Chapter 107 Treat a Woman Right
Gavriel oversaw the rebuilding of Azath Town, making sure his people were provided with everything they needed.
“I want the reconstruction finished before the end of the season,” he instructed his men, his tone leaving no room for delay. When the last order was given, he mounted his horse and began the slow ride back toward Reed Manor as the sun dipped below the horizon.
He passed through the workers, his sharp gaze taking in every effort and flaw, when Simon’s horse emerged beside his.
“Alpha, it’s done,” Simon reported. “News is already spreading, Lady Althea is not Cain’s daughter. We made sure the details supporting it are reaching every corner.”
“Good.” Gavriel’s voice was calm, almost too calm. “And this man… Amon. Did we uncover anything about him?”
Simon scratched at the back of his head. “Alpha, you only ordered us this morning. Our men are still tracking. It would be easier if we had a sketch. There are too many Amon in the kingdom.”
“I told you, he performs magic,” Gavriel reminded him, his eyes narrowing. “No one here is capable of such power unless they came from another continent or studied there, like Uriel. That alone filters the search.”
“Yes, Alpha. I’ll keep you updated. But…” Simon hesitated before voicing the doubt, “Lady Althea said she saw him die. Could we be chasing a ghost?”
“She saw him again this morning,” Gavriel replied, his tone cold as iron. “It could be her imagination, but I will not gamble on it. We will find him. I’ll have Althea provide a sketch.”
Simon’s curiosity slipped out. “Could it be… he’s Lady Althea’s real father?”
Gavriel’s jaw tightened, his eyes fixed ahead. “It will be best for Althea if Amon is her father or any other man. As long as it is not Cain.”
Without another word, he spurred his horse, breaking it into a run as Gavriel’s figure cut into the fading light.
It was already dark when Gavriel arrived at the manor. His brows drew together when he realized Althea was not in her bedchamber.
“My Lady is with Luna Ruth, helping prepare dinner, Your Majesty,” Melva quickly informed him as he passed by.
Gavriel gave a brief nod before heading to his chamber. After a quick wash and change of clothes, he made his way to the dining hall. He was in a hurry to see his mate that he didn’t even notice how he was walking in long strides.
Everyone was already seated when he entered. Gavriel took his place at the far end of the table just as Althea arrived with Luna Ruth. She was about to sit beside the Luna when Gavriel’s voice cut through the quiet murmur.
“Come here.”
Althea hesitated for a heartbeat, then obeyed, taking the seat beside the Alpha King at the center.
At the table sat only Abner’s family—Luna Ruth, two of their sons, and three daughters, all still in their teens.
“Lady Althea helped me prepare tonight’s meal,” Luna Ruth said with a bright smile. “I was honestly impressed. She knows quite a lot about cooking.”
Althea’s cheeks warmed as everyone looked her way. “I still have much to learn, my lady. My cooking can’t compare to yours,” she replied humbly, lowering her gaze.
She wasn’t used to such praise. Aside from Melva and a few close friends back in her old pack, no one had ever spoken kindly of her skills.
“Hmm, let’s eat then. We wouldn’t want the dishes to get cold,” Alpha Abner said with a warm chuckle.
Everyone began to eat. Althea instinctively reached out to serve Gavriel, placing portions of the dishes she helped prepare onto his plate. She was eager for him to taste them.
At first, she had no idea what the Alpha King preferred, but Luna Ruth had kindly shared a few tips—how he enjoyed hearty meals with meat and vegetables, as long as they were flavorful. Gavriel, she said, was not a picky eater.
Luna Ruth and Alpha Abner were both close friends of Gavriel and his late father, the former Alpha King, so they knew him well.
As the meal went on, Luna Ruth smiled and turned to Gavriel. “Sire, do you think it would be possible for Lady Althea to stay a few more days here?”
Althea froze, her heart skipping a beat. She glanced nervously at Gavriel, unsure how he would respond. She wanted to stay, more than anything, but it wasn’t her place to decide.
Gavriel looked at her for a long moment before asking, “Do you want to stay longer?”
Her eyes brightened, and she nodded almost shyly. The warmth of the Nightcrawler Pack felt comforting, so different from the cold, judgmental stares waiting for her back at the palace.
“I will think about it, Luna Ruth,” Gavriel replied in his usual stoic tone.
Althea tried not to show her disappointment, lowering her gaze and focusing on her plate instead. Maybe she shouldn’t expect too much.
“I’d like to offer a toast,” Alpha Abner said with a proud smile, raising his glass. “To our pack because we have overcome yet another trial together.”
Servants began pouring wine into their glasses. Althea hesitated for a moment, memories flickering back to the last time she drank, when she had been poisoned. But tonight felt different. She wanted to be part of their joy.
So she lifted her glass for the toast and drank in one go.
Alpha Abner laughed heartily. “Looks like our Lady Althea wants more!” he teased, signaling to a servant. “Leave a bottle for her.”
Althea gave him a timid nod, cheeks already warming, not just from the wine, but from the easy camaraderie around the table.
As the evening went on, Gavriel discussed political matters with Alpha Abner, while Luna Ruth and Althea shared lighter talk and more drinks. Eventually, Luna Ruth dismissed her children and took a seat closer to Althea’s, asking the servants to bring snacks to go with their wine.
But when Althea nearly emptied her bottle, her laughter turned more carefree, her words looser.
“Lady Althea, your cheeks are burning,” Luna Ruth whispered, worried. “I think you’ve had enough. We should stop here.” She subtly flicked her eyes toward the Alpha King.
Althea, however, only pouted, her boldness slipping free under the influence of alcohol. “But I want to drink more, Luna Ruth! Don’t mind that Alpha King!” she said with a mischievous grin. “It’s not like he’s the one getting drunk.”
She clicked her tongue, slurring slightly. “That man doesn’t even know how to treat a woman right!”