Chapter 139
As Althea and Gavriel were engaged in a passionate kiss, Gavriel suddenly growled and pulled back. His gaze swept around their surroundings, and that was when Althea felt that same familiar energy.
She quickly broke the kiss and looked around.
“What’s wrong?” Gavriel asked.
“That same energy… I suddenly feel that strange energy from that man,” she confessed.
She was sure of it, but it was fleeting—it vanished just as quickly. “But it’s gone now,” she said with a frown.
“That bastard!” Gavriel grunted, and without wasting a second, he shifted into his wolf-man form and scooped Althea into his arms.
“Let’s head back now. I’ll lead a party to hunt him down,” he said.
“But I don’t feel his energy anymore. He might’ve used a portal to leave,” Althea assumed.
Gavriel didn’t answer and continued to run with long and powerful strides as the forest blurred past them. When they finally reached the inn, Gavriel’s guards immediately surrounded the entrance. He didn’t slow down until they were inside, his icy eyes sharp as he barked orders.
“Gustav!” Gavriel’s deep voice thundered across the hall.
The High Magus instantly appeared, bowing his head. “Your Majesty p>
“Call the mages. I want a protective barrier set around this inn—strong enough to hold against spatial rifts and conceal her energy signature. No one enters this place without my permission p>
“Yes, Alpha,” Gustav replied without hesitation before vanishing down the hall to gather the mages.
Althea looked at Gavriel, her chest still heaving. “You’re overreacting p>
She could see the panic in his eyes, and even the people around them started growing restless upon seeing their Alpha King in that state, as if some chaos was approaching.
He turned to her sharply, cutting her off. “That thing was close. Too close. You shouldn’t have felt his energy unless he wanted you to. That means he’s testing boundaries p>
She swallowed hard, sensing the storm of fury he was holding back. “Then what will you do p>
Gavriel’s jaw flexed. “What I should have done the moment he showed himself.” He turned toward the door again. “Uriel p>
Uriel instantly appeared before them in a flash. “At your command, Sire,” he said with a curt nod.
“That bastard who messed with us and helped Rett’s warlock is in the area. Take your men and scorch the forest. I want every inch turned upside down. Find every trace of him p>
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to find him,” Uriel replied, then he quickly disappeared.
Althea gulped and looked around. She doubted the man was still in the area, but it was better to find him and learn what he truly wanted. If he was truly powerful, he could have harmed the Alpha King if he had wanted to.
Althea’s fingers tightened against her dress. “Wait—you’re going too, aren’t you p>
Gavriel’s gaze softened slightly as he looked back at her. “I have to. I can’t risk him coming near you again, especially when we don’t know his true motive. But one thing’s clear… that man is messing around p>
She stepped forward. “Then at least take this p>
Before he could respond, Althea reached for a small velvet pouch in her pocket. From it, she pulled out the finely crafted onyx bangle she had prepared earlier as a gift.
Gavriel raised an eyebrow. “What is that p>
“A protection charm,” she said quietly, approaching him. “I re-crafted it and cast a spell on it. It’s imbued with my energy—it can shield you from harmful magic for a while p>
It wasn’t like Gavriel always had a mage around him, so she thought this one could be useful. She’d heard that Gavriel could use magic because of the lycan in him, but somehow, she wanted him to have something she made herself.
His expression flickered, and for a moment, his harsh demeanor softened. “You made this for me p>
She nodded and gently took his hand, slipping the bangle onto his wrist herself. “It’s nothing much, but I hope someday it can help you,” she said softly.
“I have something to give you too,” Gavriel said suddenly, his tone calm but firm.
Before Althea could ask, he took her hand. She froze when she felt cool metal slide onto her finger—her ring finger.
She looked down. It was a ring—an exquisite piece that looked like an heirloom. A single diamond gleamed in the center, encircled by smaller ones that caught the light like frost. It was too fine, too valuable, too personal.
“Why would you… give me something like this?” she asked softly, eyes still on the ring.
Gavriel’s gaze stayed on her hand. “Just as I thought,” he murmured, almost to himself. “It fits you p>
Althea lifted her head, but before she could say anything more, he leaned in and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead. The touch was warm, steady, yet gone too quickly.
“Stay here,” he said in that low voice that allowed no argument. Then he turned and walked out, his long strides carrying him toward the door before she could even find the words to answer him.
“My Lady!” Melva beamed beside her, grabbing her hand and looking at the ring.
“I knew it! The Alpha King has fallen for you already! This ring is too precious. It’s like he’s saying you’re already his woman, not just the breeder. The rumor is true! He probably wants to make you his Luna and Alpha Queen by now!” Melva bluntly and excitedly declared, unbothered by the eyes around her.
Althea looked around, and indeed, many servants, royal guards, and warriors had witnessed what just happened between her and Gavriel.
She gulped and wondered if it was just a show or an act for Gavriel’s goal. But then she remembered what he had said when they were alone in the forest… ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
‘You’ll stay by my side, no matter what happens. Even if you’re Cain’s daughter, you’re still my mate and I intend to keep it that way. Because I can’t see any other woman standing beside me but you p>
Her face suddenly warmed, and a beautiful smile curved on her lips.