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!"

a fool, boy. Elijah simply exposed what everyone else already sees: a

coming in ragged gasps. He wanted to lash out, but there was nothing

a moment longer before finally releasing him.

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 chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. His eyes flickered with defiance, but the fear was still there, lurking just beneath the surface. "I can fix this," he muttered, though it sounded more like a

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17:00 Sun, Dec 1G.

Chapter 69

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down at his son, his hands still shaking from the confrontation. He clenched his fists again as if resisting the

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 family because of their healing ability. Do you even realize what kind of chaos this will bring?" Zach blinked, momentarily confused. "The Rosenthal

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

words came out. The gravity of the situation was finally sinking in. Elijah hadn't just humiliated him. He had set off a chain of events

Elijah has set the stage, and now we won't know who to

Fiona that he hadn't stopped to consider what else was at play. Alpha Cris leaned in close, his 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?" Zach's mouth opened slightly as if he was going to argue, but he caught himself. He nodded stiffly, his throat

Alpha Cris said sharply. He stepped back, his eyes still burning with anger. "Because if you make one more mistake, Zach, you won't

close in around him, suffocating in its intensity. He had no choice now but to obey, to stay out of the chaos that

who had been watching the entire exchange in silence, finally spoke. "The prince is not to be underestimated, Alpha Cris.

here."

have to fight our way our. He turned to Zach one last time, his eyes narrowing. "Stay out 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

pale and his shoulders hunched. She hesitated, her eyes flickering with concern, but she said nothing. Her father's hand on her shoulder

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