72. Bow Down Before Your Queen

My lips pressed into a thin line.

I wanted to tell him it was no longer necessary to get irritated, but I knew he would only order me to keep my mouth shut. Again. As if that was the only thing he could ask me now.

Fine. I won't press it more. It would only stress me out.

I turned sideways, giving him the silence he deserved. He was giving me the cold shoulder? No problem at all!

I should be the one in a bad mood since I slept for only a few hours because of him.

"I will give you your silence then. Enjoy," I muttered and shifted my gaze to the view outside. The more I looked outside, the more I slept.

He did not answer. Once more.

Hmmph.

The cool breeze brushing against my skin was tempting me to fall asleep. And I did. I give in to the temptation.

I had to gather my strength anyway for the upcoming meeting with the two alphas.

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I was dreaming that I was dancing in the meadow with all the butterflies encircling me. I was laughing my heart out. Unbothered with all my problems.

Until…Someone shook my shoulders softly. That voice was calling me gently with hesitation. Instead of opening my eyes, the more I snuggled into the warmth that the body was giving me and clutched him as if my life depended on him. And he smelt so good. Delicious. Mouth-watering. The smell of my favorite sandalwood scent. Like that of the alpha king.

I wanted to sleep beside this person.

The person groaned, shaking me again. This time, with more force.

“River.” His voice was coated with urgency.

Damn that voice. Can’t he see I was sleeping?

“River. Will you continue sleeping or do you want me to toss you out of the carriage?”

Oh, great. Did that voice belong to the alpha king?

As much as I wanted to stay in that person's warmth, I opened my eyes and saw I was clinging and leaning on His Majesty's arms with my nose pressed on his bare skin.

I stiffened.

Oh. My. Goddess.

I did not know how it happened like this, but damn. This was embarrassing!

Horrified, I stood and sat opposite him, nearly falling because of hurrying.

The alpha king leaned on his seat.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I slept more soundly than I intended.”

It was because of my lack of sleep. I got so comfortable with his presence that I put down my defenses.

The alpha king folded his arms in front of his chest. “Wipe the drool on your face, River.”

Drool? I was not drooling, right? I better check.

I did what I was told. He was right. There was something wet at the corner of my lips.

Ugh.

“I’m so-sorry, Your M-Majesty.”

Could someone kill me now? Or I wanted the ground to swallow me up?

I checked for the second time for any drools. No more. Satisfied, I glanced at the alpha king shyly.

“I’m decent, Your Majesty.”

“You are my face, River. It’s unacceptable behavior that you’re drooling like earlier.”

Was it my fault that I did not know I was drooling? He also salivates during his sleep. I just kept silent about that.

Letting it go, I said, “Alright. I know. I know, Your Majesty. I’m sorry if I had fallen asleep. May I know where we are right now?”

I checked my surroundings and went pale when the familiarity of the place hit me hard. Haverstone Pack. My beloved pack.

Our companions on this trip had already stepped out of their carriages and the only remaining passengers inside were the alpha king and me.

“You know where we are?” the alpha king asked.

I hung my head low.

“Haverstone Pack,” I mumbled.

I shrink in my seat.

I was not yet ready to meet my previous packmates. Or even Alpha Erik. Especially Alpha Wade. If only the alpha king did not accept the invitation, I would be back in the safety of the palace. My life was starting to feel great at that place. I will be facing the devils of my past.

“It’s time to meet your ex-mate,” he announced.

I fisted on the hemline of my dress. I did not know if he was only mocking me or not, but I did not appreciate any of it.

Refusing to not let it affect me, I smiled at him and hid the bitterness I felt in my heart now. “Can I stay here, Your Majesty?”

“Stay here until tomorrow? It’s not possible, River. You need to go with me.”

“But…” I’m scared, I wanted to add. I wanted to run and hide. I wanted nothing from this place.

My eyes went round when he suddenly grabbed my hands and pressed them firmly. It was warm and temporarily made me forget my worries at the moment.

He brushed his fingertips on my cheeks, and whispered, “I got you, River. You don’t have to be afraid. I will protect you from those bastards.”

Perhaps sleeping all throughout the journey helped a lot to lighten the alpha king’s mood.

“Can I be honest, Your Majesty?”

He nodded, urging me that I could bear my soul to him even if only at this moment.

“I am…terrified, Your Majesty.”

He rested his forehead against mine. “You don’t have to be. I am here.”

“But….”

And just like that, he engulfed me with a hug, lending me his strength. I shivered against his arms and with trembling hands, I wrapped my arms around his waist, inhaling his scent deeply.

I was unaware of how badly I needed this. Him.

My heart beat loudly against my chest.

The soft thumping of his heart calmed my racing heart and it felt like we were the only ones around.

My wolf purred and danced to the music she only heard. She was celebrating the progress between the alpha king and me.

‘Kiss him, River,’ she ordered, hugging her paws. ‘Use this opportunity, River. Strike while the iron is hot. I want to be the queen ruling beside him. We need to be the queen, River.’

‘It’s not for you to decide,’ I answered back.

The wolf rolled her eyes. ‘You have the same goal anyway.’

Did I? Do I really want to be the queen and rule the kingdom beside His Majesty? I was not sure.

‘Kiss him while he is still clinging to you. As passionate as you could.’

‘Shut up. Go away like you always do,’ I said. She was not helping anyway. All she did was tell me to kiss the alpha king. Nothing else.

The alpha king released me. “You can have my words, River.”

I only nodded, half believing his words.

All my life, I did not depend on anyone. I was all alone and the alpha king insisting his protection towards me was unbelievable.

“I appreciate your help, Your Majesty but as much as I wanted to be inside your protection, I can do it for myself.”

Sadness crossed his eyes before it vanished.

“If that’s what you wish,” he said, sighing. Well, that was not the answer I was expecting again. “Hurry.

The two bastards are waiting for us.”

I drew a long breath and followed the alpha king.

My insides were churning as I followed the alpha king. Warriors were piled on each side, holding their swords on their chests, one of our pack’s traditions whenever the guest arrived. At the pack’s entrance, Alpha Wade and Erik stood side by side while on their back were the noble women from different noble families. I knew each of them. Recalled all of them.

The alpha king’s stride was long as if he was in a hurry to meet the leaders.

I had a hard time catching up with him.

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered as we were getting nearer to the awaiting alphas.

They were like carbon copies of each other’s faces. There was no mistake that they were father and son. Both have the same height.

My fist clenched as I saw Alpha Wade’s disgusting smirk directed toward me.

Refusing my emotions to get over me, I held my head up. I was no longer a mere slave now but the alpha king’s face and future luna and queen.

We stopped in front of them.

Alpha Wade extended his arms as if he wanted to hug the alpha king. He was smiling, but it was full of malice. Disgusting bastard.

“Alpha King Maxxwell, welcome back. Thank you for gracing my invitation. My pack deeply appreciated your presence right now.”

“Don’t mention it, Alpha Wade. It’s my pleasure.”

The alpha’s eyes shifted to me. “I see you brought your slave with you. River. It’s been a long time.

How many months has it been since we last saw each other?”

My hands trembled and before I could do something that would anger the alpha king, I hid my hands behind my back.

Fuck him!

“I see. She had gone mute. Do you know I had been attempting to silence her foul mouth, Your Majesty? It seemed you succeeded in doing it.”

“Father,” Alpha Erik said.

Alpha Wade held his hand, silencing his son. “I knew she was nothing but a useless bitch, Your Majesty.”

Damn him to hell!

Looking back at his shoulder, the alpha king glanced at me, and when I did not move, he pulled me towards his body and rested his hands on my shoulder.

“Alpha Wade. You did not know? I thought Alpha Erik told you River is no longer a slave. She is my mate. I found it during the Mating Ceremony. You heard it right. She will be your future queen." Alpha King Maxxwell's eyes traveled around. "Show your respect. Bow down before her.”