98. The Mutt and the Leech

As I sauntered towards the library, I tried to control my breathing as pain and betrayal continued attacking me. Sunflower was also not helping when she continued wailing in the background.

Sometimes, I think it would be better to be alone with myself than be with someone who always hurts.

‘Stop it, will you? You’re getting irritating, Sun!’ I scolded her.

‘You don’t love the alpha king! It is who only lovs him! It is I who is only hurting! Is your heart frozen, River?’ she asked.

‘It’s not like that.’ I did not know anymore what words I would say to appease her. She would never listen to me! She is stubborn and thinks she is the only one hurting. When in fact, it was not the case!

‘Fine. If you want to drown in your pain, do it. Give Zenith the satisfaction.’

‘That woman! I don’t care if you are siblings or not! I will scratch her pretty face using my paws!’

‘You will never do that, okay?’

‘I will! She’s a bitch! She should never have come back!’ Using her paws, Sunflower wiped the tears from her eyes. ‘She will know how sharp my claws are.’

‘Chill, Sun.’

She looked at me in disbelief. ‘Chill? That’s all you can say? I. Am. Disappointed, River.’

I released a sigh. ‘Whatever. Your mind is already closed.’

And I just let her be.

When I reached the library, I was surprised to see Dawn standing.

"Hey. Why the long face?" she asked when she noticed my presence.

And just like how I perfected lying, I replied, "Nothing so far." We never planned to meet here. “Did you wait long?”

“Nah. Just in time. I made sure no one saw me when I strolled her. So...Did you see them?"

"Who?" I asked, not knowing who she was referring to.

"Zenith and the alpha king—" Dawn shook her head when she realized something and changed her mind. "No. Never mind. Let’s not talk about them and get over this, okay."

My lips pressed into a thin line.

"I saw them. Kissing. Having the best time of their lives. See? The alpha king has no plans for us. And I wanted to slap myself for expecting something more from him. I know I should be done with him. Or accepting his suggestion of becoming his concubine is better, but I could not stomach being a second option and begging for his attention. I don’t want that kind of life, okay? And what will happen if we have pups? Would they also do the same? Wait for him? I don’t like it."

Dawn's expression softened; she grabbed my hand and pressed it firmly. "Despite that, I hope that will not be your reason for betraying the alpha king."

I smiled bitterly. "I don't know what to say anymore, Dawn. I wanted to punish him for his actions, but I also pity my wolf."

"Do you love the alpha king?" she asked. I was taken aback by her question, not expecting it. "River.

Do you love him?" she pressed.

I sighed. "Does it matter?"

"It will matter."

"I do," I answered calmly. I tried to act as if it did not matter.

Well, Dawn was kind of expecting my answer.

"Hold on to that. I know the alpha king also loves you."

I laughed bitterly. "Stop lying to me, okay? For what? Just to console me? I don't want any consolation from anyone." I yanked my hand away from her and went to the door, and put my ears on the wall, trying to make out any movements. "Is anyone inside?" None so far.

"I can't hear anything.”

“Same.”

I faced Dawn while observing if some guards would go in our direction. “According to my research, after Zenith went missing, the alpha king constantly visited this place. Maybe to do some thinking?" she asked, whispering.

More like to reminisce about his love for his beloved Zenith, I wanted to add but kept my mouth shut.

Who would have known? Maybe this was their most memorable place.

Dawn twisted the knob and looked at me. “It’s not locked,” she whispered.

I nodded at her, helped her, and pushed the door open. The door creaked until it finally opened.

Both our eyes bulged when we saw Beta Isagani, with his eyes meeting ours. “River and Luna Dawn,”

he said, staring at us with his icy cold stare. “To what pleasure do I owe you? And why are you here?

You are supposed to be in the banquet.”

Dawn and I stared at each other, not expecting the beta was here.

Fudge.

My mouth opened and closed while Dawn stood frozen. If there was someone whom I didn’t like meeting inside the palace, it was this man. I did not know what he was thinking, and the way he looked seemed like he was always thinking we would do some kind of sin. Plus, the fact that he was scary as hell.

“This place is forbidden unless the alpha king asked you to be here.”

That was the truth. Even I could not have come here without the alpha king’s presence. And if not for Tristan, I would not know the significance of this place and the treasure it carried.

“The alpha king asked me to get something,” I said.

Beta Valentine lifted his brows. “River. You may be the alpha king’s mate—”

“Second-chance mate, but not the queen. He chose Zenith as his queen,” I corrected, cutting off his words.

Why did it seem like the words were not for him but for me? To remind me?

“But you are not allowed to enter,” he finished off his words.

I gave him a half-shrug.

Act naturally.

“With all due respect, Beta Valentine. But what is our assurance that the alpha king also had given his permission that you can come inside?”

He narrowed his eyes at me and put down his legs on the ground. “What are you trying to say?”

“N-nothing. Just trying to make sure none of us are lying.”

“I am not lying. The alpha king asked me to sign some papers. See these?” he asked, pointing at the mountains of documents in front of him. “These are important documents that need some attention. But since he is busy right now with Queen Zenith, then I have to do the work.”

“Precisely. He is busy with the queen. He asked to tell you that Sir Elijah asked for your presence.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You said you came here to get something?”

“And that, by the way. Relax. It’s not a sin if I am forgetful. A lot is going on in my mind. Please understand me, Beta Valentine.”

Dawn glanced at me, but I paid her no mind. Our goal was to eradicate Beta Valentine’s presence in the library. I will do anything, and I mean anything, to do that.

“Why would Sir Elijah ask for my presence?”

“I don’t know. My work is to relay the message. Not to ask why. That’s how servants work. Ask, and you will be punished.”

“I do understand. Don’t treat me like a fool.”

I gave her a throaty grin. “I am not. I’m merely stating my point.”

“You are no longer a slave. Didn’t the alpha king tell you that he had given you land?”

“He did not.”

And what would I do with the piece of land if I did not have my parents to share it with?

“A lot is going on in his mind.”

“You don’t have to defend him.”

“If that’s the case, vow it,” Beta Valentine said. “Vow that you are telling the truth, River.”

Dawn and I both stiffened.

A vow means we would say nothing but the truth.

“Why is there a need for that, Beta Valentine?” Dawn interjected. I whipped my head in her direction. I wanted to hug her and say she did a great job helping me. “I mean, don't the words of a Luna already matter? River and I are technically Luna. And River should be the queen now if not for Zenith. She should be the one whom you are serving. It’s such a disgrace that you are not even trusting Luna.

Distrust will always bear nothing but the animosity between the two of you.”

“I am trying to make sure. The kingdom is full of treacherous people.”

Dawn advanced towards the table and leaned towards Beta Valentine. “No. You are making excuses.

The alpha king will know you do not trust River. I will understand if you don’t trust me, but your Luna?

That’s unacceptable.”

Beta Valentine inhaled deeply. “When will you disappear, Luna Dawn? I don’t like your presence, especially when you get closer to Delta Isagani. You are using his emotions and using them against him.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re excused, Luna Dawn.”

Luna Dawn slapped the table.

I cringed.

“I am not the one who always gets closer to him. It is your friend, Delta Isagani. If it bothered you that much that he looked like a dog, always tailing me wherever I went and constantly wasting his time beside me, you could tell him yourself. I don't like him pestering me.”

“Watch your tongue,” Beta Valentine cautioned. “That is the delta of the kingdom of Vernice we are talking about here.”

“What would you do if I didn't? Will you spank me? Spank me, then, Daddy.”

I inhaled sharply. Dawn can also wage war without even considering who her enemy is. I admire her for that.

“Do you want to?” Beta Valentine retorted.

Dawn’s hands trembled as if she was on the verge of punching Beta Valentine’s face. And before anything got worse, I stepped in.

“Get a room, will you?” I announced when the two seemed like they were going to kiss. “If you like each other, tell me directly. Don’t play mind games. You will regret it earlier if not.”

“As if. I like a mutt,” Dawn muttered under her breath. But Beta Valentine heard her.

“I don’t like leeches.”

“Leech? Who are you calling a leech? Damn you!”

I gasped when Dawn attacked Beta Valentine.