<h4>Chapter 60: For The Kingdom’s Safety</h4>


    Ava’s ws elongated as she prepared to strike, her fury directly aimed at Althea. But before she could lunge, amanding 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 Ri, and what he saw silenced the chamber.


    The golden glow in the princess’s eyes was fading. Her ws shook, her body convulsing as if torn between two worlds. The wild aura surrounding her began to dim, reced 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, Ri’s lycan form melted away. The beast gave way to the fragile human within.


    With a final gasp, Ri copsed onto the floor, unconscious, her torn gown clinging to her trembling frame. Shey 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 nces.


    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 herpletely.


    “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 Ri, and now the cost was iming her.


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


    Through the haze, her eyes fluttered open onest 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. Thest thing she saw was Gavriel’s intense gaze locked on her, his voice calling her name.


    “Althea...”


    Then everything went ck.


    ******


    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.


    He didn’t hand her to a healer. He didn’t send her to the servants. No—he carried her straight into his own chamber.


    And onto his bed.


    The sight made Ava’s chest tighten with fury. Her teeth clenched as she fought to keep her face calm in front of the guards. Every step Gavriel took was like a dagger twisting deeper into her pride.


    Gavriel had never once taken her to his own bedchamber. When he called for her, it was usually in a guest chamber—or he would simply barge into her assigned chamber instead.


    She bit her lower lip until the taste of blood filled her mouth. The Alpha King’s bedchamber was supposed to be off-limits; Gavriel was strict about his privacy. But this... not only had he allowed Cain’s daughter to stay in the adjacent chamber, he had even let her share his bed?!


    Without another word, Ava turned sharply on her heel and stormed toward the West Pce.


    Her gown swept behind her like a trail of her temper. The moment she reached the quiet halls, she found Nilda waiting.


    “Wake the Queen Mother,” Ava ordered, her tone sharp, leaving no room for argument. “The spell must be lifted. At once.”


    Nilda hesitated, startled. “But, mydy—”


    “Now,” Ava snapped. “What happened tonight cannot wait until morning.”


    A short whileter, the Queen Mother stirred from her enchanted rest, her face pale and weary but her mind already keen. Ava knelt respectfully, masking her rage behind a solemn expression.


    “Your Majesty,” she began, her voice soft,ced with just enough urgency to draw concern.


    “Princess Ri 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 atst, 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 toote.”


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


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