Trapped with the Alpha King-Chapter 254: Their Queen

The morning air was biting cold now that winter had fully set in. Gavriel helped Althea into the carriage first, then stepped away to give further instructions to his men. She bit her lip as she watched him from the open carriage doors, his figure standing out against the pale morning light.

Her face reddened as she recalled her conversation with Melva earlier. The embarrassment from the mess she had caused the night before still lingered, making her cringe inwardly.

Perhaps she could make it up to him later. If he made an intimate move, she knew she would not stop him. He had every right to, given that they were already husband and wife. It would not be the first time, after all. They had shared intimacy more than once already, even if her memories of it were blurred or missing entirely.

She took a deep breath. Despite the weariness tugging at her, a sense of comfort slowly settled in her chest. They were going home, back to the familiarity of their kingdom. She missed her half-siblings, even though they shared no true blood, especially the twins. She missed the pack members as well, especially those who had treated her kindly and helped her in secret during Luna Meena’s cruelty.

She was pulled from her thoughts when something suddenly collided with her legs, the unexpected weight making her gasp softly.

“Ah!” Althea gasped, instinctively reaching down just as the gray wolf leapt up, paws braced against her knees, tail wagging with such enthusiasm it nearly knocked her balance off.

Ash.

She stared at the wolf in surprise. She did not remember it. Not truly. Not in the way everyone else seemed to expect her to.

And yet... her hand stilled against its thick fur as something warm and familiar bloomed in her chest.

“Well,” she said softly, fingers sinking into its coat, “aren’t you a bold one?”

Ash whined happily, pressing its head into her palm as if it had been waiting for this exact moment.

Althea chuckled. “Do you want to travel with me?” she asked playfully. “You could stay inside the carriage. It’s warmer.”

Before the wolf could respond in any meaningful way, Melva hurried inside, grabbing Ash by the scruff.

“Absolutely not,” Melva said firmly. “Behave.”

Ash let out a low, offended sound but allowed itself to be pulled back.

Melva shot Althea a wink. “I’ll take him. His Majesty will want privacy with you in the carriage.”

Althea felt heat creep into her cheeks. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Gavriel merely raised a brow in quiet amusement and soon entered the carriage to join her.

Hooves struck the stone road in a steady rhythm, wheels creaked softly, and banners fluttered above as the palace gates opened to let them pass. Althea watched the familiar towers slowly recede into the distance.

The journey would take them straight toward the terravane docks. The route was intentional. Terravane lay at the southern edge of Velmora, its harbors open to the sea, making it the fastest passage to Lunaris by water. Lunaris’s ship waited there, already prepared.

Inside the carriage, Gavriel sat across from her at first, broad shoulders relaxed but his posture unmistakably weary.

After only a few moments, he shifted closer.

I’m cold,” he said simply.

Althea glanced at him, unconvinced. “You’re wearing more layers already.”

He did not deny it. Instead, he pulled her gently toward him, drawing her against his chest with an ease that suggested he had never intended to argue the point.

“I still need your warmth,” he murmured.

She huffed softly, but allowed herself to be gathered into his embrace. His arm wrapped around her securely, his presence solid and grounding. She could feel his breath against her hair as he leaned in, burying his face into the crook of her neck.

Her heart skipped.

‘This is just an excuse,’ she thought. And yet... she did not move away.

She noticed it then, the faint shadows beneath his eyes. Dark circles he had not bothered to hide.

“You didn’t sleep,” she said quietly.

Gavriel hummed against her skin, the sound vibrating through her. “I couldn’t.”

The simplicity of the answer made her throat tighten. She swallowed, trying to keep her breathing steady despite how aware she had become of every place they touched.

“You should rest,” she said gently. “The journey will take a few hours anyway.”

He shifted slightly but did not pull away. “Perhaps.”

Minutes passed in silence, the carriage swaying softly. Althea focused on the steady rhythm, on the warmth of his body, on the sound of his breathing slowly evening out.

Then he lifted his head. Their eyes met. The world seemed to narrow to the space between them. Without a word, Gavriel leaned in and kissed her. Not softly. Not cautiously. It was deep and unguarded, a kiss that carried everything he had held back.

Althea’s breath caught as she responded instinctively, fingers curling into his cloak as heat spread through her chest, down her spine, everywhere.

The carriage felt suddenly too small. Too warm.

Her senses blurred as his mouth moved against hers, slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment rather than rushing through it. When he finally pulled back, it was only to trail his kisses lower, along her jaw, her throat.

Althea shivered.

Her hands trembled slightly as she rested them against his shoulders, torn between holding him closer and steadying herself. She was acutely aware of how exposed she felt, of how vulnerable and affected she was by every brush of his lips.

“Gavriel...” she breathed. He paused, just for a heartbeat, his forehead resting against her skin. Then he drew back.

His eyes searched her face, dark and intent, before he settled her cloak back into place, carefully, reverently, as though grounding them both.

“Rest,” he murmured. “We will have time.”

Althea’s heart pounded, her body still humming with sensation, but she nodded. She allowed herself to relax into him, listening to the steady beat of his heart as the carriage rolled onward toward the docks, toward the sea, toward the life waiting for them beyond the horizon.

“Tell me more about your family and what should I expect when I step back in the royal palace?” Althea asked curiously.

Gavriel chuckled, the sound low and warm, a rare softness easing the sharpness of his features. He turned his head toward her, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

“Hmmm,” he drawled teasingly. “You will be formally coronated as my queen.

Expect ceremonies, long traditions, and eyes watching your every step.” He reached out and gently squeezed her hand. “And expect this too. They will love you and accept you, because I will make sure no one dares touch you or even think of harming you there.”

He paused for a brief moment before adding, “You will meet my family as well.”

Althea’s lips parted slightly, her fingers tightening around his. “I hope they accept me,” she murmured, her voice softer now, uncertainty seeping through despite her strength.

Gavriel’s expression shifted instantly, all teasing gone. He leaned closer, his forehead nearly brushing hers.

“They will,” he said with quiet conviction. “You saved my family. You saved the palace. You protected people who once stood by and did nothing for you.” His thumb brushed over the back of her hand in a slow, reassuring stroke. “To them, you are not just my wife. You are someone they respect. Someone they look up to.”

His gaze held hers steadily, unwavering. “And to me,” he added softly, “you are already their queen