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."

out and grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter, his fingers gripping the fragile glass 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 seemed to stir his

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

a voice came from behind, dripping with

packs had always been close in proximity, and over the years, Zach and Josh had crossed paths more than a few times.

his voice dripping with venom. "Guess they're

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, they let someone who's already used

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Chapter 65

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bending slightly under the pressure. The venom in Josh's words cut deep, the smug grin on his face

she's not used, is she? After all, Fiona

entire body 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 front of

tough, huh? All this attention, all this competition, and yet... nothing to

added. "Many families would surely want her in their...

casually took another sip of his champagne, clearly 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 asked, his voice

at his sides. "What are you talking about now?"