Candice nodded slowly. “It’s possible. The last known wielder of all elents was from the Ivanov Clan, but the Elders erased everything about them. The royal decree ordered every record of their bloodline to be destroyed. No one was supposed to rember their na or what happened to them.”
The chamber fell silent. Everyone exchanged tense looks, the weight of Uriel’s words sinking in.
Candice’s brows furrowed. “Wait—what do you an she can manipulate elents?”
Gavriel didn’t answer right away. His jaw tightened, and his hands curled into fists at his sides. “She doesn’t even realize how much power she holds,” he finally admitted. “But yes... she can manipulate more than one.”
Uriel inhaled sharply. “That explains why the portal she created was so strong. The Bondgate isn’t sothing a normal mage can do, not even among the most gifted. It must’ve been because of her innate magic.”
Candice looked both alard and intrigued. “If that’s true, then Zander might have sensed her power, he could have tracked her through it. That’s why he said they shared the sa energy. That’s why he wants her.”
Gavriel’s expression turned grim, his voice hardening. “He’s not taking her. Whatever that man wants, he won’t get it. Even if I have to tear through both realms myself, I won’t let him lay a finger on her.”
Candice nodded, her face still troubled. “Then we need to move fast, Your Majesty. If the prophecy about the cursed one is true, and Althea truly shares his energy, Zander will not stop until he gets her. I must bring her to our kingdom.”
Gavriel’s reply was a cold, furious snarl. “And what, have her wiped out like the rest of her clan?”
Candice flinched at the sharpness in his tone but didn’t back down.
“That’s not what I ant, Your Majesty. I want to protect her. You know what happens when soone like her falls into the wrong hands. This Zander could twist her gift and turn her into a weapon,” Candice explained firmly.
She let out a quiet sigh, her expression softening as if weighing her next words carefully.
“And there’s more,” she added after a pause. “My family has been searching for years to uncover the truth behind why the Ivanov Clan, once the leaders of the House of Aetherion, was erased from history. The surviving clans claid the Ivanovs were involved in dark magic and tried to rebel, aiming to seize control over all five houses of the Velmora Continent.”
Gavriel’s expression turned cold and severe. “No one will touch her,” he said, each word sharp as a blade. “Not Zander. Not your kingdom. Not anyone.”
He would not allow Althea to be dragged into the chaos of Velmora’s political strife. His tone left no room for argunt as he continued, “Let remind you again—Althea belongs to my realm, not yours. She is my responsibility. You’re here to uphold the treaty between our realms and strengthen the protection barrier around our kingdom. Nothing more.”
Candice’s jaw tightened, but she refused to stay silent. “Then what will you do?” she demanded, her voice edged with desperation.
“You can’t just keep her hidden forever! The prophecy says the cursed one’s power will rise again through blood. If she truly carries that energy, her existence could either save or destroy us all. This doesn’t just concern my continent—it concerns yours, and possibly the entire world!”
Gavriel’s jaw tightened. “Then she will be the one who saves us,” he said coldly. “I will make sure of it.”
Candice hesitated, studying him. “You speak as if you’re willing to risk everything for her.”
“I already did,” he said simply, turning away. His gaze went distant for a mont, hard with resolve. “If fate chose her, then I will make sure fate itself bends to .”
***
Candice huffed in frustration, her shoulders slumping as the heavy doors shut behind Gavriel. “Seriously,” she muttered under her breath. “How possessive can a lycan possibly be? It’s not like our house was responsible for what happened to Aetherion decades ago.”
Osman crossed his arms, his tone steady but blunt. “Even so, I understand his point. Velmora should fix its own problems first before ddling with ours.” He looked at her firmly. “How can you expect our Alpha King to trust your people when your continent is crawling with traitors and dark magic? Half of your council can’t even control what’s spreading there.”
Candice gave him a sharp glare. “You think we’re just sitting idly while darkness devours our lands? My father and the Elders are doing everything to contain it!”
Osman sighed, shaking his head. “Contain it, maybe. But the cracks are already there. You said it yourself—Zander’s power is from your land. If soone like him managed to cross realms unnoticed, it ans Velmora’s seals are breaking faster than your people can nd them.”
Her jaw tightened. “That’s exactly why I need Lady Althea. If she’s truly of Aetherion blood, she might be the key to restoring balance. We can’t afford to lose her to this realm’s politics.”
Osman leaned slightly closer, his voice low. “Then convince the Alpha King, not by force or argunt, but by earning his trust. Because right now, Lady Candice, every word you say only makes him want to guard her more.”
Candice’s eyes flickered with reluctant understanding, though irritation still burned beneath. “He’s impossible.”
Osman allowed a small smirk. “He’s in love. And when a lycan loves, there’s nothing in heaven or hell that can take what’s his.”
Candice rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She knew he was right.
anwhile, Uriel and Simon could only shake their heads as Beta Osman and Lady Candice continued their usual bickering.
“I guess Gavriel won’t delay anything,” Uriel said with a quiet sigh. “He’ll probably declare Lady Althea as his future Luna and Queen soon enough. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does it during the celebration tomorrow—everyone important will be there.”
Simon gave a small shrug. “Indeed. But there’s still a lot to deal with before that happens, Lord Uriel. The issue with Cain and his followers isn’t fully resolved, and now this Zander appears out of nowhere. And let’s not forget those dark magic users, the ones calling themselves the Abyssal Order.”
He paused, lowering his voice. “Not to ntion Lady Althea’s unexpected connection to Velmora. That alone complicates everything.”
Uriel groaned softly and rubbed his temples. “I know, right? Between the council etings, the rogue attacks, and now prophecies and cursed bloodlines—I feel like my head’s going to spin any minute.”
Simon chuckled under his breath. “Welco to the life of serving the most unpredictable Alpha King in history.”
Uriel gave him a tired but amused glance. “And it’s only going to get more chaotic tomorrow.”
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