Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 68

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"Your Highness," Zach sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Elijah and Fiona had already turned around, trying to leave. How could Zach allow that to happen? "Why would you protect someone like her? Someone who's already broken, damaged goods. Are you really willing to risk everything for that?"

He felt Elise pinch his arm, but ignored it. Zach could no longer stop himself from asking questions that bothered him since. Fiona left the pack. Why her? Why the hell would he choose her?

Elijah halted mid-step, the subtle shift in his posture making Fiona glance up at him in concern. Slowly, he turned around, his calm expression still in place, but something in his eyes had changed. His normally gray eyes seemed darker, shadowed by an intensity that made the air around them feel suddenly thick.

Fiona could sense the ripple of unease that passed through the crowd as Elijah faced Zach again. Even Zach's stance faltered for a moment, his wolf instinctively reacting to the presence of the prince.

Elijah's eyes fixed on Zach, unblinking. "Repeat that," he said, his voice low and chilly. By now, even the older Alphas couldn't help but frown as they looked at Elijah's display.

Meanwhile, Zach's wolf stirred within him, the primal part of him recoiling under the prince's gaze. He took an involuntary step back, his body tense, trying to mask his reaction. But there was no hiding it-Elijah's authority seeped into every corner of the room, and Zach was suddenly very aware of how much power stood before him.

Elijah took a slow, measured step forward, closing the distance between them. "You said I'm risking everything for her." His words were deliberate, each one landing like a hammer strike. "What exactly am I risking, Mr. Yelchin?"

Zach's mouth opened, but no words came out immediately. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected Elijah to confront him so directly, so decisively. He thought the latter wouldn't do anything like that in front of the others, in front of the King. What the hell was this man thinking?

Fiona stood still, watching Elijah carefully. She knew he was giving Zach a chance to back down, but she also knew he wouldn't take it. Zach was too proud, too arrogant to admit he had overstepped.

Zach forced himself to meet Elijah's gaze, his wolf pushing against him to retreat. But his pride wouldn't let him back down. "I'm saying she doesn't belong here," Zach finally spat, trying to regain some ground. "You're a prince. You could have anyone, and yet you choose-" His words trailed off as if even he knew he was walking a dangerous line.

Elijah's eyes never wavered, never blinked. "You think Fiona doesn't belong here?" He took another step forward, forcing Zach to hold his ground, though the strain of it was evident in the tension of his jaw. "Who are you to decide that?"

clenched again, his breathing shallow. "She's not one of us anymore. She's a

things, Mr. Yelchin," he said quietly, almost too quietly. Then he added, "I see someone clinging to a past that no longer

coat, its leather surface barely visible as he opened it in front of Zach. Before anyone could react, he crushed the pouch in his hand, releasing a fine, powdery

standing next to Zach, took a couple of

gripped his chest as he gasped for air,

but it didn't take long for them to begin murmuring,

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Chapter 68

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watched Zach struggle before he spoke. "That powder was laced with a special kind

his face growing red as he struggled to breathe. His eyes were wide with what looked like fear and disbelief. "Impossible..." Zach

older Alphas, those who had seen countless battles and threats, began to murmur among themselves. Their wary eyes flicked toward Elijah. Only he would dare do something so bold! Suddenly, a figure broke from the crowd. It was Alpha Cris, Zach's father, with Lord Rosenthal close behind him. Their faces were

he could say anything more, he too breathed in the remnants

quickly recovered and placed a steady hand on Alpha Cris's back. A faint, glowing light seeped from Lord

but no longer convulsing. Lord Rosenthal straightened, his eyes blazing as he turned to Elijah. "What the hell

flinch, his expression as unreadable as ever. He met Lord Rosenthal's gaze head-on, unyielding. "I brought it because someone gave it to me," Elijah said calmly. "And Fiona was the one who detected its

grew louder, disbelief and shock spreading through

lying... Fiona couldn't have detected something like that. She... she doesn't have the ability."

gaze shifted back to Zach, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And yet,

appeared on the surface. Before he could gather his thoughts, Alpha Cris cut in. "Why the hell would you dare open that pouch here, in front of everyone?" His eyes