Protect Me, Alpha King

Hurts too much, my mind said.

Fudge.

I clenched my fist, controlling myself not to stand and fight back.

Not now, River. You have a lot of audiences, which will have a boomerang effect on me.

I struggled to get back on my feet.

“That slave deserved to be punished!" the woman announced.

I knew who it was. Lady Juliana. What was she doing here?

Images of her kissing the alpha king fueled my anger.

I drew a couple of breaths, urging myself to control my emotions. Anger was not the solution for now.

"She bumped you, Your Grace, and turned her back at you," Lady Aurora added. "She is a feral dog that needs to be put in her rightful place. Punishment is a must."

I clicked my tongue. Lady Aurora was getting on my nerves now. The older woman should know when to open her mouth and when not to.

“Ladies! That's no longer necessary,” Elijah interjected. “Another move from your servant, Lady Juliana, and I will punish him himself for hurting River.”

"Sir Elijah! That woman started it!” Lady Juliana exclaimed. "She hurt me a while ago.”

Hurt? Surely she was exaggerating it since I was the one who bumped her.

“Her Grace, River did not see you. I saw it with my two eyes.” Elijah was already at my side, helping me get back on my feet. I uttered a silent thank you using my eyes which he understood. “You, okay?"

I nodded.

Damn it.

We should never have come here. Nobles would steer troubles, forcing their authorities on enslaved people. And if I fought back, the alpha king would know about it, and he would punish me for fighting those in power. Or so I thought.

However, the pain hurt like a bicth. It persisted

I pretended to act like I was not hurting, or I would give Lady Juliana the satisfaction of seeing me in pain.

Smiling, I faced her like I wasn't kicked a while ago. Her servant was right beside her, wearing a smug expression on his face. Bastard. Asshole. I will remember his face.

“My apologies, Your Grace,” I forced myself to say.

Elijah's expression softened. “River. You do not have to ask for forgiveness. It was not your fault.”

I gave him a small smile. “It was mine, Sir Elijah,” I said, lowering my voice and making it sadder. “I was not looking. That's why I bumped into Lady Juliana. If only I had been careful earlier, this scandal would never happen in the first place. I was in a hurry earlier, Your Grace.”

Her eyes narrowed, not even accepting what I said—typical attitude.

“Why are you here? You should be beside the alpha king, guarding him like crazy. I ordered you to watch every single woman that will approach him.”

As if I would do that. Besides, the alpha king only wanted one woman in his life—Zenith. If Lady Juliana marries the alpha king, she will never have his heart.

The other ladies whispered against each other while the store owner was back at the corner, smirking as if she was having the best time of her life, watching the scene unfold right in front of her store.

Publicity. That was what she was after. A noble lady fighting and shaming an enslaved person right inside her store, plus the member of the Council in between. The people would talk about this. And they will flock to her store.

“I'm running an errand, Your Grace. That's why I am here. However, when I return to the palace, I will guard the alpha king all my life. No one can approach him without my permission.”

As if. I would never do that.

Satisfied with my answer, she narrowed her eyes. “That's what I wanted to hear, Dog Servant.”

Dog Servant.

The nobles giggled while I went scarlet. She knew.

Don't give in to the temptation of fighting back, River, I told my mind.

So even if I wanted to slap her, I just smiled. “I would like to insist that you call me by my name, Your Grace."

Lady Juliana's lips pressed into a thin line. "You dare to order me? A slave of no breeding?”

“Your Grace. Don't get offended, please,” Elijah seconded. "It won't hurt if you call her by her name." She raised her hand in an attempt to slap me, but I was already done with her and caught her hand. She tried to free her hand, but I wouldn't allow her.

"Let go! A slave should never touch a noble's hand except if the other party allowed it."

I smiled sweetly at her. "And a noble lady should be in her best attitude and not come here in a public place causing a scene, Your Grace. The alpha king will know about this. Of how his betrothed was causing a scene in a jewelry store, stooping low at the level of his personal slave. Now. If you want to disappoint the alpha king, even more, Your Grace," I said and gave her my right cheek. "You can slap me all you want, Your Grace. Show them how bad you can get. Go on, Your Grace," I taunted.

Her nostrils flared. "If the alpha king knows about this, I will punish you."

"I'm scared, Your Grace," I said.

She screamed in frustration and turned her back against us, and stepped outside the store with her slave hot on her heels.

My knees nearly gave out when she was gone. Finally, Lady Juliana excelled in draining my energy. She had a knack for that.

"You okay? Are you hurt elsewhere?" Elijah asked.

I winced when he touched my side.

I drew a couple of breaths to manage the pain. "It's manageable.”

"Do you want to see a pack doctor?”

I could heal myself. But Elijah did not know about that.

"No. I can manage. Thank you for asking. Can I wait outside?"

"You can."

With that, I hurried outside and stood beside Leah. The horse glared at me while swishing her tail faster, not wanting me to step closer to her.

Rolling my eyes, I ensured a safe distance between us before she kicked me.

I will just wait here for Elijah before I could not stop myself from talking back at the ladies.

If only I was born as a free man...then no one would trample my life.

I was scanning the busy marketplace when my eyes darted to someone staring back at me—a man. And from the looks of it, he seemed familiar. Like the person, I healed back at the dungeon. Nobody! A piece of cloth was covering his hair while he was crossing both arms in front of his chest. Before I could stop myself, my feet already went after him.

Stop, River! He is a rogue!

I should have listened to that voice, but another part wanted to talk to him.

The corner of his lips lifted, and he turned his back as if silently urging me to come after him.

With hurried steps, I went after him while pushing people, trying my best not to lose him. Nobody kept glancing at his shoulder as if he wanted to ensure I was coming after him.

I turned left when he did and strolled into the alleyways of the marketplace until I lost sight of him. Gasping for breath while putting both of my hands on my knees, I scanned around but was only greeted by a dead end. Alone.

Damn!

I lost him! Where could he be?

Someone blew on my ears and said, "Boo."