Protect Me, Alpha King

Delta Isagani freaking blushed!

What the heck?

Did he like Dawn? That would be awesome!

"You like Dawn, Delta Isagani?” I pressed even more. His cheeks looked like a freaking tomato which made me laugh. "Hey. That's okay. Everybody experienced having a crush on her. I mean, she's beautiful and strong—"

"River," Dawn admonished. "Don’t give any meaning to his gestures. He is only being kind."

Kind?

I stopped, but the smile could not stop making Its way to my lips.

It would be better if Delta Isagani would stop obsessing over Lady Juliana, who did not even accept his feelings. He deserves someone who would love and accept him for who he is. And this woman, Dawn, deserved so much better.

Yeah.

I was a sucker for someone else's love story, but not mine.

"If that's what you want to believe, Dawn. But I am seeing something different.”

My eyes darted back to Delta Isagani. For the first time, aside from his sad expression, I saw embarrassment. For me? That was a good thing.

"I have to go now. I will be leaving you women to catch yourself,” Delta Isagani informed and scrambled away from us as if we were the cause of the plague.

Chuckling, I said, "See that? He's guilty. He has a huge crush on you."

"Stop that," Dawn said, unbothered. "He knew my story. He's merely sympathizing with me. Now... why don't we talk about you, huh?"

I straightened myself and sat on the table, making my expression serious. "I'm glad nothing happened to you."

Dawn looked at her shoulder. "The bullet scraped my skin—nothing to worry about. As for the broken ribs, it's healing. Your pack doctor is an excellent healer.”

That's good to hear. But later...I will follow up to see if there is something to fix. I had to make sure. "You never told me you have a wolf."

"I also know about that time. The danger may have triggered her to come out, but now, she is silent again.”

I tried calling her several times, but my wolf was not responding. Perhaps she was asleep?

I will try again later until she responds to me.

Dawn picked one sword and sheath and put it on her hips.

"Good to know. Remind me not to mess with your wolf. I don't want to die a painful death,” she teased.

I fell silent. Guilt found its way into my heart and settled there. My hands were already tainted with someone's life.

He may not be innocent, but still. He died. Painfully. My wolf made sure of that.

Dawn sensed the sudden change in my mood and faced me.

"You don't have to feel that. You only protected yourself, River.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

"I can still remember his cry of pain, but my wolf wouldn't stop attacking. She was thirsty for blood, and she wouldn't stop until she was satisfied. I am afraid I have to kill more people. I don't want to be a killer."

Images of blood and the stench of it resurfaced in my mind, making me nauseous.

"Kill or be killed. You choose River. If you allowed him to do something to us, we wouldn't be breathing now. Or worse, he would kill me. He will sell you off after defiling you."

I will choose death over being sold to another master.

Nonetheless.

It did not appease the guilt I had been feeling. It was a personal healing. I heal, not kill people.

"By the way. Did the alpha king tell you?" Dawn inquired.

"Why? Are you his messenger now?"

I thought she would hate the alpha king because of what his predecessor had done to her pack. But she did not.

Dawn looked at the vast mountains in front of us.

"We talked once. Alpha King Maxxwell told me to make myself comfortable, and he will treat me as a visitor to his palace. Not a slave. He was nothing compared to the previous ruthless alpha king.” "You're not a slave. Not anymore. "

"All thanks to you for giving the necklace given by Elijah. It was from the Council. Why did you give such a precious gift, River?”

Dawn's eyes watered, touched by what I did.

I did not want her to know that I had already planned to sell it to the highest buyer. But something came up first, and that was meeting her. I could not stomach the thought of Henderson continuing to abuse her. Physically.

"It's nothing. Your life is much more important.”

Moved, Dawn jumped out off the table and hugged me. That bear hug made me fight for my breath.

Gasping, I said, "Let go. Can't breathe.”

"Oh. My apologies,” she said and distanced herself from me.

Coughing, I looked at her, reminded of what she was trying to say earlier. "What did the alpha king tell you about me?”

"That you will be returning to your pack tomorrow. The alpha king forgot to tell you about that?" My blood went cold.

Tomorrow? I would be seeing my former packmates. And Alpha Erik? Breathing suddenly felt difficult.

"Hey. You okay?" she asked with a worried look. "Do you want me to join you? I will ask the alpha king if he will permit me. I vow not to allow anyone to hurt you there, River. You can trust me."

I did trust this woman. But not myself. What if I was the same weak she-wolf they had known? What if fear took over me, and they ridiculed me again, just like during my stay At Haverstone Pack? "River. You are hyperventilating. Take a deep breath. Okay?"

Her voice was so far as if she was talking inside the cave.

Images of Alpha Wade and his sadistic smile resurfaced in my mind. Damn. Can't.

I stared at Dawn's eyes and was reminded of the sea. It was bluer than blue.

"Inhale. Exhale," she ordered.

I did. I followed her commands and it took some time before I pulled myself together.

"You okay now?"

I can't stand looking at her anymore. I felt embarrassed for showing my vulnerability in front of her. "I-I'm fine," I said, my voice shaking. "I can do it."

"River. Do you want me to kill them for you?"

I froze at her question. "Why would you kill someone?"

"I treat you as my savior. I don't want anyone to hurt you like this. I will slaughter them. Do you hear me? They are not allowed to inflict pain on you. I don't want them to do that.”

Still shaking, I hopped out of the table. "Don't talk lightly of killing someone, Dawn. Don't put the stench of blood on your hands."

Shrugging off, she answered. "You did not know what other things Henderson asked me to do, River. I was not only his record keeper but his assassin as well."

"What?"

"Yes. You heard it right. So killing someone is a piece of cake. I heard you came from Haverstone Pack. The previous alpha was Alpha Wade, and Alpha Erik is now ruling the pack. I know them. Meet them once during the Alpha Meeting. And they were nothing but bastards and assholes who did not know how to honor authority. They secretly believed they were better than the alpha king," she spat. She looked at me. "So what do you think? Do you want me to kill the alpha who gives you nightmares? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, River. You better think carefully about it.”

I gulped.

What a tempting offer.