Protect Me, Alpha King - Chapter 108: Chapter 108

Denounce
River Williams
The fast thumping of the alpha king's heart was like a lullaby in my ears, drawing me to sleep. It seemed like only the two of us in the world, and it may be a sin, but I hoped the world would stop spinning so that I could forever have this kind of memory.
I pressed my body against him, and if I died at this moment, it would be okay if it meant in his arms. Was I pathetic? Perhaps.
The alpha king carried me as if I was nothing. There were times when he would run and return to walking while barking some incoherent orders to some servants.
Maxxwell kept talking to me as if he was stopping to sleep, but with his warmth pressed against mine, I wanted to sleep.
Sunflower purred beside me, doing everything she could to make my healing faster. That was one of the benefits of having a wolf. The recovery would be faster. I would do the finishing touches later if I had the remaining strength.
"Your Majesty! What happened to River?" I heard it was the voices of the twins.
"River! Are you dying? Talk to me!" That was Dawn.
What was she doing with the twins? Were they friends now?
"You are not dying, right?" Dawn pressed.
Perhaps I would. As moments passed, I felt my body burning, especially on the wounds inflicted by Tristan. And speaking of that jerk, I hoped he would die because of blood loss. However, I knew it would take more than that to kill the bastard.
Trying to lift my heavy eyelids, I looked at the women and wanted to give them an assuring smile, but I groaned. The wound stopped bleeding, but why did it feel like molten magma was suddenly thrown all over my body? What was going on? I did not understand any more of it. Even Sunflower was feeling the pain in the background.
This was not because of the marks on my neck.
Which only meant one thing. The dagger had poison?
That bastard. I wished I could inflict more wounds on him!
"Open the door! Her body is burning with fever."
That was the twins' cue to open the door.
"Call the pack doctor! Why is that old man always late?"
"I will call him, Your Majesty," Dawn offered and heard the doors closing. "Just please do everything to make her live."
The alpha king barked another order to the twins, which I heed no mind as the feeling of being burned alive persisted.
My teeth gritted.
I want them to throw me in a big tub of ice water to ease the burning feeling.
"Stay with me, River. The pack doctor will be with us in a minute. I want you to open your eyes, okay?"
Gently, the alpha king put me on the bed.
I wished I could reassure him that I won't leave him, but my mouth would never cooperate.
"Look for some clothes for her to wear. Something light that would make the fever worse. Bring also water and cloth to wipe the blood on her body. River. Open your damn eyes! Dammit!" the alpha king ordered. I am trying!
"Right away, Your Majesty!"
My breathing became faster. I formed my body into a ball when another wave of pain attacked me.
That rogue! He intended to kill me?
"River? River? River!" the alpha king called when I closed my eyes and wanted to sleep to ease the pain. It fucking hurts so much!
Maxxwell called me again. However, his voice seemed so far away. I screamed at the top of my lungs. I wanted this to stop!
"I'm sorry, River. But I have to do this," he said and yanked the clothes away from my body.
Using the light around the room, he yanked the alpha king's cloak away from my body and inspected my body. Using the light around the room, he pulled the cover away from my body and examined my body. His touches were like additional flames traveling around my body.
I screamed once more.
"Make it stop, Maxxwell!" I exclaimed.
He knelt beside me and, using his fingertips, brushed the tears from my eyes.
"I wished I could take away your pain."
"Make it stop, please?" I begged him.
Hot tears kept pouring from my eyes.
I felt him grab my hands and place a kiss on them. The alpha king sniffed as if he also felt my pain. "The pain will stop now. The pack doctor will be here. Hold on, River. Help will be coming," he answered, but his voice cracked.
The door burst open, and another entered. A man. The pack doctor? I did not know.
A shriek escaped from my lungs when the pain attacked me again before darkness overcame me.
Alpha King Maxxwell
"Take a rest, Your Majesty. You've been guarding her for three days straight," Zenith said beside me.
Yeah.
Three fucking days had come, yet River was still asleep and did not awake. She was poisoned using a dagger. Thankfully, the pack doctor arrived on time before the poison spread throughout her body and saved her from death. A couple of minutes late and River would die.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I won't allow the Angel of Death to come even closer to her. Not a chance.
Until now, I did not know who dared to harm her. If I knew who was the bastard behind this, I would torture him to death until he begs me to spare his life. 1
I clenched my fist as I watched the slow rising of her chest. She was still pale. Her lips almost become violet.
"I am okay. I am fine."
I used my chamber while asking Zenith to use the other room. I did not want anyone to disturb River's sleep. The twins and Dawn would visit now and then, as would Delta Isagani, constantly checking the woman's condition.
"I don't want you to get sick during my proclamation ceremony," she added, pouting like a child.
I sighed. The weariness started kicking in. I did not want to deal with her childishness.
"Is that the only thing that is important to you? Does River's health not matter? She nearly died, Zenith. She is one of your people. At least pity her."
Her mouth opened and closed.
"I understand she is also your second chance mate, but the preparations are almost complete, Your Majesty. The invitations were also delivered to the different kingdoms. As well as all the alphas under you. They were informed that the ceremony would be pushed through."
"Leave me for a moment, Zenith," I muttered, and irritation rose.
I massaged my forehead as the pain in my head insisted. It has been bugging me for almost three days now.
"Why are you disregarding my presence, Your Majesty? Does that woman only matter to you? I am your queen, Maxxwell! I should be the one whom you will be taking care of. I also have my needs, Maxxwell. And about our wedding. When will it happen, huh? I am always waiting for you, but it seems it is already out of your mind. How much longer will I wait for you, huh?!"
I glanced at her.
Why did it feel like the woman I was with was no longer the same woman I had when I bought her from the auction house? Zenith was kind and sweet before. Always patient and considerate. But after she came back, something changed in her.
I tried to understand her as I blamed myself for what had happened to her. It was partly my fault. I was absent that day when they wanted to kill her. If I were only beside her, the enemies would never succeed. As much as possible, I tried to understand her.
However... There were times when I was reaching my limit.
"Zenith!" I began, my voice already rising. I was also waiting for you for how many years and nearly went crazy because of it! I looked for you everywhere, hoping that you were still alive even if all my people said you were already dead."
She was taken aback. And her eyes watered. "Now it's my fault for bringing the wedding up? Is it my fault for reminding you about the upcoming proclamation? Do I matter to you, Maxxwell?"
My eyes darted to River, lying on the bed. "Do I have to answer that?"
"Yes! Make me feel secure, Maxxwell! Because right now, my treacherous voice told me I do not matter to you anymore. You are only forced to be with me because of your promise!" "Let's talk about this when both of us are calm, okay? Please leave me. Leave us alone."
"That woman should die," she muttered under her breath, but I was able to hear her.
I stood on my feet and snarled at her. "Why do you want her dead? Enlighten me, Zenith!"
She paled. "N-nothing. Your ears are playing tricks on you, Your Majesty!" she denied. She looked everywhere except for my eyes.
I closed the distance between us with heavy steps and grabbed her wrist. "Do you hate her that much, Zenith?" I asked.
"The woman loathed River, Maxxwell. Denounce her as your queen!'