Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 85

"What did you "Queen Lyanna stopped walking. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to her maid, disbelief and frustration contorting her expression "What did you just say?".

The maid's head dipped slightly as she repeated herself in a whisper. "Lady Fiona,, she left the palace with a group of healers. They've been examining the villagers, checking the soldiers' families for signs of poison Lyanna's face hardened, and without a word, she turned on her heel her footsteps echoing sharply down the corridor. Her maids followed, trying to keep pace as she headed toward her study.

Inside the study, she stopped abruptly, surprised to find Marius waiting for her.

"Mother." Marius greeted, stepping forward. But before he could speak further, Lyanna cut him off, her impatience clear.

"Marius, this isn't the time for your theatrics. I have more pressing matters to deal with."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "Tid wager Fiona is at the center of those pressing matters, isn't she?" He paused, watching her reaction closely. "Did the council finally agree to give her to the Lycans?" Lyanna's fingers tightened at her side. "That matter is unresolved, Marius. This isn't the time for your questions."

But Marius didn't relent. "Unresolved or not, you do realize Father wants Elijah on the throne. And now, with him married to her, his position is -only more secure. Mother, Fiona is a member of the five great families. If we "Enough, Marius" she said firmly, gesturing toward the door. "Leave Now Her patience wore thin.

a

Marius's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he sighed. "Tine." He turned to leave, but not without a glance back T'll be ready, Mother. Just say the word."

When he was gone. Lyanna clenched her jaw, struggling to contain her fury. Fiona's interference with the soldiers' families was a direct challenge. and she knew the girl was becoming more dangerous than even the council realized Queen Lyanna's fingers drummed against the side of her desk as she turned to her maid, her impatience simmering just beneath the surface. "Tell me again what Fiona did. Every detail."

The maid's gaze remained low as she spoke. "Lady Fiona left the palace with a group of healers, Your Majesty. She's been examining the villagers, focusing on the soldiers families and looking for traces of poison. It appears." She hesitated briefly, knowing the effect her next words would have. "It appears Prince Elijah joined her shortly after, and they are both still in the village.

laugh escaped Queen Lyanna as she digested the news. "Scheming," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone in the room. "So, she found the perfect opportunity while we were engaged in that meeting. She must have known the council couldn't be bothered with reports of minor inspections, and she slapped out to earn the favor of the people." She scoffed, a bitter edge to her words. "Clever. She knew precisely how

it was too late "Fiona," the muttered, her voice dripping with venom as she paced the room. "I thought her a docile little lamb, but no she's a wolf, hiding behind those soft eyes and that innocent face." Her fingers tightened around the edge of her desk. "A

Carissa and Lord Calyrre immediately, she ordered the maid, who nodded

her words barely audible as she plotted her next move. "If Fiona wants to play this game, she'll soon discover she's dealing with more than the can handle. I won't have this kingdom bending to the will of some upstart healer just because she's Watlan a few mamutes, the mand annoured Lady Canosa

Elder hadn't been able to join the meeting earlier because his soldiers suffered many losses

excused from

stepped into her study. She took note of their expressions, reading the tension Ider and Larry

Lyanna began. "I assume you're already aware

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Chapter 5

reports about this matter," he replied. "I Your Majesty...

Did Prince

is going to be the marriage! Lyanna hail foreseen this. "Unfortunately, yes. Elijah announced it brazenly in the meeting. And as it turns out, the King not only knew of this union but gave his approval" She

luck, a thorn in our side. First, she ensnares the Taner, now she's out there, making a spects le

it came to political matters, she could always rely on the Elder's slurp instincts. However, that didn't mean she could fully trust him to act precisely as she wanted, which is why she had summoned the Lather and daughter without delay. Her actions are forcing our hand, pushing the council toward conflict. She knows exactly what she's doing. Her

between the Elder and the Queen. "But how does she

clever than I anticipated. By examining the families of the soldiers, she's planting a seed of goodwill among those who matter-the ones who would fight for us in a war. If we move against her now, it risks public backlash, especially from those who see her as the savior of their families. Any hesitancy on the council's part about handing her

we can't back away from. She's ensuring that the council will feel pressured to go to war, all to save

the edge of her desk. "With every villager she 'examines for poison, she strengthens her influence and furthers her grip over Elijah. It's brilliant, and it's vide. With