Chapter 141 The Only Hope
Althea stood by the window, staring out quietly. Protective barriers surrounded the inn where she was staying, and mages patrolled the area with steady vigilance.
She took a deep breath as she watched the sun sink below the horizon. All she could do was hope that Gavriel was safe and that he would return to her soon.
But a nagging feeling refused to leave her. Whoever that mysterious man was, something told her that she was what he wanted or perhaps the strange energy within her.
If he truly wanted to harm her, he’d had plenty of chances before, when she was still unguarded and alone. Yet he never did. It was as if he had only been observing her… watching her for some unknown reason.
But why?
And worse, deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some kind of connection between them, something she couldn’t explain or understand.
Another sigh escaped her lips. This time, her fingers found the ring on her hand once more, gently brushing against its smooth surface as if seeking comfort in its familiar touch.
She lifted it toward the fading light of dusk, watching how it gleamed softly. It fit her perfectly—almost as if it had been made just for her.
“My lady, come now. Let’s have dinner first,” Melva called cheerfully. “You need to recharge, especially since I’m sure the Alpha King will exhaust you again once he returns!”
Althea’s cheeks flushed instantly. She turned away from the window and joined Melva at the table, pouting slightly. “Stop teasing me,” she muttered, stabbing at her food before taking a bite.
Melva laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Teasing aside,” she said, leaning closer, “do you still want freedom? I mean, to escape? After everything the Alpha King said to you? You told me how he almost proposed that he wanted you to stay by his side. He said he couldn’t see any other woman beside him but you. Those words were clear as day! He only wants you as his woman—his Queen, his Luna!”
Althea ignored Melva’s exaggerated reaction and continued eating while her friend’s eyes sparkled dreamily.
She shouldn’t tell Melva about that because Melva couldn’t resist teasing her. And now, she couldn’t bring herself to deny or argue anymore.
For once, she didn’t want to think negatively or push the thought away like she usually did. Gavriel had said those words when no one else was around, and she could feel he meant them.
He had been gentle with her lately—caring, even—in his own way. But Althea still held herself back. The Alpha King was a born strategist, and she knew how dangerous it could be to believe too easily.
And yet, deep down, she found herself wanting to trust him this time… to believe that what they shared was more than just a mate bond.
“My lady, you’re not answering me,” Melva prodded curiously. “Are we still leaving? Are we still escaping?”
Althea let out a small chuckle. “Hmm, that will always be my backup plan,” she said, smiling faintly. “But for now, I’ll stay and observe a little longer.” She hesitated, then added shyly, “Besides… I’m already used to having Gavriel around.”
Melva gasped dramatically. “Hmph! Just admit it already, you’ve fallen for the Alpha King! I can see it in your eyes! You even call him by his name quite comfortably!”
Althea’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. She shook her head quickly. “That’s because he prefers it that way,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She’d simply grown used to addressing him by name, especially around Melva.
Melva leaned back with a knowing grin. “Well, I think staying by his side is the best choice. Especially now that he no longer cares whether or not you’re truly connected to Alpha Cain.”
Althea didn’t reply. Instead, she focused on her meal, letting the conversation fade. But her thoughts drifted elsewhere, toward her father. A small frown formed on her lips as she wondered if the rumors had already reached him, and what his reaction might be.
“I wonder if my father will believe those rumors — that I’m not really his daughter,” she murmured softly. She gave a small shrug, trying to sound indifferent, but the weight in her voice betrayed her.
All her life, ever since her mother’s death, her father had been the only one who’d shown her genuine care. She could see his love in the way he protected her, even if his hunger for the throne had always come first.
Even when she had been mistreated in the pack, Althea knew her father had always been aware of it. He made sure that those responsible were punished—quietly, without anyone realizing it was his doing. He had allowed her to experience suffering at the hands of the mistresses and her half-siblings, believing it would make her stronger.
“You do know that the Alpha King has ordered his men to look into your true origin, right?” Melva said suddenly, her tone cautious. “I think he truly believes you might not be Alpha Cain’s real daughter. I overheard Simon giving instructions to some of his men earlier. They didn’t look ordinary, they were elite warriors, the kind that work directly in the shadows for the Alpha King.”
Althea’s fork paused midair. “I’m nervous,” she admitted softly, “but at the same time, I want to know the truth.” Her hand drifted to the necklace she always wore, fingers brushing against the small key that hung from it. “I want to learn more about my mother… and where she really came from. She tried to tell me everything once, but before she could—she died saving me and left me with nothing but this.”
By the time she finished her last bite and lifted her glass of water, the door suddenly burst open. Uriel entered in haste, Gustav right behind him. One look at their faces made Althea’s heart drop both men looked pale, their expressions grim.
Althea immediately stood, her chair scraping against the floor. She couldn’t read Uriel’s thoughts and she assumed he must have brewed one of those potions for Gavriel and his warrior guards assigned to her to block her from reading their thoughts.
“We need your help, my lady,” Uriel said urgently, his tone grave. “You’re the only hope we have now to find the Alpha King.”