Protect Me, Alpha King

I lost track of time and how much I slept when my back hit the bed. When I awakened, it was already midnight, precisely three o'clock.

I patted the side where the alpha king usually slept, but it was already cold. There was a high chance the alpha king never entered the room after I arrived.

Sitting, I roamed around and listened to the surroundings. It was dead quiet. The alpha king was nowhere to be found.

I hopped out of bed and was halted by a headache. It felt like my head would split open.

Damn it.

It was because of the drink. I should have never let myself be swayed by that expensive wine. Took about having the lowest alcohol content for the werewolves, only to find it was a scam.

I tried to remember all the scandalous things I did while drunk.

Until...

Images of what had happened at the library resurfaced—our passionate kiss. The alpha king's hands are on my waist—his erotic voice against my ears.

My cheeks felt hot, as if I was being boiled.

I fanned myself.

I did leave the alpha king there. Based on my last memory, he never went after me, and we did not talk after that. He just dumped me alone as if he wanted me to think.

Now that I was sober, I wanted to talk to him and apologize for what I said. So what if he still loved Zenith? I won't beg him to love me. Everything I said was because of the wine. Not because of what I wanted to say.

I better go after him to clear things between us before he thinks anything and gives meaning to it. I looked for my slippers and saw them under the bed. Realizing I was still wearing my dress, I took it off and changed into a pair of sleepwear.

'You have to find Maxxwell," my wolf suddenly said.

“What's your name? You told me you would tell me your name.

She hesitated for a moment. “Sunflower.!

“Sunflower? Is that for real?"

She rolled her eyes at me. 'No need to make fun of my name, okay? The Moon Goddess gives us our names. She said the name fit me. As if.’

Yeah, right.

There were stories among werewolves that before our wolves were given a physical body—to us, it was rumored that they got to meet the Moon Goddess and gave them names.

I stifled a laugh. The name Sunflower was more like the opposite of my wolf's personality. She was far from the symbol it symbolizes—happiness. She was always gloomy, like she was always on the brink of punching and biting anyone who dared to block her way.

'l want to call you Sun since you wanted to be the queen that much.’

“Whatever you want as long as you look for the alpha king. And I want to tell you something. Please don't make me feel as if wanting to be the queen is a bad thing.’

I gave Sunflower a half-shrug.

The hallway was silent. The only thing I heard was the sound of my slippers slapping against the cold floor.

The party was done?

I wasn't able to greet Alpha Wade.

As if he appreciates your presence, a part of my mind said.

Maybe Alpha Wade was relieved he did not see me and his party was not ruined. Too bad. I should have greeted him

Try to contact His Majesty, River.’

My mind went back to the present.

'Why are you worried for him? He is an adult. A powerful alpha king. He can kill anyone with a snap of his fingers. No need to stress yourself."

Sunflower growled at me. 'I miss him, okay? I want to kiss him again."

My cheeks flushed upon remembering the hot kisses we shared. Did Alpha King Maxxwell still bother about what happened?

“Shut up.’

'l won't. I love the alpha king."

I staggered for a moment and continued my pace. I still had no idea of the alpha king's whereabouts, but I would find him if he were still inside the packhouse.

'You love someone who cannot even forget Zenith?"

Sunflower sighed. “We could never compete against someone dead, River. The least we can do is accept his past and make our way into his heart. I wanted to meet his wolf. Is he handsome and strong like Maxxwell?*

I wished I could be as simple-minded as Sunflower, but I was not. We did not share the same principle in life.

'I cannot love someone still chained to his past.’

I finally stepped outside. The cold air hit me, making me hug my body. I should have brought a jacket with me.

l inhaled the air.

I will track the alpha king using my sense of smell and our bond.

I stiffened when I caught a whiff of sandalwood. Only one person owned that scent I had known so far—the alpha king.

“Hurry! You have to say your apologies, River."

“I will, okay? I don't want anything to become awkward between us.’

Sunflower rolled her eyes at me. “You should blurt out all your feelings for him. And stop fighting His Majesty."

"You're making it sound easy, Sun.’

She scoffed. “Allow me to take over your body and I will do it for you.’

'No freaking way!" I cannot trust her. What if she will give this body to the alpha king?

“Come on. Stop arguing with me. Just find the alpha king, okay?’

Due to her incessant demands, I was left with no choice but to follow her. To make her stop. Her whining made my headache worse.

My feet led me to the courtyard and it was also the place where the scent of sandalwood was overpowering.

“I love you, Your Majesty. No one can replace you in my heart.”

Sunflower and I both stiffened and automatically hid in the wall in the courtyard.

It was Lady Juliana’s voice, and she was with the alpha king. Why? A midnight rendezvous?

The alpha king sighed. “Lady Juliana. We talk about this. You know my mate is River, and you're engaged to Alpha Erik.”

“I don't care about that jerk, Your Majesty. I only care about you.”

“Two men already wanted you, Lady Juliana. Why do you continue choosing me?”

“Because it is you that I want. Even if we are not really mates, my wolf approves of you.”

More like you wanted the position of the queen than you wanted the alpha king, I told my mind. "Hey, River. Wanna make her go bald?’

“Let's listen first, shall we?"

Sunflower paced back and forth. 'I do not like her with the alpha king.’

I peeked at them and saw Lady Juliana clutching the alpha king's arms. Sunflower growled and wanted to fight for control.

Biting my lips, it took me a lot to control her.

“Enough! Allow me to handle her, please?’

“Fine. Don't let them kiss or I will take over your body."

Sunflower went back to the background, still watching the two. I understood her reaction. No woman would just stay still even if the other person already knew that we were “exclusive’ for each other.

Seeing Lady Juliana was the reason why the alpha king never slept. To see the woman? At this hour? I felt...betrayed.

Was Lady Juliana that important?

“I don't want you,” the alpha king replied.

I mentally danced a happy dance at the alpha king's response.

Sorry, Lady Juliana. Maxxwell wanted me more than you.

Sunflower stood proudly.

“I am sure you will change your mind, Your Majesty, after I do this.”

My eyes widened when Lady Juliana suddenly kissed the alpha king. Before I could think, my feet suddenly moved and strolled toward them.