Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 97

"We needed to do something to stop them, Your Highness," said, his face tense as he looked at Elijah. "The

council only wanted-

"Recognition," Elijah interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension. The faces of those inside the house

darkened further, their expressions: hardening. Following the earlier commotion, Elijah had stepped in, inviting

the envoys-including Lady Carissa and Rio-inside for a private discussion. Predictably, they had complied, only to

launch into complaints the moment the door closed. It was exactly the reaction Elijah and Fiona had anticipated

Seeing their reactions, Elijah snorted. "Isn't that what the council really wanted to achieve?"

"Your Highness, with all due respect, the names that were included mean nothing. There's no malice. All the

council wanted was to help these people."

"If you really wanted to help everyone, then why conly now?" the village chief, Aken, asked, his hostility

clear for everyone to see. "We've lost brothers, sisters, wives, and parents to the rogue king's attack. These

people have lost their children to the rogues. But when we needed you most. you were never there. Instead, the

council abandoned us

"That is simply not true one of the envoys said. "We were there

"Please, sir, you don't have to lie to my face," Aken interrupted sharply. "I am Aken, and you probably don't

remember the village chief beforeMy father was the village chief during the first attack. He lost his life, and

none of you-none of you-cto help! We asked for aid! | was there when my father begged the guards to send

more troops because the rogues were strong, and we were badly outnumbered! None of you come!"

"You

"My father bled while waiting for your help" Aken's gaze hardened as he pointed at the envoy who had tried to

interrupt him. "He begged. He sent letters, petitions, and messages by every means we had. He warned the

council that the rogues were organizing and growing stronger. And what did the council do! Nothing. You left us

to fend for ourselves."

Merra, Aken's wife, stood at the edge of the room. her hands trembling as she clasped them together. Her face

was pale as she stepped forward. "Do you know what it's like to hold your child, to feel their little body grow cold

because there's no medicine? No healer! We didn't have the resources to treat them. You talk of helping now, but

where were you then?"

The room fell silent. One of the envoys, Aedric, looked visibly uncomfortable, his hands twitching at his sides. He

glanced at Marek, who stepped forward to respond.

"We understand the pain you've endured," Marek began. "But the council was stretched thin. The war with the

rogues spread us across the kingdom. Resources were limited, and decisions had to be made about where they

would be most effective

"Most effective?" Merra's voice cracked as tears spilled down her checks. "And what about here? Was this village

not worth saving Were our lives not worth your effort?"

Elijah leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed, observing the envoys as if he were watching a show. "Your

reasoning is convenient," he said coldly. "Stretched thin or not, the council prioritized cities and noble estates

over the people who truly needed help. You turned your backs on the Southern Gates, and now you think a few

sacks of food will erase that?"

Calis stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation. "Lady Fiona's presence has highlighted the needs of this

region, and we are here to-

"To what?" Aken interrupted sharply. "To claim credit! To look like heroes when you've ignored us for years? You

stamped your names and seals on the supplies you brought, as if we should bow and thank you for finally

showing up when it's too late"

want everyone to know you were here, that you "Do you think we're blind?" Merra added. "The names aren't for

us. They're for your glory. You want eve cared enough to send scraps while Lady Fiona heals the wounds you left

to fester."

"Listen to them. They see through your act. You don't want to help us-you want to be seen helping us." Aken

gritted his teeth, pointing toward the door where the villagers were waiting. The envoys reacted with mixed

expressions. Slooked uncomfortable, while others seemed upset.

Aedric clenched his fists. Unlike the others, he looked visibly frustrated. "The council's intentions were never

malicious. These supplies-" "Are marked like trophies Merra shot back. "Each stamp is a reminder of how long we

waited for aid that never came. A reminder of the friends and family we buried while you sat in your council

chambers, debating what was "most effective

Aken took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he steadied himself. "We don't need your names on the food or

your banners in our square. We needed soldiers, medicine, and help when the rogues first attacked. Now! Now

we only need Lady Fiona and His Highness. They cante without banners, without demands for recognition, and

they've done more for is in days than the council hus in years."

in dwelling on what wasn't done. What Fiona stepped forward, placing a hand on Merra's shoulder. "Enough," she

said softly. "There's an point in matters is what we do now. To be honest, Fiona never expected this reaction from

Aken and the entire village.

1/2 Chapter 97

Merra wiped her tears, nodding but still glaring at the envoys. "If you want to help, fine. But leave your seals,

your names, and your egos out of it We don't need reminders of your failure stamped on every herb bundle and

sack of grain."

Elijah smirked faintly, pushing off the wall. "You heard them," he said to the envoys. "If you want to stay and be

useful, do it without the theatrics. Otherwise, pack up and leave"

The envoys exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by the hostility. Marek finally nodded stiffly. "We'll make

adjustments. The supplies will cwithout insignias from now on"

"And next time," Aken added, his voice hard, "remember that actions speak louder than seals." He turned away,

wrapping an arm around Merra as the two moved to comfort the villagers waiting outside.

Fiona watched them leave before turning back to the envoys, her gaze steady. "If you're truly here to help, then

focus on that. These people don't need reminders of who failed them. They need allies"

The envoys nodded reluctantly. Who would have thought that simple villagers-simple omegas who had lived in

this village all their lives-would have the courage to speak against the council! This unexpected and bitter

confrontation would undoubtedly reach the council's

ears.

The envoys exchanged glances. All of them knew this was far from over.