Protect Me, Alpha King - Chapter 122: Chapter 122

Fears and Doubts
As far as my hands could reach, I looked for something to cover the lower part of my body. I succeeded in slipping into trousers, not too big nor small for me-a perfect fit. Then secured a belt around my hips.
My heart hammered against my chest, careful not to awaken the man.
'What's there to hurry?' Sunflower asked, pouting. 'I want to lay beside the alpha king and snuggle into his arms.'
'Shut up. I hate it when you do not even stop me. Consider we are not friends now.'
Damn.
Why can I not still remember now?
I slapped my head to make myself remember something, but I failed.
'Oh, that's okay. Both of us liked what happened. The alpha king also enjoyed what happened last night. You were the one who made the first move.'
I froze.
'Why can't I remember? Sun. This is not a good joke, okay?'
'I am telling you the truth.' Sunflower smirked. 'I blocked your memories.'
'What? Why?'
'Because you will not be pleased and blame yourself. Why would you blame yourself for something magnificent, huh?'
'Let's just say that it is true. What we did was wrong. What will Zenith think?'
Her face showed her disgust.
'Are you hearing yourself? River. Your sister is a traitor. She continued fooling the alpha king even if he was her mate. That's the greatest deception, River. I hate her for doing that. How could she?'
'That's not enough reason for you not to stop me.'
I always dreamed of my first dream with something magical. Then, I would always reminisce about it whenever we lay side by side on the bed while he was sleeping.
But now....
'Why don't you accept what happened, River? It's all in the past. I'm excited about the pups,' she said, her voice showing her happiness.
'I don't want my future children to be bastards.'
'Hey. Don't call my baby like that,' she chastised. 'The alpha king will acknowledge his blood. You will be the one who will be giving him an heir. Not your sister.'
'Stop talking about children. They gave me goosebumps."
Giving one last look, I glanced at the alpha king's sleeping form and softly closed the door behind me.
"River!"
It was the twins. They both looked at the door behind me and watched me with knowing gazes as if they already knew what had happened.
Red crept in my cheeks.
Did I moan last night? Or what?
"Why did you come out of the alpha king's room?" Clara and Flare asked in unison. "Dawn came looking for you. You told us you break free from your room. So where did you-"
"I was in heat yesterday."
Their eyes widened. "So you and the alpha king had...."
"I don't know. Please...let's stop talking about it. I have to go."
They blocked my way.
"What are you doing?"
"Something happened between you two." I leaned away when they sniffed me. "These clothes. We remembered they belonged to the alpha king. Designed by Sir Barry himself," they said while their eyes danced in mischief. "Tell us, River. Did something happen?"
Heat crept on my face, and I looked away.
If the alpha king were indeed mine, then I would never hide it away from them. However, I sinned against my sister.
"N-nothing."
"So why did you have bite marks on your neck?"
My heart skipped.
Bite marks? I haven't checked myself in the mirror earlier. So they were telling the truth?
"I-I don't know what you are talking about," I responded while secretly hiding my neck.
Seeing my reaction, they grabbed my hand as if they were sympathizing with me.
"Oh, River. That's okay. We are Team Maxri all the way."
Maxri? As in Maxxwell and River? My heart warmed at the thought, and I realized I had no right to feel this way. I had to remember the queen at all times. "I made a mistake."
"It wasn't a mistake. Having a concubine, giving the alpha king an heir, and pleasing him is one of the reasons why they had allowed concubines in this kingdom."
"Concubine?"
"Yes. We heard the alpha king is planning to make you one. I thought you already agreed.'
"I won't become one even if that's the only thing that would save my life."
Their faces fell. "Oh. I'm sorry if—"
"Don't be sorry. Can I ask something?"
"What is it?"
"Please don't tell anyone I went to the alpha king's chamber. If the queen will know about this, then-" "She will be mad."
I nodded, not wanting to add a little more words.
Still confused about what had happened, I returned to my chamber and found Dawn waiting for me.
I mentally groaned, seeing the facial expression on her face. She had a lot of questions, that was for sure, significantly when her eyes shifted to my clothes. "That's the alpha king," she commented. "His smell is all over you. Like he left an imprint." The blood on her face left. "River. Please tell me that nothing has happened to the two of you."
I stripped and folded the alpha king clothes and put them aside. Next, I slipped into a pair of shirts and skirts.
"River. You're not answering me." Her voice was coated with worry.
"Can we talk about this tomorrow? I want to sleep for now."
"The queen will know what happened between you two."
"How confident are you that something really happened between us, huh? If you have nothing to say, Dawn, leave me alone. I want to think." Dawn slapped her forehead and then bit her lower lips.
"Oh no. This will be a big problem, River. Don't get me wrong. I like you to have your happiness, but not like this, okay? The queen will surely be mad." "Everyone tells me she will get mad. Don't you think I already know about it?" I snapped, pacing back and forth. "Guilt is already killing me, Dawn. It's a poison ruining me in the process. Don't you think I did not blame myself for not being stronger? For not fighting the temptation? You do not know everything."
She said, "Look. I know. But they are also mates. Right now, the alpha king belonged to the queen. Never yours. And if they happen to know something happened between you, too, the queen will hang you. That is not a threat, River. But I somewhat know how the queen's mind works. It is twisted. Could you stay away from her? She is not something she should never mess with."
Hang?
Could she do that to her sister? The one whom she saved from the slave hunters and put in the river?
My lips trembled.
"Dawn. W-what if I get pregnant? My wolf said something had happened to us. However, I could not recall any of it."
I was not ready to become a mother.
Pity showered her face and closed the distance between us, drawing me to her body.
"Do not be afraid. Whatever happens, I will always be with you. And if you happen to carry the alpha king's child, I will do everything to protect the two of you. I vow it."