Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 37

Rio arrived at the infirmary with Carissa trailing behind him, her expression strained as she led a royal healer from her family. The air inside was thick with tension and panic, the aftermath of the explosion leaving bodies on stretchers and healers rushing to help. He could see the chaos from the door, the scent of blood and burnt flesh filling the room, making his stomach twist uncomfortably.

"This is worse than we thought," Carissa muttered, her voice tight as she assessed the damage. "We should've sent more people."

Rio nodded absentmindedly. He had actually come here because he was looking for someone in particular; the wounded soldiers weren't his concern at all. However, just like the other noble families, he had sent some healers from his family. He looked around the chaotic infirmary.

"Should I call for more help?" Carissa's voice interrupted him. "Perhaps the other families could help too."

"There is no need for that," Rio said, turning to the concerned Carissa. "This isn't the first time it's happened. I'm certain the healers have a way to address this." As always, Carissa was too soft, Rio thought inwardly.

"Make way, Miss Carissa is here with her healers!" Rio suddenly said. In his mind, the others needed to know that it was Carissa and her family who were helping them today. However, it seemed no one paid him any attention. He frowned. "There is no need to do that," Carissa said, gesturing for her people to start helping out.

"What do you mean? Isn't it only right that they know you came here to help out? Give credit where credit is due!" Rio looked around, and that was when his attention was caught by a commotion near the center of the room. A crowd of healers and guards had gathered, their voices raised in agitation. He squeezed through the crowd, curiosity piqued, and stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a familiar voice.

"Let's make a bet," Fiona said, her expression serious as she talked to one of the head healers. "If I succeed in fixing this, you'll apologize. Publicly. But if I fail, I'll leave this place for good."

"You can't be serious," the healer said.

deal?" Fiona said without batting an eyelid. However, just before the man

muttered. "Do whatever you think you

she moved toward the soldier.

Carissa asked as she stood next to Rio. "That-" she wasn't able to finish her words when she saw Fiona start cutting

the corners of his lips. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was she trying to make a cut using a needle In front of all these people? This was her grand plan? Rio scoffed inwardly. "What a joke. She's really

on purpose? His eyes narrowed. He

Family but she wasn't the

abilities. So.... what was the point in trying

the tip of the silver-infused needle against the man's skin, and

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its color deep and unnatural. The surrounding soldiers, already tense, gasped in

faltered for a moment. He hadn't expected

soldier, which had been constant, began to fade, but his face grew frighteningly pale. His breathing was shallow, and for a moment, Rio thought

with satisfaction, waiting for the inevitable failure. She's bitten off more than