There was only one man who ever called her by that nickna.
“Kael?” she whispered.
And there he was, Kael Moore. That familiar tousled blond hair, those warm brown eyes, staring back at her like no ti had passed at all. He was the son of the Alpha of the Ashborne Pack, the southern pack closest to their territory. She and Kael had practically grown up together, childhood sweethearts in every way that mattered.
He smiled warmly and let out a relieved hum. “Thank the Heavens you’re safe.” Without hesitation, he stepped into the carriage and quickly began untying her restraints. Once she was free, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I was so worried,” he murmured against her hair.
Althea bit the inside of her cheek, her body stiffening in his arms. Sha crawled up her spine. She couldn’t bring herself to return the hug fully. Not anymore. Not after what happened. She had already lost the one thing she once believed she would save for Kael... her virginity.
It had always been the only gift she thought she could offer him, if they ever ended up together. Now... it was gone.
“My Lord, please don’t forget too,” lva piped up from beside them, half-joking, half-serious.
Kael blinked and gently released Althea. “Oh, right,” he said, then turned to his n. “Remove her restraints.”
He gently led her out of the carriage, his grip firm but kind. “We must hurry before the Alpha King locates us,” Kael said. “I’ll shift into my wolf form, and you’ll mount , just like you used to. We’ll move faster that way.”
His thoughts surged into her like a crashing tide. ‘I’ll kill that bastard for touching my woman. For now, I must get her out of here. I don’t care if it starts a war, he will not have Althea.’
Althea swallowed hard, the weight of Kael’s emotions crashing into her. Was it really possible to get away with all of this? And if it was... what would it cost? Would more people die because of her?
“Let’s move now!” Kael commanded sharply. Then he turned to lva. “Shift into your beast form. We need speed.”
“Understood, my lord,” lva replied.
But Althea’s gaze locked with hers, sothing in lva’s eyes unsettled her.
‘This is bad, practically a suicide. Lord Kael doesn’t realize what he’s about to provoke. The Alpha King must already be closing in on us...’
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, snarls echoed through the trees. Then ca the howls.
Kael’s eyes widened. “Althea, mount ! Now!”
In an instant, he shifted into his beast form. Althea moved toward him but she froze when a massive silver-gray beast crashed into view, growling viciously.
It tackled Kael mid-motion, sending him tumbling across the ground. Her breath caught as she stumbled back in horror.
“My lady, this way!” lva grabbed her and dragged her beside the carriage as the two beasts clashed in the clearing.
The sound of growls, snapping jaws, and flesh-tearing filled the air. Blood sprayed across the forest floor.
“That beast...” Althea whispered, trembling.
The silver creature was unlike anything she’d ever seen. Towering, savage... its strength unmatched. Kael, despite his size and speed, was being overwheld.
“That’s the Alpha King, my lady,” lva said grimly, holding her arm tightly. “He’s a Lycan. No ordinary wolf can stand against him.”
Althea’s eyes widened as she watched Kael shift back to his human form, his body slashed and soaked in blood. Gavriel followed, also returning to his human form, his eyes burning with rage.
“Give my sword!” Gavriel roared.
“No... no...” Althea’s heart pounded in her chest. Panic surged.
“My lady, don’t!” lva pleaded, but it was too late.
Althea shoved lva aside and ran.
Without hesitation, she threw herself in front of Kael, arms outstretched, just as Gavriel raised his blade.
“Move!” Gavriel bellowed, his voice raw with fury.
But Althea didn’t flinch.
She stood her ground, using her own body to shield Kael’s bloodstained form. Tears stread down her cheeks as she whispered, “This is rely a misunderstanding.”
She turned to Kael, voice trembling. “I’m sorry... I’m the one to bla for all this.”
“Thea... please...” Kael coughed, blood staining his lips. “Just co with-”
“Stop!” she snapped, silencing him before turning back to Gavriel with fire in her eyes. “Kael saved !” she cried. “Barbarians abducted , and he risked everything to rescue . You’re hurting the wrong people!”
Gavriel’s expression twisted, the corner of his mouth lifting into a cold smirk. “I already tore that filthy sorcerer into pieces,” he said. “But now it seems this man didn’t just co to rescue my breeder... he ca to steal her away.”
“She’s not your breeder!” Kael growled, forcing himself up on one knee despite the blood dripping from his wounds.
Althea didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Gavriel, hugging him tightly.
“Please,” she begged, voice trembling. “Spare them... They saved . Kael is a dear friend, he was just worried. We practically grew up together.”
She looked up, eting Gavriel’s intense gaze. Her eyes shimred with tears. “I’ll do anything. Anything you want. Just... let them go. Please.”
For a mont, silence stretched between them.
Then Gavriel’s jaw clenched, his voice low and full of restrained fury. “You dare bargain with when you’ve got nothing left?” he growled. “You’re already mine, Althea. Mine. What more do you think you have to offer to save that bastard’s life?”
His gaze darkened, his tone even harsher. “You will do everything I want... whether you like it or not.”
Althea couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t let Kael die, not because of her. She swallowed the knot in her throat, steadied her trembling voice, and moved closer to Gavriel. Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, “I have a secret ability that could be of use to you."
Her heart pounded violently in her chest. She knew what she was doing, offering him sothing she had sworn to keep secret. But if it ant saving Kael, if it ant ending this bloodshed... she’d give it a shot.
Even if it ant sacrificing more of herself for a man who already felt entitled to everything.
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