Protect Me, Alpha King

My tears retreated as I saw the great alpha king's tears. I had temporarily forgotten my pain. Someone explained to me what was happening.

A noble, an alpha king to be precise, was crying in front of his subordinates, or slave was forbidden. The custom did not allow it. Nobles should always appear powerful, never showing any signs of weakness to anyone, or the slaves would lose their respect for them. But the alpha king showing his vulnerability in front of me was a humbling experience.

And before I knew it, I wrapped my arms around the alpha king's waist, and this time, I drew him closer to my body, silently consoling him.

My throat felt tight; I never said anything but patted his back.

I felt his shoulders shake, and as a sign of respecting his vulnerability, I did not even look at him. Or it would break the magic.

What a humbling experience. Why did the alpha king show his vulnerability in front of his personal attendant? In front of me?

“Aw. Kiss her, River. It will make him stop crying. I could not handle seeing the alpha king's tears. My heart feels like it is tearing apart. Oh, River. Please answer my call!’ my wolf said, exaggerating.

As if a kiss will solve anything. This beast thought everything was always simple.

'I'm not asking for your solicited advice, okay? It's not right to take advantage of this moment.’

The beast scoffed.

'What a bummer,’ she said again, using her infamous statement, and went silent.

I was brought back to the present when the alpha king hugged me even more.

We were like that for a few moments until he calmed. When he stepped back, I never looked at him out of respect for his emotions.

This was the first time I seriously respected him as an individual and not because of his status in the kingdom.

Still not looking at the alpha king in his eyes, I asked, "Are you okay now, Your Majesty?"

He gave one last sniff and answered, "Fine now. You can look at me in the eyes, River," he whispered. Crying may have taken a toll on his strength.

I bit my lower lip. "I don't..want to, Your Majesty."

"Why? Are you disappointed after seeing me cry? Men sometimes cry, River. We are not always strong.”

I knew that was okay and had never been an issue.

"Nope. I thought you didn't want me to see you cry but thank you for that humble experience. I did not know it would turn like this."

The wind was getting chilly. The moon was now hiding under the clouds.

"It's okay. I already fixed myself."

I glanced at him, only to see his eyes were not puffy, nor did not even have any redness. It seemed like he did not cry.

Wow. How did he do that?

"I put some spells.”

"Spells?"

"My teacher taught me once. Let's sleep now, River. All my energy is drained now."

Before I could reply, he turned his back on me, and all I could do was follow him. His Majesty lies on the bed, still not putting some shirt on his chest.

We lay on our backs while my mind tried to comprehend why he cried. Perhaps it was because of Zenith? The woman was always the reason why he was vulnerable. No one else. Maybe he missed her.

"River. Can you come closer?"

I glanced at him. He was staring at the ceiling.

"If you are cold, Your Majesty, it's better to put a robe on your body," I suggested. "It will help a lot." "It's not like that."

And before I could say something, he closed the distance between us, drawing me closer to his chest.

He inhaled my hair. "Better," he said. "Let's stay like this."

I heard the fast beating of his heart as I lay still, trying to understand why he was doing this.

"Your Majesty?"

"Sleep. Don't talk anymore. I'm tired.”

A couple of minutes more, and the alpha king was snoring softly while I lay awake the whole evening before slumber pulled me in.

Someone was forcing me to get up, but my mind was still clouded and asleep. I groaned, grabbed anything, and threw it to the voices.

"Aw! River! You have to get up!”

"River!"

"River?"

Ugh

"Let me sleep," I said, my words slurred as if I was drunk. I had no idea when I fell asleep, but one thing was for sure. Last night, when I could not sleep, I looked at the alpha king's sleeping face while my wolf was busy admiring his "perfect" physical features.

"The alpha king is already waiting for you in the carriage! Come on, River!"

Someone grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed. Another hand tossed aside the blanket I was using.

I pooped one eye and saw it was the twins while Dawn was leaning on the door frame.

"What happened last night that took you this late to awaken?" Clara grumbled. "Your eyes are even puffy.”

What happened? The alpha king freaking hugged me, refusing to let me go in his arms. I tried to wriggle away from his hold, but he would awaken and ask me what was wrong which I would reply with nothing. And the alpha king would be back in his sleep, unaware I was battling against myself, refusing to be comfortable in his arms.

"N-nothing happened, okay?" I lied and hopped out of bed. From the balcony, dawn was starting to break.

There was no time to take a bath. I took off my nightgown and slipped into my most fancy dress. This was the day when Alpha Erik and I would meet, and I had to show him I was well and doing well.

I asked the twins to braid my hair, and after we were done, the twins took their belongings and stepped out first while I tailed after them.

"River. Can we talk?"

"Dawn. The alpha king is waiting for me. Don't worry. We will probably be back after three days. Or two days." But depending on the alpha king.

"Will you be okay there? You can still change your mind, River. Will I kill Alpha Wade for you?" "Stop that," I scolded. "Others might hear you. We do not know who to trust in the four corners of this wall, Dawn."

"Promise me you will return in one piece.”

"Of course. I have to go. See you."

When I stepped outside, the alpha king was already waiting for me, irritated. One carriage was in the front, while another was at the back. Maybe the alpha king did not want the rogues to ambush us anymore.

"What took you so long, River?"

I bowed at him and answered, "Sorry for the long wait, Your Majesty. Dawn and I talked about something and—"

"Hurry up, and we will go," he said, cutting off my words.

"We already put your things in the carriage, River. Enjoy, okay?" the twins said in unison.

I nodded.

"River! You keep on making me wait! Do you want me to leave you here?"

The twins and I jumped at the loudness of his voice and hurried inside, settling opposite him. Never!

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

"Let's go!" The alpha king ordered the coachman.

We were in the middle of our journey when the alpha king continued not saying anything. Well, I know he was not chatty, but his silence gave me another meaning.

When I could not bear it anymore, I said, "Your Majesty. Is there something wrong? It seems you are in a bad mood."

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing, Your Majesty. Something bothering you?"

"River!" I jumped and stared at him. "I want you to keep your mouth shut, okay?"

I held my hand in reply, still bothered by why he was acting like this. I tried to recall what I did wrong. But aside from being late, there was nothing else. So...what was his deal now?