Trapped with the Alpha King (Althea) novel Chapter 46

The Dungeon

The guards stiffened at Dorothy’s command before moving toward Althea.

“No! Please, no! You can’t do this to her, My Lady!” Melva cried out hysterically, trying to push forward, but was held back.

Althea, however, did not flinch. She caught Melva’s trembling hand and squeezed it firmly, her calm eyes meeting her maid’s frantic ones.

“Stay calm,” she said softly, almost soothingly. “I’ll be out soon…”

Then she leaned closer, her lips barely moving as she whispered in Melva’s ear, “Focus on the task at hand.”

Melva nodded, but worry clouded her eyes. Althea smiled softly and even gave her a playful wink, trying to pacify her friend.

“No need to drag me. I’ll come with you. Please, lead the way,” she said calmly to the guards.

They hesitated, glancing at Dorothy, who gave them a signal to take her.

‘Let’s see how you get out of this! I’m sure you’re nothing but a witch… a pest to our kingdom just like your father!’

Dorothy’s thoughts rang sharp in Althea’s mind. From that alone, she knew the woman had nothing to do with the poisoning; her malice was aimed at Althea’s downfall, thinking she was responsible.

As the guards moved, Elsa stepped forward with trembling hands. “I… I am so sorry, My Lady.”

It was only then that Althea managed to skim through Elsa’s frantic thoughts. She had been too focused earlier on saving the woman to notice, but now the weight of it struck her.

‘I need to gain her trust and become one of her personal maids. If not, Lady Ava will make my life and my family’s life a living hell,’ Elsa thought.

Althea suddenly felt her knees give out, her body swaying as if she was about to fall.

“My Lady!” Rudy rushed forward, grabbing her just before she hit the ground.

If she didn’t have the gift of reading minds, Althea would’ve been fooled already. Trusting people so easily… she couldn’t afford that.

She had never even met Lady Ava, and yet Ava was already moving against her—sending a spy right into her side.

This poisoning was clearly Lady Ava’s doing. But the bigger question was… how could Althea prove it?

Dorothy’s eyes widened, and her voice lashed out like a whip. “What is the meaning of this?! Why are you helping her? Why are you even following her?!”

Ben stepped up, scratching his head awkwardly but speaking firmly. “Because those were the Alpha King’s orders. He told us never to let Lady Althea out of our sight, especially when he isn’t here. Our duty is to ensure that she’s also unharmed.”

Trudis swallowed hard before adding, “He made it clear, My Lady Dorothy… if anything happens to her, it’s our heads. He also said no one—no one—is allowed to touch her or do her harm. Only the Alpha King himself has that right.”

Althea pursed her lips. Not long ago, Trudis had openly said their task was to make sure she didn’t escape. That alone had left a bitter taste in her mouth. Now, hearing these words from Ben and Trudis confused her. She wasn’t sure what to feel.

Then silence fell. The dungeon was eerily quiet, every step echoing against the stone walls. Althea was led into a private cell barred with thick iron, and to her surprise, Trudis, Ben, and Rudy followed inside with her.

The guards locked the door from the outside, shaking their heads as if they found the situation ridiculous. Why were there three attendants inside with a prisoner? Still, they didn’t question the order.

A little later, they returned with trays of food, three servings placed neatly in front of Trudis, Ben, and Rudy. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

None was given to Althea.

The dungeon guards glanced at her for a moment, pity flickering in their eyes, before walking away in silence.

The smell of warm stew and bread filled the cell, and soon her stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble. Trudis smirked, tearing off a piece of bread slowly, clearly savoring the moment. Ben avoided looking at her, but Rudy hesitated.

At last, Rudy pushed his tray toward Althea. “Here, you can have—”

The dungeon guards cut him off sharply. “Don’t even think about it. The High Stewardess ordered that none of you will get any portion if you share it with the witch.”

Rudy froze, pulling the tray back with a guilty glance at Althea. Trudis chuckled, clearly pleased with the rule, while Ben’s jaw tightened.

Althea stayed quiet, hugging her knees to her chest as her stomach kept grumbling, the smell of food only making her suffering worse.