04. Be My Personal Slave

I slapped my mouth when I realized what I had asked. An alpha king marking a slave? Impossible. There was no history recorded about that. 

"What can you give in return?" King Maxxwell asked me again. "Give and take, River. That's how the world works. Marking someone is not an easy thing to do."

“And it is usually done between mates. But we are not, Your Majesty.” I looked at the ground realizing I have nothing in return.  No money. No identity. "I-I can offer my body, Your Majesty. If you want. I can be your slave. You can ask me to clean your kingdom and work with the other servants you have."

He looked at me sharply. "Your body?"

"I-I can give you a moment of pleasure?" Even if I did not know how? Perhaps I will learn if King Maxxwell would teach me. 

His cold stairs burned at my soul. "I have lots of women waiting for my disposal," he said. "You're nothing compared to them, River. They are more experienced than you. Besides, you look like a child. I do not want anyone thinking I corrupted the mind of a child."

My heart sank. I lowered my head, embarrassed that I have nothing to offer. 

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I have nothing to offer. All I want is to avenge myself. I have no friends here. They treated me like dirt. Oh. I'm sorry for my ramblings, this has nothing to do with you, Your Majesty. I don't have to let you know how miserable my life is."

I wiped the tears from my eyes as I realized I looked pathetic in front of him. 

Then, I looked up and smiled at him.

"I am silly, right? I am in front of my most powerful Lycan in the whole kingdom, yet I appeared weak in front of you."

He raised his eyebrows. "I will help you," he suddenly announced. 

"R-really? But, Your Majesty, I cannot give you anything in return."

"Be my personal slave in the kingdom. Tend to whatever needs I have. And during every assassination attempt, you will give me your body as a shield to protect me. How is that, River? Can you lay down your life for your King?"

I gasped at the weight of his words. Die. I was not prepared for that. I wanted to know my parents also why they had abandoned me and put me in the river. What if I had drowned that time? 

"Hmmm. You're in doubt. I understand that you do not have accountability for your own words. Just like a slave," he spat.

My eyes narrowed and looked up at him. " I beg your pardon. There are slaves who are living an honorable life, Your Majesty. Since we are starting the negotiations, can I ask for something?" 

He waved his hands and folded them in front of me. "Ask when I am still in the mood to answer your infinite questions."

"Given that, I will give my permission to be your slave, aside from marking me, can you also look for my parents?"

King Maxxwell cocked his brows from side to side. "Do you think you have the right to command me, River?"

I slightly bowed. "No, Your Majesty. But you are a powerful person and everyone is waiting for your command. If you will only be kind to help your humble slave."

I gritted my teeth as I waited for his answer. I hoped he would help me. He was the only one who could do that. 

"Agree. In exchange for your life."

My eyes watered as someone finally wanted to help me with my problems. "Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"I vow it. I vow to help you find your parents and help you get your revenge against Alpha Erik and you?"

"I vow to serve you whenever you wanted and would die for you, Your Majesty."

And now it was already sealed. He turned his back to me and called him. "Y-Your Majesty. You forgot something."

"What is it?"

"About the mark," I whispered, fidgeting. Marking means biting me on my neck, leaving his imprints. An invisible mark will be seen by every male and that was a signal for them to back off. Added to that, King Maxxwell's scent will forever live in me.

"Later."

"But..."

I fisted on the hemline of my dress. I have to show it to Alpha Erik. Now. He definitely knows who King Maxxwell is and he would regret rejecting me. Then, my packmates would die in envy. They won't know King Maxxwell was not my real mate. 

"Listen to your Alpha King."

"About becoming your personal slave. Alpha Erik won't allow any slave out from the pack."

He smirked at me. "Have you forgotten who I am, River?"

My eyes widened at the realization. Right. He was the alpha king. 

He offered his hand. 

"Come here, woman. You worry too much. Now that you are my property, I wouldn't allow anyone to treat you like dirt. Everyone here will treat you like the queen you deserve."

I gave him a small smile, doubting his words but with a shaking hand, accepted his hands anyway. It was the alpha king's hand! 

Still trembling, we made our way back to the venue with the alpha king giving me a kiss on my neck. I shivered even more.

-------------------------

They were staring at me. No. At us. With the alpha king. The majority of the pack knew about me except for the visitors right now. 

"Be still, River. Pretend that you are loving every bit of their attention," I told myself. 

I felt their burning stares in my eyes. Understandable. King Maxxwell's presence was a major eye turner and I was nobody who was beside him. 

I traveled my gaze and my eyes darted to the very person who was the reason behind this— Alpha Erik. 

"River," he mouthed. He glared his eyes at me, but I shook it off. I am beside the most powerful King Maxxwell and nobody could hurt me right now. 

I winked at Alpha Erik. 

I lifted my chin and moved even closer to King Maxxwell. The alpha king did not protest and looked down at me. 

Then, Alpha Erik came forward. 

"King Maxxwell," he started. "That woman beside you is our slave. I am afraid you will get filthy because of her."