Althea had a deep, relaxing sleep during the night and woke up feeling very rejuvenated. Melva was already inside when she sat on the bed and stretched her arms.“You’re finally awake, My Lady,” Melva said as she arranged a meal for her.“Are we not going to continue the journey?” she asked, rising onto the bed and gazing at it for a moment. Somehow, Gavriel’s familiar warmth and scent still lingered.“He slept with you the entire night, My Lady, and left just before sunrise,” Melva said with a teasing grin, as if proud she had immediately read her thoughts from a single look.Her face flushed, and she muttered, “I slept like a log.”Well, you’re sick and many things happened, so he probably just cradled you and didn’t have the heart to disturb your peaceful slumber. “Come now and eat. Everyone is now preparing to continue the journey.”She nodded and then prepared for the morning. Melva had once again arranged a riding outfit for her, saying the Alpha King told her that she would rid
“I guess I’m no longer needed,” Uriel remarked, rubbing his chin in that familiar, thoughtful way he always did. He hadn’t changed at all since the last time Gavriel saw him. “Still… just from her reaction, I could tell she went through something. A trauma. Maybe a nightmare?”He wasn’t wrong. Earlier, Gavriel had been able to feel Althea’s emotions, raw and overwhelming. Fear. Sorrow. Grief so deep it nearly crushed him. She had been spiraling.But now… there was nothing.He frowned slightly. It wasn’t normal. Her emotional presence had vanished, like someone had slammed a wall around her soul. Something was off.“You,” he said, pointing to Melva as she approached with a polite bow. “Go to Althea. Stay with her.”Melva nodded sharply and rushed inside the tent without hesitation.Uriel turned back to Gavriel, his tone more casual. “I thought it was just a rumor… but I guess it’s true. The daughter of the man who rebelled against your throne is your fated mate.”Gavriel’s eyes darkene
At Ashborne Pack TerritoryKael panted heavily as he shifted back into his human form, his body trembling from both exhaustion and rage. Their healer was already waiting at the borders of their territory when he arrived, moving quickly toward him.“I’m fine,” Kael hissed, brushing the healer off as he knelt to examine the torn skin along his side. The wounds were already closing, but the sting remained. Kael despised retreating; it was against his very nature. But seeing Althea hurt herself like that… the image wouldn’t leave him. It ripped through him worse than any claw or blade.He knew her too well. He had seen the fire in her eyes when she said those words and he knew she meant them. She would have done it, hurt herself... and she did it… to save him.So the Alpha King wouldn’t kill him.“Damn you, Gavriel,” Kael growled through clenched teeth, the name like poison on his tongue.“I told you what you were planning was futile, son,” came the calm, disapproving voice of his father
It ran down Althea’s spine like ice, but it wasn’t cold… it burned. A strange, searing fire that started deep inside her and spread like a wave. Her breath caught in her throat. She clutched at her chest, swaying slightly as her knees nearly buckled beneath her.Her eyes widened in panic.The trees around her looked the same. The warriors stood where they had been. Gavriel hadn’t moved from his conversation in the distance. But everything felt… off. The air was too heavy. Her skin prickled. Her instincts screamed. No one seemed to notice. No one else felt it.‘What is this? What is wrong with me?’ she gasped softly, her eyes darting around in confusion. Then everything suddenly went dark. The world tilted.The burning in her spine spread like wildfire, her limbs turned weak, and a ringing noise filled her ears. The last thing she heard was Melva shouting her name, her voice sharp with alarm.And then, strong arms caught her. She didn’t hit the ground. Her body slumped forward, but in
The journey continued, but this time, Althea rode with Gavriel on his horse all day. She sat in front of him, tense and uncomfortable, while his strong arms stayed wrapped around her. His hold was firm, almost too firm, and she could feel the warmth of his body through her back.Every time the horse moved, she felt him behind her, silent and steady. The closeness made it hard to breathe, and her heart wouldn’t stop racing.He hadn’t spoken to her since their kiss inside the carriage. Not a word. Not even a glance.They stopped a few times to rest and eat, but Gavriel still said nothing. The silence between them felt heavier with each passing hour.But it wasn’t quiet in her mind.‘The Alpha King is bewitched by this whore.’‘He’s growing too soft because of her…’‘He’ll kill her the moment he captures Alpha Cain…’Althea lowered her gaze, pretending not to notice the stares. But she heard their thoughts loud and clear. Every time someone looked at her too long, their true feelings sli
Althea held her breath as she met Gavriel’s intense gaze. His expression was too dark, dangerously unreadable. The fury in his eyes told her everything. He wasn’t convinced. He didn’t care what she was willing to offer.He was reeling with killing intent.“Kill them-”Without thinking, Althea grabbed the blade of his sword, now pointing at Kael, with her bare hands, yanking it toward herself. In one swift movement, she pressed her chest against the tip, just enough to pierce her skin.Blood spilled from her palms and trickled down her chest.“Thea! Stop!!!” Kael cried out, horrified.Her lips trembled as she looked at Gavriel, voice barely above a whisper. “Please… just kill me instead.”Gavriel’s jaw clenched, his muscles rigid as he growled, “Remove your hands. Now. I will spare their lives.”Althea turned sharply.“Kael!” she shouted. “Take your men and leave! Now!”“No-” Kael’s voice broke, breathless. She looked at him then, her eyes suddenly cold and sharp like glass. “Leave… o