“So you’re saying I’m not treating you right, Althea?” Gavriel’s voice dropped, calm yet sharp. His brows collided, eyes narrowing at her as if daring her to say another word.
“Oh, she’s just drunk, Your Highness,” Luna Ruth quickly interjected, her voice slightly trembling when Gavriel’s cold stare shifted to them. His face was dark, unreadable.
Althea only grinned and lifted her finger toward him. “Look, look! He always wears the same expression! I can’t tell if he’s angry or just... brooding. Always serious. No wonder he looks older than his age.”
Gasps filled the air. But Althea wasn’t done. She leaned forward, cupped his face with both hands, and added with a teasing tone, “The Alpha King... so ruthless! You don’t even let me breathe. Let me stay here for a while—I actually feel at ease with nice people around me.”
Then she hiccuped, ruining her boldness in an instant.
Gavriel stood, jaw tight. “We’re leaving,” he said curtly, gripping her wrist and pulling her up from the chair.
“But I want to drink more!” Althea complained, tugging back stubbornly.
“Althea,” Gavriel warned, his deep growl silencing even the flicker of candles.
She only pouted, her voice rising again. “What!? I just want to have fun! You’re always so serious—you’ll just eat me alive if I go with you!”
The vein in Gavriel’s temple ticked, his expression darkening further. “Leave us,” he ordered, his tone final.
Alpha Abner immediately signaled the servants to clear out. Luna Ruth quickly stood, forcing a polite smile as she ushered her husband out. Within seconds, the dining hall was empty, leaving only the furious Alpha King and the unsteady woman who dared to mock him.
The large dining hall was silent except for the faint sound of Althea’s hiccups. Gavriel stood beside her, his expression unreadable as always, while Althea slumped in her chair, clutching her half-empty glass.
“You’re drunk,” he said flatly.
“I am not!” she protested, pointing her finger at him. “You just... ahhh—” She blinked rapidly, eyes wide and glassy. “Do you want a drink too?” she asked, her voice light and teasing.
The alcohol had completely loosened her up. For once, she felt free—carefree enough not to bother how that the Alpha King was frowning in front of her.
She poured more wine into her glass, then offered it to him with a bright smile. “Here, drink with me, My King!”
Gavriel didn’t move. His piercing gaze stayed fixed on her, cold and unreadable. So, with a tipsy determination, Althea got up, set the glass down, and tugged at his arm until he finally took a seat.
“Good,” she said triumphantly. Then she picked up the glass again and held it out to him, but he still didn’t take it. His stare was dark—like he was trying to decide what to do with her.
Althea squinted at him, pretending to think. “Ah, I know that look,” she said, her tone playful. “Wait...”
Before he could speak, she lifted the glass to her lips—but instead of swallowing, she straddled his lap and pressed her mouth against his. The sweet taste of wine passed from her to him.
When she pulled back, she giggled softly. Gavriel swallowed hard, his lips stained crimson.
Without thinking, she leaned in and brushed her tongue over them, tasting the wine and him.
Gavriel’s low growl rumbled in his chest. “You little temptress.”
Althea only laughed, her voice sultry and amused. “But isn’t this what you want? That look in your eyes—I know it well.” She leaned closer, whispering, “You want to eat me alive, don’t you, my King?”
Gavriel let out a low groan and leaned in to kiss her, but Althea quickly tilted her head back, another hiccup escaping her lips.
“Let me drink more,” she murmured with a small pout, though her heart was already racing at the heat between them. The mere closeness of him made her dizzy whether from the wine or from the feeling of his firm erectness beneath her, she couldn’t tell.
“So impatient!” she blurted, poking his lips with her finger, a mischievous smile curling on her face. She tried to stand, but Gavriel’s hand caught her waist, pulling her backdown—this time firmly into his lap, her knees on either side of him.
“Finish what you started, little tease,” he growled, his voice low and rough, his dark eyes locked on hers.
Althea smiled playfully, her eyes gleaming. “Alright,” she said, “but you have to smile first. I want to see you smile.”
Gavriel’s brows drew together in a frown.
She sighed dramatically and crossed her arms. “I’m serious! I won’t do a thing if you don’t smile. But if you do...” she leaned closer with a mischievous grin, “I’ll make you feel good.”
Her words came out half-sincere, half-childish, her tone teasing as her laughter filled the quiet room.
“I’m waiting, My King,” Althea teased, her smile soft but undeniably seductive.
Gavriel exhaled slowly, his patience thinning. “You’ll be greatly punished for making me do things like—”
“Smile!” Althea interrupted with a hiccuping laugh, reaching out to stretch his cheek before he could finish.
Gavriel caught her wrist midair. In one swift motion, he pulled both her hands down and pinned them behind her back.
“What—”
Her protest never finished. Gavriel’s lips crashed against hers in a rough, punishing kiss that stole her breath and silenced her completely.
He loosened her grip, and Althea moved her arms, instinctively wrapping them around his neck as she kissed him back with the same passion. His tongue entered her mouth, and she moaned at the passionate and demanding kiss.
She loved it and was so aroused that she started brushing her groin against his erection.
“Urgh, you little tease,” Gavriel murmured as he released her lips, his voice rough with desire. “Get up and remove those underwear of yours,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Althea obeyed, her breath shallow as she rose. Her pulse pounded in her ears while Gavriel’s gaze followed her every movement with raw hunger. When he pulled down his trousers, Althea’s lips parted slightly, her throat tightening from how hard he was.
“It’s so... big,” she whispered without thinking, her cheeks burning while she continued staring.