Chapter 136
Althea decided to take a walk around the grounds with Melva and Ash, accompanied by her three warrior guards. Rudy walked in front, while Ben and Trudis followed behind. Her steps slowed when she reached the edge of the training ground, where a small group had gathered to rest between drills.
“What are they doing?” Althea curiously asked as her gaze swept over the field.
Rudy turned to her, brushing the dirt off his palms. “They’re sparring and practicing their shifting, my lady. It’s part of their routine. Everyone tries to strengthen their control and reflexes p>
“Oh,” Althea murmured, watching as one of the warriors crouched low before shifting mid-run, his body exploding into fur and muscle in the blink of an eye. A startled gasp escaped her lips. “That was… fast p>
Ben chuckled under his breath. “You’ll see faster ones, my lady p>
Melva’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “You know what, my lady? Let’s stay for a bit. It’s actually quite fun to watch p>
Rudy grinned. “Fun? You mean chaotic p>
“Both,” Melva quipped, tugging Althea gently toward the bench near the edge of the training field. “Trust me, you’ll like it. Especially the part where they shift back p>
“The part where they shift back?” Althea repeated with a frown, confused.
Rudy scratched the back of his neck, his grin widening. “Uh—you’ll see p>
Soon enough, the next pair of warriors stepped into the circle. They began in human form, circling each other before they shifted in near-perfect sync. Growls rumbled, claws scraped against the ground, and the sound of snapping jaws echoed across the yard.
The huge wolves lunged, rolled, and locked teeth until one pinned the other down. Then, with a shimmer of energy and a sharp exhale, both shifted back.
Althea’s eyes widened as she quickly turned her head away. “They’re—they’re naked!” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.
Melva burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. “Of course they are! They can’t shift back with clothes on, my lady… unless they have magical abilities like the Alpha King or Lord Uriel p>
Althea nodded. She knew about this, but she had never actually seen it happen before, so she was caught off guard and blurted those words out. Besides, everyone she’d seen shift back to human form—like her father and half-brothers—had clothes on. But as Rudy had said, they had enough magical ability to keep their clothes intact when they shifted.
Rudy tried, and failed, to suppress his laughter. “We’re all used to it here, my lady. Shifting tears through anything you wear, so it’s normal. Nobody really minds p>
“Well I mind,” Althea muttered, keeping her gaze fixed stubbornly on the opposite direction. “It feels… indecent p>
Melva elbowed her playfully. “You’ll get used to it eventually. Besides, some of them aren’t bad to look at p>
“Melva!” Althea whispered, scandalized, though a reluctant laugh escaped her.
Trudis, who had been standing quietly nearby, smirked. “It’s true though. Most female warriors appreciate the view p>
Rudy held up his hands defensively. “Hey now, we train seriously! The view is just a side effect p>
That earned another round of laughter from everyone, including Althea, who finally dared to glance back—just in time to see another pair shift mid-duel. Despite herself, she couldn’t look away. The speed, the strength, the seamless blend of man and beast, it was all mesmerizing.
She sank onto the bench beside Melva, her earlier discomfort fading into fascination. The power that flowed through every move was raw and beautiful, reminding her again how different she was from them. Yet, for once, she didn’t feel out of place.
She reached into her pouch and quietly took out the bangles she’d prepared earlier, each with a faint shimmer of protective magic. As the laughter and sparring continued around her, she handed them to Rudy, Ben, and Trudis one by one.
“These are for you,” she said softly. “They have a protective spell. It’s not strong, but it might help someday p>
Rudy grinned and immediately tied his around his wrist. “Thank you, my lady. I’ll treasure it p>
Ben followed suit, giving her a nod of quiet appreciation. “It’s simple but strong. I can feel the energy p>
Trudis hesitated, fingers brushing over the charm before lowering her hand.
“It’s alright,” Althea said gently, noticing her hesitation. “You don’t have to wear it if you’re not comfortable p>
Trudis shook her head quickly. “It’s not that, my lady. I just… I don’t know if I deserve something like this p>
Althea smiled faintly. “Then keep it until you believe you do p>
Trudis seemed to treat her differently now after the incident at Azath Town. Although she could no longer read their thoughts because of the potion Gavriel had them drink, Althea could somehow feel that the three warriors were already starting to warm up to her. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ
Melva leaned in then, eyes bright. “My lady, look! They’re starting the mixed sparring p>
Althea glanced back toward the field where both male and female shifters were stepping forward for the next round. Her curiosity won over her shyness this time, and she watched, caught between awe and amusement, as the warriors shifted and clashed under the afternoon sun.
Even as she tried not to stare too much at their bare forms after they reverted to human, she found herself laughing alongside Melva—feeling, for a fleeting moment, like a normal girl in a world that had nearly forgotten how to make her smile.
“Looks like you’re enjoying the view a familiar deep male voice came from behind.
Without realizing it, Althea—still chuckling and caught up in the moment—blurted out, “Of course! They all have perfect bodies and p>
Melva suddenly elbowed her hard. “My lady!” she hissed in a whisper.
Althea blinked in confusion, her laughter dying when she noticed how everyone around her had gone utterly still. The air shifted, heavy and tense. Even Rudy and Ben straightened like soldiers caught doing something wrong.
Her smile faltered as she slowly turned around and her heart nearly stopped.
There he was.
The Alpha King stood only a few paces away, towering in his dark riding coat, eyes fixed on her with a glare sharp enough to make her spine stiffen. His jaw was tight, and though his face remained composed, the storm brewing in his gaze said everything.
Beside him stood Simon—expression unreadable as always—and on Gavriel’s other side, Alpha Maurice watched the scene with faint amusement curling his lips.
“Perfect bodies?” Gavriel’s voice was calm but deep, threaded with warning.