Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 34

Fiona blinked, trying to steady herself. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice cautious.

King Nicholas leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes never leaving her. "I mean, aren't you curious why I allowed this marriage to happen? Why did I let my son marry you?"

Fiona was caught off guard by the bluntness of the question. She had assumed the King, being the imposing figure he was, wouldn't acknowledge the complexities of her relationship with Elijah so openly. But before she could formulate a response, Arturo returned with a fresh plate of food and tea.

Arturo moved with quiet efficiency, setting up the meal and placing a delicate cup of tea in front of Fiona. His presence gave her a few moments to think, though her mind was already full of questions. As Arturo bowed and stepped back, Fiona couldn't help but replay the King's question in her head.

Why had King Nicholas allowed the marriage? Fiona had often wondered about this herself. She thought back to her marriage with Elijah, a union that had more to do with necessity than love. Fiona knew Elijah had his reasons for marrying her, reasons tied to his ambitions and needs. But what about the King? Surely, he could have opposed the marriage if he wanted to. After all, Fiona was no longer considered pure. Surely the King wanted someone better for Elijah, right?

She had considered that maybe King Nicholas simply trusted Elijah's decisions. Perhaps the Alpha King loved his son so much that he allowed Elijah to marry whom he saw fit, without interference. Or maybe there was something more strategic at play. Fiona had never fully understood the dynamics of the royal family, and it left her feeling uncertain. She knew Elijah wasn't an easy man to understand, and their marriage had never been typical. But now, with the King directly confronting the issue, she couldn't help but feel the weight of it all.

Seeing Fiona's pensive expression, King Nicholas suddenly laughed, a deep, resonant sound that caught her by surprise. "You're overthinking it, aren't you?" he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Fiona blinked, startled by his reaction. "I-well, it's not something I've ever fully understood," she admitted cautiously.

King Nicholas smirked, leaning forward slightly. "I'll tell you this, Fiona, allowing this marriage wasn't just about Elijah. It was about the kingdom. And about you."

Fiona felt her pulse quicken. This conversation was going somewhere she hadn't expected. "Your Majesty..."

"The Rosenthal family has been all;

of the Crimson Howler Pack since ancient times-long before the Second Great War," the King remarked, smiling as he carefully sliced into his steak. They were, and still are, among the finest healers in the entire werewolf community. But rather than serve the palace, they chose to..." He paused, thoughtfully considering his next words. "Let's say, retreat from the eyes of the ambitious and the greedy."

King bringing up her family? Elijah had assured her more than once that he hadn't told his father about her recently awakened healing abilities. Yet here was King Nicholas, speaking about the Rosenthals, and it felt too deliberate

overly so, but it was clear now why. Fiona had always brushed off those conversations, assuming they were just the worries of a protective father. But now, sitting across from the Alpha King, she wondered if her

"During the First Great War, the Rosenthal family-well, they weren't called that then-were one of the most powerful clans. Back then, they were known as the Moonwhisper

of her clan. The Moonwhisper Clan

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King paused, his gaze sharp as he studied her. "Tell me, Fiona. Did you know that in the past, every member of the Moonwhisper Glan had the ability to

a beat. She hadn't known that. She always believed that only a few chosen ones in the

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must be mistaken," Fiona gave a nervous chuckle. "Perhaps you mistook the Rosenthal Clan as... as our history never mentioned this. I-I mean-I didn't mean to doubt Your Majesty's knowledge, but according to my father, my grandfather, and those before them... there can only be one Rosenthal that could receive the blessing of the

low, knowing sound. "I didn't expect the Rosenthal family to stoop so low as to lie to their own

in his statements? The unease within her deepened as King Nicholas casually resumed eating. The King, sensing her confusion, glanced at her thoughtfully. "Tell me, Fiona, have you ever heard

history. "I've heard of them

the globe. They weren't just

with you." He paused for a moment as if letting his words sink in. "The Rosenthals, or the Moonwhispers as they were once known, were revered for their healing powers. But that changed after the First

Could her family have been lying to her all along? Had they hidden the truth to

manipulate fire The Nightshade Clan in Africa feared for their ability to command the shadows. And the Silvermane Clan in Asia, whose members could

nothing. Until now, she

me marry the Prince is because... of my family?" Fiona asked. To

voice smooth but weighted with hidden intent. "Being a Rosenthal is enough for you to claim the title of Queen Luna." He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle over her like a storm cloud. Aslow, calculated smile