Chapter 6 Promise to Protect

Alpha Boaz was notoriously cruel and cold. He loved death so much that his enemies dreaded being near him. Before the Alpha shifted, they had fled, not daring to face him. Therefore, he became the strongest Alpha in the kingdom.

Conversely, girls loved him and dreamed of being his mate. He became the topic of conversation wherever I went, even within the palace. His status as Celyn's fiancé didn't stop them from dreaming. Some even admitted they wouldn't mind becoming his concubines.

I didn't understand those women's attitudes before. After experiencing Alpha Boaz's tender care for me, I got it. Even though I was afraid of him and my own desires, he was patient. I didn't expect him to be so gentle in bed.

"Your Royal Highness," my maids greeted me as I opened Alpha Boaz's chamber door.

"We must hurry. It's dinner time soon," I stated.

I woke up in Alpha Boaz's room earlier and was grateful I was alone. I fixed my hair and appearance as best I could. I took in our surroundings, unwilling to meet anyone in a messy state.

I only felt relieved once I was in my room. My servants worked diligently to bathe and prepare me to attend dinner. Had Alpha Boaz not ruined my appearance, I wouldn't have had to waste time.

People stared at me as I entered the dining room. Seeing the empty seat on Alpha Boaz's side, I approached. The king allowed the servants to serve the food and we started dinner.

I felt uncomfortable when Father asked me to go to the hall with Alpha Boaz. My fear was confirmed when he asked my maids and bodyguards to leave us in the middle of the hallway. The place was deserted and rarely passed by servants and warriors.

Yet he treated me with courtesy. He apologized for his behavior. Although Drake's actions were not my plan, I apologized to him. I used the opportunity to talk about the agreement after marriage. Unfortunately, he refused my last request.

"Men and women have different thoughts about sex, Princess. I'll only think of you when we do it," he whispered, tickling my ear.

My heart was pounding. My face heated up at his whisper. I didn't realize we were standing so close. My chest was touching his clothes when I breathed in. My Goddess, his scent was so seductive.

"Alpha-" My breath caught when he touched my arm's skin.

"Boaz," he whispered against my lips. He wrapped his arms around my waist.

I reflexively placed my hands over his chest. "They're waiting for us in the hall."

"Your parents know we need time alone." He pecked the corner of my lips. "You are so sweet, my princess. I can't wait to take these clothes off and kiss your whole body."

I mustered all my strength to resist his temptation. I turned my face away when he was about to kiss my lips. "Please. People are waiting for us in the hall."

Alpha Boaz kissed my cheek. "Fine," he said obediently.

I sighed in relief when he pulled away from me. Alpha Boaz took my hand, and we walked together towards the hall. After my guards and maids joined us, I felt at ease following the event.

I was happy to see everyone laughing. People talked, enjoyed the food, and danced the night away. It was a tradition we did after two weeks of the death of the king's close relative. The event was our gratitude for their hard work.

I woke up in the morning feeling sad. Today was my last day sleeping in that room as a single woman. I would follow my future husband and settle down in his pack. The servants entered the room on time, preventing me from prolonging my self-pity.

They bathed me in fragrance, massaged my entire body, and dressed me in regalia. I wore a white dress, a red greatcoat, and a blue robe. After they put the tiara on my head, I was ready to go.

"You are beautiful, Princess," Father praised, welcoming me into the dining room.

"Alpha Boaz would be proud to marry you soon," Mother teased.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty King and Queen. You have nothing to worry about. I will protect Her Royal Highness just as well as you do in the palace," Alpha Boaz promised.

"I wouldn't doubt that after hearing the report on yesterday's incident," Father teased. He glanced at me, causing my face to heat up.

"I'm sorry for making Father and Mother worry. I promise it won't happen again." I lowered my head, not daring to look at their eyes.

Because of Drake's actions, not just Alpha Boaz, everyone must have known about my relationship with him. We had discussed it, though, and he agreed to be mature. I understood that it was hard for him to let me go, and so was I. However, we had to surrender to fate.

The Moon Goddess ordained Alpha Boaz as my destined mate. Moreover, the Southern Kingdom needed him and his pack's help. Getting his support was equal to getting help from the other packs to the far corners of the kingdom. Most Alphas in the territory feared him.

"Eat up. You should set out to get there by lunchtime. Boaz's people must be looking forward to seeing their future Luna," Father said.

My parents tried to be strong as they let me go, but Mother couldn't hold back her tears. I smiled at her as I helped wipe her cheeks. We were often separated due to royal duties. So, it wasn't a rare thing.

However, the separation was for good. I wouldn't be returning to the palace or my room. I had a new home, and it was far away from the place of my birth. Even if I visited, I didn't come as a host but as a royal guest.

My father would live a long life. He would sit on his throne until old age. So, I would not sit on the throne in his place before he died. Therefore, I held back my tears so that they wouldn't worry. They must see me leaving with a smile for the sake of our kingdom.

I didn't see Drake among the crowd of high officials before me. Father must have forbidden him to show himself near me and Alpha Boaz. Thank goodness. I didn't want another incident because he wasn't ready to let me be with another man.

"Learn this on the way so you won't be surprised by my people's living habits." Alpha Boaz handed me a large, thick book.

"You don't need to bother. I studied the history of all the packs in this kingdom. It is my duty as a princess." I accepted the book.

"But there are some important things that only exist in our history books," he argued.

"I agree." I rubbed the cover of the beautiful book. The writing was gold, with violet dominating the abstract illustrated cover. Violet must be the color of the pack.

The five-hour journey went by quickly as I busied myself with reading. Alpha Boaz was right. It was a good idea. I learned a lot of new things I didn't know from his pack's history book in the royal library.

"We've arrived," Alpha Boaz announced.

I raised my head and looked at the gate in front of us. The gate wasn't made of sturdy wood but steel. The walls were made of solid-looking concrete. That was the first defense the enemy had to face to get into their territory. He was a genius.

And wealthy because the materials in the walls and gates weren't cheap. The palace used sturdy wood as gates. Steel would be an unnecessary drain on the budget. After all, we were focusing on the martial skills of the royal warriors.

"Watch out!" one of the gate guards shouted.

I turned my head toward the back of the car, where he was looking. I gasped to see a dozen Rogues in werewolf form running towards us.