Chapter 184
There was silence in the room, broken only by the faint glow pulsing from the shard. Althea focused, channeling her energy into it just as her mother had taught her when she was young.
She felt grateful that those memories were still so clear — every gesture, every whispered instruction.
Moments later, the Luminis Shard responded. A gentle wave rippled through her, like the shard itself had a heartbeat, a pulse that echoed inside her chest.
That was the sign. She had reached him.
With a steady breath, Althea carefully placed the softly glowing shard on the table.
A breath later, Zander’s figure formed in front of them, his brows lifting the moment he saw their position. “Seriously,” he muttered.
Althea’s face turned a deep shade of red. She tried to slide off Gavriel’s lap, but his arm tightened around her waist before she could even shift an inch.
“Gavriel,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she subtly gestured for him to let her go.
He didn’t. Instead, Gavriel remained firmly seated, completely unbothered. His gaze was fixed on Zander projection before them, cold and heavy with warning.
“What do you want?” Gavriel asked, voice low. “Whatever it is, say it to me directly. And stop playing games with us p>
Zander scoffed. “I already told you what I want.” He lifted a hand and pointed straight at Althea. “I want her p>
A deep growl rumbled from Gavriel’s chest, his hold on Althea tightening even more.
Before either man could snap back, Candice suddenly stepped forward between them and threw her hands up.
“Will you stop bickering!” she snapped, glaring at both. “We don’t have time for your territorial nonsense p>
Althea tried to hide her smile. She truly liked Candice and her straightforward nature. Out of everyone she had met, Candice was the only woman bold enough to talk back to Gavriel without flinching. It amazed her every time. And though she hadn’t asked yet, Althea could tell—there was history between Candice and Gavriel, the kind built on trust rather than fear.
Zander finally turned to Candice, one brow lifting. “And you are p>
“I’m Candice Russo,” she said plainly.
Zander’s eyes widened. Recognition sparked instantly. “The Princess of House Terravane. But how are you here? Why involve yourself in the Moon Realm? Don’t you Terravanes have that new rule? Anyone p>
Candice cut him off with an unimpressed look. “Oh please stop. I know exactly who you are—Zander of the Ivanov Clan, just like Althea.” She crossed her arms firmly. “So let’s skip the introductions and get straight to the point. What is it you actually want? The Alpha King can negotiate with you directly, so spare us the drama. Surely you want something more than Lady Althea. I have a feeling she’s only a pawn in whatever game you’re playing p>
She didn’t pause even once. When she finished, she stood there waiting, chin lifted, completely unfazed by his earlier theatrics.
Zander blinked, then suddenly grinned. “You should have arrived sooner. Truly. It would’ve saved a lot of time.” He tilted his head toward Gavriel. “Your Alpha King is… difficult. He grumbles and growls more than he speaks. Zero communication skills p>
Althea pressed her lips tightly together, trying to hide a laugh. The way they bickered felt so strange yet oddly familiar. And despite Zander’s sharp looks, she didn’t feel afraid.
Something about him told her he wasn’t truly dangerous—not to her, at least.
She relaxed slightly, just enough for her shoulders to drop, though she still felt Gavriel’s warm hand resting securely around her waist.
“So you’re truly from the Ivanov Clan?” Althea finally asked. Her voice was steady, though her fingers curled lightly against Gavriel’s arm.
“Yes, I am,” Zander answered without hesitation. “And so are you.” His eyes drifted slowly around the chamber. “But you have… quite a number of companions with you right now. And I can’t explain everything with them here. I don’t know who to trust, Althea, except you. So you must come and hear it from me directly.” The source of this content ɪs
“No. You can’t take her.” Gavriel’s response was immediate and sharp. His hold around Althea tightened. “Whatever you need to say to her, you will say it while I’m with her p>
Then his voice dropped to a low command. “Also, return my sister now p>
Zander clicked his tongue. “I’m still not done healing her p>
“Let Althea finish the healing,” Gavriel pushed, leaning forward. “That way, the Covenant of Binding won’t take effect on her p>
Zander shook his head. “No. I can’t let that happen unless you agree to my conditions p>
Gavriel’s jaw tightened. “Tell me what you want p>
“I already told you,” Zander replied. “It’s something I can’t discuss with too many people around.” His eyes shifted one by one—Uriel, Osman, Candice. “There are too many ears p>
“They are people I trust with my life,” Gavriel said, voice calm but heavy. “You can speak in front of them p>
Zander raised both eyebrows at that.
“Can you come so we can talk in person instead of this projection?” Candice interrupted, ever straightforward.
“No,” Zander answered immediately. “I don’t trust all of you there. If you want, I can teleport all of you to my place instead.” His grin widened, too confident, too pleased with himself.
Uriel stiffened again, clearly uneasy. “Your Majesty, that will still be dangerous. It could be a trap. We can’t allow you to enter his world again without knowing his true intentions p>
Gavriel still didn’t look away from Zander. His voice stayed firm and cold. “Zander. Come here, and I give you my word you won’t be harmed. Talk to me and Althea in person. That would be the safest for everyone p>
Zander let out a slow breath, almost frustrated. His shoulders sagged slightly, as if he had been holding himself together for too long. “There are so many layers of protection around your camp,” he said. “And I used a huge amount of energy taking your sister with me, not to mention her ongoing healing. I can’t risk going to you in this state p>
His tone softened into something almost honest. “Just come to my world instead, through the shard. I can open the portal easily from there p>
“Your Majesty, it’s a risk,” Osman reminded, voice steady but troubled.
Zander looked like he was losing patience. “What is it now, Alpha King?” he asked. “Time is ticking. I would rather not waste it. If you can’t compromise, then there’s no point talking. I’ll proceed with my original plan p>
Zander continued, “Let’s just meet tomorrow once I bring your sister back—fully healed. Then we talk. Or we don’t. It’s entirely up to you p>
The room fell into a heavy silence. Althea, Candice, Uriel, and Osman all watched Gavriel, waiting for his decision.