Chapter 3: The One Who Protects Me

Amarantha’s POV

His fierce set of marbles kept blazing like fire. It was darted to his opponent. That moment was so unbelievable that I almost choked up inhaling the air.

As soon as he displayed his anger and authority, I was able to see the details on his face. For how many times I've seen slaughter before my eyes, the times I now began to feel awe at this very thing that I feared the most.

The man which they called the Alpha King was there killing intruders inside this cave. His long and sharp nails appeared and clawed all of them one by one. The human slaves were asked by the Alpha King's Iotas to exit the cave and go back to the huge dungeon. Everything happened so fast that I lost count of the moments. I just heard him instructing me on something.

"Hide!" he shouted at me and then continued battling with the assassins.

I hid behind clay furniture and watched him easily killing them all.

I was still frozen at that moment. I couldn't even move my mouth to speak. I found him dragging me closer to his side.

I gasped. I could smell his addictive scent that I had never smelled appealing before.

He led me to an unfamiliar path. I didn't focus too much on where. It was because I was so drawn to his face. I couldn't even stop staring at him.

After that long walk, we finally stopped. I found myself on top of a platform. We were already outside the cave.

The royal council was gathering below the platform I and the Alpha King were standing on. I saw the awe in their eyes still bowing their heads to their leader. We were in a huge gathering center. It lies beneath the heart of Prima Tierra's territory. But no one aside from the council stood there.

"For decades, we have never experienced assassins invading our pack. I want all of you to be alert. We cannot let those abominating rogues invade us again," the Alpha King called. "And now, I announce this to all. No one ever dares to hurt this woman in front of you. This woman is none other than my Luna. Anyone who dares to touch her will be gravely punished!" he announced.

The council started to utter words I couldn't understand. That was when their voices filled my chest with trebles and echoes. I turned to him and saw his eyes glued to mine. It was like they were trying to dig deep within me. My hidden desires, fear, and weaknesses. It felt like those traits reflected on them, trying to tell me that their owner provides me with safety, love, and support.

For the first time, it felt like home. It felt so serene. No matter how ruthless and fearsome this man was in front of me, I could no longer feel the hatred that I once felt before hearing his name. It's as if it was automatically erased by my own system.

Was this because he saved me? Was this because I almost lost my life earlier? Or was it something in his eyes that I could not fathom?

"At last... I have found you, my mate..." he whispered to me with his grateful smile.

From then on, my fate changed in full swing. The whole night turned from a fearsome moment to a romantic encounter.

How did I become his mate?

*****

I was forced to go inside the royal pool where the Alpha King usually bathes. Right after that bloody moment, I wasn't able to talk the whole time. It felt like someone tied my tongue.

His people took me here to the royal pool. They now scrubbed my back with a weird-looking loofa scrub. All that was left on me was a piece of a white towel wrapped around my torso. Good thing the water was warm and relaxing.

I could smell a mixture of rainfall and wood grass. The very scent that I smelt when I was too close to the Alpha King. I didn't quite get that moment that's why I didn't speak a word or two.

The two ladies that were dressed as chambermaids silently continued their scrubbing.

I sighed and looked at them. "Excuse me, can I ask something?"

Both of them showed me their terrified looks. They were reluctant, I could tell it by their faces.

"Are you not allowed to talk to me?" I asked further.

No one replied again.

I grunted. "Oh, please! You can talk to me. I just need to ask something about the Alpha King..."

No one answered.

"They will not say a word, human..." Suddenly, a voice butted in. When I lifted my head, I saw the man they called the Beta. He looked so cunning and distrustful. He looked like a clean bandit who preys on orphaned and widowed humans like me.

I lowered my head after recognizing him. He was the one who dragged me to this place.

"They wouldn't because they are instructed by the Alpha King not to talk during his bathe," the Beta explained.

"I-I see... no wonder..." I whispered.

"What is it that you want to ask, human?"

"I still didn't get why I was dragged here. Were all of the things he said to me true? And it's weird. I just happened to identify someone's smell. His smell. Well... not all the time and objectively. I mean... why do I smell the Alpha King's weird perfume? He smelled like wood grass. It felt so good smelling. I have never thought of wood grass to be aromatic. So, how is that possible?" I asked a bit weirded out.

The Beta chuckled and was murmuring something that I didn't catch. He shook his head and turned to me. "Don't get too excited, human. Just because you're chosen, you'll expect him to treat you nicely. For us, you're of no value. You are here for a purpose. Keep that in your mind. And that smell? It was just nothing. It's only normal for mates to find their other halves aromatic in a way. The body knows automatically that they are destined. But this experience is only applicable to werewolves, puny little human. If someone like you had it, then it means you are made by the moon goddess to be the true mate of the Alpha King," he replied.

I widened my eyes and blinked twice. "Y-you mean, I am his true mate because of that?" I slapped my forehead in disbelief. "I must be dreaming. I must be dreaming..." I kept on repeating to myself.

The Beta chuckled once more. "You must be happy that you became his mate?"

I lowered my head once more. Should I be? I didn't know how to react but definitely, when our eyes met, it was like a dream. A very good dream.

But I didn't know what to expect. My heart is still full of doubts and fear.

I looked at the beta with frightened eyes. "If I am the true mate of the Alpha King, then what will happen to the rest of the humans?" That was the real question that I wanted to ask. I was still curious about this part. I've been too worried about the human girls from earlier. I wanted to know where could I visit them. They must be freed right after the ceremony. They shouldn't be killed. They shouldn't go to that extreme.

"Oh, didn't they explain to you the consequences of not being chosen as the Alpha King's mate?" he had asked.

I listened closely and waited for him to continue his words.

"Those women who weren't chosen will be slaughtered just as the Alpha King had instructed. I think the slaughter is now going on..." He smiled cunningly after saying those words.

I stood up abruptly with my mouth hanging open. The waters from the pool dripped from the white towel I wore. "What?!"

*****

I stomped my feet paving my way to the Alpha King's whereabouts. I don't care if I would break the code around here as long as I talk to him. Needless to say, I am frightened. This ethereal courage I have was so great that I was too overwhelmed. But deep inside me, I fear for my life. I wanted to go back to the bathing room but I already set foot in this place. It's now or never.

I kept on walking towards an open area. There were several lights around the place. It looked like a large resting place for kings. There were no seats around. The only piece of furniture that I saw was a piece of long woodwork that was filled with battlefield armor and spheres.

At the end of the hall, I saw a tall figure looking up at the sky. From the way he dressed, I quickly knew that he was the person that I was looking for.

I marched toward him and stopped at the woodwork. "Alpha King!" I called to him trying to not look so scared but it still showed.

Slowly, the Alpha King turned to me with his fazed expression. He looked away all of a sudden. "Who told you to come here?!" he shouted with his gritted teeth.

"I came here to talk to you," I answered back while heaving a sigh.

"What is it that you want? Had you not been informed that you are not allowed in this room?"

"Please, stop the execution of the human girls at the choosing ceremony. Stop your minions from hurting my people!" I demanded with all my might. I shoved away the fear from my chest. I didn't care if this man would lash out at me. It's all more important to save those humans.

Tears started to fall from my eyes. I gripped my fists tightly, trying to keep my courage.

"They don't have anything to do with all of these. You already have me. You already chose me to be your true mate, didn't you? Then, let go of my people. Let go of them and let them live their lives for a long time," I continued.

"And who are you to ask me this? You are nothing to me." The Alpha King finally faced me with his enraged face. And that was the problem. No matter how angry I am right now, I still found his face too handsome regardless of his anger being displayed. It felt as though my dirty mind was playing with me.

I quickly shook my head and continued looking at him with pleading eyes. "But, you said that you were glad to find me as your mate. You announced it to your people."

"Those words needed to be said at that moment. There's nothing more to it other than words. Empty. Useless. They don't mean a thing to me. So, don't get your hopes too high. To me, you are nothing but a mere object I can use. Nothing more, nothing less."

My tears started brimming down my cheeks. How could he say those words? Did he not feel the connection between us?

So, the rumors about him being ruthless were true?

I nodded in defeat. "I understand. I know that you would say that. I am just a human to you. And I don't know what's the real reason behind all these, but I know that my role in your life is important. You wouldn't waste your time with such a ceremony, right? I know that you needed me for something," I said in a long statement.

I looked down at the woodwork and grabbed a small knife. I made the sharp and pointed end face my fresh and vulnerable neck.

I looked back at the Alpha King and gave him a threatening look. "You say that I'm nothing more but a mere object to you. If that's how things work to you, then I'll have to do this..."

"What are you doing? Stop!"

"I won't!"

"I said stop!"

"If you don't let them go, then let's put all your efforts to waste..." I closed my eyes tightly. My hand started to shake.

I could see how my life flashed before my eyes. The things I was trying to achieve will be finally put to waste.

I moved my hand and the knife was about to get plunged into my neck.

Suddenly, a faint wind came in and a strong hand stopped mine. I didn't feel any pain at all but I suddenly felt a warm liquid dripping from where the knife was located.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw the Alpha King's sharp gray eyes darting at me with his tensed jaw. He was too close to me. His breath fanned my cheek. And the blood from his hand was still dripping on my shoulder. His hand stopped the knife from going into my neck. He let himself be hurt in the process.

I gasped. I couldn't even form any words in my mouth.

"If only I could kill you with my bare hands, damn it, I would! Your filthy mouth is too lethal and you leave me no choice..." he hissed. "You have my word," he said with his gritted teeth. "I'll let them go and you will stay by my side and do your duty as my mate!"

That moment felt a dozen sparks inside my heart.

That was when I realized, a towel was still wrapped around me and the only thing that protected me from the cold was his warm body...