Protect Me, Alpha King
89. Zenith?

"I-I'm not saying anything like that, Maxxwell.”

He gave me a throaty grin which made my heart skip a bit. Damn it. Why did an alpha king look this dashing? It would be better for my heart if he looked like a toad right now.

Maxwell was dangerous for my heart.

"Better."

I blinked a couple of times. "What?"

"You can say my name without scrunching your nose.”

"Yeah? What about it?"

In a blink of an eye, his face was dangerously close to me, and I could smell his breath and be mesmerized by the color of his eyes.

"I like it."

My heart hammered against his chest.

"You like me?"

"I said I like how you say my name. But I also like you, River."

Maxxwell brushed my cheeks using his fingertips, and as if my face had a mind of its own, I leaned to his touch. Sparks flew between us.

Sunflower howled in the background while ordering me to kiss Maxxwell. And boy. I was tempted to do it.

His lips were plump and kissable. As if it was inviting me to take a bite. A forbidden fruit. That was what his lips looked like.

Maxxwell looked down at my lips, and it felt like he was thinking the same.

My cheeks burned as I struggled to control my breathing.

"So...are our feelings mutual, River?”

"Yes. What? No!"

He chuckled. "I wonder if your statements will remain like that when I kiss you.” And he dipped his lips into mine.

It was a slow kiss. Yet meaningful. Maxxwell took his time biting my lips and nibbling them.

I moaned

Sunflower sighed in the background, dancing happily.

My heart beat wildly, and it felt like I could no longer hear the surroundings. Of how the carriage creaked when it hit something. Of how the driver commanded the horse. It was only the two of us, with the alpha king.

I pulled away and took a handful of breaths.

"Your lips should be punished, River."

"Oh?"

"It is always tempting me to kiss you."

My cheeks flushed, and I leaned away. Fanning my cheeks using my hand, I shifted my gaze outside. The mountains a few kilometers away were a fresh sight, diverting my attention temporarily from the alpha king.

I felt Maxwell's gaze burning while my mind could not function on how I would respond to him. "I-is that a compliment, Maxxwell?"

"It is, River. Can I ask something?"

"You can, Maxxwell. You are the alpha king.”

My gaze went back to him. He sighed. "Let's not fight. I hate it. I cannot concentrate on my palace affairs.”

I played with my hands. "If you say so, Maxxwell. Though I cannot promise anything."

This was one of his honest statements, baring almost all of his mind.

"Are you happy now?" he asked me.

My face flushed, and my eyes still couldn't look him in the eyes. "Why would I—"

He grabbed my hands. And stared at how it fitted against his big hands.

My heart and the world stopped beating. What other surprises will he make?

Damn.

I did not like how I reacted to him these past few days. It was unacceptable. Did I like the alpha king? Why would I like him?

“Because he is hot and sexy, River. And did you see Denaro? The love of my life? Oh, Moon Goddess. He is the most handsome wolf my eyes have lain so far,’ Sunflower replied, with her eyes full of love. 'And because he is our mate, silly. It's natural to fall for him in the process. You can fight the pull at first, but it will not always be like that. At some point, you will give in."

'I'm not in love with him!" I muttered, horrified. "I don't like complicated relationships.’

His love for Zenith was making it complicated.

'But you are in love with power? And then you will continue aiming for it? Which Maxxwell can only offer? A word of advice, River. Power, in the end, will become boring. I assure you. But love? It will never bore you out.

"What are you thinking, River?” the alpha king inquired.

"You will not be happy if I tell you, Maxxwell."

His face turned serious. "Is it her again?"

"You got it right.”

"I already chose you as my queen. My mind will not change. Let's rest now, River. You need a lot of energy back at the palace.”

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"I will proclaim you when we get there. An official proclamation.”

Despite the alpha king telling me to sleep, I could not do it. How could I when excitement was rushing? I could not stay still as I waited for the two of us to arrive.

I will be the queen of the kingdom of Vernice. And it will become official. No one will bully or harass me anymore,

I smiled.

Finally, after all the attempts to seduce the alpha king, my efforts had paid off.

I clenched my fist.

I will be able to attain the position I was aiming for.

After a few more hours of our journey, we finally arrived at the palace.

"Maxxwell," I called him, only to stop when I found he was fast asleep.

I was not sure if I would wake him up. He must really want to sleep badly.

I leaned back.

A couple of minutes more and I will wake him, I told myself.

Watching the alpha king sleeping was not a new experience. I always stared at him for a couple of minutes or hours whenever I found myself awake in the middle of the night and could not sleep back. That would be my last time.

Maxwell's beautiful face never failed to amaze me. It was perfect and rightfully mine, to begin with. Perhaps if I were not a slave, I would have the luxury of listening to my heart without caring about what would happen in the future. I would be in love. Happily in love and standing side by side with my mate and gave him all the support that he would want. I will bear him a pup or pups. I did not care how many as long as we all would be together.

As I aged and matured, I realized life was not always a bed of roses but more of thorns.

I was deep in my thoughts when a servant approached the carriage. No. It was the twins— Clara and Flare.

"River," they said in unison. They kept throwing glances at each other as if they were constipated. "May we talk with His Majesty?"

I stepped outside and faced them.

My frown deepened. "He is asleep. Why do you ask?"

"There's a visitor..." they said, trailing off their words.

"A visitor? From the neighboring kingdom? Wait. I will awaken the alpha king.” Meeting visitors were not a cup of my tea and never will be.

Facing the crowd would always be awkward on my part.

"Wait. River—"

Their words died when I stepped inside the carriage and shook the alpha king.

Maxxwell opened his eyes.

Yawning, he said, "Are we back in the palace?”

"Yes, we are. The twins are looking for you. They said there is a visitor, Maxxwell. From the neighboring kingdom, I think."

"Who?" he barked.

I shrugged off my shoulders. "They did not tell me.”

"I'll check."

I followed the alpha king outside the carriage.

The twins made their courtesy bow when face to face with the alpha king. They kept on shifting their weight from side to side.

What was the matter with them?

They straightened when they saw the alpha king. "Your Majesty."

"Who is the visitor?"

The twins gulped and looked at each other.

"Well?" I asked when they were not still saying anything.

"The visitor is...Zenith, Your Majesty."

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