Protect Me, Alpha King

The man was suddenly on his feet, testing his shoulders if it was fully functional, and smirked. He jumped and danced to soundless music and smiled in triumph when he realized he was fine.

"The world is full of surprises,” he snickered. Gone was his voice which sounded like death and was replaced by something lively. He jumped again as if he was a child, then stared at the ground and saw the maggots, then stomped the maggots around him.

I shivered and felt disgusted looking at what he had done.

The urge to throw up resurfaced.

"Stop that!" I chastised while covering my mouth.

With my hand on my mouth, I stared at him longer. He looked even younger. It seemed he and the alpha king had the same age. His hair was greasy, which looked like a bird's nest because of the dirt clinging on each strand from not taking a bath for so long, was unusually long and reached past his shoulders. His nose was crooked as if he had been to countless fights. And above all, he smelled blood.

He beamed, satisfied at what he had done— killing those tiny insects. There was a missing tooth at the side of his mouth.

"Ugh. That is the most amazing thing I did in my entire life. You don't know how much I hated those vermin, but don't have the strength to kill them.” He put his

I stepped back until my back hit the iron bars. My mind was screaming danger! This was a rogue I am talking with and they were known to be vicious and cunning. They were heartless and hurt anyone they encountered.

Images of my journey with the alpha king resurfaced in my mind. They nearly killed us if not for the driver and the alpha king. And now that this man was fully healed, he would likely hurt me.

His eyes narrowed when he realized I was far from him.

He sniffed the air and the corner of his mouth lifted.

“Woman. I smell your fear. Are you frightened?”

Was that necessary to ask? The answer was simple!

I looked from side to side before my gaze went back to him. "Who wouldn't get scared of you?" I crossed my arms in front of my chest as if they would defend me when he planned to pounce on me. Rogues were known to be traitors. They did not return whatever favors someone did for them. "Will you hurt me?"

His frown deepened. "Hurt you? Why?"

"Because that's your nature," I replied with my voice shaking.

He looked at me with disbelief then laughed heartily.

"I know what you did, woman. And I do not hurt women and children. That's one of my principles.” I doubted it. This man was only trying to make me better, and get my trust and when I gave it to him, he would betray me. No one can be trusted. That was what I learned when I was still in my pack.

"I don't believe you. You will hurt me. You think I am weak and you can easily defeat me.” That was true. I was completely powerless compared to him. Perhaps, I would remind the alpha king of his suggestions for training me. “What did I do?"

“Nah. I won't force me to believe you. All of you think all the rogues are vicious and wild beasts and no longer have the human side of them.”

Guilt-tripping? Potential manipulator.

“No matter what you say, I won't believe you. Stay away from me or I will call the guards.”

He laughed. “The guards? Those bastards? They won't care about whatever is happening inside the cell. Do you know what they wanted the most? Huh?"

"W-what?" I asked, my voice trembling. Please don't tell me they abused women.

My hands felt clammy.

He gritted his teeth. “For us to die. To lessen their burden of guarding us. They said rogues are cruel? No. The people inside the palace are,” he spat. “That's why I will take over the palace and put everything in its proper places. The rogues will reign over the people and they will see we are better than them.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

As much as I did not like the alpha king, I did not want the rogues to take over the kingdom. Blood would spill everywhere. There would be endless chaos and murder.

He gave me a pointed look. “As a token of my appreciation, I will not include you.”

“Token for what?"

His eyes flashed. "You healed me. I smelled your scent when you rushed to me and did some wonders. I don't know what you did but you healed—"

Oh, Moon Goddess! Of course, he knew!

My eyes went round.

"Ssssh!" I chastised. I looked around. No one was listening. I released a sigh.

"That's a secret?” He acted as if he was sealing his lips. "As a way of my gratitude, your secrets are safe with me." His stomach growled. "Damn. Now that my appetite is back, I want to eat a horse.”

I cringed. "Literally?" I had a soft spot for one and if I saw someone eating a horse, my heart would sink.

He waved his hands, dismissing me. "Of course not! That's a figurative speech. I'm famished. Where are the guards? Guards? A plate of food!" he barked as if he was the master of the dungeon. “Fuck! Stop being lazy bastards!” He shook the iron bars. “Fuckers! Where are you?"

I stared at him in disbelief. “Aren’t you scared of what they might do with you?”

He stopped and looked at me. The corner of his eyes crinkled. “Scared of those bastards? Woman. I am not scared of anyone.”

A line appeared between my brows. "Who are you?"

He lifted his shoulders half-shrugged. "Nothing. You shouldn't know my name, woman. When we see each other again, we will be enemies."

"Enemies?"

I blinked and in an instant, he was suddenly in front of me, catching the stray curls of my hair. “Beautiful hair. And the colors. It fits the Luna.”

My heart jumped. “I'm not a Luna.” Well, I was but Alpha Erik rejected me.

I smacked his hands, and instead of getting angry, he chuckled.

"Feisty. That's why Black Heart favored you. You remind me of someone. You have the same hair color. You're one of his servants, are you?"

Instead of answering him, I asked, "What do you call him Black Heart? This is the first time I heard that name. And what's your name?"

I squeezed my hands in a tight fist.

"Call me Nobody. And for your question, you will know the answer when you got to know him better."

I clenched my fist. "After the favor, I did for you, you are treating me like this? I should have let you die earlier."

He stilled and punched the iron bars right beside me.

The colors drained from my face.

My heart skipped a beat and looked at him nervously. His fist shook and glared at me. If looks could kill, would be dead by now.

"I will not die. Not unless I kill Black Heart first. He is the reason for my people's suffering.”

His people's suffering? Which only meant one thing.

I scowled. "Are you the leader of the rogues?”

He did not answer but turned his back on me. "I will escape from this place. You can join me if you want."

And became a fugitive who was always on the run? No thank you. Besides, I was still waiting for my parent's information. The alpha king promised to help me. That's why I became his personal slave, right?

I rubbed my brow as if it would ward off my headache.

"I don't want to. I don't want to die early.” I scanned the surroundings. All I saw were thick walls. Nothing else. And the guards posted in each corner. Another two were walking back and forth, inspecting the prisoners. Scaping would be a handful. “How will you escape? This place is heavily guarded.”

He smirked. "I can. Watch me. But I have to wait for the right opportunity.”

"Can you do that?"

"Thanks to your healing abilities, I can. I'm back to my usual self. I'm strong as a horse. Way more powerful than the alpha king."

I scoffed. That was unbelievable.

Our conversation was cut short when the doctors came in followed by the servants. And included in the horde of people were the twins!

They craned their necks and looked for something until they spotted me!

I waved my hands at them.

They put their hands in front of their chest and sighed in relief.

Seeing our silent interaction, the rogue asked, "Your friends?"

I gave him a half-smile. "Not really. They're servants who are also serving the alpha king."

Without wasting time and not triggering the alpha king's wrath, the other servants, with their broomsticks, water hoses, mops, and buckets went to each cell. Instead of going with them, The twins went to my cell

"River! Oh! Thank the Moon Goddess you are well."

The stranger stepped aside and just at that time, a doctor accompanied by a guard walked over to our cell and had an overall check-up with him.

"I thought something might happen to you!"

My mind went back to the twins.

I chuckled. "The alpha king visited. I am okay. Nothing to worry about.”

They sighed in relief.

"We are still trying to plead your case to His Highness. We will do our best to change his mind.” "Change his mind?" the rogue asked. "Black Heart never changes his heart. It will only happen when elephants can fly."

I frowned at him. "Don't listen to our conversation. Focus on the doctor.”

"There is nothing to check. I am perfectly healed now. All thanks to someone.”

"Who?" the guard barked. "Last time I checked, you're barely breathing. Your wolf cannot heal you at that time. Both of you did not have the strength. It is also impossible for the other inmates to heal you."

My smile faded.

I gulped.

I looked at the twins and saw their attention was already awakened. There would only be one suspect and it was me.

My jaw clenched.

The rogue glanced at me warily and backed to the guard. "I won't tell even if you kill me."

I released a breath. I would be doomed if the rogue told me it was me.

The guard's eyes darted at me. "It was her, right? The one who is sharing your cell. She was the person who healed you? Right?” the guard pressed.

The rogue’s mouth was set in a hard line.

My lower lips quivered. My blood went cold.