Protect Me, Alpha King - Chapter 161: Chapter 161

Journey
"Pushing you to kill yourself," I answered, my voice coated with pain. "He is capable of doing that."
In one snap, Alpha Raphael understood what I was saying. I did not tell him everything about my life, but I was certain, rumors had been circulating secretly about what happened during the Proclamation Ceremony.
"I would never do that. I would rather die protecting this pack than do another thing."
I gave him a half-shrug. "Can I add something?"
"What is that?"
"Even if the alpha king had killed the one who killed the chef, something is telling me that the real culprit is walking freely among us. And that's what you should solve, Master Raphael. You have to prove to the alpha king that you are competent and do not rely on anyone's back."
Alpha Raphael dragged one chair and slumped. "There is nothing to prove, woman."
"There is. If you solve this case, the alpha king will never force me to go back to the palace. Please help me stay here. And if you solved the case, Master Raphael, the women can now go back here."
Alpha Raphael scratched his hair with frustration. "This is one of the reasons why I do not want to become an alpha. The burden. They keep piling up. The position is giving me a lot of stress and I feel like it will be the reason I will be killed."
"Don't say that!"
"It's true."
"Being an alpha is not for me, woman. Gavin is the right person for that. The moment I catch the criminal, I will pack my belongings and go away from this pack without turning my back. That's a promise."
After staying on my bed for two days, I was able to move easily and comfortably. Without relying on the pack doctor's prescribed medicines, I healed myself without the alpha king knowing about it. If during the previous days, he was giving me space, after the incident, he never allowed me to go out alone. He kept on saying that it was not for me, but for the child. Emphasizing the word his.
"River. You don't have to go with us," the alpha king groaned as I settled in the carriage and sat next to him. If I had a choice, I would be sharing Alpha Raphael's carriage, but the alpha king said he would never allow it.
"If I don't go, will you stay here with me?"
He groaned.
"You could not. So I am coming with you."
Alpha Raphael was leading the way while William and the beta stayed in the pack.
"Why are we doing this again?" the alpha king grumbled.
"To meet the women."
"That is not it. To know someone who knows how to detect poison."
"That is not the only reason why we will go there."
"It isn't? So what then?"
"Secret investigations."
I folded my arms in front of my chest. "Secret investigations? About what?"
He smirked at me, and I hated knowing my heart appreciated how good-looking he was for being like that.
"River. That's why you call it secret investigations because nobody knows."
"I know about it."
"You're the exception."
I positioned both of my feet in front. The alpha king scowled at me, not liking what I was doing to the precious carriage he was riding. But he never said anything.
"I hope you will succeed with your secret investigations," I replied sarcastically. "You know what? Why do you act as if we are friends now, huh? News flash, Your Highness. I still hate you and no words could explain how I loathe you."
Putting both of his hands at the back of his neck, he answered, "Yeah. Yeah. I already memorized it in the back of my head."
"Whatever. Sleeping is way better than talking to you."
I closed my eyes and observed him silently. He was not doing anything. His scent hugged me, and it felt so good. I knew I was repulsive so I felt that way. Perhaps it was the baby again.
"So...how are you feeling? How about your wound?"
"As I said, we are not friends. Don't do small talk, Your Highness."
"Look, can you at least consider that I am doing everything I can to fix whatever we have, River?"
"Do you want me to be grateful for it? No. I won't do that. It's not my responsibility."
"At least open your heart."
"So that you will break it again, Your Highness? No, thank you. You will never change my mind so please stop whatever you are planning. My heart has already hardened and will never beat again for someone
like you."
The alpha king puffed an air.
"How about your wound?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Fine. I can move my body and it looks brand new, Your Highness. The pack doctor was fantastic."
"He never gives you anything except some herbal medicines, River. You healed faster than I expected."
I fell silent. "W-well. Maybe I heal faster than the others. A gift from the Moon Goddess after assigning me with a bastard alpha and mate...." I exclaimed, trailing off my words, but the alpha king did not like my
choice of words. Chuckling, I added, "Oh no, Your Highness. I am not talking to you. I am referring to the other bastard who backstabbed you after siding with his father."
If he chose the right side, Alpha Erik's life would never have become tragic.
"You never spared him. Just like me, you brought him to the auction house. How cruel of you."
The corner of the alpha king's mouth snapped shut.
I gnashed my teeth. "Not saying anything? That's because you are guilty."
A muscle on his jaw twitched. "Alpha Erik, your bastard mate escaped while my guards ran after him. If happened to be brought to the auction, something might have happened after he escaped. Because if my
warriors caught him during that time, he would not be breathing right now, River."
My jaw tightened. "You are evil."
"They will know what will happen to them once they wage war against the kingdom, River. The outcome is only death."
"Are you happy the queen has died?"
The alpha king's lips drew into a snarl. "You think my love for her died just because Zenith has died? You are mistaken. And that's what I am furious about. Zenith had betrayed me and chosen revenge. But why
couldn't I forget my feelings for her, River? Why?"
Maxxwell covered his eyes with a hand.
After our heart-to-heart talk, the alpha king never talked to me anymore. His eyes were fixated on the road which had the most beautiful falls urging us to dive into it.
A burning feeling in my chest persisted.
Maxxwell, even after my sister's death, continued loving her. And why did it hurt like this? 2
Being always sad will bring harm to the baby, I reminded myself.
I looked out of the window, opposite him.
The air was fresh as we continued our journey. I did not know how long the journey would take place. But I hoped we would get there faster. My body was aching and no longer comfortable on the journey.
After getting bored, I slumped on my chair, massaged my forehead, and closed my eyes.
"We are here, Your Highness."
My eyes snapped open. The alpha king was staring back at me.
"We are here," he said again. He stepped outside and right at the moment I pushed the door, it opened, and saw it was the alpha king.