03. You Will Mark Me?

Maxxwell.

The name rang a bell. It seemed like I had heard that one but forgot about it. 

I looked up at him, forcing myself to remember, and scowled. “Maxxwell? What pack do you belong to?”

“I live in the kingdom,” he said, nonchalantly. 

That made me even more confused. The only one who lived in the palace was the king and his subordinates. 

“Why do you live in the kingdom? Are you the king?” I asked, chuckling. I put another distance between us and fixed myself, always glancing if someone was nearby. I did not want to be the talk of the town again. 

“I am.”

I stared at him. Longer than I intended. 

I threw back my head and laughed. “If you are the king, then I am the Lycan queen,” I said. I waited for him to laugh also. But he did not. 

The man did not share my happiness. He folded his arms in front of his chest and watched me with curiosity. 

I gulped. Oh, Moon Goddess. “Wait. Are you for real? You really are the king? The alpha king?”

“I am the alpha king.” My heart skipped a bit. “I am King Maxxwell from the Lycan kingdom. I came here to witness the Mating Ceremony and join the event in hope of finding my mate.”

My eyes widened at his announcement.

“Y-your lying.” There was no way the alpha king would allow me to dance with him, and be in the presence of someone like me.

Images of what I had done resurfaced. I felt my cheeks burn. 

"What if I am not? What will you do?"

I shook my head, refusing to believe his words. There was no way, right?

"Look for yourself, woman."

Then he held his hand and showed me his wrist. It had a tattoo of a wolf with a crown. And the only one who owned that design was the alpha king himself. If anyone was seen copying the tattoo, he would be instantly killed.

I stepped back while I covered my mouth. I was freaking out in the presence of the alpha king! And I just kissed him!

“Oh, Moon Goddess,” I whispered.

Then, I instantly kneeled and bowed my head. “Forgive me for my improper behavior, Your Majesty. I did not know it was you. You're ungrateful servant deserved to be punished for her misconduct.”

“No one recognized me earlier. I masked my scent and put on another face. But now, you are seeing the real face of the alpha king. Rise, woman. You did nothing wrong except to stop me from kissing you. I must admit I had a good time in this pack. All thanks to you.”

Without letting him say it again, I rose. I did not want to anger him any more. It had a hell of eighteen years of learning that superiors did not like it when they waited. 

“Look me in the eyes. I like the color of your eyes, woman.”

I held my breath as I gazed at him. 

“My name is River, Your Majesty. I was found on the river, hence my name. And I am a slave in this pack.” I did not want to pretend to be him with someone I am not. 

King Maxxwell cocked his eyebrows. “I remembered you want something from me. What is that?”

I gulped and shook my head profusely. There was no way he would respond to my request.

“Please forget about it, Your Majesty. It is not important.”

“It seemed significant to you. Let’s hear from you first and I will judge whether I will help you or not.”

I shuffled my feet and thought about whether I would say it or not. However, it seemed like King Maxxwell had no plans of letting me go unless I told him about it.

“Well? Is that how Haverstone Pack treated the Lycan King? Do you make me wait?”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. This sounds crazy."

"Let's see how crazy it sounds."

"Please mark me.”

I held my breath as King Maxxwell only stared at me. It was so long that I regretted telling him.

“I-I know it sounds crazy, Your Majesty. That is why I hesitated in telling you about it.”

“How old are you?”

“I am of legal age, Your Majesty. Eighteen years old. Just now.”

“And you did not find your mate?”

I was silent for a moment. “I-I have…but he rejected me because I am a slave.”

My heart constricted as I remembered how Alpha Erik easily rejected me. 

“Who?” he barked.

“My alpha. Alpha Erik of Haverstone Pack. He did not want a slave as his mate. I understand his point, but I was just hurt.”

King Maxxwell raised his brows. “Why? Why do you want me to mark you, River?”

The way the words rolled from his mouth sounded sexy. 

“I want to show him that someone still wants me despite my status as a slave, Your Majesty. I thought you were the best candidate but that was before I knew who you were.”

“Given I will make your request, what will I have in return?”

My heart hammered against my chest as I listened to him. “You are seriously considering my plea, Your Majesty? You will mark me?”