Protect Me, Alpha King - Chapter 164: Chapter 164

Not His
Hurt flashed in Maxxwell's eyes and I had to bite down any sense of guilt as I watched him kneel.
Harden your heart, River just like how he hardened his heart when he ordered Beta Valentine to bring you into the auction house, my mind said.
Maxxwell heaved a sigh. "How long will you continue blaming me?"
"Until you die. Your death will only make me happy, Maxxwell. I don't care if you keep on groveling like that. Do it if you want to. I will sleep anyway." Folding my arms in front of my chest, I released a sigh when Maxxwell stood like that. I wished I had the strength to mock him more and made him realize what he had done, but I could not do it. I am tired.
"I will guard you while you sleep. Sleep peacefully. At this point, there are no related sightings of rogues. You are safe with me, River."
"Whatever," I muttered and forced myself to sleep. 1
I felt someone shaking my shoulders while calling my name, but the voice was too far away. Then, the shaking motion became stronger and I had no choice, but to snap my eyes open.
I blinked a couple of times, as my eyesight was blurry at first sight.
"River. We are already here. Welcome back to the palace. They are waiting for us."
The alpha king hovered over me, and his beautiful eyes bored into mine. He looked...handsome, his eyes were coated with worry. For me.
My heart tightened.
Refusing to get affected, I made my expression sour.
"What?" I asked.
He smiled and it was enough to take my breath away. My heart pounded loudly in my chest.
"We are here. My people are eagerly waiting for you outside."
For the past few days, Maxxwell was only patient with me. He always kept up with my mood swings and it was sweet not for the issues between us. His people?
I looked at him with confusion and reality dawned on me.
So...I was finally back at the place where my sister was buried or burned. I still have not forgotten this place.
I pushed him away to the side and I got up and stepped outside the carriage.
It was true. The guards, the servants, the twins (who could not look me in the eyes) as well as the beta and delta were waiting for our arrival. They gave their curtsy bow when they spotted me while saying, " Welcome back, Queen River."
Queen River?
Staring back at them made me remember that tragic night.
Maxxwell was on my side and I was aware of his presence. "See? They are happy that you are here, River." The alpha king's voice was lively, but I could not return it to him.
"As clear as the sky," I muttered and without giving back their greetings, I made my way past them, refusing to look them in the eyes. At the corner of my eye, I saw the beta and the delta wearing a sad expression in their eyes.
Maxxwell was already hot on my heels. "At least you should return their greetings."
I tilted my head to the side, but still tried to outran him. "Since when did you become considerate of their feelings, Maxxwell? The last time I knew, you were an asshole back then."
He heaved a sigh and responded, "I know you are hurting. That's why you are saying those things. I will forever understand your pain, River. I will be patient until you have the heart to forgive me." "Forever? Bullshit. You are one of the most impatient men I ever know, Your Highness. There is no way you would do what you said."
"To see is to believe."
Nothing seemed to change in the palace. No matter where I look, there were no traces of battles that took place during the Proclamation Ceremony. It seemed like this place was already brand new with all the renovations. To hide the past? Perhaps. The alpha king was excellent at burying the past and hiding it if he wanted no one to find out about it.
I was about to make a turn toward the direction of my sleeping chambers before, but the alpha king uttered, "River. You have not eaten anything. Do you want to eat first before you go to your room? Sleeping on an empty stomach is not good for the baby, River."
"I'm not hungry, Your Highness. I will go to the kitchen when I am hungry. No need to give me VIP treatment. It's not like I will stay here for good."
The alpha king groaned beside me.
If only Dawn was here, perhaps I would not get sad. There was someone whom I could rely on and trust in this place. Wherever she was, I hoped she was happy and content.
"Let's talk about that after you have fallen asleep."
"Where is my room supposed to be?"
"In my chamber."
It was good I had already decided where to stay.
However, I could not allow it to slide when he just decided where I should be.
I made a full stop and faced him. Gritting my teeth, I whispered, "Are you kidding me, Your Highness? You want me to sleep with you?"
"You don't really sleep with me. If you understand what I am saying."
Now he was treating me like a fool. "I know what I am saying."
Maxxwell's expression softened. "I want you to be safe, River. You don't have to worry about anything. I will never take advantage of you. If you don't want me to. That's a vow."
A vow was enough to console me, but another part of me did not believe him.
What if it was I who would do something foolish? What if I forgive him as time goes by? What would Zenith think of me?
If only I had somewhere else to go, I did not want to return here.
When I did not say anything, I said, "Unless you want me to," he joked.
I did not even smile.
"I would rather stab you in the chest than put my hands on your disgusting body. I will choose my own room. I will be staying in my usual room. The one owned by Dawn." And I left the alpha king with his mouth wide open.
Dawn's room was left untouched. My clothes and here were still here. Based on the absence of dust, it looked like someone was cleaning this place.
I was in the middle of checking everything when someone knocked on the door. With heavy steps, I opened the door only to see the twins. "What?" I asked, flatly.
"M-May we talk for you for a moment, Your Grace?" Clara and Flare said in unison.
The twins. The traitor.
"No," I said and slammed the door in front of them.
I leaned on the door and heaved a sigh.
"Your Grace," they said behind the door. "We did wrong by betraying you. But we have no choice. The former queen forced us. Please talk to us so that we can ask for forgiveness rightfully."
In all honesty, I was still processing all the emotions this place had brought me. And if the twins will add another, I would explode. There were too many memories that made me sad. Emotions that were not good for the baby.
"Go away while I am still nice to the two of you."
"Your Grace...." they trailed off.
"I said leave me alone!" I shrieked.
I suddenly felt hot all over. My chest was pounding fast against my rib cage. My hands trembled and I wanted to throw anything at the door just to satisfy my anger. I trusted them!
Silence. I thought they were gone, but until the twins responded, "Again. Our apologies, Your Grace. We waited for this moment to come to say how much we regretted our actions in the past."
It was followed by retreating footsteps.
I exhaled exasperatedly.
When I was fully alone, I went back to our clothes and folded them again. Just to do something while I waited for sleep to visit me.
Until something falls from the clothes.
I picked it up and opened it. I was still not good at reading, but I was able to recognize my name. Reading the letters at my own pace, I read.
"River.
If you find this letter, that means I already left the palace. I'm sorry for that. I can't stay here after the bastard (you can tell the alpha king I called him that) brought you to another asshole namely Henderson."
A smile made its way to my face.
It was indeed coming from Dawn. I continued reading. I was glad I could read now even if not that fast.
"I know what will happen if you will be in that asshole's hands. And if I had the chance to kill him with my bare hands, I would do it. We tried to get you back, but the auction was already done, and we failed.
River.
Being alone in the palace without you felt so lonely. That was why I had decided that I will be going back to my pack without any idea if there is something to see there. Well, going there is better than staying in the palace which brought nothing but pain when I remembered everything that happened to me. The bastard was so unfair that wanted to challenge him in a duel. However, he was strong and it will be difficult to overthrow him.
If you will return to the palace, I will know and I will do everything to see each other again.
Love lots,
Dawn.
P.S.
I'm sorry for writing. But there's only one way to let you know what happened to me."
A single tear fell down from my eyes and chuckled while wiping it.
I clutched the letter to my heart. I hope she will find what she is looking for.
Another knock resounded. "I said I don't want to talk to both of you!"
"It is me, Maxxwell."
My brows furrowed. Now what?
"Leave me alone for a moment, Maxxwell! I'm tired of arguing with you. Please...leave me alone. I don't want to talk to any of you."
"I just want to check on you. You still haven't eaten anything, River. The servant said you told her to go." If my memory was right, I already turned down five servants.
"I'm still breathing and kicking. If that's what you are worried about."
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Funny."
"It's not." I dropped my body on the bed. "I want to sleep."
"Can we talk after you awaken? I'm planning on buying clothes for the baby."
I looked at the door even if I could not see his face. It was still two months into my pregnancy. Buying clothes at this early stage was not practical for me.
"This baby is not yours, Maxxwell. Besides, I'm still two months pregnant." And on top of that, I need a pack doctor to check on me. I made a mental note to ask for one.
"Whether that baby is from another man, that will be mine. The mere fact that he was never with you means he is an irresponsible bastard who wanted nothing out of you." He believed what I said?
"I appreciate your concern, but I still have enough money to buy my child's needs."
"I insist, River. End of discussion."
I heard his retreating footsteps.
Whatever. My head was still spinning from the long hours of traveling. Mind as well as sleep.
However...Did he really believe that the child was not his?