he added coldly, "But if you fail in what’s expected of you... if you slip even once—" He looked her dead in the eye. "You might lose him for good." Zilia stiffened, the open threat tightening around her like a noose. But she said nothing, just nodded slowly, swallowing the fear rising in her throat. ~~~~~ After lunch, Gabriel ensured Amelie got the rest she needed. He waited by her side until she fell asleep, not wanting to bring up anything that might disturb her peace. Once she was asleep, he quietly left the room and headed straight to find Katelyn. As he entered the main hall, he noticed a servant clearing the table. "Where’s Kate?" Gabriel asked in his sharp tone. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but I’m not aware," the servant replied, bowing slightly. Gabriel pulled out his phone, only to frown as he scrolled through his contacts and realized he hadn’t saved Katelyn’s number. With a sigh, he dialed Dominick’s number. "What happened?" Dominick’s voice echoed across the hall as he stepped inside, already holding his phone. Juniper joined him, pausing beside Dominick as she glanced between the two brothers. "I need Kate’s number," Gabriel said curtly. "You don’t have your own sister’s number?" Juniper asked, raising an eyebrow. "That’s why I’m asking for it," Gabriel snapped, his irritation thinly veiled. Dominick simply shook his head and dialed Katelyn’s number. After a few rings, he looked up. "She’s not answering." "Call her again," Gabriel ordered, his jaw tightening. Without protest, Dominick redialed. The phone rang and rang, but again, there was no response. "She’s still not picking up," Dominick said, concern creeping into his voice. "Is everything alright?" Dominick asked, reading the storm in Gabriel’s eyes. "No," Gabriel replied flatly. "Nothing is alright." Juniper’s expression shifted as she wondered what Katelyn did, but then "What did Kate do?" Dominick questioned, stepping closer. Gabriel’s jaw tightened, the muscle twitching as he ground his teeth. "Something she never should have," he muttered and turned to leave. "Hey, I need to talk to you," Dominick said, stepping in front of his brother to stop him. Gabriel paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "Is Amelie awake?" Juniper asked, her voice turning softer now. "She’s asleep at the moment," Gabriel replied. "Oh." Juniper nodded, unsure what more to say. "You should go to my room for now," Dominick told her, his gaze flicking to Gabriel as if silently asking for privacy. Juniper gave a quiet nod and turned to leave, her footsteps fading down the corridor. Gabriel exhaled heavily and followed Dominick into the private hall. As the door closed behind them, Gabriel spoke with a warning. "If this is about Casaio, I don’t want to hear it. My head’s already about to split open because of Kate." His wolf stirred beneath the surface which was restless and growling in a restrained fury. "What exactly did Kate do?" Dominick asked, his brow furrowing in concern. Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, his voice dropping to a bitter murmur. "She said some brutal things to Amelie... things she should’ve never uttered. And I had to stand there, silent, just for Amelie’s sake." Dominick blinked, visibly surprised. "But... I thought Kate and Amelie were getting along?" "They did. Or at least it seemed that way," Gabriel muttered, jaw tight again. Dominick gave a slow nod, then shrugged slightly. "Still... you shouldn’t get too tangled in whatever disagreement they’ve had. You know how women are. Such fights are common between them. Give them space. I’m sure they’ll sort it out on their own." "I wouldn’t have even tried to confront Kate if she hadn’t called Amelie selfish, cunning and what not," Gabriel remarked. Dominick’s brows knitted together to hear that. "What exactly happened between them?" he queried. Gabriel turned quiet as he didn’t wish to tell Dominick about Katelyn’s feelings for Karmen. "Leave that matter. Tell me what you wanted to say to me," he murmured, slumping to the sofa chair.

Chapter 196: Give them space

Comments (0)