Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

Amelie left the room with Carlos after settling Ravenna in the guest room. Ravenna had gone straight to bed, exhaustion pulling her under almost instantly.

"I'll stay with your grandmother," Amelie offered.

"No, don't," Carlos said gently but firmly. "You need to take care of yourself too. Besides, Gabriel will be back soon, and he'll want you with him."

"He'll understand Grandma needs someone by her side," Amelie countered. "You're also tired, so you can't do it either."

"The servants can," Carlos suggested. "Ask one of them to sit with her."

"That's a good idea," she agreed after a moment's pause. They walked a few more steps before Amelie stopped. "Go get some rest. I'll send someone to be with Grandma."

"That would be great." Carlos gave her a quick wave before heading toward his room.

Amelie turned back toward the living room, where Juniper still sat, flipping idly through a magazine. She glanced around for Albus and spotted him emerging from the hallway.

"Uncle, could you please arrange for a servant to stay with Grandma?" Amelie asked.

Juniper's eyes lifted from the glossy pages, her attention shifting toward them.

"Of course, Amelie," Albus replied without hesitation. "And you should go to your room and rest as well."

"Yes. I'm heading there now," she said, then glanced at Juniper. "I think there's still some time before they return, June."

Juniper lifted her head fully to meet Amelie's gaze. "I'm not tired."

Amelie offered a polite nod in place of a reply and made her way quietly to her new room.

As Amelie sank onto the mattress, she finally released a slow breath, the weight of the day easing off her shoulders. Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, she unlocked it and searched for a message from Gabriel. There was nothing.

A small knot of worry tightened in her chest, but she resisted the urge to call as she didn't want to distract him if he was still working.

Setting the phone aside, she lay back, pulling the duvet over herself. Her hand instinctively settled on her rounded belly, fingertips brushing softly over the gentle curve as she caressed it in quiet affection.

She hadn't meant to sleep, but exhaustion was relentless.

When she startled awake, it was already late evening. But there was also a familiar presence in the room. Gabriel had returned, and the scent of his pheromones filled the space with comforting warmth.

Amelie turned her head and found him beside her, lying on his stomach, his face relaxed in sleep. One arm was draped protectively across her belly, providing warmth not only to her but to Noa, too.

'He must be exhausted,' Amelie thought, watching the steady rise and fall of Gabriel's shoulders. Though her body longed for more rest, she knew the others might already be awake, especially Grandma. Reluctantly, she decided to forgo the comfort of her pillow.

Her belly had grown enough to make even the smallest movements a challenge. As she tried to sit up, Gabriel stirred, his sleep broken by the subtle shift. He rubbed his eyes, his voice low and drowsy. "Ame… what happened? Do you need something?"

The faint rasp in his tone told her how tired he still was. These past few days had taken their toll on him as well.

"No, I don't need anything," she assured him softly.

By now, Gabriel had pushed himself upright, stifling a yawn. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and padded to the light switch. With a soft click, the room brightened. "It's already half past six," he said, glancing at the clock. "I slept too much." He ran a hand over the back of his neck before crossing back to her.

Sliding one arm behind her head and clasping her hand with the other, he gently helped her sit up. "You should wake me instead of struggling like this," he murmured.

"You're already losing sleep for me these days. I felt—"

"Don't feel anything," Gabriel interrupted, his tone firm but tender. "You're going through far more than I am. So the only thing I want you to feel is cared for… and pampered."

Amelie's lips curved into a soft smile before she leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his. When she pulled back, she blinked shyly, lowering her gaze. Gabriel responded with a trail of quick kisses, first on her lips again, then brushing along her cheeks.

"Hey, stop, that tickles!" she laughed.

But Gabriel didn't stop. The light, playful kisses that had made her laugh moments ago shifted into hot ones.

His lips trailed to the center of her throat, lingering there before he lowered his head to the curve of her neck. His hands moved in gentle strokes along her arms and over her shoulders.

"H-how was work?" Amelie asked, catching her breath and biting her lip.

Gabriel didn't answer; his attention was entirely on her. Then, in a low voice near her ear, he murmured, "Don't you think this dress should come off?" His lips brushed against her earlobe, sending a sharp gasp through her.

"No," she said quickly, though her voice was softer than intended. "Everybody must be waiting for us." Her hands pressed lightly against his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath her palms.

"Who knows? They might be resting too," Gabriel murmured before nipping gently at her earlobe, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. His voice dropped low. "I want you… badly. But I have to stop."

He pulled back only slightly, enough to gather himself, though his face lingered just an inch from hers. One hand rose to cup her cheek, his touch warm and steady.

"I want the good old days back, where we didn't have to worry much. But I promise they aren't far, Amelie," Gabriel promised.

The look of adoration in his eyes told Amelie to forget about all the worries around them. That look wanted her to remember one thing: no one could separate them in this birth.