Chapter 169
The intensity in his body increased, and she could feel the tension coiling, ready to snap. His hips jerked slightly with each bob of her head, and she instinctively followed the motion with her hand, stroking him faster.
Gavriel’s voice grew louder, his groans filling the room as his body stiffened. “Ah… Althea p>
With a shuddering gasp, Gavriel finally exploded, his hands clutching her hair as his body tensed and released. Althea stayed with him, careful and attentive, until the tremors subsided and he collapsed back, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
For a long moment, the room was quiet except for the sound of Gavriel’s heavy breathing.
Althea lifted her gaze slowly, unsure of what she would find in his eyes. When their eyes met, the intensity there made her heart skip.
Gavriel’s chest still rose and fell as he tried to steady himself. His hand brushed her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone known to be ruthless.
The tension between them lingered, no longer burning with desire but soft and full of quiet warmth. Gavriel finally pulled back, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His voice was low and steady. “Get some rest,” he said. “You’ve done enough for tonight p>
Althea nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. Before he could say more, she leaned up to press a quick kiss on his jaw, then quietly slipped off the bed. She went to freshen up, washing away the traces of the long night before changing into more comfortable clothes.
When she returned, Gavriel was still lying there, his bare chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. She climbed back into bed beside him, nestling close and resting her head on his chest.
The steady thump of his heartbeat filled her ears — calm, strong, and steady — and it made her smile without meaning to.
Gavriel’s hand came up to stroke her hair in slow, gentle motions. He pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head, his warmth wrapping around her like a quiet promise.
“You’re safe,” he murmured softly, almost as if speaking to himself.
She didn’t reply. Her breathing grew slower, her body relaxing completely against his. The sound of his heartbeat lulled her into peace until her eyes fluttered shut.
Gavriel watched her for a moment, tracing the curve of her cheek with his thumb. She looked so serene — his fierce, stubborn mate now resting soundly in his arms.
He let out a quiet sigh, tightened his embrace a little, and whispered, “Sleep well, Althea p>
And there, wrapped in his warmth, she drifted off with a small, contented smile, her hand resting over his heart.
After a few minutes, once she was breathing evenly and clearly in deep sleep, Gavriel slipped from the bed without waking her. He washed quickly, changed, then stood over her for a long, private moment before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
Ben and Trudis stood guard outside the door, rigid and alert. Ash padded near them, watching Gavriel with a low, warning growl. Gavriel let out a quiet chuckle, then opened the door wider.
“Make sure you protect her while I’m gone. Go in now,” he ordered.
As if he understood, Ash darted inside the chamber and settled down beside Althea, body low and watchful.
Gavriel left the bedchamber and went straight to the meeting room. Osman, Uriel, and Candice were already assembled—Osman having fed him the full report through the mindlink. The expression on Gavriel’s face made it clear he’d called them in for a serious talk.
He sat down and poured himself a measure of whiskey, the movement casual but cold.
Candice watched him with a crease between her brows; she sighed, frustration and worry in her eyes.
“Your Majesty—” she began.
Gavriel cut her off, his voice flat. “You must know by now I won’t let you take my mate p>
Candice’s reply came quick, urgent. “Her life is at risk if she stays here. She’ll be safer in my House. We can protect her p>
Gavriel’s fingers closed around the glass so hard it cracked. A thin line spidered across the crystal, and a jagged shard nicked his palm. Blood welled between his fingers and dripped onto the table. He did not flinch.
“Are you dismissing our security?” Gavriel’s voice dropped, low and dangerous, the kind that made even silence hold its breath. “Werewolves can kill mages in a heartbeat. Mages can’t defend themselves the way we do. Even if you send people to attack, it won’t end with a duel—you’ll bleed your mages dry trying to contain what you unleash p>
Candice stiffened, caught off guard by the weight of his words. Gavriel’s tone wasn’t boastful, it was a warning carved from truth. His eyes gleamed faintly gold, the lycan in him surfacing for a split second.
“I’m not dismissing your kind,” she said carefully. “I just want her safe. You know how unstable her power is. If something happens p>
“Nothing will happen,” Gavriel cut her off. “Because I’m here. And because she trusts me p>
Candice frowned, wanting to argue but unable to find the words. There was conviction in him that couldn’t be shaken, a quiet, feral certainty that made her realize why even rival Alphas avoided provoking him.
Uriel finally broke the tense silence. “Your Majesty, perhaps what Lady Candice means is that Lady Althea needs training, not protection. Both of you are right. She’s safer here, but she still needs guidance that none of us can give.” ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ ⓝovelFind.net
Gavriel’s eyes flicked to him, but his tone softened slightly. “Then we’ll find a way. But she stays here. With me p>
Candice sighed, the fight draining from her shoulders. “Very well. But if she loses control, you’ll need to let me intervene. Promise me that p>
“I’ll handle it before it comes to that,” he replied, firm but calm.
Candice studied him for a moment before nodding. “Then I’ll hold you to that, Your Majesty p>
Gavriel leaned back. His voice steadied as he added, “Don’t mistake restraint for weakness, Candice. We may not wield magic, but we were never meant to.” He gave her a small, cold smile. “We were made to survive it p>