Protect Me, Alpha King

I felt terrible for Delta Isagani after what I said. He wore the saddest expression he could muster while looking at me. I was tempted to take back my words, but I was certain no one was telling him he was already making a fool out of himself.

"I am aware I am a coward when it comes to Lady Juliana, River." Quite the opposite when it comes to rogues. He was one of the bravest warriors of the alpha king, but when it came to his mate, it was the opposite.

"And it is time to change that, Delta Isagani. Or you can accept the two of you have no chance at all as long as Lady Juliana is still after the alpha king."

"I will wait for Lady Juliana. I know she will realize my importance.”

I rolled my eyes at him. "It will never happen. She's greedy for power. And if I were you, I would no longer associate myself with that kind of woman. You deserve better than her.”

"Lady Juliana is the only one for me."

There we go again.

This conversation was over. There was no way I would get another fruitful discussion out of this man,

"Sure. Sure.”

I tapped his back as if we were long friends, which widened his eyes. No slave in her right mind would act as if she was free to do that. There was still a significant boundary between slaves and nobles.

Using the opportunity while he was still surprised, I stepped inside the carriage and asked the coachman to hurry, leaving Delta Isagani eating the dust.

"River! Come back!" he shouted.

I stuck my head at the window and waved at him.

"I will be back, Delta Isagani. That's a promise!" If I make it out alive, I want to add but leave those words.

Going to the slave auction house turned out peacefully, unlike what the twins had worried about. I started the trip in the morning and reached the place when it was already noon. No bandits nor rogues were waiting to ambush me.

The place was buzzing with nobles, with their slaves tailing with them. Nothing seemed to change in this place. It was the same place when I was seven years old.

I closed my eyes as painful memories flashed in my mind. There was no time to reminisce about those.

Opening my eyes, I fixed my dress and shawl. "I'll be quick," I told the coachman. "Please wait for me."

I stepped out of the carriage.

"Please do it quickly, River. I don't want the alpha king to be mad at me.”

"It's okay. I'll take the blame. Fetch me inside if I do not return after an hour.”

"An hour? That would be too long. Make it half an hour. That's the longest waiting time I can only give you so far.”

"Okay. Thank you. I'll be in a hurry,” I said and stepped forward while carefully placing my shawl around my shoulders.

The auction house was busier than usual. I had to swim around the herd. The guards stopped me for a second, looking at me back and forth.

"Slaves without their master are not allowed to enter here. Go away."

Damn it.

Slaves were forbidden to enter alone. It would be better if the alpha king would join me. However, since I did not want him to know I came here, I did it alone.

The two guards looked like giants compared to my height. They were pretty bulky and would break my bones in a snap. One wrong move, and they will kill me in an instant.

Straightening my shoulders and refusing to be intimidated, I said, "I'm not a slave.”

The two scoffed. "Where is your slave certificate?”

"How could I have one if I am a free woman?"

They leaned on me, trying to scare me away. But I held my ground. I was trying to beat the time, and conversing and answering their interrogation would only make my stay longer.

"Ridiculous. You have a funny scent.”

The alpha king's scent. I want to show them his mark, for they would instantly recognize it, but that would also mean endangering my life. So as of now, it would be better to hide it from them

"It's because this is my original scent." I glanced around. No one was paying attention to us. Secretly, I brought out two gold coins. The two men cleared their throats. "Would you be kind to this helpless young lady?"

One of them leaned forward, motioning me to drop the coins into his pocket. Smiling, I secretly slipped them.

Distancing myself, I said, "Gentlemen, thank you so much for helping this poor woman."

"Just go."

I did.

The auction was not yet starting. However, the enslaved people to be auctioned were already waiting. A cuff was chained on their neck and wrist, ensuring they would never run away.

The nobles were already making their bets, eyeing everyone they wanted to acquire.

Damn them. How could they do this?

I found them repulsive, enjoying others’ misery. If only I had the means to buy every slave here and ask for their slave certificate so they would tear them away, that would be magnificent.

That's enough, River. It would be best if you found Master Henderson, my mind said.

Right.

Where was that old and dirty man? He was usually roaming around, making sure that the nobles were safe inside.

I craned my neck and looked for him based on what I had remembered.

And there. I found him! Master Henderson. The king of this auction house.

He was barking orders at his men, making sure that everything would be fine as it was. He stood four feet and two inches, shorter than the average height of men, but it was not his height that was remarkable. It was the power he carried with him.

One glare from Master Henderson made his men shiver in fear. Master Henderson can decide if they will include them to be sold. One single mistake and they will kiss their freedom goodbye. "Master Henderson!" I called him.

His eyes narrowed at my approaching form

"Who are you?"

Looking down while bowing, I said, "I am River from the Lycan kingdom. One of Alpha King Maxxwell. Alpha of all alphas.”

Glaring at me, he asked, "Are you a noble? Your clothes are not that noble-like. You're mated. Where is your mate?"

Do I look like someone who needed a chaperone? I am perfectly fine traveling alone.

However, it was not time to argue.

"Master Henderson, my mate, said he would be back later. He is currently checking the slaves to be auctioned,” I lied with a straight face. I was getting better at telling lies, and I was afraid I would become professional because of it.

"Why did you approach me? Tell me what you want, woman. The auction will start three minutes from now. Don't waste my time chatting with me."

He turned his back, and I encircled and was in his front.

"I want to know about Zenith. He was the slave brought by the alpha king a couple of years ago. I don't know when."

He stiffened as well as the other guards surrounding him. He turned sideways.

"I don't know that woman. Don't you know the alpha king had given a decree forbidding anyone to talk about that name? I don't want to be beheaded."

"We can talk about that, Master Henderson.”

I pulled out the bag given by the twins. I was glad I accepted their money.

Master Henderson saw it, looked at his men, and said, "Go now. Secure the parameter. No rogues should be able to infiltrate this place, or I will kill all of you. I want a perfect auction for today.”

His men easily dispersed until we were left. Whispering, he said, "How much are you willing to pay?" "I can give you all of this." I played with the bag, putting it on my left and then my right hand. "I'm sure you don't want this to be put to waste, Master Henderson."

"Who are you? Your face seemed familiar."

My heart jumped. He must never remember I was brought here once by Alpha Wade.

I put my fingertips on my chin. "Someone curious to know about her."

He looked at me, hard. "Now that you mention it, you look like that woman. But if someone caught us talking about her—"

"I assure you no one will know, Master Henderson, as long as we talk somewhere private. But if you don't want it, I'll go back to my husband and buy a slave that would suit our taste. So what do you think, Master Henderson?" I asked while jiggling the bag.