Protect Me, Alpha King
69. What's Mine is Mine

Killing Alpha Wade? His death would surely bring me joy. He was the cause of all my mysteries. Butif someone does it for me, it will not get me any happiness.

I want to do it with my own hands. I did not know if I had the will to do that, but I would wait forthat to happen.

In the end, I answered, “No, thank you, Dawn. You already did a lot for me. It is enough. This is mybattle. You don’t have to meddle.”

Her face fell. Wait. Was she really serious about killing Alpha Wade? Still bowing her head, Dawnsaid, “I never did anything for you. Killing Alpha Wade is the only thing I can do for you, River. Giveme your permission.”

I sighed. “Alpha Wade is not an easy enemy, Dawn. He has tight security all over the pack, and ifever they capture you, they will only torment you before they kill you. You are safe here. Let mehandle my problems.”

"Are you sure?”

I was not really sure if I could handle it facing Alpha Wade. But I had no choice.

It was already nighttime, and to my surprise, the alpha king never went outside the palace. Afterdinner, Alpha King Maxxwell retreated to his chamber, and I went after him. I tried to serve him—ask him what he wanted me to do, but his answer? He wanted me to rest and recuperate mystrength after seeing me talking with Dawn.

I was strong as an elephant! Why couldn't he see that? My stamina was already back to its fullpotential, thanks to my wolf, who was still silent. Besides, if someone needed to rest, it was noneother than Dawn! It was she who was wounded that time. Not me.

I was already bored from staying in the chamber, jealous of the enslaved people below who werebusy working.

My body wanted to work, but the alpha king had already given his order—that I should rest.

Lying side by side, an arm's length between us, I listened to the silence surrounding us. We were justlike that for almost an hour. And I was getting bored despite my attempt to fall asleep.

The alpha king was not yet asleep like me. Thoughts about our trip tomorrow invaded my mind. Iwondered if he was the same.

“Your Majesty.”

He groaned. “Sleep, River. No more talking. We will start our journey before morning breaks.”

We haven't even talked.

“I can't sleep, Your Majesty. It's better if we will talk while we wait for sleep to take over us.”

“Your mind won't stop thinking, huh.”

I exhaled and rolled to my sides, facing him. It turned out he was already on his side, watching mesilently.

"Yes. It's too loud, and I need someone to listen to my thoughts, Your Majesty. Pretty please?” Iasked, fluttering my eyelashes.

His heart beat louder than before, and he looked away.

“I'm not the right person for that.”

“Can I go outside then? And look for Elijah?”

His face darkened, and he said, “I can spare you a few moments of my time, and then we will sleep.”I nodded, feeling victorious. I edged closer to him. “What do you want to talk about?”

"Why are you here?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “This is my chamber. Why are you driving me away?"

I rolled my eyes at him. He did not comment.

“I mean, you usually return at dawn. So why aren't you searching for your beloved woman rightnow?"

“I know it. You're starting to pry on my private life again.”

I sat and turned sideways, facing him. His Majesty did the same, giving me the perfect view of hisnaked chest. He usually sleeps naked on top while wearing his loose pants on the lower part of hisbody. Those rock-hard abs were to die for. Totally mouth-watering.

“It's nothing like that. I'm merely curious, Your Majesty. And my mind would not stop thinking if Idid not replace some answers."

Shaking his head, he went to the balcony. Like a dog, I tailed him while fixing my robe, securing ittightly around my body.

The cool air hit my skin, and I shivered.

Looking over his shoulder, the alpha king noticed my trembling and wrapped me around his arms,drawing me closer to his body. Sharing his warmth.

The strong scent of sandalwood hit my senses, nearly knocking me over.

My wolf was suddenly on her fours, purring.

What the heck? So she would not show herself if the alpha king did not draw me to his body?Nervously, I chuckled while putting both hands on his bare chest, attempting to push him away.He was dangerously close to me, and I didn't particularly appreciate how my body responded to hiscloseness. My heart beat wildly as if it was trying to come out from my ribcage, and the only thing Iheard was the soft thumping of his heart, slowly calming me.

“Kiss him," my wolf ordered.

I glared at her.

“What do you take me for? A whore?’

"You kissed him once. What difference did it make now, River?"

She was with me all along, but she kept her presence hidden.

“No way! Do you know this man loved someone else? I don’t want him kissing me while thinking ofsomeone else.’

“What a bummer,’ she answered and retreated to the darkness. Thankfully, she understood thiscomplicated situation we are in now.

"What are you thinking, River?” the alpha king whispered in my ears, bringing me back to thepresent.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I looked at him.

Wrong move.

His lips were dangerously closer to me, and his plump lips were inviting and tempting me to kisshim.

Fudge.

Releasing a shaky breath, I said, “Y-Your Majesty, if it's not too much to say, but can you release me?This is becoming uncomfortable.” My body loved the closeness and wanted something more likerunning my hands on his chest while drawing his face towards mine. The mark on my neck wastingling as if it was begging to be kissed. “Others may see us.”

Instead of releasing me, he put his hand on the balcony railings and another on my waist and staredstraight ahead.

“Don’t you know the rumors surrounding the palace?”

Rumors? I was not yet updated. After my talk with the twins, we had no chance to talk again. Dawnwas also nowhere in sight.

“I don't know, Your Majesty. May I know?”

“Rumors said that we are mates.”

My mouth gaped open. I expected it, but I was still surprised about it.

"What was your reaction, Your Majesty?”

"What should be my reaction, River?” he inquired back.

"Aren“t you furious?”

"Why should 2"

“It may pressure you. Some may ask you to take me as your mate officially since that shouldhappen.” But because you still love Zenith...you cannot do it.

“When I become ready, I will give you my decision.”

I smiled bitterly. I wondered when he would be ready when he was still in love with the woman.What did he think of me? A child whom he could easily fool?

“You can reject me after we visit my pack and say that we are not mates.”

The alpha king released me. I thought he would return to our bed, but instead, he cupped my faceand forced me to look at him.

“I won't reject you, River.” His statement never changed.

I scoffed. “And then what, Your Majesty? You will make me your concubine if your beloved Zenithcomes back?” I was taunted. Because of his unwavering efforts of searching for the woman, I wasstarting to believe that what if she was alive? “I don't want to share someone's heart, Your Majesty.What's mine should be mine alone. I never share.”

I thought he would kiss me when he leaned closer to me, but to my disappointment, he put hismouth on my ears, creating a tingling sensation.

It took me a lot of strength to stop myself from moving too much and doing the things my sinfulmind told me.

“You know what?"

"What?" I answered, forgetting how to breathe.

“I'm teaching myself how to accept that Zenith has already left this world. I want the two of us tostart together. I will introduce you as my queen when we arrive at your pack, River. So please do agood job of being on your best behavior.”

"I am on my best behavior, Your Majesty," I answered, smiling sweetly. "But why the sudden changeof mind? Before, you strongly believed Zenith is still alive, but now, you think she is dead? Pleaseenlighten me, Your Majesty.”