Trapped with the Alpha King (Althea) novel Chapter 159

Covenant of Binding

Althea’s knees weakened the moment the Queen Mother exited the room, her composure finally breaking. Melva quickly caught her by the arm and helped her stay upright.

Uriel’s expression was unreadable as he studied her. “My Lady,” he said slowly, disbelief lacing his tone, “are you really that confident you can heal Princess Riela?”

Before Althea could even answer, a voice thundered from behind them. “Leave. All of you.”

Everyone froze. Gavriel’s tone left no room for argument. Melva didn’t even look back—she hurried to take Ash into her arms and pulled Uriel out of the room with her, closing the door behind them. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Silence followed, thick and heavy.

Althea pressed her trembling hands together and bit her lower lip. Her strength was fading, and she could feel remnants of the spell crawling through her veins like icy threads. She took a step back until she reached the edge of the bed and sank down slowly, breathing unevenly.

Her vision blurred for a moment, the taste of iron on her tongue reminding her that the Covenant of Binding wasn’t a mere oath, it was a living spell now resting dormant within her. Once activated, it would take full control of her body, forcing her to drink that potion if she failed to heal the Princess.

She exhaled shakily, trying to calm the rush of pain beneath her ribs.

Gavriel’s heavy steps drew closer until he stood before her. “Why?” His voice was quiet now, but it carried the same intensity as his roar earlier. “Why would you agree to that? You just put your life in her hands, Althea.”

She looked up, her eyes tired but steady. “Because it was the only way,” she murmured. “Your mother wouldn’t have trusted me otherwise.”

Gavriel clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“I had to,” she said softly. “If I didn’t, she would’ve never allowed me near your sister Riela. And besides…” her gaze softened, “I won’t fail, Gavriel. I promised you—I’ll save your sister.”

He stared at her, searching her face for any sign of hesitation, but there was none.

The bond between them pulsed faintly, carrying her resolve straight into him. And though he hated the situation, a part of him couldn’t ignore the calm certainty in her voice, that same quiet strength that always managed to disarm him.

Still, his hand reached out to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across her skin. “You’re always reckless,” he muttered under his breath.

Althea let out a weak chuckle. “You’re only saying that because you care.”

His eyes darkened. “You shouldn’t know how to use that against me.”

“I didn’t,” she whispered, leaning slightly against his touch. “I just feel it.”

Gavriel’s voice rumbled, low and dangerous. “If anything happens to you, Althea, not even the heavens will save whoever caused it.”

“The healer who came with your mother earlier,” Althea began, her voice low as she recalled the woman’s cold, calculating stare.

Althea hugged his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Everything still felt foreign to her, but Gavriel seemed to trust her fully —his emotions through the bond were loud and clear. There was no doubt and hesitation when she told him everything.

His controlled fury washed over her through the bond, and she knew he would have killed Nilda on the spot if she hadn’t stopped him.

“I will treat and heal Princess Riela no matter what. I will make up for what my father did, even if it costs me my life,” she muttered to him, sincere and steady.

Gavriel turned his head slightly, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Don’t say that,” he murmured, his tone low but firm. “You’re not going to die. I won’t let that happen.”

There was a moment of silence and Gavriel broke it. “I’ll make sure Nilda and Ava pay for what they’ve done,” he said darkly, his thumb stroking the side of her arm. “You focus on Riela. I’ll handle the rest.”

Althea felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear and found herself relaxing, despite the storm surrounding them.

“You’re really not going to doubt me?” she asked softly.

“Not for a second,” he replied without hesitation. “The bond doesn’t lie, Althea. I can feel your truth.”