Chapter 115 Rumor
As expected, the news Gavriel purposely spread about Althea not being Cain’s daughter widely spread all throughout the kingdom.
Althea strolled with Ash, Melva, Alpha Abner and Luna Ruth together with her three guards, Rudy, Trudis Ben and a few more selected warriors of Alpha Cain through NIghtcrawler territory.
Everyone they passed by greeted her politely with a bow and a genuine smile so Althea didn’t bother reading thoughts.
She unmounted the horse when they soon reach the market.
As Althea walked deeper into the marketplace, the people she had once saved came forward to greet her. Some bowed low in gratitude, while others shyly approached with small gifts — baskets of fruit, handwoven scarves, fresh bread, and even simple trinkets wrapped carefully in cloth.
At first, she tried to refuse. “You don’t have to give me anything. I only did what anyone else would’ve done,” she said softly.
But they insisted, their eyes warm with respect. One elderly woman clasped her hands tightly. “Please, my lady. You saved my grandson when everyone else was too afraid to help. Let me at least thank you properly.”
Before Althea could argue again, Alpha Abner stepped forward with a small smile. “You should accept them, Lady Althea. It’s their way of showing gratitude,” he said firmly, turning to Rudy and the others. “Gather everything they’ve given. Make sure nothing is left behind.”
Rudy and Trudis nodded, moving quickly to collect the gifts while Ben kept a close watch on the crowd.
Still, Althea couldn’t shake the feeling that some of the stares around her weren’t just of admiration. A few people whispered behind their hands. Others stared too intently, their gazes sharp with curiosity rather than warmth.
She caught fragments of their murmurs —
“She doesn’t look like him.”
“Maybe she got all her looks from her mother?”
The words reached Althea’s ears, soft but sharp enough to stir her curiosity. She tried to ignore them at first, but the whispers continued to follow her through the market. Finally, she gave in and read their minds.
‘They say she’s not really Alpha Cain’s blood.’
‘It must be true. That’s probably why the Alpha King favors her.’
Althea froze. Her eyes widened as the thoughts echoed in her mind. ‘Not Cain’s daughter? What are they talking about?’
She forced a small smile, pretending she hadn’t heard anything, though her heart pounded in her chest. But before she could move on, a young girl suddenly stepped out from the crowd and looked up at her with innocent boldness.
“Lady Althea, is it true that you’re not Alpha Cain’s daughter?”
“What?!” Melva burst out, glaring at the girl. “Who said that?”
The girl flinched, but an elderly woman nearby stepped in, shaking her head. “It’s been spreading everywhere, child. They say Lady Althea isn’t Alpha Cain’s real daughter. No one knows where it started, but it’s all over the kingdom now.”
The crowd murmured in agreement, their curiosity growing.
“Is it true then?” the young girl asked again, her tone soft but insistent.
“I…” Althea hesitated, her lips parting but no words came out. She could feel dozens of eyes fixed on her, waiting for an answer she didn’t even have. Her throat tightened, but somehow, she managed to steady her voice.
“I don’t know anything about that rumor,” she said softly. “All my life, I’ve known Alpha Cain Grayson as my father.”
The crowd murmured among themselves until one man finally spoke up, his tone cautious yet firm. “What’s been spreading, my lady, is that your mother, Lady Thea—the woman Alpha Cain bought as a slave from another continent—was already with child before he took her in.”
Gasps rippled through the people gathered.
The man continued, lowering his voice. “They say Lady Thea hid her true identity… that she was a healer mage. She concealed her powers to protect herself and the unborn child she carried.”
Althea’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded as she forced herself to keep her composure, but the ground beneath her feet suddenly felt unsteady.
A woman suddenly spoke up from the crowd, her tone excited. “If the rumor is true, then it works in your favor, my lady! You’re the Alpha King’s mate, and you two look perfect together. You could become our Queen Luna—our Alpha Queen!”
A wave of cheers erupted around them. Some clapped, others smiled with admiration and hope shining in their eyes.
Althea froze, unsure how to react. Her heart thudded wildly as she looked at the faces surrounding her—people who seemed to genuinely adore her, completely unaware of how heavy those words felt.
She tried to smile, but her lips trembled. “Please,” she said softly, almost pleading, “let’s not talk about such things. The Alpha King and I…” She paused, unsure how to continue. “It’s not what you think.”
She was a captive… a prisoner the Alpha King could easily kill whenever he chose to. Her life rested entirely in his mercy, and never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would become the Alpha King’s Luna, much less his Queen. Gavriel might keep her for one reason only: as his breeder.
But her voice was drowned out by more cheers and approving shouts. Althea’s chest tightened as she glanced at Melva and Alpha Abner, silently asking for help to calm the crowd before things got out of hand.
Alpha Abner raised his hand, his voice steady yet firm. “That’s enough, everyone. Lady Althea appreciates your kind words, but let’s not jump to conclusions. We’re here to enjoy the day, not spread more rumors.”
The crowd gradually quieted, though many still smiled and whispered among themselves as they bowed respectfully before returning to their stalls.
Althea exhaled softly, relief flooding through her. Melva moved closer and whispered with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. “Ignore them, My Lady. They just adore you. Now come on—let’s look around. You should buy something nice. The Alpha King gave you plenty of gold, remember?”
Althea blinked, caught off guard. “Melva, that’s not necessary. I don’t need—”
Melva playfully cut her off. “No excuses! When will you ever get the chance to stroll freely and shop without worry again? Think of it as a reward from His Majesty himself.”
Alpha Abner chuckled, glancing over his shoulder. “Melva’s right, Lady Althea. You deserve to enjoy yourself today. We’ll make sure everything’s carried back safely.”
She nodded, but suddenly gasped when a running child bumped into her, stumbling and nearly falling to the ground.