Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 138

"I" Elise hesitated, her voice faltering. She glanced behind her as if expecting Fiona to suddenly appear and end her life. "I meant "

"Now, why would Lady Fiona hurt the next leader of the Rosenthal Clan?" the Queen asked, her voice laced with feigned concern. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for, and she wasn't about to let it slip away. She stepped closer to Elise, her movements deliberate. Seeing this, Elise quickly stepped back, but the Queen didn't seem to care. She pressed on, her tone almost soothing. "You are the next generation, the one who will lead the Rosenthal Clan soon. I believe Lady Fiona wouldn't dare hurt you. So, please... tell us what happened so we can help." "She is right, Lady Elise," the King added, his voice steady and commanding. "What exactly happened?"

"Go on, sister..." Fiona's voice rang out, making Elise jump. She instinctively moved behind her father's back, her breathing quickening. "Tell them everything."

"Why are you here?" Elise demanded, clutching the scarf covering her arm. Her fingers pressed against the fabric, searching for any sensation, but there was nothing. That absence only deepened her dread-she didn't know what was happening, and that uncertainty terrified her. She needed her father's help, and she needed it quickly. "Aren't you scared that the King, the Queen, and everyone here will see just how evil you are?"

"Dear sister..." Fiona said with a soft sigh, her tone almost pitying. "I really don't understand what you're talking about. Earlier, you came into the resting quarters to ask why the Envoys wanted to see me. When I told you I didn't know, you started shouting, insisting that you're going to become the next Clan Head and that it is my responsibility to tell you what I know. And now?" Fiona snorted, her gaze sharp and cutting. "You're actually trying to frame me in front of everyone?"

"You may be the next heir of the family, but let's not forget-this isn't the pack house anymore. This is the palace, where the King and Queen of the werewolves preside. You may have your way with me there, but here? This is not the place for such behavior." "You"

"Fiona! How dare you speak to your sister like that?" Thomas barked, his finger stabbing the air toward her. "Accusing the next clan head of something as vile as bullying her own sister? Have you no shame?"

Fiona tilted her head, her gaze sharp as it flicked between Elise and her father. "And what about Elise?" she countered, her voice steady. "Is she not trying to frame me right now? Are you saying it's acceptable for her to accuse me falsely, but I'm forbidden from defending myself?" She met her father's glare head-on, her calm demeanor an unspoken challenge.

Thomas's face darkened as he stepped closer to Fiona, his hand gesturing sharply toward her. "You have no right to speak about your sister this way," he said, his voice cold. "Elise is the future of the Rosenthal Family. She doesn't need to frame anyone-especially not you."

poisoned her. Why would I do such

excellent question, Lady Fiona," she said. "Lady

to the assembled crowd, their eyes sharp with curiosity and judgment. "Because..." she began, her voice faltering for a moment. "Because Fiona knows curses." A murmur rippled through the room. The council members exchanged looks, their expressions ranging from confusion

her curiosity only seemed to deepen. "That is quite the accusation, Lady Elise. Are you saying that Lady Fiona has learned

growing more confident. She stepped out from behind her father. "What she-what she did to me wasn't poison but a curse! There are things even our healing abilities cannot undo, and curses like this are one of them. Fiona must have learned them. That's why she

opened her mouth to respond, but

as her sharp gaze

are often consumed by their own power. If Lady Fiona truly knows such things, then

her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Lady Fiona," she said. "If what your sister says is true, then this is a matter of grave concern. Only the most wicked of witches would resort to curses. Such practices

Elise faltered, her confidence

"This-" she swallowed. "Of course, I have proof your highness. II simply didn't want to show it to everyone. After all, believe this is still something that someone from the Rosenthal Family

please" she asked. "Without further evidence, how can we be certain

nothing to hide. If Lady Elise believes I am responsible, then let her present concrete proof. Let her show us how I, a healer who has been training for mere months, could create something so... sophisticated." Elise's face burned with frustration. She glanced around the room, searching for support, but the council members' expressions remained

this is truly a curse," she

close to her chest. "I... I just need my father's help. He

Fiona. "Elise," he said, his voice low, "if this truly is a curse, then why did you wait until now to speak of it? Why didn't you tell me the