Chapter 124
Gavriel’s grip on her waist tightened, his eyes never leaving hers. The mark on her skin pulsed again, burning and soothing all at once. Althea gasped, her breath catching as the strange, electric warmth coiled deeper inside her. It was more than just pleasure — it felt like the bond itself was alive, claiming her.
“I want you to remember who makes you feel like this,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, brushing against her ear.
Althea’s fingers trembled as they pressed against his chest. The steady beat of his heart under her palm matched the rhythm of her own, both wild and uneven.
He brushed a hand through her hair, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw before gripping it gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “This,” his other hand trailed down her back, resting over the mark that still glowed faintly “—isn’t something you can undo p>
The heat between them built again, not from lust alone but from the weight of the bond itself — the push and pull of power, of dominance and surrender. Every breath, every heartbeat, every whisper of skin against skin felt heavier, deeper.
When she finally moved against him again, it was slower, almost reverent, like a silent acknowledgement of what they had become, bound by something neither of them had chosen, yet unable to break away.
Gavriel’s hold guided her until the room seemed to fade, swallowed by the sound of their uneven breaths and the mark’s faint glow.
Althea clung to him, her breath shuddering. In that moment, she didn’t feel like his prisoner anymore. The way he held her—tight, desperate, almost trembling—felt nothing like dominance. It felt like he didn’t want to let her go.
Gavriel buried his face against her chest, his lips finding her skin, licking and suckling at her nipples alternately until her back arched and her head tilted back. The sensation washed through her, sharp and dizzying, pulling her closer and closer to the edge once again. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ.net
Gavriel’s mouth curved slightly against her skin, the faintest hint of a smirk before he leaned in and kissed her again—deeper, rougher this time. Their tongues met, and she could taste the faint growl vibrating in his chest.
Althea could no longer think. Every thrust he made to meet her rhythm pushed her closer to the edge until pleasure flooded through her like fire, blinding and consuming. She cried out his name, her body tightening around him as she shattered against him.
Gavriel followed with a deep, guttural sound, his movements slowing as his shaft buried in her warmth, his breath ragged against her neck. For a moment, neither of them moved. The world was silent except for their uneven breathing.
It was Gavriel who moved first, slowly laying her down on the bed while scooping her into his arms. Althea ended up resting her head on his chest. For some time, they lay there like that, their bodies tangled together.
Gavriel gently stroked her hair, and Althea smiled as she closed her eyes, listening to the beating of his heart that felt like a lullaby to her.
“Sleep and rest for a while. You’ve gone through so much,” Gavriel muttered against her head, and Althea swore she felt him kiss her hair. It was tender and sweet, and she hoped she wasn’t imagining it.
Gavriel hugged her tightly while she snuggled closer, finding comfort in his warmth.
Althea’s breathing was now more relaxed, and Gavriel could feel that she had already dozed off to sleep. Aside from the three warriors he had assigned to personally guard Althea, he also sent Red, another warrior, to watch over her from the shadows before leaving her in Abner’s care.
Red checked on the boy who had stumbled upon Althea, but he arrived too late and found the boy dead, discarded in an alley. Red instantly reported it to him, and Gavriel could already sense something amiss. He hurried back to the Nightcrawler Pack as soon as he could.
When he arrived, Abner and the rest had left, and Melva told him everything. It was pure instinct that made him bring Uriel along, because somehow he knew there was no way Rett could have entered the area so easily unless he had a powerful magician with him, someone capable of opening a portal for quick access and travel.
Rett’s presence within his borders was already an insult, but the use of a portal meant something worse. The bastard had a powerful warlock with him.
And what alarmed him even more was the presence of another entity showing interest in his mate, hovering around Althea like a shadow. That man had even managed to enter his estate without being caught, a humiliating blow to his entire security around the royal estate.
He looked down at Althea, still asleep, her face calm and untroubled against his chest. The sight softened him, but only for a heartbeat. His gaze hardened again, cold and calculating. He wouldn’t allow anyone to take his mate from him. Althea was his alone, and he would make sure to eliminate anyone who tried to take her away.
Slowly, Gavriel carefully moved to get up. He still needed to give instructions to his men and check something with Uriel. But Althea stirred in her sleep and hugged him tightly.
Gavriel froze, the movement he intended halted by the gentle but firm grip of her arms around him. She murmured something incoherent, her fingers clutching on him as if afraid he might disappear.
A faint sigh escaped him. She looked almost peaceful now, vulnerable in a way that stirred something unfamiliar inside him.
He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You really have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he muttered under his breath.
For a brief moment, he stayed still, allowing her warmth to seep into him. Then, with careful precision, he pried her hand free just enough to slip away without waking her.
He got dressed and stood beside the bed, watching her for another moment. The urge to stay lingered, but duty called louder. He had to ensure that his royal estate wouldn’t be easily penetrated by magic users.
Then he frowned when his eyes darted to the necklace on the floor. He picked it up and placed it in Althea’s open palm. The pendant on the necklace was clearly shaped like a key, and Gavriel couldn’t help but wonder what it unlocked.