How to Protect My Tyrant Alpha

01| Betrayal (Death to return)

Amidst the roar of chaos, Elaia was dragged into the throne room, covered in wounds, her body crumpled from the rough jerks of the betrayed knight.

Brugh.

The throne room echoed with a heavy thud as Elaia's frail body hit the floor, pain searing through every inch of her being. Gasps filled the air as she struggled to pull herself up, her vision blurred, but she knew that her husband, Alpha Rhystan, stood not far from her.

No! Rhystan's eyes widened at the sight of Elaia being dragged before him in a condition that was painful to watch. Rhystan felt his chest ache as if it had been pierced by a thousand sharp daggers.

No... not her. Rhystan's heart murmured. Fear began to grip in.

"M-My king..." Elaia muttered softly as she endured the pain.

Alpha Rhystan growled angrily as his wife, a Luna bound by fate, was treated so cruelly.

"Let her go." Rhystan pressed the tip of the sword in his hand closer to the neck of his half-brother, the traitor Mark, who had been taken down, collapsed in front of him after the fight.

Mark, frightened at first, and began to regain his courage as Rhystan's weakness was discovered.

"It's not that easy, brother." Mark smiled mischievously as he shifted the blade of the sword Rhystan was pointing at him. Then he stood up and said, "Since when do you care about this weak human? You even decided to go to war a week after the wedding."

"f**k off?!" Rhystan seemed unable to control himself and was about to attack Mark, but Mark's next words made him freeze in horror.

"Soldier, raise your swords and prepare to slit this woman's throat!" Mark's command echoed through the room.

Rhystan's sword swing stopped in midair, then turned to the soldier standing beside Elaia, a sharp sword ready to strike at any moment.

For the first time in his life, Rhystan felt hesitation and fear of loss. Even more so at the hands of a woman, but Elaia was different. That careless girl had managed to steal Rhystan's heart even before they had been introduced.

"Let her go." Rhystan pressed.

"What? I can't hear you." Mark deliberately toyed with Rhystan.

"I SAID LET GO OF MY WIFE, you ASSHOLE?!"

My wife? Elaia looked up. She was often introduced as the queen, and hearing him scream the word "wife" made Elaia's heart leap, distracting her from the pain for a few moments.

Mark laughed mockingly, then approached Rhystan and whispered, "Looks like my innocent sister-in-law doesn't know you love her."

"Rhys...tan, I...hoeeek!" Elaia caught her breath as the stench of blood pressed harder and harder against her chest, and a moment later she realized the situation and condition of the throne room, which was filled with blood that soaked almost the entire room.

'I am dead.' Elaia's heart murmured in resignation. And with every breath she exhaled, the stabbing pain tormented her even more.

"Elaia, hold on," Rhystan said with a sad look in his eyes.

Elaia had used up too much energy, now she could only sit resigned with the tip of the sword pointed at her.

Mark, her power-hungry half-brother, gave Elaia a sharp look. "Now, Rhystan, you will pay the price for this throne," he hissed, his sword shining in the light of the room.

Rhystan looked worriedly at Elaia. But before he could say anything, Mark had already threatened him.

"El, you must..."

"Hand over the throne, or I will end Elaia's life before your very eyes," he said, his voice filled with hatred.

Elaia looked at her husband with emotion and resignation. She knew that their marriage was without love, but Elaia did not want to die. Elaia wanted Rhystan to save her. But all the time the throne was everything for Rhystan, that's what Elaia kept hearing.

"No... don't do that, this kingdom needs you, Rhystan... Mark will start a war with humans, my kind, my family... Don't let that happen." Elaia whispered with desperation.

Rhystan froze where he stood, staring at Elaia with watery eyes. Up until that moment, the girl had never asked for his help, only for the good of all people. How could Rhystan watch her die before his very eyes?

"You... You're always like this." Rhystan sighed heavily as tears streamed down his cheeks.

In those last moments, Elaia could feel Rhystan's worry and fear. For the first time she saw him cry.

Rhystan, transfixed by the difficult situation.

A moment later, he dropped his greatsword and knelt before Mark. "Please, let her live," he begged with a shaking voice.

Elaia widened her eyes, then shook her head violently, "Rhystan, don't. I... I won't let you sacrifice yourself for me. Not for me... Please stand up and take your sword," she said, her eyes glazed over.

"I can't watch you die."

"WHY CAN'T YOU?! You've always avoided me and ignored me, so just do what you've always done... I beg you, STAND UP YOU FOOL!" Elaia shouted with all the energy she had left, "Do you think he'll let me live after killing you? No way."

"If I fight him, you will die right away... in front of me. I can't accept that. Too many people hate me, it's hard for me to fight them all... I'm sorry. I can't..." Rhystan said.

Elaia cried when she heard that it was true that Mark had managed to gather many troops and that Rhystan, who known as TIRAN, he was hated by many and his people were not too close to him. He was alone.

Mark smiled with satisfaction when Rhystan gave in to his threat. "Good. You can rest easy, brother. I will treat your wife well."

"Rhystan, listen..." Elaia touched his stomach, "Fight him back! I'm preg..."

Then, in one swift motion, Mark swung his sword and decapitated Rhystan, breaking Elaia's heart into pieces.

Elaia screamed hysterically, but the decision was made and fate was sealed. She had yet to tell Rhystan of her pregnancy, the news that might cause Rhystan to rise again.

"I'm... pregnant, Rhys..." Elaia whispered. "Come back... Please, come back to me..."

Now Mark turned to Elaia, his smile full of terrible satisfaction. "You won't live to see the child. So... it looks like I won't be able to keep my promise to your husband, sister-in-law," he said coldly.

Elaia closed her eyes in despair. In agonizing turmoil, she prayed to the moon goddess, questioning her existence, begging for this injustice to be paid. She was not willing.

"If the Moon Goddess, who is worshipped by everyone in this kingdom, really exists. Show your greatness, Goddess, don't let Rhystan, who worships you so much, accept this injustice. Prove your existence!" Elaia's heart screamed in desperation.

Then her body collapsed. Elaia could still faintly hear Mark's laughter. This was not fair. A moment later, silence surrounded Elaia's bloodied body.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The tension, emptiness, anger and vengefulness were replaced by the sound of plates and forks clashing.

Wait, what's going on? Am I already in the afterlife? Elaia still closed her eyes, not daring to be sure where she had landed, between heaven and hell.

Then Elaia felt a soft touch on her shoulder. "El?"

Elaia gasped, opening her eyes spontaneously. At that instant, her eyes widened, she couldn't believe what she saw.

"Rhystan...?" Elaia murmured under her breath. She was surprised to see Rhystan sitting across from her, just saparated by the dining table.

That man, the same silver-haired handsome man who married her 3 years ago. Him, really Rhystan. What was going on now? Elaia could not believe her own vision.

Rhystan lifted his gaze to meet Elaia's beautiful violet eyes. Then he raised an eyebrow as if to say, "What?"

"AAAAAAH!!!" Elaia shouted and ran away from the table.

Everyone there stared in astonishment at Elaia's departure, except for Rhystan, who wore an expression that was difficult to describe.