Protect Me, Alpha King
107. Do Not Leave Me

Before I could react, Tristan was able to slice my face drawing blood. It was too late to dodge.

He smirked and watched the trail of blood fall while I felt the stinging sensation of the wound.Damn.

Raising my fingers, I touched the wound and traced the length of the damage. I just hoped I couldstill heal it without leaving any scars. But if it will remain, I have to accept it.

"Bastard! Traitor!"

"A word of advice. Do not believe the words of a rogue. Like your sister.”

“Damn you!”

Tristan cleared his ears. “That's all you can say? Curse me?” He looked at the dagger. "You won'tfight? You will die being a coward, then. But as a grateful recognition of your efforts for healing meback then, I will make your death as painless as possible, River. And in memory also of Melissa andRobert."

And he lunged again.

This time, I was able to prepare myself. I shifted into my wolf and landed on fours.

He smirked at my beast form. "That's right. Do whatever you want to save yourself. Prove to yoursister that you deserve to be saved when you are still a baby. Melissa and Robert laid their lives foryou. But that was all in the past.”

Now that he had started talking about my parents, I wanted to ask him many questions, but Icouldn't because Sunflower had taken charge.

I howled, not letting my panic get through me. Compared to him, Tristan was an experienced fighterand a rogue on top of that. They were trained to fight at an early age to whatever means that couldsave themselves. In contrast, I was taught to work in the packhouse until my body gave up.

Weak or not, even if this will be my last time to breathe, I will die protecting this kingdom againstZenith and Tristan.

This time, I pounced first and attacked him, aiming for his neck.

However, Tristan’s movements were agile and fast, dodging my attacks easily. I tried again andagain, but the man just laughed at me.

Baring my fangs, I caught my breath as I struggled to maintain my composure.

Fighting against Tristan was futile, but if I stopped, that would mean I was accepting my death.

No freaking way!

“I'm getting bored, River. Let's end this.”

He readied his dagger and lounged again. His eyes told me he was aiming for the fast kill—a stabinto the neck to the side of the larynx.

He tried to stab me in my neck, but my wolf was faster than him. However, Tristan found someopening, and before I could evade it, he stabbed his dagger into my leg and twisted it.

I cried in pain.

He laughed, loving to hear my scream of pain.

Tristan pulled it out and managed to try to attack me again, this one aiming for my stomach. No. Mykidney.

But before he could succeed, a shriek broke out, drawing Tristan’s attention. Using that opportunity,despite the pain, I shifted back into my human form, grabbed the dagger lying on the side, andplunged it into his stomach, and drove it to the hilt. I missed the liver.

Tristan’s eyes widened, and he staggered backward.

"You!" he spat while pointing in my direction. He pulled out the dagger and threw it away.Wincing, I breathed a couple of times, preparing myself for his attacks.

The resounding footsteps of someone in a hurry were heard all over.

“Tristan! What is the meaning of this?” It was Zenith, rushing towards our direction. “You're killingRiver! She is on our side! She is my sister!”

The blood around his wound created a pool based on where he was stranding. My head spun as Icontinued watching the blood from his injury and mine.

I breathed deeply, trying not to faint at the sight.

Zenith watched me closely, inspecting my wounds. “What the fuck?” she cursed. “This is not part ofthe plan! We promised not to harm my little sister.”

Little sister.

Did it mean she accepted me?

Something warmed my heart.

“Lower your voice. The other might hear us.”

Zenith drew me closer to her side. My dizziness was temporarily forgotten because of her warmth.“Then what do you want me to do? What while you kill her?”

Glaring at me, Tristan muttered, “What should I do? Stay still while she wanted to ruin our plan? Weare already done with this, Zenith. You promise to help me when you return here in exchange foryour freedom.”

"And you promise to protect my sister.”

Wait.

Zenith was held against her will when she was missing.

"Something changed. She did not want to side with us.”

“I will change her mind. Go away for now. Tend your wounds. The other will sniff your wound andmay replace you here.”

“Your dear sister knew how to heal. Like your father. She can heal me.”

I snarled at him. “I will kill you first before I heal you. I am not a fool helping someone who wantedme dead, Tristan.”

Zenith took away her cloak and wrapped it around my body. To my surprise.

Still looking at Tristan, she said, “Go. We will discuss what happened here later.”

Giving me one last glare, the man shifted into his wolf form and blended into the darkness just likethat.

“River? Are you okay?" Zenith asked when it was only the two of us. She rechecked my wounds andsighed when the wound stopped bleeding.

“Your concern throws me off guard, Your Grace,” I muttered sarcastically. “For someone whose vowfor revenge weighed heavier than her sister.”

“Now is not the time for sarcasm? We should call the pack doctor.”

She ushered me inside while I was limping.

Damn it.

The stench of blood was too strong for me to handle.

I staggered, and Zenith helped me stand still. “I can't replace any servants,” she muttered frantically."What will we tell the pack doctor? That a rogue attacked me? And that rogue knows you? That weknow him? Are you willing to be branded as a traitor to the kingdom? Are you willing to sufferMaxxwell's wrath? He will be devastated after replaceing out about this betrayal, my sister.”

She stopped for a moment. “That's why you should never tell him.”

“Did he even matter to you, to begin with? You will kill him! Your betrayal will kill him. He hadchosen you over me. Which means he loved you more than me. Why can't you see that?" I askedout of anger.

My anger and the burning pain in my leg mixed together that it felt like I would explode anymoment from now. Plus, the blood. Oh, Moon Goddess.

“I won't kill, Maxxwell. Just this kingdom. This was the cause of all our family's suffering. Our parentsdid not wish for their children to become slaves. But look at what happened. We became slaves.Revenge for our parents keeps me going.”

I shook my head, realizing Zenith had already made up her mind.

Our steps faltered when we met the alpha king in the hallway. He was with Beta Valentine, and itseemed his beta was updating him about something. I had no plan to talk to him, so I retreated, butit was already late.

“River!”

Fuck.

Securing the cloak wrapped around my body, I waited for the alpha king and the beta to reach ourlocation.

“What's going on? Why do I smell blood on you?”

“It was nothing, Your—"

Before Zenith could finish her words, the alpha king closed the distance between us and yanked thecloak, only to return it again when she found I was naked underneath.

Hastily, he blocked Beta Valentine's view.

Cheeks flashing, Maxxwell said, “Fetch the pack doctor. Quick!”

"What happened, Your Majesty?” the beta asked.

“River is wounded. Do not waste any more time. Now!”

The beta had no choice but to follow him.

“Your Majesty, her wound is only shallow. I can handle it,” Zenith offered. “Right, River?”

I bit the inside of my cheeks.

I knew what she was doing. She did not want me to have a chance to talk with Maxxwell. She wasscared I might tell the alpha king the truth.

I moaned and touched my forehead. “I'm getting dizzy, Maxxwell. Please, do not go away. I needyou beside me.”

Zenith's eyes bulged, and she clenched her fist. Her eyes were asking me what I was doing. I wantedto say I hope to save her from death, but it would not reach her, anyway.

Without saying anything, Maxxwell carried me bridal style, securing the cloak around my body."Zenith. Fetch the pack doctor.”

"But the beta was already—"

“Now!” he barked.

Giving us one last look, Zenith turned her back at us, leaving me with the alpha king.

"Do not be afraid, River. I will make sure your wound will heal," he promised.

How could I tell him that his presence was enough to appease my mind? That his scent was enoughto calm the darkness which was trying to get over me?

The mark on my neck tingles at our distance.

"Do not leave me, Your Majesty," I begged like a child.