Althea bit her lower lip, fighting back the tears that welled in her eyes. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She never thought she’d feel this overwhelmed, especially standing so close to the brink of death.

Her eyes accidentally locked with the king’s. In that brief moment, something inside her twisted. His gaze was cold, unreadable, like he was already weighing her life, deciding her worth.

This man… he looked at her like she was nothing. Like she was property.

And that made her blood boil.

She had spent her entire life yearning to be free, and now? Now she was nothing but his breeder?

It felt worse than death.

“Take her back to her chamber,” he commanded as he turned his back on her.

Althea didn’t resist when they came for her. She kept her eyes lowered.

‘If only I could read the Alpha King’s mind,’ she thought bitterly. That would’ve made everything easier, she’d know exactly what he intended for her. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t read his thoughts.

‘Why can’t I read his mind?’ she wondered, frustrated. It had never happened before.

“Please, let me go with her! I’m Melva, her personal servant!” Melva suddenly cried out, trying to reach her.

Gavriel’s eyes narrowed. After a pause, he said, “Let her.”

His gaze flicked back to Althea. “You know what will happen if you try anything foolish.”

His voice was calm, but it carried an edge that warned of consequences. Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away.

Althea stared after him. She had heard the rumors that the Alpha King was a cold-hearted, merciless tyrant, incapable of love or empathy.

And now, after meeting him face-to-face, it seemed every word was true.

The guards escorted them back to her chambers, and Melva hurried to tend to her wounds. But barely a moment had passed when the door slammed open again. A guard stepped in and said, “The Alpha King wants her bathed, cleaned, and prepared for him. Have her ready. Now.”

Inside Althea’s chamber, Melva continued sobbing until Althea gently took her hands and squeezed them gently.

“Stop crying, Melva,” she said softly. “It’s already a blessing that we’re alive. I’m alive, and so are the people I care about.”

“That’s true, but still… to be a breeder without a proper title?” Melva sniffled, her voice trembling. “My lady, you’re too frail. You won’t be able to keep up with the Alpha King. He’s a Lycan, his stamina is far beyond that of ordinary werewolves. And you… you’re a hybrid without a wolf. You’re more human than anything else.”

Althea understood what she meant, but there wasn’t exactly a choice left to her now. She offered Melva a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I can handle it.”

Melva wiped her tears quickly and nodded. “Yes… yes, we must think positively. Maybe this could turn out well. We both know the Alpha King refused to take a queen, right? Who knows? You might end up becoming his queen. You just need to do well and win his favor!”

Althea looked away, doubt tightening in her chest. She didn’t believe that… couldn’t. 

She was the daughter of a traitor. Her father was the Alpha King’s sworn enemy. Gavriel hadn’t taken her in out of kindness or interest. He’d claimed her as a breeder, nothing more. A cruel reminder that her only worth in his eyes was to warm his bed and bear his children whenever he pleased.

“Something still doesn’t make sense. Why would he want you as a breeder?” Melva asked, her brows drawn tight in confusion. “It would’ve made more sense if he just took you as a slave or… a sex slave. But a breeder?”

Althea gave her a wry smile and shrugged. “It’s to disgrace my father. A breeder is basically a sex slave, just dressed up with a more acceptable term.”

“Yes, but it also means you’ve been chosen to bear the royal bloodline,” Melva pointed out, eyes narrowing. “We’re talking about King Gavriel here! He’s never taken a mistress at all. The man hates having women around him. So why you? Why make you his breeder?”

Althea watched her friend’s expression twist in thought until, suddenly, Melva gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth.

“No way! Could it be that you’re-?”

Althea’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“His fated mate,” Melva whispered, eyes wide in disbelief.

Althea scoffed lightly and shook her head. “There’s no way to confirm that, Melva. I don’t feel the mate bond. I’m more human than a werewolf. My senses are dull, I can’t heal on my own…”

But Althea had no idea why she possessed the strange ability to read minds just by looking into someone’s eyes. Her mother was said to be nothing more than a pure human slave, with no hint of wolf blood.

Melva’s eyes suddenly lit up with realization. “That could be it! You’re probably his fated mate, and he felt the bond! This… this could be heaven’s mercy!” she said, breathless with hope. “The Alpha King would never let just anyone carry his offspring. He’s too proud, too cold. But if you’re his fated mate, My Lady… you can use this. This bond, if I’m right, could be your only protection. Your only power.”

Althea shook her head, brushing her fingers against her temple. “I don’t know, Melva. Even if I am his fated mate… would that matter to him? He made it clear, I’m just a breeder to him. Nothing more.”

Melva gently took her hand. “Then you need to make him see you. Not as a breeder. Not as the traitor’s daughter. But as his mate.”

Althea let out a bitter laugh. “That sounds like a fantasy.”

“Maybe,” Melva said, giving her a sad smile, “but it’s the only one we have. And I’d rather hold onto a sliver of hope than nothing at all.”

Althea sighed, torn between fear and the tiniest spark of something else, something like defiance. Maybe Melva was right. Maybe this wasn’t the end… yet.

She straightened, her voice steadier than before. “Then help me get ready, Melva. If I’m going to face him tonight, I want to look like anything but defeated.”

Melva nodded, wiping her eyes and rolling up her sleeves. “That’s the spirit, My Lady. Let’s make him regret ever calling you just a breeder.”

Melva quickly helped Althea bathe and dress her in one of her finest gowns. By the time Melva finished brushing out her long, wavy auburn hair, the door swung open.

“The Alpha King wants you now,” came a woman’s voice.