Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 108

One Hour Before Fiona Was Found

The hooded man mattered another string of incantations under his breath, his fingers tracing intricate patterns

in the air. With each word, another shallow gash appeared on Fiona's unconscious body. The faint glow of magic

lingered in the air, mixing with the metallic scent of blood.

"You're both lunatics, the hooded man said, shaking his head as he stepped back to survey his work "What kind

of werewolf allows a Rosenthal- an outsider to dictate terms like this?"

Romero's face darkened as he leaned against the stone wall, made her terms very clear.

ans crossed tightly over his chest. "This is what she wanted," he said flatly. "She

"Terms" The hooded man scoffed. "More like a threat. She's lying there like a sacrificial lamb, and you're letting

her. This doesn't sit right. Do you even understand what kind of leverage you've handed her? Why do you have

to let her go back Romero's jaw clenched as his eyes flicked to Fiona's still form. "She's alive," he said firmly.

"And this is her doing. | allowed it because it plays to our advantage."

"Advantage?" The hooded man's hands fell to his sides, his frustration evident in his abrupt movements. "You

think this is an advantage? She's a Rosenthal, Romero. Do you really think you can control someone with that

kind of blood? Her kind are traitors by nature." Romero pushed off the wall, his sharp gaze locking onto the

hooded man. "That's why we're doing this. | don't trust her. She's dangerous, more than you understand."

"Then why keep

ep her alive the hooded man snapped. "Why play this gif you're so convinced she's going to betray you!"

Romero's expression twisted. He glanced at Fiona again, his shoulders tense. "Because | need her," he admitted

reluctantly. "For now. She saved my life, but that doesn't mean I trust her. She's a Rosenthal. Betrayal runs in

their veins."

The hooded man paced the room, his heavy boots echoing against the stone floor. "You're gambling with fire.

She could turn on you the moment she regains her strength. What then?"

"Then I'll handle her," Romero said. "But right now, she's useful. Let the others see this-let them believe she's

injured and vulnerable. It buys us time,

The hooded man stopped pacing, his hooded face tilting as he considered Romero's v words. "You're not doing

this out of trust, are you? You're doing it to keep her under your control"

Romero gave a curt nod. "Exactly. She threatened me, and now she's in my territory, surrounded by my people.

She may be a Rosenthal, but she's no longer calling the shots" So why, then, would he go along with this insane

charade, pretending the Rogue King had been the one to harm her!

It wasn't her threat that swayed him. No, Romero had agreed to her terms because he saw the potential

leverage he could gain. The arrangement was simple make it appear as though she'd been injured, allowing her

to retum safely. But in doing so, she had handed him a secret she wouldn't want exposed especially not to the

Prince. After all, how would the Prince react if he found out Fiona had used her abilities to heal the Rogue King

himselft

Romero smirked inwardly. This wasn't just a favor; it was an opportunity. He now had a piece of leverage that

could twist Fiona's hand, forcing her to do his bidding when the tcame. The hooded man glanced at Fiona,

his lips curling in distaste. "And you're sure this is worth the risk? The villagers, the Royals-they'll all question her

disappearance and reappearance."

"Let them." Romero said. "As long as we control the narrative, it doesn't matter what they think. They'll see her

as an ally-weak, injured, but alive. And if she steps out of line. His eyes gleamed with something cold. "She'll

learn just how far her Rosenthal blood can take her in my domain."

The hooded man sighed heavily, muttering under his breath as he crouched beside Fiona. He waved a hand,

sealing the wounds enough to make them look raw but not life-threatening "You're playing a dangerous game,

Rogue King. A Rosenthal is not a pawn." "Slie's not

Is not a pawn," Romero said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "She's a weapon. And I'll wield her until she's no

longer useful"

The hooded man rose to his feet, wiping his hands clean of the lingering glow of magic. "Don't say | didn't warn

you. If this goes wrong, it's on your hrad

Romero's gaze hardened. "Then | bear the consequences. Just do your part.

The hooded man hesitated for a moment longer, then gave a short nod. "It's done. She'll wake up

none the wiser."

Romero turned toward the door, his broad frcasting a long shadow over the room. "Good. Now leave me. |

have preparations to make

1/2

2:49 PM DO.

Chapter 108

The hooded man lingered for a moment, his gaze shiling between Fiona and Romero. Finally, he muttered

something unintelligible and left, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Romero approached Fiona's motionless body, his expression unreadable. He crouched down, his fingers grazing

the fabric of her for deeve. "A Rosenthal," he murmured, his tone laced with quiet contempt. "You think you've

won this round, but we'll see who has the last move

With that, he rose and left the room, the door closing behind him ith a heavy thuel

One Hour After Fiona Was Found

vlast

"She's healing." Karana said. "At a very rate. If I'm right, she'll wake up in.... ten minutes." Her eyes flicked

toward Elijah, who prowled the room like a caged animal. "Please, calm your nerves. I'll prepare stea-"

"Leave," Eliah interrupted.

Under normal circumstances. Kariana would have refused to leave Fiona with someone untrained in the art of

healing. But this time, she simply nodded, sensing the weight of his mood.

"Tell the others it will take at least another day for Fiona to wake," Elijah instructed. "Make sure they hear that

the Rogue King harmed her.. and that the council did nothing to save her

Kariana's gaze faltered, her thoughts clouded. Was it truly harm? The wounds Fiona hore were shallow,

superficial at best. The blood was tic but far from fatal. Sull, she nodded again. She was but a simple

Omega. How could she understand the thinking of a future king? Since he wanted her to do something, Kariana

had only one option: obey. Arguing wasn't an option. Without another word, she left the room

The moment she stepped into the corridor, Aken, his wife Carissa, and the others hurried toward her.

"How is she?" Aken asked, his worry evident.

Kariana's expression darkened as Elijah's instructions echoed in her mind. She let out a weary sigh, forcing a

troubled look onto her face.

"She's not healing well," she said.

nded. "She's a werewolf. How can she not be healing?"

"What do you mean?" Carissa demanded. "She's a

"We suspect poison," Kariana replied, letting sadness creep into her features. If the prince wanted her to lie, she

would make it convincing. "It's preventing her body from recovering."

"P-Poison?" Aken's face turned ugly. "Then it must be the Rogue King! That wolf liked to use poison on his

enemies! How could he do something like this?"

"His Highness askedto leave, but we are hoping that Lady Fiona is strong enough to fight it. | did sbasic

healing. However, it is far from enough. Lady Fiona could wake up tomorrow, a week from now, or worse...

never," Kariana said. "I will go and inform Miss Rose. Please excuse me.

With that, Kariana left the group.