Protect Me, Alpha King

I put my hands on my lap. "So since the two of you failed to bear a child, you will transfer the responsibility to me, Your Majesty? Is that it? Is that also the reason why you won't reject me?" That would be possible, given the circumstances we have right now. Zenith was no longer here.

If that was the case, I was right. I was nothing but a means to the alpha king's goal. Nothing less. Nothing more.

What do you expect? That the alpha king would love you? Pathetic. He won't. Accept that. It will always be Zenith.

The alpha king sighed, and I shivered as I felt his warm breath fanned across my neck.

The mark throbbed even more and was followed by a tingling sensation. It burned as if it was aching to be touched, and as if sensing my discomfort, the alpha king brushed his fingers on it. "Stop that," I muttered. He did not.

I bit my lips to stop myself from moaning over that simple gesture. Simple for the others, but between the two of us, it greatly impacted me.

My wolf purred in the background, savoring the moment.

The alpha king planted a kiss on my mark.

Damn it. I did not like what I was feeling now. The wall I had built carefully was slowly crumbling because of the alpha king.

"I won't force you if you don't want to get pregnant, River," he whispered.

I inhaled sharply. "You will ask your women to bear you a child?"

The thought of him fathering someone else's child was unsettling. My wolf wouldn't accept it. My mind wouldn't buy it.

"If the situation asks for—"

I whipped my head in his direction, glared at him, and stood.

"I won't allow it!"

A smile made its way to his lips, and it was too late when I realized what I had just said. Did I just utter that I was jealous of his women?

"If you don't want me to impregnate my concubines, I won't force it, River,” he whispered with a stupid grin that irritated me. "I will wait until your mind is ready to become a mother of my pups. They will be our princes and princesses who will inherit the throne.”

Images of tiny copies of the alpha king flashed in my mind. My heart melted at the images of his children— our soon-to-be babies, which I would take care of running around the palace.

I shook my head.

What was wrong with me?

I was still young to think of such thoughts. Bearing his children was not part of my plan. My plan was only to bear his mark. To show Alpha Erik that someone still wanted me despite being a slave. And so that no one will bully me anymore.

Nothing else.

So why would my mind dart to those kinds of thoughts? And why did I feel as if I liked it?

Cheeks burning, I answered, "That's not what I am trying to say. You are wrong, Your Majesty. I do not have plans of having your children.”

"Is that your decision?" he asked, strolling towards me. "Please bear in mind that I will find ways to change your mind."

"My decision won't change, Your Majesty," I answered, gritting my teeth. "You want a child? Ask your concubines. They would be happy to give you one."

The alpha king stalked me as if I was his prey.

I backed away until my back hit the cold wall.

"Too bad I want my mate to be the future mother of my children.”

"Too bad I don't want that to happen,” I answered.

"You will change your mind, River. It's only your anger towards me that is talking for you,” he said with confidence.

"I won't, Your Majesty. No amount of coaxing would change my mind. I don't want any children from you. I don't want them to face the same disrespect I am experiencing now."

Even if they were from the alpha king, they would still be silently branded as slaves since they came from me.

"I won't allow anyone to hurt them—physically, emotionally, and mentally.”

As if he could always protect them for twenty-four hours.

Towering over me, the alpha king said, "What do you want then, River? In exchange for your approval?”

"You!" my wolf answered hastily while hugging her paws. Her eyes were full of affection for this man. 'Say it, River! Say you are only lying that you did not want him. You want his pups.’

Well, I did lie about some things, but I did not want to take back my words.

'l am not lying.’

'What a liar. Take back your words. The alpha king might believe it."

'I don't care,’ I replied to my wolf.

I wanted to know how long he would try to change my mind if he had the patience.

'What a bummer,” my wolf said, and she hid back in the shadows. "You will regret this." "Unfortunately, you cannot buy me, Your Majesty."

"I'm not buying—"

"You are." I massaged my neck. I was stressed out. "I-l want to take a breath, Your Majesty. All we have is differences in opinion.”

His mouth fell, and disappointment crossed his face.

"Are you sure you want to get some fresh air?"

"Certainly."

I want to think more. Being with him inside this room will not help at all.

"How about Alpha Wade? Can you handle him on your own?"

I looked away and shifted my gaze to the painting.

"I can deal with him. No need to worry about that, Your Majesty.” Talking to Alpha Wade was better than conversing with the alpha king. As of the moment. "I'll be quick."

He put a safe distance between us, which I was thankful for.

"The best thing we should do is rest, River. Our body needed it after a long journey.”

"Your Majesty. You don't understand.”

"What do I not understand? Explain it to me, River.”

I met my gaze, and without batting an eye, I answered, "I am trying to get away from you." "Why?"

"Because I need to reflect and understand my emotions right now."

"You can do that when we return. Tomorrow will be the bastard's party. You should take a lot of rest.”

What the heck? That was all he could say? What an insensitive jerk!

The alpha king would never understand.

However, this was not the right time to burst. I had to control my emotions.

"I will. After I go outside." I put both of my hands on my forehead. "Please, Your Majesty. I must go outside."

His ears perked. "Urgent?"

"Yes. Do I have to spell the word? No. I did not know how, anyways."

"Enough of that nonsense, River. Be honest with me. You will be meeting with Alpha Erik. That's why you wanted to go outside?" he growled.

I stared at him in disbelief. What the fuck was he talking about?

"I don't understand you anymore, Your Majesty.” I grabbed the handle of the doorknob, opened the door, and stepped outside.

But the moment I was outside, someone grabbed my wrist, and when I looked up, it was none other than Alpha Erik.

"River. We have to talk."