270/272 She Was His


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    270/272: She Was His


    The moment Althea stepped into the grand hall for the dinner celebration, her eyes widened in surprise.


    “Big sister!”


    The familiar voices of the twins rang out, and before she could even utter a word, Liah and Sth ran toward her. Instinctively, she bent down and opened her arms just in time to catch them as they threw themselves into her


    embrace.


    Her heart softened instantly. Her eyes welled with tears as she held the children close, wrapping them in a warm, protective embrace.


    “We missed you so much, big sister!” the twins cried, their voices trembling as they clung to her.


    “I missed you too… so much,” she whispered, her voice gentle as she stroked their backs, trying to soothe them while holding back her own tears.


    Yes, things had changed after she learned that Cain was not her real father, and that his children did not share her blood… but to her, none of that truly mattered. Because in her heart, nothing had changed at all.


    The twins were still her siblings, and seeing them here filled her with quiet happiness.


    “They’ll be staying in the pce now,” Gavriel murmured beside her. “To keep youpany.”


    Althea’s eyes softened even more. She nced around and realized that many familiar faces from the pack were present. People who had treated her kindly… people she had grown close to.


    Then her gazended on Tristan, who was slowly approaching her.


    “Tristan,” she called warmly, her face lighting up.


    Out of habit, she moved as if to hug him like before-


    -but suddenly, she felt Gavriel’s hand wrap around her wrist.


    “No touching him,” Gavriel whispered under his breath, pulling her closer to his side with quiet possessiveness.


    “Seriously?” she muttered, pouting slightly.


    Gavriel only chuckled, clearly unbothered.


    Tristan stopped at a respectful distance and bowed before them both. When he straightened, he offered Althea a warm, sincere smile.


    “Congrattions, Your Majesty,” he said. “I’m truly d to see you happy.”


    “I’m d to see you again, Tristan,” she said warmly.


    Then she turned to Gavriel, her expression soft with curiosity. “Will he be staying here as well?”


    Gavriel’s brows furrowed almost instantly.


    “No,” he answered without hesitation. “I only permitted him to attend the celebration. He’ll be returning soon.


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    I’ve entrusted him with greater responsibilities in the pack… he now holds an important position.”


    His expression darkened slightly as he looked at her, his voice lowering. “Why?” he asked, a deeper frown forming. “Do you want him to stay?”


    “Of course I do! He’s my friend,” Althea answered without hesitation.


    She knew very well how possessive Gavriel could be… but this was exactly why she had to keep him grounded. He couldn’t grow jealous over something as simple as her bond with someone she had grown up with.


    Gavriel said nothing.


    Sensing the shift in his mood, Althea gently added, “But if Tristan has been given greater responsibilities, then that only means you trust him. And that’s a good thing.”


    She turned to Tristan, her expression soft and sincere.


    “I’m proud of you. I know you’ll do well, Tristan. You’re a good man… and a very capable one.”


    Tristan’s smile widened, warmth flickering in his eyes. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”


    Then, as if remembering his ce, he turned to Gavriel and bowed. “I should take my leave now and-


    “No,” Althea cut in gently. “Please stay a little longer. Enjoy the celebration. We can spend some time together… like old times, with Melva.”


    Before Gavriel could respond, she slipped her arm through his and held him close. Her fingers lightly caressed his arm as she leaned her head against his shoulder.


    “You’ll allow Tristan to stay in the pce for a day or two, won’t you?” she said softly. “I’ve missed my friends… and it may be a while before we see each other again.”


    Then she tilted her head up to meet his gaze.


    “Please, my love?”


    Gavriel had been staring at her with a deep frown… but the moment those words left her lips, something in his expression shifted.


    The tension eased. And just like that, his features softened.


    “Thank you!” she burst out, unable to contain her excitement. She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips.


    Gavriel clearly approved. Instead of letting her pull away, he drew her closer without the slightest concern for their surroundings. His arm wrapped firmly around her waist as he bent toward her ear.


    “Aren’t you a clever one?” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.


    Althea nearly gasped when she felt his lips brush her ear, followed by a yful nibble that sent a warm shiver down her spine. Her body reacted instantly, and she had to steady herself against him.


    He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before iming her lips again, this time with deeper intensity. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t shy. It was deliberate. Possessive. As if reminding everyone watching that she was his.


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    And Althea didn’t hold back.


    She melted into the kiss, no longer hesitant to show how much she loved him. There were no doubts left, no walls between them. Only certainty.


    It was she who finally pulled back, gently breaking the kiss. Her cheeks were flushed as she tried to regain her


    “That’s enough,” she murmured, though a smile lingered on her lips. “We should go entertain our guests. I believe we’ve given them enough drama for one evening.”


    Instead of responding, Althea suddenly gasped when Gavriel swept her into his arms in a bridal carry.


    “Gavriel!” she whispered in surprise, instinctively gripping his shoulder.


    “My mother and sister will entertain the guests,” he said calmly,pletely unbothered. “Uriel and the rest of my rtives are here as well. You have nothing to worry about.”


    Before she could protest further, the grand hall erupted into cheers and yful teasing.


    Althea had no choice but to hide her flushed face against Gavriel’s chest, mortified and amused all at once. Laughter, apuse, and approving whistles echoed around them.


    The mood was light and joyful.


    Everyone seemed delighted by their disy… almost everyone.


    Across the hall, Uriel stood still.


    Unlike the others, he wasn’t smiling.


    His eyes scanned the hall with a deep frown etched across his face, his jaw slightly clenched as the cheers continued to ring in his ears.


    While the celebration thrived in warmth and affection… Something in Uriel’s expression suggested his unease…


    “Where is she?” he muttered under his breath, irritation creeping into his voice.


    His gaze swept across the grand hall once more, sharper this time, as if he might have simply missed her amo the crowd. But she wasn’t there.


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