Chapter 146 I Need To
Althea’s heart pounded as Uriel’s magic flared brightly, wrapping the mysterious man in glowing threads of energy that shimmered like molten silver. The air crackled from the clash of their powers. But what unsettled her most wasn’t his strength—it was how calm he looked.
The man didn’t even resist. He just stood there, hands bound, a smirk playing on his lips as if he was in full control of the situation.
“I’m a bit tired,” he said casually, his voice smooth and mocking. “So I’ll let you all have your little victory for now.”
Uriel’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. “You talk too much for someone restrained.”
The man chuckled softly and turned his gaze to Althea. His eyes, dark but unnervingly familiar, locked onto hers. “I’m Zander, by the way. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Before she could respond, his voice echoed inside her head.
‘Don’t bother trying to read my mind, Althea. You won’t be able to. But listen carefully—I won’t be here long. You and I share the same energy. I’ve been searching for you for a long time… and you belong with me.’
Her breath hitched, her eyes widening. ‘The same energy? What was he talking about?’ She felt something faintly stirring in her chest, like an invisible thread being tugged.
Before she could react, Gavriel suddenly moved in front of her, blocking her view of Zander.
His large hand cupped her face, his touch grounding her back to reality.
“Stop looking at him,” he growled lowly, his eyes burning with possessiveness and fury.
Zander only smirked wider, unfazed by the Alpha King’s warning. “You can’t stop her curiosity, Alpha King. After all, she and I are bound by something far deeper than your mark.”
Gavriel’s growl deepened, echoing through the air like thunder.
“She’s not from this continent,” Zander continued, his tone taunting, almost enjoying Gavriel’s rising anger. “She belongs to me.”
That was the final straw. Gavriel lunged forward with a roar, his fist crashing against Zander’s jaw. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the ground.
Uriel’s glowing strings stretched, struggling to hold the man as Gavriel struck again and again—left, right, another punch to the gut.
“You will never touch her!” Gavriel bellowed, each word laced with raw rage and dominance.
But even as blood dripped from his lip, Zander laughed. The sound sent chills through everyone. “You can hit me all you want, Alpha King… but you can’t erase what already connects us.”
Gavriel’s hand clenched, ready to strike again but then, a strange pulse of energy erupted from Zander’s body. The glowing bindings around him began to crack, light spilling from the breaks.
Uriel’s eyes widened. “Gavriel, get back! His power—!”
But it was too late. The light exploded outward, forcing everyone to shield themselves.
When the brightness faded, Zander was gone. Only the faint echo of his mocking laugh lingered in the air, chilling and distant.
Gavriel’s fists trembled as he turned to Althea. “Are you alright?”
She nodded slowly, though her heart was still racing. Deep inside, she could feel that faint pull, the strange thread that tied her to the man who had just vanished. A cold shiver ran through her as she swallowed hard, her face paling.
That Zander had been right. Curiosity clawed at her from within, refusing to let go. His words lingered in her mind, vague and haunting… and she knew she needed answers.
She was still zoning out when Gavriel suddenly lifted her into his arms. She could faintly hear his voice—deep, commanding—as he barked orders to his men while heading back to the inn, but her mind was somewhere else entirely. Everything felt distant, muffled, as if she were trapped in a fog.
She didn’t even realize that Gavriel had already set her down on the side of the bed until a soft weight pressed against her lap.
“Ash…” she whispered. The small wolf had leapt into her arms, its fur glowing faintly with that familiar light.
Althea’s fingers trembled as she gently stroked Ash’s soft fur. The creature nudged its head against her arm, and at once, she felt the flow of Ash’s energy reaching into her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured weakly. She had placed a binding spell on Ash earlier, preventing him from following her when she left with Uriel and the others. Lifting her hand, she slowly released the spell that had held him back.
The moment the magic faded, Gavriel’s voice broke the silence. “Get this little beast out and leave. I need privacy with Althea.”
Melva hesitated only for a moment before nodding and carefully taking Ash from her arms.
The door clicked shut behind them, leaving only silence—and Gavriel.
Before Althea could speak, Gavriel sank to his knees before her. His hands reached for hers, warm and steady despite the tension in his movements. His thumb brushed over her knuckles as he looked up into her face and quietly asked, “What’s wrong?”
She met his gaze, and for a moment, the fierce Alpha King looked nothing like the ruthless ruler everyone feared. His expression softened, his eyes filled with worry and something else that made her chest tighten. Was that fear?
Althea swallowed hard. “That man… he knows something about my origin,” she said quietly, her voice trembling just a little. “I need to see him. I need to talk to him. I want to know where my mother really came from and where I truly came from too.”
She slowly pulled her hand from Gavriel’s grasp and reached for the small key hanging from her necklace. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal, and memories of her mother’s last words came flooding back.
“My mother gave me this,” she whispered. “She said it’s the key that will help me find the answers to everything when I’m ready, when I’m old enough to seek the truth myself.”
Her teeth caught her lower lip as her voice broke slightly.
Gavriel grabbed her hands back. “We’ll uncover the truth, Althea,” he said firmly. “But not through him. I won’t let that man get anywhere near you again.”
He tilted her chin up, his touch firm but careful, making sure her gaze met his. “Althea, look at me,” he said, his voice softer now, yet carrying that steady command that always made her heart tremble. “Whatever secrets your past holds, we’ll face them together—with me right here by your side. Do you understand?”