Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

16:53 Sun, Dec 1B B Chapter

47

"What did you say?" he asked, though Elise was certain her father had heard her the first time.

"I don't understand why I have to see my sister again. She chose to leave the pack, leave the clan. Why do we need to go to the palace to see her? Surely, you wouldn't want to convince her to come back," Elise said, her frustration evident. She was never someone who liked to hide her thoughts. "Since she was young, she always caused trouble. Her actions this time must be because she really wanted to leave the clan. Why do we need to go after her?"

"Enough," Thomas said, his voice firm but low. He set his cup down, the clink of porcelain sharp in the silence. "Do you understand why it's important that we get Fiona back?"

Elise's temper flared. She stood up, pacing the length of the room. "What's the point of bringing her back, Father? What's the point of forcing someone who doesn't care about us to return? She doesn't like us. She turned her back on the family! She chose to embarrass the Pack and the Alpha because of her own selfish reasons. She chose to embarrass you and ruin our reputation!"

Thomas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Do you know of any member of the Rosenthal family who lives outside of the Crimson Howlers pack?" Despite her father's calm voice, Elise knew that he was already angry. She knew him too well to miss the signs.

Elise stopped pacing and looked at her father. His question caught her off guard. She furrowed her brow, thinking hard, but nothing came to mind. "No," she admitted, shaking her head. "There's no one."

"That's right," Thomas said, his voice measured. "Because we cannot and should not stay outside the pack."

Elise frowned, not understanding. "Why?" she asked, her confusion mixing with her irritatione

"What are you talking about?" Since they were young, they had already known how dangerous it would be for them to leave the pack. Outside of this place, their abilities could be used by both humans and werewolves. They could be taken advantage of, used, and then disposed of. There were other stories from when she was younger-stories that gave her nightmares-and all of them warned about the dangers of the outside world.

"You've been spoiled, Elise," her father said. "You've had a comfortable life, never wanting for anything. The reason you don't know the truth until now is because of your attitude."

the sting of his words hitting deep. "Don't question my knowledge of this family, Father. I'm the

with disappointment. "You know the surface. But there's a part

you missed."

that

she stayed silent, waiting for him to explain. However, instead of saying anything, her father got up.

house. Slowly, he made his way into the garden outside the

Blackthorne Family, the Fireborn Clan, the Nightshade Clan of Africa,

drifted around them. He finally asked, "Tell me, Elise, why is it that aside from the Rosenthal family, the other clans allow their members to leave their territory?" Elise's mouth opened to respond, but she found herself at a loss for words. She frowned, her mind searching for an answer. It was common knowledge that the other great families, like the

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Chapter 47

questioned it. It was simply how

gave her a sidelong glance, noting her silence. "You

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she said slowly. "I just thought it was tradition, or because of the importance of keeping our healing

head of the Crimson Howlers pack and the head of the Rosenthal clan were close friends. They vowed to protect each other, no matter what." Elise nodded, feeling a bit of relief. "I know this part. They made an

you don't know

Elise's brows furrowed. "Shattered?"