Contract With The Alpha King

Tonight, Fiona Rosenthal was not going to kill anyone.

She took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The declaration felt like a lifeline. "Not tonight," she few weeks. whispered as if speaking louder might shatter the fragile resolve she'd pieced together for the past The red dress she'd stolen from her sister clung to her bruised skin. She hated dresses that exposed her arms, but tonight it was perfect. The bruises on her arm were raw, ugly were just whit she needed. Let them see. Let them all see.

In the soft light of the bathroom, the bruises looked like shadows. They were the truth behind the lie she lived-a life of pretense, of enduring pain. She practiced her smile. It was hollow, empty, a smile that spoke of loneliness and the weight she carried This is just what she needed.

Satisfied with her appearance, Fiona left the bathroom. The sounds of laughter and music greeted her as she stepped onto the porch, a jarring contrast to the silence that usually filled the corners of her mind, silence born from too many nights spent alone too many bruises hidden beneath long sleeves.

The party was in full swing at the back of the pack mansion, but the front was quieter, occupied only by a few who greeted her in passing. She felt their eyes on her arm and neck, but as always, their gazes slid away. They ignored her. Just as they always did. They see only what they want to see, she thought bitterly, resentment rising in her throat like bile. A sigh escaped her lips she stared up at the moon, its silvery light casting an almost dream like glow over the mansion.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially the guest of honor, Prince Elijah, one of the Werewolf Princes. Fiona's

's gaze drifted toward the back of the mansion, where the music throbbed, blending with the chatter of the guests. It was going to be a long night..

Zachariah had, as always, outdone himself, ensuring there was enough food and drink to keep the party going until dawn. Everyone loved him for it-for his ability to make everything appear perfect. If only he could bring that same effort into their marriage. But that would require him to care.

Fiona turned away from the moon. The mansion loomed tall and imposing, a cold, gray monolith against the night sky. No flowers bloomed here. Zach's mother, Luna Kimberly despised them, claiming their vibrant colors clashed with the pack's darker nature. A world of gray, ruled by creatures of the night.

Her heels clicked rhythmically on the stone path as she walked toward the music, each step bringing her closer to him. Zach, her husband. The future Alpha. A predator cloaked in sheep's clothing. Anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. The music grew louder as she approached the garden maze. Normally, she avoided this place-it was a claustrophobic labyrinth, its walls closing in on her, suffocating her. But tonight felt different. A strange sense of calm washed over her. Just another test, she told herself. Another trial to survive.

Despite her hatred for the maze, she knew it well. It had become a refuge, a place to hide from the man who was supposed to protect her.

A familiar seen hit her as she started walking deeper into the maze. His cologne. Of course, it would be him. She quickened her pace, anger bubbling up again. Why the hell was he here? Shouldn't he be with Prince Elijah? And how dare he bring her here? This was her home, her prison, and here he was, flaunting his infidelity.

The audacity of it made her fists clench as the rounded a corner She found them. Zach and his lover, lost in their own world. They look perfect together-a match made in hell. Her stomach twisted with a familiar ache. She wanted to scream, but the words lodged in her throat, choking her.

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Turning on her heel, she made her way in the opposite direction Better to pretend not to know. Better than ending up dead But she wasn't fast enough.

"Fiona?" Zach's voice sliced through the night, grating on her nerves. Even his voice is ugly. She turned, feigning surprise.

"Zach?" Her tone was carefully mochilated, innocent and confused. She wasn't surprised to see him alone. Mistresses were still taboo in the werewolf world. A part of her wished she was brave enough to confront him, but she wasn't. Not yet. "What are you doing here?" His eyes flicked to her dress, his eyebrows lifting in disdain. Great just the reaction she'd expected. "What the hell is that dress?"

"Aren't we having a party? I thought-" she began, knowing full well where this was headed.

"Change," he snapped, cutting her off.

"What?" Fiona blinked, feigning ignorance, even as a knot of dread tightened in her stomach.Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

"Are you deaf?" he hissed, his eyes cold and angry. Since their marriage, Zach had never cared about the way she presented. herself. He never cared if she showed off her bruises. However, the fact that the Prince was here, changed everything. "I-what do you mean, change? You want me to change my clothes?" Fiona played the fool, her eyes wide with false

innocence.

"What the hell, Fiona? Why would you wear something so-" He paused, his jaw tightening with barely suppressed fury.

"So what?" she prompted, lowering her gaze as if she were ashamed. But all she could see were the marks of how he had treated her in the past few months. Like a fucking animal,

"Don't make me drag you back into the mansion," he threatened, shoving a hand into his pocket. On normal days, his words would have been enough to make Fiona move and do his bidding. But not tonight.

Fiona blinked her large brown eyes, hoping to appear even more innocent. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice small "How could you talk to your wife like that?" Tears pooled in her eyes, the perfect touch to her act. Playing weak had always been her forte, at least in front of them.

"Just-Zach stepped forward and grabbed her already injured arm. Pain shot through her as his grip tightened, sending a jolt of anger and fear through her.

She yelped, more from surprise than anything else. Was he really losing control like this? Hurting me in front of everyone? He had been hurting her, but he only did it in private. Then he would tell everyone that she fell or hit something or some random pathetic reason that everyone chose to believe. "Zach, it hurts! What are you doing?"

He ignored her, his jaw clenched in fury. "Are you kidding me? Walking into a party dressed like a slut? We need to talk," he growled, dragging her toward the house.

Confusion flashed through Fiona's mind. Why does he care so much about the dress instead of the bruises? Did she miss something?

"Are you fucking out of your mind?" he hissed, his voice low burfilled with venom.

Panic surged through Fiona. She couldn't let him take her back to the mansion! She struggled against his hold, fear giving her strength. But it was futile.

"Don't play innocent with me. I know exactly what you're doing trying to seduce that darn prince!" Zach's accusation struck her like a blow,

Tears blurred her vision. "Seduce him? Are you insane? It's just adress!" she whimpered, desperately trying to free her arm She wanted to show off her bruises for everyone-including the prince-to see. Yet this damn man was talking about a dress? What the hell? 2/3

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But Zach was relentless as he yanked her roughly toward the mansion. She stumbled, her heels sinking into the soft grass. She felt something sting her legs and immediately smelled blood.

"Please, Zach, stop! You're hurting me!" she cried out, hoping someone would notice, hoping it would attract enough attention.

"Mr. Zachariah Yelchin," a voice interrupted, cutting through the night like a knife. "That's not how a wolf is supposed to

treat his mate.

Zach froze, his grip loosening in an instant. They both turned toward the voice. Almost immediately, Fiona's heart skipped a beat as a tall figure stepped out of the shadows. Prince Elijah.

He was just as imposing as the first time she saw him earlier, his presence commanding and authoritative. His piercing gray eyes found hers, and Fiona immediately felt the intensity of his gaze. How could someone have eyes that looked like the moon? They gleamed like jewels, beautiful in a way that was almost unsettling. They perfectly complemented his chiseled features, giving him an air of untouchable regality.

Zach's grip tightened again, this time out of anger. "You have no right to interfere. This is between my wife and me!" he spat his voice filled with a false bravado that even Fiona could sense was crumbling.

Elijah ignored Zach's outburst, his gaze fixed on Fiona. He walked closer, each step measured and deliberate, as if he were weighing every possible outcome. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softening as he addressed her.

Fiona nodded, her voice caught in her throat. Elijah's presence was overwhelming, but for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt something close to safety-almost safe.

"You have no right to interfere," Zach growled, stepping in front of Fiona as if to shield her from the prince.

Elijah's eyes flicked to Zach, his expression hardening into something cold and dangerous. "I have every right when I see a wolf mistreating his mate. It goes against everything we stand for,"

Zach's face twisted with rage, but he didn't move. He knew, as well as Fiona did, that this was not a man to be trifled with This was Prince Elijah Voss, the guest of honor, the son of the Alpha King. His reputation preceded him-ruthless, unforgiving, a man who killed without hesitation. Elijah turned back to Fiona, extending a hand. "Come with me," he said gently. "You don't have to stay here."

Fiona hesitated, her eyes flicking to Zach. Behind Elijah, she could already see a few of their packmates watching, drawn by the commotion. Perfect. This was her chance.

"In fact," she began, her voice trembling just enough to sell her act, "I would like to stay." She swallowed hard, turning her gaze to someone who had just appeared behind Zach-her father, the man who had forced her into this marriage. "Please, Your Highness..." she said, tears spilling down her cheeks, "Please declare my marriage void on the grounds of my husband's impotence!