Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 95

"The Southern Gates are more dangerous?" Fiona asked, frowning. "What does that me: mean?"

Elijah shrugged in response. Then he leaned back. looking out at the landscape as the carriage bumped along the rugged path. "The Southern Gates are different from what you've seen so far," he began. "They've always been more dangerous. The land itself is isolated, surrounded by forests that stretch for miles, and these forests make it easy for rogues to gather and launch attacks. Patrols are frequent, but the sheer size of the territory makes it hard to cover everything" Fiona's frown deepened. "So, it's a constant threat?"

Elijah nodded. "The Southern Gates have been dealing with rogue incursions for years. They're more than just outlaws. These rogues are organized, often led by the Rogue King himself, Romero," Fiona's eyes sharpened with interest. "Romero?" She thought she'd heard that name before, but couldn't remember where or when.

Elijah's expression darkened as he continued. "Romero and I have... history. He despises the palace and anyone associated with it. He wasn't always a rogue. His family was once part of the council-a respected lineage with ties to the royal bloodline. But tragedy struck." Fiona leaned forward, listening intently. "What happened?

"Years ago." Elijah began. "His family was caught in a political conflict. It turned bloody. There were rumors that his family was betrayed from within the council and that allies turned against them to push their influence out of the palace. Romero lost nearly everyone he cared about in a single night. His parents, and his younger sister.. all killed. Only he survived"

"So he turned against the kingdom?"

"Exactly," Elijah said, his jaw tightening "Romero left and gathered other outcasts-those who felt abandoned or betrayed by the council and the royal family. He built an army, more organized and ruthless than any rogue faction before him. His grudge against the kingdom became a vendetta

"Is that why he's after your Fiona asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or am I here as bait?"

shaking his head. "No. They may try to take you if they think it would weaken me,

is?" she asked, looking directly at

me.

and I fought. I injured him badly enough that he had to retreat, which only made his hatred grow. Since then, he's made it

is where he'll likely try something. Romero knows the area well. He knows how to blend into those forests, and his people know

our the window, watching as the scenery grew denser, the trees

"But

Fiona, you're safer with me than

"Yes," Elijah said firmly.

the southern gates. As the carriage rolled to a halt. Fiona took a deep

thick forest, trees towering above, casting long shadows and creating a canopy that filtered the sunlight, leaving the entire area in perpetual twilight Wooden houses and cabins doned the clearing some partially hidden by the dense underbrush. The scent of earth and damp wood filled the air, mingling with

and Elijah step out. Children pointed excitedly, and a few elderly villagers clasped their hands together in

the chief of this village. He gestured to a woman and three children standing nearby. "This is my wife, Merra, my two daughters, Lyra and Illyria, and my

children stared

said, turning toward a small path leading deeper