Protect Me, Alpha King
49. Zenith and River

"Elijah! Please tell your horse to stop!" J screamed at the top of my lungs, which he only answered with laughter.

I couldn't fathom opening my eyes because if I did, I would only get more scared.

"Relax, 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 slapped 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 playing, River."

Playing? 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 complimenting his beloved horse.

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 Palace.”

"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 flashed 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 marketplace busy with buzzing people, while on my right stood the golden boat and on top was a house. The latter had glass 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 glanced down. The crystal clear water showed our reflection with the three of us and the clear skies.

"It's beautiful, Elijah. We never have a lake at Haverstone Pack.” Only forest. Unending.

Elijah beamed at me, his other hand holding Leah's rein. My near-death experience was forgotten and replaced 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 accepted an enslaved 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 place. It was built in memory of the woman. The alpha king also loved this place before. Both rode the boat during nighttime and savored the serenity of the place. Others saw them cuddling each other while someone rowed the boat.”

"The alpha king truly loved her even if she was a slave?" I asked, half-believing it.

"Their huge difference in status never bothered him at all. He accepted 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 it come 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 marketplace.”

The marketplace was busy as usual. Different goods were displayed 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 glare 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 displayed. 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 slave.

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—"

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 slaves like me. Just like now.

"How kind of you to give a gift to your slave, Sir Elijah."

Elijah glanced at me. "River? She's not my slave. She works for the alpha king. She is his personal slave.”

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 Slave?"

I stiffened upon hearing that nickname.

Dog Slave? Who told them about that nickname?

I thought I had already buried that name when I came with the alpha king in his palace. 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 Slave?" 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 better companion than these people looking at me with eyes full of judgment.

"Yes, Sir Elijah. They call that slave Dog Slave. 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 slave 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 the last statement.

The ladies laughed and hid their smiles behind their colorful fans.

Elijah stared hard. "Really?"

"Yes, Sir Elijah. So please don't trust that slave.” Lady Aurora's mouth lifted.

A slave 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 peddlers of fake news. And she is not Dog Slave. Her name is River."

"Remembering the slave's name is unimportant, Sir Elijah."

Elijah fell into deep thought.

"I'm afraid the alpha king will know about the rumors surrounding her.”

The ladies around us nodded.

"That is definitely what we should do, Sor Elijah. Let's inform the alpha king about his personal slave.”

"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 slave, 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 noble ladies 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 slave.”

"Her name is River. She may be a slave, 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 necklace.”

Seemingly forgotten Elijah’s indirect threat, Lady Aurora beamed and went to her displays and showed him all her collection.

I stepped back. And used the opportunity to go outside. The place 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 slave! 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.

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