Chapter 163. Glowing

Leaving no room for doubt, Gavriel continued firmly, “Treat her with the same respect you would give me.”

Gasps rippled across the hall. The musicians faltered for a brief moment before quickly recovering. No one expected the Alpha King to make such a declaration especially not during Minister Marius’s birthday celebration, a man everyone knew was like a second father to him.

Even the Queen Mother, seated on his right, struggled to maintain her composure. Her hand clenched tightly on her lap, her face turning pale as whispers spread across the grand hall.

[Gavriel! What is the meaning of this?!] she demanded through their mindlink, her voice sharp with disbelief.

[You heard me, Mother,] Gavriel replied, his tone steady but cold. [I’ve chosen Althea as my Luna Queen. Don’t bring up Riela again—you don’t know the whole truth yet. We’ll talk later, but one thing you must understand is that the people trying to get close to you aren’t what they seem.]