Protect Me, Alpha King

I felt the world stop as I waited for the alpha king's reaction. Alpha Erik was definitely right for saying I was filthy, to begin with.

I smiled bitterly as I listened to Alpha Erik's voice. The word slave was forever imprinted in me regardless if I rose to rank by having a mate who had some positions in the pack.

"Filthy, you say?”

Alpha Erik lifted his chin and stood proudly. My other pack members agreed with him and gave me a mocking gaze.

"Yes, Your Highness. She is filthy. A slave. An omega. She does not even have a wolf. She was almost a human. If I were you, it is better to stay away from her.”

I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I felt so little as my breathing became faster than normal. The will to flee away from them was getting stronger.

The alpha king glanced at me. “Are you referring to this woman beside me, Alpha Erik?"

“No other than, Your Highness. She is the only servant who had the guts to attend the Mating Ceremony while the others were in their room, refusing to come out.”

"And I was glad she chose to come out, Alpha Erik. If she does not, we will not see each other in this ceremony.”

Alpha Erik took a step forward. “But Your Highness...you do not understand.”

King Maxxwell's eyes glinted. “Is she a murderer, Alpha Erik?”

Alpha Erik stopped and shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. She is not.”

“Is she a thief?"

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Is she a traitor?”

“No, King Maxxwell.”

“Then, there is nothing to be afraid of. I want this woman to stay beside me and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Alpha Erik clenched his fist. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but—"

A gasp escaped my lips when King Maxxwell suddenly drew me to his side, earning a state of envy from the females and anger from Alpha Erik.

“Enough! Do not ruin my mood tonight, Alpha Erik. This woman is my mate and whoever hurt her will face me.” King Maxxwell stared at each of the werewolves, making his claim seriously.

I looked at him dumbfounded. Announcing it to everyone was not part of the deal. What would the other alpha say about him taking a slave as a mate?

“Your Highness, that person is a slave!” Alpha Erik insisted.

Without saying anything, His Highness punched Alpha Erik in the face. The latter stumbled and nearly lost his footing if not for some of my packmates.

“Do you think I care about that?! Alpha Erik, you forced me to hurt you and if you do not shut your mouth despite my warning, I will kill you. Not only him but to the others who never listen to their king.”

All of us bowed, telling us we will listen and obey him. Alpha Erik, on the other hand, was also forced to do that, still clenching his fist.

“Forgive us, Your Highness,” we said in unison.

King Maxxwell, yanked me up and forced me to look up. And suddenly, he dipped his mouth into mine, kissing me.

And we faced the crowd.

“This is River Williams of the Haverstone Pack. But she will go with me to my kingdom and who knows? She will become your next queen. So I am ordering every one of you not to hurt her or you will face my wrath. Do you understand?”

“We understand, Your Highness.”

I remember that my goal this evening was to find my mate, but never the alpha king. And to what purpose did he go far? What if the others will find out that we are not true mates?

The rest of the evening I was on edge. My packmates, who were bullying me back then suddenly warmed up to me and offered me a lot of drinks in order to take care of me.

However, Iris was still not believing the alpha king's announcements. But she did not come to me and taunt me. Instead, she just waited and I knew for a fact that she was only waiting for a perfect opportunity.

“Your Highness, we prepared a room for you if you do not want to return to the kingdom.”

It was Alpha Erik again. There was a visible bruise on his right cheek, but it will heal in time. Werewolves had amazing healing abilities.

“I want to retire. River,” His Highness called me.

I stood and walked behind King Maxxwell as Alpha Erik led us to the room. Spell awkward. That was what I was feeling right now. I could not help but feel as if he would punish me in a minute if His Highness was not looking.

We stayed silent until we reached the guest room.

“Here is your room, Your Highness.”

The alpha king looked inside. “Quite spacious.”

“I will call the servants to tend to your needs.”

"Why will we call them if you are here, Alpha Erik?” Alpha Erik did not instantly reply. King Maxxwell cocked his brows. “Well? Will you continue to become a mute, then?” he asked. “So you will not serve your king?”

Alpha Erik gritted his teeth together. ”

“II can serve you, Your Highness. That is my job as the slave of this pack. Tell me what you want and I will do it to the best of my ability.”

"You are my mate, River. I want to treat you like a queen and never allow you to do any menial jobs In the future, you will be the face of the kingdom.”

I nearly teared up at the extra work King Maxxwell had given to this facade. He did not consider if he would be the talk of the town or become a laughing stock just like what Alpha Erik had said when he rejected me.

"What do you want, Your Highness?"

“That's what I consider talking about, Alpha Erik. I want some clothes for River. She will sleep with me. Inside this room.” I paled at King Maxxwell's announcement.