Trapped with the Alpha King-Chapter 246: Everything To Me

Althea caught sight of it in the mirror and turned at once. “Melva...”

Melva tried to laugh it off, but more tears followed. “I’m sorry,” she said, hastily wiping her face. “I just—” She shook her head. “I’m just so happy for you. After everything you went through. After all the pain. You finally get the life you deserve.”

Before Melva could say more, Althea stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.

Melva stiffened in surprise, then melted into the embrace, clutching Althea tightly as she sobbed softly.

“Thank you,” Althea said quietly. “For staying with me. For believing in me.”

Melva pulled back, still teary-eyed, and sniffed. “I would do it all over again.”

Althea smiled, her eyes still shining. Then, as if to lighten the moment, she tilted her head and said, “You know... once all of this is over, I might have to persuade the King to let us leave early tomorrow.”

Melva blinked. “What?”

Althea grinned knowingly. “You miss Simon.”

Melva’s face instantly turned red. “My Lady!”

“I may not remember him clearly,” Althea said gently, “but I remember how you talked about him. And I can see it in your eyes.” Her smile softened. “I’m grateful you found someone who cares for you. Someone who will protect you and love you.”

Melva looked away, embarrassed, but her lips curved into a shy smile. “I hope so.”

“I know so,” Althea replied with quiet certainty. She squeezed Melva’s hands. “Just like I know you’ll be by my side no matter where life takes us.”

Melva nodded, her voice steady again. “Always.”

As Melva finished fixing her hair and stepped back to admire her work, Althea looked once more at her reflection. Not as a woman unsure of her place, but as someone standing on the edge of a new life.

And this time, she was ready to step into it.

*****

Finally, the great hall of the main palace of the Archon of House Aetherion stood transformed.

Tall pillars of pale stone were wrapped in silver banners bearing the restored sigil of the Ivanov Clan. Soft light filtered through the crystal windows, scattering across the marble floor like fragments of dawn. The air itself felt different, lighter, as if the land was finally breathing again after years of suffering.

Althea stood at the center of it all.

She wore a gown of ivory and pale gold, its fabric flowing like mist around her feet. Vines embroidered with faint silver thread traced along the hem, a tribute to the Tree of Life that had sheltered her through death’s threshold. Her dark hair was left loose, cascading down her back, crowned only by a delicate circlet made from living crystal. It pulsed faintly, as if responding to her presence.

She was calm. Strangely calm and yet inside her chest, her heart beat faster with every breath.

Zander Ivanov stood before her, dressed in ceremonial black trimmed with white and gold.

His expression was solemn and his posture proud. Today was not about power or victory. It was about restoration. About honoring bloodlines broken by cruelty and reclaiming what was stolen.

The hall fell silent as he raised his hand.

“By the ancient rites of Aetherion,” Zander began, his voice steady and clear, “by blood, truth, and the witness of the Almighty, we stand here to restore what was taken by evil and deceit.”

Zander turned his gaze to Althea. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

“Althea Ivanov Grant,” he said, using her real full name, “daughter of the fallen line, survivor of betrayal, bearer of sacrifice.”

Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. Once, she had been Althea Grayson, carrying Cain’s surname, living as his daughter. Now, as she prepared to bear her real name, the truth settled heavily in her chest.

The joy of reclaiming her identity came with a quiet sadness for the father she once knew, the man who had raised her, protected her, and loved her in his own flawed way. Letting go of his name felt like losing him all over again.

“You have suffered in silence,” he continued. “You have given without demand. You have stood before death and did not yield to darkness.”

Zander drew his blade in oath. He pressed its flat edge gently against his palm, then let a single drop of blood fall onto the marble floor.

“By my blood and my name,” he declared, “I recognize you as Princess of Aetherion. Heir of the restored house. Shielded by the Tree of Life. Chosen not by force, but by truth.”

A low hum filled the hall. The banners stirred though there was no wind. The crystal circlet on Althea’s head glowed brighter, warm rather than blinding.

Tears welled in her eyes. She had never asked for this. Never imagined it. And yet, something deep inside her knew she belonged here.

The elders bowed so did Zander.

“Rise, Princess Althea of Aetherion.”

Applause followed. Not thunderous, but reverent, respectful and real. And then the hall shifted once more.

The sacred space transformed, soft music filled the air, gentle and hopeful. The banners of Aetherion were joined by those of Lunaris, white and silver intertwined.

The wedding ceremony was about to begin.

Althea was guided to her place near the altar, but something was different. Tradition dictated that the bride would walk toward the groom. Today, she waited.

The doors at the far end of the hall opened slowly.

Every head turned.

Gavriel stepped inside.

He wore no crown, no armor. Only a formal black tunic with silver embroidery, the symbol of his kingdom resting over his heart. His hair was tied back neatly, his posture straight, but his eyes searched only for one person.

Her.

The moment he saw Althea, his steps faltered just slightly. She stood radiant and fragile all at once... Alive, breathing, here and for a brief second, the world faded.

As he began to walk toward her, something stirred inside Althea’s mind.

“You’re my mate.” Her breath caught. Images rushed in like a tide breaking free. Gavriel’s voice, low and fierce, murmuring against her skin. “My woman. Mine.”

Another memory followed. His arms around her in the dark. His forehead pressed to hers. His voice no longer commanding, but bare. “And somewhere along the way... you became everything to me.”