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."

than once that he hadn't told his father about her recently awakened healing

so, but it was clear now why. Fiona had always brushed

Great War, the Rosenthal family-well, they weren't called that then-were one of the most powerful

nodded slowly. She knew this much from the history of her clan. The Moonwhisper Clan had been renowned for their healing abilities, a

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in the past, every

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

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as our history never mentioned this. I-I mean-I didn't mean to doubt Your Majesty's knowledge,

sound. "I didn't expect the Rosenthal family to stoop so low as to lie to their own blood. Aren't they afraid the Goddess might strip them of her blessing for such

didn't know about her healing abilities, so why was the King so confident 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

a faint mention in her family history. "I've heard of

globe. They weren't just warriors; they wielded

smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps your family hasn't been entirely honest 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

thoughts raced. Could her family have been lying to her all along? Had they hidden the truth to protect themselves or to maintain control

back, watching her with amusement. "There were other families, of course. The Blackthornes, known for their incredible speed, originated from South America. The Fireborn Clan from Eastern Europe, who could manipulate fire The Nightshade Clan in Africa feared for their ability

nothing. Until now,

to have me marry the Prince is because... of my

Luna." He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle over her like a storm cloud. Aslow, calculated smile tugged at his lips. Then, he added, "But only if... you learn to heal. And control your