Chapter 135
Althea sat quietly near the window of the inn, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the small black bangle she had bought a few days ago from the Nightcrawler Pack’s market.
The faint shimmer of the embedded stone, and she smiled softly. She had cast a simple protective spell on it—something subtle, harmless, yet strong enough to shield the wearer from negative energy.
It wasn’t much, but it was something she wanted Gavriel to have. Still, she hesitated on whether to give it to him or not. There were six more bangles, each with a different color and design—the three meant for the warrior guards, one for Simon, one for Osman, and one for Elsa.
Elsa was Ava’s spy, but Althea knew well that she was only doing it for her and her family’s survival, even if it was against her will. Elsa had been left behind, but Althea planned to give her the protective bangle once she returned to the palace.
Her gaze shifted back to the window. Her heart beat unevenly as she looked down again at the bangle. “Should I really give this to him?” she whispered under her breath.
Melva, who had been unpacking their things, turned her head with a knowing grin. “You’ve been staring at that thing since earlier, my lady. Let me guess, you made it for the Alpha King p>
Althea froze. “It’s not… well, maybe,” she muttered, embarrassed. “It’s just something small, I don’t even know if he’d like it p>
“Oh, he will,” Melva teased, sitting beside her on the bed. “If I were you, I’d give it to him before he rides off tomorrow. Men like him don’t receive personal gifts that often—especially from women p>
Althea frowned slightly, brushing her thumb along the bangle’s edge. “I just thought… since his eyes are grey, it might suit him. But now I’m second-guessing everything p>
Melva laughed lightly. “You overthink too much. Just give it when you get the chance p>
Althea looked up and curiously asked, “Do you think we’ll stay long here p>
“Well,” Melva said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, “I overheard Simon talking with one of the guards earlier. The Alpha King doesn’t plan to stay long. He’s just here to handle a few quick matters with the Wildfang Pack, something about resource trade, I think, and the southeast borders. He’ll be heading east by tomorrow afternoon p>
“East?” Althea asked curiously.
“Yes. Minister Marius Ward’s birthday is coming up. He’s the Minister of War and Defense, and everyone says he’s like a father figure to the Alpha King.” Melva smiled knowingly. “There’s going to be an evening banquet, so it’s going to be grand p>
Althea nodded slowly, “I see p>
“My Lady, I actually brought some nice gowns with us, just in case. Do you think the Alpha King will allow you to attend the banquet? I mean, I haven’t been to one. We both haven’t… I hope he’ll allow you, although the banquet will surely be attended by many nobles and I’m sure the Queen Mother and Lady Ava will be there,” Melva said with a heavy sigh.
It was true. She and Melva had never experienced one—not even a banquet in their own pack—since Luna Meena would always find an excuse, telling her father that Althea was sick or suffering from menstrual cramps.
“Hmm, it will complicate things if he lets me attend,” Althea simply said. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
“But you know that rumor about you not being Alpha Cain’s daughter? I just thought it would be nice. Maybe the Queen Mother will start to be lenient with you if she somehow considers that possibility. If the Alpha King brings you to the banquet, that will somehow confirm it, right?” Melva replied.
With a bright smile she continued, “Seeing the Alpha King bring you there… You see, I heard whispers outside. They all talk about it, believing you’re not related to Alpha Cain because of how the Alpha King is gentle with you. They even say you two are already lovers—there’s a possibility you’ll be his Luna since you’re also his fated mate.” Her eyes brimmed with pride.
Althea released a heavy sigh. She wanted to tell Melva that it was all part of the Alpha King’s plan—since Gavriel hated the idea of anything good being associated with her father, even good deeds she had done.
But she didn’t want to break Melva’s spirit.
Althea smiled faintly, though her eyes softened with something closer to weariness than joy. Melva’s enthusiasm was almost contagious, but the truth behind her words felt heavier than the girl realized.
“I’m not sure the Alpha King thinks that far,” Althea said lightly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “But it’s nice to imagine, isn’t it p>
Melva clasped her hands together, her expression bright and hopeful. “It’s not just imagination, my lady! Everyone’s starting to see how much he values you. He wouldn’t let anyone else ride with him or keep someone like you close unless he truly p>
“Melva,” Althea gently cut in, her voice soft but firm. “Be careful what you assume p>
Her friend blinked, confused. “Why p>
Althea looked down at her hands, fingers tracing the smooth jade bangle she had given Melva earlier. “The Alpha King… he does what he must. Everything he does has a purpose behind it. If he shows kindness, it’s because it serves something greater p>
Melva frowned. “But, my lady p>
Althea lifted her gaze and smiled again, though this one didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m just saying… people like him don’t act on emotion alone p>
Her words lingered in the air like a quiet truth, one Melva didn’t fully understand but couldn’t argue with either.
After a moment, Melva sighed, a little deflated. “Still, I think you deserve to be seen for who you are, my lady. Not as someone’s daughter, or someone’s tool but as yourself p>
That, at least, made Althea’s heart soften. She reached out and squeezed Melva’s hand, grateful for the her unwavering loyalty. “Thank you, Melva. That means more to me than you know p>
Melva smiled again, though a trace of sadness crossed her face. “You really don’t think he’ll take you to the banquet p>
Althea hesitated, glancing toward the window where sunlight streamed faintly across the stone walls. “If he does,” she said quietly, “it won’t be because he wants me to enjoy it p>
She didn’t add the rest—that Gavriel might bring her there as part of a greater plan, one meant to humiliate her father or challenge the nobles’ gossip.