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?"

pit forming in his stomach as his mind thought of all the possibilities. He hadn't thought about it before. He had assumed Elijah's interest

How could someone like that attract a Royal? Alpha Cris smirked,

interest in Fiona? It was something he

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, Zach had rushed into marriage with Carrie, using her pregnancy as

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Chapter 45

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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

even further. His new wife, Carrie, was sitting on the couch with a book in her hands. She looked up at him, her face pale

frown deepened. "What are you doing here?" he snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation. "You were advised by the healers to rest. Your pregnancy is complicated.

she closed the book slowly, placing it on the table beside her. "I was feeling better today," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.

you were told to do," Zach retorted, his voice cold. "You

harsh tone but kept her composure. "I just needed a change of scenery," she said

was reminded of how desperate he'd been to prove himself after Fiona left. Marrying Carrie hadn't solved

pressed into a thin line. "About the baby," she said, her hand moving to rest on her stomach.

fragile and trying to make things work, only fueled his anger. He didn't want this life. He didn't want her. Everything had gone wrong, and now he was stuck in

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

"I'll go back to bed," she whispered. "I just wanted to feel... normal for a

a nerve. "Normal?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "There's nothing normal about this. You were Fiona's best friend, and you still spread your legs for me the moment she was gone. And now look at you. You latched onto me the second you could, like the pathetic little omega

Zach didn't stop. His rage only grew, and he wanted to lash out, to make her feel the weight of

bitterness.

is a real marriage?" he continued, his tone cruel. This is just 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 have to marry