Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 60

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Fiona folded her arms as she stood in the garden, staring at Elise, who was clearly hesitating to speak. "Why did you want to see me, Elise?" Fiona asked, without hiding the irritation in her voice. "I'm not offering you tea, so spit it out." She didn't want to see Elise, but Kariana thought Elise's presence would attract attention from other werewolves walking in and out of the infirmary,

"I didn't come here to argue," Elise said, her voice flat, uninterested as usual.

Fiona let out a sigh. She was tempted to roll her eyes but refrained. "Then why are you here?" she asked. "Surely, you didn't come because you missed me?"

Elise scoffed, her lips curling in disdain. "Miss you? Don't flatter yourself, Fiona. If anything, life's been a lot better since you left. At least now I don't have to clean up after your messes."

She wanted to argue and ask her about these "messes" she was talking about. Was being different considered a mess? Fiona was tempted to start another fight with her sister, but she didn't. Instead, she just stared at Elise, waiting for her to say more, to tell her what she really wanted to say.

Elise shifted slightly, her eyes scanning the garden as if avoiding Fiona's gaze. "So, do you like it here?" she asked abruptly.

Fiona found the question strange, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Yes," she answered slowly. "I do. Why?"

Elise didn't answer immediately, her lips pressing into a thin line as she seemed to gather her thoughts. Seeing this, Fiona crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "Elise, what do you really want? Just say it. You might not know this, but I am working in the palace. I need to go back to work soon."

After a beat, Elise finally looked up. "Do you know why there's no other Rosenthal outside the clan?"

Fiona stared at her sister. "Isn't it because our dear clan leader-Father-kills anyone who dares leave?" she answered before she could properly process her thoughts.

Elise's eyes widened, and for the first time, her usual mask of indifference slipped. "What?" she stuttered, clearly caught off guard.

Fiona chuckled darkly, watching her sister's reaction with grim satisfaction. "Are you really surprised, my dearest sister?" she asked. "Surprised that I know about Father's plan to kill me? His eldest child?"

Elise didn't respond immediately, her mouth opening slightly before closing again as if searching for words. Her silence was all the confirmation Fiona needed.

"I know," Fiona said simply, shaking her head. "I've known for a while. It's no secret to me that Father would rather see me dead than out in the world, living my own life." Her eyes flicked up to meet Elise's, daring her to deny it.

struggling with something. After a long pause, she finally spoke. However, this time, her voice seemed quieter than before. "I didn't want to say this," she muttered, almost as if it pained her to get the words out.

genuinely surprised by the unexpected

away

questions than answers, but worrying about it now would get her

thoughts aside, knowing that her sister's sudden warning wouldn't solve itself

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Sun, Dec

Chapter 60

away and started back

mind occupied. At least that was something she could

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slowly, each hour dragging as she forced herself to focus on the patients and tasks at hand. By the time her shift ended-earlier than usual, thankfully-Fiona felt mentally drained but relieved to be done for the day. She made her way to Elijah's palace, determined to prepare for

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entrance of the palace, something caught her attention. Servants-more than she'd ever seen before-were lined up from the door, standing in

step aside, Regor appeared in front of her, bowing deeply. "Greetings

with a

she blurted out, glancing around nervously at the servants, who seemed to be

else, Elijah's voice echoed from the staircase. "It's only fitting, Fiona," he said with a smirk, descending the stairs with

shot him a look as he reached her, brushing a hand along her arm in a casual, familiar gesture. "What is all this?" she asked, motioning to the

for the ball tomorrow," he explained,

ball isn't until

grin widened, a mischievous glint in his

enjoy keeping me in

lowering his voice

but knowing that pushing him for answers wouldn't get her anywhere. "Fine," she said, though her tone was

cheek. "I'll take full responsibility," he promised, his

toward a side hall. "Mistress Fiona," she said

every step. She still wasn't entirely sure what

small army of servants descended on her. They moved quickly, efficiently, without a word, ushering her to a cushioned chair in the center of the room. Fiona