《Protect Me Alpha King》


 01. That Scent

    01. That Scent


    I could not help but feel giddy as I was preparing for the Mating Ceremony despite the tiredness I felt in


    my body. I could no longer muster up a single ounce of strength anymore, and was thankful everything


    was already done.


    I wiped the sweat on my forehead and watched the other she-wolf ecstatic over the ceremony.


    A group of women passed in front of me while I was holding a bucket of water.


    ¡°Look at that ve,¡± Iris said, the Gamma¡¯s daughter whose role was to make me miserable. Not only


    mine but the other servants'' as well. ¡°She is carrying that big bucket while a dark smudge of coal was


    all over her face. Disgusting!¡±


    The otherughed at me.


    I sighed as I chose not to fight them. If they were preparing for the ceremony, I was too. Today was my


    birthday and hopefully, today would be the time I would find my mate.


    ¡°Not now, Iris.¡±


    I nned on passing them, but the woman had no ns of allowing me to slip and yanked my hair.


    "Let me go!" I said as I tried to swallow the pain.


    I yelped in pain and instantly maneuvered my body then grabbed her hand and twisted it.


    She cried and let go of my hair.


    ¡°How dare you do that!¡± she eximed, fuming. She touched her hair as if she was afraid a few strands


    of it were missing.


    I put my hand at the back and let go of some strands I grabbed from her scalp.


    I looked her in the eyes. ¡°Forgive me, Iris but I have no ns of getting bullied today. I have to prepare


    for the Mating Ceremony.¡±


    Sheughed at me as if she had forgotten I fought back earlier.


    ¡°You? Attending the Mating Ceremony? You¡¯re practically wolfless, River. You will never meet your


    mate. Good luck with finding him.¡±


    I clenched my teeth. Wolfless means I had no wolf and that I will have a hard time finding my mate


    because of that. But I am certain I will find him this evening.


    ¡°Yeah. Thank you for wishing me luck,¡± I said instead. ¡°Now, if you will excuse me.¡±


    To my surprise, they just let me go. Without wasting any time, I hurried to my room and prepared


    myself for the Mating Ceremony.


    "You will never find him and if he does, he will reject you instantly because you are an omega!"


    I was wrong.


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


    The Mating Ceremony was one of the most exciting events for us werewolves since it was the time


    when we would have the greatest chance of finding our mates. And that was what I was doing. I will


    find him today, on my birthday.


    I had prepared for this night.


    I craned my neck and looked for anything that would interest me. In a couple of minutes now, every one


    of us will find our mates.


    ¡°Oh, who do we have here?¡± It was Iris again. Without her minions. She looked at me from head to foot


    as if she was checking if I was wearing the right attire. It was a red dress with a high-slit cut on the legs


    that nearly exposed my breast. She snickered. ¡°Oh. Others might be fooled, River. You do not look like


    a ve now.¡±


    I balled my fist. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to do, Iris? It would be better if you look for your mate now. Or


    else, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will knock only once.¡±


    The Mating Ceremony was only done once a year and every unmated male from the different packs


    would being to the selected venue. This time, it was Haverstone Pack.


    ¡°Why would I when I know for a fact that my mate is Alpha Erik.¡±


    Alpha Erik was our alpha who was also looking for his luna. I caught a glimpse of him once, earlier


    talking with another alpha.


    ¡°Congrattions, then,¡± I said. "I am happy for you."


    Her eyes narrowed at me. ¡°Are you making fun of me, Dog Servant?¡±


    Dog Servant was the moniker they had given to me. I hated that name.


    I gave her a forced smile. ¡°I¡¯m not. You¡¯re thinking too much, Iris. Look for Alpha Erik, then. You two


    would be a lovely pair.¡±


    ¡°I will! Wait and you will know I am not lying! Alpha Erik is my mate! I will not allow him to be paired with


    other bitches. Not even you.¡±


    ¡°Are you threatened by my presence, Iris?¡±


    Sheughed at me as she pointed her fingers in my direction.


    ¡°You? Delusional. No one wanted to have you, River. Not even the lowest rank of the pack. Your life is


    a mystery. You didn''t even know your parents, to begin with!¡±


    I bit back the tears after she reminded me of my family. "Don''t drag them."


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    It was right. It looked like I was an orphan. I was seen floating in the River, floating. And with no


    identification, they just called me River Williams.


    "Perhaps they know you will be a problematic child that is why they leave you alone."


    I saw red. I wanted to scratch her perfect face and leave a scar out of it, but stopped. I would be


    punished and will not be allowed to attend anymore Mating Ceremony.


    "You deserve to be treated coldly, Iris. And about my mate rejecting me? We will see about that after


    this Mating Ceremony. If you excuse me.¡±


    Without waiting for her approval, I turned my back and went in whatever direction my feet would carry


    me. I was led to an empty corridor of the pack house. To calm my nerves. The need to poke her eyes


    was still overflowing.


    Until I stumbled upon a delicious fruity scent. As if all my favorite fruits were mixed together.


    My eyes widened when I realized something. It was no other than my mate! He is here!


    Without even realizing it, I went to the source and stopped when I saw the back of a certain man and


    even if I did not see his face, I knew who it was. Alpha Erik!

 02. Call Me Maxxwell

    02. Call Me Maxxwell


    "Alpha Erik," I whispered against my breath.


    I felt my breath leave out of my lungs as realization dawned on me. Alpha Erik? Why did it have to be


    him?


    I staggered back and felt the air in my lungs left. The alpha of the Haverstone? But Iris made sure she


    would be the alpha¡¯s mate.


    I was on the brink of running away from him when he noticed my presence.


    ¡°ve!¡± he called me. ¡°Do not run,¡± he ordered. ¡°Face me.¡±


    I halted.


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    Thank the Moon Goddess we were all alone. Or others might have known we were mates.


    ¡°A-Alpha Erik,¡± I greeted. ¡°A pleasant evening.¡±


    He was alone. No women.


    The more he went closer to me, the more the scent was too strong. I no longer need my wolf to certify


    that we were indeed mates.


    His lips curled as he looked at my body. ¡°At first nce, everyone would think you not a ve because


    of your dress.¡±


    I slightly bowed my head. To appease his mood.


    ¡°It is I, your humble ve, Alpha Erik. Forgive me for disturbing you in this ce. I will go now,¡± I said


    softly.


    ¡°You are my mate. A ve? Impossible.¡± My heart hammered against my chest. He encircled me and


    stopped.


    It would be better if my mate was an ordinary person in the pack. Someone who was not holding any


    positions. Perhaps he still had the heart to ept me for who I am.


    ¡°I-I am.¡±


    Did he scoff? ¡°A ve? Really? Is the Moon Goddess joking right now? What kind of cruel joke is this?


    I got excited about finding my mate this evening only to know it is you, Dog ve?"


    Heughed as if he was a madman.


    It felt like something was blocking my throat. Touching my mouth, I tried to calm my breath.


    ¡°Forgive me, Alpha Erik. It also not my intention to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I, Alpha Erik of the Haverstone Pack reject River Williams as my mate. Your position in the pack


    sickened me. Did you use some sort of sorcery so that my wolf will acknowledge you as mine?¡±


    I was astonished at his derations. He easily rejected me without even knowing me. How cruel of him


    to do that!


    ¡°Alpha Erik, I... can''t you give me a chance? I promise. I will be a good mate. I will serve you and honor


    you with all my life. I can be your ve if you want. I can pleasure you in bed. Tell me anything and I


    will do it. Just don''t reject me, please?¡±


    I tried to touch his hands, but he easily shook them off and pushed me. I nearly lost my footing but


    maintained my bnce.


    My eyes watered as I saw his disgust. ¡°Do you listen to yourself? How could I let someone, a ve be


    my Luna? The other alpha will ridicule me and I will be the talk of the town, woman." He turned his


    back to me, ending our conversation. "Go, Dog ve. Before anyone will see us. I don¡¯t want to create


    another confusion. Remember. No one must know about our connection. No one. If they find out about


    this, I will severely punish you and put you in a dungeon where you will never see the sun for a few


    days.¡±


    And he turned his back on me without batting an eye.


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


    "Wait for it, Alpha Erik. You will regret what you just did," I told myself.


    After swallowing in pain, I realized I never wanted to be the loser this evening. So, I decided I will look


    for someone who will mark me and I will show it to Alpha Erik. I will tell him straight in his face that


    someone out there had epted me despite my ve status.


    "Tonight, everyone will look at me in envy."


    I was d that during the Mating Ceremony, I had been given the chance to participate in the said


    activity since we were all given the chance to look for our mate regardless of the status.


    So I sauntered onto the dance floor and danced my way out (thankful I had some dance moves with


    me). Everyone was having the best time of their lives, while I did not. My heart was silently weeping


    and bleeding.


    Suddenly, someone wrapped his arms around my waist. And oh, boy, he smelled so good.


    "Remember. You are not a ve of Haverstone Pack now," I told myself.


    My mood instantly became better and I swung my hips seductively, moving toward the man''s body.


    He groaned and felt his member getting hard as moments passed.


    ¡°Woman...¡± the deep voice said.


    Woman. Not beautiful nor ve. But a woman. Someone called me without mocking me or making fun


    of me.


    "You know how to seduce me," the stranger said again.


    "Well, you asked for it," I replied using my sultry voice. I grinned my butt in his front and he buried his


    face in my neck and inhaled.


    "Hmmm. Your scent is driving me crazy," he whispered against my skin.


    The hairs on my skin stood. In a nice way.


    I refused to be choosy and faced someone who had the guts to dance with me and came face to face


    with a man who was sexy as hell.


    This man literally took my breath away.


    ¡°Close your mouth. But if you want, I can do something about that,¡± he said. He leaned on me, nearly


    kissing me.


    Chiseled cheekbones. Check. Blue eyes. Check. Ripped muscles. Check.


    My mind was screaming that I had found the perfect man. All I needed to do was ask him to mark me.


    As simple as that. Or that was what I thought.


    I looked beside him but saw no one. Not a woman. No marks. He was still unmated.


    ¡°I-I want you,¡± I said, gathering all my courage. Perhaps it would be better if I just drank some liquor to


    give me more boldness.


    The surprise on his face was evident. But it quickly disappeared.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes!¡± I said. "My insides are dying to touch you."


    The world stopped. Well. That''s what I felt upon staring at him.


    He dipped his mouth into mine. The world exploded at my back and the only thing I felt was his expert


    mouth exploring me, kissing me while all I could do was stand frozen.


    "We have to go somewhere silent."


    The next thing I knew, he brought me into an empty corridor of the pack house and we were kissing


    wildly as I learned it from him.


    This man was smoking hot and his expert hands were roaming all over my body. I felt hot all over


    despite my inexperience in this field. All I did was learn from him and vi!


    "You''re so good at kissing," Imented.


    He chuckled and could not get enough of kissing me as if it had been a thousand years since hest


    kissed a woman.


    Remembering the reason why I was kissing him, I put my hands on his broad chest and said, ¡°Wait. Let


    me know your name first.¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes were filled with lust and my face flushed as I realized I was the reason for that.


    Both of us were breathing deeply, both catching our breaths.


    ¡°Ahm...may I know your name now? I don¡¯t want to kiss aplete stranger without even knowing his


    name, to begin with. Let me make it clear that I am not a slut.¡±


    He smirked. ¡°Maxxwell. Call me Maxxwell.¡±

 03. You Will Mark Me?

    03. You Will Mark Me?


    Maxxwell.


    The name rang a bell. It seemed like I had heard that one but forgot about it.


    I looked up at him, forcing myself to remember, and scowled. ¡°Maxxwell? What pack do you belong


    to?¡±


    ¡°I live in the kingdom,¡± he said, nonchntly.


    That made me even more confused. The only one who lived in the pce was the king and his


    subordinates.


    ¡°Why do you live in the kingdom? Are you the king?¡± I asked, chuckling. I put another distance between


    us and fixed myself, always ncing if someone was nearby. I did not want to be the talk of the town


    again.


    ¡°I am.¡±


    I stared at him. Longer than I intended.


    I threw back my head andughed. ¡°If you are the king, then I am the Lycan queen,¡± I said. I waited for


    him tough also. But he did not.


    The man did not share my happiness. He folded his arms in front of his chest and watched me with


    curiosity.


    I gulped. Oh, Moon Goddess. ¡°Wait. Are you for real? You really are the king? The alpha king?¡±


    ¡°I am the alpha king.¡± My heart skipped a bit. ¡°I am King Maxxwell from the Lycan kingdom. I came


    here to witness the Mating Ceremony and join the event in hope of finding my mate.¡±


    My eyes widened at his announcement.


    ¡°Y-your lying.¡± There was no way the alpha king would allow me to dance with him, and be in the


    presence of someone like me.


    Images of what I had done resurfaced. I felt my cheeks burn.


    "What if I am not? What will you do?"


    I shook my head, refusing to believe his words. There was no way, right?


    "Look for yourself, woman."


    Then he held his hand and showed me his wrist. It had a tattoo of a wolf with a crown. And the only one


    who owned that design was the alpha king himself. If anyone was seen copying the tattoo, he would be


    instantly killed.


    I stepped back while I covered my mouth. I was freaking out in the presence of the alpha king! And I


    just kissed him!


    ¡°Oh, Moon Goddess,¡± I whispered.


    Then, I instantly kneeled and bowed my head. ¡°Forgive me for my improper behavior, Your Majesty. I


    did not know it was you. You''re ungrateful servant deserved to be punished for her misconduct.¡±


    ¡°No one recognized me earlier. I masked my scent and put on another face. But now, you are seeing


    the real face of the alpha king. Rise, woman. You did nothing wrong except to stop me from kissing


    you. I must admit I had a good time in this pack. All thanks to you.¡±


    Without letting him say it again, I rose. I did not want to anger him any more. It had a hell of eighteen


    years of learning that superiors did not like it when they waited.


    ¡°Look me in the eyes. I like the color of your eyes, woman.¡±


    I held my breath as I gazed at him.


    ¡°My name is River, Your Majesty. I was found on the river, hence my name. And I am a ve in this


    pack.¡± I did not want to pretend to be him with someone I am not.


    King Maxxwell cocked his eyebrows. ¡°I remembered you want something from me. What is that?¡±


    I gulped and shook my head profusely. There was no way he would respond to my request.


    ¡°Please forget about it, Your Majesty. It is not important.¡±


    ¡°It seemed significant to you. Let¡¯s hear from you first and I will judge whether I will help you or not.¡±


    I shuffled my feet and thought about whether I would say it or not. However, it seemed like King


    Maxxwell had no ns of letting me go unless I told him about it.


    ¡°Well? Is that how Haverstone Pack treated the Lycan King? Do you make me wait?¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty. This sounds crazy."


    "Let''s see how crazy it sounds."


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    "Please mark me.¡±


    I held my breath as King Maxxwell only stared at me. It was so long that I regretted telling him.


    ¡°I-I know it sounds crazy, Your Majesty. That is why I hesitated in telling you about it.¡±


    ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°I am of legal age, Your Majesty. Eighteen years old. Just now.¡±


    ¡°And you did not find your mate?¡±


    I was silent for a moment. ¡°I-I have¡­but he rejected me because I am a ve.¡±


    My heart constricted as I remembered how Alpha Erik easily rejected me.


    ¡°Who?¡± he barked.


    ¡°My alpha. Alpha Erik of Haverstone Pack. He did not want a ve as his mate. I understand his point,


    but I was just hurt.¡±


    King Maxxwell raised his brows. ¡°Why? Why do you want me to mark you, River?¡±


    The way the words rolled from his mouth sounded sexy.


    ¡°I want to show him that someone still wants me despite my status as a ve, Your Majesty. I thought


    you were the best candidate but that was before I knew who you were.¡±


    ¡°Given I will make your request, what will I have in return?¡±


    My heart hammered against my chest as I listened to him. ¡°You are seriously considering my plea, Your


    Majesty? You will mark me?¡±

 04. Be My Personal Slave

    04. Be My Personal ve


    I pped my mouth when I realized what I had asked. An alpha king marking a ve? Impossible.


    There was no history recorded about that.


    "What can you give in return?" King Maxxwell asked me again. "Give and take, River. That''s how the


    world works. Marking someone is not an easy thing to do."


    ¡°And it is usually done between mates. But we are not, Your Majesty.¡± I looked at the ground realizing I


    have nothing in return. No money. No identity. "I-I can offer my body, Your Majesty. If you want. I can be


    your ve. You can ask me to clean your kingdom and work with the other servants you have."


    He looked at me sharply. "Your body?"


    "I-I can give you a moment of pleasure?" Even if I did not know how? Perhaps I will learn if King


    Maxxwell would teach me.


    His cold stairs burned at my soul. "I have lots of women waiting for my disposal," he said. "You''re


    nothingpared to them, River. They are more experienced than you. Besides, you look like a child. I


    do not want anyone thinking I corrupted the mind of a child."


    My heart sank. I lowered my head, embarrassed that I have nothing to offer.


    "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I have nothing to offer. All I want is to avenge myself. I have no friends here.


    They treated me like dirt. Oh. I''m sorry for my ramblings, this has nothing to do with you, Your Majesty.


    I don''t have to let you know how miserable my life is."


    I wiped the tears from my eyes as I realized I looked pathetic in front of him.


    Then, I looked up and smiled at him.


    "I am silly, right? I am in front of my most powerful Lycan in the whole kingdom, yet I appeared weak in


    front of you."


    He raised his eyebrows. "I will help you," he suddenly announced.


    "R-really? But, Your Majesty, I cannot give you anything in return."


    "Be my personal ve in the kingdom. Tend to whatever needs I have. And during every assassination


    attempt, you will give me your body as a shield to protect me. How is that, River? Can youy down


    your life for your King?"


    I gasped at the weight of his words. Die. I was not prepared for that. I wanted to know my parents also


    why they had abandoned me and put me in the river. What if I had drowned that time?


    "Hmmm. You''re in doubt. I understand that you do not have ountability for your own words. Just like


    a ve," he spat.


    My eyes narrowed and looked up at him. " I beg your pardon. There are ves who are living an


    honorable life, Your Majesty. Since we are starting the negotiations, can I ask for something?"


    He waved his hands and folded them in front of me. "Ask when I am still in the mood to answer your


    infinite questions."


    "Given that, I will give my permission to be your ve, aside from marking me, can you also look for my


    parents?"


    King Maxxwell cocked his brows from side to side. "Do you think you have the right tomand me,


    River?"


    I slightly bowed. "No, Your Majesty. But you are a powerful person and everyone is waiting for your


    I gritted my teeth as I waited for his answer. I hoped he would help me. He was the only one who could


    do that.


    "Agree. In exchange for your life."


    My eyes watered as someone finally wanted to help me with my problems. "Are you sure, Your


    Majesty?"


    "I vow it. I vow to help you find your parents and help you get your revenge against Alpha Erik and


    you?"


    "I vow to serve you whenever you wanted and would die for you, Your Majesty."


    And now it was already sealed. He turned his back to me and called him. "Y-Your Majesty. You forgot


    something."


    "What is it?"


    "About the mark," I whispered, fidgeting. Marking means biting me on my neck, leaving his imprints. An


    invisible mark will be seen by every male and that was a signal for them to back off. Added to that, King


    Maxxwell''s scent will forever live in me.


    "Later."


    "But..."


    I fisted on the hemline of my dress. I have to show it to Alpha Erik. Now. He definitely knows who King


    Maxxwell is and he would regret rejecting me. Then, my packmates would die in envy. They won''t know


    King Maxxwell was not my real mate.


    "Listen to your Alpha King."


    "About bing your personal ve. Alpha Erik won''t allow any ve out from the pack."


    He smirked at me. "Have you forgotten who I am, River?"


    My eyes widened at the realization. Right. He was the alpha king.


    He offered his hand.


    "Come here, woman. You worry too much. Now that you are my property, I wouldn''t allow anyone to


    treat you like dirt. Everyone here will treat you like the queen you deserve."


    I gave him a small smile, doubting his words but with a shaking hand, epted his hands anyway. It


    was the alpha king''s hand!


    Still trembling, we made our way back to the venue with the alpha king giving me a kiss on my neck. I


    shivered even more.


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


    They were staring at me. No. At us. With the alpha king. The majority of the pack knew about me


    except for the visitors right now.


    "Be still, River. Pretend that you are loving every bit of their attention," I told myself.


    I felt their burning stares in my eyes. Understandable. King Maxxwell''s presence was a major eye


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    turner and I was nobody who was beside him.


    I traveled my gaze and my eyes darted to the very person who was the reason behind this¡ª Alpha


    Erik.


    "River," he mouthed. He red his eyes at me, but I shook it off. I am beside the most powerful King


    Maxxwell and nobody could hurt me right now.


    I winked at Alpha Erik.


    I lifted my chin and moved even closer to King Maxxwell. The alpha king did not protest and looked


    down at me.


    Then, Alpha Erik came forward.


    "King Maxxwell," he started. "That woman beside you is our ve. I am afraid you will get filthy


    because of her."

 05. She Will Sleep With Me

    05. She Will Sleep With Me


    I felt the world stop as I waited for the alpha king¡¯s reaction. Alpha Erik was definitely right for saying I


    was filthy, to begin with.


    I smiled bitterly as I listened to Alpha Erik¡¯s voice. The word ve was forever imprinted in me


    regardless if I rose to rank by having a mate who had some positions in the pack.


    ¡°Filthy, you say?¡±


    Alpha Erik lifted his chin and stood proudly. My other pack members agreed with him and gave me a


    mocking gaze.


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    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. She is filthy. A ve. An omega. She does not even have a wolf. She was almost


    a human. If I were you, it is better to stay away from her.¡±


    I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I felt so little as my breathing became faster than normal. The


    will to flee away from them was getting stronger.


    The alpha king nced at me. ¡°Are you referring to this woman beside me, Alpha Erik?¡±


    ¡°No other than, Your Highness. She is the only servant who had the guts to attend the Mating


    Ceremony while the others were in their room, refusing toe out.¡±


    ¡°And I was d she chose toe out, Alpha Erik. If she does not, we will not see each other in this


    ceremony.¡±


    Alpha Erik took a step forward. ¡°But Your Highness¡­you do not understand.¡±


    King Maxxwell¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°Is she a murderer, Alpha Erik?¡±


    Alpha Erik stopped and shook his head. ¡°No, Your Majesty. She is not.¡±


    ¡°Is she a thief?¡±


    ¡°No, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Is she a traitor?¡±


    ¡°No, King Maxxwell.¡±


    ¡°Then, there is nothing to be afraid of. I want this woman to stay beside me and enjoy the rest of the


    evening.¡±


    Alpha Erik clenched his fist. ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty, but¡ª¡±


    A gasp escaped my lips when King Maxxwell suddenly drew me to his side, earning a state of envy


    from the females and anger from Alpha Erik.


    ¡°Enough! Do not ruin my mood tonight, Alpha Erik. This woman is my mate and whoever hurt her will


    face me.¡± King Maxxwell stared at each of the werewolves, making his im seriously.


    I looked at him dumbfounded. Announcing it to everyone was not part of the deal. What would the other


    alpha say about him taking a ve as a mate?


    ¡°Your Highness, that person is a ve!¡± Alpha Erik insisted.


    Without saying anything, His Highness punched Alpha Erik in the face. Thetter stumbled and nearly


    lost his footing if not for some of my packmates.


    ¡°Do you think I care about that?! Alpha Erik, you forced me to hurt you and if you do not shut your


    mouth despite my warning, I will kill you. Not only him but to the others who never listen to their king.¡±


    All of us bowed, telling us we will listen and obey him. Alpha Erik, on the other hand, was also forced to


    do that, still clenching his fist.


    ¡°Forgive us, Your Highness,¡± we said in unison.


    King Maxxwell, yanked me up and forced me to look up. And suddenly, he dipped his mouth into mine,


    kissing me.


    And we faced the crowd.


    ¡°This is River Williams of the Haverstone Pack. But she will go with me to my kingdom and who


    knows? She will be your next queen. So I am ordering every one of you not to hurt her or you will


    face my wrath. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°We understand, Your Highness.¡±


    I remember that my goal this evening was to find my mate, but never the alpha king. And to what


    purpose did he go far? What if the others will find out that we are not true mates?


    The rest of the evening I was on edge. My packmates, who were bullying me back then suddenly


    warmed up to me and offered me a lot of drinks in order to take care of me.


    However, Iris was still not believing the alpha king''s announcements. But she did note to me and


    taunt me. Instead, she just waited and I knew for a fact that she was only waiting for a perfect


    opportunity.


    ¡°Your Highness, we prepared a room for you if you do not want to return to the kingdom.¡±


    It was Alpha Erik again. There was a visible bruise on his right cheek, but it will heal in time.


    Werewolves had amazing healing abilities.


    ¡°I want to retire. River,¡± His Highness called me.


    I stood and walked behind King Maxxwell as Alpha Erik led us to the room. Spell awkward. That was


    what I was feeling right now. I could not help but feel as if he would punish me in a minute if His


    Highness was not looking.


    We stayed silent until we reached the guest room.


    ¡°Here is your room, Your Highness.¡±


    The alpha king looked inside. ¡°Quite spacious.¡±


    ¡°I will call the servants to tend to your needs.¡±


    ¡°Why will we call them if you are here, Alpha Erik?¡± Alpha Erik did not instantly reply. King Maxxwell


    cocked his brows. ¡°Well? Will you continue to be a mute, then?¡± he asked. ¡°So you will not serve


    your king?¡±


    Alpha Erik gritted his teeth together. ¡°


    ¡°I-I can serve you, Your Highness. That is my job as the ve of this pack. Tell me what you want and I


    will do it to the best of my ability.¡±


    ¡°You are my mate, River. I want to treat you like a queen and never allow you to do any menial jobs. In


    the future, you will be the face of the kingdom.¡±


    I nearly teared up at the extra work King Maxxwell had given to this facade. He did not consider if he


    would be the talk of the town or be aughing stock just like what Alpha Erik had said when he


    rejected me.


    ¡°What do you want, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I consider talking about, Alpha Erik. I want some clothes for River. She will sleep with me.


    Inside this room.¡± I paled at King Maxxwell¡¯s announcement.

 06. Kindness and Compassion

    06. Kindness and Compassion


    I gasped as I watched King Maxxwell. Yes. I said that I will do anything for him, for him to mark me, but


    not this fast. I was not yet prepared for this.


    Alpha Erik looked at me with disgust. "Your Highness, are you sure taking Dog ve with you?" Alpha


    Erik asked. As much as I hated him, he had a point there.


    The alpha king¡¯s brows furrowed.


    "Dog ve? Is that how you will address my mate behind her back?" King Maxxwell scolded.


    Alpha Erik was embarrassed. "A slip of the tongue¡ª"


    "Why? Is there something wrong with our sleeping arrangements?" His Highness asked, cutting off


    Alpha Erik¡¯s words.


    Alpha Erik shook his head a couple of times.


    "N-none, Your Highness. If you insist upon it. Who am I to question you?"


    King Maxxwell grabbed me and we stepped into the room before saying, "River needed her clothes. Be


    sure to give it to her."


    And the door shut behind Alpha Erik''s face.


    And just like that, we were alone.


    I stared at King Maxxwell nervously as he took off his clothes. One by one without minding that I was


    with him inside the chamber. My heart hammered against my chest as I listened to the rustling of his


    clothes as he groaned and slowly took everything except his pants.


    My cheeks burned in difort.


    I stood there frozen, not sure what I would do. I realized asking him to mark me just to prove to Alpha


    Erik that someone will ept me for who I am was childish. And a bit immature?


    ¡°No. That is not childishness. It is only good that you seek revenge against the jerk,¡± I told myself.


    "What are you thinking, River?"


    I jumped when I noticed he was already standing beside me¡ªtopless. He wrapped a towel around the


    lower part of his body to cover his nakedness. Compared to my five feet and three inches frame, he


    towered over me with his six-t height.


    "Your Highness, I did not see you there," I said.


    If only he could just put on his clothes. It would be beneficial to me.


    He lifted my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. "Your pretty little lips are curled. Your mind is


    elsewhere. If someone is attempting to kill me, I would be long dead by now, River." His eyes were like


    a window to his soul forcing me to look at him.


    "I will never stare into space again, Your Highness. My apologies for that."


    He slightly pushed me.


    "You should always be alert. Now that you be my ve, you must look for any possible threats


    surrounding me, River. Lay down your life if you must. I don''t care. My life is more important. A lot of


    people depend on me."


    And there I also realized that King Maxxwell was also one of the biggest jerks I newly encountered in


    my life.


    The life of the ve was not important to the masters and others. That was how unfair the world I was


    currently.


    "I-I will." I balled my palm into a fist.


    A couple of minutes passed and a knock sounded on the door.


    The alpha king motioned me to open the door and hastily obliged.


    "Here are the clothes," Alpha Erik said. ¡°As you mentioned, Your Highness.¡± Another servant stepped


    aside and offered a fresh set of clothes.


    The alpha stared at me coldly, checking for my neck, and scoffed when he did not see any mark.


    Perhaps he was thinking I was merely bluffing. That I was not the alpha king¡¯s mate. It was rare for


    someone to have two mates at the same time. And on top of that with a wolfless ve.


    ¡°Is there anything you want, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Nothing so far.¡±


    I gritted my teeth. One of these days, he will see the mark. Provided that King Maxxwell will do it here


    in the packhouse. If not¡­ I will seduce the alpha king so that he would mark me. And then I will be


    back in this pack and will unter the mark to each of them. To all of them who bullied me.


    "What are you waiting for?" Alpha Erik asked when I did not bother to grab the clothes. "Do you want


    me to get it for you? May I remind you that you are still a servant of my pack?"


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    My heart skipped in fear. I hastily strolled towards them and snatched the clothes from the servant¡¯s


    hands and clutched them to my chest. The imposing figure of the king was suddenly beside me, still


    topless.


    "Your Highness, do you want to add something?" Alpha Erik asked, smiling sweetly.


    "How about the food?"


    "I''m not hungry, Your Highness," I said.


    "Don''t expect that the food is for you, River. The question is addressed to the alpha king. Don''t think


    that I will serve you."


    "Oh," I said, cheeks flushed.


    To my defense, King Maxxwell said, "It''s not mine but for her. However, since River said that she is full,


    your presence is no longer needed at the moment. I will call you when I will need you again."


    Alpha Erik¡¯s lips curled as he looked at me. Then he beamed when he looked at the alpha king.


    "I will let one servant guard the entrance of the door, Your Highness so she would attend to whatever


    you needed."


    "Alpha Erik, why do you always push others to do the task for you? I don''t want them. I want you to do


    it for me. I am your alpha king."


    Alpha Erik clenched and unclenched his fist. Served him right. This was just the beginning. Little by


    little, I will make sure he will run away from embarrassment.


    "With all due respect, Your Highness, I have to attend to the other alphas who opted to spend the night


    in the pack. Perhaps I can¡ª"


    "I want you to do it for me. Delegate that task to your beta. You can go now. We need to retire for


    tomorrow''s journey. I will be bringing River with me."


    I gasped as I looked at him. Too soon.


    "Dog ve? But, Your Highness..."


    "Why? Do you have objections? Do you dare to object to your alpha king? Or perhaps you regret


    something you just did this evening, Alpha Erik?"


    King Maxxwell pulled me to his body. I stiffened.


    "N-nothing, Your Highness. It is just that there are other servants more capable than River. More


    gorgeous and sexy. And hot."


    King Maxxwell squinted. "I''m not looking for a whore. Why would I when I already found my mate?"


    "F-forgive me, Your Highness. It was a slip of my tongue."


    "Go now. Your presence annoys me."


    Alpha Erik bowed his head, looked in my direction, and closed the door behind us with a soft click.


    "Are you satisfied with what I just did, River?" King Maxxwell asked.


    I nodded. "Fairly satisfied, Your Highness. Thank you for your kindness andpassion."


    He scoffed. His eyes suddenly glinted. "Kindness? Compassion? What the fuck are those?"

 07. The Servant Lie

    07. The Servant Lie


    I backed to the corner as King Max advanced towards me. My heart hammered against my chest as I


    gazed at him.


    What will he do now?


    What did I get into again? I asked myself. It felt like I was suddenly in a lion''s den. I felt like I was the


    prey and he was the hunter.


    I hesitated. "You''re scaring me, Your Highness," I could not help but say.


    I stopped when my back hit the wall. Dead end. Breathing was getting difficult.


    "That''s what I am doing, River," he whispered against my ears. "You''re amb who did not know what


    she was doing when she entered the wolf''s den. It was your desire to have revenge on Alpha Erik.


    Without even knowing what kind of person I am. Your thirst for your revenge drives you to me."


    It was true. I had a little knowledge about the alpha king and all of them were rumors from the servants


    themselves. Baseless rumors without proof of their authenticity.


    I had zero interaction with him.


    "I know the rumors are true, Your Highness."


    I squinted when he suddenly imprisoned me with his arms. His sweet spicy scent hit my nose.


    I wobbled.


    "Tell me about those rumors, River," he whispered. His voice sent shivers in my spine.


    The back of my hair stood. As he continued staying closer to me.


    Why did King Maxxwell smell so good?


    "The rumors said that you arepassionate and kind, Your Highness. I told myself before that they


    were not true. That you are ruthless and cold. But after you showed me your kindness by helping me to


    show Alpha Erik that he was wrong," I lied.


    "Compassionate and kind?" he asked.


    I looked away when I could no longer stare at his intense gaze.


    "Y-you are, Your Highness. You prove this tonight."


    I put my hands behind my back.


    "A-am I wrong, Your Highness?"


    I was expecting that he would catch my lies. However, he suddenly threw back his head andughed.


    Tears came out from his eyesughing too much.


    And all I could do was stare at him.


    When he suddenly finished, he looked at me. "You''re young and innocent. You don''t know what you are


    talking about. I am ruthless. Cold. Domineering. And all the negative adjectives you could think of,


    that''s me. Stop your delusions, River."


    I was right with my hunch. But I had to gain his favor.


    He put a safe distance between us.


    "I will know you better when I serve you in the pce, Your Highness. To the best of my ability. Then I


    can see for myself which among them are true or false."


    He cocked his eyebrow. "True or false? You reminded me of the times when I was studying when I was


    young."


    I envy him. He had the chance to study, while I do not. I was d when I could write the letters of my


    name, but I cannot read.


    If I tell him I want to study, will he approve or not?


    Right before I gathered my guts to ask him if I could study or not, he said, "Let''s call it a night."


    He went to the bed, while I was still clutching the clothes to my chest. He cocked his brow when he saw


    I wasn''t moving.


    "What are you doing? Won''t you sleep?"


    "I will guard you, Your Highness. I will make sure no one will assassinate you." After all, that was my


    main role in his life. Why he epted me as his personal ve.


    "I have my warriors with me, River. They will strike whenever it is needed. Sleep. I need you to wake up


    early in the morning."


    "Could I at least change my clothes?" I asked.


    "You can. Do whatever you like. I don''t care."


    I hastily went to the bathroom and changed into a in white t-shirt and shorts. My cheeks flushed


    when I saw a fresh set of underwear with the right size. Did Alpha Erik prepare it for me?


    I shook my head. Perhaps no. His arrogance won''t allow him. Maybe he asked a servant to get this


    from my room.


    After checking myself that I am ready to face the alpha king again, I stepped outside and saw him on


    his bed under the fuzzy nket.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The bed was already good for two people. Where will I sleep now?


    "Hurry up, River. And turn off the light."


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    I went to the switch and turned it off. Moving the darkness was no problem to me. I could perfectly see.


    I was thankful that despite myck of wolf, I had other wolf abilities.


    I grabbed an extra nket and pillow and put it on the floor.


    "What are you doing?" King Maxxwell, asked.


    I froze and looked at him. "I will sleep on the floor, Your Highness."


    "Why? There is a vacant space beside me."


    I gaped at him.


    Sleeping beside the alpha king? Was that even eptable?


    "What? You suddenly lost the guts to sleep beside me when you even permitted me to kiss you? Or are


    you just afraid I would do something to you?"


    I admitted that it was because I was driven by my anger and hurt toward his rejection. But now, I was


    suddenly embarrassed.


    "It''s not like that, Your Highness."


    "Why are you acting ashamed, River? As far as I remembered, you even offered yourself to me. So


    sleeping beside me should never be a problem. Am I right?"


    Not wanting to argue with him anymore, I slowly walked to his bed and crawled in it. I positioned nearly


    on the edge of the bed, afraid our skin would touch.


    King Maxxwell threw an irritated sigh and I yelped when he suddenly dragged me towards thefort


    of his body. "This is what I am referring to, River. I am not always patient."


    I froze. "Understood, Your Highness. I will be alert from now on."


    "When you are in my presence, I want you to think as sharp as you could or the others would use that


    against you."


    "Y-yes, Your Highness."


    "Sleep," he ordered.


    I closed my eyes and secretly smelled him. The sandalwood scenting from him was addicting, but


    I did not want him to know that I was smelling him like a fool.


    Sleeping beside the alpha king was one of the dreams of the other servants, while it was not mine. All I


    wanted was to spend this day with my mate. This was supposed to be a joyful celebration for entering a


    legal age, but it did not happen like that.


    A couple of minutes passed, and His Highness was already snoring softly. Using the opportunity, I tried


    to break away from his arms so that I could think clearly now.


    However, when I tried to wriggle away from him, his arms around me became tighter and he snuggled


    on the hollow of my neck.


    I stiffened. How could I break away?

 08. You Are Mine Now

    08. You Are Mine Now


    I was stuck. With no way to get away from King Maxxwell''s hold. It seemed like he was aware of what I


    was doing and his grip tightened.


    Damn it.


    I cannot break away?


    How can I break away?


    It was then that I realized I could not. Was he afraid that I would run away and stop going with him to


    the pce? Or was he only making sure that I will do the end of my deal since he did the same?


    I sighed.


    Regardless of the reason, I was notfortable being with him. He was scary.


    "Your Highness," I whispered under my breath.


    "Zenith... "


    I froze. A woman''s name? Who could that be? Or was he only dreaming and calling a random name?


    No.


    He called the name with so much passion as if he knew her deeply.


    Curiosity got ahead of me and waited for him to say something more. Something that would give me


    more information about the woman.


    "F-forgive me...It was my fault."


    King Maxxwell trashed and released me from his hold. Sweat soaked his forehead and clutched his


    chest as if he was in pain. He groaned and moaned.


    "Don''t leave," he whispered.


    His voice was pleading. Who was the woman named Zenith? Was he his mate? As far as I


    remembered from the servant talks, the alpha king was unmated. Or was it only something that the


    kingdom spread? Maybe he has paired already with someone?


    I shook my head. It was no longer my concern. I had to get away from him. It was better to sleep on the


    cold floor than beside him.


    Using the chance, I was on the verge of jumping off the bed when he suddenly grabbed my hands.


    "Don''t go, Zenith. I don''t want to lose you anymore."


    Was this Zenith woman his lover before? Or was his mistress? Ugh. Too confusing!


    "Please let me go, Your Highness. I am not Zenith," I said. I tried to break free from him. But he


    wouldn''t budge.


    Instead of listening to me, he pulled me closer to his body and hugged me. Can''t breathe. I put both of


    my hands on his broad chest and pushed him away but nothing happened. King Maxxwell was too


    strong.


    "I miss you."


    I stilled when tears suddenly came out of his eyes. All because of that woman? I thought an alpha king


    was devoid of any emotions.


    "My heart is constantly calling for you, Zenith."


    I checked his eyes. Closed. He was still sleeping. It seemed like it was real. The crying and the


    nightmare.


    And why would he even cry and show it to a servant like me? This was all true. Nothing more. Nothing


    less.


    "Shhh. Don''t cry. I am here," I heard myself say, feeling guilty. My heart went towards him. King


    Maxxwell was not the type of man who would show his vulnerability against other people whom he did


    not trust. And if he found out that I was seeing this other side of him, he would kill me instantly. Without


    a doubt.


    Despite that, I could not fathom leaving him like this.


    I wiped the tears from his eyes.


    He snuggled closer to my hand as if he was seeking sce. He looked like a child who was hungry for


    his mother''s attention.


    We were like that for how many hours and the next thing I knew, darkness sumbed to me.


    ¡ª-----------


    The sun was already shining brightly when I woke up. I was instantly on my feet when I realized my


    mistake. I was a ve and I should never wake upte. Alpha Erik would kill me if he found I was not


    yet workingte.


    I fell on the floor with my bum first and heard someone chuckling. I looked at the source and found King


    Maxxwell, sitting on his chair, with a king aura.


    I straightened myself.


    Damn it!


    ¡°Y-your Highness. My apologies for waking upte. It was not my intention to¡ª¡±


    His eyes turned serious.


    "Why did you wake upte?" he asked, cutting off my words. "I don''t want to wait for my personal ve


    when to awaken. I loathed that. You should serve me the moment I wake every single day, River."


    I nodded. "I understand, Your Highness. I will not do it again."


    "So why did you sleepte?" he pressed once more.


    I stared into his eyes. Could I tell him that it was because he had some nightmares and that it was I


    who consoled him as he clutched my hands into his bare chest?


    "Why are you hesitating? Did you meet Alpha Erik while I was asleep?"


    Meeting Alpha Erik? There was no way I had a rendezvous with that bastard.


    I looked at him, horrified. "No, Your Highness! I never did that. It''s just¡­I could not sleep peacefully if I


    am not in my bed," I lied.


    As if he did not hear my exnations, he said, "River. Let me tell you that you are now forbidden to


    approach Alpha Erik without my knowing. What I hated the most are traitors. Do you understand?"


    Why would I even approach Alpha Erik when I also hated him? I was not desperate for him to ept


    me. The purpose of selling myself to the alpha king would be futile if I will only offer myself to Alpha


    Erik.


    I pressed my lips together. Defending myself was out of the equation.


    "Yes, Your Highness. Point taken."


    "Good. Prepare yourself. We will now be going back to the kingdom."


    "Y-your kingdom? D-does Alpha Erik know about this, Your Highness?"


    "I can do whatever I want. I have more hold on you than him. Why do you ask, River? Do you want to


    go back to him and ask him to ept you as his mate?"


    I gulped and shook my head. "It is not like that, Your Highness. Rejection is irreversible. And if ever


    Alpha Erik regretted his decision of rejecting me, I would not ept him again."


    King Maxxwell smiled and walked towards me. I secretly sniff him. He smelled of aftershave and


    shampoo. And he had already taken a bath while I, on the other hand, was still dirty. Wait. Did I even


    smell, right now?


    "Good. You will not ept him again, understood? You are mine now, River Williams. Mine alone."


    I shivered at his words, but could not help but ask myself why he was possessive of me when in fact


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    we were not mates. We were not mates, right?

 09. Kill Them

    09. Kill Them


    I could feel the stares of my packmates as they bade goodbye to King Maxxwell. They did not


    understand why the alpha king epted me as his mate when in fact there were others out there who


    were more gorgeous and sexier than me as Alpha Erik said.


    Unknown to them, I already sold myself to this person in exchange for showing Alpha Erik that


    someone still wanted and desired me.


    "I wish for your safe journey, Your Highness. The coach was already prepared. But if you want a horse,


    I could offer you to find horses that you can use on your journey."


    "Coach is fine since I have River with me. I don''t want him to be ufortable on our journey."


    He drew me closer to his body and the women sighed in envy.


    "Are you really sure about this, Your Highness? Perhaps there was something wrong with the Mating


    Ceremonyst night. There was no way that woman could be your mate."


    I stilled.


    "Your words carry some weight, Alpha Erik. Exin. Are you River''s mate?"


    Everyone held their breath. Including me.


    Alpha Erik looked around and saw everyone was watching him, waiting for his answer.


    Alpha Erik gave everyone a nervousugh. "Me? The servant''s mate? There was no way the Moon


    Goddess would y a prank on me, Your Highness."


    "Then does it mean the Moon Goddess yed a prank on me? River is my mate."


    The others nodded.


    I gaped at the alpha king. Why was it easy for him to admit we were mates? Was it because we were


    not true mates?


    Alpha Erik nervouslyughed. "That''s not what I meant, Your Highness."


    "It is, to me. Regardless of River''s status, I will ept her as mine since I have been looking for her my


    entire life."


    I couldn''t fathom why High Highness was doing this. I was nothing but a mere servant, so why?


    "My apologies for the interruption, Your Highness but the carriage is already waiting."


    "We have to go then."


    King Maxxwell turned his back and I followed him. I felt Alpha Erik''s burning stares but tossed it aside.


    With onest nce, I looked at the pack and vowed I would be back.


    ¡ª------------


    The journey to the kingdom was uneventful. My bottom was hurting from the bumpy road and King


    Maxxwell was all silent. I also never dared to have a conversation with him for fear that he would get


    furious at me.


    I thought throughout the journey nothing would happen, but the coach came to a sudden stop. I fell


    forward from the impact but before my face hit the front, King Maxxwell put his hands on my shoulders,


    My heart beat faster as I uttered my thanks to him and peered at the window for a possiblemotion.


    "Who dared to disturb our journey?" King Maxxwell asked.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    He put his arms in front of his chest and red.


    On instinct, I put a safe distance between us.


    "I see nothing, Your Highness," I said.


    "Rogues, Your Highness," the driver answered.


    "I do not¡ª" I trailed off my words when I saw a group of men with a mask on their faces only allowing


    us to see the upper part of their faces. And boy. They were holding guns and swords.


    The terrain was dusty and rocky. However, the road was cemented. Other than the cactus beside the


    road and a few kinds of grasses that live in this kind of environment, I did not see any more signs of


    life.


    Were we now in the kingdom''s territory?


    I looked at King Maxxwell. There were visible lines on his forehead and he clenched his palms into


    fists.


    "Bastards. They dare to show us now when I am in a hurry?"


    Even though the group screamed danger to me, I still had the guts to ask, "Who are they, Your


    Highness if I may ask?"


    "Rogues. The long opponent of the kingdom who brought nothing but death upon themselves."


    It was my first time seeing one. Usually, rogues were werewolves who did not belong to any pack.


    When they gathered together, they created a group. Sometimes, they stayed in the mortal world and


    lived peacefully, but there were also some whose hatred against the kingdom ran deep that they


    wanted to avenge themselves for the unfairness of life, ming the kingdom for what had happened to


    them.


    "Do you know them? Personally?" I asked.


    "They don''t deserve any attention, River." To the driver, he said, "Kill them and we will go on."


    My eyes widened. "Your Highness¡­"


    "What?" he snapped. "Do you pity them? You did not know how they managed to get inside the


    kingdom and kidnapped a child and killed him? They abused the women and the weak. Tell me if they


    deserve your pity, River. A lot of blood has been spilled. I don''t see any reason why I need to have a


    peace talk with them."


    King Maxxwell''s lips pressed in a thin line.


    "Perhaps they wanted something and if you will give it to them, they will stop." He narrowed his eyes on


    me. "I don''t want to pry of the affairs of the kingdom, Your Highness. Forgive me if I overstepped


    boundaries. It was not my intention to do so."


    "You do not know how long the kingdom had been battling for generations, River. That''s why it is easy


    for you to say."


    I bit my lips. "I know nothing, Your Highness. It is not like I am defending them."


    "You are defending them as if you know them personally. Let me make it clear to you. They are our


    enemies, River. Put that in your thick skull. And if you insist on talking with them, it would be better if


    you immersed yourself with them.


    "Oh. Perhaps that is a good idea. You will pose as a rogue and infiltrate their group. Then you have to


    gain their sympathy and trust and tell me about their daily activities. You will continue doing that until


    we finalized our n of defeating them in one go. How is that?"


    I chuckled nervously and could not look him in the eyes.


    "I-I am not fitted to the role, Your Highness." I also did not have the courage to live with them. All I knew


    was living inside the pack. Not outside the pack.


    Living with the rogues? A total immersion with them? I was not yet out of my mind.


    "Kidding. I know you cannot do it. You''re one scaredy cat. You''re not fit for the task."


    He said he was joking, but I did not see any happiness in his eyes.


    Secretly, I released a sigh of relief. "You are right, Your Highness. I am not up to the task."


    I looked again outside and found the lifeless body of the rogues. That fast?


    "The driver is the gamma of the king. One of the best warriors I have. It is understandable that the fight


    was brief."


    I stared at the rogues again. I did not know but why did my heart still go to them?


    "Don''t pity them, River. They deserved it for trying to assassinate me. Anyone who tried to harm the


    king in any way deserved to be punished by death itself."


    I want to tell him that the rogues did not do anything to him. But it changed when a gunshot was fired


    towards our direction.


    Instantly, King Maxxwell''s hand was on my neck and forced me to duck as I heard him mutter a curse.


    And said it again. My ears bleed at his profanities.


    My heart beat wildly as I was scared for my life.


    "This is what I said, River. They will not hesitate to kill us now."


    And I paled.

 10. I Hit My Limit

    10. I Hit My Limit


    The rogues continued firing at us while I rooted on the ground, shivering in fear. My blood went cold as


    one of the bullets passed through and hit the seat of the coach.


    I shrieked. Breathing wasbored.


    "River! Do not panic or it will kill you!"


    King Maxxwell continued protecting me even if it should never be the case. I should be the one


    protecting him! Not the other way around!


    I nced at him. His eyebrows met. His fist clenched.


    My lips quivered, tears brimming in my eyes. "Your Highness, will we die now?" I whispered under my


    breath.


    He looked at me and scoffed.


    I shrieked again when another bullet grazed my skin and fell to the ground.


    "No one is dying, River. You have to serve me, first in return for helping you. Stay here," he


    Before he could go away, I grabbed his hand. I gasped when sparks flew between our connected


    hands. He gritted his teeth as he stared at it for a long time.


    What. Just. Happened?


    Confused, I pulled my hands and touched them. The alpha king felt it too, right? There was no way I


    was the only one who felt the spark. Right.


    Whether he felt it or not, the alpha king did notment on that.


    Knowing there was far more important thing than the shared electricity between them, King Maxxwell


    said, "Fall on the ground. My warrior will help us."


    "Where will you go, Your Highness?" I asked, my voice coated with worry for his safety.


    "Outside. To kill them," he said nonchntly.


    My heart skipped a bit. As ungrateful as it sounded, I did not care what happened to him, outside. But if


    he died in mypany, the people will me me for not protecting my master. And if the alpha king


    died, the customs dictate that all the servants and horses will go along with him.


    I shuddered at the thought. I did not want to die. Yet. I wanted to look for my parents.


    ¡°B-be careful, Your Highness. Your people are waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°You are not included, River?¡±


    ¡°I am included, Your Highness. I am your servant.¡± Out of courtesy, I muttered, "What if something


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    happens to you, Your Highness? We can just stay here," I offered.


    He scoffed. "Stay here and let the bullets enter our skulls? I would rather go outside and fight, River. An


    alpha king is never a coward. He will fight for his people."


    Are the people worth it? I asked in my mind.


    However, what he said hit a spot. If there was a coward between us, it was me for cowering in fear right


    now!


    "But Your Highness¡­" I protested.


    "Can you go outside and kill them for me, River? While I waited for you inside the coach?"


    I shut my mouth.


    I couldn''t do that. I don''t know how to fight and I couldn''t even defend myself from the bullies.


    When I did not answer, he said, "I know you are useless to me. I wonder what had gotten into me when


    I asked you to be my ve when in fact you cannot even fight."


    I yed with my hands. The gunshots continued. But it seemed like it was no longer directed to our


    carriage.


    "Y-you can teach me, Your Highness. I can be your weapon."


    "Are you sure about that? There is no turning back, River."


    I gulped and stared into his eyes. "In return for something, Your Highness."


    He cocked his eyebrows. "Do tell me."


    "Marked me as yours."


    His lips pressed into a thin line. "Such a topic needed a thorough conversation. We will talk about that


    He was magnificent. Jealousy attacked my heart. If only I also had a wolf with me.


    King Maxxwell reached the ground on all fours, looked at me, and howled. It was a long and soulful one


    as if his wolf was calling for me. As if it knew me for a long time.


    I held my hand, wanting to reach his wolf, but put it down. If I had my wolf with me, it could


    The dark wolf turned its back on me and went in the rogue''s direction. The next thing I heard was the


    shouting of pain, of cries, followed by King Maxxwell''s wolf growls. And everything went eerily still.


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


    A whole ten minutes passed after I gathered the courage to look outside. My lips parted as I saw the


    pile of bodies of the rogues torn from limb to limb. Beside the dead bodies was King Maxxwell, standing


    naked together with the driver of the coach. Both were catching their breaths after fighting the enemies.


    I felt my cheeks flush as I gaped at his naked view. He was particrly gifted in his bottom.


    As if sensing I was looking at them, King Maxxwell looked at where I was hiding. My heart jumped at


    his gaze.


    Feeling guilty, I hid and waited for him toe back.


    Imprints of his naked body would be forever on my mind. The more I forced myself to make it disappear


    from my memory, the more it persisted to resurface.


    Damn it. Of all the things I will see, it was him being buck naked. How much more if he happened to


    face my direction? Then, I would see his jewel in its full glory.


    I gulped.


    No. I am his servant. I should never think of any sinful thoughts against the alpha king.


    Suddenly, I heard footstepsing in my direction. To this coach."River. Why are you hiding? The


    enemies are no longer alive."


    It was King Maxxwell. His voice felt like he was too tired. His breathing wasbored.


    I swallowed and counted from one to ten before I faced him, and smiled at him.


    "Your Highness...you did a great job of wiping them¡ª"


    However, my grin disappeared the moment I saw the different cuts all over his body. He was bleeding.


    ¡°Y-Your Highness!¡±


    I scampered, nearly fell on the coach, grabbed something solid, and was suddenly at his side. Beside


    his ribcage, there was a deep sh of the wound. A sword? A dagger? I could not tell since I was not


    familiar with the cuts. And the blood continued to flow like a waterfall.


    My head became light as I struggled to control my reaction. Never wanted to see the sight of blood. I


    wanted to puke. I wanted to turn my head away from the blood.


    My vision was already temporarily dark but shook it. I must never sumb to the darkness. I am the


    alpha king''s ve and I must serve him.


    Get hold of yourself, River! I chastised myself.


    Thankfully, I regained control of my body, and my vision slowly got clearer.


    Unaware of what I experienced earlier, he asked, "Is this the right time to smile, River? Are you happy


    seeing their dead bodies? Are you satisfied with the oue?"


    ¡°Your Highness, you are greatly mistaken. I am never fond of seeing blood.¡±


    I drew a shaky breath. Must stop the blood.


    I yanked someone off the fabric of my clothes until it was cut in half, revealing my stomach. Inhaling all


    the air as much as my lungs could carry, with trembling hands, I wrapped it around his wound to cut the


    blood loss. He was strangely quiet as if he was observing what I was doing.


    The coach dipped. The driver was finally back.


    Control, River.


    "I-it''s not what I meant, Your Highness. Forgive me for acting slow. It will not happen again." I did a final


    wrap of his wound. I knew it was not the best, but it was betterpared to nothing.


    "You do not have to do something about it. I have fast healing abilities." Good for him. "And do


    something with your clothes. I don''t like seeing you that way," he chided. "When we reach the pce,


    you will be my face and I do not like my ves to look like that."


    My cheeks burned and covered my stomach using my hands. I stepped aside so that he could enter.


    "It will never happen again, Your Highness."


    King Maxxwell stepped foot on the coach, limping. It must hurt like hell, but he was only enduring it.


    When he settled, I sat beside him.


    "Continue," he barked towards the driver.


    "Are you okay, Your Highness?" I asked when the coach continued.


    "I cannot die, River. My wolf is repairing the damage. Stay silent so I could concentrate on healing," he


    answered between gritted teeth.


    I shut my mouth.


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


    It took another couple of hours and we reached the kingdom without any enemies waiting to ambush


    us. The moment the guards spotted the alpha king, they barked an order to the servants and asked


    them to fetch the pack doctor.


    I could feel the guards and servants'' eyes when they saw me but tried to shrug it off. I refused to be


    intimidated. This was another territory. This ce was no longer my pack and should never allow


    anyone to step on me.


    Will I be strong enough to do it?


    "Fool! What are you standing there? Don''t you see, His Highness is wounded?" I looked at the source


    of the voice and found it was none other than the driver of the coach.


    He was also wounded. His other limb was barely hanging. Oh, god. Another sight of blood.


    I hit my limit and sumbed to the darkness...

 11. Healing

    11. Healing


    Where am I?


    That was the first thing that ran through my mind the moment I unfolded my eyes.


    My head felt like it was spinning. It hurts so much that all I wanted right now was lying on the bed until it


    would disappear. However, I remembered that I was now a servant of the pce and I had to do my


    best before anyone would decide to bully me again.


    What happened?


    Images of what happened shed like lightning in my mind. The rogues. The dead bodies. The limbs.


    The blood. The driver. The alpha king. Everything.


    My stomach somersaulted and wanted to release everything I had eaten this morning. Or did I even eat


    or not? I did not remember anymore.


    "Oh, Moon Goddess. How long will I be able to ovee my indifference to the sight of blood?" I


    whispered in my mind.


    It was always my usual reaction at the sight of blood. Aside from not having a wolf, I had the peculiar


    ability to faint at the mere sight of blood.


    "Do you believe the woman to be High Highness harem?" one woman said.


    I stilled. Servants. They were inside the room?


    A woman? Were they pertaining to me?


    I cringed my neck, eager to listen more. If I wanted to know more about the pce, I should listen to


    the servants. They were like the mouth of the news and hearsay.


    ¡°This woman?¡± another asked.


    It was almost a whisper but I could still hear them.


    I held my breath and pretended to sleep.


    "Shhh. Lower your voice. Or we will awaken them.¡± Her voice was almost a whisper but thanks to my


    heightened hearing, I could still hear them.


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°That''s the confusing part. You know the alpha king. We have been serving him for two decades, but


    the women who were always with him were sexy and beautiful as if they were goddesses who step


    here on earth. This woman was nothingpared to them. Not that kind of look. She is too in. Her


    hair earlier looked like a bird''s nest. If she is part of his harem, she will only bring disgrace to His


    Highness."


    Her words were like a hit to my ego.


    Was I that bad? And I even had the audacity to make the first move when I was still in my previous


    pack.


    Shame hit me hard like a bitch. No matter where I go, anyone would always picks on my physical


    imperfections.


    Am I that shameful for His Highness?


    It was true that my hair looked like a bird''s nest because of our near-death experience. It was


    stubbornly curly. I wanted to straighten them, but Icked the resources for that. There were far more


    important things than that.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "I know, right? You know what''s bogging my mind?" she said in a hushed tone.


    Long silence after.


    I felt they peeped in my direction.


    "When she fainted, His Highness automatically seized her. He growled at any man who would take her


    away from his arms when they only wanted to help the woman. Odd, right? Not natural, it was. He


    carried her despite His Highness''s wounds. And did you see how the blood poured out like a river?¡± I


    imagined she shivered at her vivid imagination of the past.


    ¡°Oh. I nearly fainted because of that. Which made me believe she is part of the harem."


    The alpha king did that? To what purpose?


    "Right. Right. When will our queene? I want our true queen to lead the kingdom. Not just a


    mistress. With the persistent problem about the rogues, His Highness needed someone to rely on."


    "I pity His Highness."


    "Shhh. You must never say it that loud. His Highness never wanted anyone to show he is tired and


    weak from solving all the pce concerns. The best we can do is help him by serving him what he


    needs to the best of our abilities."


    "I miss His Highness after his one-day visit at Haverstone Pack. I wonder if he already found his mate."


    "He is the only one who knows about that. If he found her, I am certain he would announce it to the


    whole kingdom. Come. Come. We will go now. His Highness and the woman are still sleeping."


    "I felt envious of her. She gained the alpha king''s affection."


    "We cannot do anything about it. There are luckier women out therepared to the others. And also


    added to that were the women he had bedded so far."


    Silence.


    "Speaking of that one...I saw them once..."


    Wait.


    What did the servant see? I wanted to hear the rest of the story so far. I heard their retreating footsteps


    followed by a soft click.


    I opened one eye and looked at the door. It was finally close. I listened to the surroundings. It seemed


    like I was the only one here.


    I released a breath that I was holding while the servants were talking. They were finally gone.


    I scanned the surroundings. I was in a chamber? It was elegantly decorated with all the ornaments


    made with gold. And the bed that I was currently lying in was enormous. A king-size bed. The flowery


    scent wafted through the air, tickling my nostrils.


    My lips parted as I continued to stare at the chamber. I had never entered such a magnificent room and


    even Alpha Erik''s room was nothingpared to this one. It was still beautiful but not as fine as this.


    This fitted the alpha king.


    My gaze shifted to the other side of the bed. King Maxxwell? So it was true that we were inside his


    chamber? He was topless. Again. One hand was covering a part of his face while another one was on


    his side.


    My cheeks burned as I continued ogling at him.


    "Your Highness..." I whispered under my breath.


    No responseing from him.


    He was softly snoring. A medic gauze roll was wrapped securely around his waist. There was a faint


    color of red¡ªblood. But it was manageable on my side.


    I heaved myself out of the bed, dragged a vacant chair, and went to the alpha king''s side. My guilt for


    what had happened to him was like a bitch constantly saying it was my fault why his wound got worse.


    It would also take a few days before it would heal fully.


    I had to do something. Or the people''s hatred towards me will be worse.


    I drew a long breath, and put my hand on his forehead. No one should know what I will do. If they


    know, they will exploit me.


    "Forgive me, Your Highness. It will hurt but you will get better after this."


    I closed my eyes, gathered all the energy around me, chanted some incoherent words in the ears of


    the others, got inside the alpha king''s body, and particrly went directly to repair the broken tissues


    from his wound.


    I was five years old when I found out I had healing abilities. It was when I fell from a two-story building


    and broke my ribs when I was doing my cleaning duties as an omega of the pack. I closed my eyes that


    time because of the onught of pain. Continuously. Until I saw and felt the energy gathered around


    me, resting on my hands. It burned and put the burning hands on my broken ribs and the bones slowly


    repaired themselves.


    King Maxxwell groaned.


    ¡°Please endure it, Your Highness,¡± I whispered.


    Sweat coated my forehead, but did not have the time to wipe it off. Must do it fast or the servants would


    enter the chamber again.


    Still closing my eyes, I saw the scary wounds on his side, ring at me. The wound ran deeper than I


    could imagine. Gathering another amount of energy, I concentrated it on the wound and it did the magic


    of healing it little by little.


    King Maxxwell¡¯s breathing became strained.


    ¡°Just another minute¡­¡±


    The wounds closed themselves and after this, the only thing that would be left would be the scars. I felt


    bad when I could not do anything about the marks. It was out of my ability.


    It was another ten minutes and I was finally done.


    I sank into my chair, my strength nearly at its lowest.


    ncing at the alpha king, I saw how his pallor turned into pinkish. His breathing was even.


    I needed a minute before I could stand. Healing someone or myself drains all my energy and it was the


    stomach upset.


    It would take another five minutes or more before His Highness would fully awaken, feeling brand new


    while I felt like a load of trucks fell over my body. Despite that, that would make me less guilty. King


    Maxxwell and I were even now. He saved me from the rogues. I healed his wounds.


    Feeling I could now walk steadily, I stood, turned my back, and nned on going outside the chamber


    when someone said, ¡°River¡­¡±

 12. Would He Really Bite Me?

    12. Would He Really Bite Me?


    I inhaled sharply and turned around. King Maxxwell was up, his eyes darting all around.


    "River," he uttered again. This time with urgency.


    "Your Highness!" I eximed as my heart hammered against my chest. Did he find what I just did? Did


    he realize it was I who healed him?


    Rx, River. It is too soon to panic.


    He heaved himself out of the body. He moaned. Because of the pain from his side? But I healed him.


    I rushed to his side, and snaked my arms around his waist, helping him stand on his feet.


    Ugh. Too heavy. He looked like a giantpared to me.


    "Why did I suddenly feel light?" he asked with a confused look on his face.


    I chuckled nervously.


    "Perhaps...the pack doctor did an amazing job of healing you, Your Highness. That''s why you feel that


    way."


    He observed himself and without further ado, yanked the medical gauze out from his body.


    Looking downward, I stared at his left side...


    Both of us looked at his wound. Just as I expected. The only thing that was left was the long scar.


    I smiled inwardly and patted myself for doing a great job.


    "It''s healed?"


    "The pack doctor is the best, Your Highness. I suggest you raise his rank."


    He threw the cloth to the floor.


    "How did you know the pack doctor tended me when during that time, you fainted, River?"


    I shifted the weight to the other side of my foot. Damn. I should be careful with my words now.


    "It''s merely my guess, Your Highness. It is a tradition in my pack that if someone was injured, we would


    always call the pack doctor."


    "That''s the first thing to do. Actually."


    His eyes squinted, not really believing my statement even if I was telling the truth. No one knew I could


    heal. If Alpha Erik knew about it, he would use me and force me to heal our packmates who were on


    the verge of dying. I was not saying I did not want to save them. I just did not want to be taken


    advantage of.


    King Maxxwell released a sigh. "You have a point."


    I beamed at him.


    "Where will you go now, Your Highness?" I asked, changing the topic of our conversation. The more I


    lie, the more I will be caught.


    "Bring me my clothes. I will attend a meeting with my council."


    Ow. That would be great. Then, I will have the chance of roaming around the pce. I vow to start a


    new life and never allowed anyone to trample me. And the first thing I would do was to gain the


    servant''s affection. And if I seed in that, they will defend me.


    I clenched my fist.


    My lips pressed into a thin line. I will rise to the top so that they will look at me and respect me.


    "What are you thinking, River? And where are my clothes?"


    I jumped at his voice and realized I was still in front of him. Not moving. "Oh! Forgive me, Your


    Highness. I will look for your clothes."


    I did not know where he put his clothes. This was my first time in this room. Left with no choice, I


    opened every door I saw, scampered, and went to his cab and was weed and overwhelmed


    with his expensive suits, vests, t-shirts, and everything I could think of. My eyes widened as I felt the


    softness of each fabric. There were also military clothes and crowns safely hidden inside.


    Wow.


    "Hurry up! What are you even doing there?" King Maxxwell''s roared.


    "Right away, Your Highness!" I grabbed whatever thing my hand could grasp and rushed towards his


    side.


    Breathing heavily, I offered the clothes to him. One long navy blue jacket and the same color of trouser.


    "Here it is, Your Highness. Sorry for the long wait."


    He red at me.


    "Your mind is always elsewhere, River. Do you want to return to Alpha Erik?"


    I stepped back, waving my hand like crazy. "No, no, Your Highness. I don''t want to return to Haverstone


    Pack. I want it here."


    "Is that true or are you merely letting me hear what I wanted to hear?"


    "It is what my heart desires, Your Highness. Nothing else. I want to serve you because I believe I can


    do well with you."


    "I will watch for that. Put the clothes on my body."


    I cross my arms across myself. My gaze shifted all around the areas of the room.


    "What? But¡ª"


    "Are you saying no, River?"


    I snapped my head in his direction. "No, Your Highness."


    "Put it on my body."


    Against my will, I slipped the long jacket into his body and buttoned everything.


    "Next. The trousers."


    I shifted my weight from side to side. "Your Highness..."


    "Now!"


    I flinched at his voice and looked down only to see he was only wearing his underwear.


    My cheek burned in humiliation. Why didn''t the servants put anything down there?


    And why did it suddenly feel so hot?


    I nced up and met his gaze. His eyebrows were raised, waiting for me to slip his trousers into his


    body.


    "Can''t you do it yourself, Your Highness?" I asked. I may be a servant at Haverstone Pack but never


    did I experience clothing with someone, not even a man!


    Scowling, he asked, "You''re saying no to the alpha king? May I remind you that you permitted yourself


    to be my personal servant in exchange for helping you?"


    "And to look for my parents and mark me, Your Highness," I added.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I bit my lower lip as I realized what I had said. I needed to takemand of my tongue. "Did I say too


    much, Your Highness?"


    Without even saying anything, His Majesty strolled towards me. I held my breath as I waited for what


    he would do.


    My heart beat so loudly that it seemed I was bing deaf.


    King Maxxwell lifted my chin, forcing me to gaze at his tantalizing eyes.


    "What did you say, River?"


    Swallowing greedily, I answered, "I am solely reminding you of the deal that took ce between us,


    Your Highness."


    "Marking you, you say? For what purpose? Do you even know what it means to mark someone to us


    werewolves? Or are you a fool for asking me that one?"


    The softness of my mounds pressed into him and I could feel the beating of his heart. It was steady


    and felt like a melody in my ears. Unlike mine which was beating frantically.


    I looked down. "Marking means you take me as yours."


    Why was he hesitating? The servants said that he had a lot of harem with him. I was certain they also


    have marks on their necks¡ªa sign that would make other men back off from them.


    "And you still insist on marking you?" He shook his head. "You are a fool. I would never mark anyone


    unless she is my mate. You are not."


    I gritted my teeth. "But you promised, Your Highness. Why is it easy for you to break your promises?"


    "I said I will do it. But not now. I will fulfill it if my mind changes. However, at this moment, I stick to my


    desire of marking only my mate."


    He turned his back to me.


    Oh. Do not go yet, Your Highness. We are not yet done talking.


    "An alpha king doesn''t break his promises," I announced. "You should be true to your words, Your


    Highness. How will your people believe in your words if you yourself did not know to honor our


    promises?"


    The alpha king rotated one hundred eighty degrees and faced me again.


    King Maxxwell''s eyes glinted dangerously. He squeezed himself into my body and I could not help but


    step back until my back hit the cold wall.


    "You are the only one who possesses this kind of foolishness, River."


    Instead of getting intimidated, I said, "It is not foolishness, Your Highness, but being true to our words."


    "Finding your real parents is okay. But marking you? A child?"


    "I am no longer a child. I am at my legal age."


    He scoffed. "Still a child to me."


    His breath fanned against mine. And the next thing he did, he leaned on me and rested his face on the


    hollow of my neck.


    I felt his teeth scraping my soft flesh.


    "Is this what you want me to do, River?" he asked and licked my skin. I felt his teeth elongate.


    My heart jumped. Excitement and nervousness rushed through me.


    Would he really bite me?

 13. I Dont Want to be Your Mate

    13. I Don''t Want to be Your Mate


    Excitement was killing me as I prepared myself for the alpha king''s bite.


    I clenched my fist.


    Finally. After this, I would carry the mark of the alpha king and would proudly wear it like a trophy. The


    people would look at me with envy and some with hate. I did not care about thetter. They could hate


    me as much as they want. What mattered most would be the alpha king''s mark.


    The mark will also save me from anyone''s bullying. They will no longer hurt me.


    Staying quiet and kind will not save me from anyone''s wickedness. Being cunning and using my brain


    would help me.


    King Maxxwell stopped mid-air. I felt his fangs retract, licked my neck, and rested his forehead against


    mine.


    "Your Highness, is there something wrong?" I queried.


    "Do you really think I will mark you, River? Do you take me as a fool? I''ve been serving the throne for a


    long time, not needing a Luna with me. What made you think I would change my mind just because you


    came along? Huh?" he spat.


    My blood went cold.


    Did he just tease me? He yed with my emotions.


    That makes the two of you even, River. You are going to use him.


    "W-what a cruel thing to do, Your Highness."


    His lips pressed into a thin line. "It''s your fault for expecting too much, River. My decision remains the


    same." He stepped backward and extended his hands. "What are you waiting for? Resume."


    I clenched my fist. I regretted healing him! I really did!


    "Understood, Your Highness," I finally said and slipped his trousers into his body. "Done."


    "There. You can do it fast, yet you are notpliant earlier," he taunted. "Acting shy."


    "What do you want me to do next, Your Highness?" I asked, changing the topic.


    "Apany me to my meeting with the Council."


    I snapped my head towards him. "But, Your Highness."


    "You will join me. End of discussion. It''s already time."


    He buttoned his trousers while I stepped backward.


    What will I do with the meeting? Serve them coffee? Tea? Drinks? Or act as their secretary? But I am


    freaking illiterate!


    He nced at my clothes and up at my hair. As if on habit, I ttened my hair to no avail. "Fix yourself."


    I. Am. Trying.


    "What about my clothes, Your Highness? I will serve as your face. I cannot go looking like this."


    I was still wearing the same clothes I wore on our trip.


    "Servants!"


    In a snap of a finger, a knock was heard from the door and it burst open followed by two servants.


    "Yes, Your Highness," they said in unison. "Your Highness, do your wound not hurt at all?"


    "It''s healed already."


    "That fast?" they said all together.


    "Yes."


    "Thank the heavens, Your Highness. The people, your people are deeply worried about your current


    state."


    "You can tell them it''s healed."


    The more I listened to their exchanges, the more I recognized the voice! They were the same voice


    who was backstabbing me earlier!


    "Choose something that would fit, River. I will be having a meeting with the Council. She will join me. I


    want her to be as presentable as possible."


    They bowed. "Understood, Your Highness. We will be back in a minute," they said at the same time as


    if they were sharing the same mind.


    How interesting.


    "Do something about her red hair. It looks wild just like her. Fixed it. Do something about it."


    The two looked like twins with simrities in the color of their eyes¡ªchocte brown and their high


    nose stifled augh while mouthing to each other, "Wild as her." But they became serious when King


    Maxxwell gave them the look. One was a brte and the other one was a blonde.


    I fixed my hair in an attempt to remedy the unruly thing. To no avail. King Maxxwell was right. It was


    wild.


    "I can do it myself, Your Highness."


    The alpha king dismissed his hand. "Do it then, River. The two of you, go."


    In a hurried look, the two stepped out of the chamber.


    "Who are they, Your Highness?" I asked when they were gone.


    "ra and re. Twins. Fraternal. Been serving me for nearly two decades. Unmated."


    I was right in my assumptions. What was interesting was the alpha king knew their names. Alpha Erik


    rarely memorized the name of his servants, telling his subordinates it was pointless. He said that it was


    no longer necessary. That bastard.


    "And they did not bother to buy their freedom?" I inquired.


    ves can buy their freedom if their masters will allow it. At a given price. It can be an exchange of


    money. Treasures. Land. Or whatever the two parties had agreed.


    "They did not."


    "Will you give them their independence if they want to?" I pressed even more.


    "Questions, River. Are you an investigator?"


    I nibbled my lower lips. "Forgive me for asking too many questions, Your Highness. It is because since I


    will be serving you, I should learn a lot as fast as I can."


    "And you will serve as my face, River. Whatever you do will reflect me."


    I nodded.


    I excused myself and looked for my brush. I was d when I instantly found my bag lying on the


    bedside table and fished out myb.


    I winced when some parts of my hair untangled and muttered I would just cut them myself to spare


    myself from my misery.


    "Don''t cut your hair," His Highness muttered.


    "Fixing it will take a lot of time, Your Highness."


    "It''s beautiful."


    I stoppedbing and gawked at him. Everyone thought my hair was not to their liking. The volume


    was massive and the curls were too small when in fact it wasn''t. Despite that, I loved my hair, but the


    people''s opinions about it also influenced my way of thinking and in the long run, treated it as a hassle


    until the alpha king said another thing.


    "You think so, Your Highness?"


    He looked away and stared outside, folding his arms in front of his chest, and went into silent mode.


    My heart danced happily at his statement and it was enough to boost my confidence.


    I braided my hair and it reached the middle of my waist. And right after I was done, the twins¡ªra


    and ere entered with beautiful blue-green dresses.


    "Here it is, Your Highness."


    "Put it into her."


    "You will definitely love this, Miss¡ª"


    "River. Call me River and I am also a servant just like you. I am His Highness''s personal ve."


    "Ow," they said in unison and stared at each other. "Anyways, you will love this dress. It will fit perfectly


    on your body."


    With light steps, they strolled towards me, grinning. Then they grabbed both the hemline of my dress,


    and lifted it, but stopped them.


    "Wait!" I said.


    They looked at each other, with deep scowls. "What''s the matter, River?" It was ra.


    My eyes darted at the alpha king''s seat. They easily understood and put the hemline back.


    I cleared my throat when the alpha king continued to stare outside. "Your Highness..."


    As if they knew what I would say, the twins shook their heads, stopping me from what I would say.


    However, I was quite stubborn not to follow them and insisted on calling the alpha king''s attention.


    "Your Highness..."


    The alpha king looked at me. "What?" he barked. "Why are you not done, yet?"


    "Can you go outside?" I asked.


    The twins gawked at me as if I uttered the most foolish word.


    The alpha king''s eyes glinted. "This is my room, River."


    "I know but I will change my clothes."


    He stood. The twins retreated, but I held my ground. "You want to order me to go outside while you


    dress? Is that it, River?"


    I grinned at him. "Yes, Your Highness. It is not fit to order the alpha king but I don''t want to take off my


    clothes when you are still here..."


    "This chamber has its own changing room. You can do it there, River."


    I chuckled, ncing at the twins who turned pale just by looking at us. What''s the matter with them?


    "I see. Forgive me, Your Highness. I have a lot of things to do¡ª"


    In an instant, the alpha king punched the wall beside us. "Know your ce, River. I do not like the way


    you are acting. You''re not my mate."


    I was left aghast.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "I don''t want to be your mate either, Your Highness," I answered back.

 14. Smiling and Seducing

    14. Smiling and Seducing


    The twins gasped while I continued looking at King Maxxwell. I did not know what came into my mind,


    but it just happened like that.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want me to be your mate, huh?¡± the alpha king asked. ¡°Do tell your reasons, River,¡± he said,


    emphasizing my name.


    Having him as my mate would be a big advantage on my part. His Highness could offer me the biggest


    protection I could get. However, in exchange, my life would always be in peril.


    ¡°It¡¯s because you do not want me, Your Highness. I don¡¯t want to force myself to be with someone who


    doesn''t like me. My mate rejected me once. I don¡¯t want to suffer again another rejection.¡±


    One of the twins put her hand on my shoulder, wanting to sympathize with me.


    ¡°You are better off with someone who will ept you as you, River.¡±


    ¡°Or to stay single or unmated for the rest of your life,¡± the brte, re offered.


    I gave them each a small smile, feeling victorious that slowly, I was gaining their attention and


    The alpha king was unmoving for a few seconds.


    ¡°If you do not have anything to say, Your Highness, can I at least go for now? I will put this dress on so


    we could go to your meeting.¡±


    He turned his back. ¡°Do it faster,¡± was the only thing he said.


    Inside the changing room, the twins hastily helped me slip on the dress, and to my amazement, it fit


    perfectly with my body. It was not that tight or not too loose. Just perfect for my frame as if it was made


    just for me.


    The twins gave me their approval as they looked at my dress.


    ¡°I¡¯m scared I would ruin this dress,¡± I whispered, brushing my fingertips along the soft fabric.


    The dress had a long sleeve but was open in the chest area, showing enough cleavage. My belly


    button was slightly showing. The dress reached past my knee.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. Now that you are the face of the alpha king, you have to do your best in serving him,¡± they


    said again altogether.


    I chuckled. ¡°Is that your usual way of conversation?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± they said again at the same time.


    ¡°That way. Talking in unison. It¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ra shrugged. ¡°We can look at each other¡¯s mind and know what we are thinking.¡±


    re said, ¡°It is not a big deal, River. Now, we have to go outside before the alpha king will throw a


    tantrum again.¡±


    ¡°Wait. What do you mean by being the face of the alpha king?¡±


    The two nced at each other as if they were contemting whether they would let me in with the


    secret or not.


    In the end, they whispered. ¡°This is purely based on our observation. You should never let the alpha


    king know this.¡±


    I nodded and lent more to them. ¡°My lips are sealed.¡±


    ¡°Every ten years, he usually chooses a personal ve that would serve him. And he would kill them


    with his face.¡±


    ¡°And then?¡±


    ¡°When you say you are the face of the alpha king, you are required to be modest in words and


    thoughts. Your fashion will synchronize with him. You will be his voice when he does not want to talk.


    You can givemands using his name. Above all, you willy down your life when it is needed to


    save the alpha king.¡±


    ¡°I canmand someone to do my bidding?¡±


    ¡°Yes. In short, you have some power over the ves. You are like the right hand of the alpha king.¡±


    ¡°My position is that powerful?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But given your status as a servant, I am afraid, someone will not honor your position.¡±


    My heart sank. My past would always be a hindrance to achieving my goal. That was why I should bear


    His Highness''s mark.


    ¡°Do they know about it?¡±


    ¡°Only us. But we are certain someone already did a background check on your life. That¡¯s how life in


    this ce works. You will be encountering a lot of enemies along the way if you are on the alpha king¡¯s


    side.¡±


    That was expected already.


    I beamed at them. These women will be of great use to me. ¡°Thank you so much for filling me with all


    the information I should know.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. We are happy to help you. You see, you seem kind.¡±


    The guilt gnawed at me. However, I try to set it aside for having no choice. I will do it to survive in the


    pce.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go now. The alpha king is waiting for us.¡±


    ¡ª-----------------


    I shifted my weight from side to side as King Maxxwell continued looking at me. I could not tell if he was


    satisfied with my dress or not. His expression wouldn¡¯t allow me to see it.


    He was hard to read. Difficult to please.


    ¡°Did it pass your taste, Your Highness?¡± I asked.


    ¡°River is gorgeous with that dress, Your Highness,¡± ra urged. Perhaps she saw it was getting


    awkward as moments passed by.


    ¡°Absolutely gorgeous,¡± re seconded. She put her hands on my shoulders and turned me around. I


    nearly tripped because of the fast motion, and the twins giggled softly.


    He remained silent again.


    Damn it. I was trying to gain his favor, but he was not saying anything.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    I uttered my thanks to the twins and followed the alpha king.


    No matter where I go, as long as I was in the presence of the alpha king, the people would always


    stare at me. This was what I realized as I followed him. His eyes were straight, trying to answer the


    people¡¯s courtesy while I was a mere inch far from him. I was like his tail. I looked like a dog waiting for


    his master¡¯smands.


    Life at Haverstone Pack resurfaced in my mind.


    By this time, I would be again busy cleaning every ce in the packhouse. Especially the kitchen which


    I loved dearly. The cook was awfully good at me, letting me eat some leftovers.


    ¡°Eyes forward, River.¡±


    I jumped at the alpha king¡¯s voice. He was already beside me, matching my every step. He did not


    have to do that. I was his ve.


    ¡°Forgive me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hearing you say your apologies over and over again is already irritating, River. Can you be more


    creative in uttering your apologies?¡±


    I yed with my hands. His scent hit me hard and I had a difficult time stopping myself from sniffing


    him. He smelt so good even if he did not wear any cologne.


    ¡°Forgive¡ª¡± I cut my own words, reminded of what he just said earlier. I gave him a throaty grin. ¡°It will


    not happen again, Your Highness.¡±


    We passed by a group of guards. They saluted and the alpha king gave his curt nod and we turned left.


    Where was the meeting taking ce again?


    ¡°A kiss between us does not make us friendly towards each other, River. Or friends.¡±


    My cheeks automatically burned at the memories of our heated kiss. Back in the pack. I already buried


    it in the deepest corner of my memory. But why did he have to bring it back?


    ¡°What? I am not¡­trying to be friendly with you, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Really? Why do you always smile?¡±


    Why would someone always think smiling was equivalent to flirting?


    ¡°Because I always smile back before?¡± I offered to say.


    It was partly true. I always prepared my smile whenever I stepped inside the kitchen. The cook would


    say something about being the cheerful ve.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    I clenched my fist and erased my smile. ¡°What do you think, then, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°That you are trying to seduce me with your smile.¡±


    Seducing him with my smile, he said? It did not even cross my mind.


    My steps faltered and I stared at him in disbelief. I looked around. The hallway was empty. I can say


    what I want to say.


    ¡°With all due respect, Your Highness, if I wanted to seduce you, I mind as well strip in front of you. But I


    don¡¯t want to do that. You said earlier that you don¡¯t want me to be your mate and the feelings are


    mutual.¡± I beamed at him. ¡°Smiling eases my stress, Your Highness. Please allow me to do this. This


    would make me adjust faster in life at the pce.¡±


    ¡°Do what you want. I don¡¯t care. But remember I do not always smile. And being my face, you should


    portray my emotions.¡±


    I stilled and removed my smile. This brute was difficult to please.


    ¡°Understood, Your Highness.¡±


    We continued walking a couple of distances and finally stopped in front of a big room, heavily guarded


    by warriors of the pce.


    I fixed myself, nervous at what I might see on the other side of the door. What kind of people will I see?


    The bullies? The friendly type? Or the unreadable ones?


    ¡°We are here, River. I want you to be on your best behavior and not fool around.¡±


    Before I could reply, the guards opened the door and I was momentarily blinded by the lighting


    from inside the room. I saw silhouettes of people.


    My eyes widened at what I saw inside the meeting hall.


    ¡°Are they real?¡± was all I said and His Majesty dragged me inside, holding my hand.


    ¡°Your Highness, you do not have to bring your servant with you.¡±


    Servant.


    My head spun. Someone already knew my status.

 15. I Need to Teach You a Lesson

    15. I Need to Teach You a Lesson


    ¡°All, rise in honor of the alpha king!¡±


    They rose from their seats and bowed to him.


    ¡°You can settle now.¡±


    The alpha king sat in front of them while I was beside him, gawking at them.


    The alpha king¡¯s council wasposed of two men and two gorgeous women each possessing their


    uniqueness. One man was d in all ck. His cape was adorned by the faces of men. I did not know


    if they were real or not, but they seemed genuine in my eyes. Was it only me who saw the faces eyes


    keep ncing around?


    The second one looked like a prince. Or perhaps he was one. I did not know. The other female was


    garbed in all pink. A mask found on her face was that of a werewolf and beside her was a real wolf who


    looked like it was ring at me, baring its pointed teeth. How could I see she was a woman? It was not


    because of the color pink on her clothes but because of the intricate designs of her dress. The other


    woman was dressed in all white and on her side was a bow while the arrow was on her back. A warrior.


    ¡°Do not mind her presence. She is my personal servant. Her name is River from Haverstone Pack.¡±


    ¡°Is that necessary, Your Highness? I thought you already stopped having one when Zenith¡ª¡±


    At the mention of the name, King Maxxwell¡¯s face darkened. He punched the table. The wine in each of


    their sses danced.


    The wolf at the woman¡¯s side retreated sensing the alpha king¡¯s anger.


    ¡°I-I am sorry, Your Highness,¡± the woman said. She tried to calm her wolf by brushing its furs using her


    fingers.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Payton! Watch your mouth! If you do not want to be an additional decoration on my cape, you will shut


    your mouth.¡±


    The woman named Payton shut her mouth while the other woman, the warrior, was closely watching


    her.


    ¡°Noah. It was merely a slip of the tongue,¡± Payton said. ¡°Besides, I already uttered my apologies to the


    alpha king.¡±


    The one who was called Noah, who wore a cape answered back. ¡°There arews we must abide by.


    We are not excluded from following them just because we are the Council,¡± he scolded.


    He looked like a father scolding his child.


    She rolled her eyes at Noah. ¡°I said I am sorry already. You talk too much, Noah,¡± Payton answered


    again.


    The prince pushed the wine sses in front of the two.


    ¡°Oh, Noah. The day is still young. You do not have to be furious now,¡± the prince announced, grinning.


    Among the four, he was the only one who I will most likely talk to. The rest, I think I should gather more


    courage to do so. ¡°We will only scare the alpha king¡¯s servant.¡±


    ¡°You shut your mouth, Elijah,¡± Noah eximed. ¡°It is not your time to talk now.¡±


    Ow. His name was Elijah. The name fitted him right.


    Elijah muttered under his breath saying how stern Noah could be.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough for now. We will start the meeting, Noah.¡±


    Everyone settled back to their seats. It was a long table with the king situated at the top.


    I shifted my weight from side to side. My presence was not needed here. Why would His Highness


    bring me into this room? Because of me, they only quarreled with each other.


    ¡°Everyone. Her name is River. I chose her as my personal assistant after quite some time. I thought


    everyone would agree to what I had decided.¡±


    I did not think it was necessary to announce my name to them. I was nothing but a servant.


    The warrior princess asked, ¡°It¡¯s not to pry your personal life, Your Highness, but you can handle it


    now? After what happened?¡±


    My gaze kept darting at them.


    They were using cryptic conversations. The only thing that would never be erased from my mind was


    the name Zenith. Wasn''t it the same name His Highness had uttered when he was having a nightmare?


    There was no way I would be mistaken. It was Zenith.


    I wanted this meeting to end and will ask the twins about Zenith. Perhaps they knew about Zenith.


    ¡°It was already a long time ago. Besides, River will be training to be stronger. She will be my


    sword and shield. She vowed toy down her life.¡±


    Just like what we had talked about in the coach. I did not know if I was prepared to die or not. But one


    thing was for sure. I will not die without knowing my parent''s identity and taking revenge against Alpha


    Erik for rejecting me.


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± the warrior princess said. I better get her nameter. I liked her. She looked strong in


    my eyes. How I wished I could be like her.


    ¡°As a warrior myself, River does not possess the ability to do that. Shecks agility and will. If there is


    an attack, she will run first with her tail behind her legs. If you are looking for your sword and shield,


    your warriors will do a great job.¡±


    ¡°Vivian¡­ I will train her myself.¡±


    Their eyes widened at his deration.


    ¡°Your Highness, I can do it myself,¡± Payton volunteered. ¡°You are already busy enough to handle the


    kingdom affairs.¡±


    ¡°And risk spilling out the secrets? Not a chance, Payton,¡± Noah interjected.


    Payton stuck out her tongue at Noah. They looked like a child, always bickering.


    ¡°I volunteer, Your Highness,¡± the prince said.


    ¡°Not you, Elijah. You will only flirt with her,¡± Noah said again. ¡°The best candidate would be Vivian.¡±


    ¡°She is. But I want to train her personally.¡±


    I fisted the hemline of my dress. They had more serious things to talk about, but they talked about me.


    Wanting to put them on track, I raised my hands.


    King Maxxwell¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°What is it, River?¡±


    ¡°Can I have a say on this, Your Highness?¡±


    The prince nodded while wearing a smile as if he was urging me to continue and not mind the stares


    ¡°You always have something on your mind, River,¡± the alpha king muttered massaging the back of his


    neck. "Hurry up. Tell me what is on your mind.¡±


    What will I say again?


    My mind suddenly was nk. However, I felt the words at the tip of my tongue, but could not remember


    what it was.


    ¡°River?¡±


    ¡°N-nothing, Your Highness. I forgot what I would say.¡±


    King Maxxwell gave me a bored look. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the meeting will start now.¡±


    Their topic was again about the rogue werewolves. From what they had talked about, the enemies


    were advancing in the northern part of the kingdom. Some warriors were already in the area, trying to


    control them. Aside from that, I also learned that each member of the council was assigned to different


    parts of the kingdom¡¯s territory. The prince was monitoring the East. Vivian was in the west. Payton on


    the South, and Noah on the North.


    The more I listened to their discussion, the heavier my eyelids became. The alpha king¡¯s voice seemed


    like a luby to my ears and I could not help but be sleepy even if I was only standing at his side.


    No. I must not sumb to the darkness.


    I shook my head, trying to ward off my drowsiness.


    However, it was too strong. What was happening? Why did I suddenly feel sleepy?


    Must not sleep. River! I chastised myself.


    Until my head fell backward and my eyes awakened.


    I blinked a couple of times, trying to force myself to keep my eyes awake.


    ¡°River.¡±


    I pped my cheeks a couple of times. The pain drove away my drowsiness.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    I looked at his side and saw his stern expression. His frown worsened even more.


    ¡°You. Just. Sleep. In the middle of the meeting.¡±


    I gulped. Did I?


    My drowsiness easily disappears. ¡°I-I did not, Your Highness. I was merely imagining what happened to


    the North and the situation of themoners while you talk," I lied.


    ¡°If you did not, can you tell me what time we adjourned the meeting?¡±


    Adjourned? What? What the¡ª


    I paled when I saw the Council was already gone. How did it happen? I only sleep a wink. Right?


    ¡°Do you remember you are my face, River?¡± King Maxxwell asked calmly.


    Damn it. Why did I doze again?


    ¡°Y-Your Highness. It was not my intention to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I need to teach you a lesson, River.¡±

 16. Im Doomed

    16. I''m Doomed


    My head spun at the mere hearing of the word punishments. Images of my life at Haverstone Pack


    resurfaced again. The whipping. The kicking. The starvation.


    I clutched my chest as my breathing became faster. I did not want to experience those things again.


    Too painful.


    I staggered backward.


    I messed up. It was a simple mistake, yet bore a great consequence on my part.


    ¡°Your Highness. Please forgive me for being wrong. It will never happen again, Your Highness.¡±


    His eyes glinted and turned sharply as a de.


    ¡°You will never learn if I keep on turning a blind eye to your mistakes, River. My personal servant


    should nevermit a single mistake. You have to keep in mind that you are no longer in your pack.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Your life will be different and more difficult here depending on your performance.¡±


    My life was always difficult even back in my previous pack. However, I just kept those words to myself.


    I inhaled sharply as my blood turned cold.


    ¡°Your Highness. Please, I beg of you! Just this once.¡±


    ¡°You must learn your lesson,¡± he said using that cold voice. ¡°Don¡¯t think I favor you.¡±


    He stood and looked at the door.


    ¡°Servants!¡± he called them. ¡°Hurry! Or you will also be punished with her!¡± he barked.


    Oh, Moon Goddess!


    I knelt automatically. I would do whatever it takes to change his mind. Even if it means I had to lick the


    ground where he was standing. Perhaps he would take pity on me. I did not want to take any sort of


    punishment. It was too painful.


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± I whispered looking up at him. ¡°Please. Let it slide. I will never sleep again during your


    meetings. I will be wide awake. I will drink coffee. If it is needed.¡± My eyes watered, trying to plead my


    case.


    We heard the knocking on the door, it burst open and the twins came inside ¡ªra and re.


    They gasped when they spotted me kneeling in front of King Maxxwell and went to my side. They both


    held each of my arms, silently urging me to stand, but I did not.


    ¡°Your Highness. To what do we owe you?¡± they said in unison.


    ¡°Bring River to the dungeon,¡± he said nonchntly.


    They looked at each other and paled. ¡°The dungeon...¡±


    ¡°The dungeon,¡± King Maxxwell rified. ¡°There is only one dungeon in the kingdom.¡±


    ra looked at me with a pitiful expression. ¡°Your Highness, I did not know if the servant¡¯s words are


    important, but River is still new to the pce. She did not know our customs and traditions. Whatever


    mistake shemitted, was because of herck of knowledge. Perhaps, you can let it slide. Just


    once?¡±


    re stepped forward. ¡°I agree with my sister, Your Highness. River may be impulsive sometimes, but I


    know she has a good heart and is intelligent enough to learn as fast as she can.¡±


    They said altogether, ¡°Your Highness, we beg your pardon.¡±


    My heart warmed at the twin''s gestures. Such pure hearts. They were defending me even if they did


    not really know me.


    I clenched my fist when I remembered I dared to use them to my advantage. They were genuine


    people.


    My knees were already starting to protest from kneeling. The twins'' hands were still on my shoulders.


    The alpha king stood silently as if he was in deep thought.


    ¡°Your Highness, we beg your pardon.¡±


    ¡°No. My decision is final. Bring her to the dungeon. Let her reflect on what she had done. So she will do


    better on her job next time.¡±


    ¡°But...¡±


    ¡°But...¡±


    The alpha king turned his back on us.


    ¡°The dungeon is where we put the captured rogues and the criminals. It smells and is crowded. It is


    also dark. We cannot just put River there, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I can and I will, re,¡± he said while his back was facing us. ¡°What she did in front of the Council was


    already uneptable. What would they even think? That I did not teach her? A dungeon is a ce for


    anyone who dared to disobey the alpha king. I can also put the nobles there.¡±


    He did not teach me anything, I whispered to myself. How could he educate me when he was silent


    during our trip? And he was injured to even teach me and tell me something about the pce.


    It was not an excuse, but at least he could consider my situation.


    ¡°What did she do, Your Highness? If we may ask?¡± the twins asked at the same time while they kept on


    ncing at me.


    I hung my head low. Why did I feel embarrassed when I realized I sleep? If there was someone to be


    med, it was none other than the alpha king himself! Shame on him for having a nice voice!


    ¡°She was sleeping during the whole meeting while standing.¡±


    ¡°Ow,¡± they said. ¡°Just like the servant we know of..¡±


    I looked at them, frowning. ¡°Who?¡± I could not help but ask.


    ¡°It is not your concern, River. Stand and go with the twins. I will call you when you learn from your


    mistakes.¡±


    With my knees hurting, I hastily followed his orders. I wiped the specks of dust on my knees. ¡°Your


    Highness, I am already aware of my mistakes. I will not do it again.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t, River. I assure you will not do it again after you enter the dungeon. I don¡¯t want to see her


    at the moment. Guards!¡± A man entered and bowed to the alpha king. ¡°Apany the twins and my


    personal servant into the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± the twins said.


    However, the alpha king dismissed his hands.


    I bit back the tears. I would never cry. I will show him I was strong and will survive this challenge. I will


    prove to the alpha king that he was wrong.


    The guard led the way and we followed after. I kept ncing at the alpha king, in hope that he would


    change his decision. That he would call me. That he already had a change of mind, but he did not.


    My heart sank to the deepest bottom.


    One thing was for sure. I am doomed.


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


    From the entrance of the dungeon, I smell the pungent smell of urine, human excreta, suffering, and


    pain.


    I was thankful that the guard who was apanying me was not forceful nor not in a hurry. He just


    waited for the three of us to take our time. His kindness in this situation reminded me of someone.


    The twin''s shoulders drooped as if they were the ones who will be imprisoned in the dungeon.


    ¡°Rx. The alpha king will show his mercy,¡± I said, trying to make them feel better.


    ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± the twins said, altogether, not sugar-coating their words. For my sake.


    Iughed nervously. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°He was known not to change his mind whenever he had given his verdict. He always sticks to that.


    Never in the history of his leadership did he¡ª¡± ra stopped in mid-air when re whispered


    something. ¡°Ow. There was a time. When the name who must never be mentioned was still alive.¡±


    I nced back. The guard was a meter between us. ¡°Who are you referring to?¡±


    ¡°ra. We are forbidden to say anything about her. It¡¯s thew of the kingdom after her death.¡±


    My fear of being kept in the dungeon was temporarily forgotten as my mind focused on the person who


    must never be mentioned. If I was correct, we were thinking about only one person. The one whom the


    alpha king uttered.


    What would the twins say if I told them the alpha king had his nightmares about that person?


    No.


    The alpha king will even get furious.


    ¡°What?¡± I leaned on them. ¡°Are you talking about Zenith?¡± I asked, mouthing thest words.


    The twins looked at me with horrified looks.

 17. Dungeon

    17. Dungeon


    ¡°T-that bad?¡± I asked when I saw the twin¡¯s expression. ¡°What happened to the woman? Did someone


    kill her? Did the alpha king kill her?¡± I asked, continuously.


    A part of me wanted to figure out what happened to that woman. It seemed like if I knew about her


    story, I would know more about the alpha king. Knowing more about him would be a must.


    ¡°Sssh!¡± the twins hushed. ¡°The guard will hear you! If one of them found out we were talking about her,


    they were given the power to imprison anyone who mentioned that name.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Was that woman powerful enough that the alpha king had decided to carry that order?


    re red at her sister. ¡°ra. We are done talking about her. Pretend we did not say anything to


    River.¡±


    ra panicked. She drew a couple of breaths trying to control her emotions and the only thing I could


    do was stare at the two of them.


    I did not understand why a single name carried that power even if she was already dead. If only I had


    acquired the same power as her. I wanted to be like that. To be like Zenith.


    ¡°I said nothing. I said nothing,¡± ra muttered to herself. "River. Pretend we did not tell you anything."


    "O-okay," I replied.


    I froze when a sharp object was suddenly pointed at my back.


    ¡°How long will you continue gossiping?¡±


    It was the guard.


    ¡°Hey! We are not doing anything!¡± the twins said in unison.


    ¡°Freak!¡± the guard spat at the twins.


    The twins advanced and were on the brink of pping the guard when I stopped them.


    ¡°ra! re! It is not worth it!¡± I eximed. They stopped and faced me. ¡°Let it go.¡±


    I thought they would not listen to me because we were both ves of the alpha king, but to my


    surprise, they did with ra muttering curses under her breath.


    I sighed.


    I hoped I would learn more about Zenith in the dungeon. There was nothing to fear inside if I pry a little


    more.


    My gaze darted to the entrance.


    Other guards were guarding the entrance of the dungeon.


    "ra? re?" I asked.


    I stepped back.


    My fear started creeping in. My foot was rooted to the ground as images of what I might see shed in


    my mind. What if they will abuse me there? Back to my pack, the guards were abusive and thought


    they were next to Alpha Erik. They acted high and mighty and treated us like we were the lowest of the


    low and were nothing but dirt in the ground. I remembered one time when one of them forced me to put


    the rag on my mouth and in fear that they would hurt me, I just followed them.


    I shivered at the memory.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    How long will the ghost of my past torment me?


    ¡°This is how far we can go, River,¡± re said.


    ¡°Do not worry. We will continue pleading with the alpha king. Changing his mind might be next to


    impossible, but we have to try.¡±


    I gulped. My eyes shifted from one woman to another.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± I asked.


    They frowned at me. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I was always bullied by others because no one defends me. I was also an easy target because I was


    an orphan. No mother and father to get my back.¡±


    I was expecting the evil looks on their faces, but instead saw how they pity me.


    ¡°Ow. Poor woman. You have us. We also have no one but ourselves. We were thankful that the alpha


    king did not separate us. If the other thing happened, one of us would go crazy.¡±


    The barrel of the gun was suddenly pointed at my back.


    ¡°The three of you are testing my patience,¡± the guard said again.


    ¡°Put the gun down!¡± ra said, ready to make a fight.


    Before a brawl could start, I stepped forward, strolling towards the entrance.


    ¡°I will remain strong until you make him change his mind.¡± I smiled at them, to console them and was


    met by the two guards.


    They held both of my arms and led me into the deeper part of the dungeon.


    The pungent smell continued to attack my nostril, nearly making me gag.


    ¡°I can walk,¡± I said.


    ¡°We know but you can escape.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I replied. If I tried to escape, I would not win the alpha king¡¯s affection. All I needed to do was


    to bepliant.


    Theyughed as if I had joked with them. ¡°We always hear that one.¡±


    I nearly poke when the smell of blood was getting stronger. Someone was wounded?


    ¡°Did someone hurt himself?¡± I asked, out of the blue.


    Stop, River. That is out of your concern. What do you n to do next? Heal the wounded? Like a good


    Samaritan? That is not the reason why you are heard.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°I can smell the blood.¡±


    ¡°Aye. A man. A rogue who dared to escape the dungeon. We catch him and punish him.¡±


    The only thing that was the source of light was the big candles hanging on each side of the dungeon. It


    gave me an eerie feeling as if I was being watched.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    Whoever was watching will have fun since I was getting scared.


    I shook my head.


    Whoever was it, I will not let him see what I was feeling now.


    ¡°Is he okay?¡±


    The guard gave me a bored look. ¡°Barely breathing. It¡¯s his fault for trying to escape and trying to kill


    the alpha king.¡±


    I did not know but I found myself saying, ¡°You can put me in his cell.¡±


    The guards looked at me as if I had made the foolish decision of my life. Perhaps I did. I did not know


    what had gotten into me. I med it on that tiny voice telling me I should help him. Regardless of the


    sight of the blood.


    ¡°Are you mad?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I am,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Mad for letting my emotions get over me.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to make yourself a heroine?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. Maybe that person wanted someone to console him while he took hisst breath.¡±


    I mentally scolded myself for saying such cruel things. How could I say that given the seriousness of


    the situation? Someone might die and we were acting as if it was not urgent to help him.


    ¡°If you say so.¡±


    I wanted to change my mind. I really do. But we suddenly stopped in front of a cell. And this time, the


    smell of blood was the strongest.


    I stopped, my vision getting blurred.


    Bad decision, River. You¡¯re not the heroine of this story.


    ¡°Here is your cell. Be sure to say good things before he leaves this world, servant.¡±


    The guard pushed me toward the cell and nearly tripped.


    ring at them, I cursed them. but they paid me no mind.


    ¡°The Moon Goddess must have pitied me for bringing you into my cell.¡±


    I froze and faced the source of the voice. And there I saw was a man, sitting, barely breathing, with a


    dead expression on his face.

 18. Black Heart

    18. ck Heart


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I whispered. "A-are you okay?" I mentally pped myself for asking the obvious


    answer. No one would be okay just like that.


    How could he still have the strength to open his eyes? The blood¡ªhis blood dried beside him. I wanted


    to cover my nose, but I didn''t want the stranger to think I was disgusted with him.


    "Can you talk?"


    The least I could do for him was to give him consideration and mercy. It was too much. I wondered how


    he remained alive despite the blood loss.


    My head spun when I imagined the red and metallic blood.


    I gagged.


    I can¡¯t stomach it anymore. My vision was getting blurry. Gasping for breath, I went to the iron bars and


    held them as if my life depended on them.


    "I''m sorry."


    ¡°Did you suddenly feel sick after seeing me?¡± he asked, barely whispering. His breathing was shallow.


    He should be treated immediately! Why did the guards never pity him? They could have at least


    brought the pack doctor!


    I nced in his direction.


    I hesitated. ¡°You have to tend your wounds or they will be infected."


    "It was already infected. Come."


    I shook my head. My vision was still blurry.


    His lips curled.


    ¡°Understandable. Who would ever help a dying man?¡±


    He coughed. "Could you help me drive away the flies? My skin is always itchy whenever theynd on


    my skin."


    "What happened to you?" I murmured.


    "I don''t have the stamina to talk loudly." He coughed once more. Scratching his legs. A flynded on his


    face, but the stranger did not even shoo it away.


    I gulped, gathering my courage, and strolled towards him.


    His face was smeared with dirt. There was a big cut on his shoulders. Flies were everywhere. And he


    smelt. Urine. Human waste. Blood. Everything.


    "Who are you?" I asked.


    The urge to heal him was getting stronger. But if I did that¡­someone might see what I am doing and


    punish me for helping an enemy. I will never gain the alpha king¡¯s affection.


    Then watch him die, another part of me said.


    ¡°W-who are you?¡± I asked again but he did not answer.


    It looked like he was still young.


    I fanned myself when a fly went in my direction.


    He gave me a small smile. ¡°No one. A rogue. Trying to kill ck Heart.¡±


    ck Heart?


    ¡°Who are you referring to?¡±


    He stared at me with watchful eyes. It seems that those eyes will lose their light in a couple of minutes


    now.


    ¡°The alpha king.¡± He coughed once again. ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°A servant. Who was punished by ck Heart as you had said."


    I better ask the twins why the alpha king was called ck Heart.


    He gave a throatyugh that did not even reach his eyes. Low. Void of any emotion. Not lively. ¡°He


    always punishes anyone, believing he is¡ª¡±


    He stopped in mid-air.


    "Hey! Are you okay?"


    I looked for the guards. Called any one of them. But no response at all.


    Damn it! Why did I choose this cell again? I never wanted to be the main character. Only the side


    character.


    "H-help," he mouthed.


    The stranger''s eyes widened, clutched his arms, and fell to the ground. Hey just like that. Immobile.


    As if dead.


    My feet went cold. My heart hammered against my chest.


    ¡°Hey?¡± I asked. ¡°A-are you alive?¡± I asked and mentally scolded myself for being insensitive to a dying


    man just like him. When he did not move again.


    I rushed to his side and felt his pulse. It was faint. He was barely hanging with a thin trade.


    "Guards! Please call the pack doctor! Someone is dying here! Dammit! For chrissake! Someone help


    us!"


    "Let him die, woman. No one will help the prisoner in this ce. There is no hope here. The moment


    we step into this ce, let''s consider ourselves dead," a voice of an old man whispered.


    I cannot pinpoint which cell he was detained in. But it was no longer important. Think, River. What


    should you do?


    "You cannot do anything for him. Hold his hand. That''s what anyone wanted when they awaited their


    death. Someone else''s warmth to make them feel that they are not alone as the Angel of Death gets


    them."


    I shook my head. No. There is still something to be done. I cannot let someone die at my hands.


    I no longer care if someone might see what I could do.


    Not thinking anymore, I closed my eyes and gathered the energy around the dungeon.


    I nearly gagged when most of them were dark. Suffering. Pain. Endless torture. The energy was so


    dark that instead of assurance and warmth it suffocated me.


    I opened my eyes and gasped for air.


    Can I do it? Can I save this person when I could not even save myself? Stop thinking! Focus!


    I closed my eyes once again while the old man beside us was telling me something.


    "Give up, servant."


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I won''t.


    I winced and tried to look for another source. Just not in this ce. I looked around and found the


    presence of a neighboring garden, I called nature, reconnected with it, and gathered the energy I


    wanted so much.


    With enough energy, I transferred it to the stranger¡¯s wounds. To my naked eyes, there was a light


    hovering over his wounds.


    I felt sick to my stomach when I saw it was already infested with maggots. Oh, Moon Goddess. How


    could he bear this kind of suffering? How long were his wounds?


    I drew a long breath, and entered his body, leaving my physical body. From another¡¯s perspective, I


    was kneeling in front of this man, with my eyes closed. However, my spirit was doing another thing.


    Entering this stranger¡¯s physical body and repairing his broken tissues and everything that needed to


    be healed.


    Healing him would take a lot of time.


    I felt my physical body getting exhausted. However, I must pursue this. Or the stranger would die.


    I did not know how long the minutes had passed. Or was it even an hour? I did not know for sure. But


    after healing him, I was beyond exhausted.


    I fell on the iron bars, gasping for breath. Catching my breath.


    When I was done, his heartbeat returned to normal. His wounds no longer open. The maggots were


    gone from his wound. Instead, they were all over the ground, wriggling.


    I shivered at the sight while wiping the sweat on my forehead.


    "That man is dead?" a voice said. I recognized the voice as the guard from the dungeon. "I was


    thinking he wouldst until tomorrow but I was mistaken."


    "Can''t you see? His breathing!" I answered back, not hiding my irritation.


    He chuckled. "I thought the rogue is already dead, so we will feed his body to the wild beasts. They


    have been hungry for a couple of days now. Need a gift to bring to them."


    When I could no longer tolerate his taunting, I faced him. My hands shook in anger as I red at him.


    "Damn you! How could you say that when he is fighting for his life? Instead of asking for a pack doctor


    to heal him, you left him like this! You''re nothing but an egoistic bastard who is full of himself!"


    Unaffected he looked back at me, smirking. "You''re furious? What would you do about it? You are


    imprisoned in that filthy cell perhaps waiting for your end like your cellmate."


    "When I get out, I will poke your eyes!"


    Heughed at me. "You can try, servant. But only a few hade out of this ce¡ª alive. I am certain


    you won''t make it alive," he taunted.


    I spat on the ground.


    "Rot in hell, bastard! May the maggots crawl into your bedte at night! May your guilt attack you


    causing you nightmares every night!"


    "Shut your mouth, bitch!" He pulled out his sword from his waist and tried to attack me using his sword,


    but I instantly moved away from the farthest direction.


    "What''s the meaning of this?" someone asked.


    The two of us froze when I recognized the voice. It was the ck Heart as the rogue called him. It was


    none other than the alpha king! What was he doing in this filthy ce?

 19. Death for Black Heart

    19. Death for ck Heart


    The guard bowed at the alpha king while I stood, waiting for him to fully enter the dungeon.


    Hope flourished in my heart. Did he have a change of heart? Did he finally take pity on me? Or did he


    miss me? Thetter would be impossible, so it must be the former.


    "Your Highness," I dered.


    His eyes darted around.


    "Your Highness," I said again when he did not acknowledge my presence. "It is a pleasure to see you


    here."


    "Are you really?" he asked.


    His steps echoed along the four walls of the dungeon.


    As if they had awakened from their slumber, I felt a sudden movement among the prisoners. The iron


    bars shook and made a screeching sound.


    "ck Heart!"


    I gasped. They did not even hesitate to call the alpha king by that name.


    Lips curling, the alpha king said, "ck Heart? If I did not visit this ce, I wouldn''t know I have


    another moniker."


    The iron bars vibrated and the captives started cursing the alpha king for imprisoning them inside the


    dungeon.


    The other guards were all over the cell, scolding the prisoners for disrespecting the alpha king, and


    poking their hands using their sticks. However, they did not stop shouting and wanted to be let out.


    They wanted one thing¡ªthe alpha king''s life. Too bad, but the alpha king did not even care about them.


    "Silence!" the alpha king''s voice roared. "If you continue making noises, I will not give you any food on


    this day."


    Starvation seemed like the best way of punishment because the prisoners listened and silence came


    after.


    I eyed the alpha king warily.


    ck Heart.


    Did he deserve that title? When did the prisoners start calling him that?


    King Maxxwell gazed boredly at the ce and stopped in my cell. His nose scrunched in disgust when


    he sniffed the pungent smelling from us.


    As moments passed by, my sensitive nose had already adjusted to it.


    His eyesnded on the stranger, my cellmate who was still sprawled on the ground.


    "I came to check if you are reflecting on your actions, River."


    Another guard was suddenly on his side.


    "She is, Your Highness," the guard earlier said. "I will make sure of that, Your Highness. She will learn


    her lessons and she will fearmitting mistakes again."


    The alpha king nced at him. "Don''t talk if I did not ask you," he ordered.


    The guard nodded and stepped aside.


    "Who is the person beside you, River?"


    My heart jumped when I remembered I had someone with me. I focused too much on his arrival.


    Using that opportunity, I stepped forward.


    "Your Highness. I know you are merciful, please let the pack doctor look at his wounds. I think he is


    also dehydrated. Please show your merch, Your Highness."


    "Why do you concern yourself with someone like him, River?"


    My head hung low.


    "I pity him, Your Highness. That''s all."


    He must never know I healed the rogue.


    "Are you sure?"


    I looked up, not understanding what he was trying to say.


    "I barely know that someone, Your Highness. I don''t want someone to die while I reflect on my


    wrongdoings."


    Alpha King Maxxwell nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.


    "Guard. Call the pack doctor and let him check every prisoner. And I want you to bathe all of them.


    They stink like rotten animals. Excluding River. Let her be."


    I secretly sighed in relief.


    I don''t know what to do if he includes me. I never wanted someone to bathe me. Besides, I did not


    smell bad. I bathed earlier.


    "Your Highness, the pack doctor is busy now," the guard said. "Some of the warriors arrived from the


    North. And he is currently treating them now. He has a lot on his hands."


    I red at the guard.


    "Are you only saying that because they are prisoners? A doctor never chooses his patients. Regardless


    if they are rogues or not. Enemies or not," I interjected.


    The guard growled at me, baring his fangs.


    I held myself, refusing to be intimidated. I had no idea how long I would stay in the dungeon, and if I


    showed him I was weak, he would take advantage of that. Just like how the strong take advantage of


    the weak.


    Alpha King Maxxwell narrowed his eyes at him.


    "Do we only have one pack doctor?"


    The guard gulped. He paused. "No, Your Highness. We have a lot. I''m talking about the chief pack


    doctor."


    "Then call anyone who is avable. I want to talk to the chief of this dungeon. He has a lot of exining


    to do why this ce suddenly turned into Death''s den."


    The guard paled. "Your Highness, he is doing everything¡ª"


    "Are you the chief?"


    "No, Your Highness."


    "So shut your mouth. You are not the right person to answer me."


    "Understood, Your Highness."


    "Go. Before I lost my patience and punished you, instead."


    "Right away, Your Highness. I will call the pce doctors."


    "Call the other servants and let them clean the dungeon. This ce looked like a pig''s house."


    The guard gawked at him.


    It was rare for an alpha king to ask someone to clean the dungeon.


    "Do you have anything to say?" Alpha King Maxxwell asked when the guard did not move. He crossed


    his arms in front of his chest. "Tell me if you do not want to follow mymand and I will put you in one


    of the cells."


    The guard''s face became white.


    "No, Your Highness. I will call every avable servant right away. Please excuse me." The guard bowed


    and left in a hurry as if someone was after his life.


    I hugged my body when the cold started seeping into my skin. This ce was cold as snow. And my


    clothes were not even helping in my situation.


    If you''re cold, how much more to the other prisoners? I asked myself.


    Right. I had to bear the pain and coldness. I need to win the alpha king''s affection so that he will take


    pity on me. But how? The rogues called him ck Heart. And they had their basis on why they had


    called him that.


    Think, River. Use that brain of yours.


    Gathering my courage, I looked at him and said, "Your Highness, I am afraid you are not fit in this


    ce. You will only get filthy and will smell everything that is not fit for the alpha king."


    Alpha King Maxxwell cocked an eyebrow. "And where do you think I should be, River?"


    In here. And see how they suffered and what the prisoners had to deal with during their stay here.


    But off course, those were only on my mind.


    I smiled sweetly at the alpha king. "To the garden. Or in the safety of your chamber. Or in your pce.


    We cannot deny the fact that these people hate you and want you dead. So it is better you stay away


    from the dungeon, Your Highness."


    He opened his mouth but closed it when someone shouted.


    "A painful death for ck Heart!" the prisoners chanted followed by the rattling of the iron bars.


    I squinted when the noise persisted.


    The guards tried to stop them, again but the more they wanted to be out. When I entered the dungeon


    earlier, it seemed like we were the only one alone, but with the alpha king''s presence, everything


    seemed strangely lively.


    Unbothered by the noise, the alpha king watched me, as if he was observing me and we were like that.


    For a moment.


    The prisoner chanting for his death continued making the stranger inside the cell move.


    "Do you want me dead that much?" King Maxxwell asked and scoffed.


    "Yes! Yes! Death to ck Heart! You killed our family! You snatched ournds! Curse you, ck


    Heart!"


    I gulped.


    If this continues, the prisoners might break their cells. Hatred could do something more serious.


    "Everything is all your fault!" King Maxxwell shouted. He roamed his eyes at each of them.


    As I watched him from the side, I realized how powerful his presence was. His movements were


    calcted and did not let his emotions control him. He knew when to open his mouth and when to


    close it. And when he did the former, everyone was forced to listen.


    Amazing.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Silence!"


    And they did.


    I inhaled sharply. Such power. So this was the difference between an alpha and an alpha king. The gap


    was so big that it was exhrating.


    "You did this on your own. So why are you ming me? I was not at fault for why your pathetic life


    became like this. Stop ming others."


    He turned his back.


    "Your Highness," I uttered, grabbing his attention. "What about me?"


    "You will stay in this ce until I tell you."


    My heart sank when he walked towards the exit of the dungeon.


    My knees gave in and slumped to the floor.


    "That''s why we call him ck Heart. His heart is already dark and never pities anyone."


    I located the source of the voice and found out it was from the stranger I healed earlier. He was already


    awakened!

 20. Nobody

    20. Nobody


    The man was suddenly on his feet, testing his shoulders if it was fully functional, and smirked. He


    jumped and danced to soundless music and smiled in triumph when he realized he was fine.


    "The world is full of surprises," he snickered. Gone was his voice which sounded like death and was


    reced by something lively. He jumped again as if he was a child, then stared at the ground and saw


    the maggots, then stomped the maggots around him.


    I shivered and felt disgusted looking at what he had done.


    The urge to throw up resurfaced.


    "Stop that!" I chastised while covering my mouth.


    With my hand on my mouth, I stared at him longer. He looked even younger. It seemed he and the


    alpha king had the same age. His hair was greasy, which looked like a bird¡¯s nest because of the dirt


    clinging on each strand from not taking a bath for so long, was unusually long and reached past his


    shoulders. His nose was crooked as if he had been to countless fights. And above all, he smelled


    blood.


    He beamed, satisfied at what he had done¡ª killing those tiny insects. There was a missing tooth at the


    side of his mouth.


    "Ugh. That is the most amazing thing I did in my entire life. You don''t know how much I hated those


    vermin, but don''t have the strength to kill them." He put his


    I stepped back until my back hit the iron bars. My mind was screaming danger! This was a rogue I am


    talking with and they were known to be vicious and cunning. They were heartless and hurt anyone they


    encountered.


    Images of my journey with the alpha king resurfaced in my mind. They nearly killed us if not for the


    driver and the alpha king. And now that this man was fully healed, he would likely hurt me.


    His eyes narrowed when he realized I was far from him.


    He sniffed the air and the corner of his mouth lifted.


    ¡°Woman. I smell your fear. Are you frightened?"


    Was that necessary to ask? The answer was simple!


    I looked from side to side before my gaze went back to him. "Who wouldn''t get scared of you?" I


    crossed my arms in front of my chest as if they would defend me when he nned to pounce on me.


    Rogues were known to be traitors. They did not return whatever favors someone did for them. "Will you


    hurt me?"


    His frown deepened. "Hurt you? Why?"


    "Because that''s your nature," I replied with my voice shaking.


    He looked at me with disbelief thenughed heartily.


    "I know what you did, woman. And I do not hurt women and children. That¡¯s one of my principles."


    I doubted it. This man was only trying to make me better, and get my trust and when I gave it to him, he


    would betray me. No one can be trusted. That was what I learned when I was still in my pack.


    "I don¡¯t believe you. You will hurt me. You think I am weak and you can easily defeat me.¡± That was


    true. I waspletely powerlesspared to him. Perhaps, I would remind the alpha king of his


    suggestions for training me. ¡°What did I do?"


    ¡°Nah. I won¡¯t force me to believe you. All of you think all the rogues are vicious and wild beasts and no


    longer have the human side of them.¡±


    Guilt-tripping? Potential maniptor.


    ¡°No matter what you say, I won¡¯t believe you. Stay away from me or I will call the guards.¡±


    Heughed. ¡°The guards? Those bastards? They won¡¯t care about whatever is happening inside the


    cell. Do you know what they wanted the most? Huh?¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± I asked, my voice trembling. Please don''t tell me they abused women.


    My hands felt mmy.


    He gritted his teeth. ¡°For us to die. To lessen their burden of guarding us. They said rogues are cruel?


    No. The people inside the pce are,¡± he spat. ¡°That¡¯s why I will take over the pce and put


    everything in its proper ces. The rogues will reign over the people and they will see we are better


    than them.¡±


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    As much as I did not like the alpha king, I did not want the rogues to take over the kingdom. Blood


    would spill everywhere. There would be endless chaos and murder.


    He gave me a pointed look. ¡°As a token of my appreciation, I will not include you.¡±


    ¡°Token for what?¡±


    His eyes shed. "You healed me. I smelled your scent when you rushed to me and did some wonders.


    I don''t know what you did but you healed¡ª"


    Oh, Moon Goddess! Of course, he knew!


    My eyes went round.


    "Ssssh!" I chastised. I looked around. No one was listening. I released a sigh.


    "That''s a secret?" He acted as if he was sealing his lips. "As a way of my gratitude, your secrets are


    safe with me." His stomach growled. "Damn. Now that my appetite is back, I want to eat a horse."


    I cringed. "Literally?" I had a soft spot for one and if I saw someone eating a horse, my heart would


    sink.


    He waved his hands, dismissing me. "Of course not! That''s a figurative speech. I''m famished. Where


    are the guards? Guards? A te of food!" he barked as if he was the master of the dungeon. ¡°Fuck!


    Stop beingzy bastards!¡± He shook the iron bars. ¡°Fuckers! Where are you?¡±


    I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared of what they might do with you?¡±


    He stopped and looked at me. The corner of his eyes crinkled. ¡°Scared of those bastards? Woman. I


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    am not scared of anyone.¡±


    A line appeared between my brows. "Who are you?"


    He lifted his shoulders half-shrugged. "Nothing. You shouldn''t know my name, woman. When we see


    each other again, we will be enemies."


    "Enemies?"


    I blinked and in an instant, he was suddenly in front of me, catching the stray curls of my hair.


    ¡°Beautiful hair. And the colors. It fits the Luna.¡±


    My heart jumped. ¡°I¡¯m not a Luna.¡± Well, I was but Alpha Erik rejected me.


    I smacked his hands, and instead of getting angry, he chuckled.


    "Feisty. That''s why ck Heart favored you. You remind me of someone. You have the same hair color.


    You''re one of his servants, are you?"


    Instead of answering him, I asked, "What do you call him ck Heart? This is the first time I heard that


    name. And what''s your name?"


    I squeezed my hands in a tight fist.


    "Call me Nobody. And for your question, you will know the answer when you got to know him better."


    I clenched my fist. "After the favor, I did for you, you are treating me like this? I should have let you die


    earlier."


    He stilled and punched the iron bars right beside me.


    The colors drained from my face.


    My heart skipped a beat and looked at him nervously. His fist shook and red at me. If looks could


    kill, I would be dead by now.


    "I will not die. Not unless I kill ck Heart first. He is the reason for my people''s suffering."


    His people''s suffering? Which only meant one thing.


    I scowled. "Are you the leader of the rogues?"


    He did not answer but turned his back on me. "I will escape from this ce. You can join me if you


    want."


    And became a fugitive who was always on the run? No thank you. Besides, I was still waiting for my


    parent''s information. The alpha king promised to help me. That¡¯s why I became his personal ve,


    right?


    I rubbed my brow as if it would ward off my headache.


    "I don''t want to. I don''t want to die early.¡± I scanned the surroundings. All I saw were thick walls.


    Nothing else. And the guards posted in each corner. Another two were walking back and forth,


    inspecting the prisoners. Scaping would be a handful. ¡°How will you escape? This ce is heavily


    guarded."


    He smirked. "I can. Watch me. But I have to wait for the right opportunity."


    "Can you do that?"


    "Thanks to your healing abilities, I can. I''m back to my usual self. I¡¯m strong as a horse. Way more


    powerful than the alpha king."


    I scoffed. That was unbelievable.


    Our conversation was cut short when the doctors came in followed by the servants. And included in the


    horde of people were the twins!


    They craned their necks and looked for something until they spotted me!


    I waved my hands at them.


    They put their hands in front of their chest and sighed in relief.


    Seeing our silent interaction, the rogue asked, "Your friends?"


    I gave him a half-smile. "Not really. They''re servants who are also serving the alpha king."


    Without wasting time and not triggering the alpha king¡¯s wrath, the other servants, with their


    broomsticks, water hoses, mops, and buckets went to each cell. Instead of going with them, The twins


    went to my cell.


    "River! Oh! Thank the Moon Goddess you are well."


    The stranger stepped aside and just at that time, a doctor apanied by a guard walked over to our


    cell and had an overall check-up with him.


    "I thought something might happen to you!"


    My mind went back to the twins.


    I chuckled. "The alpha king visited. I am okay. Nothing to worry about."


    They sighed in relief.


    "We are still trying to plead your case to His Highness. We will do our best to change his mind."


    "Change his mind?" the rogue asked. "ck Heart never changes his heart. It will only happen when


    elephants can fly."


    I frowned at him. "Don''t listen to our conversation. Focus on the doctor."


    "There is nothing to check. I am perfectly healed now. All thanks to someone."


    "Who?" the guard barked. "Last time I checked, you''re barely breathing. Your wolf cannot heal you at


    that time. Both of you did not have the strength. It is also impossible for the other inmates to heal you."


    My smile faded.


    I gulped.


    I looked at the twins and saw their attention was already awakened. There would only be one suspect


    and it was me.


    My jaw clenched.


    The rogue nced at me warily and backed to the guard. "I won''t tell even if you kill me."


    I released a breath. I would be doomed if the rogue told me it was me.


    The guard¡¯s eyes darted at me. "It was her, right? The one who is sharing your cell. She was the


    person who healed you? Right?" the guard pressed.


    The rogue¡¯s mouth was set in a hard line.


    My lower lips quivered. My blood went cold.

 21. Explosions and Escape

    21. Explosions and Escape


    ¡°Is that true, River? You healed the rogue?¡± the twins asked at the same time. ¡°Did the alpha king know


    about this? You should tell him, River. You will be a great asset to the alpha king. You will gain his


    favor!¡± they said, their eyes twinkling.


    My eyes darted from side to side. Anything but not their questioning gaze.


    I hated lying straight at their faces. It made me feel sick, but what could I do? I had to protect myself.


    Damn that rogue! I knew it. He was never the type who would keep a secret.


    I gave them a small smile. ¡°I am not. I do not have that ability.¡±


    ¡°All good. There¡¯s nothing to treat now. The wounds healed cleanly. I thought you said this person is


    dying?¡± the doctor who examined the rogue announced.


    The guard looked at the rogue confused. ¡°I was definitely right. I saw it with my own eyes.¡±


    ¡°His wolf helped him. That¡¯s the only possible exnation right now.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    The doctor packed his bag and went to the other cell. The guard who was guarding him told me he


    would be back. I waved at him. And I was left with the twins.


    I chuckled nervously when the twins were still expecting me to give them the answer they wanted to


    hear.


    ¡°Did the rogue tell me that it was me? He did not mention any names, right?¡±


    Their face fell. ¡°No. But it was none other than you, River. Tell us. You don¡¯t have to keep it a secret.¡±


    Too bad. I have to keep it a secret. I will find another way to gain the alpha king¡¯s favor.


    The rogue whistled, amused at our exchanges.


    I red at him, sightly faced him, and mouthed, ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    Then, I smiled at the twins, opened my mouth, and before I could say anything, the rogue said, ¡°It


    wasn¡¯t her. She¡¯s weak and does not even have a wolf.¡±


    How did he know I did not have any wolf with me? How strong was he to know something about that?


    Only my packmates knew about that.


    The twins'' expressions softened. ¡°You don¡¯t have a wolf?¡±


    I nodded, making my expression sad.


    ¡°Aw. That¡¯s the most tragic thing that could happen to us werewolves. That¡¯s okay, River. Perhaps, your


    wolf wille out when she is ready enough to face the world.¡±


    She won¡¯t, I wanted to say but stopped myself. Instead, I beamed at them as if there was nothing


    wrong.


    I had been calling my wolf since I was young. I called her when I realized I was a werewolf. But no one


    responded to my call. Not even now. That made me believe I had nothing except for my healing


    abilities, and I wanted to keep them to myself.


    I sniffed, trying to act heartbroken in front of them.


    The rogue cocked his eyebrows, unmoved by my crocodile tears. He was starting to get on my nerves.


    It was his fault that I was suddenly interrogated by the twins.


    ¡°Perhaps the reason why my wolf is absent is that she did not want to suffer hardships as I experienced


    right now. I cannot me her,¡± I said, and sniffed.


    Moved by my acting, the twins consoled me, saying nothing but sweet things.


    ¡°Everything will be alright.¡±


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


    The rest of the days passed. And before I knew it, it had already been three days since I was


    imprisoned in the dungeon. The alpha king did not visit me anymore. Or perhaps I was only wrong that


    it was me whom he visited.


    The twins had been visiting frequently, with an alibi that they would just clean the dungeon and would


    bring me food and share it with the rogue.


    Surprisingly, he was bing more silent each day. He was always deep in thought, sometimes trying


    to talk to me for a minute and back with his silence. I let him be and focused on my reflection.


    The ce was getting better. As well as the smell. Earlier, the guards had bathed the prisoners inside


    their cell and there was a fresh set of clothes given to them. The servants would wash their clothes and


    after drying them, return them to the owners.


    Despite the smallfort of the dungeon, I was still on edge.


    I keep pacing back and forth, waiting for any announcement that the alpha king would now allow me to


    return to his side.


    However, I did not receive any of that.


    My hope was getting smaller.


    ¡°It is time. It has been ten days,¡± the rogue mumbled to himself.


    I threw him a look.


    His pallor was getting better. He was no longer the sickly dude I knew back then. Fats started toe


    back on his body. If he eats more, then his normal body will return.


    I stood and went closer to him. He sat on the ground, his hands resting on one of his knees. His


    expression turned into stone.


    As odd as it sounded, his presence inside was starting tofort me despite having less than a


    thousand words of conversation each day.


    Sensing I was looking at him, he met my gaze and smirked.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I will escape.¡±


    He had been saying it but it was still unbelievable. ¡°You will? How?¡±


    ¡°You will see. They will be here in a minute.¡±


    My eyes became round. ¡°Will you really escape?¡± I asked in disbelief. ¡°But the guards...¡±


    ¡°Still thinking about that? River, you worry too much for someone whom you don''t even know.¡±


    I lifted an eyebrow. It was a strange feeling that he knew my name, yet I did not know him.


    ¡°Can you me me? I just saved you from death and here you are wanting to get killed. If I have


    known about that¡ª¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I will not die,¡± the rogue said, cutting off my words. ¡°As I said, I will kill ck Heart first before I


    am allowed to die.¡±


    My expression hardened.


    ¡°If you die, die on your own.¡±


    I turned my back to him.


    There will be another bloodbath and I could not do anything to stop it.


    ¡°I will tell my men not to do anything to you.¡±


    ¡°Will that suppose to console me? Others might say I aided you in your escape.¡± If it will reach the


    alpha king, my goal would be elusive.


    ¡°You did. Indirectly, River.¡±


    I pressed my lips together. ¡°I never did that. I never help you n your escape.¡±


    ¡°You did,¡± he insisted. ¡°By healing me. Right when you entered this cell, I should be dead by that time. I


    saw the Angel of Death at that moment, River. I thought I would be gone, but you snatched me away


    from him.¡±


    My nose crinkled. He had a point.


    ¡°I had no control over your decisions, so don¡¯t ever dare put the me on me.¡±


    ¡°At one point or another, you will be med, River for what I will do. For that, I would like to offer my


    apologies.¡±


    A rogue asking for an apology?


    My eyes squinted. ¡°Are you really a rogue?¡±


    He gave me a boyish smile. ¡°Why? Am I bing sickly good? That you fell in love with me? I may


    look like someone who hasn''t washed for a year, but I assure you, I am a handsome young man.¡±


    I acted to puke. ¡°Handsome your ass.¡±


    He chuckled and his face turned serious. ¡°I am grateful for knowing you, River. If you are not only


    serving ck Heart, I will bring you to our hideout. I will give you anything you want.¡±


    ¡°Do that to your mate. Not me.¡±


    His mouth was set in a hard line. ¡°Mate? I don¡¯t want her to enter my life. She will only suffer on my


    side. It would be better if we don¡¯t see each other. She deserved someone else better than me.¡±


    ¡°Then make yourself worthy for her. Seeing your mate and being with her is the best thing that could


    happen.¡±


    I prayed and waited for my mate only to be rejected.


    The rogue looked at the ceiling. ¡°You romanticize things too much. It only happens in fantasy, River. If


    her life will only be difficult and she will suffer on my side, it¡¯s better if I will not see her. How about


    you?¡±


    ¡°What? Are we friends now? Why are you suddenly acting friendly all of a sudden? Well, I don''t one to


    go with you, rogue, and I will not help you with your n. You can die on your own.¡±


    He threw back his head andughed. ¡°We are nothing but enemies. However, we are in a truce right


    now since we¡¯re both held against our will.¡±


    I sighed in exasperation. ¡°For someone who is imprisoned, you¡¯re quite happy. Lucky you for being


    positive in life.¡±


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    He gave a half-shrugged. ¡°This is the day of celebration. The time of my escape.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that.¡±


    The tiredness crawled all over my body, making my shoulder slump.


    My hands were itching to get out of this ce and inhale a set of fresh air.


    Silence passed between us. The only thing I heard was the soft snores from the other cell and our soft


    intake of breath.


    The rogue suddenly loomed closer to me.


    I raised my eyebrows. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Can you hear that?¡± he asked, instead.


    My eyes bored into him. ¡°What? I do not hear anything. Maybe your ears are only ying tricks on


    you,¡± I offered an exnation.


    The rogue¡¯s eyes glowed. ¡°You did not hear that, did you?¡±


    ¡°¡®Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you¡¯re trying to say.¡±


    His eyes lit up. ¡°The bombs! They are infiltrating this ce! Finally! My brothers havee to rescue


    me.¡± Heughed as if he was crazy. He looked at me. ¡°I told you I will get out of this forsaken ce.¡±


    The smell of death was suddenly hovering in this ce. The stench of blood became stronger in my


    nostrils. Oh, Moon Goddess. A couple of minutes from now, blood will water this ce.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    I no longer wanted to see blood.


    The other prisoners were suddenly up, curious at what was happening outside.


    The prison guards were up on their feet barking some orders. I sensed their panic. If there will be


    explosions inside the dungeon, they will have a hard time controlling the prisoners.


    My heart hammered against my chest.


    One time we were just waiting and the next thing I knew, something exploded right where we were


    standing. I instantly went on the floor, covering my nose using my hands. Shouts followed. The iron


    bars rattled. Someone opened the locks. Someone held my hand and grabbed me, but I turned it away.


    ¡°Leave, River! This is your chance!¡±


    It was the rogue.


    ¡°I won¡¯t! Leave me alone!¡±


    ¡°They will kill you! Everything is in chaos! I no longer hold on to myrades. They might hurt you!¡±


    I shook my head a couple of times, but the rogue was determined not to leave me. Before I knew it, he


    scooped me in his arms and put me on his broad shoulders upside down as if I was a sack of potatoes.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± I said while pounding his chest. ¡°Damn you! I said I will stay in the pce! You cannot


    force me against my will!¡±


    ¡°Fuck! Stay still, will you, or I will drop you and let you get killed.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t look at my surroundings. The position I was in now made it difficult. All I saw was the rogue¡¯s


    bottom.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± I said, ring at his bottom as if it was his face.


    ¡°I will take you somewhere safe.¡±


    I stilled.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I have a feeling we will see each other again.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not enough to make you do this. Yourrades will doubt you for siding with an enemy.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t say you are the enemy but my savior. Now, shut that pretty mouth of yours and let me


    concentrate. Damn. The smoke is getting thicker.¡±


    I shrieked when another bomb exploded.


    The rogue muttered endless curses.


    My head spun and the only thing I could do was clung to this man and closed my eyes. The shouts


    continued followed by moans of pain. Something bumped us. It hit my shoulder but continued closing


    my eyes.


    The rogue sprinted. Funny how I let someone save me.


    We were like that until it became quieter. I opened my eyes and saw we were out of the dungeon.


    Gently, the rogue put me down on my feet.


    Dirt and coat smudge his face. He was taller than I could imagine. I only reached his bare shoulders. I


    was right. He looked younger.


    ¡°This is the farthest ce I could bring you. You¡¯re on your own now, River.¡±


    He turned his back to me.


    My mouth opened and closed, wanting to call him, but decided to keep it shut in the end. He was an


    enemy of the alpha king and if I wanted to gain his favor, I should also do the same.


    ¡°Oh. By the way, before I could forget. I heard you call him His Highness,¡± he started.


    I folded my arms in front of my chest, trying to act brave when I was trembling.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If you are addressing ck Heart, you should call him Your Majesty since he is the king. Call him His


    Highness if he is a prince. You should know that because you are his servant. Adios,¡± he said and


    shapeshifted into his wolf and sprinted back towards the dungeon.


    Of all the things to say?


    ¡°Come back!¡± I called him. "Tell me your name!"


    ¡°Who are you calling, River?¡±


    I held my breath and spun and came face to face with the alpha king.

 22. Taking a Bath

    22. Taking a Bath


    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¡ª Elijah. Back then, I saw him as the yful 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 seed. 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 nced at my back. The rogue wolf was nowhere to be seen. The only thing that I saw was the


    smoke from the explosion bing 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 eyshes 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 pce?"


    I leaned my weight on Elijah, moaning.


    "You can. I don''t care."


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


    The warriors were on high alert the moment we entered the pce. 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 pce 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 tomit 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?"


    "It''s just that I smell bad right now, Your Majesty. I don''t like my bad odor getting in your nose. I''m


    disgusting right now. And they are looking at me. You said that I am your face and I must never cause


    embarrassment to you...but ..."


    The alpha king lifted my chin and we met each other''s eyes.


    "It''s not important right now. The goal is to kill all the rogues and find someone who aids them in getting


    inside." And he turned his back again.


    My blood went cold.


    Could they trace that it was my cellmate who was the leader of the rogues?


    They knew. They already did some background information about them. Believe it is the case, River.


    After that, the alpha king ordered me to take a bath and change my clothes. After almost six hours, it


    was dered that the rogues were annihted. But the dungeon needed to be repaired. Some of the


    inmates were killed after siding with the rogues and fighting against the pce warriors.


    During that time, the alpha king was also gone, without telling me where he had been.


    It was already night when I felt my bed dip and the stench of blood wafted through the air. I stood


    upright.


    "Your Majesty!"


    I rushed to his side and saw the blood all over his clothes. However, there were no wounds on his


    body. It was from someone else.


    "Undress me," he ordered.


    My eyes went around


    "Your Majesty?"


    He lifted his hands in the air. "Undress me, River," he ordered again.


    My heart beat wildly. What the¡­"Your Majesty. I am still young. I don''t want to give myself to you," I


    said directly.


    He looked at me in disbelief and smirked.


    "I want to take a bath. I don''t have the strength to do it for myself, River. What the fuck is running in


    your mind right now?" Realization dawned on him. ¡°Why are your minds dirty right now, River?


    Perhaps, you wanted to warm my bed? We can talk about that...¡± he said, trailing off his words.


    I put my hands in front of my chest while feeling hot all over.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "N-nothing, Your Majesty. I was only kidding. Please don''t get any ideas."


    "Are you in love with me?"


    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 receable."


    "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.

 23. New Responsibility

    23. New Responsibility


    Bath in the water? With him?


    Looking up, I examined the alpha king''s face, looking for any sign that he was kidding.


    He was not.


    His dark eyebrows were perfectly still, as his gaze bore into mine.


    Oh, Moon Goddess. What kind of punishment was this?


    I chuckled, trying to hide what I was feeling right now¡ªanxiety.


    I hid my hands behind my back as images of what he was asking shed in my memories. Me with the


    naked alpha king. Inside the tub.


    "Your Majesty¡­is that for real? Like really? I will join you in your bath?"


    The tension spread on my body and rested on my neck, and put my hands on that part to ease the


    pain.


    Damn it.


    When I entered this pce, it was not my mission to flirt with him so that he would want me and would


    give me anything I wanted. All I wanted was his help so that I would know something about my parents.


    He moved his head from side to side.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "It is. I never joke around, River. It''s such a waste of my time."


    I gulped as my gaze darted to his nakedness. His delicious muscles were ripped and had more than


    two abs. I clenched my fist when a little part of me wanted to run my fingers all over his chest and see


    for myself whether it was hard like a rock.


    As if he was a fine specimen for observation, my eyes roamed over his body, as if I was hungry for his


    body disy. I did not know but seeing the battle scars all over his chest made me feel something.


    Pride? I was not sure.


    ¡°Done checking me out?¡± the alpha king asked, his lips curled, his eyebrows meeting and creating a


    straight line.


    It seemed like a bucket of ice was thrown over me and I realized the train of my thoughts. How could I


    lust after his body?


    "I-I''m not, Your Majesty," I answered, attempting to hide my uneasiness. "I was looking at your wounds


    done by the rogue. It was already healed."


    I mentally patted my back for lying with a straight face.


    "I am not asking you to do that. Do you want me to punish you again, huh?¡±


    I felt my cheeks flush at the way he looked at me with so much intensity.


    ¡°Y-Your Majesty...anything but not in a dungeon. And with all due respect, Your Majesty. I am not your


    sex ve, but your personal servant. Bathing you are not¡ª¡±


    The words died from my mouth when he pulled down his underwear leaving no cover on his body.


    I gasped and hastily averted my gaze, and fanned myself. Why did it suddenly be warm?


    He gave me a pointed look. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for sex, River. Asking you to join me in my bath does not


    equate to sex,¡± he lectured. " Your inexperienced body is young for that. And you cannot pleasure me. I


    don''t want to take a virgin."


    I did not know whether I would be offended or not.


    "Thank you for the consideration, Your Majesty," I said instead when I could not think any more of any


    replies.


    Why did he have to strip right in front of me? Even if he was an alpha king, he should also think of my


    innocent eyes!


    Must get out of this chamber. His other servant must tend him.


    His shaft was fully erect, and its crown glistening. I did not believe he was tired.


    I faced him but made sure my eyes would not go lower. I would faint not because of the blood but


    because of hisck of modesty.


    ¡°Do you want your other ve to tend you?¡± I offered. ¡°I can call them if you want, Your Majesty. A


    minute, please,¡± I said and turned my back to him.


    ¡°Stay,¡± he ordered.


    I froze, inhaled, and with hesitation faced him. Again.


    As the twins had informed me, the pce was divided into three kinds of servants. One servant was for


    the alpha king¡¯s sexual pleasure. Another was the one who will tend to his needs (that¡¯s me). The other


    group would be for cleaning.


    He extended his arms as if he was waiting for me to run into his arms.


    Damn it.


    Why did heck shame?


    ¡°River. Why did it feel as if I am facing another person? Back in your pack, you were so eager to kiss


    me. But now, the mere sight of me getting naked did not appeal to you at all. I do not believe I am


    hideous, River.¡±


    I should have thought he looked repulsive, but it was not the case. And that was the disgusting part. I


    should be embarrassed for thinking such dirty thoughts. The alpha king would never be my mate.


    Period. He would never look at me as if I was the most beautiful woman in his eyes.


    I chuckled nervously and put a distance between us. The air was bing thicker as moments passed


    by.


    ¡°You¡¯re not hideous, Your Majesty. Your body did not appeal to me at all. No offense,¡± I muttered, lying


    straight at his face while looking at him, worried that he might get furious.


    ¡°If I did not appeal in your eyes, join me. Scrub my body. Put some shampoo on it. Let me enjoy my


    break time. Come. I don¡¯t want to wait anymore or I will punish you myself. Perhaps you want to visit


    the dungeon again.¡±


    I did not understand this man. One time he was friendly. The next time, he would turn serious.


    ¡°But the dungeon is already damaged.¡±


    He nced at his shoulder. ¡°Do you think I have only one dungeon in my territory? There are other


    horrible ces out there, River. What you see was only a glimpse of the horror you will encounter when


    you see them again.¡±


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    I don¡¯t want to face any more rogues.


    With that thought, I rushed to his side but before I could reach him he stopped and I bumped into his


    butt.


    As if he burned me, I put a safe distance between us. "I''m sorry, Your Majesty." He had a nice bottom.


    As if he did not care, I just bumped into him, he did not say anything and continued walking until we


    both reached the door towards his bathing area.


    We entered one room, which was way biggerpared to my previous room at Haverstone Pack. The


    floor was rough with only a little percentage causing someone to slip. Right in the circle was a tub


    where three people could fit inside. Steam emitted from the water, and I sighed as I saw it. I wanted to


    submerge into one. Perhaps the warm water would kill these dirty thoughts my mind was having right


    now.


    The alpha king crawled into the tub and moaned when his body hit the warm water. He closed his eyes,


    and let the water take away the tension from his muscles.


    Without opening his eyes, he asked, "What are you standing there? You will not watch me as I bathe.


    Don''t make me lose my patience anymore, River."


    I jolted and gawked at him. "I''m not sure what you wanted me to do, Your Majesty."


    "Join me here."


    Still back with that one?


    "River..." he said once again.


    I yed with my hands, and could not decide if I would join him or not. What if I could not keep my


    hands to myself?


    "Do you want punishment or you will follow my order?" he asked. "Among all the servants, you''re the


    most stubborn of all. I don''t know if I will return you to your pack or not."


    Not wanting to go back to that horrible ce, I climbed over the tub and jumped into the water, soaking


    my clothes.


    I was right. The water was warm and I had the urge topletely submerged my body in it.


    The alpha king put his hands on my shoulders, snapping my attention, remembering I was in front of


    him.


    I stiffened and was on high alert. Must not forget he was here.


    I heard the fast pounding of my heart as sweat trickled down my spine. Thump. Thump. Thump.


    The alpha king extended his hands, silently telling me he wanted me to scrub all the dirt.


    With mere inches, one single wrong move will finish it all.


    I ground my teeth when reality dawned. Such a shameful position! Why did I have to deal with this?


    "Start," he ordered.


    Grabbing the scrubber beside me, I silently did what I was asked.


    The alpha king''s hands were calloused and veiny. Strands of hair were all over his arms which were


    usually hidden inside his vest and jacket.


    His body looked like pearls when the light bounced back.


    He moaned as my hands continued the soft movement of washing off the dirt all over his body.


    "Closer, River."


    I gritted my teeth, still scrubbing him.


    Leaning closer might mean I will feel his erection. I did not forget that he was naked down there.


    My grip on the scrubber tightened.


    If he does something funny, Moon Goddess forbids me, I will no longer care if he was the alpha king or


    not, but I will kick him in his groin.


    He gave me his back, resting his head on the edge of the tub.


    "A warm bath is the best, River. Bathing makes me forget the tiring day," the alpha king said. "This will


    be one of your responsibilities from now on," he announced. "You will always join me when I take a


    bath."


    My hands paused mid-air.

 24. It is You, I want...

    24. It is You, I want...


    The water suddenly felt ice cold at the alpha king¡¯s announcement.


    I muttered curses infinitely in my mind, not wanting to follow him. Being with the alpha king inside his


    bath awakened a lot of emotions in me that I didn''t even want to acknowledge.


    However, if it means gaining his affection (since it was already my goal when I stepped foot into his


    kingdom), will I fathom doing it? Besides, it was only a bath, right? There was nothing dangerous about


    that unless something happen between us, which would be far from the reality now.


    "Well¡­why are you suddenly silent, River? You''re usually full of sarcastic remarks and rebuttals. Did


    your tongue finally decide to retreat?" he asked, snickering.


    Going into the bath was not a problem. It was me. I did not know what I would be doing during that


    duration. Aside from that, so far, he was not yet doing anything against my will.


    Clearing my throat and refusing to be intimidated, I said, "It''s nothing like that, Your Majesty."


    His scowl deepened, yet he was still handsome in my eyes. Whatever he did or the facial expressions


    he did, there was nothing hideous about it.


    I swam a little further away from the alpha king which made his eyebrows straighten even more.


    Not the right move, given my goal, but I had to think more. I had to know how long I was willing to do


    just to gain his affection.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I think your other group of ves is fit for what you want,¡± I suggested, averting my


    gaze. "They can perfectly do the job well, Your Majesty. They can do more than me."


    Not wanting to talk with the distance between us, he swam towards me while I backed away until my


    back hit the cold.


    "I meant nothing to harm, Your Majesty. I am merely suggesting."


    "Are you? Why did it seem like you were trying to distance yourself? Thest time I remember back at


    your pack, you were eager to look for a man and would even offer yourself to him for that tiny little favor


    of revenge," he said, taunting me.


    Then he lifted his hand and caged me, leaving me no choice but to be near to him and see him straight


    in his eyes. The smell of shampooing from his hair knocked me off and the way he stared at me


    looked like he saw straight through me. As if I could not hide anything from him.


    The bath seemed too small for the two of us. I looked at the ground, tempted to leave him alone.


    I should have pretended I was asleep when he came back earlier.


    I leaned away, careful not to make our skin touch each other, or I will feel the bolts of electricity towards


    us. And above all, I did not want his manhood poking at me.


    "Why would you force them on me? It is you I want, River," he said, almost purring like a cat.


    It is you I want.


    The words kept ringing in my mind as I digested the weight of those words.


    I knew it was nothing to him, and I should treat it the same, but the foolish side of me, the one who


    believed in love and attraction did not.


    "Y-your Majesty...are you drunk?"


    He released his breath right into my nose and I sucked his breath as if as a habit. His breath was not


    stinky but smelled like eucalyptus.


    Lifting his hands filled with bubbles, he brushed my cheeks with it, and instantly shivered at his touch. It


    went down and down traveling to my bare shoulders leaving me gasping in anticipation even if I should


    not feel any of that.


    I was a servant of the alpha king and it is not my duty to respond to his touches, but what was there


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    some kind of emotion settling in my chest, restrained, as if it wanted to be out in the open?


    I''m not drunk with anything but tiredness. We are here to do something against that."


    I chuckled nervously and dipped my body more into the cold water.


    The need to hide and run away from the alpha king grew stronger at each moment. Getting near him


    like this was getting dangerous.


    "There''s no need to seduce me, Your Majesty." putting his hands on both of my shoulders, he lifted me,


    earning me a gasp from my lips, and crossed my arms in front of my chest.


    "Is this seduction for you? Wait until I do it correctly, River. We are only talking."


    Talking? This was another level of talking! Talking did not mean awakening a dangerous emotion in my


    mind!


    "Can you let me go, Your Majesty?"


    He did, to my dismay, and swam away from me, putting enough distance between us. Thank you very


    much, I could not think clearly, without him affecting my emotions.


    "Out. Ready my clothes," he ordered, not meeting my gaze.


    I beamed, finally free from him, and scampered away from the alpha king even though I was soaking


    wet. I called the twins, and the two helped me dry myself and prepared the necessary things for the


    alpha king


    I thought the alpha king would be done after a couple of minutes of trying in his bath, but he did not. I


    urged the twins to go back to their quarters and let me wait for him.


    When I could no longer stay still, I stomped my way to his bath only to find his eyes were closed, his


    breathing shallow, and let out a soft snore and then. One of his hands was on the handle so that he


    wouldn''t slip into the bottom of the tub.


    He was already two hours long staying in that freaking tub! Wasn''t he cold by now? And who in his right


    mind would sleep fully submerged in the water? What if he drowned by ident?


    Shaking my head, I strolled towards him and tapped his shoulder. "Your Majesty," I called him.


    He stirred, and nced up, his eyes hazy. He was staring at me, but not staring at me. If that made


    sense.


    "Zenith."

 25: You Are Nothing Like Zenith

    25: You Are Nothing Like Zenith


    Zenith.


    That name again. Why did I always hear that name from his mouth? What was the two¡¯s rtionship?


    Did they have some sort of forbidden romance and the alpha king¡¯s people were against it?


    I wanted to know more about them. If only the people¡¯s lips were not sealed, then gathering information


    about their rtionships was easy as pie.


    If only I could ask him about that...that would be magnificent. However, knowing the alpha king, he


    never wanted any ve to pry on his life. That was uneptable and we did not have the right as


    ves.


    ¡°I¡¯m not Zenith, Your Majesty. My name is River. But if you want to call me by that name, you can call


    me that. Or do you want me to call her?¡± I asked, feigning ignorance about Zenith.


    His vision cleared, recognition in his eyes, and his mouth pressed into a thin line. ¡°River. It is you.¡±


    Disappointment crossed his handsome face before he hid it away.


    Not wanting to be affected by his reaction, I beamed at him. ¡°None other than your personal ve, Your


    Majesty. May I know who is that girl named Zenith¡ª¡±


    He stood, not wanting to continue hearing my words, bubbles hiding his manhood (to my relief), and


    stepped out of the tub.


    He never wanted to talk about that woman. Why?


    ¡°Where are my clothes?¡± he asked, instead, not acknowledging my questions. ¡°I¡¯m starting to feel cold.¡±


    If that¡¯s what he wanted, to pretend I did not ask about that woman, it would be better if I let it go, but I


    will know more about that woman. Sooner.


    ¡°Careful, Your Majesty, or you will slip,¡± I said and looked for his clothes, found them, and gave them to


    him, careful not to see the lower part of his body. ¡°I¡¯m not fast enough to catch your fall.¡±


    He grabbed the towel and clothes from my hands. Forcefully.


    He dried his hair and wrapped the towel around his tiny waistline. He passed beside me and walked


    towards his bedroom. I thought he would sleep after he took his bath, but he went to the balcony and


    looked at the windows while I stayed still, waiting for his orders.


    He was looking at the moon and silently praised its beauty. We were like that, silent, but when I could


    no longer tolerate the silence, I asked, ¡°Do you usually sleep during your bath, Your Majesty?¡± And why


    did you call me Zenith? Did you think it was me? I asked in my mind.


    ¡°You¡¯re unusually...chatty, River,¡± hemented, leaning on the wood, not bothering to nce in my


    direction. ¡°It¡¯s getting on my nerves.¡±


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    I bit the inside of my cheeks, drawing blood.


    ¡°Out of habit, Your Majesty.¡±


    I shifted on my feet, unsure if I will tell him my life story for him to know me better since he will be my


    master. And if he realized I trust him, perhaps he will be moved.


    ¡°I am always chatty, Your Majesty. It¡¯s just that back in my pack, no one wants to listen to me and wants


    me to be a mute who will only listen to them. Who will only nod.¡±


    That was also one of the reasons why they called me Dog ve, saying I always bark at the wrong


    tree. They said they were irritated by my voice.


    ¡°I do not need your words now. I want to enjoy my peace after dealing with this tiring day.¡±


    ring at his backside, I asked, ¡°What happened to the rogue, Your Majesty, if I may ask?¡±


    He clenched his fist, his nails digging into the wooden balcony. ¡°Crushed. Punished. Killed. Buried.


    Never in the history of my kingdom did the rogues seed in taking over control of this ce.¡±


    The rogue with whom I shared a cell shed in my memory. Nobody. Was he included in the pile of


    dead bodies? Why did I feel sorry for him when we barely even know each other?


    Not wanting to let it affect me, I said instead, ¡°You¡¯re a powerful one, Your Majesty. You can do anything


    as well as crush anyone.¡±


    He looked at me over his shoulder. ¡°You know how to use your words to let me hear anything I want,


    River. Are they even true? They are fancy in my ears. My other ves usually do that.¡±


    My heart jumped at his deration. Did he already have an inkling that I was only getting his affection?


    I chuckled, nervously and hugged my body using both arms. The cold air attacked me and I had the


    urge to leave him and stay in my bed.


    Gaining anyone''s affection was difficult as it seemed. I did not usually want anyone¡¯s attention. Instead,


    I preferred hiding in the safety of my room, to avoid getting bullied. My packmates never even bothered


    to talk to me nor spare me their nces. Not even Alpha Erik.


    "I am just trying tofort you, Your Majesty," I uttered in almost a whisper, making my head fall and


    looking at the floor. "This day has been tiring for all of us because of the enemy''s infiltration." I


    pretended to sniff due to the sudden attack of emotions while looking at him behind my eyshes.


    Damn it.


    My acting was a failure. He was no longer looking at me but at the moon again.


    I scoffed. I will seed. One day. Not now. But sooner. I promised.


    "Call my other ve, River."


    "What ve?"


    "I need someone to warm my bed."


    My eyes went round. Did he want some sex? Why did it make my heart feel like it was being crushed


    into a million pieces? Whatever the alpha king wanted to do in his extra time had nothing to do with me,


    right?


    "Go!"


    I jumped to my feet, and said, "Right away, Your Majesty." I did my courtesy bow and stepped back and


    looked for someone who would do the best job of warming his bed.


    A couple of minutes passed, and I was dragging a gorgeous woman whose hair felt like silk in my


    hands and danced whenever the wave of air attacked her crown of hair. She moved with grace and


    dignity which made my eyes in awe. There were a total of more than ten sex ves, but among all, a


    woman named Nora got my attention.


    Alpha King Maxxwell did not particrly ask for anyone, so I had the chance to pick which I desired.


    ording to what I heard the sex ve were also candidates for being the alpha king''s concubines in


    the absence of his Luna and could bear him a son or daughter that would be the crown prince


    and princess of the Lycan kingdom. These groups of ves werepeting on who would seed in


    giving him a son.


    Images of a miniature version of the alpha king suddenly shed in my mind and warmed my heart.


    Odd.


    "We must be in a hurry. His Majesty might be sleeping now," Nora said as if she was singing. Her voice


    was also beautiful. She was strangely happy as we sauntered towards his chamber. ¡°I have been


    preparing for this moment and I must never waste my time. I¡¯ve been staying beautiful for His Majesty.¡±


    I rolled my eyes.


    We were walking side to side, but there were times when I would be left behind because she would


    walk faster, leaving me. However, her steps were light, as if she was dancing. No. She was practically


    bouncing.


    "You can run," I suggested. "If you wanted to bed him that bad."


    ¡°I must kiss his lips now. The alpha king never wanted to allow anyone to kiss his lips. Only fuck him.¡±


    Narrowing my eyes, I asked, ¡°The alpha king never kissed any of you? Why?¡±


    She threw me a bored look. ¡°He would get mad at us. If we attempted to.¡±


    My steps faltered. Back at the pack, he looked eager to kiss me. Why did he allow me to kiss him?


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked again, not grasping the reason behind that. I was certain I kissed the alpha king of this


    Lycan kingdom. We kissed each other. And remembering those moments made my cheeks flush in


    embarrassment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. No exact reason was given to us.¡± Nora touched her skin, making sure there was not a


    single dirt on it.


    Her pale skin reminded me of the cold winter when I was forced to stay outside because of my


    punishment for doing something my pack did not want.


    She gave me a nasty re. "Who is the fool who does not want to getid by the alpha king? Every


    female in the kingdom wanted to have a taste of him."


    My face scrunched in disgust. How could this woman think that something out there was more beautiful


    than the alpha king? This woman wanted the alpha king herself, while I wanted to gain power that the


    alpha king could only offer.


    "Well, that fool would be me,¡± I said, smiling but fuming inside. ¡°We have different dreams and that


    does not include having the alpha king and being fuck by him.¡±


    She cocked her eyebrows, stopped and looked at me from head to foot, and scoffed. ¡°A lowly ve.


    That¡¯s right. Dream lower than that. Alpha King Maxxwell would nevery his eyes in your direction,¡±


    she spat and continued her stroll.


    I was left aghast.


    That woman! Perhaps I had chosen someone else! I tried to keep her pace. ¡°Hey, you!¡± I called her.


    Over her shoulder, she nced at me. ¡°You can go back to your quarters and I will choose someone


    else. It was wrong to choose you.¡± I thought this woman was good, but outside her beautiful face was a


    devil waiting for the right timing.


    She was a threat to me and I must eliminate her. At all costs. I should have looked for someone whose


    intention was to purely warm the alpha king¡¯s bed.


    I tried to catch her wrists and drag her back to her quarters, but the woman evaded me, not wanting to


    return.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked, with pure disgust written all over her face. ¡°You are nothing


    I drew a series of breaths, trying to get hold of my emotions. Which was never easy, to begin with.


    ¡°Me being hideous is not the issue.¡±


    ¡°Then, what? You choose me among those bitches. You cannot back down with your words.¡±


    ¡°I can and I will. If I had to drag you back to your quarters, screaming, I will not hesitate to do that. Try


    me, Nora.¡±


    She stepped back, seeing the seriousness of my voice. These two should never meet. I did not care


    how many women the alpha king bedded. But he must never impregnate them.


    Oh no. It was not jealousy that made me think about that.


    ¡°Who are you to say that? We are both ves.¡±


    ¡°I am the alpha king¡¯s personal ve!¡± I eximed which made her stop.


    ¡°You are His Majesty¡¯s personal ve?¡±


    I lifted my chin and proudly said, ¡°Yes! So I have moremand over the servants. You should listen to


    me since the alpha king favored me. He wouldn¡¯t choose me as his personal ve if he did not feel


    that, right?¡± I lied. I never felt he favored me. Instead, he always scolded me as if I was a mere five


    years old.


    Nora trembled in anger. ¡°You!¡±


    I smiled sweetly at her. ¡°Yes? Do we have a problem with that? If we have, you can demand an


    exnation for the alpha king.¡±


    She looked at me with poisonous res and said, ¡°You are nothing like Zenith!¡± she said, mouthing the


    ¡°You know that name is forbidden, so why did you still mention her? Tell me everything about Zenith.¡±


    Nora paled, realizing something as if she did the most horrible sin in the history of the Lycan kingdom.

 26. Burning in Hot Magma

    26. Burning in Hot Magma


    "Tell me something about that woman," I pressed, not wanting to be left behind. "It''s toote to retreat,


    Nora. You already mentioned the name of someone who shouldn''t be named. If you won''t tell me, I will


    inform the alpha king that you spread gossip about the woman," I threatened. I wouldn''t tell the alpha


    king about what Nora did, but using it to gain some information would be a great help.


    Nora''s breathing elerated. I felt sorry for what I said, but this was also for my benefit.


    "Nora. Tell me what you know."


    Nora nced at each side, on the quiet hallway of the pce, and gulped. Her face went ashen, as


    she yed with her hands mumbling some incoherent words. The only words I was able to decipher


    were punishment and death.


    "I never say anything," Nora denied, turning her back and walking faster. "Let''s not talk about this if you


    value your life. Even if you are his personal ve, he will not spare you!" One time she looked horrified


    and the next thing she wasughing as if she had gone mad. "ck Heart. That''s what they say is


    mad."


    "Nora!" I said, getting her attention. "Focus on me, will you?"


    She faced me, recognized me, and said, "I don''t want to die!" she eximed, trembling. Her eyes


    watered. "The alpha king has ears. He knows every movement inside the pce¡ª from the East,


    West, North, and South wing. Nothing is hidden from him. If he found out that I was talking about that


    woman, he would order his guards to kill me!" she said with an rmed look on her face.


    "I will not let that happen," I said, in an attempt tofort her. "Believe me."


    I did not think I had the power to protect her, but I can try.


    Sheughed and her eyes glinted. "You won''t. When the alpha king got mad because of what you did,


    consider yourself dead." And Nora ran, losing the dignity she was trying to keep, and went to the alpha


    king''s chamber.


    "Nora! There are a lot of things I want to ask!" I said, but the only thing that answered me was the echo


    of my voice along the eerie silent hallway.


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


    The alpha king was impatiently waiting for Nora and us when we reached the chamber.


    He folded his arms in front of his chest, wearing his wardrobe but underneath that fabric, he was nude.


    "Your Majesty. Sorry to keep you waiting," Nora eximed, and bowed. Her voice quivered, still shaken


    at what she had said earlier.


    "It''s all my fault, Your Majesty. Please don''t me her," I said, grinning and trying to calm the woman


    beside me.


    Poor Nora.


    He tapped his foot on the cold floor while looking at Nora and me. The former looked like she will have


    a heart attackter, while I never let the alpha king know my real emotions.


    I continued showing him my smile, hoping it would somewhat remove his anger. Even for a little.


    "Your Majesty, this is Nora¡ª"


    "I know her, River. I know the names of every single one of my ves."


    "Ow. Impressive, Your Majesty!"


    "Don''t smile when I am not in the mood."


    I cleared my throat, erasing my smile.


    "My apologies, Your Majesty."


    "What I am wondering is how you manage to make me wait for almost an hour. Why does it take longer


    for you to return, River? Their quarter is only a couple of minutes of walking."


    Nora and I looked at each other, the former getting paler.


    It was because I forced Nora to talk about Zenith. However, I could not tell him about that.


    Instead, I said, ¡°It¡¯s only twenty minutes, Your¡ª¡±


    He red at me, making me seal my mouth.


    Why? I was only telling him that I watched the time.


    It would be better if I would just keep them shut. I acted to seal my mouth.


    I elbowed Nora, asking her to help me, in hope that the alpha king¡¯s annoyance would disappear.


    The woman red at me, not realizing what I wanted.


    I rolled my eyes. Oh, please.


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± I said when the other woman was scared to open her mouth.


    The alpha king shook his head and said, "You never learn your lesson, do you, River?"


    I pretended to be shocked. "I already did learn my lesson, Your Majesty. I only chose the best for you.


    Someone who would make your bed hotter than hell but would also make your night exciting. Nora is


    the best job for that."


    "Leave us."


    "I''m sorry, Your Majesty?" I asked.


    "Why? Do you want to join us, River? Threesome is not new to me."


    It was my turn to feel as if I was burning inva. My cheeks flushed as images of the alpha king


    writhing in pleasure shed like lightning in my mind.


    I shook my head, erasing those sinful thoughts, and pretended I never thought of those.


    I gave my courtesy bow and stepped back. "Thank you, but I don''t want to, Your Majesty. Enjoy your


    night and sex?" I said and before he could say anything, I closed the door between them.


    I knew I should sleep now, but my mind wouldn''t allow me. I was in the next room, the vacant room


    next to the alpha king''s chamber. This room turned out to be my room, but since the alpha king wanted


    me to join him in his chamber, this room was vacant.


    I craned my neck to the wall, trying my best to listen to what was going on inside the next room. But I


    was only greeted by silence.


    Did the two sleep? Without having any intercourse?


    And what does it have to do with you? the other part of me asked.


    Nothing. Just in curiosity? Or perhaps they would talk about something that I could use during my


    stay here. I needed to survive in the pce, and I will never do that if I continue to be the weak River


    just like what happened in my previous pack.


    Giving up, I fell on the bed. This was not good. Eavesdropping them while they were having sex was


    too much. Perhaps I should roam around first and perhaps that time, the two would be done.


    With that in mind, I bolted upright and went to the door only to halt when I heard moans and whimpers


    from the alpha king''s chamber.


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    I clenched my fist as I heard the pounding of flesh against flesh and Nora''s moans of pleasure.


    My breathing quickened as Nora called the alpha king''s name.


    I thought I was prepared for this, but I was not. And before I could do something I would regret, I


    opened the door, and mmed it shut, wanting a new fresh air. It felt like I was burning in hot magma.

 27. A Rendezvous in the Watchtower

    27. A Rendezvous in the Watchtower


    Another step would take, but then, this time, I heard Nora''s monologue.


    "Your Majesty, you''re so good at this!" Nora eximed, her breathingbored. "More! More!" she


    chanted. "I fucking waited for this, Your Majesty. For you to fuck me. More!"


    Nora was screaming in ecstasy as the alpha king continued to pound at her flesh.


    "Your Majesty! Yes! Yes! Yes!"


    My steps faltered as I craned my neck forward, and looked at the alpha king''s chamber as if I had a


    sight that could allow me to see them.


    The burning pain continued as if it was ripping my soul apart. What the fuck was happening to me?


    Don''t stop. Go on! I screamed internally but my feet wouldn''t cooperate. I did not call it mere curiosity,


    but stupidity. How could someone eavesdrop on two individuals having sex?


    That was not my doing back at the pack house.


    "Don''t stop, Your Majesty! Oh, god. I will die if you stop. Fuck me hard, Your Majesty. Don''t ever stop!


    Yes! Yes!"


    Images of what they were doing shed in my mind. The alpha king was right in front of Nora''s


    entrance, pounding his hardened shaft at her, his sweat rolling down his chin. His brows furrowed in


    concentration as he continued pumping. Nora fists on the sheets, and her eyes roll backward because


    of the intense pleasure. Her entrance was slippery and wet.


    "I''ming, Your Majesty. Don''t stop, please," Nora cried.


    She shrieked and giggled suddenly. I did not know if I wouldugh with her.


    I drew a couple of breaths trying to control my emotions.


    I have nothing to do with Alpha King Maxxwell''s extracurricr activities in bed.


    Stop hurting yourself anymore, I said in my mind.


    Hurting? Why would I be hurting as I listened to them? It was not like I loved him.


    Pulling myself together and pping both of my cheeks to awaken me from this madness, I took a step


    forward.


    The moans were getting louder as I scampered away from the alpha king''s chamber, teasing me, and


    inviting me to listen again.


    "Fuk!" Nora squealed. And stillness followed.


    I strode faster as if someone was chasing me.


    Lesson learned. Never ever dare to eavesdrop when the alpha king and his woman were having sex.


    I pounded my chest, to pacify my aching heart. Strange. Why did I feel like this? It felt like we were


    mates when in fact we weren''t right.


    Damn it.


    Having a wolf with me would be handy. If only I was blessed with a wolf, then, she would tell me if the


    alpha king was my mate or not.


    It has been confusing on my part why I suddenly felt like this. During the Mating Ceremony, I found


    Alpha Erik was my mate because of his strong flowery scent which wasn''t always the case whenever


    we met along the hallway of the packhouse whenever I was doing my rounds. It only changed during


    the ceremony.


    And the alpha king...


    He always smelt like sandalwood, and I loved it to the point that I would secretly sniff him. And if he


    was my mate, the alpha king would not be cruel enough to pretend we weren''t, right?


    "But what if we are?" I mumbled to myself.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    What if just like Alpha Erik, he did not want me as his?


    I shook my head andughed at my thoughts. The alpha king? My mate? Unbelievable. Yes. I got it


    that I wanted to gain his favor. To gain his power, but not to the point of having him as my mate. I was


    already fed up with alphas who rejected me because of my status as an omega and a servant. I wanted


    nothing more with them.


    After a few minutes of strolling in whatever direction, I was able to step out of the building. The pce


    was situated higher up the hill. This had a better defensive advantage against the enemies.


    The first thing I saw was a watchtower and made my way to the ce. The urge to see the overlooking


    the ce made me persistent despite the distance of it.


    Pce guards, on high alert, were patrolling in every direction, making sure that no enemy would


    infiltrate again. But I was certain Nobody and his group woulde back if they were alive. And if not,


    another ruler will rise among them and will challenge the peacefulness of the kingdom.


    Sweat already coated my forehead when I reached the tower house and froze when I saw someone,


    casually reading a book using the candle beside him.


    The prince. Elijah.


    Damn it.


    I thought it would be the guard watching over this tower. Why did hee here?


    Not wanting to bother him, I turned around, and took a step, when he said, "Servant. Why are you


    here? Did the alpha king ask for my presence? Or an update?"


    Damn it. He was sharp as a de of a knife.


    I drew a couple of breaths and turned around with a fake smile on my face.


    "No, no, Sir Elijah. I''m only here to get some fresh air. And if you forget my name, it''s River. Sorry for


    disturbing you. I thought no one was there. I''lle back when you are done."


    "You can stay, River," he said using his deep voice. Gone was his usual cheerful aura and reced by


    a tired one. The fight earlier must have taken a toll on his body. "I''m only here reading. I cannot sleep."


    "Reading? Can you even see the words properly?" I asked.


    He nced at his book and closed it. The front cover was that of a woman and a man facing each


    other with a sick expression of being in love with each. There were words written on it¡ª the title and


    the author''s name but I couldn''t read it. Not because I did not want to, but because I did not know how.


    The expression on my face became sour. Never fond of love after my rejection. They were only for


    mates who epted each other regardless of their status in the pack.


    "Yes, I can read perfectly well. That''s not a problem for us werewolves."


    It''s a problem for me, I wanted to add but kept my mouth shut.


    He set aside the book, put it on the table, and motioned for me to sit on the vacant seat beside him.


    "I never thought watchtowers would look like this. This feels like a living room, Sir Elijah."


    He massaged his neck. "There''s no chair and table in this tower, but I asked the watchmen to bring me


    some when I want to spend the night here."


    "Really?"


    My eyes darted to his slumped shoulders and stressed muscles. I felt sorry for him and before I could


    stop myself, I said, "Do you want me to massage you, Sir Elijah?"


    His expression softened. "Elijah is fine, River. Do you know how to massage?"


    "Yes, Elijah," I answered, making my voice extra cheerful. "I became a professional back in my pack."


    They kept on ordering me to massage them after a tiring day and I had no choice but to follow them or


    else they would hurt me.


    "If that''s okay with you, River. I would be grateful."


    Without saying anything, he pulled off his upper shirt and went naked.


    I gulped, feeling my cheeks go scarlet as I stared at his bare back.


    So trustful.


    "If I am an assassin, you would be dead by now, Elijah for being trustful."


    "You will have a hard time killing me, River," he joked back.


    I was taken aback by his reply. I was expecting that he would be annoyed, but he wasn''t.


    "Do you have oil, lotion, or cocoa butter?"


    "What?"


    He nced at me. "Are you okay? If you aren''t we can continue this¡ª"


    I shook my head. "I''m fine, Elijah. I have it here in my pocket. Out of habit, I always bring it with me."


    I fished out a tiny bottle that had a rose on the lid, uncapped it, poured a small amount into my palms,


    and started moving my hands at his lower back. Then, I moved my hands upward on both sides of the


    spine all the way to his shoulders.


    Elijah moaned. "You''re so good at this, River."


    My cheeks med up and I was reminded of Nora and the alpha king''s midnight activities. The same


    words.


    Forget it, River. You''re in the presence of one of the Council members.


    I made a circr motion as I moved my hands upward, pressing my thumbs firmly while making circles.


    "If you want to get a massage, you can call me, Elijah. Sometimes, I don''t have anything to do and only


    wait for the alpha king''s orders."


    I moved my hands across his shoulders, used less pressure, and started moving down his upper arms.


    As I expected, it was full of muscles.


    "Do you want more or less pressure, Elijah?"


    "Yes. Yes. Yes," he chanted, throatily.


    I stopped mid-air and was reminded again of Nora. Damn it. If only Elijah would use other words other


    than Nora''s.


    . chuckled nervously. "What do you mean, Elijah?"


    He grunted. "I want it hard, River."


    Why did it appeal differently in my mind?

 28. The Rumors Spreading Among the Servants

    28. The Rumors Spreading Among the Servants


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡± Elijah asked when my fingers froze. He attempted to look in my direction, but I


    hastily massaged his back. Again.


    I released a shaky breath, mentally scolding my mind for thinking scandalous thoughts. Shame on me


    for remembering it.


    ¡°I just recalled something, Elijah.¡± It¡¯s about the alpha king and Nora, I wanted to add it but stopped


    myself.


    Why did my mind constantly wander with the two?


    ¡°Who could that be?¡±


    I smiled even more even if he could not see it. ¡°N-nothing. Not important.¡±


    Knowing I did not want to talk about it, Elijah let me drop the subject, nodded, and dropped his head on


    the back of the chair.


    ¡°The alpha king must be lucky to have you, River. You¡¯re so good at this. If only I can buy him from


    you.¡±


    Selling ves between them was eptable.


    ¡°I came with a price, Elijah. With all the skills I have right now.¡±


    I put some oil again on my hands when it was no longer slippery and continued massaging his back.


    Elijah moaned. ¡°You¡¯re a keeper, River. I might be tempted now to bring you to my home.¡±


    I bit my lower lip. If only he could stop moaning. It would make the situation less awkward. I massaged


    a lot of my pack members but never did I receive such a response.


    What if the guards will hear us and think of something? From where we were standing, only our chest


    was visible. They did not see what we were really doing. And if it will reach the alpha king¡¯s ears, that


    would be bad news.


    I chuckled. ¡°The alpha king wouldn''t allow me, Your Majesty.¡±


    And if he did allow it, I will beg him not to give me to Elijah. The alpha king was more powerful


    would look for it.


    ¡°Yeah. I feel sad.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be, Elijah. A lot of women are willing to massage you with your sexy dimple.¡±


    ¡°But they are not as good as you.¡±


    I only giggled in reply. This man knew how to use his words.


    After a couple of minutes, we were done.


    I stepped aside while Elijah slipped his shirt into his body. ¡°That was amazing, River. I am d I went to


    this ce.¡±


    ¡°You are wee, Elijah. I am the servant of this kingdom and I am always at your disposal.¡±


    He stood, and towered over my small frame. I had to look up to see his eyes which were twinkling.


    ¡°Perhaps there is something you want me to do? As a token of my appreciation?¡± he asked.


    Token?


    What a tempting offer. He could give me whatever I want right now.


    I bit my lower lip, as my gaze darted to the book he was reading. He followed my gaze and saw the


    book.


    ¡°Do you want to borrow that book, River? That is a must-read. You will learn a lot from that in


    preparation for meeting your mates. Oh. And by the way. That book is written by my friend who also


    happened to be a werewolf.¡±


    Telling him I already found mine and he already rejected me without giving it a thought would be


    unnecessary. And I was not interested in that book or preparing myself for my mate.


    ¡°Oh. Really?¡± I asked, feigning interest.


    I wanted to learn about something other than mates.


    Thinking I wanted the book badly, Elijah grabbed it and handed it to me.


    I shook my head.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked. ¡°You don¡¯t want this?¡±


    I bit my lower lip and shifted my gaze to the borderline of the pce. The night was calm and looked


    lonely.


    ¡°Can you teach me how to read and write, Elijah?¡±


    Shock registered on his face as if I had grown a pair of three horns.


    I shifted my weight from foot to foot. "Are you surprised? It''s nothing, really. Being an orphan means no


    parents would send me off to school. I was also busy working my ass off in the packhouse that I forgot I


    had to study and learn. And it was alreadyte. If you are busy, I will understand."


    "I will do it. As the alpha king¡¯s personal servant, you will have to meet a lot of different people and


    even alpha¡¯s from the neighboring packs. You have to leave everything, River. Consider it done."


    To say I was beyond surprised was an understatement. He would be teaching me without asking for


    anything in return. And he was part of the Council!


    "Really?"


    He smiled at me, showing his dimples which would make women fall head over heels for him.


    "Are you not busy?"


    "Of course I am. But we will not always meet because I also have work. We will do it every night, during


    our free time. I will ask the servants to fetch you, River."


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


    After my conversation with Elijah, I went back to the alpha king''s chamber, feeling light-headed. Finally.


    Someone would teach me how to learn the basics.


    The hallway was silent and felt like someone was watching my every move. ncing back and forth, I


    saw no one.


    Shrugging, I knocked on the door, and waited to be opened.


    It was already three o''clock in the morning, and perhaps Nora and the alpha king were already done


    with their activity.


    No one answered, so I pushed the door open and was greeted by Nora and the alpha king slipping


    their clothes.


    I looked away, saying, "Oh, I''m sorry. I''ll be back after you are done."


    "River, stay. She will leave now."


    "I will?" I asked. "You''re done? That was fast¡ª"


    The alpha king cleared his throat, stopping me from saying any further. I held my hand in the air, as a


    sign of surrender.


    Nora red at me while she finished slipping all her clothes. Her hair was messy, and some parts of


    her clothes were torn apart as if the two had fought. Perhaps she was thinking I was a nuisance. I did


    not care.


    "You can call me again, Your Majesty, if you want me to do some extra service," Nora said, her cheeks


    tainted with scarlet.


    "Go now," the alpha king ordered.


    "Bye-bye," I said as she stepped out of the door.


    "Where have you been, River?"


    My scowl deepened looking at him. "I went for a stroll, Your Majesty. I cannot sleep." Leaving the


    details of my rendezvous with Elijah would be the best thing to do. For now. I was not sure of his


    reaction to it.


    "Who is with you?"


    "I''m all alone, Your Majesty. The twins are already sleeping and I cannot fathom disturbing their sleep.


    Do you want me to do something? Before I retire?"


    "Change the sheets. I do not like the smell of the room. I don''t want to smell anything except your smell


    and mine."


    I sniffed the room and smelt of rose¡ªNora''s scent. My gaze shifted to the bed which was crumpled to


    the highest level. Disgusted when my mind imagined what had happened, I grabbed everything from


    the sheets to the nkets and pillows and reced everything.


    I for one longer wanted to be reminded of what had happened.


    It took me thirty minutes before I was done and finallyy beside the alpha king.


    We were just like that,ying down. And a couple of minutes passed, and I heard his soft snores echo


    along the four walls of the room. I rolled on my side and looked at his sleeping form.


    ¡°Your Majesty, did you like being with Nora?¡± I asked myself.


    I went upright and brushed his face using my hands. Stubborn stubbles were already growing under his


    chin, giving off a rugged look. Despite that, he was still handsome.


    He stirred in his sleep. I froze, and hastily went back to my area.


    ¡°Zenith¡­ I miss you.¡±


    I scoffed. Even if he was asleep, he was still calling that woman¡¯s name. I wondered if he called his


    name when he reached his climax. That would be disappointing on Nora¡¯s side. Imagining it made me


    fell like the evilest person.


    Whatever.


    It was not my problem anymore. He can call her name a million times.


    I rolled on the opposite side, closed my eyes, and hoped I would never awakete.


    ¡ª------------------------


    I did not wakete and found the alpha king sleeping soundly beside me. Feeling groggy, I hopped out


    of bed, went to the bathroom, did the necessities, and slipped into a pair of a fresh set of clothes.


    Sensing that it would take a longer time for the alpha king to be awakened, I stepped outside of the


    chamber only to be greeted by the twins.


    ¡°River!¡± the twins said in unison.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± I asked, my mind not still fully on what was happening around me. I badly needed to sleep


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    some more, but the alpha king would be furious if he saw me sleeping when he was already awake.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe that scandalous event that took ce in the watchtower.¡±


    ¡°What about it?¡± I whispered while trying to digest what they were trying to say. I yawned, wanting to go


    back. It was still six o¡¯clock in the morning. I barely slept for three hours!


    Perhaps I would go back inside.


    ¡°One of the Council members, Sir Elijah was seen making love with a woman in the watchtowerst


    night! A servant heard him saying, ¡®More¡¯ and ¡®I want it harder.¡¯¡±


    The twins giggled, amused at the news spreading among the servants.


    Drowsiness left my system and looked at the twins with a grin on their faces. I recalled those words.


    Oh, Moon Goddess. The only female he was with was none other than me!

 29. Do You Want to Know the Truth?

    29. Do You Want to Know the Truth?


    29. Do You Want to Know the Truth?


    "River. You''re sweating. Are you okay?" the twins asked altogether, suspicion in their eyes. "Do you


    know something about the scandal that happenedst night?"


    My hands went cold and I couldn''t see them in my eyes. The only scandal I knew about was between


    the alpha king and Nora. Nothing else.


    When I did not say anything, the twins pressed, even more, not wanting to be left behind from the


    juiciest gossip around the pce.


    "Hey. Do you want to say something?" they asked. "Say it. We will never confide in a single soul."


    I doubted it since ra was not the type who would keep her mouth shut. To be safe, it was better to


    leave them from the spotlight.


    I chuckled and nced sideways. Not really looking at them in their eyes. Damn it. Who was the fool


    again who spread that gossip? How would I meet Elijah again if our first meetingst night resulted in


    these kinds of rumors? Did he already know about this? Or not?


    "Earth to River? You''re staring into space."


    "Maybe the rumors surprise her," re suggested.


    "Perhaps she is a virgin and her innocent ears cannot grasp the idea behind the rumors. Poor River."


    They nodded to each other and engulfed me in a bear hug.


    Pushing them away, I exined, "I don''t think being a virgin is rted to the rumor. Besides, Sir Elijah?


    I don''t think a member of the Council would do that in the open. I mean having sex for all the world to


    see, ra and re. There are a lot of guest rooms in the East Wing. He could choose one. I knew the


    prince was not that cheap."


    "Prince?"


    Their skepticism was growing even more. I gulped. How would I run away from these two? I was afraid


    that they would see through my lies.


    Narrowing their eyes, the twins announced, "He is not a prince, River. He is not even rted to the


    alpha king. The alpha king is an only child and his parents are living in a manor far away from the


    pce."


    Clearing my throat, I smiled but it looked like a wince. "Is that so? I did not know about that. I see. I


    have to learn a lot about the pce and its people."


    Damn. Why did I feel guilty when nothing happened between us and Elijah?


    I stepped back when the twins leaned closer to me, with no ns of letting me go at the moment. I felt


    hot all over because of their burning stares which made it awkward.


    "Do you know something, River?" they asked altogether. "You''re acting differently."


    I faked a chuckle, looking at them straight in their eyes. "Why would I know something? I was guarding


    the door of the alpha king''s chamberst night. I have no time to meet someone. The alpha king above


    all."


    ra folded her arms in front of her chest.


    "He was busy fucking Norast night and you guard their door?"


    My eyes widened, pretending to be surprised at her excellent choice of words.


    "F-fucking? That''s not a nice word to say, ra especially if you are talking about the alpha king."


    "What do you want me to say then? That they are ying inside the alpha king''s chamber? That they


    are cleaning inside?"


    reughed at her twin''s statement. "ying? How funny. That''s thest thing they would do, ra.


    Nora is the type of woman who loathes cleaning. That''s also why she prepared to be in another group


    ¡ªas the alpha king''s lover."


    "We felt sorry for you having to guard and listen to their moans, River. You don''t have to do that. That


    would be awkward."


    "Indeed, it was. Nora was a¡­"


    "Screamer. We knew."


    "Scandalous.


    "Improper."


    "Brazen."


    "Who thought she was the most beautiful servant of all even if that''s not true. At least subjectively."


    "Who is secretly in love with the alpha king."


    My gaze darted back and forth between the two. What were they talking about?


    Pretend to understand what they are talking about, River, so that they would get distracted and will not


    question you anymore, the other part of my mind said.


    "If we were you, I will stop guarding the door when the alpha king is with his woman. Like Nora." They


    shuddered as if they remembered their past experiences with the woman.


    "Excuse me? Are you talking about me?"


    We stopped and faced the neer. Nora.


    My face twisted in disgust as I stared at her, who was wearing a pretentious expression on her face as


    if she had won apetition and got first ce.


    "Why are you here?" the twins asked. "The alpha king no longer needed your presence. You can go


    back to your quarter and look as pretty as you usually do."


    Disgust decorated Nora''s face as she looked at the twins.


    "Creepy. Can you stop saying the same words at the same time? You''re giving me goosebumps."


    "Not gonna happen," the twins eximed, smirking at her. "We are twins. Our minds and hearts are


    interconnected."


    "Not all twins are as creepy as you."


    Like a child, the twins stuck their tongue at her.


    Tired by looking at the three, I asked, "What do you want, Nora?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Her eyes glinted and went back to me. "That''s my concern, actually. I was silently walking the hallway


    when I heard my name in your mouths, badmouthing me saying I was a screamer. How scandalous! I


    am not. I was silentst night."


    "Silent? You looked like you were having a nightmare," the twins replied and giggled, not believing her


    while I rolled my eyes at Nora.


    "You''re not, huh?"


    "If there''s a screamer it would be Sir Elijah," Nora pointed out.


    My heart jumped again.


    I thought I already managed to divert the twin''s attention from that issue?


    "Why? Sir Elijah did not do anything wrong. He only screams when he is in battle, fighting the rogues," I


    answered as if I knew everything about him. I did not, but since my name was indirectly dragged into


    this mess, I had to do everything to settle this one before it would reach the alpha king''s attention.


    Noraughed at me.


    I wanted to take back the nice things I said about herst night. She was not dignified and proper.


    Instead, it was only her face that was good, but never her personality.


    "Is that what you know?"


    "Yeah. What did you know, anyway?" I asked back.


    She threw some strands of her hair at her back. "Sir Elijah was seen fucking a woman in the


    watchtower and the woman''s hair is just like yours¡ªcurly."


    I paled at her announcement. The pce rarely had women who owned curly hair.


    The twinsughed, clutching their stomachs while a tear dropped from their eyes.


    "W-what? Y-you''re saying River is that woman?" they asked, in unison, stuttering. "That was not River.


    She knows that if she happened to have sex with other men, without telling the alpha king about it, she


    will be punished. Brutally. The alpha king technically owned her."


    I looked at them, confused. "I did not know about that."


    They straightened and fixed themselves. "The alpha king''s personal ve is another level, River. Let''s


    just say the alpha king is possessive about them. And if you happened to like a man, or found your


    mate, you have to tell him first and he will decide if you will ept him or reject him."


    How cruel. I was having a deal with the alpha king without knowing the do''s and don''ts?


    I was digesting every word they said when Nora said, "Impossible. It was River who was with Sir Elijah.


    Nothing else. Where could she have been after the alpha king kicked her out of his chamber?"


    "I was not kicked out. I excused myself, Nora," I corrected when my ego would not allow me to put


    myself in an embarrassing situation.


    She lifted her chin and said, "They are the same. My mind wouldn''t change. That woman was you. I


    don''t know that you''re eager to whore yourself to Sir Elijah. I did not know you were that desperate."


    "Hey! Watch your mouth, woman! River is not like that," the twins defended me. "She''s not the best


    personal ve for the alpha king but at least she''s trying her best."


    I appreciate their concerns but this one was my battle.


    "Do you want to know the truth, Nora?" I asked and their eyes were suddenly on me.

 30. Exaggerations and Hot Kisses

    30. Exaggerations and Hot Kisses


    The truth coated with lies were the words Nora would only hear from me. Those were also the words


    Nora had been waiting for. She wanted me to spill the beans, endangering my name and maybe


    angering the alpha king for tinting his name.


    The face of the alpha king would always be dignified at all times and refrain from doing something


    dishonorable. Improper. Inappropriate. Which was theplete opposite of my life back at Haverstone


    Pack. I was called Dog ve while here¡­if someone will name me one, will be punished.


    "Is that right, Nora? You want the truth?" I taunted her.


    The twins shook their heads in my direction, stopping me from whatever ns I had in mind.


    "Of course! So that the twins will know how evil you are. Tell us. Say how desperate you are to gain the


    alpha king and Sir Elijah''s attention and how you will use them at your, River."


    I smiled inwardly. This woman deserved a pat on her back for seeing past me, but too bad. I would


    never tell her she was right or that everything I had built so far would be ruined.


    "River. You don''t have to prove anything," the twins said softly. "We believe it was not you, okay?


    Besides, Sir Elijah has his harem and you will not pass his standards when ites to women."


    I did not know if I should be ttered or not by their statement.


    "It''s okay, ra and re. I want this woman to stop after this." I faced Nora. "You want to know the


    facts, huh? Well, here is the truth. When I strolled out of the pce that night, I saw another woman


    kisses, looking back and forth afraid that someone had seen her. And she is one of your group, Nora. I


    saw her sharing the quarters with you."


    Her eyes glinted and looked sharp as a knife, not believing my words. "You are lying. It was you! How


    dare you use someone else to cover your lies!"


    Folding my arms in front of my chest, I asked, "Really? How can you prove that I was that woman? At


    that time, you''re busy with the alpha king. And do you have evidence that supports your im? If I


    know, you are just jealous about me being the alpha king''s ve. You want him for your good, right?


    Because you wanted to carry his child and rule beside him." It was also my goal, minus carrying the


    child part. I want nothing but power. "Well, news sh, you will never be one since you are not his


    Luna. Only the Luna will rule beside him."


    Nora''s eyes went red. "She already died and the alpha king will choose another one again!"


    The twins inhaled sharply, the usual reaction I got whenever they said something forbidden by the


    alpha king.


    "She died? Who is the woman?" Nora paled, her knees nearly giving out while the twins shifted their


    weight from foot to foot. Even the information about the Luna was forbidden to be exposed? "I am


    asking a question, Nora."


    "A question that can never be answered, River," the twins said with nervous expressions on their faces.


    "Let''s disperse before the alpha king hears us and punishes us, shall we? Talking about the Luna will


    only lead us to our doom."


    They nearly turned their back on me but stopped them. "Wait. ra. re. I need to know about the


    Luna of this kingdom and why she was never beside the alpha king! Nora. You have to tell me about


    her."


    I tried to touch her arms, but she evaded my touch, trembling while biting her fingernails. The twins


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    wouldn''t even look me in the eyes. The three of them were scared to face the alpha king''s wrath. And


    no amount of coaxing will make them open their mouth.


    "It''s better for you not to know about the Luna, River."


    "Why?"


    "Because I forbade anyone to spread rumors about her."


    The four of us stiffened when we heard the alpha king''s voice as he strolled towards us. We gave our


    courtesy bow, while I looked at his shoes.


    I could hear the three''s fast heartbeats. Trying to save the twins at least, I stepped forward, meeting his


    gaze. "Your Majesty, I am only curious about the Luna. I thought I should learn everything about you


    since I am now your servant, especially taking care of your needs," I answered, gathering all the


    humility my voice could muster just to avoid punishment from him.


    "Your curiosity will always lead you to your downfall, River."


    I thought Nora would let her fear swallow her, but she opened her mouth.


    "Your Majesty! That woman! I tried to tell her that was a forbidden topic, but she always forced the


    information out of my mouth, using her power as your personal ve against us and that she will hurt


    me if I will not give what she wants," Nora cried, nearly clutching the alpha king''s arms for support.


    She wiped her fake tears while looking at the alpha king behind her eyshes.


    ring at her, I kept my mouth shut, waiting for the right moment to pounce.


    "Your Majesty. That''s not true! River did not threaten her," the twins defended me.


    "Liars!" Nora spat, showing her hatred for the three of us. "You''re hiding her hideous personality! Why


    am I even surprised about it? You will always defend her! I wonder how much she gave to you to bribe


    you."


    "Shame on you!" the twins eximed. "We are not taking any bribes from anyone!"


    "What a bunch of liars!" Nora looked at the alpha king, but his eyes were staring at me.


    "Are you already gathering your enemies in the pce?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty. I''m certain she has a lot back in her pack," Nora retorted, instead.


    "Are you my spokesperson now, Nora?" I inquired, then I smiled at His Majesty. "Of course not, Your


    Majesty. I am your face and my disgrace will be yours as well. I wouldn''t allow that to happen and


    whatever Nora spread was nothing but lies. If someone is lying among us, it is her."


    Nora''s face became red and pointed her fingers at me. "You cunning bitch! Stop wearing your facade


    and show your real face! Don''t make me the viin here!"


    "You are the viin, Nora. We were only talking to each other when you butted in and then you


    suddenly used River of having sex with Sir Elijahst night," ra said and put her hands on her


    mouth when she realized what she had said.


    re pinched ra on her side, making thetter wince but the damage had been done. The alpha


    king had already known about my rendezvous with Sir Elijah.


    Using the opportunity, Nora dered, "Your Majesty, that is also the reason why I came here. A servant


    had seen her in the watchtower doing scandalous acts with Sir Elijah without fearing the others would


    see them. That servant also heard her voice calling Sir Elijah when she reached her climax. The


    servant would never be mistaken since she has a photographic memory."


    What the fuck? I only massaged Elijahst night! How could the issue go bigger like this?!


    The alpha king''s expression darkened and the twins and Nora silently stepped back from him. It


    seemed like steam woulde out from his nose and ears while he was calmly looking at me, his face


    flushed from anger.


    I balled my fist and if my poisonous res could kill, Nora would be long gone by now. I deeply


    regretted knowing her! She became one of my thorns in reaching my goals!


    "Out! The three of you!"


    The twins gave me a pitiful look while Nora''s expression was triumphant after making the alpha king


    mad at me.


    This wench!


    My hands trembled, and hid them behind my back, for fear I would grab all her hair and pull it off.


    "Yes, Your Majesty," they said in unison, giving their courtesy bow and hurried away as if they were


    being chased by a rogue.


    I sighed, while I waited for the alpha king''s next words.


    "Inside," he ordered and stepped inside while I tailed him.


    The door mmed shut behind me while I stared at his back, waiting for him to speak. His shoulders


    were tense as if he wanted to break all the furniture inside his chamber, which I wouldn''t care about. He


    had a lot of treasures to rece everything.


    After almost five minutes of silence, the alpha king did not even speak. Sensing he had no ns of


    talking, I said, "Your Majesty¡­about what Nora said, it was not¡ª"


    My words were cut short and the next thing I knew, Alpha King Maxxwell crushed his lips against mine


    just like what happened back in Haverstone Pack.

 31. As if He Was...Jealous

    31. As if He Was...Jealous


    My eyes widened as Alpha King Maxxwell kissed me savagely as if he was punishing me using his


    kisses. He bit my lips nearly drawing blood but the more he made it rough, the more it brought pleasure


    to my body.


    What. The. Fuck. Was. Happening. Here? The alpha king was kissing me even if I was not his sex


    ve. And a certain part of me was screaming to answer back to his kisses! Just like what happened at


    my pack during the Mating Ceremony.


    No, no. I must never give in to the temptation or he would think the rumors about Elijah and I would


    be true.


    So I just stood there, forcing myself not to return his kisses as his scent nearly knocked me over. I


    wanted to sniff him and do other dangerous and sinful thoughts which I never thought I would be doing


    when I was still in my pack. And these thoughts were scary as hell as if those were not mine.


    Only the alpha king was able to release all these confusing emotions. And the conflicting part of all is


    we were not mates. Right?


    "You like this, River?" he whispered, brushing my upper lip with my fingers. "Your body wanted this. But


    you are fighting it. Why? Is it because I am not Elijah?" he sneered. "I can kiss better than him. I can


    pleasure you more than him."


    Gold shes his eyes as if his beast was trying to fight for control.


    As if insulting him, I wiped my lips using the back of my hand, and boy. He was looking at me and his


    expression turned darker than ever.


    "That''s not the issue here, Your¡ª"


    My words were cut when he dipped his mouth into mine and bit my lower lip once more.


    I was surprised and gasped and used the opportunity to enter his tongue inside my mouth.


    I bit his upper lip when my control was starting to slip away and just go with the flow. I earned a moan


    from his mouth which I did not hear when the alpha king and Nora were fucking. Or was it both of


    them?


    I knew I should respond if I like what he is doing. I like it. In some way. A certain part of me wanted it,


    making my toes curl, making me silently ask for more than he could give me.


    However, that was the confusing part. Why was I enjoying this? Why did his soft touches make me feel


    as if I was burning for it? Hungry for him? Was I that desperate for someone to desire me?


    Gasping for breath, we both pulled away and I looked up, staring at his murderous res towards me.


    "Did Elijah kiss better than me, huh? Are you now his whore?" he spat, curling his lip, hatred on his


    face.


    It did not fully sink into what he just said and it took me longer than that.


    Whore? Did he think I was whoring myself for Elijah so that he will teach me how to read and write?


    Desire was suddenly reced by irritation for him while my hands trembled in fury.


    "With all due respect, Your Majesty, perhaps you understood it wrongly."


    He lifted my chin, using enough force, but not enough to inflict pain, but to make his point. "An alpha


    king is never wrong."


    "You are mistaken," I replied as if I was challenging him.


    "You never listen, do you?"


    "No. It is you who never listened to my exnations."


    My breathing wasbored as if I had run a marathon. My nostrils red as I stared at him.


    The alpha king''s fist clenched by their sides, and rolled their shoulders back, giving me a death stare.


    "Exin it to me, River. Exin why the alpha king''s servant, my servant, mine." Why did my heart


    jump when he announced the word mine? "...is found in thepany of Elijah, the womanizer in this


    pce, fucking with him."


    "I did not, Your Majesty," emphasizing his name. "How many times will I defend myself? For crying out


    loud, those are baseless rumorsing from Nora''s mouth! That woman is never fond of me and


    wants you for herself."


    He pressed his hands on my chin and made me look at him longer. "Really? You did not whore yourself


    to him, huh? Lies," he spat, and slightly pushed me. I thought he would let me go, but he unexpectedly


    grabbed my wrist, carried me as if I weighed nothing but a feather, put me on his shoulders, and threw


    me into the bed. I bounced a couple of times before it stopped.


    I angrily gazed at him even if he was the alpha king and he returned the same intensity of gaze to me.


    Exining my side was not helping at all.


    "Let''s see if Elijah kissed you better than me. You brought disgrace upon yourself, River. I did not touch


    you while you came here, respecting your body, honoring you, telling myself you are nothing but a child


    in my eyes. But what you did with Elijah was uneptable!" he roared as he stared down at me while


    he hovered over me. "You easily give your body to him!"


    "I did nothing wrong with him!" I answered back, angrily wiping the stray hair blocking my gaze.


    "Nothing happened!" Except for the massage. And it was not the issue.


    I felt hot all over, not because of desire but because I badly wanted to p him to knock some sense


    out of him!


    He turned around and paced back and forth. "Lies! Lies! You''re nothing but a handful of lies."


    Well, there were times I had to lie, but I was not lying this time! Nothing happened between us and


    Elijah.


    "You can throw me at the bottom pit of the dungeon, but you cannot change my im that I am


    innocent and did not whore myself towards Elijah, Maxxwell," I eximed.


    He stilled and looked at me. "What did you just call me?"


    "Your Majesty," I answered ndly.


    "You did not. You called me by name."


    I faked a surprise. "Oh. I did? I am not sure."


    He red at me and told me he did not like the way I answered him. But damn him! How could he even


    expect me to honor him when he was only spouting baseless usations?


    "Yes, I did call you Maxxwell, Maxxwell. I forget I am talking to the scary alpha king. How you are acting


    right now made me forget about it."


    Punishment was no longer important in my mind. I was furious and wanted to show how stubborn I


    could be which I never showed back in my pack and fought him regardless of my loss of power. I


    was tired of lowering myself to anyone. It was time to fight.


    He staggered back and lost his strength for a minute.


    "You were like her."


    "Who?" I asked curiously.


    "Zenith."


    That name again.


    I bolted upright, fixed my hair, and stood in front of him. "What about that woman? I''ve got sick of


    constantly hearing her name a couple of times but nobody wanted to tell me about her. Do I look like


    her, Your Majesty? Or did I remind her of you?"


    I never thought I would be living in someone else''s shadows uponing here. And I wanted to know


    if I could use Zenith''s memories to my advantage or not.


    The alpha king shook his head to clear his thoughts and balled his fist.


    "You want to know about her?"


    "Yes."


    "What will you give in return, River?" he asked using his dangerous tone. "Yourself again? Funny how


    you easily give it away to anyone including Elijah. Is that how desperate you could be?"


    I fisted on the sheets, and the urge to p him¡ªhard returned. Why did he always bring up Elijah''s


    name as if he was¡­jealous.


    Iughed at the thought. The alpha ling world never feels any jealousy towards someone. That''s


    absurd.


    I closed the gap between us, our breaths mingling, while our chest was only a few meters from


    touching each other.


    I had to crane my neck to look at him better ''cause he towered over my barely five-t height. Damn.


    How could he be huge and tall at the same time?


    "I could be desperate, Your Majesty. I will do whatever it takes to get what I want. But I never was


    fucked by Sir Elijah. You can call him and ask him the truth. My conscience is clear." Except for


    meeting him at the watchtower. It would be better if no one will know about it. "So I can demand to


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    know everything about Zenith."


    He leaned closer to my ears and whispered, "Are you also willing to whore yourself to me, or offer


    yourself as my sex ve just to get the information from my mouth, River?"


    And he licked my ears, making me gasp.

 32. You Are Jealous, Your Majesty

    32. You Are Jealous, Your Majesty


    I stepped back and looked at him with a horrified look on my face while trying to fight off my


    embarrassment as I struggled to meet his gaze.


    Clutching my ears as the tingling sensation of his mouth in my ears still persisted, I uttered, ¡°Do you


    want me to, Your Majesty? You do not know me fully well, then.¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to die in exchange for knowing who is Zenith?¡± he asked me. ¡°Death awaits those


    people who keep on trying to unveil what happened one year ago. If you are ready to face death, I can


    tell you all about her. But in exchange, you die.¡±


    A shiver ran down my spine as I listened to him. Was that woman even worth it?


    ¡°You can bury all her secrets in your grave, Your Majesty. I no longer want to know about that woman.¡±


    But it does not mean I will stop knowing more.


    He scoffed, leaning on the table. ¡°I thought you were desperate about that, River. But I was wrong.


    You¡¯re more desperate to put Elijah under your clutches. You are the same as the others in the pce.¡±


    My eyes narrowed at the weight of his statement. ¡°What are you trying to say, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? The fierce look in your eyes. The way you did not cower under my gaze, but instead


    looked at me straight in my eyes told me you wanted power. You will do anything to achieve your goal


    reminding me of someone. And gaining Elijah¡¯s trust and using him would be to your advantage. What


    are you nning to do, River? You¡¯re quite ambitious. I will credit you for that.¡±


    I shifted on my side, not allowing him to see that he partly caught me there. ¡°Nothing. You are


    mistaken. Everything you said was untrue.¡±


    ¡°I am never wrong about uncovering a person¡¯s true color. However, let me remind you that it is wrong


    to bite your master¡¯s hand. I owned you, River. If you forget, I am your master. I can do whatever I want


    with you.¡±


    ¡°You can do whatever you want to others, but not me, Your Majesty. You can do it if I allow it. There¡¯s a


    fine line between harassment, respect, and abuse.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Such fire in your eyes. Full of passion and life. It¡¯s beautiful to look at them just like how I loved


    watching the wildness of your hair right now. It perfectly suits you.¡± He folded his arms in front of his


    chest and said, ¡°And another thing. I was harassing you? What part, River? Your body screamed at you


    telling me that you like my kisses, but you are fighting for control. No one ever refuses me. And may I


    remind you that you are my personal servant? We had a deal.¡±


    My chest constricted hearing himpliment my hair which was one of my insecurities. I gritted my


    teeth, refusing to be swayed by his words.


    Clearing my throat, I replied, ¡°Yes, we had a deal, Your Majesty. You are right that you own my life, but


    it does not guarantee I will give my body to you. I want men who can satisfy me in bed and Sir Elijah


    can kiss better than you.¡±


    It was toote to take back my words. The alpha king got madder and in a blink of an eye, he grabbed


    me and kissed me again, savagely.


    Fine.


    If he wants the same, I will give it to him.


    If you cannot beat him, join him. As the adage says.


    So instead of fighting him, I used another tactic. One moment I was nopliant and the next


    moment, I kissed him. Hard, gripping with the same intensity he used while snaking one of my arms


    around his neck. While the other fisted on his shirt, I ripped it apart and touched his ripped body with


    intense touches.


    His hands cradled my bottom. Using that leverage, I jumped and wrapped my arms around his waist. I


    felt the alpha king walk in whatever direction and shoved me until my back hit the cold wall. Without


    breaking the kiss.


    Punishment after punishment.


    Every kiss left a burning mark on my body, making me feel as if I was thrown into hot burning magma


    inside the mouth of an erupting volcano.


    Muting my thoughts, I just focused on my body¡¯s reaction and copied how rough he touched me.


    The alpha king¡¯s fingers dug into my hips but as seconds passed by, the rougher it got, the wetter I felt


    it became down there.


    However, the punishing kisses melted away until they became brushes of lips between our lips until the


    energy in our bodies nearly left us.


    Rough became soft.


    My hands traveled toward his hair and pulled him closer to me, and he did not even protest. Instead, he


    was loving it. As much as I do.


    No. I must fight this reaction.


    It was toote. I was already drunk from him.


    However, to save myself from the embarrassment that I liked everything, I pulled myself still carried by


    him.


    ¡°Sir Elijah is still better at kissing me, Your Majesty,¡± I whispered and nibbled his lips as if he was some


    deletable candy disyed. His mouth was soft and sweet against mine. And it reminded me of the


    strawberries that were grown at the farm at Haverstone Pack.


    That delicious and sweet tiny fruit that I could not stop picking.


    As if challenged by my statement, the alpha king massaged the valley of my chest, using his expert


    hands, making me arch my back.


    No. Must not moan. Or he would think I was loving every inch of it.


    ¡°Is that all you can do, Your Majesty? Perhaps your age wears you down,¡± I taunted even more.


    I knew I was ying a dangerous game. I had no experience when ites to sex between men, and I


    was still testing myself on how far I can do. On how far will this y end.


    ¡°You talk too much, River.¡±


    And he started taking off my clothes, but realization dawned on me and as if a cold bucket of water was


    thrown at me. I stopped him from doing so.


    I cannot give myself to anyone even if he was the alpha king myself. Not now.


    The alpha king rested his forehead against mine while catching his breath. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°L-let me go.¡±


    He froze, not liking my statement. ¡°Why?¡± he asked coldly.


    I met his gaze and answered. ¡°I-I can¡¯t do it, Your Majesty. If you want other women to satisfy you, I can


    call them. Nora is waiting. Always.¡±


    He looked at me for a couple of seconds as if he wanted to know if I was serious or not. When I did not


    smile or beam, he let me go.


    My knees nearly gave out and I was thankful I was able to grab a chair to support my weight.


    The alpha king turned his back away from me, while I was busy fixing my unruly hair. I let it run wild


    earlier, but it was time to control it just like my emotions. I pulled out my hair tie and tied my hair into a


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    messy bun.


    ¡°Why?¡± he asked, again. ¡°Why did you hesitate while you did not to Elijah?¡±


    Back to that again?


    Gathering a fresh set of air, I answered, ¡°He is iparable to you, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Do you like him? And even if you did, I will not allow your rtionship until I permit you. You are my


    personal servant. You¡¯re mine.¡±


    ¡°I know but with all due respect, you did not carry my other request of looking for my real parents.¡±


    He faced me, his forehead knotted with lines. ¡°Tracing what happened eighteen years ago is not an


    easy task. You are wrong when you said I did not do anything to find your parents. I did. But it will take


    some time. However, I am constantly asking for an update about them so you better do the end of the


    deal to serve me.¡±


    ¡°But it does not include offering myself to you.¡±


    ¡°But you can to Elijah?¡±


    Sensing he will no longer believe my words no matter how much I deny it, I said, ¡°Yes because he is


    kind and treated me with respect. He does not boss me around despite my status in the ce. All my


    life, I¡¯ve been constantly dealing with people who treated me as if I am some sort of rug but when it


    Majesty. My mate rejected me because I am a servant. An omega. A ve. But despite Sir Elijah¡¯s


    status as one of the members of the Council, he treated me as a human.¡±


    I was not certain if how much of what I had said was right and how much was lies.


    His eyes went cold. ¡°Elijah is not what you believe, River. He is dangerous for you. You can still have


    time to walk away from him.¡±


    Iughed bitterly which made him face me. Good. Because I want to see his reactions. ¡°You¡¯re only


    telling me that because you are jealous, Your Majesty.¡±


    There I said it.


    His nostrils red and gold shed in his eyes. ¡°Come again?¡± he asked. It was no longer him talking to


    me but the beast inside him.

 33. Bite

    33. Bite


    With a stubborn look on my face, I looked at the alpha king, not wanting to back down at him. "I said


    you are only jealous of Sir Elijah," I repeated.


    Oh, Moon Goddess.


    What had gotten in my mind when I did a great job of angering him?


    Consider yourself a goner after this, River, another part of my mind said. Alpha King Maxxwell will toss


    you to the bottom part of the ocean and will put a stone on both of your feet.


    Yeah. I was a fool for fighting him, but my mind couldn''t stop fighting back. I was certain I would harvest


    this stubbornness.


    "Why would I, River?"


    "That''s the confusing part, Your Majesty. You have everything. You have a harem. A handful of ves.


    A battalion of guards. Warriors. The people. And you have me."


    "I have you?"


    "Yes. You have me," I said confirming his statement.


    "I do not have your loyalty, River which is one of the greatest mistakes you did. After what happened


    with Elijah and you, you will side with him."


    Wait. Was that jealousy I was hearing in his voice? No. No. The alpha king was not the jealous type,


    right?


    I stepped forward. "I am loyal to you, Your Majesty," I lied with a straight face.


    "Enough of your falsehoods, River. You cannot make a fool out of me."


    I widened my eyes. "Fooling you? I am not that wicked, Your Majesty!"


    "As of now, I am forbidding you to meet Elijah in whatever ces, especially the watchtower where you


    would do a lot of sinful things."


    Sinful things, my ass. There was nothing sinful when I met Elijah on the watchtower. I only massaged


    him!


    I balled my fist and it trembled beside me. How would I learn to read and write if I was forbidden now to


    meet him? This was uneptable!


    "Sinful things? Is that considered sinful if we are mates?"


    I bit my lower lip and drew blood.


    Oh, Moon Goddess. I would just offer my apologies to Elijah after this. This was what they called white


    lies. If I do not say this, then my goal will not be realized.


    The alpha king strolled towards me, his steps echoing against the four walls of his chamber.


    "Mates you say?"


    Just stick to your lies, River. There was no turning back.


    "Yes. We are mates."


    "Your second chance mate?"


    The werewolf can have a maximum of two mates (courtesy of the Moon Goddess'' kindness to her


    offspring) if the other mate rejected us. But if the second chance mate still rejected a werewolf, there


    would be no other choice except to carry the pain of the severed connection between the two.


    "Yes, Your Majesty. And we already talked about it. He told me that we will look for the right time to ask


    for your approval but rumors about what happened between us spread like wildfire. Everything went out


    of hand so I decided toe clean with you before you will hear it from the other servants. I hope you


    won''t¡ª"


    I gasped when he suddenly punched the wall beside me, causing a crack.


    Trails of blood dropped down from his fist as his breathing quickened, throwing me a murderous look.


    I looked back and forth as if looking for someone to help me. The back of my hair stood, silently


    warning me that I am in a dangerous situation in the presence of the alpha king.


    "Y-your Majesty¡­tell me what angered you."


    Did he tasted my lies?


    Instead of answering, he let out a guttural growl, earning a step back from me as I struggled to breathe.


    ws started toe out as well as the furs from his body. He was shapeshifting. And an alpha king''s


    beast was enormous as they said.


    He faced me and stared at me using his golden eyes.


    "You''re mine, River!"


    I gulped as the need to flee was stronger than before. Images of the painful past from my pack shed


    like lightning and instead of seeing the alpha king''s face, all I saw were my abusers who did nothing but


    inflict pain on me.


    My knees gave out while clutching my chest tightly. The whipping of my back. The kicking. The ps.


    The dungeons. The starvation.


    Oh, Moon Goddess. Save me from this hell!


    Tears flew down my tears as those painful memories were like a bitch, torturing me, inflicting more pain


    than before.


    Hell.


    Somebody save me!


    My shoulders shook while tears fell like waterfalls. It hurts so much! I did not want to relieve it anymore!


    "River!"


    I looked and saw Alpha Erik''s father trying to touch me using his rough hands. I pped his arms and


    backed away, shivering, fighting, and wing, as he tried to touch me.


    "Get away from me, demon!" I cried as I struggled to be far away from him.


    He will kill me now. He said he will if I made a mistake again. I broke one of his prized possessions


    while I was cleaning and he went to look for me even though I was already hiding in the forest. Gripping


    my hair, he dragged me toward the dungeon and started to punish me.


    "River!"


    I shook my head a couple of times.


    With blurry visions, all I could see were outlines of a man hovering towards me.


    "Don''t kill me, please. I beg of you! I will never do it again! I promise. I will be good. I will do anything


    you say. Just don''t put me in the dungeon. The rogues tried to touch me once when he broke out from


    his cell.. please. Please, Alpha Wade."


    "It is I, River!"


    The figure continued to touch me, but in response, I bit his hands in defense. He let out plenty of


    curses while saying, "Let go of my hand, River!"


    I did not. The more I sank my teeth into his soft flesh and tasted the metallic taste of blood. Licking it, I


    sank it even more. I smiled wickedly. It served him right after all the things he did to me!


    He attempted to push me away, but he failed.


    Until I felt his arms around me, drawing me closer to his body, and allowing me to hear the fast beating


    of his heart against his chest.


    Odd. The moment I sniffed his scent, I calmed. It smelt of sandalwood, my favorite scent of all after


    sniffing it from the alpha king.


    "You can bite all my flesh as long as you want, River, " he said calmly. Then I felt him sniffing my hair


    and patting it.


    Calmy?


    Alpha Wade would never do that. He was ruthless. Brutal and...


    My bite on his hands loosened and finally dared to look up. I was met by the most tender expression I


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    sawing from the alpha king. Another shocking part? Using his fingertips, he wiped my tears away,


    melting all the fear from my heart as I focused on him.


    He smiled. He did? Why would he?


    "Do you feel better now? You can bite my other hand, River. I don''t care."

 34. Second-Chance Mate

    34. Second-Chance Mate


    I looked up and saw it wasn¡¯t Alpha Wade from Haverstone Pack, but the alpha king himself. To make


    my vision clearer, I wiped the tears from my eyes and realized it was Alpha King Maxxwell of this


    kingdom!


    Horror swallowed me whole as my gaze darted to his hand. Bite marks. It was none other than mine!


    Those tiny holes and droplets of blood red back at me.


    How did I manage to bite him? I thought he was Alpha Wade.


    I scurried away from him, scared of what he might do to me after biting him.


    And he just let me step back, allowing me to gather my thoughts and emotions.


    Heid still as if he was testing me if I would run away from him or not.


    After a couple of minutes, I finally dared to speak and said, ¡°Y-Your Majesty? D-did I bite you as if you


    are some kind of meat barbecue stick?¡±


    ¡°In flesh and blood,¡± he said, weariness started to settle down and rested on his shoulders. "And you


    licked my blood as if you were a vampire."


    I covered my mouth as my mind tried to digest what he just said.


    I stared at the ceiling. ¡°Oh, Moon Goddess.¡± My eyes went back to him. ¡°What have I done, Your


    Majesty?¡±


    ¡°We had a heated exchange of words. And you suddenly got scared as if I was the devil incarnate and


    wed and bit me.¡±


    Gulping, I looked nervously at his hands and kept looking at them to verify if I was dreaming or not.


    I bowed my head until my forehead reached the floor. ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not know it was


    you.¡±


    ¡°Rise. I want to see your eyes when I talk to you. Not your wild hair that looked like a burning me.¡±


    Not wanting to anger him, I rose and looked at him in his eyes.


    He folded his arms in front of his chest. ¡°You mentioned Wade.¡±


    My heart jumped and my hands went cold. The alpha king''s eyes caught my reaction before I had the


    chance to hide it away using my smile. Which turned into a wince in the end.


    Sensing it was futile to hide it away from him, I said, ¡°He was my previous alpha before Alpha Erik


    inherited the position from his father.¡±


    I caught him trying to control the sharpening of his ws I did not understand why he acted that way. I


    never thought he would associate himself with his servants.


    ¡°What did he do to you?¡±


    ¡°N-nothing, Your Majesty. It was all in the past.¡±


    ¡°Which you still carried the trauma. He is no longer your alpha, so why are you trying to defend him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I am trying to defend him, Your Majesty,¡± I muttered trying to reason with him. Talking about


    Alpha Wade felt like he could still hear every word I breathe against him and he woulde here and


    punish me even though I knew for myself the alpha king carried much more powerpared to him.


    However...the pain and terror from the past kept haunting me like a bitch, not allowing me to forget him.


    As if it had a mind of its own, my consciousness wanted to refresh them if someone triggered the


    memory just like what had happened earlier when the alpha king punched the wall.


    My gaze shifted to the hole beside me and gulped.


    Did he have ns of hitting me or not? It was only a few inches from me and if he happened to hit me, I


    would long be unconscious now. The hit from an alpha king, ording to the servants, will make you


    unconscious for a couple of hours.


    I wondered if he was the type to hit a woman. And if he did, he would be the most asshole werewolf in


    this kingdom regardless if he was the alpha king. I was never fond of males who hit women.


    He saw me looking at the wall, guilt shed in his eyes before it disappeared. Or was I only imagining


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    things?


    ¡°The servants will fix that.¡±


    ¡°Do you n on hitting me, Your Majesty?¡± I mumbled, not wanting to hear his answers.


    Disappointment would be an understatement if he would answer yes.


    Gritting his teeth, he answered me. ¡°What do you take me for? An asshole who hit the powerless,


    especially women and children? You think lowly of your alpha king, River.¡±


    At some point, yes, I wanted to say but stopped myself from doing it. It was already imprinted in my


    mind that the powerful werewolf would use their power to their advantage and bully the weaker. Like


    what Alpha Wade did to me. And Alpha Erik? He never said a thing and indirectly tolerated his father¡¯s


    doing.


    I fisted my hands as my hatred of the father and son buried deeper than the deepest trench. I loathed


    them and may they suffer in eternity for their wrongdoings. Above all, I felt sorry for those ves who


    weren¡¯t given the chance to fight back.


    ¡°You¡¯re not answering.¡±


    I blinked a couple of times as I nced at him. ¡°What is it, Your Majesty?¡±


    His lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°You believed I would hit you earlier, that''s why you saw me as


    someone. Alpha Wade. Tell me the truth, River. Did he defile you?¡±


    Defiled? Sexually abuse?


    I was thankful he did not. If he did, I did not know if I would still be breathing the same air as the alpha


    king right now.


    ¡°No, Your Majesty.¡±


    His shoulders rxed for a moment and continued pressing his interrogations.


    ¡°But he hit you. Abused you. Physically. Verbally. Emotionally.¡±


    I looked away, not wanting to let him see the tears forming around my eyes. When I reached this


    kingdom, I vowed to never be the same weak she-wolf again. That I will fight against anyone who


    would do wrong to me.


    However, the past version of me still lingered and would resurface every now and then. Like now.


    I drew a deep breath, trying to control my tears. I hated crying in front of someone and never did it in


    the presence of anyone. Only with the alpha king and as I recalled how I bawled my eyes out, I hated it.


    Sighing, I retorted. ¡°That¡¯s not important, Your Majesty. Alpha Wade and I will never meet again. I am


    protected in your kingdom. I don¡¯t think you are a ruler who would just leave his people.¡±


    ¡°Men who hit women are the worst,¡± he spat.


    I smiled bitterly. I wished Alpha Wade and Alpha King Maxxwell shared the same outlooks in life.


    When I did not speak, he added, ¡°Prepare yourself. I will ask someone to call Elijah and ask him myself


    if you two were mates. Which I know are not,¡± he said.


    ¡°Your Majesty. Elijah is already busy protecting his territory. Is it really necessary for you to call him?¡± I


    asked, licking my lips.


    The alpha king followed my movements and I straightened myself when his gaze lingered on my lips. I


    did not know but I felt hot all over the way he looked at me which was funny.


    ¡°Elijah? Are the two of you on a first-name basis now? Not surprising. Elijah always asked his women


    to call him using his name despite my warnings not to.¡±


    ¡°He insisted, Your Majesty.¡±


    He scoffed. ¡°Because you are mates? Still saying that bullshit, huh?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not bullshit, Your Majesty. But the truth. Why do you always question it? Both of us know it


    ourselves.¡±


    How long will I lie to him before he finally believes me?


    ¡°What¡¯s your reason behind this, River?¡±


    Perhaps I had to act more dramatically? ¡°If he is not my mate, who else then, Your Majesty? We both


    know that the moment our mates rejected us, there would be a higher chance that the second one


    woulde out. But I don¡¯t think it was the case during the Mating Ceremony. I don¡¯t even have the


    wolf with me to tell me whether that person is my mate or not.¡± The alpha king stilled. ¡°Anyone who


    would know I am nothing but an omega of the pack, and a servant as well will easily reject me. They


    wanted nothing from me.¡±


    ¡°You said to yourself that you don¡¯t have any wolves. How certain are you that Elijah is your mate,


    River? What¡¯s your proof?¡±


    Iughed. ¡°Because he said it himself, Your Majesty. Why do you keep on doubting my statement? It


    felt like you are indirectly stating that you are my second-chance mate with that jealousy, Your Majesty,¡±


    I joked but when I shifted my gaze at the alpha king, he was not sharing the joke. Instead, he looked at


    me with so much intensity that he felt he wanted to say something, but he could not. Or do not want to.

 35. We Need a Luna

    35. We Need a Luna


    With my brows gathering together, I quipped, ¡°Your Majesty. Are you okay? Why did it feel like you


    were trying to say something? You can say it. Your humble servant is waiting for you.¡±


    He cleared his throat when he recovered from his trance. "I have nothing to say. Nothing."


    "But¡­" I trailed off, not satisfied with his answer.


    The alpha king was full of mystery and I had been itching to uncover all of them one by one. Starting


    from Zenith. I will use everything I know to my own advantage.


    "Drop it, River. You''re bing a nuisance. You can be irritating sometimes."


    I grinned at him. "My pack members constantly said that just looking at my face annoyed them, Your


    Majesty. So it is no wonder you shared the same opinion. No feelings hurt, Your Majesty."


    He looked at me sharply. "Don''t smile. There is nothing happy about that."


    I wiped away the smile from my face and looked at him with a sorrowful expression as if someone had


    rejected me again.


    The alpha king raised his perfect brows at me, while I shrugged it off. "Why that expression again?"


    "I don''t know. I suddenly got sad, Your Majesty as if my heart has been pierced with the hurtful words of


    Alpha Erik¡ª"


    "Do not mention that bastard''s name in my presence, River," he said, cutting me off. He may have seen


    the look in my eyes and he added, "No more questions. Shut your mouth. I''m tired. Stay here and I will


    call the twins to fetch you when Elijah arrives.¡±


    And with that, he mmed the door shut, leaving me alone.


    I bit my lower lips and stared at the door.


    I wondered when Elijah would arrive. I paced back and forth, thinking of ways I could tell Elijah first of


    my lies, and asked him if he would defend me without questioning why.


    As if. Do you think he would side with a ve? His loyalty lies to the alpha king. You''re not even a Luna


    for asking too much, the evil side of me said.


    Right. But how will I know if I won''t try, right?


    If he will agree, I will give him a lifetime free massage whenever he pleases and we will do it alone.


    Somewhere where no one would see and spread rumors. This was getting out of hand and started to


    cause me headaches.


    Think about what you will do next, River because the moment Elijah found out your lies, he would


    never teach you how to read and write.


    A few knocks on the door stopped me in my train of thought. If only Elijah was the one standing on the


    other side of the door.


    ¡°Enter,¡± I said and the twins stepped inside. To my dismay. Which was foolish. The alpha king did


    mention he will call the twins.


    "Why are you disappointed at seeing us, River? Are you expecting someone?" they asked in unison.


    Gawd.


    I was bing morefortable with the way they speak.


    "It''s nothing like that," I lied again.


    "Really? Then¡ª" They gasped together when they saw the hole ring back at them. ¡°River! Are you


    okay? The alpha king punched the wall right?¡± they asked with worried expressions on their faces. ¡°Are


    you hurt?¡±


    Emotionally, yes. But not physically.


    Not wanting to get swayed by my emotions and trying to act everything was perfect, I beamed at them,


    nearly perfecting the smile I always showed them.


    ¡°Of course. Why shouldn¡¯t I?¡±


    "He did not hit you? Please rify it to us."


    My scowl deepened. "Why? Are there any histories of His Majesty hitting women?" I asked. "If he did,


    he is a bastard," I added, curling my lips in disgust.


    The twins waved their hands frantically. "No! The alpha king never hit any women or children. Only men


    who defied him. But never the women or children."


    Not believing in their words, I pressed more. "Are you only saying that because you are defending him


    from me? Or are you scared of the alpha king himself?"


    "We aren''t. He is indeed scary when he gets mad."


    Images of him nearly shifting into his beast shed in my mind. A shiver ran down my spine, as


    memory after memory insisted on appearing. He looked like a beast when he stared at me using his


    golden eyes.


    "But he never hit women and children. It is true and not sugar-coated with lies. We never lie, River.


    Liars deserve to be punished," they spat.


    With my fear temporarily forgotten, I chuckled nervously at them.


    They were referring to me. A great liar.


    "O-okay. But there are situations when we need to lie," I justified, trying to reason out with them."


    "Nonsense. If you care and love that person, you will never hurt him or her by lying. We loathe the


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    fabricator of lies, River. If we find one, we will never talk to him or her."


    "Isn''t it too savage? You don''t always know why he or she needs to lie?"


    They stared at me together, their nose ring. "Nonsense. Why do you keep on defending them, River?


    Are you a deceiver?"


    I gulped, blood drained from my body, but smiled it away while waving my hands in front of their faces.


    "Of course not! That''s horrible! Why would I deceive you? You did nothing but good to me so I should


    return it by being true to you, ra and re."


    Satisfied with my answer, they beamed at me.


    Secretly, I released a breath. "So¡­. What will happen next?" I asked, changing the subject.


    "We are already instructed to detain you here."


    "That fast?"


    "Through mind link." Damn it. Mind link was like a sort of phone call between werewolves. But since I


    did not have any, I did not have the ability for that. "How would I give Elijah a head start? "Are the two


    of you mates, River?"


    "We are!" I insisted. "But I have to see him. Or rumors would reach him before the truth. I don''t want


    the two of us to have a misunderstanding."


    "What truth?" they asked. "You can tell us. Treat us like your sisters, River," they said softly.


    I paced back and forth while biting my fingernails. How would I get away from the twins? They will


    surely follow the alpha king''s order.


    "Nothing. Nothing. Could I ask for food?"


    "Are you hungry now? A servant will serve you something. Don''t worry about it."


    Dammit.


    "Do you have any ns on going somewhere else? Like watering your nts?"


    "We already did. And we will not go anywhere. The alpha king strictly told us never to leave you. Are


    you okay? It seems like something is bothering you. We can help, River. ra and I will do it to the


    best of our abilities. You can treat us as your friends even if we barely know each other. You can


    depend on us."


    As if. The twins will feel like I betrayed them and will brand me as a liar after knowing I lied about Elijah


    and me being mates. And if word got out that I lied, the servants would ridicule me and I would be back


    again to my previous position of being bullied. They would gave me names much harsher than the


    name Dog ve.


    "If what you are saying is true, can you allow me to escape?"


    They gasped in unison and looked at me with disbelief.


    "Escape? Why? Where? Do you want to run away from the pce? River. You don''t know how


    dangerous it is to go outside the pce alone. The rogues are waiting for us tomit a mistake and


    kill us in a blink of an eye. They are not merciful, River. They killed our parents! We loathe them!


    Shame on them! So please, stop saying those things!" re chastised.


    "I''m not going outside the pce. I want to meet Sir Elijah first."


    "Why?"


    I bit my lower lip as my mind looked for another alibi.


    "I-I miss him."


    They looked at me as if I was suddenly uttering a strangenguage.


    "You miss him?" they asked in unison. "That much? Or are you only infatuated by him?"


    Shifting my weight from foot to foot, I looked at the floor and back to them again. Then, I maneuvered


    my expression into the saddest expression of all, while pouting.


    "Yes, I missed him so much that it pained my heart. I knew we were mates the moment I joined their


    meeting. So please, allow me to escape. I''ll be back. I''ll just have to look for Sir Elijah."


    "He is in the West Wing of the pce¡ª"


    ra suddenly winced when re pinched her side. "You are not supposed to say that!"


    "But she is our friend, re. We have to help her!"


    "But the alpha king instructed us not to make her stay away from our sight!"


    The twins continued their bickering as I silently strolled towards the balcony. West Wing. That was


    usually where the guest rooms were located. And Elijah was in there? I had to go there and talk to him


    or else, if the alpha king found I was lying, he would throw me back into the dungeon. Or another


    dungeon to be precise. I don''t want to experience that again!


    I nced back at the twins and they were still in the middle of their heated debate.


    Tiptoeing, I entered the balcony and nced below. No one.


    It was a couple of meters high from my position down to the ground, but I think I could still survive after


    this. After onest nce at the twins, I put my hands on the railing, gathered all the courage I could


    muster, and jumped into the ground.


    ¡ª------------------------


    Alpha King Maxxwell


    The beta of the pce¡ª Valentine was saying something but no words would enter my mind as it


    always drifted back to River and the words she kept on insisting.


    Mates. Elijah and her?


    How ridiculous. Who was she trying to fool? That would never happen.


    A smile crept on my face while Beta Valentine looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.


    "Are you listening, Your Majesty? You are smiling. I''m shocked you still managed to smile after what I


    updated."


    Beta Valentine was the bestbat fighter of the pce and had been serving me since I took the


    throne. Duty before anything. That''s what he believed. Perhaps that was also the reason why he was


    unmated, not bothering to join any Mating Ceremony.


    "Yes, I am," I replied nonchntly.


    "With all due respect, you are not listening, Your Majesty."


    "I am. You talked about the current situation of the dungeon. Repairs are underway. The other


    prisoners were out in another dungeon. Thirty percent died while fighting against the guards for trying


    to get away while Tristan, the leader of the rogue, managed to escape." He stared at me longer, as if


    he wanted to see something which I shrugged off. "Satisfied?


    He sighed, his shoulders slumped while he was busy gathering all the documents I was done affixing


    my signature with. Some documents were about the businesses we put in the human world while the


    others were particrly for ves who wanted to buy their freedom which I gave. The pce had too


    many servants and decreasing their value was not bothering.


    "I thought Tristan would die in his cell, Your Majesty. I"ve been taking extra monitoring on that bastard.


    The devil may have wanted him to live because surprisingly, he was healed."


    I scratched my neck and massaged my forehead. "Who dared to defy me when I said no pack doctor


    would be given to him? That bastard had caused great damage in my kingdom a couple of years had


    passed until now."


    "We should just follow my suggestion of killing him at that spot. If we do it, we will no longer have to


    deal with him again, Your Majesty." This man would kill anyone who dared to harm the kingdom. He


    was the best among the beast.


    "Investigate who helped him heal his wound. I doubted it was because of his beast. Someone aided


    him."


    Beta Valentine got up from his seat and tossed a picture on the table.


    "I already did. Odd. But the one who was with him was your personal ve, Your Majesty. If I am not


    mistaken, her name is River."


    My eyes glinted hearing the woman''s name and hastily grabbed the picture. The first thing I noticed


    was her burning red hair which looked like a dying sun and her face facing sideways, and only half of


    her face was shown.


    I remembered her clothes. It was right at the moment when she was brought to the dungeon after the


    Council''s meeting.


    "You''re implying she healed Tristan?"


    "A theory, Your Majesty. There were also situations where the prison guards heard the two exchanging


    words and looked as if they were long-time friends. I suggest you do not trust fully your personal


    servant, Your Majesty. She may be a spy from the rogues."


    "She isn''t," I defended. "We met at Haverstone Pack when I attended the Mating Ceremony."


    His eyes lit up. "Speaking of that Mating Ceremony, Your Majesty. Did you happen to find the Luna?"


    "Zenith is my only Luna, Beta Valentine. No other else."


    "Zenith had died. She fell from the cliff. Others said shemitted suicide. Forgive me for what I will


    say, but if you happen to meet your second chance mate, it would be better if you ept her right away


    regardless of her status. Your people need someone to be by your side, Your Majesty. We need a


    Luna."

 36. The Search for Sir Elijah

    36. The Search for Sir Elijah


    Alpha King Maxxwell


    If he wasn''t Beta Valentine who protected me while a rogue tried to kill me using his poisoned arrows, I


    would be killing him right now and then for talking about Zenith.


    A luna? There would only be one reigning beside me¡ª Zenith. We both promised that we would love


    and protect each other.


    "Your Majesty. You have to think of your people."


    "I am constantly thinking of their welfare." My palms balled into a fist as I stared back at him. "Besides,


    no one will rece Zenith, Beta Valentine."


    He scoffed. "If what you said is true, Your Majesty, why did you take this woman," he asked pointing at


    the picture in my hand, "as your personal servant taking the ce of Zenith? The resemnce


    between the two is remarkable. They can pass as twins except for their hair. Zenith''s hair is straight as


    a sword and jet-ck while River''s is curly and red, reminding me of the fire I had witnessed when I


    was once a young man. When she died, you promised not to take any personal ve, Your Majesty."


    My hands trembled as I tried to control my emotions. This was partly the reason why I did not want to


    talk to Valentine. He never failed to say whatever came to his mind. Which was annoying sometimes.


    We may be sworn brothers but prying on my life when I did not ask him to was wearing my patience


    down.


    "Shut it."


    He leaned on my still giving me that burning stare.


    "I won''t until you awaken from your fantasy. Do you know how the people looked at River? They are


    horrified that one single mistake of uttering Zenith''s name will lead them to imprisonment. Do you think


    sealing their lips will not make them talk? They will. Behind your back, Your Majesty. And the more they


    will expose Zenith''s life when she was still staying in the pce. Beside you. As your personal servant."


    I closed my eyes as memories of her beautiful smile took my breath away. If only I could bring her


    back¡­


    I blinked when River''s face reced Zenith''s before it returned.


    "Your Majesty¡­are you confused between the two? Or are you secretly wishing River is Zenith?"


    I was. And sometimes I was confused between them.


    I drew a couple of breaths.


    Steady, Maxxwell. You made your promise first with Zenith.


    The wolf inside me howled in agony and continued shouldering the pain of the separation.


    I opened my eyes and warily looked at the beta. "Why are you doing this, Valentine? You are making


    me relive my past."


    "I don''t have any ill intentions, Your Majesty."


    "You have."


    "All I am saying is you stop prying on River''s private life and focus on finding your second-chance


    mate. Why are you affected when you find out that Sir Elijah and River are mates?"


    Gritting my teeth, I muttered, "Thews state that the alpha king must know first if his servant found her


    mate or not. I have the right to tell her if she will ept her mate or not."


    "Barbaric," he said. "That''s not thew but the custom, Your Majesty. I searched about that and studied


    it, looking for loopholes, and found none. It''s the tradition among the alpha king. But not what was


    written in thew."


    The burning feeling in my chest persisted. "That''s enough, Valentine!" I snapped. "Let''s stop talking


    about Zenith and River. Zenith will only be Zenith. Don''t associate her with River."


    He folded his arms in front of his chest. Irritating. If he was not Valentine, I wanted to wipe that


    expression on his face.


    "I will never stop talking about the two women, Your Majesty. If people are scared talking about them, I


    won''t be. Someone needs to knock some sense into you."


    "What will make you shut your fucking mouth?"


    "A luna. To divert your thoughts from thinking too much about Zenith. ept the fact that she died


    already. If she is alive, she has alreadye back."


    Narrowing my eyes, I said, "You''re not the Angel of Death to tell me about that. You did not see with


    your own eyes that she died."


    He sighed, finally realizing I won''t stop insisting Zenith is alive and I will search for her regardless of


    where she was hiding. She was alive, the bond between us told me so. She was waiting for me to


    rescue her.


    "Your delusional, Your Majesty."


    "Go away, Valentine. Before I forget you are my beta and I still need you."


    "This is not done, Your Majesty," he promised and snatched the photo away from me. I had to urge him


    to call and told him to return it to me, but I stopped myself from doing so.


    He gave his curtsey bow and stepped out of my office.


    A knock followed after and the twins came inside, sweat coating their foreheads.


    I clogged the contents of the water bottle.


    "Your Majesty. We have a small problem."


    "What?" I asked, and put down the water from my table.


    They looked at each other and said, "River escaped."


    ¡ª------------------


    River


    Where was the West Wing again?


    Thankfully, my bones were still intact when I fell down from the balcony.


    I already went to the West portion of the pce, but I had already forgotten about the way. I was never


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    good at directions. I was always lost along the way.


    Damn. Where was that ce? All I saw were guards and I was astonished they never captured me.


    The servants looked at me as if it was their first time seeing me. But no one dared to ask me where I


    was going.


    My sense of smell right now would be beneficial if I had my wolf with me now. If I did, I could easily sniff


    his scent more urately than I had with me now. All I smelt were the cheap cologne in the air.


    A servant passed beside me and stopped her using my hands. "Do you happen to see Sir Elijah?"


    She looked at me and shook her head. "You are new here. But Sir Elijah usually rests on the farthest


    part of this wing. Wait. There''s something on your hair." I stood still and she grabbed something. A twig.


    "Are you perhaps the alpha king''s personal ve? If you are, you should always be on your best


    behavior."


    The only thing that registered on my mind was her first statement. Not thest part.


    "You mean to say this is the West Wing of the pce?" I asked with excitement. I thought I would still


    be searching for some ces.


    "It is. Walked straight and you will see a door decorated with a sword intersecting each other. That''s


    where he usually rests. But you have to be¡ª"


    I bowed to her , uttering my thanks, cutting off her words, and left.


    The prince may be heard. I had to tell him about my lies. With hurried steps, I ran and after a couple of


    minutes passed, I reached the room the servant was about. Two enormous real swords guarded the


    doorway. And the other side was a horn of a certain animal I could not pinpoint.


    I was on the verge of knocking when I suddenly heard a moan from the other side followed by a


    pounding of flesh against flesh.


    "Oh, Sir Elijah. You are so good with this," I heard a woman say with a breathy sigh.


    "Don''t worry, love. I will satisfy you this time."


    The woman giggled as if she was being tickled by Elijah.


    I stepped back as I realized what was happening inside. Oh, great. Perfect timing. How would I tell him


    if he was busy fucking someone else?

 37. Conversation

    37. Conversation


    Oh, Moon Goddess. Why did I always have to witness someone''s sexy time? First, it was between the


    alpha king and Nora. And now Sir Elijah and his woman? And why did it have to be now when I was in


    a hurry?


    ¡°I will give you the best of your time, Sir Elijah, that will make your eyes roll back,¡± a woman said, failing


    to seduce Elijah. Based on my point of view. And just by listening to that voice, I knew that woman.


    Nora.


    Dammit.


    Did that woman already tell Elijah about the rumors?


    That would be an advantage on my part since it would be easier to tell him why I was here, forcing


    myself to listen to them in the middle of their sessions.


    ¡°Just rx, Sir Elijah and I will give you the best performance.¡±


    The room went silent after that.


    Next time, I would suggest to the alpha king to build a soundproof room. So they could have the best


    privacy they have.


    I stepped a little farther from them, not wanting to hear their moans while ring at the door. How long


    will I wait for them to finish? It would take a couple of minutes before my escape would reach the alpha


    king and they would realize I came here to talk to Elijah.


    Think, River.


    I was trying to!


    Time was ticking and by now, the alpha king possibly had already known I escaped. The first thing they


    will go to would be here in the West Wing.


    "Oh, Sir Elijah. Fuck me hard," Nora cried. "Oh, oh. More!"


    Shit.


    I did not know if I would wait or not.


    I had been gone for more than ten minutes already. Move, move! my mind screamed.


    I clenched my fist and put it beside me when the urge to knock became stronger. How long would I wait


    here until they will be done again?


    I bit my fingernails. The twins would be mad at me for escaping from them. But I did not have a choice!


    Sensing it would take a while, I dragged my feet towards the door, closed to the distance between us,


    and knocked three consecutive times while tapping my feet on the door.


    ¡°Go away!¡± Nora replied from the other side. ¡°We¡¯re upied! Oh, oh. I¡¯m ticklish down there!¡± Nora


    giggled. I knocked again. Forcefully this time as if my life will depend on it.


    I looked around. No guard yet. Good.


    I waited and waited for someone to open the door. But no one dared to. I tried knocking again, finally


    heard a rustling inside, with a few lengthy curses, and was able to hear the words bitch and saw Nora


    half-opening the door.


    Her lips pressed into a thin line when she realized it was none other than me.


    She froze and stared at me with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. "You? I told you we are busy. What


    do you want? Tell me. Hurry!"


    My gaze darted at her current state. Unruly hair. Smudges of lipstick on her face. A towel wrapped


    around the upper part of her body.


    "Is Sir Elijah there? Inside?" I asked, softly.


    "No," she answered and tried to m the door shut but stopped her using more than the force she was


    using. Nora was freaking strong. "Go away! Sir Elijah does not want to entertain visitors as of the


    moment."


    Using all of my strength, I pushed it more and seeded. "I know what you are doing inside. But I


    promise. I will give you time after this one," I uttered.


    Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Have you no shame?"


    Rx, River. You need to rx.


    ¡°Does it matter right now? If I have some sense of humiliation, I won¡¯t be listening to your moans.¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    "Nora. I don¡¯t have all the time in the world to argue with you. Sir Elijah!" I shouted. ¡°Sir Elijah!¡± I called


    again. I heard another rustling of clothes and then Elijah stuck his face in the door.


    ¡°River, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    My gaze darted at his current state. He wore a fluffy robe while wearing unkempt hair and kiss marks


    on his neck. I looked at them back and forth and shook my head. It did not matter what the two had


    done. It was not my right to pry.


    ¡°Can I talk with you, Sir Elijah? Alone? If that¡¯s okay with you.¡±


    ¡°Why? You see, River...Nora and I are quite upied at the moment. We will get back to you after this.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He cocked a brow. ¡°I mean no, Sir Elijah. This is urgent.¡±


    He sighed. ¡°It cannot wait, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter between life and death. Please? I promise this will not take long.¡±


    ¡°Who would kill you, River? You¡¯re so good at what you didst night. You are an asset.¡±


    Nora¡¯s ears perked up and from her expression, I knew she was suddenly curious about it. Before Nora


    would think the worst, I said, "It''s not what you think it is, Nora. Don''t spread any more lies that would


    dirty Sir Elijah''s reputation."


    "What are you trying to say? That I spread false information?"


    "You are the only one who knows about that." I looked up at Elijah who was silently listening to us.


    ¡°Please Sir Elijah?¡±


    He sighed and gave in. ¡°Fine. Nora, I am afraid we have to stop. Can you go now? I will call you when I


    need you.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ Sir Elijah¡­we are not yet¡ª¡±


    He put his hands on her shoulders making the woman''s cheeks flush. ¡°Thank you for understanding,¡±


    Elijah said and kissed Nora¡¯s cheeks, making them redder. ¡°We will continue after this. I will call you.¡±


    Fanning her face using both hands, she said, ¡°I will wait for that, Sir Elijah.¡±


    She entered and a couple of minutester stepped out. When she was done, I entered hastily inside


    followed by Elijah.


    ¡°So...what made you look like someone is after your life, River?¡± he asked, chuckling.


    As much as I wanted to disregard the current state of the bed, my curiosity got ahead of me. The bed¡¯s


    the two had been up to.


    ¡°Tell me why you are here, River. I will forgive you for disturbing us since you didn''t know I hated it


    when someone disturbs me while I am with my woman.¡± He fastened the robe around his body and sat


    down, looking at me with his brown eyes.


    I cleared my throat, not sure about how I would start.


    ¡°Forgive me for what I had done, Sir Elijah. It was unforgivable. I know. You can punish meter.¡±


    ¡°You can call me, Elijah.¡±


    ¡°No, Sir Elijah,¡± I said, asserting to call him Sir when I remembered he usually asked his woman to call


    him only by his name. I had no ns of being his whore. ¡°I should call you sir or others would get weird


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ideas. That we are this close." Using my hands, I pressed my palms together, so that he would get


    what I was trying to say. "I don¡¯t want to beat around the bush, but I came here to tell you that I told


    Alpha King Maxxwell that we are mates.¡±


    His scowl deepened.


    ¡°That¡¯s a serious allegation out there, River. Proceed. Make me understand why you lied to the alpha


    king.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of the rumors saying we were seen together. Excuse me for the words that I would say,¡± I


    said and coughed, then continued, ¡°We were seen fucking each other at the watchtower which did not


    happen. I only give you a massage, right? But they heard your wordsst night and jumped to


    conclusions without verifying what is true or not.¡±


    ¡°Rumors will die, River. You do not have to fight it. Servants would always gossip wherever they got the


    chance. Wait for a couple of days and the servants will talk about another topic.¡±


    I bit my lower lip when he did not understand why I had to do it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the alpha king to get mad at me because of that, Sir Elijah. I am his face and those rumors


    only brought disgrace to His Majesty. What kind of personal servant I am if I cannot even protect his


    name?¡±


    He touched his chin and was in deep thought.


    ¡°You are faithful to the alpha king. Imend you for reminding me of his previous personal servant.¡±


    ¡°I am. I want to show how grateful I was for allowing me toe with him to his pce. However,¡± I


    said, trailing off my words. I made my face sadder than usual. ¡°The rumors had spread all over the


    pce. To my panic, to defend myself when they continued it was me with you, I told him that we are


    mates.¡±


    ¡°Mates. I never wanted to meet one."


    "Why? Are you satisfied with casual sex?"


    "It is true when the alpha king you asked a lot of questions. Unlike her. Who also hears that we are


    mates, River?¡±


    Licking my lips, I retorted, ¡°The twins and the alpha king. None other else. Not even Nora.¡±


    He folded his hands on hisp. ¡°What do you want me to do, River? Do you know that lying to the


    alpha king is punishable?¡±


    ¡°I know. I know. But I cannot take back my words anymore, Sir Elijah. Now¡­if you would be kind


    enough to support my lie?¡±


    ¡°What if your real mate wille, River? And what if he will tell the alpha king the truth?¡±


    I looked down, clenching my fist. Alpha Erik''s face shed in my mind and I easily vanished. That ma


    did not deserve to be remembered.


    ¡°I already found out who my mate was, Sir Elijah.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± he pressed more.


    I looked at him and gave him my famous fake smile.


    ¡°He rejected me. He was the alpha of our pack and did not want to do anything with me. Why would he


    even waste his time with me who is nothing but a servant? And omega of our pack. Anyone would


    reject a servant directly without giving us a chance because of our status. They think we are nothing


    but their source of humiliation. They gave more importance to what the others would saypared to


    what their beast would say.¡±


    I smiled bitterly at the memory.


    Alpha Erik will go on with his life, taking as many women as he could but would no longer be mated


    while I continued hurting because of his rejection. Since he was the one who rejected me, he would


    never have a second-chance mate, but it would not be a problem for him since women would always


    go after him. It was only I who was only given a second chance. However, I did not know if he would


    ept me.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true, River. You were paired with an asshole.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth, Sir Elijah. You wouldn¡¯t know our struggles¡ªbeing a servant and an omega since you are


    at the top.¡±


    ¡°An alpha king had once taken a servant as his mate, River.¡±


    My eyes widened at his deration. Someone out there had taken an omega as his mate? Impossible.


    That felt too good to be true.


    ¡°Who is the alpha king that you are referring to, Sir Elijah?¡±

 38. Coming Clean

    38. Coming Clean


    Elijah''s eyes widened as if he just realized what he just said to me.


    Was that information forbidden also? The alpha king never ceases to amaze me with all the mysteries


    and secrets surrounding him and the more I get curious about it.


    "Sir Elijah? You suddenly went silent. Is there anything wrong?"


    He looked at me as if he was contemting whether he should say what he should say or not.


    Then, after long agonizing moments, he uttered, "Nothing, River. A slip of the tongue. Forget about


    what I said earlier. However, my stand remains the same. Someone will still ept you even if you are


    an omega of the pack."


    "Will you ept me as your mate if it is me, Sir Elijah?"


    "Undoubtedly. You are an amazing woman, River. Do you know one of my fears? It''s about my mate


    finding out what I have been doing all my life. Fucking anyone who wears dresses. And even whores in


    the mortal world. She will find me disgusting for myck of self-control against women, River."


    I closed the distance between us and touched his broad shoulders. His gaze followed my hand.


    "She will. Undoubtedly," I announced which earned me a smile from him, making my heart jump.


    Why was he so handsome that looking at him made me like him more? Except for his womanizing


    nature, Elijah was the man who possessed the personality I liked for a man.


    "However, I still believe that no one will ept me, Sir Elijah. My second chance mate did not step


    forward and made himself known."


    He caught some strands of my hair and sniffed it before he put it on the corner of my ears.


    "You have a fire in your soul just like your hair. Anyone will want you. Remember that."


    "I am afraid I will not believe it not unless you tell me the name of the alpha king who took a servant as


    his mate."


    All I wanted was a name.


    His face darkened which I never usually saw from his cheerful aura and sensed danger.


    Stepping back, I watched how he controlled his breathing, and it took a couple of minutes before he got


    hold of it.


    "Sir Elijah. Is it wrong to ask the name of that alpha king? How would I believe that someone will ept


    me if you will not tell me the name?" I pressed.


    His body shook.


    "Enough, River."


    "But Sir Elijah¡­"


    "Let''s stop before the alpha king finds out we are talking about something forbidden."


    I opened my mouth, but closed it again when he suddenly took off the robe from his body and was


    naked in front of my eyes! One by one he picked his clothes on the floor.


    "Don''t look at me if you don''t want to see me nude. Look, if you want to," he said and before I could


    react, he pulled off the robe and was naked in a blink of an eye.


    Look away, River!


    I cannot. It seemed like my eyes were glued to his movements while I scanned his body, as if in a


    trance. He was ripped everywhere I looked and at the back of his body was a tattoo of a woman with


    fiery eyes staring back at me as if it had life on its own.


    "Who is that woman, Sir Elijah?" I continued to pry.


    It was definitely not the woman found in the castle.


    "You''re still watching me naked?" he asked, surprised. "Are you lusting at me now?"


    Lusting my foot, I said in my mind. In my eyes, his body was like that of an infant.


    "Yes. And I am seeing your bare bottom staring angrily at me," I retorted, to which he answered with a


    chuckle.


    Naked men were not extraordinary in my eyes anymore. I had seen a lot of them back at Haverstone


    Pack, especially the men in the dungeon. The only man who affected me that much was the alpha king


    himself.


    "That woman¡­I do not know. She has been in my dream for ten years now." That long? "I tattooed her


    face so I wouldn''t forget."


    "And the women you bedded were not jealous of her?"


    "They were. But a little coaxing will make the jealousy disappear, River."


    River! This is not the time to get to know more about Elijah! Go back to the reason why you are here


    now!


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Right. I forgot! Foolish of me! I will uncover the woman''s identity after this.


    "Sir Elijah, would you help me?"


    He stopped slipping his sweatshirt momentarily and moved again. "You are asking too much, River."


    "I know I am asking too much from you, Sir Elijah. I am nothing but an omega." I sighed in relief when


    he was already fully clothed on the lower part of his body. "But if you help me, I can give you a free


    massage as long as you like."


    A free massage, River? Really? Will Elijah take the bait? It would be better if you offer him a woman or


    volunteered to look for that mysterious woman tattooed on his back.


    "How about the new rumors that will resurface? Can you handle it? Isn''t the gossip the reason why


    everything got out of hand, River? It was your fault for reacting hastily that''s why it resulted in that way."


    My heart sank, hope slowly disappearing. "You won''t help me at all, Sir Elijah?"


    "I don''t want to lie to the alpha king. I vowed to be honest at all times, River. I am forced to honor it or I


    will be in pain if I do not."


    Once a werewolf vowed about something, he had no choice but to do the vow or he will be in pain for


    the rest of his life.


    Our conversation was cut short when a knock vibrated along the four walls of the room.


    I jumped and gulped.


    The smell of sandalwood hit my nose. The alpha king! I am a goner now!


    The alpha king is here to personally deliver my punishment for disobeying him.


    "Face the alpha king, River. He will forgive you for lying if you will say sorry heartily."


    The incessant banging on the door continued as if it was urgent and I had no choice but to open it and


    was weed by the alpha king and the twins. No guards beside them. I did not know if I should be


    happy or not.


    But from the calm expression on the alpha king''s face, I knew I was in trouble.


    Fighting the urge to run, I gave my courtesy bow at the alpha king and said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty


    for fleeing. I just wanted to have a chat with Sir Elijah." Which turned out to be futile since he would not


    support my lies. So I would be back in the dungeon now? Still bowing, I added, "I deserved your


    punishment, Your Majesty, for not following yourmand. Forgive me."


    "Let me see your face, River." His voice was controlled and cold. And that was the scariest.


    After drawing a couple of breaths, I looked up and looked right into his eyes.


    "Are you hurt elsewhere? Let me check your body."


    My face dropped. What the¡­


    Before I could react, he inspected my body checking for any wounds or bruises which made me frown.


    "Your Majesty? Is there something wrong?" I asked after I recovered from my surprise.


    Honestly, I was expecting a p or physical abuse from him.


    "You''re okay after jumping from the balcony to the ground. I was amazed how you did not have any


    broken bones when you''re technically close to a human, River."


    "It''s because it''s not yet her time, Your Majesty," Elijah answered beside me. I opened the door fully


    and stepped aside.


    "Elijah. Care to exin what happened when the door was closed?"


    Elijah beamed. "We only talked, Your Majesty. I was catching up with my woman and River visited me


    in my room." I wondered what the alpha king''s reaction would be if he found out that the woman was


    Nora.


    "ra. re. You can go back."


    The twins gave me a worried look before they stepped back and left the three of us.


    "Let''s move to another room, Elijah. You stink of sex," Alpha King Maxxwell uttered showing his in


    disgust.


    Elijah shed his boyish smile as if he was embarrassed someone found out what he just did, but


    followed the alpha king''s nheless.


    The room the alpha king was referring to was another guest room that was unupied for so long.


    However, there were barely any traces of things from the previous upant¡ªa woman like a, thes in


    the wardrobe.


    I wondered who was upying this room.


    "River."


    Reminded I was still in the presence of the alpha king, I turned my attention to him. Elijah and the alpha


    king were already seated on a chair while I was the only one left standing.


    "Your Majesty."


    "Care to exin what you just did when I told you to remain in your room? Why do you continue to defy


    me? You are testing my patience."


    My heart hammered against my chest as I tried to find an answer. Knowing Elijah would not back me


    now, whatever words out of it should be calcted. He would know I was lying and he would tell the


    alpha king about that.


    "Just as you had seen, Your Majesty. I came looking for Elijah."


    "Why?"


    "I wanted to talk to him."


    "Why?"


    "Because..."


    "You missed him? Your mate?"


    Elijah raised his eyebrows while I yed with my hands. "He is not my...mate," I whispered. "I lied."


    "It is true, Your Majesty. We are not. River was forced to lie because of the rumors circting between


    us. But I assure you, nothing happened. I would never covet the alpha king''s ve."


    "I am not talking to you, Elijah." He shut his mouth. "Why did you finallye clean, River? I asked you


    a couple of times for the truth, yet you kept on denying it."


    Because Elijah was here inside and will know my lies. I cannot tell him that, right?


    I gave the alpha king my widest smile. "I realized you don''t deserve it, Your Majesty. I was already


    thinking about it when I came here in the West Wing but still chatted Sir Elijah." I hung my head low. "I


    deserve to be punished for lying, Your Majesty. But please don''t tell the twins about this. They will be


    disappointed in me."


    "Your Majesty. It seems that River is already reflecting on her actions. I don''t think the punishment is no


    longer necessary."


    The alpha king threw Elijah a look. "Why? Because you like her now, Elijah?"

 39. The Alpha Kings Fiancee?

    39. The Alpha King''s Fiancee?


    Elijah chuckled in reply. "Like her? No offense, River but there''s only one woman that I like. And that''s


    the woman tattooed on my back. I wanted to meet her and see with my own eyes whether she is true


    or just a figment of my imagination."


    The alpha king nced at me, "Are you disappointed, River? Do you expect him to like you?"


    Disappointed? I was always disappointed, but did I have a choice? I did not. A ve should be


    unfeeling.


    I smiled at him, hiding the bitterness in my heart. That was the only thing I could do.


    "No, Your Majesty. I knew a long time ago no one would like me. I am a servant, Your Majesty. I always


    remember my ce and that is behind the noble''s back. And if you will punish me for escaping and for


    lying, I will dly ept it, Your Majesty."


    Elijah stood and ced himself in front of me. Clearing his throat, he said, ¡°Your Majesty, I do not think


    there¡¯s a need for that. For punishment, I mean. The truth is, River was kind enough to massage my


    back at the watchtower. Nothing else happened. Nothing scandalous. That is the truth.¡±


    The alpha king narrowed his eyes. ¡°You continue defending her? Perhaps both of you are in a


    rtionship.¡±


    As much as Elijah''s protectionforted me, I stepped away. Nobles could not be trusted.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any rtionship, Your Majesty. It is nothing but the truth. I can guarantee my life with it.¡±


    His Majesty opened his mouth but closed it again when another knock resounded. The three of us


    looked at the door before I excused myself.


    ¡°I''ll open it, Your Majesty,¡± I said and hurried towards the door.


    "Your Majesty! They said I will find you here in the West Wing!" a shrill voice announced.


    A beautiful woman who was white as the snowkes entered, her eyes darting to every corner of the


    room until theynded on the alpha king. She jumped like a child upon seeing the alpha king.


    Elijah facepalmed, and turned sideways.


    The woman''s eyes watered and without saying anything, she threw herself to the alpha king which


    nearly made the two of them fall backward.


    A gasp escaped my lips.


    Who is this neer?


    The woman''s armed snaked around the alpha king''s neck.


    "Your Majesty! I missed you so much that seeing you right now made my heart and my wolf sing with


    joy!" She kissed his cheeks on both sides, longer than intended. "Don''t you miss me too?" she asked


    after. "You do not answer my letters, Your Majesty."


    "I''m busy, Lady Juliana."


    "Nonsense. No one should be busy when ites to me. How about your phone, huh?"


    Elijah cleared his throat while all I could do was watch the scene in front of me.


    "I am not always bringing my phone with me," the alpha king responded and his eyes darted in my


    direction which I only answered with a frown.


    From the woman''s words, he was not the alpha king''s half-sibling nor his concubine. This woman


    screamed royalty from the way she dressed except for the way she was behaving in front of His


    Majesty. She was childish. Like a spoiled brat who wanted the people around her to kneel. Period.


    ¡°Lady Juliana,¡± Elijah greeted, snatching her attention from the alpha king. ¡°To what honor did you


    important matter to the alpha king?¡± he suggested.


    Lady Juliana? What was the rtionship between the two? Why was she acting as if he owned the


    alpha king? As if the two of them were close to each other as if they were childhood ymates? And


    why did it feel like tiny needles pierced my heart as I looked at them?


    I shook my head. Nonsense. I wasn''t jealous or anything like that. Alpha Erik was my ex-mate. Not the


    alpha king.


    Careful not to gain the love bird''s attention, I tiptoed and sauntered toward Elijah''s side. ¡°Who is she?¡±


    ¡°The alpha king¡¯s fiancee.¡±


    I was bbergasted. The alpha king had a fiancee? Were they mates?


    Too many questions but no answers. I was only torturing myself.


    ¡°Did I hear it right, Sir Elijah? She is the alpha king''s fiancee?¡± I whispered back.


    Elijah folded his arms in front of his chest, his face set in a hard stone.


    ¡°Yes, she is. Lady Juliana, despite knowing she has a mate, rejected him and wanted the alpha king as


    a mate for herself. Her poor mate is still grieving, still wanting to pursue her, but she keeps on rejecting


    her. A million times already.¡±


    ¡°Where is her mate?¡±


    ¡°He served as the alpha king¡¯s delta.¡±


    ¡°And the alpha king knew about that?¡±


    ¡°No. I do not know for sure. Perhaps he did. Perhaps he did not.¡±


    We continued staring at them and the more I saw it, it looked like the alpha king¡¯s face was bing


    constipated. He did not like the woman¡¯s attention towards him. In fact, he was trying to move her away


    but she looked like a leech who wanted to suck all his energy.


    When I could no longer tolerate seeing the alpha king¡¯s misfortune, I helped the woman get away from


    him by pulling her away from him.


    Smiling, I said, "Excuse me, Your Grace. His Majesty is no longerfortable with the way you are


    clutching him."


    I wondered why Alpha King Maxxwell was not saying anything. Perhaps he also liked this woman and


    was just shy about showing it?


    No. It seemed like it was not the case.


    She stared at me from head to foot and asked, "And who are you? Are you the reason why His Majesty


    is here? He neveres to the West Wing."


    Using the opportunity that the woman''s attention was no longer focused on him, the alpha king stood


    and distanced himself.


    I was able to catch the look of disgust as he looked at Lady Juliana on his face which made me smile


    for an unknown reason.


    Giving my courtesy bow, I smiled at her. "Your Grace. My name is River and I am serving as the alpha


    king''s personal servant."


    She lifted her perfect eyebrows and could not help but be amazed at her beauty. Every female that


    surrounded me was beautiful. Unlike me...


    "You are that stubborn woman who always brought disgrace to my beloved?" she asked. "Why are you


    here? Uponing here, I heard talks around the servants saying something happened between you


    and Sir Elijah."


    Elijah waved his hands frantically. "Those were rumors, Your Grace and we already settled it."


    "Is that it? I thought it was true knowing your history with women."


    Elijah chuckled.


    "I would never tarnish the alpha king''s reputation, Your Grace," I said, bowing.


    "You should. Anyways, since you are Alpha King Maxxwell''s personal ve, I want no woman getting


    closer to him."


    "Lady Juliana," the alpha king scolded.


    The woman smiled at him as if it would save her. "Your Majesty¡­I just don''t want anyone flirting with


    you. Those bitches do not deserve you. It is only me, Your Majesty."


    I raised my brows. Bitches. Was she pertaining to herself?


    "I don''t think stopping women froming closer to His Majesty is possible, Your Grace."


    She lifted her chin and stared stubbornly at me. "Why? You dare to defy me?"


    I returned her smile. If she could fake it, I could give the same.


    "With all due respect, Your Grace, I do not answer to you, but the alpha king himself. He is the only one


    allowed tomand me."


    My gaze drifted back to Elijah. He winked at me, satisfied with my answer, but the alpha king saw it and


    his expression darkened.


    "I will be the future Luna of this pce. How dare you!"


    "I am afraid you cannot scare me, Your Grace." You were nothingpared to the hardships and pain I


    had experienced at Haverstone Pack. "If that''s what you are trying to do, do better than that."


    Elijah stifled augh beside me.


    Embarrassed, Lady Juliana tried to attack me, but Elijah was suddenly between us.


    Throwing me with murderous res, she said, ¡°Your Majesty! Do you allow this kind of attitude among


    your people? That woman does not know how to respect me properly and the authority I carry! I am a


    noble in blood. In birth. My ancestors were the previous Luna of the pce. How dare a low birth and a


    ve disrespect me! She is nothing but a ve! An omega!¡±


    Lady Juliana continued to trash. If not for Elijah, my face would be full of scars by now.


    "Lady Juliana!"


    The three of us stilled at the alpha king''s voice. "That''s enough," he added, softly.


    Pouting, she said, "But Your Majesty¡­that womancks proper training. You have to teach her or else


    the alphas would beughing at your back."


    ¡°I want my people to learn how to fight if someone did something unjustly, Lady Juliana. I do not


    tolerate blind obedience among my people.¡±


    ¡°Unjustly? Me? I did nothing."


    As if. What a liar.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­I think this room is getting crowded. What if I will tour Lady Juliana around for a fresh


    breath of air?¡±


    Lady Juliana sulked and went to the alpha king¡¯s side, holding his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I want you to


    join me, Your Majesty. It''s been days since we haven''t seen each other. I need you so much, Your


    Majesty.¡±


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°My apologies, Lady Juliana, but I have a more pressing matter to attend to together with my personal


    servant.¡±


    I pointed at myself, confused. ¡°We did, Your Majesty?¡± He gave me a pointed look. "Ow. We did. Of


    course! How could I forget that?" I asked, still in doubt, on what the heck we are going to do.


    Suddenly, the alpha king grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the room, leaving Elijah and Lady


    Juliana and mmed the door between us.

 40. Bitch

    40. Bitch


    Alpha King Maxxwell''s hands felt warm against mine while I tried to keep pace with him as he dragged


    me along with him. His hands were full of calluses whichplimented my calloused hands as well.


    Am I a fool for feeling that I felt protected as our hands connected? I felt the tiny bolts of electricity


    between our hands. Did the alpha king feel that? Or was it only one-sided?


    If I had my wolf, what would the beast be feeling right now? Happiness? Disgust? Disappointment?


    Would she be purring?


    "Where are we going, Your Majesty? I''m afraid Lady Juliana will be mad at me now." And she will pick


    on me and will target me. She will make my stay in this pce a living hell. The familiarity of what


    would happen in the future was frightening.


    He clenched his jaw, not answering the servants greeting him. He stared right ahead as if it was only


    him in the hallway.


    "Your Majesty," I called him, grabbing his attention. I tried to yank my hand away from him, to make him


    recall that I was with him, but the more his hold tightened as if he did not want to release me.


    My heart hammered against my chest.


    What is this warm feeling I have right now? It seemed like the other side of me wanted him to hold me


    like this.


    Are you a fool, River? Then how do you differ from Nora, by then? Do you desire the alpha king now?


    Horror flooded my senses. Desire the alpha king? Of course not!


    "What?" he asked, not peering at me.


    "Where are we going?" I whispered as I continued looking at our hands. "Are you putting me in the


    dungeon yourself?"


    "I will think of what punishment I will give you, River. For now, our goal is to stay away from Juliana''s


    sight. I don''t want to carry more stress right now."


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


    My punishment was postponed. Or probably it already slipped the alpha king''s mind on the sudden visit


    of Lady Juliana. We did know how long she will be staying in the pce, but ra and re said that


    she usually stays longer than they wanted her.


    For the next day, the alpha king and Lady Juliana seemed like they were ying hide and seek. The


    it was my task now that Lady Juliana should never know where the alpha king was and to give a head


    to the alpha king that she was around.


    Stay away from Lady Juliana. That was the goal. However, it turned out that it wasn''t only mine, but the


    servant''s as well. The nobledy looked like the harbinger of the gue.


    "ve!"


    I froze when Lady Juliana''s voice boomed across the hallway. I was walking alone, going back to the


    alpha king''s chamber (the alpha king asked me to get his coat) when she called me.


    Talk about the she-devil and she will appear.


    Frowning, I looked over my shoulder and saw Lady Juliana fuming with anger.


    Not wanting to ruin my cheery mood, I bowed and smiled at her. "What pleasure do I owe you, Your


    Grace?"


    "You!" she spat, pointing her fresh nailed fingers towards me.


    I pointed my fingers at my chest. "Me? What about me, Your Grace?" I quipped even though I already


    had an idea of what she was trying to say. It would always be about the alpha king. Her obsession with


    the alpha king was not normal. Power hungry that much?


    "Where is Maxxwell?"


    I shrugged my shoulders. "I don''t have an idea as of the moment, Your Grace. Thest time we met


    each other was when he started his day, meeting his warriors and barking orders on how to make the


    wall stronger than ever against the invaders. "


    "You''re lying! You know where he is and you are hiding it from me. I''ve been looking for Maxxwell but


    no one would tell me where he is," she spat and before I could react, she pulled my hair. I cried in pain


    as my hands automatically held my hair. It felt like all my hair would be uprooted and the pain was


    bing unbearable.


    A single tear escaped from my lips when she continued pulling off my hair. No one was around. No one


    would help me!


    "Your Grace! Let me go! I never did anything wrong!"


    "Ah. You''re ordering me now. A noble of blood is being ordered by a ve? What makes you think I will


    carry your order huh?"


    I looked around and no one was in the vicinity. Fighting the pain, I twisted my body, yanked her wrist,


    and threw her forward.


    Her back hit the cold floor.


    Lady Juliana moaned in pain and it was already toote to realize what I had done. Oh, gawd. I''m a


    goner


    "Y-your Grace?" I asked, hesitant.


    "Ouch! My back!" she cried while clutching her back. Afraid that I had broken some parts of her bones,


    I helped her stand on her feet and the next thing she did, she pped me on both of my cheeks,


    stronger than the force I exerted while I backflipped her.


    I felt the world spin around while the pain felt like a bitch, attacking me. She just used her werewolf


    strength!


    "Maxxwell will know about this! He will punish you. I will make sure of it!"


    Fixing my hair, using one hand while the other clutched my swollen cheek, I stared at her.


    "Your Grace. With all due respect, it was not my fault. You started it."


    Her eyes widened. "You dare to talk back? Kneel!"


    I did not.


    "I did not do anything wrong! You began it! And why would I listen to you? You do not have the right to


    punish me! I am the alpha king''s personal ve and I will only listen to him! He is the only one who will


    castigate me¡ª"


    p!


    My cheeks stung.


    Images of my life back shed right in front of me. There would always be bullies if the one being


    bullied would never fight back.


    "You do not talk back, ve! You will listen to me when I talk and you will follow everything I say. Do


    you understand? Or are you stupid that you cannot follow my simple instruction?" Her face went scarlet


    from anger as her body trembled. Gone was her beautiful face in my eyes but was reced by


    something hideous. No person was beautiful if they started hurting anyone!


    "I won''t. Like I said, I will only follow the alpha king, Your Grace."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Not the right answer she wanted to hear. I stepped back when her ws suddenly elongated, and her


    eyes shed with gold. Her beast was starting to resurface!


    My heart hammered against my chest as she was fighting for control. Just like what happened with the


    alpha king!


    I nced around, waiting for an opportunity to run.


    "You''re a stubborn, bitch and I don''t like your attitude especially if you''re serving my beloved," she said,


    her voice seeming like two people were talking at the same time. "You are whoring yourself to him


    when I am not looking, right? Every female here wanted the alpha king for themselves but they will


    never seed!"


    "What are you trying to do, Your Grace," I asked nervously, while my gaze darted sideways. "The alpha


    king will know you dared to harm his servant."


    "And what do you think will he do, huh?" She stepped forward, while I did the opposite until my back hit


    the wall. Using her ws, she brushed her fingers in my face, scraping the side of my neck when her


    ws pricked it.


    Run!


    I wished I could, but my body won''t allow it anymore.


    My feet were already rooted to the ground, as if a pair of nails were plunged at each of them, making


    me immobile left at the mercy of Lady Juliana.


    Sweat coated my forehead and I felt cold all over. Breathing was restricted.


    "Y-Your Grace..."


    "You''re testing my patience, ve!" she roared, making me winch. "The next time you will not listen to


    me, I will ask the alpha king to throw you at the rogue''s den. Do you know what they will do to the she-


    wolves? They abused them. They killed them. I will not hesitate to ask the alpha king that. And he will


    honor me because I am his fiancee. Do you understand¡ª"


    "Lady Juliana!"


    Lady Juliana and I both looked at the source of the voice and saw the alpha king together with the delta


    on his side¡ª Delta Isagani. Thetter looked at Lady Juliana with longing in his eyes. He was a fine


    man who stood little centimeters taller than the alpha king. Tattoos of two wolves on both of his arms


    red back at me. Wasn''t he the one rumored to be Lady Juliana''s rejected mate?


    Lady Juliana instantly calmed down when she saw the alpha king, her expression back to the innocent


    and sweet nobledy. She was back to being a sheep instead of a wolf.


    "What are you doing to River? Are you back to bullying my female servants again?"


    "Of course not, Your Majesty! That would be horrible! I loved your servants!"


    Lady Juliana''s eyes darted at Delta Isagani, her face contorted with disgust before it shifted back to the


    alpha king wearing her sweetest smile.


    Why do nobles act like bitches sometimes and abuse their power and authority? All they did was pry on


    the weak and the ves. No matter where I went, everyone pricked me.


    The alpha king''s eyes rested on my face, particrly the part where Lady Juliana pricked her ws.


    "Your Majesty. Here you are. I''ve been looking for you everywhere," Lady Juliana said, pouting her lips.


    She snaked her arms in the alpha king''s wrist in front of her rejected mate. I felt sorry for Delta Isagani


    but another part of me was happy that Lady Juliana rejected him. The poor delta deserved someone


    who would love him more than this woman could.


    What a bitch. This woman reminded me of Alpha Erik.


    "Are you not acknowledging Delta Isagani beside me?"


    "My eyes are only for you, Your Majesty," she retorted, and to make it worse, she pecked a kiss on his


    lips which made the three of us taken aback at her brazenness. Did she do it to make Delta Isagani


    more jealous?


    "And mind telling me why your ws were out while talking angrily to River?"


    "Let''s not talk about that ve, Your Majesty. She is not important."


    "Every ve of mine is important, Lady Juliana and we will talk about what we witnessed earlier


    whether you want it or not."

 41. Delta Isaganis Self-Control

    41. Delta Isagani''s Self-Control


    ¡°I did not do anything wrong, Your Majesty!¡± Lady Juliana denied it while the look of hatred directed


    towards me was evident on her face. Funny how her words were mismatched with what she was


    saying and doing at the same time.


    ¡°You did!¡± the alpha king answered back. ¡°Your ws were out and all of us knew it only happened


    when we are in the height of anger or aren''t in control of our beast. You did threaten River and if Delta


    Isagani and I did not arrive, I wonder what you were capable of doing, Lady Juliana.¡±


    Served you right, I said in my mind. Scold him, Maxxwell. Make her feel the deepest embarrassment


    she could experience in her entire life. Until thest thing, she would do is hurt me and terrorize me.


    I loved watching the scenes unfold in front of me as Lady Juliana rubbed her face using her hands.


    Her eyes softened and unclutched the alpha king from her hold.


    Tears brimmed her eyes while Delta Isagani looked away, not wanting to see the two of them. Despite


    the rejection, the rejected person still feels the pain of the rejection. And right now, all he could see was


    his mate flirting with someone whom he could not even fight. Male werewolves were known to be


    possessive bastards who only thought that it was their right to be territorial towards their mate. But for


    Delta Isagani, it was amazing how he remained calm and stopped himself from pulling Lady Juliana


    away from the alpha king.


    My heart instantly fell for him, the need to console him was unbearable. I knew that burning feeling and


    until now, I was still suffering the aftermath of the rejection. Who would console each other but


    ourselves¡ªthe rejected party, right?


    ¡°A-are you saying I wanted to hurt River, Your Majesty?¡± Lady Juliana¡¯s voice quivered and she put her


    hand on her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m not capable of doing that, Your Majesty. I also hold dear the people whom I


    cherish.¡± I bit my inner cheeks when I was tempted to speak out. What a bunch of lies this woman was


    spouting. ¡°And if there was someone who hurt someone, it that ve. She backflipped me, hurting my


    pack in the process!¡±


    ¡°You look fine to me, Lady Juliana,¡± the alpha king responded.


    ¡°It¡¯s because I have my beast who helped me heal the pain, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°River, on the other hand, is wolfless. She is weak so saying she backflipped you is unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying, Your Majesty! Why does this look like I am the viin here?¡±


    You are, Lady Juliana. Forcing yourself to be the alpha king already makes you a viin.


    ¡°You are siding with that disgusting ve?!¡± she realized. ¡°I am a noble of birth. A noblewoman. Your


    fiance. You should side with me!¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°I will side with someone who is innocent.¡± The alpha king nced at Delta Isagani. ¡°What can you say,


    Delta Isagani? You saw what Lady Juliana did, right?¡±


    The delta stiffened on his side. He opened and closed his mouth, but no words would out, especially if


    Lady Juliana was ring at him. One single mistake, and the chance of their reconciliation would be


    thrown away. Finally, he whispered, ¡°Her Grace did nothing wrong, Your Majesty. Based on what I saw,


    the ve angered her which resulted in what we saw earlier.¡±


    What?


    Lady Juliana was satisfied with his answer.


    As much as I wanted to hate Delta Isagani for what he said, however, it was understandable that he will


    keep on protecting her. Perhaps he was still wanting to reconcile with her.


    If that¡¯s the case, I had to do it on my own, then¡­


    I sniffed, calling all the tears hiding in my eyes, and the three¡¯s attention was suddenly on mine.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Your Majesty. Perhaps I also need to learn my lesson. I don¡¯t know what mistake I did to Her


    Grace, but it would be better if she would teach so that I will learn from it and not allow her anger to get


    over her.¡± I wiped the first tear that fell from my eyes. ¡°Please forgive Lady Juliana, Your Majesty. It was


    my fault, to begin with.¡±Another wiping off my tears. ¡°All she wanted was to tell her your location, but I


    did not. She kept on insisting, to the point of pping me. See my swollen cheeks? It¡¯s her fault, but I


    already forgive her. I kept my word, Your Majesty.¡± Sniffed. ¡°I held my ground. That¡¯s why she got mad


    at me.¡±


    I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes while Lady Juliana¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Is that true, Lady Juliana?¡±


    Her mouth trembled. ¡°It is true that I looked for you, Your Majesty. It¡¯s because I haven¡¯t seen you for


    two days already. I searched for you everywhere when I got bored but the ves were not answering


    me. Their lips were shut when I asked them about your whereabouts. I do not think it was wrong to ask


    where you have been, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°It was wrong, Lady Juliana!¡± the alpha king roared. ¡°I ordered them not to tell you.¡±


    Lady Juliana and I jumped while Delta Isagani remained silent beside him.


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Now, it was Lady Juliana¡¯s tears that made an appearance. She acted as if she was


    shaken. ¡°Are you mad at me?¡±


    Delta Isagani stepped forward. ¡°Your Grace, the alpha king, would never get mad at you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk when you are not allowed to, Delta Isagani!¡± Lady Juliana said.


    Delta Isagani fisted the hemline of his clothes. ¡°Forgive me, Your Grace. I do not know my boundaries.


    Your humble s-servant is awaiting your punishment.¡±


    That¡¯s what you get for siding with this bitch!


    To the alpha king, she uttered, ¡°Tell me what¡¯s wrong and I will do it right, Your Majesty. Just don¡¯t be


    mad at me, please. I will die heartbroken if that happens.¡±


    The alpha king drew a couple of breaths, and the next thing he did, he gave a small smile to Lady


    Juliana.


    I felt the tightening of my chest.


    Did the alpha king also like Lady Juliana so that he was willing to turn a blind eye to what she did to


    me? Why would I be surprised about it? Their union would be an advantage to the two parties for


    stronger ties, each benefitting the other.


    ¡°You do not deserve that punishment, Delta Isagani. I will be the one who will decide who will be the


    one that will receive the punishment. And for you, Lady Juliana. We need to talk. Privately. Let¡¯s go


    inside my office.¡±


    Lady Juliana nibbled on her lips. ¡°To your office? Why not in your chamber, Your Majesty? No one


    would disturb us there.¡±


    This woman wanted to seduce the alpha king.


    ¡°My office is enough. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The alpha king turned his back on us. Lady Juliana did not instantly follow him. She faced me and said,


    ¡°We are not yet done, bitch.¡±


    Wiping myst tears, I replied, ¡°Looking forward to it, Your Grace. I will be prepared by then.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be ready for what I do with you, bitch,¡± she said and ran after the alpha king, forgetting the


    right etiquette on how a nobledy should act leaving me with Delta Isagani.


    He let out a dragging sigh as he stared at the retreating figure of Lady Juliana.


    ¡°Delta Isagani¡­I know the feeling of being rejected. My ex-mate also did the same when he found out I


    was nothing but a servant.¡±


    Looking over his shoulder, he said, ¡°Why are you telling me this, woman?¡±


    I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°I do not know. Perhaps to tell you that woman is not worth it. Did you see


    how she looked at you? She was disgusted. She loved the alpha king and wanted his power. No one


    else.¡±


    He smiled bitterly. ¡°You also know about my painful story?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say it is the case. My heart fell for you, and I don¡¯t want to waste your time on that woman. She¡¯s


    a lost case, Delta Isagani.¡±


    ¡°Funny words from a servant.¡±


    ¡°You can forget about me being a servant. But you can say that ites from the words of someone


    who knows how it was difficult to go on and pretend everything is okay despite asking ourselves why


    aren¡¯t they epting us despite what we are trying to say.¡±


    ¡°Who are you again?¡±


    I beamed at him. ¡°My name is River. I am the face of the alpha king. His personal servant.¡±


    ¡°Focus on your job and not on someone else¡¯s life.¡±


    ¡°And then what? You will continue deluding yourself that perhaps Lady Juliana will ept you, Delta


    Isagani? That¡¯s foolish, I may say.¡± I folded my arms in front of my chest. ¡°If you ept that the two of


    you are done, your second-chance mate wille and show."


    He gritted his teeth and watched me using his intense stare. ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone except Lady Juliana.


    My beast won¡¯t ept anyone.¡±


    A gasp escaped from my lips. ¡°You¡¯re a hopeless case, Delta Isagani. Don¡¯t you feel sorry for


    yourself?¡±

 42. Meeting the Servants Gaze

    42. Meeting the Servant''s Gaze


    River


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "I will fight for Lady Juliana as long as I live, woman. No one will stop me."


    I folded my arms and narrowed my eyes at him. What a stubborn man. "My name is not Woman but


    River. Could you please address me using my given name? I would be grateful for that. And you know


    what, Delta Isagani?¡±


    He threw me an irritated look. ¡°Get over it. Spill.¡±


    Look at this man. He looked like a sheep around Lady Juliana, but when thetter was nowhere to be


    seen, he looked like a predator ready to pounce on his victims.


    ¡°We don''t always have to fight. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to give up if our presence is no


    longer needed by someone, especially our mate. Let''s save ourselves and pity ourselves once and for


    a while," I whispered.


    Face reddening, he announced, "Lady Juliana will eventually learn that it is I she needed, not the alpha


    king. I will do everything I can if she wants me to do something for her. I can move heaven and earth


    for her. I can serve the head of her enemies on a tter if she wished for it."


    A shiver ran down my spine when he uttered those words. He was willing to kill someone for Lady


    Juliana¡¯s sake?


    "Are you a fool, Delta Isagani? You will kill someone because of her? Don¡¯t waste everything you have


    right now because of her. She is only hurting you.¡±


    ¡°She is not!¡±


    ¡°She is! How long will it enter in your thick skull that that woman rejected you?"


    I knew it was forbidden for a ve to talk back to a noble using the tone I was using, but this man was


    sure testing my patience! I was only concerned about him. Why couldn¡¯t he see that, huh? Perhaps the


    adage saying love is blind was true.


    "I don''t care! I love her more than my life!"


    "Does she love you back, Delta Isagani? Is she willing to sacrifice just like yours?" He froze and hung


    his head low.


    ¡°She doesn''t, right?¡± I pressed. I did not care if I was being insensitive, but he had to open his eyes and


    not waste his time on that kind of woman. ¡°Open your eyes. When looked at you, she never saw you as


    her mate. She never nced at you with longing in her eyes. Stop your foolishness. There are a lot of


    women who want your attention! I know it is difficult in the beginning but you will eventually ept it in


    the end."


    I sauntered towards him. He did not move which gave me the confidence to pat his broad shoulder. He


    looked like a giant as he stood in front of me and I had to look up.


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to act like a love guru, okay?¡±


    Still bowing his head, he asked, "How did you do it?"


    "What are you referring to?"


    "How did you ovee the rejection?"


    I was taken aback by his question. "Well...someone helped me."


    "Who?"


    Sensing I could trust him and he also understood my pain, I answered, "The alpha king. He was the


    one who helped me. Little by little. I am not saying I already ovee the pain, but it does not hurt so


    muchpared to the beginning. My mate was also of noble blood. An alpha to be precise."


    If I did not seek revenge...if the alpha king was not there from the beginning, what would be of me


    now? Probably, I would be suffering more than Delta Isagani was experiencing right now.


    At some point, I should be thankful to the alpha king for helping me.


    "You will ept it as time goes on."


    "I won''t. And the next time we meet, do not act as if we are friends. Know your boundary. I am still a


    free man while you are a ve," he said and left me alone.


    After all, I said, that was all he returned? What a jerk. The pce was indeed full of assholes.


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


    Alpha King Maxxwell


    Lady Juliana smiled at me as if that would kill the mood I have right now. I was fuming. My wolf was


    howling in the background, wanting to be out after witnessing the scenes we saw earlier. The ws of


    this woman on River''s face kept darting back and forth in my mind, angering my wolf even more. The


    beast wanted to run wild free and punished the woman standing in front, without care of what was


    happening inside me.


    ''Stay still,'' I ordered. My nails sank on the table, but Lady Juliana did not notice my fight for control.


    ''Kill that woman, Maxxwell.'' Denaro whispered. Killing Lady Juliana will bring a domino effect on the


    kingdom. However, the beast could not understand that. ''Or let me do it. I do not like her filthy hands on


    your skin, Maxxwell. It makes me madder even madder.''


    Denaro was considered a beast among the wolves. Other beasts bowed down at him, cowering in fear.


    he paced back and forth while watching me with narrowed eyes.


    ''Do it fast. My patience is already wearing thin. I''m getting edgy around her. I want her out of the


    pce.''


    ''We need their family''s support. They are quite handy when ites to making an agreement with the


    rogue.''


    Denaro snorted. ''Those bastards will not honor any treaty. They will continue doing treacherous acts.


    Their wolves were hungry for blood and that¡¯s what they will do. They will kill to satisfy the savageness


    of their beast. Stop that nonsense of wanting to be at peace with them.''


    I was getting weary of the war between the kingdom and the rogue. I wanted to look for another


    possible solution and perhaps the treaty will pacify the conflict between the two groups. However,


    Denaro had another opinion that contradicted mine.


    ¡®I want to give it a try.¡¯


    ¡®Good luck on that.¡¯


    And then he was hidden in the shadow of my mind. He rarely talked and was always observing. He will


    "Your Majesty," Lady Juliana whined, bringing my attention to her. I almost forgot we were in my office


    facing each other.


    ¡°Did you already reflect on your actions, Lady Juliana?¡±


    She smiled sweetly at me. "Reflect? As I said, I am innocent, Your Majesty. What will we talk about? Is


    it about that ve again? Your Majesty, I am already tired of hearing about that woman. Why are we


    wasting our time with her? Why not¡­" she sauntered towards me and rested her hands on my chest.


    Raising my brows, I watched what she was trying to know, having an idea of what it was. "Make


    ourselves productive."


    "Productive? We would be productive if we both did something else. What do you think?"


    I gave her a pointed look. "What are you implying?"


    Lady Juliana ran her lips over her mouth while fluttering her eyshes. ¡°We can talk about that


    interesting topic.¡±


    Then, she jumped in front of me and I had no choice but to carry her. She wrapped her legs around


    mine while she snaked her arms around my neck, her ample bosom peeking at me. I hardened


    instantly, while Denaro was not happy at all with my body¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°My beloved Maxxwell,¡± she said and blew on my ears. ¡°My body longed for you,¡± she whispered. ¡°And


    you are the only one who could satisfy the longing in my soul. If you could do something about it


    perhaps?¡±


    Nothing happened yet between us. She always did the first move, but I would be the one who would


    stop her the moment Zenith¡¯s face resurfaced in my mind.


    I looked away, pressing my lips in a thin line. ¡°This is not how a noblewoman should act, Lady Juliana.


    If your Father knows about this, he will be disappointed with you.¡±


    She brushed her fingers on my face. ¡°I don¡¯t care about my father, Your Majesty. I care more about you.


    Why don¡¯t we get started? I¡¯ve been dying to have a taste of you.¡±


    She tried to dip her lips into mine, but I looked away. ¡°Lady Juliana. You don¡¯t have to lower yourself


    like this,¡± I reminded her. Besides, even if I was in the mood, my will wasn¡¯t.


    Her face flushed but still kissed me on my chin, bringing nothing but tickles. However, I acted as if I was


    not affected and continued looking at her with a nk expression on my face.


    ¡°If it¡¯s for you, I don¡¯t give a damn.¡±


    ¡°Lady Juliana,¡± I scolded.


    She distanced her face from mine and narrowed her eyes. ¡°Are you not straight, Your Majesty? Or are


    you still in love with the dead ve?¡±


    ¡°Do not cross the line, Lady Juliana. I warn you.¡±


    ¡°Why are you always into ves, huh? First, it was that bitch Zenith, and the next that hideous


    woman?¡± Disgusted, she unwrapped her legs and distanced herself.


    ¡°Leave Zenith alone!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point, Your Majesty! She. Is. Dead. But why are you still imprisoned in her memories? And


    you had given aw forbidding anyone to speak about her? Foolishness! I am here in front of you, Your


    Majesty. I rejected Isagani for you because I chose you more than him!¡± she spat. ¡°It¡¯s difficult to


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Shaking her head, she continued. ¡°Why do I always have to lower myself to you? Why do I always


    have to sacrifice? Why don¡¯t you kiss me? I am beautiful. Men wanted me to marry them. But you?


    Why do you always avert your eyes whenever I want to have some private time with you? Above all,


    why do your eyes always glued on that ve? Do you think I did not see it, Your Majesty? You see


    Zenith in her, right? Are you silently hoping that it was her and that she only had her amnesia?¡±


    My heart rate increased, feeling the beast starting toe out. Control. Self-control. I did not want


    Denaro to go on a rampage.


    With trembling hands, I stood and went to the balcony of my office. With hurried steps, Lady Juliana


    went after me.


    ¡°You are running away again, Your Majesty. That¡¯s what you''re good at.¡±


    Inhale. Exhale.


    ¡®Do note out, Denaro,¡¯ I warned him.


    I put my hands in my pocket. ¡°I don¡¯t think this conversation will have to continue. You can go now. I¡¯ll


    ask my best warriors to escort you on going back.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to! I am only here for barely three days without a proper conversation and now you want


    me to go? Is that how badly you wanted to make my presence disappear? I want an answer right now,


    Your Majesty! I deserve it as your betrothed. You like that ve do you? Answer me, for fuck¡¯s sake!¡±


    Using her fingers, she stabbed my chest while pushing me toward the corner of the balcony.


    ¡°You talk too much, Lady Juliana.¡± She started to open her mouth and before words coulde out, I


    kissed her, silencing her. It was effective since the moment our lips connected, all the anger in her body


    vanished, and she smoothed.


    Running her fingers on my hair, she pulled me closer to hers, while not breaking the kiss. She bit and


    nibbled my lower lips, making her moan in pleasure.


    I smiled inwardly while Denaro glowered in the shadows, not happy at the oue of the events.


    ¡®I said you kill her. Not kiss her.¡¯


    ¡®She may be annoying, but killing her is out of the equation, Denaro. We do not want to create any


    more enemies.¡¯


    ¡®Stop kissing her!¡¯ he roared.


    Which I did and broke the kiss.


    Lady Juliana was smiling at me. ¡°We are barely starting, Your Majesty,¡± she uttered and kissed me


    again this time, with more passion than the first one.


    I did not know why I looked down, but the moment I did it, I saw River¡¯s gaze watching Lady Juliana


    and me.

 43. A Date?

    43. A Date?


    Alpha King Maxxwell and Lady Juliana just kissed! my mind screamed. And Alpha King Maxxwell just


    saw me gawking at them. Damn it.


    After talking to Delta Isagani, I stepped out of the castle and wanted to breathe fresh air but the


    moment I looked up, I saw the two kissing already.


    I thought they would only speak, but it seemed like they were talking about other things which involved


    their rtionship.


    The burning pain in my chest continued which I did not even understand why. Why was I always


    affected when it came to His Majesty''s women? It did not like him to begin with!


    Lady Juliana grabbed the alpha king''s attention, wanting to return it back to her and it took me an extra


    amount of willpower to leave them alone. To force me to walk.


    Even if something happened between the two, it should never affect me since they were betrothed to


    each other. Right?


    Don¡¯t look back, I told myself. And I seeded despite the difficulty.


    My feet dragged me to the watchtower. I couldn''t fathom listening to the alpha king and Lady Juliana''s


    moans of pleasure. I could still feel the pain in my chest and I did not like any of it at all.


    Pounding my hurting chest, while climbing the watchtower, I stumbled back when I saw Elijah casually


    sitting on the chair, looking straight ahead. Still...the real guard of the watchtower was nowhere to be


    seen.


    I retreated, nearly turning my back on him. If we talked, I would only talk about something which would


    result in punishing me. Whenever I remembered what happened in the previous days, I felt betrayed


    thinking I could rely on him. I was wrong and was right in thinking I could never trust the nobles.


    I was d that because of Lady Juliana the alpha king got busy and forgot to give his punishment.


    ¡°River. I¡¯m d you are here.¡±


    I¡¯m not feeling the same, I muttered in my mind.


    ¡°I came here to breathe fresh air, thinking I would be alone, but it turned out, you are here, Sir Elijah.¡±


    ¡°Are you disappointed?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I answered, not even attempting to sugar-coat my words.


    He grinned.


    Pouting, I stood at the farthest corner of the watchtower. However, I did not really seed. The space


    was small.


    Sighing, I looked straight ahead and was mesmerized by the endless mountains my eyes saw. The


    mountain looked like a sleeping maiden, waiting to be awakened by her mate. But if I were the maiden,


    it would be better if she would continue sleeping since meeting a mate will only bring disappointment.


    Just like what happened to Delta Isagani and me.


    "Do you know how to write your name, River?" Elijah asked out of the blue.


    My forehead knotted into a crease. "Why are you suddenly asking about that, Sir Elijah?"


    "To honor my promise," he answered.


    A gasp escaped my lips. I suddenly forgot that I am mad at him. "Y-you remembered?"


    "Of course, I did recall my promise, River. Lady Juliana''s arrival postponed my n of teaching you,"


    he answered.


    "But the rumors...they would talk more about us. More savage than thest time."


    "Let them talk, River until their tongue will dpose. I do not care about the rumors."


    "But the alpha king..."


    "The alpha king is currently busy right now with Lady Juliana. He may try to evade her but after two


    days, the woman usually caught him, leaving him with no option but to face her. And then catching up


    will happen. You know that stuff."


    I folded my hands in front of my chest. "Catching up? More like kissing and fucking to me."


    "Woah! That''s jealousy I felt there!" Elijah eximed, amused by my reaction which I did not return


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    back.


    "I''m not. It''s just that they are annoying. unting their rtionship to the crowd. I mean they can do it


    somewhere private, but why did they have to let others see how they loved each other?"


    My face contorted in disgust at the word loved. Love? Was that even real? In my entire life, I never felt I


    was loved. Maybe even my real parents hated me like that for putting me in the river.


    "At the height of your emotions, you do not care about your surroundings anymore, River. I do not think


    the alpha king loved Lady Juliana. If they will ever get married, it would be a marriage of


    convenience. A one-sided rtionship. Nothing more. Nothing less."


    "They can fuck whenever they want until they could not stand anymore."


    Elijahughed beside me. "River. You sounded like Nora when she got jealous after finding out I was in


    another woman''s arms."


    Nora? I may talk dirty, but I never let anyone get a taste of me. They wished. I reserved it for my mate,


    but because of the rejection, it seemed I would die a virgin. As virgin as the forest down below.


    "We are totally opposite. Can we not talk about them? They are making my blood boil."


    "You seemed to forget you are the alpha king''s personal ve."


    "You seemed to forget that it is not required to like him at all times," I retorted.


    He chuckled. ¡°The alpha king will be disappointed knowing his personal servant does not like him.¡±


    ¡°I like him when he is sleeping because that¡¯s the only time he will look kind.¡±


    Raising his eyebrows, he asked, ¡°So did you always stare at him whenever he fell asleep? I heard the


    two of you are sharing the same room. Are you sure nothing has happened so far between the two of


    you?¡± His eyes were full of malice as if he wanted to uncover the real story.


    There were times when I stared at the alpha king¡¯s sleeping form and it made my heart jump, but


    nothing more happened. I never attempted to touch his silky hair or to brush my fingers on his chest.


    There was nothing like that.


    I fanned myself when it suddenly felt hot all over.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°W-why won¡¯t I be unsure?¡± I answered.


    Elijah gave me a knowing smile.


    "So much for that." Elijah swung him down and tossed some books on the table. "Do you know what


    those are?"


    "Sir Elijah. I may be illiterate but I am not stupid. Those are pens and papers as well as books you got


    there."


    "These are from my siblings."


    "You have siblings?"


    Chuckling, he said, "Yes, I do. Why is it surprising to you? Majority of us have irritating siblings."


    Not me.


    Shaking my head, I said, "Nothing. Just nothing. So what will I do, Sir Elijah?" I sauntered towards his


    table and grabbed each of the books. Everything was foreign to me. Except for the pen and paper, of


    course. Excitement rushed through me realizing I could finally read and write one step at a time if Elijah


    seeded in teaching me.


    "You will be tracing letters first. The small letters and big letters. Familiarize the letters in the book.


    Please bear with me, River if you will find it difficult to follow me. It''s my first time teaching someone."


    He scratched the back of his neck while red tainted his cheeks. ¡°But I will do my best to honor my


    promise.¡±


    I was mistaken earlier. Some nobles were dependable. Just like Elijah.


    Putting the strands of some hair behind my ear, I answered back, "Which I was grateful with, Sir Elijah.


    It''s not your responsibility but you are putting your effort into teaching me."


    "I do not do it for free, River. You will massage me when I want it."


    I beamed. "Of course, Sir Elijah. That''s the only thing that I am good at. You can count on me for that."


    The rest of the hours went smoothly. I had a great time learning the different letters and tracing them.


    Elijah also taught me the correct posture and proper gripping of the pen. He was the most patient


    teacher I could ever have. He was hands-on and did not scream at me whenever I did something


    wrong, unlike those asshole nobles I met some time.


    "Thank you so much for teaching, Sir Elijah," I said, countless times. "I''ll make sure to remember all of


    them. And I will practice more."


    "That''s the best thing that you will do, River. Memorize. Practice. The next time we meet, I''ll be


    teaching you to write your name."


    My eyes went round. "Really?" The thought of writing my own name brought tears to my eyes. "I would


    be forever grateful to you, Sir Elijah."


    He smiled brightly and ruffled my hair as if I were his dog. I hid my anger and smiled back. I never


    wanted someone to touch my hair. But since he did me a favor, I will let it slide. For now.


    "Don''t mention it. I will be waiting here. Go back now, River. Alpha King Maxxwell must be waiting for


    you. You have to be there the moment he stepped out of his office after his conversation with Lady


    Juliana."


    "Conversation my foot. They did some exercise in the form of sex."


    Elijah''s mouth formed an oh. "You are too young to learn such words."


    "Believe me I know a lot of curses up on my sleeve waiting to be discovered. Given my background.


    Those are the only forms of love I received from them," I said with sarcasm.


    Elijah couldn''t seem to be satisfied touching my hair and he did it again. Damn. Why did he have to be


    handsome so that it took my breath away?


    Before my mind would stray to dangerous thoughts, I excused myself which he acknowledged, and


    went back to the alpha king''s office.


    I knocked on the door a couple of times.


    "Come in."


    I raised my eyebrows. They were done? Already? Too soon.


    I pushed the door open. "Your Majesty. I have returned."


    "Where have you been, River? I asked the twins to look for you and they saw you in the watchtower


    having a date with one of my Council members. Tell me. Did you have a great time with your date,


    huh?"


    A date? What kind of nonsense was that? I was learning how to write!


    My brows furrowed upon looking at his darkened expression. What was wrong with him? Didn''t he


    have a great time with Lady Juliana?

 44. Mark Me, Your Majesty

    44. Mark Me, Your Majesty


    Alpha King Maxxwell''s sudden shift in his mood puzzled me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you are trying to say, Your Majesty. I don¡¯t understand why your mood was


    suddenly sour and moody. I thought you were already okay after I gave you and Lady Juliana the time


    to catch up. I did not listen to your conversation. Unlike the time when you called for Nora.¡±


    Alpha King Maxxwell¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. ¡°You listened to us?¡± he asked calmly, but the


    shaking of his hands told me he was feeling the opposite.


    Damn it. Why did I have to include Nora? I should learn how to filter my words around him.


    Looking away, I muttered, ¡°For a brief moment, Your Majesty. I was staying in the next room, but Nora


    was¡­¡± I shrugged, not sure how to put my thoughts in words. ¡°She¡¯s quite expressive. Believe me, I


    walked away after that and went to the watchtower and saw Sir Elijah. And besides, allow me to use


    the opportunity to say that Sir Elijah and I did not date. We happened to be at the same time. We


    shared the same favorite spot. If you want, you can bring Lady Juliana there to¡ª¡±


    ¡°She already returned to her chamber after you left, River.¡±


    That fast? Did nothing happen between them? Why did my heart jump with joy?


    I put my hand on my mouth, faking a surprise.


    ¡°Oh. Is that so, Your Majesty? If I have known, I will be the one to humor you, Your Majesty.¡±


    In an instant, he was suddenly on his feet, breaking the distance between us. His cedarwood scent and


    a mixture of his aftershave scent hit my nostrils.


    He leaned into my ears. ¡°Humor me now, River. Divert my attention. Because my beast is on edge and


    wanted toe out,¡± he whispered.


    I gulped when I saw a shade of gold sh in his eyes and back to his standard eye color.


    I hesitated. ¡°Why would you be mad, Your Majesty? You had a great time with Lady Juliana, right? Or


    did you not? That is why you are suddenly grumpy?¡±


    His eyes searched for something, and when he could not see what he was looking for, he lifted my


    chin. His breath fanned against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.


    Damn.


    Why did he have this effect on me?


    ¡°My beast wanted you, River. You do not know how much self-control I am using right now not to kiss


    you.¡±


    My heart jumped as I tried to untangle his words. Then, my eyes shifted to his cherry lips, as soft as


    cotton. Sensing my eyes'' direction, he brushed his fingers on my lips.


    ¡°I am not your mate nor your whore, Your Majesty.¡±


    A gasp escaped my lips when he angled my face from side to side and sniffed my neck. A couple of


    times. As if he could not get over my scent.


    ¡°Your smell drives me crazy, River.¡±


    Putting my hands on his chest, I said, ¡°Y-Your Majesty¡­are you okay? Do you want someone to warm


    your bed?¡±


    Pulling back, he looked at me. ¡°Warm it instead for me.¡± His voice was in pain.


    I saw an opportunity. ¡°I will do it.¡±


    ¡°You will?¡± he asked, not believing my words. ¡°Can you?¡±


    Drawing a breath, I answered, ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. I can do whatever Nora can do. I can please you. I


    will learn. I¡¯m a fast learner. But in exchange, you will mark me as your mate.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°Mark you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we discussed when we were still at Haverstone Pack, Your Majesty, that you will mark me.


    But until now, you are not doing what you promised.¡±


    He turned his back to me and paced back and forth. Then he stopped. ¡°Why do you want me to mark


    you badly?¡±


    The answer was simple. I wanted power and authority.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°If I bear your mark, Your Majesty, everyone will fear me. They will not do anything that would make you


    furious. They will think I am your mate even if I am not, Your Majesty.¡±


    He cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Are you willing to sell your body because of that?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°That may be small to you, Your Majesty, but for someone like me who always experienced


    nothing but being bullied, it would be a small victory.¡±


    ¡°You tend to forget that I am betrothed to Lady Juliana. You¡ª¡±


    With great determination, I closed the distance between us and kissed him on his lips, making him


    silent. I kissed him with so much passion. Our tongues were dancing in a soundless music that only the


    two of us could hear.


    My heart was racing against my ribcage as if it was running.


    I parted my lips, weing him more, and boy, did he make himselffortable inside my mouth.


    For someone like me who hadn''t kissed anyone except the alpha king, I wondered if I was doing a fine


    job. I had no idea. The alpha king never said anything about it.


    A moan escaped my lips when the alpha king kneaded my bosom, cupping them using his hands. Not


    wanting to be defeated, I slipped my hands inside his clothes and touched every corner of his muscles


    until they finally rested on the hardness between his legs. He was rock-hard.


    "Fuck," he cursed under his breath. Which made me chuckle.


    I ran my hands into his thick and long hair, pressing myself against his body.


    A specific part of me forgot why I was kissing him. It was supposed to achieve my goal, but as I was


    already wet for him, everything vanished, and the only thing I wanted right now was to own him without


    any mind if he was betrothed.


    He groaned under my kisses and pressed himself on mine even more.


    Was this the reason why Nora wanted the alpha king? Was this the reason why women wanted him?


    He kissed me with enthusiasm, making my mind mindless.


    Gasping, the alpha king pulled away and rested his forehead against mine. His warm breath made me


    shiver as my mind continued grasping the different emotions I was feeling.


    I leaned in again to kiss him, and he had no problems returning my kisses.


    Catching my breath, I said, ¡°How is that, Your Majesty? How do you like my kisses?¡± I released my


    hand on his rock-hard member, which made him groan in frustration.


    The alpha king tried to grab my hand to return it to his shaft, but I stubbornly did not allow him.


    I smiled wickedly. ¡°I can be better than Nora and Lady Juliana and all your sex ves. I can surpass


    their skill in pleasuring you. I can be your whore, Your Majesty.¡± I angle my neck, exposing my neck.


    ¡°Marked me as yours, Your Majesty. In exchange for my body.¡±


    As if in a trance, the alpha king¡¯s mouth was on my neck, and I inhaled deeply.


    I froze when his tongue sharpened, scraping my neck, but I smiled again.


    ¡°You¡¯re ying a dangerous game with me, River. You are nothing but a child in my eyes. Can you take


    me? You''re so small. Fragile. I''m afraid I will only break you in the end.¡±


    My eyes went down to his bulging shaft. "Then, can you do something about that? As of the moment,


    only can I make youfortable."


    Cheeks reddening, he said, "That''s not your worry anymore."


    An alpha king blushing was a sight to behold. He almost looked...cute.


    Shaking my head, I reminded myself that everything was purely business.


    I fisted on my clothes and ripped them, exposing my cleavage.


    ¡°Look at my body, Your Majesty. This body is no longer that of a child. You can have everything. Mark


    me, Your Majesty.¡±


    The alpha king inhaled deeply, his pupils dted.


    "You''re not making this easier, River," he breathed.


    I ripped my clothes away, leaving nothing but my undergarments. I had never felt this exposed in my


    entire life.


    Still smiling, I said, "There''s nothing easy in life, Your Majesty."


    I pulled his hair into my neck, never feeling his resistance. The alpha king nibbled my neck as if he was


    hungry for me.


    There.


    I did not care if I would sacrifice my body as long as I could get my goal.


    "Mark me, Your Majesty. Go on," I urged.

 45. Fix Your Hair First

    45. Fix Your Hair First


    The clock continued ticking, but Alpha King Maxxwell stood still. His breathing wasbored while his


    hand rested on my shoulder¡ªtrembling.


    Damn.


    He was fighting for control. That was not what I wanted. I wanted him to lose his con¡ªnothing else.


    My neck was already straining, and I started feeling the pain, but I managed to stay calm and act


    sweetly.


    "What''s the matter, Your Majesty? I am waiting."


    "This is not supposed to happen," he said in disbelief. He mumbled to himself, and I could not decipher


    what he was saying anymore.


    My heart sank when he retreated, putting a safe distance between us, took off his shirt, left his


    undershirt, and threw it in my direction without looking at me.


    "Wear that, River. I don''t want any males seeing you in that state."


    I nced at it momentarily and fisted on the clothes as I looked at him with disbelief. The cold never


    bothers me anymore.


    "Tell me what''s wrong, Your Majesty. I can fix it for you."


    I did not have bad breath. So why? Perhaps it was on how I kiss.


    "Put on that shirt," he ordered, which I obliged after a moment of debating. His scent surrounded me


    and oddly calmed me. The shirt reached past my knees, which made it more like a dress.


    After straightening it, I announced, "I''m decent, Your Majesty."


    That was the only time he looked at me.


    He was calm now. Recollected.


    A few buttons of his pants were loose, and in an attempt to fix it, I strolled towards him, but he stepped


    back.


    Rejection. I was again rejected.


    Just like how Alpha Erik renounced me.


    My heart felt like tiny needles pierced my heart, but I set them aside, not wanting to be affected. I will


    only allow what I will feel.


    "Do you want me to call Nora for you, Your Majesty?" I asked, hiding my pain from my smile and


    pretending it was okay to be turned down for the second time by the different nobles.


    Instead of directly answering me, he said, "Let''s pretend this never happened, River. It was a mistake,


    to begin with. You are my personal servant. Not my sex ve."


    I smiled bitterly. This was more painful than Alpha Erik''s rejection. This felt like I was rejected the


    second time. If I had a wolf, she would be howling by now.


    "Do you hate it that much, Your Majesty? You''re not even looking at me directly. I did not do well, right?


    I should have asked Nora how to kiss a man. Forgive me. I had never been kissed except by you."


    Nobles were only for noble mates and never for enved people. We did not have the right to make


    them ours. That was my reality.


    He finally looked my way.


    "You''re a virgin?"


    I chuckled while feeling the bitterness inside. How could I chuckle at times like this? I did not also know


    the answer to that.


    "No one ever wanted an enved person, Your Majesty. Even if I offered my body for free, no one


    would ever take it. Your kind deeply hates enved people like me. Funny right? It only shows how


    desperate I am. Perhaps I was made for a second."


    I stepped back and wiped my lips using the back of my hand.


    The way he kissed me was still fresh in my memories as if he wanted me badly. However, I knew it was


    only because he had forgotten himself. He had forgotten about Zenith and Lady Juliana his


    responsibilities.


    His lips pressed into a thin line.


    "You are not a whore, River."


    "I''m not? I forced myself on you a while ago. Doing whatever I can for you to mark me, Your Majesty.


    And I was not even ashamed of that. I am brazen. As bold as Nora."


    My eyesnded on my thorn clothes. I bent and picked it up and stood, only to see the alpha king


    staring at my bottom.


    I cleared my throat and got his attention.


    "This is getting awkward, Your Majesty. Could you allow me to return to our chamber and wear other


    clothes?"


    Our chamber.


    Something warm touched my heart the moment I said those words. I did not know if everything would


    get back to normal between us now that the memories of our kisses were already imprinted on my


    mind. Mind as well ask Elijah where he earned his tats and also tattooed two lips kissing to make it


    more memorable.


    He turned his back. "You can. You can also rest. As of the moment, I don''t need your service anymore."


    Service? What kind of service was he about? Whoring service?


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Before I go, Your Majesty. I want to ask one question."


    "I am not in the mood to entertain questions now¡ª"


    "Did I kiss that bad?"


    His shoulders stiffened. "You were a bad kisser, but it''s eptable."


    "Really. I am a bad kisser, yet you still manage to return my kisses, making me wet down there¡ª"


    "Enough!" he roared. "Go, now. Before I change your mind."


    "You can change your mind, Your Majesty. I am still here."


    He drew a sharp intake of breath and faced me. And in an instant, closed the distance between us. He


    cupped my face, and I felt how his hands trembled.


    "Why do you keep on challenging me, River? Don''t you know how much I struggled to restrain myself


    from taking you here and then like a mindless beast? My wolf desired you. Wanted a taste of you."


    His wolf did? His wolf approved of me? It only happens when¡­no. Impossible. His wolf perhaps took


    pity on me.


    Not wanting to make me feel proud about it, I gave it a half-shrug. "I don''t understand what you are


    talking about, Your Majesty," I breathed. "Perhaps you could enlighten me?"


    Desire shed again in his eyes.


    Silently urging him more to give in to his emotions, I pressed my body into his, making him groan.


    "You won''t stop?"


    "I won''t," I answered. "I want to be a good kisser, so you will stop rejecting me."


    And with that, I tiptoed, snaked my arms around his neck, and dipped my lips into his.


    The kiss was slow but more erotic and addicting to me. It sent shivers down my spine.


    My hands slipped into his hair, forcing him to lean closer.


    "You will regret this, River," the alpha king said between kisses. "I will make you realize you will regret it


    I looked away from him, testing if he wanted more, and he did cup my face again and forced me to look


    at him.


    "I won''t." Or perhaps I will. I no longer know. My mind seemed to shut down at the onught of


    emotions I had right now.


    Who would have thought ck Heart could be like this? Soft. Compliant. And melted along my


    touches.


    "Do you want me, Your Majesty?"


    He did not answer. Instead, he slipped his hands under my shirt (which was his, to begin with) and


    cupped my breast.


    Breaking the kiss, I bit my lips and stopped myself from moaning. He was so good at this. He made me


    feel as if my body was on fire.


    The alpha king''s hand slowly went to my mound, which halted me for a moment, and he felt it.


    Heart racing, he asked, "Do you want me to stop?"


    I felt like a bucket of cold water was suddenly thrown at me.


    I looked up and saw his pupils were dted. I felt his hardness on my stomach, but he paused and


    asked me, considering my feelings. He was not that much of an asshole for someone who had a high


    position.


    Inhale. Exhale.


    "S-stay away from me," I said when I gathered myself.


    Hurt shed in his eyes before his expression hardened.


    "You''re only good at starting the fire, River, but you don''t know how to sustain it."


    "I-I have to go, Your Majesty."


    Thank you for giving me a good time, but I suddenly realized I was not ready to give myself. Was it


    necessary to add that statement or not?


    He turned his back once again. "Don''t let me show your face until I tell you so. Go."


    Not wanting to allow him to utter hismand twice, I clutched my clothes tightly on my chest and


    strolled towards the door as if someone was after me¡ªtrying to harm me.


    But before I could open the door, he said, "Fix your hair first. Others may think you are already my


    whore."

 46. We Never Kissed

    46. We Never Kissed


    "You look¡­ disheveled," Alpha King Maxxwell added. I looked back and saw him not looking in my


    direction.


    "M-my apologies, Your Majesty. Let me fix my hair first."


    Not only the hair but my clothes, still clutching my ripped clothes.


    I drew a couple of breaths while fixing my hair. However, it was never messy, to begin with. Whatever. I


    have to get out of here before something happens more than what happened earlier.


    "Walk as fast as you can outside. Others might see you and will spread rumors."


    My hands froze at the hemline of his shirt. "Are you afraid someone might think something happened


    between us?"


    A long pause. When I nced at my shoulder, I found the alpha king staring at the wall.


    "I only loved one woman in my lifetime."


    "And who is that lucky woman, Your Majesty?"


    His back stiffened. "Zenith. My personal servant before you."


    "But she is dead, Your Majesty!"


    That certified it. Alpha King Maxxwell was painstakingly waiting for her. His devotion to that unknown


    woman¡­.


    "They saw her falling off the cliff."


    "Where did you hear that?"


    And then what? Would he punish that person? No, thank you. "Hear and there."


    Gritting his teeth, he said, "They are still talking behind my back."


    "As long as they have their mouth, they will talk. You cannot hide all about Zenith forever, Your


    Majesty."


    He went silent.


    Seeing I was already decent, I said, "Thanks for pointing it out, Your Majesty. I have to go." Not wanting


    to hear more words from him, I mmed the door behind me.


    I exhaled when I was out of the alpha king''s sight. Putting a hand on my chest, I leaned on the wall, my


    strength leaving me. That was... I did not know how to even exin what had happened.


    Zenith was probably the alpha king''s mate. If he banned the people from uttering her name, maybe it


    was because he was still hurting from her death.


    If Zenith were his first mate, he would probably have another mate. His second chance, mate. Did he


    meet her?


    If he did, would you stop kissing her, River? one side of my mind asked.


    Images of the alpha king''s soft lips shed in my eyes which made me shut them. That was all in the


    past. I must never recall those things, or we will be awkward with each other. If that happened, I


    could not serve him properly.


    So you''re putting aside your goal of gaining power? A part of my mind said.


    I did not know anymore. Everything was chaotic. The alpha king made me vulnerable. And that was a


    bad thing for me.


    "Why are you outside, woman? Why are you wearing His Majesty''s shirt?"


    I jumped at the new voice and saw it was none other than Delta Isagani. His expression was the


    saddest face I could ever see. If he was not angry, he was miserable. There were cuts on some parts


    of his hands as he dragged his feet toward me.


    What happened to him?


    Don''t ask. It''s not your business.


    Smile, River. Don''t let him see that you are nervous. "He lent it to me when my clothes were ripped


    apart because¡­a servant ripped it."


    He cocked an eyebrow, using his suspicious eyes staring back at me. "And why?"


    "It was nothing."


    "Why were you inside?"


    ¡°The alpha king and I were done kissing.¡±


    He cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Kissing? Did you kiss the alpha king? Why?¡±


    I felt my cheeks flush red.


    ¡°I-I mean talking,¡± I stammered. ¡°I never said we were kissing earlier. Why would we kiss when he is


    already betrothed to Lady Juliana?¡±


    Guilty much, River?


    "It would be better if you will seduce the alpha king," he said under his breath.


    "What?"


    He gave me a pointed look. ¡°I heard you said you kissed him.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡± I shrugged, hiding my nervousness. ¡°Well, a slip of my tongue, Delta Isagani. So¡­why are you


    here, Delta Isagani?¡± I asked, changing the topic. "And why did it seem like you had a brawl with a


    bear?"


    Instead of answering my question, he queried, ¡°Is the alpha king inside?¡±


    Wanting to stop the conversation, I answered, ¡°Yes, Delta Isagani. He is inside. You can enter now.¡±


    ¡°Did he already tell you?¡±


    My brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°What will he tell me?¡±


    ¡°Lady Juliana already went back to her manor, and she will be back again. I wonder what made her


    furious? Perhaps you know something, River.¡±


    Raising my brow, I asked, ¡°Why would I know something? I did not know what had happened to her. If


    someone knows the answer, it is the alpha king. They were the ones who had a conversation before


    Lady Juliana went home.¡±


    Delta Isagani sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to be irritated at anyone. It will only stress her.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t control her emotions, okay? Let her be mad.¡±


    ¡°I love her. And I will do anything that will make her stayfortable. I want to see her smile whenever


    shees here, even if I am not the reason behind it. I loved her so much that seeing her hurt would


    make me die.¡±


    I shook my head.


    A one-sided love will never persevere unless the other person returns it. However, Delta Isagani will


    never understand it.


    Stepping aside, I said, ¡°Please talk to the alpha king now, Delta Isagani. It¡¯s pointless talking about any


    suggestions if you are already done listening.¡±


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


    The dawn was nearly breaking, but the alpha king had not yet entered the chamber. It was already


    three o¡¯clock.


    No matter how much I wanted to make it disappear, my worry for him remained. I was only on the


    balcony for nearly three hours, silently waiting for him. But everything was futile. I only entered the


    chamber when the cold started to sip inside my bare skin.


    Where could he be? After what happened in his office, I never saw him again. As if he was avoiding


    me. I tried to look for him, to tell him it was time for his dinner, but the twins said that he went outside,


    bringing his horse with him, followed by Delta Isagani.


    I wondered what the two had talked about. Perhaps about Lady Juliana?


    Probably.


    I was in the middle of my thoughts when the door opened, and the alpha king''s silhouette entered. I


    pretended to sleep and observed him.


    The alpha king smelled of dried blood. His blood? Or from his people? And he also smelt of dirt. But


    never a trace of a female scent.


    His footsteps were light as a feather as if he was afraid he would wake me. We usually turn off the light


    when we sleep, ensuring ample space between us.


    He stopped in front of me, sighed, and heard the rustling of his clothes.


    I never experienced the alpha king taking advantage of me despite our sleeping side by side.


    Where had he gone to, and why did he only return this time? Was there an emergency? Did he go after


    Lady Juliana?


    I''ve been dying to know what had happened. However, if he found out I was not yet asleep, he would


    think I was waiting for him.


    The alpha king grabbed the nket and tossed it over my body, covering my exposed legs up to my


    chin.


    "You''ll get sick if you don''t put a nket around your body."


    My heart warmed at his gesture¡ªsuch kindness, which I had never received back in my pack. I was


    always left cold when forced to be punished in the dungeon.


    "Even in your sleeping form, you''re always seducing me, River," he muttered under his breath before


    he jumped into the bed next to mine.


    The bed dipped, taking all our weight.


    Was I seducing him? I never did, except earlier¡ªmy first tant attempt. But I failed. Perhaps next


    time, I should do it better.


    The alpha king faced me, feeling his breath against my face. Damn it.


    I was not an expert when it came to pretending to sleep.


    He brushed my hair using his fingertips. It seemed like he liked the curls on my hair.


    He drew a long sigh as if carrying all the world''s problems.


    Why did it seem like I wanted to console him?


    No.


    This was the alpha king''s most open side. I should let him do whatever he does.


    His hands retreated, and I suddenly missed his fingertips on my skin.


    Are you a fool? Why would you even think that?


    He sighed again. And it was already irritating to my ears. Faking a movement, I tossed, moaned,


    popped one eye, and stared at his eyes beneath the darkness.


    "Your Majesty," I whispered, making my voice hoarse as if I had just awakened. "You''re here." I


    attempted to get up, but he stopped me.


    He looked at me hard. My heart raced uncontrobly. Why did he have to make it more ufortable?


    However, he was acting as if the kiss never happened between us.


    Why would I be surprised? He told me to pretend it didn''t happen. So I should also do the same. Right.


    That was what I should do.


    "Don''t bother yourself, River. You can go to sleep."


    If only that were easy. I''ve been tossing on my bed now and then, but sleep failed to capture me.


    "Where have you been, Your Majesty?"


    "From the borders of the territory. Delta Isagani said the rogues attacked Lady Juliana''s carriage."


    A gasp escaped my lips. Even if that noble was a bitch, I did not want anything to happen to her. That


    exined his state earlier.


    "That''s terrible, Your Majesty. Are they okay?"


    "They are. Thankfully I asked Delta Isagani to escort them. The rogues are getting on edge. A visit is a


    must."


    "Visit? Like you will go to their territory?"


    "I will."


    I sat up, and he followed. "Let me apany you, Your Majesty."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s too dangerous, River. Stay here."


    "But I am your personal servant. I should be there wherever you are, Your Majesty!"


    "I want you alive. Not dead. So you stay here, River. I will be at ease if you are near the pce.


    Besides¡­I want you to make preparations. We will visit your pack and meet Alpha Erik and his father


    ¡ªAlpha Wade."

 47. What If?

    47. What If?


    I stared at the alpha king in disbelief as my mind tried to digest the words he uttered. ¡°It is sudden, I


    know. But a must. You have a week to prepare yourself, River.¡±


    I stumbled back into bed. A week. It was not even enough for me to prepare myself. Too soon.


    ¡°Alpha Wade wanted your presence. He wanted to see if you are doing good in the pce or not.¡±


    The air around us seemed scant and I gasped for more. My eyes watered as I pounded my chest, for


    easier breathing.


    The alpha king¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Who would be okay after hearing his announcement? My mind refused to believe it. I wanted to run


    and hide until the day the alpha king went back to Haverstone Pack.


    Oh, gawd. I think I¡¯m gonna throw up. ¡°But why do we have to go back there? I don¡¯t want to!¡± I cried. ¡°I


    will go anywhere, Your Majesty, but not to my pack. You are punishing me, right? This is the


    punishment for lying to you about Sir Elijah.¡±


    I jumped out of bed and paced back and forth. Impossible. I was okay at the pce. So why was there


    a need to go there?


    ¡°Punishment? That already slipped into my mind, River. The truth is, Alpha Wade, invited me to his


    birthday party.¡±


    It was customary for the alpha to invite the alpha king to every celebration¡ªespecially the Mating


    Ceremony. And it would be up to the alpha king if he would ept the invitation or not.


    ¡°Can I stay here, Your Majesty?¡± Going back brought back painful memories, and I did not want to


    remember them anymore. Plus, the journey was a bit tiring.


    ¡°Why would you? You are my personal servant. You go wherever you go as long as I want it. Maybe


    you still like that bastard?¡±


    Bastard? ¡°Alpha Erik?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Does that bastard still have an effect on you, River?¡±


    I looked away. ¡°He does.¡± Hatred. That was the only emotion his name brought me. But as to his


    father¡­it was fear.


    The alpha king inhaled sharply. ¡°Do you love him, River? Do you like the man who rejected you


    because you are an omega?¡±


    I clenched my fist and met his eyes. ¡°I loathed him, Your Majesty. I wanted to hurt him so he would also


    feel what I felt when he rejected me. I had been waiting for my mate my whole time, but when I met


    him, he rejected me without giving me a chance! That¡¯s why I don¡¯t understand why you must bring me


    with you.¡±


    ¡°You. Are. My. Servant. You wille with me whether you want it or not. That¡¯s not for you to decide,


    River. You will go with me.¡±


    Right. I forgot about it.


    Alpha Wade and Alpha King Maxxwell had huge differences. The former was the most ruthless of all.


    Just imagining him brought nothing shivers to my spine. Alpha King Maxxwell was confusing most of


    the time.


    Sensing I will never seed in changing his decision, I said, ¡°How long will we stay there, Your


    Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Roughly two to three days. It depends. We will also discuss something important.¡±


    Two to three days of misery. ¡°I-I understood.¡±


    ¡°Bring some clothes with you, River. Something presentable that would make them look at you twice to


    verify if it is you they are looking for or not.¡±


    ¡°But Your Majesty...¡±


    ¡°I will ask Alpha Wade about your parents.¡±


    I froze and looked at him in disbelief. ¡°My parents?¡±


    ¡°I am grabbing this opportunity to ask him about your parents. You always said that I was not doing the


    end of the bargain. My informant said that he was the one who saw you floating in the river and gave


    you the name himself.¡±


    I did not know about that. No. I never knew anything about my past or the woman who nursed me. All I


    remembered were the hardships I encountered in my childhood and how his son bullied me after


    seeing what his father did to me.


    That coward.


    On the other hand, this would be an excellent opportunity to meet Alpha Erik again. Was he mated by


    now? Was he having the best time of his life now that he rejected me?


    ¡°Is that enough reason for you to join me?¡±


    ¡°Will that alpha answer your queries, Your Majesty? Alpha Wade is known to rarely acknowledge any


    authorities. He believed he was the king and that the werewolfmunity would bow down in front of


    him. That dream did not die even if he stepped down from his position and gave it to Alpha Erik. Now,


    his son will carry out his dream of leading all the werewolves. And who knows? They might carry out a


    rebellion against the kingdom and join the rogues. That¡¯s only my theory, Your Majesty.¡±


    I heard the rooster crowing in the distance. From the balcony, the light dispersed.


    ¡°I would like him to give it a try in seizing the throne.¡±


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


    After our talk, that night, the alpha king and I rarely met. I volunteered to go with him, but he rejected


    my offer, telling me it was better for me to stay inside the pce. The more the days progressed, it felt


    like I was not a ve, but a guest. Rumors said I was the alpha king''s favorite pet. His dog. Some


    servants were already envious of the king¡¯s favor, but I still did not achieve my goal.


    In addition, my secret meeting with Elijah continued, and after five times of discussions, I was able to


    recognize the alphabet. I also know how to write my name. Another more meet-up and I can now read


    a single word.


    ¡°Why are you sighing, River?¡± Elijah asked. ¡°You¡¯re holding the pen, but you are not writing anything.


    What¡¯s the matter? Do you want to rest?¡±


    My thoughts dispersed and focused on him. Both of his feet were on the table while his hands were at


    the back of his hands.


    ¡°Are you worried about the alpha king?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°You are. I can see it in your eyes. You are thinking about him, right?¡±


    ¡°It does not matter, Sir Elijah.¡± I arranged the books and pencils and set them aside. ¡°I think that is all


    for today. My mind can¡¯t focus, Sir Elijah. I am sorry.¡±


    Lifting his feet and putting them on the ground, he faced me. ¡°It¡¯s normal to worry for his safety. Histe


    personal ve nearly died of worry when he went three days missing.¡±


    ¡°You are talking about Zenith. The love of his life. His mate.¡±


    His brows furrowed. ¡°You knew?¡±


    ¡°A guess. Most of the time, werewolves usually fell in love with their mates except for some


    circumstances. However, the alpha king was picky when choosing the woman he would love. So he


    would love his mate. However, she died.¡±


    ¡°Fell off the cliff. Her body was never recovered.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps she is still alive, hiding somewhere safe where nobody could harm her.


    ¡°Or maybe she is indeed dead. There are no traces of her, and His Majesty cannot reach her using


    their bond.¡±


    I turned the chair in his direction while stopping my hair from blocking my sight. ¡°Why did she fall off the


    cliff?¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Someone wanted her dead, River.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Elijah shrugged his shoulders and stood. ¡°I talked too much. The alpha king will be disappointed in me


    when he finds out I¡¯ve been spouting nonsense.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not nonsense. Tell me, Sir Elijah. Why did they want her dead if she is the alpha king¡¯s Luna?¡±


    His lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°What do you think, River? A union between the alpha king and a


    servant is uneptable. The alpha king may ept an enved person as his Luna, but never the


    nobles around the alpha king. They said they asked someone to kill Zenith. The alpha king had already


    saved her from death several times, but they failed. Until one night, it was raining hard, and a warrior


    came running telling the alpha king that the rogues had infiltrated the pce.¡±


    ¡°But it was a diversionary tactic that would make the alpha king leave Zenith¡¯s side.¡±


    Elijah winked at me. ¡°Bingo. You were right about that.¡±


    ¡°After finding out that the enemies were not there, he rushed to his chamber only to find out that Zenith


    was no longer there?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Alpha King Maxxwell searched for her and saw with his own eyes how she fell into the cliff.


    However, even if he saw her, until now, he refused to believe that she died.¡±


    ¡°What if she isn¡¯t dead?¡±


    ¡°What if she is dead?¡±

 48. Leah

    48. Leah


    I sighed in the end. No matter how much we debated whether Zenith was alive, no one could verify it.


    The hopeless romantic alpha king was still searching for her. And if he found her, what would happen to


    me? She was his personal servant in the first ce. Would the woman allow it if I continued serving the


    alpha king? Or will she get jealous about it?


    You are thinking about that when you are not sure if she is alive?


    I wish she were dead.


    I stiffened at my train of thought.


    Now, now. Where did that evil thoughtse from? I may be a liar, but I did not wish for someone to


    die. The idea was noting from me. Alright?


    Zenith was the only one who knew if she was alive or not.


    "If she is alive, will the other nobles ept her now?" If they won''t, will the alpha king release a decree


    about that? "Such a headache, right? It''s not our business to pry into Alpha King''s Maxxwell private


    life."


    He gave me a half-shrug. "It isn''t, River. We are nothing but His Majesty''s followers. The best thing we


    could do is support him." Support his happiness with Zenith? Why did it bring tiny prickles of pain to my


    heart? Foolishness. That''s what it was. The kiss we shared was the reason for that¡ª causing me


    confusion.


    "You are so curious about Zenith that you do not remember Alpha King Maxxwell ordering his people


    not to talk about her. We will be punished if the alpha king knows about this."


    I drew a couple of breaths and released it. The magnificent scenery straight ahead did not do a fine job


    of soothing my heart.


    "Is he still looking for her?" I mumbled.


    "I have no idea. He is usually out of the pce to check the borders. ording to the beta and delta.


    Who knows, it might also be his chance to look for the woman."


    "Just like now," I continued.


    Elijah nodded. "I wanted him to get tired of searching for her so that he could move on and find his


    second-chance mate. All of us wanted a Luna. A queen who will bring happiness in his eyes."


    I fell into deep thought.


    I wanted to go after him and see if he was searching for Zenith.


    "Let it go, River."


    "What?"


    "Let''s give her peace."


    "My mind won''t stop thinking about her."


    "Perhaps it''s your jealousy talking. You like the alpha king. Please don''t deny it. Most of the women like


    him to begin with. He was full of charisma. Plus, he is the alpha king. Women want to rule beside him.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    They want everything he can offer. Most of the time wanted him to impregnate them and bear him a


    child so that they would be a concubine."


    I pressed my lips into a thin line. Lies. I did not like the alpha king. I only wanted the power he owned,


    and I used it for myself, to my advantage.


    Elijah clicked his tongue. "So much for that. Why don''t you join me in buying something, River?"


    Momentarily letting go of that woman, I scratched my brows. "Where could that be, Sir Elijah?"


    "The marketce."


    The marketce. It was said that the ce offered a lot of fine goods for the customers.


    "But....what if the alpha king will look for me?"


    He chuckled. "River. When did you start considering His Majesty''s feelings?"


    I sighed. Sometimes, I forget to consider the repercussions of my actions and follow what I want to do.


    "Okay. Led the way, Sir Elijah. Maybe he will arrive in the evening."


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


    Elijah brought me to the Great Stable of the Pce, showing me the horses His Majesty owned. All I


    could do was watch in awe as we waited for the servant who would bring us the horse. And after a


    couple of minutes, the servant brought a white saddle horse.


    "The saddle horses are perfectly trained for hunting and war, River. Some are given as gifts for the


    alpha king, and some were bought from the neighboring kingdoms," Elijah exined, his eyes twinkling


    as he looked at the approaching horse. "There are also mounts and coach horses. We have seen the


    vehicles earlier."


    Yeah. I saw the sleds and gonds on standby. There were also equestrians around the courtyard.


    More or less, all the workers here were a thousand.


    "We are riding on a horse?" I asked a couple of times. It stood a little higher than me, and at first sight, I


    fell in love with its white color, which reminded me of the clouds I had seen earlier.


    My hands were itching to touch their glorious body, but I stopped myself. Horses choose people.


    A servant held the reins on the horse''s right side to keep it still while the prince checked the horse.


    As I observed them, they looked like couples who just saw each other. Elijah held both sides of the


    horse''s cheeks while the horse rested its forehead on Elijah. What a sweet couple.


    As if the horse knew I was looking at it, its nostrils elongated, and its ears were slightly aback.


    "Hey. Easy there. River is our friend, Leah," Elijah said whileughing. "I brought her here so the two of


    you would meet each other."


    I stepped forward, but the horse shook its head.


    "What''s the matter, Sir Elijah? Does the horse not like me?"


    "She will ept you. She''s just slightly annoyed right now. But no worries. She follows and listens to


    me. Right, my Leah?"


    Oh, great. Even the horse did not like me at first sight.


    "If that''s the case, perhaps we will choose another one?" I suggested, which earned me a re from


    Leah. This horse was acting like Nora, I told my mind.


    The horse put her head on Elijah''s hand.


    Looking at the fine horse, he announced, "The marketce ce is a little far from here, River. And


    besides, I also wanted to show you some of the best ces in the pce. You haven''t toured around


    the ce, right?"


    I yed with my hand. I had not. The only ce I had gone so far was the alpha king''s chamber, the


    dungeon, and the West Wing.


    "Sir Elijah...why would you want me to tour around?" I asked, hesitant. "I am a ve. The others would


    think you are ying favorites. They may get mad at me. We can go directly to the marketce, Sir


    Elijah. We can walk. Or you can ride while I walk."


    He beamed and said, "You are my favorite of all, River," he answered casually. "Walking will only tire


    you. After a few hours of studying, you need a break."


    My heart thumped at his deration. Was I his favorite? Why? The nobles rarely like me. I did not know


    why. At Haverstone Pack, I was always on the best of my behavior for them to like me. So that I would


    receive less punishment, but...I always failed to grab their attention. But now, when I no longer wanted


    it, Elijah was giving his attention to me.


    I did not want to think that he liked me. Out of the equation. He said then that he was only interested in


    the woman tattooed on his back.


    My gaze shifted back to the male servant beside him, but his eyes were focused on the horse.


    "You tter me so much, Sir Elijah. Careful, or I may believe it."


    "Elijah, River. Call me by that name. I insist. You made me look like I am the oldest male here."


    I gulped when my heart jumped again.


    Stupid heart. Why would I feel this way toward the prince? He had done nothing but kindness. I should


    never mix it with anything.


    "''Cause you are," I answered back.


    Elijah''s eyes widened. "I''m only in my thirties."


    "Sounds old to me," I responded. "Let''s do it, Elijah. I want to know what this pce could offer."


    "You''re ordering a noble, River," he teased. An enved person ordering a noble was prohibited, but it


    seemed like Elijah was not the type to follow thew usually. Especially when ites to Zenith, he


    became unusually chatty if the topic of the conversation was about that woman. Besides, I was at


    peace at his side. It made me feel as if I was a free woman.


    Elijah patted the body of the horse. "Let''s show River how wonderful the pce is, Leah," he whispered


    and mounted the horse as fast as lightning.


    My mouth formed an o.


    Excitement rushed through me. It had been one of my dreams to ride a horse, but the situation did not


    permit it.


    Elijah offered his hand toward me. And damn. He emitted the prince''s aura. He looked like a real ce


    as he held the reins in his hand while his foot was on the stirrup. "Here. Grab my hand, River."


    I looked at his hand. This man was the friendly type without even thinking that a woman would easily


    fall in love with him because of that. And damn it. I didn''t particrly appreciate how my heart beat


    faster around him.


    "Scared?" he teased when I did not move.


    "Riding a horse is a piece of cake, Elijah," I lied. Without wasting any more time, I grabbed his hand,


    felt his calloused hand, and instantly sat back at his back.


    When I was on the horse''s back, Leah neighed and raised her feet as if she was throwing a tantrum.


    She was suddenly moving unnecessarily, and as a result, I wrapped my arms around Elijah''s waist,


    afraid that I would fall on the ground.


    "Perhaps she doesn''t want me to ride her, Elijah?" I asked with hesitation. "She may throw me in the


    middle of the road. I don''t want to die yet."


    The servant stepped back and watched the two of us.


    Elijah chuckled while trying his best to appease Leah.


    "Leah can sometimes be possessive of me and doesn''t want any females riding her when I am with


    her," he answered casually. "But she will get used to your presence, River."


    As much as I wanted to step back, I could not.


    Was I riding a jealous horse?


    "Just let me step down, Elijah. I changed my mind. I can walk on my own."


    The horse neighed, swished her tail, and lifted her hind look.


    Oh, great. Everything showed signs that Leah was angry with me riding with Elijah.


    "Elijah!" I eximed when the horse suddenly ran without her master''smands.


    "Take it easy, Leah!" Elijahmanded. But from my point of view, she was not listening to her lover


    boy. She wanted me dead.

 49. Zenith and River

    49. Zenith and River


    "Elijah! Please tell your horse to stop!" J screamed at the top of my lungs, which he only answered with


    I couldn''t fathom opening my eyes because if I did, I would only get more scared.


    "Rx, River. We got you."


    "No! Your horse wanted me dead!" I answered, still wrapping my arms around his waist.


    The air blew my hair, and some strands pped my cheeks hard, but I could not even collect the


    strands! Everything was difficult. One single move, and I may fall off.


    Damn it! I wanted this journey to end!


    If only I knew Leah would hate me, I would never join Elijah.


    "She''s only ying, River."


    ying? It seemed like it was not the case for me.


    Leah liked being petted by Elijah. She ran faster whenever the man praised her. What was more


    irritating was that Elijah seemed not to mind that I nearly had a heart attack while riding behind him.


    "Elijah!"


    "We are nearly there," he answered. "Close your eyes if you can''t handle the pace."


    And I did.


    The rest of the journey was mind-blowing! My heart seemed to throw out from my ribcage when Leah


    ran faster than lightning. And the only one who was happy throughout the trip was Elijah, who kept


    Leah suddenly halted.


    Still closing my eyes, my hold on Elijah''s waist tightened even more.


    "Good girl, Leah. You never failed me."


    Good girl? There was nothing good about this horse! She wanted me to die because she was freaking


    jealous I was riding with her master! Leah''s possessiveness was worse than a freaking werewolf!


    "You can open your eyes now, River. We are finally at the Garden Pce."


    "I thought I was gonna die, Elijah," I whispered. I felt my body tremble.


    Lesson learned. Never ride with Elijah if he was riding Leah. They will be the cause of my early death.


    He chuckled. "Forgive my baby. Sometimes she had another way of showing fun. Open your eyes now.


    And see the beauty in front of you."


    Left with no choice, I opened my eyes and gasped when a golden boat structure shed in front of my


    eyes. It turned out we were standing in the middle of the bridge and below us were colorful boats


    paddled by men who carried passengers.


    Unwrapping my hands, I looked around, and my eyes went around. Everything was beautiful.


    Magnificent. Fantastic.


    To my left side was the marketce busy with buzzing people, while on my right stood the golden boat


    and on top was a house. Thetter had ss windows, while the golden ship (which I did not know if it


    was made with real gold) had wheels on both sides as if it was a real boat.


    I nced down. The crystal clear water showed our reflection with the three of us and the clear skies.


    "It''s beautiful, Elijah. We never have ake at Haverstone Pack." Only forest. Unending.


    Elijah beamed at me, his other hand holding Leah''s rein. My near-death experience was forgotten and


    reced by this gorgeous view in front of me.


    "The alpha king was the one who ordered the people to build the different structures you see here,


    River. All of this is his legacy. When he seized the throne, the kingdom flourished. Business boomed.


    The kingdom opened to the neighboring kingdoms for trade. The people are happy. Contented and


    wanted prosperity to continue. But their jealousy also drove the alpha king''s mate to her death."


    The smile was suddenly wiped away from my face.


    "Everything had Zenith''s memories." Jealousy scattered in my heart. If the alpha king had epted an


    enved person as his mate, why can''t the alpha do the same?


    Not sensing what I was feeling, Elijah continued. He pointed at the boat.


    "That golden boat structure there? That''s one of the famous attractions in the kingdom. Nobles keep


    visiting that ce. It was built in memory of the woman. The alpha king also loved this ce before.


    Both rode the boat during nighttime and savored the serenity of the ce. Others saw them cuddling


    each other while someone rowed the boat."


    "The alpha king truly loved her even if she was a ve?" I asked, half-believing it.


    "Their huge difference in status never bothered him at all. He epted the woman for who she was


    and fought for his love for her."


    How lucky Zenith was. My view of the alpha king was slowly changing as moments passed.


    It would be better if I were his mate.


    I halted at my train of thought.


    Where did ite from? Pathetic. If we were mates, I would only beg for his love since the alpha king


    still loved that woman. I did not want to plead for something which should be freely given to me.


    Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I said, "Let''s not talk about her for now."


    Elijah scowled. "That''s a first, River."


    The more I got to know the alpha king and Zenith''s love for each other and how and to what extent the


    alpha king loved her, it felt like a million needles stabbed my heart. I did not understand why it was


    happening and why I was feeling that way.


    "Nothing. We have been talking about her. I just wanted to savor this day by choosing her as our topic.


    Why don''t we have fun while we tour around?"


    "That''s exactly the point of why we came here, River. Come. Let''s go to the marketce."


    The marketce was busy as usual. Different goods were disyed at the various tables. Some stores


    were also open.


    "They are staring at you, Elijah."


    His eyebrows furrowed. "They did? Perhaps it is because of Leah. She''s a cutie."


    It was not because of the horse but because of his look. He looked regal, like a prince making his


    rounds to his territory.


    We stumbled upon nobles with their servants tailing behind them, and their eyes were glued on the


    prince. The horse seemed to know people were looking in their direction, and it even stood proudly as


    ever while it continued to re at me whenever our eyes met.


    "Do you want to buy anything, River? You can choose anything you like."


    If there were something I would like, that would be the herbal medicines disyed. That would be an


    excellent help for healing a sick person or for the alpha king himself, but since I always kept this ability


    a secret, all I could do was stare at the medicines.


    However, I promised myself that I would be back and buy it.


    "I don''t have any money with me, Elijah." And if I had, I won''t buy anything since it was my only money.


    The alpha king never gave me anything. However, he did not have to offer since I was his servant. It


    was rare for his master to give something to his ve.


    Elijah clicked his tongue. "I''ll buy you something, then."


    I stopped and stared at him in disbelief. "What? You don''t have to!"


    "Of course, I can. Consider this a gift from me."


    "But, Elijah¡ª"


    My words died when he grabbed my hand and gave Leah''s rein to the awaiting servant of the store and


    entered. It turned out it was a jewelry store.


    A middle-aged woman happily greeted Elijah. Here, only a few customers were inside. And from the


    way they dressed, they were nobles.


    I looked down, not wanting to see their eyes.


    "Sir Elijah! It''s a pleasure to have you here!" the store owner greeted.


    "Nah. It''s my pleasure to visit your store, Lady Aurora. I came here to give something to the person I


    am with."


    Lady Aurora''s face was bright if she was facing the nobles but narrowed when her eyes darted to


    ves like me. Just like now.


    "How kind of you to give a gift to your ve, Sir Elijah."


    Elijah nced at me. "River? She''s not my ve. She works for the alpha king. She is his personal


    ve."


    Lady Aurora covered her mouth, and the other nobles did as well. They whispered among themselves.


    I was sure it was nothing but gossip about me.


    "The alpha king? His Majesty? Is she the one they call Dog ve?"


    I stiffened upon hearing that nickname.


    Dog ve? Who told them about that nickname?


    I thought I had already buried that name when I came with the alpha king in his pce. So why would


    they still dig into my past?


    Nobles were truly scary. They would do whatever they could to humiliate someone by using their


    horrible past.


    "Dog ve?" Elijah asked.


    I darted my gaze, not wanting to see his taunting face. I was sure he would ridicule me just like my


    packmates did. Calling me more horrible names.


    I clenched my fist and suddenly wanted to be with Leah even if that horse did not want me. She was a


    betterpanion than these people looking at me with eyes full of judgment.


    "Yes, Sir Elijah. They call that ve Dog ve. Rumors said that if you ordered her to eat dirt, she


    would do it. She would be loyal to you if it were to her advantage, but she will bite you if it is not. Be


    wary of that ve with you, Sir Elijah. She may bite you when you least expect it. Plus, she is a great


    liar and seduced the alpha king."


    Lies. Majority of it except thest statement.


    Thediesughed and hid their smiles behind their colorful fans.


    Elijah stared hard. "Really?"


    "Yes, Sir Elijah. So please don''t trust that ve." Lady Aurora''s mouth lifted.


    A ve was forbidden to defend herself in the presence of a noble. And if a noble did something wrong


    against her, they would apologize to her master instead of her.


    "I think those are only baseless rumors, Lady Aurora. I know her. I know River more than those fake


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    peddlers of fake news. And she is not Dog ve. Her name is River."


    "Remembering the ve''s name is unimportant, Sir Elijah."


    Elijah fell into deep thought.


    "I''m afraid the alpha king will know about the rumors surrounding her."


    Thedies around us nodded.


    "That is definitely what we should do, Sor Elijah. Let''s inform the alpha king about his personal ve."


    "Fine with me, Lady Aurora."


    Lady Aurora smiled brighter than usual.


    "The alpha king will reward us for our generosity, Sir Elijah."


    Elijah nodded. "However, since she is the king''s personal ve, she is also considered the king''s face.


    Anything bad uttered against her is the same as saying those words to the alpha king."


    The store owner paled. The nobledies looked away while Elijah smiled victoriously.


    "My apologies, Sir Elijah. I should never listen to any gossip about that woman. Please tell the alpha


    king I will scold anyone who dared to taint his name using his personal ve."


    "Her name is River. She may be a ve, but her name is important."


    I bit my inner cheeks, moved by what he did for me even if I was not asking him to defend me. Why did


    he continue showing kindness? I did not deserve any of it.


    "Yes. Yes. River. I will remember her name, Sir Elijah."


    "So much for that, Lady Aurora. Let me see what you have there. A ne."


    Seemingly forgotten Elijah''s indirect threat, Lady Aurora beamed and went to her disys and showed


    him all her collection.


    I stepped back. And used the opportunity to go outside. The ce was suffocating me. It made me feel


    how pathetic I was.


    "I-I forgot something, Sir Elijah. Please excuse me." Not waiting for his reply, I stepped back and hit


    something. Hard.


    "Stupid ve! How dare you hurt me! Punish her!"


    And before I could turn and see who was talking, someone kicked both of my knees. Pain exploded.


    Not satisfied, that jerk kicked me on my side, making me fall forward.

 50. Nobody

    50. Nobody


    Hurts too much, my mind said.


    Fudge.


    I clenched my fist, controlling myself not to stand and fight back.


    Not now, River. You have a lot of audiences, which will have a boomerang effect on me.


    I struggled to get back on my feet.


    ¡°That ve deserved to be punished!¡± the woman announced.


    I knew who it was. Lady Juliana. What was she doing here?


    Images of her kissing the alpha king fueled my anger.


    I drew a couple of breaths, urging myself to control my emotions. Anger was not the solution for now.


    "She bumped you, Your Grace, and turned her back at you," Lady Aurora added. "She is a feral dog


    that needs to be put in her rightful ce. Punishment is a must."


    I clicked my tongue. Lady Aurora was getting on my nerves now. The older woman should know when


    to open her mouth and when not to.


    ¡°Ladies! That''s no longer necessary,¡± Elijah interjected. ¡°Another move from your servant, Lady Juliana,


    and I will punish him himself for hurting River.¡±


    ¡°Sir Elijah! That woman started it!¡± Lady Juliana eximed. "She hurt me a while ago."


    Hurt? Surely she was exaggerating it since I was the one who bumped her.


    ¡°Her Grace, River did not see you. I saw it with my two eyes.¡± Elijah was already at my side, helping me


    get back on my feet. I uttered a silent thank you using my eyes which he understood. ¡°You, okay?¡±


    I nodded.


    Damn it.


    We should never havee here. Nobles would steer troubles, forcing their authorities on enved


    people. And if I fought back, the alpha king would know about it, and he would punish me for fighting


    those in power. Or so I thought.


    However, the pain hurt like a bicth. It persisted.


    I pretended to act like I was not hurting, or I would give Lady Juliana the satisfaction of seeing me in


    pain.


    Smiling, I faced her like I wasn¡¯t kicked a while ago. Her servant was right beside her, wearing a smug


    expression on his face. Bastard. Asshole. I will remember his face.


    ¡°My apologies, Your Grace,¡± I forced myself to say.


    Elijah''s expression softened. ¡°River. You do not have to ask for forgiveness. It was not your fault.¡±


    I gave him a small smile. ¡°It was mine, Sir Elijah,¡± I said, lowering my voice and making it sadder. ¡°I was


    not looking. That''s why I bumped into Lady Juliana. If only I had been careful earlier, this scandal would


    never happen in the first ce. I was in a hurry earlier, Your Grace.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed, not even epting what I said¡ªtypical attitude.


    ¡°Why are you here? You should be beside the alpha king, guarding him like crazy. I ordered you to


    watch every single woman that will approach him.¡±


    As if I would do that. Besides, the alpha king only wanted one woman in his life¡ªZenith. If Lady Juliana


    marries the alpha king, she will never have his heart.


    The otherdies whispered against each other while the store owner was back at the corner, smirking


    as if she was having the best time of her life, watching the scene unfold right in front of her store.


    Publicity. That was what she was after. A nobledy fighting and shaming an enved person right


    inside her store, plus the member of the Council in between. The people would talk about this. And


    they will flock to her store.


    ¡°I¡¯m running an errand, Your Grace. That¡¯s why I am here. However, when I return to the pce, I will


    guard the alpha king all my life. No one can approach him without my permission.¡±


    As if. I would never do that.


    Satisfied with my answer, she narrowed her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to hear, Dog Servant.¡±


    Dog Servant.


    The nobles giggled while I went scarlet. She knew.


    Don¡¯t give in to the temptation of fighting back, River, I told my mind.


    So even if I wanted to p her, I just smiled. ¡°I would like to insist that you call me by my name, Your


    Grace.¡±


    Lady Juliana''s lips pressed into a thin line. "You dare to order me? A ve of no breeding?"


    ¡°Your Grace. Don''t get offended, please,¡± Elijah seconded. "It won''t hurt if you call her by her name."


    She raised her hand in an attempt to p me, but I was already done with her and caught her hand.


    She tried to free her hand, but I wouldn''t allow her.


    "Let go! A ve should never touch a noble''s hand except if the other party allowed it."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    I smiled sweetly at her. "And a nobledy should be in her best attitude and note here in a public


    ce causing a scene, Your Grace. The alpha king will know about this. Of how his betrothed was


    causing a scene in a jewelry store, stooping low at the level of his personal ve. Now. If you want to


    disappoint the alpha king, even more, Your Grace," I said and gave her my right cheek. "You can p


    me all you want, Your Grace. Show them how bad you can get. Go on, Your Grace," I taunted.


    Her nostrils red. "If the alpha king knows about this, I will punish you."


    "I''m scared, Your Grace," I said.


    She screamed in frustration and turned her back against us, and stepped outside the store with her


    ve hot on her heels.


    My knees nearly gave out when she was gone. Finally, Lady Juliana excelled in draining my energy.


    She had a knack for that.


    "You okay? Are you hurt elsewhere?" Elijah asked.


    I winced when he touched my side.


    I drew a couple of breaths to manage the pain. "It''s manageable."


    "Do you want to see a pack doctor?"


    I could heal myself. But Elijah did not know about that.


    "No. I can manage. Thank you for asking. Can I wait outside?"


    "You can."


    With that, I hurried outside and stood beside Leah. The horse red at me while swishing her tail


    faster, not wanting me to step closer to her.


    Rolling my eyes, I ensured a safe distance between us before she kicked me.


    I will just wait here for Elijah before I could not stop myself from talking back at thedies.


    If only I was born as a free man¡­then no one would trample my life.


    I was scanning the busy marketce when my eyes darted to someone staring back at me¡ªa man.


    And from the looks of it, he seemed familiar. Like the person, I healed back at the dungeon. Nobody! A


    piece of cloth was covering his hair while he was crossing both arms in front of his chest.


    Before I could stop myself, my feet already went after him.


    Stop, River! He is a rogue!


    I should have listened to that voice, but another part wanted to talk to him.


    The corner of his lips lifted, and he turned his back as if silently urging me toe after him.


    With hurried steps, I went after him while pushing people, trying my best not to lose him. Nobody kept


    ncing at his shoulder as if he wanted to ensure I wasing after him.


    I turned left when he did and strolled into the alleyways of the marketce until I lost sight of him.


    Gasping for breath while putting both of my hands on my knees, I scanned around but was only


    greeted by a dead end. Alone.


    Damn!


    I lost him! Where could he be?


    Someone blew on my ears and said, "Boo."

 51. Tristan

    51. Tristan


    I jumped and shrieked simultaneously while ring at the neer¡ªNobody. Did he lure me into this


    alley for what purpose?


    ¡°Do you want to kill me, huh?¡± I asked while clutching my chest, beating frantically.


    He put his hands in the air as if he was silently surrendering while his eyes twinkled in mischief.


    "Why are you acting as if we are friends, huh?" I asked again.


    From where I was standing, I could still hear the people selling their fabrics and herbal medicines.


    "I am not, River," he answered as if he was pouting.


    Nobody (as he told me) was betterpared to his state before we separated. He looked handsome.


    He is an enemy of the alpha king. Why do you waste your time on him?


    Even if he was the alpha king¡¯s enemy did not mean my enemy also.


    He chuckled, not minding my erratic heartbeat. ¡°Scaredy-cat.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here? You are a rogue. The alpha king is looking for you. After what you did to the


    dungeon.¡±


    "I came by to say my greetings. And to give you this." He pulled out a bundle of herbal medicines. "I


    saw it in the marketce and suddenly remembered you. Then found youing out from that jewelry


    store where nobles frequently entered."


    I licked my lower lips. It was the set of medicine I was looking at earlier, which I wanted to buy but


    stopped myself from doing so.


    "Greetings? Are you my lover?"


    "Lover?" He stifled augh butughed throughout. "That''s a wild imagination you got there, River.


    Come here and get this from me."


    The medicines were calling me. It would be a waste if I did not get it. I could use it whenever I had to


    heal someone. But still¡­he was an enemy of the kingdom. He acted as if he did not kill a lot of


    innocent people.


    I scanned my surroundings. This was the darkest and most secluded part of the marketce. This man


    sure did think before drawing me here.


    "Are you scared I might hurt you?" He smirked. "I may be the viin of your lover''s life, but I won''t hurt


    you. I vow it," he said casually. "Come here, River."


    We were mere meters away from each other. If he wanted to, he could close the distance between us


    and give it to himself. But no. He wanted me to stroll towards him as if he wanted to see if I trusted him


    or not.


    "You don''t want this?" he asked and shook the bundle. "Too bad. I spent a fortune on this one, River.


    Everything here is expensive. It will be a waste if I throw them away."


    I kept my silence.


    Losing his patience, the rogue went to a nearby garbage and was on the brink of throwing the


    medicinal herbs when I strolled towards him and grabbed it away.


    "You shouldn''t throw them. They can save a life," I muttered.


    His expression turned softer and more satisfied. "That''s what I want you to do¡ªsave someone''s life.


    Just like what you did for me and how you healed your lover."


    Howe he knows about me healing the alpha king? No one knew about that. Was there a traitor


    inside the pce?


    ring, I muttered, "No need to bring the past. And who are you referring to? I don''t have a lover."


    He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Who else? ck Heart. He is your lover."


    I gasped and looked at him in disbelief.


    I folded my arms in front of my chest. "Lover? Delusional. I don''t have ns of being an addition to his


    harem. Go away now. I am telling you that because of these herbs you gave me. If the alpha king sees


    you, he will kill you on the spot."


    He pretended to hug himself. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±


    I gritted my teeth. How could this rogue infiltrate the pce, given the tight security?


    ¡°Stop making fun of him. He is the alpha king. The ruler of the kingdom.¡±


    His frown deepened. "Hmmm. I never thought you were now speaking on his behalf. Why? You like him


    that much?¡± He encircled me, observing me while I remained immobile. ¡°Why do you like ck Heart,


    River? He is incapable of loving anyone except his mate. Ah. What was the name of that woman?


    Zenith?¡±


    I stilled and looked at him. ¡°You know Zenith?"


    He shrugged his shoulders. " I saw her."


    "When?"


    "A long time ago. When ck Heart brought her to the forest, something happened between them. You


    already know that something, River."


    A night of passion.


    How¡­romantic.


    "You watched them doing that kind of thing? Have you no shame?" I asked, horrified. "You should have


    left them alone."


    The thought of Zenith and the alpha king sharing a passionate night while the moon hovered over them


    felt like¡­a bite in my chest.


    Why did I feel hurt when I imagined the two of them together? Did I already like the alpha king?


    I inwardly did a mental shake. I refused to like him. Period.


    How about you, River? Haven''t you listened to Elijah and the alpha king''s private moment?


    "It was unintentional. Don''t waste your time lecturing me, woman. I am a rogue, and I am allergic to


    doing proper etiquette," the rogue said, bringing me back to the present.


    "Intentional foot. You want to kill him that time."


    He stopped and leaned closer to me as if he was inspecting me.


    He clicked his tongue. "Now. I remember. You look like that woman. Perhaps that is the reason why he


    is interested in you. Imagine seeing your dead mate''s face after a long time and thinking it was her who


    was raised from the dead."


    "I look like her?"


    I did not know that. The alpha king did not tell me.


    He gave me a pointed look. "Oh. Is that supposed to be a secret of ck Heart? Sorry. I wasn''t


    informed he hid it away from you.¡±


    The alpha king always hides something from me. Even that precious knowledge. Did it also mean that


    whenever he looked at me, he was seeing Zenith?


    Damn it! I refused to be someone''s shadow! Maybe the reason why he quickly epted my proposal


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    was that I resembled her mate¡¯s face.


    Why are you angry, River? Maybe you can use that to your advantage so he can mark you now.


    A smile formed on my way. Let''s see about that.


    I straightened and made my expression nk.


    ¡°Why are you here again, rogue?¡±


    ¡°I told you earlier. You''re not listening. I wanted to see my savior again. I owe you my life, healer. You


    are a great asset to ck Heart. Did he know you can heal?¡± I did not answer. "You should keep it a


    secret. ck Heart will only exploit you."


    I did not have any ns to tell him that.


    I turned my back to him. "Go away. Thank you for the gift."


    He sighed and fixed his clothes. "Tristan. That''s my name. You should know the one who gave you


    those herbs."


    I looked up. "Why did you tell me your name? I might tell the alpha king of your visit. He might ask his


    people to look for you and kill you on sight."


    "You can tell ck Heart. I do not care. I am already inside his pce. I cane and go. But they


    won''t catch me. I''m slippery as a snake."


    I wondered where their entrance was. Asking him about that was futile. He wouldn''t answer me, by the


    way.


    "It will only take a matter of time before the alpha king captures you. If that happens, let''s pretend we


    do not know each other, okay?" I asked, smiling sweetly.


    "What a cunning woman." He turned his back. "We will be seeing each other soon."


    "I hope not. Let''s not see each other. You will be the cause of my death."


    "River!" We both looked to the source of the voice. "River!"


    Tristan curled his lips. "Your master is calling you. Go now."


    "You''re not bossing me around, okay? We are not that close."


    He chuckled. "You amuse me, woman."


    Elijah''s voice was getting closer.


    "Where will you go now, Tristan?"


    The corner of his lips lifted. "Why? Do you want to run away with me? I can do that for you. I owe you


    my life."


    Running away? What a tempting offer. "Sorry, but no thanks. Go now. I don''t want Elijah to know that


    we just talked."


    "He will not know."


    "River!" It was followed by a clippety-clop of a horse''s hooves and, after a while, saw Elijah dragging


    Leah with him.


    Sweat coated his forehead. "Where have you been, woman? I got worried when I did not find you." He


    looked around. "Why are you here? Don''t you know it is dangerous to go alone in the alley? There are


    reports that the rogues sometimes blend into the crowd and kidnap women."


    "I thought I saw a member of Haverstone Pack, but it turned out I was mistaken." I smiled nervously.


    "Maybe they are only rumors, Elijah."


    "They are not. Be wary of them, River. Especially their leader. Tristan. He will get your trust and then


    betray you in the end."


    ¡ª-----------


    After Elijah bought everything he had (which I still did not know), we returned to the pce, still riding


    Leah. Thetter continued trying to throw me off her back. Thankfully, Elijah reprimanded her.


    Elijah got off first and snaked his arms around my waist, and lifted me off as if I weighed nothing.


    He carefully put me on the ground. "Thank you so much, Elijah. I appreciate it."


    "Don''t mention it. It''s my pleasure to help you, River. After all, you are the alpha king''s personal


    attendant."


    I did not know the connection between the two, but I shut my mouth.


    I yed with my hands, undecided on how I would tell him what was running through my mind. But in


    the end, I said, "Thank you for defending me. It was unnecessary, but you still did it."


    He gave me his bright smile, which he usually gave to his women. I was not saying I was already part


    of his harem. "As I said, don''t mention it, River. Oh. Before I forget, I want to give you something."


    He fished out something in his pocket and brought out a ne. Its pendant was decorated with a


    sunflower.


    My brows furrowed in confusion. "What''s the meaning of that, Elijah?"


    "I''m giving this to you. Turn around, River."


    I nced around. We had an audience, and they were whispering.


    Gritting my teeth, I said, "The servants are watching us. They would talk, Elijah. And it will reach the


    alpha king''s ears. He will get furious that I spent my afternoon idling around while he was doing


    something."


    I did not care if they would spread rumors about me, but involving this man was out of the question.


    "Let them talk. And if the alpha king says something, I will tell him I brought you to run some errand."


    He unsped the lock and put the ne around my neck. The cold seemed strange against my


    bare skin. This was the first piece of jewelry I owned and the first time someone gave it to me.


    "Beautiful. It fits you, River. And the message of that ne¡ªbringing happiness to His Majesty after


    her death."


    Zenith''s death?


    Happiness? Impossible. All I gave was headaches to the alpha king.


    I shook my head.


    "You are wrong, Elijah. All I did was bring headaches to Alpha King Maxxwell. He always gets furious,


    and I never saw him smile genuinely. Thanks for giving me this one."


    The gold was heavy, and if the worst-case scenario happened, I could sell it to a dealer and maybe


    start my life in the human world. I wondered how much would I sell it for?


    Elijah beamed at me. "My pleasure."


    Looking away, I felt guilty at the thought of selling this earlier. Damn. Why isn''t this man acting like a


    jerk so that I could hate him?

 52. Plan

    52. n


    But, of course, Elijah was the total opposite of an asshole. It was difficult to hate him. And if he


    continued showing me this kind of luxury, it would be moreplex.


    After a couple seconds, I said, ''''Can I say something, Elijah?'''' I asked while clutching the pendant.


    ''''Yes. You may. Do not hesitate to say what is in your mind, River.''''


    ''''Why are you doing this?''''


    His forehead knotted. "Doing what? I don''t follow you.''''


    I sighed. ''''Why are you being good to me? It''s confusing on my part. Is that because you also see that


    woman in me? If we don''t have the same simrity, will you still treat me like this?''''


    What was the point of not saying it out loud? If he wanted honesty, he should be able to handle my


    question.


    My gaze went back to the servants. They were still looking at us while pretending to sweep the ground.


    "Are we thinking about the same woman?"


    "None other than."


    He fell into deep thought and confessed, ''''I never liked that woman, to begin with. If you resembled her


    attitude, I wouldn''t be approaching you like this.''''


    My ears perked. I smell fishy.


    My brows furrowed. ''''Why? What did she do?'''' I urged.


    Leah licked Elijah''s hand, and the man scratched her neck.


    ''''She nearly kissed me once."


    I felt like I had be deaf.


    "Kissed? Even if she knew she was mated to the alpha king?" I whispered.


    "Let''s not talk about her, alright? I thought you would not be talking about her anymore.''''


    Zenith? Seducing Elijah? Did the alpha king know about that?


    "The alpha king did not know if that is what you are thinking, River." He let out a sigh. "Let''s stop this


    talk before the alpha king knows about it. I''ve been hiding it from him."


    "You should tell him what happened," I advised. Was I that evil? Perhaps I was. "He still could not get


    over his love for Zenith. If you tell him that she had been unfaithful once in their rtionship, he will let


    go of that woman."


    Elijah absentmindedly patted Leah''s neck, and the horse leaned on his touch.


    "Do you think that''s easy? I don''t want to ruin his memories of that woman. I wanted him to think that


    she was the best woman."


    Elijah seemed like he was telling the truth. Moreover, what would he get in return if he lied to me?


    Nothing.


    "Are you sure she was trying to seduce you? Maybe you are wrong, Elijah," I said softly. "You may have


    misunderstood it."


    "Is stripping naked in front of me not seducing, River? Tell me what you call that so that I will know."


    Stripping? I never thought the alpha king''s beloved Zenith could do that.


    Hmm¡­Everything was suddenly bing Interesting. Zenith was not the angel the alpha king had


    known.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "You have a point there. She liked you?"


    He shrugged his shoulders. "Only that woman can tell. Let''s drop the topic about her, woman. It will not


    benefit you at all. Knowing her more will only endanger you. The alpha king will get mad."


    "He will not know."


    He shook his head. "Let it go. Okay? Hurry. Get inside. The alpha king may be waiting for you."


    ---------


    The alpha king was not inside his chamber nor in the pce. I checked him everywhere, but he was


    nowhere to be found. These past few days, he got busier than usual. He also rarely eats and sleeps


    less.


    If he continues doing that, his body will give up. Even with his werewolf ability, he could still get sick.


    And as usual, I couldn''t help but wait for him. Again. It already became my routine, even if I was


    unaware it was bing my habit.


    When the clock struck three o''clock, the door creaked, and the foul scent of blood wafted through the


    air.


    I nearly puked but stopped myself.


    The alpha king''s footsteps were light. Ifst time, I pretended to sleep, this time, I was already at my


    feet, weing him while making sure to fasten my robe.


    His eyes widened and staggered upon finding I was still awake.


    I smiled at him. "Your Majesty. Wee back."


    "Why are you still awake, River?" he asked. "Did you wait for me? You do not have to."


    I lit the candles even if we could still see in the dark.


    "I¡­I can''t sleep if you are still outside, Your Majesty. May I know where you have been?"


    Long silence.


    "Outside," was the answer I only got from him. He staggered again, nearly falling forward, and I was at


    his side.


    "Lean at me, Your Majesty," I instructed.


    I wrapped my arms around his waist while he also did the same.


    I winced when his weight was all over me. Gritting my teeth, I forced my feet to move forward.


    "You can let me go, River. I am heavy."


    Breathed in. Out. "N-no, Your Majesty. I can handle it. This is nothingpared to the hardships back


    at Haverstone Pack."


    "I''m full of blood, River," he whispered. Even his voicecked energy. "I carried the blood of the fallen


    rogues who dared to break the kingdom''s peace. Even now, their fallen bodies and blood are still fresh


    in my memories." He shuddered. "It seemed like I am slowly losing myself," he announced. "If war


    continues, I will lose my humanity."


    "You won''t, Your Majesty," I retorted. I pushed the door of his bathing area and entered. ¡°What do you


    want me to do, Your Majesty, to ease the tension of your muscles? You have a rough day. Fighting


    them drained all your energy.¡± Perhaps I could offer him a massage. Elijah loved it. Maybe he would


    also.


    ¡°I have to do it, River." His voice shook.


    I stopped but continued again. A couple of inches, and we will reach his tub.


    Sweat was already forming on my forehead.


    ¡°Will war solve anything, Your Majesty? Because, for me, it would only shed more blood than ever. I did


    not want for the day toe that the children will be crying for their parent¡¯s death just for the sake of


    fighting an endless war.¡±


    ¡°It cannot be helped.¡±


    I scrunched my nose when the stench of blood became stronger.


    Please do not faint.


    I drew a couple of breaths and tried to act casually. If the alpha king found out my stomach


    somersaulted, he would insist on taking a bath alone. It should not happen.


    I already had a n.


    He had to mark me before we headed back to my pack. I wanted to show them, especially Alpha Erik,


    that someone would ept me despite my lowly status in the pack. I would unt my mark to


    everyone, and I would rejoice at the envy I would see on their faces. They will die of jealousy.


    I did some thinking while the alpha king was absent. I was ready to give myself in exchange for


    marking me.


    We entered his bath and helped him sit while I turned on the tap¡ªlukewarm water. I made sure it was


    warm so he could rx a little bit.


    ¡°If you are done, you can return to your bed, River.¡±


    ¡°I can handle this, Your Majesty. It is the rightful duty of me, your personal attendant.¡±


    ¡°How was your preparation for our trip?¡±


    Using my palm, I tested the temperature of the water. Not too hot or cold. Just perfect.


    ¡°I am already done with the preparations, Your Majesty. If you have anything to add, please tell me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re okay returning to Haverstone Pack now?¡±


    I added some water to fill the tub and faced the alpha king.


    ¡°I cannot run away forever, Your Majesty. Besides, you promised to ask Alpha Wade about what


    happened when he found me at the river.¡± But not before you mark me.


    He nodded. ¡°I did. It will be done. I will not forget about it, River. You can go back now.¡± He waved his


    hand, dismissing me. "Sleep now. It''s already dawn."


    ¡°I will tend to your needs, Your Majesty. That¡¯s the least I can do for you. Please allow me to serve you


    now.¡±


    He stood and strolled towards the tub. He held his hand in the air.


    "If that''s the case, remove my clothes."


    I smirked inwardly. This time, I will make him mark me.

 53. Fire Burning

    53. Fire Burning


    In an instant, I closed the distance between us and put both of my hands on the hemline of the alpha


    king''s hemline of his shirt while painting a smile on my lips.


    Alpha King Maxxwell did not like my smile, and his suspicions grew.


    Oops.


    I wiped my smile.


    Raising his eyebrows, he looked at me using his prating eyes, which I returned with the same


    intensity.


    "You''re nning something, River. Whatever that is, you drop it. I have no time to y with your


    games."


    That was the alpha king. Nothing slipped under his nose.


    I beamed at him, pretending he did not catch me. "I don''t understand what you are talking about, Your


    Majesty. I''m just helping you take a bath. Nothing else."


    He narrowed his gaze at me. "You smiled sweetly, but something''s telling me you have an evil n."


    "Evil? I don''t have evil ns, Your Majesty," I retorted with an innocent look on my face. "May I?" I


    asked before I took off his jacket, followed by his undershirt, and set them aside.


    I stopped when I saw his chest, my brows meeting in a straight line.


    "You''re wounded," I muttered under my breath. Another sh was on his chest. Small. The blood has


    already dried. But I knew it hurt. A lot. That was why he was walking slower than usual. He suffered a


    lot by returning to his chamber, but I did not hear anything from him. "I thought the alpha king was


    invisible," I added. "This hurt a lot, Your Majesty. The pack doctor will do a nice job of healing this."


    Using my fingertips, I traced his wounds and the cuts all over his chest. Surprisingly, he let me. And


    was carefully watching me.


    "One rogue slipped, and before I saw it, he was able to use his knife and cut my skin. Bastard. Isagani


    informed me that a group of rogue bandits could prate the territory, and we went to the location.


    They ambushed us. Fight broke. They lost. Yada. Yada."


    My hand stopped on his nipples. "Where is that rogue, Your Majesty?"


    His eyes glinted. "Dead. Like hisrades," he spat. "They will have their reunion at the Underworld."


    A shiver ran down my spine as images of what might happen shed in my memories. Blood. All I saw


    was endless blood. My head spun, and I asked for the alpha king''s support.


    "You okay? Go back, River. Let me handle this." There was a hint of worry in his voice.


    Not until you mark me, Maxxwell. So you better gather yourself together, River.


    Forgetting the blood, I drew a breath and looked at the alpha king again.


    "I''m okay, Your Majesty. It''s just that I am never fond of the sight of blood. It makes my stomach upset.


    But everything is okay now. I promise."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t overdo yourself."


    "For a ve like me, it seemed you are concerned about my well-being, Your Majesty, which I should


    be doing for you. You are the one who is wounded. Not me."


    "I still wanted you to be useful. If you are no longer benefiting me, I will toss you around as if you are a


    piece of rug, River."


    I clenched my fist on both sides. Fudge.


    Don''t let it affect you. Do not ruin your n.


    "I understand, Your Majesty." Inhaling deeply, I said, "About your wounds, Your Majesty. Do you want


    me to call the pack doctor and ask him to check on you?"


    He shook his head. "The people will only get worried."


    "They will not know, Your Majesty."


    "They will know. The servants will talk. They seemed to know everything happening in the four walls of


    the pce," he said softly.


    So it was up to me again. I will be the one who will heal him during his sleep.


    I did not want him to be weak. He had to be strong. Tristan''s herbal medicine will be put to good use


    now.


    "The servants are all-knowing," I joked. "Nothing slipped them."


    The alpha king bent and attempted to take off his pants. But he grunted. It must have caused him a lot


    of diforts. He did not have the strength to do it.


    I gulped, and before I could think what I was doing, I helped him remove it from his body, including his


    underwear.


    Buck naked, the alpha king faced me while I felt the sudden rise of my body temperature.


    Do not look down there. I repeat. Do not look, or you will regret it.


    "You can go now, River," he said.


    "Why are you always driving me away, Your Majesty? Do I look that bad right now that you want me out


    of your sight?" I asked, pretending to be hurt about it.


    "I want you to sleep now."


    "That''s the least of my concern, Your Majesty. I want to serve you. Let me do it since the past few days,


    I am not doing well."


    He sighed in the end, losing the strength to argue with me. He turned his back, and his scars red


    back at me. Too many scars. It must have hurt a lot.


    Poor, Maxxwell.


    The alpha king stepped on the tub. I quickly averted my gaze when I saw his butt. He was brazen.


    Damn.


    The alpha king moaned when his body hit the warm water. "This is paradise, River. I changed my mind.


    You can stay here."


    Good. That''s what I wanted to hear from him.


    Sensing he was already decent, I faced him and grinned.


    "Do you want me to gather flowers and put them in your bath, Your Majesty? I know a lot of flowers are


    good for the skin. Rosehip is useful for anti-aging and anti-scar."


    The alpha king smiled bitterly. "No amount of rosehip would remove my scars, River."


    He had a point. He carried a lot of battle scars on his body, and it was plenty.


    I could not help but wonder how he could withhold the pain.


    "How about marigold extract for skin healing, Your Majesty? Or sunflowers for skin moisturizer?" And


    speaking of sunflowers, I was reminded of the ne Elijah had given me, carefully tacked on my


    neck.


    Before selling it, I would unt it to my packmates at Haverstone Pack. They will think the alpha king


    adored me even if he did not.


    "I''m all good, River."


    He submerged his whole body in the water and stayed there for quite some time. I thought he would


    never resurface, but he did after roughly two minutes.


    Grabbing his shampoo, I put some ample quantity and, without his permission, put it at the crown of his


    hair.


    "You don''t have to do this."


    I stopped mid-air. "Why, Your Majesty? Don''t you want me to do my job as your attendant and ve? I


    want to do it, Your Majesty. Please allow me. If you do not, I would think you are ying favoritism."


    "I smell fishy around you, River," he said again, which I only answered with a smile.


    "You think too much, Your Majesty. I''m only putting some shampoo in your hair."


    I slightly massaged his scalp, and after a few seconds, bubbles formed. "Tell me whatever you want,


    Your Majesty. I will give it to you."


    "River. You tempt me so much," he said casually. "Do not y with fire if you do not know how to add


    firewood."


    I leaned towards his ears and whispered, "I learned already, Your Majesty. I know how to keep the fire


    burning."

 54. Defeat

    54. Defeat


    The alpha king raised his brow, disbelief in his eyes. "So I am right. You did n something, River. I


    hate to break it to you, but you will not seed."


    It would be a silent battle between us¡ªan ongoing one.


    "I did not say I have ns, Your Majesty."


    I grabbed the bar of soap and asked, "May I?"


    He nodded. With that, I rubbed the soap all over his chest. He remained silent, not saying anything, as I


    continued rubbing the soap.


    Using the bubbles, I scrubbed the dirt and dried blood all over his body. He moaned, savoring the


    "Atst, you finally did your job, River."


    The hemline of my clothes was already wet as some water sshed towards me. "This is my n,


    Your Majesty. To serve you. I want to redeem myself. If you are thinking of other things, you are


    mistaken."


    He opened one of his eyes. "You know what it is. Don''t y dumb with me."


    I chuckled and returned the bar soap. "You never believe what I say, do you, Your Majesty?"


    He leaned his head on the edge of the tub. "You''re not honest. Sometimes."


    "You hurt my ego, Your Majesty. I''m hurt." I put one of my hands on my chest, faking a pout. "You think


    lowly of me."


    "You will do anything to get your goal."


    Well, that hit the spot.


    I bent forward, my chest an inch from his face. The alpha king looked at my bust for a split second


    before he looked at my eyes.


    "I admit I am a goal-getter, Your Majesty. But never a goal digger."


    "That''s why you are offering yourself to me."


    "Am I?" I asked, chuckling. "If I did, would you ept my offer?"


    I purposely licked my lips, and the alpha king watched what I was doing. He shifted on his seat and


    looked away, his breathingbored.


    "Go."


    My heart sank. That was not the answer I was waiting for. Not wanting his reply to dampen my mood, I


    shrugged my shoulders. I must seed now. The right opportunity would be today.


    "Allow me to serve you even now, Your Majesty." Without asking for his approval, I stepped inside the


    tub and faced him. Putting both hands on each side of the tub, I kneeled closer to him, our breaths


    mingling.


    The only thing that we heard was ourbored breathing.


    "What are you doing, River? Are you tempting me again, and then you will run like a scared chicken?"


    he taunted. "I''ve bedded a lot of women in my life. What made you think you could surpass their


    performance? You''re nothing but a child in my eyes with a little experience. You will only get scared at


    the end and run again with your tails behind your leg. Leave now before I can stop myself from


    devouring you."


    I chuckled. "Devour me? That''s a unique choice of words you got there, Your Majesty. I''m permitting


    you to consume me."


    Not breaking any eye contact, he grabbed my hands and put them on his hard member, earning a gasp


    from me.


    "See? That''s how you affect me, River. If you are scared, run. If you want to push through your


    foolishness, I am washing my hands. I warned you a couple of times," he said dangerously.


    The longer my hand stayed down there, the more it sprung to life and became thick under my fingers.


    He rested his forehead on the hollow of my neck, inhaling deeply.


    "I can smell your fear. You should be. Savor that feeling so you will nevermit a mistake when it


    involves giving yourself to me. I have a lot of ves that can pleasure me better than you. I am not a


    saint, River. Run while you still can."


    I gulped as I weighed my options. Will I push it through? Or not?


    He put a distance between us and smirked at me.


    "You remind me of a sheep lost on its way."


    I clenched my fist. He was only testing me to see if I would sumb to my fear or not. However, my


    goal shoulde first.


    Pretending he did not affect me, I said, "You hurt my pride, Your Majesty." The corner of my mouth


    lifted. "Wanna see if I am scared or not?"


    I tried to kiss him, but he looked away. My cheeks flushed, not because of the hot temperature. To say I


    was humiliated was an understatement.


    Back then, he was eagerly responding to my kisses, but now¡­Did he already find me repulsive?


    Surprised, I asked, "Your Majesty? You don''t¡­like me?"


    "You''re not a whore, River. You''re not my whore. Do not force yourself on me."


    "I am offering myself to you, Your Majesty."


    "I did not ask you either. I have Nora and my other sex ves who will warm my bed."


    "Why?"


    "Why what?"


    "Why are you refusing me?"


    "Because you are a child in my eyes."


    A child? My body may look like a child because of my petite frame, but I was no longer a child.


    "I am perfectly an adult, Your Majesty. Thank you very much."


    "Stop. I don''t want to hear anything else. My view of you remains the same. You will only be my


    personal attendant¡ªnothing else. So abandon whatever motive you have right now. You won''t


    seed."


    I stopped.


    "It''s because of Zenith. Does kissing me make you feel as if you are betraying her, Your Majesty?"


    His eyes glinted, and he gritted his teeth while looking at me. "Where did you learn that? Who told you,


    River?"


    The air around us started to get cold. Thankfully, the water was still warm.


    "Who told me is no longer important, Your Majesty. When I want to know something, I will not stop until


    I get to the bottom of that. I was right. Zenith and I looked the same. Does looking at me hurt you, Your


    Majesty? Does it bring painful memories?" I whispered.


    He motioned towards the door. "Out."


    "I won''t until you will tell me."


    He controlled his breathing, and his eyes shed with gold. "How dare you force me. You are nothing


    but a ve. Do you want me to punish you again and put you in the darkest corner of the dungeon


    where no light would reach you, River? I may not always be here inside the pce, but I will give you


    some time to teach you a lesson."


    I was not afraid. I did not know why I felt that.


    "My apologies, Your Majesty. But the more you hide about Zenith made me more curious than ever. I


    was surprised upon learning that you epted her as your mate despite her status as a ve. An


    omega." I turned sideways while sighing.


    I submerged myself in the water and stared straight ahead.


    "Do you know how I felt when I found out she was your mate? I was jealous, Your Majesty. How could


    you ept her without condition while Alpha Erik did not acknowledge me? No matter how much I


    think about it, I did find any answer."


    "Zenith brought sunshine to my gloomy world. But my people saw another thing. They did not want me


    to ept a ve as my Luna. My queen. They fear I would only be aughing stock among my people


    until they drive her to her death."


    Death which means¡­."You believed she died already?"


    "I did. But some part of me also believed she was alive. That''s why I stayed outside every night, looking


    for her. She is alive." His eyes were full of longing for her. He did love her.


    Game over.


    That was the most genuine bond I had seen so far. Pure. Authentic.


    The alpha king was willing to endanger himself as long as he could look for Zenith. I gave up. The


    alpha king would never mark me. As long as his memories of Zenith were still there, he would never


    ept anyone. Not even me.


    It was time for me to move on. I will think of ways to deal with my pack when they do not see my mark.


    They would throw questions or even brand me as a liar.


    Feeling defeated, I stood.


    "Where are you going?"


    "I ept my defeat, Your Majesty. I will no longer force you to mark me. You were right earlier. I had


    some ns. To force you to mark me. But I wanted to respect Zenith''s memories. I will leave you here.


    Enjoy your bath."


    The cold hit my wet body, and I shivered.


    I was on the verge of stepping out of the tub when he grabbed my hand, pulled me into the water, and


    sat in hisp.


    My heart hammered against my chest.


    "What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?"


    He touched my face, angled it towards him, and kissed me as if there was no tomorrow.


    My eyes went round.

 55. The Marking?

    55. The Marking?


    The alpha king is kissing me? What is happening? What is happening? my mind asked in disbelief.


    Why is he kissing me now?


    "Respond to my kisses, River. You want this badly from the start," he muttered when I stayed still like a


    barbecue stick. "And now I am kissing you, and you''re unresponsive dampening desire."


    The alpha king bit my lower lip, making me gasp. Using that opportunity, he slipped his tongue into


    mine, teasing me, promising me what might happen if I let go.


    However, I continued to be unresponsive, trying to decipher his actions and the sudden mood change.


    What the heck? I told him I had epted my defeat and that I''ll start recognizing that he would never


    mark me.


    Still dealing with the confusion, I put both hands around his chest and pushed him away. No matter


    how much I wanted to return his kisses.


    Breathing heavily, I looked at him, dumbfounded. "Why are you kissing me, Your Majesty?"


    The corner of his mouth lifted. "Why? You don''t like it?" he inquired back. "Now that I am kissing, you


    want me to stop? You are fickle-minded, River."


    "Because I epted my defeat that you will never mark me. That you still love Zenith, Your Majesty."


    Now, why did thest statement hurt? It was not like I was starting to like the alpha king, right? No


    freaking way! That was uneptable.


    He put a distance between us and crossed his arms in front of his chest. The cold never bothered him.


    In contrast, I started to feel the frigid temperature inside.


    "Does it mean you''re finally letting go of her memories?" That would be better.


    "River. You really are a child. Even if I still love her, it does not mean I cannot fuck anyone. And that


    includes you. You struggled to tempt me, yet you backed out from your n? You always confuse me,


    River."


    Earlier, I was willing to give myself to him. But when he mentioned that he would fuck anyone, a


    burning pain in my chest resurfaced, and I just wanted to punch him to wipe that irritating expression on


    his face.


    I was nothing but a bed warmer for him.


    "You also confuse me. Tell me, Your Majesty. Do you still like Zenith? Or not?"


    "Like is an understatement. I. Love. Her. For eternity. But here you are. You are attempting to fill the


    void of her absence. Are you willing to be used, River? In return for marking you?"


    What he said was a mistake. I never wanted to fill the presence of a dead woman.


    I stilled and gawked at him. "You will mark me now?"


    He nodded. "You seem desperate enough for that. That''s why I am doing it for you. I pity you."


    Pity.


    My mood turned sour.


    What an irritating word. Despite all the hardships and painful experiences I had, I never wanted to be


    pitied by someone.


    I felt like someone had showered me with a bucket of cold water.


    I sank into the tub and submerged again, shuddering at the cold.


    "Do not pity me, Your Majesty. I don''t like it."


    He raised his eyebrows and looked at me. "You''re offended. If you are, the door is wide open for you to


    go out, River. I don''t want a sensitive woman."


    Get out of this tub? No freaking way! The alpha king already gave his permission. I had already


    reached this far. Backing out was out of the n.


    Shooing away the bitterness of my mood, I smiled at the alpha king.


    Brushing his face with my fingers, I said, "I can handle a little bit of insult right now, Your Majesty. We''ve


    been here for quite some time, and we need to finish our business." With that, I dipped my lips into his


    while I straddled him. "Use me. I can even pretend I am Zenith if you want. In return, give me what I


    want," I whispered.


    My hands traveled to his hair and fisted on it while my other hand was busy touching all the muscles of


    his body.


    I felt his erection on my stomach. It never scares me, but it excites me. Hope resurfaced. I could do


    this. I will seed this morning.


    Leaning closer, I smashed my body against his body, feeling the hardness of his body.


    He grunted when I identally touched his wound. He muttered a curse under his breath while I pulled


    away, smirking.


    "What a crybaby."


    His eyes widened. "You are saying that an alpha king is a crybaby? You are the only person who called


    me that. I am deeply hurt." He was not. He was only teasing me.


    I looked down at his bare chest and saw the different cuts from his past battles. Tracing all of it, I said,


    "Your body is protesting that you''re not taking care of this anymore, Your Majesty. Let me take care of


    you after this."


    "You should be doing that, River. After all, you are my personal attendant. Enough of this talk."


    And he kissed me once more while his other free hand massaged my breast. I arched my brows to give


    her more ess to it. My body felt fire whenever he touched my bare skin, making me moan.


    Everything was too much. The sensation. The effects of his kisses and touch on me. I felt greedy, and I


    wanted more. I loved everything he could offer, even if he did it because of Zenith.


    I was offended and hurt at the same time.


    Pull yourself together, River. Enough of the drama. Your goal is for him to mark you. Not love you nor


    like you. Focus.


    As if he was a baby, I cradled his head while offering my other breast for him to suckle. I groaned the


    moment his sinful mouth tasted it.


    Looking up, he asked, "Do you like this, River?"


    Closing my eyes, I said, "Hmmm. You''re so good at this, Your Majesty. That''s why Nora keeps wanting


    you to take her. Teach me how to pleasure you, Your Majesty."


    "In exchange for marking you? You have no pride willing to be taken and used."


    "I don''t care if all you see right now is Zenith and not my face, Your Majesty. That''s how desperate I


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    am. Take whatever you want in my body, Your Majesty. Everything is yours now. Just mark me," I said


    throatily.


    The feeling of his absence hit me when he abandoned my breast and went to the hollow of my neck.


    Excitement rushed through me when he licked it and blew air.


    I shivered in reply.


    "This is what you wanted from the beginning."


    "You already know about that, Your Majesty, after Alpha Erik abandoned me."


    "You are willing to be used."


    "Because I will also be using you, Your Majesty," I muttered truthfully. I thought he would be furious at


    my statement, but the moment I met his eyes, my heart jumped at the intensity of his gaze.


    "Do you know the repercussions of marking you, River?"


    I brushed his lips and traced its corner. "Power."


    "Power and enemies. Lady Juliana will kill you if she finds out I marked you."


    "I''m not afraid of dying after I meet my parents, Your Majesty. Lady Juliana can try killing me as long as


    she wants."


    "That''s not being brave. That''s foolishness, River.


    "Say whatever you want, Your Majesty. You will not shake me. How about you, Your Majesty? Are you


    willing to suffer Lady Juliana''s wrath? You will betray her, and she may call off the engagement."


    He scoffed. "We are not engaged with each other. It was only her fantasy."


    "You never corrected her?"


    "I can use her family for my benefit." Totally evil.


    "But what happens now after you mark me?"


    "And now you are concerned about me."


    "Not you, personally, but of the pce."


    "You worry too much, River. Let me handle it. I am the alpha king," he said, and before I could react, his


    fangs extended and sank into my skin.

 56. Mated

    56. Mated


    The alpha king''s bite on my shoulder de was burning, and then it was reced by pleasure as if he


    had just prated me. Our minds were suddenly interconnected, feeling each other''s emotions.


    Desire. Passion. I didn''t even know if it wasing from me or not. Everything felt surreal. Then, I saw


    a ck wolf staring back at me and howling. Was it the alpha king¡¯s wolf? The scenery changed, and I


    saw myself with the alpha king. No. It was not me. The woman had no curls on her hair. It was the


    opposite. Zenith? Did I see the shback of the alpha king¡¯s memory?


    I shuddered in his arms while he supported my weight.


    Giving his final touch, the alpha king licked the wound and pulled away.


    "Congrattions, River. Now, you carry my mark and scent for the rest of your life. And like I said,


    aside from power, you will also gain enemies. My enemies, they will be after your life. And I cannot


    protect you at all times. This is the consequence that my mark bearer will face."


    Feeling lightheaded from what I just saw earlier, I answered, "I don''t need protection, Your Majesty. I


    can do that on my own."


    He sighed and flicked my forehead. "Stubborn as always. That will be the cause of your death.¡±


    ¡°Ouch. That hurts, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°You can leave now."


    My mouth gaped open. That was it? I was expecting something more¡­."You will not take me?" I


    managed to ask in the end.


    Smirking, he asked, "Is that how badly you wanted me, River?"


    I yed with my hands. "I thought you wanted my body in exchange."


    "I don''t want to take advantage of you. Go before I can stop myself."


    I did not listen to him. The stubborn side of me wanted to know the reason. "Why did you mark me,


    Your Majesty?"


    "It''s what you want."


    "I don''t believe it. I don''t believe you are treating me as a charity case because I was desperate for


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    your mark."


    He cocked an eyebrow. "You wanted to know the reason?"


    "Yes." Marking someone who was not even your mate was not as easy as that. The beast would fight


    him if I were not his. It would fight him. But during the marking, the wolf never took over him, which


    means...realization hit me hard. Don¡¯t tell me what I was thinking was correct.


    He scoffed. "Now you get it now. Yes, River. You are my second chance mate. Wee to my chaotic


    life. A life of gloomy fools."


    Second chance mate?


    My world spun, not believing everything. That was impossible. How did it happen? I was not even


    aware of that.


    It could be possible since you did not have your wolf to tell you that the alpha king is your mate.


    "You''ve known about this, Your Majesty?" I inquired.


    "Of course. The moment I saw you. The moment I stepped on Haverstone Pack. The moment the


    Mating Ceremony started. Shocking, isn''t it?" he said, full of sarcasm.


    That was why he approved of my demands back then. The reason why he marked me. It also


    exined why I felt hurt at the mention of his woman''s name. Was it because of the bond between us?


    What kind of prank did the Moon Goddess y?


    "What about Zenith?"


    The corner of his lips lifted. "Zenith will continue to be my first mate, and it is her whom I will love,


    River. For the rest of my life. My beast may ept you, but that ends there. As long as I know in my


    heart that Zenith is alive, I cannot ept you. I will not ept you."


    I smiled bitterly. So I would be his spare battery if things went south. If he ever saw Zenith''s remains


    with his own eyes, that was the only time he would look at me.


    How cruel. Too bad. I was not expecting his love. I longed to ept that no one would love me.


    "Reject me, Your Majesty." I was able to recover from Alpha Erik''s rejection. There was no way I could


    not handle the second rejection. ¡°I bear your mark, anyway.¡± It will not disappear unless he marks


    someone again.


    ¡°Reject you?¡± He smiled but did not reach his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not the statement I am waiting for you,


    River. I thought you would be happy and overjoyed upon learning we are mates.¡±


    ¡°As you said, I will also have a lot of enemies. That¡¯s not something to be celebrated.¡±


    "Go now." And he turned his back on me, refusing to talk anymore.


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


    I was the alpha king''s mate. I should rejoice because of that, but all I felt was emptiness. I could not be


    happy knowing he was still waiting for a dead woman.


    My hand went to my neck. Others would see my mark now. And they will be curious. They will gossip


    even more. They will call me a whore.


    However, I still could not stomach going outside and unting my mark.


    The door burst open, and the twins happily danced inside. They froze, sniffed the air, looked at my


    work, and went hurriedly to my side.


    "You are mated!" ra and re said in unison. They sniffed me more. "This cedarwood scent."


    Realization dawned on them. "The alpha king is your mate? River? Why did you not tell us about it?"


    I shrugged my shoulders and went to the balcony. After his bath, the alpha king went outside without


    even informing me where he was headed.


    I was certain he would continue looking for Zenith.


    That woman. I was starting to hate her. Why did she still hold the alpha king''s heart? Well¡­it was not


    like I wanted the alpha king to love me. All I wanted was for him to be free from Zenith''s memories.


    "I only know about it today."


    "Impossible. How could you not know? You''re a werewolf, right?"


    ¡°ra. The alpha king may have masked his scent. He usually did not when he wanted to be


    undetected.¡±


    re had a point. He did that during the Mating Ceremony.


    "Wolfless. No one will say the alpha mate is my mate. Until he told me so."


    The twins covered their mouths. "Why would the alpha king do that? Keeping it a secret from you?


    Finding your significant other¡ªa mate would be the best thing that could ever happen to us.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the alpha king still loved Zenith,¡± re said. ¡°No offense, River. But I am only telling the truth


    now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s terrible. So, River would be begging for the alpha king¡¯s love?¡± ra looked at me teary-eyed.


    ¡°Fight for the alpha king¡¯s love, River. I want you to be the Luna. The queen of this pce.¡±


    ¡°The people will never approve of me,¡± I retorted. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like I am asking for their approval and


    the alpha king¡¯s love anyway.¡± All I wanted was power¡ªnothing else.


    The twins raised their hands. ¡°We will support you. We will not allow that history to repeat itself.¡±


    Sadness shed in their eyes. ¡°We were also the reason why Zenith died, River.¡±

 57. The Twins

    57. The Twin''s


    ra and re rubbed their chins together. They couldn''t look me in the eyes, showing how guilty they


    were for their past sins.


    "What did the two of you do, huh? Why did you say you were also the reason Zenith died? Did the two


    of you push her to her death?"


    Their long silence told me they were not ready to answer, but I wouldn''t say I liked their closed lips. I


    wanted to know more about Zenith.


    "ra! re!" I eximed, grabbing their attention, held them both in their arms, and shook them.


    They gulped.


    "Were you her murderer?"


    Their eyes kept darting back and forth.


    Oh, Moon Goddess. I did not know how I would react if they were indeed murderers. That would be too


    much to handle.


    "Please don''t make me overthink any longer. You''re only making it worse."


    As if they were sharing a mind link, they nodded and faced me.


    "It''s not like that." Gathering courage together, they said, "We also were against their rtionship, just


    like anyone here. We bullied Zenith. We told her hateful things, which resulted in her crying every night.


    Because we believed the alpha king deserved a noblewoman like Lady Juliana, not an enved


    person like her. Like us. River. You know for a fact how difficult it is as a ve. Everyone will trample


    us. But believe us. We did not kill her. Another person nned to kill her that fateful night, driving her to


    the cliff."


    My knees lost their strength, and I sat on the nearest chair.


    Someone finally had the courage to do thest push. Who could that be? Someone who hated her


    most?


    "If you were against them, why are you two good to me? Or are you only lying? Are you pretending to


    like me but will hurt me in the end? Now that you know I am his mate, what will you do now?"


    The two went right in front of me and kneeled. "We already repented our sins, River. Whatever


    happened in the past will not happen again. That''s a vow. We have changed for the better. We carried


    our guilt towards what happened to Zenith every day, and when we saw you two resemble each other,


    we wanted to redeem ourselves and show how sorry we were."


    Their eyes watered as they looked at me, pleading.


    I sighed. "Do you believe she died?"


    They nodded together. "Without a doubt. She fell off a cliff. And that cliff was narrow and steep. No one


    could survive that fall, especially with a human like her."


    "Human?"


    "Zenith is a human. A human enved person. His Majesty found her in a ve auction and brought


    her to the pce. Her being human was also the reason why we did not like her. We needed someone


    who would role longer beside the alpha king. Someone powerful. The human lifespan is only short, so if


    she died earlier than the alpha king, he would be devastated."


    "Do you know the ve auction? Bring me to that ce."


    ve auction was legal in the kingdom. But only operated every twice a month¡ªevery fifteen and


    thirty. I knew about that since Alpha Wade had brought me once and scared me that he would sell me if


    I continued to be a pain in his ass.


    I saw how unfortunate the situation of others was there. The ves waited for someone who would buy


    them, and if no one dared take them, they would be brought somewhere else, where they would be


    forced to work every single day without barely eating anything.


    I knew it was cruel, which was the type of brutality Alpha Wade wanted to show me.


    ra and re looked at each other, sharing the same worried expression.


    "I don''t think that is a good idea, River," re said. "That''s too dangerous."


    I pursed my lips and nced at the door and back to them.


    "Why?"


    "There may be rogues around the corner waiting to kill us. The three of us don''t know how to fight. And


    if the alpha king knew about us going there, he would be furious. He will punish us for endangering


    your life."


    I smiled bitterly. As if the alpha king will worry for my safety. He was busy looking for Zenith, and I


    would be hisst priority. He did not even bother about my safety.


    Damn.


    And why did it sting just thinking of those words, huh? I did not like the alpha king. Period. I was merely


    using him.


    "That will never happen. He may punish us for going out without his permission, but never because you


    put my life at risk. He did not care about me. He never saw me as his mate but as his personal


    attendant only."


    The twins'' expressions softened as if they pitied me.


    "He is still grieving for Zenith''s death, River. Perhaps you can wait for him when he is ready?" re


    suggested.


    "I don''t give a fuck, re. He could love Zenith as long as he wants."


    Begging someone else''s love was not my forte. I long epted that no one would take me for who I


    was after Alpha Erik''s rejection. I did not wee anymore the idea of loving someone or being loved


    by someone.


    "River."


    I held both of their hands. "Could you do it for me?"


    They stood and paced, ring at the floor.


    I crossed my arms in front of my chest, waiting when they were ready.


    "Why will you go there, huh?"


    "To check something?"


    "About Zenith. River? Why are you bing obsessed with her? Can we let her die peacefully? She


    already left this world."


    "I want to check something. I wanted to meet her parents. If they were alive or not." During the ve


    auctions, the ves were usually sold as families if they had their families. I wanted to know if Zenith


    had another lost sibling. What if my birth parents were ves, and they were forced to let me go and


    hide me in the river to keep me safe?


    I knew it was only my hyperactive imagination, but it would be worth checking.


    "Are you thinking you may be siblings?"


    I shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. There is no harm in checking, okay? Fine. If you don''te with


    me, prepare a carriage for me to ride, and I will go there alone."


    They throw me a worried expression.


    In the end, re stepped forward. "I will do that. ra. Ask some avable driver and carriage."


    ra looked at her sister. "But re. The alpha king will kill us for this."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll own the mistake and be responsible for my actions. Just help me have my carriage. I''ll


    be back before the alpha king is here," I dered.


    "We don''t know when he came back."


    "Usually dawn. I am certain because we are sharing a room. So...will you help me?"


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The twins nced at each other and said, "Okay. But you have to be back before dark. From here to


    the pce, the journey would only take two hours. Don''t stay there longer, okay?"


    I nodded.


    "That''s settled then. We will have to prepare the carriage and be backter. But promise that you will


    take care of yourself, River. We don''t want to die in the hands of the alpha king if something bad


    happens to you."


    I scoffed secretly. I doubted the alpha king would do anything if something happened to me.

 58. Grow Some Balls

    58. Grow Some Balls


    After a few minutes, the twins, nearly bathing in their sweat, returned and informed me that the carriage


    was already waiting for me outside.


    "River, do you want to change your mind?" ra and re asked in unison after checking if I had


    forgotten something. Their eyes were still in worry. "You don''t know how dangerous it is to travel alone."


    "I have the coachman," I joked, trying to appease their mind. "Stop fussing for me. I can do it perfectly."


    "But¡­."


    "Nonsense. Why don''t you cover for me, and if the alpha king happens to arrive first and looks for me,


    tell him I am running an errand."


    They looked at each other. "Are you sure about this?"


    With all honesty, I was not that certain if I could pull it off. Going back to the ve auction house


    brought many painful memories not worth keeping, but I still had to go.


    "I''lle back if I will gain nothing from there."


    "Do you know whom to look for, River?"


    "Master Henderson, the one who was supervising the auction house." The man also had all the written


    records of the enved people that had entered there and had been sold.


    "That man will not answer your question if you will not give something in return, River. Here." re


    brought out a bag. "That would be enough to keep him talking. We met him once, and he was the most


    difficult bastard you can encounter in your whole life, River."


    "And an asshole, to be precise. A greedy bastard. Jerk. Fuc¡ª"


    "ra. That''s enough."


    ra held her hands in the air, surrendering, listening to her sister.


    I looked inside the bag, and it was full of bills¡ªpaper and coin bills. With wide eyes, I looked back at


    them.


    "I can''t ept it." I tried to return it to them, but the twins would not ept it.


    "That''s thest thing we could do after not going with you."


    "But this is too much. This seemed like your entire savings."


    "It''s not. We still have something left. Good luck with going there. May you find what you want, River."


    They went to the door and stepped outside, leaving me alone.


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


    After my talk with the twins, I went to the awaiting carriage.


    I was on the brink of stepping inside when Delta Isagani came out of the blue and blocked my path.


    Scowling, I turned to him.


    "Delta Isagani. May I know why you are interrupting me, Delta Isagani?"


    He opened his mouth but closed it and sniffed the air, and without asking for my approval, yanked the


    shawl from my shoulders, exposing my neck.


    His eyes narrowed, looking at where the alpha king had sunk his teeth. "Surprise."


    He tossed the shawl back at me and returned it. I thought I could unt the mark I had, but it was


    already the opposite. I was hiding it away from them! I did not even understand why. Perhaps I was


    also considering what the alpha king had said. That I will gain more enemies?


    "You''re mated?"


    Unfortunately for the alpha king, I wanted to say, but said instead, "Yes."


    "To whom?" Delta Isagani sniffed the air. "And why is the alpha king''s scent all over you? Did the two of


    you have sex?"


    I clicked my tongue. "That would be thest thing that would happen." In the alpha king''s eyes, I was


    nothing but a child. "He won''t even nce at my body even if I strip naked in front of him."


    "Did you force him?"


    "Force? Delta Isagani. Why would I do that when the alpha king can instantly break my bones?" I


    crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Can''t you see? This is his mark."


    He stumbled back, disbelief in his eyes. "How?"


    I gave him a pointed look. I did not know if I would be offended by his reaction or not.


    "I am his second-chance mate. I told you I was rejected once by my mate. The Moon Goddess was


    kind enough to pair me with the alpha king."


    Which was quite the opposite. The alpha king was tooplicated...I didn''t even have the right word to


    describe him.


    He was not buying my statement. It was written all over his face.


    "You have the same mark, just like Zenith. To our eyes, your mark is glowing, silently threatening


    anyone not to mess with you."


    That woman again?


    I clenched my fist. How long will I continue to be Zenith''s shadows? No matter what I did, they


    would always bring her name first. Not mine.


    "Really? Lucky me," I said with sarcasm. Sensing he had already taken a lot of my time, I said, "It''s


    okay if you don''t believe me, Delta Isagani. I was also shocked to learn about it. Now. If you excuse


    me?"


    Instead of stepping aside, he continued his questions.


    "Where are you going? Why the carriage? Does Alpha King Maxxwell know about this?"


    I smiled at him. Why was he unusually chatty today?


    "To the ve auction house, Delta Isagani. And, yes. The alpha king knew about this trip," I lied to end


    this conversation. The coachman was getting impatient.


    "Alone?"


    My eyes went back to Delta Isagani.


    "Yes. Alone. I want to know something. As much as I wanted to talk to you, I am running out of time. I


    want to be here when His Majesty arrives."


    "Are you truly his mate? I thought he was not over with Zenith."


    Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "He isn''t over with that woman." Just like you. You''re not over with Lady


    Juliana, even if that woman said she was betrothed to the alpha king.


    He cocked his eyebrows. "Then why did he mark you?"


    "Delta Isagani. You should be happy now that the alpha king marked me. Lady Juliana will stop forcing


    herself on His Majesty."


    He hesitated. "Her Grace is not that kind of person. She will not stop until she gets what she wants.


    Just because you two are mates does not mean she will stop pursuing Alpha King Maxxwell. She will


    only do that when the alpha king deres you his queen. His Luna."


    His deration that I am his Luna and queen will happen when the elephant flies. He believed Zenith


    was alive and she would be his Luna. None other else. Not even me. If I am lucky, he will make me his


    concubine.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "I know she will do that. That''s why you must do everything you can to stop her, Delta Isagani. If you


    truly loved her. She will not be happy in the alpha king''s arms knowing Zenith still upied his heart." I


    leaned into his ears. "You have to snatch her heart, Delta Isagani. Prove to her that you are the right


    man for her¡ªher mate."


    I distanced myself from him, grinning.


    "That would be impossible."


    The smile was wiped from my eyes.


    I shook my head. This man was pessimistic. No wonder Lady Juliana wouldn''t choose him.


    "You can do it," I urged. He needed a little push, and if I needed to do it, I would do it. I can use Delta


    Isagani.


    His shoulders slumped. "I can''t. I am only a humble warrior serving the alpha king. She wanted the


    alpha king herself."


    "You can. Don''t let your negative thoughts make you falter. You''re a warrior, Delta Isagani. A knight of


    the alpha king. You should show Lady Juliana that you are worth it. You are worth the risk."


    "It will never happen. She will not see the real me, woman."


    Delta Isagani was bing infuriating in my mind. I hated what he was acting. He had no balls. He


    was always epting the situation without trying to do something first.


    I drew a couple of breaths, trying to console my racing mind.


    "Can I say something, Delta Isagani?"


    He nodded. "What is that?"


    "Grow some balls."

 59. Master Henderson

    59. Master Henderson


    I felt terrible for Delta Isagani after what I said. He wore the saddest expression he could muster while


    looking at me. I was tempted to take back my words, but I was certain no one was telling him he was


    already making a fool out of himself.


    "I am aware I am a coward when ites to Lady Juliana, River." Quite the opposite when ites to


    rogues. He was one of the bravest warriors of the alpha king, but when it came to his mate, it was the


    opposite.


    "And it is time to change that, Delta Isagani. Or you can ept the two of you have no chance at all as


    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 no


    longer 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 this man.


    "Sure. Sure."


    I tapped his back as if we were long friends, which widened his eyes. No ve in her right mind would


    act as if she was free to do that. There was still a significant boundary between ves and nobles.


    Using the opportunity while he was still surprised, I stepped inside the carriage and asked the


    coachman 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 those


    words.


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


    Going to the ve auction house turned out peacefully, unlike what the twins had worried about. I


    started the trip in the morning and reached the ce when it was already noon. No bandits nor rogues


    were waiting to ambush me.


    The ce was buzzing with nobles, with their ves tailing with them. Nothing seemed to change in


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    this ce. It was the same ce when I was seven years old.


    I closed my eyes as painful memories shed in my mind. There was no time to reminisce about those.


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


    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 me. 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 only give


    you so far."


    "Okay. Thank you. I''ll be in a hurry," I said and stepped forward while carefully cing my shawl around


    my shoulders.


    The auction house was busier than usual. I had to swim around the herd. The guards stopped me for a


    second, looking at me back and forth.


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


    Damn it.


    ves 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 giantspared to my height. They were pretty bulky and would break my


    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 ve."


    The two scoffed. "Where is your ve 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 that


    would 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 nced 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 to this helpless


    youngdy?"


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


    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 enved people to be auctioned were already waiting.


    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 ve here and ask


    for their ve 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 nobles were


    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 stood four


    feet and two inches, shorter than the average height of men, but it was not his height that was


    remarkable. It was the power he carried with him.


    One re from Master Henderson made his men shiver in fear. Master Henderson can decide if they


    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 King Maxxwell.


    Alpha of all alphas."


    ring at me, he asked, "Are you a noble? Your clothes are not that noble-like. You''re mated. Where is


    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 backter. He is currently checking the ves to be


    auctioned," I lied with a straight face. I was getting better at telling lies, and I was afraid I would be


    professional because of it.


    "Why did you approach me? Tell me what you want, woman. The auction will start three minutes from


    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 ve brought by the alpha king a couple of years ago. I don''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 to talk


    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 d I epted their money.


    Master Henderson saw it, looked at his men, and said, "Go now. Secure the parameter. No rogues


    should be able to infiltrate this ce, 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 yed with the bag, putting it on my left and then my right hand. "I''m sure


    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 caught us


    talking about her¡ª"


    "I assure you no one will know, Master Henderson, as long as we talk somewhere private. But if you


    don''t want it, I''ll go back to my husband and buy a ve that would suit our taste. So what do you think,


    Master Henderson?" I asked while jiggling the bag.

 60. Bastard

    60. Bastard


    Master Henderson''s eyes twinkled, watching the bag of gold. I smelt his greed, making me smirk.


    "Ah. This is getting heavy. I wonder who is the luckiest person who will hold this for me. I still had a lot


    stored under my clothes."


    I touched my shoulders and made circr motions while silently looking at him.


    "Woman. You know how to make a bargain."


    "Money can move mountains, Master Henderson."


    "We are on the same page, woman. Why don''t we talk somewhere...private?" Master Henderson said


    in the end.


    I beamed and motioned for him to lead the way. "That would be lovely."


    His eyes narrowed, and he said, "Follow me. Hurry."


    I ran after him. His steps were long and fast as if someone was hunting him.


    When we reached his office, I was sweating like crazy, and the shawl wrapped around my shoulders


    was not helping. However, I could not take it off.


    "That was a long walk. And sweaty."


    I stifled augh when he faced him. He was sweating worse than me. His shirt was dripping with sweat.


    And without excusing himself, he yanked it off his body, threw it in the nearby chair, and slipped on


    another fresh shirt.


    Wow. Talk about respect, and this bastard will not give it to you.


    His back was free from any scars, which might mean he was not a former ve, just like what the


    rumors had said.


    Lucky him.


    Unlike me.


    "That was rude."


    "You''re ruder. You watched me changing my clothes."


    My eyes flushed. "That makes us even then, Master Henderson."


    Suddenly, something fell on the floor¡ªa ss of water. I did not care about the ss. What caught my


    attention was a woman who looked like she was in her thirties.


    I did not notice her presence when we stepped inside. She was scrawny as if she was barely eating


    anything, but her face told me she was beautiful despite her almost skeletal features.


    "Bitch! You''re not only useless, but you''re now breaking my things?"


    Our eyes met, and it watered when we stared at each other as if she was pleading with me to help him.


    However, as if realizing what she had done, she looked away, ashamed he once asked someone to


    help her.


    I gasped when Master Henderson kicked her on her side, making her fall forward.


    "I''m sorry, Master Henderson," the woman apologized. "I-it will not happen again."


    She tried to gather the shards and cut her fingers, drawing blood. Despite that, she continued collecting


    the broken pieces.


    Look away, River. Pitying her is not the reason why you came here.


    "It should never happen again!" he roared. "I better rece you. I don''t want a skeleton serving me.


    You will scare them away!" he growled.


    If this bastard only feeds her, she will not be skinny like this.


    I clenched my fist at my sides while inhaling deeply. I must never meddle in a woman¡¯s problem. I came


    here for Zenith. Nothing else.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of her. She is beautiful,¡± I muttered. The two looked at me as if I had given them a


    treasure gold chest.


    ¡°She was once beautiful. It was her beauty that forced me to buy her. But look at her now. She is


    hideous.¡±


    ¡°Master Henderson, let¡¯s not bother ourselves with that woman, okay? Let¡¯s focus on why I came here,¡±


    I said, changing the topic.


    At the corner of my eyes, tiny droplets of blood dripped from the woman¡¯s wounds. I was tempted to


    heal her, but the bastard would know I had the ability to heal.


    Damn. I felt useless seeing her, without doing anything to help her.


    Finally, she was able to collect the shards and put them in the trash.


    "Did you do what I asked you to do?" Master Henderson barked when the woman returned. Damn. She


    had to wash the wounds with soap. Her wolf would not be able to help her now because of her current


    situation. Could she even summon her wolf?


    The woman''s face quivered in reply. "I''m done sorting all the documents, Master."


    "Who is she?" I asked, masking my pity.


    He cocked an eyebrow. "Do you like her? I''m nning to sell her at the next auction. This bitch was


    once the luna of her fallen pack acquired by the alpha king."


    "The alpha king?" Maxxwell?


    "The previous alpha king who was fond of conquering territories and other packs, making it his own."


    "That was a long time ago, Master Henderson."


    I sighed in relief when it was not Maxxwell. I heard about the stories of that ruthless alpha king. Many


    people died back then during his reign, and he was considered the worst ruler of all in the history of the


    Lycan Kingdom. A lot of werewolves became rogues in the hope of overthrowing him. But they never


    seed. It was only appeased when Maxxwell seized the throne.


    "This bitch had been transferring from one master to another master until she reached me."


    My eyes darted back to the woman. A previous luna became a ve? Horrible. I wonder when she


    gathered the strength to pursue it despite what happened. Something was telling me she was only


    waiting for an opportunity to pounce. But could she do that? Given her strength? A healthy child was


    more powerfulpared to her right now.


    "What is her name?"


    Why do you want to know her name? To save her? River. You need to save yourself first before anyone


    else!


    Master Henderson scoffed. "A ve''s name does not matter anymore. Where is your money? Let me


    know what you want, and let''s get over this. You did note here to have a chat about this bitch."


    I pulled out the bag and offered it to him. "Zenith. Tell me anything about her."


    The woman stiffened and went to the corner towards the shelves which held the records of all the


    ves Master Henderson had sold so far. She was still not doing anything to tend her wounds.


    However, the blood had already dried. But I was confident it hurt.


    "Do you know the repercussions of your actions, woman? Do you know what will happen to you when


    the alpha king finds out you¡¯re sticking your nose into another person''s business?"


    The corner of my lips lifted as I leaned my hips on the chair. ¡°Worried about me?¡±


    ¡°Worried for my life. Your money will be useless when I am already in the Underworld.¡±


    ¡°Master Henderson. You are powerful. You own all your people. They will not talk unless you tell them


    so. And if the alpha king knows about this, I will take responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Your blood is not on my hands.¡±


    "I know." What was there to be anxious about? The alpha king already knows. I was curious about


    Zenith. So far, he has done nothing to me. Not even any punishment. Perhaps it was because we were


    mates. "You said we look alike. borate it."


    Master Henderson turned around and went to his chair, folding his hands in front of the table.


    "Of all the ves who came here, she was the only one I did not forget."


    "Why?"


    "Give me your money first, woman. My words are expensive."


    I know. Because you are one greedy bastard, I said in my mind.


    I tossed the bag on his table. "That''s all I have. I think it¡¯s enough to make you talk. Tell me everything


    about her. Did she have someone with her when she came here? Perhaps her family? Parents? Or


    siblings?"


    "She was just a sixteen-year-old woman when she was brought here. They said she was with a baby,


    but I never saw it. I thought it was only a lie. At first nce, when I saw you, I thought she hade


    back here and asked for retribution for the cruelty this ce had given her. But when I looked at your


    hair and how you looked, your eyes, I knew you were not that woman. She was timid. While you''re the


    opposite." He grabbed the bag, checked the contents, and smiled, satisfied.


    A baby? Where could the baby be?


    "Ask me two more questions. That''s your money''s worth. After that, we are done talking, and let''s


    pretend we did not talk about the woman. I did not want my business to be closed down. So you better


    think your questions carefully, woman."


    "Do you know her parents?"


    "I asked her a couple of times, for record purposes, but she would not answer no matter how much we


    forced her. So no. I did not know her parents. Satisfied?"


    "Are you sure? Perhaps she was lying. It could be that she was hiding something."


    "Is that yourst question?"


    I went silent and paced back and forth while ring at the floor. I had to think carefully, or all the money


    would be wasted. If only I had a lot of money with me.


    Looking at Master Henderson, I said, "No. No. Scratch that. May I look at her records instead?"


    "Is that yourst question?"


    I bit my lower lip. I did not know what kind of record he held. What if it showed nothing but what we had


    discussed so far? But I have to try.


    "Show me her records. That¡¯s what I want."


    Master Henderson clicked his fingers. "Bitch! Show me Zenith''s record this instant!" He put the bag in


    his pocket and folded his arms in front of my chest, silently watching me...


    "Are you her sister? Perhaps you are that baby they were talking about if it was true she was carrying a


    baby."


    I had to verify that. "My sister? Why would that happen? I''m a free woman. Both my parents are free.


    Nobles serving the current alpha king. Besides, there are many people out there who resemble each


    other, who could pass as twins but were never rted by blood."


    "You have a point. But you should know I never tolerate any ves entering this house without their


    master. I don''t want to ruin my business. Nobles are bothersome. Angering them will only cause me a


    headache." He nced at the shelves. "Bitch! Why are you taking so long to get her record? You''re


    bing more and more useless! A whipping will help you remember what I can do."


    I bit the inside of my cheeks, drawing some blood.


    My hands trembled as I was reminded of my past, looking at the woman.


    "She has a name."


    "What?"


    I gritted my teeth. Could I punch this jerk just for once? "Don''t call her bitch. She has a name. What is


    your name?" She was once a luna, and it was degrading for her to be called that one.


    The woman nced at me and said, "D-Dawn, mdy."


    My eyes went back to Master Henderson. "See? She has a name. Dawn. You should call her that one."


    "I don''t care about her fucking name. Do I look like I wanted to know? She is nothing but a liability. An


    ipetent fool who relies on me to live. I will sell her or kill her. Depends on my mood right now. And


    believe me. You are not helping."


    As if my feet had a mind on them, I approached his table and pped it.


    ring at him, I said, "How much is she, bastard? Tell me!"This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

 61. Going Back

    61. Going Back


    Master Henderson put his hand on his chin and scratched it. ¡°You are not in the position to get furious


    here, mdy,¡± he said. ¡°Remember you need me.¡±


    Leaning closer, I could smell his stinky breath. ¡°But you need my money more than I do, Master


    Henderson,¡± I retorted. ¡°Tell me how much she is and we are done. It¡¯s sickening how you treated


    Dawn as if she is nothing but a dog.¡±


    He threw back his head andughed. ¡°She is a dog. Myp dog. I owned her. I bought her using my


    money. I wasted my money for her.¡±


    My hands shook. Those words. Alpha Wade uttered them to me, reminding me I was nothing but his


    possession. ¡°She is also part human. I want to buy her.¡±


    Do you have the means to buy her, River? You¡¯re also dirt-poor. It''s funny how confident you were


    uttering those words.


    Something falls on the shelves. A record. Dawn bent and grabbed it. That must be Zenith¡¯s record.


    ¡°Mdy, being kind will not make you a saint. However, since you remind me of my past, I will give the


    bitch to you. Pay anything you have. She''s useless anyway," he said casually.


    My hands went back to my ne. I had no choice but to give it to Henderson. I will just use an alibi


    if Elijah will look for it.


    "Deal. There is no turning back. Where is her ve certificate?"


    "Where is your payment?" he questioned.


    I unsped the ne given by Elijah. "This was given by Elijah, one of the Council of the alpha


    king. May it suffice the payment for Dawn''s freedom," I said with confidence. ¡°I can ask for the receipt


    of this from the jewelry store. Lady Aurora will verify he bought it for me.¡±


    ¡°The Council interested in you? I wonder what he saw in you. Anyways, you can have the bitch. For


    someone as useless as her, I am surprised you''re still buying her."


    I opened my palm. "Her ve certificate?"


    He opened his shelf and brought out a piece of paper. He scribbled his signature, signifying that he


    allowed the transaction of making Dawn mine. "Here. All good."


    I scanned the document. I did not understand everything stated but I was able to read Dawn¡¯s name.


    And the word ve.


    Narrowing my eyes, I said, "If you happen to deceive me, Master Henderson, the alpha king, and Elijah


    wille here and avenge me."


    He chuckled while brushing his mustache using his fingertips. "Why would the alpha king do that? You


    are saying nonsense, woman."


    Yeah. Why would Maxxwell care? All he cared about was Zenith. None other else. Not even me, his


    mate.


    "Because¡­because he valued his people," I answered in the end, lying again. I was not sure if he did


    value his people. What I was certain of was that he valued Zenith more than anyone. More than his life.


    "ck Heart treasured his people? That''s ridiculous, mdy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± It was absurd to even to my ears. ¡°You do not know him personally.¡±


    And why would you defend the alpha king now?


    ¡°That¡¯s enough of a joke.¡± His eyes darted at Dawn¡¯s location. ¡°Bitch, give her the records¡ª"


    "Master Henderson. You seemed to forget that Dawn is already mine. I am the only one who can order


    her," I said, cutting off his words.


    His lips pressed into a thin line. "Suit yourself, mdy." He inspected the ne and smirked before


    he put it in his pocket. In return, he gave me the certificate. I will just ask Dawn if I was given the right


    certificate or if this man was fooling me.


    "Dawn. Give me Zenith''s record."


    She hesitated, looking at Master Henderson as if she was asking for his approval.


    Softening my expression, I muttered, "It''s okay. You cane here. I already bought you."


    Henderson leaned on his chair. "Do it quickly. I still had an auction to do."


    "Dawn,e," I ordered, making my voice soft. She looked like a rabbit, checking if I was a predator or


    not.


    I felt bad for her.


    I really do. She was once a luna, but the previous alpha king had stripped her of that.


    "Hurry, bitch!" Master Henderson growled. "I don''t have all the time in the world to wait for you."


    Dawn jumped at his voice. With hurried steps, she closed the distance between us and extended her


    bony hands to me.


    Smiling sweetly, I grabbed the records, opened them, and cursed. I forgot I could not still read really


    well.


    "Read it for me," I ordered. ¡°That bitch knows everything that is written here. Read it when you''re back


    in the carriage. I don''t have all the time in the world."


    "But I still have questions," I pointed out.


    "You''re done questioning. You already made use of the two questions." He stood. "Let''s step outside."


    "But..."


    Dawn looked at me and shook her head.


    Biting my lips, I said, "Fine. But she goes with me."


    "I don''t care."


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


    "Tell me what it said. That greedy bastard. He did not even give me enough time," I said when we were


    already in the middle of our trip. ¡°I had already given you enough time to think.¡±


    I let Dawn rx first, and get ustomed to my presence, allowing her to enjoy the scenery.


    The woman was silent, but her eyes were telling me something. She looked at me, then asked, "Do


    you have a spare of food, mdy? I¡­haven''t eaten anything since yesterday. My stomach is hurting."


    "What? That bastard was not giving you any food? I just wanted to punch him right now."


    Ow. That was the reason why she was silent. Stupid of me not to consider that.


    Remembering the bundle of food the twins had given me for my journey, I gave it to her which she


    greedily ate as if she had not eaten for a year.


    "D-do you have water?" she asked after emptying all of it, huping.


    I gave her the water and greedily drank the contents. My heart sank just by looking at her. Luna were


    powerful individuals who lead the pack together with the alpha¡ªtheir mate. But looking at Dawn right


    now, she lost that power.


    Dawn wiped the smudges of water from her lips. "Thank you so much, mdy.¡±


    ¡°You are wee.¡±


    She blushed. ¡°I looked disgraceful, right? Far from the luna, I was before." She could not meet me in


    the eyes, embarrassed at how she acted earlier.


    Encouraging her, I said, "That''s okay. I also eat that sometimes.¡± When Alpha Wade had ordered the


    servants not to give me any food. ¡°If it''s okay with you, can we start now?"


    Dawn straightened and sat properly. Her cheeks were already sunken. Her legs looked like a stick. And


    it would take a couple of weeks or months before her body would return from her former psyche.


    She gave her curtesy bow. "Mdy, I will always be at your service. I vowed to protect you at all times


    as a sign of my gratitude for freeing me from Henderson''s clutches."


    I sighed.


    She had vowed my protection which I was not expecting from a former luna.


    I still did not know how to tell the alpha king about her. Will Maxxwell ept Dawn or not? I was hoping


    that the answer would be the former.


    "Though it''s not necessary to thank me, you are wee.¡±


    I put the record on her face. ¡°Read this. Don¡¯t leave anything.¡±


    ¡°Mdy, forgive me for asking this. But you cannot read?" she asked.


    "I can''t. Not really that master in reading. I am still learning."


    "But you are a nobledy."


    "Do you think so?" I asked, impressed that I was able to fool her.


    Her mouth fell open. "You''re not a noble blood?"


    I grinned at her. "Perfect. You were also fooled."


    "Ow."


    Ow? That was not the reaction I was expecting.


    "I''m nothing but a ve. Just like you. No. You''re no longer a ve." I pulled out the certificate and


    gave it to her. "Read this first. I want to know if that bastard pulled a prank on me. If he tricked me, I will


    cut his genitals and feed them to the wild beast in the jungle."


    I clenched my fist as I thought of ways how I would reenact my revenge.


    "You are really a ve?" Dawn asked, again. "Then, why do you carry the alpha king''s mark?"


    I froze and looked at her. She was sharper than she looked. She was the only one who noticed my


    mark, even if I did not even take off my shawl.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "You know the alpha king?"


    ¡°Yes. I know him.¡± She inspected the certificate. "All good. This is the genuine one. May I take it?"


    "Of course." I happily gave it to her. "You said you know the alpha king. Which means you also know


    Zenith?"


    She looked back. ¡°Is it okay to talk about her? The coachman would tell the alpha king.¡±


    ¡°His lips are sealed. You can trust me. Besides, if the alpha king will punish us, I will just say that I


    forced you to tell me. So¡­care to exin why you know him?¡±


    She hesitated. "I was there when she arrived at the ve auction house until the moment the Alpha


    King Maxxwell bought him. Wanna know more about her? I can tell you anything you want to know


    about that woman. In return for helping me. I can also read the written records. No. I did not have to


    read them. I knew them like the back of my head. I was Henderson''s record keeper. I wrote it."

 62. Bandits

    62. Bandits


    A record keeper? If Dawn was indeed one, her statement was the most reliable of all. Not only was she


    Henderson¡¯s servant, but she was also there at every auction. She was the best candidate to ask for


    any information about what had happened in the previous years during her stay at the auction house.


    However, I had to make sure.


    "Are you the record keeper? Then why did Master Henderson let you go easily like that?" Only a few


    ves had a high level of education because only a few masters had allowed their ves to have


    some education.


    "Everyone is receable, master.¡± I cocked my eyebrows. Master? That was ridiculous. ¡°He kicked me


    out because he believed I was no longer useful to him. And my looks."


    "River. You can call me that. Not master. You''re giving me goosebumps. But I do not believe everyone


    is receable. Take Zenith, for example. No one could rece her in the alpha king¡¯s heart.¡± No. I was


    not bitter. Dawn smiled at me, but it was more than a grimace. ¡°Hey. You were once a luna leading a


    pack. Do not bow your head. You should be proud and arrogant. Those are the qualities of all the luna I


    have met so far.¡±


    Instead of listening to me, she put her head down and mumbled, ¡°That part of my life was already


    done, River. I lost my glorious days. My people have already died. My name was wiped from history.


    Right now, I am nothing but a ve. I am nobody.¡±


    I knew I should be asking her about Zenith, but knowing her life story was more important to me right


    now.


    ¡°How about your mate?¡±


    Her eyes watered. ¡°He was killed in front of my own eyes.¡±


    A gasp escaped from my lips at her tragic backstory. ¡°By the previous alpha king?¡±


    She gritted her teeth. ¡°None other. My mate tried to protect me. Fought the alpha king, but the gap


    between their strength was too great. He was overpowered, and while smiling, the alpha king pierced


    his sword on his chest.¡± Dawn clutched her chest as if she could still feel the pain of their severed


    connection as her mate took hisst breath.


    Did the alpha king also experience that when Zenith died?


    Stop thinking about him. It is not like you are curious about him.


    Dawn clenched her fist. ¡°The previous alpha king was ruthless and deserved to die the most painful


    death.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­.¡±


    Dawn pounded on her chest as if it would numb the pain. It won¡¯t heal on its own if she happens to


    meet her second-chance mate. Thetter cannot heal the wounds in her chest.


    ¡°My life is full of tragedy. Nothing good will evere.¡± The road was bing rocky. We jumped on


    our seats whenever the wheels hit something. Pretending as if she had not shown her vulnerability


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    earlier, Dawn dered, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about my life, River. Let¡¯s talk about the woman who was the


    reason why you went to the auction house. You bought me because you know I will be of your use.


    What do you want to know about her?¡± She was mistaken in her second to thest statement, but


    correcting her will not bring any good.


    The goal was to know more about Zenith. To verify If we were rted to each other. And it was never


    about Dawn¡¯s life.


    ¡°Does she have any siblings?¡±


    Dawn scratched her back. ¡°She did not have anyone. She said she was an orphan, captured by the


    bandits and sold at the auction house after seeing her beauty.¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    Dawn shrugged her shoulders. ¡°I cannot tell. I do not have the ability to know if she was telling the truth


    or not. I am merely rying what she had said before.¡±


    Damn.


    Touching my chin, I said, ¡°She may be telling a lie. Or not. I could not even know. She buried her


    secrets along with her death.¡±


    ¡°She died?¡±


    ¡°The alpha king¡¯s people disapproved of her. Unfortunately. They were behind her death.¡±


    Her face turned serious. ¡°And history will repeat itself. They will not also approve of you, River.¡±


    Dawn looked at me with pity in her eyes. And I wouldn''t say I liked it. I leaned back and looked outside.


    The terrain was getting dusty and bumpy with all the rock formations beside the road. Life forms were


    barely surviving this harsh environment. This ce reminded me of the time when I was traveling with


    the alpha king toward the pce.


    I scoffed. ¡°I do not care if they don¡¯t approve of me. I never wanted the alpha king¡¯s heart, anyway.¡±


    ¡°I feel sorry for the alpha king.¡±


    Sorry for him? Why him? Why not me? ¡°You should not.¡±


    ¡°I cannot help it. His mate died. I know the feeling of how the bond slowly vanished. It was the most


    painful experience of all.¡±


    ¡°Why are you not cursing him? His predecessor killed your mate and your people. So why are you not


    hating Alpha King Maxxwell?¡± I inquired.


    Her brows furrowed. ¡°It was the alpha king before Alpha King Maxxwell ruined my life. Not himself.¡±


    How I wished I had the same principles.


    Dawn yed with her hands. ¡°So¡­what do you n to do with me?¡±


    I released a sigh. ¡°You can stay at the pce. I will ask the alpha king if he could extend his kindness


    to you. And if you are ready, you can go where you want to go.¡±


    ¡°What if he will not? Look at me, River. I am hideous. The other servants will only ridicule me,¡± she


    muttered softly.


    There was nothing hideous about her. All I saw was a brave woman who still had the strength to


    continue standing despite the tragedy that had befallen her life. However, Henderson did an excellent


    job at making Dawn lose her confidence and created another attitude far from the usual her. And


    Henderson was the lowest of the low.


    ¡°Believe me. He will ept you. And the twins. ra and re. You will love them. They may be


    creepy and irritating sometimes whenever they talk at the same time, but¡ª¡±


    I cursed when the carriage suddenly stopped.


    I peered out the window and looked at the driver. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I asked the coachman. ¡°I nearly


    broke my nose!¡±


    ¡°Bandits!¡±


    Bandits. Not rogues. I did not know if I would be appeased by that or not. Bandits were robbers on the


    road, stopping every passerby, robbing them of any treasures, and if they became frustrated, they


    might kill you.


    With no money or gold coins to offer them, I was confident they would be furious.


    I stood, but Dawn stopped me. ¡°Let me look, River.¡±


    ¡°Why? What will you do?¡±


    ¡°Kill them,¡± she said nonchntly.


    ¡°No offense, but do you have the strength?¡±


    ¡°I vowed to protect you all my life, and that¡¯s what I will do.¡±


    She stood, but I stopped her from going outside. ¡°You¡¯re just throwing away your life for a stranger? I


    hate to break it to you, but I am not allowing anyone toy down their lives for my sake.¡±


    ¡°Can you fight?¡± Dawn asked. I bit my lower lip. ¡°Can you fight, River? I am asking you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Well, I can. My mate trained me to be a warrior. Stay here and be safe. That¡¯s all you have to


    do.¡±


    Before I could react, she stepped outside, leaving me alone.


    With my heart hammering in my chest, I peered out the window and looked at her retreating form


    towards the bandits.


    Damn it.


    She wanted me to stay here and wait. As if. My life was meaninglesspared to here. She was a


    luna while I was a ve. I had to drag her back to the carriage and let the coachman deal with the


    bandits. But just before I could step out, somethingnded on the carriage''s roof. Next, a sword pierced


    through, a couple of inches from slicing my skin.

 63. Find Her, Maxxwell!

    63. Find Her, Maxxwell!


    River Williams


    My heart hammered against my chest. Suppose I positioned myself in the wrong ce. One single


    mistake, and I was bathing in my blood by now.


    Gulping, I looked up.


    The man pulled out the sword, which only meant one thing¡ªthey wanted us to die!


    Get out! Run! my mind screamed.


    I cannot move my fucking feet!


    But even if I had to, my foot was already rooted to the ground.


    This was no simple robbery. They wanted us dead after robbing us.


    The carriage shook, signaling me that whoever it was above, he was already nning for his next


    attack.


    I could no longer hear the surroundings outside. All I could hear was the fast beating of my hands.


    Move your butt, woman!


    The person above moved and mustered all the strength I could carry, and I forced my feet to move.


    And I did. I managed to get out of the carriage, losing my footing and falling to the ground.


    I coughed as I ate the dirt.


    Looking up, the coachman was fighting against one of the bandits. They were all huge and muscr


    king would at least bury my body six feet below the ground.


    "River!" Dawn called while fighting against two bandits. "Wait for me!"


    I could not wait for her.


    Putting both hands on the hot surface, I forced myself to stand, doing whatever I could to help my


    Dawn may be so skinny now, but she never lost her ability to fight.


    I clenched my fist.


    I wanted to help them. But how?


    "Where are you going, mdy?" someone asked and grabbed my wrist forcefully. "I''m not yet done with


    you."


    He forced me to face him. A man with a patch on one of his eyes with a stinky breath. Perhaps he was


    on the roof trying to stab me with the sword swinging in his hips.


    ring at him, I tried to break away, but he tightened his hold even more.


    "Let me go this instant!"


    He smirked, showing me his crooked teeth. "Even in desperate times, a noble still pretend as if her


    nobility will save her from death."


    Royalty my foot.


    I inhaled him. Aside from the pungent smelling from him, I smelt something. He was human.


    Perhaps I could fight him. Or not.


    Damn. If only the alpha king had forced me to learn swordsmanship or how to fight against the


    enemies, I would have made him immobile by now.


    "What do you want? I will give you what you want. You seemed to be the leader."


    As if you have something to offer, River. Nothing is left for you now. You already had given everything


    to Henderson.


    I knew. But I still had to try.


    From the corner of my eyes, Dawn could fight against the two and the coachman. It will be a matter of


    time before these bastards will overpower them.


    "I want you. I don''t want your sickly ve." He was pertaining to Dawn.


    Until now, one was fooled into believing I was a noble. The clothes, indeed, were a great help. Dawn


    was a noble. Not me. But I had to keep it a secret if I didn''t want to jeopardize her safety.


    Gripping my wrist tightly so I won''t run away, he whistled at hisrades as if signaling we were utterly


    overpowered.


    The one fighting Dawn smiled and pulled out his sword on the brink of stabbing Dawn. The man


    fighting the coachman followed after.


    "Stop! I will give you what you want!" I cried. The leader smirked and whistled again, halting his


    My eyes trembled as my chest beat wildly against my ribcage. I wouldn''t allow anyone to spill their


    blood on the ground because of me. I did not deserve it.


    "Now, we are talking. Men! Capture them."


    "I will do what you want. Just don''t harm them."


    One man kicked Dawn on her side, and she fell to the ground. Our eyes met, and I smiled at her,


    assuring her that I would handle the situation from now on.


    Dawn was still weak. No matter how much she tried to help me, she could not yet do it. Her body would


    never allow it.


    "Just don''t harm them, and I will bepliant."


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


    Alpha King Maxxwell


    Another day of a futile attempt to search for Zenith. I went to the territories near the rogue, but nothing.


    No progress. She was nowhere to be seen.


    I sighed.


    How much longer will I keep on doing this? My body was already sore. I was tired from doing this every


    single night.


    I looked at the sky.


    Denaro was on edge, wanting to be out, but I did not allow him.


    "You must retire to your chamber, Your Majesty," Beta Valentine said. He was with me throughout the


    journey, painstakingly joining me even if I kept on insisting I would do it on my own. But he would not


    allow me. Fearful that the rogues would do an ambush and kill me in the end.


    Death.


    If Zenith were already dead, it would be better if I came after her. Will we meet in the Underworld?


    I hope so.


    ''Do not die, Maxxwell. River needed us,'' Denaro announced, pacing back and forth.


    ''No one could rece Zenith.''


    ''She died. It''s time to focus on our second-chance mate. Protect her.''


    I scoffed internally.


    It was my beast who forced me to look for Zenith. However, when Denaro discovered that River was


    our mate, he suddenly wanted me to stop. But I had already done a lot. I felt like I was getting nearer to


    Zenith''s whereabouts.


    "Your Majesty?" Valentine asked, wanting my attention.


    "What did you say again?"


    "You''re tired. You must return to your chamber."


    "We both are exhausted."


    "When will you ept that Zenith has died, Your Majesty?"


    "Not now, Valentine."


    Valentine shook his head. "Aren''t you tired, Your Majesty? Your body needed rest. You''ve been


    sleeping for how many hours? Barely five? If you do not have Denaro with you, you''ve been imprisoned


    on your bed for getting sick. Why doesn''t your attendant reprimand you for doing this? I''ll talk to her,"


    he said, changing the topic.


    I stared ahead, my hands clutching the reins of the horse tightly. The torches decorated beside the


    pce gate were getting visible, and my men readying themselves to pull down the door.


    "Let her be. She does not know what I am doing."


    He looked at me in disbelief. "Let her be? That''s all you can say? May I remind you he is your ve?


    Not your friend. Why are you loose on her? Treat her as your ve. Your real ve and let her do


    something to the point she would never have the time to stick her nose on somewhere else business."


    "Valentine. Stop talking ill against her."


    Denaro was baring his fangs at my beta.


    His mouth fell open. "Am I hearing it right, Your Majesty? When did you be soft towards your


    ves that you treated them as your friends? You are not like this."


    "Valentine! I am drained. Let''s stop talking about that woman. I will reprimand her when I reach the


    chamber."


    She wouldn''t be sleeping right now. She never did. Not until I arrived. I was not asking her to tend to


    me when I reached our chamber, but surprisingly, that woman was awake every time I came home.


    ''She is our mate. In flesh and blood.''


    I disregarded Denaro.


    Valentine sulked, his expression getting darker than the night.


    "Let''s not argue about my personal attendant."


    "Treat her like she is your ve. That''s what I want."


    Our horses stopped in front of the gate.


    Delta Isagani was already waiting for us. We were somewhat the same. Always waiting for something


    that was out of reach. Him for Lady Juliana. Me for Zenith.


    "Any news?" I asked.


    He and my men gave their courtesy bow. "Your Majesty. I have a matter of concern."


    "Is it about Lady Juliana? Tell her I don''t want to entertain her. Tell her to stop spreading gossip that we


    are betrothed to each other. I''m getting sick of that. It may reach the neighboring kingdom where I have


    my luna."


    He shifted on his feet. "It''s not that, Your Majesty. It''s something else."


    "Say it, Isagani. We do not have all the time to wait for your hesitation," he growled.


    "My apologies, Beta Valentine. It''s about the alpha king''s personal attendant."


    River?


    Valentine growled. "Why? Did that woman create a mess again? You should consider selling her off,


    Your Majesty. She is nothing but a pain in the butt."


    Sighing, I asked, "What happened, Isagani? Did she investigate Zenith again?"


    He rubbed his neck. "Maybe. But the bottom line is she still hadn''te back after going to


    Henderson''s ve auction house. It had been fifteen hours, Your Majesty."


    "Perhaps she ran away, Your Majesty. ves do that when they are no longer satisfied at our side."


    "I don''t think so. I traced where they had gone, and all I saw were their belongings beside the road. And


    that ce was notoriously infested with bandits."


    "Let her die," Valentine said. "She brought it to herself, Your Majesty. You never asked her to go there."


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "Another fucking word, Valentine, and I will cut off your tongue," I growled.


    She was gone?


    ''Find her, Maxwell!'' Denaro roared.

 64. He Wont Save Me

    64. He Won''t Save Me


    Alpha King Maxxwell


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Valentine eximed. ¡°Why are you wasting your time on that woman, huh? She is


    nothing! Let Isagani find her and you can sleep. You need to rest. How will you handle the pce


    affairs if you get sick? We are not invisible to any sickness, Your Majesty!¡±


    My eyes darted back to


    ¡®Find her, Maxxwell!¡± Denaro demanded one more time. When the beast wanted it, he would not stop


    pestering me with his demands until I gave in. What an irritating bastard.


    ¡®I hear your thoughts,¡¯ he said, ring at me while baring his fangs.


    Rolling my eyes inwardly, I said, ¡®My apologies, my alpha king.¡¯


    He fell silent, his anger directed toward me. ¡®Don¡¯t act mighty with me. You are nothing without me.¡¯


    That was Denaro. Thinking he was more powerful than me. However, being with him made me adjust


    his behavior. He did not know we were connected. He would not exist without me.


    Clenching my fist, I added, ¡®Let me handle it.¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯m giving you until morning to find her and if not, I will be in charge. You would not like my ways,


    Maxxwell,¡¯ he warned and retreated back to the corner.


    ¡°Your Majesty! Are you even listening?¡±


    ring Valentine was enough to make him shut his irritating mouth. ¡°I am so would you shut your


    fucking mouth?¡±


    He fell silent.


    Better.


    I threw my gaze at the beta. ¡°Isagani. Gather all the avable warriors and we will find River. The


    bandits may have captured her. They may also conspire with the rogues in the vicinity. We never know.


    We have to think of the possible scenarios.¡±


    ¡°Right away, Your Majesty.¡±


    Isagani retreated and went back inside the pce.


    Maneuvering the horse, I turned around but Valentine blocked my way.


    "Your Majesty. Why are you doing this? Why will you personally search for that ve? You should be


    resting. Let us handle finding her."


    I inhaled deeply and stared at him. "Let me go, Valentine," I said.


    "Why? I don¡¯t understand why you are doing this."


    "You want to know why?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty. Why are you set on finding her? What is she to you? You are not like this to the


    other ves."


    I inhaled deeply.


    "She bears my mark."


    He frowned deeply. "Why would she carry your mark, Your Majesty?"


    "Why should she carry my mark, Valentine? You answer that question. That¡¯s an easy answer."


    Realization dawned on him. "She is your mate? Why did you mark her when you are still not over


    Zenith?"


    That was also the question I had been trying to look for an answer to. I knew in my heart I still loved


    Zenith. So why?


    It was Denaro.


    ¡®Really? I did not take over your body when you marked it. It was your decision, in the first ce,


    Maxxwell.¡¯ And he went back to the shadows again.


    I sighed.


    "It''s not your business, Valentine. Move. Time is running. I don¡¯t want someone to die again."


    "Do you know what will happen? Your people will do what they did to her." Her. My beloved Zenith.


    A muscle ticked my brow. "They were imprisoned. All of them. I will never allow them to do something


    like that."


    "Do you think that will not jeopardize River''s safety?" He leaned closer to me. "River is a ve. Nobles


    do not ept a ruler who came from very. They wanted someone who is in a higher position than


    them."


    "And you? You will not ept her?"


    "I ept whoever you want to take. I will support you, but it does not mean they will do the same, Your


    Majesty. Those people had already recruited people to hate your future mate who isn''t royalty."


    I sighed. "I won''t let that happen."


    ¡°The same thing will happen again, Your Majesty. You have to way your decisions from now on.¡±


    ¡ª--------------


    River Williams


    the bandits brought us to a dpidated house in the middle of nowhere. The dust inside was thicker


    than the attic of the pce. Another shake of the house and the structure will fall over. Our hands were


    bound. But we were still alive.


    From afar, I could smell the wild beast prowling around the vicinity.


    The bandits left us for the meantime, saying they will just eat for a while and they''ll be back, leaving us


    alone.


    I had no idea what had happened to the coachman. The bandits nearly beat him to death, leaving


    Dawn and me alive. However, it will take another time before they will hurt us.


    "We have to go, River. Before they wille back," Dawn said. A bruise was starting to appear on her


    right cheek when one of the leaders pped her.


    Between the two of us, she was badly beaten by those bastards. A cut was also visible on her arms,


    the blood dried, but it seemed she was not aware of it.


    "Where?" I asked, softly. "Everything was my fault, Dawn. If I was not curious about Zenith, then I


    wouldn''t drag the coachman to the auction house and then the bandits would not capture us like this. I


    did not even know what had happened to the coachman!" I whispered. I refused to show my weakness,


    especially to strangers, but my tears wouldn''t stop showing.


    She faced me. "There''s no time to me each other, okay? We have to move before they will sell us to


    someone."


    A ve sold to be a ve to another master? Yeah. That would be my life.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    My stomach grumbled. We both looked at my tummy, and I gave her a small smile of reassurance.


    "I''m sorry if I had eaten all your food, River. You are hungry because of me."


    "No. That''s okay. You have a point. I don''t have to me myself."


    She leaned closer to me, her eyes darting back and forth. I wondered how she was able to set aside


    her pain like that. "I heard them talking. They know a werewolf who would buy us. I don''t want to


    be a ve again, River. I still have to restore my pack and I could not do it if I continue being a


    ve. We have to run away from them."


    "I know. I know. When do you think they wille back?"


    "If they had settled the price to the buyer, they wille back. That''s what I heard."


    I fell into deep thought. We still have some time to break away from our bondage.


    Showing her my hands, I asked, "Can you untie me?"


    It was tied securely. Good to know they did not bind our feet or it would take us longer.


    "I can try. But my wolf had be weak over the past few years after bing a ve."


    "You can try. You should because you are the only one who has a wolf. I am wolf-less."


    Shock registered on her face, but she easily turned it down.


    "A ve and a wolf-less werewolf? And the alpha king gives you his mark?"


    I looked away. "Well, I kind of seduced him to do it. Failed. Give up. But after thinking I should give up,


    he marked me."


    "Perhaps he is starting to like you. He is slowly recovering from his sadness."


    I doubted it.


    "You are wrong. He is still hoping that Zenith is alive. Let''s not talk about them, okay? It only makes me


    feel as if I am meddling in their love." I held my hand, showing her my ties. "After this, let''s kick some


    asses, okay?"


    "Won''t the alpha king save you?" Dawn asked. "You are his mate. I don''t think he will allow another


    mate to die."


    "He won''t save me, Dawn. He is busy searching for Zenith right now. He constantly hoped that she is


    still alive. I am nothing but a ve who bears his mark. Nothing else." I forced a smile. "Enough of


    them. Bite."


    Dawn gave me her sad smile that reached her eyes before her fangs extended. Then, she cut my


    ropes using her fangs.


    I sighed in relief when she seeded and I untied her. Already free, I grabbed her hands and walked


    out of the door when I noticed someone blocking it, ying with a dagger in his hands. The eye-patch


    man. The leader of the bandits.


    Fuck.


    "My, my. I hit the jackpot. I have two werewolves here. You''ll be giving a lot of cash right now. But first, I


    have to have fun with you first," he said looking at me. Then, he licked his lips as if imagining it was me


    he was licking.


    A shiver ran down on my spine.

 65. Stay Awake, River!

    65. Stay Awake, River!


    My muscles tensed while clenching my fist. I will die before I allow this man to defile us over my dead


    body.


    My body trembled in anger. ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    He smirked. ¡°Not going to happen, mdy. As I said, we will have some fun before you meet your


    buyers. I already sold you a hefty sum of money.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡± Dawn spat. ¡°As if I will let you do that. I vow that you will die a terrible death to the point of


    regretting you capture us. You are nothing but a lowly human.¡±


    ¡°Bitch! Don¡¯t talk if I am not talking to you! You should be thankful I did not kill you in an instant. All I


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    wanted is your master, but I only gave you one as a plus one.¡±


    "Make me, asshole!" Dawn replied.


    "I changed my mind. I will kill you right now." He pulled out another dagger and attacked the two of us.


    No. It was only directed at Dawn.


    Dawn pushed me aside and exposed herself in danger. The leader stabbed the air, and his useless


    attempts were nothing to the woman¡¯s agility.


    I guessed she was an actual luna who was capable of defending herself.


    Realizing all his attacks were futile, the man threw his daggers and pulled out his gun, and bang!


    I jumped at the shot! And when I opened my eyes, Dawn fell with a thud to the ground, her shoulders


    bleeding profusely.


    ¡°Dawn!¡± I gasped.


    The blood created a tiny pool, and the sight of it made me throw up. My head spun, and darkness


    slowly started to take over. Not a fan of seeing blood.


    Dawn moaned when the bastard kicked her wound.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± I cursed at him. ¡°Stop it!¡± I roared.


    Fight the darkness, River!


    I am trying!


    I inhaled and exhaled a couple of times. This was not the best time to faint. I have to help her! But


    how? I was nothing but a useless ve.


    "See this, mdy? No one can defend you now. I can do all I want."


    Clutching my stomach, I looked at him with pure disgust.


    "You are soulless."


    He never took pity on Dawn as he continued kicking her.


    ¡°Oh. You want me to stop doing this?¡± the bastard asked and hit Dawn on her ribcage. She moaned in


    agony. Blood sprouted from her mouth. I can''t look at it. It made me feel even worse. ¡°You want to help


    her? Go on. Crawl, mdy."


    I did.


    I squirmed my way toward Dawn''s direction. Her eyes begged me to run. But how could I do that? I did


    not want anyone to die on my watch! I have to help her. I have to heal her. I can save her. All I will do is


    touch her.


    I swam in the pool of blood. The stench smell hit my nostrils, making me gag. Darkness was getting


    more powerful, pulling me in.


    I tried to shake it off. I had to.


    If I faint, Dawn may lose her life.


    Tears clouded my vision.


    The bastardughed in the background at my attempt to get in Dawn''s direction.


    He bent and whispered in my ears, taunting me. "I thought werewolves are powerful, but it turns out


    your kind cannot evade a single bullet.¡±


    If Dawn was not weak, she could kill him this instant. She could dodge the bullet. She could do


    anything.


    He licked my ears. "Nobles are indeed delicious."


    I scrambled away from him, disgusted at what he had done, and returned to getting Dawn''s location.


    Her heartbeat was getting fainter.


    Must not waste a minute.


    The infuriating bastard watched me struggle.


    ¡°What will you do, mdy? Will you stay like that, crawling like a leech?¡± He ridiculed me. He walked


    towards Dawn and pointed the gun at Dawn¡¯s forehead while boring his gaze on me. ¡°Don¡¯t wanna help


    this woman who risked her life for you? Oh, what a bother. I guess I¡¯ll kill her then.¡±


    I saw red at the sight of his gun on Dawn''s forehead.


    How dare he!


    Something warm started in my chest, then traveled all over my body. Electricity crackled around us,


    and I felt the sharpness of my teeth. My ws extended, my sight and hearing a thousand times better.


    The sound was making me deaf.


    ¡®Kill!¡¯


    I stilled.


    A soft voice like that of a goddess, which I only heard now. A beautiful gray wolf shed in my mind.


    Her violet eyes bored into mine.


    ¡®Show the bastard a lesson that he should never mess with us. Kill. Avenge your friend. Not doing it?


    Allow me.¡¯


    One time my skin was hairless, and the next thing, furs started toe out, followed by the popping


    bones, and I was all in four.


    The hostility kept growing and was directed at the man in front of me.


    His face became pale white at the sight of me changing. He peed his pants.


    And I was in fours.


    All this time, I had a wolf?


    The beast growled, bared its fangs at him, and pounced, tearing his limbs. The forest swallowed the


    bastard''s shouts until he was left with nothing but a pool of blood. His remains were all over the floor,


    scattered.


    And I howled.


    When I was done, I looked at the surroundings.


    Blood! All I saw was blood!


    I staggered and fell to the ground. Darkness was slowly starting to wee me. Again.


    The wall copsed, and I saw a man¡¯s silhouette. I heard footsteps approaching until I felt someone


    scooping me into his arms. Sandalwood. That scent overpowered the stench of blood surrounding me.


    Then, something covered my nakedness.


    I inhaled deeply. Sandalwood. My favorite scent. Want to sleep. Forever. With this person in my arms.


    ¡°River¡­¡±


    What a lovely voice. Full of worry. No one was ever worried about me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t die on me, you hear me? I order you to stay awake!¡± he roared.


    Ah. The alpha king.


    I smiled at him while my eyes were closed. Sorry, but I can¡¯t follow hismand right now.


    ¡°My apologies, Your Majesty¡­.¡± I said and sumbed to the peaceful darkness.

 66. I Carry Your Mark, But Not Your Heart

    66. I Carry Your Mark, But Not Your Heart


    When my eyes fluttered open, I first noticed the familiarity of the ceiling, which I had been staring at


    whenever I woke up in the morning and before going to sleep. My body felt like an elephant had run


    over me. Everything hurts.


    I tried to recall what had happened, and images of our capture resurfaced in my memory. I bolted


    upright as the memories kept on flowing. Dawn. The bandits. My wolf. Blood all over the floor.


    My stomach became upset.


    I had a wolf? Was I not wolf-less? That was¡­unexpected. All my life, I had thought that maybe I was a


    human. But why did shee out on that day?


    It was reassuring, by the way. No one would bully me that I was wolf-less.


    My grin vanished when I suddenly remembered Dawn and the coachman.


    Dawn! Where was she?


    I turned around only to jump when the alpha king¡¯s gaze met my eyes.


    I was on the verge of giving my courtesy bow when he said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry yourself, River.¡±


    His voice was tired. Dark circles decorated his eyes as if he was not sleeping peacefully.


    He turned his head from side to side.


    ¡°Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Call me Maxxwell.¡±


    Lifting my brow, I looked at him. Hard. ¡°Why would I call you that?¡± Did he step down from his position?


    Wait. Wait. I was baffled right now.


    Did something happen while I was asleep? And why did it seem as if something had changed in him?


    And what was that change I was trying to pinpoint?


    ¡°We are mates. It''s natural to call me by my given name. I am allowing you that.¡±


    Mates?


    It was funny now acknowledged that we were mates, yet he could not get over Zenith. No, thank you. I


    refused to be a rebound for him to get over his first love. That would be utterly unfair on my part!


    Refusing to show him how insulted I was, I said, ¡°It¡¯s not official, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°It is. It became official when I marked you. My people will know,ter on, River. You cannot hide it


    forever.¡±


    I hid it when I went to the auction house and the time when the bandits captured us. But there was no


    freaking way I would hide it from his people. Especially Lady Juliana. I will unt this mark to all of


    them. Watch me.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "I''m not hiding this, Your Majesty," I said and rubbed the part where he marked me. "There is no way I


    will be concealing this one."


    However¡­.


    His people did not know that he marked me. Would it be better if I dy showing it to them?


    ¡°Your people will be disappointed in you, Your Majesty," I dered, trying to act cool about it. "I am a


    ve. Instead of epting me, you should reject me." I made my face sadder and pouted my lips.


    "But, Your Majesty, could you do it after we visit Haverstone Pack? I want to show it in Alpha Erik¡¯s face


    that someone still had the balls ....¡± I trailed off my words, looked at him under myshes, then cleared


    my throat. ¡°I am sorry for the words, Your Majesty. But, yeah. I did say balls. I wanted to show it to him


    first before the mark would naturally vanish.¡±


    Wait. Did I see him smile for a split second?


    The alpha king stood and looked at the balcony.


    I shuffled on my feet.


    I observed myself. Had my wolf gone into hiding? Just like that? I thought she would allow me to get to


    know her more. Was she sleeping? Why did she onlye out now?


    ¡°I will not reject you, River.¡±


    My brows furrowed.


    Won''t he? Why? He still loved Zenith.


    It was funny how those words did not give me any constion. Why did he have to lie that he won''t? It


    would be okay if he told the truth. Rejection was nothing new to me.


    Wanting to be honest with my feelings, I said, ¡°You still love Zenith, Your Majesty. The decree that your


    people are still following is evidence for that one. We are still forbidden to talk about her.¡±


    "I already lifted that decree while you were sound asleep."


    My mouth gaped open.


    Seriously? Was he sick?


    I wanted to check his temperature right now.


    I hopped out of bed.


    The pain in my body was gradually healing. My wolf had suddenly done a great job of helping me.


    ¡°Give me some time, River. I will forget about her. I can try.¡±


    My eyes went wide.


    Oh. Completely unexpected. I was not hoping for that to happen.


    Is the alpha king seriously attempting to forget Zenith? The love of his life? Impossible. Did I hear it


    right, or did my ears y tricks on me?


    No. It wasn¡¯t.


    My hearing was at its sharpest point. I could even hear the fluttering wings of the mosquitoes outside.


    ¡°Are you sick, Your Majesty? You''re talking nonsense. You don''t have to force something which you do


    not like doing. You can reject me after we return from my pack. Don''t worry. I can handle it. A second


    rejection would be easy as pie.¡±


    Liar!


    How could you say those words casually? Rejection was the worst! It would feel like you''re dying for


    the second time, idiot! What are you trying to prove? That you are strong?


    That nobody would love me and ept me. That''s what I am trying to show, I answered my mind.


    "Let''s not talk about that, River. Stop saying I will reject you."


    I opened my mouth for a rebuttal but stopped myself from doing so.


    Disappointed, I kept my mouth shut.


    ¡°You were sleeping for three days, River,¡± he said, changing the topic.


    "Did you save me, Your Majesty? How did you manage to track us?" I scratched my neck. ¡°Forgive me


    for being useless those days, Your Majesty. It won¡¯t happen again. Let me make it up to you. Order me


    what I should do so I could pay for the days I was not doing anything.¡±


    He looked at me with boredom. ¡°Did I tell you to clean? I want you to rest."


    I exhaled. ¡°Your Majesty. ves do not need a rest. But thank you for considering my situation.¡± If my


    alpha were still Alpha Wade right now, he would punish me for being useless.


    Why did I feel as if he had gone softer on me? It felt weird. He usually growls at me as if he were some


    wild animal or res at me, or gives me a disappointed look whenever I make a mistake or am unable


    to live up to his expectations.


    Perhaps he was sick. A person sometimes changes when he is feeling unwell.


    "May I know what happened to the coachman, Your Majesty? May I know where mypanion is? Her


    name is Dawn, Your Majesty. I am worried for her since she had a gunshot back then.¡±


    Damn. I forgot to heal her. She was bleeding profusely at that time. Was she okay?


    His lips curled. ¡°Now, you remembered to ask that?¡±


    I hung my head low and remained silent. It was my fault. I knew.


    "We found the coachman beside the road, fighting for his life. But he is okay now about the skinny


    woman. She is busy training with Isagani. She is slowly healing. The pack doctor already checked on


    her.¡±


    I sighed in relief. Did she settle here that fast? I envy her. It seemed she had a knack for befriending


    people without any difficulty.


    "That''s good. She''s a luna by way of an unknown pack, Your Majesty. I bought her from Henderson.


    Worth the price of her freedom¡ª"


    "Why did you do that, River?" the alpha king asked, cutting off my words.


    I scratched my neck. "I don''t understand you, Your Majesty."


    His lips curled into a bitter smile, just like his mood.


    "You don''t? That''s what you are good at, River. Pretending you did not know what I just said. Why did


    you do that? Why did you leave without my permission? Do you know what my enemies would do to


    you, huh?"


    I folded my arms in front of my chest. "They won''t do anything to me, Your Majesty," I answered


    proudly.


    "You bear my mark," he said with a pointed look. "They would think you are my weakness."


    I gave him a small smile. If not for Alpha Erik and the people around me, I would never ask for his


    mark.


    "I carry your mark but not your heart, Your Majesty. I will tell them you don''t care for me. At all."

 67. The Alpha Kings Promise

    67. The Alpha King''s Promise


    "Why did I hear the bitterness in your voice, River?" Alpha King Maxxwell asked. "Are you waiting for


    the day I will no longer fall in love with Zenith but instead with you?"


    I scoffed inwardly. Did he not know? What an insensitive jerk.


    Faking a surprise, I pointed to myself. "Bitter? Me?" I waved my hands like crazy. "No, no, Your


    Majesty. I''m not feeling like that. I am only telling the truth. You don''t care for me at all, Your Majesty.


    I''m also telling this so you should not bother yourself to save me."


    Until now, I remembered his voice. How it quivered as he was calling my name, but that time, my eyes


    were already closed, and opening them required a tremendous effort. Until his voice was getting further


    away.


    The alpha king bared his teeth.


    "I will save you over and over again as long as I have the power to do it, River. Saving you is not


    something you cannot refuse. Zenith died without giving me a chance to save her. What made you


    think I will allow you to die without trying to protect you?"


    His words were full of emotions and reached my soul. It touched my heart, but bitterness started to


    explode when I remembered he mentioned Zenith.


    "Do you understand?"


    I stepped back, his demeanor scaring the hell out of me.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be mad, Your Majesty,¡± I said nervously. ¡°Fine. Save me all you want, but I don¡¯t


    need some savings. I could perfectly handle myself, just like what happened that day.¡±


    If my wolf did note out at the right time, I would be dead by now.


    He put his hands in his pocket. ¡°Take my words seriously, River.¡±


    ¡°I am taking your words seriously, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡±


    I fell silent.


    I shuffled my feet. He always saw through me. And it was unsettling. I never wanted to feel any


    vulnerability, especially if it was around the alpha king¡¯s presence.


    The alpha king sighed in the end as if talking to me had drained him entirely of his energy. Arguing did.


    "I''ll ask the twins to bring you food."


    I was astounded by his announcement.


    Stepping forward, I said, "I can do it, Your Majesty. I can go to the kitchen and eat there. My body is not


    hurting anymore.¡± My hands suddenly felt mmy. ¡°May I say what is on my mind right now?¡±


    ¡°You never stop talking. What is that?¡±


    ¡°You are surprisingly good to me right now, giving me small favors. It''s weird. Really. I can get my food,


    Your Majesty."


    "You will wait for the twins," he insisted, his face darkening.


    I held my hands in the air. "Alright, Your Majesty. I get it. You don''t have to be irritated," I said with a


    "Stay still, and I will be back."


    epting it would be no use fighting him, I nodded sweetly at the alpha king and sat on the bed when


    he disappeared as weird as he was acting, but I liked the feeling of being treasured as if I was


    important. Only a few individuals will make me feel that way, and if it wasing from the alpha king, it


    was...ttering on my part.


    After a couple of minutes, the door burst open, and the twins entered. I tamped down my


    disappointment and hid it behind my smile when I no longer saw the alpha king with them. I suddenly


    missed his presence¡ªanother spooky feeling for this day.


    "River!" ra and re said in unison.


    Waving my hands at them, I said, "Hi. Miss me?"


    Instead of replying, they threw themselves at me, which made me fall on the bed.


    Laughing, I patted their back and tried to console them as they cried their heart out. When they pulled


    themselves together, their eyes were already puffy and red.


    "Hey. What are the reasons for your tears? No one died, okay? I already asked the alpha king."


    Damn. I forgot to ask him about Dawn''s status in the pce. Will he allow her to stay here for as long


    as Dawn wants?


    The twins helped me sit upright.


    "Yeah. No one did, but we nearly died in worry when you did not return in the afternoon."


    Iughed nervously. "Sorry about that. Something unfortunate happened. It turned out the bandits were


    waiting for us."


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh. What happened to the three of you was terrible,¡± re scolded.


    "If there''s no rogue, bandits will be our enemies. That''s why we were hesitant to let you go. Imagine our


    shock when the alpha king brought you here, unmoving. There was blood all over your body. We tried


    to wake you up, but you wouldn''t wake up. We will not allow you to go there again," ra added.


    "I won''t. I learned my lesson, so please rx." But if the situation asked for it, I would do it again.


    "Anyways, how long have I been out?"


    "Three days."


    My eyes bulged. "Three days?" That long?


    "And did you know that the alpha king never left your presence? He was constantly checking on you to


    see if you were still breathing or not. He has not been eating since yesterday. If Beta Valentine did not


    force him to eat, he wouldn''t put something on his stomach and continued waiting when you will be


    awakened.¡±


    ¡°You may not have known it, but when you arrived, he never wanted anyone near you except for the


    pack doctor.¡± The twins shivered at the memory. ¡°That¡¯s why we never wanted to see the alpha king get


    mad. It was frightening. We nearly peed our pants.¡±


    The alpha king did that? Why was he furious? And why did it make me smile secretly?


    My, my. The alpha king did not say something about that. Teasing him will not also help me. I was


    confident he would only deny it.


    ¡°You made us worry, River. Even Sir Elijah came and asked for you."


    "Why would the alpha king tend to me?"


    The twins looked at each other and shrugged. "Perhaps because you two are mates?" They offered in


    reply. "Like,e on, River. That''s normal between mates."


    There was nothing ordinary about our situation right now. I had no space in his heart. Only Zenith.


    "It isn''t. I''m famished. The alpha king said that he would ask you to bring food. May I eat?"


    The twins stared at me with wide eyes. "Oh! We left the food. We will be right back in the moment." And


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    they scampered away from me and went back to the kitchen.


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


    After filling my stomach, I looked for Dawn and found Dawn beside Isagani''s presence in the open,


    where warriors usually practice their swordy. The two were side by side, cleaning the swords.


    My steps faltered, and I realized how closed they had be. Much closer than me and Delta Isagani


    had for the past few days.


    Unknown to Dawn, Isagani kept ncing at the woman as if he was starstruck.


    I shook my head. Perhaps I imagined things. Delta Isagani was fascinated with and loved Lady Juliana.


    The two did not notice my approaching presence and continued talking while cleaning their swords.


    My heart warmed looking at Dawn. She was looking betterpared to the first time I saw her. Red


    started to decorate her cheeks, and fats began to appear.


    I cleared my throat, and the two instantly nced in my direction.


    "May I disturb the two of you, Delta Isagani?"


    "Yes. You may," he answered and put the sword back on its sheath.


    Dawn smiled at me and tossed the cloth on the table where her dagger was lying. "River. I''m d you


    are awake now. You make me worried."


    "I''m also happy you have friends right now. Did the alpha king and you talk?"


    "We did, and he gave me permission to stay here until I want to return to my previous pack, which I


    know left nothing but dust."


    "And?"


    "And?" she asked. "What do you like to know more, River?"


    I shrugged my shoulders, letting it slide. "Nothing. I''m d you and Delta Isagani are friends."


    Her brows furrowed while Delta Isagani looked away.


    "We are not friends. I came here first, and Delta Isagani joined me, saying it had been a long time since


    he had cleaned his sword. We did some practice. He taught me things to make my fighting style better.


    Nothing else."


    Feigning a surprised look, I covered my mouth. "Oh. I thought he was your second-chance mate now."


    She stifled augh. "Second chance, mate? Nothing will rece my beloved in my heart."


    Why can''t everyone get over their first love? Like hello? Someone out there would be much willing to


    love them. And I was not referring to the alpha king and me but somebody else.


    "You should also consider getting a new one. I''m certain your mate will like you to do that. Do you also


    think the same, Delta Isagani?" His eyes kept ncing sideways, refusing to meet me in the eyes.


    I smirked. "Delta Isagani. May I ask a question?"


    "What?" he barked. "You always raise a lot of questions."


    I chuckled. "Do you have a little crush on Dawn?"

 68. Do You Want Me to Kill Them?

    68. Do You Want Me to Kill Them?


    Delta Isagani freaking blushed!


    What the heck?


    Did he like Dawn? That would be awesome!


    "You like Dawn, Delta Isagani?" I pressed even more. His cheeks looked like a freaking tomato which


    made meugh. "Hey. That''s okay. Everybody experienced having a crush on her. I mean, she''s


    beautiful and strong¡ª"


    "River," Dawn admonished. "Don''t give any meaning to his gestures. He is only being kind."


    Kind?


    I stopped, but the smile could not stop making Its way to my lips.


    It would be better if Delta Isagani would stop obsessing over Lady Juliana, who did not even ept his


    feelings. He deserves someone who would love and ept him for who he is. And this woman, Dawn,


    deserved so much better.


    Yeah.


    I was a sucker for someone else''s love story, but not mine.


    "If that''s what you want to believe, Dawn. But I am seeing something different."


    My eyes darted back to Delta Isagani. For the first time, aside from his sad expression, I saw


    embarrassment. For me? That was a good thing.


    "I have to go now. I will be leaving you women to catch yourself," Delta Isagani informed and scrambled


    away from us as if we were the cause of the gue.


    Chuckling, I said, "See that? He''s guilty. He has a huge crush on you."


    "Stop that," Dawn said, unbothered. "He knew my story. He''s merely sympathizing with me. Now¡­why


    don''t we talk about you, huh?"


    I straightened myself and sat on the table, making my expression serious. "I''m d nothing happened


    to you."


    Dawn looked at her shoulder. "The bullet scraped my skin¡ªnothing to worry about. As for the broken


    ribs, it''s healing. Your pack doctor is an excellent healer."


    That''s good to hear. Butter¡­I will follow up to see if there is something to fix. I had to make sure.


    "You never told me you have a wolf."


    "I also know about that time. The danger may have triggered her toe out, but now, she is silent


    again."


    I tried calling her several times, but my wolf was not responding. Perhaps she was asleep?


    I will try againter until she responds to me.


    Dawn picked one sword and sheath and put it on her hips.


    "Good to know. Remind me not to mess with your wolf. I don''t want to die a painful death," she teased.


    I fell silent. Guilt found its way into my heart and settled there. My hands were already tainted with


    someone''s life.


    He may not be innocent, but still. He died. Painfully. My wolf made sure of that.


    Dawn sensed the sudden change in my mood and faced me.


    "You don''t have to feel that. You only protected yourself, River."


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    "I can still remember his cry of pain, but my wolf wouldn''t stop attacking. She was thirsty for blood, and


    she wouldn''t stop until she was satisfied. I am afraid I have to kill more people. I don''t want to be a


    killer."


    Images of blood and the stench of it resurfaced in my mind, making me nauseous.


    "Kill or be killed. You choose River. If you allowed him to do something to us, we wouldn''t be breathing


    now. Or worse, he would kill me. He will sell you off after defiling you."


    I will choose death over being sold to another master.


    Nheless...


    It did not appease the guilt I had been feeling. It was a personal healing. I heal, not kill people.


    "By the way. Did the alpha king tell you?" Dawn inquired.


    "Why? Are you his messenger now?"


    I thought she would hate the alpha king because of what his predecessor had done to her pack. But


    she did not.


    Dawn looked at the vast mountains in front of us.


    "We talked once. Alpha King Maxxwell told me to make myselffortable, and he will treat me as a


    visitor to his pce. Not a ve. He was nothingpared to the previous ruthless alpha king."


    "You''re not a ve. Not anymore. "


    "All thanks to you for giving the ne given by Elijah. It was from the Council. Why did you give


    such a precious gift, River?"


    Dawn''s eyes watered, touched by what I did.


    I did not want her to know that I had already nned to sell it to the highest buyer. But something came


    up first, and that was meeting her. I could not stomach the thought of Henderson continuing to abuse


    her. Physically.


    "It''s nothing. Your life is much more important."


    Moved, Dawn jumped out off the table and hugged me. That bear hug made me fight for my breath.


    Gasping, I said, "Let go. Can''t breathe."


    "Oh. My apologies," she said and distanced herself from me.


    Coughing, I looked at her, reminded of what she was trying to say earlier. "What did the alpha king tell


    you about me?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "That you will be returning to your pack tomorrow. The alpha king forgot to tell you about that?"


    My blood went cold.


    Tomorrow? I would be seeing my former packmates. And Alpha Erik? Breathing suddenly felt difficult.


    "Hey. You okay?" she asked with a worried look. "Do you want me to join you? I will ask the alpha king


    if he will permit me. I vow not to allow anyone to hurt you there, River. You can trust me."


    I did trust this woman. But not myself. What if I was the same weak she-wolf they had known? What if


    fear took over me, and they ridiculed me again, just like during my stay At Haverstone Pack?


    "River. You are hyperventting. Take a deep breath. Okay?"


    Her voice was so far as if she was talking inside the cave.


    Images of Alpha Wade and his sadistic smile resurfaced in my mind. Damn. Can''t...


    I stared at Dawn''s eyes and was reminded of the sea. It was bluer than blue.


    "Inhale. Exhale," she ordered.


    I did. I followed hermands and it took some time before I pulled myself together.


    "You okay now?"


    I can''t stand looking at her anymore. I felt embarrassed for showing my vulnerability in front of her.


    "I-I''m fine," I said, my voice shaking. "I can do it."


    "River. Do you want me to kill them for you?"


    I froze at her question. "Why would you kill someone?"


    "I treat you as my savior. I don''t want anyone to hurt you like this. I will ughter them. Do you hear


    me? They are not allowed to inflict pain on you. I don''t want them to do that."


    Still shaking, I hopped out of the table. "Don''t talk lightly of killing someone, Dawn. Don''t put the stench


    of blood on your hands."


    Shrugging off, she answered. "You did not know what other things Henderson asked me to do, River. I


    was not only his record keeper but his assassin as well."


    "What?"


    "Yes. You heard it right. So killing someone is a piece of cake. I heard you came from Haverstone


    Pack. The previous alpha was Alpha Wade, and Alpha Erik is now ruling the pack. I know them. Meet


    them once during the Alpha Meeting. And they were nothing but bastards and assholes who did not


    know how to honor authority. They secretly believed they were better than the alpha king," she spat.


    She looked at me. "So what do you think? Do you want me to kill the alpha who gives you nightmares?


    This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, River. You better think carefully about it."


    I gulped.


    What a tempting offer.

 69. Whats Mine is Mine

    69. What''s Mine is Mine


    Killing Alpha Wade? His death would surely bring me joy. He was the cause of all my mysteries. But if


    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 for that to


    happen.


    In the end, I answered, ¡°No, thank you, Dawn. You already did a lot for me. It is enough. This is my


    battle. You don¡¯t have to meddle.¡±


    Her face fell. Wait. Was she really serious about killing Alpha Wade? Still bowing her head, Dawn said,


    ¡°I never did anything for you. Killing Alpha Wade is the only thing I can do for you, River. Give me your


    permission.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Alpha Wade is not an easy enemy, Dawn. He has tight security all over the pack, and if ever


    they capture you, they will only torment you before they kill you. You are safe here. Let me handle 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 pce. After dinner,


    Alpha King Maxxwell retreated to his chamber, and I went after him. I tried to serve him¡ªask him what


    he wanted me to do, but his answer? He wanted me to rest and recuperate my strength 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 full


    potential, thanks to my wolf, who was still silent. Besides, if someone needed to rest, it was none other


    than Dawn! It was she who was wounded that time. Not me.


    I was already bored from staying in the chamber, jealous of the enved people below who were busy


    working.


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


    Lying side by side, an arm¡¯s length between us, I listened to the silence surrounding us. We were just


    like 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. I


    wondered 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 me


    silently.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s too loud, and I need someone to listen to my thoughts, Your Majesty. Pretty please?¡± I asked,


    fluttering my eyshes.


    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 notment.


    ¡°I mean, you usually return at dawn. So why aren¡¯t you searching for your beloved woman right now?¡±


    ¡°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 his


    naked chest. He usually sleeps naked on top while wearing his loose pants on the lower part of his


    body. 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 I did not


    find some answers.¡±


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


    tightly 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 particrly appreciate how my body responded to his


    closeness. My heart beat wildly as if it was trying toe out from my ribcage, and the only thing I


    heard was the soft thumping of his heart, slowly calming me.


    ¡®Kiss him,¡¯ my wolf ordered.


    I red 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 of


    someone else.¡¯


    ¡®What a bummer,¡¯ she answered and retreated to the darkness. Thankfully, she understood this


    ¡°What are you thinking, River?¡± the alpha king whispered in my ears, bringing me back to the present.


    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 kiss him.


    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 bing ufortable.¡± My body loved the closeness and wanted something more like


    running my hands on his chest while drawing his face towards mine. The mark on my neck was tingling


    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 stared


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    straight ahead.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know the rumors surrounding the pce?¡±


    Rumors? I was not yet updated. After my talk with the twins, we had no chance to talk again. Dawn


    was 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 I?¡±


    ¡°It may pressure you. Some may ask you to take me as your mate officially since that should happen.¡±


    But because you still love Zenith¡­you cannot do it.


    ¡°When I be 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 face and


    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 Zenith


    starting 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 his mouth


    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 sinful mind


    told me.


    ¡°You know what?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I answered, forgetting how to breathe.


    ¡°I¡¯m teaching myself how to ept that Zenith has already left this world. I want the two of us to start


    together. I will introduce you as my queen when we arrive at your pack, River. So please do a good job


    of being on your best behavior.¡±


    "I am on my best behavior, Your Majesty," I answered, smiling sweetly. "But why the sudden change of


    mind? Before, you strongly believed Zenith is still alive, but now, you think she is dead? Please


    enlighten me, Your Majesty."

 70. Tears

    70. Tears


    A muscle ticked in Alpha King Maxxwell''s jaw while giving me an intense stare. I maintained my smile,


    despite the fast beating of my heart in my ribcage.


    Damn.


    It was already a pain to smile too much.


    "You want to know why River?" he interrogated. He patted my stubborn hair, ttening the baby hairs,


    which looked like nothing but a bird''s nest at the moment. I hadn''tbed it yet (I found the task a


    waste of my time), so it was standing in every direction, including the baby hairs.


    He grabbed a handful of my hair using his fingertips and put it on his nose, and inhaled deeply.


    Fudge.


    "Y-Your Majesty...I haven''t washed my hair," I said nervously. If I had known he would do this, perhaps I


    should have taken a bath earlier. "It may smell," I said, feeling the sudden rise of my body temperature


    on my cheeks.


    I tried to step back, but he snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me to his body.


    "Y-Your Majesty?"


    What had gotten over him? It seemed like someone possessed him. This wasn''t the usual alpha king. It


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    would be better if he would re at me and punish me instead of acting weird. It was not like him. I was


    not used to this side of him.


    "Look at me in my eyes, River."


    As much as I wanted not to, his mesmerizing voicepelled me and left me with no choice but to look


    up and gaze at his tantalizing eyes.


    I gasped when I saw raw hunger wash over him. For me?


    "Y-Your Majesty?" I inquired nervously. Again. "Is there something¡­wrong?"


    This was bing dangerous. Being in his presence was scary for my heart. I may die due to the fast


    beating of my heart.


    Putting both hands on his yummy naked chest, which brought shivers down my spine, I tried to push


    him away.


    It''s no longer healthy for me if I continue being around him. My heart wouldn''t stop beating wildly.


    Damn it!


    But the alpha king wouldn''t allow me. Instead, he put my arms on his neck, touched my bottom,


    surprised me, lifted me in the air, and put me on the railings.


    Even during that brief moment, I felt his hands perfectly fit my bottom.


    "Scared? I still haven''t answered your question yet, River."


    "What?" He cocked an eyebrow. "I mean, what is it again, Your Majesty?"


    His words were no longer understandable anymore. I felt stupid all of a sudden, notprehending his


    statements.


    ncing at the guard patrolling below, I said, "You can keep the answer to yourself, Your Majesty. I am


    no longer interested in it."


    Dammit.


    I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as I was suddenly getting queasy. Who would be calm if I was


    freaking sitting on the balcony''s railing, and the alpha king could push me down below (which I doubted


    he would do) with one extra push?


    The second fact about me?


    I was never fond of height.


    I was only forced to jump from here before (when the twins looked me in) because the situation asked


    for it, and adrenaline kicked in. But not now.


    Getting dizzy, I secured my hold on the alpha king''s neck and rested my forehead on his.


    Hmmm.


    Better.


    I was gettingfortable in this position, and being in the presence of one''s mate did some magic.


    "You okay?" the alpha king asked, his voice coated with worry.


    I gulped.


    Sandalwood.


    I could not get enough of his scent right now. It calmed my racing heart and my fear of getting shoved


    into the ground. However, the back part of my mind already trusted him that he wouldn''t do anything


    that would harm me, believing that his moniker ck Heart was not true.


    I could only hope.


    When I did not reply, the alpha king softly patted his hands on my back.


    My heart warmed at his sweet gesture.


    My wolf was suddenly up, purring.


    ''Isn''t he handsome, River? Maxxwell is insanely gorgeous that it should be illegal.''


    Great. My wolf was swooning over the alpha king.


    ''Well, he is gorgeous, but it stops there. And why did you onlye out now?''


    She purred while stretching her legs. ''I don''t feel like talking to you if you will not kiss him.''


    ''That''s insane. Why would I kiss him?''


    ''Because I want you too.''


    ''Not even a chance.''


    She red at me before retreating to the darkness. ''What a bummer.''


    "River¡­."


    I was suddenly brought back to the present.


    The alpha king was waiting for my answer.


    "Why are you doing this, Your Majesty?" I could not help but ask. "You are confusing me." Scaring me.


    Inflicting uncertainty in my heart on why my body responded like this in your presence, I wanted to add


    but stopped myself.


    His hands stopped brushing my back. "I was terrified when I saw you fainted back then, River," he


    started.


    It took me a while before I realized what he was referring to. It was during our capture in the hands of


    the bandits.


    "I thought you would die. I believed another of my fated mates would perish without giving me a chance


    to save you."


    Wait. Did his voice shake?


    I wanted to see his eyes and confirm it myself, but he drew me closer to his body, not wanting me to


    move or look at him.


    "I can''t handle another death from my fated mate." His voice quivered.


    My heart warmed at the vulnerability he was showing me. I did not want this minute to stop. I tried to


    capture this precious moment.


    Urging him to continue, I created small circles on his back and copied what he had done earlier to me.


    He shivered under my embrace and exhaled. I felt him kiss my hair and inhale it.


    I was serious when I said I did not wash my hair. So why would he keep on¡­.


    "I don''t want you to die without telling you I want this bond to give it a try, River. I want to give this a try."


    My hands halted and smiled bitterly.


    In the end. It was not because of me. But because of the bond, we shared.


    "Your Majesty, is that your guilt of Zenith''s death speaking?"


    He was quiet for some moment.


    Again. I was right.


    Disappointment washed over me.


    I was hoping that he was already over with Zenith; that''s why he was trying to give us a try. I was


    wrong.


    Why could he not forget about that woman? It was I who was alive. Not her. It was I who was hugging


    him, but why could he not understand that?


    "You don''t have to ept me, Your Majesty. Do you want to know why I want you to reject me?"


    His hold on me loosened.


    We stared into each other''s eyes, and all I saw was nothing but sadness in his eyes. For Zenith again?


    I released my hold on his neck and put one palm on his chest.


    "This one," I dered. "Your heart is still calling for Zenith''s name. I don''t want to beg for something


    you cannot freely give, Your Majesty. I don''t want to force myself on you. It''s a blow to my ego."


    "Give me some time. I will forget about her, River."


    I shook my head.


    He could not.


    "Let''s not fool ourselves, Your Majesty. All my life, I''ve been forcing myself to do everything for my pack


    to ept me. So that they will stop abusing and bullying me. And now I have to force my way again


    into your heart?" My eyes watered, looking up to stop them from falling. Then I stared back at him and


    gave him a small smile.


    He lifted his hand and tried to touch me, but I pped it away.


    He clenched his jaw but did not try again.


    "Your Majesty. I still have some dignity left in my heart. So please, do not tell me to give this


    rtionship a chance when all you see in me is that woman''s face. That''s why you are giving our bond


    a chance. Because I looked like her, and it will satisfy your guilt," I spat.


    My words seemed to hit Alpha King Maxxwell''s heart because he lost his strength and staggered back.


    Using that opportunity, I jumped onto the floor and put a safe distance between us.


    "It''s not like that, River," he mumbled.


    "It is like that, Your Majesty. Unfortunately."


    "I always see you."


    "No, you did not. My face always makes you think of Zenith. That''s why you instantly agreed when I


    asked for your help during the Mating Ceremony, right,?


    "It''s unfair on my part, Your Majesty. All my life, I have been waiting for someone to ept me. You did


    not even tell me that we are mates. It took a couple of weeks. You hide it from me. You''re so freaking


    unfair."


    I wiped the tears that rolled down from my eyes. Stupid tears. All my heartaches suddenly resurfaced.


    "I have a reason, River."


    "What a load of crap, Maxxwell! Your reason is because you are still believing Zenith is alive! And if she


    is alive, you will just reject me just like what Alpha Erik did! I am your spare key when the original key is


    lost. Your back up n."


    "River! That''s not the reason."


    "Another bullshit!" I cursed. Punishment be damned. I did not care. He could put me back in the


    dungeon for all he wanted. As long as I could tell him everything right now.


    I was tired of carrying the burden for quite some time.


    Angrily wiping my tears, I added, "You are still carrying your love for Zenith. I don''t want to share your


    heart with her. And yes. I am that greedy when ites to someone I want."


    The tears kept on rolling. Damn it!


    I never wanted to cry in the first ce!


    His arms fell on his side.


    "I hope you get what I mean¡ª" My words died from my mouth a single tear fell from his eyes.


    The alpha king was crying with me? Why?

 71. Bad Mood

    71. Bad Mood


    My tears retreated as I saw the great alpha king''s tears. I had temporarily forgotten my pain.


    Someone exined to me what was happening.


    A noble, an alpha king to be precise, was crying in front of his subordinates, or ve was forbidden.


    The custom did not allow it. Nobles should always appear powerful, never showing any signs of


    weakness to anyone, or the ves would lose their respect for them. But the alpha king showing his


    vulnerability in front of me was a humbling experience.


    And before I knew it, I wrapped my arms around the alpha king''s waist, and this time, I drew him closer


    to my body, silently consoling him.


    My throat felt tight; I never said anything but patted his back.


    I felt his shoulders shake, and as a sign of respecting his vulnerability, I did not even look at him. Or it


    would break the magic.


    What a humbling experience. Why did the alpha king show his vulnerability in front of his personal


    attendant? In front of me?


    ''Aw. Kiss her, River. It will make him stop crying. I could not handle seeing the alpha king''s tears. My


    heart feels like it is tearing apart. Oh, River. Please answer my call!'' my wolf said, exaggerating.


    As if a kiss will solve anything. This beast thought everything was always simple.


    ''I''m not asking for your solicited advice, okay? It''s not right to take advantage of this moment.''


    The beast scoffed.


    ''What a bummer,'' she said again, using her infamous statement, and went silent.


    I was brought back to the present when the alpha king hugged me even more.


    We were like that for a few moments until he calmed. When he stepped back, I never looked at him out


    of respect for his emotions.


    This was the first time I seriously respected him as an individual and not because of his status in the


    kingdom.


    Still not looking at the alpha king in his eyes, I asked, "Are you okay now, Your Majesty?"


    He gave onest sniff and answered, "Fine now. You can look at me in the eyes, River," he whispered.


    Crying may have taken a toll on his strength.


    I bit my lower lip. "I don''t...want to, Your Majesty."


    "Why? Are you disappointed after seeing me cry? Men sometimes cry, River. We are not always


    strong."


    I knew that was okay and had never been an issue.


    "Nope. I thought you didn''t want me to see you cry but thank you for that humble experience. I did not


    know it would turn like this."


    The wind was getting chilly. The moon was now hiding under the clouds.


    "It''s okay. I already fixed myself."


    I nced at him, only to see his eyes were not puffy, nor did not even have any redness. It seemed like


    he did not cry.


    Wow. How did he do that?


    "I put some spells."


    "Spells?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "My teacher taught me once. Let''s sleep now, River. All my energy is drained now."


    Before I could reply, he turned his back on me, and all I could do was follow him. His Majesty lies on


    the bed, still not putting some shirt on his chest.


    Wey on our backs while my mind tried toprehend why he cried. Perhaps it was because of


    Zenith? The woman was always the reason why he was vulnerable. No one else. Maybe he missed


    her.


    "River. Can youe closer?"


    I nced at him. He was staring at the ceiling.


    "If you are cold, Your Majesty, it''s better to put a robe on your body," I suggested. "It will help a lot."


    "It''s not like that."


    And before I could say something, he closed the distance between us, drawing me closer to his chest.


    He inhaled my hair. "Better," he said. "Let''s stay like this."


    I heard the fast beating of his heart as Iy still, trying to understand why he was doing this.


    "Your Majesty?"


    "Sleep. Don''t talk anymore. I''m tired."


    A couple of minutes more, and the alpha king was snoring softly while Iy awake the whole evening


    before slumber pulled me in.


    ¡ª--------------------------


    Someone was forcing me to get up, but my mind was still clouded and asleep. I groaned, grabbed


    anything, and threw it to the voices.


    "Aw! River! You have to get up!"


    "River!"


    "River?"


    Ugh.


    "Let me sleep," I said, my words slurred as if I was drunk. I had no idea when I fell asleep, but one


    thing was for sure. Last night, when I could not sleep, I looked at the alpha king''s sleeping face while


    my wolf was busy admiring his "perfect" physical features.


    "The alpha king is already waiting for you in the carriage! Come on, River!"


    Someone grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed. Another hand tossed aside the nket I was


    using.


    I pooped one eye and saw it was the twins while Dawn was leaning on the door frame.


    "What happenedst night that took you thiste to awaken?" ra grumbled. "Your eyes are even


    puffy."


    What happened? The alpha king freaking hugged me, refusing to let me go in his arms. I tried to


    wriggle away from his hold, but he would awaken and ask me what was wrong which I would reply with


    nothing. And the alpha king would be back in his sleep, unaware I was battling against myself, refusing


    to befortable in his arms.


    "N-nothing happened, okay?" I lied and hopped out of bed. From the balcony, dawn was starting to


    break.


    There was no time to take a bath. I took off my nightgown and slipped into my most fancy dress.


    This was the day when Alpha Erik and I would meet, and I had to show him I was well and doing well.


    I asked the twins to braid my hair, and after we were done, the twins took their belongings and stepped


    out first while I tailed after them.


    "River. Can we talk?"


    "Dawn. The alpha king is waiting for me. Don''t worry. We will probably be back after three days. Or two


    days." But depending on the alpha king.


    "Will you be okay there? You can still change your mind, River. Will I kill Alpha Wade for you?"


    "Stop that," I scolded. "Others might hear you. We do not know who to trust in the four corners of this


    wall, Dawn."


    "Promise me you will return in one piece."


    "Of course. I have to go. See you."


    When I stepped outside, the alpha king was already waiting for me, irritated. One carriage was in the


    front, while another was at the back. Maybe the alpha king did not want the rogues to ambush us


    anymore.


    "What took you so long, River?"


    I bowed at him and answered, "Sorry for the long wait, Your Majesty. Dawn and I talked about


    something and¡ª"


    "Hurry up, and we will go," he said, cutting off my words.


    "We already put your things in the carriage, River. Enjoy, okay?" the twins said in unison.


    I nodded.


    "River! You keep on making me wait! Do you want me to leave you here?"


    The twins and I jumped at the loudness of his voice and hurried inside, settling opposite him.


    Never!


    "My apologies, Your Majesty."


    "Let''s go!" The alpha king ordered the coachman.


    We were in the middle of our journey when the alpha king continued not saying anything. Well, I know


    he was not chatty, but his silence gave me another meaning.


    When I could not bear it anymore, I said, "Your Majesty. Is there something wrong? It seems you are in


    a bad mood."


    "Nothing."


    "It''s not nothing, Your Majesty. Something bothering you?"


    "River!" I jumped and stared at him. "I want you to keep your mouth shut, okay?"


    I held my hand in reply, still bothered by why he was acting like this. I tried to recall what I did wrong.


    But aside from beingte, there was nothing else. So¡­what was his deal now?

 72. Bow Down Before Your Queen

    72. Bow Down Before Your Queen


    My lips pressed into a thin line.


    I wanted to tell him it was no longer necessary to get irritated, but I knew he would only order me to


    keep my mouth shut. Again. As if that was the only thing he could ask me now.


    Fine. I won''t press it more. It would only stress me out.


    I turned sideways, giving him the silence he deserved. He was giving me the cold shoulder? No


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    problem at all!


    I should be the one in a bad mood since I slept for only a few hours because of him.


    "I will give you your silence then. Enjoy," I muttered and shifted my gaze to the view outside. The more


    I looked outside, the more I slept.


    He did not answer. Once more.


    Hmmph.


    The cool breeze brushing against my skin was tempting me to fall asleep. And I did. I give in to the


    temptation.


    I had to gather my strength anyway for the uing meeting with the two alphas.


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


    I was dreaming that I was dancing in the meadow with all the butterflies encircling me. I wasughing


    my heart out. Unbothered with all my problems.


    Until¡­Someone shook my shoulders softly. That voice was calling me gently with hesitation. Instead of


    opening my eyes, the more I snuggled into the warmth that the body was giving me and clutched him


    as if my life depended on him. And he smelt so good. Delicious. Mouth-watering. The smell of my


    favorite sandalwood scent. Like that of the alpha king.


    I wanted to sleep beside this person.


    The person groaned, shaking me again. This time, with more force.


    ¡°River.¡± His voice was coated with urgency.


    Damn that voice. Can¡¯t he see I was sleeping?


    ¡°River. Will you continue sleeping or do you want me to toss you out of the carriage?¡±


    Oh, great. Did that voice belong to the alpha king?


    As much as I wanted to stay in that person''s warmth, I opened my eyes and saw I was clinging and


    leaning on His Majesty''s arms with my nose pressed on his bare skin.


    I stiffened.


    Oh. My. Goddess.


    I did not know how it happened like this, but damn. This was embarrassing!


    Horrified, I stood and sat opposite him, nearly falling because of hurrying.


    The alpha king leaned on his seat.


    ¡°My apologies, Your Majesty. I slept more soundly than I intended.¡±


    It was because of myck of sleep. I got sofortable with his presence that I put down my defenses.


    The alpha king folded his arms in front of his chest. ¡°Wipe the drool on your face, River.¡±


    Drool? I was not drooling, right? I better check.


    I did what I was told. He was right. There was something wet at the corner of my lips.


    Ugh.


    ¡°I¡¯m so-sorry, Your M-Majesty.¡±


    Could someone kill me now? Or I wanted the ground to swallow me up?


    I checked for the second time for any drools. No more. Satisfied, I nced at the alpha king shyly.


    ¡°I¡¯m decent, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°You are my face, River. It¡¯s uneptable behavior that you¡¯re drooling like earlier.¡±


    Was it my fault that I did not know I was drooling? He also salivates during his sleep. I just kept silent


    about that.


    Letting it go, I said, ¡°Alright. I know. I know, Your Majesty. I¡¯m sorry if I had fallen asleep. May I know


    where we are right now?¡±


    I checked my surroundings and went pale when the familiarity of the ce hit me hard. Haverstone


    Pack. My beloved pack.


    Ourpanions on this trip had already stepped out of their carriages and the only remaining


    passengers inside were the alpha king and me.


    ¡°You know where we are?¡± the alpha king asked.


    I hung my head low.


    ¡°Haverstone Pack,¡± I mumbled.


    I shrink in my seat.


    I was not yet ready to meet my previous packmates. Or even Alpha Erik. Especially Alpha Wade. If


    only the alpha king did not ept the invitation, I would be back in the safety of the pce. My life was


    starting to feel great at that ce. I will be facing the devils of my past.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to meet your ex-mate,¡± he announced.


    I fisted on the hemline of my dress. I did not know if he was only mocking me or not, but I did not


    appreciate any of it.


    Refusing to not let it affect me, I smiled at him and hid the bitterness I felt in my heart now. ¡°Can I stay


    here, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Stay here until tomorrow? It¡¯s not possible, River. You need to go with me.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± I¡¯m scared, I wanted to add. I wanted to run and hide. I wanted nothing from this ce.


    My eyes went round when he suddenly grabbed my hands and pressed them firmly. It was warm and


    temporarily made me forget my worries at the moment.


    He brushed his fingertips on my cheeks, and whispered, ¡°I got you, River. You don¡¯t have to be afraid. I


    will protect you from those bastards.¡±


    Perhaps sleeping all throughout the journey helped a lot to lighten the alpha king¡¯s mood.


    ¡°Can I be honest, Your Majesty?¡±


    He nodded, urging me that I could bear my soul to him even if only at this moment.


    ¡°I am¡­terrified, Your Majesty.¡±


    He rested his forehead against mine. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be. I am here.¡±


    ¡°But¡­.¡±


    And just like that, he engulfed me with a hug, lending me his strength. I shivered against his arms and


    with trembling hands, I wrapped my arms around his waist, inhaling his scent deeply.


    I was unaware of how badly I needed this. Him.


    My heart beat loudly against my chest.


    The soft thumping of his heart calmed my racing heart and it felt like we were the only ones around.


    My wolf purred and danced to the music she only heard. She was celebrating the progress between the


    alpha king and me.


    ¡®Kiss him, River,¡¯ she ordered, hugging her paws. ¡®Use this opportunity, River. Strike while the iron is


    hot. I want to be the queen ruling beside him. We need to be the queen, River.¡¯


    ¡®It¡¯s not for you to decide,¡¯ I answered back.


    The wolf rolled her eyes. ¡®You have the same goal anyway.¡¯


    Did I? Do I really want to be the queen and rule the kingdom beside His Majesty? I was not sure.


    ¡®Kiss him while he is still clinging to you. As passionate as you could.¡¯


    ¡®Shut up. Go away like you always do,¡¯ I said. She was not helping anyway. All she did was tell me to


    kiss the alpha king. Nothing else.


    The alpha king released me. ¡°You can have my words, River.¡±


    I only nodded, half believing his words.


    All my life, I did not depend on anyone. I was all alone and the alpha king insisting his protection


    towards me was unbelievable.


    ¡°I appreciate your help, Your Majesty but as much as I wanted to be inside your protection, I can do it


    for myself.¡±


    Sadness crossed his eyes before it vanished.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you wish,¡± he said, sighing. Well, that was not the answer I was expecting again. ¡°Hurry.


    The two bastards are waiting for us.¡±


    I drew a long breath and followed the alpha king.


    My insides were churning as I followed the alpha king. Warriors were piled on each side, holding their


    swords on their chests, one of our pack¡¯s traditions whenever the guest arrived. At the pack¡¯s entrance,


    Alpha Wade and Erik stood side by side while on their back were the noble women from different noble


    families. I knew each of them. Recalled all of them.


    The alpha king¡¯s stride was long as if he was in a hurry to meet the leaders.


    I had a hard time catching up with him.


    The butterflies in my stomach fluttered as we were getting nearer to the awaiting alphas.


    They were like carbon copies of each other¡¯s faces. There was no mistake that they were father and


    son. Both have the same height.


    My fist clenched as I saw Alpha Wade¡¯s disgusting smirk directed toward me.


    Refusing my emotions to get over me, I held my head up. I was no longer a mere ve now but the


    alpha king¡¯s face and future luna and queen.


    We stopped in front of them.


    Alpha Wade extended his arms as if he wanted to hug the alpha king. He was smiling, but it was full of


    malice. Disgusting bastard.


    ¡°Alpha King Maxxwell, wee back. Thank you for gracing my invitation. My pack deeply appreciated


    your presence right now.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, Alpha Wade. It¡¯s my pleasure.¡±


    The alpha¡¯s eyes shifted to me. ¡°I see you brought your ve with you. River. It¡¯s been a long time.


    How many months has it been since west saw each other?¡±


    My hands trembled and before I could do something that would anger the alpha king, I hid my hands


    behind my back.


    Fuck him!


    ¡°I see. She had gone mute. Do you know I had been attempting to silence her foul mouth, Your


    Majesty? It seemed you seeded in doing it.¡±


    ¡°Father,¡± Alpha Erik said.


    Alpha Wade held his hand, silencing his son. ¡°I knew she was nothing but a useless bitch, Your


    Majesty.¡±


    Damn him to hell!


    Looking back at his shoulder, the alpha king nced at me, and when I did not move, he pulled me


    towards his body and rested his hands on my shoulder.


    ¡°Alpha Wade. You did not know? I thought Alpha Erik told you River is no longer a ve. She is my


    mate. I found it during the Mating Ceremony. You heard it right. She will be your future queen." Alpha


    King Maxxwell''s eyes traveled around. "Show your respect. Bow down before her.¡±

 73. Alpha Wade

    73. Alpha Wade


    I knew that people would never respect me because of my past because I was an omega and ve of


    the Haverstone Pack who rose to rank because of the alpha king.


    No matter how many fancy dresses I wore and the diamonds and gold I owned, they would still refuse


    to honor me as their future queen.


    I yanked at the alpha king''s clothes, silently telling him that it was no longer needed to force it on them.


    I understood he wanted to help me with my so-called revenge against Alpha Erik, and I appreciated


    him for that. However, there was something I could no longer do which was beyond my reach¡ª


    eptance from them.


    However, if I wanted to let it go, the alpha king declined to let it slide.


    "You refuse to honor the alpha king''s order?" he growled, baring his teeth at everyone. "How dare all of


    you! Do you want me to punish you until you beg for my mercy?" he barked.


    My packmates retreated.


    I was satisfied seeing the fear in their eyes and how they cowered on the alpha king''s threatening


    res.


    Angering the alpha king was their mistake. Angering him further would be their death.


    The alpha king let out a guttural growl.


    The women gasped and shivered in fear and hastily fell to their knees. That was how powerful the


    alpha king was. The rest followed one-by-one, heeded by Alpha Erik until the only one standing was


    Alpha Wade.


    Alpha Wade grinned at me.


    "Father," Alpha Erik warned, watching him.


    Alpha Wade smiled again, bringing nothing but shivers down my spine. It was true he never respected


    anyone''s authority.


    However, to my surprise, he followed his son and bowed his head.


    "Hail to the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice!" Alpha Wade shouted. The other followed, chanting


    those words.


    Did their chants feel like music in my ears? It was not. Instead, my skin felt like something was crawling


    as I continued listening to them.


    Those were not victorious chants.


    It feels like something terrible will happen soon.


    Satisfied, the alpha king held his hand, and my packmates stopped.


    "Now. That''s better.. that''s the kind of warm wee I want from this pack, Alpha Wade. Enough of


    that. Let us know where our room is, and we will retire for the day: rise, servants of the kingdom of


    Vernice. My people," the alpha king ordered, emphasizing the word servants.


    They stood.


    "The ves already prepared your room, Your Majesty and River." ncing at me, he asked, "Or do


    you want me to address you as Your Grace? How about Queen River of the kingdom of Vernice?"


    Alpha Wade interrogated.


    He was taunting me. There was no way he would ept his past ve to be his future queen. His


    pride wouldn''t allow it. That would be a blow to his ego.


    I cleared my throat and gave back his smile¡ªthat sickening smile that did not reach his eyes.


    Bastard.


    I put one hand on my chin as if deep in thought.


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    "Alpha Wade. You humor me. I did not know you are now soliciting suggestions from your servants."


    "I have to respect the authority and be on good terms with the kingdom."


    Liar, my mind spat.


    I extended my hand in front. "Kiss my hand, Alpha Wade. And while you do it, call me Queen River, or


    you can call me Your Grace. Any of the two will do. I like it when you call me that, Alpha Wade.


    Pleasant to my ears. Something new. I never thought I woulde back here being your queen."


    He did not move.


    Alpha Erik gulped beside Alpha Wade.


    Pouting my lips, I nced at the alpha king.


    "See that, Your Majesty? Alpha Wade is only good with his¡ª"


    Alpha Wade held my hand and imnted a kiss. "Who says I will not honor the future queen? Not me,


    Your Grace."


    I yanked away my hand, not showing him how disgusted I was. However, I have to maintain my calm.


    Alpha Wade stepped aside. "Do you want me to help you get to your room? But I am sure, even if I tell


    you where you would easily know the location. You know every corner of the packhouse after being a


    ve here, right, Your Grace?"


    Damn him to hell!


    I leaned on the alpha king. "Ah. The memories. Back then, it was I who was groveling in your feet but


    now, it is you who is eating the dust off my feet. The world, indeed, is round, Alpha Wade. Right, Your


    Majesty?" I asked the alpha king.


    I was thankful he was going with the flow. He allowed me to handle Alpha Wade and never scolded me.


    This was my unfinished battle between him and me.


    I refused to return here as a coward and a pathetic loser. I did not want them to have that satisfaction.


    "And you learn a lot, Your Grace. I bet you also know how to read and write now?"


    The alpha king nced at me, and his eyes told me he wanted to ask if it was correct.


    Suddenly, something felt as if someone wanted to intrude on my mind. I opened it and felt the alpha


    king''s presence.


    ''Is that right?'' he asked, using a mind link. ''You''re illiterate?''


    The alpha king inside my mind was...how do I put it in words? Intimate.


    I felt all his emotions inside my mind.


    Confusion. Betrayal?


    I stumbled on my feet, but he was there instantly, catching me and helping me stand.


    Alpha Wade motioned for us to follow him. The crowd parted for us to give way.


    ''River. You''re not answering my question.''


    ''Is that a big deal, Maxxwell?''


    Surprise. That was his reaction when I called him by his first name, and it felt natural, rolling out from


    my mouth.


    ''Yes.''


    ''Then, you will now reject me after this?''


    ''I did not say I will reject you. Why do you keep on forcing that on me?''


    Because, most likely, that would happen next. He will get tired of the others not wanting to ept me


    until he gives up.


    ''Let''s move, Your Majesty.''


    ''We will continue talking after this.''


    Our chamber turned out to be situated right in front of the room I had upied before.


    "This is where you will be staying, Your Majesty and Your Grace."


    He knew this was my room and chose to give us this room to remind me of my past. That I was nothing


    but a ve, and even if I was the alpha king''s mate, it won''t remove the history.


    "Do you like this room, Your Grace?" Alpha Wade asked.


    Damn you! I will curse you as long as I live!


    "The other rooms are fully upied because of the uing party, Your Majesty and Your Grace. I


    hope you are not offended," Alpha Erik said.


    Alpha Wade upied my mind, and I forgot Alpha Erik''s presence.


    "This room is fine," the alpha king answered.


    Eyes widening, I nced at the aloha king. "No, Your Majesty." He cocked an eyebrow. "I don''t like the


    room." To the two alphas, I said, "Is this how you treat your king and queen?" My lips pressed in a thin


    line. "Pathetic. Give us the best room. No. Scratch that. I want your room, Alpha Wade. I have been


    staying here for eighteen years, and I guarantee you have the best room. So will you give it to me or


    not?"


    ''My, my. I did not know you could be evil like that, River,'' the alpha kingmented.

 74. More Secrets

    74. More Secrets


    Alpha Wade gritted his teeth, his facade nearly slipping away. If there was something he didn''t like, it


    was when someone would go to his room. He believed his space was sacred and deserved for himself


    only. Even his son was forbidden to do so. Only a few servants were permitted to clean his room, and I


    was never included. He did not trust me that much.


    By asking about his room, I wanted to know if he had changed.


    ¡°My room, you say?¡±


    I shrugged my shoulders and folded my arms in front of my chest, and smirked at him.


    ¡°Yes, your room, Alpha Wade. I did not know age had taken a toll on your hearing.¡±


    Alpha Erik stiffened beside his father.


    Acting as if he was unaffected by my teasing, he answered, ¡°It¡¯s not yet clean, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°Unclean? Really? Or do you not want us to use it? My, my. I am not yet proimed the queen, yet you


    dare to defy me? Careful, Alpha Wade. The kingdom may think this is some disrespect against the


    kingdom of Vernice.¡±


    Alpha Wade chuckled. ¡°Disrespect? You have a hyperactive imagination, you got there, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t think about that if you are willing. But you are not.¡±


    He looked at me hard. It did not slip my gaze that he put both hands at the back of his shoulders. I


    smiled inwardly. Maybe he was picturing himself strangling me.


    ¡°Fine. If you insist, you can use my room during your stay. Don¡¯t tell me I didn''t warn you about it being


    unclean.¡±


    I pped my hands. ¡°Excellent decision you made so far in your life, Alpha Wade.¡±


    I tugged the alpha king¡¯s hand as we followed him, as he led the way even if I already knew where it


    was. I still remember every building and room of this pack like the back of my hand.


    And together, we went to his room. It was situated on the north side, opposite Alpha Erik¡¯s room.


    After a few turns, we arrived at his room.


    Grinning from ear to ear, Alpha Wade looked at us. He was the only one giving us that smile, while his


    son looked as if he was constipated.


    ¡°Here it is. You may enjoy your stay.¡± Alpha Wade opened the door, and we stepped in. ¡°Dinner will be


    ready a couple of hours from now. I will order the servant to inform you, Your Majesty.¡±


    The alpha king nodded, and together we stepped inside.


    The strong scent of a fruity scent wafted through the air. A painting of an Alpha Wade prominently


    seated on a chair with Alpha Erik beside him hung above his majestic bed. He looked like a king in that


    painting, while Alpha Erik was his prince.


    The theme of his room was ck, and itplimented his ck and twisted personality.


    Contrary to what he had said, I never saw a single dust on the floor. He did not want us to upy this


    room as if he was hiding something from us.


    ¡°If this room is to your liking, we will leave you here, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alpha Wade softly closes the door leaving us.


    When the alpha was already out of sight, my knees gave out, and I leaned on the chair for support.


    The alpha king rushed to my side, his eyes coated with worry. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Shaken, but I could still handle it.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Your Majesty,¡± I whispered.


    I drew some air a couple of times and released it. It felt like I had just escaped death earlier.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let me handle this one. I can manage,¡± I lied.


    I wondered where I gathered the courage earlier to pretend I was strong in front of the ruthless alpha


    that I was not shaking inside. That his mere presence was not making my stomach churn. His smile


    reminded me of his abuses towards me and the others and how he never pitied us whenever he


    punished us because of our mistakes. In reality, I was the same weak child who constantly punished


    me whenever Imitted a small error.


    I mustmend myself for doing a great job of acting.


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    I nced at him. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Don¡¯t bother yourself. Thank you also for allowing me to handle


    the situation earlier and for lying that I would be your future queen. It means a lot.¡± I would lie again if I


    had to if the situation asked for it¡ªcountless times.


    The alpha king¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°Lying? I did not lie on that part, River. I will proim you as my


    future queen when we return to the pce.¡±


    A gasp escaped my lips. ¡°What? Why would you do that? Are you out of your mind, Your Majesty?¡±


    Disappointment crossed his handsome face. ¡°That¡¯s not the answer I was expecting from your mouth,


    River.¡±


    I distanced myself away from him and sank onto the bed. It was softer than cotton. ¡°Do you want me to


    dance happily after what you did, Your Majesty? First, you hide the fact that we were mates. Second,


    you hide about Zenith. If I do not push myself to investigate, you will nevere clean.¡±


    ¡°It was a mistake, River.¡±


    ¡°And my greatest concern is your people. They would never ept a ve as their queen, just like


    what happened to your first love. Did you see my packmate¡¯s eyes? They were mocking me. If not for


    you, they will refuse to honor and respect me as their future queen. Think first before you jump into


    something hasty, Your Majesty.¡±


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    I bit my fingernails.


    No one would ept me. No one. Not even his people.


    He sat beside me. ¡°I think about that a couple of times. It¡¯s time to move on. Zenith will always be my


    first love. No one could rece her in my heart. But I have to think of the present situation, River.¡±


    No one could rece Zenith in the alpha king¡¯s heart. That was the most painful statement I heard that


    day. My heart was bleeding.


    Ultimately, I was nothing but a tool¡ªa decoration in his kingdom.


    I smiled bitterly. ¡°Did the Council force you to have an heir now that they know we are mates?¡±


    The alpha king looked away.


    After falling asleep during the Council¡¯s meeting, the alpha king never asked me to join again. He was


    afraid might sleep again, putting humiliation on him.


    ¡°Why did the two of you never have a child, Your Majesty?¡± I asked. ¡°You¡¯ve been staying for quite


    some time, but the two of you were childless. Care to exin? Or do you want to hide it from me


    again? Fine. Bring your secrets to your grave; I don¡¯t care,¡± I spat.


    The alpha kingy silent beside me in deep thought.


    His shoulders were slumped, and he was sighing now and then as if carrying all the world''s burdens.


    ¡°Forget about what I asked. Never mind. Allow me to go outside. I want to catch some fresh air,¡± I


    announced. His silence was suffocating me. The pain that it brought to my heart was frightening. How


    much did he affect me? Why could we not share the same feelings? Why was I always the one who


    was always hurting? Why?


    Realizing I wouldn¡¯t get an answer from him, I stood on the verge of walking away when he grabbed my


    wrist and pulled me into hisp. My back was towards him, but I could hear the fast beating of his


    heart. His scent overpowered the scent from Alpha Wade¡¯s room.


    ¡°You want to know the answer?¡±


    ¡°If you want to¡­but if not, I don¡¯t want to force it out of your mouth.¡±


    He scoffed. ¡°Your mind wouldn''t stop asking questions, River. The only thing that the two of you


    resembled were your faces. However, to you, Zenith never asked a lot. She would always ept what I


    say and was obedient.¡±


    As if I will be submissive to him. No way.


    ¡°You would not answer me anyway.¡±


    He rested his face on the hollow of my neck, where my mark was located. It tingled because of his


    touch.


    ¡°We were childless because¡­Zenith does not want to bear a child. The Council got impatient and gave


    me a group of women that would bear me a child. They were Nora''s group¡ªmy concubines.¡±

 75. We Have to Talk

    75. We Have to Talk


    I put my hands on myp. "So since the two of you failed to bear a child, you will transfer the


    responsibility to me, Your Majesty? Is that it? Is that also the reason why you won''t reject me?"


    That would be possible, given the circumstances we have right now. Zenith was no longer here.


    If that was the case, I was right. I was nothing but a means to the alpha king''s goal. Nothing less.


    Nothing more.


    What do you expect? That the alpha king would love you? Pathetic. He won''t. ept that. It will always


    be Zenith.


    The alpha king sighed, and I shivered as I felt his warm breath fanned across my neck.


    The mark throbbed even more and was followed by a tingling sensation. It burned as if it was aching to


    be touched, and as if sensing my difort, the alpha king brushed his fingers on it.


    "Stop that," I muttered. He did not.


    I bit my lips to stop myself from moaning over that simple gesture. Simple for the others, but between


    the two of us, it greatly impacted me.


    My wolf purred in the background, savoring the moment.


    The alpha king nted a kiss on my mark.


    Damn it. I did not like what I was feeling now. The wall I had built carefully was slowly crumbling


    because of the alpha king.


    "I won''t force you if you don''t want to get pregnant, River," he whispered.


    I inhaled sharply. "You will ask your women to bear you a child?"


    The thought of him fathering someone else''s child was unsettling. My wolf wouldn''t ept it. My mind


    wouldn''t buy it.


    "If the situation asks for¡ª"


    I whipped my head in his direction, red at him, and stood.


    "I won''t allow it!"


    A smile made its way to his lips, and it was toote when I realized what I had just said. Did I just utter


    that I was jealous of his women?


    "If you don''t want me to impregnate my concubines, I won''t force it, River," he whispered with a stupid


    grin that irritated me. "I will wait until your mind is ready to be a mother of my pups. They will be


    our princes and princesses who will inherit the throne."


    Images of tiny copies of the alpha king shed in my mind. My heart melted at the images of his


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    children¡ª our soon-to-be babies, which I would take care of running around the pce.


    I shook my head.


    What was wrong with me?


    I was still young to think of such thoughts. Bearing his children was not part of my n. My n was


    only to bear his mark. To show Alpha Erik that someone still wanted me despite being a ve. And so


    that no one will bully me anymore.


    Nothing else.


    So why would my mind dart to those kinds of thoughts? And why did I feel as if I liked it?


    Cheeks burning, I answered, "That''s not what I am trying to say. You are wrong, Your Majesty. I do not


    have ns of having your children."


    "Is that your decision?" he asked, strolling towards me. "Please bear in mind that I will find ways to


    change your mind."


    "My decision won''t change, Your Majesty," I answered, gritting my teeth. "You want a child? Ask your


    concubines. They would be happy to give you one."


    The alpha king stalked me as if I was his prey.


    I backed away until my back hit the cold wall.


    "Too bad I want my mate to be the future mother of my children."


    "Too bad I don''t want that to happen," I answered.


    "You will change your mind, River. It''s only your anger towards me that is talking for you," he said with


    confidence.


    "I won''t, Your Majesty. No amount of coaxing would change my mind. I don''t want any children from


    you. I don''t want them to face the same disrespect I am experiencing now."


    Even if they were from the alpha king, they would still be silently branded as ves since they came


    from me.


    "I won''t allow anyone to hurt them¡ªphysically, emotionally, and mentally."


    As if he could always protect them for twenty-four hours.


    Towering over me, the alpha king said, "What do you want then, River? In exchange for your


    approval?"


    ''You!'' my wolf answered hastily while hugging her paws. Her eyes were full of affection for this man.


    ''Say it, River! Say you are only lying that you did not want him. You want his pups.''


    Well, I did lie about some things, but I did not want to take back my words.


    ''I am not lying.''


    ''What a liar. Take back your words. The alpha king might believe it.''


    ''I don''t care,'' I replied to my wolf.


    I wanted to know how long he would try to change my mind if he had the patience.


    ''What a bummer,'' my wolf said, and she hid back in the shadows. ''You will regret this.''


    "Unfortunately, you cannot buy me, Your Majesty."


    "I''m not buying¡ª"


    "You are." I massaged my neck. I was stressed out. "I-I want to take a breath, Your Majesty. All we


    have is differences in opinion."


    His mouth fell, and disappointment crossed his face.


    "Are you sure you want to get some fresh air?"


    "Certainly."


    I want to think more. Being with him inside this room will not help at all.


    "How about Alpha Wade? Can you handle him on your own?"


    I looked away and shifted my gaze to the painting.


    "I can deal with him. No need to worry about that, Your Majesty." Talking to Alpha Wade was better than


    conversing with the alpha king. As of the moment. "I''ll be quick."


    He put a safe distance between us, which I was thankful for.


    "The best thing we should do is rest, River. Our body needed it after a long journey."


    "Your Majesty. You don''t understand."


    "What do I not understand? Exin it to me, River."


    I met my gaze, and without batting an eye, I answered, "I am trying to get away from you."


    "Why?"


    "Because I need to reflect and understand my emotions right now."


    "You can do that when we return. Tomorrow will be the bastard''s party. You should take a lot of rest."


    What the heck? That was all he could say? What an insensitive jerk!


    The alpha king would never understand.


    However, this was not the right time to burst. I had to control my emotions.


    "I will. After I go outside." I put both of my hands on my forehead. "Please, Your Majesty. I must go


    outside."


    His ears perked. "Urgent?"


    "Yes. Do I have to spell the word? No. I did not know how, anyways."


    "Enough of that nonsense, River. Be honest with me. You will be meeting with Alpha Erik. That''s why


    you wanted to go outside?" he growled.


    I stared at him in disbelief. What the fuck was he talking about?


    "I don''t understand you anymore, Your Majesty." I grabbed the handle of the doorknob, opened the


    door, and stepped outside.


    But the moment I was outside, someone grabbed my wrist, and when I looked up, it was none other


    than Alpha Erik.


    "River. We have to talk."

 76. You Love Him?

    76. You Love Him?


    Pulling myself together, I stared at Alpha Erik and calmed my racing heart. I should never have felt like


    this whenever I saw him. Our stories were already closed. Our bond was severed.


    I should be calm. And not feeling like this¡ªmy heart beating loudly.


    Reprimanding myself, I looked at him, making my expression nk.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Let go of my wrist,¡± I ordered. ¡°I am no longer your ve who you will grab whenever and whatever


    you want. The alpha king is only inside. I don¡¯t want him hearing and looking like this.¡±


    As if burning and realizing what he did, he let go of my wrist. He scratched his neck as if he was


    humiliated.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    My mouth gaped at him. Alpha Erik? Muttering his apologies? Was he the person I was facing right


    now? Or was it his twin?


    Refusing to be surprised anymore, I folded my hands in front of my chest. "What do you want, Alpha


    Erik?" I asked.


    "River. Can we talk?"


    "That''s not how you should talk to your future queen, Alpha Erik. You should address me as your¡ª"


    His eyes softened, which made me stop. This was not the usual Alpha Erik who shared the same


    brutality as his father. Something had changed in him. But what?


    His physical appearance?


    Wait. He became skinnier than before. Dark circles were around his eyes as if he was not sleeping well


    these past few days.


    Even if he did change, you must not be fooled. Alpha Wade may be using him.


    "Fine. What will we talk about?"


    Was he asking for closure? It was no longer necessary.


    His eyes were suddenly fixated on my neck. He was checking out the mark, which he could see well¡ª


    a silent proof that I was mated. If he did not reject me, what would my life be right now?


    Touching my mark, I said, ¡°Well, if you don¡¯t want to talk, I have something to do.¡±


    His eyes went back to me. "I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s just that you changed. A lot.¡±


    I did not notice anything peculiar on my body except my wolf, who would only talk when she wanted to


    and who would only ask me to kiss the alpha king.


    ¡®I hear that, River.¡¯


    ¡®I did not hear you,¡¯ I answered back.


    Focusing my attention on Alpha Erik, I muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡±


    He smiled at me, which did not reach his eyes. His eyes reminded me of Delta Isagani and his


    unrequited love for Lady Juliana.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere private. Please?"


    I exhaled. "Led the way, Alpha Erik."


    I said I would take fresh air, so mind as well talk to him.


    He turned his back to me, and I followed him silently. Nothing changed this ce. It was the same


    ce that brought me nothing but negative experiences.


    Along the way, I saw a fresh set of new faces. Some were younger than five years old. Their tiny arms


    hugged the bucket of water as they went inside the kitchen.


    I clenched my fist as I imagined the hardships they would encounter at the hands of Alpha Wade. If


    only I could adopt them, I will. However, I was nothing but a ve. I did not have the power nor the


    resources for that one.


    Their curious eyes and their scared bodynguage were enough to make me fall silent as we went


    outside the packhouse.


    Alpha Erik led me to the courtyard, which I rarely went to back then. I had a lot of workloads while I was


    staying here, forgetting to rx a bit. The ce brought the serenity which I was dying to have right


    now.


    A fountain was ced in the center with a wolf statue in the middle. In its mouth, water came out from


    it.


    I leaned on the fountain and waited for Alpha Erik.


    "How have you been?" he started.


    I stared at him with boredom.


    "Enough of that, Alpha Erik. If you are only asking me about that, let''s end this conversation."


    His eyes widened. "No. No."


    "Did you bring me here to say our pleasantries? Say what you want to say, and let''s be done with it. I


    never wanted to associate myself with someone like you. Someone who looked at a person''s status


    and rejected her just like that. You make me sick," I spat.


    The pain because of the rejection resurfaced. Even my wolf felt the pain and was howling inside.


    "Forgive me for what I have done," he said, his hands both on his sides. "That time, I was scared of


    what father might do knowing I have a ve as my mate."


    "Don''t use your father as your alibi. Just admit you don''t have the balls to fight what you want."


    The question is, did he want you?


    He did not, I replied in my mind.


    He smiled sadly and stared at the sky.


    Some servants would pass by the courtyard, bringing something for tomorrow''s event, and they would


    give their curtsey bow, paying their respect to me, which I returned with a smile.


    "Maybe I don''t have the balls, just like what you said. And now...Father wanted me to take another


    woman as my mate."


    "Don''t you think he will not find out that it was I your mate whom you rejected?"


    "The secret was only between the two of us. No one knows so far, River."


    I scoffed. "Good. Bring that secret back to your grave, Alpha Erik. Imagine your humiliation when our


    packmates would know you were once paired with someone. A ve like me. They would ridicule you


    and talk behind your back. If you don''t want that to happen then¡ª"


    "I realized something, River," he said, cutting off my words.


    He was the same rude man I met and grew up with.


    "What? Do I look like I am willing to listen to your sentiments after your rejection? Alpha Erik. You seem


    to forget that my fated mate is now the alpha king. I don''t want him to be angry when he sees the two


    of us talking as if we are catching up with the past."


    He went silent.


    Served him right.


    After a couple of seconds, he opened his mouth. "The alpha king is amazing after taking a ve as his


    mate without minding anyone''s opinion. I thought he was only joking during the Mating Ceremony, but I


    was proven wrong when I saw your mark."


    Feeling proud, I lifted my chin slightly. "The alpha king never discriminated against anyone. He is the


    rightful king to the kingdom of Vernice."


    ¡°You love him?¡±


    I stiffened and was lost for words. That was out of the blue.

 77. Vengeance?

    77. Vengeance?


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


    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 ce. Everything is a facade to fool the people¡ª


    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 ring 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,¡± I


    started lying.


    He shrunk back.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    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 you


    changed 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 my


    mouth.


    ¡°What made you think I am not in love with Alpha King Maxxwell? He is my first love and will be my


    and takes care of me. He always reminded me to eat my breakfast if I forgot about it. I think those are


    enough reasons, Alpha Erik. Do you want me to add more proof?¡±


    ¡°It seemed like you¡¯re not in love with each¡ª¡±


    Faking a surprised look, I covered my mouth with one hand. ¡°Uneptable! We are! We do not always


    have to show it to the whole pack, don''t we? To his people. It only happens between closed doors, if


    you know what I mean,¡± I dered, cutting off his words. "No. I don''t think you get what I mean. 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 not


    sessful.


    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. Was he


    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 this


    courtyard.


    ¡°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 toe here to ask if you can give me a chance. Maybe you


    are only trying to get revenge after rejecting you.¡±


    I looked at him in disbelief, until my lips formed into a wide smile, andughed until I clutched my


    stomach 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 my


    revenge?¡± Well, you got it right, Alpha Erik, but there was no way I would say you are correct.


    ¡°Delusional. Do you think I will be miserable for what you did? Shame on you,¡± I spat. ¡°Alpha Erik,


    you are listening to too many cliche romance stories.¡±


    Alpha Erik shifted his weight from side to side. He moved his nce 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 thest time you will talk to


    me. I don¡¯t want the alpha king to say that I am trying to get back to you when it is the other way


    around. I don''t want to ruin the trust of the person who epted me whole.¡±


    I stepped backward.


    "Can I say onest thing?"


    I rolled my eyes at him. "You¡¯re making this conversation longer than intended. I would think you


    wanted 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 me to


    tell you."


    Hearing iting from his mouth was no longer surprising. I knew Alpha Wade like the back of his


    hand and how his mind works. He will do something evil. A ve who suddenly rose to rank was not in


    his vocabry.


    "Why are you being disgustingly kind to me, Alpha Wade?" I asked, showing my disgust. "When I was


    a ve, you were cursing my existence. When your father punished me, you only stood and did not do


    anything. Tell me what changed your mind now. Is it because I am the alpha king''s mate now?"


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


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


    "I want to have a good rtionship with you and the alpha king. Haverstone Pack and the kingdom of


    Vernice should create a harmonious rtionship."


    Alpha Erik excelled in giving me dissatisfaction in life. Why can¡¯t he say sorry directly?


    "A good rtionship, you say? If you want that one, stop your father from causing any harm to the


    alpha 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 king to


    put him in prison? My words are the alpha king''s words."


    "I 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 allow him


    to be paired with another she-wolf, forcing him to be ountable for what he did. He would forever 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 the alpha


    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 into someone.


    I staggered backward and looked. Before I could see who I bumped into, someone pped me hard.


    And it hurt like hell.

 78. Announcements

    78. Announcements


    ¡°It has been a long time since I stretched my palm. I did not know the receiver would be you, wench.¡±


    It was Lady Juliana. None other than the viin of my life in the pce. I thought I would never


    reencounter her, confident that the rumors that I was the alpha king''s fated mate had reached her.


    She inspected her palm as if it was some piece of art. "Here, I thought my visit to this ce would


    never be fruitful. I was d I came here."


    How the heck did she get here? Did Alpha Wade ask for her presence? Probably. She was the


    daughtering from a prominent and influential family.


    Lady Juliana poked me in the forehead.


    "You are a disgusting wench. A sore in my eyes. I hated how the alpha king chose you as his personal


    attendant when I could do it."


    Raw anger overpowered me. It did note directly from me but from the wolf. She resurfaced, baring


    her fangs at Lady Juliana.


    ¡®Fight that wench, River,¡¯ my wolf roared in the background. ¡®Now that I am at your side, no one can


    touch you and hurt you anymore. Avenge yourself. Kill her if it is necessary.¡¯


    I never thought my wolf could be this brutal.


    ''Are you a fool? Do you want me to die? That''s not easy.''


    She paced back and forth, still on edge.


    ''A queen never let anyone disrespect her!''


    ''I am not yet the queen! I do not have the power to punish this woman. We have to wait for the right


    opportunity. We need to get the alpha king¡¯s affection. He would never like it when he knew we were


    fighting Lady Juliana.''


    ''Fuck,'' she cursed. ''You always show your weakness. That''s why it took me a long time to decide if I


    would show myself or not. You haven''t shown and proven to yourself that you deserve me. I am one of


    the strongest beasts.''


    My eyes widened at her deration. Did she doubt me?


    ''We arerades.''


    ''You have to earn it. I will be with you all your life, and I do not want to be with someone weak. Prove


    yourself, River. I want a strong and powerful queen. Not someone like you.''


    I scoffed inwardly.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ''Am I hearing it right? That we are arguing right now?''


    She red at me. ''Because you are not listening to me!'' she growled. ¡°You continued doing what you


    wanted.¡¯


    I shook my head. ''Oh, no. You''re not growling at me.''


    ''I can.''


    ¡®What¡¯s your name?¡¯ I asked my wolf. She never gave me her name, and I could not address her


    adequately.


    ¡®Is that even important right now? Someone just pped you. I told you to kill her or avenge yourself,


    yet you do not want retribution? That is not how a queen should behave, River.¡¯


    Unfortunately, I was never like her. I never expected to be the alpha king¡¯s mate in the first ce.


    ¡®We will talk about thatter on. We will continue talking about this. I have to.¡¯


    ¡®I will give you my nameter. You have to give her a lesson, or she will continue acting as if she is the


    queen. I hated her guts.¡¯


    My mind returned to the present when Lady Juliana suddenly kicked me in my stomach. Pain exploded,


    and she attempted to hit me again, this time in my diaphragm, but I grabbed her leg and turned it in the


    opposite direction. She nearly fell but held her ground.


    ring at me, she said, ¡°You dare to harm me?¡±


    I wiped the dust from my face.


    Damn.


    It hurt.


    I was seriously considering the wolf¡¯s suggestion.


    ¡°You did it first, Your Grace. You pped me. I am the face of the alpha king, and this face should


    never be harmed,¡± I said, pointing at my cheeks.


    Her p still stung. As well as my stomach.


    Dammit


    ¡®I told you so, River! Kill that woman!¡¯


    ¡®That¡¯s not a wise thing to do right now,¡¯ I answered back. ¡®Let me handle this.¡¯


    ¡®You are always saying that!¡¯ she snarled but retreated in the background.


    Lady Juliana¡¯s hands trembled as she pointed it at me. "You! You seduce the alpha king. You forced


    him to bear his mark. That''s the only logical exnation I could muster about why you carried it in your


    disgusting neck."


    Something snapped in my mind. That was why she was bitchy? If she wanted hell, I would give it to


    her.


    "Ah. You''re referring to this mark?" I asked, angling my head to give her more ess while showing it


    to her. "Sorry to break it to you, Your Grace, but I did not force His Majesty to mark me. He did it on his


    own. Besides, we are mates. His Majesty promised I would be his queen. No one else."


    Her cheeks flushed red with jealousy. "Seductress! When I saw you, I knew you would not bring


    anything but trouble. While I was not beside the alpha king, you seduced him slowly until he fell on your


    seduction skills!"


    I grinned like a Cheshire cat at her. "I never seduce the alpha king, Your Grace. The bond pulled him to


    me until he could no longer resist me."


    I smiled even wider when steam came out from her nostrils.


    "Damn you, ve!" she cursed.


    ¡°Ah, ah. Not any longer.¡±


    "What''s the meaning of this?"


    Lady Juliana and I both pulled ourselves together. It was the alpha king and Alpha Wade, standing side


    by side. Thetter looked at me with disgust which I shrugged off.


    They stopped in front of us.


    Bowing, I said, "Your Majesty."


    "My queen."


    I looked up, not wanting him to show my surprise.


    My heart warmed at his endearment. It felt natural in my ears, even if this was all part of my lies.


    "I hear your voices even at a distance. What happened, My Queen?" the alpha king asked.


    My heart flipped three hundred sixty degrees when he called me my queen again.


    Damn it.


    I did not want to get used to his endearment. These were nothing but lies to fool the father and son¡ª


    nothing else. But still¡­it made my heart swell with pride and other emotions which I could not pinpoint.


    Before I could answer, Lady Juliana pouted her lips and, out of habit, went to the alpha king''s side, but


    he stopped her using his hand. The nobledy''s world crumbled before her, realizing she could no


    longer approach the alpha king like she used to. Not in my presence.


    She swung her head in my direction and watched me with anger.


    "Lady Juliana pped me, Your Majesty," I answered without hesitation, lowering my voice and making


    it sadder. The alpha king''s face darkened. That was the right reaction I was vying for. "And she kicked


    me in my stomach, Your Majesty." He trembled and watched Lady Juliana with an intense re. The


    poor nobledy shifted her weight from side to side. "Please forgive her, Your Majesty. It''s my fault


    anyway. Like she said earlier, I was not looking at where I was going. The servant told me you were


    looking for me, and I did my best to make it faster. But this happened."


    Alpha Wade lifted his eyebrows, not believing my words. However, that was no longer surprising. He


    was always distrustful, especially regarding his servants'' words.


    "Was it true, Lady Juliana?" the alpha king asked.


    Lady Juliana¡¯s mouth quivered.


    Before she could answer, Alpha Wade stepped in. "Your Majesty. I am sure it was nothing but women''s


    arguments. They were like that when they wanted to," Alpha Wade meddled.


    My hands quivered, and I put them at the back. That was also what he was good at.


    "Oh. Before I forget, Lady Juliana will be my son''s soon-to-be Luna. I hope the kingdom will approve of


    their union, Your Majesty."

 79. Fooled

    79. Fooled


    An arranged marriage between the two packs? That was unexpected. It had only been more than a


    week since the alpha king marked me, which was probably the start of the rumors about me taking


    after the throne. But Lady Juliana¡¯s marriage to another man? Too soon.


    I did not care about Lady Juliana¡¯s marriage. My mind was all about Delta Isagani. Did he know about


    this union? Or not?


    I feel sorry for the poor male wolf.


    It was the alpha king who reacted first at the sudden announcement.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a good decision, Lady Juliana. Congrattions on your uing wedding ceremony."


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I am expecting from you, Your Majesty,¡± Lady Juliana answered as if she was about to


    cry. ¡°I thought you would be a little against it since we had some past.¡±


    The alpha king gave her a confused look. ¡°I am happy. Truly.¡±


    Lady Juliana looked away, clutching her chest as if she was in pain.


    Did she truly love the alpha king even if they were not mates? Why could she love someone but not


    Delta Isagani?


    Do you not know the answer? It is because Lady Juliana will only love someone powerful, my mind


    answered.


    Delta Isagani was also influential. In fact, he was serving the alpha king. But why can¡¯t she nce at


    him?


    That¡¯s no longer your concern, River.


    Alpha Wade pped his hands. ¡°I will pretend I heard those words, Lady Juliana. As your future father-


    inw, it pained me to hear you still like the alpha king and not my son.¡±


    Lady Juliana bit her lower lips and mumbled something. It was as if she was going to cry. I wondered


    who was the brainchild of their union.


    "Your Majesty. My apologies for the sudden drama. Our pack would like to ask for your presence as


    well as the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice."


    "It would be an honor, Alpha Wade. After all, Alpha Erik was once my alpha," I answered, smiling. Did


    this asshole know I was his son''s fated mate before he rejected me? ¡°And Alpha Erik was also my ex-


    mate before he rejected me, of course,¡± I added,ughing.


    Lady Juliana and Alpha Wade did not share my happiness. Thetter¡¯s face was more of a shock.


    ¡®River,¡¯ the alpha king said, using our mind link. ¡®Was that necessary?¡¯


    I nced at him and answered, ¡®Yes, it was necessary, Your Majesty. I wanted to wipe the smile from


    his face. Please allow me to handle this, Your Majesty.¡¯


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡®Are you aware of the consequences? If you can¡¯t, stop this instant. Alpha Wade is not someone whom


    you can mess with.¡¯


    I knew that firsthand.


    ¡®I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty, but I have already started this. And I want to end this.¡¯


    He groaned in my mind and was suddenly overpowered by his worry for me. ¡®If you want some help,


    tell me.¡¯


    ¡®Thank you, Your Majesty.¡¯


    ¡°Ex-mate?¡± Alpha Wade asked if he wanted to ensure he heard it right or not. ¡°You and my son were


    once fated mates?¡±


    Faking a surprised look, I inquired, ¡°Oh. Alpha Erik did not tell you, Alpha Wade? I thought there were


    no secrets between the two of you.¡± Shaking my head, I added, ¡°Did it surprise you also, Lady Juliana?


    Well, I assumed you already knew about it since the two of you will wed.¡± I pped my mouth. ¡°I should


    have kept my mouth shut. I will talk to Alpha Erikter and ask him for my apologies.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive, Your Grace,¡± Alpha Wade said, his voice controlled. He was grinning from


    ear to ear, but I was sure he was only hiding his anger toward me. Served him right. That was not


    enough. This was only the beginning of everything. I will make sure to crush the father and son until


    they beg for my forgiveness while crawling. ¡°If I know about it, I will scold my son for rejecting you. After


    all, knowing a mate should be one of the best things to happen to us. Regardless of their status.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on, Alpha Wade. Let¡¯s stop our presumptions, shall we? Even if Alpha Erik epts me as


    his fated mate, you will meddle between us and force him to reject me. You do not want your status to


    be tainted with dirt. The dirt I am referring to is me.¡±


    Alpha Wade chuckled. ¡°You judged me too soon, Your Grace. I am quite aware of how amazing it


    would be to have a mate.¡±


    I waved my hand while chuckling, but deep inside, I wanted to punch and curse him until I would be


    appeased.


    Damn you, bastard. Until now, you do not want to lose your face in front of the alpha king.


    ¡°Alpha Erik was disgusted after knowing I was his mate, Alpha Wade. I found out about it during the


    Mating Ceremony. However, I was d of his rejection. Because of that, I will never meet the alpha


    king, my second-chance mate. He is the best thing that happened in my entire life.¡±


    As if my feet had a mind of their own, they went to the alpha king, and thetter automatically snaked


    his arms around my waist. A silent conversation passed between us, using our eyes. Sensing it was


    not enough, I tiptoed and kissed him on his lips which made his eyes widen.


    ¡°Thank you for attending the Mating Ceremony, Your Majesty,¡± I said. Still in shock, the alpha king did


    not have his reply. I faced my viewers¡ªAlpha Wade and Lady Juliana. ¡°See His Majesty¡¯s reaction?


    The same reaction after knowing I was his. But still, he did not hesitate to ept me and brought me to


    his kingdom.¡±


    Lady Juliana clenched her fist. Her eyes watered as she darted at the alpha king¡¯s hands wrapped


    around my waist. To make her more jealous, I pressed my chest against his and suddenly felt his shaft


    spring to life.


    I smirked.


    The alpha king let out a growl in his throat but pretended I was not affected.


    ¡°You fooled the people,¡± Lady Juliana spat. ¡°You fooled me!¡±


    ¡°Did I? We did not. It was the alpha king¡¯s idea not to tell his people. After all, everything was chaotic


    back then. The rogues were able to infiltrate the kingdom. We want it to be kept private first before we


    settle everything. Only narrow-minded people do not understand our decision.¡±


    ¡°I told you not to let other women approach him, but I did not know you were the snake who would


    betray me.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, Lady Juliana. I am also sorry that I told Alpha Erik¡¯s secrets, Alpha Wade. It¡¯s


    not my story to tell.¡± Looking up at the alpha king while still clutching at his arms as if my life depended


    on him, I said, ¡°I¡¯m famished, Your Majesty. I want to eat now.¡±


    He cleared his throat and threw a nce at Alpha Wade, who noticeably became silent.


    Perhaps he was still shocked (about my rtionship with his beloved son) that it slipped through his


    radar.


    nting a kiss on my forehead, which melted my heart, the alpha king announced, ¡°Right on time, My


    Queen. Alpha Wade had already prepared dinner for us. Lady Juliana. Please join us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t say no to the alpha king¡¯s request, Lady Juliana. This is supposed to be a happy event in


    celebration of Alpha Wade¡¯s birthday party tomorrow. Don¡¯t make the situation awkward, or I will think


    you¡¯re jealous,¡± I uttered, cutting off her words.


    She scoffed. ¡°Jealous? Against a ve? I, Lady Juliana, whose ancestors were the Luna of the


    kingdom of Vernice, envy you? In your dreams. I will join you, together with my fiance.¡±


    I smirked at her. ¡°You have a lot of fiancees, Lady Juliana,¡± Imented. ¡°Did Delta Isagani already


    know about your wedding? Do you want me to tell him to you?¡±


    ¡°Delta Isagani?¡± Alpha Wade asked. ¡°Is he the one serving the alpha king?¡±


    ¡°None other else, Alpha Wade,¡± I replied. ¡°She rejected him because she wanted the alpha king. But


    since His Majesty did not want her, she now wants your son.¡±


    Alpha King¡¯s hand tightened on my waist. ¡®Enough,¡¯ he ordered in my mind. ''You already made your


    point, River.''


    ¡®I am not yet done, Your Majesty.¡¯ My heart still wanted more.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Lady Juliana spat.


    ¡°Lady Juliana! Yournguage! That''s not how a noble should talk!¡± the alpha king chastises.


    She pointed her hands at me. ¡°I will never ept you as the alpha king¡¯s queen, even if I will breathe


    myst breath!¡± She faced the alpha king. ¡°My apologies, Your Majesty. But I cannot stomach eating


    with a bitch.¡± And she stormed away from us.

 80. Allegations

    80. Allegations


    All we could do was stare at Lady Juliana''s retreating form.


    ''You went overboard, River,'' the alpha king said using our mind link.


    ''Did I? I''m sorry, Your Majesty,'' I said, still smiling.


    ''Your apologies are not genuine.''


    I winked at him and faced the two alphas.


    "Now that Lady Juliana left us, is it okay that it''s only the three of us who will proceed to the dining


    area?" I asked.


    "We can, Your Grace," Alpha Wade answered.


    When we reached the dining area, Alpha Erik was already there, attending to the servants, and making


    sure everything was ready.


    It was a feast. A lot of mouth-watering foods were disyed, an extravagance that I had not


    experienced in a lifetime.


    If the alpha king did not lie to me about being his queen, I would be standing with the other servants.


    I inhaled deeply. Well, I wanted to savor this moment while itsted.


    The dinner was an intimate oneposed of Alpha Erik, Alpha Wade, and me. It would be more fun if


    Lady Juliana were also present, but after walking out, I never knew where she had been.


    The servants stood beside us and were ready to serve if there was something we wanted to eat.


    Looking at them reminded me of my past on how I would try my best not tomit a single mistake for


    fear of Alpha Wade¡¯s punishment.


    The alpha king¡¯s hand rested on myp as if silently telling me he was always there for me.


    I appreciated this man. For what he was doing so far. He was also one of the reasons why I dared to


    stand against Alpha Wade and Alpha Erik, even if my insides were shaking.


    Pretending.


    That was what I was good at only.


    ¡°Alpha Erik, I would like to extend my congrattions on your uing wedding,¡± I said, grinning from


    ear to ear, breaking the thick silence surrounding us.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on, Alpha Erik. Alpha Wade informed us that you¡¯re going to marry Lady Juliana. If not for


    your father, the alpha king, and I wouldn¡¯t know about it,¡± I said, cutting off his words.


    I grabbed some grilled chicken legs I hadn¡¯t eaten once when I was still in Haverstone Pack and


    munched on a piece of meat. I did not care if I was eating gracefully or not. The food was so tasty that I


    forgot how a fake queen should behave.


    Alpha Wade was silently watching my eating etiquette. To taunt him more, I ¡°identally¡¯ put some


    grain of rice in the corner of my mouth.


    The alpha king stilled beside me and said, ¡°My Queen, you have some....¡±


    Without waiting for my reply, he removed the grain from my mouth, to which I responded with a


    chuckle.


    Reminded of Alpha Erik, I shifted my gaze at him as I grabbed the tissue the alpha king had given me


    while saying. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡±


    He was watching the scene shing in front of his eyes.


    I wondered what he was feeling now. Regret? Jealousy? Or disgust? I could not really tell.


    ¡°I see. Father has already informed you, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°And I also informed him that we were¡­you know?¡± I chuckled when I saw Alpha Wade gritting his


    teeth. Did he already regret inviting the alpha king right now? I would be happy if he did. ¡°I thought that


    Alpha Wade already knew, Alpha Erik. Forgive me.¡±


    He forced a smile and answered, ¡°There is nothing to forgive, Your Grace. It¡¯s my fault for forgetting to


    inform Father.¡±


    Forget?


    More like you were hiding it.


    ¡°Oh. I see. There¡¯s no bad blood between us, then.¡±


    ¡°None so far, Your Grace. How could I think ill of you when you are my queen?¡±


    My queen.


    There was a big difference when the alpha king uttered those wordspared to Alpha Erik. The


    former melted my heart, while thetter brought shivers down my spine.


    The alpha king wiped the corner of his mouth using the tissue. "Let me also grab this opportunity to ask


    about the queen''s past, Alpha Wade. They said that you were the one who saw her in the River. How


    true is that?"


    I stopped munching my food as my heart suddenly beat wildly.


    The alpha king honored his promise of asking Alpha Wade about my origin. It would be better if I


    learned something from this visit, or else everything will be futile.


    My grip on the spoon tightened. Alpha Wade watched me as I struggled to maintain my breathing.


    "Oh. About Her Grace?" He beamed, and I hated it, as if he was poking fun at me. "It was true I was


    the one who saw her first. She was bloody all over..." he trailed off.


    Bloody? Whose blood was I carrying?


    As if knowing what was in my mind, the alpha king asked on my behalf, "Was it her blood, Alpha


    Wade?"


    Alpha Wade let go of his utensils and leaned back.


    "It wasn''t from her. The baby had no wounds whatsoever."


    "Maybe the one carrying her was forced to let go of her. Someone could be chasing the person who


    was holding her."


    "That''s what I had in mind at that time, Your Majesty. After all, I saw her at the border. At that time,


    ves were being persecuted after trying to escape their masters. Rogues were also sold into very."


    "A baby with an unknown identity. Is that also why you gave her the omega status at such a young


    age?"


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Alpha Wade shrugged off his shoulders. "My apologies, Your Majesty, but during that time, Icked


    some ves. The rogues also attacked our pack, and many of my servants died protecting the pack. I


    was left with no choice."


    "What a bastard," I muttered under my breath.


    But the asshole could hear my words when he asked, "What was that, Your Grace?"


    Beaming, I answered, "I said you were a bastard during that time, Alpha Wade, and still is an asshole


    right now."


    The servants beside us gasped while Alpha Erik stiffened.


    "A bastard. You are the first one who said that to me."


    Sighing, I answered, "It''s because they are scared of you, Alpha Wade. How could an adult be ruthless


    to a baby when she could not even stand on her own feet? I wondered how I was raised by that time."


    "If I knew you would turn out to be the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice, I should have asked one


    of the best wet nurses to care for you," he responded bluntly.


    "Nah. That''s not what I am talking about, Alpha Wade. You''re making me look like the viin when you


    are the bad guy."


    I sipped the wine from the ss and put it down after.


    "I did not know you have a sharp tongue, Your Grace. You usually cower and beg for my forgiveness


    while groveling when I attempt to punish you for your mistake. But look at you now. You finally have the


    wings for that."


    I stilled.


    I felt my hands trembling, and before the ss could slip from my fingers, I released my hold.


    Shaking my head, I said, "You were ruthless back then, Alpha Wade. Not only then but until now.


    Punishing the servants because of their mistakes was eptable. However, I wondered how many


    women you defiled?"


    "That''s a serious allegation, My Queen," the alpha king muttered.


    "It''s not an allegation, Your Majesty. It is true. You can ask all the female servants here if Alpha Wade


    attempted to defile them, attempted to or not."


    Alpha Wade''s face darkened while Alpha Erik''s face looked at his father with worry in his eyes.

 81. Not Zenith, But You

    81. Not Zenith, But You


    Alpha Wade inhaled deeply, his hands shaking under the table. He was trying his best not to attack me


    on my seat. If looks could kill, I would be dead by now.


    However, I was not afraid of what he might do to me. In fact, I was enjoying every moment of his anger


    toward me. With the alpha king beside me, I was untouchable.


    "That''s not funny, Your Grace," Alpha Wade said. "I valued my ves."


    Smirking, I took a small bite of the watermelon in my hand.


    Valued my ass. If Alpha Wade said he valued his position and power, I would believe him. But not the


    ves. If he did, he would never punish us unjustly. He would never imprison us and let us starve for a


    maximum of three days so that we would learn our lessons.


    Alpha Wade made me sick. I wanted to kill him at this instant. I was confident the ves would dance a


    happy dance after that.


    I put the leftover on my te, wiped the corner of my mouth, and smiled at him.


    "Kidding? I''m not kidding, Alpha Wade. I practically lived and grew up in this ce. I know what I am


    saying, Alpha Wade."


    No words could exin the horrors I encountered while living in this ce, and only the ves knew


    the actual scenario. ves like me. I was lucky (if I could say that) when I was only punished. But I


    could not say the same to the other ves.


    "Do you have evidence?" Alpha Wade asked, suddenly shifting his mood.


    "I''ll look for it." Or I could create one if everything was already wiped out.


    I will lie and cheat if it means I can take my revenge.


    "Which means you cannot say I sexually abused my ves without proof, Your Grace. I wonder what


    the other alphas would think if they found out you gave promations without proof. That would


    jeopardize your authority."


    My eyes bored into him. "Is that a threat, Alpha Wade?"


    He shrugged his shoulders. "It depends on how you see it, Your Grace. As for me, I am only reminding


    you. Show proof about what you are saying, and I will face whatever punishment the alpha king will


    give."


    What a bold bastard. He was confident in saying that because the ves would always side with him


    for fear that he would do something in their family.


    I finished my fruit. ¡°Don¡¯t bite what you can¡¯t chew, Alpha Wade.¡±


    "I am not."


    "Father. Let''s eat our food," Alpha Erik interjected.


    The rest of the dinner was uneventful. I tried to disregard Alpha Wade¡¯s presence while trying to eat all


    the food that was served.


    The alpha king and thetter continued talking while I went silent, thinking of ways to uncover the


    mystery of my childhood.


    I needed someone who would tell me nothing but the truth, and it was not Alpha Wade.


    Which reminded me of something.


    ¡°Alpha Wade, may I know my wet nurse back when I was still a baby?¡±


    I was never given a chance to learn about that. And it already left my mind because of my busy


    schedule.


    The alphas and the alpha king''s conversation stopped, and the attention shifted to me. ¡°I thought that


    conversation about your childhood was already over, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not. So tell me, who my wet nurse was at that time.¡±


    ¡°Even if you ask her, you will not know more than what I could give.¡±


    Your fake distortion of reality? No, thank you.


    ¡°I will give her my thanks, Alpha Wade. It¡¯s not easy to breastfeed someone who is not even your child.¡±


    His eyes told me he was not buying it, but who cares? I had to ask someone topare this bastard''s


    statement and hers.


    ¡°It¡¯s Liza.¡±


    My eyes shifted to Alpha Erik.


    ¡°Liza?¡±


    ¡°I saw you the first time Father brought you while he gave you to Liza.¡±


    Alpha Erik? How old was he at that time?


    "Tell me more, Alpha Erik, about Liza."


    Liza? I could not remember that woman¡¯s face. Nor her name.


    ¡°May I see her? Where can I find her?¡±


    ¡°My Queen, you can give her thanks tomorrow,¡± the alpha king suggested. "Who knows? Maybe Liza


    will attend the celebration."


    I shook my head. ¡°I want to say it now, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°I am afraid you cannot give your thanks to that woman, Your Grace. She¡¯s dead,¡± Alpha Wade


    responded.


    "Is that true? Or do you not want me to talk to her?" I looked at his son. "Alpha Erik. Is Liza truly dead?"


    "Unfortunately. She died because of her sickness."


    I clenched my fist.


    Damn it.


    Which left with Alpha Erik. If he saw his father, perhaps I could extract some truth from him behind his


    Father¡¯s back.


    ¡ª---------------------


    The alpha king was getting more handsome in my eyes, as much as I hated to admit it. The more I


    stayed in his presence, the more I got to know more of him, and I did not like how my heart reacted.


    At the moment, I was fixing his clothes after I was done with mine. Since I was the only ve he was


    with, I had no option but to take care of him. Tonight was Alpha Wade''s birthday party. I did not want


    him to have a long life. It was the opposite.


    ¡°You have to be on your best behavior, River.¡±


    I inwardly rolled my eyes.


    He had been saying that how many times already? My ears seemed to bleed from his constant


    repetition as if I was some kind of stupid. I may not be able to learn thoroughly how to read and write,


    but I was not that stupid.


    "I know, Your Majesty."


    I straightened his sleeves, looking for any uneven sides.


    "I don''t want them to belittle you. Or else, I may do something which I will regret, River."


    I looked at him and smiled sweetly to console him. I knew why he was worried. Now that he said I


    would be his queen, all eyes would be on mine. They would look for any mistakes that I wouldmit.


    In all honesty, I was uncertain if I could pull it off¡ªpretending I knew how to act regal.


    "No one will belittle me, Your Majesty. I won''t allow them. All my life, all they did was crush me. I was


    tired of all of that. It''s time to give them a taste of their own medicine."


    He gave me a small smile, worry still coated on his eyes.


    "Come here, woman."


    "Why would I¡ª"


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    My eyes widened when he hugged me, nearly crushing me.


    "Your Majesty, are you okay?" I asked. "You are acting weird, and you know that? Alpha Erik and Alpha


    Wade are not around, so you don''t have to do this or pretend you like me."


    "You''re a strong woman."


    I had to be one.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    "I like you."


    "What? Why would¡­" I trailed off my voice when he inhaled my scent. Good to know I was already


    ready for the party, or he would inhale the sourness in my body for not taking my bath. "You like me or


    my face who resembled Zenith?"


    He did not answer for a moment, and disappointment crossed my face. I was on the verge of pushing


    him away from my body when he said, "Not Zenith. But you, River."


    My heart stopped beating for a moment.

 82. Uncovered

    82. Uncovered


    The alpha king was pulling a prank on me. That must be it.


    That was what I realized after he said he liked me.


    There was no way that he was over with Zenith. My mind wouldn''t ept that impossible thing to


    happen. And why would he like me, to begin with? There was nothing extraordinary about me. I was a


    ve without a drop of noble blood. I would be a speck of dirt on his throne, and there were a lot of


    women with royal blood surrounding him.


    But that is not the kind of man he is, River, my mind said.


    Which was right. He had chosen Zenith, an enved person, as his fated mate, and there was also a


    chance he would choose another enved person.


    I patted his coat whileughing when I recovered from my shock.


    "You did not believe me."


    "Because it''s unbelievable, Your Majesty."


    He was immobile for one second. "It''s not."


    My mind could not ept it.


    I wanted to see his face and verify if he was telling the truth or not, but I was scared of what I might


    see.


    "I did not smell any liquor from you, Your Majesty. But why did it seem like you were having a drunk


    talk?"


    He stiffened against my embrace, and he released me from my hold.


    "You think I am not serious?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty," I replied without hesitation. "You''re not."


    His face fell. "Why?"


    "You''re saying something I didn''t expect to hear from you."


    He opened his mouth, but a knock on the door interrupted our conversation. It was a servant telling us


    that a celebrant was already waiting for the two of us. Time to pretend again in front of the people who


    did not even care about me except the alpha king.


    "That''s our cue to meet the alphas, Your Majesty."


    "I really like you, River," he insisted.


    His eyes softened as he stared down at me.


    I sighed. "Your Majesty. You don''t have to force yourself. Please don''t use me to forget Zenith."


    "I am not using her."


    "If you like me, do you love me?"


    He did not reply.


    "See? Zenith is still in your heart. Maybe you only admire me because I have the guts to talk back to


    Alpha Wade. Don''t be fooled, Your Majesty. I am only pretending to be courageous. But inside? I am a


    coward."


    "That''s made you admirable in my eyes, River."


    Not wanting to lengthen our conversation, I told him, "Let''s go, shall we? Let''s stop this topic."


    His shoulders slumped until he offered his arms to me. Giving a small smile, I anchored my arms to


    him, and together, we stepped outside.


    At the venue, everyone was already having a good time. Their conversation stopped when they spotted


    us.


    Alpha Wade was all smiles strolling towards us, and his smile vanished when he saw me.


    It seemed like the celebrant was the alpha king. Not Alpha Wade. They hovered around us and tried to


    get His Majesty''s attention.


    I felt small and realized I was nothingpared to them.


    When the alpha king already forgot that I was with him, I managed to slip away and went to the corner,


    observing them.


    No matter where the alpha king goes, he always shines and grabs the spotlight.


    I was no longer familiar with some of the people surrounding him.


    A servant passed with a tray of drinks in one hand, and I grabbed one. Still looking at the crowd where


    the alpha king was situated, I sipped the wine.


    The bitter taste of the drink made me gag. But still, I managed to sip another try.


    "Having a good time?"


    I jumped at the new voice and found Alpha Erik beside me, casually leaning on the doorframe.


    He stared at my outfit and smiled. "Your dress suits you perfectly, Your Grace."


    It was an off-shoulder red dress and abination of gold colors hugging my body''s curves. The


    length passed my knee but did not reach my ankle. The alpha king had given this to me without even


    telling me he had asked someone to make this, especially for me.


    To say I fell in love at first sight with this dress was an understatement. I love everything about this one


    and have forgotten my ve roots and felt a noble once in my life.


    "No need topliment me, Alpha Erik, but I appreciate it."


    I emptied the contents of the ss. This was also the first time I had experienced drinking, although the


    alcohol content of the wine was not enough to get me drunk. Werewolves were known to have strong


    alcohol tolerance and rarely got drunk. But there were drinks exclusively for us, like the Merry Go


    Round drink. It would make your world merry when you sipped a single gulp. An inexperienced


    werewolf would knock him off.


    "Why did you hide in here?"


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    "Hiding? Do I look like I am hiding?"


    "You look like one."


    "Nonsense. I am perfectly enjoying what I am seeing right now. But you won''t be having a good time if


    Lady Juliana saw you talking to me. That woman has not an inkling of being fond of me." And she was


    more furious after our heated exchanges yesterday.


    "I don''t love her. I do not want to marry her."


    "Tell your Father you don''t want her. End of discussion."


    He exhaled. "I wish that was easy."


    I chuckled. Another waiter passed by and grabbed two sses of whatever drink I could put my hand


    into and put the empty ss on the tray.


    I offered one ss at Alpha Erik, which he declined.


    "Are you sure you can handle yourself drinking, Your Grace?"


    "Come on, Alpha Erik. It''s not like you are worried about me. I am fine. Worry yourself first. Lady


    Juliana will give you a handful of curses if she finds out her fiance is talking to me. She already


    believed I snatched the alpha king from her, and she will think the same after seeing us together."


    "I am anxious for you. Of what Father might do to you, Your Grace."


    Was he having a change of heart?


    That would be unnecessary. If he were genuine about his request for us to be together again, he would


    be only wasting his precious time. He wasted his chance to have me by rejecting me.


    "If you will not join me drinking, go away, Alpha Erik. I want to be alone."


    "What if I tell you I was with my Father when he saw you in the river? Will you still drive me away, Your


    Grace?"


    I stopped putting the sses on my lips.


    He smirked and nced at me.


    My ears perked. "You were with him?"


    "How old were you by that time?"


    "Five years old."


    "How could I guarantee that the memory of a five-year-old was correct? And not a fragment of your


    imagination?" I asked.


    My heart hammered against my chest.


    I did not want to raise my hopes high, or I would be only disappointed. But what if Alpha Erik was telling


    the truth?


    I had to take a chance.


    "Let''s talk somewhere private, Alpha Erik."


    I turned around and silently told him to follow me, and we went to the library. From here, the music


    "Spill what you know, Alpha Erik," I ordered. "I mean everything you know. I want only the truth."


    He nced at the surroundings and watched me drink the two sses. My throat felt like it was


    burning, but unexpectedly, it helped me calm my nerves.


    "I was the one who found you first. Not Father. I saw everything, River."


    My head spun. Undoubtedly not because of the wine, but of his revtions. Alpha Wade lied about


    that?


    "How will I know you are telling the truth, Alpha Erik? May I¡ª"


    "I vow it, River."


    A vow among the werewolves was sacred, which meant no one could lie about the statement. And


    whatever we do after giving our vow, we are bound to follow it.


    Without wasting time, I closed the distance between us and grabbed his cor tightly.


    Despite the vow, my eyes looked for any indication that he was lying but found none.


    "Tell me more, Alpha Erik," I ordered. He was the key to unlocking my past and could lead me to my


    parent''s whereabouts if they were alive.


    Oh, Moon Goddess.


    Please let them live. I want to hug them and talk to them and get to know them better.


    He turned sideways and brushed the books using his fingertips.


    "I was ying at the border while Father was securing everything when I heard hurried steps. As if


    someone was being chased. Thinking it was a group of rogues, my little mind was scared and hid in the


    bush and saw a bloody woman. Her jet-ck and messy hair were all over the ce. She was scared


    while carrying the baby in her arms."


    "Can you describe that woman?"


    As if he did not hear what I asked, he continued his tales with a far-away look.


    "She looked like you, River, except for the hair."


    Why did the first woman that shed into my mind be Zenith?

 83. Drunk

    83. Drunk


    My strength gave in and released Alpha Erik¡¯s cor. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± I mumbled. I did not


    know if I was happy or not if it was Zenith.


    He nodded. ¡°The resemnce was uncanny. You could pass as sisters, River. Or she can be your


    mother. She was quite young but could be your mother.¡±


    Zenith¡¯s face, as I imagined, came into view. Zenith as my mother? And we both were mates of the


    alpha king? What kind of sick joke was that?


    No.


    It was early to conclude. I needed proof. What if I ask the alpha king about Zenith? Will he answer my


    questions?


    ¡°You¡¯re getting paler, River. Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?¡±


    I inhaled deeply. ¡°No. Continue, Alpha Erik. What happened next?¡±


    Alpha Erik sat on the chair. ¡°When her pursuers nearly caught her, she had no choice but to leave you


    behind. In the hope of maybe saving you? And then, after securing you safe in the river, she was gone.


    After that, I called Father.¡±


    Whether it was Zenith or not, one thing was for sure. Whoever carried me back then wanted me to be


    safe.


    Something brushed my heart while my eyes watered. That woman must have been scared for her life


    and mine but did not know what she would do next. Still, she chose my safety over hers. However, did


    she do the right thing after Alpha Wade turned me into his ve and omega of the pack, where I


    suffered greatly? If the woman only brought her with me, I was willing to suffer with her. I wondered


    what had happened to her. Was she alive?


    ¡°You can sit down, River. It will not kill you.¡±


    I obliged and sat at the table.


    ¡°There. You have it. That¡¯s the truth, River.¡±


    ¡°Your Father lied to me,¡± I mumbled. I was right when I thought I had to ask a few individuals and not


    depend on him. He was excellent at twisting his words.


    ¡°Please forgive him for that. That¡¯s why I approached you. I have been thinking about it. Of telling you


    or not. In the end, I decided to tell you. You have the right to know. I am not sure if it would help you.¡±


    Was there a chance that it was Zenith?


    My mind would not release the thoughts that perhaps Zenith and I were somewhat rted¡ª a mother


    or sibling.


    Massaging my forehead, I put my feet on the chair opposite to mine.


    The need to drink another ss was calling me. I understand now why some werewolves loved


    drinking.


    What if it was really Zenith? What if those people chasing her were bandits or rogues and sold her off


    to the auction house owned by Master Henderson? That would be possible.


    Too many questions, yet I did not know anyone who could help me with this.


    If only Zenith was alive, just like what the alpha king strongly believed.


    Alpha Erik¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Are you okay, River?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to drink more? If I remember correctly, there is some hidden wine in this office.¡±


    ¡°Are you nning something evil, Alpha Erik? You better remove that from your mind. Alpha King


    Maxxwell will not be happy,¡± I threatened, even if I had doubts.


    Alpha Erik scratched his chin. ¡°I¡¯m not thinking of anything but your welfare. After all, the Moon


    Goddess once paired us.¡±


    ¡°But you rejected me without batting an eye.¡±


    He held his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. ¡°I already regretted it, River. However, even if I


    cannot correct what I have done, I want to be nice, at least to you.¡±


    ¡°To remove your guilt?¡± I asked.


    He gave me a small smile. ¡°So that I can sleep peacefully at night now.¡±


    We looked at each other for a long time before I looked away first. ¡°It made me happy that you also


    suffered, Alpha Erik.¡±


    ¡°I know. So¡­would you want another drink or not?¡±


    Maybe drinking would help me right now. ¡°Yes, please,¡± I muttered in the end.


    ¡°A minute.¡±


    After leaving me, Alpha Erik was back with a fine-looking, expensive wine with another ss in one


    hand. For him. I never intended to make this a drinking session, but if this would help calm my nerves


    right now, I would willingly do it.


    Everything was shocking, with no way of verifying if Zenith and I were rted.


    ¡°This is one of Father¡¯s collections dated back to the 2000s called Merry Go Happy. This is no longer in


    the market and has be rare, making it one of the most expensive wines in the world.¡±


    ¡°That will cost a fortune, Alpha Erik.¡±


    ¡°Actually, this wine cost $20,000 in the market.¡±


    My eyes widened.


    ¡°Your Father is housing that kind of wine? Drinking that behind his back will not bring me any guilt.¡±


    ¡°You hated Father that much?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have an idea, Alpha Erik.¡±


    I thought he would be furious at my honesty, but he did not.


    He sat on the opposite chair next to mine. ¡°I know all the servants hated him. They wanted him dead


    for all the things he did.¡±


    ¡°And they also hated you at some point for not doing anything about it,¡± I spat.


    I gave him my ss, and he instantly poured some wine.


    ¡°We are all scared of our parents. I cannot stop him. I am the alpha, yet he still has some power left.¡±


    ¡°Tell that to those who have parents with them, Alpha Erik,¡± I answered and put the ss on my lips,


    inhaling the aroma. The smell of grapes hit my nose, and I moaned. ¡°Until when will you allow him to


    control you?¡±


    He responded with a half-shrug.


    I took a small sip. The vor instantly exploded in my mouth. ¡°After this, I will ask the alpha king about


    his wine collection.¡±


    ¡°You love him?¡±


    My lies easily flowed out of my mouth when I answered, ¡°Yes. We already talked about that. He is my


    second-chance mate, Alpha Erik. I love him.¡±


    ¡°Good for you.¡±


    Yes. Suitable for my goals but not for my heart. The alpha king was aplicated puzzle that, until


    now, I could not solve. Loving him would only cause headaches.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You will learn to love Lady Juliana. You don¡¯t have any choice.¡±


    He drank the contents of his ss and put it down. ¡°That¡¯s the problem. Father left me with no choice


    but to ept it.¡±


    ¡°Your union will make Haverstone Pack stronger than before.¡±


    ¡°She is still after the alpha king. I can see it in how she looks at him.¡±


    Shrugging, I clogged the contents of my ss and licked my lips after. The expensive wine was


    addicting, and I could not get over it. Grabbing the bottle, I poured another into my ss and emptied it


    in a moment.


    ¡°Hey. Do you have ns to get drunk?¡±


    ¡°I want to forget my problems temporarily¡ªnothing else. Don¡¯t also think we are friends just because I


    am drinking with you. It¡¯s just the crowdposed of nobles suffocating me. I need to breathe far away


    from them.¡±


    Alpha Erik leaned back on his chair. ¡°What would happen if the alpha king and you got married? You


    have to deal with everyone.¡±


    ¡°I can handle that. I could force myself to do that after,¡± I lied again, even if I did not have any idea what


    would happen next.


    I emptied my ss again and poured another one.


    ¡°Take it easy, River. No one ispeting with you against the wine,¡± he said, chuckling. ¡°You can bring


    it to your room and share it with the alpha king.¡±


    I looked at the bottle and saw it was nearly half. Wait. Did I drink all of that?


    I stood, but suddenly the room spun, and I fell back. Alpha Erik caught me.


    ¡°You okay, River?¡±


    I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. ¡°I-I¡¯m getting dizzy.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re drunk?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no. I am not,¡± I answered, hearing how my words slurred.


    Alpha Erik looked at me with disbelief. ¡°It has low alcohol content, River. The lowest for the


    werewolves. However, this wine was made for us. But still¡­.¡±


    I cursed a lengthy one when he became two in my eyes. Ugh. How would I face the alpha king if I was


    drunk?


    ¡°Get off me, Alpha Erik.¡±


    ¡°Can you¡ª¡±


    The words died in his mouth when I tried to get away from him, but it was a wrong move. Alpha Erik


    lost his bnce, and before I fell on the cold floor, he maneuvered his body, making him take all the


    hits while trying to protect me.


    He grunted when his back hit the floor with a thud, plus me crushing him.


    Alpha Erik cursed at the pain.


    ¡°Get off me,¡± I said, breathing deeply. Putting both hands on his chest, I tried to stand but failed.


    Alpha Erik coughed, still not releasing me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wriggle too much, River. Your hands, please, or you will grab something you¡¯re not supposed to


    hold.¡±


    ¡°Like what? Your balls and dick? No worries, Alpha Erik. They look small to me. They are perfectly


    safe.¡± It must have been the wine that made me say those vulgar words.


    It was at that moment when the door swung open, and the dark expression on the alpha king¡¯s face


    weed us.


    ¡°Did you have a great time catching up, River and Alpha Erik?¡± he asked.

 84. You Belong to Me

    84. You Belong to Me


    I know Alpha Erik, and I did nothing wrong. The man lost his bnce and took all the fall, but the alpha


    king''s scrutinizing eyes made me feel I was at fault and deserved his angry stares at us.


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± I mumbled to myself.


    The alpha king''s eyes shifted back to the table and saw the bottle of wine and our three empty sses.


    His mood was getting more sour as the moments passed by.


    ¡°Did you celebrate something? Or is it your uing union?¡±


    Union? He had a hyperactive imagination right now.


    With clumsy moves, I scampered away from Alpha Erik.


    "Your Majesty. It''s not what you think," I exined, my words still slurred.


    Damn it.


    How would I convince him if I was drunk?


    Alpha King Maxxwell folded his arms in front of his chest.


    "I was looking for you earlier when you suddenly disappeared beside me. Only to find you with your ex-


    mate. I wondered what the two of you had talked about, River. Or maybe I will take my leave so that


    you will continue what you haven¡¯t finished."


    Alpha Erik was already standing on his feet, a mere distance from me. He wiped the dust from his


    clothes.


    "Your Majesty. Her Grace is telling the truth. We did nothing¡ª"


    "Out, Alpha Erik," the alpha kingmanded in a low voice, cutting off his words. ¡°Don¡¯t show me your


    face until tomorrow, or I may do something I will regret.¡±


    Instead of getting worried for his life, Alpha Erik looked at me with concern but sighed in the end. He


    had no choice but to follow the alpha king''s order.


    ¡°It was I who offered her a drink, Your Majesty. Please don¡¯t get angry with Her Grace.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for an exnation, Alpha Erik,¡± the alpha king responded, growling. ¡°Out before I kill


    you now.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, Alpha Erik was only kind enough to join me,¡± I uttered, hoping to defend him.


    The alpha king clenched his fist.


    ¡°Your Grace. His Majesty will never listen. That¡¯s my cue to leave.¡±


    Left with no choice, Alpha Erik went straight to the door, bowed at the alpha king, and departed.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The alpha king mmed the door shut, making me jump.


    I saw a piece of cloth and wiped the table.


    "Did you have a great time, River?" the alpha king taunted.


    He strolled closer to me, attempting to close the distance between us. I stopped wiping the table, and I


    held my ground. Alpha Erik and I only talked. Nothing significant happened except for telling me those


    essential details.


    "You did have the best of your time. You were happily talking to him. He was your first love, and he will


    never die. Then what? Did you beg him to take you back and break his engagement to Lady Juliana?"


    I sniffed him.


    He was not drunk nor took a sip of any drinks.


    Why was he acting like this, as if he was jealous?


    The alpha king stood inches from me, his breath fanning against mine.


    A shiver ran down my spine when he leaned closer, nearly shoving his face against mine.


    Gold shed in his eyes, his beast wanting control.


    I gulped. "As I said, we only talked, Your Majesty."


    "Did the two of you kiss behind my back? Did he kiss better than me? Did something happen between


    you two?" he pressed even more. "I did not know you still wanted to pick your garbage."


    "Alpha Erik is a changed man," I defended. ¡°Please don¡¯t think ill of him, Your Majesty.¡±


    Bad move. Since the alpha king suddenly growled back at me.


    "Now you''re defending him."


    His body shook from anger, and all I could do was step back.


    "I am defending him because we did nothing wrong. I did not betray you, Your Majesty! Betrayal means


    I sided with him. But no. My loyalty still lies in the crown. In your kingdom."


    The alpha king sniffed me. His eyes narrowed when he caught a whiff of the liquor in my system.


    "Lies! I always tasted the horrible taste of your lies, River," he barked.


    He drove me to the cold wall until my back hit the shelves. The alpha king put both of his hands beside


    me, caging me. His breathing was rugged. He was still trying to fight for control.


    "I don''t understand you, Your Majesty!"


    "You keep on lying, River! Did you think I did not know?" he inquired.


    The alpha king''s mind was already closed. There was no point in exining.


    "Fine. If you won''t listen to me, think what you want to think."


    The alpha king''s body trembled and in a blink of an eye, he lifted his hand. I thought he would punch


    me, but it was the wall next to mine.


    My heart beat wildly as I saw his bloody hands and books scattered on the floor.


    Did he want to punch me?


    "You want to hurt me?" I asked, my voice shivering. The alcohol seemed to leave my system. "Well, I


    did not lie this time!"


    He did not respond. I could hear his racing heart as he weighed if he would believe me or not.


    Shouting will never help right now.


    With no options left, I put my forehead against his chest. "Please, believe me, Your Majesty."


    He lifted my chin. "You''re mine, River," he eximed, and before I could react, he dipped his lips


    against mine.


    My eyes widened. If I was not mistaken, this was the first time he initiated the kiss.


    The alpha king''s hands were around my waist, and as he pulled me closer, goosebumps swarmed


    every part of my body he touched.


    "I like the taste of your lips on mine," he whispered, and before I could reply, he devoured my lips


    again.


    His kisses were rough as if he was punishing me. But if he thought that would scare me, he was wrong.


    I answered back his kisses as wild as he could, not wanting to be defeated.


    My hands traveled toward his jet-ck hair and pulled him closer to me without breaking the kiss. I


    moaned as his hands cupped my butt and lifted me. I wrapped my arms around his waist.


    His kisses were addicting, and the wine helped me break my inhibitions. Without the wine, I would not


    be daring like this. Let tomorrow worry itself. I will think of my actions tomorrow when I get sober.


    His hands traced my curves as he nibbled on my lower lips, hands teasing on every edge as I moaned


    into this kiss.


    My mind seemed to explode at the sensation.


    "Do you want me to stop, River?" the alpha king asked.


    "Do it, Your Majesty, and you will never taste these lips again. Ever.¡±


    I wanted him more than ever.


    The alpha king pinned my hand on either side of my head while his body pressed down on mine,


    touching me where it shouldn''t.


    Gasping for air, we both pulled away, staring into each other¡¯s eyes. He wore the softest expression on


    his face as if he feared something might happen to me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go back to that bastard, River,¡± he said. ¡°You belong to me, and I belong to you. I will kill anyone


    who dared to snatch you away from me.¡±


    My heart melted like butter at his announcement. Too good to be true, and that made me fearful.


    Such possessiveness was natural among male wolves.


    Brushing some strands of his hair, I said, ¡°What about Zenith, Your Majesty?¡±


    His eyes turned nk. ¡°She is already part of my past.¡±


    ¡°What if she is alive, just like what you think?¡±


    It must be the wine that urged me to press him more.


    Instead of answering, he showered me with kisses but I turned sideways.


    It hurts when he cannot forget Zenith.


    ¡°River?¡±


    ¡°You still love her, Your Majesty?¡± I asked. No reply from him. ¡°Please put me down.¡±


    He sighed and obliged. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, River. I needed more time. I cannot just forget about her.¡±


    I inhaled deeply. ¡°I must go, Your Majesty. I want to sleep now. I¡¯m drunk.¡±


    ¡°River.¡±


    ¡°Talk to me when you already rify your feelings.¡±


    ¡°Are you asking me to choose between you and Zenith?¡± he asked.


    I faced him, and gave him a forced smile. ¡°Yes, you are right. Because even if she is dead, you cannot


    love someone else. Yes, you said you like me. But it stopped there, Your Majesty. When you give me


    your heart, I want it whole.¡±


    He yanked a handful of his hair, frustrated. "Why can''t you understand?"


    "No. Why can''t you understand my situation, Your Majesty? Do you know how many times I silently


    whispered that you forgot about Zenith? Countless times."


    "Did you really have to be that honest?"


    "I''m mainly sorry that somewhere along the way, I started to think that someone might choose me for


    who I am without begging him to do it for me."


    Alpha King Maxxwell held his hand in the air as if he wanted to touch me but stopped mid-air.


    "I''m sorry. I just can''t stop loving Zenith."


    "If only you could give me half the love you have for Zenith," I said onest time and left him at the


    library.

 85. I Felt Betrayed

    85. I Felt Betrayed


    I lost track of time and how much I slept when my back hit the bed. When I awakened, it was already


    midnight, precisely three o''clock.


    I patted the side where the alpha king usually slept, but it was already cold. There was a high chance


    the alpha king never entered the room after I arrived.


    Sitting, I roamed around and listened to the surroundings. It was dead quiet. The alpha king was


    nowhere to be found.


    I hopped out of bed and was halted by a headache. It felt like my head would split open.


    Damn it.


    It was because of the drink. I should have never let myself be swayed by that expensive wine. Took


    about having the lowest alcohol content for the werewolves, only to find it was a scam.


    I tried to remember all the scandalous things I did while drunk.


    Until¡­


    Images of what had happened at the library resurfaced¡ªour passionate kiss. The alpha king''s hands


    are on my waist¡ªhis erotic voice against my ears.


    My cheeks felt hot, as if I was being boiled.


    I fanned myself.


    I did leave the alpha king there. Based on myst memory, he never went after me, and we did not talk


    after that. He just dumped me alone as if he wanted me to think.


    Now that I was sober, I wanted to talk to him and apologize for what I said. So what if he still loved


    Zenith? I won''t beg him to love me. Everything I said was because of the wine. Not because of what I


    wanted to say.


    I better go after him to clear things between us before he thinks anything and gives meaning to it.


    I looked for my slippers and saw them under the bed. Realizing I was still wearing my dress, I took it off


    and changed into a pair of sleepwear.


    ''You have to find Maxxwell,'' my wolf suddenly said.


    ''What''s your name? You told me you would tell me your name.''


    She hesitated for a moment. ''Sunflower.''


    ''Sunflower? Is that for real?''


    She rolled her eyes at me. ''No need to make fun of my name, okay? The Moon Goddess gives us our


    names. She said the name fit me. As if.''


    Yeah, right.


    There were stories among werewolves that before our wolves were given a physical body¡ªto us, it


    was rumored that they got to meet the Moon Goddess and gave them names.


    I stifled augh. The name Sunflower was more like the opposite of my wolf''s personality. She was far


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    from the symbol it symbolizes¡ªhappiness. She was always gloomy, like she was always on the brink


    of punching and biting anyone who dared to block her way.


    ''I want to call you Sun since you wanted to be the queen that much.''


    ''Whatever you want as long as you look for the alpha king. And I want to tell you something. Please


    don''t make me feel as if wanting to be the queen is a bad thing.''


    I gave Sunflower a half-shrug.


    The hallway was silent. The only thing I heard was the sound of my slippers pping against the cold


    floor.


    The party was done?


    I wasn''t able to greet Alpha Wade.


    As if he appreciates your presence, a part of my mind said.


    Maybe Alpha Wade was relieved he did not see me and his party was not ruined. Too bad. I should


    have greeted him.


    ''Try to contact His Majesty, River.''


    My mind went back to the present.


    ''Why are you worried for him? He is an adult. A powerful alpha king. He can kill anyone with a snap of


    his fingers. No need to stress yourself.''


    Sunflower growled at me. ''I miss him, okay? I want to kiss him again.''


    My cheeks flushed upon remembering the hot kisses we shared. Did Alpha King Maxxwell still bother


    about what happened?


    ''Shut up.''


    ''I won''t. I love the alpha king.''


    I staggered for a moment and continued my pace. I still had no idea of the alpha king''s whereabouts,


    but I would find him if he were still inside the packhouse.


    ''You love someone who cannot even forget Zenith?''


    Sunflower sighed. ''We could neverpete against someone dead, River. The least we can do is


    ept his past and make our way into his heart. I wanted to meet his wolf. Is he handsome and strong


    like Maxxwell?''


    I wished I could be as simple-minded as Sunflower, but I was not. We did not share the same principle


    in life.


    ''I cannot love someone still chained to his past.''


    I finally stepped outside. The cold air hit me, making me hug my body. I should have brought a jacket


    with me.


    I inhaled the air.


    I will track the alpha king using my sense of smell and our bond.


    I stiffened when I caught a whiff of sandalwood. Only one person owned that scent I had known so far


    ¡ªthe alpha king.


    ¡®Hurry! You have to say your apologies, River.¡¯


    ¡®I will, okay? I don''t want anything to be awkward between us.¡¯


    Sunflower rolled her eyes at me. ¡®You should blurt out all your feelings for him. And stop fighting His


    Majesty.¡¯


    ¡®You''re making it sound easy, Sun.¡¯


    She scoffed. ¡®Allow me to take over your body and I will do it for you.''


    ''No freaking way!'' I cannot trust her. What if she will give this body to the alpha king?


    ''Come on. Stop arguing with me. Just find the alpha king, okay?¡¯


    Due to her incessant demands, I was left with no choice but to follow her. To make her stop. Her


    whining made my headache worse.


    My feet led me to the courtyard and it was also the ce where the scent of sandalwood was


    overpowering.


    ¡°I love you, Your Majesty. No one can rece you in my heart.¡±


    Sunflower and I both stiffened and automatically hid in the wall in the courtyard.


    It was Lady Juliana¡¯s voice, and she was with the alpha king. Why? A midnight rendezvous?


    The alpha king sighed. ¡°Lady Juliana. We talk about this. You know my mate is River, and you¡¯re


    engaged to Alpha Erik.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that jerk, Your Majesty. I only care about you.¡±


    ¡°Two men already wanted you, Lady Juliana. Why do you continue choosing me?¡±


    ¡°Because it is you that I want. Even if we are not really mates, my wolf approves of you.¡±


    More like you wanted the position of the queen than you wanted the alpha king, I told my mind.


    ''Hey, River. Wanna make her go bald?''


    ''Let''s listen first, shall we?''


    Sunflower paced back and forth. ''I do not like her with the alpha king.''


    I peeked at them and saw Lady Juliana clutching the alpha king¡¯s arms. Sunflower growled and wanted


    to fight for control.


    Biting my lips, it took me a lot to control her.


    ''Enough! Allow me to handle her, please?''


    ''Fine. Don''t let them kiss or I will take over your body.''


    Sunflower went back to the background, still watching the two. I understood her reaction. No woman


    would just stay still even if the other person already knew that we were ''exclusive'' for each other.


    Seeing Lady Juliana was the reason why the alpha king never slept. To see the woman? At this hour?


    I felt¡­betrayed.


    Was Lady Juliana that important?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you,¡± the alpha king replied.


    I mentally danced a happy dance at the alpha king¡¯s response.


    Sorry, Lady Juliana. Maxxwell wanted me more than you.


    Sunflower stood proudly.


    ¡°I am sure you will change your mind, Your Majesty, after I do this.¡±


    My eyes widened when Lady Juliana suddenly kissed the alpha king. Before I could think, my feet


    suddenly moved and strolled toward them.

 86. Midnight

    86. Midnight


    Lady Juliana grabbed the alpha king''s hands and put them in her chest, forcing the man to knead her


    breast.


    How much will she lower herself to get Maxxwell''s attention?


    In all fairness, the alpha king did not take advantage of the woman and tried to free his hand.


    Still not aware of my presence, Lady Juliana said, "This body is all yours, Your Majesty. Take it this


    instant. I don''t care."


    Disgusted, I walked faster, with my heart hammering against my chest.


    "Lady Juliana. Think of your royal status!" Maxxwell growled.


    A single tear escaped from the woman''s eyes, and it looked like a pearl against the darkness.


    The woman continued to attack Maxxwell, using her lips.


    My breathing becamebored.


    Jealousy sprang to life. Not mine. Perhaps it was from Sunflower. The need to protect the alpha king


    from Lady Juliana''s evil n was stronger.


    My hand shook.


    The need to pull out her hair (despite her royal status) became stronger than ever.


    When I was only a few inches from them, the alpha king sensed my presence and pulled away from


    Lady Juliana.


    With both fists at my sides, I tried to keep calm, even if I was fuming inside. Sunflower was growling,


    baring her fangs at Lady Juliana, on the verge of attacking the nobledy.


    "M-my Queen," the alpha king said, his face white as snow as if I caught him stealing something. He


    looked at Lady Juliana and realized they were inches closer to each other and met me halfway.


    ''We will talk after this, Maxxwell,'' I uttered, using the mind link we shared.


    The alpha king groaned. ''I thought we would only talk, River.''


    ''We will talkter,'' I insisted, gritting my teeth.


    Not throwing a single nce at him, I stopped in front of Lady Juliana.


    Biting back the curses I wanted to spit, I smiled at the woman, even if that was thest thing I wanted to


    do right now.


    However, I was not jealous. Period. This was not envy, right?


    ''Fight her!'' Sunflower growled. ''Show her that Maxxwell is ours from the beginning!''


    ''That''s not what I am mad about, Sun.''


    I felt offended that this woman dared to kiss my man even if she knew the alpha king was already


    paired with me, and then what? Did she choose to meet at midnight? She was nning to be fishy, and


    I was d I woke up at this unholy hour and found them.


    "Your Majesty. I found your bed empty," I started. "I missed your presence and looked for you here.


    Only to find the two of you kissing? I am offended, Your Majesty."


    Lady Juliana crossed her fingers in front of her chest. "We were just talking."


    I stared at Lady Juliana in disbelief. "Talking? I saw you kissed him. Shove yourself to him. Grab his


    hands and put them in your breast."


    Lady Juliana''s face flushed with embarrassment.


    "N-nothing happened like that," she lied.


    "My Queen. Let''s go back to our quarters, shall we?"


    He nudged my arms, but I red at him, which made him silent. He knew it was partly his fault. He


    permitted this rendezvous in the middle of the night without their attendants, and he thought Lady


    Juliana would not n anything.


    "Lady Juliana and I still have something to rify, Your Majesty. If you want to go, you can."


    "I won''t. Not unless I bring you with me."


    "What do you want to talk about?" Lady Juliana asked, narrowing her eyes.


    Iughed. "Mdy. You kept on telling me I seduced the alpha king. But from what I saw earlier, you


    were like tempting my man, Lady Juliana. I just saw you pull him and kiss him. Did you miss his lips


    already?" I clutched the alpha king in his arms and leaned on him, making the woman more envious.


    The alpha king stiffened. He was guilty. Not minding him, I continued taunting the nobledy. "Too bad.


    He is mine now, and I do not share. What''s mine is mine? I''m possessive of what I own, Lady Juliana. If


    you like, you can go back to your fiance''s arms. Alpha Erik should be the one whom you should be


    kissing."


    "Damn you!" she spat, her hands trembling.


    "Back to you, mdy," I answered sweetly.


    "I hated you, Dog Servant!"


    My smile vanished from my face.


    Why did the moniker haunt me still?


    "What did you say, Lady Juliana?"


    I stepped forward and was on the verge of attacking her when suddenly, the alpha king''s hands


    stopped me.


    I looked back and saw him shaking his head.


    Seeing the alpha king''s warning made Lady Juliana more confident, making her feel that he was siding


    with her.


    "Dog Servant," she repeated. "I asked about your past in this pack, and they said you are the omega. A


    ve. A servant. The lowest of the low. If the alpha king does not ept you as his mate, you will


    remain nothing but his attendant. Because that is where you belong¡ªserving anyone above you."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Lady Juliana''s eyes were full of menace. She believed she was above me. Yes. That might be the


    case, but when I rise to power when the alpha king proims me as his queen, I will make sure Lady


    Juliana will bow before me.


    I held my hand in front of my face and pped at her.


    "That was an inspiring message, Lady Juliana. It made me want to seduce the alpha king until the


    promation is faster than ever," I taunted.


    "My Queen. That''s enough."


    I red back at the alpha king which made him retreat.


    Lady Juliana was red as a tomato, and I loved seeing her that way. Even if she was of royal blood, it


    would never deny the fact that what she greatly wanted was mine now¡ªthe alpha king


    As if looking for herrade, she stared at the alpha king, her eyes pleading.


    "Your Majesty. Is that the attitude of the queen that you wanted? She has no breeding. Always picking


    a fight with someone," she spat. "If you will choose me, you will never lose face. I can carry the queenly


    duties perfectly ''cause I was born for it."


    Shaking my head, I said, "Lady Juliana. You have no shame. You came from a royal bloodline, yet


    you''re acting without ss. Like amoner, a servant, and a ve."


    "How dare you!"


    Before Lady Juliana''s palm touched my cheeks, a strong wind passed between us.


    Lady Juliana gasped, and there I saw someone stop her hand. A neer. Her fiance. Alpha Erik.


    ring at Alpha Erik, Lady Juliana said, "Let me go, Alpha Erik, or I will think that you''re calling off our


    wedding."


    He scoffed. "Wedding? Did you even want to wed me, mdy?"


    "Release me this instant!" she shrieked. "Your father will know about this."


    "He will also know you are willing to offer yourself to the alpha king despite knowing we are exclusives


    for each other. Not only my Father will know, but all your pack. How is that, mdy?"

 87. Darkness

    87. Darkness


    Lady Juliana¡¯s face tightened. ¡°Are you threatening me, Alpha Erik?¡±


    Alpha Erik shrugged his shoulders. ¡°It depends on how you understand my statement, mdy.¡±


    The woman¡¯s face curled. ¡°Do it, then. Tell your Father about what happened here, and I will tell him


    you secretly met Dog Servant behind his back,¡± she challenged. ¡°Who do you think will he take a side?


    You or me?¡±


    The alpha king rubbed his eyes. It was nearing dawn, and we still had not sorted this issue. Fine with


    me. I already slept a couple of hours, anyway.


    "Why don''t we settle down, everyone?" the alpha king suggested.


    I whipped my head toward Maxxwell''s direction. Using our min link, I said, ''Settle down? After I saw you


    kissing Lady Juliana? No one will sleep unless we solve this issue.''


    He stared at me with wide eyes, shocked at my tone. He was the alpha king, and no one below him


    had snapped at him except me.


    ¡®Do you have something to say, Maxxwell,¡¯ I asked, using his given name.


    The alpha king looked at me with a guilty expression. ''River. If you only watched closely, you would see


    I did not kiss her back,'' he said, attempting to exin.


    His face was flustered while scratching the back of his head, trying to think of ways to get out of this


    mess.


    As much as he looked cute standing like that, he should do better.


    I pressed my lips together. ''Later, please. You have a lot of exining to do, Maxxwell,'' I responded


    and focused my attention on the two ''lovers'' beside us.


    Alpha King Maxxwell groaned in reply.


    "To whom do you learn we are here, Alpha Erik?" Lady Juliana snapped.


    "Your personal attendant, of course. Who else? I was also confused about why your attendant was


    alone in your quarters. I asked her of your whereabouts and traced your scent here with the alpha


    king."


    "Go away. Your presence is not needed!"


    Lady Juliana angrily yanked her wrist away.


    "Alpha Erik is your fiancee. How could you treat him like that?"


    It was not that I was siding with him, but it angered me when she continued treating others like trash


    except for Maxxwell.


    "Shut up, Dog Servant! I am not talking to¡ª"


    p!


    The two men stared at me in shock.


    "I no longer carry the name Dog Servant, Juliana. Why do you keep on mentioning that name?"


    "You. pped. Me?" she asked, dumbfounded. "A ve and an omega pped me?"


    I smiled at her sweetly. "Yes. And that is one of the best feelings in the world. Do you want to give me


    your other cheeks?"


    Face as red as a tomato, she advanced towards me, but before she could harm me, Alpha Erik was


    pulling her away from me.


    "Let me go, asshole! You don''t want me to harm your mate, huh? Release me this instant before I


    make sure you will regret siding with this ve!" she shrieked.


    "Mdy! I am siding with the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice. Not my rtionship with her!" he


    shouted.


    "Fuck you!"


    The alpha king winced at the curse even if it was not directed at him.


    "Whatever I will do with Dog Servant has nothing to do with you!" she spat. "The marriage was nothing


    but an agreement between your Father and mine. I told you perfectly in our first meeting that I want the


    alpha king more than ever. Not any pathetic alpha but the alpha king himself."


    I sighed.


    This woman won''t just stop. She looked like someone to whom I snatched some candy.


    I inched closer.


    The alpha king''s hand was suddenly in my arms. His eyes told me I should stop, but I won''t. If she does


    not keep on dragging the name Dog Servant, I will show her mercy. But she did not.


    Well, I bear grudges.


    "I''m afraid that will no longer happen, mdy. Do you see? His Majesty and I will prepare for our


    wedding when we return to the pce."


    I felt the alpha king''s eyes on me, which I did not bother to meet.


    This was his fault at the beginning¡ªmeeting this woman behind my back. I was merely fixing his mess


    with another lie. A professional liar. That was what I had be. The alpha king should give me a


    certificate for that.


    ¡°W-wedding?¡± Lady Juliana''s eyes watered as she stumbled back. Her knees nearly gave out, and


    Alpha Erik was already on her side.


    Despite the support she needed, she drove away his hands.


    "Wedding?" she repeated.


    I clicked my tongue. "You heard it right. It''s not only the two of you who will wed but also us. I thought


    we would keep it to ourselves first, but when you keep forcing yourself on my man, I decided to let it out


    in public."


    I felt something warm on my chest at the thought of me marrying the alpha king and another sense of


    satisfactioning from the alpha king as if he approved of my life.


    Pleading with her eyes, Lady Juliana said, "Your Majesty. You have to think twice. Do you want the


    people¡ªyour people to murder your mate again?"


    The alpha king stilled, and his ws slowly started to appear and sunk deep into my skin. Unaware. It


    drew blood, but I tried to shrug it off, but the stinging persisted.


    "No one will harm my mate again!" he roared. ¡°No one!¡±


    The birds sitting on the branches flew in surprise.


    Alpha Erik and Lady Juliana stepped backward.


    I could sense their fears. Understandable. Especially how he was on the brink of shape-shifting. To


    protect the woman, the alpha put her behind his back and faced the alpha king.


    The alpha king ced his hands on my waist while looking down at Alpha Erik. It felt like his anger was


    directed at everyone whom he considered a threat. "I will kill all of you who dared to harm my woman


    until all your family takes theirst breath!"


    I flinched at his voice.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    I called his name. "Maxxwell. I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m here."


    ¡°We should leave, Your Grace. In that state, the alpha king is dangerous. He may hurt us. Let¡¯s leave,¡±


    Alpha Erik suggested.


    My eyebrows drew together.


    Even if I wanted to, I could not do it. He was still holding me, and it seemed like it would create a


    bruise.


    Leaving with the two will anger him more.


    ¡°No. The two of you should go. I can handle this.¡±


    He did not listen anymore. Instead, he put me behind his back as if protecting me against Lady Juliana


    and Alpha Erik.


    ¡°No, you cannot! Don¡¯t be stubborn and listen to me, River.¡±


    The alpha king bared his fangs at Alpha Erik. He treated him as a threat.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No more excuses, Alpha Erik. You have to protect Lady Juliana.¡±


    ¡°No. I won¡¯t go with you. The alpha king will never harm me.¡± The other words died in the woman¡¯s


    mouth when Alpha Erik scooped her in his arms and left.


    I sighed with relief.


    ¡°Maxxwell. You can let me go now.¡±


    He did not listen.


    I put my hand on his tensed shoulders and leaned on him. Inhaling deeply, I tried to get his attention to


    no avail.


    Left with no use, I entered his mind and was pushed back by the darkness in his mind.


    I saw his wolf growling, his golden eyes promising to kill anyone.


    My lips tightened. The need to protect myself resurfaced.


    Realization hit me hard. Maxxwell was dangerous! Alpha Erik was correct!


    I tried to pull away from his mind, but Sunflower resurfaced.


    ''If you back out, darkness will swallow Maxxwell until he no longer recognizes any of us. You''re the only


    one who can bring him to the light, River.''


    My insides were shaking. My mouth was dry.


    ''I cannot do it. Do I look like a savior to you?''


    ¡®You are allowing Maxxwell to kill Lady Juliana and Alpha Erik and anyone in this pack? You may hate


    them, but if the alpha king returned to his senses, he would regret what he would do.¡¯


    What can I do, then? I did not know how to appease him.


    I was nothing but his attendant. Nothing else.


    ¡®Console him that you are safe. As easy as that.¡¯


    It was not that simple. A wall so thick and dark was blocking my way. I cannot prate him.


    ¡®Maxxwell!¡¯ I called. ¡®I¡¯m not going to leave you, okay?¡¯


    The wolf suddenly looked at me, and his eyes softened.


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    I looked at the wall in front, and it was slowly crumbling. Using that chance, I pushed myself into


    Maxxwell¡¯s mind.


    ¡®Maxxwell!¡¯


    I seeded in grabbing the beast''s attention.


    ¡®My Queen,¡¯ he said. He let out a guttural growl and jumped toward me. The wolf stood taller than me,


    and I could not help but be amazed at his form. He was sharp looking and beautiful, just like the alpha


    king.


    He bowed.


    ¡®It is my pleasure to finally meet you, My Queen.¡¯


    He was huge. And scary.


    ¡®What¡¯s your name?¡¯


    ¡®Denaro, My Queen.¡¯


    ¡®Denaro.¡¯ His eyes softened and gave me puppy dog eyes. ¡®Did Maxxwell scare you? Forgive him. The


    pain of losing our mate once made him react that way. However, I pledge that my loyalty is now yours,


    My Queen. We will forever treasure Queen Zenith as part of our past. But allow us to show us how


    much you meant to us.¡¯


    Denaro was better than the alpha king in terms of using his words. He was confident and chose his


    words urately. Ady''s wolf. He can melt any she-wolves heart.


    ¡®Your master seemed to be thinking another thing.¡¯


    He scoffed. ¡®Master? I am his master, My Queen. It is I whom he is serving, not the other way around.¡¯


    For the first time around hispany, I chuckled.


    Denaro wore a goofy expression on his face.


    ¡®I like you, but not Maxxwell,¡¯ I said honestly.


    ¡®So¡­will you give us a chance to redeem ourselves? We cannot promise that we will forget Queen


    Zenith. But this is my promise to you, My Queen. We will serve you to the best of our ability and swear


    our loyalty to you.¡¯


    ¡®What if Zenith is alive? Who will you choose, Denaro?¡¯


    The wolf did not answer for a moment.

 88. Did I Like the Alpha King?

    88. Did I Like the Alpha King?


    I knew it.


    Why would I be expecting something else? Denaro and the alpha king were sewn in the same cloth.


    Why would the beast swear his allegiance and choose me in the¡ª


    ''I swear my loyalty to you, My Queen.''


    I stilled.


    ''You will? What if Maxxwell has a different opinion?''


    I threw my gaze at our surroundings. Despite grabbing the beast''s attention, the darkness persisted.


    The alpha king was still in a trance. His thirst for blood was overpowering, making me dizzy the longer I


    spent my presence in his mind.


    Everything felt evil. As if I entered the devil''s mind.


    Entering Maxxwell''s mind should be illegal. I was not allowed to do this since his mind was sacred,


    forbidding anyone to enter. If it was another person, Denaro had long killed me on sight.


    I was lucky he knew me at first sight and recognized the mating bond.


    ''My Queen, I am his master, and he will follow me,'' he answered with a smug expression.


    I smiled, satisfied at his answer.


    ''Do you vow that you will choose me if Zenith is alive?''


    His brows furrowed. ''She is dead, My Queen. I cannot sense her wolf. So I cannot understand why you


    want my vow.''''


    He was evading my question.


    I turned sideways.


    I had to get out of here, or Maxxwell''s darkness would swallow me after I talked to Denaro. I can still


    get something out of him.


    ''My Queen.''


    I tried to act calmly.


    ''We never know. But I want your vow, Denaro. If you cannot give it to me, then I would think that all you


    are good at is saying fancy words. That I cannot trust you. That you are lying.''


    ''I never twist my words, My Queen. I despised liars who kept on lying at any opportunity,'' Denaro spat.


    I cleared my throat. I had no idea if he knew I was a liar or if those words were especially thrown at me.


    ''Yeah. I also hate liars.'' I couldn''t look at Denaro''s eyes. And to make up for my guilt, I changed the


    topic. "So¡­will you vow it, Denaro?''


    ''I vow I will choose you always, My Queen,'' Denaro said without batting an eye.


    I grinned from ear to ear.


    I brushed my fingertips on his fur, and he pressed his body against mine, liking the gesture. He


    whimpered like that a dog. Wait. He was a dog, to begin with.


    Stroking his fur, I muttered, ''Pacify, Maxxwell now. Tell him someone will never harm me. Especially if


    you are here to protect me.''


    ''Kiss me first, My Queen.''


    My mouth gaped open. What was wrong with these wolves asking for a kiss?


    Well, there''s no harm in kissing Denaro. I would kiss him automaticallypared to Maxxwell.


    I bent and nted a soft kiss on his fur. On his head.


    His eyes shed. ''See you soon, My Queen.''


    I nodded at him, and then he was out of my sight.


    Time to get out of here.


    My mind returned to the present and saw the alpha king''s confused look. His eyes were back from their


    usual color.


    "River?" His eyes darted back to my arm, stared at me in horror, and released me. His eyes glowed


    upon the sight of blood and the imprint of the ws. "Did I do this?" he asked, gritting his teeth.


    Did he not know he was out of himself for a few minutes? That was dangerous.


    Acting as if it was not a big deal despite the bitchy stinging, I muttered, "That''s okay, Your Majesty. It''s


    only shallow." Besides, I can heal myself. Later. "Let''s go back to our room, shall we? We will go back


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    to the pce. We should prepare, Your Majesty. Or you can sleep for a moment."


    I turned around and strolled towards the entrance.


    I felt him not moving.


    I sensed his confusion, regret, and fear in our shared bond.


    ''Say something, River,'' Sunflower urged. ''He looked sad standing there.''


    ''What do you want me to say?''


    Sunflower rolled her eyes. ''That you like him. What else?''


    ''I don''t like him!''


    ''Liar!''


    My mind returned to the present, and I looked over my shoulder. Maxxwell''s shoulders were tensed


    and rooted to the same spot.


    "Don''t bother thinking about it. This is a scratch, Your Majesty. And I was able to talk to your wolf. His


    name is Denaro."


    The alpha king inhaled sharply. "You met him. What did the two of you talk about?"


    "You can ask him."


    Silence followed between us. He was probably asking his wolf if I was telling the truth or not.


    "Denaro wouldn''t tell me what you two talked about. Damn it. The mutt is stubborn, saying the secret is


    only between the two of you."


    The alpha king wouldn''t be happy if he knew Denaro had sworn his allegiance and loyalty to me over


    her beloved Zenith.


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


    It was morning, and everything was already prepared. We were positioned in front of the courtyard with


    the two alphas¡ª Alpha Wade and Erik.


    Like our arrival, the servants were around us, bidding us goodbye. Some of Alpha Wade''s visitors


    already went home. And it was only the alpha king and I who were left.


    After the discussion, the alpha king slept for a while, and I just let him sleep for two hours and waited


    for him to wake.


    Maxxwell was irritated when he found out it was nearly afternoon, and we werete for our trip back.


    Was it my fault I wanted him to make up for his lost sleep?


    "I am hoping for your safe journey, Your Majesty and Your Grace," Alpha Wade said. "If you want help


    from Haverstone Pack, we will extend our help to the best of our ability."


    Too bad he did not know Alpha Erik had told me about my past.


    Alpha Erik bowed down. The servants followed.


    "Hail to His Majesty and Her Grace!" they chanted.


    The alpha king gave them a curt nod and entered the carriage, and I followed. For onest time, I


    nced at the pack and wondered when would be thest time I would being here.


    The rest of the journey went uneventful after that. Again.


    No rogues dared to interfere with our journey. It was peaceful, and I did not like it. As if were, there was


    a bad omening.


    "Settle down, will you?" the alpha king chastised while opening one eye. "I cannot sleep if you keep on


    moving like that."


    That''s what you get for having a rendezvous with Lady Juliana, I muttered under my breath.


    I''ve been shifting my weight now and then while looking outside, but I saw nothing but the vast of


    barrennds.


    Smiling, I positioned myself in front of him.


    "If you''re nning something, don''t do it."


    I pouted. "I''m not nning on anything. Besides, if someone ns something, it should be you after


    kissing Lady Juliana."


    "I did not kiss her. The woman did," he insisted.


    Looking at the roof, I muttered, "Fine. I will let it slide." We never have any rtionship except being


    mates.


    He narrowed his eyes and closed them again.


    "Your Majesty. About the lies, I told at Haverstone Pack. What will you do about it?"


    "What lies? You announced a lot."


    "About our supposed to be married?"


    He sighed. "Nothing, River. I''m nning to proim you as my queen when we arrive, and we will have


    to wed after that."


    My eyes widened at his deration. Proiming me as his queen was okay. That''s what I wanted


    anyway¡ªto gain power¡ªbut marrying the alpha king? That did not feel right, especially if his heart was


    still upied with his love for Zenith.


    "Are you okay with marrying me, Your Majesty?"


    The alpha king opened his eyes, but before he could reply, I shrieked when the carriage hit something


    and bounced.


    Maxxwell steadied me after, with his hands on both of my waists. Electricity flew between us, and I


    gasped and pulled away from him. It was the bond.


    Pretending I felt nothing, I cleared my throat. "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    "You can call me by my name, River. You''ll not be tried in court if you don''t. I prefer my woman to call


    me by my name, and since we are mates, you should start calling me Maxxwell. You never had a


    difficult time earlier."


    "Did Zenith also call you by your given name?"


    He stared at me hard and threw his gaze outside. The hot air fanned his hair. He had a far-away look in


    his eyes, and it was always because of that woman.


    "Why are you jealous of her? She''s dead, River. Can we let her be at peace now?"


    I folded my hands in front of my chest. "Why? I will do that if you give up on her, Maxxwell. If you stop


    searching for her every single night."


    "I will do that after. As I said, I will proim you as my mate and exin to the people why it took me so


    long to do that after you carry my mark."


    I scoffed. "And what alibi will you tell them?"


    "That I was busy. The people will understand, River, because that was the truth. I was upied."


    "You''re upied because of your search for Zenith."


    "Yes. I admit that. But not anymore. You are my mate now, and I will stop looking for someone else that


    will anger you and make you jealous."


    I gave a surprised look. "I''m not jealous!"


    "Yes, you are. We''ve been arguing about Zenith countless times, and I thought we had already settled


    about that, but you continued bringing up her name in our discussion. Partly my fault for noting


    over with her. But this I promise, River. I will no longer find her. I already epted that she is dead."


    Why did his words bring happiness to my heart?


    I paled when something clicked in my mind.


    Wait. Did I also like the alpha king aside from his power?

 89. Zenith?

    89. Zenith?


    "I-I''m not saying anything like that, Maxxwell."


    He gave me a throaty grin which made my heart skip a bit. Damn it. Why did an alpha king look this


    dashing? It would be better for my heart if he looked like a toad right now.


    Maxwell was dangerous for my heart.


    "Better."


    I blinked a couple of times. "What?"


    "You can say my name without scrunching your nose."


    "Yeah? What about it?"


    In a blink of an eye, his face was dangerously close to me, and I could smell his breath and be


    mesmerized by the color of his eyes.


    "I like it."


    My heart hammered against his chest.


    "You like me?"


    "I said I like how you say my name. But I also like you, River."


    Maxxwell brushed my cheeks using his fingertips, and as if my face had a mind of its own, I leaned to


    his touch. Sparks flew between us.


    Sunflower howled in the background while ordering me to kiss Maxxwell. And boy. I was tempted to do


    it.


    His lips were plump and kissable. As if it was inviting me to take a bite. A forbidden fruit. That was what


    his lips looked like.


    Maxxwell looked down at my lips, and it felt like he was thinking the same.


    My cheeks burned as I struggled to control my breathing.


    "So¡­are our feelings mutual, River?"


    "Yes. What? No!"


    He chuckled. "I wonder if your statements will remain like that when I kiss you." And he dipped his lips


    into mine.


    It was a slow kiss. Yet meaningful. Maxxwell took his time biting my lips and nibbling them.


    I moaned.


    Sunflower sighed in the background, dancing happily.


    My heart beat wildly, and it felt like I could no longer hear the surroundings. Of how the carriage


    creaked when it hit something. Of how the drivermanded the horse. It was only the two of us, with


    the alpha king.


    I pulled away and took a handful of breaths.


    "Your lips should be punished, River."


    "Oh?"


    "It is always tempting me to kiss you."


    My cheeks flushed, and I leaned away. Fanning my cheeks using my hand, I shifted my gaze outside.


    The mountains a few kilometers away were a fresh sight, diverting my attention temporarily from the


    alpha king.


    I felt Maxwell''s gaze burning while my mind could not function on how I would respond to him.


    "I-is that apliment, Maxxwell?"


    "It is, River. Can I ask something?"


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    "You can, Maxxwell. You are the alpha king."


    My gaze went back to him. He sighed. "Let''s not fight. I hate it. I cannot concentrate on my pce


    affairs."


    I yed with my hands. "If you say so, Maxxwell. Though I cannot promise anything."


    This was one of his honest statements, baring almost all of his mind.


    "Are you happy now?" he asked me.


    My face flushed, and my eyes still couldn''t look him in the eyes. "Why would I¡ª"


    He grabbed my hands. And stared at how it fitted against his big hands.


    My heart and the world stopped beating. What other surprises will he make?


    Damn.


    I did not like how I reacted to him these past few days. It was uneptable. Did I like the alpha king?


    Why would I like him?


    ''Because he is hot and sexy, River. And did you see Denaro? The love of my life? Oh, Moon Goddess.


    He is the most handsome wolf my eyes havein so far,'' Sunflower replied, with her eyes full of love.


    ''And because he is our mate, silly. It''s natural to fall for him in the process. You can fight the pull at first,


    but it will not always be like that. At some point, you will give in.''


    ''I''m not in love with him!" I muttered, horrified. "I don''t likeplicated rtionships.''


    His love for Zenith was making itplicated.


    ''But you are in love with power? And then you will continue aiming for it? Which Maxxwell can only


    offer? A word of advice, River. Power, in the end, will be boring. I assure you. But love? It will


    never bore you out.''


    "What are you thinking, River?" the alpha king inquired.


    "You will not be happy if I tell you, Maxxwell."


    His face turned serious. "Is it her again?"


    "You got it right."


    "I already chose you as my queen. My mind will not change. Let''s rest now, River. You need a lot of


    energy back at the pce."


    "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"


    "I will proim you when we get there. An official promation."


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


    Despite the alpha king telling me to sleep, I could not do it. How could I when excitement was rushing?


    I could not stay still as I waited for the two of us to arrive.


    I will be the queen of the kingdom of Vernice. And it will be official. No one will bully or harass me


    anymore.


    I smiled.


    Finally, after all the attempts to seduce the alpha king, my efforts had paid off.


    I clenched my fist.


    I will be able to attain the position I was aiming for.


    After a few more hours of our journey, we finally arrived at the pce.


    "Maxxwell," I called him, only to stop when I found he was fast asleep.


    I was not sure if I would wake him up. He must really want to sleep badly.


    I leaned back.


    A couple of minutes more and I will wake him, I told myself.


    Watching the alpha king sleeping was not a new experience. I always stared at him for a couple of


    minutes or hours whenever I found myself awake in the middle of the night and could not sleep back.


    That would be myst time.


    Maxwell''s beautiful face never failed to amaze me. It was perfect and rightfully mine, to begin with.


    Perhaps if I were not a ve, I would have the luxury of listening to my heart without caring about what


    would happen in the future. I would be in love. Happily in love and standing side by side with my mate


    and gave him all the support that he would want. I will bear him a pup or pups. I did not care how many


    as long as we all would be together.


    As I aged and matured, I realized life was not always a bed of roses but more of thorns.


    I was deep in my thoughts when a servant approached the carriage. No. It was the twins¡ª ra and


    re.


    "River," they said in unison. They kept throwing nces at each other as if they were constipated. "May


    we talk with His Majesty?"


    I stepped outside and faced them.


    My frown deepened. "He is asleep. Why do you ask?"


    "There''s a visitor¡­" they said, trailing off their words.


    "A visitor? From the neighboring kingdom? Wait. I will awaken the alpha king." Meeting visitors were


    not a cup of my tea and never will be.


    Facing the crowd would always be awkward on my part.


    "Wait. River¡ª"


    Their words died when I stepped inside the carriage and shook the alpha king.


    Maxxwell opened his eyes.


    Yawning, he said, "Are we back in the pce?"


    "Yes, we are. The twins are looking for you. They said there is a visitor, Maxxwell. From the


    neighboring kingdom, I think."


    "Who?" he barked.


    I shrugged off my shoulders. "They did not tell me."


    "I''ll check."


    I followed the alpha king outside the carriage.


    The twins made their courtesy bow when face to face with the alpha king. They kept on shifting their


    weight from side to side.


    What was the matter with them?


    They straightened when they saw the alpha king. "Your Majesty."


    "Who is the visitor?"


    The twins gulped and looked at each other.


    "Well?" I asked when they were not still saying anything.


    "The visitor is¡­Zenith, Your Majesty."

 90. Betrayal

    90. Betrayal


    Betrayed.


    That was what I felt now as I saw the alpha king run inside right at the mention of Zenith''s name.


    Without remembering, I was with him that it was me whom he had just promised of my promation as


    his queen.


    Maxxwell made a promise. Denaro vowed that he would choose me even though Zenith would be alive.


    Hope crumbled right in front of me.


    I looked away.


    I should have known. All along, it was still Zenith on his mind. Nobody else.


    No matter what I do, no one will choose me in the end.


    ''Go after him, River!'' Sunflower begged. ''Don''t let him see that woman! It is we that Maxxwell loves. He


    said he liked us, didn''t he? So please¡­run after him. Go after him!''


    I inhaled deeply as I struggled to maintain myposure.


    Funny how I could stand still and did not cry, just like how Sunflower was crying now. It hurt me to see


    her like that. It was not the Sunflower I knew.


    ''Sun. If someone wants us, we don''t have to beg for that person to stay,'' I said, trying to coax her. ''Let''s


    observe first, okay? I promise I will protect you.''


    Sunflower only cried in reply.


    "R-River?"


    I was suddenly brought back to reality. Reminded that I was left with the twins, and the way they looked


    at me felt like I was the pities woman ever.


    The man who promised to proim me as his queen forgot me. Just. Like. That.


    I cleared my throat.


    No one should know my pain.


    Trying to hide my pain behind my smile, I faced them.


    "When did she arrive?" I inquired. I was d that my voice did not shake.


    "Are you really o-okay?" ra raised a question.


    re pinched her sister''s side, which the other answered with a pained expression.


    "Nothing to worry about, ra. All is well."


    There was nothing good about my situation. My position as the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice


    was starting topromise because of Zenith''s appearance.


    I still did not know if I would be happy to see her. Why did she have to show now that everything was


    falling into its rightful ce?


    "Zenith appeared In the morning. We thought we saw a ghost that time, River. We also believed she


    was dead and imagined our surprise when she arrived."


    "Was she with someone?"


    The twins shook their heads. "No. She was alone."


    "Are you sure it was Zenith and not some kind of sorcery fooling your eyes? Perhaps that someone


    was only fooling you."


    They smiled sadly at me.


    "I wished it was. But we can confirm that it was Zenith. In flesh and blood, River. She told us our sins


    and how it was partly our fault why she chose to hide after that fateful night and pretended to be dead


    after a couple of years. It was her. None other than."


    She shivered together.


    "Really?" was all I asked, even if my insides were shaking.


    I have to see for myself if it was Zenith. If we could pass as twins. It would not be difficult to identify her.


    With that in mind, I entered inside.


    When I stepped inside the pce, I noticed the servants whispering to each other. Their murmurs could


    pass as bees buzzed.


    And right in front of me was the woman I was curious about¡ªZenith. She was facing me while the


    alpha king''s back was to me.


    Looking back at Zenith felt like I was staring at the mirror. They said before that the difference between


    us was our hair, and now, I could testify that it was true. She had straight, ebony hair in contrast with


    my rusty curls. And the way she looked at the alpha king was filled with longing and love.


    They looked happy and content.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    I stumbled back.


    My wolf was still howling in the background, devastated at the sight of the alpha king holding the


    woman''s hand while checking if there was a scratch on her body or not.


    At some point, another part of me was finally ready to give him my heart. But then Zenith came back


    from the dead.


    I felt someone''s hand on my shoulder


    Delta Isagani.


    Looking at his hand, I asked, "What are you doing here?"


    He patted my shoulder and deserted it.


    Did I understand right that he was consoling me?


    "You okay?" he asked, barely mumbling.


    Okay?


    Really?


    I scoffed. "I am, but not my wolf," I answered.


    I saw him ring at the other servants who wanted nothing but to know the juiciest news so that they


    would spread it among the servants. I could visualize their headline¡ªthe battle between the first-fated


    mate and the second-chance mate.


    Scared at Delta Isagani, they scampered and dispersed, leaving behind the four of us.


    "I was also shocked. We thought she was dead."


    I gave him a small smile even if I did not understand why he was giving me small talk.


    "But the alpha king did not believe it and continued clinging to that until the end and looked at where it


    led him into. He just proved that all along, he was right for his belief."


    I wondered what would happen to me now that the rightful queen was back. Will the alpha king toss me


    aside now?


    I should have never believed that he would proim me as his. It only brought nothing but


    disappointment. And why did it feel as if my chest was constricting? As if I was stabbed a million times?


    Was this emotioning from Sunflower? Or mine?


    "The alpha king will probably make you his official concubine, River."


    ncing over my shoulder, I stared at him. Did I yell the question out?


    "Concubine?"


    That would be a blow to my ego. I did almost everything but reached only that position? I wanted the


    power next to the alpha king.


    "Yes. There were instances in which it also happened. There were a few alpha kings who had two fated


    mates."


    "I don''t want it. I better go back to my previous pack."


    Facing Alpha Wade will be better than seeing the alpha king and Zenith.


    I did not want to deal with the everyday situation of watching Zenith and Maxxwell happily in love.


    Departing is the least I could do for Sunflower.


    Is it only for Sunflower or for your heart also?


    I no longer knew. I was torn and devastated. As if I was back again to the pain of getting rejected.


    Delta Isagani''s expression softened.


    "I appreciate your concern, but save it for yourself, Delta Isagani. There''s no difference between what


    is happening in our lives, anyway. Your lovely Lady Juliana was again betrothed to someone except


    you."


    "She never wanted a mate with amoner''s blood," he muttered sadly.


    "And my mate does not want me anymore. That makes us even, Delta Isagani."


    As if Maxxwell heard what I said, he nced over his shoulder and saw me with Delta Isagani.


    His eyes were conflicted, and went back to Zenith.


    "River."


    Zenith looked in my direction and gasped. "Who is she, Your Majesty?"


    I closed my eyes. Damn it. Why did she have the sweetest voice?


    Zenith left the alpha king''s side and strolled towards me. Acknowledging her authority, I gave her my


    courtesy bow and said, "I am no one but your humble servant, Your Grace. I am the alpha king''s


    personal attendant."


    "Personal attendant?" She sniffed me until her eyes stayed at my mark.


    My heart hammered against my chest. Every she-wolf can also see it was from the alpha king''s bite.


    Zenith''s eyes suddenly watered. "Your Majesty," she called.


    "Yes, my¡ª" He looked at me and changed his next words. "Yes, Zenith?"


    "Why did she bear your mark while I did not?" Her voice trembled.


    It was then that I realized that Zenith had no marks on her neck.

 91. Conflicted

    91. Conflicted


    The alpha king was speechless.


    I empathize with him even if I should be angry at him at this point. He was in the middle of two rocks,


    nearly colliding with each other, and he did not know what to do. Who to choose.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    The pain was evident on Zenith¡¯s face as she continued looking at my marks. She covered her mouth,


    stifling a sob from her mouth.


    Why did I have to be in between their drama? I did not know despite being her first mate. The alpha


    king did not mark her. But for what reason?


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Zenith asked when the alpha king did not even reply. ¡°Answer me, Your Majesty!¡± she


    shrieked.


    Delta Isagani winced at the shrill of her voice. Even my ears felt like it was buzzing.


    ¡°Your Grace. You don¡¯t have to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up, maggot! I¡¯m not talking to you!¡± she spat.


    Maggot?


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say those words to Delta Isagani, Your Grace,¡± I defended. ¡°He is only¡ª¡±


    p!


    My cheeks went in the other direction. Damn. It stung.


    I exhaled while touching my battered cheeks.


    ¡°Bitch! Don¡¯t talk. Don¡¯t make me get angry with you more,¡± she added while pushing me.


    ¡°Zenith! That¡¯s enough!¡± The alpha king pulled her away. And you know what? Why did it feel like


    seeing him siding with Zenith hurt more than the woman¡¯s p?


    Instead of listening to the alpha king, the woman trashed, trying to let go, while Delta Isagani positioned


    in front of me, blocking Zenith¡¯s attempts to hurt me even further.


    ¡°Your Majesty! You did not answer my question. Why did you mark him? You promise me that I am the


    only woman for you. I am your mate, Your Majesty. So why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of¡ª¡±


    ¡°Because I thought you were dead, Zenith,¡± Maxxwell said instead, cutting off my words. His eyes were


    somewhat pleading with me, silently telling me he would handle the situation. But I doubted if he could


    do that.


    Zenith was unimaginable. Her attitude was way worse than Lady Juliana''s.


    Fine.


    He did not want me to tell the truth? Then, he should face the woman''s wrath.


    ¡°It is true, Your Grace,¡± Delta Isagani supported. ¡°The alpha king was constantly looking for you every


    night after your disappearance, but he could not trace any of your presence. It was not his fault that he


    met his fated mate, his second chance mate through River.¡±


    That calmed Zenith. She faced Maxxwell. ¡°Is that true, Your Majesty? You continued looking for me?¡±


    she whispered.


    I looked at the ground to stop myself from looking at them further and hurting myself and Sunflower.


    Maxxwell gave a curt nod.


    ¡®River. We will talk after this. I promise,¡¯ Maxxwell said, using our mind link.


    Hiding my shock, I tried to pretend I was looking at Zenith. ¡®Save your promisester, Maxxwell.¡¯


    The alpha king peered in my direction. ¡°Why don¡¯t we talk in my chamber, Zenith?¡±


    nting a kiss on his lips, Zenith answered, ¡°I¡¯m also tired from my journey, Your Majesty.¡±


    The alpha king put one of his hands on her back and guided her toward ¡°our¡± chamber. Or was it


    originally their room?


    Out of habit, I followed Maxxwell, but Delta Isagani stopped me.


    He shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not a wise decision, River.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Then, what am I supposed to do, Delta Isagani?¡± I asked. ¡°Zenith is back. What ce do I


    belong in Maxxwell¡¯s heart? I bear his mark. I should be the one who should be the queen.¡±


    The alpha king promised me. However, those promises will be nothing but promises in the sand.


    ¡°Technically, the throne still belongs to Zenith. Queen Zenith,¡± he whispered. ¡°The alpha king


    proimed her.¡±


    ¡°But he did not mark her. Why?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any idea. Only the alpha king knows his reason. Come on. Let¡¯s go outside and look for


    somece to go.¡±


    I stepped back. ¡°Did Maxxwell ask you tofort me while he is busy tending his woman?¡±


    Delta Isagani yanked his hair in frustration. ¡°River. I did not know about this.¡±


    I sighed in the end.


    ¡°Forgive me for acting like this, Delta Isagani.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay. We are allowed to feel hurt, River.¡±


    ¡°Why are you good to me?¡±


    ¡°We share the same pain.¡±


    ¡ª-------------


    After my conversation with Delta Isagani, I chose to remain outside. I did not know if I was doing the


    right thing by giving the two some time or not. But my mind was still chaotic.


    My feet aimlessly wandered without any ce at hand.


    As much as possible, I tried to stay away from anyone and saw the people¡¯s judgment in their eyes.


    The queen¡¯s arrival had spread like wildfire among the people inside the pce. In a span of a few


    minutes, Zenith and I were the talks of the town.


    They said I was a temptress. A seducer. A bitch. While Zenith? The sympathy was overflowing for her.


    My feet went to the dungeon''s entrance, even if I did not understand why.


    The guard automatically blocked my way of seeing me.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Why was I here, anyway? The alpha king did not punish me or ask me toe here.


    It was because I had nowhere to go and felt alone. Plus, the fact that the world was against me.


    ¡°N-nothing.¡±


    Pathetic. I should pull myself together and stop thinking of my heartaches.


    I turned my back and went back to the pce entrance when I saw the alpha king standing in the


    garden, deep in thought. Not wanting to talk to him, I turned my back, but it was already toote, and


    he spotted me.


    ¡°River. Can we talk?¡±


    Fudge. I was not prepared.


    I looked at his side. Zenith was not around.


    On second thought, it would be better if we were done with this.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about, Maxxwell?¡± I asked bitterly. ¡°Does Zenith know you are here?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s sleeping.¡±


    ¡°Guard her. She may wake up and look for you. I don¡¯t want to be pped again. I might not stop


    myself from hurting her back.¡±


    His shoulders slumped. "I¡¯m sorry for what she did. I really do."


    "You must love her so much that you''re willing to ask forgiveness on her behalf."


    He chose to ignore my statement.


    "Let¡¯s talk somewhere private.¡±


    By somewhere private, he was talking somewhere near the dungeon where Zenith would least likely


    go.


    I smiled bitterly. ¡°Scared that your queen will be mad seeing the two of us?¡±


    Maxxwell hesitated. ¡°I know you are shocked at the turn of events.¡±


    ¡°Are you not?¡± I asked back. "Did you expect your lover woulde back from the dead?"


    His frown deepened. ¡°Now is not the time to have a smarteback,¡± he scolded.


    ¡°What will we talk about? It¡¯s about Zenith. It¡¯s okay. You can choose her all you want. You already


    decided anyway,¡± I said nonchntly, even if Sunflower was dying inside. As well as me.


    I never thought I¡¯d be dealing with another rejection again¡ªanother heartbreak from my supposed to


    be mate.


    Did I really do something evil in my previous life that I was experiencing this kind of heartbreak? It was


    too much. Here I thought everything was alright, but fate had another way of ying a joke on me.


    ¡°You¡¯re confused. You¡¯re conflicted on which between us you will choose. Now is the right time for you


    to reject me, Maxxwell. So that you will no longer have any problems.¡±


    He stared at me in disbelief. ¡°Do I don¡¯t matter to you?¡± he asked.

 92. Never

    92. Never


    The alpha king''s eyes were pleading, begging me to answer him. His eyes got watery as the moments


    passed when he thought I would never answer his question.


    Defeated, both of his hands fell on his side.


    "I get it. I don''t matter to you. I was nothing but an asshole, too, River. They called me ck Heart,


    saying I did not have a heart, and if I did, it was darker than a pen''s ink."


    I sucked in a breath.


    Did he know about his nickname?


    "I will not take it against you if¡ª"


    "You do matter to me, Maxxwell," I answered hastily, finally gathering the courage to do so. "You do,


    Your Majesty."


    I did not think it was because of the bond between us.


    His eyes lit up, and he held my hand. "Is that the truth, River?"


    I yanked my hand away.


    "It is. But you have Zenith now. She''s your queen. It is better if you forget about me. About our bond."


    Maxxwell stepped forward. "I''m nning to make you my concubine. If you want."


    I gaped at him, disbelief in my eyes. Even if Delta Isagani told me it might happen, still hearing it from


    his mouth still hurts.


    "As I said, if you want," Maxxwell said when he watched my reaction, not liking his statement.


    "A concubine? I have nothing against the custom of the pce, Maxxwell, but I don''t want to be a


    concubine."


    I did not want to beg for your time to visit my chamber. I did not want to wait for you if you had spare


    time toe for me. I refuse to be someone''s second option.


    "But you said I matter to you. I thought you would like to be my concubine."


    I scoffed. "I did not say I love you, Maxxwell. So no. I won''t be a saint after watching the two of


    you being lovey-dovey."


    "River. I will ensure that I will give you the same time."


    Jerk.


    He did not understand how women think.


    "Is that the best you can do, Maxxwell? I want to ask something. Do you love me now?" I asked.


    His eyes kept ncing back and forth and back to my eyes.


    I smiled bitterly. That''s okay. My heart was already immune to people rejecting me¡ªno big deal.


    I sighed. We cannot force anyone to ept us. "I know you don''t love me. And now that Zenith is here


    with you tell me where I belong in your heart, Maxxwell."


    "You''re dear to me."


    My brows furrowed. "You''re not answering my question."


    "I want you to stay by my side. It will kill me if you disappear from my sight."


    "How about Zenith? That woman is like a dragon who would breathe fire any minute if someone would


    hang out with you. Plus. She is jealous of me.¡±


    ¡°I cannot dethrone her, River. If that is what you are expecting me to do. I can only strip her of her


    queen status if shemitted a crime against the throne and the people.¡±


    My heart sank not because of the dethronement but because he was back to calling me using my


    name. River.


    I was no longer his Queen because the original had already returned to his side. I never thought I


    would love hearing the words ¡°my queen¡± out of his mouth.


    My knees went weak.


    Right now, I wanted to sit down, but I no longer had the strength to do so. My heart was numb.


    ¡°Are you...happy, Your Majesty?¡± I shook my head when I realized something. ¡°I know you are. What


    kind of stupid question is that? You were searching for her for how many nights before, sacrificing your


    health and sleep for her sake? And now, look at you.¡± My voice cracked at the end.


    I muttered a curse under my breath.


    This wasn''t very pleasant.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. Just give me more time, please?"


    How long will I wait?


    I cannot wait forever.


    I pped my forehead. ¡°Oh, Maxxwell. That¡¯s why I am telling you to reject me. You have to choose


    one. Please, choose Zenith. She is your first love, and your love for her did not even die despite the


    years.¡±


    Maxxwell¡¯s gaze locked on me. ¡°Back to that?¡±


    I lifted my chin, anger slowly rising.


    ¡°What, then, is your suggestion? Let me tell you this. I never wanted to be anyone¡¯s mistress or


    concubine, Maxxwell. I deserve someone who will give his heart fully. But if you won¡¯t reject me, you


    have to release me.¡±


    Maxxwell still. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked, using his deep and raspy voice. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose


    you. Denaro wanted me to hold you and never lose sight of you, River.¡±


    My heart beat so hard that I felt like my heart was going to burst. ¡°Denaro is better than you, Maxxwell.


    At least he knows for a fact it is I whom he wanted. Not Zenith!¡± My words came out in a rush.


    Maxwell yanked his hair in frustration and paced back and forth.


    ¡°You have to let me go,¡± I urged him.


    ¡°Then, what, River? Will you go back to Alpha Erik and beg him to take you instead of Lady Juliana?


    That bastard does not deserve you. You belong to me, River, and not that jerk. He is the most useless


    alpha I encountered.¡±


    p!


    Maxxwell stared at me in disbelief.


    ¡°Never ever talk ill of Alpha Erik,¡± I spat. ¡°At least he was able to redeem himself.¡±


    Maxxwell staggered backward. I was sure it was nothing because of my p. It was because I was


    siding with Alpha Erik.


    ¡°You still like him?¡±


    I inhaled deeply and made my expression go nk. ¡°Yes, I still like him,¡± I lied.


    Sunflower was suddenly up, growling back at me, asking me to take back my words. But I won''t.


    ¡°That makes us even, right? We are both tied to our first fated mate. Do what you want with Zenith, and


    I will do my best to snatch Alpha Erik away from Lady Juliana.¡±


    Maxxwell¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Have you no shame?¡±


    I snorted. ¡°We are all shameless when ites to the people we love. We will do everything in our


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    power to get them. Just like what you did for Zenith. No. Why do I keep on forgetting myself? She is


    Queen Zenith, the queen of the kingdom of Vernice.¡±


    My heart constricted at the thought of them being together while I was in the background, dealing with


    the pain alone.


    And now that the people around me treated me as the viin, what was the point of staying here?


    ¡°Is that what you want? Begging after someone who no longer wants you?¡±


    I folded my arms in front of my chest.


    ¡°Are you sure he did not want me? Maxxwell, Alpha Erik, and I talked at the library. He said he wanted


    to pursue me again.¡±


    Well, that was not a lie.


    He growled.


    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°Oh, please. You no longer have the right to be jealous. For thest time, will


    you please...release me? That¡¯s thest thing I ask of you, Maxxwell. Let¡¯s stop hurting each other.¡±


    ¡°I will strip you of your ve status, but I will never allow you to go back to your pack, River,¡± he said


    with confidence. "Never!"

 93. Banquet

    93. Banquet


    For the next few days, I evaded Maxxwell and Zenith like they were the harbinger of the gue.


    And true to the alpha king''s words, my status as a ve was lifted, and I became a noble blood. I did


    not know how the alpha king did it. He probably used his power and authority to twist the truth of my


    birth. Now, everyone should address me as Lady River.


    Was I happy? Not so. Especially since the truth about my birth was not yet known.


    I wanted to have a one-to-one talk with Zenith and asked her if we were rted, but our shes


    stopped me from doing so.


    Besides, did she even want to face me after our heated exchange? I did not believe so.


    But on the seventh day, the alpha king had requested my presence (technically Zenith''s request) at his


    banquet¡ªincluding the women who were serving him. The reason for that? I had no idea.


    However, the twins had another opinion. They said (even if I was not asking them) that Zenith wanted


    to eradicate every woman the alpha king bedded¡ªincluding Nora.


    And now, perhaps today was the day when the alpha king would announce it. My guess.


    I sat at the edge of the fourteen-seater dining room table, making my presence as small as possible,


    tired of what had happened for the past few days.


    I never wanted to be here, especially if I saw Zenith''s irritating face.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Still¡­I could not deny that the alpha king was dashing as ever with Zenith beside her. I felt his eyes


    sometimes ncing in my direction but pretended I did not notice because that was what he deserved.


    "My lovelydies. It is an honor that you were able to join us here. In all honesty, it was I who called you


    here. These past few days, my presence was always upied by the alpha king, trying to keep up with


    the times we were not together." Zenith looked in my direction as if she wanted me to be eaten with my


    jealousy.


    She should try harder than that.


    "But now¡­after everything is in its proper ce, I want to meet you to express my gratitude since you


    were with His Majesty and tending to all his needs."


    Gratitude?


    More like she wanted to be familiar with Maxxwell''s women and recognize who would be her ally and


    which would be her enemy.


    "I don''t like her," Nora whispered against my ears. She came inte, saying it was because she wanted


    to grab everyone''s attention. And when she spotted the vacant seat next to mine, she upied it.


    "She can hear you," I answered back.


    "I don''t care. She''s possessive of the alpha king. She got mad whenever we talked to him. She never


    wanted anyone to be close to the alpha king. She was not like that before. She wasplete the


    opposite. It seemed like she is another person."


    Really?


    "No one can take her throne," I said, instead.


    Nora''s words kept ringing on my head. What happened to Zenith?


    Nora''s lips tightened. "I know. And that''s infuriating," she replied, flipping her hair.


    Zenith was lovely wearing her blue-green dress, which molded her body and showed ample cleavage,


    which I did not even have.


    Her hair was tied in a bun with a few strands loose. She was gorgeous. Despite resembling the same


    face, I was nothing like her.


    "Especially to my dearest proxy, River," Zenith added, smiling at me.


    I smiled, giving her the sweetest smile I could muster. I would never give her the satisfaction of seeing I


    was miserable when she arrived.


    "My honor, Your Grace. It''s no longer River, by the way. I am Lady River. Courtesy of the alpha king''s


    kindness. Please ept my gratitude, Your Majesty."


    Maxxwell gave me a curt nod while holding his ss of wine.


    "I thought you wouldn''t join us, River. It''s been a week since I did not see you. I thought you already


    went back to your pack. I thought you were dead."


    Did you want me to be out of your sight? Then, I would never give it to you.


    I sipped the wine in front of me.


    "Why would I leave His Majesty? I am His Majesty''s mate and the one bearing his mark, which you


    don''t have. I''m sorry to say that."


    The women chuckled while Zenith''s face became red.


    Nora nudged my leg, winking in my direction, urging me that I did a great job of infuriating her. That I


    must do more than that.


    News sh.


    I would never allow Zenith to hurt me or p me again.


    Zenith inhaled deeply, trying to control her emotions.


    "That may be the case. Nevertheless, His Majesty and I already talked about that. I had forgiven him


    because, at that time, he thought I was already dead. That''s why I suggested he should proim me


    again so that the people. No. Our people would know of my return. How was that, River?"


    She was making me jealous, and boy. She did a great job. However, she will never see it.


    "Something is bugging me, Your Grace."


    Zenith''s lips pressed into a thin line. "What?" she growled.


    "Funny how you onlye out when the alpha king had decided to proim me as his queen. The


    timing was really¡­doubtful."


    "The rogues held me against my will. They only released mest week," she answered, gritting her


    teeth. "I was scared for my dear life, asking if I would be given the chance to be with His Majesty. Is


    that enough to shut your mouth?"


    I clenched my fist under the table.


    "I''m sorry to hear that." If that was true, I wanted to add. "Anyways, let me congratte you on your


    second promation, Your Grace. I''m sure that would appease your insecurities."


    The dining table became dead silent that a falling needle could be heard.


    The servants beside us looked at each other, shifting their weight from foot to foot.


    Zenith sucked her breath. "Insecurity? Are you telling me I am insecure?"


    I drank the remaining contents of the wine and put it down.


    "What else? You feel threatened by my presence. That''s understandable since when you are absent, I


    fulfilled the duties that you should be the one doing. But don''t worry. I haven''t fulfilled the sexual


    duties," I said whileughing.


    I must be out of my mind, indirectly dering war against the queen, but I did not care. If she only


    showed goodness, I would feel an ounce of guilt. But no. All she showed was her evil side.


    It repulsed me that we have the same face. I should uncover if we were rted or not.


    Zenith pped the table hard. The utensils danced. The women gasped and paled.


    "River," Maxxwell called.


    I whipped my head at the alpha king. "Yes, Maxxwell?"


    "Maxxwell?" Zenith asked, not liking what she heard. "How dare you call the alpha king using his given


    name! Punish that woman, Your Majesty!" she cried.


    I filled my next ss of wine. Then offered it to Zenith. "I''m sorry to break it to you, but Maxxwell said I


    should call him by that name. Right, Maxxwell?" I asked sweetly.


    The alpha king cleared his throat. "Y-yes."


    I shrugged my shoulders. "See? I''m not lying." Not this time.


    Zenith looked as if she was about to cry. That''s what I would get for forcing my presence here. The


    table had been turned.


    "You did not even allow me to call you by your name, Your Majesty."


    My heart jumped, and for the first time, I looked at the alpha king. What was that supposed to mean?


    "You must answer Her Grace, Your Majesty," I muttered. "Am I special to you? More special than the


    queen?" I taunted.


    Maxxwell was lost for words.


    The other women pretended as if they were having a great time and ate all the food. As much as the


    food looked appetizing, I did not have an appetite. Still, I knew this was thest ce they woulde.


    The atmosphere was tense and awkward.


    "The two of you hold dear in my heart."


    "Bullshit," I cursed. I was grinning and pretending that I had forgotten myself.


    I muttered, "Please ept my apologies. The curse was not intended for you, Your Majesty. How could


    I curse the alpha king?" I stood. "Could you please excuse me? I wanted to relieve myself. I have


    diarrhea. Been going to the toilet a couple of times."


    Nora scrunched her nose. "Disgusting. We are eating, okay?"


    Not enough, I farted. "Oh, sorry."


    "Out!" Zenith eximed, pointing to the door.


    I gave her my courtesy bow. "My pleasure, Your Grace," I said, feeling triumphant, and walked out the


    dining area. "Enjoy your meals."

 94. Warning

    94. Warning


    I leaned on the doorframe, trying to get hold of my emotions.


    In the background, the dining table was once again noisy, as if nothing had happened.


    ¡®Where are you going, My Queen?¡¯


    It was the alpha king in my mind using our mind link.


    I snorted. ''Funny. Now, I am your queen. You could not even say that in front of your beloved Zenith.


    Go back to her, Maxxwell. I''m tired for today.''


    ''Please don''t hide from me. I miss you."


    My chest tightened at his request. If only there were no Zenith between us, I would be happy to hear


    those words.


    ''Stop saying things which you don''t mean. I don''t like it.''


    ''I meant it, My Queen.''


    ''If you mean it, you will choose me over her.'' Silence. Again. ''That''s what I am saying, Maxxwell. You


    are only good with your words and never with your actions.''


    ''Where are you staying now?''


    ''Really? You now have the time to ask me after going with Zenith and forgetting my presence for one


    week? What kind of bastard are you, Maxxwell?''


    ''I deserved that. A lot had happened.''


    I folded my arms in front of my chest.


    One servant entered the dining hall with a tray in her hand. She bowed at me and stepped inside.


    I sucked in a breath, wiped my dress, and went in whatever direction my feet would lead me. Just far


    away from Maxxwell''s presence.


    Staying in the pce while thinking about how happy they were was suffocating and painful.


    I want to stay away from this ce, but where would I go? If only I had my parents to turn to.


    ''You deserved my curses for being a coward, Maxxwell. Decide. If you do not, I will be the one to reject


    you.''


    It was not a threat but more of the truth.


    ''Reject me? You cannot do that, My Queen?''


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Lifting my chin, I said, ''Why not? No one can stop me.''


    He groaned in the background. ''Please don''t do this to me.''


    ''Don''t also hurt me, Maxxwell,'' I replied. ''I don''t want to be caught between you and Zenith.''


    The alpha king never begged, but these past few days, I had been listening to his pleas, of his begging.


    And it was not music to my ears. It broke my heart into a million pieces.


    ''I will settle this.''


    ''You don''t have to,'' I muttered and stopped the mind link...


    Instead of going back to my quarters, I decided to step outside, nning on taking a fresh breath of air.


    The atmosphere inside the dining area was suffocating and disappointing at the same time. The alpha


    king seemed to have lost his voice, wrapped around Zenith''s little fingers.


    It was not that I was expecting him to stop me, but still¡­


    Whatever.


    Why would I confuse myself even more?


    The night was chilly, and the dress I was wearing was not helpful at all. Despite this, this ce was


    better than the dining area. I can stand the cold, but not Zenith.


    Perhaps a stroll would calm my mind.


    With that in thought, I dragged myself to the courtyard of the pce and yelped when someone


    suddenly jumped in front of me.


    "Boo!"


    "Fuck!" I cursed while clutching my chest.


    My heart beat wildly while ring at the culprit. But stopped when I realized who it was.


    I stared at him wide-eyed. "You! How did you enter the pce?"


    I looked back and forth, looking to see if someone was with us, despite the absence of light and only


    the moonlight illuminating the ce.


    "Yes. It is I," he answered. "I have my ways, River. No one can catch me," he boasted.


    "A lie. You were caught once. And if not for me, you would be long dead by now, and the worms are


    feasting on your body."


    He shivered, picturing my words in his mind.


    "I came to see you."


    See me?


    "What business do I have for you? And what kind of fool are youing here if you value your life?


    The alpha king will kill you on sight! I did not save you just for your ass to be killed."


    "In which I am forever grateful, River. But I want to talk to you for a moment." He sat on the bench,


    picked a flower, and sniffed it.


    "We don''t have anything to talk about."


    "I brought herbal medicines. That wille in handy in healing others, especially on what might


    happen in the future."


    "Why are you talking about? Don''t y mind games with me, Tristan. Go away before someone might


    see you."


    "Thank you for your concern."


    "I''m not concerned. Don''t mistake it for something else."


    Tristan looked at the sky.


    "I heard your queen hade back."


    I stilled.


    ¡°Is that the reason why you came here? Don''t hurt that woman anymore, Tristan. Your group had done


    worse to her.''"


    He gazed at me, his eyebrows furrowed. "Hurt her?"


    "Stop ying innocent with me."


    Even if I hated her, if something happened to her again, the alpha king would be heartbroken all over


    again.


    "I''m not."


    "Are you nning something evil? If I were you, I would stop doing it. The alpha king will never allow


    anything to happen to her mate. He lost her once, and he will never allow it to be repeated.¡±


    Tristan chuckled. ¡°Did I look like I was nning to do something?¡±


    That was already a given.


    ¡°You are a rogue. You¡¯re always leading a revolt to shake this kingdom. You instill fear in the people.¡±


    His face darkened. ¡°ck Heart started it. If he only ruled this kingdom justly, I would never wage war


    on him.¡±


    ¡°A war which will never end unless you stop it. Come back to the kingdom. The alpha king wanted a


    peace treaty. He will forgive you.¡±


    I bit my lower lip.


    Why was I doing this when I was not the right person to have a peace talk with the rogue?


    ¡°You will never understand us until you are in our situation. Until you walk on our shoes,¡± he spat.


    I sighed. ¡°What¡¯s the point ofing here, Tristan? If you do not want to be at peace with the kingdom,


    go now. I don¡¯t want anyone to see me talking to a rogue. I don¡¯t want to be tried for treason.¡±


    ¡°I came with a warning.¡±


    ¡°Warning? What kind of warning?¡±


    ¡°Betray the alpha king, and my men will not kill you.¡±


    My eyes narrowed.


    Putting my hands on my hips, I said, ¡°Are you ckmailing me? What kind of proposition is that,


    Tristan?¡±


    ¡°It will be a matter of days before we will attack the pce again.¡±


    I had to warn the alpha king.


    ¡°You will never seed, Tristan. Give up. Fighting against the kingdom will only cost your life. This is


    not worth it.¡±


    ¡°It is!¡± he roared. Tristan¡¯s body trembled as his eyes shed with gold. ¡°And it should also matter to


    you.¡±


    Sunflower was already alert, ready to pounce if the situation asked for it.


    ¡°What are you saying? I would never buy the alpha king.¡±


    ¡°Never? Even if I tell you your father and mother were once leading the rogues and the alpha king was


    the reason why they got killed?¡±

 95. Truths or Lies?

    95. Truths or Lies?


    My eyes went wide as Tristan''s words finally sunk into my mind.


    "Don''t use your hatred against the kingdom and recruit me to the same."


    My eyes watered at the thought of my parents being murdered.


    However, I had to remember that those words came from a rogue.


    "You are lying," I moaned. Rogues were known to be maniptive and liars. They will do anything,


    including hurting everyone and hindering their goals. "Who told you I was looking for my parents?"


    There had to be some lies.


    I refused to be caught in his maniption.


    "Do you see your strong resemnce with the queen? Queen Zenith."


    I felt the hairs on my arms stand. "That is merely a coincidence. Each of us has someone we resemble


    even if we don''t have any rtionship."


    Tristan clicked his tongue. "Did you notice Queen Zenith nevermented on your face?" he pressed.


    "It¡­it was because she was unaware of it," I shot back.


    Plus, she was busy trying to catch up with the alpha long and forgot about my looks. At least, that was


    what I was trying to believe.


    "She was. She knows what happened during her absence."


    I shook my head. "Are you indirectly telling me that the Zenith inside the pce is a traitor against this


    kingdom?" And if that was true, I pitied the alpha king. "If you will only tell an untruth, you have to do


    better than that. Zenith and Maxxwell are fated mates. The alpha king did nothing to her."


    He grinned. "You will believe meter on."


    Lifting my chin, I said, "Try me."


    "You were left in the river, thus your name. It was the queen, Zenith, who brought you with her when


    you were a baby. The ve hunters were chasing her."


    My heart beat fast, and my breathing was heavy.


    The story matched those Alpha Erik''s words.


    Still¡­Tristan was a rogue.


    "I don''t trust you. Do you want to kill the alpha king so much that you are willing to tell any lies? I''m


    sorry, but I would never take part in hating and killing the alpha king. Do it yourself. Don''t make me a


    tool."


    "Zenith knows you were the child by just looking at you."


    I narrowed my eyes at him. "Shut up. I am not interested."


    Tristan shrugged off his shoulders. "Your parents will stand from their graves when they hear your


    words. They were my parents. Though not in blood."


    "I said I am not interested."


    As if not hearing me, Tristan continued. "They were also ves of the former alpha king and


    experienced a lot of injustice. When they could no longer bear the abuses, they ran away, and the three


    of us made our presence like that of Death. We settled in the forest, living simply while the couple


    cared for their newborn child. And to protect the other runaway ves, your parents created the group,


    vowing to protect each other against anyone who will hurt them again."


    Tristan had a far-away look on his face. His mind was already traveling back to the past.


    His lips lifted into the corner and vanished just like how it appeared faster than lighting.


    "However, the former alpha king does not forget. Sixteen yearster, before he stepped down on his


    throne, he had given a decree saying all those runaway ves should be punished and die."


    "Lies! How dare you ruin my parents'' memories?!" I spat as I pointed my trembling hands toward him.


    "Anyone could im those two were my parents. No one can verify your words."


    "Zenith will."


    My knees went weak, and I sat on the bench. "Stop it. Go! I don''t want to hear any more from your lying


    mouth!"


    I motioned to the gate leading outside.


    "You have to join us, River. You will make your deceased parents proud if you avenge their death."


    "Fuck you! I regretted saving you!"


    "That''s fine. You are in denial. That''s understandable because you are the fated mate of the alpha king.


    You do not want to betray him."


    ring at him, I hissed, "How much do you know?"


    "The what?"


    "About my parents? If you really are telling the truth."


    He turned his back towards me.


    "I was also a child when the former alpha king brought me. I was an orphan, but your parents were my


    mother and father. She was carrying Zenith in her womb when your father decided to run away with


    her. They asked me if I wanted to go with them and I told them I wanted to. They were the only ones


    who did good and showed kindness toward me. Everything was well after sixteen years. We thought


    the alpha king had already forgotten what we did, but one time, he ordered a group of warriors and


    carried out a decree that all rogues should be killed on sight."


    "Is that the truth?" I mumbled, still in disbelief that after everything, the rogue I met at the dungeon


    might be the key to knowing my past.


    "I vow it. This kingdom owed the two of you something¡ªyour parents'' lives."


    I inhaled sharply. "Do you have further proof?"


    "At the alpha king''s library. Behind the secret door are all the records of all the ves inside the pce.


    Look for Melissa and Robert Dove and my name, Tristan Camp."


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    I stood. "What will I do to you when you lie to me?"


    He pulled out something from his hip. The sharp objects glinted under the moonlight.


    "You can pierce my chest using that dagger without me resisting. That proves how much I wanted you


    to be with us by our side."


    epting his dagger, I inspected it and raised it above my head. "If you are using their names just to


    lie to me, I will torture you to death, and you will regret approaching me."


    Tristan smiled weakly. "You can. If you find the truth and you have already decided which side to take,


    call me."


    "How?"


    "Zenith."


    "That woman is head over heels for the alpha king. She will never betray him. Besides, does she even


    know about this?"


    He gave me a knowing smile. "It''s for you to know. I''m out of here. Do it fast, River. You do not have all


    the time in the world." Then, he shifted into his wolf form and ran into the darkness.


    "River."


    I spun around and saw Dawn watching the direction where Tristan leaped into.


    "You heard everything?" I asked.


    Dawn nodded at me. "Everything."


    I paled.


    "Why do you have contact with a rogue? If the alpha king knew about that, he would punish you."

 96. Betrayal

    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 d I did


    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 Imitted the greatest sin of all


    mankind.


    "Dawn. You don''t have to look at me like that," I whispered. "Is the banquet done? I came here to take


    some fresh air to breathe but Tristan suddenly showed."


    "River. Entertaining him was a mistake."


    "I never thought he would show up," I exined.


    "River. Do you believe in his words? That''s a rogue we are talking about here. They are cunning and


    the 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''s


    words coincided, Dawn. I cannot stay still after hearing it."


    I heard her resounding footsteps.


    The cold was bing 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.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    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 like when


    your mate is dead, River. A dead mate is worst than rejection. You will be living in this world as if you


    are dead. Believe me, because I experienced it first hand, okay? Betraying the alpha king is not worth


    it. You should be the one helping him and protect him at all costs in your little way."


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


    murmured.


    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. He


    promised to proim me as his queen but when Zenith came back, Alpha King Maxxwell tossed me


    aside, 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 be


    patient 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! A


    jerk!"


    It was called sphemy 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 matters most.


    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!" I


    eximed, 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 nonchnt shrug.


    "I don''t know. And I don''t understand why you kept on defending the alpha king. The former alpha king


    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 the conversation."


    "I won''t if it will make you help me. All of us were victims of the previous alpha king. We should get our


    revenge. You should help me," I coaxed.


    "Ourmon enemy was the previous alpha king. Not your mate. Not this kingdom. Gather yourselves


    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 must say I


    will be your enemy. Look. I appreciate you freeing me from my ve status, River, but betraying


    the kingdom is another thing. You can ask me anything you want, but not that, please. I know the


    feeling of how your treasured ce will be crushed and pulverized in front of your eyes. I no 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 and


    not 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 I could


    find about my parents. I wanted to know them before I die, Dawn." My voice cracked as I said those.


    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 what I


    needed the most this time¡ªnot the alpha king''s embrace, but from a friend.


    "We will do itter when the alpha king and the queen are drunk. So you have to go back to the


    banquet, River, and get them drunk." She pulled away. "You get that?"


    I nodded and wiped my tears, determination in my eyes.


    If I had to go back to that hellish ce¡ªthe banquet, I would do it for the sake of my parents.

 97. Apologies

    97. Apologies


    When I returned to the banquet, they were still chatting with each other. The food was almost empty.


    Zenith was upied holding and leaning Alpha King Maxxwell as if her life depended on the alpha


    king.


    Setting aside my envy, I scrunch my nose in disgust.


    Are we really sisters in blood? If she already knew about it, why did she keep on pretending as if she


    did not know me? For the past few days, Zenith was nothing but a bitch to me. What was her deal? I


    wanted to have a one-on-one talk with her.


    And if we really were siblings, how could the Moon Goddess pair us with the same guy? I would ept


    anyone, even an omega or ve of the kingdom. But not with the same guy as my supposed sibling.


    Everything is still to be proven first, the other part of my mind said.


    I pulled myself together. I must never be affected and set aside my romantic feelings.


    I inhaled deeply before I fully pushed the door open.


    The banquet went dead silent as they saw me reentered.


    Zenith''s face went red while Nora beamed gazing at me. She motioned for me to sit beside her, but I


    did not listen to her. Instead, I went towards the alpha king, asked the woman on his left if I could sit on


    her chair, and it took longer before she stood and with a heavy heart went beside Nora.


    Smiling while looking at their dropped jaws, I giggled. "I''m sorry. I was done with my business in the


    bathroom and finally got hungry. I initially nned to go back to sleep, but hunger strikes."


    "Your presence is no longer needed, River. We finally had some fun when you left. Why did you


    return?"


    I stared at Zenith.


    This feeling of hostilitying from her. It knocked me off, making me question Tristan''s im.


    "I got hungry. As simple as that, Your Grace. There are some leftovers. The food looked delicious. It


    would be a shame if everything was discarded after this. There are a lot of hungry people outside the


    pce." I pouted my lips. "Is that okay, Your Majesty?" I asked, sweetly.


    Alpha King Maxxwell cleared his throat. "Y-yes. You can. And if you want another food, I will ask the


    chef to cook you some."


    I beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" I eximed and gave a peck on his cheeks.


    The alpha king was taken aback, while Zenith inhaled sharply.


    ncing in her direction, I added, "I hope you don''t mind what I did, Your Grace. I am merely showing


    my appreciation." I eyed the alpha king. "I hope you don''t mind, Your Majesty. The kiss, I mean."


    Alpha King Maxxwell nodded. "I don''t."


    "Perfect!" I uttered and giddily sat beside him.


    ''Don''t do it, River,'' Sunflower suddenly eximed in my mind. She was on edge, always pacing back


    and forth.


    ''Don''t do what? You always ordered me to kiss the alpha king and now I did it, you were suddenly


    asking me not to? I don''t understand you anymore, Sun.''


    She bared her fangs at me. ''That''s not what I am telling.''


    ''Leave me alone for a moment, Sun. This has something to do with me. Gather your thoughts first and


    talk to me when your emotions no longer cloud your judgment. Understand that I have to do this.''


    ''But betraying the alpha king is a mortal sin!''


    ''Did I tell you I would do that?''


    ''I know the deepest part of your mind.''


    ''Sun. Give up, please.''


    Then, I cut her off and focused on the present.


    I grabbed three sses of ss and poured each and gave it to the alpha king and Zenith while


    reading thebel of the drinks¡ªMerry Go Round, the drinks for werewolves.


    "ept this as my apology for saying nonsense things earlier. I did not know what had gotten me." I


    offered them drinks.


    The alpha king dly epted it, and greedily devoured the contents, but Zenith looked at it as if I was


    giving her some kind of poison.


    "What are you nning?" she asked.


    I gave her a half-shrug. "Nothing. Why do you always question my actions? It''s not like I am trying to


    snatch Alpha King Maxxwell away from you. I already get that you were his fated mate. The first one." I


    pushed the ss towards her. "The alpha king did not reject you."


    "Why would he even reject me? He loved me."


    I know that I wanted to say, but chose not to.


    "Let''s ept River''s goodwill, Zenith."


    "I''m watching your every move," she said and grabbed the ss away from my hand.


    I held the ss up and asked for a toss. "To the kingdom of Vernice."


    The alpha king hastily clicked his sses against mine while Zenith still doubted my actions.


    "Zenith, there is nothing wrong with what River is doing," the alpha king exined.


    "Fine."


    The three of us clicked our sses and drowned the contents of the ss.


    There was one thing I learned from myself. I did not get drunk that easily. It will take a lot of alcohol for


    that. Second. The alpha king had low alcohol tolerance. Third, Zenith was not an avid fan of alcohol


    either.


    Everything will go ording to my ns. Plus the fact that the liquor we were drinking was for


    werewolves like us.


    We continued sipping our drinks, with me pouring their sses, and surprisingly, the alpha king just


    drank what I gave him. We were like that I failed to notice everyone was slowly on their feet and asked


    to be dismissed, leaving the three of us and the servants beside us.


    The alpha king''s cheeks were already tainted with red, as well as Zenith''s. Their eyes were already


    droopy.


    Their words slur whenever they talk, which made me smile inwardly.


    Seven bottles of wine were already empty.


    I saw Dawn finally entering the banquet and standing together with the servants. Our gazes looked and


    she gave me a thumbs up.


    My gaze focused on the alpha king when he stumbled forward, the ss nearly slipping from his hold.


    "Are you okay, Your Majesty?" I asked, showing my real concern.


    The alpha king shook his head. "I''m getting dizzy," he answered, his words slurred.


    "Perfect!" I realized what I said. Zenith narrowed her eyes. "I mean that should be your cue to go back


    to your quarters, Your Majesty. Have some sleep. That would sober you up."


    Out of habit, I stood and remembered it was no longer my task to help him get into his room but Zenith


    now.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Scowling at me, Zenith said, "I can handle the alpha king," she said and helped him get on his feet.


    I drank the remaining contents of my wine ss and motioned for the way.


    "You can call me if you need me, Your Grace," I said, offering another bottle to her.


    "Bitch," she muttered under her breath and helped the alpha king.


    And I was left all alone at the banquet.


    I stood and cracked my knuckles.


    I should better go after them and check if they were indeed going to our¡­I mean their chamber.


    I hid in the corner and saw the alpha king''s hand over Zenith''s shoulder, the man leaning heavily


    toward her. Their resounding footsteps were heard along the hallway and Zenith''s soft voice urged the


    alpha king to watch his steps.


    Something tugged at my chest.


    They looked perfect for each other. And I could not help but question how Zenith could betray the alpha


    king when the man was head over heels for her. If I was here, I would never betray him.


    The alpha king lost his footing and the two stumbled and fell forward. Even if the alpha king was drunk,


    he took all the force and securely wrapped Zenith in the safety of his arms, and took the fall.


    The two looked into each other''s eyes, mesmerized by each other, and in an instant, Zenith dipped her


    mouth against the alpha king and the two kissed each other passionately.


    The alpha king snaked his arms around the woman''s waist and groaned, longing for the kiss which he


    was only given the chance to have since the woman''s return.


    I sucked in a breath and clutched my chest when it felt as if tiny millions of daggers pierced my chest.


    I staggered backward as my eyes could not look away from the scene.


    Sunflower howled in pain in the background.


    I understand her pain ''cause we share the same.


    I drew a shaky breath.


    ''I''m sorry for not being able to protect you, Sun,'' I muttered and gathered all my strength to step


    backward and made myself numb from the pain.


    ''Let''s snatch him away. The alpha king rightfully belonged to us, River,'' Sunflower pleaded.


    ''I''m¡­I''m sorry. Maxxwell already chose his mate. His queen. And it''s not me.''

 98. The Mutt and the Leech

    98. The Mutt and the Leech


    As I sauntered towards the library, I tried to control my breathing as pain and betrayal continued


    attacking me. Sunflower was also not helping when she continued wailing in the background.


    Sometimes, I think it would be better to be alone with myself than be with someone who always hurts.


    ¡®Stop it, will you? You¡¯re getting irritating, Sun!¡¯ I scolded her.


    ¡®You don¡¯t love the alpha king! It is who only lovs him! It is I who is only hurting! Is your heart frozen,


    River?¡¯ she asked.


    ¡®It¡¯s not like that.¡¯ I did not know anymore what words I would say to appease her. She would never


    listen to me! She is stubborn and thinks she is the only one hurting. When in fact, it was not the case!


    ¡®Fine. If you want to drown in your pain, do it. Give Zenith the satisfaction.¡¯


    ¡®That woman! I don¡¯t care if you are siblings or not! I will scratch her pretty face using my paws!¡¯


    ¡®You will never do that, okay?¡¯


    ¡®I will! She¡¯s a bitch! She should never havee back!¡¯ Using her paws, Sunflower wiped the tears


    from her eyes. ¡®She will know how sharp my ws are.¡¯


    ¡®Chill, Sun.¡¯


    She looked at me in disbelief. ¡®Chill? That¡¯s all you can say? I. Am. Disappointed, River.¡¯


    I released a sigh. ¡®Whatever. Your mind is already closed.¡¯


    And I just let her be.


    When I reached the library, I was surprised to see Dawn standing.


    "Hey. Why the long face?" she asked when she noticed my presence.


    And just like how I perfected lying, I replied, "Nothing so far." We never nned to meet here. ¡°Did you


    wait long?¡±


    ¡°Nah. Just in time. I made sure no one saw me when I strolled her. So...Did you see them?"


    "Who?" I asked, not knowing who she was referring to.


    "Zenith and the alpha king¡ª" Dawn shook her head when she realized something and changed her


    mind. "No. Never mind. Let¡¯s not talk about them and get over this, okay."


    My lips pressed into a thin line.


    "I saw them. Kissing. Having the best time of their lives. See? The alpha king has no ns for us. And I


    wanted to p myself for expecting something more from him. I know I should be done with him. Or


    epting his suggestion of bing his concubine is better, but I could not stomach being a second


    option and begging for his attention. I don¡¯t want that kind of life, okay? And what will happen if we


    have pups? Would they also do the same? Wait for him? I don¡¯t like it."


    Dawn''s expression softened; she grabbed my hand and pressed it firmly. "Despite that, I hope that will


    not be your reason for betraying the alpha king."


    I smiled bitterly. "I don''t know what to say anymore, Dawn. I wanted to punish him for his actions, but I


    also pity my wolf."


    "Do you love the alpha king?" she asked. I was taken aback by her question, not expecting it. "River.


    Do you love him?" she pressed.


    I sighed. "Does it matter?"


    "It will matter."


    "I do," I answered calmly. I tried to act as if it did not matter.


    Well, Dawn was kind of expecting my answer.


    "Hold on to that. I know the alpha king also loves you."


    Iughed bitterly. "Stop lying to me, okay? For what? Just to console me? I don''t want any constion


    from anyone." I yanked my hand away from her and went to the door, and put my ears on the wall,


    trying to make out any movements. "Is anyone inside?" None so far.


    "I can''t hear anything.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    I faced Dawn while observing if some guards would go in our direction. ¡°ording to my research,


    after Zenith went missing, the alpha king constantly visited this ce. Maybe to do some thinking?" she


    asked, whispering.


    More like to reminisce about his love for his beloved Zenith, I wanted to add but kept my mouth shut.


    Who would have known? Maybe this was their most memorable ce.


    Dawn twisted the knob and looked at me. ¡°It¡¯s not locked,¡± she whispered.


    I nodded at her, helped her, and pushed the door open. The door creaked until it finally opened.


    Both our eyes bulged when we saw Beta Isagani, with his eyes meeting ours. ¡°River and Luna Dawn,¡±


    he said, staring at us with his icy cold stare. ¡°To what pleasure do I owe you? And why are you here?


    You are supposed to be in the banquet.¡±


    Dawn and I stared at each other, not expecting the beta was here.


    Fudge.


    My mouth opened and closed while Dawn stood frozen. If there was someone whom I didn¡¯t like


    meeting inside the pce, it was this man. I did not know what he was thinking, and the way he looked


    seemed like he was always thinking we would do some kind of sin. Plus, the fact that he was scary as


    hell.


    ¡°This ce is forbidden unless the alpha king asked you to be here.¡±


    That was the truth. Even I could not havee here without the alpha king¡¯s presence. And if not for


    Tristan, I would not know the significance of this ce and the treasure it carried.


    ¡°The alpha king asked me to get something,¡± I said.


    Beta Valentine lifted his brows. ¡°River. You may be the alpha king¡¯s mate¡ª¡±


    ¡°Second-chance mate, but not the queen. He chose Zenith as his queen,¡± I corrected, cutting off his


    words.


    Why did it seem like the words were not for him but for me? To remind me?


    ¡°But you are not allowed to enter,¡± he finished off his words.


    I gave him a half-shrug.


    Act naturally.


    ¡°With all due respect, Beta Valentine. But what is our assurance that the alpha king also had given his


    permission that you cane inside?¡±


    He narrowed his eyes at me and put down his legs on the ground. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±


    ¡°N-nothing. Just trying to make sure none of us are lying.¡±


    ¡°I am not lying. The alpha king asked me to sign some papers. See these?¡± he asked, pointing at the


    mountains of documents in front of him. ¡°These are important documents that need some attention. But


    since he is busy right now with Queen Zenith, then I have to do the work.¡±


    ¡°Precisely. He is busy with the queen. He asked to tell you that Sir Elijah asked for your presence.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes at me. ¡°You said you came here to get something?¡±


    ¡°And that, by the way. Rx. It¡¯s not a sin if I am forgetful. A lot is going on in my mind. Please


    understand me, Beta Valentine.¡±


    Dawn nced at me, but I paid her no mind. Our goal was to eradicate Beta Valentine¡¯s presence in


    the library. I will do anything, and I mean anything, to do that.


    ¡°Why would Sir Elijah ask for my presence?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. My work is to ry the message. Not to ask why. That¡¯s how servants work. Ask, and you


    will be punished.¡±


    ¡°I do understand. Don¡¯t treat me like a fool.¡±


    I gave her a throaty grin. ¡°I am not. I¡¯m merely stating my point.¡±


    ¡°You are no longer a ve. Didn¡¯t the alpha king tell you that he had given yound?¡±


    ¡°He did not.¡±


    And what would I do with the piece ofnd if I did not have my parents to share it with?


    ¡°A lot is going on in his mind.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to defend him.¡±


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, vow it,¡± Beta Valentine said. ¡°Vow that you are telling the truth, River.¡±


    Dawn and I both stiffened.


    A vow means we would say nothing but the truth.


    ¡°Why is there a need for that, Beta Valentine?¡± Dawn interjected. I whipped my head in her direction. I


    wanted to hug her and say she did a great job helping me. ¡°I mean, don''t the words of a Luna already


    matter? River and I are technically Luna. And River should be the queen now if not for Zenith. She


    should be the one whom you are serving. It¡¯s such a disgrace that you are not even trusting Luna.


    Distrust will always bear nothing but the animosity between the two of you.¡±


    ¡°I am trying to make sure. The kingdom is full of treacherous people.¡±


    Dawn advanced towards the table and leaned towards Beta Valentine. ¡°No. You are making excuses.


    The alpha king will know you do not trust River. I will understand if you don¡¯t trust me, but your Luna?


    That¡¯s uneptable.¡±


    Beta Valentine inhaled deeply. ¡°When will you disappear, Luna Dawn? I don¡¯t like your presence,


    especially when you get closer to Delta Isagani. You are using his emotions and using them against


    him.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re excused, Luna Dawn.¡±


    Luna Dawn pped the table.


    I cringed.


    ¡°I am not the one who always gets closer to him. It is your friend, Delta Isagani. If it bothered you that


    much that he looked like a dog, always tailing me wherever I went and constantly wasting his time


    beside me, you could tell him yourself. I don''t like him pestering me.¡±


    ¡°Watch your tongue,¡± Beta Valentine cautioned. ¡°That is the delta of the kingdom of Vernice we are


    talking about here.¡±


    ¡°What would you do if I didn''t? Will you spank me? Spank me, then, Daddy.¡±


    I inhaled sharply. Dawn can also wage war without even considering who her enemy is. I admire her for


    that.


    ¡°Do you want to?¡± Beta Valentine retorted.


    Dawn¡¯s hands trembled as if she was on the verge of punching Beta Valentine¡¯s face. And before


    anything got worse, I stepped in.


    ¡°Get a room, will you?¡± I announced when the two seemed like they were going to kiss. ¡°If you like each


    other, tell me directly. Don¡¯t y mind games. You will regret it earlier if not.¡±


    ¡°As if. I like a mutt,¡± Dawn muttered under her breath. But Beta Valentine heard her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like leeches.¡±


    ¡°Leech? Who are you calling a leech? Damn you!¡±


    I gasped when Dawn attacked Beta Valentine.

 99. Melissa and Robert

    99. Melissa and Robert


    Muttering a curse while holding Dawn''s sleeve and stopping her from attacking Beta Valentine was one


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    of the most challenging things to do. The woman looked like a feral animal who would like to bite the


    man. While Beta Valentine? He put one of his hands on her forehead, halting her attack.


    Despite the seriousness of the situation, I stifled augh. Beta Valentine looked like a giant, while Dawn


    was a cute but wild puppy.


    "You coward mutt!" Dawn spat, still giving her best to attack the beta.


    "And you are a leech," he answered back.


    "Damn you!"


    "No one''s allowed to curse me, Luna Dawn. And you cannot tempt me like how you tempted Delta


    Isagani."


    Dawn hissed, her ws elongated, and she was on the brink of wing the man. Dawn nearly slipped


    under my grasp, but I was able to pull her again.


    Despite Dawn''s small frame, she was strong.


    In all honesty, we were nothingpared to Beta Valentine in strength and power, but thankfully, the


    man did his best not to give his all.


    "Dawn! Stop it!" I said, gritting my teeth while feeling the soreness of my muscles. "Fighting the beta is


    not helping us. Just think he is the same asshole we usually meet on the road."


    Beta Valentine scowled at me.


    Dawn did not listen to me.


    "We did note here to fight." We came to look for my parents'' records! I nearly had a slip of the


    tongue saying the second sentence but stopped myself.


    "Yeah. Give up, woman. By acting like this, you only make me look at you differently. You repulse me.


    You have no breeding at all. Different from the Luna''s I know."


    "Fuck you!" Dawn cursed. "Rot in hell!"


    Oh, Moon Goddess.


    "Beta Valentine. If it''s not too much to ask, please leave," I asked, gritting my teeth.


    "Why would I? You are the trespassers here."


    "But Sir Elijah asked for your presence. Come on, Beta Valentine. Dawn will kill you."


    His eyes narrowed, and he gave up in the end. "Fine. I will leave because I am scared of that woman.


    But I will be back. I''m watching you two. There is some part of me telling you that you will not do good."


    "Watch all you can. I don''t care," Dawn answered back. "Mutt," she added.


    I pped my forehead.


    Why did she have to add the word? She was making thisplicated.


    "I don''t want to deal with someone with a brain like a leech," he answered back and mmed the door


    shut.


    Honesty, the two looked like children who were fighting for their toys.


    Dawn rxed under my hold.


    "Are you okay now?" I asked.


    Dawn calmed and faced me with a smile. "Of course! Did I do great, River?" She scoffed. "I prefer


    Delta Isagani''spanypared to the mutt. I cannot stand his arrogance."


    My mouth gaped open. "That was all an act?"


    She happily nodded. "I had to think of ways to drive him away." Her ws retracted and fixed her hair.


    "Dawn. That''s dangerous. Beta Valentine is notorious for having the same personality as the alpha


    king."


    "Nah. Everyone is different. Beta Valentine is nothing like the alpha king."


    "Yeah. But he could be worse."


    She rolled her eyes. "Don''t mind him, River. If he really wants to fight with a woman, I''ll give it to him.


    He is getting on my nerves, also. I¡¯m not scared of his muscles or his position in this kingdom. I fear no


    one. Nothing holds dear to me anymore."


    I sighed. "Dawn. You don''t have to fight."


    "I will if it means protecting you, River. You are like a sister to me. You saved me from Master


    Henderson. I will forever be indebted to you. Anyways, Beta Valentine will be back in a minute, and we


    have to move fast. Let''s look for the secret door."


    Right.


    We have to move fast.


    ¡°Do you know where?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. But we can look for it.¡±


    Separately, we looked for the door leading to the secret room. Sweat coated my forehead as my heart


    hammered against my chest. I forced myself to act as fast as possible, hoping Beta Valentine had not


    realized we were only fooling him.


    ¡°I think I found it,¡± Dawn muttered.


    ¡°Really?¡± I asked.


    She was inspecting a bookshelf full of ancient books. Her hand was holding one book. ¡°I think this is


    the one. It is somewhat hard and connected to something. Wait. Let me check.¡± And she pushed the


    book.


    Something creaked, and before we knew it, the wall behind the alpha king¡¯s chair moved, and there


    was another room inside.


    My heart beat loudly against my chest.


    Dawn and I looked at each other.


    ¡°We must do it quickly, River. Now. Let¡¯s move,¡± Dawn instructed and yanked my hand, and together,


    we stepped inside the secret door.


    I coughed when I smelled the dusty ce, infiltrating my sensitive nose. No matter where I looked, I


    was greeted by endless shelves. Tristan was right.


    ¡°Who are the names again?¡± Dawn asked, inspecting the records.


    From the looks of it, it seemed like no one was cleaning this ce anymore.


    ¡°River?¡±


    ¡°Melissa Dove. Robert Dove. And Tristan Camp,¡± I answered. I memorized those names like the back


    of my hand.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dawn.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. You helped me once. I will return the favor, River.¡±


    It was a wise decision that Dawn was here. She could read faster than me.


    ¡°All the records are arranged alphabetically for easier ess. Let¡¯s look for the letter D, River. Every


    shelf housed one letter for all.¡±


    Without wasting time, Dawn and I checked all the records one by one. My hands trembled as I


    inspected it. Finally, I was one step closer to knowing my family roots.


    I stopped when I noticed two books unarranged, as if they were begging to be seen. Pull the two and


    read the names.


    Dove, Melissa. Dove, Robert.


    These were what I was looking for.


    Not looking at Dawn, I announced, ¡°Dawn. I found them.¡±


    "You did?"


    The record was dusty as usual. There was some kind of year embedded on it and their names on the


    front page. On the bottom part was the name of the previous alpha king and the record keeper.


    "Open it. Hurry."


    I inhaled deeply, before I flipped the pages of Melissa''s record.

 100. Busted

    100. Busted


    I closed my eyes after reading the contents of the records while clutching them to my chest. There was


    nothing extraordinary about how the recordkeeper recorded it. In fact, the words used were simple,


    nothing extravagant. Nothing fancy. But despite that, I could see a glimpse of how Melissa and Robert¡¯s


    life were back then.


    They were fated mates.


    Tristan''s words and information coincide with what was written in the record. Melissa Dove was Robert


    Dove''s fated mate and was sold at the auction house and bought by the alpha king as a married couple


    and brought to the kingdom. They were twenty years old back then. Melissa worked as a chambermaid


    while Robert sometimes acted as the alpha king¡¯s guard in addition to the royal¡¯s warriors.


    Robert was also known as a healer, sometimes asked by the pack doctor to assist him. Just like me.


    Melissa and Robert both stayed at the pce for almost thirty years, and thest of their records said


    the woman was heavily pregnant when the two ran away together with Tristan Camp.


    I flipped thest page, and a portrait of the two of them came into view.


    I sucked in a breath while my knees went weak.


    Melissa and I had the same wild curly hair.


    Were they really my long-lost parents?


    A tear fell from my eyes as realization knocked me off.


    There was a ny-percent chance that Tristan was telling the truth, and the next one that I should talk


    to was Zenith. To verify everything. Actually, the portrait was enough to say to me that there was a


    ny-nine percent that these were my parents.


    "You alright?" Dawn asked, putting one of her hands on my shoulder.


    I did not notice she was already beside me.


    I sniffed and wiped my tears. Now was not the time to cry and wallow in pain.


    "What did you find out?" I asked instead.


    I asked her to look for Tristan''s record.


    "Same with what I heard. Tristan Camp. An orphan. Parents died because of a rogue attack and were


    sold to an auction house at an early age. When he arrived at the pce, he was unusually close to the


    Dove couple, as if they were his family. Went missing when the married couple was nowhere to be


    seen in the pce." She sighed. "Maybe that bastard was telling the truth. How about you?"


    I let her see the portrait. Dawn inspected it. ¡°Melissa looked like you.¡±


    I drew a shaky breath. "I know. And maybe I was the daughter of the two rogue leaders who constantly


    wanted to bring the kingdom down. Perhaps I was the daughter of the leader who always revolted and


    uprising against the kingdom.¡±


    The alpha king¡¯s enemies. The kingdom¡¯s enemies.


    Most likely, after their death, the leadership was transferred to Tristan after being with them for a long


    time.


    Zenith.


    What was that woman thinking after knowing the previous alpha king killed her parents?


    ¡°I can''t ept it. I can''t ept that they killed and tortured innocents to prove their beliefs."


    There were rumors, some of which were already proven true, about the brutality of the rogues.


    The rogues continued to be the alpha king¡¯s thorns on his kingdom and must be eradicated.


    "River. We cannot choose our parents. And now that we know the truth, what will be your decision?"


    I inhaled deeply and put the records back but pocketed the portrait. "Not yet. I have to talk to Zenith


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    and force her to tell the truth whether we are siblings or not."


    "Do you have to? The resemnce between you two is uncanny. Without a doubt, you are sisters. Only


    someone with bad eyesight would tell you two are not."


    "I want to hear it straight from her mouth.¡± I want to know her true motives for returning here.


    ¡°Will she tell you the truth? That woman treated you as her biggestpetitor regarding the alpha king.


    I doubt if she will open her mouth.¡±


    ¡°I have to do everything to make her talk. Come on, Dawn. We have to get out of here."


    I no longer knew how long we were here. I lost count of the time.


    Leading the way and pushing the door sideward. It creaked and parted, and together we stepped out of


    the secret door.


    The fresh air was a pause for us. Looking over my shoulder, I saw the secret door was again closed as


    if we did not enter it.


    My chest was still heavy.


    Dawn nudged me.


    "Please exin why the two of you came out from the secret door.¡± I forgot how to breathe. ¡°As far as I


    know, no one is allowed to enter the record room without the alpha king''s presence and the record


    keeper, and no one hasn''t been able to enter the room sincest year."


    Dawn and I both stiffened at Beta Valentine''s voice. He was casually leaning on the doorframe with his


    arms folded on his chest.


    Dawn and I looked at each other.


    My mind went ck as my heart pounded against my chest wildly.


    I tried to act calmly to no avail. I tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.


    ¡°Beta Valentine.¡±


    "Please also exin why the servants told me that Sir Elijah was never here since yesterday and how


    Before I will tell the alpha king about how you fooled me."


    I heard the clock ticking in the background as if there was a bomb waiting to explode.


    Dawn''s fierceness earlier retreated.


    Realizing I could not rely on her this time, I said, "The alpha king asked me."


    Beta Valentine raised his brows. "He did?" His face was suddenly void of any emotion.


    "Yes. He did," I affirmed.


    ¡°How about you, Luna Dawn? You were the one who looked like you would kill me earlier.¡±


    ¡°Ahm, my mind refuses to think, especially if I¡¯m in the presence of the mutt,¡± she replied sheepishly.


    Beta Valentine¡¯s face flushed with red. "River. What kind of bullshit lie will you continue saying?" he


    asked coldly.


    I faked a surprise and covered my mouth. Looking at him in disbelief, I said, "I am not lying. I assure


    you, Beta Valentine. You can ask the alpha king if you want."


    Dawn whipped her head in my direction. And that was when I realized what I had just said. It was


    already toote to take back my words.


    "Ask the alpha king, you say?"


    Come what may. I had to push through this lie. There was no turning back now.


    "Y-yes!" I answered. I just hoped the alpha king was sleeping soundly right now and busy with Zenith.


    Something tugged at my heart at the thought, but I set them aside.


    "I will give you the benefit of the doubt, River. Let''s go to the alpha king''s chamber and ask himself.


    Let''s go, shall we? And before that. You have to think again of the lies you will tell me."


    And he stepped outside first.


    Dawn and I looked at each other and followed Beta Valentine.


    May the Moon Goddess be in our favor.

 101. Demand

    101. Demand


    I did not know what lies I would tell the alpha king and Beta Isagani this time. It seemed like all lies had


    already been extracted from my brain. What will I say now? How would we get out of this mess?


    Damn.


    If we could have made our moves faster earlier, we wouldn''t have been caught.


    Dawn nudged me. "Let''s run away,'''' Dawn whispered. ''''The mutt is not looking at us. This is our


    chance, River.''''


    I gaped at her.


    How bold of her to say that. Still, I admire her for that. She was really fearless, just like she said.


    Still looking at Beta Valentine''s back, I asked, ''''Are you nuts? That means we are guilty. Are you


    scared? I will get us out of this, okay?''''


    Dawn¡¯s eyes grew frantic.


    Something tugged in my mind, and when I opened it, Dawn¡¯s voice flowed. ¡®We are guilty, River. The


    alpha king will punish us. I never wanted to be punished again.¡¯


    My expression softened as I saw the fear in her eyes.


    I gritted my teeth.


    Master Henderson seeded in breaking her.


    ¡®The worst the alpha king can do is put us in the dungeon, Dawn. I¡¯ve been in a dungeon. A couple of


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    times, and all I can say is you will getfortable when moments pass.¡¯ Except for the disgusting smell


    and the mixture of urine and shitbined. Just the thought of it made me want to vomit.


    ¡®We should never getfortable in the dungeon, River. That¡¯s sick. A lot could happen in that ce.¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯m sorry if I said that without considering the hell you encountered. It was stupid of me and insensitive


    to say that. I know you¡¯re not used to that.¡¯


    Dawn had a faraway look in her eyes as if she was reminiscing.


    ¡®Henderson locked me in a cell for a month, barely giving me enough food and water. The other


    prisoners wanted to vite me. I had no choice but to kill them, or they would kill me in the end. I lost


    count of the lives I had killed, River. I did not know how I managed to survive those times. The


    dungeons scare the hell out of me, River. It brought so many negative memories. Memories which I no


    longer wanted to recall.¡¯


    My chest tightened at her statements. That was why she looked like a skeleton when I saw her.


    ¡®I will protect you, Dawn. I promise. If the alpha king punishes us, it will only be me.¡¯


    If she gets the bullet for me, I would also do the same.


    We stopped in front of the alpha king¡¯s chamber.


    The twins were guarding the door. They were talking and chuckling to each other and halted when they


    spotted us. They instantly gave their courtesy greeting to Beta Valentine, acknowledged his presence,


    and nodded in our direction.


    ¡°Beta Valentine. It is alreadyte. What can we do for you?¡± ra and re said in unison.


    ¡°I came for the alpha king. Is he still awake?¡± Beta Valentine asked.


    The two looked at each other as if they were disputing if they would tell the truth or not.


    ¡°May we know why?¡± they asked again and looked in my direction. They shifted their weight from foot


    to foot.


    ¡°I wanted to ask something.¡±


    re cleared her throat, but the bold ra answered, ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the right time for that, Beta


    Valentine. You see¡ª¡±


    I folded my hands in front of my chest. ¡°I know it.¡±


    ¡°What do you know, River?¡± they asked altogether.


    ¡°Something is happening inside their chamber, right?¡±


    They looked guilty. ¡°N-no. They are only sleeping. They were both drunk. But the alpha king was more


    drunkpared to Queen Zenith. Her Majesty helped him get on the bed.¡±


    I faced Beta Valentine. ¡°The alpha king and Zenith are having sex.¡±


    Both the twins gasped and looked at me as if I had grown two heads. ¡°What?¡± I asked. ¡°They weren¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°T-that¡¯s bold of you to say that, River,¡± Dawn said, her cheeks scarlet red.


    I gave them a wry look. ¡°Why? Am I mistaken?¡±


    They both frantically waved their hands like crazy. ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡±


    However, Zenith¡¯s giggles, followed by moans, drifted through the air.


    The twins'' faces flushed. Beta Valentine looked away while Dawn looked at me with pity.


    Trying to act cool, I shrugged. ¡°I was right, Beta Valentine. If you want to wait when the two will be


    finished, do the pleasure. But I would never wait for them.¡± My heart cannot take it anymore. ¡°You can


    ask the twins to fetch me when the alpha king is no longer busy. Do not worry. I will not run away.¡± Not


    unless I am done talking to the queen.


    I turned my back to them. Surprisingly, Beta Valentine did not even stop me. I did not know what was


    running through his mind at that time.


    He can do anything with me right now. I did not care.


    All I wanted was to get away as far away from our chamber as possible. No. From the alpha king and


    Zenith¡¯s chamber.


    ¡°River,¡± Dawn called. She ran after me.


    I gave her a small smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dawn. It is I who will only receive the punishment.¡±


    ¡°Will you ept just like that? You are also the alpha king¡¯s mate. You have to fight for your feelings.¡±


    ¡°Why would I?¡±


    ¡°If you love him, you should. You should try. So you will never have any regrets in life.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear them earlier? Something happened behind closed doors. What do you want me to do?


    Beg them to stop? I won¡¯t stoop that low. I still have some dignity left.¡± That¡¯s the only thing I have right


    now¡ªmy respect for myself.


    She hesitated. ¡°The queen might be pulling a prank on us. That may be a lie. She may be acting when


    she notices we are outside. That could happen. You have to think of every possibility.¡±


    I knew she was only doing this so I would never betray the kingdom. However, if I continued hurting like


    this, I might be tempted to. I had already suffered enough.


    ¡°Lie? They love each other very much.¡±


    ¡°No. Let me ask the alpha king myself. I will prove that he also loves you. And if he did, fight for your


    love, okay? Protect this kingdom at all costs. I failed to do that to my pack. And you do not know how


    much I kept ming myself for that.¡±


    I opened my mouth to say my rebuttal, but Dawn had already left me, and before I could stop her,


    Dawn pounded on the door. ¡°Your Majesty! I need to talk to you!¡±


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Beta Valentine asked, his eyebrows scowling.


    ¡°You want to talk to the alpha king. Now is the time for that. Fuck punishments,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Stop that, woman. Let them sleep.¡±


    As if they were asleep right now, I muttered with sarcasm.


    ¡°Stay away from this, mutt,¡± Dawn answered. ¡°This has nothing to do with you. Your Majesty! Alpha


    King Maxxwell, open the door!¡± she demanded.

 102. Lets Go, River

    102. Let''s Go, River


    I massaged my forehead while I continued looking at Dawn, banging on the door.


    No matter how much I tried to stop her, she wouldn¡¯t let me.


    ¡°Dawn! This is embarrassing,¡± I muttered. The twins did not even attempt to stop her.


    ¡°I am not embarrassed. This is about your happiness we are talking about, River. All I want is for you to


    be happy together with your mate. So you have to tell him what you feel, okay?¡±


    I groaned. Right now, I had no ns of telling anyone about how I felt toward the alpha king. I was not


    ¡°The alpha king has another mate, okay? Why can¡¯t you understand that? Stop that. Let¡¯s go back to


    our room.¡±


    Dawn stomped her foot as if she was a child. ¡°I want you to be paired with him. No other woman.¡± She


    faced the door again. ¡°What took them so long? Your Majesty! Alpha King Maxxwell! Open the damn


    door.¡±


    ¡°Luna Dawn. That¡¯s not locked. You can barge in,¡± ra urged, which earned her a pinch on her side


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    by re. ¡°What? I am only suggesting. I am rooting for River and the alpha king. Not the other woman.¡±


    Beta Valentine threw his hands in the air.


    ¡°Woman! Have you no shame? That is the alpha king we are talking about. Let the two rest!¡± Beta


    Valentine¡¯s voice boomed across the hallways.


    ¡°I¡¯m not talking to you, mutt!¡± she replied.


    Which the beta did not take lightly anymore. His nostrils red, and before we could react, he strolled


    towards Dawn, yanked the woman¡¯s wrist, carried her, and put her on his broad shoulders. Dawn


    looked like nothing but a sack of potatoes as she hung upside down against his back.


    The twins and my eyes bulged while covering our mouths using our hands.


    ¡°Mutt! Could you put me down this instant? This is a disgraceful position. I can perfectly see the mold of


    your butt.¡±


    Beta Valentine¡¯s cheeks were tainted with red.


    ¡°Mutt! Want me to pinch them for you?¡± Dawn asked sweetly.


    She positioned her two hands, but before she could carry out her ns, the beta smacked the woman¡¯s


    bottom.


    Dawn gasped and, when she recovered, pounded the man¡¯s back. The beta flinched, but that was not


    enough to change his mind. ¡°How dare you!¡±


    ¡°You do not have the right to meddle in anyone else''s rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Like the fuck I care, mutt?! I care more about River than your pathetic opinions.¡±


    Beta Valentine sighed, and it seemed like he had no desire to free the woman. ¡°What a stubborn


    leech,¡± he said and walked away with her.


    ¡°Put me down! I said!¡±


    Dawn continued wriggling, but the more Beta Valentine tightened his hold on her ass, went to the


    beta¡¯s wing until we could no longer see them.


    The twins and I exchanged nces.


    I opened my mouth, but the door opened.


    ¡°Who is bold enough to disturb the alpha king and me?¡± Zenith said while ring at us. ¡°You.¡± She


    adjusted her robe. She seemed sober nowpared to earlier. ¡°What do you want? Tell me. Maxxwell


    and I had some important business.¡±


    Maxxwell.


    I was taken aback.


    Now, the alpha king was allowed to call him using his given name. That was fast.


    My chest tightened, but I tried to disregard the pain I was feeling right now. I had no time for that.


    ¡°It was not me.¡±


    Zenith¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°Liar.¡±


    ¡°That is true, Your Grace,¡± the twins stepped in, suddenly in my defense. ¡°Beta Valentine wanted to talk


    to the alpha king, but we told him you two are resting. But Luna Dawn did not believe and pounded on


    the door. It was not River, Your Grace.¡±


    Zenith pped the wall.


    I cringed. That must have hurt.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care who the culprit is. Next time, if it is not life and death, do not let anyone disturb us. I mean


    anyone. That includes you, River.¡±


    Such malice in her eyes. She was threatening me as if I was her greatest enemy. She regarded me as


    a threat to her position.


    What are you trying to do, woman? my mind asked.


    ¡°You can suck the alpha king as you want, Your Grace.¡± The twins giggled. ¡°I don¡¯t care. I never wanted


    to talk to you and see your face to begin with.¡±


    ¡°What? You!¡± Zenith tried to attack me, but another voice echoed across the hallway.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Are you not yet done picking a fight with River, Zenith? You are so childish. I¡¯m tired of


    constantly reminding you.¡±


    Zenith gave me onest re before she pouted and faced the alpha king. ¡°Your Majesty. I am not


    trying to pick a fight. It was River¡¯s fault for disturbing us!¡±


    ¡°What did the two of you do, then?¡± I asked, out of the blue as I folded my arms in front of my chest.


    Zenith lifted her chin, her hands stroking the alpha king¡¯s chest as if she wanted me to feel jealous.


    ¡°Are you curious? What else would we do? What do couples usually do behind closed doors?¡±


    ¡°Zenith¡­¡± the alpha king warned.


    The woman smiled at the alpha king sweetly. ¡°What? I am only asking her, Your Majesty. There¡¯s no


    harm in that.¡±


    ¡°Nice try, Your Grace. If you think that is enough to make me jealous, you need to do more,¡± I lied.


    I turned my back to them. ¡°You can continue what you two were doing.¡±


    ¡°River. Can we talk?¡±


    ¡°Maxxwell!¡± Zenith¡¯s eyes went round. ¡°What will you talk about?¡±


    ¡°Something only the two of us, will know. Go back inside and let me talk with River. This will not take


    longer than you will imagine. Shall we, River?¡±


    The alpha king offered me his arms, unbothered at the fuming Zenith behind him.


    What was his deal? ¡°Will you offer me again to be your concubine, Maxxwell? If that will be it, I will


    decline because¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what we will talk about, River,¡± the alpha king said, cutting off my words.


    My brows furrowed. ¡°What, then? You''re still drunk, Your Majesty.¡± I can smell the liquor every time he


    speaks despite the distance between us. ¡°You should sleep now. If you want to talk to me, let¡¯s do that


    tomorrow.¡± Even if I will not be able to sleep thinking about what you will say to me, I wanted to add. ¡°If


    you will excuse me.¡±


    He was not the one I wanted to talk to right now. It was Zenith. All I was asking was for an excellent


    opportunity to speak privately without anyone eavesdropping on us.


    I stopped when he suddenly grabbed my wrist. ¡°No. Now.¡±


    ¡°Maxxwell!¡± Zenith called, gritting her teeth. ¡°I hate to admit it, but that woman is right. I will allow you to


    talk tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your permission, Zenith."


    Hurt registered on the woman''s face. Her lips trembled as if she would cry.


    "Let¡¯s go, River.¡±


    As much as I hate saying this, but I felt sorry for Zenith. If she was my blood rtive, I did not want her


    to be hurt.


    My words died from my mouth when he dragged me in whatever direction.

 103. Tears

    103. Tears


    The moment the alpha king and I stepped outside, I distanced myself from him. A safe distance where


    he could not touch me and disturb my emotions even further.


    We stayed as far away from the servants and any eavesdroppers as possible.


    Looking that no one was there, I said, ¡°Say what you want, Maxxwell. Let¡¯s get this done once and for


    all. I don''t want to hear Zenith bitching over me and saying spiteful things," I muttered coldly. "And


    please. Sleep after this. I can still smell the liquoring from your body."


    "I''m sober now." Both of his hands fell on his side.


    I released an exasperated sigh. "Don''t make me wait anymore. I have a lot of things to do." I don''t.


    When Ie back inside, I''ll be overthinking again until sleep knocks me out.


    ¡°Honesty, I actually don¡¯t know what to say, River. I just dragged you here. I wanted to talk to you.


    You''ve been avoiding me for the past couple of weeks. I miss talking to you.¡±


    My mouth went round. ¡°What the fuck? Are you wasting my time? Go back to Zenith¡¯s arms and finish


    what the two of you were doing earlier,¡± I snapped. "If you miss me, you are not busy enough to look for


    me."


    Sometimes, I want him to look for me. To make me feel that I did matter to him.


    I shook my head.


    Where did that thoughte from?


    "Zenith was always beside me. She didn''t want me to leave her side. But I assure you. Nothing


    happened between us, River.¡±


    ¡°How could I believe you when you have her kiss marks?¡± I sauntered towards him, yanked his cor,


    and exposed his neck. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you were not aware she was biting your neck as if she was a


    vampire? And do you hear her moaning earlier? We heard her clearly, Maxxwell! I may not be able to


    read and write better than anyone else, but I am not a fool. Stop making me a fool!¡±


    Maxxwell''s face paled.


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    ¡°I was trying to stop her earlier. I vow that nothing happened between us. I did not touch her, River.


    Zenith is the one who kept on seducing me.¡± His expression softened. ¡°Please, believe me.¡±


    The woman was always on Maxxwell¡¯s mind. And the absence of Zenith will only make his heart grow


    fonder of him.


    I hardened my expression. ¡°You want me to believe you? Kneel, Maxxwell. That is the only thing that


    you can do.¡±


    Which I know he will not do. He was the alpha king. He was proud. Arrogant. He would never grovel¡ª


    He did. He kneels in front of me.


    My mouth gaped open.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    He smiled sadly. ¡°This is what you want. This signifies my honesty.¡±


    ¡°Get up! The servants will see you kneeling like this! They may lose their respect for you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Do you believe me now?¡±


    I turned sideways, folding my arms in front of my chest. ¡°Why are you doing this, Maxxwell? Isn¡¯t it


    enough that you keep on hurting me over and over again?¡±


    ¡°What? But I am not¡­.¡±


    ¡°You want me to forgive you? Fine. Let me go back to my pack. To Haverstone Pack. Release me from


    your hold. You have Zenith to begin with. I am no longer important to you, anyway.¡±


    I wanted to stay away from this ce for a moment and gather my emotions again. That was the only


    thing I could do to save myself.


    His head fell. ¡°Is that what you desire? To stay away from me?¡±


    "Yes!" I eximed. ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you pity me? Don¡¯t you pity my wolf, Maxxwell? She¡¯s been crying


    every day, urging me to talk to you. To beg you to reject Zenith so that it will only be the two of us. It


    pained me to see her suffering like this. So please, allow me to be released, Maxxwell. Can you do that


    for me?¡±


    Oh, no. I will not cry in front of him. I won''t.


    Maxxwell sniffed.


    I stiffened.


    Was he crying? Why would an alpha king cry?


    I knelt in front of him and lifted his chin. He was indeed crying.


    Something tugged at my heart.


    ¡°Is that what you want?¡±


    Seeing the alpha king cry was like a punch in the gut. And there I realized that I could never betray him


    if it would result in this. If he doesn¡¯t still ept me going back to my pack, I will run away.


    ¡°Y-yes. Release me.¡±


    ¡°I release you as my servant. I release you as my attendant, River. If seeing is always meant to hurt


    you, perhaps going back is the answer. If only I did not proim her as my queen, then I have the


    option to¡ª¡±


    I covered his lips using my fingers. ¡°Nothing will change, anyway. Be happy with Zenith, Your Majesty.


    You have been searching and praying for her return,¡± I announced, cutting off his words.


    "I also desire to be with you, River."


    "If it means with Zenith¡­." I said, trailing off my words. "I can''t. I want to be the only woman in your


    heart, Maxxwell. If you cannot do that, you better release me."


    He lifted his face. "What will you do to your pack?"


    "Find another man who will love me for real." It was a joke. But the way Maxxwell looked at me, it


    seemed like he thought I was being serious.


    ¡°Be safe,¡± he retorted, his voice cracked. "Be safe."


    I did not know what had gotten over me, and the next thing I knew, I drew him towards my chest and


    engulfed him with a hug.


    I felt Maxxwell stiffen but rx against my embrace.


    ¡ª----------------


    ¡°Will you go back?¡± Dawn asked when I returned to my quarters. Maxxwell and I went our separate


    ways.


    And now that I have his permission, I have to prepare everything. I will surely miss this ce¡ª


    especially the twins.


    I found Dawn irritated, but when she spotted me, concern washed over her face.


    ¡°Yes. Maxxwell already had given his permission.¡±


    ¡°He did? I was amazed he allowed you to, given that you are his mate. What changed?¡±


    I shrugged my shoulders.


    I was baring my soul to him.


    ¡°Nothing. I just told him the truth.¡±


    ¡°What will you do there? You said that Alpha Wade was nothing but a bastard and an asshole. He was


    an abuser. You don¡¯t have any business with your pack, River. You have to think about it a couple of


    times.¡±


    I grabbed my clothes and put them into my bag. It was better to be prepared. I only had to do onest


    thing. And that was to talk to Zenith.


    ¡°Where will I go, then, Dawn? I have nowhere else. I don¡¯t have any identity."


    "You have. You are the daughter of Melissa and Robert Dove.¡±


    ¡°I have to talk with Zenith. First. Before I owned that identity.¡±


    ¡°You can do that. But please don¡¯t go back to Haverstone Pack. If you want, you can join me. I n to


    gather my remaining packmates and build my pack again.¡±


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t join you.¡±


    Dawn''s face fell. "Too bad. I''m expecting you toe."


    "I won''t."


    "If that''s the case, allow me to join you at Haverstone Pack, River. If you bring me with you, I can


    protect you."

 104. Back to the Alpha Kings Chamber

    104. Back to the Alpha King''s Chamber


    Alpha King Maxxwell was right.


    I was searching for the right time that Zenith would be alone, but she was like a leech who was always


    on the alpha king¡¯s side, never leaving the man. It seemed like she was scared someone might steal


    the man away from her.


    As moments passed, I felt disgusted at how she would leech herself to Maxxwell. And the more I


    looked at them, it seemed like the alpha king was no longerfortable with what she was doing. She


    was not even sensitive to what the man was feeling.


    Zenith was always there in every Council meeting. She was also instructing the servants on what they


    would do, especially now that her Promation Ceremony was fast approaching, which reminded me


    that I had to be there.


    Damn.


    It left my mind.


    Change of n.


    I will leave the pce after the promation ceremony, and I will tell the alpha king about it. Suppose


    given a chance for that.


    A servant passed by, bringing some kind of flower. I was not fond of flowers, anyway. Blocking her


    path, I said, ¡°Where will you bring that?¡±


    She bowed at me. Almost everyone knew I was supposed to be the queen if not for Zenith¡¯s return.


    They also knew that I was the alpha king¡¯s second-chance mate. Some epted me, but some did not.


    ¡°Miss River. Queen Zenith asked us to bring any flowers to decorate the hallway for the uing


    ceremony. She is waiting for this one.¡±


    ¡°Is she alone?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss. Alpha King Maxxwell left, saying he had somewhere else to go.¡±


    Perfect.


    ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°She is currently in the hallway, Miss.¡±


    ¡°Allow me to give it to her personally.¡± And without asking for permission, I yanked the flower pot away


    from her. The servant gasped. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She will never know it was you who gave it to me.¡±


    I found Zenith instructing the servants where everything should be positioned. She was barking orders


    at all the servants, who were all nervous about her.


    The dressmaker approached her, talking about something. Then, the man showed him some catalog of


    dresses. The woman pointed to something, and after that, the man hurried away.


    Before anyone could approach her, I strolled towards her, beaming at her.


    ¡°Your Grace. Where will I put this?¡±


    She did not return my happiness.


    ¡°You!¡± she eximed. My presence was enough to ruin her day.


    Not letting her anger ruin my day, I replied, ¡°Yes, Your Grace? It is I, your humble servant. Where will I


    put this pot? My hands are already sore from holding this one.¡±


    Her face scrunched in disgust. ¡°Why are you here? Every time I see you, something bad will always


    happens. Is it not enough that you took away the alpha kingst night?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°We only talk. Don¡¯t be jealous. Besides, you have the alpha king yourself. No one will take


    him away from you.¡±


    ¡°He is mine,¡± she snarled. "Mine alone."


    ¡°Oh, I did not know you are the possessive type. I wonder if the alpha king felt the same?¡± I asked,


    acting as if I was thinking.


    ¡°I will ask the alpha king to banish you.¡±


    I flipped my hair. ¡°No need to do that, Your Grace. I will be out of your sight forever a few days from


    now. Rest easy, will you? You tter me so much, Your Grace. I did not know you were extra observant


    of me. I am not a threat to you.¡± Especially if I will verify that we will be siblings after this.


    Queen Zenith narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re always not up to good.¡±


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Perhaps you are only jealous of me, Your Grace. Jealous that I may snatch the alpha king away from


    you. Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t do that unless the alpha king is a willing victim. If you know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± she spat.


    The servants around us stopped whatever they were doing and looked in our direction.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bitch, too,¡± I muttered under my breath.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    I smiled sweetly at her.


    Your goal, for now, is to talk to her. Not angering her, I reminded myself.


    ¡°Nothing, Your Grace. I just wanted to talk to you. Somewhere private? If that is okay with you?¡±


    She turned her back to me. ¡°I have no business with you. I don¡¯t have any time for someone who never


    acknowledges my authority in this pce.¡±


    One servant was empty-handed. I called her and gave the pot to her.


    No longer holding anything, I wiped my hands.


    ¡°You have business with me, actually. I am trying to catch your attention, but every time you get furious,


    I will change my mind. However, I cannot dy it any further.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. Go now, woman. Before I will punish you for stepping on your boundaries.¡±


    ¡°Boundaries? What kind of boundaries are you talking about?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°I said go!¡± she screamed at the top of her lungs.


    The servants gasped. Queen Zenith continued screaming that it felt like our eardrums would burst.


    Covering my ears, I whispered, ¡°I won¡¯t. Let¡¯s talk first and stop throwing tantrums, okay? You look like


    a child instead of a queen.¡±


    Queen Zenith saw red.


    I stepped back, sensing her raw hatred toward me.


    She sauntered towards me, her hands trembling in anger. And just before her palm reached my


    cheeks, I mouthed, ¡°Melissa Dove and Robert Dove.¡±


    She stopped mid-air. She looked around as if she was checking if someone had heard those names,


    but none. The servants were back to work, so they would not anger the queen anymore.


    Gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°Where did you hear those names?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they your parents? No. Our parents, to be precise. Am I right, Your Grace? Or will you continue


    to pretend as if you do not know that?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere else, woman.¡±


    Folding my arms in front of my chest, I said, ¡°Now we are talking, Your Grace. Led the way. Oh. Maybe


    you forget, but my name is River.¡±


    Her steps were long and in a hurry.


    She bit her fingernails as if those names shook her.


    Are we siblings? Why did she refuse to acknowledge our rtionship? Was she furious at me for also


    being the alpha king''s mate?


    Queen Zenith led me to the alpha king''s chamber and mmed the door shut.


    My eyes roamed around, missing the room. How many weeks had it been since Ist stepped into this


    one?


    Three weeks?


    I lost count of the days. Felt like a year, if I were asked.


    Fighting back the emotions that were trying to resurface, I nced at her.


    "Where did you get your name?"


    "When I was a baby, someone put me beside the river. Perhaps in the hope that I will be spared from


    being sold? I don''t know. If I could talk that time, I would choose to be with that person, my family, so I


    will never feel alone."


    She looked at me.


    "You were from Haverstone Pack?"


    "Why? Why are you acting as if you don''t know, Your Grace? Is this some act? Tristan, the leader of


    the rogue, said you know almost everything. Can I also say that when you disappeared a few years


    ago, you were hiding among the rogues because a long time ago, Tristan Camp and Zenith Dove


    already knew each other?"

 105. Enemies?

    105. Enemies?


    Zenith only stared at me for a moment. "You''re not going to say something? Will you continue


    pretending that everything I said was a lie?" I asked.


    She red at me. "Who told you about everything?" Zenith asked. "It''s not yet the time to tell you," she


    muttered under her breath, but I could hear it.


    I stared at the ceiling. "You are impossible. I can''t believe you."


    "If I tell you the truth, you will stop me from achieving my ns."


    My brows furrowed. "What ns are you talking about?"


    Her lips pressed into a thin line. "N-nothing."


    I inhaled deeply.


    How will I continue to wait before he bares the truth?


    Tristan and Zenith must be exchanging some words secretly. Perhaps the woman was silently helping


    the rogue. How else would he enter the pce whenever he wanted unless someone was aiding him


    from inside?


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    Will this woman be my friend or my foe? I had to be sure that I would know which side to choose.


    "Please don''t tell me you are nning a revolt?"


    Zenith did not reply.


    She was nning a revolution.


    My hands felt mmy. Fighting against the kingdom was punishable by death. And the alpha king will


    never take the punishment lightly, regardless of his rtionship with the criminal.


    The alpha king was fair and just.


    I touched my forehead. "Oh, Moon Goddess." When I remembered something, I looked at her. "Tell me,


    Zenith. Are you my sibling or not?" I asked, without stopping myself.


    She inhaled a sharp intake of breath.


    A yes or a no?


    Why? Was it so hard to acknowledge our rtionship?


    No. It was not.


    It was a matter of trust. She did not trust me.


    Why would she when all I did was anger her?


    "Are we rted or not, Zenith?" I asked, growing impatient. "I''ve been trying to answer that. No. I did


    have the answer for that." I fished out something from my pocket and pulled out the portrait of Melissa


    and Robert. "Are they our parents?"


    For a moment, Zenith''s defenses crumbled as she stared at the portrait. Her eyes watered while her


    hands trembled as she raised them. However, she stopped mid-air.


    "W-where did you get that?"


    "The alpha king''s record room. Tell me the truth now, Zenith."


    She inhaled deeply and, after a moment, masked her emotions and was back to being a bitch.


    "I do not know if you are with me or not."


    I clenched my fist. "Are we sisters or not?"


    She went to the balcony and looked at the overview of the surroundings.


    I sauntered towards her and stood opposite her.


    She had a far-away look as if she had traveled back in time.


    "Seventeen years ago, I left my sister at the river when the ve hunters chased me. Hoping she


    would never suffer the same fate as me¡ªan orphan and will be a ve." Her voice was sad and


    could break someone''s heart just by listening. "I was certain Father and Mother before they took their


    all costs. That we should never separate. But I broke the promise."


    Zenith shivered. No. It was not from the cold. But from the painful memories of the past.


    "What happened?" I whispered.


    "The alpha king''s people were able to locate us and kill them. They died protecting Tristan and their


    children."


    "We are their children?" I asked.


    "What else do you expect? We could pass as twins."


    "Does the alpha king know about your past? That our parents are rogues who wanted to bring down


    the kingdom?"


    "All he knew was that I was an orphan. Without any family left. And he never questioned me again.


    Fool. He always believes my lies. He always believed whatever I showed him."


    Fool?


    Did I hear it right?


    "Maxxwell is not a fool. He bes one when he keeps on loving you."


    She chuckled and stared at her palm. "He is wrapped in my little fingers."


    "What are you nning, Zenith?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? I n to destroy this kingdom with the help of the leader of the rogue¡ªTristan Camp.


    We will avenge our parents, River, and all the innocent lives the alpha king had taken."


    "It was the alpha king. Maxxwell has nothing to do with it."


    Now I understand why Dawn was okay with living in the pce despite what the previous alpha king


    had done for her pack and mate. Maxxwell had nothing to do with the past.


    "All the alpha kings should be killed!"


    My heart hammered against my chest at her deration.


    "What the fuck? Why would you do that? You are the alpha king''s mate! Why would you even harm


    him?"


    "He did nothing when his people attempted to kill me! He was nowhere to be seen when I came looking


    for him. When I attempted to reach him using our mind link, he did not reply. He just let them! Above all,


    he is the alpha king. His title alone is enough to kill him. For our parents. For their pack. For the


    innocent lives!"


    I strolled towards her and closed the distance between us.


    The reason why she came back was to take revenge. Not because she wanted to be with Maxxwell?


    "Maxxwell loved you!" I dered. "You do not know how much he suffered when he thought you died.


    He med himself every day because of what happened to him. Maxxwell kept on looking for you. He


    cried for you."


    She snorted. "You want me to believe that? What are you defending him anyway? We are siblings. You


    should side with me."


    I stepped back, repulsed at her. "I would never side with someone who will dare to harm the kingdom


    who epted me and saved me from my ruthless pack."


    Her eyes went wide.


    "I am your sister, River! We should have each other''s back."


    I scoffed. "Now you are acknowledging me as your sister. If I did not press it, you would never tell me


    about it. You have no ns of telling me, right? Did I even matter to you, Zenith? You did not even look


    for me when you had all the means. We only have each other, yet you pretended as if I did not exist!


    And do you remember what you did for the past few weeks? If looks could kill, I would be dead by now.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    You see me as a threat."


    Zenith''s breathingbored.


    "You are a threat to my goal of destroying this kingdom. You loved the alpha king more than me. Do


    you think his people will love you? Use your brain, River. They attempted to kill me back then. What is


    your assurance that they won''t do the same to you?"


    "That''s no longer your concern, big sister." I scoffed. "I will do everything in my power to stop your evil


    ns. You will never seed. You and Tristan never will."


    "Does the alpha king weigh heavier in your heartpared to me? He will never love you. It is I whom


    he loves."


    Did she think I did not know that?


    "I know. But I will protect him from you."


    Zenith pointed her fingers at my chest. "You will tell him about this?"


    "I don''t know!" I cried and paced back and forth. Everything was too much.


    "The least you could do is support me."


    I stared at her in disbelief. "You''re delusional. I would never defend a traitor of the kingdom," I spat.


    Zenithughed. "Why? Are you still expecting that you will be chosen as the queen if you will save


    Maxxwell? Do you love the alpha king that much? You''re desperate, River."


    "Yes! I love him that much! My love is nothing to your feelings. My love for Maxxwell is real. Authentic.


    Selfless that I am willing to let him go for his happiness. However, after I find out your ns, I will do


    my best to take him away from you, including the queen position. You do not deserve it. The people


    needed someone who would never betray and feed them to the rogues."


    Zenith''s lips quivered. "I thought you would side with me?" she cried.


    "I don''t want tomit any more sins by siding with you. Let''s forget that we are siblings. You were not


    even with me when I was a child. Technically, we are strangers."


    "Enemies. Sister against sister. Is that what you want to happen between us, River?"

 106. Revisit

    106. Revisit


    Without batting an eye, I answered, "Yes. I will fight against you if it is needed, my dear sister."


    Zenith¡¯s surprise was reced by anger. "You''ll wage war against me?"


    I made up my mind. ¡°If it would mean stopping you from your evil ns. I love you so much that I don¡¯t


    want you to die. The alpha king will definitely kill you even if you are his mate.¡±


    Zenith chuckled. ¡°Evil ns? Use your brain, River. Revenge would make our parents proud. This


    kingdom killed them! I am willing to die if it means destroying this kingdom.¡±


    I shook my head.


    I wanted to save this woman. I really do. However, her heart was already full of hatred. ¡°If they are


    alive, they would be happy if we choose to be with our mates. They would be happy. Contented.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak as if you know them! As if you met them!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point. You have the chance to be with them. You know them more than me. So please, stop


    your ns and back out. They never want any of their daughters to be killed.¡±


    ¡°Never!¡±


    Zenith went back to the bed and paced back and forth while biting her lips.


    ¡°You will regret this, dear sister.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I retorted with a stubborn look.


    Zenith stared at me. ¡°Mother and Father will be disappointed in you, River. We only have each other


    now.¡±


    ¡°No. They will be more disappointed in you for being like this. They know the importance of mates.


    They want us to live, for Pete¡¯s sake! Stop thinking of your revenge! It will only cause you harm.¡±


    Zenith scoffed. ¡°Mates? Funny how you believed in that thing when the alpha of your pack rejected


    you.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°How did you know that?¡±


    Shrugging, she answered, ¡°You think I did not dare look for you when the alpha king epted me as


    his own? My dear sister. Even if the majority of this kingdom was against me, there were still others


    who sided with me. I use them to look for you. I know what happened all your life, my dear sister.¡±


    ¡°But you never even attempted to talk to me. Nor let your presence be known.¡±


    ¡°I have my reasons.¡±


    I held my hands in the air and pped them like a fool. ¡°Fuck your reasons! You can have it all you


    want. I no longer want to know anything about you. If you don¡¯t want to listen to your remaining family,


    we are no longer sisters in blood. After all, all I wanted was to know my parents. You were not


    included.¡±


    Zenith was opening her mouth to have her return, but the door burst open, and the alpha king came.


    In a blink of an eye, Zenith and I distanced ourselves and looked guilty.


    Maxwell¡¯s eyes darted back and forth between us.


    ¡°Did anything happen while I was gone?¡± he asked, confused.


    ¡°Nothing, Maxxwell. The queen wanted to talk to me privately, Your Majesty, about some stuff.¡±


    ¡°What stuff?¡±


    ¡°Girl¡¯s stuff.¡±


    ¡°If it has something to do with me¡ª¡±


    ¡°It has nothing to do with you,¡± I answered, cutting off his words. ¡°It had nothing to do with you, Your


    Majesty,¡± I repeated my lies.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes.¡±


    From how he looked at me, I know he was not satisfied with my statement. However, Maxxwell chose


    to let it slide.


    "By the way, when will you go, River?" the alpha king asked, changing the topic.


    "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Zenith asked. ¡°You mean this bitch will go away?¡±


    ncing over my shoulder, I looked at Zenith at the way she chose her words of how to call me.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Bitch? Did she hate me this much?


    The alpha king¡¯s eyes were saddened. "River will go back to her pack. She asked for my permission. I


    allowed her. Suppose that''s what she wants. Besides, the two of you near each other were already


    toxic enough. I hope for your safe travels."


    The corner of Zenith''s lips lifted. She liked that I was no longer out of her sight, thinking no one would


    stop her anymore. That was what she was mistaken about.


    "I''m sorry, but I will do that when I fix everything I must do, Your Majesty. Maybe I will go after the


    promation. Or maybe I will not go. It depends upon my decision, Your Majesty. Do you see? My


    heart and mind are fickle."


    Maxxwell¡¯s face lightened while Zenith became darker.


    ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, Your Grace. But do not worry if it will appease your mind. I will not take


    Maxxwell away from you.¡±


    Feeling bolder, I patted her shoulders and turned my back. ¡°It¡¯s time to take care of Maxxwell. I will give


    you your privacy.¡±


    ¡ª-------------------------


    Three days after I found out about my parents, Tristan Camp revisited me when I was enjoying the


    calmness of the courtyard. I was watching the fountain in the center when I heard a rustling sound from


    my back.


    Thinking it was an enemy, I readied the dagger, and I prepared to slit the enemy''s throat.


    However, my hands stopped mid-air when I realized it was him, smiling at me.


    ¡°Hey. Rx. It is only me. Put down the dagger.¡±


    To my panic, I pressed it into his neck and drew blood.


    ¡°Fuck! I¡¯m sorry!¡± I muttered and put down my dagger, and returned it to my hip.


    Chuckling, he brushed the blood using his fingertips and wiped it on his ck-colored sleeve. ¡°It will not


    kill me.¡±


    Looking frantically around and confirming we were only present, I tugged his cor and dragged him to


    the tallest tree, and hid behind the trunk.


    ¡°I miss you, River.¡±


    The cut must not sting, or this man had high pain tolerance.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I miss you,¡± he said again.


    He did not. For all I knew, the only rtionship we had was me saving him from the Angel of Death and


    him returning the favor I did for him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say nonsense. I won¡¯t fall for that.¡±


    He grinned. ¡°Someone informed me you already know the truth. I¡¯m excited, River. So, what¡¯s your


    decision? Will you help your sister or not?¡±


    ¡°Did Zenith not tell you? I would never take part in your scheme,¡± I whispered harshly. ¡°I will stop you


    and protect this kingdom until I die.¡±


    Tristan clicked his tongue. ¡°Really? Too bad. I was indebted to you, but my goales first. Forgive


    me, but I have no choice but to kill you.¡±


    My eyes widened.


    ¡°I thought you won¡¯t hurt me. The words of a rogue should never be trusted.¡±


    ¡°Careful, River. Your parents were also once a rogue. The blood of rogues is pumping inside your body.


    I cannot let you live. You will only tell the alpha king, who happened to be your mate, of our ns. No


    one will ruin it. Not even you.¡±


    Tristan pulled out an identical dagger.


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell the alpha king.¡±


    ¡°Nah. Don¡¯t put me in your pocket, woman. Your sister said you keep on telling her you will stop her. I


    gave her three days to change your mind, but she failed. Now, I came to kill you. Say my greetings to


    your parents, River. Tell them to forgive me for killing you now.¡±


    Then, he lunged at me.

 107. Do Not Leave Me

    107. Do Not Leave Me


    Before I could react, Tristan was able to slice my face drawing blood. It was toote to dodge.


    He smirked and watched the trail of blood fall while I felt the stinging sensation of the wound.


    Damn.


    Raising my fingers, I touched the wound and traced the length of the damage. I just hoped I could still


    heal it without leaving any scars. But if it will remain, I have to ept it.


    "Bastard! Traitor!"


    ¡°A word of advice. Do not believe the words of a rogue. Like your sister.¡±


    ¡°Damn you!¡±


    Tristan cleared his ears. ¡°That¡¯s all you can say? Curse me?¡± He looked at the dagger. "You won''t fight?


    You will die being a coward, then. But as a grateful recognition of your efforts for healing me back then,


    I will make your death as painless as possible, River. And in memory also of Melissa and Robert."


    And he lunged again.


    This time, I was able to prepare myself. I shifted into my wolf andnded on fours.


    He smirked at my beast form. "That''s right. Do whatever you want to save yourself. Prove to your sister


    that you deserve to be saved when you are still a baby. Melissa and Robertid their lives for you. But


    that was all in the past."


    Now that he had started talking about my parents, I wanted to ask him many questions, but I couldn¡¯t


    because Sunflower had taken charge.


    I howled, not letting my panic get through me. Compared to him, Tristan was an experienced fighter


    and a rogue on top of that. They were trained to fight at an early age to whatever means that could


    save themselves. In contrast, I was taught to work in the packhouse until my body gave up.


    Weak or not, even if this will be myst time to breathe, I will die protecting this kingdom against Zenith


    and Tristan.


    This time, I pounced first and attacked him, aiming for his neck.


    However, Tristan¡¯s movements were agile and fast, dodging my attacks easily. I tried again and again,


    but the man justughed at me.


    Baring my fangs, I caught my breath as I struggled to maintain myposure.


    Fighting against Tristan was futile, but if I stopped, that would mean I was epting my death.


    No freaking way!


    ¡°I¡¯m getting bored, River. Let¡¯s end this.¡±


    He readied his dagger and lounged again. His eyes told me he was aiming for the fast kill¡ªa stab into


    the neck to the side of therynx.


    He tried to stab me in my neck, but my wolf was faster than him. However, Tristan found some


    opening, and before I could evade it, he stabbed his dagger into my leg and twisted it.


    I cried in pain.


    Heughed, loving to hear my scream of pain.


    Tristan pulled it out and managed to try to attack me again, this one aiming for my stomach. No. My


    kidney.


    But before he could seed, a shriek broke out, drawing Tristan¡¯s attention. Using that opportunity,


    despite the pain, I shifted back into my human form, grabbed the dagger lying on the side, and plunged


    it into his stomach, and drove it to the hilt. I missed the liver.


    Tristan¡¯s eyes widened, and he staggered backward.


    ¡°You!¡± he spat while pointing in my direction. He pulled out the dagger and threw it away.


    Wincing, I breathed a couple of times, preparing myself for his attacks.


    The resounding footsteps of someone in a hurry were heard all over.


    ¡°Tristan! What is the meaning of this?¡± It was Zenith, rushing towards our direction. ¡°You''re killing River!


    She is on our side! She is my sister!¡±


    The blood around his wound created a pool based on where he was stranding. My head spun as I


    continued watching the blood from his injury and mine.


    I breathed deeply, trying not to faint at the sight.


    Zenith watched me closely, inspecting my wounds. ¡°What the fuck?¡± she cursed. ¡°This is not part of the


    n! We promised not to harm my little sister.¡±


    Little sister.


    Did it mean she epted me?


    Something warmed my heart.


    ¡°Lower your voice. The other might hear us.¡±


    Zenith drew me closer to her side. My dizziness was temporarily forgotten because of her warmth.


    ¡°Then what do you want me to do? What while you kill her?¡±


    ring at me, Tristan muttered, ¡°What should I do? Stay still while she wanted to ruin our n? We are


    already done with this, Zenith. You promise to help me when you return here in exchange for your


    freedom.¡±


    ¡°And you promise to protect my sister.¡±


    Wait.


    Zenith was held against her will when she was missing.


    ¡°Something changed. She did not want to side with us.¡±


    ¡°I will change her mind. Go away for now. Tend your wounds. The other will sniff your wound and may


    find you here.¡±


    ¡°Your dear sister knew how to heal. Like your father. She can heal me.¡±


    I snarled at him. ¡°I will kill you first before I heal you. I am not a fool helping someone who wanted me


    dead, Tristan.¡±


    Zenith took away her cloak and wrapped it around my body. To my surprise.


    Still looking at Tristan, she said, ¡°Go. We will discuss what happened hereter.¡±


    Giving me onest re, the man shifted into his wolf form and blended into the darkness just like that.


    ¡°River? Are you okay?¡± Zenith asked when it was only the two of us. She rechecked my wounds and


    sighed when the wound stopped bleeding.


    ¡°Your concern throws me off guard, Your Grace,¡± I muttered sarcastically. ¡°For someone whose vow for


    revenge weighed heavier than her sister.¡±


    ¡°Now is not the time for sarcasm? We should call the pack doctor.¡±


    She ushered me inside while I was limping.


    Damn it.


    The stench of blood was too strong for me to handle.


    I staggered, and Zenith helped me stand still. ¡°I can¡¯t find any servants,¡± she muttered frantically.


    ¡°What will we tell the pack doctor? That a rogue attacked me? And that rogue knows you? That we


    know him? Are you willing to be branded as a traitor to the kingdom? Are you willing to suffer


    Maxxwell¡¯s wrath? He will be devastated after finding out about this betrayal, my sister.¡±


    She stopped for a moment. ¡°That¡¯s why you should never tell him.¡±


    ¡°Did he even matter to you, to begin with? You will kill him! Your betrayal will kill him. He had chosen


    you over me. Which means he loved you more than me. Why can¡¯t you see that?¡± I asked out of anger.


    My anger and the burning pain in my leg mixed together that it felt like I would explode any moment


    from now. Plus, the blood. Oh, Moon Goddess.


    ¡°I won¡¯t kill, Maxxwell. Just this kingdom. This was the cause of all our family''s suffering. Our parents


    did not wish for their children to be ves. But look at what happened. We became ves.


    Revenge for our parents keeps me going.¡±


    I shook my head, realizing Zenith had already made up her mind.


    Our steps faltered when we met the alpha king in the hallway. He was with Beta Valentine, and it


    seemed his beta was updating him about something. I had no n to talk to him, so I retreated, but it


    was alreadyte.


    ¡°River!¡±


    Fuck.


    Securing the cloak wrapped around my body, I waited for the alpha king and the beta to reach our


    location.


    ¡°What''s going on? Why do I smell blood on you?¡±


    ¡°It was nothing, Your¡ª¡±


    Before Zenith could finish her words, the alpha king closed the distance between us and yanked the


    cloak, only to return it again when she found I was naked underneath.


    Hastily, he blocked Beta Valentine¡¯s view.


    Cheeks shing, Maxxwell said, ¡°Fetch the pack doctor. Quick!¡±


    ¡°What happened, Your Majesty?¡± the beta asked.


    ¡°River is wounded. Do not waste any more time. Now!¡±


    The beta had no choice but to follow him.


    ¡°Your Majesty, her wound is only shallow. I can handle it,¡± Zenith offered. ¡°Right, River?¡±


    I bit the inside of my cheeks.


    I knew what she was doing. She did not want me to have a chance to talk with Maxxwell. She was


    scared I might tell the alpha king the truth.


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    I moaned and touched my forehead. ¡°I¡¯m getting dizzy, Maxxwell. Please, do not go away. I need you


    beside me.¡±


    Zenith¡¯s eyes bulged, and she clenched her fist. Her eyes were asking me what I was doing. I wanted


    to say I hope to save her from death, but it would not reach her, anyway.


    Without saying anything, Maxxwell carried me bridal style, securing the cloak around my body.


    ¡°Zenith. Fetch the pack doctor.¡±


    ¡°But the beta was already¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now!¡± he barked.


    Giving us onest look, Zenith turned her back at us, leaving me with the alpha king.


    "Do not be afraid, River. I will make sure your wound will heal," he promised.


    How could I tell him that his presence was enough to appease my mind? That his scent was enough to


    calm the darkness which was trying to get over me?


    The mark on my neck tingles at our distance.


    "Do not leave me, Your Majesty," I begged like a child.

 Authors Note

    Author''s Note


    Finally.


    The alpha king''s story and River already ended. Thank you, my beloved readers for staying until the


    very end. Your support means so much to me. I will not be able to finish this if not for your tremendous


    support.


    I know I cannot please anyone, but still thank you for those readers who read, but let go in the end. I''m


    sorry. I know I still has a lot of things to do, but I will be a better writer and storyteller. Still...thank


    you so much.


    I nning on writing BOOK 2. but with a different characters found in this book. can''t decide which


    among them.


    I already talked to much. hahhaha..


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    thank you once again..


    Sincerely,


    RJ Cross


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!