Trapped with the Alpha King (Althea) novel Chapter 33

Velmora

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.

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. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

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.