The maids hesitated, but then bowed and stepped away, leaving the chamber in silence.
Melva stood by the door, eyes wide with disbelief. “My Lady... what are you—”
“I need to see her,” Althea cut in gently. “If I don’t face her head-on, she’ll just keep trying to crush me in the shadows.”
She wanted to read the Queen Mother’s thoughts, anything to help her plan ahead and see if there was still a chance to fix things. A chance to make up for what her father had done.
Deep down, she also wanted to meet Princess Riela, though she knew that wouldn’t be easy—not yet.
Her gaze drifted to the table, where breakfast had already been laid out. Her stomach turned with unease.
“Melva,” Althea said quietly, “don’t eat anything they give us. Everyone here hates me. If they can poison me, they will.”
“I understand, My Lady.” Melva nodded. “Actually, I’ve already spoken with Beta Osman. I asked if we could grow our own crops like we used to back in the pack. He said he’d ask the Alpha King about it.”
She smiled, then picked up a basket and handed it to Althea. “Here, let’s eat these instead.”
Inside were pieces of bread and a handful of boiled sweet potatoes.
Althea let out a soft chuckle, warmth briefly breaking through her guarded expression. The memory of their old life returned—how Luna Meena and the other mistresses had constantly tried to poison her.
In the end, she and Melva survived by cooking their own food. Althea had even grown her own crops and asked her father to extend her room just to add a small kitchen where Melva could cook for her.
“Ah! I also asked if we can build a mini kitchen on the balcony,” Melva added cheerfully, already peeling the potatoes. “It’s spacious enough—we can use a corner of it. Just one-fourth of the space is all I need!”
Althea looked at her. Her heart clenched, and her eyes welled up. “I’m sorry, you have to suffer again because of me,” she whispered.
Melva paused and frowned. “What’s this, My Lady? Don’t be sad. I told you—I’ll go wherever you go, no matter what. That’s my choice.”
“But still...” Althea murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I saved your life because I wanted you to live... really live. Not follow me into danger like this. I never meant for that act to become a burden, as if you owed me your life in return.”
Melva gave her a gentle look, eyes steady with loyalty and quiet strength. “I chose this life, My Lady—not out of obligation, but because I believe in you. And because I care for you.”
Althea hugged Melva tightly and silently vowed that she would make sure that Melva would be well protected no matter what.
*****
Meanwhile, Gavriel remained in the throne hall, addressing urgent matters with his royal court. Everyone was present—his high council, the royal court nobles, and his mother, seated just below the throne. One seat, however, remained vacant: the one usually reserved for his elder sister, Riela.
He let out a slow, heavy sigh as he listened to the ongoing reports and suggestions.
“We captured black magic users along the southern borders,” reported Marius, his War Alpha and a man who had long been like a father to Gavriel. “They’re from Velmora. We’ve tried to question them, but they refuse to speak. My Alpha King, this could be seen as an act of war against our continent.”
“Look into it further. We won’t risk sparking a dispute between kingdoms over the presence of a few black magic users near our borders,” Gavriel instructed firmly. “We need solid proof.”
Velmora lay to the east of the werewolf continent, across the dark waters of the Shadewater Sea. Though smaller in size, the continent thrived on intellect, arcane studies, and bloodline-bound magic. For centuries, Velmora’s powerful mage houses had remained neutral in all shapeshifter politics.
Just then, Law Councilor Thanos abruptly stepped forward and dropped to his knees.
“Your Majesty,” Thanos said, his voice sharp with urgency, “if you will allow it... Please place the traitor’s daughter under our care. We must interrogate her. She may be the key, we strongly believe Cain was working with these black magic users. There’s a high chance he’s colluding with Velmora.”
Gavriel’s jaw tightened, a faint twitch flickering across his face. He knew exactly where this was going. They wanted Althea.
His eyes flicked toward Riela’s empty seat, then toward his mother, who remained expressionless, her face unreadable. But he knew. She was behind this. If Althea weren’t his fated mate... he wouldn’t have cared what they plan on doing to Cain’s daughter.
But she was his fated mate.
His gaze snapped back to Thanos, who dared to meet his eyes—until Gavriel narrowed them. Thanos quickly bowed his head.
Then Gavriel spoke, his voice low and cutting. “The traitor’s daughter is my fated mate. Whether that’s heaven’s punishment for me, I don’t know... but you all understand what that means. A Lycan’s fated mate cannot be harmed—unless you want to challenge me directly.”
The room fell silent.
“She answers only to me,” Gavriel continued coldly. “I will handle her. No one else is to question her. From this day forward, this court will not bring up her name in connection with Cain again.”
His voice dropped, chilling and final. “She belongs to me. And if anyone is allowed to ruin her... it will be me.”
No one dared to speak another word. Yet beneath the silence, tension simmered, especially from the Queen Mother, who was fuming despite her composed expression.
Among those present were several women representing noble families and the allied packs.
Their fathers had strategically chosen them as delegates, not for their wisdom, but in hopes that the Alpha King would notice their beauty. After all, the throne still lacked a Luna and a Queen, and everyone knew Gavriel couldn’t remain unbound forever.
To them, the traitor’s daughter was a threat.
It was no longer a secret that the Alpha King had marked her. And that mark, though it couldn’t be undone, would become meaningless the moment he chose a Luna and gave her the final, binding mark.
But until another woman claimed that position, the matebond between Althea and Gavriel remained intact. And that was something none of them could accept.