Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 84

"We are here." Miss Rosenda watched Fiona closely, her expression thoughtful. "Are you sure about this. Fiona?"

she asked. "I mean, we can go back to the palace if you want to. Besides once you start, there's no going back."

Fiona nodded. A smile appeared on her face. "I know. | need to do this."

With a sigh. Miss Rosenda gestured to Cillian, who stood at attention nearly.

Cillian, make sure Fiona's safe. Watch everything closely

Cillian gave a firm nod, acknowledging the responsibility. Miss Rosenda then directed the soldiers to open the

carriage doors. As they did, a wave of noise swept over them, the sounds of eager voices filling the air.

Figutustepped out, and the crowd, many calling her name, surged forward.

"Please, help us. Lady Fiona"" called out one of the women. "My son hasn't been well for days!"

Kariana quickly stepped forward, instructing everyone to form a line. "Keep it orderly, please. We'll help as many

as we can."

Miss Rosenda ordered the soldiers to maintain the crowd's position. Fiona made her way to a shaded area where

a small table had been set up She took her seat, gave a reassuring smile to the gathering crowd, and signaled

for them to begin The fint to step

o step forward

and was ay

a young mother holding her child tightly. "Is there is there poison in us?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.

Fiona gave a small nod. "Il check both of you." She extended her hand to the mother, then the child, her fingers

just brushing their arms as she focused. After a moment, she smiled. "There's no poison. You're both safe,

Relief flooded the mother's face as she thanked Fiona, who gestured toward Kariana. "If you need any other

assistance, Lady Kariana will help you."

As more people cforward, Fiona continued her examinations. Most left reassured, though a few asked her to

double-check, anxious about their health.

"Please," one man insisted, holding out his arm. "Ive been feeling off lately. Just to be sure."

She repeated the examination, giving him a comforting look. "There's nothing in your system. Whatever's

causing that feeling isn't poison."

The man looked relieved, nodding gratefully as he stepped away.

Then on she checked another man's arm, Fiona felt something differeh aware of its significance.

"Am | alright!" he asked, noticing her pause.

faint, dormant presence lingering in

n his bloodstream. She frowned.

"yes" she said after a beat, her expression composed. "But ple

The man

"But please go see Lady Kariana. She'll take care of you from here."

man gave a confused nod and moved in Kariana's direction.

One by one. Fiona examined the villagers, her concern growing as more traces of poison appeared in seemingly

healthy individuals. Sof them were completely unaware, while others simply attributed their fatigue or

aches to daily life. What had begun as a means of gaining sympathy was now becoming something more serious

Another woman stepped forward, cradling her toddler. "Can you check us both, please?" she asked,

Fiona reached for the child's arm first, then the mother's scanning them carefully. There was a trace, faint but

unmistakable. She held back her reaction, nodding with a reassuring smile. "Please see Kariana," she said,

gesturing to where Kariana stood organizing the crowd.

As she continued, Fiona's mind whirled with questions. The frequency of poison traces in these villagers was

alarming "There was a disturbing pattern here, and the more people she examined, the clearer it became.

By the tshe finished the first round of examinations, Fiona felt a chill settle over her. What started as a small

plan for sympathy had unraveled Into a datigemus revelation-many of these werewolves were unknowingly

carrying poison within them.

Fiona sat quietly, taking a moment to rest as she looked over the retaining villagers waiting to be examined. The

day had stretchesl into night, but she had no platu tu stop muul every person had been seen. She reached for a

cup of water, taking a long sip as she heard Miss Rosenada approach. There are sady tangy leh. Lady Fiona" Miss

Rosenda saul, glasing at the crowd. "After that, we'll need to head back to the palace"

Fiona nodded, her eye drifting cover the tired yet hopeful faces in line. "Thank you, Miss Roscista" She set her

cup down and looked up. "What about those we coulommet with the podsond?

Mass Boscudas expressioutarkened "Sixteen people. All of them are relatives of soldiers. I'm afraid this may be

bigger than we originally thought."

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Chapter S1

Fiona's jaw tightened as she processed this. "Is there any way to trace the source of the p

poison?"

Miss Rosenda shook her head "Unfortunately, no. That's beyond our task. I've already sent a report to the palace,

though."

Fiona sighed, frustration clear on her face. "Understood" She took a deep breath, finishing the last bite of her

meal. Gathering her strength, she stood, ready to rehim to her examinations when the sound of horses echoed in

the distance.

She immediately tensed, her senses sharpening. A group of riders approached, and within moments, she

recognized Elijah at the lead, flanked by his guards. As they halted a few paces away. Elijah dismounted and

crossed to her without hesitation. Before Fiona could say a word. Elijah pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms

wrapping securely around her. She felt a wave of relief and warmth, letting herself sink into the embrace for a

brief moment.

Elijah pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning her face. "What do you think you're-

Before he could finish. Fiona cut him off with a soft smile. I'm glad you came," she said, giving his chest a gentle

pat, hoping he'd catch the unspoken meaning behind her words. She turned to face the gathered villagers.

"Everyone, this is His Highness, Elijah Voss. Just as she expected, murmurs filled the area. "You might know him

as the Alphu King's eldest son but tonight, he's here to offer us further assistance.

"Fiona Elijah's grip tightened slightly on her waist, clearly wanting to interject, but Fiona pressed on.

"His Highness hd every

ry intention of being here sooner," she explained, her voice calm and reassuring. "There was an but he's with us

now, and that's what matters, isn't it?" She looked at him with wide eyes, and after a beat, he gave a nod, a

smile playing at his lips. urgent matter at the palace.

"Then" Elijah turned to his men, his tone turning brisk "Secure the area. Il be staying close to Lady Fiona His

soldiers nodded in perfect formation, swiftly moving to follow his command 11:30 AM