Chapter 40
“She would definitely tremble in fear!” Melva said, almost too eagerly. But then her face fell, a frown tugging at her lips. “Then your mother must’ve been a weak human… just like they always say. Since she was a slave p>
“I guess,” Althea replied with a shrug, keeping her tone light. She couldn’t risk saying too much. She had already revealed parts of her abilities to Melva, though she still held back, especially about being able to read minds.
Melva gave her a small, awkward smile. Althea recognized it instantly. That expression always meant something was bothering her. Meeting her eyes, Althea reached out with her gift and slipped into her friend’s thoughts.
‘Why is my friend’s life never easy? Melva’s voice echoed in her head, heavy with concern. I feel so bad for her. Back in our pack she was mistreated, and now even here she’s still in danger p>
She paused for a moment, then her thoughts continued, softer but weighed down with worry. ‘And yet… heaven always spares her somehow. Still, with the Queen Mother, her minions, and even Lady Ava Stone… It’s only a matter of time before trouble finds her again. Why can’t my Lady have just one moment of peace from all these struggles p>
Althea swallowed hard, her throat tightening after hearing Melva’s unspoken worries. She already knew of Lady Ava Stone, the only daughter of the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, the second largest pack on the continent, located in the east.
Rumors about a union between Alpha King Gavriel and Lady Ava had been spreading for months. Everyone seemed to be anticipating it, praising Lady Ava for her grace, beauty, and intelligence. To them, she was the only one worthy of standing beside the Alpha King as Luna and Alpha Queen.
Althea bit her lower lip, her hand unconsciously pressing against her chest when a sharp sting of pain struck her. The thought of being cast aside, disregarded by Gavriel, hurt more than she wanted to admit.
“My Lady, are you alright?” Melva asked, snapping her back from her trance.
“I’m fine, Melva,” Althea muttered with a faint frown. “But we need to hurry and make plans. If we want to live… if we want freedom, we need to move carefully. For both of us p>
“Tell me what I need to do, My Lady!” Melva replied eagerly, her eyes lighting with determination.
Althea drew in a deep breath before speaking, her voice steady with resolve. “We need information—everything we can get. Be as friendly as possible with everyone, show kindness even when they’re hostile. Endure their curses and insults. Stay quiet, even when it burns. Then, slowly and subtly, gather what you can. Important details, secrets, anything that could give us an advantage p>
“I understand, My Lady,” Melva said proudly, straightening her back. “You know where I excel best p>
Althea’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Being a gossiphearer?” she teased.
Melva gasped dramatically, then laughed, and soon both of them chuckled together, the heaviness in the air lifting, if only for a moment.
Meanwhile, Gavriel continued with his duty. At the moment, he had to go out with Osman to personally inspect the borders, especially in the northeast where troubling reports had reached him. As much as he wanted to remain in the bedchamber and ravish Althea all day, responsibility forced him away.
He cursed under his breath. The clinginess clawing at him because of a woman unsettled him. Even when he had been with his first love, Rizza, he had never been this way.
“Those dark witches and warlocks are spreading across the continent like a plague! The bastards are causing chaos everywhere!” Osman’s angry voice snapped Gavriel from his thoughts as they approached the shattered barrier along the northeastern border.
“We don’t have enough proof it’s them,” Gavriel replied coldly, studying the ruined walls. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs
“This could be a trap—a distraction to keep me chasing shadows while Cain moves freely.
Someone may want us to wage war against Velmora. I won’t be deceived so easily. I want solid proof, Osman. Work double time. And send word to Candice—I need to meet her p>
His gaze lingered on the wreckage before he added, “Have the walls repaired properly. I suppose Candice’s suggestion will prove useful now p>
When he noticed Osman scratching his head, clearly distracted, Gavriel’s expression darkened. “Move now, Osman! Separate your personal concerns from your duty as my Beta p>
Osman stiffened and quickly bowed his head. “Understood, Alpha King. I’ll move at once p>
Gavriel shook his head as he watched him leave. Those two—Osman and Candice—were always like cat and mouse, constantly at odds. Candice was from Velmora, from one of the most powerful Mage Houses: House Terravane, Lords of Stone.
For millennia, peace between their continents had been preserved by treaty, and Gavriel intended to maintain it. Dark magic was forbidden in Velmora, yet troubling whispers told of a growing turmoil there—dark magic resurfacing and spreading like wildfire.
He drew a heavy breath. Every kingdom had its own plight. Even here, many still schemed to usurp the throne for their own greed and ambition. Cain, Althea’s father, was the worst of them.
“I’ll kill you,” Gavriel growled, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. That man had murdered five of Gavriel’s most trusted warriors—men who were also his blood, his own cousins. Worse, Cain had driven his elder sister into madness after violating her and leaving her at death’s door. Though they had managed to save her life, Riela’s body lived while her spirit remained broken, empty.
His jaw clenched as his thoughts shifted. If Althea had not been his fated mate, she would have suffered the cruellest punishment in his hands. Death would have been a mercy compared to what he would have given her.
“Seems like you’re lost in thought, My King,” a familiar, graceful voice called from behind.
Gavriel didn’t need to turn. He already knew who it was.
“What brings you here, Lady Ava?” he asked evenly, his eyes still fixed on the ruins before him.