Protect Me Alpha King

23. New Responsibility

Bath in the water? With him?

Looking up, I examined the alpha king's face, looking for any sign that he was kidding.

He was not.

His dark eyebrows were perfectly still, as his gaze bore into mine.

Oh, Moon Goddess. What kind of punishment was this?

I chuckled, trying to hide what I was feeling right now—anxiety.

I hid my hands behind my back as images of what he was asking flashed in my memories. Me with the

naked alpha king. Inside the tub.

"Your Majesty…is that for real? Like really? I will join you in your bath?"

The tension spread on my body and rested on my neck, and put my hands on that part to ease the

pain.

Damn it.

When I entered this palace, it was not my mission to flirt with him so that he would want me and would

give me anything I wanted. All I wanted was his help so that I would know something about my parents.

He moved his head from side to side.

"It is. I never joke around, River. It's such a waste of my time."

I gulped as my gaze darted to his nakedness. His delicious muscles were ripped and had more than

two abs. I clenched my fist when a little part of me wanted to run my fingers all over his chest and see

for myself whether it was hard like a rock.

As if he was a fine specimen for observation, my eyes roamed over his body, as if I was hungry for his

body display. I did not know but seeing the battle scars all over his chest made me feel something.

Pride? I was not sure.

“Done checking me out?” the alpha king asked, his lips curled, his eyebrows meeting and creating a

straight line.

It seemed like a bucket of ice was thrown over me and I realized the train of my thoughts. How could I

lust after his body?

"I-I'm not, Your Majesty," I answered, attempting to hide my uneasiness. "I was looking at your wounds

done by the rogue. It was already healed."

I mentally patted my back for lying with a straight face.

"I am not asking you to do that. Do you want me to punish you again, huh?”

I felt my cheeks flush at the way he looked at me with so much intensity.

“Y-Your Majesty...anything but not in a dungeon. And with all due respect, Your Majesty. I am not your

sex slave, but your personal servant. Bathing you are not—”

The words died from my mouth when he pulled down his underwear leaving no cover on his body.

I gasped and hastily averted my gaze, and fanned myself. Why did it suddenly become warm?

He gave me a pointed look. “I’m not looking for sex, River. Asking you to join me in my bath does not

equate to sex,” he lectured. " Your inexperienced body is young for that. And you cannot pleasure me. I

don't want to take a virgin."

I did not know whether I would be offended or not.

"Thank you for the consideration, Your Majesty," I said instead when I could not think any more of any

replies.

Why did he have to strip right in front of me? Even if he was an alpha king, he should also think of my

innocent eyes!

Must get out of this chamber. His other servant must tend him.

His shaft was fully erect, and its crown glistening. I did not believe he was tired.

I faced him but made sure my eyes would not go lower. I would faint not because of the blood but

because of his lack of modesty.

“Do you want your other slave to tend you?” I offered. “I can call them if you want, Your Majesty. A

minute, please,” I said and turned my back to him.

“Stay,” he ordered.

I froze, inhaled, and with hesitation faced him. Again.

As the twins had informed me, the palace was divided into three kinds of servants. One servant was for

the alpha king’s sexual pleasure. Another was the one who will tend to his needs (that’s me). The other

group would be for cleaning.

He extended his arms as if he was waiting for me to run into his arms.

Damn it.

Why did he lack shame?

“River. Why did it feel as if I am facing another person? Back in your pack, you were so eager to kiss

me. But now, the mere sight of me getting naked did not appeal to you at all. I do not believe I am

hideous, River.”

I should have thought he looked repulsive, but it was not the case. And that was the disgusting part. I

should be embarrassed for thinking such dirty thoughts. The alpha king would never be my mate.

Period. He would never look at me as if I was the most beautiful woman in his eyes.

I chuckled nervously and put a distance between us. The air was becoming thicker as moments passed

by.

“You’re not hideous, Your Majesty. Your body did not appeal to me at all. No offense,” I muttered, lying

straight at his face while looking at him, worried that he might get furious.

“If I did not appeal in your eyes, join me. Scrub my body. Put some shampoo on it. Let me enjoy my

break time. Come. I don’t want to wait anymore or I will punish you myself. Perhaps you want to visit

the dungeon again.”

I did not understand this man. One time he was friendly. The next time, he would turn serious.

“But the dungeon is already damaged.”

He glanced at his shoulder. “Do you think I have only one dungeon in my territory? There are other

horrible places out there, River. What you see was only a glimpse of the horror you will encounter when

you see them again.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I don’t want to face any more rogues.

With that thought, I rushed to his side but before I could reach him he stopped and I bumped into his

butt.

As if he burned me, I put a safe distance between us. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty." He had a nice bottom.

As if he did not care, I just bumped into him, he did not say anything and continued walking until we

both reached the door towards his bathing area.

We entered one room, which was way bigger compared to my previous room at Haverstone Pack. The novelbin

floor was rough with only a little percentage causing someone to slip. Right in the circle was a tub

where three people could fit inside. Steam emitted from the water, and I sighed as I saw it. I wanted to

submerge into one. Perhaps the warm water would kill these dirty thoughts my mind was having right

now.

The alpha king crawled into the tub and moaned when his body hit the warm water. He closed his eyes,

and let the water take away the tension from his muscles.

Without opening his eyes, he asked, "What are you standing there? You will not watch me as I bathe.

Don't make me lose my patience anymore, River."

I jolted and gawked at him. "I'm not sure what you wanted me to do, Your Majesty."

"Join me here."

Still back with that one?

"River..." he said once again.

I played with my hands, and could not decide if I would join him or not. What if I could not keep my

hands to myself?

"Do you want punishment or you will follow my order?" he asked. "Among all the servants, you're the

most stubborn of all. I don't know if I will return you to your pack or not."

Not wanting to go back to that horrible place, I climbed over the tub and jumped into the water, soaking

my clothes.

I was right. The water was warm and I had the urge to completely submerged my body in it.

The alpha king put his hands on my shoulders, snapping my attention, remembering I was in front of

him.

I stiffened and was on high alert. Must not forget he was here.

I heard the fast pounding of my heart as sweat trickled down my spine. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The alpha king extended his hands, silently telling me he wanted me to scrub all the dirt.

With mere inches, one single wrong move will finish it all.

I ground my teeth when reality dawned. Such a shameful position! Why did I have to deal with this?

"Start," he ordered.

Grabbing the scrubber beside me, I silently did what I was asked.

The alpha king's hands were calloused and veiny. Strands of hair were all over his arms which were

usually hidden inside his vest and jacket.

His body looked like pearls when the light bounced back.

He moaned as my hands continued the soft movement of washing off the dirt all over his body.

"Closer, River."

I gritted my teeth, still scrubbing him.

Leaning closer might mean I will feel his erection. I did not forget that he was naked down there.

My grip on the scrubber tightened.

If he does something funny, Moon Goddess forbids me, I will no longer care if he was the alpha king or

not, but I will kick him in his groin.

He gave me his back, resting his head on the edge of the tub.

"A warm bath is the best, River. Bathing makes me forget the tiring day," the alpha king said. "This will

be one of your responsibilities from now on," he announced. "You will always join me when I take a

bath."

My hands paused mid-air.