Trapped with the Alpha King-Chapter 176: The Best Path

“Hmm... I honestly don’t know where she gets all this confidence,” Zander murmured as he looked at the beautiful woman sleeping on his bed. Her long, silvery-black hair spread over the pillow, her skin pale and smooth, her cheeks naturally pink, and her lips full and rosy. Her brows were perfectly shaped and her eyelashes dark and thick.

She was stunning. She also looked much younger than her age. He had heard she was already thirty-five.

“You waited all your life to meet your mate, only for him to betray you. Such a tragic love story...” Zander sighed softly.

He drew in a deep breath as his gaze drifted to the open balcony, where the view of the forest stretched endlessly. His home was hidden deep among the trees, a secret dwelling where only a handful of his most trusted and loyal followers lived and trained with him.

For years, this place had been his quiet fortress. The place where he planned everything for his return in claiming back what was rightfully his.

“Althea’s powerful, yes, but she barely has proper guidance. She’s just using raw instinct. Still... within a week she’ll probably manage it. But I won’t risk it.” His eyes narrowed. “But that damn mark... it keeps holding back her full potential.”

“Master, what about this Princess?” Arlan, one of his apprentice, interrupted as he leaned over curiously. “Is she going to be our future Mistress?”

Zander flicked a finger against the boy’s forehead, earning a yelp. “Stop gawking and get my crystals. I need to heal her quickly.”

Arlan rubbed his forehead and pouted. “But why bother with her? Wouldn’t it be easier to just take Lady Althea? You could easily snatch her anytime. I don’t get why you’re stalling.”

Zander shot him a sharp look. “Because she has to come to me on her own, you fool.” He let out a long, tired sigh as he sat beside the sleeping woman. “If we take her by force, that mate of hers will hunt us to the ends of the earth. Also, she would return to him as well because of that bond that connects them.”

Arlan blinked. “The Lycan King?”

“Yes,” Zander replied flatly. “And I’m not interested in fighting a raging lycan who’s lost his mate. To deal with him, we cut the bond first.” His voice dropped, turning almost thoughtful.

He could still remember how relentless Gavriel had been. That Alpha King was not someone who could be easily subdued, even inside his spell and on his own turf. Gavriel had managed to stay sane and rational, fighting him with everything he had.

He might not have been able to use his magic, but his strength and sheer resilience were unstoppable.

“Once Riela is healed and back to her old self, Althea will fail that covenant of binding... and the bond between them will break. When that happens, her life will fall into danger and no one will be able to save her except me.”

Arlan let out a low whistle. “Master... your plans are scary.”

Zander only smirked, eyes gleaming with confidence. “Good. They should be. It’s the only way for everything to succeed. I need to use every piece on the board so the plan is executed perfectly.”

Arlan nodded slowly, and Zander released a heavy sigh.

“But... aren’t you going to at least tell Lady Althea the truth? Maybe she’ll come to you on her own once she learns what’s really happening,” Arlan suggested.

Zander’s expression softened, though only for a moment. “Althea alone isn’t enough, and her power is unstable. And I can’t do this without help. We’re too few in number, Arlan. I need the Alpha King’s strength in this. And he won’t move unless Althea is involved.”

He shook his head. “Among all the choices I had, this is the best path.”

*******

At West Wing, Royal Palace

Uriel stepped out of his portal with Gavriel and Althea close behind him including Melva, Osman and Candice. The moment they landed, Uriel’s jaw tightened.

“When I returned to fetch Riela, everything was in chaos,” he said, breathing hard. “The guards were scrambling, searching everywhere. No one saw who took her. It all happened too fast.”

Gavriel’s face darkened, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Althea slowly looked around, her fingertips brushing the air as if searching for something unseen. Then she felt it — a familiar energy lingering faintly in the surroundings, like a trace of warmth after a fire.

Her eyes widened. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“It’s him,” she whispered. “Zander. He was here... and he took Riela.”

Uriel stiffened in disbelief. “That’s impossible. The west palace is layered with barriers. I ensure that no one can’t pass through them without permission. How could he break in and out?”

Althea swallowed, her voice soft but certain. “Someone probably helped him. Someone who knows the palace’s defenses... maybe someone close to the Queen Mother. Or someone who can move freely through this wing.”

Uriel shook his head, still stunned. “Then he has a spy. Someone inside.”

Gavriel’s expression turned deadly calm, the kind of quiet fury that felt like the quiet before a storm. “That man is testing my patience. If he thinks he can keep taking what’s mine... I will kill him.”

Candice stepped forward, her tone steady even as concern flashed in her eyes. “What do we do now? Lady Althea only has a week. Today is the first day. If she fails to heal Princess Riela in time, the covenant of binding placed on her will activate... and it will take her life.”

Althea felt her breath hitch.

She knew what that spell meant. An ancient binding — irreversible, unbreakable. She had been certain before. Confident even. Healing Princess Riela in less than a week had seemed possible. She was ready for it.

But now...

Her hands began to tremble. The reality hit her like a cold wave crashing against her chest.

Dying... when she had finally found someone worth living for. When she had finally found a place, a purpose... and Gavriel.

Her throat tightened as she looked at him. “Gavriel... if I fail...”

“You won’t,” he snapped, his voice rough. Then he took a shaky breath, forcing himself to soften. “You won’t, Althea. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

But even as he said it, anger and fear clashed in his eyes. Riela was gone. Time was ticking. And Zander was now one step ahead.

“Just what the hell does that man want?!” Uriel grunted in irritation.