Protect Me, Alpha King
59. Master Henderson

I felt terrible for Delta Isagani after what I said. He wore the saddest expression he could musterwhile looking at me. I was tempted to take back my words, but I was certain no one was telling himhe was already making a fool out of himself.

"I am aware I am a coward when it comes to Lady Juliana, River." Quite the opposite when it comesto rogues. He was one of the bravest warriors of the alpha king, but when it came to his mate, it wasthe opposite.

"And it is time to change that, Delta Isagani. Or you can accept the two of you have no chance at allas long as Lady Juliana is still after the alpha king."

"I will wait for Lady Juliana. I know she will realize my importance.”

I rolled my eyes at him. "It will never happen. She's greedy for power. And if I were you, I would nolonger associate myself with that kind of woman. You deserve better than her.”

"Lady Juliana is the only one for me."

There we go again.

This conversation was over. There was no way I would get another fruitful discussion out of thisman,

"Sure. Sure.”

I tapped his back as if we were long friends, which widened his eyes. No slave in her right mindwould act as if she was free to do that. There was still a significant boundary between slaves andnobles.

Using the opportunity while he was still surprised, I stepped inside the carriage and asked thecoachman to hurry, leaving Delta Isagani eating the dust.

"River! Come back!" he shouted.

I stuck my head at the window and waved at him.

"I will be back, Delta Isagani. That's a promise!" If I make it out alive, I want to add but leave thosewords.

Going to the slave auction house turned out peacefully, unlike what the twins had worried about. Istarted the trip in the morning and reached the place when it was already noon. No bandits norrogues were waiting to ambush me.

The place was buzzing with nobles, with their slaves tailing with them. Nothing seemed to change inthis place. It was the same place when I was seven years old.

I closed my eyes as painful memories flashed in my mind. There was no time to reminisce aboutthose.

Opening my eyes, I fixed my dress and shawl. "I'll be quick," I told the coachman. "Please wait forme."

I stepped out of the carriage.

"Please do it quickly, River. I don't want the alpha king to be mad at me.”

"It's okay. I'll take the blame. Fetch me inside if I do not return after an hour.”

"An hour? That would be too long. Make it half an hour. That's the longest waiting time I can onlygive you so far.”

"Okay. Thank you. I'll be in a hurry,” I said and stepped forward while carefully placing my shawlaround my shoulders.

The auction house was busier than usual. I had to swim around the herd. The guards stopped mefor a second, looking at me back and forth.

"Slaves without their master are not allowed to enter here. Go away."

Damn it.

Slaves were forbidden to enter alone. It would be better if the alpha king would join me. However,since I did not want him to know I came here, I did it alone.

The two guards looked like giants compared to my height. They were pretty bulky and would breakmy bones in a snap. One wrong move, and they will kill me in an instant.

Straightening my shoulders and refusing to be intimidated, I said, "I'm not a slave.”

The two scoffed. "Where is your slave certificate?”

"How could I have one if I am a free woman?"

They leaned on me, trying to scare me away. But I held my ground. I was trying to beat the time,and conversing and answering their interrogation would only make my stay longer.

"Ridiculous. You have a funny scent.”

The alpha king's scent. I want to show them his mark, for they would instantly recognize it, but thatwould also mean endangering my life. So as of now, it would be better to hide it from them

"It's because this is my original scent." I glanced around. No one was paying attention to us.Secretly, I brought out two gold coins. The two men cleared their throats. "Would you be kind tothis helpless young lady?"

One of them leaned forward, motioning me to drop the coins into his pocket. Smiling, I secretlyslipped them.

Distancing myself, I said, "Gentlemen, thank you so much for helping this poor woman."

"Just go."

I did.

The auction was not yet starting. However, the enslaved people to be auctioned were alreadywaiting. A cuff was chained on their neck and wrist, ensuring they would never run away.

The nobles were already making their bets, eyeing everyone they wanted to acquire.

Damn them. How could they do this?

I found them repulsive, enjoying others’ misery. If only I had the means to buy every slave here andask for their slave certificate so they would tear them away, that would be magnificent.

That's enough, River. It would be best if you found Master Henderson, my mind said.

Right.

Where was that old and dirty man? He was usually roaming around, making sure that the nobleswere safe inside.

I craned my neck and looked for him based on what I had remembered.

And there. I found him! Master Henderson. The king of this auction house.

He was barking orders at his men, making sure that everything would be fine as it was. He stoodfour feet and two inches, shorter than the average height of men, but it was not his height that wasremarkable. It was the power he carried with him.

One glare from Master Henderson made his men shiver in fear. Master Henderson can decide ifthey will include them to be sold. One single mistake and they will kiss their freedom goodbye."Master Henderson!" I called him.

His eyes narrowed at my approaching form

"Who are you?"

Looking down while bowing, I said, "I am River from the Lycan kingdom. One of Alpha KingMaxxwell. Alpha of all alphas.”

Glaring at me, he asked, "Are you a noble? Your clothes are not that noble-like. You're mated. Whereis your mate?"

Do I look like someone who needed a chaperone? I am perfectly fine traveling alone.

However, it was not time to argue.

"Master Henderson, my mate, said he would be back later. He is currently checking the slaves to beauctioned,” I lied with a straight face. I was getting better at telling lies, and I was afraid I wouldbecome professional because of it.

"Why did you approach me? Tell me what you want, woman. The auction will start three minutesfrom now. Don't waste my time chatting with me."

He turned his back, and I encircled and was in his front.

"I want to know about Zenith. He was the slave brought by the alpha king a couple of years ago. Idon't know when."

He stiffened as well as the other guards surrounding him. He turned sideways.

"I don't know that woman. Don't you know the alpha king had given a decree forbidding anyone totalk about that name? I don't want to be beheaded."

"We can talk about that, Master Henderson.”

I pulled out the bag given by the twins. I was glad I accepted their money.

Master Henderson saw it, looked at his men, and said, "Go now. Secure the parameter. No roguesshould be able to infiltrate this place, or I will kill all of you. I want a perfect auction for today.”

His men easily dispersed until we were left. Whispering, he said, "How much are you willing to pay?""I can give you all of this." I played with the bag, putting it on my left and then my right hand. "I'msure you don't want this to be put to waste, Master Henderson."

"Who are you? Your face seemed familiar."

My heart jumped. He must never remember I was brought here once by Alpha Wade.

I put my fingertips on my chin. "Someone curious to know about her."

He looked at me, hard. "Now that you mention it, you look like that woman. But if someone caughtus talking about her—"

"I assure you no one will know, Master Henderson, as long as we talk somewhere private. But if youdon't want it, I'll go back to my husband and buy a slave that would suit our taste. So what do youthink, Master Henderson?" I asked while jiggling the bag.