Protect Me, Alpha King
79. Fooled

An arranged marriage between the two packs? That was unexpected. It had only been more than a week since the alpha king marked me, which was probably the start of the rumors about me taking after the throne. But Lady Juliana’s marriage to another man? Too soon.

I did not care about Lady Juliana's marriage. My mind was all about Delta Isagani. Did he know about this union? Or not?

I feel sorry for the poor male wolf.

It was the alpha king who reacted first at the sudden announcement.

“Really? That's a good decision, Lady Juliana. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding ceremony.”

“That's not what I am expecting from you, Your Majesty,” Lady Juliana answered as if she was about to cry. “I thought you would be a little against it since we had some past.”

The alpha king gave her a confused look. “I am happy. Truly.”

Lady Juliana looked away, clutching her chest as if she was in pain.

Did she truly love the alpha king even if they were not mates? Why could she love someone but not Delta Isagani?

Do you not know the answer? It is because Lady Juliana will only love someone powerful, my mind answered.

Delta Isagani was also influential. In fact, he was serving the alpha king. But why can't she glance at him?

That's no longer your concern, River.

Alpha Wade clapped his hands. “I will pretend I heard those words, Lady Juliana. As your future father-in-law, it pained me to hear you still like the alpha king and not my son.”

Lady Juliana bit her lower lips and mumbled something. It was as if she was going to cry. I wondered who was the brainchild of their union.

"Your Majesty. My apologies for the sudden drama. Our pack would like to ask for your presence as well as the future queen of the kingdom of Vernice.”

"It would be an honor, Alpha Wade. After all, Alpha Erik was once my alpha,” I answered, smiling. Did this asshole know I was his son's fated mate before he rejected me? “And Alpha Erik was also my ex-mate before he rejected me, of course,” I added, laughing.

Lady Juliana and Alpha Wade did not share my happiness. The latter's face was more of a shock. “River,’ the alpha king said, using our mind link. “Was that necessary?’

I glanced at him and answered, “Yes, it was necessary, Your Majesty. I wanted to wipe the smile from his face. Please allow me to handle this, Your Majesty.’

'Are you aware of the consequences? If you can't, stop this instant. Alpha Wade is not someone whom you can mess with."

I knew that firsthand.

'I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty, but I have already started this. And I want to end this.

He groaned in my mind and was suddenly overpowered by his worry for me. “If you want some help, tell me.’

“Thank you, Your Majesty.

"Ex-mate?” Alpha Wade asked if he wanted to ensure he heard it right or not. “You and my son were once fated mates?”

Faking a surprised look, I inquired, “Oh. Alpha Erik did not tell you, Alpha Wade? I thought there were no secrets between the two of you.” Shaking my head, I added, “Did it surprise you also, Lady Juliana? Well, I assumed you already knew about it since the two of you will wed.” I slapped my mouth. “I should have kept my mouth shut. I will talk to Alpha Erik later and ask him for my apologies.”

“There's nothing to forgive, Your Grace,” Alpha Wade said, his voice controlled. He was grinning from ear to ear, but I was sure he was only hiding his anger toward me. Served him right. That was not enough. This was only the beginning of everything. I will make sure to crush the father and son until they beg for my forgiveness while crawling. “If I know about it, I will scold my son for rejecting you. After all, knowing a mate should be one of the best things to happen to us. Regardless of their status.”

"Oh, come on, Alpha Wade. Let's stop our presumptions, shall we? Even if Alpha Erik accepts me as his fated mate, you will meddle between us and force him to reject me. You do not want your status to be tainted with dirt. The dirt I am referring to is me.”

Alpha Wade chuckled. “You judged me too soon, Your Grace. I am quite aware of how amazing it would be to have a mate.”

I waved my hand while chuckling, but deep inside, I wanted to punch and curse him until I would be appeased.

Damn you, bastard. Until now, you do not want to lose your face in front of the alpha king.

"Alpha Erik was disgusted after knowing I was his mate, Alpha Wade. I found out about it during the Mating Ceremony. However, I was glad of his rejection. Because of that, I will never meet the alpha king, my second-chance mate. He is the best thing that happened in my entire life.”

As if my feet had a mind of their own, they went to the alpha king, and the latter automatically snaked his arms around my waist. A silent conversation passed between us, using our eyes. Sensing it was not enough, I tiptoed and kissed him on his lips which made his eyes widen.

“Thank you for attending the Mating Ceremony, Your Majesty,” I said. Still in shock, the alpha king did not have his reply. I faced my viewers—Alpha Wade and Lady Juliana. “See His Majesty's reaction? The same reaction after knowing I was his. But still, he did not hesitate to accept me and brought me to his kingdom.”

Lady Juliana clenched her fist. Her eyes watered as she darted at the alpha king's hands wrapped around my waist. To make her more jealous, I pressed my chest against his and suddenly felt his shaft spring to life.

I smirked.

The alpha king let out a growl in his throat but pretended I was not affected.

"You fooled the people,” Lady Juliana spat. “You fooled me!”

“Did 1? We did not. It was the alpha king's idea not to tell his people. After all, everything was chaotic back then. The rogues were able to infiltrate the kingdom. We want it to be kept private first before we settle everything. Only narrow-minded people do not understand our decision.”

“I told you not to let other women approach him, but I did not know you were the snake who would betray me.”

"Sorry to disappoint you, Lady Juliana. I am also sorry that I told Alpha Erik's secrets, Alpha Wade. It's not my story to tell.” Looking up at the alpha king while still clutching at his arms as if my life depended on him, I said, “I'm famished, Your Majesty. I want to eat now.”

He cleared his throat and threw a glance at Alpha Wade, who noticeably became silent.

Perhaps he was still shocked (about my relationship with his beloved son) that it slipped through his radar.

Planting a kiss on my forehead, which melted my heart, the alpha king announced, “Right on time, My Queen. Alpha Wade had already prepared dinner for us. Lady Juliana. Please join us.”

“I don't want—"

“Please don't say no to the alpha king's request, Lady Juliana. This is supposed to be a happy event in celebration of Alpha Wade's birthday party tomorrow. Don’t make the situation awkward, or I will think you're jealous,” I uttered, cutting off her words.

She scoffed. “Jealous? Against a slave? I, Lady Juliana, whose ancestors were the Luna of the kingdom of Vernice, envy you? In your dreams. I will join you, together with my fiance.”

I smirked at her. “You have a lot of fiancees, Lady Juliana,” I commented. “Did Delta Isagani already know about your wedding? Do you want me to tell him to you?”

"Delta Isagani?” Alpha Wade asked. “Is he the one serving the alpha king?”

“None other else, Alpha Wade,” I replied. “She rejected him because she wanted the alpha king. But since His Majesty did not want her, she now wants your son.”

Alpha King's hand tightened on my waist. “Enough,’ he ordered in my mind. “You already made your point, River.’

I am not yet done, Your Majesty.’ My heart still wanted more.

"Fuck you!” Lady Juliana spat.

“Lady Juliana! Your language! That's not how a noble should talk!” the alpha king chastises.

She pointed her hands at me. “I will never accept you as the alpha king's queen, even if I will breathe my last breath!” She faced the alpha king. “My apologies, Your Majesty. But I cannot stomach eating with a bitch.” And she stormed away from us.

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