Gavriel stood at a distance, silently watching the scene unfold. He had rushed out earlier after cleaning Althea, knowing that if he lingered any longer, he would lose control and claim her again.
Days without touching her had left him like a starving beast, and with Althea, restraint was always slipping through his fingers.
The mate bond between them was fierce, almost unbearable at times. His jaw tightened as he saw her smiling sweetly at Abner. He knew well enough that Abner harbored no ill intent—he only regarded Althea as a daughter.
Abner was a good man, one of the few Alphas loyal to him and his family. Still, the sight made Gavriel’s face darken.
When a little boy suddenly flung his arms around her, Gavriel couldn’t hold back a low growl.
“That brat,” he muttered under his breath.
A soft chuckle sounded beside him. “Look at you, getting jealous over a child,” Uriel teased.
Gavriel shot him a glare. “We’re not that close, so back off,” he grunted. His words were sharp, but they carried less venom than they once did.
Uriel only sighed, exasperated. “Oh, please. Drop the act with me, Gavriel. You’ve already forgiven me—you know it, and I know it. You also know how much I’ve suffered for it. Let’s bury the past. You and I... we both know no one understands you better than I do.”
Gavriel didn’t reply. But deep inside, he knew Uriel was right. For years he had hated him for the betrayal, for stealing Rizza away. Yet after meeting Althea, he finally understood the impossible pull of a fated mate. Uriel had lycan blood too; resisting was not something he could have done easily.
And in truth, Rizza had made her choice. She had betrayed him of her own will, choosing Uriel behind his back. The fault was not his cousin’s alone.
Now, the memory no longer burned like fire in his veins. It didn’t haunt him the way it once had. Strangely, since Althea entered his life, that old rage had begun to fade, leaving him lighter than before.
“Alpha,” Simon’s voice broke his thoughts as he approached quickly. “The Queen Mother sent word. She requests Lady Althea’s return to the palace.”
Gavriel’s expression hardened at once, but before he could speak, Uriel cut in.
“Why would you do that now?” Uriel asked pointedly. “Let her breathe a little. You know how Aunt Wilma is... and now that people are seeing Althea differently, no wonder she wants her gone from Nightwalker Pack so soon. She’s gaining favor, winning hearts. Aunt sees it as Cain’s advantage and she doesn’t like it.”
“Anything that could benefit Cain must be destroyed,” Gavriel said, voice low. “Althea was lucky to be my mate. Still, my mother is right. I shouldn’t parade her in front of the people like this. Cain will not waste the chance.” He exhaled sharply.
“So what do you plan to do?” Uriel snapped. “They all witnessed everything. You can’t deny she saved the town.”
A hush fell over them. Gavriel looked at Althea, then said, “Spread the news.”
“Spread what?” Simon asked, brow knitting.
“That Althea is not Cain’s daughter,” Gavriel answered, flat and certain.
“What?!” Uriel and Simon burst out together.
Gavriel did not take his eyes off Althea. “You heard me, Simon. Make sure it reaches every corner of the kingdom. Tell them she is not Cain’s offspring.”
Simon hesitated. “Alpha, won’t that be... false? We still lack full records about her mother. Are you saying she might have been pregnant before Cain?”
“Look at her,” Gavriel said, sharper now. “Do you really see Cain in her? Yes, there are a few resemblances, but not enough. She bears none of Cain’s unmistakable traits.”
“That still does not prove she is not Cain’s daughter,” Uriel objected.
“Exactly. That is why we need a diversion,” Gavriel said. “If people believe she is not his blood, Cain gains nothing. Daughter or not, this is the safest way to keep him from taking credit for Althea’s deeds.”
He turned to Simon, voice low and controlled. “Invent a story. No — make it perfect, something that supports the claim that Cain is not Althea’s father.” His jaw tightened and a low growl slipped out. “He must not take any credit for what she did. He does not deserve it.”
“I will spread the gossip now,” Simon said, already moving. He bowed and left with urgency in his step.
Uriel watched him go, then pursed his lips. “A cunning move to protect your mate,” he said with a half smile. “Admit it. You are thinking of her well being. You chose this because it will shield her.”
Gavriel’s expression was unreadable. He did not deny it. He only glanced once more at Althea, as if weighing the price of the lie against the safety it might buy her. Then he turned away and followed Simon’s trail, leaving the plan to unfold.
“You’re as calculating as ever... a true strategist. No wonder no one has ever been able to take your throne,” Uriel said with a teasing smile.
He paused, then admitted more seriously, “Although, I must say this, Lady Althea... there’s nothing about her, neither in looks nor in character, that truly reflects Cain. So I guess there’s a possibility and I can truly hope that is the case so she won’t be a pawn between you and Cain. I feel bad for her. She already endured so much already...”
Gavriel’s frown deepened, his expression darkening. “Are you interested in my mate, that you know so much about her?”
Uriel stiffened, swallowing hard before quickly raising both hands in surrender. “Whoa! Don’t overreact. I’m not interested in her like that. I was only curious about your fated mate. I happened to speak with someone from her old pack who knew her well.”
He lowered his hands slowly and explained, “They told me how Lady Althea was mistreated whenever Cain wasn’t around. Being his favorite daughter only brought her more hate from his Luna, his mistresses, and even his other children.”
“Who is this person? Bring them to me, now...” Gavriel demanded.