Protect Me, Alpha King

"You look... disheveled," Alpha King Maxxwell added. I looked back and saw him not looking in my direction.

"M-my apologies, Your Majesty. Let me fix my hair first."

Not only the hair but my clothes, still clutching my ripped clothes.

I drew a couple of breaths while fixing my hair. However, it was never messy, to begin with. Whatever. I have to get out of here before something happens more than what happened earlier. "Walk as fast as you can outside. Others might see you and will spread rumors.”

My hands froze at the hemline of his shirt. "Are you afraid someone might think something happened between us?"

A long pause. When I glanced at my shoulder, I found the alpha king staring at the wall.

"I only loved one woman in my lifetime.”

"And who is that lucky woman, Your Majesty?"

His back stiffened. "Zenith. My personal servant before you.”

"But she is dead, Your Majesty!"

That certified it. Alpha King Maxxwell was painstakingly waiting for her. His devotion to that unknown woman...

"They saw her falling off the cliff.”

"Where did you hear that?"

And then what? Would he punish that person? No, thank you. "Hear and there."

Gritting his teeth, he said, "They are still talking behind my back.”

"As long as they have their mouth, they will talk. You cannot hide all about Zenith forever, Your Majesty."

He went silent.

Seeing I was already decent, I said, "Thanks for pointing it out, Your Majesty. I have to go." Not wanting to hear more words from him, I slammed the door behind me.

I exhaled when I was out of the alpha king's sight. Putting a hand on my chest, I leaned on the wall, my strength leaving me. That was... I did not know how to even explain what had happened. Zenith was probably the alpha king's mate. If he banned the people from uttering her name, maybe it was because he was still hurting from her death.

If Zenith were his first mate, he would probably have another mate. His second chance, mate. Did he meet her?

If he did, would you stop kissing her, River? one side of my mind asked.

Images of the alpha king's soft lips flashed in my eyes which made me shut them. That was all in the past. I must never recall those things, or we will become awkward with each other. If that happened, I could not serve him properly.

So you're putting aside your goal of gaining power? A part of my mind said.

I did not know anymore. Everything was chaotic. The alpha king made me vulnerable. And that was a bad thing for me.

"Why are you outside, woman? Why are you wearing His Majesty's shirt?"

I jumped at the new voice and saw it was none other than Delta Isagani. His expression was the saddest face I could ever see. If he was not angry, he was miserable. There were cuts on some parts of his hands as he dragged his feet toward me.

What happened to him?

Don't ask. It's not your business.

Smile, River. Don't let him see that you are nervous. "He lent it to me when my clothes were ripped apart because...a servant ripped it."

He cocked an eyebrow, using his suspicious eyes staring back at me. "And why?"

"It was nothing.”

"Why were you inside?"

“The alpha king and I were done kissing.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Kissing? Did you kiss the alpha king? Why?"

I felt my cheeks flush red.

“I-l mean talking,” I stammered. “I never said we were kissing earlier. Why would we kiss when he is already betrothed to Lady Juliana?”

Guilty much, River?

"It would be better if you will seduce the alpha king," he said under his breath.

"What?"

He gave me a pointed look. “I heard you said you kissed him.”

“I did?" I shrugged, hiding my nervousness. “Well, a slip of my tongue, Delta Isagani. So...why are you here, Delta Isagani?” I asked, changing the topic. "And why did it seem like you had a brawl with a bear?"

Instead of answering my question, he queried, “Is the alpha king inside?"

Wanting to stop the conversation, I answered, “Yes, Delta Isagani. He is inside. You can enter now." “Did he already tell you?”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “What will he tell me?”

“Lady Juliana already went back to her manor, and she will be back again. I wonder what made her furious? Perhaps you know something, River.”

Raising my brow, I asked, “Why would I know something? I did not know what had happened to her. If someone knows the answer, it is the alpha king. They were the ones who had a conversation before Lady Juliana went home.”

Delta Isagani sighed. “I don't want her to be irritated at anyone. It will only stress her.”

"You can't control her emotions, okay? Let her be mad.”

“I love her. And I will do anything that will make her stay comfortable. I want to see her smile whenever she comes here, even if I am not the reason behind it. I loved her so much that seeing her hurt would make me die.”

I shook my head.

A one-sided love will never persevere unless the other person returns it. However, Delta Isagani will never understand it.

Stepping aside, I said, “Please talk to the alpha king now, Delta Isagani. It's pointless talking about any suggestions if you are already done listening.”

The dawn was nearly breaking, but the alpha king had not yet entered the chamber. It was already three o'clock.

No matter how much I wanted to make it disappear, my worry for him remained. I was only on the balcony for nearly three hours, silently waiting for him. But everything was futile. I only entered the chamber when the cold started to sip inside my bare skin.

Where could he be? After what happened in his office, I never saw him again. As if he was avoiding me. I tried to look for him, to tell him it was time for his dinner, but the twins said that he went outside, bringing his horse with him, followed by Delta Isagani.

I wondered what the two had talked about. Perhaps about Lady Juliana?

Probably.

I was in the middle of my thoughts when the door opened, and the alpha king's silhouette entered. I pretended to sleep and observed him.

The alpha king smelled of dried blood. His blood? Or from his people? And he also smelt of dirt. But never a trace of a female scent.

His footsteps were light as a feather as if he was afraid he would wake me. We usually turn off the light when we sleep, ensuring ample space between us.

He stopped in front of me, sighed, and heard the rustling of his clothes.

I never experienced the alpha king taking advantage of me despite our sleeping side by side. Where had he gone to, and why did he only return this time? Was there an emergency? Did he go after Lady Juliana?

I've been dying to know what had happened. However, if he found out I was not yet asleep, he would think I was waiting for him.

The alpha king grabbed the blanket and tossed it over my body, covering my exposed legs up to my chin.

"You'll get sick if you don't put a blanket around your body."

My heart warmed at his gesture—such kindness, which I had never received back in my pack. I was always left cold when forced to be punished in the dungeon.

"Even in your sleeping form, you're always seducing me, River," he muttered under his breath before he jumped into the bed next to mine.

The bed dipped, taking all our weight.

Was I seducing him? I never did, except earlier—my first blatant attempt. But I failed. Perhaps next time, 1 should do it better.

The alpha king faced me, feeling his breath against my face. Damn it.

I was not an expert when it came to pretending to sleep.

He brushed my hair using his fingertips. It seemed like he liked the curls on my hair.

He drew a long sigh as if carrying all the world's problems.

Why did it seem like I wanted to console him?

No.

This was the alpha king's most open side. I should let him do whatever he does.

His hands retreated, and I suddenly missed his fingertips on my skin.

Are you a fool? Why would you even think that?

He sighed again. And it was already irritating to my ears. Faking a movement, I tossed, moaned, popped one eye, and stared at his eyes beneath the darkness.

"Your Majesty," I whispered, making my voice hoarse as if I had just awakened. "You're here.” I attempted to get up, but he stopped me.

He looked at me hard. My heart raced uncontrollably. Why did he have to make it more uncomfortable?

However, he was acting as if the kiss never happened between us.

Why would I be surprised? He told me to pretend it didn't happen. So I should also do the same. Right. That was what I should do.

"Don't bother yourself, River. You can go to sleep.”

If only that were easy. I've been tossing on my bed now and then, but sleep failed to capture me. "Where have you been, Your Majesty?"

"From the borders of the territory. Delta Isagani said the rogues attacked Lady Juliana's carriage.” A gasp escaped my lips. Even if that noble was a bitch, I did not want anything to happen to her. That explained his state earlier.

"That's terrible, Your Majesty. Are they okay?"

"They are. Thankfully I asked Delta Isagani to escort them. The rogues are getting on edge. A visit is a must."

"Visit? Like you will go to their territory?"

“I will."

I sat up, and he followed. "Let me accompany you, Your Majesty."

"It's too dangerous, River. Stay here.”

"But I am your personal servant. I should be there wherever you are, Your Majesty!"

"I want you alive. Not dead. So you stay here, River. I will be at ease if you are near the palace. Besides...I want you to make preparations. We will visit your pack and meet Alpha Erik and his father —Alpha Wade."