<h4>Chapter 161: Glowing</h4>
Leaving no room for doubt, Gavriel continued firmly, “Treat her with the same respect you would give me.”
Gasps rippled across the hall. The musicians faltered for a brief moment before quickly recovering. No one expected the Alpha King to make such a deration especially not during Minister Marius’s birthday celebration, a man everyone knew was like a second father to him.
Even the Queen Mother, seated on his right, struggled to maintain herposure. Her hand clenched tightly on herp, her face turning pale as whispers spread across the grand hall.
[Gavriel! What is the meaning of this?!] she demanded through their mindlink, her voice sharp with disbelief.
[You heard me, Mother,] Gavriel replied, his tone steady but cold. [I’ve chosen Althea as my Luna Queen. Don’t bring up Ri again—you don’t know the whole truth yet. We’ll talkter, but one thing you must understand is that the people trying to get close to you aren’t what they seem.]
[What do you mean?!]
He wasn’t nning to hide anything from her anymore. The maniption had gone too far. He would not allow anyone to use his mother’s grief for their own advantage.
[Those people are the reason Ri isn’t recovering,] he continued. [They’re keeping her condition worse for their own gain. From now on, I’ll take full responsibility for her treatment. I’ll make sure Ri returns to you just as she was before.]
[Gavriel, my son—]
[Please, Mother, trust me this time,] he said, his voice softening through the bond. [Later, I’lle see you with Uriel to exin everything. But until then, don’t let Nilda or Ava anywhere near Ri. I’ve already ordered my men to watch them and make sure they won’t get near Rieal, but I’m sure they’ll still try to use you to get close to her.]
The mindlink fell silent. Gavriel exhaled quietly, sensing that his mother had finally calmed down, at least for now.
Meanwhile, Ava’s smile hadpletely vanished. Her chest burned as she watched the crowd’s attention drift toward the woman she had been so certain would never appear. And now that very woman was seated beside the Alpha King, introduced before everyone as his future Luna Queen.
Thepliments she had been receiving earlier vanished like mist, reced by hushed remarks about the Alpha King’s “breeder” and “mate” being the future Luna Queen!
The musicians resumed ying, and the hall slowly came back to life but the air was no longer the same.
Everyone’s eyes kept drifting to the Alpha King and the woman sitting beside him.
Ava clenched her jaw, smiling thinly to hide the fury building inside her. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Sitting beside Gavriel, Althea tried her best to stay calm. For that night, she chose not to read anyone’s thoughts at all. With Gavriel beside her, she didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to make her feel safe and secure.
The music softened as the first round of toasts ended. Wine sses clinked andughter filled the hall, but beneath the lively chatter, whispers spread like wildfire.
“Is that really Cain’s daughter?” someone murmured behind a jeweled fan.
“The Queen Mother is just quiet.
”
Another voice, hushed but sharp, followed, “Then maybe the rumors are true. They say Lady Althea isn’t Cain’s real daughter. How else could the Alpha King im her so openly?”
A few nobles exchanged doubtful looks while others nodded as if the thought made sense.
Across the room, Ava sat beside a group of noblewomen, whose admiration and envy fed her pride a while ago. But now, their attention kept flickering toward Althea, who sat beside Gavriel—graceful, calm, and glowing under the chandeliers. The sight alone made Ava’s stomach twist.
She forced augh and leaned closer to herpanions. “It’s quite... interesting, isn’t it?” she said sweetly, pretending amusement. “I almost pity the breeder. The attention must be too much for her fragile nerves.”
The women tittered politely, though their eyes stayed fixed on the Alpha King and his mate.
Ava’s mind was spinning. She couldn’t lose the spotlight now, not tonight. She needed to remind everyone who she was.
When the musicians finished their current song, Ava rose elegantly from her seat and approached the center of the hall, her gown flowing like liquid silver. The soft murmur of curiosity spread as she smiled at Lord Marius.
“My Lord,” she said with her sweetest smile her voice carrying across the room, “on behalf of everyone here, allow me to offer a simple gift, for your health, your strength, and for many more years of loyal service to the crown.”
Lord Marius stood, smiling broadly. “You honor me, Lady Ava. Please.”
Ava turned to the musicians, giving them a small nod. The melody shifted, gentle and melodic. Then she began to sing.
Her voice was soft at first, then stronger, smooth as silk and full of emotion. Every note echoed through the hall with melodious control. The nobles watched in awe, some smiling, others whispering praises.
Even the Queen Mother’s stern expression softened slightly.
Ava knew exactly what she was doing—her poise, her beauty, her voice—every part of her performance was meant to remind them that she was still the perfect choice for Luna Queen.
When the final note faded, the hall erupted in polite apuse. Ava curtsied, her smile wless. “For Lord Marius,” she said, her tone humble but proud.
The minister stood and pped warmly. “Beautiful, Lady Ava! You’ve always brought light to every asion.”
But before the attention could linger too long on her, another voice rose, smooth and calm.
“Perhaps Lady Althea could also offer us something?”
The question came from Minister Ariel Smith, the Minister of Rites, a man known for his sharp tongue and testing words. His tone was polite, but there was challenge in his eyes.
The hall grew quiet again.
Ava’s lips curved slightly, the corners of her mouth hiding a victorious smirk. “Oh, yes,” she said sweetly, tilting her head. “That would be delightful. It would be nice to know if Lady Althea has a special talent of her own.”