Semua Bab Trapped with the Alpha King: Bab 11 - Bab 20

‘It must have been the mate bond,’ Althea continued, blaming the mate bond because of the weird sensations crawling all over her body.And then there was the way he was possessive toward her. It should have terrified her. But it didn’t. Against her better judgment, she liked it. The intensity in Gavriel’s eyes, the way he touched her like he owned her, and the way his presence consumed every corner of the room stirred something deep inside her. Something she didn’t know had been starved for so long.The feeling of being desired. Wanted…‘Yes... that’s probably it,’ she mused, heart pounding. Because that was something she never had, not in her old home, not within the walls of the Shadowthorn Pack. There, everything was a battlefield. Everyone was constantly at war for status, for power, for the fleeting attention of her father, Alpha Cain.Althea had been born into that chaos, but not welcomed by it.In a world where blood meant everything, she was treated like she had none that mat

'Your body is still adjusting to the mark. Rest well. I’ll try my best not to disturb you.’Those words from Alpha King to her kept echoing in Althea’s mind as she lay on his bed, even after he left. The mattress was unexpectedly soft, and the warmth surrounding her was unfamiliar yet strangely comforting. He had left some time ago, likely to talk with his men, and during that period, Melva came in to assist her with cleaning.Now, the inside of the tent was quiet again when she suddenly heard footsteps.Althea’s heart skipped. Quickly, she closed her eyes and stilled her breathing, pretending to sleep. She heard the rustle of clothes, the subtle dip of weight on the bed. Her body tensed when she felt that familiar warmth behind her, his chest pressing against her back, his arm draping over her waist.Then… his face nuzzled into the crook of her neck.‘Is he sniffing me?’ she wondered, her mind racing as she struggled to stay still.“Are you still in pain?” Gavriel’s low voice broke

Gavriel took a deep breath as he stared at the woman sleeping quietly on the makeshift bed inside his tent. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her face serene, unaware of the storm raging inside him.She was his mate.That much was undeniable. His instincts told him so every time she was close… drawing him in, tempting him, taking over his thoughts. When she's around, he's no longer the detached, strategic Alpha King. Instead, he's something primal. Unrestrained. And he despises it.Each time he touched her or lowered his guard, another image burned into his mind - Riela, his older sister, pushed to madness.Cain didn’t just commit treason. He had used Riela, twisted her love, manipulated her loyalty, and discarded her like she was nothing. No one knew what really happened between Riela and Cain. Gavriel ensured secrecy by hiding the scandal to protect Riela’s reputation. His fists clenched tightly as he vowed to kill Cain with his bare hands.Gavriel’s eyes remained fixed

Althea sat in silence inside the carriage with Melva beside her. They had resumed their journey that morning, and since then, the Alpha King hadn’t checked on her once.“My Lady,” Melva spoke gently, sensing the heaviness in her, “please don’t be too sad. What matters is that the Alpha King is treating you well. I mean, it’s already much better than how he’s known to treat those who cross him.”Althea gave her a faint smile and nodded. That was true. She had braced herself to be paraded in chains like a criminal, the traitor’s daughter humiliated before the world. Instead, Gavriel had let her share his bed. Or… had he?Last night was a blur. She had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep and woke up alone. The bed was cold when she stirred. Had he returned after she fell asleep? Or had he stayed away on purpose?“How’s your body feeling?” Melva asked, concern etched on her face. “You shouldn’t be sore anymore, right? The mate bond from a Lycan should’ve started healing you.”Althea gave

Beta Osman escorted them into the forest and stopped in front of a cave. “This is it,” he said. “Your handmaiden and I will keep watch from here. Please proceed inside. Just walk straight and you’ll see the hot spring.”“I should go with my lady,” Melva said, taking a step forward.But Osman blocked her with an arm and said firmly, “No. You stay here and make sure no one else goes inside.”“But you’re already here. You can-”“It’s alright, Melva,” Althea interrupted with a gentle smile. She reached out and took the towel and change of clothes from her handmaiden. “I can manage.”With that, she walked ahead on her own.The cave was dark at first, but as she ventured deeper, warm light glowed from ahead. Her eyes lit up the moment the hot spring came into view. The water was crystal clear, steam rising from its surface. The weather outside was nearing winter, and the cold air bit at her skin but in here, it was warm, soothing.Just as she stepped forward, her body froze.Her heart still