Rejected and Pregnant Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince novel Chapter 332

Chapter 332: Wet sounds of their kiss

"I spoke to Amelie earlier," Zilia said as she brushed her hair slowly.

Casaio was sitting on the bed with his legs stretched out, a book in his hands. He glanced up briefly. "And?"

"She confided in me about how she feels toward your mother," Zilia continued, setting the brush down on the dressing table. "Ever since the truth came out, Gabriel has been keeping more and more distance from the Queen. Amelie feels guilty... like she’s the reason their bond has fractured even further. I told her not to blame herself, but I could sense she truly believes she’s added to the rift." She walked toward the bed.

Casaio closed the book, placing it beside him with a quiet sigh. "Mom knew this day would arrive. She was well aware of the consequences of her choices. And yet..." He paused, searching for the right words. "If you weigh both sides, neither of them is entirely wrong. Mother acted out of desperation to save Gabriel. Harsh as her methods were, she was still a mother, and her first instinct was to protect him at any cost. But Gabriel... he’s justified too. He’s carried the scars of her coldness for years. He grew up with that lingering reminder that he was never truly wanted, and now the truth has only deepened that wound."

He reached over and switched off the lights, leaving only the soft glow of the lamp by the bed.

As Casaio turned his head, his eyes fell on Zilia, who was gently pulling the duvet over them. Before she could settle in, his hand closed around her wrist, halting her movement.

Zilia’s gaze lifted, locking with his.

"In a few days, Dominick and Juniper will be lawfully wed," Casaio said. "Should we... do the same?"

Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "If you trust me, then yes," Zilia replied softly. "If you trust the bond between us, then you shouldn’t hesitate to marry me."

A shadow flickered in Casaio’s eyes. "Why didn’t you ever answer me like this before?" he asked, searching her expression as though trying to read every unspoken word. "I’ve always wanted to hear such a response from you."

Zilia lowered her gaze for a moment, her voice gentle but threaded with regret. "Because it would have been easier for Luke to use me against you. To force me into harming you. I wanted to delay it for as long as I could. Truthfully, I even hoped you’d reject me." She let out a faint sigh. "But you... You stubbornly loved me all this time."

She had never been one to explain her motives, never one to peel back the layers of her guarded heart. Yet, staying with Amelie for these few days had changed her. She had seen the way Amelie spoke with Gabriel, how honest she was with him, and he was the same. Amelie never hid her fears, her motives, her truths. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

And for the first time, Zilia wanted to give Casaio the same, her honesty.

Marks bloomed beneath his lips. Each one whispered the same truth: she was his.

The mark of her alpha was engraved right beneath her collarbone, which shone when Casaio kissed it. His hand slowly did its work by slipping off the strap of her nightdress from one side.

"Zilia, I never wanted to punish you. I’m so sorry," Casaio finally said, he lifted his eyes, meeting hers. "I hurt you," he murmured, his eyes brimming with tears.

"I worked as a spy. You fulfilled your duty as a prince," Zilia said. Her lips quivered at the end. "I hoped I could have given you a better life as your mate, but I failed in that. You were no longer yourself because of me."

A tear slipped down her left eye before more escaped. Casaio’s thumbs pressed against her cheeks as he began wiping them.

"Don’t cry, Zilia. It bleeds my heart when you do," Casaio said and kissed her on the cheek. Then, he nipped her cheek playfully, making her laugh lightly. "I still love you a lot. I can’t ever lose you or be away from you. I only want you," he confessed.