Ava left the Queen Mother’s side quickly and made her way to where Nilda was. She spun around to face Nilda, eyes blazing with urgency. “Summon Zander! Tell him—Princess Riela is missing!”
Nilda’s hands moved over the crystal Zander had left them, her fingers tracing the familiar patterns as she tried to connect. But instead of the usual pulsing glow, the crystal flared into ash in her hands, crumbling instantly.
Ava froze, a surge of panic overtaking her. “No... no, this can’t be happening! He’s—he’s betrayed us! That Zander’s gone behind our backs!”
“Do you think the Alpha King took her to make sure no one could interfere with her healing?” Nilda asked.
“How would I know?!” Ava hissed, her frustration sharp. “This is bad... if that’s the case. And that damn Zander! How can we even reach him now? I shouldn’t have trusted him so easily!”
Nilda placed a calming hand on Ava’s shoulder, her tone asured. “Lady Ava, breathe. Just because we can’t contact him doesn’t an the plan has failed. Besides, he left us the potions we need. Didn’t they work on the Queen Mother?”
Zander had left two potions, one for the Queen Mother and the other for Riela, to ensure Althea’s treatnt wouldn’t succeed.
“Yes, it worked on the Queen Mother, but—” Ava began, only to be interrupted.
Ursula suddenly entered the chamber. “My Lady, the Alpha King has returned with Cain’s daughter. It seems they were just as surprised to learn that Princess Riela is missing. The Alpha King has ordered a thorough but discreet search.”
Ava’s frown deepened. Nilda quickly pointed out, “Think about it... if they can’t find Riela, Cain’s daughter won’t be able to heal her in ti.”
Ava’s eyes widened as Nilda continued, her tone almost teasingly grim. “...then the covenant of binding will activate. Her fate will be sealed. Everything this Zander planned will still move forward, perhaps even more efficiently now.”
Ava clenched her fists, biting back a frustrated cry, but Nilda’s words slowly sank in. The panic in her chest eased slightly.
“So... this could actually work in our favor,” Nilda said, eyes glinting. “We just need to let events play out. Althea failing will push everything exactly where you wants it.”
Ava swallowed hard, nodding reluctantly. “Then... we wait. And hope the doesn’t find Riela before it’s too late.”
Nilda gave her a faint, confident smile. “Exactly. The pieces are moving. All we have to do is watch them fall into place.”
*****
anwhile, Althea remained in the King’s bedchamber, sitting tensely between lva and Ash. The room was quiet except for the occasional sound of the wind outside.
lva’s worry was obvious. “My Lady... can you just create a portal to Princess Riela?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Althea shook her head. “No. I can’t use the bondgate. I haven’t established any personal connection with the Princess yet. The bond needs closeness, trust... sothing only ti can build.”
lva’s shoulders slumped. “But... what if sothing happens to you while we wait?”
Althea gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, lva. Everything will be fine. I’m sure they’ll find Princess Riela.”
lva’s voice trembled as she spoke. “But, my lady... they need to hurry. Ti is running out. They have to find her quickly, or your life could be in danger.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Althea gently set Ash down on the floor and brushed the tears from lva’s cheeks. “Stop worrying so much,” she said softly. “Why don’t you take care of Ash for now? Let the poor wolf eat, then cook so soup. I’m actually craving beef.”
lva’s face brightened a little, and she nodded quickly. “I’ll be back soon.” She scooped up Ash and hurried out of the room, leaving Althea to steady herself in the quiet.
Once Althea was alone, she reached for the small crystal she had spotted earlier in Riela’s cottage. It was a pale, translucent gem, faintly shimring, almost invisible to ordinary eyes.
She recognized it instantly. This was a Luminis Shard, the sa kind her mother had used to communicate with Amon.
The crystal worked by projecting an image and voice of the person it was linked to, though it wasn’t real, they were just a projection.
Taking a steadying breath, Althea held the shard and whispered the activation chant her mother had taught her. A soft glow spread through the crystal, and the projection of Zander appeared before her.
“Althea,” the image said, a faint smirk on his face. “Using my little gift so soon? I see you’ve found the crystal.”
“What do you want?” she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear coiling in her chest.
Zander’s lips curved into a slow, unsettling smile. “I want you to co to ,” he said, his tone calm but commanding. “On your own. No tricks, no force. I want you to choose to be here with ... willingly.”
Althea’s eyes narrowed. “And if I refuse?”
Zander’s projection gave a low, amused hum. Then his gaze drifted to her neck, lingering on the key resting against her skin. “That key... I know exactly what it opens. And I can lead you there. When you’re ready, contact through the crystal. I’ll co for you imdiately.”
Althea swallowed hard. “Princess Riela... why did you take her?” she asked, voice tight. “Is she safe? Please—don’t hurt her. I’ll go to you willingly if you return her.”
Zander’s expression brightened for a mont, pleased. But then a crease ford between his brows. “Your Alpha King won’t make this simple. I need leverage.”
“What do you an?” Althea asked, her voice trembling between confusion and fear.
Zander’s projection smiled faintly, almost pleased with himself. “I’m healing the Princess right now. She’s safe with . I’ll return her to your Alpha King tomorrow, so tell him to stop his search because it’s useless.”
Althea’s hands curled tightly at her sides. “If you’re really healing her... then why drag into this? Why talk about leverage?”
“Because,” Zander said, tone darkening, “once the covenant of binding you accepted reaches its final stage, it will start affecting your body. By tomorrow, you’ll have only one day left before it takes your life.”
Her breath hitched.
“As soon as that bond breaks,” he continued, eyes glinting, “you’ll be free. No more mark on your neck, no more chain tying you to him. You’ll be unbound from the Alpha King completely.”
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