Protect Me, Alpha King
96. Betrayal

I hide the dagger on my hip and faced Dawn. Her eyes were wary and watched my every move.

I knew she was not the type to report to Maxxwell about what she heard this evening. I was glad Idid not necessarily give my permission in the revolt against the kingdom.

I felt butterflies in my stomach when she continued looking at me as if I committed the greatest sinof all mankind.

"Dawn. You don't have to look at me like that," I whispered. "Is the banquet done? I came here totake some fresh air to breathe but Tristan suddenly showed.”

"River. Entertaining him was a mistake.”

"I never thought he would show up,” I explained.

"River. Do you believe in his words? That's a rogue we are talking about here. They are cunning andthe only thing they wanted is to destroy this kingdom. That's the only thing they want.”

I looked away. "The age of the woman who might have put me in the river and Master Henderson'swords coincided, Dawn. I cannot stay still after hearing it.”

I heard her resounding footsteps.

The cold was becoming unbearable.

"Then what? You will betray the alpha king? Come on, River. The alpha king might be arrogant, cold,and ruthless, but he never abused you."

That hit a nerve.

In all honesty, I don't know what to do anymore.

But still...

"I don't know," I answered in a soft quiet voice.

Dawn closed the distance between us and held me in both frail hands, shaking me slightly.

"Alpha King Maxxwell is your mate. How could you betray him? You don't know how it feels likewhen your mate is dead, River. A dead mate is worst than rejection. You will be living in this world asif you are dead. Believe me, because I experienced it first hand, okay? Betraying the alpha king is notworth it. You should be the one helping him and protect him at all costs in your little way.”

I slapped away her hands and picked up the fallen leaves on the ground. "He betrayed me first," Imurmured.

Dawn's jaws dropped. "I am not expecting it hearing it from you, River," she said in disbelief.

I faced her, narrowing my eyes.

"Why? That's the truth, Dawn." Wiping angrily the tears, I added, "Looked at what he did to me. Hepromised to proclaim me as his queen but when Zenith came back, Alpha King Maxxwell tossed measide, forgetting his promise. What kind of mate did that?"

Dawn clicked her tongue. "He is in the process of gathering his thoughts right now, River. Please bepatient and wait for him. He will give you the answer to your question.”

"Bullshit!" I cursed which made her flinch. "Stop defending him, okay? He is a bastard! An asshole! Ajerk!"

It was called blasphemy when someone talked ill against the alpha king and called him names.

But right now. I did not care!

It was not a matter of loyalty but of knowing the truth behind my birth and right now, that mattersmost.

A burning feeling resurfaced in my chest. My breathing was heavier than usual.

"River. Listen to me."

"No, listen to me, Dawn. He did not care about me. All he cared is that woman! Damn him!"

"I understand your frustrations and anger, River, but that is not enough to betray the kingdom."

"I am not betraying the kingdom. I am merely looking for the truth about my birth. Nothing else!" Iexclaimed, pulling my hair in frustration. "Why can't you understand me?"

"What then if you will know that the rogue was telling the truth? Will you join hands with him?"

I gave her a nonchalant shrug.

"I don't know. And I don't understand why you kept on defending the alpha king. The former alphaking killed your mate, Dawn. You should have taken your revenge.”

Dawn's small smile wobbles, the happy facade slipping away. “Leave my mate out of theconversation.”

"I won't if it will make you help me. All of us were victims of the previous alpha king. We should getour revenge. You should help me," I coaxed.

"Our common enemy was the previous alpha king. Not your mate. Not this kingdom. Gatheryourselves together, River, and don't be swayed by the rogue's words.”

My lips thinned with irritation. "I thought you're the one who could help me, Dawn.”

She held her hand in the air.

"I will never help you betray the kingdom. But I can help you look for the records.”

My pulse pounded, hearing her words. Hope awakened. "You will?"

"Yes. If you want to know your parents. But if you want to jeopardize the kingdom's safety, I mustsay I will become your enemy. Look. I appreciate you freeing me from my slave status, River, butbetraying the kingdom is another thing. You can ask me anything you want, but not that, please. Iknow the feeling of how your treasured place will be crushed and pulverized in front of your eyes. Ino longer want to see more blood, River."

"This kingdom wronged you."

"The previous alpha king did.”

Dawn's eyes watered as she recalled her painful past. I mentally kicked myself for being a bitch andnot considering the woman's feelings.

I hung my head low. "I'm... sorry for only thinking about myself. It's just this is the closest answer Icould replace about my parents. I wanted to know them before I die, Dawn.” My voice cracked as I saidthose. My lips trembled, as I forced myself to hold my emotions to no avail.

Hot tears kept flowing.

Dawn's face softened and engulfed me with a hug. She patted my back, and I realized this was whatI needed the most this time—not the alpha king's embrace, but from a friend.

"We will do it later when the alpha king and the queen are drunk. So you have to go back to thebanquet, River, and get them drunk.” She pulled away. "You get that?"

I nodded and wiped my tears, determination in my eyes

If 1 had to go back to that hellish place—the banquet, I would do it for the sake of my parents.