Protect Me, Alpha King novel Chapter 22

I hastily stood and faced the alpha king, and bowed. It turned out he was not the only one. On his side was another man. It was the prince— Elijah. Back then, I saw him as the playful one, but this time, it seemed he turned into someone serious. His movements were alert, constantly looking at the side for any potential enemies. Other than Elijah, there were no more warriors.

"Your Majesty," I said, reminded of what the rogue had taught me. It should be Your Majesty. Not Your Highness. "You're here. It's too dangerous to be out in the open. The rogues are attacking the dungeon!"

How did he find me here? Did he see I was talking to the rogue? Possibly not. If he did, he wouldn't be talking to me now.

The words of the rogue echoed in my mind. He wanted this person dead.

Alpha King Maxxwell cocked his brows. "They can try, but they won't succeed. My warriors are already working. Who were you talking to earlier, River?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Did he see it?

No. He did not. Try to act calm, River.

I glanced at my back. The rogue wolf was nowhere to be seen. The only thing that I saw was the smoke from the explosion becoming bigger and the endless cries of the prisoners. There was also a fire. Gunshots were everywhere. Distant, but I was afraid it would reach us.

"Answer me, River," Alpha King Maxxwell demanded.

"N-no one, Your Majesty. I am telling the truth."

"Why are you out in the open, servant?" Elijah asked. I could not feel any suspicions in his voice. Only pure confusion.

"I ran in this part, sir. I was afraid I would be sandwiched between their fights and secure myself here." I acted as if I trembled. "I thought I would die because of the explosion."

My knees gave out. Elijah was suddenly on my side, supporting me, and believing my lies.

The alpha king remained standing. I fluttered my eyelashes and saw the expression in his eyes.

He did not believe my actions. I could see it from the way his brows furrowed. But perhaps he was tired from insisting on it so he let it go.

"Come on. Let's move, Elijah."

"This woman is in shock, Alpha King Maxxwell. Can we bring her inside the palace?"

I leaned my weight on Elijah, moaning.

"You can. I don't care."

------------------

The warriors were on high alert the moment we entered the palace. Servants were clinging to each other because of fear. Eruptions can still be heard.

When I looked around, Elijah was nowhere to be seen. Thinking he had other things to do, I looked at the alpha king's broad shoulder as I was tailing him. He was calm. As if the palace was not infiltrated by the rogues. How could he do that?

Because he is the alpha king, my mind answered.

He must remain calm so that his people won't panic.

"Your Majesty....can I ask something?"

"Questions again, River. You wouldn't stop, would you?"

Never. As long as I had my mouth with me.

I smiled even if he did not see my smile.

"Ask."

"Where are we going? Am I forgiven?"

"Three days was enough for your reflection. I know it will take another time for you to commit another mistake. The experience you had there is fresh in your mind. Did you learn a lot from staying there?"

My steps faltered but continued walking again. Learning a lot was an understatement.

"I tried to digest everything there, Your Majesty."

The servants despite the seriousness of the situation right now gawked at me, looking at my clothes. Right. I did not change my clothes. And I smelt not that good.

I put some distance between us and he easily noticed.

He stopped and faced me.

I shifted my weight from foot to foot.

"Why did you stop? Don't you know the rogue might enter this and kill us?"

I could not hide my horror. In love with him? Was he crazy? He was not even my mate, to begin with! Yes. He was handsome and had some amazing features but it stopped there.

I chuckled and then covered my mouth when I realized he may get the wrong ideas.

"A servant does not deserve your love, Your Majesty. And I am not in love with you or infatuated."

"Why?"

Why what?

"I don't understand what you wanted to hear, Your Majesty." My life was already full of hardships, and I did not want to have a mate who wouldn't treat me fairly. "I don't love you, Your Majesty. I do."

Disappointment crossed his face until he hid it away. Why did he feel like that? Did he think everyone would fall for him because he was the alpha king?

"You're lying."

I gaped at him. He was disillusioned. Not all servants fell in love with him.

I scratched the back of my neck. "I'm not, Your Majesty. My heart was already broken by Alpha Erik. It is beyond replaceable."

"That bastard does not deserve you at all, River."

I gave him a small smile. "I do not deserve him, Your Majesty. He is out of reach. I am a servant and he is an alpha."

"That's not the issue."

“The way you said it, Your Majesty felt like you already had experience with that,” I joked.

He narrowed his eyes and went silent just like that. His expression turned into stone.

“You’re imagining a lot of things,” he said. "Help me with my clothes, River," he ordered again.

Left with no choice, I went to him and lifted his clothes until he was left with nothing but his underwear.

My cheeks burned, refusing to meet his gaze. "Do you have anything to order, Your Majesty?"

"Join me in taking a bath," he demanded.