Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

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Chapter 45

Zachariah Yelchin walked into his father's office. He barely had time to close the door behind him before Alpha Cris, his father, hurled a piece of paper at him. The paper hit Zachariah's chest and fell to the floor, but he didn't move to pick it up. He stood frozen, his confusion quickly turning to anger.

"What the hell is this?" his father growled, leaning forward in his chair, his eyes blazing with fury.

Zachariah frowned and glanced down at the paper, still lying between them. It was an invitation, with the royal crest stamped at the top. He bent down, picked it up, and read it. The King was hosting a ball to celebrate the completion of the first stage of the Rite of Kings. Confused, Zach looked at his father. Was his father angry because of the ball? What does this have to do with him?

"Father-I-"

Zachariah started, confused and unsure why his father was so furious.

Before he could finish, Alpha Cris suddenly threw the glass he was holding. Zach dodged it easily, watching it shatter against the wall behind him.

"Guess who else will be attending that ball?" Alpha Cris growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Zachariah froze, his mind racing. But it didn't take long for one name to pop into his head. Fiona.

His face twisted with anger as soon as the thought of her surfaced. "Fiona," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Alpha Cris snorted, standing up from his chair. "That's right. She's hiding in the palace. She's working in the infirmary, playing the good little healer. And I have no doubt she'll be at that ball."

Zachariah clenched his fists, the muscles in his jaw tightening. "Why would she even be there? She's not a Royal. She's not the daughter of an Alpha. What business does she have attending something like that?"

Alpha Cris rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "Are you stupid, boy?" he snapped. "Why do you think Prince Elijah was adamant about saving that woman? Do you really believe it was just because she can heal and is useful to him?"

of all the possibilities. He hadn't thought about it before. He had assumed Elijah's interest in Fiona was purely political, maybe even strategic. But now, as he stood there under his father's burning gaze, he started to question

now. "Prince Elijah has... some interest in Fiona?" He thought about the boring Fiona. The Fiona that would do everything that he asked her to. How could someone like that attract a Royal? Alpha Cris smirked, leaning back in his chair. "It's obvious, isn't it? Why else

blood boiling at the thought. Elijah's interest in Fiona? It was something he hadn't considered before. But now that it was out there, the idea infuriated

forward again, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You better get your head straight, Zachariah. That ball is your chance to show everyone-including Elijah-that you're not some washed-up, pathetic excuse of a future Alpha. Don't waste it." Zach's expression darkened further. Ever since his failed marriage, the other packs in Northern America had mocked him and his pack, questioning his position as the future Alpha. Many believed that Fiona's public declaration should have been reason enough to replace him as heir. In a desperate attempt to salvage his reputation,

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Chapter 45

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many still viewed him as a fool for marrying an omega just to prove he could father a child. The humiliation had driven him into a downward spiral, and in his eyes, Fiona was the root of it all. After a few more minutes of his father's scolding, Zachariah was finally permitted to leave his father's office. His hands were clenched into tight fists as he made his way to his own study, trying to push aside the rage bubbling inside him. His father's words echoed in his head, reminding him

Carrie, was sitting on the

here?" he snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation. "You were advised by the healers

better today," she said softly, avoiding his gaze. "I didn't want to stay in bed all day.

his voice cold. "You should be resting, not

her composure. "I just needed a change of scenery," she said quietly. "I

do was have a conversation with her. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded of how desperate he'd been to prove himself after Fiona left. Marrying Carrie hadn't

her hand moving to rest on her stomach. "I know things between us have been... difficult. But I want to

fueled his anger. He didn't want this life. He didn't

reason we're even having this conversation. So, if you want to help, listen to the healers and stay in bed. I can't

nodded, standing up slowly. "I'll go back to bed," she whispered. "I just

were Fiona's best friend, and you still spread your legs for

paled, but Zach didn't stop. His rage only grew, and he wanted to lash out, to

bitterness.

damage control. You're nothing more than a bandage I slapped on a wound. You're the joke that's keeping me from being an even bigger laughingstock. The only reason I married you is because I needed to prove something to the pack. That's it." Why does he