Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 65

"You can't approach her," Elise whispered as she tugged Zach's arm. She smirked, imitating the tone Zach had used on her earlier. "You wouldn't want to disappoint your father, right?"

Zacharias stood rigidly, seething as his eyes followed Fiona across the ballroom. She was walking with Elijah's sister, Adrianna, laughing lightly at something the young woman said. The sight of her enjoying herself-without care for him, without any sign of the shame she should have felt-made his blood boil.

His glare sharpened as Fiona sipped her wine, her face calm and composed. How dare she look so content, he thought, fists clenching at his sides. Elise, standing beside him, tugged at his arm again, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Zach, you can't approach her. You're the next Alpha-you can't lose face here," Elise said in a mocking tone.

Zach's jaw tightened, but he didn't stop staring at Fiona. She was so far removed from the image of the timid, obedient girl he used to know. The thought that she could be happy, that she could laugh and relax in the presence of another man, twisted something dark inside him.

"Don't you care about her?" Zach asked suddenly.

Elise blinked, taken aback by his sudden question. "Why would I?" she shot back, her lips curling into a sneer. "She chose to leave the clan. Fiona is nothing to me."

Zach's eyes narrowed, studying Elise's face. She was always quick to dismiss her sister, but there was something different now. "Jealous, are we?" he asked, his words biting. "Now that she seems to be enjoying herself, does it bother you?"

Elise snorted in response, folding her arms across her chest. "Jealous? Of her?" She let out a mocking laugh. "I would never be jealous of Fiona. She's a fool, and everyone knows it. She walked away from everything, and now she's nothing but an outsider." Zach sneered, glancing at Fiona again, who still seemed entirely unaware of his rage. "It's impossible," he muttered under his breath. "How does she get all this attention when she lacks any real talent? She's worthless. All she's ever been good for is opening her legs." Elise flinched slightly at his words but quickly masked her discomfort with a cold smile. "Then let her have her moment," she said, her tone icy. "It won't last long. Not when people realize what she really is."

tighter than necessary. He downed it in one go, the liquid burning down his throat. Normally, alcohol didn't affect him-none of their kind were easily swayed by it- but this champagne... there was something about it. It

on the tray, his hand twitched, reaching for another. His mind was spinning, his gaze still locked on Fiona. Her laughter with Adrianna felt like a slap

dripping with mockery. "Well, what do we have here?

recognized the newcomer-Josh, from the neighboring Blackhawk Pack. Their packs had always been close in proximity, and over the years, Zach and Josh had crossed paths more than a few times. Each encounter had left Josh on the losing end,

Josh," Zach sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "Guess they're

let out a loud, mocking laugh, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. He took a slow sip, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Selective? Please. Clearly, they're not. After all,

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Chapter 65

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champagne glass tightened, the stem bending slightly under the pressure. The venom in Josh's words cut

not used, is she? After all, Fiona made

stiffening. He felt the blood pounding in his ears as the anger inside him threatened to boil over. Every neighboring pack had treated him like a joke since Fiona's declaration about her purity. It had made him the target of ridicule, and hearing it from Josh-here in

effect his words were having. "Must be tough, huh? All this attention, all this competition, and yet... nothing to show for it. Maybe she's

Rosenthal, isn't she?" Josh added. "Many families would surely want

enjoying the moment. Then, as if remembering something suddenly, his eyes lit up with mock excitement. "Oh, but Zach, have you heard the latest news?" he

clenched tightly at his sides. "What are you talking about now?" he snapped, barely able to keep his