Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

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Chapter

69

Alpha Cris's entire body shook with fury. He paced the length of the small, private room where they had retreated after the chaotic events in the ballroom. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Every muscle in his body was taut, the rage barely contained. He wanted to kill someone, his wolf needed blood.

Lord Rosenthal stood calmly by the window, watching Alpha Cris, his own expression unreadable. He was no stranger to moments like these, but even he understood the severity of the situation. Elijah had played them all, and the humiliation still stung. Alpha Cris finally stopped pacing, turning sharply to face Lord Rosenthal. "What do you make of him? Elijah. That damned prince. What do you think?"

Lord Rosenthal didn't answer immediately. He folded his hands behind his back, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "Bold," he finally said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the whirlwind of emotions he felt earlier. "He's bold, too bold, perhaps. But he's not reckless." He glanced at Alpha Cris. "He knew exactly what he was doing."

Before he could continue, the door creaked open. Zach stepped into the room, his expression sullen. "I told the other Alphas that you had a headache, Father. They should allow us to leave now," he said, his words clipped,

Without warning, Alpha Cris moved. In an instant, he crossed the room, his hand shooting out to grab Zach by the collar. He slammed him against the wall with such force that the air seemed to leave the room. Zach gasped, his eyes wide with shock as he struggled to breathe under the iron grip of his father's hands.

Elise, who had been walking in just behind Zach, froze, her eyes widening in alarm. Her lips parted, about to protest, but before she could act, her father, Lord Rosenthal, placed a firm hand on her shoulder. He gave a small shake of his head, silently signaling her to stay out of it. Elise's mouth closed, her heart pounding as she stepped back, her eyes darting between Zach and Alpha Cris.

"You fool," Alpha Cris growled. His face was inches from Zach's, and his breath came out in sharp, angry bursts. "You humiliated us. Do you even realize what you've done?" He slammed Zach against the wall again for emphasis, shaking him like a rag doll.

Zach's hands scrabbled at his father's wrist, trying to break free, but Alpha Cris's grip was unyielding. "I-I didn't know," Zach choked out, his face flushed with the effort to speak. "I didn't know Elijah would-"

"Of course, you didn't know!" Alpha Cris roared, his voice echoing in the small room. "Because you're too busy thinking about yourself! Too busy clinging to old grudges and playing childish games with the prince!" His hand tightened around Zach's collar, pulling him closer. "You're supposed to be my successor. The future Alpha of this pack. And you let that... boy turn you into a spectacle!"

Zach's eyes widened. "He humiliated me in front of everyone," he rasped. He was the victim! Why was his father mad at him? He should focus his hatred on that damn prince! Not him! He made me look like a fool!"

"You made yourself look like a fool, boy. Elijah simply exposed what everyone else already

nothing, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He wanted

for a moment longer before finally releasing him. Zach collapsed against the

that every alpha in that room is watching us now. We've been exposed, thanks to your stupidity."Seeing the ability of a Rosenthal could easily make them the target of both envy and greed. Zach's

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17:00 Sun, Dec 1G.

Chapter 69

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from the confrontation. He clenched his fists again

stolen by the prince, Zach. Stolen right out from under your nose. Then he provoked you in front of every important Alpha and made you look like a brainless, useless fool!" Zach flinched at the harsh words but said nothing. He wanted to defend himself, to say that it wasn't all his fault, but the truth was burning in his chest. He'd let his pride and arrogance get the better of him, and now he was paying for it. Alpha Cris didn't stop. His pacing resumed, heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor. "And now, thanks to your stupidity, the other packs are eyeing the Rosenthal

you fool!" Alpha Cris spat, his eyes flashing with fury. "Because of what Elijah did, the other princes will start trying to get close to them, to leverage their power. And while that might seem advantageous politically, it's going to bring nothing but trouble. Schemes, alliances, betrayals-do you understand the mess

situation was finally sinking in. Elijah hadn't just humiliated him. He had set off a chain of events that

in the middle of it. Elijah has set the stage, and now we won't know who to trust. The Rosenthal family is going to be swarmed by other great families trying to win their favor. And the prince-" he practically spat the word "Will be gathering their support,

tone dropping to a menacing whisper. "You've done enough damage. The last thing we need is for you to cause more. From now on, you will sit down, shut your mouth, and stay the hell away from trouble. Do you understand me?"

if you make one more mistake, Zach, you won't just embarrass yourself. You'll destroy

He had never felt so utterly powerless, so exposed. The room seemed to close in around him, suffocating in its intensity. He had no choice now but to obey, to

watching the entire exchange in silence, finally spoke. "The prince is not to be underestimated, Alpha Cris. He has already moved several steps ahead of us. We must be careful

here."

of this. Let the rest of us handle what you've ruined." Zach stood there, rigid, his jaw clenched tightly as his father's words echoed in his mind. He had no idea how they were going to fix this, but for the first time,

his shoulders hunched. She hesitated,

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