Protect Me Alpha King novel Chapter 19

The guard bowed at the alpha king while I stood, waiting for him to fully enter the dungeon.

Hope flourished in my heart. Did he have a change of heart? Did he finally take pity on me? Or did he miss me? The latter would be impossible, so it must be the former.

"Your Highness," I declared.

His eyes darted around.

"Your Highness," I said again when he did not acknowledge my presence. "It is a pleasure to see you here."

"Are you really?" he asked.

His steps echoed along the four walls of the dungeon.

As if they had awakened from their slumber, I felt a sudden movement among the prisoners. The iron bars shook and made a screeching sound.

"Black Heart!"

I gasped. They did not even hesitate to call the alpha king by that name.

Lips curling, the alpha king said, "Black Heart? If I did not visit this place, I wouldn't know I have another moniker."

The iron bars vibrated and the captives started cursing the alpha king for imprisoning them inside the dungeon.

The other guards were all over the cell, scolding the prisoners for disrespecting the alpha king, and poking their hands using their sticks. However, they did not stop shouting and wanted to be let out. They wanted one thing—the alpha king's life. Too bad, but the alpha king did not even care about them.

"Silence!" the alpha king's voice roared. "If you continue making noises, I will not give you any food on this day."

Starvation seemed like the best way of punishment because the prisoners listened and silence came after.

I eyed the alpha king warily.

Black Heart.

Did he deserve that title? When did the prisoners start calling him that?

King Maxxwell gazed boredly at the place and stopped in my cell. His nose scrunched in disgust when he sniffed the pungent smell coming from us.

As moments passed by, my sensitive nose had already adjusted to it.

His eyes landed on the stranger, my cellmate who was still sprawled on the ground.

"I came to check if you are reflecting on your actions, River."

Another guard was suddenly on his side.

"She is, Your Highness," the guard earlier said. "I will make sure of that, Your Highness. She will learn her lessons and she will fear committing mistakes again."

The alpha king glanced at him. "Don't talk if I did not ask you," he ordered.

The guard nodded and stepped aside.

"Who is the person beside you, River?"

My heart jumped when I remembered I had someone with me. I focused too much on his arrival.

Using that opportunity, I stepped forward.

"Your Highness. I know you are merciful, please let the pack doctor look at his wounds. I think he is also dehydrated. Please show your merch, Your Highness."

"Why do you concern yourself with someone like him, River?"

My head hung low.

"I pity him, Your Highness. That's all."

He must never know I healed the rogue.

"Are you sure?"

I looked up, not understanding what he was trying to say.

"I barely know that someone, Your Highness. I don't want someone to die while I reflect on my wrongdoings."

Alpha King Maxxwell nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

"Guard. Call the pack doctor and let him check every prisoner. And I want you to bathe all of them. They stink like rotten animals. Excluding River. Let her be."

I secretly sighed in relief.

I don't know what to do if he includes me. I never wanted someone to bathe me. Besides, I did not smell bad. I bathed earlier.

"Your Highness, the pack doctor is busy now," the guard said. "Some of the warriors arrived from the North. And he is currently treating them now. He has a lot on his hands."

I glared at the guard.

"Are you only saying that because they are prisoners? A doctor never chooses his patients. Regardless if they are rogues or not. Enemies or not," I interjected.

The guard growled at me, baring his fangs.

I held myself, refusing to be intimidated. I had no idea how long I would stay in the dungeon, and if I showed him I was weak, he would take advantage of that. Just like how the strong take advantage of the weak.

Alpha King Maxxwell narrowed his eyes at him.

"Do we only have one pack doctor?"