68.

Evelyn

"You must be kidding me," Gabriel sneered, giving Lucian and me a skeptical look. "Mates?" He repeated.

"Exactly what you heard. Why would she make up a lie? Evelyn is my mate, like it or not!" Lucian hissed out. Gabriel's anger escalated, and before he could charge forward, I stepped between them.

"Now is not the time for this, Gabriel," I urged. But what happened next shocked me to the core. Gabriel pushed me aside, and I stumbled, colliding with the sofa. He then grabbed Lucian by the neck.

Gabriel's grip on Lucian's neck tightened, and the room became charged with tension. I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing with fear for Lucian.

"Stop this, Gabriel! This is not the way to resolve our issues," I pleaded, moving closer to them.

Lucian, despite Gabriel's strong grip, managed to speak, his voice sharp. "You're not just hurting me; you're hurting Evelyn and yourself. The woman you call your wife!"

Their eyes locked, and something seemed to shift in Gabriel. His grip on Luci