Trapped with the Alpha King (Althea) novel Chapter 163

Glowing

Leaving no room for doubt, Gavriel continued firmly, “Treat her with the same respect you would give me.”

Gasps rippled across the hall. The musicians faltered for a brief moment before quickly recovering. No one expected the Alpha King to make such a declaration especially not during Minister Marius’s birthday celebration, a man everyone knew was like a second father to him.

Even the Queen Mother, seated on his right, struggled to maintain her composure. Her hand clenched tightly on her lap, her face turning pale as whispers spread across the grand hall.

[Gavriel! What is the meaning of this?!] she demanded through their mindlink, her voice sharp with disbelief.

[You heard me, Mother,] Gavriel replied, his tone steady but cold. [I’ve chosen Althea as my Luna Queen. Don’t bring up Riela again—you don’t know the whole truth yet. We’ll talk later, but one thing you must understand is that the people trying to get close to you aren’t what they seem.]

[What do you mean?!]

He wasn’t planning to hide anything from her anymore. The manipulation had gone too far. He would not allow anyone to use his mother’s grief for their own advantage.

[Those people are the reason Riela isn’t recovering,] he continued. [They’re keeping her condition worse for their own gain. From now on, I’ll take full responsibility for her treatment. I’ll make sure Riela returns to you just as she was before.]

[Gavriel, my son—]

[Please, Mother, trust me this time,] he said, his voice softening through the bond. [Later, I’ll come see you with Uriel to explain everything. But until then, don’t let Nilda or Ava anywhere near Riela. I’ve already ordered my men to watch them and make sure they won’t get near Rieal, but I’m sure they’ll still try to use you to get close to her.]

The mindlink fell silent. Gavriel exhaled quietly, sensing that his mother had finally calmed down, at least for now.

Meanwhile, Ava’s smile had completely vanished. Her chest burned as she watched the crowd’s attention drift toward the woman she had been so certain would never appear. And now that very woman was seated beside the Alpha King, introduced before everyone as his future Luna Queen.

The compliments she had been receiving earlier vanished like mist, replaced by hushed remarks about the Alpha King’s “breeder” and “mate” being the future Luna Queen!

The musicians resumed playing, and the hall slowly came back to life but the air was no longer the same. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Everyone’s eyes kept drifting to the Alpha King and the woman sitting beside him.

Ava clenched her jaw, smiling thinly to hide the fury building inside her. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Sitting beside Gavriel, Althea tried her best to stay calm. For that night, she chose not to read anyone’s thoughts at all. With Gavriel beside her, she didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to make her feel safe and secure.

The music softened as the first round of toasts ended. Wine glasses clinked and laughter filled the hall, but beneath the lively chatter, whispers spread like wildfire.

“Is that really Cain’s daughter?” someone murmured behind a jeweled fan.

“The Queen Mother is just quiet.

”

Even the Queen Mother’s stern expression softened slightly.

Ava knew exactly what she was doing—her poise, her beauty, her voice—every part of her performance was meant to remind them that she was still the perfect choice for Luna Queen.

When the final note faded, the hall erupted in polite applause. Ava curtsied, her smile flawless. “For Lord Marius,” she said, her tone humble but proud.

The minister stood and clapped warmly. “Beautiful, Lady Ava! You’ve always brought light to every occasion.”

But before the attention could linger too long on her, another voice rose, smooth and calm.

“Perhaps Lady Althea could also offer us something?”

The question came from Minister Ariel Smith, the Minister of Rites, a man known for his sharp tongue and testing words. His tone was polite, but there was challenge in his eyes.

The hall grew quiet again.

Ava’s lips curved slightly, the corners of her mouth hiding a victorious smirk. “Oh, yes,” she said sweetly, tilting her head. “That would be delightful. It would be nice to know if Lady Althea has a special talent of her own.”