Trapped with the Alpha King (Althea) novel Chapter 60

For The Kingdom’s Safety

Ava’s claws elongated as she prepared to strike, her fury directly aimed at Althea. But before she could lunge, a commanding voice thundered through the chamber.

“Stop!”

The force of it stopped everyone cold. Ava froze mid-step, her eyes widening as Gavriel strode into the chamber. His gaze locked on her, dark and dangerous.

“Do not touch her!” Gavriel warned, his tone low but carrying the weight of authority no one dared challenge.

Ava lowered her hand reluctantly, trembling under his piercing stare. “My King, she was harming the princess—”

But her words died in her throat as Gavriel turned past her. His eyes fell on Riela, and what he saw silenced the chamber. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The golden glow in the princess’s eyes was fading. Her claws shook, her body convulsing as if torn between two worlds. The wild aura surrounding her began to dim, replaced by something softer. Her bones cracked and shifted, the monstrous shape receding.

Althea’s white mist wrapped around her still, easing the rage. Inch by inch, Riela’s lycan form melted away. The beast gave way to the fragile human within.

With a final gasp, Riela collapsed onto the floor, unconscious, her torn gown clinging to her trembling frame. She lay still, no longer the raging monster that had torn through guards and walls.

A hush fell over the chamber. Guards and attendants stared in disbelief. Rudy, Ben, and Trudis, still wounded from their attempt to restrain her, exchanged weary glances.

But all eyes turned next to Althea.

Her body swayed, her arm lowering slowly from where she had been channeling her power.

The glow faded from her hand, the mist dissolving into the air. She gasped as her knees buckled, her strength draining out of her completely.

“My Lady!” Melva cried, but her voice was distant in Althea’s ears.

Pain throbbed through her body, her vision blurring. She knew the signs—energy burn-out. She had poured everything she had into subduing Riela, and now the cost was claiming her.

As her body crumpled, strong arms caught her before she hit the ground.

Through the haze, her eyes fluttered open one last time. Gavriel’s face hovered above her, sharp features softened by something she had never seen in him before—worry? His hold was steady, protective, as if he would never let her fall.

Her lips parted as though to speak, but no words came. The world dimmed, her consciousness slipping away like sand through her fingers. The last thing she saw was Gavriel’s intense gaze locked on her, his voice calling her name.

“Althea…”

Then everything went black.

******

Ava’s nails dug into her palms as she stood frozen in the corridor. Her eyes burned with jealousy and rage as she watched Gavriel stride past, carrying Althea’s limp body in his arms.

“Princess Riela has been found. She is safe… for now. But there is another matter you must hear.”

The Queen Mother’s brows lifted slightly. “Speak.”

Ava lowered her gaze, feigning hesitation. “It is the Breeder. Tonight, she used magic. Dangerous magic. She cast some kind of spell directly on the princess. I fear it may have harmed her, even if unintentionally.”

The Queen Mother’s lips tightened, but Ava pressed on carefully, her words vague enough to shield herself.

“Of course, the Alpha King sees only that the breeder subdued the princess… but I worry. If she can wield such power unchecked, who is to say it will not one day turn against the crown? Against the Alpha King himself?” She paused, letting the words sink in. “A breeder with magic that strong is… unsettling. If she could calm a lycan, could she not also bend one’s will?”

She lowered her head, voice quieter, as though burdened by duty. “I only fear what might happen if she is allowed to use such abilities freely. For the princess’s safety. For the kingdom’s safety. Surely, it is not wise to let her grow so bold. After all, she’s Cain’s daughter and surely we all know where her loyalty lies.”

Ava lifted her eyes at last, careful to keep them wide with concern, not malice. “I would never question His Majesty’s decision, but I beg you, Your Grace… keep a close watch on her. Before it is too late.”

Her irritation eased slightly when she saw how dark the Queen Mother’s expression had grown.

“Take me to Riela first. I’ll deal with that whore afterward!” the Queen Mother grunted, pushing herself up from the bed.