Strip

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Althea whispered, even as her heart hammered in her chest. ‘Is he referring to the mate pull? Could Melva be correct? But how could she feel it if she was wolfless?’

His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, she was certain he was about to kiss her… but he didn’t. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, so she looked away.

Then, without warning, he grabbed her chin and forced her to look back at his intense and consuming stare. 

"But it doesn’t matter," he said coldly, pulling away. "Your father’s sins are yours to pay."

Althea’s knees went weak, but she forced herself to stand tall. "I’m not him," she weakly defended.

She loved her father, but she didn’t always agree with his actions. She attempted to intervene and reason with him, but it was hopeless. Once Alpha Cain fixed his gaze on something, no one could sway him. His ambition was overwhelming, driven by greed, as he pursued the throne. He aimed to crown himself Alpha King of the entire realm, regardless of the price.

"No," Gavriel said, his voice low. "But his blood runs in your veins." He leaned back slightly, his gaze flicking to her lips again before drifting away. 

Althea let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"You were his most cherished daughter. He’ll come for you, especially once word spreads that you’ve become my breeder." His tone was lazy, almost mocking, as he moved toward his father’s old chair and comfortably sat in it.

"Serve me a drink," he ordered, eyes narrowing on her like a predator studying its prey.

Althea moved, her fingers trembling as she reached for one of her father's bottles. She poured the dark wine into a gold-rimmed goblet and approached him.

Her face was unreadable, but her eyes locked with his. She tried again to read his mind, to touch even the edge of a thought. But as always, there was nothing but a blank wall.

"You’re the first who doesn’t flinch when looking me in the eyes," Gavriel said, voice low and sharp like the draw of a blade. "Why is that?"

Althea held his stare, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

"Why should I flinch?" she asked softly, but firmly.

Gavriel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He didn’t blink. "Because everyone does," he murmured. "Fear. Power. Take your pick."

She swallowed hard but didn’t look away. "Maybe I’m just too used to being afraid."

It wasn’t a lie. Fear had been her shadow all her life, haunting her, clinging like a second skin. She had seen the darkest corners of people’s minds, the cruel truths hidden behind polished smiles and noble names.

His eyes narrowed. "Or maybe you’re just too reckless."

"Or maybe..." she whispered, her voice trembling but unyielding, "I know what monsters look like. And you’re not the worst one I’ve seen."

Gavriel rose slowly, towering over her. "Careful, little wolf," he murmured, his voice barely above a growl. "You might make me curious."

Althea’s heart thundered in her chest, but she didn’t back away. “Curious?” Althea scoffed. “I thought you already made up your mind about me. A traitor’s daughter. Your breeder. That’s all I am to you, right?”

The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she needed to say them… needed to hear him say something more. Deep down, she wanted him to confirm whether she was his fated mate and whether he accepted it.

His eyes flashed dangerously. “Don’t push me. You won’t like how I push back.”

“You think I’m scared?” she snapped, her voice sharp, cutting through the heavy air between them. “You already own my life, remember? What more can you take?”

Althea should’ve stayed quiet, meek and small like she used to. That was how she survived for so long. Play harmless. Stay out of sight. Read minds to avoid danger before it touched her.

But now… she couldn’t read the Alpha King. And maybe that was why she was unravelling. Why was she daring to fight back?

His eyes were still on her like he was debating whether to silence her or devour her whole. Gavriel didn’t answer. Instead, he moved. Before Althea could react, he grabbed her arm, not roughly, but firmly. She gasped, but the sound stuck in her throat as he lifted her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

“Wha-! Put me down!” she shouted, pounding her fists against his back. His steps were unhurried and measured, like he had all the time in the world. As if her struggling meant absolutely nothing. 

“Alpha King Gavriel!” she snapped, twisting in his hold. “You can’t just carry people off like sacks of grain!”

He didn’t stop until they reached her bedchamber. The doors creaked open and slammed shut behind him. Only then did he drop her onto the plush bed without a word. Althea let out a small yelp as she bounced, quickly scrambling upright. Her hair was a mess, and her chest rose and fell with each shaky breath.

“You-!”

Gavriel’s eyes darkened as he stepped closer to the bed. Althea stayed frozen, her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding wildly against her ribs.

“Strip,” he said, just like that,  a command wrapped in velvet steel.

This wasn’t how Althea had imagined her first intimacy with a man. Not like this. Not stripped of choice. But her will had never truly been her own, not since the moment he had claimed her.

“I said strip,” he said, his voice low and sharp. “Or do you want me to do it?” His eyes gleamed with something dark… amusement, hunger, and danger. “If I do, I won’t be gentle. I’ll rip that dress off you without hesitation.”

Althea tensed, her heartbeat quickening. Gavriel sat at the edge of the bed like a predator waiting…

Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on the bottle of wine resting on the table. Desperation pushed her forward. She snatched it up, pulled the cork free with shaky hands, and drank straight from the bottle.

The liquid burned faintly as it slid down her throat, far from strong, but enough. With her low alcohol tolerance, she knew it would give her courage or at least numb the sharp edges of fear. She drank again, needing more courage to do what the Alpha King asked of her.

Then, she took a deep breath and did what was expected of her, reaching for the clasp of her dress.

Althea slowly untied the first string at the back of her neck, letting the fabric slip away. Her pulse quickened with each movement. She had never done this before, never been exposed bare naked in front of a man, but tonight, she had no choice but to go through with it. 

Her face felt hot, not only from embarrassment but also from the heat pooling in her belly. The wine... it was affecting her more strongly now. Still, she stood tall, even as her knees wobbled.

“Come here,” Gavriel finally said, his voice low.

She moved forward with hesitant steps.

“Sit on me.” He whispered another order.

The command sent a ripple down her spine, but she obeyed.

Carefully, Althea straddled him, her bare thighs brushing his clothed legs. Gavriel’s hands settled on her hips as he looked up at her. 

“You’re braver than most,” he muttered, his thumb brushing the side of her waist. “Or dumber.”

“Maybe both,” she whispered back, her voice barely steady.

His eyes narrowed, yet he remained silent. Instead, he leaned closer and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was intense, fiery, and frantic, driven not only by desire but by something deeper. 

Her fingers clutch his shoulders, her skin igniting at his touch. Gavriel then slowed, his kiss lingering but his expression changing. He withdrew slightly, brow creased. He licked his lips, and his face grew tense, as if he sensed something unpleasant on her.

Althea blinked rapidly, her eyelids fluttering. “I feel… strange…” she whispered. There was an unusual sensation inside her, more intense than her typical low alcohol tolerance. 

Suddenly, it hit her… "Poison,” she gasped.