Protect Me, Alpha King
77. Vengeance?

Did I love the alpha king? Love? What kind of emotion was that? All through my life, I never feltloved.

I had never received such gestures.

When I could not answer Alpha Erik's question, he smirked, feeling triumphant.

“I knew it, River. I don't think you loved him in the first place. Everything is a facade to fool thepeople—our packmates. You still love me, right?” he asked with a hopeful look.

He attempted to close the distance between us, but I stepped back while glaring at him.

What the fudge?

"What the fuck are you talking about, Alpha Erik?"

He opened and closed his mouth. Then, he asked, "You love...him?"

Lifting my chin, I turned my expression serious.

"Of course! Who would never love the alpha king? I love the alpha king. It was love at first sight,” Istarted lying.

He shrunk back.

Good. Go, River. Fool him.

"Is that true?" he whispered.

"You think I am lying?"

“Don't say hurtful things to him," my wolf meddled.

“Don't defend him. He hurt us, to begin with. He rejected us. Did you forget that? Do not tell me youchanged your mind?!

My wolf whimpered.

'I pity him."

I scoffed inwardly.

'He did not deserve it. Step back. I will handle him," I said and muted her from my mind.

"You are only with him for a few months.”

"Time did not matter, Alpha Erik. Being with me made me feel like I had known him for a long time."The lies were starting to be real to me.

When Alpha Erik fell silent, I added, "Who would not fall for his charms? He is the king himself.Strong, powerful, handsome, and sexy. Above all, he never discriminated against anyone.”

Just like that, Alpha Erik's light vanished from his eyes. " I got it, River. No need to tell me more.”But I did not stop. My mouth already had a mind of its own. The words kept on spouting out of mymouth.

“What made you think I am not in love with Alpha King Maxxwell? He is my first love and will be mylast, Alpha Erik. We are head-over-heels with each other. He looks for me whenever I am out of sightand takes care of me. He always reminded me to eat my breakfast if I forgot about it. I think thoseare enough reasons, Alpha Erik. Do you want me to add more proof?”

“It seemed like you're not in love with each—"

Faking a surprised look, I covered my mouth with one hand. “Unacceptable! We are! We do notalways have to show it to the whole pack, don't we? To his people. It only happens between closeddoors, if you know what I mean,” I declared, cutting off his words. "No. I don't think you get what Imean. I am talking about sex."

His cheeks burned. "Really?"

Really? That was all he could say? I was trying to make him jealous but it seemed like I was notsuccessful.

I folded my arms in front of my chest. “Is that all you will say?"

"What else can I say? You already proved your point."

I looked around. Two warriors were already scanning the surroundings. And when they spotted us,they did not continue and went in the other direction. Which reminded me of the alpha king. Washe sleeping as he said?

"The alpha king might be looking for me now. I have to go.” I already inhale all the fresh air in thiscourtyard

"Wait, River. I was not yet done with what I wanted to say.”

I scratched my chin. “Say it now.”

He sighed. “In all honesty, I asked you to come here to ask if you can give me a chance. Maybe youare only trying to get revenge after rejecting you.”

I looked at him in disbelief, until my lips formed into a wide smile, and laughed until I clutched mystomach with my hands. Tears fell from my eyes while looking at him, giving me a confused look.When I recovered, I wiped my tears using one of my free hands. “You think this is all part of myrevenge?” Well, you got it right, Alpha Erik, but there was no way I would say you are correct.“Delusional. Do you think I will become miserable for what you did? Shame on you,” I spat. “AlphaErik, you are listening to too many cliche romance stories.”

Alpha Erik shifted his weight from side to side. He moved his glance towards the trees at my back.“I was wrong, then.”

“Correct. Next time, do your research before you say something which will only humiliate you.”“Understood,” he replied, letting out a long sigh.

“If you have nothing to say, let's stop this conversation. I hope this will be the last time you will talkto me. I don’t want the alpha king to say that I am trying to get back to you when it is the other wayaround. I don't want to ruin the trust of the person who accepted me whole.”

I stepped backward.

"Can I say one last thing?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "You're making this conversation longer than intended. I would think youwanted to be with me."

"Beware of my father. He has something on his sleeve. I don't know what it was, but my gut tells meto tell you.”

Hearing it coming from his mouth was no longer surprising. I knew Alpha Wade like the back of hishand and how his mind works. He will do something evil. A slave who suddenly rose to rank was notin his vocabulary.

"Why are you being disgustingly kind to me, Alpha Wade?" I asked, showing my disgust. "When Iwas a slave, you were cursing my existence. When your father punished me, you only stood and didnot do anything. Tell me what changed your mind now. Is it because I am the alpha king's matenow?"

He shook his head. "It's not like that."

"Then what? Don't play mind games with me, alright? I hated it."

"I want to have a good relationship with you and the alpha king. Haverstone Pack and the kingdomof Vernice should create a harmonious relationship.”

Alpha Erik excelled in giving me dissatisfaction in life. Why can't he say sorry directly?

"A good relationship, you say? If you want that one, stop your father from causing any harm to thealpha king."

"It's not him he was trying to harm. It's you, River."

I was right. "Why are you telling me your father's secrets? Don't you know I can ask the alpha kingto put him in prison? My words are the alpha king's words.”

"l don't know. My wolf could not stay still. He is urging me to help you and ensure you are safe.”That was understandable. Since he was the one who rejected me, the Moon Goddess won't allowhim to be paired with another she-wolf, forcing him to be accountable for what he did. He wouldforever be with someone who was not his fated mate

If he were lucky, he would marry someone he loved.

"Tell your beast we are over as well as this conversation.”

After the talk with Alpha Erik, I went back to our chamber. On the way, a servant told me that thealpha king was looking for me.

Damn.

Our conversation between Alpha Erik and me took longer than I intended.

My mind wandered back to our conversation without looking my way when I bumped intosomeone.

I staggered backward and looked. Before I could see who I bumped into, someone slapped mehard. And it hurt like hell.