Protect Me, Alpha King
97. Apologies

When I returned to the banquet, they were still chatting with each other. The food was almost empty. Zenith was occupied holding and leaning Alpha King Maxxwell as if her life depended on the alpha king.

Setting aside my envy, I scrunch my nose in disgust.

Are we really sisters in blood? If she already knew about it, why did she keep on pretending as if she did not know me? For the past few days, Zenith was nothing but a bitch to me. What was her deal? I wanted to have a one-on-one talk with her.

And if we really were siblings, how could the Moon Goddess pair us with the same guy? I would accept anyone, even an omega or slave of the kingdom. But not with the same guy as my supposed sibling.

Everything is still to be proven first, the other part of my mind said.

I pulled myself together. I must never be affected and set aside my romantic feelings.

I inhaled deeply before I fully pushed the door open.

The banquet went dead silent as they saw me reentered.

Zenith's face went red while Nora beamed gazing at me. She motioned for me to sit beside her, but I did not listen to her. Instead, I went towards the alpha king, asked the woman on his left if I could sit on her chair, and it took longer before she stood and with a heavy heart went beside Nora Smiling while looking at their dropped jaws, I giggled. "I'm sorry. I was done with my business in the bathroom and finally got hungry. I initially planned to go back to sleep, but hunger strikes.”

"Your presence is no longer needed, River. We finally had some fun when you left. Why did you return?"

I stared at Zenith.

This feeling of hostility coming from her. It knocked me off, making me question Tristan's claim.

"I got hungry. As simple as that, Your Grace. There are some leftovers. The food looked delicious. It would be a shame if everything was discarded after this. There are a lot of hungry people outside the palace.” I pouted my lips. "Is that okay, Your Majesty?" I asked, sweetly.

Alpha King Maxxwell cleared his throat. "Y-yes. You can. And if you want another food, I will ask the chef to cook you some.”

I beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" I exclaimed and gave a peck on his cheeks.

The alpha king was taken aback, while Zenith inhaled sharply.

Glancing in her direction, I added, "I hope you don't mind what I did, Your Grace. I am merely showing my appreciation.” I eyed the alpha king. "I hope you don't mind, Your Majesty. The kiss, I mean."

Alpha King Maxxwell nodded. "I don't.”

"Perfect!" I uttered and giddily sat beside him.

“Don't do it, River," Sunflower suddenly exclaimed in my mind. She was on edge, always pacing back and forth.

“Don't do what? You always ordered me to kiss the alpha king and now I did it, you were suddenly asking me not to? I don't understand you anymore, Sun.’

She bared her fangs at me. “That's not what I am telling.’

“Leave me alone for a moment, Sun. This has something to do with me. Gather your thoughts first and talk to me when your emotions no longer cloud your judgment. Understand that I have to do this.’

“But betraying the alpha king is a mortal sin!"

'Did I tell you I would do that?"

'I know the deepest part of your mind.’

'Sun. Give up, please.’

Then, I cut her off and focused on the present.

I grabbed three glasses of glass and poured each and gave it to the alpha king and Zenith while reading the label of the drinks—Merry Go Round, the drinks for werewolves.

"Accept this as my apology for saying nonsense things earlier. I did not know what had gotten me.” I offered them drinks.

The alpha king gladly accepted it, and greedily devoured the contents, but Zenith looked at it as if I was giving her some kind of poison.

"What are you planning?" she asked.

I gave her a half-shrug. "Nothing. Why do you always question my actions? It's not like I am trying to snatch Alpha King Maxxwell away from you. I already get that you were his fated mate. The first one." I pushed the glass towards her. "The alpha king did not reject you."

"Why would he even reject me? He loved me."

I know that I wanted to say, but chose not to.

"Let's accept River's goodwill, Zenith."

"I'm watching your every move," she said and grabbed the glass away from my hand.

I held the glass up and asked for a toss. “To the kingdom of Vernice."

The alpha king hastily clicked his glasses against mine while Zenith still doubted my actions. "Zenith, there is nothing wrong with what River is doing,” the alpha king explained.

"Fine."

The three of us clicked our glasses and drowned the contents of the glass.

There was one thing I learned from myself. I did not get drunk that easily. It will take a lot of alcohol for that. Second. The alpha king had low alcohol tolerance. Third, Zenith was not an avid fan of alcohol either.

Everything will go according to my plans. Plus the fact that the liquor we were drinking was for werewolves like us.

We continued sipping our drinks, with me pouring their glasses, and surprisingly, the alpha king just drank what I gave him. We were like that I failed to notice everyone was slowly on their feet and asked to be dismissed, leaving the three of us and the servants beside us.

The alpha king's cheeks were already tainted with red, as well as Zenith's. Their eyes were already droopy.

Their words slur whenever they talk, which made me smile inwardly.

Seven bottles of wine were already empty.

I saw Dawn finally entering the banquet and standing together with the servants. Our gazes looked and she gave me a thumbs up.

My gaze focused on the alpha king when he stumbled forward, the glass nearly slipping from his hold.

"Are you okay, Your Majesty?" I asked, showing my real concern.

The alpha king shook his head. "I'm getting dizzy," he answered, his words slurred.

"Perfect!" I realized what I said. Zenith narrowed her eyes. "I mean that should be your cue to go back to your quarters, Your Majesty. Have some sleep. That would sober you up.”

Out of habit, I stood and remembered it was no longer my task to help him get into his room but Zenith now.

Scowling at me, Zenith said, "I can handle the alpha king," she said and helped him get on his feet. I drank the remaining contents of my wine glass and motioned for the way.

"You can call me if you need me, Your Grace," I said, offering another bottle to her.

"Bitch," she muttered under her breath and helped the alpha king.

And I was left all alone at the banquet.

I stood and cracked my knuckles.

I should better go after them and check if they were indeed going to our... mean their chamber.

I hid in the corner and saw the alpha king's hand over Zenith's shoulder, the man leaning heavily toward her. Their resounding footsteps were heard along the hallway and Zenith's soft voice urged the alpha king to watch his steps.

Something tugged at my chest.

They looked perfect for each other. And I could not help but question how Zenith could betray the alpha king when the man was head over heels for her. If I was here, I would never betray him.

The alpha king lost his footing and the two stumbled and fell forward. Even if the alpha king was drunk, he took all the force and securely wrapped Zenith in the safety of his arms, and took the fall. The two looked into each other's eyes, mesmerized by each other, and in an instant, Zenith dipped her mouth against the alpha king and the two kissed each other passionately.

The alpha king snaked his arms around the woman's waist and groaned, longing for the kiss which he was only given the chance to have since the woman's return.

I sucked in a breath and clutched my chest when it felt as if tiny millions of daggers pierced my chest.

I staggered backward as my eyes could not look away from the scene.

Sunflower howled in pain in the background.

I understand her pain “cause we share the same.

I drew a shaky breath.

'I'm sorry for not being able to protect you, Sun,’ I muttered and gathered all my strength to step backward and made myself numb from the pain.

“Let's snatch him away. The alpha king rightfully belonged to us, River," Sunflower pleaded.

'I'm...I'm sorry. Maxxwell already chose his mate. His queen. And it's not me.’

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