Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 116

Fiona's brones furrowed as she paced the room. "He wanted to come here!" she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "My father? To heal me?" She turned to Elijah, her eyes narrowing as she processed the absurdity of the notion.

Elijah stood near the window, his arms crossed. "That's what the messenger said he confirmed, "Lord Rosenthal claims he's concerned about your condition and that his expertise is needed to counteract the poison.

Fiona scoffed, shaking her head. "That's impossible. My father isn't concerned about me. He's a Rosenthal. He has the same abilities as me he knows I'm not poisoned, at least not in a way he'd be able to heal" So, her father could no longer stop himself. She snorted. Elijah rihed his head slightly, watching as she continued her pacing. "Then why would he insist on coming! He knows you've been under my protection, and the healers here have already confirmed they're doing everything they can."

"That's exactly what's bothering me," Fiona muttered, more to herself than to him. "He wants me dead. He wouldn't suddenly come rushing here to "help" She stopped abruptly, her arms crossing over her chest. "Unless..." Elijah's eyes narrowed. "Unless what?"

Fiona let out a slow breath, her mind piecing together the motives. "Unless he's planning something else. Blackmail, maybe! But no he wouldn't need to come all the way here for that. She frowned, her fingers drumming against her arm. "He could have sent someone with a message or just waited for the right opportunity. Or he could just tell the Royals and the Council that I am merely pretending"

Elijah stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. Then what is it?"

Fiona's frown deepened as the realization hit her. "He's trying to take me back to the pack."

Elijah's expression hardened. "Under the pretense of healing you!"

"Yes," Fiona said, nodding as she began to pace again. "Think about it He knows you're not going to let me out of your sight, not in my current state. He must have sent people to end my life. It could be through poison, rogues, or assassins. But since you are with me, that didn't work. However, if he offers to heal me and insists it has to be done in the pack-where he can control the environment-he thinks you won't refuse."

"He assumes I'd be willing to hand you over

"Exactly," Fiona said, her eyes meeting his. "He's banking on your sense of duty, on the idea that if I don't recover here, you'd feel obligated to try anything to save me, even if it means sending me back with him. Right now, the villagers love me. The Council cannot exactly give me to the Lycans, and your mother isn't doing anything in the open. He thought you might feel pressured to send me back. He knew everyone was currently watching you, and he wanted to use this to his advantage."

"And oner you're back in the pack.." Elijah began.

Fiona's expression darkened. "He can finish what he started. He doesn't need to kill me here. If I'm under his roof, he has full control. No one would question him."

"He underestimates me," Elijah said. "I wouldn't hand you over to anyone, least of all him

allowed herself a faint smirk. "Good. Because I'm

to come h

here and face me

what do you plan

glimmer flashing across her face. "Let him believe he's in control, that I'mtoo weak to fight back. But I'll be watching his every move. If he tries anything. I'll be ready" "I don't like that idea" Elijah said. "You know he won't

he's planning something, we can't let him think we're onto him. Let him make the first move, and we'll be ready to

a moment before he gave a slow nod. "Fine. But I'm not leaving your side for a

"Becaine this is go

Fiona said,

toward the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

he can oulinaneuver us, Fiona

is going to regret underestimating her. She will

, he'sin fo

for a rude awakening"

1/2

1:19 PM

Chapter 116

Pilzer

Nicholas said as he extended

it is

honor is all nine. Your Majesty," Thomas Rosenthal replied smoothly,

Thomas. Behind him stood Zach and Elise, both slightly tense but maintaining their decorum. The grandeur of the palace, with its polished marble floors and

Nicholas gestured toward a seating area adorned with gilded furniture. "Join us for tea. We've heard much about the

to the King. "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kind offer," he began "However, I must humbly apologize. I find myself unable to focus on anything else until I

brows lifted in slight surprise. He exchanged a glance with the Queen. "Fiona?" he asked,